{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Dumbarton Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":22.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9449504,"projectId":9980906,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our kindergarteners are now building letters, words, and confidence with our brand‑new LEGO letter‑building sets. These hands‑on materials have quickly become a favorite part of our literacy block, helping students connect play with purposeful learning in a way that feels natural, exciting, and developmentally just right.\r\n\r\nWe use the LEGO sets during small‑group literacy centers, where students build uppercase and lowercase letters, spell simple CVC words, and even create their own name designs. The tactile experience of snapping bricks together helps students strengthen fine‑motor skills while also deepening their understanding of letter formation. It's been incredible to watch students who usually hesitate during writing time suddenly light up when they realize, \"I can build this!\"\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite moments happened the very first day we opened the boxes. As soon as the students saw the colorful bricks and letter cards, the room filled with excited chatter. Several students immediately sat down and began building the letters in their names, proudly holding up their creations for their classmates to see. One student who often struggles with pencil grip spent nearly twenty minutes carefully constructing the letter \"M,\" smiling the entire time. It was a moment of pure joy and success.\r\n\r\nThese LEGO sets have also helped students collaborate in new ways. I've seen pairs of students work together to build the entire alphabet, cheering each other on and comparing the shapes they created. The materials have sparked creativity, problem‑solving, and meaningful conversations about letters, sounds, and words.\r\n\r\nAs we continue our phonics and early writing units, these LEGO sets will play an important role. Students will use them to build sight words, practice blending and segmenting, and create simple sentences. The next step is introducing \"LEGO Word Builders,\" where students will choose a picture card and build the matching word using the bricks—turning literacy practice into a joyful, hands‑on challenge.","fullyFundedDate":1767915628409,"projectUrl":"project/letters-with-legos/9980906/","projectTitle":"Letters with Legos!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Amber DeHart","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9449504"},{"teacherId":9449504,"projectId":9801726,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our kindergarten classroom has become a more focused, confident, and joyful place to learn. The new headphones have made a tremendous difference in how my students engage with technology during reading, math, and literacy centers. For many of our donors, technology in schools may look very different from what they remember, but in our classroom, these headphones are helping students learn in ways that are developmentally appropriate, hands‑on, and deeply supportive.\r\n\r\nWe use the headphones daily during programs like i‑Ready Reading and Math, digital read‑alouds, and phonics games. With their own set of headphones, each child can listen closely without distractions, follow directions more independently, and stay fully immersed in the activity. This has been especially helpful for students who need a quieter environment or who benefit from hearing instructions repeated at their own pace.\r\n\r\nOne of the most exciting moments came the day the headphones arrived. The students were thrilled — several gasped and said, \"We each get our own?\" They immediately noticed the bright colors and comfortable fit, and they were eager to try them out. During our first i‑Ready session with the new headphones, the room was calm, focused, and full of little smiles as students realized they could hear every sound clearly. It felt like the whole class took a collective breath and settled into learning with confidence.\r\n\r\nSome students have especially blossomed with this new technology. One of my quieter learners, who often struggled to stay engaged during whole‑group lessons, now beams during independent tech time. With the headphones on, he can follow along without background noise, and he's been completing lessons with newfound independence and pride. Another student who is learning English has benefited from being able to replay stories and vocabulary activities, helping her build language skills at her own pace.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward with our literacy and math units, these headphones will continue to support students in building foundational skills. They'll use them for phonics practice, listening comprehension, math games, and even calming music during SEL moments. The next step is helping students take ownership of caring for their headphones and using them responsibly as part of their daily routine.\r\n\r\nYour generosity didn't just provide a classroom tool — it opened the door for more focused learning, more independence, and more joyful engagement. Thank you for helping our young learners hear clearly, think deeply, and grow with confidence every day.","fullyFundedDate":1767218621104,"projectUrl":"project/clear-sound-focused-minds-headphones-n/9801726/","projectTitle":"Clear Sound, Focused Minds: Headphones Needed!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Amber DeHart","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9449504"},{"teacherId":9449504,"projectId":9771170,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our kindergarten classroom has become an even more joyful, responsible, and community‑minded place to learn. The little brooms and Clorox wipes you provided have quickly become essential tools in our daily routines. We use them throughout the day to keep our learning spaces clean, safe, and ready for hands‑on exploration.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite moments happened the very first morning the materials arrived. As soon as the students spotted the child‑sized brooms, their eyes lit up. Several students immediately asked, \"Are those for us?\" and couldn't wait to try them out. We practiced sweeping together, and within minutes, they were proudly taking turns cleaning up after centers—treating it like a real job that mattered. The Clorox wipes have helped us build healthy habits, too. Students now take ownership of wiping down tables after messy projects, snack time, and art activities, cheering each other on as they work.\r\n\r\nThese resources have done more than tidy our classroom—they've helped students build independence, responsibility, and pride in caring for our shared space. They love knowing they have the tools to fix a mess, help a friend, or reset a center so the next group can enjoy it.\r\n\r\nAs we continue our current lessons, these routines will play an important role. We're beginning more hands‑on projects in literacy and math, and students will use the brooms and wipes to clean up after building words with magnetic letters, exploring math manipulatives, and creating art connected to our read‑alouds. The next step is helping students take on \"classroom helper\" roles where they can lead their peers in keeping our room clean and organized.\r\n\r\nYour support didn't just give us supplies—it strengthened our classroom community. Thank you for helping our young learners feel capable, confident, and proud of the space they learn in every day.","fullyFundedDate":1766155874641,"projectUrl":"project/sparkling-in-kindergarten/9771170/","projectTitle":"Sparkling in Kindergarten","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Amber DeHart","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9449504"},{"teacherId":2959583,"projectId":9565326,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your kind donations to my classroom. The items have already been put to so much use and my students love them. The sensory items really help my exceptional Ed students and they love the sensory fish tank. We've named each one! \r\n\r\nThese students need a little extra push and motivation at times during a long school day so having sensory items to take breaks as needed are so beneficial for them! \r\n\r\nYour kindness has such an impact and means the world to teachers like me everywhere who try our best to get what our students need. Thank you so much. God bless!","fullyFundedDate":1758842955460,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-in-the-classroom/9565326/","projectTitle":"Sensory in the Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Brouillard","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2959583_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1564175789989","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2959583"},{"teacherId":6316012,"projectId":9526923,"letterContent":"Thank you for bringing \"Building Brighter Futures, One Brick at a Time\" to life! When these resources arrived, the excitement during the STEM lessons was electric. While the LEGO walls provided the physical spark, the true impact has been the explosion of creativity and the abundance of lessons we've been able to facilitate. These materials have become a vehicle for hands-on, deeply meaningful lessons.\r\n\r\nThe \"bricks\" have paved the way for a wide variety of lessons. For example, in our \"Communication\" units, English Language Learners used the AlphaBriks to visualize vocabulary, turning a daunting literacy task into a playful building challenge. In our science-focused lessons, students used the Gear Bots to explore simple machines, transitioning from following instructions to \"Creative Thinking\" as they modified their robots to solve specific problems. The sheer variety of materials meant that one day we were building 3D models of \"Around the World\" landmarks to study geography, and the next, students were collaborating on engineering challenges to see whose structure could withstand the most weight. I've seen students who typically hesitate to speak up become leaders during these builds, explaining their design logic to peers with newfound confidence.","fullyFundedDate":1758339314101,"projectUrl":"project/building-brighter-futures-one-brick-at/9526923/","projectTitle":"Building Brighter Futures, One Brick at a Time","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Gonzalez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6316012_orig.png?crop=1050,1050,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754586573333","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/dumbarton"},{"teacherId":9449504,"projectId":9787173,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of whiteboards, erasers, magnetic numbers, and the storage drawers to keep these supplies organized. Your thoughtful gift has already made a meaningful impact in our kindergarten classroom.\r\n\r\nMy students have absolutely loved using the whiteboards during math stations—whether they're showing their answers, practicing number formation, or simply enjoying the chance to write and erase with ease. The magnetic numbers have quickly become a favorite tool as well. They allow children to practice sequencing, explore number patterns, and identify what comes before or after a given number in a hands-on, engaging way.\r\n\r\nWhen the boxes of new materials first arrived, the excitement was contagious! The children gathered around, asking questions and eagerly waiting to see what was inside. With each item I pulled out, their enthusiasm multiplied. We took time to talk about how we could use these materials in our learning, how to care for them responsibly, and how to store them so everyone has access throughout the day. It was a wonderful moment of community and shared joy.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has not only provided us with valuable tools for learning but has also sparked curiosity, collaboration, and a sense of pride in our classroom. We are deeply grateful for your support and for the way you've helped enrich our students' educational journey.","fullyFundedDate":1760720079653,"projectUrl":"project/magnetic-minds-empowering-early-learner/9787173/","projectTitle":"Magnetic Minds: Empowering Early Learners with Math & Organization","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Amber DeHart","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9449504"},{"teacherId":9651720,"projectId":9516089,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donation to our classroom. The smiley face rug has given us a comfortable place to sit and learn our letters as well an individual space for each of us to sit. We love the fun colors and happy faces. We love the sounds of the fish and watching the bubbly fish and the comfy giant pillow it gives us somewhere we can go to calm down when we're feeling sad about missing our moms and dads or when we are just having a hard day and need some time to get our emotions together. The bubbly fish and breathing bears help us focus and calm our emotions. Your donations are going to help us get through the year!! We really appreciate your generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1754696747411,"projectUrl":"project/calm-down-corner-supporting-emotional/9516089/","projectTitle":"Calm Down Corner “Supporting Emotional Wellbeing”","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Scarola","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9651720_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753882225370","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9651720"},{"teacherId":9449504,"projectId":9710706,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our kindergarten classroom! The Play-Doh has quickly become a favorite among my students, and it's been a wonderful addition to our daily activities.\r\n\r\nWe've been using it in so many creative ways—making circles to count, forming letters and numbers, and of course, enjoying some imaginative play during indoor recess or after finishing assignments. The variety of colors and fun tools have truly brought joy and excitement to our learning environment.\r\n\r\nThe children love it so much they've even asked if they could take some home! Your kindness has made a meaningful impact, and we're incredibly grateful for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1758842955757,"projectUrl":"project/playing-with-play-doh-in-kindergarten/9710706/","projectTitle":"Playing with Play-Doh in Kindergarten!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Amber DeHart","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9449504"},{"teacherId":9449504,"projectId":9277977,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our kindergarten classroom. The students are absolutely delighted with the new treasure box rewards, which they earn by making excellent choices and giving their best effort throughout the school day.\r\n\r\nDuring story time, the books you provided were a huge hit—especially the Seed story series, which quickly became a class favorite. These stories sparked rich conversations about our feelings and how to manage them. Inspired by what we read, the children drew pictures in their journals to express their emotions, creating a meaningful connection between literature and self-awareness.\r\n\r\nYour support has made a lasting impact on our learning environment, and we're truly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1755875862200,"projectUrl":"project/stories-and-rewards-in-kindergarten/9277977/","projectTitle":"Stories and Rewards in Kindergarten","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Amber DeHart","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9449504"},{"teacherId":6316012,"projectId":8967602,"letterContent":"Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, our elementary school students have been given an incredible opportunity to explore coding in a way that is both hands-on and accessible. Introducing Sphero Indi robots has transformed abstract coding concepts into interactive experiences, allowing students to build problem-solving skills, experiment with cause-and-effect relationships, and strengthen their critical thinking—all through play. These robots cater to various learning styles, making coding an inclusive experience. Visual learners follow the color-coded pathways, kinesthetic learners physically manipulate the robots, and auditory learners benefit from the sounds and feedback provided, ensuring that every student can engage in a way that resonates with them.\r\n\r\nFor many of our students, the most exciting part of working with Indi is the immediate feedback they receive. They love watching the robots respond to their coding decisions in real time, helping them refine their logic and adjust their approach. Students gain a tangible understanding of sequencing, problem-solving, and computational thinking by arranging the color-coded tiles that dictate Indi's movement. Not only does Indi foster creativity, but it also builds confidence, encouraging students to take risks and learn from their mistakes in a supportive environment. The collaborative nature of these activities has allowed students to work together to troubleshoot challenges, develop solutions, and celebrate their successes as a team.\r\n\r\nWe are immensely grateful to our donors for believing in our students and supporting this initiative. Because of you, our young learners are engaging in coding in a fun, accessible, and meaningful way. Your generosity has opened doors that will shape their futures, and we sincerely appreciate your kindness.","fullyFundedDate":1739375508930,"projectUrl":"project/sphero-indi-coding-cars-for-diverse-lear/8967602/","projectTitle":"Sphero Indi Coding Cars for Diverse Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Gonzalez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6316012_orig.png?crop=1050,1050,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754586573333","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/dumbarton"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_34176","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":684,"numTeachers":35,"percentFrplEligible":93,"percentAsian":11,"percentBlack":28,"percentWhite":15,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":38,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"19.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":77.3,"schoolId":34176,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Dumbarton Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Dumbarton Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/virginia/henrico-county-public-schools/dumbarton-elementary-school/34176"}