{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Desert Heights Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":49.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7941714,"projectId":9398863,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation! My students are so excited about our new supplies! The art supplies from this project will help my students tap in to their creative sides and use their imaginations to expand their thinking and learning! \r\n\r\nWith these supplies, my students will be able to better engage with classroom curriculum, improve their academic skills, and increase their collaboration with their peers. I truly appreciate your support of my classroom and students! Thank you for making this year a success!","fullyFundedDate":1754090315518,"projectUrl":"project/creative-kinders-growing-through-art-an/9398863/","projectTitle":"Creative Kinders: Growing Through Art and Imagination","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sachs","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7941714"},{"teacherId":7782559,"projectId":9767461,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my first graders have become true Reading Buddies and young authors! The new books, blank books, and headphones have completely transformed our literacy time and inspired my students to read, write, and share stories with joy and confidence.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, reading is active, engaging, and full of excitement. Students practice reading fluently with the new headphones during independent reading time and small groups. They are developing skills like expression, comprehension, and vocabulary as they listen to modeled fluent reading and follow along in their books. During writing time, students use the blank books to create and illustrate their own stories, applying what they've learned from the books they read. These young authors are learning about character, setting, sequence, and story structure in a hands-on way.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite parts of this project has been watching students beam with pride as they share their stories and choose books for our Take Home Library bags. Because of your support, our classroom has become a place where literacy connects learning and service. My students are not only growing as readers and writers—they are also giving back through a community service project that shares books and joy with families throughout our school.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping my students experience the power of reading and the joy of serving others through books.","fullyFundedDate":1759773779662,"projectUrl":"project/first-grade-reading-buddies-take-home-l/9767461/","projectTitle":"First Grade Reading Buddies: Take Home Library","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7782559_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1721712470059","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7782559"},{"teacherId":7782559,"projectId":9521261,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom is now filled with the sound of focused learning! The new headphones have made a tremendous difference in how our students engage with technology. Each child can now work on individualized reading and math programs without distractions, allowing them to truly \"tune in\" to their learning.\r\n\r\nTechnology plays such an important role in our classroom. With these headphones, students can listen to stories, practice phonics, and build their fluency through interactive lessons—all at their own pace. It's amazing to see their faces light up when they log in and hear their favorite learning games and reading passages clearly.\r\n\r\nThe most exciting part for students has been being able to work independently while still feeling connected to the lesson. One student in particular, who often struggles with focus, now stays engaged much longer because he can block out background noise and follow along with confidence.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving our learners the tools they need to succeed. Your kindness and generosity are helping them grow into confident, capable, and excited learners every day!","fullyFundedDate":1761059300716,"projectUrl":"project/helping-young-learners-tune-in-with-head/9521261/","projectTitle":"Helping Young Learners Tune In with Headphones!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7782559_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1721712470059","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7782559"},{"teacherId":7941714,"projectId":9323391,"letterContent":"This project has had a profound impact on my students, both in terms of their academic growth and their excitement for learning. One of the most noticeable changes has been the way it has increased their love of learning. When students are genuinely eager to engage with instructional materials, their progress is accelerated, and their confidence begins to grow. The supplies provided through this project have created opportunities for students to work on their foundational reading skills in ways that feel hands-on, meaningful, and fun. Instead of viewing reading instruction as something they \"have\" to do, students are beginning to see it as something they \"get\" to do. This shift in mindset is one of the most powerful outcomes of the project.\r\n\r\nWith these new resources, students are practicing essential early literacy skills that form the building blocks of lifelong reading success. The materials support instruction in phonics, letter formation, and the identification of letter names and sounds. These skills may seem small in isolation, but together they form the foundation for reading fluency and comprehension. When a child can confidently recognize letters, connect them to their sounds, and blend those sounds to for","fullyFundedDate":1748543971650,"projectUrl":"project/readers-today-leaders-tomorrow/9323391/","projectTitle":"Readers Today, Leaders Tomorrow","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sachs","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7941714"},{"teacherId":9347538,"projectId":9326775,"letterContent":"Our classroom has been buzzing with excitement thanks to your generous donations of pencils, crayons, and watercolor paints! The first day the supplies arrived, my students' faces lit up with joy—they could hardly wait to open the boxes and start creating. Several students immediately said, \"Now we can make our art even more colorful!\"\r\n\r\nThe fresh pencils have also been a small but powerful gift—my students now have the tools they need daily to write stories, solve math problems, and practice new skills with confidence. It has made our classroom feel better prepared and cared for.\r\n\r\n Thank you for giving my students the opportunity to learn with joy and creativity. Your support has made a lasting difference in their education and in our classroom community.","fullyFundedDate":1747412012509,"projectUrl":"project/little-leaders-community-project-first/9326775/","projectTitle":"Little Leaders Community Project: First Graders Mentoring Kindergarten Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Neumann","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9347538_orig.jpg?crop=878,878,x164,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1698882575589","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9347538"},{"teacherId":7782559,"projectId":9298595,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, Little Readers, Big Impact! Because of your generosity, our 1st graders have been able to become proud reading mentors for their kindergarten buddies—and it has been incredible to watch the learning and confidence bloom on both sides.\r\n\r\nWhen the books and supplies arrived, the excitement was contagious. Our 1st graders were so eager to dive into their new \"mentor\" roles. One student exclaimed, \"I get to be the teacher today!\" From the very first reading session, you could see how empowering it was for them to share their reading skills and model a love for books.\r\n\r\nThe materials you provided allowed each mentoring pair to have their own set of books and reading tools, making the experience personal and meaningful. It's been heartwarming to see the relationships forming—kindergartners look forward to every session, and our 1st graders take their roles seriously, helping with decoding, asking questions, and even celebrating progress.\r\n\r\nNext, our students will be working on creating a \"Reading Buddy Journal\" to reflect on their experiences and capture their favorite moments. We'll also host a Reading Buddy Celebration Day, where each pair will share a favorite book with families and staff.\r\n\r\nThis project has truly made a lasting impact—helping students grow as readers, leaders, and friends. Thank you for making this possible!","fullyFundedDate":1746473207038,"projectUrl":"project/little-readers-big-impact-1st-graders/9298595/","projectTitle":"Little Readers, Big Impact: 1st Graders Mentoring Kindergarten Buddies","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7782559_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1721712470059","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7782559"},{"teacherId":7941714,"projectId":8927904,"letterContent":"I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for your generosity in supporting my classroom! The books and small group manipulatives you provided have already made a tremendous impact on my students' learning.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the new books and manipulatives, their eyes lit up with excitement! They immediately began exploring the materials, flipping through books, and eagerly asking when they could start using them in our lessons. It was such a joy to see their enthusiasm for learning grow in that moment.\r\n\r\nOne of our first projects using the new resources has been in our small group reading and math centers. The books have helped build fluency and comprehension skills, while the hands-on manipulatives have made math concepts more tangible and engaging for my students. In one memorable lesson, a group of students worked together using counting cubes to model addition problems, excitedly explaining their thinking to each other. Seeing them collaborate and take ownership of their learning was truly inspiring. Thank you again for your kindness and generosity—your support has brought so much joy and learning into our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1733276732433,"projectUrl":"project/inspiring-creativity-and-learning-in-our/8927904/","projectTitle":"Inspiring Creativity and Learning in Our Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sachs","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7941714"},{"teacherId":8261661,"projectId":8513218,"letterContent":"I hope this note finds you well. On behalf of my class, I wanted to express our heartfelt gratitude for your incredibly generous donation of markers, crayons, erasers, and headphones. Your contribution means so much to us, and we are truly thankful for your kindness.\r\n\r\nThe students are already enjoying using the supplies in their projects and lessons. These materials are not just helping to make learning more engaging and fun, but they are also allowing the students to express their creativity in ways that were previously limited. The new headphones have been particularly helpful in enhancing our audio-based lessons, ensuring that every student can focus without distractions. The markers, crayons, and erasers are essential tools in supporting their hands-on activities, fostering a deeper connection to their learning.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has truly made a positive impact on their educational experience, and we can already see how it is helping them grow and thrive. It's clear that your thoughtful donation will play a key role in enhancing their learning journey.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your support and for being such a positive force in our classroom. We are lucky to have your support!","fullyFundedDate":1732205934745,"projectUrl":"project/help-my-students-learn-and-grow/8513218/","projectTitle":"Help My Students Learn and Grow!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Erickson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8261661_orig.jpg?crop=897,897,x534,y1370&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1641341748917","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8261661"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_61221","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":474,"numTeachers":32,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":3,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":29,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":49,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"14.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":50.8,"schoolId":61221,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Desert Heights Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Desert Heights Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/nevada/washoe-county-school-district/desert-heights-elementary-school/61221"}