{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Desert Star Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":35.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":3191826,"projectId":9866577,"letterContent":"When the ice machines first arrived, the students' reaction was immediate, they crowded around them with wide eyes and big smiles. They could hardly believe they would have access to cold ice and drinks after their long, hot practices. \"Wow, this is so cool!\" one student exclaimed, and another said, \"Now I can hydrate and feel so much better before I head home.\" It was a moment that truly captured how deeply appreciated your support was.\r\n\r\nSince then, we have already used the machines after our after-school runs. It has made a noticeable difference: students push harder, attempt longer runs and have better attitudes. This small, but powerful change has improved morale, kept hydration levels up, and helped build a stronger sense of community within the club.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we're planning to integrate the ice machines into our regular post-run routine. Our next step is to start a \"cool down & chat\" time after each run where students will grab ice-cold water, stretch together, and reflect on their run by answering questions like; what went well, how they felt, and what they hope to improve next time. We believe this will not only support their physical recovery, but also foster teamwork, leadership, and motivation for future sessions.","fullyFundedDate":1762267483082,"projectUrl":"project/cooling-support-for-heart-sole-runners/9866577/","projectTitle":"Cooling Support for Heart & Sole Runners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Michael","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3191826_orig.jpg?crop=670,670,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1677267318381","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msmichael15"},{"teacherId":8380932,"projectId":9088749,"letterContent":"THANK YOU! You have helped us to reach our goal and create small groups using our new tech. The ipads and cases are being used by students in game based learning and in communication apps. It has been so helpful to have this resource. The students are learning how to navigate math and reading in new ways and enjoy the time in small groups. We have had so much success in our learning goals using the new tech in math and reading rotations. Thank you so much for supporting our classroom. I can't wait to show you our progress!","fullyFundedDate":1746785869081,"projectUrl":"project/tech-for-small-group-learning/9088749/","projectTitle":"Tech for Small Group Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Knight","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8380932_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1647814302794","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-knights-stars"},{"teacherId":8380932,"projectId":9064071,"letterContent":"We did it! You helped us to fund a project for a class pet with a habitat and supplies for the care of the pet. The class first researched animals and learned about pet care. We then put together a habitat and introduced the pet to the class. It has been such an impactful way for students to practice care and learn important social skills involving responsibility, empathy, and kindness. We are also practicing teamwork and leadership. Thank you again for helping us reach our goal. We are excited to share pictures and updates with you.","fullyFundedDate":1746785447153,"projectUrl":"project/class-pet-habitat/9064071/","projectTitle":"Class Pet Habitat","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Knight","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8380932_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1647814302794","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-knights-stars"},{"teacherId":7539622,"projectId":9411401,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping to supply my classroom with materials to help students destress. The adjustment to 7th grade can be a tough one. Students are enjoying the calm strips and other fidgets. \r\n\r\nWhen students saw the Amazon boxes in the classroom they were excited. They wanted me to open the boxes right away. Once they saw the materials they became even more excited. \"Can I use it?\", \"Can I have a turn\" and so many more exciting phrases were shared with excitement in my classroom that day.\r\n\r\nAs we enter the second part of our first quarter, our students will start to have expectations to complete more rigorous and perhaps stressful work.","fullyFundedDate":1750774738341,"projectUrl":"project/constructive-destressing/9411401/","projectTitle":"Constructive Destressing","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Blankenship","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7539622"},{"teacherId":7642310,"projectId":9208397,"letterContent":"I wanted to say thank you again for your generous donation for towards my upcoming classroom the new resources have been a fantastic addition to what I have planned for everyone!\r\n\r\nSpecifically, the organizational bins for our grammar practice. There are many different pieces that are included with the grammar section so having these organizational bins will definitely help kids feel more independent by keeping their materials where they need to be.\r\n\r\nAlso, the headphones are phenomenal! They bend in a way that they can stay organized for students can grab them when it is technology time.\r\n\r\nWhen my student saw the bins, they were very excited! Thank you again","fullyFundedDate":1743180557205,"projectUrl":"project/organization-in-third-grade/9208397/","projectTitle":"Organization in Third Grade!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Carrasco","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7642310_orig.jpg?crop=2048,2048,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1705261448756","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7642310"},{"teacherId":8380932,"projectId":9259508,"letterContent":"Thank you again for helping us fund this great project. We were able to get items for care bags to supply students and community members experiencing homelessness or homing insecurity needed care items. Our 8th graders organized items and some of our 2nd grade leaders helped to create notes to include in each bag. We had help from the community and from staff to get these bags into the hands of those in need. Thank you for helping us to make this happen. Our students are leaders in school and in their community and we were able to help put there plan in action.","fullyFundedDate":1746444039093,"projectUrl":"project/care-bags-for-foster-and-homeless-youth/9259508/","projectTitle":"Care Bags for Foster and Homeless Youth","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Knight","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8380932_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1647814302794","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-knights-stars"},{"teacherId":8380932,"projectId":9063675,"letterContent":"This project has been so important for our second and third graders. Having a cart amd cushions has helped to give a student more opportunities to join school wide activities in style. She has been more excited about transitions in her school day and is able to practice social skills in a new way. Other students have been excited to offer encouragement amd support to classmates and it has strengthened our class family. The whole campus is excited to see the cart coming and it has been great. Thank you for helping us get there.","fullyFundedDate":1739373532718,"projectUrl":"project/cart-for-a-cool-ride/9063675/","projectTitle":"Cart for a Cool Ride","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Knight","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8380932_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1647814302794","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-knights-stars"},{"teacherId":7539622,"projectId":9043993,"letterContent":"These books have already helped improve my teaching of reading. They have given me specific strategies that I can use in my 7th grade ELA classroom. These books contain an immeasurable number of graphic organizers and examples of anchor charts as well that I have already started using.\r\n\r\nI can't wait for next school year when I will use the vocabulary text to help increase my students' success in this area. This increase in y knowledge will improve not only their work in my classroom but also in other classrooms.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite ways these materials has already impacted students is in my tutoring work with 6th graders. We did some of the beginning vocabulary work and I also turned it into a game to make it a bit engaging after using some of the lessons directly from the text.","fullyFundedDate":1739373535336,"projectUrl":"project/help-me-help-my-readers/9043993/","projectTitle":"Help Me Help My Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Blankenship","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7539622"},{"teacherId":8380932,"projectId":8954187,"letterContent":"Thank you! Your donations helped us get equipment for the school that we can use for PE where we can focus on health, nutrition, exercise, and even teamwork. From kinder to 8th grade these donations have made a difference and we have seen so many smiles as we learn and play together. We are so thankful to have the support of a community that reaches beyond our neighborhood to help us reach our goals and create a fun and active learning environment. We can't wait to show you pictures and share more stories with you. Thank you again for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1734468622776,"projectUrl":"project/pe-equipment/8954187/","projectTitle":"PE Equipment","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Knight","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8380932_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1647814302794","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-knights-stars"},{"teacherId":8380932,"projectId":9045408,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our 2025 Lunar New Year project! We had an amazing Lunar New Year celebration for year of the snake. Your donations helped us learn about cultures and celebrations around the world with books, activities, art, crafts, and treats. I am so happy to share pictures with you so that you can share the smiles that you helped to create. You helped us create lasting memories and learning for all students. Keep being a community supporter and promoting learning. Thank you again.","fullyFundedDate":1736691821482,"projectUrl":"project/lunar-new-year/9045408/","projectTitle":"Lunar New Year","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Knight","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8380932_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1647814302794","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-knights-stars"},{"teacherId":8380932,"projectId":8504473,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping us create a safe space. We have sensory tools and fidget toys, social skills materials, and sensory items. These resources helped us create a corner of our classroom that is cozy and comforting that we call our \"safe space\". Students can go to this area to get sensory tools they need, to take a break, or to use social skills materials. This helps to make our classroom a place to learn and grow. We are so thankful for your help in funding our project and we are so glad to have a community that supports us.","fullyFundedDate":1731013384578,"projectUrl":"project/safe-space-in-the-classroom/8504473/","projectTitle":"Safe Space in the Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Knight","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8380932_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1647814302794","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-knights-stars"},{"teacherId":8366450,"projectId":8542312,"letterContent":"Thank you for your contribution to get this project funded! My students were thrilled and excited when we first received the materials!\r\n\r\nThe materials in this project are used on a daily basis. The puzzles are generally used before school. They provide an opportunity for students to work together! The classroom rug provides a comfy environment where kids read by themselves and with others. It's even a location where some kids may visit when they need a moment to compose themselves in the safe place.\r\n\r\nThese classroom materials would not have been received without your donation. Thank you for making it possible to enjoy these materials now and in the future.","fullyFundedDate":1724885107366,"projectUrl":"project/guaranteed-happiness-with-floor-puzzles/8542312/","projectTitle":"Guaranteed Happiness with Floor Puzzles","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Torres","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8366450_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1665934127619","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8366450"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_71579","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":517,"numTeachers":36,"percentFrplEligible":42,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":12,"percentWhite":25,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":58,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"1 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"14.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":64.9,"schoolId":71579,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Desert Star Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Desert Star Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/arizona/avondale-elementary-school-district/desert-star-elementary-school/71579"}