{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Frances C Smith Early Childhood Center 50","outOfStateSupporters":33.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6154495,"projectId":9653351,"letterContent":"My PreK students were immediately excited and curious when I introduced aluminum foil as our art material. The shiny texture and crinkly sound captured their attention right away, and many of them eagerly explored how it felt in their hands before we even began the project. As they started creating, I noticed big smiles and focused expressions as they experimented with crumpling, flattening, folding, and twisting the foil. Some students proudly held up their creations to show their friends, while others carefully added more details, clearly feeling a sense of accomplishment as their artwork began to take shape.\r\nThroughout the activity, the students actively used and strengthened their fine motor skills. They practiced pinching small sections of foil, rolling it into tiny balls, pressing it onto paper, and smoothing out wrinkles with their fingertips. These precise movements required hand-eye coordination, finger strength, and control, all of which are essential for early writing development. It was wonderful to see how engaged they were while developing these skills in such a hands-on and creative way. By the end of the lesson, each child had created a unique piece of art and demonstrated growth in both their confidence and fine motor abilities.\r\nFor another project I will use the foam boards generously donated to our program to teach students the fundamentals of printmaking through hands-on exploration. Students will design simple images, carve them carefully into the foam surfaces, and apply ink to create their own relief prints. This process will help them understand texture, pattern, positive and negative space, and repetition while also building fine motor skills and creative confidence.","fullyFundedDate":1765983977419,"projectUrl":"project/unique-materials-inspires-curiosity/9653351/","projectTitle":"Unique Materials Inspires Curiosity!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Janet","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6154495_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731722064654","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6154495"},{"teacherId":9840619,"projectId":9376206,"letterContent":"Thank you sincerely for your generosity in supporting our classroom project. The materials you provide, the dollhouse, the booked balance scale, the magnetic write-and-wipe board, and the dry-erase markers, have already made a noticeable and positive difference in our students' learning every day.\r\n\r\nThe dollhouse has become a valuable tool for imaginative play and social development. Students use it to create stories, communicate with peers, practice taking turns, and explore different roles. We have seen remarkable growth in language skills, cooperative play, and confidence as students work together to build scenes and narrate their ideas. For many of our learners, this space has become a safe and joyful place to express themselves.\r\n\r\nThe booked balance scale has enriched our science center by giving students hands-on opportunities to explore weight, comparison, and early measurement concepts. The scale has encouraged curiosity and allowed all children regardless of language level or background to engage in meaningful inquiry.\r\n\r\nThe magnetic write-and-wipe board and markers have supported literacy, drawing, writing practice, and fine motor development. Students use the board daily to trace letters, write their names, solve simple problems, and collaborate on drawings. The reusable surface allows them to experiment without fear of mistakes, helping them build confidence while developing important foundational skills.\r\n\r\nOverall, these tools have made learning more engaging, interactive, and accessible. Our children are exploring, creating, and growing in ways that were not possible before. Your support has had an immediate impact on their learning environment, and we are truly grateful.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students and for helping us create a classroom where every child can thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1754618684902,"projectUrl":"project/write-explore-imagine/9376206/","projectTitle":"Write, Explore, Imagine!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Leon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9840619"},{"teacherId":8063751,"projectId":9237228,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donation! We were able to purchase books that illustrate musical concepts we are learning in music class. These books combined with our last project (we were able to purchase instruments) have made literacy come alive for our children. They love reading the books and then adding instruments to accompany the book. We are looking forward to reading more of the books and encouraging the children to create accompaniments. Thank you again for opening a literacy world filled with music for our children.\r\nSincerely,\r\nBeth DeMichele","fullyFundedDate":1744252364334,"projectUrl":"project/rhythm-of-the-page/9237228/","projectTitle":"Rhythm of the Page","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. DeMichele","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8063751"},{"teacherId":6154495,"projectId":9211801,"letterContent":"I would first like to say how thankful and appreciative I am to Donors choose. I just completed my first year as a traveling art teacher after being a regular Gen preschool teacher for 20 years. I was always concerned as to where and how I was going to afford and find supplies for over 400 students. Donors Choose was the answer. So, Thank you again from the bottom of my heart. The supplies that I have received this year have made a world of difference to the children I teach. \r\n\r\nOne of my favorite projects as well as the children's was using the precut rectangular pieces of cardboard and different types of craft materials that we received. The children used the cardboard as the base and glued all different types of materials from feathers, string, beads, etc. to create an individualized beautiful collage that they were very proud of.\r\n\r\nI will continue doing art projects that will enhance their creativity and self esteem","fullyFundedDate":1743806141057,"projectUrl":"project/little-minds-big-imaginations/9211801/","projectTitle":"Little Minds Big Imaginations!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Janet","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6154495_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731722064654","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6154495"},{"teacherId":6098658,"projectId":9092736,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my students with these great donations to our project. The students faces and excitement when they saw our newly renovated house area was priceless.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our house area feels more like home now, with the addition of the new kitchen set, play food sets and kitchen utensils, which has ignited the student's passion for the dramatic play area making them feel more at home. The new utensils, kitchen and real like play food has brought a lot of engagement and conversation amongst each other which has help them enhance their constructive, cooperative and sociodramtic play.\r\n\r\nIt is amazing how much of a difference one person's generosity can make on the lives of many young individuals. A great thank you on behalf of my youngsters for your thoughtfulness and kindness.","fullyFundedDate":1742922275296,"projectUrl":"project/there-is-no-place-like-home/9092736/","projectTitle":"There is No Place like Home!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Munoz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6098658"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_71127","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":308,"numTeachers":23,"percentFrplEligible":70,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":8,"percentWhite":6,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":84,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - Pre-K","studentTeacherRatio":"13.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":66.1,"schoolId":71127,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Frances C Smith Early Childhood Center 50 on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Frances C Smith Early Childhood Center 50","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-jersey/elizabeth-public-schools/frances-c-smith-ecc-school-50/71127"}
Join the 168 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Frances C Smith Early Childhood Center 50 is
a suburban public school
in Elizabeth, New Jersey that is part of Elizabeth Public Schools.
It serves 308 students
in grades Pre-K - Pre-K with a student/teacher ratio of 13.4:1.
Its teachers have had 45 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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Frances C Smith Early Childhood Center 50 Demographics
70%
of students receive free or reduced price lunch
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Source: the National Center for Education Statistics
92%
of students are Black, Latino, Native
American, or Asian
Data about school demographics comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. The numbers in this chart may not add up to 100% because of limitations in the available data.
Frances C Smith Early Childhood Center 50 Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Apr 7, 2026
DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students
in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.
Frances C Smith Early Childhood Center 50
$34,322
raised using DonorsChoose
45
projects
funded
14
teachers
funded
168
donors
5
projects for
technology
6
projects for
books
21
projects
for
art supplies
Frances C Smith Early Childhood Center 50 has received support from
111 individuals from New Jersey and
57 individuals out-of-state.
