{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Downing Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":15.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9571140,"projectId":10269497,"letterContent":"These new classroom items have helped me build a more engaging, welcoming, and flexible classroom environment for my students. Having access to these resources allows me to create hands-on learning opportunities, provide students with different ways to participate, and make our classroom a space where everyone can feel comfortable and excited to learn.\r\n\r\nThe flexibility these items provide has made it easier for me to adapt lessons and activities to meet the different needs, interests, and learning styles of my students. My students are able to collaborate, explore, create, and learn in ways that feel meaningful to them. I am incredibly grateful to the generous donors who supported my classroom and helped make these opportunities possible!","fullyFundedDate":1779252380760,"projectUrl":"project/building-a-flexible-comfortable-and-en/10269497/","projectTitle":"Building a Flexible, Comfortable, and Engaging Learning Space","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fitzgerald","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9571140_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754414075754","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9571140"},{"teacherId":5478345,"projectId":10192251,"letterContent":"Thank you for making this project possible and bringing more color, creativity, and hands-on learning into our classroom! My students were so excited when they first saw the new materials. Their smiles and enthusiasm showed how much they value having opportunities to create, explore, and express their ideas in new ways.\r\n\r\nWe have been using these resources during creative classroom projects that allow students to learn through doing. Whether they are designing artwork, completing hands-on activities, or adding their own personal touches to assignments, students have been able to build confidence while strengthening important skills like problem-solving, collaboration, and self-expression. One of my favorite moments has been watching students proudly share their finished work and celebrate each other's creativity.\r\n\r\nAs we continue learning, these materials will support upcoming projects that combine creativity with academic skills. Students will continue using these resources to bring their ideas to life, explore new concepts, and develop a deeper love for learning. Thank you for helping create a classroom where every student has the chance to imagine, create, and succeed!","fullyFundedDate":1778038481953,"projectUrl":"project/color-creativity-and-hands-on-learning/10192251/","projectTitle":"Color, Creativity, and Hands-On Learning in Every Classroom Project","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Michell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5478345_orig.jpg?crop=954,954,x93,y266&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718932865291","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-michell"},{"teacherId":5478345,"projectId":10177847,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, my students have been given new opportunities to learn, explore, and grow. The resources from this project have helped create a classroom environment where students feel encouraged to take risks, stay curious, and believe in their own abilities.\r\n\r\nMy students were excited to see the new materials and immediately began using them during lessons, activities, and independent learning time. These resources have helped make learning more engaging and hands-on while supporting students as they build important academic and social skills.\r\n\r\nOne of the most rewarding moments has been watching students become more confident as they work through challenges, collaborate with classmates, and celebrate their progress. As we continue our learning journey, students will use these tools to deepen their understanding, complete new projects, and continue reaching toward their goals.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping my students grow their minds, dream big, and see all that they are capable of achieving. Your kindness has made a meaningful difference in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1776129423865,"projectUrl":"project/growing-minds-soaring-dreams/10177847/","projectTitle":"Growing Minds & Soaring Dreams","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Michell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5478345_orig.jpg?crop=954,954,x93,y266&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718932865291","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-michell"},{"teacherId":5478345,"projectId":9942407,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my students had the opportunity to combine art and writing in a meaningful way. They were so excited to use the new materials to create self-portraits and write personal narratives that shared their unique stories, interests, and dreams. It was wonderful to watch their confidence grow as they expressed themselves both creatively and through writing.\r\n\r\nThe art supplies helped students bring their portraits to life with vibrant colors and thoughtful details, while the writing materials supported them as they planned, drafted, and revised their narratives. One of my favorite moments was seeing students proudly share their finished work with classmates, celebrating both their artistic talents and their voices as writers.\r\n\r\nAs we continue building our writing skills, students will use these experiences to strengthen future narrative, opinion, and informational writing projects. Your generosity gave them the tools to express themselves creatively and helped make learning both memorable and meaningful. Thank you for investing in my students and encouraging their creativity!","fullyFundedDate":1775014395379,"projectUrl":"project/art-meets-writing-portraits-and-persona/9942407/","projectTitle":"Art Meets Writing: Portraits and Personal Narratives","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Michell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5478345_orig.jpg?crop=954,954,x93,y266&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718932865291","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-michell"},{"teacherId":5478345,"projectId":9942253,"letterContent":"Thanks to your incredible generosity, our classroom has become an even more positive, engaging, and welcoming place to learn! My students were thrilled when they saw the new incentives, classroom supplies, and hands-on materials. The excitement was contagious as they eagerly asked when they could start earning stickers, pencils, and other rewards for showing kindness, responsibility, and perseverance.\r\n\r\nWe use these resources every day to celebrate student effort, encourage positive behavior, and make learning more interactive. One of my favorite moments was watching students cheer each other on as classmates earned incentives for meeting classroom goals. It has helped build a supportive classroom community where students encourage one another to do their best.\r\n\r\nThe sensory and classroom materials have also become part of our daily routines, helping students stay engaged and focused during lessons. As we continue through the school year, we'll use these resources to support collaborative projects, celebrate academic growth, and create meaningful learning experiences. Your generosity has made a lasting impact, and my students are grateful for your support. Thank you for helping make our classroom a place where every child feels motivated, valued, and excited to learn!","fullyFundedDate":1775014395407,"projectUrl":"project/incentives-imagination-and-a-little-fu/9942253/","projectTitle":"Incentives, Imagination, and a Little Fun!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Michell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5478345_orig.jpg?crop=954,954,x93,y266&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718932865291","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-michell"},{"teacherId":9571140,"projectId":9534818,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and support of our classroom! Because of you, my students have been able to dive into hands-on learning experiences that truly bring our lessons to life.\r\n\r\nWe've been using the new materials during our literacy centers, especially in our word-building and creation stations. One of my favorite moments was watching a student who has been struggling with reading confidently build and read a simple CVC word using the magnetic letters for the first time. The excitement on their face—and the cheers from their classmates—was something I won't forget. These resources are helping make learning feel accessible and fun for all of my students.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the students were beyond excited. Their eyes lit up as we unpacked everything together, and they couldn't wait to start exploring. Even students who sometimes struggle to stay engaged were eager to participate and try something new.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, we're continuing to build on these foundational skills. Students will be using the materials to create more complex words and sentences, work on sight word recognition, and collaborate during centers. We're also beginning to incorporate more writing activities where students can apply what they've built and read, helping them grow as confident readers and writers.\r\n\r\nYour support has made a meaningful impact in our classroom, and we are so grateful. Thank you for helping create a space where students feel excited, supported, and successful in their learning.","fullyFundedDate":1756148532182,"projectUrl":"project/morning-stem-bins-an-incredible-way-to/9534818/","projectTitle":"Morning STEM Bins: an Incredible Way to Start the Day!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fitzgerald","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9571140_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754414075754","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9571140"},{"teacherId":9571140,"projectId":9540536,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and support of our classroom! Because of you, my students have been able to dive into hands-on learning experiences that truly bring our lessons to life.\r\n\r\nWe've been using the new materials during our literacy centers, especially in our word-building and creation stations. One of my favorite moments was watching a student who has been struggling with reading confidently build and read a simple CVC word using the magnetic letters for the first time. The excitement on their face—and the cheers from their classmates—was something I won't forget. These resources are helping make learning feel accessible and fun for all of my students.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the students were beyond excited. Their eyes lit up as we unpacked everything together, and they couldn't wait to start exploring. Even students who sometimes struggle to stay engaged were eager to participate and try something new.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, we're continuing to build on these foundational skills. Students will be using the materials to create more complex words and sentences, work on sight word recognition, and collaborate during centers. We're also beginning to incorporate more writing activities where students can apply what they've built and read, helping them grow as confident readers and writers.\r\n\r\nYour support has made a meaningful impact in our classroom, and we are so grateful. Thank you for helping create a space where students feel excited, supported, and successful in their learning.","fullyFundedDate":1756148532166,"projectUrl":"project/brave-calm-and-kindergarten-strong/9540536/","projectTitle":"Brave, Calm, and Kindergarten Strong!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fitzgerald","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9571140_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754414075754","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9571140"},{"teacherId":5478345,"projectId":9662299,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and making these new materials possible! My students were absolutely thrilled when they first saw the whiteboards, erasers, and craft supplies. There were big smiles and lots of excited whispers as they realized these tools were just for them. The whiteboards quickly became a favorite. Whether we're practicing math problems, sounding out new vocabulary words, or brainstorming ideas during reading lessons, every student now has a chance to participate. They love being able to try, erase, and try again. That simple act of wiping the board clean has made them more willing to take risks and share their thinking without fear of making mistakes.\r\n\r\nThe craft supplies have also transformed our classroom in meaningful ways. During our holiday-themed lessons, students have been able to create projects that connect what we're learning to real-world traditions and celebrations. For example, while learning about cultural holidays, students worked together to design and decorate projects that represented different traditions. The room was filled with creativity, teamwork, and proud smiles as they shared their work with classmates. These hands-on moments help bring lessons to life and make learning memorable.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, my students are building confidence, collaboration skills, and a deeper love of learning. Our next steps include continuing to use the whiteboards for daily problem-solving challenges and interactive review games, as well as incorporating more project-based learning with our craft materials. We are especially excited to use these supplies for upcoming seasonal projects and cross-curricular activities that blend reading, writing, art, and social studies. Thank you for giving my curious, creative, and energetic students the tools they need to explore, express themselves, and shine each day.","fullyFundedDate":1764695656352,"projectUrl":"project/markers-magic-more/9662299/","projectTitle":"Markers, Magic & More","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Michell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5478345_orig.jpg?crop=954,954,x93,y266&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718932865291","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-michell"},{"teacherId":3026601,"projectId":9695522,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support for our project \"Dive into STEAM: Crafting Epic Underwater Worlds with Cardboard Challenges,\" our students have been able to bring their imaginative underwater visions to life in truly spectacular ways. The new resources, particularly the Chomp Saws, have transformed how we approach hands-on building in both our STEAM Club and Special Art classes. Students have used these safe, kid-friendly tools to precisely cut cardboard pieces for framing large-scale creations, including a massive hammerhead shark and an impressive anglerfish as part of our \"Under the Sea Glow Room\" projects. At both elementary schools, STEAM Club members carefully cut out the structural components, then assembled and glued them together using low-temperature glue guns to form sturdy frames. Once the framing was complete, students in Special Art took over, applying plaster for texture and adding vibrant glow paint to illuminate the final details, preparing everything for our upcoming Spring Festivals.\r\n\r\nThe students' reactions and engagement have been incredible—they were thrilled from the moment they first used the Chomp Saws, which made cutting clean, accurate shapes so much easier and safer than traditional tools, especially for these larger-than-life projects. Many were fully invested throughout the entire process, and some students who participate in both STEAM Club and Special Art had the rewarding experience of seeing their designs evolve from initial engineering sketches all the way to glowing, festival-ready masterpieces. This project fostered deep collaboration, teamwork, camaraderie, and a shared sense of purpose as groups worked together toward common goals. It also gave them valuable real-world experience with hands-on cutting, engineering design principles, iterating through the engineering design process, and problem-solving in ways that go far beyond traditional classroom activities. Your contributions truly made these epic builds possible and helped our students shine in creativity, confidence, and technical skills.\r\n\r\nWe're excited to continue this momentum—next, students will refine their glow room installations, add interactive elements like LED lights or moving parts, and showcase everything at the Spring Festivals. Your support has opened up a world of possibilities, and we can't thank you enough for helping our young makers dive so deeply into STEAM!","fullyFundedDate":1763585032291,"projectUrl":"project/dive-into-steam-crafting-epic-underwate/9695522/","projectTitle":"Dive into STEAM: Crafting Epic Underwater Worlds with Cardboard Challenges","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Michell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3026601_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y248&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1736788305035","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrmichell"},{"teacherId":10248005,"projectId":9696796,"letterContent":"We are absolutely thrilled to share the incredible impact your generous donations have had on our students and the creation of our \"Dive into Art: A Glowing Undersea Experience\" project! Thanks to your support, we received the fantastic Model Magic and rainbow dot markers, resources that are truly making our Under the Sea Glow Room come alive.\r\n\r\nThe Model Magic was immediately put to spectacular use in a major collaborative project between our STEAM Club and Special Art students. These groups teamed up to create a large-scale, immersive cardboard model of a shark for display in the Glow Room. The STEAM Club engineered and constructed the massive cardboard body using low-temperature glue and various cutting tools, establishing the framework for our sea creature. Once the structure was complete, the Special Art students took over. They were so excited to use the Model Magic you provided to cover the cardboard framework, creating the shark's \"skin\"! Seeing the materials for the first time—a fresh new supply ready for creation—ignited a visible spark of anticipation and teamwork. Students who participate in both groups were able to see the project through, from engineering its structure to sculpting its surface. The finished, textured shark is already a magnificent sight!\r\n\r\nOur students are now moving into the final and most exciting phase of this shark project: adding the glow paint and intricate finishing details. Once complete, this magnificent shark will be carefully hung from the ceiling of the Glow Room, appearing as if it is truly swimming above our heads under the black lights. The rest of the Model Magic and the new rainbow dot markers will continue to be used in various large-scale cardboard projects throughout the year, with our student-created artwork displayed throughout the room under the black lights, completing our immersive underwater experience. Your contribution did more than just provide supplies; it allowed our students to successfully collaborate across different disciplines and bring a massive, ambitious vision to glowing life. Thank you again for being a part of this amazing journey!","fullyFundedDate":1758207069356,"projectUrl":"project/dive-into-art-a-glowing-undersea-experi/9696796/","projectTitle":"Dive Into Art: A Glowing Undersea Experience","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Monico","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10248005_orig.jpg?crop=583,583,x829,y460&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757515520964","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10248005"},{"teacherId":3026601,"projectId":9692436,"letterContent":"You made \"Bright Futures: STEAM Lab Adventures\" come alive in the best way possible! The moment we unpacked the new LEGOs, kid-safe electric drill STEM kits, straw connector sets, wooden blocks, and colorful plum-shaped blocks, and Pixel Art kits over 300 kindergarten through third-grade students across two schools and 16 classes dove in excitedly with pure joy. The STEAM labs instantly filled with focused energy as kids grabbed pieces and started building together.\r\n\r\nThese materials are used every single week and have completely transformed how my students create. The LEGOs and wooden blocks let them prototype ideas quickly, the drill kits help them add moving parts with confidence, and the straw connectors inspire giant collaborative structures that one child alone could never manage. Because there are now enough pieces for everyone, students naturally team up—sharing ideas, trading parts, and helping each other solve problems when a tower wobbles or a design needs reinforcement. I've watched students erupt into cheers when a group creation comes together and finally works.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has sparked creativity that lights up both STEAM labs every day. Students who may have once hesitated to try, now dive in fearless, proud to show off the inventions they built alongside their classmates. Thank you for giving over 300 young minds the tools and the space to collaborate, imagine, and discover just how capable they truly are!","fullyFundedDate":1757514177989,"projectUrl":"project/building-bright-futures-steam-lab-adven/9692436/","projectTitle":"Building Bright Futures: Steam Lab Adventures","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Michell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3026601_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y248&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1736788305035","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrmichell"},{"teacherId":3026601,"projectId":9053552,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting Building BattleBots: Crafting Creativity and Competition! The excitement in my classroom was unbelievable when my students first saw the new supplies. Their faces lit up at the metallic sharpies, googly eyes, sticker gems, and especially the Worx cardboard cutter—tools they had never had the chance to use before. Many immediately began brainstorming creative designs for their \"battle shells,\" eager to put both their engineering and artistic skills into action.\r\n\r\nWith your support, each student was able to design and build their own unique BattleBot shell for our class competition. They explored important engineering concepts like weight distribution, balance, and top-heaviness as they tested their designs on SPHERO robots. The decorative supplies allowed them to bring personality and flair to their builds, showing off both creativity and problem-solving. Watching them test, revise, and proudly show off their bots was a powerful moment that truly blended the \"A\" in STEAM with science and engineering.\r\n\r\nIn June, we held our official BattleBots 2025 competition, and it was the highlight of the school year. Students battled their creations to see who had the \"Best Bot,\" cheering each other on with incredible energy and pride. Thanks to your generosity, they not only competed with well-crafted and imaginative designs but also walked away with lasting lessons in creativity, engineering, and perseverance. This project sparked joy and confidence in my students—an impact they will carry with them well beyond the classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1742918421880,"projectUrl":"project/building-battlebots-crafting-creativity/9053552/","projectTitle":"Building BattleBots: Crafting Creativity and Competition!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Michell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3026601_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y248&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1736788305035","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrmichell"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_80957","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":149,"numTeachers":11,"percentFrplEligible":46,"percentAsian":8,"percentBlack":10,"percentWhite":57,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":17,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":6,"gradesServed":"K - 3","studentTeacherRatio":"13.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":84.3,"schoolId":80957,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Downing Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Downing Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-jersey/runnemede-public-school-district/downing-elementary-school/80957"}