{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Central Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":42.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":4020780,"projectId":9679172,"letterContent":"Your generous donation toward the purchase of magnetic building materials has been effective in helping students of all ages and abilities engage in science and engineering practices while enjoying themselves completely. \r\n\r\nI have observed students who initially would always call me over when something \"isn't working\" develop the skill of looking for the \"failure point\" and finding a solution. For example, since only one side of the race track tiles have the necessary groove for the car to follow, students would often build a track where the car kept getting stuck. Now they know to feel for the groove and how to fix that themselves by turning it over. In addition, since flipping a curved track would change the direction of the curve, students have learned the spatial orientation skills related to both flipping and rotating. These might seem like small things, but developing that independence and perseverance is an achievement for UTK and kindergarteners as well as my special needs students. \r\n\r\nStudents have also used the materials to explore concepts such as building with squares or triangles. They love finding ways pieces fit together differently depending on whether they are all vertical or at an angle. They compete to see who can build the tallest structures without collapsing, and they make patterns using colors and shapes. Even cleaning up is a learning moment as they have to organize the pieces by color, shape, and quantity. \r\n\r\nThese materials have been fantastic both as the main learning tools for a lesson and also has an activity students can go to when they finish something early. Whether I direct them toward a specific challenge or whether they have the freedom to choose their own goal, they get to use their creativity and imagination, sometimes independently and sometimes in collaboration with peers. They are some of the favorite items in my classroom. I appreciate your donation making it possible to purchase these in quantities that satisfy classroom needs. Thank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1757528745139,"projectUrl":"project/magnetic-engineering-tools/9679172/","projectTitle":"Magnetic Engineering Tools","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nytes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4020780_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683660165995","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4020780"},{"teacherId":6467448,"projectId":9433045,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of my Donors Choose project for school supplies. I am so grateful for your kindness and for the time you took to invest in my students. Teaching Kindergarten is such a wild and wonderful age/grade and it becomes even more special when compassionate people like you choose to help out and give my students what they need to thrive.\r\n\r\nFor all of my students, school is not only a place to gain academic skills, but also a safe, nurturing environment where they can explore, grow, and build confidence. Our community is incredibly diverse, with many families newly arriving in this country and working hard to find stability. Despite these challenges, our students come in ready to give their best, and their excitement for learning is contagious. Thank you so very much for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1759179447125,"projectUrl":"project/s-is-for-school-supplies/9433045/","projectTitle":"S is for School Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gonzales","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6467448_orig.jpg?crop=2257,2257,x201,y591&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726110568213","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6467448"},{"teacherId":6467448,"projectId":9735500,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom project!\r\nBecause of your kindness, my Kindergarteners will have access to meaningful social-emotional learning books that help them grow not just as students, but as caring little people. Your donation directly supports a community of English learners, new immigrant families, and my special little ones who are discovering how to be kind friends and thoughtful classmates.\r\n\r\nYour gift will make a real difference in our daily learning, our conversations, and the way my students see and care for one another. We are truly grateful for your belief in our classroom and in the power of compassion.","fullyFundedDate":1759343207271,"projectUrl":"project/building-compassion-through-stories-in-k/9735500/","projectTitle":"Building Compassion Through Stories in Kindergarten","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gonzales","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6467448_orig.jpg?crop=2257,2257,x201,y591&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726110568213","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6467448"},{"teacherId":3985402,"projectId":9398549,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom has been transformed with the arrival of new MIDI keyboards—and the impact has been incredible!\r\n\r\nWhile many people are familiar with keyboards used at home or in performances, MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) keyboards are a powerful educational tool in schools. They allow students to not only play music but also to compose, arrange, and record their own pieces using music software. This hands-on technology gives them real-time feedback and helps them understand music theory, rhythm, and harmony in a way that's interactive and fun.\r\n\r\nThe most exciting part for our students? They're creating their own music—sometimes for the first time ever. With the MIDI keyboards, they can layer sounds, experiment with different instruments digitally, and bring their musical ideas to life. Students who may not have felt confident reading traditional sheet music are now composing their own beats and melodies with enthusiasm and pride.\r\n\r\nWe've seen a number of students truly light up with this technology. One student, who had struggled to engage in class before, now comes in early just to work on his latest track. Another student, who is shy in group settings, found her voice through music and even shared her original song with the whole class. The keyboards have opened up new ways for all our students to express themselves and connect with music on a deeper level.\r\n\r\nThank you again for helping us bring 21st-century tools into our music classroom. Your donation is not just helping students play music—it's helping them discover their creativity, build confidence, and explore future possibilities in music and technology.","fullyFundedDate":1752586500565,"projectUrl":"project/unlocking-creativity-empowering-young-m/9398549/","projectTitle":"Unlocking Creativity: Empowering Young Musicians With MIDI Controllers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. MATTISON","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3985402_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1484003623147","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/carissa-mattison"},{"teacherId":4988432,"projectId":9641303,"letterContent":"Your donation has made a meaningful impact on my students who are visually impaired. The wearable cane has provided a hands-free solution that helps them move more confidently and safely in different environments.\r\n\r\nOne student, in particular, has shown a clear shift since receiving the wearable device. Its hands-free design gives continuous feedback and protection while boosting his confidence and freedom to move safely. It's wonderful to see him explore with greater independence.\r\n\r\nWhat I've noticed most is that this device doesn't just assist my students in safely navigating their environment, it helps them feel more capable and involved in their surroundings. I'm deeply grateful for your support and for being such an important part of their journey toward greater independence. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.","fullyFundedDate":1757461166857,"projectUrl":"project/wearable-canes-for-young-learners-with-v/9641303/","projectTitle":"Wearable Canes for Young Learners With Visual Impairments","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Angie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4988432_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752699140551","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/visual-impairment"},{"teacherId":4988432,"projectId":9702584,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support! Because of you, the infants and toddlers I work with—who are blind or visually impaired—now have access to engaging, developmentally appropriate toys that make learning through play more meaningful and accessible.\r\n\r\nThese tactile and auditory toys are now an essential part of my toolkit when I make home visits and visit students in the pre-school setting. They are helping me introduce early concepts, build motor skills, and spark curiosity in ways that meet each child's unique sensory needs.\r\n\r\nOne especially powerful moment happened during a visit with a walking toddler who had been hesitant to take steps without holding the adult's hand. I introduced the push toy I acquired through my Donors' Choose project - it makes popping sounds when the child moves forward. With the sound as motivation and the toy as a guide, he became noticeably more confident—smiling, stepping forward, and engaging with real enthusiasm. The toy gave him a sense of safety and helped him feel more secure as he moved through space, while the auditory feedback provided a motivating reward.\r\n\r\nThe children have been immediately drawn to the sounds and textures. Many of them don't have consistent access to materials designed for their needs, so when I open my bag of tactile treasures, it's like a world of new possibilities opens up. They engage more readily and stay focused longer, which allows us to make the most of every visit.\r\n\r\nRight now, we're focusing on purposeful movement and play—reaching, grasping, pressing, and manipulating objects that provide sensory feedback. These toys will continue to support spatial awareness, movement, and early exploration. They also help caregivers learn how to support play and interaction at home, which is a huge part of the work we do.\r\n\r\nI love how curious and resilient these young learners are. They're discovering the world through touch and sound, and your support has made that exploration more joyful and accessible. Thank you for believing in their potential and helping create more inclusive early learning experiences!","fullyFundedDate":1758231754856,"projectUrl":"project/tactile-treasures-for-inclusive-learning/9702584/","projectTitle":"Tactile Treasures for Inclusive Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Angie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4988432_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752699140551","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/visual-impairment"},{"teacherId":6467448,"projectId":9402162,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for bringing art to life in my classroom. With your generosity, my Kindergarteners will have the supplies we need to explore colors, shapes, and self-expression while building confidence and skills. In our diverse community, where many students are new to the U.S. and learning English, art is a joyful way to connect and grow. Your kindness makes that possible, and I am so grateful! I can not wait to show my students the new materials, and to use them to build their skill and love of art. Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1757423933344,"projectUrl":"project/creative-kinders-art-supplies-for-big-i/9402162/","projectTitle":"Creative Kinders: Art Supplies for Big Imaginations!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gonzales","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6467448_orig.jpg?crop=2257,2257,x201,y591&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726110568213","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6467448"},{"teacherId":6467448,"projectId":9276506,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom library! Because of your generosity, my students will have access to books that open doors to new worlds—whether it's exploring space, learning about big feelings, or diving into STEM. For many of my students, English is a new language, and having engaging, age-appropriate books makes all the difference in building confidence and a love of learning. I truly appreciate your support and help with developing my student's minds and hearts, thank you for your donation!!","fullyFundedDate":1746785598414,"projectUrl":"project/blast-off-into-reading-books-to-inspire/9276506/","projectTitle":"Blast Off Into Reading: Books to Inspire Young Minds!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gonzales","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6467448_orig.jpg?crop=2257,2257,x201,y591&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726110568213","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6467448"},{"teacherId":6467448,"projectId":9262989,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom through a Teachers Pay Teachers gift card. Your generosity allows me to provide my students with engaging, hands-on lessons and activities that make learning fun and meaningful. From math games to literacy centers, these resources give my students the chance to practice skills in ways that spark curiosity and confidence. It also makes out learning so much more fun for students and teachers alike. Thank you for supporting education and showing others that you care about kids!!","fullyFundedDate":1746785455104,"projectUrl":"project/teachers-pay-teachers-empowers-educators/9262989/","projectTitle":"Teachers Pay Teachers Empowers Educators to Thrive!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gonzales","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6467448_orig.jpg?crop=2257,2257,x201,y591&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726110568213","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6467448"},{"teacherId":6467448,"projectId":9126751,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my K/1 classroom. Because of your generosity, my students will have the chance to witness the magic of animal life cycles up close—hatching chicks, raising butterflies, and diving into books and posters that deepen their learning. For many of my students, this will be their very first time experiencing the wonder of animal life firsthand. \r\n\r\nYour kindness makes a difference in my classroom, to my students and to me. I am so grateful you chose to be part of our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1746785419883,"projectUrl":"project/hatching-chicks-butterflies-in-our-cla/9126751/","projectTitle":"Hatching Chicks & Butterflies in Our Classroom!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gonzales","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6467448_orig.jpg?crop=2257,2257,x201,y591&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726110568213","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6467448"},{"teacherId":4020780,"projectId":9166700,"letterContent":"My fifth graders LOVED the experiments we were able to do thanks to your generous donation to my DonorsChoose project. You should have heard the squeals of delight and shock when we had plastic baggies exploding in class (thanks to the chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar in the sealed container)! Even the ones who had seen the reaction before only expected bubbles. They were unaware of the gas being created that would fill the bag and create pressure until it burst. In this way, they really understood that when a chemical reaction occurs, something new is made that wasn't there before. \r\n\r\nThey also enjoyed our Earth science lessons where they were able to model the orbit of the moon around Earth and to observe the phases of the mood on the Styrofoam craft balls. (Turning out the lights and making it dark was just the beginning of the fun.) Using their head as the Earth helped them understand that the phases are not due to a shadow caused by Earth (a common misconception), but by our perspective--the part of the moon we are looking at in relation to its position in its orbit.\r\n\r\nWe also were able to explore the water on Earth, comparing how much fresh water and salt water we have. They followed \"the life of a water drop\" as it randomly traveled through bodies of water on Earth, through the atmosphere, and through living things such as plants and animals. They learned about the water cycle and the importance of having enough clean fresh water on Earth.\r\n\r\nThank you again for making our science lessons more exciting and interesting by providing supplies that allow us to engage in experimenting and modeling. The students' learning is much deeper and lasts much longer with these types of lessons. We appreciate you!!","fullyFundedDate":1744032779490,"projectUrl":"project/science-with-our-super-fifth-graders/9166700/","projectTitle":"Science with our Super Fifth Graders!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nytes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4020780_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683660165995","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4020780"},{"teacherId":4020780,"projectId":9166343,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for providing materials for our fourth grade scientists! Thanks to your donation, I was able to get the remaining supplies I needed in order to do the hands-on learning activities that keep students engaged and make learning last.\r\n\r\nThe fourth graders absolutely loved learning about energy and electricity. First they used Energy Sticks, which light up and make sound only if the students can use their bodies or other objects to complete a circuit. You should have seen their amazed and incredulous faces when it appeared as if students had a magic button because the stick would react when their partner \"pushed the secret button\" on their hand or neck or nose! In reality, by contacting one another, they were completing a circuit. They explored how many students could be part of the circuit, what happened if they touch a sleeve instead of skin, what happened if they held onto various objects like pencils or metal chair legs instead of each other, and more. This led to understanding open and closed circuits, conductors and insulators, and the flow of electrons that make electricity. Using the 3 volt batteries and the LED light bulbs you provided, they were able to further explore making circuits and put it to use by creating greeting cards that would light up when the recipient used aluminum foil to complete a circuit. (I loved the ones where the light was the nose on a face they created inside the card.)\r\n\r\nIn addition, the other materials such as the sensory bottles, balloons ,and storage containers helped us learn about the states of matter and sort things into solids, liquids and gases. Thank you very much for making our physical science unit come to life! You may have inspired a future scientist or engineer!","fullyFundedDate":1745847072876,"projectUrl":"project/fourth-grade-fun-in-science/9166343/","projectTitle":"Fourth Grade Fun in Science","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nytes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4020780_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683660165995","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4020780"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_37473","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":494,"numTeachers":29,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":14,"percentBlack":9,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":72,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"17.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":58.0,"schoolId":37473,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Central Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Central Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/san-diego-unified-school-district/central-elementary-school/37473"}