{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Donald A Quarles Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":44.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8308063,"projectId":10049650,"letterContent":"When our Pre-K class received brand-new winter gloves, cuddly teddy bears, and delicious snacks, the excitement was impossible to contain! The students' eyes lit up as they each picked out their own gloves, giggling as they tried them on for the first time. Holding their new teddy bears, many hugged them tightly and whispered their names, immediately forming little bonds with their soft new friends. Snack time became extra special as everyone got to enjoy treats they didn't have to share or wait for, and it sparked so much joy and conversation among the children. Seeing their faces light up with happiness reminded me how even the simplest donations can make a huge difference in a child's day.\r\nThis project has had a huge impact on my students' social-emotional growth. With the new toys, winter gloves, teddy bears, and snacks, students feel safe, cared for, and ready to learn. They are more able to recognize and talk about their feelings, practice self-regulation, and show kindness to their classmates. Simple tools like a comforting teddy bear or a healthy snack help students focus, calm down when frustrated, and engage more fully in learning activities.\r\nBecause of these donations, I was able to create a classroom environment where every child feels included and supported. I could teach lessons about emotions and coping strategies more effectively, provide hands-on learning experiences, and meet students' needs for comfort and sensory regulation. These materials also allowed me to focus on guiding positive social interactions and emotional development, instead of spending time worrying about basic needs or classroom disruptions. Overall, it has made our classroom a happier, calmer, and more engaging place to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1769255804338,"projectUrl":"project/cozy-cared-for-and-ready-to-learn/10049650/","projectTitle":"Cozy, Cared-For, and Ready to Learn","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hollander","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8308063_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673348976514","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8308063"},{"teacherId":8308063,"projectId":9857580,"letterContent":"We use our new social-emotional tools every single day during morning meeting, small groups, and when students need support regulating their feelings. The calm-down tools, sensory items, and emotion activities have become a meaningful part of our classroom routine. Recently, one student who was feeling frustrated chose a fidget and used our feelings chart to point to \"angry.\" Instead of crying or shutting down, they were able to take deep breaths and rejoin the group. That was such a powerful moment of growth and independence.\r\nThe students were beyond excited! They were immediately drawn to the colorful emotion visuals and calming tools. Many of them began naming feelings right away and sharing times they felt that way. It sparked natural conversations about kindness, problem-solving, and how to help a friend who feels sad. They truly felt seen and supported.\r\nOur next step is helping students independently recognize their emotions and choose strategies to regulate themselves. We are working on building emotional vocabulary and practicing calming techniques like deep breathing, counting, and using sensory tools appropriately. These resources are helping us create a classroom where students feel safe, confident, and ready to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1767150546863,"projectUrl":"project/lets-always-choose-to-be-kind-with-our/9857580/","projectTitle":"Let’s Always Choose to Be Kind with Our Words","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hollander","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8308063_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673348976514","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8308063"},{"teacherId":8308063,"projectId":9758567,"letterContent":"Our new puzzles have become a daily part of our morning centers and small group instruction. We are using them to strengthen fine motor skills, problem-solving, visual discrimination, and cooperative learning.\r\nFor some of my students who struggle with emotional regulation, the puzzles have become a calming and confidence-building activity. Watching a child who once avoided challenging tasks proudly hold up a completed puzzle was such a powerful classroom moment.\r\nWe are currently working on strengthening problem-solving strategies, cooperation skills, and perseverance. Our next step is incorporating the puzzles into structured partner challenges where students will practice using language like, \"Can we solve this together?\" and \"Let's make a plan.\"\r\n\r\nAcademically, we are connecting puzzles to literacy and math skills. For example, students are writing the beginning sounds of objects they see in the puzzle pictures, counting puzzle pieces, and sorting pieces by shape (corners, edges, middle).\r\n\r\nAs the year continues, we plan to increase the complexity of the puzzles to continue building stamina, resilience, and confidence. These materials are helping us grow not only academically, but socially and emotionally — and we are so grateful to our donors for making that possible.","fullyFundedDate":1766084271872,"projectUrl":"project/problem-solving-puzzles-help-develop-ski/9758567/","projectTitle":"Problem Solving Puzzles Help Develop Skills for Pre-k","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hollander","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8308063_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673348976514","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8308063"},{"teacherId":1412701,"projectId":9823873,"letterContent":"My students and I were so happy to receive the materials for this project. As soon as the boxes were delivered to the classroom, the students became curious about the contents. We took out the materials and talked about them one at a time.\r\nOnce the initial excitement was over, I placed the materials into the centers and the children immediately began using them. They began strengthening fine motor skills with these materials during Free Choice Center Time! I love these materials because they are a fun and exciting way to incorporate invaluable skills into play time. I can see the improvements already!","fullyFundedDate":1764600032352,"projectUrl":"project/fine-motor-fun/9823873/","projectTitle":"Fine Motor Fun","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hrbek","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1412701_orig.jpg?crop=1864,1864,x574,y614&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1624311562375","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-hrbek"},{"teacherId":10227214,"projectId":9878365,"letterContent":"I am incredibly grateful for your generous support in funding my classroom project with Montessori materials. Before joining the public school system, I worked for many years as a Montessori teacher, and I have seen firsthand how these materials can inspire curiosity, independence, and deeper learning in young students.\r\n\r\nKnowing how beneficial Montessori materials can be, I took the initiative to bring them into my classroom to provide my students with hands-on, meaningful learning experiences. My students are beyond excited to use the new materials! My more advanced learners, in particular, are thrilled, as the standard Common Core curriculum often doesn't provide enough activities to challenge them.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, my students now have tools that foster creativity, problem-solving, and a love of learning. Your support truly makes a difference, and I am so thankful for your investment in their growth.","fullyFundedDate":1764598588604,"projectUrl":"project/equal-learning-opportunities-through-mon/9878365/","projectTitle":"Equal Learning Opportunities Through Montessori Materials","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kabashi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10227214"},{"teacherId":10229480,"projectId":9659969,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping us get our Cozy Corner and tent ready for the classroom! The students use this area whenever they need to self-regulate, take a break or just unwind for a moment before rejoining the classroom activities. The students enjoy having a quiet, safe space that they can use whenever they need it. Students also enjoy listening to music, using the sensory toys and relaxing in the tent.\r\n\r\nWe appreciate everyone's help in achieving this goal and we encourage you to set up your own cozy corner areas at home!\r\n\r\nThanks again!","fullyFundedDate":1757087346282,"projectUrl":"project/a-cozy-corner-that-works/9659969/","projectTitle":"A Cozy Corner That Works!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Khan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10229480_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756417694432","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10229480"},{"teacherId":2211677,"projectId":9208764,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the social emotional resources for my preschool classroom. My students have been enjoying the positive and negative choice sorting cups during morning meeting. They love deciding which choices are good and which choices are bad and putting them in the correct cup. \r\n Thank you for the magnetic sorting board as well. This has truly helped one of my 3 year old students that has trouble attending for long periods of time. He loves taking this board and it calms him to use it!","fullyFundedDate":1749215591295,"projectUrl":"project/social-emotional-learning/9208764/","projectTitle":"Social Emotional Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bickoff","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2211677_orig.jpg?crop=408,408,x0,y190&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1596413383391","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/robbin-bickoff"},{"teacherId":2789227,"projectId":9241446,"letterContent":"Students are having fun playing at the light table with a large variety of objects. They can classify objects by shape, color, and identify objects that are alike, or different. Students were excited to help open the boxes of new materials, and they began naming some items as we took them from the boxes. These new learning materials promote language development among students. They can repeat words, and request materials they want to use especially during their free choice play time. \r\n\r\nStudents are learning to share materials, wait their turn, and interact appropriately with the materials and their classmates. These are very important skills we target with our students who are on the autism spectrum. These new materials have enhanced the learning experience for every student in my class. Once again, many thanks for your precious, and considerate donations to this amazing project for my students.","fullyFundedDate":1746786928942,"projectUrl":"project/light-it-up/9241446/","projectTitle":"Light It Up!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Anderson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2789227"},{"teacherId":2211677,"projectId":9014540,"letterContent":"My students have been over the moon with the exciting new prize box items! I don't know if they can pick a favorite since they LOVE all the different items. We have been using the Super Spiderman stickers for the student who is following all of rules in the classroom. \r\n The prize box items are so special and so important. It's great to reward students who are doing the right thing. The students look forward to earning a trip the prize box. The bags, squishes, pencils, erasers, magic boards and stickers have been so amazing! Thank you so much for your generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1741099912825,"projectUrl":"project/prize-box-rewards/9014540/","projectTitle":"Prize Box Rewards","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bickoff","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2211677_orig.jpg?crop=408,408,x0,y190&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1596413383391","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/robbin-bickoff"},{"teacherId":8308063,"projectId":9208920,"letterContent":"I want to extend a heartfelt *thank you* for your generous support of our classroom project! Because of you, our students now have access to new and meaningful resources that support social-emotional learning (SEL) through play—and the difference has been incredible.\r\n\r\nThe moment the materials arrived—everything from dramatic play items to sensory tools and SEL-focused games—my students were *ecstatic.* There were wide eyes, excited chatter, and even a few joyful jumps. One student exclaimed, \"This is better than recess!\" They dove right in, using the puppets and role-play costumes to act out real-life scenarios like resolving conflicts, taking turns, and expressing emotions.\r\n\r\nOne powerful moment came during a group play session with our new \"Feelings Match\" game. A student who often struggles to communicate emotions was able to identify and name how they were feeling by matching it to a card and saying, \"This is me when I'm mad—but I can take deep breaths.\" It sparked a supportive group conversation about what to do when we feel big emotions. I could see their confidence growing as they realized they were not alone in their experiences.\r\n\r\nThese resources have helped make SEL part of our everyday routine, not just a weekly lesson. They've opened the door to deeper conversations, better peer interactions, and a classroom culture rooted in empathy and understanding.\r\n\r\nOur next steps include launching a \"Peace Corner\" where students can use these tools to self-regulate during moments of frustration or stress. We're also working on a collaborative classroom book about feelings, where students will write and illustrate stories using characters and scenarios inspired by their play.\r\n\r\nThanks to you, my students are building the emotional skills they need to thrive—not just in the classroom, but in life. You've given them more than materials; you've given them tools for connection, resilience, and joy.","fullyFundedDate":1742947043734,"projectUrl":"project/building-emotional-intelligence-in-kids/9208920/","projectTitle":"\"Building Emotional Intelligence in Kids Through Doll-Based Play Activities\"","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hollander","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8308063_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673348976514","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8308063"},{"teacherId":8308063,"projectId":9039221,"letterContent":"Here's a thank-you letter you can send to your donors:\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\n**Dear Donors,**\r\n\r\nThank you so much for your generous contribution to our classroom project! Because of your support, our cozy corner has been transformed into a warm, welcoming, and peaceful space that my students absolutely love.\r\n\r\nWhen the new materials arrived—soft seating, calming lights, sensory tools, and engaging books—my students' eyes lit up with excitement. One student whispered, *\"This feels like home!\"* It was truly heartwarming to see them immediately drawn to the space, exploring each item with curiosity and joy. The cozy corner has quickly become a favorite spot for reading, calming down, and even quietly collaborating during partner work.\r\n\r\nRecently, during our \"Feelings and Friendship\" unit, we used the cozy corner as a reflection space. One project involved students reading picture books about emotions and then drawing or writing about how the characters handled their feelings. Students were encouraged to visit the cozy corner if they needed a quiet moment to think or process—many took advantage of this, and a few even asked if they could take a book there to read when they were feeling overwhelmed. It's become more than just a space; it's a tool for emotional growth and independence.\r\n\r\nThanks to you, my students now have a place where they feel safe, supported, and empowered to manage their emotions and connect with their learning in new ways. Our next steps include integrating mindfulness activities into our daily routine and continuing our social-emotional learning projects using this space.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your kindness. You've given my students more than just materials—you've helped create an environment that truly supports their well-being and success.\r\n\r\nWith heartfelt gratitude, \r\nAmy Hollander \r\nPre-K Teacher\r\nDonald A. Quarles Early Childhood Center","fullyFundedDate":1741099910270,"projectUrl":"project/pre-k-kids-need-cozy-corner-care/9039221/","projectTitle":"Pre-k Kids Need Cozy Corner Care!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hollander","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8308063_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673348976514","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8308063"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_80539","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":431,"numTeachers":49,"percentFrplEligible":66,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":19,"percentWhite":6,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":69,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - K","studentTeacherRatio":"8.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":55.2,"schoolId":80539,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Donald A Quarles Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Donald A Quarles Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-jersey/englewood-public-school-district/donald-a-quarles-elementary-school/80539"}