{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Dennis Ortwein Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":36.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2107474,"projectId":10237614,"letterContent":"This project is near and dear to our hearts. The scholars who participate in Battle of the Books are students who love to read and love a little competition. They take on something that many students shy away from. By reading 8 chapter books and studying the little details in these books, they show their determination and love of books. I tell students who think about participating that this is a time for readers to shine. Your donations helped put these books in our library and then into the hands of these students. We truly appreciate your help in making this competition something that we were able to offer our students. We can not thank you enough!","fullyFundedDate":1778068699069,"projectUrl":"project/our-book-battlers/10237614/","projectTitle":"Our Book Battlers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Aldrich","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2107474_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1497565990675","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ortweinlibrary"},{"teacherId":6610589,"projectId":5876404,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for bringing new books and a renewed excitement for reading into our classroom! These resources have helped us create meaningful connections between literacy and the topics we explore throughout the school day. The Magic Tree House books have been especially exciting because students can become immersed in an adventure while learning about history and the world around them. The accompanying research guides allow us to take that curiosity even further by exploring real people, places, and events. Our new books about biomes and habitats have also given students engaging opportunities to strengthen their nonfiction reading skills while learning about the natural world.\r\n\r\nThese materials have also helped make reading feel like something students can truly look forward to. The beanbag chairs have created cozy, inviting spaces where students can settle in with a book during independent reading, while our rolling cart helps keep books organized, accessible, and easy to bring wherever we are learning. There is something so special about watching a child get comfortable with a book they chose and become completely absorbed in the story. Having a classroom library filled with engaging choices helps students see reading not simply as an assignment, but as something they can genuinely enjoy.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, your generosity has helped us continue building a classroom community where curiosity and a love of learning are celebrated. These resources will be enjoyed by this year's students and by many classes of young readers in the years to come. Thank you for investing in our classroom and giving my students more opportunities to explore, imagine, learn, and discover through books. We are incredibly grateful for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1633486884681,"projectUrl":"project/a-reading-rendezvous/5876404/","projectTitle":"A Reading Rendezvous!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. McIntosh","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6610589_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1698950063517","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msmcintosh"},{"teacherId":9349345,"projectId":10133768,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, \"Fueling Young Minds With Healthy Snacks.\" My students were excited to see the snacks and have enjoyed them during our classroom routines. Snack time has become a wonderful opportunity for them to practice making choices, following directions, communicating their needs, and building independence.\r\n\r\nYour generosity is helping our students stay energized and ready to learn throughout the school day. We are truly grateful for your kindness and support. Thank you for helping us create a happy, healthy, and positive learning environment for our students!","fullyFundedDate":1782568949674,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-young-minds-with-healthy-snacks/10133768/","projectTitle":"Fueling Young Minds With Healthy Snacks","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Barrientos","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9349345_orig.png?crop=432,432,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1785720973173","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9349345"},{"teacherId":6610589,"projectId":10008206,"letterContent":"Because of your incredible generosity, our classroom welcomed its newest family member—Mushu! The moment I lifted him out of the box, my students' faces lit up with pure excitement and wonder. Their gasps, smiles, and endless questions created a memory I know I'll carry with me for years. From that very first day, Mushu became much more than a classroom fish—he became part of our class family.\r\n\r\nMushu has a way of bringing people together in the sweetest ways. Every morning, students hurry through the door just to say good morning to him before they even unpack their backpacks. They celebrate when he builds bubble nests, giggle when he swims up to greet them, and remind one another how to care for him with gentle, responsible hands. Even students not in our class stop by our classroom just to check on Mushu and say hello. Seeing them light up as they reconnect with a little friend they remember is such a beautiful reminder that a classroom can become a place where children feel they belong long after they leave. Mushu has become a symbol of our classroom community—a daily reminder that every member of our class, no matter how small, is cared for and valued.\r\n\r\nAs we continue our learning this year, Mushu will remain an important part of our science lessons as students observe living organisms, habitats, and the responsibilities that come with caring for another living thing. He also inspires authentic writing, thoughtful discussions, and countless moments of curiosity that simply can't be recreated from a textbook. More than anything, your generosity has given my students something priceless: a shared experience that brings them together each day with wonder, compassion, and joy. Thank you for helping create a classroom that truly feels like home. The impact of your kindness reaches far beyond one little fish—it lives on in the smiles, memories, and sense of family that my students will carry with them for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1768192999600,"projectUrl":"project/just-keep-swimmingbetta-together/10008206/","projectTitle":"Just Keep Swimming…Betta Together","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. McIntosh","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6610589_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1698950063517","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msmcintosh"},{"teacherId":2107474,"projectId":7979397,"letterContent":"Thank you so very much for helping fund this project for our school library. We work so hard every day to make our library a place for kids. Our goal is always to help each reader find a book that they will enjoy and teach lessons that show our students how wonderful books and reading can be. Having all of these materials will allow us to continue working toward our library goal of creating life long readers. Thank you does not even begin to show our gratitude and appreciation for you. You are much appreciated!\r\n\r\nWith gratitude,\r\nMrs. Aldrich","fullyFundedDate":1699115293993,"projectUrl":"project/a-library-community-full-of-books-and-tr/7979397/","projectTitle":"A Library Community Full of Books and Treasures","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Aldrich","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2107474_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1497565990675","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ortweinlibrary"},{"teacherId":7520749,"projectId":9990901,"letterContent":"On behalf of myself and all of the scholars who spend time in my classroom each day — thank you for your support of our DonorsChoose project. Your kindness has made a real, lasting difference in our day-to-day learning.\r\n\r\nThe beautiful books that we received have helped my students to develop strong reading and listening comprehension skills. Through them, students are learning to ask and answer questions about key details in a story, retell what they've read, and compare characters, events, and ideas across different texts. When we read informational texts, they're learning to find the main topic, identify important details, and even evaluate how an author uses reasons to support their points. Their listening and discussion skills have grown so much. These books have also served as mentor texts as my students have learned to write opinion, informational, and narrative pieces this year. \r\n\r\nDuring phonics lessons, the dry erase paddles have been a fun way to engage all students in responding at once which gives me a quick snapshot of where everyone is. \r\n\r\nThe laminating sheets have allowed me to create my own custom resources tailored specifically to my students' needs, so the learning materials are always the right fit.\r\n\r\nIn math, our write and wipe number lines have given students a hands-on tool to count, add, and subtract with confidence. Being able to write, erase, and try again takes the pressure off and lets them explore numbers 0–30 without fear of making mistakes.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and in what we're building together.","fullyFundedDate":1768401272295,"projectUrl":"project/tools-for-academic-and-social-emotional/9990901/","projectTitle":"Tools for Academic and Social-Emotional Success!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Klein","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7520749_orig.jpg?crop=410,410,x309,y91&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1600628209563","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7520749"},{"teacherId":6932423,"projectId":10022881,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom project, \"What If There Was No Electricity?\" Your generosity is helping my students explore how electricity impacts nearly every part of our daily lives and why it is such an important resource in our world today.\r\n\r\nBecause of your kindness, my students will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning activities, critical thinking discussions, and creative projects that help them better understand science, innovation, and problem-solving. This project encourages students to imagine how people would communicate, learn, cook, travel, and live without electricity, while also helping them appreciate the technology and opportunities they often take for granted.\r\n\r\nYour support does more than provide materials for our classroom. It inspires curiosity, sparks imagination, and shows my students that people outside of our school truly care about their education and future. Many of my students will remember this experience for years to come because of caring donors like you.\r\n\r\nThank you again for believing in my students and investing in their learning journey. Your generosity is making a meaningful and lasting difference in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1778514194699,"projectUrl":"project/what-if-there-were-no-electricity/10022881/","projectTitle":"What If There Were No Electricity?","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Vance","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6932423"},{"teacherId":4695342,"projectId":9989816,"letterContent":"Your generosity help supplied my students with a cozy area to help regulate their nervous systems. From the moment the boxes arrived, the students were curious to see what was inside. They were even more excited as we opened the boxes to reveal a brand-new modular tent, a new swivel chair, and two new lights to enjoy in the room.\r\n\r\nThese materials helped create a peaceful space that is warm and inviting in our school wide calm room. Students love to sit in and relax in this space, play with sensory tools, color, and build. They also use this space as a reward for their hard work. The goal for this project is to continue to provide all of our students the opportunity to enjoy and use this calming room in a way the supports each of their needs.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your donation and support for our students. This would not have been possible without you.","fullyFundedDate":1768691359836,"projectUrl":"project/a-place-of-calm/9989816/","projectTitle":"A Place of Calm","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Castle","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4695342_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1699465842782","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4695342"},{"teacherId":8109151,"projectId":10007196,"letterContent":"Thank your for your generosity. Several students are especially excited about these new books because they connect directly to their interests and experiences. Some of my reluctant readers have become more engaged simply because the books feature soccer, teamwork, perseverance, and athletes they recognize or admire. I've already seen students recommending books to classmates, choosing reading during free time, and participating more confidently in classroom conversations. These books are helping students see reading not just as schoolwork, but as something enjoyable and meaningful.","fullyFundedDate":1768415988108,"projectUrl":"project/gooooool-learning-spanish-through-socc/10007196/","projectTitle":"¡Gooooool! Learning Spanish Through Soccer and the World Cup","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Agatone","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8109151_orig.jpg?crop=478,478,x59,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1633058710912","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-agatone"},{"teacherId":5357315,"projectId":5191913,"letterContent":"Bringing books into a Pre-K classroom creates an immediate \"literacy boom\" by transforming abstract sounds into meaningful stories. At this pivotal developmental stage, exposure to physical books builds print awareness—the understanding that words carry meaning and that stories follow a specific path from left to right. When a child holds a book, flips its pages, and engages with vibrant illustrations, they aren't just \"playing\"; they are developing the pre-reading skills that serve as the foundation for all future academic success. This early immersion helps expand their vocabulary at an exponential rate, as books introduce them to \"rare words\" that aren't typically found in everyday conversation.\r\n\r\nBeyond the academic gains, bringing books to Pre-K students has a profound social-emotional impact. Shared reading time creates a \"safe harbor\" in the classroom where students learn empathy by stepping into a character's shoes and navigating their challenges. It fosters a sense of community and belonging as the class experiences the same narrative journey together. Furthermore, providing books for students to explore independently builds a sense of agency and ownership over their learning. By giving a child access to a diverse library, you are telling them that their curiosity is valued and that the world is theirs to discover, one page at a time.","fullyFundedDate":1600619630383,"projectUrl":"project/lets-read-all-about-it-/5191913/","projectTitle":"Let's Read All About It !","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Brill","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5357315_orig.jpg?crop=2320,2320,x0,y139&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1634612719089","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/e-brill2018"},{"teacherId":5357315,"projectId":5206544,"letterContent":"For primary students on the autism spectrum, independent centers are a vital component of a structured learning environment, providing the predictability and routine these learners need to thrive. These centers serve as a dedicated space where students can practice mastered skills without the overwhelming pressure of constant social interaction or direct teacher instruction. By using clear visual boundaries and \"First/Then\" schedules within these stations, we reduce the cognitive load and anxiety often associated with the school day. This structured independence allows students to focus entirely on the task at hand—whether it is a sorting activity, a fine-motor puzzle, or a literacy game—building a sense of security and competence in their own abilities.\r\n\r\nThe long-term impact of these centers is the development of functional autonomy and self-regulation. In a special education setting, one of the greatest goals is to move a student away from \"prompt dependency,\" where they wait for an adult to tell them every next step. Independent centers empower students to navigate a sequence of tasks on their own, fostering a sense of agency and pride. As they successfully complete their \"work\" and transition to a \"choice\" or \"reinforcement\" activity independently, they are practicing essential life skills. Ultimately, these centers transform the classroom from a place where things are done for the student to a place where the student discovers they can do things for themselves.","fullyFundedDate":1608749244469,"projectUrl":"project/working-toward-independence/5206544/","projectTitle":"Working Toward Independence","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Brill","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5357315_orig.jpg?crop=2320,2320,x0,y139&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1634612719089","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/e-brill2018"},{"teacherId":5357315,"projectId":5182466,"letterContent":"The portable document camera became a vital lifeline for student learning, serving as the bridge between the physical and digital classroom. For many students, especially those in early childhood or special education, seeing a teacher's face on a screen wasn't enough to grasp complex concepts. The document camera allowed for the \"magic of demonstration\" to return. Teachers could project live handwriting, the fine motor movements of a science experiment, or the tactile turning of pages in a picture book. This visual clarity was essential for maintaining high-quality instruction, as it allowed students to follow along with \"I do, we do, you do\" modeling in real-time, effectively reducing the cognitive load and confusion often associated with virtual learning.","fullyFundedDate":1600289909091,"projectUrl":"project/can-you-see-it-/5182466/","projectTitle":"Can You See It ?","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Brill","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5357315_orig.jpg?crop=2320,2320,x0,y139&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1634612719089","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/e-brill2018"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_122077","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":818,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":15,"percentBlack":13,"percentWhite":19,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":30,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":4,"percentMultiracialImputed":15,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":63.6,"schoolId":122077,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Dennis Ortwein Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Dennis Ortwein Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/nevada/clark-county-school-district/dennis-ortwein-elementary-opening-fall-2018-/122077"}