{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Elmcrest Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":50.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9030124,"projectId":8890518,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our Tiny Bodies, Big Expectations project! Our students have absolutely loved the entire Little Spot book series. These books have given us a wonderful way to introduce and talk about emotions in a way that is visual, engaging, and easy for our young learners to understand. We read the books together, talk about how the characters are feeling, and connect those emotions to experiences our students may have throughout their own day. For students who may have difficulty identifying or communicating their emotions, having the books and characters to reference has been especially meaningful.\r\n\r\nOur students have also loved using the PlugO coding activities. Through hands-on play, they are beginning to recognize patterns, notice what comes next, and understand that actions can happen in a specific sequence. Watching them make connections and recognize patterns on their own has been such an exciting part of our learning. The snacks have also made a tremendous difference in our classroom. Our young students have been experiencing hunger throughout the school year, and having Cheez-Its, Pringles, and fruit snacks available has helped them get through their school day with fewer hunger-related struggles. Sometimes being ready to learn starts with simply having a full belly.\r\n\r\nYour support has helped us address both learning and basic needs in our classroom. Thank you for recognizing that our students need opportunities to learn, explore, regulate, and feel cared for in order to be successful!","fullyFundedDate":1739375273432,"projectUrl":"project/tiny-bodies-big-expectations/8890518/","projectTitle":"Tiny Bodies, Big Expectations","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mertz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9030124_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683671072278","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9030124"},{"teacherId":9030124,"projectId":8381299,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping us go digital! The scanner has quickly become a favorite classroom tool, and our students absolutely love using it to scan their work. What may seem like a simple piece of technology has created a very meaningful opportunity for our students to see their work become part of our digital classroom environment. Students are excited to place their work on the scanner and watch it appear on the computer. This gives them a sense of ownership and pride in what they have created.\r\n\r\nThe scanner has also helped us document student work and learning throughout the school year. For students who may have difficulty explaining what they have accomplished verbally, their work provides an important way to show their progress and communicate their learning. We can save examples of their work, share their accomplishments with families, and look back at their growth over time. Most importantly, students are learning that their work matters and is worth saving and celebrating.\r\n\r\nYour support has given us a technology tool that our students genuinely enjoy using while also helping us capture and celebrate their learning. Thank you for making it possible for our students to experience technology as a tool for learning, independence, communication, and pride!","fullyFundedDate":1715190516515,"projectUrl":"project/lets-go-digital/8381299/","projectTitle":"Let's Go Digital","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mertz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9030124_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683671072278","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9030124"},{"teacherId":9030124,"projectId":8003553,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping our students reach for the sky through the Sky's the Limit project! The lamination pouches have allowed us to create durable, reusable learning materials that our students can use again and again. For our classroom, this is especially valuable because many of our students benefit from repeated practice and hands-on learning. Instead of using a worksheet once, we can laminate materials and turn them into interactive activities that students can practice independently or with their teachers.\r\n\r\nThe PlugO Link Learning Games have been exciting for our students because they combine learning with hands-on play. Students have been able to practice early math and literacy skills, including numbers, counting, letters, and matching, while physically interacting with the materials. The ThinkFun Gravity Maze has added another exciting opportunity for students to practice problem-solving, planning, and following a sequence. Watching students experiment, make changes, and try again has been wonderful to see. They are learning that it is okay when something doesn't work the first time—keep trying and figure it out!\r\n\r\nThese materials have helped us make learning more engaging, interactive, and accessible for our students. Thank you for giving us resources that allow our students to learn through play, exploration, repetition, and hands-on experiences!","fullyFundedDate":1705098054088,"projectUrl":"project/skys-the-limit/8003553/","projectTitle":"Sky's the Limit!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mertz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9030124_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683671072278","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9030124"},{"teacherId":9030124,"projectId":7991549,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom through the Enhance Learning project! The materials you provided have helped us create a classroom environment where our students can learn in ways that work best for them. The balance balls and flexible seating have been especially helpful for students who need movement while they learn. Having the ability to move safely while listening, working, or participating helps many of our students stay engaged and ready to learn. The Fire Kindle tablets and headphones have also opened up new opportunities for students to practice academic, communication, and independent-learning skills using technology.\r\n\r\nOur students were so excited to have their own technology to explore! The headphones have been especially helpful in allowing students to focus on their individual activities without becoming overwhelmed by surrounding sounds. We have seen students become more independent as they navigate activities and make choices on the Kindle. The flexible seating has also been a favorite because students can move while still participating in classroom activities. Even the disinfecting wipes play an important role in our classroom by helping us keep shared materials and learning spaces clean and ready for our students each day.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has allowed us to support the whole child—not just academics, but also sensory needs, independence, attention, and comfort. Thank you for helping us create a classroom where our students have the tools they need to be successful!","fullyFundedDate":1699202697440,"projectUrl":"project/enhance-learning/7991549/","projectTitle":"Enhance Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mertz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9030124_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683671072278","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9030124"},{"teacherId":9030124,"projectId":7365524,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and helping make learning more hands-on and meaningful for our students! With these new resources, our students were able to learn multiplication in a much more visual and concrete way. They could actually see how the numbers came together to create groups, which helped them better understand the concept of \"___ groups of ___.\" This made multiplication feel less abstract and much easier to understand.\r\n\r\nOne of the most exciting moments was watching some of our students begin to recognize patterns in their answers. As they practiced, they started noticing that the answers followed predictable patterns, which helped them recall their multiplication facts more quickly and confidently. Seeing those lightbulb moments and growing confidence was incredibly rewarding!\r\n\r\nOur next step is to continue building on this understanding by practicing multiplication with increasingly challenging problems and applying these skills to real-world situations. Your generosity has given our students another way to learn, explore, and experience success. Thank you for investing in their learning and helping create those \"I get it!\" moments in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1683760077852,"projectUrl":"project/learning-lasts-forever/7365524/","projectTitle":"Learning Lasts Forever!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mertz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9030124_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683671072278","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9030124"},{"teacherId":9354639,"projectId":10049651,"letterContent":"Thank you for the donation to my classroom. Having the magnetic phonic boards enabled students to learn the important foundation of letter sounds in a hands on, engaging manner. Students were excited to use the boards and their growth in learning was evident. \r\n\r\nFurthermore, the phonics games allowed for a fun way to engage with learning. Often I worked with struggling students and the games helped to make the content more enjoyable. They would get very excited to come to group and I believe that is because of the magnetic boards and games, they were something different and fun to help support learning! Thank you!!!!","fullyFundedDate":1772479790795,"projectUrl":"project/a-love-of-phonics/10049651/","projectTitle":"A Love of Phonics","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Furman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9354639"},{"teacherId":538635,"projectId":10069473,"letterContent":"These wiggly seats which you provided for my classroom are helping my students focus in class by giving them a safe, controlled way to move without leaving their workspace, which is especially beneficial for my learners who have excess energy and sensory needs. Instead of becoming distracted or disruptive, my students can channel their movement into small, continuous motions that keep their brains alert and engaged. My students are often able to stay on task longer, participate more fully, and feel more successful in their learning environment.","fullyFundedDate":1769952523440,"projectUrl":"project/wiggly-bodies-active-minds/10069473/","projectTitle":"Wiggly Bodies Active Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Shipp","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/538635"},{"teacherId":3203277,"projectId":10001315,"letterContent":"Having access to a whiteboard table is a game-changer for 3rd graders. It turns abstract concepts into something they can physically manipulate. In math, it's especially powerful for tackling multi-digit addition or fractions, as students can instantly sketch out visual models like number lines or area models. If they make a mistake, a quick swipe of an eraser fixes it, which builds confidence and encourages them to take risks and experiment with different problem-solving strategies.\r\nWhen it comes to reading, these tables provide a dynamic space for collaborative literacy work. Students can engage in interactive mapping of story elements or jot down vocabulary words and definitions directly on the surface as they discuss a text. This hands-on approach helps them better visualize plot structures and character traits, making the transition from \"learning to read\" to \"reading to learn\" much more engaging. By removing the barrier of formal worksheets, the whiteboard table fosters a high-energy environment where brainstorming and group analysis feel like play.","fullyFundedDate":1769639438831,"projectUrl":"project/academic-activity-table/10001315/","projectTitle":"Academic Activity Table","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Mead","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3203277_orig.png?crop=360,360,x2,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1714443895598","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3203277"},{"teacherId":8118841,"projectId":9995794,"letterContent":"My students were thrilled to see our new Tonie box and the fun songs and stories it plays for them! There is always at least one student at the listening center now during free exploration daily. They enjoy the fun method for learning!\r\nIn addition, my students are connecting to new cultures, different languages, and foreign stories with this new resource. It is easy for all of my students to access, so every child can utilize the Tonies to listen to diverse songs and stories. Our Tonie box truly opened new horizons for my children who struggle with language and technology!\r\nThank you again for all of our wonderful Tonies and the opportunity to further student learning in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1768147803719,"projectUrl":"project/terrific-tonie-box/9995794/","projectTitle":"Terrific Tonie Box","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rawlins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8118841_orig.png?crop=575,575,x100,y290&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1633646895778","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8118841"},{"teacherId":8167193,"projectId":9897029,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation towards our listening center. My students have loved being able to have more autonomy in choosing the story that they want to listen to. \r\n\r\nMy students were so excited to see the packages arrive and begged for me to open them. They began playing with them straight away.\r\nBefore the Tonie Box was purchased I had very few students that would choose to go to the listening center during open exploration. Now at least a few students a day choose to go over and listen to a story.","fullyFundedDate":1764699993244,"projectUrl":"project/interactive-listening-center/9897029/","projectTitle":"Interactive Listening Center","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Orloff","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8167193"},{"teacherId":8167193,"projectId":8247883,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating to my project. My students have loved using the new materials in our classroom. Sensory exploration is so important at this age and these manipulatives have enhanced their exploration.\r\n\r\nThey always get so excited when packages are delivered to our class and beg me to open them so they can see what we received.\r\n\r\nOur senses unit has been so much more in depth and extensive due to your contribution. My students for years to come will feel the impact of your generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1711130120701,"projectUrl":"project/light-up-our-senses/8247883/","projectTitle":"Light-up Our Senses","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Orloff","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8167193"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_83085","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":262,"numTeachers":24,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":4,"percentWhite":39,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":45,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":1,"percentMultiracialImputed":5,"gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"10.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":50.0,"schoolId":83085,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Elmcrest Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Elmcrest Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/nevada/washoe-county-school-district/elmcrest-elementary-school/83085"}