{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Deer Run Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":32.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":3727058,"projectId":10248316,"letterContent":"\"Sunkissed and Smart: Celebrating Kindergarten\" has allowed us to wrap up our school year on the highest possible note, blending joyful celebration with essential academic closure. Because of these resources, I was able to design a memorable, engaging end-of-year experience that honored my students' hard work and boosted their self-esteem as readers and thinkers. Your generous support did more than just supply our classroom; it gave these young learners a sense of pride in their achievements and a joyful launchpad into their future academic journeys. Thank you for investing in our littlest scholars!\r\n The arrival of the large, mysterious delivery boxes brought a wave of pure magic and buzzing anticipation to our classroom! While the students know the boxes are filled with special resources for them, I am keeping the contents a strict secret until our upcoming end-of-the-year celebration with their parents. Every time a student looks at the stacked boxes, their eyes light up with curiosity, and the room fills with whispers of excited guesses about what could be inside. It has created a wonderful sense of community suspense, and seeing their eager faces has made the countdown to our big celebration even more joyful and meaningful.","fullyFundedDate":1778535894191,"projectUrl":"project/sunkissed-and-smart-celebrating-kinderg/10248316/","projectTitle":"Sunkissed and Smart: Celebrating Kindergarten","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ragaini","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3727058"},{"teacherId":3727058,"projectId":10248469,"letterContent":"The resources from \"Building Little Hands & Big Behaviors\" have become a cornerstone of our daily morning centers and \"calm-down\" toolkit. We recently used the fine motor manipulatives during our morning busy box time where students practiced forming letters using the new tactile materials. It was incredible to see a student, who previously struggled with the frustration of holding a pencil, spend fifteen focused minutes happily building letters with their hands. These tools are transforming \"work\" into \"play,\" allowing my students to build the physical strength they need for writing while staying emotionally regulated.\r\nThe \"unboxing\" moment was pure magic! When the boxes arrived, the students' eyes lit up with curiosity and excitement. As I pulled out the new sensory items and building tools, there were audible gasps and cheers. One student immediately reached for a tactile fidget and wanted to explore. Seeing their faces transform from routine classroom anticipation to genuine joy was a powerful reminder of how much it means to them to have high-quality, beautiful materials that are \"just for them.\" This project isn't just about the physical items; it's about teaching them the lifelong skill of self-regulation.","fullyFundedDate":1778599323041,"projectUrl":"project/building-little-hands-big-behaviors/10248469/","projectTitle":"Building Little Hands & Big Behaviors","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ragaini","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3727058"},{"teacherId":10237428,"projectId":9674273,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for bringing our classroom to life with these amazing new learning games! In Pre-K, we believe that if a child can touch it, they can understand it.\r\n\r\nThe Braille letters have opened up a wonderful world of tactile exploration, teaching my students that there are many ways to communicate and read. Whether they are \"fishing\" for letters, matching letter llamas, or hunting for treasure with the number pirate chests, my students are building foundational literacy and math skills without even realizing they're \"working.\" Your generosity has turned our classroom into a hands-on discovery center!","fullyFundedDate":1767118810956,"projectUrl":"project/building-bright-beginnings-with-letters/9674273/","projectTitle":"Building Bright Beginnings with Letters & Numbers!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Appleyard","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10237428"},{"teacherId":3727315,"projectId":9954997,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our classroom has been filled with hands-on learning every single day. The kids were so excited when the new supplies arrived and couldn't wait to use them. Even the simplest things like dry-erase boards and stickers have made such a big impact on their confidence and excitement to learn.\r\nOne of my favorite moments has been during our phonics lessons, watching students eagerly write, erase, and try again without fear of making mistakes. The laminated center activities have also been a game changer, helping me better support each student while keeping everyone engaged and working at their level.\r\nWe'll continue using these materials every day as we move into new reading and math units. Thank you for giving my students the tools they need to feel successful, take risks, and truly enjoy learning. Your support means so much to all of us.","fullyFundedDate":1768408001628,"projectUrl":"project/little-hands-need-big-supplies/9954997/","projectTitle":"Little Hands Need Big Supplies","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":10237206,"projectId":9673845,"letterContent":"I am beyond thrilled to share that our project, \"STEM in Motion: Hands-On Tools for Engaged Learning,\" has been fully funded! Your generosity has brought a wave of excitement to our classroom.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, my students will no longer just be reading about scientific concepts—they will be experiencing them. These hands-on tools allow them to experiment, fail, iterate, and ultimately succeed in ways that a textbook simply can't provide. You aren't just providing \"stuff\"; you're providing the \"aha!\" moments that turn students into lifelong learners.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our classroom and investing in the next generation of thinkers and builders.","fullyFundedDate":1762265317444,"projectUrl":"project/stem-in-motion-hands-on-tools-for-engag/9673845/","projectTitle":"STEM in Motion: Hands-On Tools for Engaged Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Pukos","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10237206"},{"teacherId":8924188,"projectId":9836555,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting \"A Voice and a Cheer for Every Pre-K Friend!\" Your generous donation will help provide AAC devices for our Pre-K students, giving them new ways to communicate, participate, and be heard.\r\n\r\nFor many of our young learners, communication can be one of the biggest challenges they face. With the support of these AAC devices, our students will be able to express their needs, share their ideas, and join in classroom activities with greater confidence. These tools will help open doors to learning, friendship, and independence.\r\n\r\nBecause of your kindness, our classroom will become a more inclusive place where every child has the opportunity to find their voice. Your support means so much not only to our students, but also to the teachers and families who cheer them on every day.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping our Pre-K friends be heard. Your generosity is truly making a difference!","fullyFundedDate":1770670658251,"projectUrl":"project/a-voice-and-a-cheer-for-every-pre-k-frie/9836555/","projectTitle":"A Voice and a Cheer for Every Pre-K Friend!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ashley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8924188_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1674897207650","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8924188"},{"teacherId":5001360,"projectId":9422964,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting Climate Explorers: Hands-On Fun for Environmental Learning! Because of your generosity, my students will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful, hands-on activities that bring environmental science to life.\r\n\r\nYour donation is more than just materials for our classroom—it's an investment in curiosity, critical thinking, and a love for our planet. Through interactive lessons and real-world exploration, my students will deepen their understanding of climate, ecosystems, and the importance of environmental stewardship.\r\n\r\nMany of my students may not otherwise have access to these types of enriching resources. Your kindness ensures they can explore, experiment, and grow as young scientists and responsible global citizens.\r\n\r\nWe are incredibly grateful for your support and belief in our classroom. Thank you for helping us inspire the next generation of climate explorers!","fullyFundedDate":1753280245962,"projectUrl":"project/climate-explorers-hands-on-fun-for-envi/9422964/","projectTitle":"Climate Explorers: Hands-On Fun for Environmental Learning!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gamble","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5001360"},{"teacherId":10115711,"projectId":9681499,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your incredible generosity. When the boxes arrived filled with our new classroom organizational tools and decor, it felt like Christmas kept on giving! Because of your support, our learning environment has been transformed into a space that is not only more efficient but also more welcoming.\r\n\r\nThe impact of these materials was immediate. My students were especially mesmerized by the Dazzle Bright Color Changing Fairy Lights. When I first turned them on, a hush fell over the room, followed by collective \"oohs\" and \"aahs.\" Students earn the privilege to choose the color of the lights as a behavioral incentive. \r\n\r\nWe are using the Magnetic Book Shelves and File Holders to create a home display. Instead of books being tucked away on a shelf in the back, our current read-alouds and mentor texts are front and center. One student remarked, \"It's like a bookstore right on the wall!\"\r\n\r\nOrganization in Action\r\nThe Stainless Steel Pencil Dispenser has been a total game-changer. Students love the tactile feel of dispensing their own pencil- I added colored pencils so there is an extra element of surprise! We've also put the Magnetic Dry-Erase Pockets and Sentence Strips to work immediately during our small-group time. The clear pockets make a simple activity or worksheet more FUN; they love to use the dry-erase markers to show their work. The magnetic sentence strips allow us to complete dictation in various spots around the room, where everyone can see and interact with the words.\r\n\r\nWe are using the folders to track their reading work. Next week, we will use the Jumbo Push Pins and Magnetic Hooks to curate a \"Gallery Walk\" of any work they would like to showcase.\r\n\r\nBy providing these \"teacher must-haves,\" you haven't just given us supplies; you've given me and my students a sense of pride in our classroom. They see that people they've never met care about their education, and that is a lesson that stays with them long after the school day ends.","fullyFundedDate":1767240238175,"projectUrl":"project/look-what-we-can-do-showcasing-student/9681499/","projectTitle":"Look What We Can Do! Showcasing Student Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Toti","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10115711_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758483884343","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10115711"},{"teacherId":10115711,"projectId":9649293,"letterContent":"Because of you, our classroom is more engaging, more accessible, and more joyful. I am so grateful for your generosity in funding our DonorsChoose project and providing tools that are already making a visible difference in how my students learn.\r\n\r\nThe new mobile, double-sided whiteboard has transformed the way I teach and the way my students participate. Every student has a clear view and an active role in lessons. For many of my students who need structured, explicit instruction and visual support, this has made learning feel clearer and less overwhelming.\r\n\r\nThe Expo and Mr. Sketch markers have brought energy and excitement into daily instruction. Students now eagerly come to the board to solve problems, practice spelling, and model their thinking. The variety of colors and even the fun scents help students stay focused and motivated, especially those who struggle with attention or anxiety around writing tasks.\r\n\r\nThe triangular Ticonderoga pencils and pencil-shaped erasers are already helping my younger learners build stronger writing habits. These tools support proper grip and control, which is especially important for students developing fine-motor skills and handwriting confidence. Even the small, fun erasers and magnetic race-car erasers have made a big impact—students are proud of their materials and take better care of their work as a result.\r\n\r\nThanks to you, learning no longer feels like something students have to get through—it feels like something they get to do. You have given them tools that invite participation, encourage independence, and build confidence every day.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students and for investing in their success. Your generosity is felt in every lesson, every smile, and every moment of growth in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1766454823569,"projectUrl":"project/racing-to-write-erase-repeat-learning/9649293/","projectTitle":"Racing to Write, Erase, Repeat: Learning in Motion!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Toti","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10115711_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758483884343","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10115711"},{"teacherId":3727315,"projectId":9703874,"letterContent":"I cannot tell you how thankful my students and I are for your support of our SmartBoard project. Your generosity has already made such a meaningful difference in our first grade classroom.\r\nThe SmartBoard is truly part of everything we do each day. It supports our reading and math lessons, phonics instruction, visual supports, videos, interactive activities, and daily routines. Having this tool allows me to reach all learners and keep students engaged in ways that matter.\r\nBecause of you, my students are learning in an environment that is interactive, supportive, and exciting. Your kindness and belief in public education have a lasting impact on our classroom and on each child who walks through our door.\r\nThank you for being such an important part of our classroom community.","fullyFundedDate":1762218439194,"projectUrl":"project/stem-comes-alive-with-a-smartboard/9703874/","projectTitle":"STEM Comes Alive with a Smartboard!","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":9555899,"projectId":9747940,"letterContent":"I can't thank you enough for helping my classroom. The students have loved the new sensory bins and stem bins in class. They have been super motivating to them. We have been starting our mornings as a \"soft start\" by having the students pick a STEM bin. \r\n\r\nThe students use the fine motor tasks during our activity schedule rotation. The students are sorting, lacing, or buttoning. This helps them grow strength in fine motor. The goal is for them to translate this skill to real objects like zipping or buttoning their coat or tying their shoes. \r\n\r\nThe students love the sensory bins. We like to use these during our sensory block. Now every student has one to use. \r\n\r\nI am so grateful for your donation","fullyFundedDate":1759807115108,"projectUrl":"project/stem-sensory-fine-motor/9747940/","projectTitle":"STEM, Sensory, Fine Motor","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hanlon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9555899_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y372&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1769719114514","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9555899"},{"teacherId":10115711,"projectId":9692598,"letterContent":"When your donations arrived, my students were immediately drawn to the bright, tactile materials—you could feel the excitement ripple across the room. They were eager to bend and twist the Wikki Sticks and playdough into letters they had been practicing. The smiles on their faces made it clear that these tools instantly transformed learning from something challenging into something inviting.\r\n\r\nWe have been using these resources daily during our reading groups. One of my favorite moments happened during a small-group phonics lesson: a student who typically struggles with letter identification used the legos to build and contrast two tricky visually similar letters: t and f. We used the adaptive writing paper for the first time. With the highlighted lines guiding her, she wrote all her letters on the line with appropriate spacing. That single moment captured exactly why these materials matter so much.\r\n\r\nThe magnetic sentence strips have become a class favorite during \"What Say's\". Students love using the dry erase markers. In partners, they will pretend to be the teacher and write the letters independently (even during their free time). The access to these materials keep the students engaged and a daily reminder of their growth.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we will continue to strengthen sentence-level writing skills. These materials will play a central role as students move from writing letters and spelling CVC words with magnetic strips to writing their own expanded sentences on adaptive paper. The tactile tools will continue supporting students who benefit from multisensory practice as they deepen their phonics knowledge and build automaticity.\r\n\r\nYour generosity did more than supply materials—it reshaped the way my students experience literacy. They now approach reading and writing with confidence, curiosity, and joy. Thank you for making this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1760386983903,"projectUrl":"project/building-readers-one-sense-at-a-time/9692598/","projectTitle":"Building Readers, One Sense at a Time!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Toti","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10115711_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758483884343","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10115711"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_43947","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":232,"numTeachers":24,"percentFrplEligible":78,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":6,"percentWhite":44,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":38,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":7,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 2","studentTeacherRatio":"9.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":67.2,"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"}