{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Desert Thunder Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":22.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8650261,"projectId":9420274,"letterContent":"Our class has been using the new resources every day to support hands-on learning and small-group instruction. One specific moment that stood out was when students rotated through stations and were able to use the materials to practice real-world math problems. Their engagement and confidence noticeably increased because they finally had the tools to make abstract concepts feel concrete.They were so excited! Many students immediately began exploring the items and asking questions about how they would use them in upcoming lessons. Their energy and curiosity created an enthusiastic start to learning with the new supplies. Our next steps include continuing to use the materials during small-group instruction to strengthen their problem-solving and reasoning skills. We are also planning a class activity where students will apply what they've learned to a collaborative project, giving them a chance to showcase their growth. The new resources will continue to play a big role in helping them build independence and confidence.","fullyFundedDate":1755521862758,"projectUrl":"project/math-matters-supply-drive/9420274/","projectTitle":"Math Matters Supply Drive","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gallegos","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8650261_orig.jpg?crop=716,716,x0,y2&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727198188316","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8650261"},{"teacherId":9549981,"projectId":9326586,"letterContent":"My students didn't see the materials arrive, but once I showed them what we received, they were so excited! Their eyes lit up when they saw the real rocks, fossils, and volcano kits. Right away, they started asking questions like, \"Are we going to make a volcano erupt?\" and \"Can we touch the fossils?\" Just seeing the materials sparked their curiosity and got them eager to learn more about how Earth changes.\r\nWe haven't used everything yet, but these resources are ready for our upcoming Earth Science unit. I know they'll make a huge difference once we start exploring rock layers, fossils, and volcanoes. Instead of just reading or watching videos, my students will actually get to touch, observe, and experiment — which helps them understand so much better.\r\nI'm so thankful for these materials and for everyone who helped make this project possible. Having them in my classroom means my students will get those real, hands-on science experiences that make learning exciting and memorable. Your support truly helps bring science to life for my students!","fullyFundedDate":1746785662782,"projectUrl":"project/earth-science-fossils/9326586/","projectTitle":"Earth Science Fossils","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Acuna","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9549981"},{"teacherId":9549981,"projectId":9326657,"letterContent":"My fourth graders have been so excited to explore science with our new Carolina Introduction to Waves Kit and Model Seismograph! We've been learning about how energy moves through the Earth and how scientists study earthquakes. These materials have helped my students really see what seismic waves look like and understand how they cause changes on Earth's surface. Instead of just reading from a book, they get to experiment, build, and record their own \"mini earthquakes.\" It's been such a fun and meaningful way to learn!\r\nHow did your students react when they first saw the materials?\r\nThe moment I opened the boxes, my students started cheering! They could not wait to touch everything and start experimenting. One student said, \"We're real scientists now!\" Their faces were full of curiosity and joy. For many of my bilingual learners, being able to see and feel how waves move made all the difference — it made learning come alive.\r\nWhat are the next steps for your students?\r\nNext, we'll use the seismograph to test how different surfaces affect wave movement and compare our results to real earthquake data. Students will use their models to explain how Earth changes over time. These lessons are helping them think critically, work together, and build confidence in their ideas. I'm so thankful for these materials and for everyone who helped make this project possible. You truly made science exciting for my kids — thank you for believing in us! 💛","fullyFundedDate":1746785514724,"projectUrl":"project/types-of-waves/9326657/","projectTitle":"Types of Waves","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Acuna","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9549981"},{"teacherId":9549981,"projectId":9326505,"letterContent":"Thanks to your support, my 4th graders last year got the chance to use these amazing science kits before the school year ended—and they LOVED them! They were excited to build weather tools, filter dirty water, and power little robots with salt water. One student said, \"This is like real science!\" They were so proud of what they created and learned so much by doing hands-on experiments.\r\n\r\nNow, my new group of students will get to use these same materials. Because of your generosity, every student who comes into our classroom will have the chance to explore, build, and learn in a fun and meaningful way. These kits are helping us connect science to the real world and sparking a love of learning that lasts.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving both last year's and this year's students such an exciting opportunity!","fullyFundedDate":1746785499857,"projectUrl":"project/water-project/9326505/","projectTitle":"Water Project","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Acuna","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9549981"},{"teacherId":9549981,"projectId":9180930,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom! Because of your help, my students received new STEM kits and circuits, and it made a big difference for them.\r\n\r\nWhen the supplies arrived, my students were very excited. As soon as I showed them the kits and robot parts, they wanted to start right away. We began building simple circuits and small robots on the same day. The students worked in groups to connect batteries, wires, and light bulbs. When the lights turned on, they cheered and smiled with pride. It was fun to see them problem-solve and help each other when things didn't work.\r\n\r\nBuilding robots was their favorite part. They followed instructions and connected motors and batteries to make their robots move. The joy and excitement in the classroom were amazing! Many students said this was the best science project they had ever done.\r\n\r\nThese materials helped my students learn about electricity in a fun and hands-on way. Instead of only reading, they got to see and build real circuits. This made science easier to understand and more interesting.\r\n\r\nThanks to your support, we ended the school year strong with this great STEM activity. The students stayed engaged and excited to learn. \r\n\r\nThank you again for your kindness and support. You truly made a difference in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1746785710362,"projectUrl":"project/energy-and-life-science/9180930/","projectTitle":"Energy and Life Science","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Acuna","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9549981"},{"teacherId":9549981,"projectId":9202245,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping us get the life science microscopes! The students were so happy and excited when they saw them for the first time. They couldn't wait to use them!\r\n\r\nWe've used the microscopes to look at leaves, plants, and tiny things we can't see with our eyes. One student said, \"This is so cool!\" when they saw plant cells up close. It made science fun and interesting for everyone.\r\n\r\nNext, we'll be using them to learn about how living things grow and change. Thanks to you, our science lessons are more fun and the students are learning so much!\r\n\r\nThank you again!","fullyFundedDate":1746785937636,"projectUrl":"project/life-science-microscopes/9202245/","projectTitle":"Life Science Microscopes","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Acuna","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9549981"},{"teacherId":9549981,"projectId":9243345,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating books to our classroom! The students were so excited to get new books to read. These stories are helping them learn skills like asking questions, finding the main idea, and talking about what they read with their friends.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, we read every day — alone, with partners, and as a group. The new books made our library even better, and the kids are loving them. One student who didn't like to read before has found a new favorite book and now reads all the time!\r\n\r\nYour kindness made a big difference for us, and we are so grateful.\r\n\r\nThank you!","fullyFundedDate":1746467979496,"projectUrl":"project/books-for-our-classroom/9243345/","projectTitle":"Books for Our Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Acuna","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9549981"},{"teacherId":9549981,"projectId":9142734,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the new school supplies! My students were so happy when they saw the crayons, pencils, scissors, and sharpeners. They started using them right away and had big smiles on their faces. We start making end of the year school project and with all your donation this was possible. \r\n\r\nThese supplies will help us get ready for the new school year. Now my students can start their work with everything they need. We really appreciate your help — thank you for making a difference in our classroom! With your help it was possible for us to do it.","fullyFundedDate":1745846989036,"projectUrl":"project/help-stock-our-classroom-for-interactive/9142734/","projectTitle":"Help Stock Our Classroom for Interactive Learning!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Acuna","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9549981"},{"teacherId":9621723,"projectId":9004562,"letterContent":"thank you so much for your donations. Pencils are always a necessary and I'm grateful for the materials organizer. Other teachers complimented how cool it looks. The students have been playing the games and enjoying being challenged through the math game and thinking critically for the word game. I have also started reading the book and I definitely plan on sharing with the students what I learned when I finish reading it over the summer. \r\n\r\nWhen the students saw the math game, one of them exclaimed \"It's like Candyland but for math! That's so awesome!\" I also played a few rounds of the word game and it was challenging for me but the girls I played with enjoyed how different the game is. Both games have been beneficial for the gifted students.\r\n\r\nI'm hoping that we will be back in a classroom next year and that the kids will continue to love being challenged while having fun with games. When gifted students play games, it has been shown to increase their analytical thinking, critical thinking, and decision making skills. They develop a growth mindset, improve on their social emotional development and their engagement as well. Thank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1739573499696,"projectUrl":"project/empower-bright-minds-supply-their-succe/9004562/","projectTitle":"Empower Bright Minds: Supply Their Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ngo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9621723_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723500713495","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9621723"},{"teacherId":8379108,"projectId":7141366,"letterContent":"The new calculators have had a big impact on how our students approach math. They're not just solving problems faster—they're also understanding the concepts more deeply. With these calculators, students can explore patterns, check their work immediately, and tackle more complex problems without getting stuck on basic calculations. It frees them up to focus on strategy, reasoning, and real-world application.\r\nYes, one student who previously found math very frustrating has really taken to the calculators. They now feel more confident tackling multi-step problems and have even started helping classmates. Having access to this tool has shifted their mindset from \"I can't do this\" to \"I know how to figure this out.\"","fullyFundedDate":1678231185492,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-calculators/7141366/","projectTitle":"Classroom Calculators","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Thomas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8379108"},{"teacherId":9549981,"projectId":8831043,"letterContent":"We are incredibly thankful for your generous donation of headphones to our classroom. This contribution has had a big impact on how our students learn, complete assignments, and perform during exams. The headphones have allowed students to focus better by blocking out classroom distractions. This is especially helpful during exams, as they can concentrate without noise interruptions. Students also engage more with multimedia content like videos and audio clips for assignments, improving their understanding and retention of the material. Students enjoy the freedom and independence the headphones provide. They can now listen to lessons, videos, or complete tasks without distractions, allowing them to learn at their own pace. The headphones have made learning more interactive and fun, especially through virtual field trips and audio-based lessons.\r\nThe headphones have been particularly beneficial for students who struggle with focus or auditory processing. For those who find it hard to concentrate in a noisy classroom, the headphones help them tune out distractions and complete their work more effectively. They also support students who need extra help processing auditory information, allowing them to learn at their own pace and feel more confident.our donation of headphones has made a real difference in our classroom. It has helped students focus, engage more deeply with lessons, and succeed in their work. Thank you for supporting their learning and helping them achieve their best!","fullyFundedDate":1733798662336,"projectUrl":"project/headphones-sets/8831043/","projectTitle":"Headphones Sets","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Acuna","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9549981"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_75763","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":945,"numTeachers":34,"percentFrplEligible":36,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":13,"percentWhite":19,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":60,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"27.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":77.6,"schoolId":75763,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Desert Thunder Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Desert Thunder Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/arizona/avondale-elementary-school-district/desert-thunder-elementary-school/75763"}