{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Deer Run Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":33.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":3514730,"projectId":10490025,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity! When the packages first arrived and my second graders saw the boxes being unpacked, their eyes completely lit up. The pure excitement in the room was contagious, and they could not wait to explore the new items! \r\n\r\nWe have already put all of these wonderful resources to great use! The LEGOs, Brain Flakes, and Magna-Tiles have completely transformed our hands-on STEM time. My students are working in small groups to design and build items and shapes by using task cards. Watching them work together to build and create showed me just how much these materials build teamwork and critical thinking alongside spatial skills.\r\n\r\nMeanwhile, the magnetic writing grid has become an essential daily tool during our language arts lessons. Students take turns coming up to the whiteboard to write sentences directly on the lines. Having that clear visual reference right on the board has helped them master letter sizing and spacing with so much more confidence—and they love getting to write on the board just like the teacher!\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, our next step is to blend our STEM exploration with creative writing. Students will construct scenes or settings using the Magna-Tiles and LEGOs, and then use their creations as inspiration to draft short narrative stories, applying the handwriting skills they've practiced on the magnetic grid to publish their final pieces.\r\n\r\nYour support has brought so much joy, curiosity, and interactive learning into our classroom community. We are deeply grateful for your kindness and investment in our learning!","fullyFundedDate":1793107796723,"projectUrl":"project/snap-stack-and-show-hands-on-stem-for/10490025/","projectTitle":"Snap, Stack, and Show: Hands-On STEM For Second Grade!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lucas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3514730_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753104756084","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3514730"},{"teacherId":3534509,"projectId":10426608,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in funding our classroom project! Because of your support, my students now have access to stress cubes, putty, slime, stickers, and brand-new dry erase markers.\r\n\r\nThe sensory tools—slime, stress cubes, and putty—have already made a world of difference in our classroom. They provide a wonderful physical outlet for students when they need a quiet moment to regulate their emotions, channel extra energy, or relieve anxiety. Having these tools available helps them regain focus and feel calm, comfortable, and ready to learn throughout the school day.\r\n\r\nThe new dry erase markers and stickers have brought so much excitement to our daily routines! Writing on whiteboards makes our math and reading practice interactive and engaging, and having vibrant markers makes student work come alive. The stickers are a huge hit as positive encouragement, putting big smiles on their faces whenever they earn one for hard work and kindness.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has created a more supportive, fun, and peaceful learning environment for every student who walks through our door. Thank you for investing in our classroom and believing in my students!","fullyFundedDate":1788447235409,"projectUrl":"project/exploring-states-of-matter-chemical-ch/10426608/","projectTitle":"Exploring States of Matter & Chemical Changes Through Sensory STEM","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. T.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3534509_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1490726271944","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jtripp"},{"teacherId":3727315,"projectId":10204441,"letterContent":"The materials from this project have already become part of our everyday classroom routine. My students are using the crayons, markers, pencils and glue sticks during literacy and math centers, writing activities and hands on projects throughout the day. The sticky notes, binder rings and sheet protectors have also helped me organize materials for small groups and create reusable activities that students can work with independently. It may seem like a collection of simple classroom supplies, but these are the tools that allow us to keep learning active, creative and engaging.\r\n\r\nThe students were so excited when they saw the new materials, especially the fresh crayons and markers. There is something about opening a brand new box of supplies that makes first graders instantly ready to create. One of my favorite parts has been seeing them use the materials during centers, where they are able to work together, practice new skills and take pride in what they create.\r\n\r\nAs we continue through the year, these supplies will support countless reading, writing, math and art activities. We will keep using them to build independence, strengthen academic skills and make learning feel exciting and meaningful. Thank you for helping make sure my students have the materials they need to learn, create and grow every day.","fullyFundedDate":1787181279371,"projectUrl":"project/stocking-our-classroom-for-everyday-succ/10204441/","projectTitle":"Stocking Our Classroom for Everyday Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. McKee Gorske","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3727315_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1470774953780","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3727315"},{"teacherId":9518535,"projectId":10463467,"letterContent":"Having this DonorsChoose project fully funded would make a meaningful impact on my kindergarten classroom. At this age, students learn best when they are given opportunities to explore, create, and engage with hands-on materials. The resources from this project will help make our classroom a more engaging and inviting place to learn while providing students with new opportunities to practice important academic and social-emotional skills. These materials will be used throughout the school year to support our curriculum, encourage collaboration, and give students meaningful ways to learn through play and exploration.\r\n\r\nMore importantly, having these resources in our classroom will help my students feel excited, confident, and motivated to learn. For many kindergarten students, school is their first experience in a classroom community, and having a space filled with engaging materials can make such a difference in how they see themselves as learners. This project will allow me to provide experiences that reach different learning styles and interests while helping my students build independence, creativity, problem-solving skills, and a love of learning. I am incredibly grateful for the support of donors who help make these opportunities possible for my students!","fullyFundedDate":1788447233183,"projectUrl":"project/kindergarten-learning/10463467/","projectTitle":"Kindergarten Learning!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Panzo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9518535_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753399397802","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9518535"},{"teacherId":159183,"projectId":10426656,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom project, \"Visualizing Numbers: Building a Vibrant Math Learning Wall.\" Because of your kindness, our students now have the bright bulletin board paper and vibrant math decor needed to bring our new math wall to life.\r\n\r\nMath can often feel abstract, but having a dedicated, visually engaging space helps anchor complex concepts into clear, accessible visuals. The new interactive math wall gives our students a daily reference point for key vocabulary, problem-solving strategies, and number relationships—making math feel far more approachable and exciting.\r\n\r\nYour generosity directly enhances our learning environment and shows our students that a whole community believes in their success. Thank you for investing in our classroom and helping us build a space where numbers truly come to life!","fullyFundedDate":1788447236131,"projectUrl":"project/visualizing-numbers-building-a-vibrant/10426656/","projectTitle":"Visualizing Numbers: Building a Vibrant Math Learning Wall","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Santoro","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp159183_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1457646965807","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/asantoro"},{"teacherId":3747151,"projectId":10489881,"letterContent":"Dear Donors,\r\n\r\nThank you so much for your incredible generosity in funding \"Built to Last: Interactive, Reusable Tools for Young STEM Innovators.\"\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, our pre-K classroom is now equipped with a laminator, play dough, Expo markers, and essential STEM tools. In a preschool environment, hands-on learning is everything. Having reusable materials means our youngest learners can explore, build, erase, and try again as many times as their curiosity demands—without limits.\r\n\r\nHere is a glimpse of how your kindness is impacting our classroom every day:\r\n\r\nEndless Exploration: The laminator allows us to create durable, reusable activity sheets for letter tracing, shape matching, and early coding paths.\r\n\r\nCreative Engineering: Play dough serves as a foundational tool for fine motor development, structural building, and hands-on spatial reasoning.\r\n\r\nInteractive Learning: Expo markers allow our young scientists to sketch ideas, draft designs, and express their thoughts directly on wiped-clean surfaces.\r\n\r\nYour investment in these reusable tools ensures that not only today's pre-K students, but also future classes to come, will have a solid, engaging foundation in STEM. Thank you for believing in our classroom and empowering our little innovators to dream, design, and create!","fullyFundedDate":1788447234825,"projectUrl":"project/built-to-last-interactive-reusable-too/10489881/","projectTitle":"Built to Last: Interactive, Reusable Tools for Young STEM Innovators","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Mattei","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/smattei"},{"teacherId":3747151,"projectId":10172314,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible support of our Pre-K classroom! Because of your generosity, our project bringing sensory discs, magnetic blocks, a build-a-word magnetic board, a Hoberman sphere, social-emotional feeling toys, and storage bins to our room is fully funded.\r\n\r\nIn Pre-K, hands-on play is how we learn, grow, and process the world around us. These new materials will make a profound impact on our daily routines:\r\n\r\nSensory Discs & Hoberman Sphere: These tools offer essential sensory regulation, helping our young learners manage big emotions, explore movement, and practice deep breathing techniques.\r\n\r\nMagnetic Blocks & Build-a-Word Board: Students will strengthen their fine motor skills while exploring early math, engineering, and letter recognition through interactive, tactile play.\r\n\r\nSocial-Emotional Feeling Toys: These resources give our toddlers the vocabulary and tools to identify, express, and navigate their feelings in a healthy way.\r\n\r\nStorage Bins: Having dedicated bins keeps our learning centers organized, teaching our students independence and responsibility as they choose and clean up their activities.\r\n\r\nYour kindness creates a safe, engaging, and joyful environment where our youngest students can explore, build confidence, and fall in love with learning. Thank you for investing in our classroom and making a lasting difference in these early years!","fullyFundedDate":1784225904686,"projectUrl":"project/tactile-transitions-building-words-and/10172314/","projectTitle":"Tactile Transitions: Building Words and Emotional Wellness","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Mattei","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/smattei"},{"teacherId":10237206,"projectId":10428646,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support in bringing \"STEM in Success\" to life! Because of your generosity, our classroom is getting a fresh supply of dry erase markers and fun motivational stickers.\r\n\r\nThese materials might seem simple, but they make a massive difference in our daily learning. The dry erase markers will allow students to sketch out ideas, solve complex problems on write-and-wipe boards, and collaborate freely without the fear of making permanent mistakes—erasing and trying again is a huge part of the engineering process! Meanwhile, the stickers give students a tangible reward that celebrates their grit, creativity, and breakthroughs as they work through tough STEM challenges.\r\n\r\nYour kindness directly empowers my students to think critically, experiment boldly, and stay engaged. Thank you for investing in our classroom and supporting our next generation of problem-solvers!","fullyFundedDate":1788447234163,"projectUrl":"project/stem-success-in-action/10428646/","projectTitle":"STEM Success in Action","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Pukos","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10237206"},{"teacherId":3534509,"projectId":10489866,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in funding our project, \"Preserve, Practice, and Protect: Creating Reusable STEM Learning Stations.\" Because of your support, our classroom is getting a brand-new laminator, thermal laminating sheets, fun motivation stickers, and durable file folders!\r\n\r\nWith these materials, I can transform our hands-on STEM activities into reusable, long-lasting learning stations. Laminating our activity mats, challenge cards, and reference sheets means students can write, erase, and practice complex problem-solving concepts over and over again without the wear and tear of paper. The file folders will keep our stations organized and ready to grab, while the stickers will add that extra spark of excitement and recognition when students master a tough challenge.\r\n\r\nYour kindness directly protects our learning tools for years to come and gives my students the freedom to experiment, make mistakes, and try again. Thank you for investing in our classroom and empowering our future scientists, engineers, and problem-solvers!","fullyFundedDate":1788447234413,"projectUrl":"project/preserve-practice-and-protect-creatin/10489866/","projectTitle":"Preserve, Practice, and Protect: Creating Reusable STEM Learning Stations","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. T.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3534509_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1490726271944","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jtripp"},{"teacherId":3572441,"projectId":10419730,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom! Our new hands-on learning tools—the molding clay, rolling pins, clay tools, alphabet and counting dough mats, feelings and emotions mat, and name plates—have arrived, and my students were thrilled to open them!\r\n\r\nThese supplies have completely transformed our small-group time and morning routines. Using the alphabet and counting dough mats alongside the clay and tools gives my students a tactile, engaging way to build fine-motor strength while practicing core literacy and math skills. The feelings and emotions mat provides a calm, visual space for students to identify and process their feelings, supporting their social-emotional growth. Plus, the new name plates have given everyone a proud sense of ownership over their personal workspaces.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has brought so much warmth, creativity, and purposeful learning into our room every single day. We are deeply grateful for your investment in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1787603866057,"projectUrl":"project/play-doh-power-strengthening-young-lea/10419730/","projectTitle":"“Play-Doh Power: Strengthening Young Learners’ Skills Through Play”","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Afragola","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3572441_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1471185736297","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3572441"},{"teacherId":4829820,"projectId":10331673,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity! Our new Bluey toys and sensory bins have officially arrived, and they have brought so much joy, excitement, and hands-on learning into our classroom.\r\n\r\nThe Bluey bus, car, and Pop-Up Bluey game have become immediate favorites for encouraging imaginative storytelling, turn-taking, and cooperative play. Meanwhile, the farm, ocean, and sand sensory bins give my students a rich tactile experience that helps them build fine-motor skills, calm their minds, and explore new textures during focused play.\r\n\r\nHaving these engaging tools available every day helps my students self-regulate, build social connections, and recharge so they are ready to learn. Your kindness has made a wonderful impact on our classroom community.\r\n\r\nWe are so grateful for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1788447238436,"projectUrl":"project/road-trips-and-habitats-exploring-stem/10331673/","projectTitle":"Road Trips and Habitats: Exploring STEM Through Play!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tagliamonte","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4829820_orig.jpg?crop=828,827,x0,y96&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1706729524017","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4829820"},{"teacherId":4829820,"projectId":10331699,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom! Because of your kindness, our new sensory items—the Bluey toys, Play-Doh, Flarp, and Pluffle—have officially arrived, and the excitement in our room has been off the charts.\r\n\r\nThese sensory materials are far more than just fun items for our students; they are vital learning tools. The Bluey toys have sparked incredible imaginative play and social interaction, helping my students practice sharing and communication. Meanwhile, the Play-Doh, Flarp, and Pluffle provide essential tactile input that helps our learners self-regulate, calm their minds, build fine-motor strength, and focus during independent work time.\r\n\r\nHaving these resources available every day gives my students the exact sensory breaks they need to recharge and be ready to learn. Your generosity has brought so much joy, comfort, and engagement into our classroom environment.\r\n\r\nWe are deeply grateful for your investment in our students' well-being and happiness!","fullyFundedDate":1784298135738,"projectUrl":"project/squish-fluff-and-roll-pre-k-language/10331699/","projectTitle":"Squish, Fluff, and Roll: Pre-K Language Labs with Bluey","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tagliamonte","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4829820_orig.jpg?crop=828,827,x0,y96&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1706729524017","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4829820"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_43947","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":228,"numTeachers":24,"percentFrplEligible":78,"percentAsian":3,"percentBlack":6,"percentWhite":43,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":40,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":6,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 2","studentTeacherRatio":"9.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":66.9,"schoolId":43947,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Deer Run Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Deer Run Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/connecticut/east-haven-school-district/deer-run-elementary-school/43947"}