{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Franklin Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":23.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":215061,"projectId":10273695,"letterContent":"I wish you could have seen my classroom the morning our huge boxes of gear arrived...it felt like Christmas in October! My fourth graders' faces completely lit up, and they were practically vibrating with excitement. We have been putting the new equipment to work every single day on our blacktop, and the difference is night and day. Instead of just wandering around or getting into little recess squabbles out of boredom, my kids are now bursting through the doors, eager to lace up and get moving.\r\n\r\nAs the World Cup started, we had our first \"official\" soccer match using the new scrimmage vests. Two of my students who usually tend to sit on the sidelines and struggle to fit in were picked as team captains. Seeing them puff out their chests with pride in those vests, leading their teams, and passing the soccer balls back and forth was just beautiful. They came back to their desks sweaty, laughing, and, best of all, completely ready to settle down and focus on their math lesson.\r\n\r\nNow that they have a positive outlet for all that bright-eyed energy, our next step is bringing that same team spirit into our current science unit on ecosystems. We're working in groups to build biome models, and I'm already seeing them use the same communication and cooperation skills they just practiced out on the field. Thank you so much for giving my students the chance to just be kids, burn off some steam, and come back to class ready to learn!","fullyFundedDate":1778505727083,"projectUrl":"project/from-the-playground-to-the-page-movemen/10273695/","projectTitle":"From the Playground to the Page: Movement for Mental Focus!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bachman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp215061_orig.png?crop=529,529,x157,y272&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1751315960994","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/215061"},{"teacherId":215061,"projectId":10272955,"letterContent":"If you've ever had to sit through hours of silent, high stakes focus, you know exactly how much pent up energy my ten year olds were harboring by the end of state testing season! As a fourth grade teacher here in San Jose, I watch these amazing kids tackle complex California history and multistep math problems with so much grit, but the mental stamina required for testing is a lot for young learners. When our boxes of vibrant Color Blaze powder and reusable water balloons arrived, the mood in our room instantly shifted. The pure anticipation of our field day became the ultimate \"light at the end of the tunnel,\" keeping my students motivated, on task, and pushing through those quiet, rigorous weeks.\r\n\r\nWe finally held our big celebration, and it was a total blast. Our schoolyard was transformed into a chaotic sea of laughter, pink and teal powder clouds, and flying water balloons. One of my quietest students, who had been incredibly anxious about the math portion of the test, was suddenly sprinting across the grass covered in yellow and blue powder, high fiving her classmates with the biggest smile I've seen all year. Seeing these kids completely let loose and celebrate their hard work together as a community was a moment I'll never forget.\r\n\r\nNow that the testing and the powder clouds have cleared, our next steps are to channel this awesome momentum into our final California history project. My students are reflecting on how the grit they used during testing applies to longterm teamwork, and they are more connected and eager to learn than ever. Thank you for giving them a core elementary school memory that balances hard work with joyful, unforgettable play!","fullyFundedDate":1778505726220,"projectUrl":"project/a-kaleidoscope-of-achievement-celebra/10272955/","projectTitle":"A Kaleidoscope of Achievement: Celebrating Focus and Perseverance","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bachman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp215061_orig.png?crop=529,529,x157,y272&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1751315960994","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/215061"},{"teacherId":208071,"projectId":10005941,"letterContent":"In this day and age, it is extremely disappointing and frustrating to have mandated instructional minutes for P.E. without a designated curriculum or enough varied supplies to implement different kinds of games and sports. Over the years, I have seen our classrooms being provided with less and less play equipment, to the point that we received NONE this year or last. Even when we take good care of the sports gear, it eventually wears out and must be replaced. \r\nYour support this year has ensured that my class could play all their favorite games: basketball, soccer, football, volleyball, kickball, and pickleball. I was also able to get a large quantity of inflation needles to keep our gear on the courts! In addition, I received some alternative P.E. resources: exercise dice, a physical/sensory path, and some reward stickers to help keep my class motivated to stay active. Now, to be honest, I wasn't able to coordinate with administration to install the sensory path out on the playground yet, but I do plan to get that completed in time for the next year's group.\r\nMy students LOVE getting outside and when we didn't have enough sports equipment they were frustrated, sad, and often unwilling to engage in another boring round of the \"same old thing.\" I'm very appreciative of your support, because we needed it in order to obtain the right kinds of gear to implement more activities that are both appropriate and engaging for 6th grade students. \r\nThank you for your generosity and for caring about students in our community. My students and I wish you all the best!","fullyFundedDate":1772546746732,"projectUrl":"project/we-all-play-ball/10005941/","projectTitle":"We All Play Ball!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. W","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp208071_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1628631333891","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/208071"},{"teacherId":208071,"projectId":9826638,"letterContent":"In this day and age, it is extremely disappointing and frustrating to have mandated art instruction without a designated curriculum or enough varied supplies to implement different kinds of art projects. Over the years, I have seen how limited our \"supply closet\" has become in terms of what kinds of art supplies are kept in stock and 80% of the time, I simply cannot get the kinds of items I want to have for my students through the regular \"school supplies.\" And let's not even start on how fast we go through those tiny glue sticks!\r\nYour support this year has ensured that my class was able to complete all the art projects I planned for us, and more! We have done 3 black-line art projects using the art sharpies and magic erasers. We did a massive textile collage project, for which I was able to provide additional glue and yarn from your donations. We made fence-art on the upper-grade blacktop to spread cheer and care to the campus community. And, before the year ends, we will make 3-D art with the yarn, cardstock, and hole-punchers.\r\nMy students LOVE art and they would much rather do creative projects than anything else. I'm very appreciative of your support, because we needed it in order to obtain the right kinds of supplies to be able to engage in more advanced art projects for 6th grade. Thank you for your generosity and for caring about students in our community. My students and I wish you all the best!","fullyFundedDate":1766010952995,"projectUrl":"project/art-were-about-it/9826638/","projectTitle":"ART? We're About It!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. W","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp208071_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1628631333891","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/208071"},{"teacherId":18226,"projectId":10149160,"letterContent":"I am so grateful that you gave my students the gift of reading, especially they are able to read now. Thank you for gifting them some of their favorite books that I have read to them this year in Kindergarten. They absolutely love their books and since they are hardcover, they are more durable and will ensure hundreds of reads by my students and their families. I really can't thank you enough for donating to this project. Books are so important, now more than ever. It brings me so much joy to see my students being so excited about reading. We have you to thank for this!","fullyFundedDate":1773854277268,"projectUrl":"project/books-books-books/10149160/","projectTitle":"Books! Books! Books!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. My Le","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp18226_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689025848756","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/missmyle"},{"teacherId":18226,"projectId":10153632,"letterContent":"I simply can't thank you enough for giving my class the precious gift of books! During this age of tablets and technology, books are so important - now more than ever. I am so grateful that my students will each get a set of some of their favorite books. It is also so wonderful that many of my kindergarten students are able to read this books by themselves now! Thank you for giving them the gift of reading. I love seeing how they beam with pride when they read the books. They can now enjoy these books at home and I have you to thank for that.","fullyFundedDate":1774463872436,"projectUrl":"project/hooray-for-more-books/10153632/","projectTitle":"Hooray For More Books!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. My Le","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp18226_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689025848756","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/missmyle"},{"teacherId":6498478,"projectId":10196329,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and helping provide materials for our water table, sorting bug activities, and outdoor play supplies like chalk. These resources have brought so much excitement, creativity, and hands-on learning to our students every day. During science and sensory activities, students have been using the water table to explore bug habitats, practice scooping and pouring, and work together while building important observation and vocabulary skills. Our sorting bug activities have become a favorite during math centers, where students sort bugs by color, size, and type while explaining their thinking and comparing ideas with classmates.\r\n\r\nThe outdoor chalk activities have also created many fun and meaningful learning moments. Students have been practicing letters, drawing shapes, creating games, and working together on large collaborative drawings during outdoor play time. When the students first saw the new materials, they were thrilled and eager to start exploring right away. Their excitement and curiosity have carried into our daily lessons, increasing engagement, teamwork, and confidence throughout the classroom.\r\n\r\nAs we continue our learning, these materials will support future science investigations, sensory exploration, outdoor learning games, and collaborative classroom centers. Your generosity is helping create a classroom environment where students can learn through play, creativity, and discovery. Thank you again for making these meaningful experiences possible for our students!","fullyFundedDate":1778505720239,"projectUrl":"project/learning-beyond-the-classroom-bringing/10196329/","projectTitle":"Learning Beyond the Classroom: Bringing Education Outdoors","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dominguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6498478_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723313726207","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6498478"},{"teacherId":7475279,"projectId":10016156,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our Transitional Kindergarten classroom project! Although the original Lunar New Year materials were no longer available by the time the project was funded, the new resources we received have already become a meaningful part of our classroom learning and play.\r\n\r\nMy students have been using the wooden rainbow stacking toys, loose parts trays, colorful loose parts materials, and peg people during our hands-on learning centers and collaborative play time. One special classroom moment happened during our \"community and family traditions\" discussions. Students used the peg people and rainbow stacking materials to create homes, bridges, and gathering spaces while talking about their own families and celebrations. It was wonderful to hear students sharing stories about foods, decorations, and traditions from home while working together so creatively.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, they were beyond excited. The colorful loose parts immediately sparked curiosity and imagination. They eagerly explored the different ways to stack, sort, build, and organize the pieces. Many students worked together naturally, taking turns and helping one another create designs and structures. The peg people were especially popular because students loved pretending and creating stories with them. It was amazing to see how engaged and focused they became through open-ended play.\r\n\r\nThese materials are continuing to support our current lessons in problem-solving, collaboration, creativity, and oral language development. Our next steps include using the loose parts and stacking materials during math exploration activities focused on patterns, sorting, counting, and building shapes. We will also continue incorporating the peg people into storytelling, social-emotional learning, and dramatic play activities as students practice communication, cooperation, and understanding different cultures and communities.\r\n\r\nThank you again for making these joyful learning experiences possible for my students. Your generosity has brought creativity, exploration, and excitement into our classroom every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1772546737326,"projectUrl":"project/transitional-kindergarten-lunar-new-year/10016156/","projectTitle":"Transitional Kindergarten Lunar New Year (Year of the Horse) Project","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kelly Ghasseminezhad","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7475279_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y324&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1743798573352","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/misskellyg"},{"teacherId":7475279,"projectId":10016792,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our Transitional Kindergarten classroom through this project. The new art materials have already become an important part of our daily learning experiences. My students have been using watercolor paints to create beautiful paintings of different landforms and bodies of water as part of our science and social studies learning. We also explored finger painting to experience different textures and practice blending colors to make new colors. Using construction paper, glue, and crayons, students created flowers to show their understanding of the different parts of a plant during our life cycle unit. These hands-on activities are helping students strengthen fine motor skills, creativity, and confidence while making learning exciting and meaningful.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new materials, they were beyond excited. Many of them immediately smiled and eagerly asked when they could begin creating. For several students, these were materials they had never had the opportunity to use before. They were especially fascinated by the vibrant watercolor paints and finger paints, and they loved having enough supplies so everyone could fully participate. The art activities have created so much joy and engagement in our classroom, and students are proud to share their work with classmates and families.\r\n\r\nAs we continue our learning, these materials will support upcoming projects connected to our plant and butterfly life cycle unit as well as end-of-year activities celebrating how much the students have grown this year. Students will continue using art to express their understanding through painting, drawing, cutting, gluing, and collaborative projects. Your generosity has helped create a classroom environment where students feel excited to learn, safe to explore, and confident in their creativity. Thank you again for making such a meaningful impact on our classroom and our young learners.","fullyFundedDate":1772546750606,"projectUrl":"project/little-hands-big-art-colorful-creation/10016792/","projectTitle":"Little Hands, Big Art: Colorful Creations in TK!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kelly Ghasseminezhad","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7475279_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y324&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1743798573352","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/misskellyg"},{"teacherId":215061,"projectId":10088756,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity and for believing in my fourth graders! When the boxes arrived and I pulled out the vibrant Koosh balls and marble maze mats, the classroom erupted in cheers and \"woahs.\" It was such a moving moment to show them that people they haven't even met are rooting for their success. They were so eager to explore the different textures, and seeing their faces light up made the upcoming testing season feel much less daunting and a lot more like a community effort.\r\n\r\nWe have already integrated these \"brain regulators\" into our daily routine to prepare for the big milestone of state testing. My students have dubbed the marble maze mats their \"concentration maps,\" and it is amazing to see a student who usually struggles to sit still find a calm, quiet rhythm by moving the marble while listening to a complex math word problem. One specific moment that stood out was during a particularly long practice session; the room was silent, but you could see small hands under desks rhythmically squeezing the squishy fidgets. Instead of the usual restless tapping or sighs of frustration, there was a sense of focused peace that allowed everyone to do their very best work.\r\n\r\nYour support has truly transformed our classroom environment into a space where my students feel supported, calm, and capable. These tools are doing exactly what we hoped - giving their hands a quiet job so their minds can tackle the challenges on the screen. By providing these resources, you've given my students more than just fidgets; you've given them the confidence to know they have what they need to succeed. We are so grateful for your investment in our East San Jose students!","fullyFundedDate":1773424080661,"projectUrl":"project/focus-in-motion-tactile-tools-for-testi/10088756/","projectTitle":"Focus in Motion: Tactile Tools for Testing Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bachman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp215061_orig.png?crop=529,529,x157,y272&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1751315960994","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/215061"},{"teacherId":18226,"projectId":10112192,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for making our Easter so amazing! My kindergarten student loved the Easter crafts. They were so much fun. They have the best time at our Easter egg hunt. They each got to find 20 eggs filled with yummy candy and Easter stickers. They said it was the best day ever! They had the best time hunting for eggs and also opening them up to see what surprises awaited them. Thanks for making my kindergarten students' Easter so speggtcular. I am grateful for your kindness and generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1772481185386,"projectUrl":"project/sp-egg-tacular-spring/10112192/","projectTitle":"Sp-egg-tacular Spring!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. My Le","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp18226_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689025848756","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/missmyle"},{"teacherId":7475279,"projectId":9901454,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for fully funding our project, From Caterpillars to Birdhouses: Building Environmental Curiosity in TK! Your generosity has brought our classroom to life in ways that are meaningful, hands-on, and full of wonder.\r\n\r\nFrom the moment the materials arrived, my students were filled with excitement. Their eyes lit up as they explored the natural loose parts, eagerly touching, sorting, and building with items from nature. There was an immediate sense of curiosity and joy as they asked questions, made discoveries, and began connecting their play to the world around them.\r\n\r\nOne of the most powerful experiences has been raising caterpillars in our classroom. Students carefully observed them each day; watching them eat, grow, form their chrysalises, and finally emerge as butterflies. This transformation sparked awe and deep engagement. Students would gather around, quietly observing and sharing what they noticed, building both language and scientific thinking.\r\n\r\nThe binoculars have also opened up a new way of seeing the world. Students have been using them to search for birds and observe their environment more closely. What started as simple exploration quickly turned into thoughtful conversations about habitats, animal needs, and how we can take care of nature.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we are continuing to build on this excitement with even more hands-on learning. Students will be constructing birdhouses, creating terrariums, and observing real insect specimens. These upcoming projects will allow them to deepen their understanding of habitats, ecosystems, and environmental care. They are already asking questions like, \"Where do animals live?\" and \"What do they eat?\". This shows just how impactful these experiences have been.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, my students are not just learning about the environment—they are experiencing it, caring for it, and beginning to understand their role in protecting it. You have helped create a classroom filled with curiosity, discovery, and meaningful learning that will stay with them for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1766010952824,"projectUrl":"project/from-caterpillars-to-birdhouses-buildin/9901454/","projectTitle":"From Caterpillars to Birdhouses: Building Environmental Curiosity in TK!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kelly Ghasseminezhad","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7475279_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y324&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1743798573352","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/misskellyg"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_4779","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":528,"numTeachers":26,"percentFrplEligible":73,"percentAsian":47,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":45,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":2,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"20.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":76.2,"schoolId":4779,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Franklin Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Franklin Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/franklin-mckinley-school-district/franklin-elementary-school/4779"}