{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Emerson Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":20.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9121419,"projectId":9687859,"letterContent":"Every morning, my students walk into the classroom carrying more than just their backpacks—they bring with them unique strengths, challenges, and incredible potential. As children on the autism spectrum, they experience the world in ways that make them wonderfully individual, but also, at times, more sensitive to changes in routine, hunger, and energy levels. For some, even something as simple as eating breakfast can be a challenge due to sensory sensitivities or personal routines.\r\n\r\nBecause of this, many of my students begin their day without the nourishment they need to fully engage in learning. Hunger can make it harder to concentrate, regulate emotions, and stay motivated. By providing accessible, student-friendly snacks throughout the day, I can help bridge that gap—giving them the energy and comfort they need to feel safe, focused, and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nThese snacks are more than just food; they are a tool for equity and care. They allow each child to eat on their own timeline, honoring their individual needs while supporting their ability to participate in classroom activities. A small snack can mean the difference between a student feeling overwhelmed and a student feeling capable.\r\n\r\nWith your support, I can continue to foster an environment where all students have what they need to succeed—not just academically, but emotionally and physically as well. Together, we can ensure that every child starts their day feeling cared for, energized, and ready to reach their full potential.","fullyFundedDate":1767202018043,"projectUrl":"project/power-up/9687859/","projectTitle":"Power Up","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Loomis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9121419"},{"teacherId":4969120,"projectId":9988640,"letterContent":"Thank you so much. They were so excited when my co-teacher opened up the box during whole group time. Our students have been so engaged using the exploration mirror. They have found so many different ways to use it. They really like putting the light table manipulatives on it to count and make patterns. \r\n\r\nWe have noticed their monthly self portraits have improved. The children are able to look in the mirror and then draw their faces adding so much more detail than before. They now add eyebrows and eyelashes to their portraits.","fullyFundedDate":1768047852895,"projectUrl":"project/mirror-exploration/9988640/","projectTitle":"Mirror Exploration","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Alvarez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4969120"},{"teacherId":10363856,"projectId":9934425,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contributions to our classroom. The students were so excited to see the magna tiles, wooden puzzles, and literacy puzzles.\r\n \r\nThe puzzles have made our literacy centers much more enjoyable and give the students a hands-on approach to learning. This hands-on interactive approach has made them more excited about learning.\r\nThe cubbies/mailboxes have made it easier for students to stay organized and it gives them a place to store their completed work.\r\nAgain, thank you for your generous donations that the learning experience for our little scholars.","fullyFundedDate":1765205124486,"projectUrl":"project/little-scholars-learning-through-play-an/9934425/","projectTitle":"Little Scholars Learning Through Play and Exploration","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Zandona","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10363856"},{"teacherId":9901832,"projectId":9719489,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous donations, our classroom has become an exciting, hands-on learning environment where students are eager to explore and create. We've been using resources like The Very Hungry Caterpillar Storytelling Kit, alphabet and sound games, and Numberblocks activities to build early literacy and math skills. One especially memorable moment came from our dramatic play area—after using the laundry play set, students were so engaged that they worked together to design and build their own washer and dryer out of cardboard. Their creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills were amazing to watch.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the new materials, their excitement was immediate. They couldn't wait to explore the LEGO bricks, STEM Explorers Machine Makers kit, and pretend play sets like the pizza party and laundry station. These materials inspired rich conversations, collaboration, and imaginative play. Students were proud to share their ideas and explain how things worked, which helped strengthen both their confidence and communication skills.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, our next steps include expanding these learning experiences through structured centers and small group projects. Students will continue using the materials to deepen their understanding of early math, literacy, engineering, and real-world connections. Your donation truly gave you a peek into our classroom, and we are incredibly grateful for the joyful learning experiences you made possible. Thank you for supporting our students and their curiosity.","fullyFundedDate":1764790096940,"projectUrl":"project/build-read-from-play-to-purpose-with/9719489/","projectTitle":"Build & Read: From Play to Purpose with LEGO Literacy","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ponce","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9901832_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1737433080725","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9901832"},{"teacherId":9445540,"projectId":9671814,"letterContent":"The Clorox wipes have been very helpful in keeping the classroom clean, especially with the sniffles going around. The plastic storage bags have been useful for storing items such as toys, books, and puzzles. We have been using the baby wipes after art projects, and students are also using them to clean their desks, which has helped promote independence.\r\n\r\nThe food rewards have been a huge hit during rotations and have increased student motivation to complete their work. Students have been especially excited about having more variety and choice. The biggest favorites so far have been M&M's and Oreos.","fullyFundedDate":1760808010137,"projectUrl":"project/motivation-and-a-clean-learning-environm/9671814/","projectTitle":"Motivation and A Clean Learning Environment","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Warfield","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9445540_orig.jpg?crop=1170,1170,x0,y456&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1706065262690","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9445540"},{"teacherId":7117659,"projectId":9754926,"letterContent":"My class was so excited to receive the new materials!\r\nWe have created some new routines around some of the materials. For example, the students like to take turns choosing an item to read aloud from the \"Would you Rather\" books. They also really like practicing parts of speech using the \"Mad Libs\" books. I gave them a lot of support and help the first couple of times we did it as a class. Now they understand how it works and now they like taking turns leading the class to complete a new text. They really enjoy trying to make them as silly as possible. They have also benefited from the math games. These have really helped with automaticity of their basic facts. The kinesthetic element of the wrap keys has been especially beneficial. My class has multiple students who are new to the English Language and the ELD materials have helped these students with foundational concepts and vocabulary. I work with the students directly, but I also have a couple of English speaking students who really like to take on the teacher role and guide the newcomer students in these activities.","fullyFundedDate":1760727510871,"projectUrl":"project/help-my-students-find-confidence-through/9754926/","projectTitle":"Help my Students Find Confidence Through Hands-on Activities.","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Irwin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7117659"},{"teacherId":10277639,"projectId":9755849,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for donating materials like toys, games, puppets, and sensory supports for my speech therapy room. As I described in my project request, I work in the downtown area of San Diego where resources are scarce for families and in the schools. Increased screen time is affecting children all over the world, but in neighborhoods like the one I work in we are seeing the impact more severely. Parents often work multiple jobs and don't have the funds for a lot of toys, teams, and activities. They often keep their kids safe by keeping them inside, where they are more likely to play video games or be on YouTube. \r\n\r\nI have loved being able to introduce these children to board games, make believe toys, and team activities that help develop speech sounds and language skills. These are such sweet kids with so much potential. They really care for one another, and their parents and teachers have high hopes for them. It's reassuring to feel through your donations that you do, too!","fullyFundedDate":1758823481429,"projectUrl":"project/screen-free-speech-therapy-in-south-san/9755849/","projectTitle":"Screen-Free Speech Therapy in South San Diego","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sally","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10277639"},{"teacherId":9425464,"projectId":8623407,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my 5th grade classroom during my first year teaching upper grades. Your generosity helped me build a much-needed classroom library, and the impact has been incredible.\r\n\r\nWith these new books, my students are learning how to dig deeper into stories,\r\nanalyzing characters, exploring themes, and making meaningful connections. Reading in our classroom now means thoughtful discussions, engaged small groups, and kids excited to pick up their next book.\r\n\r\nOne student who used to say he \"wasn't a reader\" now races through books and recommends them to classmates. These stories have sparked confidence, curiosity, and joy all thanks to you.\r\n\r\nYou've made this first year a memorable one. We're so grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1733286179380,"projectUrl":"project/give-the-gift-of-reading-transform-our/8623407/","projectTitle":"Give the Gift of Reading: Transform Our Classroom Today!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sanchez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9425464_orig.png?crop=1592,1592,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723343849063","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9425464"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_37554","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":419,"numTeachers":20,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":3,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":94,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"21.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":79.5,"schoolId":37554,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Emerson Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Emerson Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/san-diego-unified-school-district/emerson-bandini-elementary-school/37554"}