{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"West Willow Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":24.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2908578,"projectId":9506776,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom. My kindergarten students have truly enjoyed using these hands-on materials to explore all five of their senses. They loved using scented stickers to guess different smells, touching a variety of textured materials to compare how each one felt, using their sense of sight to search for Waldo in picture books, and using their sense of hearing to identify sounds hidden inside our mystery capsules.\r\n\r\nThese activities helped students make real-life connections to our lessons and strengthened their understanding of how each sense helps us learn about the world. Your support has made our five senses unit more engaging, interactive, and meaningful for every child. Thank you for helping create a classroom where learning truly comes to life.","fullyFundedDate":1757877239242,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-learning-exploring-the-five-se/9506776/","projectTitle":"Hands-On Learning: Exploring the Five Senses","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bierman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2908578_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1531606055020","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/bierman"},{"teacherId":2908578,"projectId":9438823,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for fully funding our project! I started the year prepared, organized, and full of excitement. Having essential supplies ready for each student on the very first day created a welcoming, stress-free start to kindergarten.\r\n\r\nMy students loved our first game day with the new Perfection game! It was such a fun way to build coordination, problem-solving, and teamwork. Their smiles and laughter said it all, and this game will continue to bring joy and hands-on learning throughout the year.\r\n\r\nOur new data binders will allow each child to track and celebrate their growth, turning goals and progress into something they can see and feel proud of. The addition of our classroom globe opens up the world for my kindergarteners as we explore where stories, folk tales, and themes in our lessons come from.\r\n\r\nThank you again for giving my students the tools, joy, and opportunities they deserve. Your support makes a lasting impact!","fullyFundedDate":1756926710606,"projectUrl":"project/jump-starting-kindergarten-with-supplies/9438823/","projectTitle":"Jump Starting Kindergarten with Supplies, Play, and a Globe!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bierman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2908578_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1531606055020","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/bierman"},{"teacherId":9927817,"projectId":9339146,"letterContent":"I have always had a love for making sure my students have an area that they can go to when they are feeling overwhelmed or just feeling low. Every year, I try to make the area as kid friendly and calming as possible so that every student can feel at peace. This year I asked for a hanging tent, sitting bookshelf, and pillows for the corner. The tent provides a small amount of room to 'hide' in, the bookshelf holds some of my books that I have as well as calming tools, and the pillows provide comfort. I have a student in mind as I am writing this letter that uses this corner multiple times a day, multiple times a week, in order to calm him body and be prepared for the day. \r\nMy students love this corner and aren't afraid to use it how they see fit in order to be in control of their body and their emotions.","fullyFundedDate":1754266328094,"projectUrl":"project/a-calming-environment-organization-and/9339146/","projectTitle":"A Calming Environment: Organization and Peace","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Szurkowski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9927817_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1749355662618","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9927817"},{"teacherId":2908578,"projectId":9451545,"letterContent":"My kindergarten students had the BEST time reading Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and their faces lit up when they got to take their very own copy home! Now they can read it again and again with their families, building a love of books that will last all year long. \r\n\r\nOur rainbow drawers are also a huge hit, they keep all our learning materials neat and tidy, which means more time for reading, counting, and having fun together.\r\n\r\nThanks to you, our classroom feels organized, exciting, and full of book-loving kindergartners who can't wait to learn each day. We're oh-so-grateful for your kindness!","fullyFundedDate":1759258723556,"projectUrl":"project/chicka-chicka-boom-boom/9451545/","projectTitle":"Chicka Chicka Boom Boom!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bierman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2908578_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1531606055020","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/bierman"},{"teacherId":2908578,"projectId":9406232,"letterContent":"Thanks to your kindness, my kindergarteners walked into a classroom that felt bright, welcoming, and full of joy from the very first day! The \"Oh-Fishally in Kindergarten\" Goldfish bags brought the biggest smiles at open house, while colorful name tags, Play-Doh, and pencil boxes made each child feel special and ready to learn. Paper trays, cubby envelopes, and carpet dots may sound simple, but they've already created structure, ownership, and excitement for learning. Because of your support, my students began their school adventure feeling prepared, valued, and oh-so-excited to be part of kindergarten. Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1755357288228,"projectUrl":"project/welcome-to-kindergarten/9406232/","projectTitle":"Welcome to Kindergarten","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bierman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2908578_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1531606055020","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/bierman"},{"teacherId":5608152,"projectId":8696890,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, this project had a meaningful and lasting impact on my 5th-grade classroom. The books Nerdy Birdy, The Very Last Leaf, and Gratitude is My Superpower have become powerful tools in helping students explore and build essential social-emotional skills such as acceptance, self-esteem, and gratitude.\r\n\r\nThrough read-alouds and reflective discussions, students connected deeply with the characters and themes in these books. These stories opened up opportunities for meaningful conversations that encouraged empathy, personal growth, and self-awareness—things that are often just as important as academic skills.\r\n\r\nThe chart paper and post-its helped bring these lessons to life, allowing us to brainstorm, reflect, and chart our thoughts during our social-emotional learning time. The privacy shield created a much-needed safe space for students who experience anxiety during assessments. It gave them a sense of calm and security, which in turn helped them focus and do their best.\r\n\r\nThis project supported both the emotional well-being and academic success of my students. Thank you for helping create a classroom environment where every child feels seen, supported, and safe to grow—not just as learners, but as individuals.","fullyFundedDate":1724949996006,"projectUrl":"project/books-for-social-emotional-learning/8696890/","projectTitle":"Books for Social Emotional Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Krystofiak","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5608152"},{"teacherId":9938062,"projectId":9310150,"letterContent":"We have been reading the books for reviewing our social skills. We also used the social puzzle of matching the face with the feeling in a small group. I used the painters tape to hang up their name tags and hang up their art work. They love painting. We have used it to make hand prints the first day of school. They also use it in the art center. We were out of a lot of the colors. So these different colors of paint will offer them a variety of different colors to choose from. They are going to paint apples in September using green, yellow and red. They are also going to stamp apple prints. They love all that you donated.","fullyFundedDate":1750871733675,"projectUrl":"project/preschool-social-skills-and-art-supplies/9310150/","projectTitle":"Preschool social skills and art supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dawn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9938062"},{"teacherId":5608152,"projectId":9517412,"letterContent":"As the first day of school approaches, I want to thank you for your generous donation to my project! \r\n\r\n The materials will allow students to be fully engaged in the content and will take away deeper learning and understanding. The masks will be so much fun to decorate and connect their understanding, and the costumes will help them reenact medieval times!\r\n\r\n Thank you again for assisting me in delivering instruction with materials that will put a smile on their face and excitement in their learning!","fullyFundedDate":1754136835421,"projectUrl":"project/masks-helmets-and-history-a-creative/9517412/","projectTitle":"Masks, Helmets, and History: A Creative Journey Through the Past","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Krystofiak","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5608152"},{"teacherId":2908578,"projectId":9243731,"letterContent":"Thank you for funding the Nursery Rhymes and Fables and Presidents and American Symbols books to support our new reading series. My kindergarten students loved learning about our past presidents, and these multicultural books truly sparked their enthusiasm. They helped my students see that leadership can begin at a young age—even in our very own classroom! I'm especially grateful to already have the Nursery Rhymes and Fables books ready to start this school year strong. Thank you for helping make my classroom a joyful place to learn and grow!","fullyFundedDate":1747228494868,"projectUrl":"project/ckla-amplify-trade-books-nursery-rhymes/9243731/","projectTitle":"CKLA Amplify Trade Books: Nursery Rhymes and Presidents","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bierman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2908578_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1531606055020","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/bierman"},{"teacherId":2908578,"projectId":9100907,"letterContent":"I am so thankful this project was funded—it truly enhanced our new reading curriculum lessons on Columbus and the Pilgrims, Colonial Towns and Townspeople, and Taking Care of the Earth. During each unit, I placed the books on our classroom library shelf, and my students loved looking through them and listening during read-alouds. These books sparked curiosity and helped my students deepen their understanding of each topic. The best part is that I'll be able to use these resources for years to come. Thank you so much for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1741140000461,"projectUrl":"project/reading-in-kindergarten/9100907/","projectTitle":"Reading in Kindergarten","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bierman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2908578_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1531606055020","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/bierman"},{"teacherId":2908578,"projectId":9144943,"letterContent":"Thank you for funding STEM in Kindergarten!\r\n\r\nMy students absolutely loved this project! The Design and Play STEAM Boat Kits were the perfect culmination to our Columbus and Pilgrims unit. My kindergarteners were so engaged as they decorated, built, tested, and sailed their boats.\r\n\r\nIt was wonderful to watch them interact, problem-solve, and cheer each other on throughout the project. Of course, the biggest highlight was sailing and racing their boats in a tub of water — the excitement was contagious!\r\n\r\nThank you for making this fun and meaningful learning experience possible!","fullyFundedDate":1743186428533,"projectUrl":"project/stem-in-kindergarten/9144943/","projectTitle":"STEM in Kindergarten","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bierman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2908578_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1531606055020","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/bierman"},{"teacherId":2908578,"projectId":9298272,"letterContent":"Thank you for funding Butterflies and Summer Fun!\r\n\r\nMy kindergarten students had the best end of the school year and enjoyed these extra special learning opportunities and crafts. They were mesmerized by the butterfly life cycle—watching with curiosity as the caterpillars grew, became chrysalises, and emerged as butterflies. The joy and wonder when releasing our butterflies was truly heartwarming.\r\n\r\nMy students also loved the butterfly craft. They were so proud of their stained-glass butterflies and couldn't wait to take them home to hang in their windows. Our beach day end-of-year celebration was a big hit with the leis, beach sticker kits, and pinwheels.\r\n\r\nThank you for creating excitement, wonder, and joy during the last month of school!","fullyFundedDate":1747165812114,"projectUrl":"project/butterflies-and-summer-fun/9298272/","projectTitle":"Butterflies and Summer Fun","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bierman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2908578_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1531606055020","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/bierman"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_51633","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":555,"numTeachers":26,"percentFrplEligible":43,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":21,"percentWhite":57,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":8,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"21.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":75.4,"schoolId":51633,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about West Willow Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"West Willow Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/iowa/cedar-rapids-community-school-district/coolidge-elementary-school/51633"}