{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Dunaway Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":54.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8441549,"projectId":6536221,"letterContent":"Here's an update on how we're using the new snack resources, straight from the classroom!\r\nHow are you and your students using the new resources? Share a specific classroom project or moment.\r\nThe new snack resources have been an absolute game-changer for our classroom, especially during our \"Focus Time\" and after-school tutoring sessions. Before, we'd have students flagging during extended work periods, or struggling to concentrate on more complex problems. Now, with a readily available supply of nutritious snacks, we've seen a noticeable improvement in sustained attention and energy levels.\r\nA specific moment that stands out happened just last week during our math block. We were tackling multi-step word problems, which can be particularly draining. About halfway through, I noticed a few students starting to fidget and lose focus. I announced a quick \"brain break\" and offered the new fruit snacks and granola bars. It was amazing to see the transformation. After a quick refuel, the students returned to their problems with renewed vigor. One student, who had been stuck on a particularly tricky problem, suddenly exclaimed, \"Oh, I get it now!\" and quickly solved it. It was a clear demonstration of how a simple snack can impact cognitive function and persistence.\r\nHow did your students react when they first saw the materials?\r\nTheir reaction was pure delight, especially when they realized these snacks were for them! When I first unveiled the box of snacks, there were audible gasps and wide eyes. Many of them immediately asked, \"Are these really for us?\" When I confirmed they were, a wave of excitement spread through the room. There was a buzz of chatter about their favorite types of snacks, and a genuine sense of gratitude. For many of our students, access to consistent, healthy snacks isn't a given, so this felt like a real treat and a tangible sign that they are cared for.\r\nWhat are the next steps for your students on a current classroom lesson or project?\r\nRight now, we're deeply immersed in our \"Community Heroes\" project. Students are researching and interviewing individuals in our local community who make a positive difference – firefighters, librarians, doctors, and even dedicated volunteers. The next steps for this project involve students creating presentations to share their findings with the class. These presentations will incorporate visuals, written reports, and even short skits or role-plays to highlight the contributions of their chosen heroes.\r\nThe snacks will continue to play a vital role during this phase. As students work collaboratively on their presentations, often requiring extended periods of focus and creative problem-solving, having these readily available will help maintain their energy and enthusiasm. We're also planning a \"Celebration of Heroes\" day where students will present their final projects, and I envision the snacks being a welcome and appreciated part of that celebration as well, helping to fuel their excitement and confidence as they share their hard work.\r\nThank you again for making such a positive difference in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1664986410630,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-and-food-for-all/6536221/","projectTitle":"Snacks and Food for All!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Leever","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8441549_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1736958281525","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8441549"},{"teacherId":4719889,"projectId":8511817,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping provide a place to store our instruments when they are not in use so that we have room to dance and move in our classroom! The cabinet provides storage for several of our larger orff instruments clearing needed space for folk dance and other movement. It also helps keep dust out of the instruments and keeps them safe when they are not being played. Thank you for being a part of our efforts to keep music safe and fun in our school. We could not do it without the help of generous donors like you!","fullyFundedDate":1724083762789,"projectUrl":"project/percussion-put-away-part-1/8511817/","projectTitle":"Percussion Put-Away Part 1","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4719889_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1530048353709","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kj-jones"},{"teacherId":4719889,"projectId":8843906,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the books about jazz and other music genres. My students love them and they make an excellent addition to our library corner in the music room. My younger students are especially fond of Jazz Fly and it makes a wonderful introduction to scat singing. We also enjoyed learning about famous women in music and the girls in my percussion club picked their favorites to report on. Over all it has been a great to see the students excited as they read the new books. Thank you so very much for your generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1738693609634,"projectUrl":"project/from-classical-to-jazz-read-all-about-i/8843906/","projectTitle":"From Classical To Jazz, Read All About It!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4719889_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1530048353709","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kj-jones"},{"teacherId":8441549,"projectId":6447707,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donation of Boogie Boards to our classroom. These reusable writing tablets have already become an invaluable tool, significantly enhancing our daily literacy and math practice.\r\nYour contribution has provided a transformative learning experience, offering a low-stakes, engaging way for students to practice foundational skills without the waste of traditional worksheets.\r\nImpact on Literacy Practice\r\nThe Boogie Boards have created a dynamic environment for literacy development, particularly in areas requiring repeated practice:\r\n * Phonics and Spelling Drills: Students can instantly write, erase, and rewrite sight words, phonetic sounds, and spelling words. The novelty of the Boogie Boards makes repetitive drills more engaging, accelerating skill mastery.\r\n * Handwriting and Letter Formation: The smooth surface provides a simple, effective tool for practicing proper letter formation. Students are more willing to try again and correct errors when they can instantly erase with the push of a button.\r\n * Quick Writes: We utilize the boards for rapid brainstorming and sentence construction, allowing students to capture ideas quickly before transitioning to paper.\r\nImpact on Math Practice\r\nIn mathematics, the Boogie Boards have streamlined practice and encouraged students to visualize their work:\r\n * Solving Equations and Algorithms: Students can work through multi-step problems, such as long division or multiplication, without fear of mistakes. If they need to correct a step, they simply clear the board and restart, which builds confidence.\r\n * Number Sense Drills: We use the boards for rapid-fire math facts, number sequencing, and basic operation practice, turning routine drills into interactive challenges.\r\n * Visualizing Problems: The boards allow students to easily sketch diagrams, draw models, or show their work during problem-solving activities, fostering a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts.\r\nSummary of Impact\r\nBeyond the immediate academic benefits, the Boogie Boards promote sustainability by significantly reducing our paper consumption. Most importantly, they have energized our classroom, turning routine practice into an exciting activity.\r\nWe are deeply grateful for this donation, which has provided our students with the tools they need to practice, persevere, and succeed in both math and literacy.","fullyFundedDate":1651669582801,"projectUrl":"project/creating-a-classroom-of-innovation/6447707/","projectTitle":"Creating a Classroom of Innovation","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Leever","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8441549_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1736958281525","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8441549"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_12237","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":465,"numTeachers":40,"percentFrplEligible":66,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":4,"percentWhite":30,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":62,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"11.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":45.6,"schoolId":12237,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Dunaway Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Dunaway Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/waxahachie-independent-school-district/dunaway-elementary-school/12237"}