{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Enrico Fermi School Perf Arts","outOfStateSupporters":44.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":1683022,"projectId":10051978,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in providing fruit snacks for our kids. Because of your kindness, we are able to give them tasty, nutritious snacks that they truly enjoy.\r\n\r\nThese fruit snacks may seem small, but they make a big difference. They bring smiles to the kids' faces and help keep them energized and happy throughout the day. Your support shows how much you care about their well-being, and it means more than words can express.\r\n\r\nWe are deeply grateful for your generosity and your commitment to helping our children thrive. Thank you for making a positive impact in their lives.\r\n\r\nOur Testing dates will begin 3/9/26 and because of your donation we have enough fruit snacks for grades 3,4,5,6,7 and 8th! We will hand out the snack for all children taking the NYSELA and Math test.","fullyFundedDate":1769298620074,"projectUrl":"project/pick-up-snacks-for-state-testing-please/10051978/","projectTitle":"Pick Up Snacks for State Testing! Please!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Silva","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1683022_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1453565172074","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1683022"},{"teacherId":9429445,"projectId":9837747,"letterContent":"My students and I are using the snacks daily to support learning and focus throughout the school day. Many of my 6th grade learners arrive to class feeling hungry, especially during long instructional blocks. Now, students are able to grab a snack during independent work time, small group instruction, or after assessments, which has helped them stay focused, calm, and ready to learn. A moment that truly stood out was seeing students immediately settle into their work after having a snack, with fewer distractions and more engagement.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the snacks, their reactions were priceless. They were excited, grateful, and kept asking who made this possible. Several students shared that the snacks helped them feel cared for and supported, and many proudly thanked our donors out loud. It was a powerful reminder for them that people beyond our classroom believe in them and want to see them succeed.\r\n\r\nThanks to this project, students are now better prepared to fully participate in lessons, discussions, and collaborative activities. As we continue our current lessons in reading, writing, math, and content-area learning, students are able to focus on building skills, practicing academic language, and growing their confidence without the barrier of hunger. These snacks have made a lasting impact on both our classroom environment and our students' well-being.","fullyFundedDate":1762266340227,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-young-minds-snacks-for-our-6th/9837747/","projectTitle":"Fueling Young Minds: Snacks for Our 6th Grade Learners!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Villanueva","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9429445_orig.png?crop=398,398,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1704811654784","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9429445"},{"teacherId":2643480,"projectId":10023140,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity (and the support of The Tepper Foundation), our classroom now has a reliable snack pantry with individually packaged snacks and Capri Sun juice pouches that students can access when they need them. The impact was immediate: students were genuinely excited and relieved when they first saw the boxes arrive, and several said things like, \"Wait... we can have one if we didn't eat?\" Having something small to eat and drink has helped students settle in, stay calm, and push through long academic blocks—especially in the afternoon—without hunger distracting them from learning.\r\nOne moment that really stuck with me happened during a lesson when a student who often shuts down during independent work quietly grabbed a snack and came right back to the table. He finished the task, participated in our discussion, and even volunteered to share his thinking. Little moments like that add up. Snacks don't just support focus—they support dignity. Because everything is individually packaged, it's easy to distribute fairly and keep things sanitary, and students can get what they need without feeling singled out.\r\nAs we move into our next units and projects—where students are reading, researching, writing, and completing hands-on science activities—this pantry will keep supporting their stamina and participation day after day. Thank you for helping remove a barrier that so many of our students face. Your donation is helping my students show up, stay engaged, and make the most of every class period.","fullyFundedDate":1768623979198,"projectUrl":"project/fuel-for-learning-snacks-juice-for-my/10023140/","projectTitle":"Fuel for Learning: Snacks + Juice for My Class","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Sylaj","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/marksylaj"},{"teacherId":9213000,"projectId":9868118,"letterContent":"Because of your generous support, our hands-on DonorsChoose project with scissors, paper, and glue sticks made a meaningful difference in my English Language Learners' schooling experience. These simple but powerful tools allowed students to actively engage in reading and writing lessons through cutting, sorting, and assembling ideas. Instead of only listening or writing, students were able to physically manipulate language, which helped make new vocabulary and concepts more concrete and accessible. This approach reduced anxiety, built confidence, and encouraged participation from students who are still developing their English skills.","fullyFundedDate":1762267554019,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-learning-tools-for-english-lang/9868118/","projectTitle":"Hands on Learning Tools for English Language Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Skozlas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9213000"},{"teacherId":8328965,"projectId":9867697,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my classroom is now filled with color, creativity, and excitement. The supplies from Colorful Creations for Growing Minds—construction paper, looseleaf paper, oil pastels, and markers—are already being used daily and have made an immediate impact on my students' learning.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials arrived, my students' reactions said it all. Their eyes lit up as they opened the boxes, and several students said things like, \"These are brand new!\" and \"We get to use the oil pastels?\" For many of my energetic, creative middle schoolers, having fresh, high-quality supplies felt special and empowering. It sent a powerful message: their ideas, voices, and work matter.\r\n\r\nWe are using these resources across reading, writing, and art-integrated lessons. Students are creating colorful anchor charts, illustrating vocabulary words, designing posters to show their understanding of texts, and drafting stories and reflections on looseleaf paper. Oil pastels have become a favorite tool for visual responses to reading, allowing students to add emotion, detail, and personal expression to their work—especially meaningful for students from bilingual homes who may express ideas more confidently through art alongside writing.\r\n\r\nNext, students will continue using these materials for collaborative projects, visual note-taking, STEAM club activities, and creative responses to literature. These supplies will support them throughout the year as they brainstorm, design, revise, and proudly display their learning.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping create a colorful, engaging classroom where students have the tools they need to think, create, and express themselves with confidence. Your support brings energy, joy, and opportunity into our Title I classroom, and it helps my students feel supported, valued, and inspired every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1765650039542,"projectUrl":"project/colorful-creations-for-growing-minds/9867697/","projectTitle":"Colorful Creations for Growing Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hutter","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8328965"},{"teacherId":2643480,"projectId":9802614,"letterContent":"Thank you for fully funding \"Unleashing Imagination: Give the Gift of Literacy to Our Students.\" Because of you, my students now have powerful, high-interest books that feel relevant to their lives—and that is exactly what helps middle school readers grow.\r\n\r\nThe impact these books are having in our classroom\r\n\r\nThese new sets—especially the graphic novels by underrepresented authors—have helped students connect to reading in a deeper way. When students see themselves, their families, their cultures, and real-life challenges reflected in texts, reading stops feeling like \"school work\" and starts feeling meaningful.\r\n\r\nThese books are helping students build important skills such as:\r\n\r\nReading comprehension & analysis: Students are practicing summarizing, identifying theme, and explaining character motivation in a text they understand and care about.\r\n\r\nText evidence: Students are getting better at citing specific moments from the story to support their thinking.\r\n\r\nInference and critical thinking: Many of these texts require students to read between the lines, notice visual details, and interpret what characters are feeling—even when it isn't directly stated.\r\n\r\nEmpathy and perspective: Students are learning how stories can help us understand experiences beyond our own, and how identity and background shape a person's journey.\r\n\r\nWhat reading looks like in our classroom now\r\n\r\nReading time has become more active, more social, and more student-driven. We use these books for:\r\n\r\nIndependent reading (students choose what they're ready for and what interests them)\r\n\r\nSmall-group discussions and book circles where students share reactions, ask questions, and respectfully disagree\r\n\r\nShort written responses where students practice making a claim and supporting it with evidence\r\n\r\nAuthor study work with Erin Entrada Kelly, where students compare themes and characters across multiple books\r\n\r\nGraphic novels have also been a huge support for students who struggle with confidence. The visuals help them access the story, build vocabulary, and stay engaged—without feeling overwhelmed.\r\n\r\nStudents who are especially enjoying the new books\r\n\r\nI've seen some of my most reluctant readers become the most excited readers. Students who used to avoid books are now asking to borrow them, recommending titles to friends, and getting invested in the characters. The sets focused on underrepresented authors have been especially meaningful—students are having real conversations about identity, fairness, and belonging in ways that feel natural and age-appropriate.","fullyFundedDate":1766863429237,"projectUrl":"project/unleashing-imagination-give-the-gift-of/9802614/","projectTitle":"Unleashing Imagination: Give the Gift of Literacy to Our Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Sylaj","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/marksylaj"},{"teacherId":2643480,"projectId":9809719,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for fully funding \"Help Us Have Snacks in the Classroom for Those Days!\" Your support is making an immediate, real difference for my students every single day—because it's hard to learn when you're hungry.\r\n\r\nThe impact these snacks are having on students\r\n\r\nSince these snacks arrived, I've seen a clear change in students' ability to stay focused and engaged. When a student hasn't eaten, you can tell—low energy, trouble concentrating, irritability, and sometimes headaches or stomach discomfort. Now, instead of losing learning time, we can quickly support them and get them back on track.\r\n\r\nThese snacks are helping students:\r\n\r\nMaintain focus and stamina during lessons, independent work, and assessments\r\n\r\nRegulate emotions and behavior when hunger leads to frustration or distractions\r\n\r\nFeel cared for and safe in the classroom, which improves participation and trust\r\n\r\nStay present in learning instead of worrying about when they'll eat next\r\n\r\nWhat it looks like in our classroom\r\n\r\nIn my room, snacks are not a \"treat\"—they're a support. When I notice a student struggling, or a student quietly lets me know they didn't eat, they can discreetly grab a snack and water. It keeps things respectful, normal, and calm.\r\n\r\nIt also helps on:\r\n\r\nLong instructional blocks\r\n\r\nDays with testing or heavier workloads\r\n\r\nDays when students come in late or miss breakfast\r\n\r\nDays when students simply need a boost to stay successful\r\n\r\nStudents who are benefiting the most\r\n\r\nThis project especially helps students who come to school without breakfast, students who rely heavily on school meals, and students who are having a tough day and need something small to reset and refocus. I've had students tell me, \"Thank you—I didn't eat today,\" and after a snack, they're able to participate, complete work, and feel more confident.","fullyFundedDate":1763494140207,"projectUrl":"project/help-us-have-snacks-in-the-classroom-for/9809719/","projectTitle":"Help Us Have Snacks in the Classroom for Those Days!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Sylaj","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/marksylaj"},{"teacherId":2643480,"projectId":9834279,"letterContent":"Thank you for fully funding \"Unleashing Imagination: Give the Gift of Literacy to Our Students.\" Because of you, my students now have a classroom library that feels fun, current, and welcoming—the kind of collection that makes kids want to pick up a book.\r\n\r\nWhat these new books are teaching my students\r\n\r\nThese titles are doing much more than \"keeping students busy.\" They're helping us build key reading skills every day, including:\r\n\r\nReading stamina & fluency: Students are reading longer, with better pace and expression—especially with high-interest series that keep them hooked.\r\n\r\nComprehension strategies: We practice summarizing, making inferences, and identifying theme using texts that students actually enjoy.\r\n\r\nText evidence & discussion: Students are learning to support their thinking with details from the book and explain why a character acted a certain way.\r\n\r\nVocabulary in context: Graphic novels and engaging chapter books make it easier for students to pause, decode, and learn new words naturally.\r\n\r\nWhat reading looks like in our classroom\r\n\r\nReading time has become something students look forward to. In our room, reading includes:\r\n\r\nDaily independent reading with students choosing books that match their interests and comfort level\r\n\r\nQuick book talks where students recommend titles to classmates (this has been a game-changer!)\r\n\r\nSmall-group conversations where we discuss characters, lessons learned, and \"what would you do?\" moments\r\n\r\nTeacher check-ins and conferences to help students set goals and grow as readers\r\n\r\nThe biggest shift is this: students don't feel like reading is a \"test.\" They're starting to see it as something they can do—and something that belongs to them.\r\n\r\nStudents who are especially enjoying these books\r\n\r\nA lot of my reluctant readers have been drawn in immediately by Dog Man and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Some students who used to avoid reading are now asking, \"Do we have the next one?\" and swapping books with friends. The humor, visuals, and relatable characters help students who struggle with confidence finally feel successful—and once that happens, they're willing to try more.\r\n\r\nStudents who love science have also been excited to read the Magic School Bus chapter books, and it's been a great bridge between our science learning and literacy. They're noticing nonfiction vocabulary, asking questions, and connecting what they read to what we learn in class.\r\n\r\nThank you\r\n\r\nYou gave my students more than books—you gave them access, choice, and confidence. In a classroom where nearly all students come from low-income households, having a library they can proudly use every day matters. Your generosity is helping students build lifelong reading habits, one book at a time.","fullyFundedDate":1767238423452,"projectUrl":"project/unleashing-imagination-give-the-gift-of/9834279/","projectTitle":"Unleashing Imagination: Give the Gift of Literacy to Our Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Sylaj","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/marksylaj"},{"teacherId":6165218,"projectId":9266373,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in funding the document camera and printer ink for my classroom! These tools have truly transformed the way my bilingual students engage with math, making lessons more interactive, hands-on, and accessible for everyone.With the document camera, I've been able to model math problems live right in front of the class, projecting physical manipulatives like fraction tiles and geometric shapes onto the screen. This has made abstract concepts come alive—students can see exactly how pieces fit together or how equations balance in real time. It's especially exciting for my English Language Learners (ELLs), who often struggle with verbal explanations alone. Now, they participate more confidently, pointing out patterns or sharing ideas during peer discussions when I display their own work for the whole class to see. One particular student, who was previously shy about speaking up in math, has really warmed to this technology; he now volunteers to demonstrate problems under the camera, beaming with pride as his classmates applaud his clear explanations.The printer ink has been a game-changer too, allowing me to create and distribute colorful, bilingual resources like vocabulary cards with English-Spanish translations, practice worksheets, and take-home guides for parents. These materials bridge language gaps at home, where many families speak primarily Spanish, strengthening our school-community connections. Students are thrilled by the vibrant visuals—they eagerly grab their personalized packets and often share how they're using them to practice with siblings or parents. Overall, these tools have boosted academic growth; I've already seen improvements in grasping challenging concepts, higher participation from all students, and growing excitement around math that wasn't there before.Your gift may seem small, but it's making a lasting impact every single day—sparking curiosity, building essential skills, and empowering my students for future success in STEM. Thank you for believing in them and helping make math inclusive and fun!With deepest gratitude,","fullyFundedDate":1755910816562,"projectUrl":"project/enhancing-math-learning-with-visual-tool/9266373/","projectTitle":"Enhancing Math Learning with Visual Tools in Our Bilingual Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ledesma","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp6165218_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1545445678722","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6165218"},{"teacherId":2643480,"projectId":9844985,"letterContent":"When our Cricut heat press, holographic iron-on, and infusible ink markers arrived, my sixth graders were buzzing. We opened the boxes together, and students immediately started sketching ideas for \"team identities\" for their science lab groups and book clubs. One student said, \"Wait... we get to wear our ideas?\" That pretty much captured the excitement in the room.\r\nWe started with science: each lab group designed a logo and safety slogan for their \"data team.\" Students drafted their designs on paper, gave each other feedback, and then turned them into real shirts using the heat press and holographic vinyl. Watching a quiet student's face when her group's design came out crisp and shiny on a shirt was a moment I won't forget—her classmates actually clapped for her work. It was a powerful way to build confidence, ownership, and a sense of belonging for kids who don't always feel seen.","fullyFundedDate":1762267672097,"projectUrl":"project/cricut-heat-press-magic-for-classroom-pr/9844985/","projectTitle":"Cricut Heat-Press Magic for Classroom Projects","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Sylaj","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/marksylaj"},{"teacherId":2643480,"projectId":9800897,"letterContent":"Because of you (and a special thanks to The Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation), our classroom can print what matters—right when students need it. Fresh ink means lab sheets, safety contracts, data tables, and primary-source packets are in kids' hands daily for science and social studies. We're using printed graphic organizers to teach claim-evidence-reasoning, color diagrams to model variables and systems, and annotated documents to practice sourcing and bias. Quick turnarounds—exit tickets today, feedback tomorrow—have lifted the quality of student work and kept momentum high.","fullyFundedDate":1761683585045,"projectUrl":"project/please-help-us-have-ink-for-our-classroo/9800897/","projectTitle":"Please Help Us Have Ink For Our Classroom Printer!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Sylaj","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/marksylaj"},{"teacherId":2643480,"projectId":9834206,"letterContent":"Thanks to you, reading in our classroom now looks like joyful choice paired with real skill-building. Students use these new texts during independent reading, book clubs, and short whole-class studies where we practice annotating for theme and point of view, tracking character change, and writing claim-evidence-reasoning responses. With Stamped, we introduced lenses for reading bias and author's purpose; with We Are Not Free, we paired historical fiction with primary sources to study how setting and time shape decisions; with The Downstairs Girl, students examined voice and how perspective affects what a narrator notices and values. Your gift turned abstract standards into living, relevant practice.\r\n\r\nThe room feels different now: students settle in, set page goals on sticky notes, and jump into book talks and quick \"turn and teach\" shares. One reluctant reader lit up with A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow, saying, \"This feels like my life—just in a book.\" A quiet sixth grader who chose I Will Always Write Back asked if we could write to a class abroad because \"letters make people real.\" During a Socratic Seminar on Stamped, several students respectfully challenged each other with text-based evidence—something they were hesitant to do before these books invited them in.","fullyFundedDate":1760924394531,"projectUrl":"project/unleashing-imagination-give-the-gift-of/9834206/","projectTitle":"Unleashing Imagination: Give the Gift of Literacy to Our Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Sylaj","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/marksylaj"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_23336","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":858,"numTeachers":50,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":4,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":91,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"17.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":55.4,"schoolId":23336,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Enrico Fermi School Perf Arts on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Enrico Fermi School Perf Arts","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-york/yonkers-public-schools/enrico-fermi-school-performing-arts/23336"}