{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior Academy","outOfStateSupporters":36.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10026220,"projectId":10161448,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom library has become a place where my kindergarten bilingual students are excited to learn every single day. These new books have given my students access to stories that are engaging, age-appropriate, and meaningful to them. Many of my students are learning to read in Spanish while beginning to develop English, so having high-quality bilingual and Spanish texts has made a huge difference. As we read together, students practice foundational skills like recognizing letters and sounds, building vocabulary, making predictions, retelling stories, identifying characters and settings, and, most importantly, developing a genuine love for reading.\r\n\r\nReading time has become one of the most anticipated parts of our day. Whether we're gathered together for a read-aloud, working in small guided reading groups, or exploring books independently, my students are eager to pick up a book and share what they notice. I've watched students who were once hesitant to participate eagerly volunteer to retell stories using the illustrations, point out familiar high-frequency words, and make connections between the books and their own lives. Their confidence has grown alongside their reading skills.\r\n\r\nOne of the most rewarding changes has been seeing students choose to read during their free moments. They excitedly recommend books to classmates, celebrate when they recognize words they've learned, and proudly read stories using both the pictures and the text. Your support has helped create a classroom where books are a source of joy, curiosity, and confidence. Thank you for helping my students see themselves as readers and for making literacy an exciting part of their everyday learning.","fullyFundedDate":1773885105626,"projectUrl":"project/building-bilingual-readers-through-joyfu/10161448/","projectTitle":"Building Bilingual Readers Through Joyful Stories","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Diaz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10026220_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1773869263908","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10026220"},{"teacherId":8125062,"projectId":9819850,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our \"Sixth Grade Memories\" project! The instant photo printers have made a huge impact on my students and brought so much excitement into our classroom. Students were thrilled to see their memories printed instantly and added to craft projects and bulletin boards. \r\n\r\nWhat has been most exciting for students is creating something they can truly keep forever. In a world where so many memories stay on screens, these printed photos and memory books gave students a chance to create something tangible and heartfelt. Many students who are usually shy or less confident became especially engaged during this project. They eagerly shared stories, worked carefully on their pages, and took pride in designing memory books that represent who they are and who they hope to become.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping my students create lasting memories they will cherish for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1770437010079,"projectUrl":"project/sixth-grade-memories/9819850/","projectTitle":"Sixth Grade Memories!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Villegas-Ruiz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8125062_orig.jpg?crop=412,412,x0,y68&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1649218580735","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8125062"},{"teacherId":8125062,"projectId":9819854,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping create a clean, safe, and organized learning environment for my students. We are using the storage bins and bags every day to keep our materials sorted by subject, which has made transitions between activities smoother and more efficient. During a recent group research project, students independently gathered their supplies from labeled bins and quickly began working without confusion. The hand soap and wipes have also become part of our daily routine, especially before and after collaborative activities, helping us maintain a healthy and comfortable classroom space. \r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the new materials, they were excited and proud of their refreshed classroom. Many commented on how organized everything looked and how much easier it was to find what they needed. They immediately began helping label bins, arranging supplies, and creating shared responsibility for keeping our space tidy. \r\n\r\nStudents are collecting their best work in labeled bags and folders, preparing to share their growth with families during our open house event. The clean and structured environment is helping them manage their materials independently, stay organized, and take pride in their progress. Your generosity continues to make a meaningful difference in their daily learning experience. Thank you for supporting our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1768425323350,"projectUrl":"project/a-clean-safe-and-organized-classroom-f/9819854/","projectTitle":"A Clean, Safe, and Organized Classroom for Successful Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Villegas-Ruiz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8125062_orig.jpg?crop=412,412,x0,y68&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1649218580735","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8125062"},{"teacherId":8125062,"projectId":9698765,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity through DonorsChoose, our 6th-grade bilingual classroom is now a brighter and more welcoming place to learn. The colorful cardstock has helped us create bulletin boards that celebrate student work, share learning goals, and highlight the effort my students put into their learning every day. When students first saw the displays, they were excited and proud to see their work on the walls. Many of them pointed out their projects and smiled as they showed them to their classmates.\r\n\r\nThese displays are now part of our daily classroom life. We use them to showcase writing pieces, math strategies, and vocabulary we are learning together. Seeing their work displayed helps my students feel valued and motivates them to keep trying their best. Thank you for helping create a classroom environment where students feel proud of their progress and inspired to keep learning.","fullyFundedDate":1767806574196,"projectUrl":"project/colorful-classrooms-bright-futures/9698765/","projectTitle":"Colorful Classrooms, Bright Futures!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Villegas-Ruiz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8125062_orig.jpg?crop=412,412,x0,y68&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1649218580735","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8125062"},{"teacherId":8570368,"projectId":9785754,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom. Your generosity has made a meaningful difference for my students. The desk organizers have helped my students keep their papers and materials in order, which has improved their focus during class activities. The pens have been especially exciting for them. Many of my students prefer writing with pens instead of pencils because they do not have to stop and erase, which sometimes wastes learning time. I have already noticed them feeling more confident and motivated when completing their writing assignments.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the students were very excited. They loved the peanut composition stickers and immediately wanted to decorate their notebooks. It helped create a sense of ownership over their work. The calculators have also made a big impact during math time. When students use the calculators, they feel more confident and are more willing to try more math problems and participate in the lesson.\r\n\r\nThese resources are helping us continue building strong learning habits in the classroom. We will keep using the organizers to stay organized, the pens for daily writing activities, and the calculators to support our math lessons and practice problem-solving. Your support has helped create a more engaging and organized learning environment, and my students and I are truly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1770437009936,"projectUrl":"project/from-clutter-to-confidence-tools-for-le/9785754/","projectTitle":"From Clutter to Confidence: Tools for Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gonzalez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8570368_orig.jpg?crop=889,889,x70,y364&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756176290283","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8570368"},{"teacherId":8570368,"projectId":9907040,"letterContent":"I am truly grateful for your generous support of our project, \"Confidence in Every Calculation: Tools to Empower My Students.\" Because of you, my students now have access to meaningful math resources that are already transforming the way they approach learning. Many of my students receive specialized academic support and often struggle with confidence, especially in mathematics. With the new tools, hands-on manipulatives, visual aids, and structured practice materials, we can turn abstract concepts into something concrete and understandable. Instead of simply listening to explanations, students are actively building numbers, modeling equations, and visually breaking apart problems. Recently, during a small-group lesson on multi-digit multiplication, I watched one of my students who typically avoids participating eagerly use base-ten blocks to solve a problem in front of his peers. When he arrived at the correct answer on his own, his face lit up with pride. That moment was powerful. It wasn't just about solving a math problem; it was about building confidence and believing in his ability to succeed.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, my students were filled with excitement and curiosity. They immediately wanted to touch, explore, and try everything. For many of them, math has often felt intimidating or frustrating, so seeing colorful, interactive tools made learning feel more welcoming and less overwhelming. One student said, \"This doesn't feel like regular math, it feels like we're building something!\" That comment stayed with me because it perfectly captures the shift happening in our classroom. The resources have allowed me to differentiate instruction more effectively, especially for students with learning and behavioral challenges. Students who need movement and tactile engagement are now able to stay focused longer because they are actively involved in the lesson. I have also seen improved collaboration. During partner activities, students work together to model word problems, explain their thinking, and check each other's strategies. The materials have not only strengthened academic understanding but also supported social skills, communication, and perseverance. Students are learning that mistakes are part of the process, and they now have tools that help them work through challenges rather than give up.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, our next steps include applying these tools to real-world math projects that connect classroom learning to everyday life. We are currently beginning a \"Classroom Marketplace\" project where students will practice budgeting, making purchases, calculating totals, and determining change. Using the new resources, students will model transactions, solve multi-step word problems, and justify their reasoning. This hands-on project will reinforce number sense while also building practical life skills. Additionally, we will continue integrating the materials into reading and writing activities by having students explain their mathematical thinking in written form, strengthening both literacy and math comprehension. My goal is to help students see themselves as capable mathematicians who can approach problems with confidence and resilience. Your generosity has made that possible. Because of you, my students are not only improving their calculation skills, but they are also developing a stronger sense of self-belief. Thank you for investing in their growth, their confidence, and their future. Your support is making a lasting difference in our classroom every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1764739032219,"projectUrl":"project/confidence-in-every-calculation-tools-t/9907040/","projectTitle":"Confidence in Every Calculation: Tools to Empower My Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gonzalez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8570368_orig.jpg?crop=889,889,x70,y364&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756176290283","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8570368"},{"teacherId":9058742,"projectId":9446882,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donation of positive reinforcement items. Your support makes a meaningful difference in motivating and encouraging our students. The students were very excited and showed enthusiasm when they saw the boxes I was carrying to my classroom. They were eager to know what was in the boxes and explore the new materials. Joy was in the air when I opened the boxes/bags in front of the students. They smile, cheer, and express happiness at receiving the items. The students immediately start using the materials in projects or activities.","fullyFundedDate":1761967037585,"projectUrl":"project/positive-reinforcement/9446882/","projectTitle":"Positive Reinforcement","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Novoa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9058742_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y352&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1765433019963","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9058742"},{"teacherId":4526597,"projectId":9085728,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for providing our classroom with a beautiful mix of art and writing materials! The Crayola sidewalk chalk, handwriting paper, colorful craft frames, and bulk crayons have already added so much creativity and joy to our daily activities. My students have been using the chalk during outdoor learning to practice shapes, letters, and number formation in a fun, movement-based way. The handwriting paper has been essential during writing time, helping my kindergarteners learn proper letter formation while feeling proud of how \"grown-up\" their work looks. The craft frames and foam stickers have been a huge hit during art projects, especially for creating keepsakes for families.\r\n\r\nThe mechanical pencil set, scissors, and glue sticks have helped students build independence during centers and small-group work. These tools support fine-motor development and allow students to create confidently without waiting for supplies to be shared. The bulk crayons—especially the gray, pink, and gold sets—have added exciting new options for drawing, labeling, and illustrating stories. My students were thrilled to see so many colors available, and immediately asked if they could start a \"special picture\" using them.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has brought structure, creativity, and excitement into our classroom. These materials are used daily and help support students in becoming confident writers, artists, and problem-solvers. Thank you for investing in my students and giving them the resources to learn and create with joy.","fullyFundedDate":1738936570182,"projectUrl":"project/mid-year-restock-new-supplies/9085728/","projectTitle":"Mid-Year Restock: New Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gutierrez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4526597_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1778986051533","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msgutierrez123"},{"teacherId":4526597,"projectId":9106482,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping provide snacks and drinks for my kindergarten students. The SkinnyPop, applesauce pouches, fruit snacks, crackers, Pringles, raisins, Ritz packs, and bottled water have made an incredible difference in our daily routine. Many of my students come to school hungry or without a snack, and having these items on hand ensures every child has the fuel they need to learn, focus, and feel comfortable throughout the day. The smiles on their faces when they see a variety of snacks to choose from says it all—one student even whispered, \"Teacher, we get snacks today?\" with so much excitement.\r\n\r\nThese snacks have also supported our classroom during long activity blocks, special celebrations, and days when students need a little extra boost to stay engaged. The Capri Suns and bottled water have been especially helpful during PE days and outdoor activities. Having consistent, reliable access to snacks has created a calmer and more structured environment, helping students stay regulated and ready to participate.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has truly met a basic need for my students while bringing joy and comfort to their day. Thank you for giving them the energy to learn, play, and grow. Your support makes a meaningful","fullyFundedDate":1740579890423,"projectUrl":"project/snack-stock-up/9106482/","projectTitle":"Snack Stock-Up!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gutierrez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4526597_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1778986051533","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msgutierrez123"},{"teacherId":4526597,"projectId":9755967,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom now has essential tools that we use every single day during literacy, math, and center rotations. The new dry-erase boards have been especially transformative—my students use them during phonics lessons to practice letter formation, writing CVC words, and solving math problems. Having a durable, double-sided board for each child has helped them stay engaged and excited to show their thinking. The laminating pouches have allowed me to create long-lasting materials for centers, word-work cards, math games, and visual supports that my students use independently throughout the day.\r\n\r\nThe Play-Doh has brought so much joy to our learning time. We use it to build letters, numbers, and sight words, and it has also supported fine-motor development for my youngest learners. The glue sticks have been a huge help during writing and art projects—students can now work without worrying about running out or sharing one worn-out glue stick across the table. Their reactions when they saw everything were priceless; several students said, \"We all get one?\" and immediately sat down eager to write, build, and create.\r\n\r\nThese supplies have helped create cleaner routines, more hands-on learning, and stronger independence during centers. Thank you for making our classroom a place where students feel supported, excited, and proud of their work. Your generosity continues to make a daily impact on our learning.","fullyFundedDate":1762267544912,"projectUrl":"project/kindergarten-essentials/9755967/","projectTitle":"Kindergarten Essentials!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gutierrez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4526597_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1778986051533","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msgutierrez123"},{"teacherId":4526597,"projectId":9525807,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom! The new pencil pouches, story journals, Play-Doh, and writing tools have made a huge difference in how smoothly our learning routines run each day. Each student now has their own pouch to keep their supplies organized, which has helped build independence and reduce lost materials. The Pacon story journals have quickly become a class favorite—students love drawing their picture at the top and then writing a sentence underneath. These journals have supported our writing block beautifully, especially as students begin learning to stretch out sounds and write simple stories.\r\n\r\nThe Play-Doh and fat triangular pencils have boosted fine-motor skills and confidence for my youngest writers. Students use Play-Doh for forming letters, building sight words, and strengthening finger muscles before writing time. The triangular pencils have been a game-changer for students who struggle with grip, helping them feel successful and comfortable as they learn proper pencil control. The EXPO markers have supported our whiteboard work for phonics and math, and the \"Same or Different\" workbooks are helping students practice comparing, matching, and visual discrimination—skills essential for reading.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has brought structure, joy, and meaningful hands-on learning to our classroom. These materials are used daily and truly support the foundational skills my kindergarteners need to grow as readers, writers, and thinkers. Thank you for believing in my students and helping create a learning space that feels special, organized, and full of possibility.","fullyFundedDate":1754424780460,"projectUrl":"project/back-to-basics-starting-up-the-year/9525807/","projectTitle":"Back to Basics: Starting Up the Year","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gutierrez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4526597_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1778986051533","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msgutierrez123"},{"teacherId":4526597,"projectId":9761726,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our kindergarten PE program has taken on an exciting new life! The agility rings, plastic practice balls, flying discs, and colorful soccer cones have become essential tools in helping my students build coordination, confidence, and teamwork.\r\n\r\nThe very first day we unpacked the materials, the students couldn't contain their excitement—they were pointing, whispering, and asking, \"Are we going to use ALL of that?!\" They immediately wanted to try everything. We started with an obstacle-course warm-up using the agility rings, and the students were giggling as they hopped through, cheering each other on. Later that week, we used the new baseball-style practice balls for throwing and catching practice, and the soft, lightweight design helped even my most hesitant students feel successful.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite moments so far happened during our frisbee unit. Thanks to the bulk pack of flying discs, every student had their own disc, which meant they could ALL practice proper grip, push, and release at the same time. They were so proud hitting the cone targets we set up—made possible by the new multicolor soccer cones. Many students shouted, \"I did it!\" for the very first time, which gave them such a sense of accomplishment.","fullyFundedDate":1759361268818,"projectUrl":"project/physical-education-making-exercise-fun/9761726/","projectTitle":"Physical Education: Making Exercise Fun","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gutierrez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4526597_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1778986051533","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msgutierrez123"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_74604","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":557,"numTeachers":23,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":99,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":0,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"24.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":63.4,"schoolId":74604,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/alisal-union-school-district/dr-martin-luther-king-academy/74604"}