{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Octavius V Catto Family School","outOfStateSupporters":57.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6835139,"projectId":9822847,"letterContent":"Our classroom is using the fidgets for self regulation and task endurance. We are using the fidgets during transition periods and group listening times. For many of my students, having a quiet, tactile outlet like a mesh marble toy or a textured sticker helps them stay grounded and calm their bodies so they can focus on the lesson at hand.\r\nDuring independent work, students now have access to a sensory menu. Choosing a specific tool like a weighted lap pad or a squishy ball has increased the amount of time they can spend on a task before needing a break. \r\n The atmosphere in the classroom was electric! When the box arrived, my students' faces lit up with pure joy. There were cheers, wide eyes, and a lot of eager hands reaching out to explore. For many of my students, receiving a box of brand new items chosen specifically for their needs made them feel incredibly special and seen.","fullyFundedDate":1766597485497,"projectUrl":"project/positive-choices-powerful-rewards/9822847/","projectTitle":"Positive Choices, Powerful Rewards","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Elly","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6835139_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1742905495230","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6835139"},{"teacherId":2985909,"projectId":10169262,"letterContent":"Thank you for the wonderful resources you provided for our calming corner. Our students have truly embraced the space and use it daily to reset, reflect, and regulate their emotions. The tools have made a noticeable difference in helping them feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. We've seen improved focus, fewer disruptions, and more positive interactions among peers. Your generosity and thoughtfulness have had a meaningful impact on our classroom environment. We are incredibly grateful for your support in helping us create a nurturing and inclusive space for every child. Thank you again for making a lasting difference here.","fullyFundedDate":1774630946858,"projectUrl":"project/calm-down/10169262/","projectTitle":"Calm Down","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Norcross","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2985909_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1490812392295","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/m-mcglone"},{"teacherId":3110906,"projectId":10019059,"letterContent":"On behalf of our students, families, and staff, we extend our deepest gratitude for your support of the uniform sweatshirt project. Your thoughtful contributions have made it possible for our students to receive comfortable, high-quality sweatshirts that promote both warmth and a sense of belonging. For many of our students, this gift is more than just clothing, it represents inclusion, confidence, and the knowledge that their community cares about them.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has a meaningful and lasting impact. By helping provide these uniforms, you are removing barriers and allowing students to focus more fully on their education and personal growth. The pride they feel wearing their sweatshirts is visible each day, and it strengthens the unity within our school.\r\n\r\nThank you for your generosity and for believing in our students' potential. Your impact is seen and felt in every classroom and hallway. We are truly grateful for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1768578096989,"projectUrl":"project/winter-gym-uniforms/10019059/","projectTitle":"Winter Gym Uniforms","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Masciantonio","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3110906"},{"teacherId":9406317,"projectId":9940974,"letterContent":"My scholars and I are overjoyed that you chose us. Your generosity has enabled us yo keep the classroom clean and germ free. Scholars were excited to know that someone actually cared about them. They asked a lot of questions and couldn't believe that strangers would care. \r\n\r\nThey are dependent upon these materials to help keep our classroom clean. It is refreshing to see young people care about the cleanliness of their environment . This is possible due to your help. We cannot express enough how much we appreciate your kindness. \r\nThank","fullyFundedDate":1767122303294,"projectUrl":"project/say-goodbye-to-illness/9940974/","projectTitle":"Say Goodbye to Illness","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Norwood","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9406317_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724877025897","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9406317"},{"teacherId":10039286,"projectId":9978981,"letterContent":"Your generosity made a meaningful difference in our first-grade classroom, and we are truly grateful for your support of our lima bean growing project. Because of your kindness in funding the science materials, my students had the exciting opportunity to plant, observe, and care for their very own lima bean seeds while learning about how plants grow. This hands-on experience helped them develop curiosity, patience, and a deeper understanding of science in a way that books alone cannot provide. Watching the seeds sprout and grow brought so much joy and wonder to our classroom, and it would not have been possible without your support. Thank you for investing in our students' learning and helping us create such a memorable and meaningful science experience","fullyFundedDate":1767661033696,"projectUrl":"project/little-scientist-soar-with-resources-and/9978981/","projectTitle":"Little Scientist Soar with Resources and More","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Stevens","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10039286"},{"teacherId":6822774,"projectId":10044989,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping to keep our students warm and cared for! Every student was able to take home a warm hat, gloves and new socks thanks to you. We used our emerging fine motor skills to practice putting on socks and gloves all by ourselves as part of our clothing study. Everyone was so proud of themselves when they learned to put on their own gloves! Your generosity not only helped keep us warm but also build confidence and independence. The students were also very excited about the new cot sheets and blankets to make rest time more comfortable. Their favorite part was probably the snacks. It means so much to them to know that there will bill a snack waiting for them after rest time. It makes them feel secure and cared for, which helps them relax and rest their bodies and brains. We really appreciate your support in helping our students grow and reach their full potential.","fullyFundedDate":1769223016423,"projectUrl":"project/helping-little-learners-feel-safe-warm/10044989/","projectTitle":"Helping Little Learners Feel Safe, Warm, and Fed","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Clark","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6822774_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1702131397284","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6822774"},{"teacherId":613582,"projectId":9960028,"letterContent":"We are incredibly grateful for those who believe in us and support our education. The robots and mouse devices are helping us learn coding in a fun, engaging, and meaningful way. We truly enjoy working with technology, and having the right materials enriches our learning experience and allows us to participate in hands-on activities that help us meet our lesson objectives.\r\n\r\nWe sincerely appreciate generous individuals like you who invest in our future. Please know that your support will be put to great use, benefiting not only us but many future classes as well. We are truly thankful for your kindness and commitment to our education.","fullyFundedDate":1766588817718,"projectUrl":"project/from-clicks-to-code-dash-robots-power-s/9960028/","projectTitle":"From Clicks to Code: Dash Robots Power Student Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Elizabeth V. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp613582_orig.jpg?crop=1244,1244,x0,y244&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1704760749548","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/erodriguezbilingualclass"},{"teacherId":6822774,"projectId":9765528,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom through DonorsChoose. Because of your kindness, we now have the care and cleaning supplies we need to keep our classroom safe, healthy, and welcoming for every student.\r\n\r\nYour donation helps us maintain a clean and organized learning environment where students can focus on learning without worry. From tissues and disinfecting wipes to other essential supplies, these items make a daily difference in keeping our classroom comfortable and ready for learning.\r\n\r\nYour generosity not only supports our classroom's physical needs, but it also shows our students that there are people who care deeply about their education and well-being. That message is powerful. It reminds them that their community believes in them and wants them to succeed.\r\n\r\nOn behalf of my students and our entire classroom community, thank you for your kindness, support, and commitment to education. We are truly grateful for your partnership in helping our classroom thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1764686219072,"projectUrl":"project/clean-and-healthy/9765528/","projectTitle":"Clean and Healthy","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Clark","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6822774_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1702131397284","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6822774"},{"teacherId":10413102,"projectId":10045991,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom—your generosity has truly made a difference in our students' daily experiences. From the moment the materials arrived, the excitement was immediate. Students were eager to explore, touch, and use everything. One of my favorite moments was watching a student proudly use a sensory tool at their desk to stay focused during learning time, while another student found comfort sitting calmly with a soft light-up companion. These small moments are huge wins for our classroom, helping students feel safe, regulated, and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nWe are using these resources every day to support both academic learning and emotional development. During lessons, students are more engaged and able to stay on task, and during independent work, they are using tools to self-regulate in ways we've been practicing all year. We've also been incorporating our new social-emotional books into read-alouds and discussions, giving students the language to express their feelings and build stronger connections with one another.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we will continue building on this progress by helping students become more independent in choosing the tools that best support their learning. We are also expanding our work with social-emotional learning by connecting these resources to writing, group discussions, and problem-solving activities. Your support has not only provided materials—it has created meaningful opportunities for growth, confidence, and joy in our classroom. We are so grateful for your generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1769126746010,"projectUrl":"project/supporting-students-with-food-comfort/10045991/","projectTitle":"Supporting Students with Food, Comfort, and Calm","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Miranda","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10413102_orig.jpg?crop=906,906,x555,y51&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1768953527223","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10413102"},{"teacherId":2985909,"projectId":10024048,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations! We are incredibly grateful for the wide range of items you provided, which will greatly enhance our activities and programs. The cotton candy machine will be a delightful addition to our events, creating sweet moments for everyone. The headphones are perfect for our audio projects and will help students focus on their work without distractions. The lights will brighten up our spaces, making them more inviting and conducive to learning. The magic ink pens will add a touch of fun to our writing exercises, sparking creativity. Our text readers will be instrumental in assisting those with reading difficulties, ensuring accessibility for all. Each of these contributions plays a vital role in enriching our environment and supporting our mission. Thank you once again for your thoughtful generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1768676302407,"projectUrl":"project/we-care/10024048/","projectTitle":"We Care!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Norcross","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2985909_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1490812392295","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/m-mcglone"},{"teacherId":2223837,"projectId":9595929,"letterContent":"The headphones have been quiet game-changer for my English Language Learners because they add support in ways whole-class instruction sometimes can't. For example, the headphones block out classroom noise so students can clearly hear pronunciation, tone, and pacing. \r\n\r\nWhat is most exciting to my students is they can pause, rewind, and replay lessons or directions as many times as they need without disturbing others. They benefit from extra processing time without feeling rushed or embarrassed. \r\n\r\nI have two new ELL students who are new to the U.S. I prepare and post lesson within Google Classroom and the students have the autonomy to change the lessons to the language of their choice.","fullyFundedDate":1756777064065,"projectUrl":"project/ell-focus-zone/9595929/","projectTitle":"ELL Focus Zone","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. T. Brown","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2223837_orig.png?crop=640,640,x0,y247&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1687786049600","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2223837"},{"teacherId":2228061,"projectId":10044544,"letterContent":"My students are using the new resources through our classroom store, where they earn and spend fake money to practice real-world math skills such as budgeting, adding, subtracting, and making change. One of my favorite moments was watching students carefully count their money, decide whether to save or spend, and explain their choices using math vocabulary. The snacks have also made a noticeable difference—students are more focused, engaged, and ready to learn when their basic needs are met.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, their excitement was immediate. They felt proud and valued knowing that people cared enough to support their classroom. Several students shared that having access to snacks helped them feel more comfortable and able to concentrate during lessons.\r\n\r\nThe next steps for my students include expanding the classroom store to include savings goals and reflection activities tied to our current math lessons. Students will continue using the store as part of ongoing financial literacy practice while reinforcing responsibility, decision-making, and perseverance. Thanks to your support, our classroom is a place where learning, care, and opportunity go hand in hand.","fullyFundedDate":1769180655012,"projectUrl":"project/a-classroom-store-that-feeds-cares-and/10044544/","projectTitle":"A Classroom Store That Feeds, Cares, and Teaches","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tiffany Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2228061_orig.png?crop=1125,1125,x0,y48&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755735878877","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2228061"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_42078","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":601,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":22,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":74,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":42.5,"schoolId":42078,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Octavius V Catto Family School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Octavius V Catto Family School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-jersey/camden-city-school-district/catto-community-school/42078"}
Join the 1,372 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Octavius V Catto Family School is
an urban public school
in Camden, New Jersey that is part of Camden City School District.
It serves 601 students
in grades Pre-K - 8.
Its teachers have had 601 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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of students receive free or reduced price lunch
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Source: the National Center for Education Statistics
97%
of students are Black, Latino, Native
American, or Asian
Data about school demographics comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. The numbers in this chart may not add up to 100% because of limitations in the available data.
Octavius V Catto Family School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Apr 30, 2026
DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students
in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.
Octavius V Catto Family School
$325,195
raised using DonorsChoose
601
projects
funded
93
teachers
funded
1,372
donors
93
projects
for
basic supplies
104
projects for
technology
40
projects for
books
32
projects
for
art supplies
Octavius V Catto Family School has received support from
583 individuals from New Jersey and
789 individuals out-of-state.