{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Galindo Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":28.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10214618,"projectId":9639399,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for choosing to support my project, Bilingual Counseling Resources. I was blown away by the generosity of individuals on DonorsChoose and am fortunate to have a resource available to me to help my students continue to grow, learn, and thrive.\r\n\r\nAs I have progressed in my career as a school counselor, I have recognized the importance of presenting lessons and materials in a way that makes the students feel most included. By receiving many books in Spanish, I am able to incorporate this information into my lessons for children of all ages. Additionally, it helps me learn how to better connect with students by providing me an opportunity to practice my Spanish.\r\n\r\nSome of the materials I received were placed into my \"Calm Corner,\" a section of my room filled with blankets, pillows, fidgets, and more. This is a space where students often come to have a break, share how they feel, and gather their thoughts before returning to class. With the addition of mindfulness breathing cards in Spanish, as well as posters of positive affirmations, zones of regulation, and coping skills, all students are able to access vital information needed to process and reflect.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1757527355591,"projectUrl":"project/bilingual-counseling-resources/9639399/","projectTitle":"Bilingual Counseling Resources","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Redd","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10214618"},{"teacherId":9784907,"projectId":9537008,"letterContent":"Thanks to the generosity of DonorsChoose, my classroom has been able to cultivate a richer and more engaging reading experience for all students. The class sets of Holes, The BFG, and Hatchet have given us the opportunity to build shared literary experiences where every student has access to the same text. Although we plan to begin reading Holes after the new year and hope to explore The BFG later in the spring once STAAR testing has passed, students are already excited to know that we will all be reading these stories together. Having full classroom sets removes the barriers that come with limited copies and ensures that every student can participate fully in discussions, activities, and deeper comprehension work.\r\n\r\nWe have also begun using the Spectrum Grades 3–5 Cursive Handwriting workbooks, which offer students a structured and engaging way to develop an important skill they rarely get to practice. These consumable workbooks have allowed students to begin strengthening their handwriting, fine motor skills, and confidence. Even though we're only at the beginning of this process, students are already showing pride in their progress.\r\n\r\nIn addition, the four-book graphic novel set—including Swim Team, Gamerville, Hoops, and Change the Game—has been an incredible hit during independent reading time. These vibrant, student-centered stories immediately capture attention, especially for readers who are still developing fluency or motivation. Several students have gravitated toward these books as their \"just right\" reading choices, and they have been a wonderful bridge to help reluctant readers discover that reading can be enjoyable and accessible. Altogether, these donated materials have strengthened our reading culture, supported skill development, and encouraged students to see themselves as lifelong readers.","fullyFundedDate":1757972709332,"projectUrl":"project/hooked-on-books-and-we-need-more/9537008/","projectTitle":"Hooked on Books (And We Need More!)","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Melmood","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9784907_orig.jpg?crop=1474,1474,x389,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753832836210","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9784907"},{"teacherId":9784907,"projectId":9514188,"letterContent":"Thanks to the generosity of DonorsChoose, my classroom has been transformed into a more welcoming, engaging, and supportive learning environment. One of the most beloved additions has been the Sofa Sack bean bag chair in our calm corner. Students use it daily as a place to reset, regulate their emotions, or enjoy a quiet reading moment, and it has become an essential part of maintaining a positive classroom climate. The fluorescent light covers, along with the birch tree wall decal and diversity posters, have helped create a calming and visually appealing atmosphere that students often comment on. Several have noted that the softer, \"spacey\" lighting helps them feel more comfortable and focused during lessons. I've also incorporated chair bands for students who need movement support, and they have become an invaluable tool in helping many of my learners—especially those with ADHD—stay regulated and engaged.\r\n\r\nOrganizational tools and learning materials have made an equally strong impact. The Connect & Store book bins have brought order to our daily routines by allowing students to keep composition notebooks and reading materials neatly organized by table color. Desk name tags were used at the beginning of the year to help build community and structure, while table circle spots have supported smooth transitions during small-group instruction. Magnetic clips and colorful push pins have allowed me to display anchor charts, student artwork, and visuals both inside and outside the classroom. Creative supplies—such as Sharpie markers, Crayola and Posca coloring utensils—have supported student art projects, including decorating popsicle stick name markers and illustrating assignments. These materials help students take pride in their work and express themselves through color and design.\r\n\r\nIncentives and rewards have also become more meaningful thanks to the donated items. Plush keychains, meme stickers, sticky hands, and other small toys have filled our prize box, giving students fun and motivating rewards to work toward. While a few items such as the musical note bulletin border, the adventurer décor bundle, and the LED corner light arrived after the classroom was already set up, I plan to use them in future years to continue improving our learning space. Altogether, the contributions from DonorsChoose have enriched my classroom academically, emotionally, and creatively. My students feel valued, supported, and excited to learn—and the impact of these donations is visible in their engagement and enthusiasm every day.","fullyFundedDate":1755191884951,"projectUrl":"project/mission-possibleempowering-4th-graders/9514188/","projectTitle":"Mission: Possible—Empowering 4th Graders!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Melmood","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9784907_orig.jpg?crop=1474,1474,x389,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753832836210","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9784907"},{"teacherId":6596524,"projectId":9489131,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom makerspace project! Your kindness has helped create a space where my kindergarteners can let their imaginations soar and express their creativity in meaningful ways.\r\nWith the new paints, brushes, cardstock, and storage bins, my students now have the freedom to explore, design, and create every day. They love experimenting with colors and materials, and it's been wonderful to see their confidence and excitement grow as they bring their ideas to life.\r\nThis makerspace has quickly become a favorite part of our classroom as a place where students collaborate, problem-solve, and discover the joy of making. Your generosity has made this possible, and I am so grateful for the positive impact you've had on my students' learning and creativity.","fullyFundedDate":1758219158008,"projectUrl":"project/lets-make-a-makerspace/9489131/","projectTitle":"Let's Make a Makerspace!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6596524_orig.jpg?crop=750,750,x0,y135&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1570343813026","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6596524"},{"teacherId":6596524,"projectId":9050387,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of my classroom project. Because of your kindness, my students now have the tools they need to learn, create, and explore in new and engaging ways.\r\nThe laminating sheets are helping me create durable learning materials that will last throughout the year, and the playdough has already become a favorite during math lessons and center time! The dry-erase markers are used daily during our language arts and math activities, and the new storage boxes have brought much-needed organization to our centers.\r\nYour generosity has truly made a difference in our kindergarten classroom. You've not only provided supplies but also brought excitement and joy to our learning environment. My students and I are so grateful for your kindness and belief in the importance of education.","fullyFundedDate":1741384576532,"projectUrl":"project/basic-materials-needed/9050387/","projectTitle":"Basic Materials Needed!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6596524_orig.jpg?crop=750,750,x0,y135&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1570343813026","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6596524"},{"teacherId":4640341,"projectId":9546201,"letterContent":"Thanks to your support, my students now have graphing paper to help improve their handwriting. When they first saw it, they were excited to try it, and it's amazing to watch them focus on neatness, spacing, and letter formation.\r\n\r\nYour contribution is helping them build confidence and take pride in their work. Next, they'll continue practicing with the graphing paper, applying these skills in writing assignments across subjects.\r\n\r\nWe're so grateful for your generosity—you've made a real difference in their learning!","fullyFundedDate":1758219174208,"projectUrl":"project/graphing-a-path-to-beautiful-handwriting/9546201/","projectTitle":"Graphing a Path to Beautiful Handwriting","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jaimes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4640341_orig.jpg?crop=961,961,x0,y92&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1572018588143","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4640341"},{"teacherId":9723385,"projectId":9511161,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding my first DonorsChoose. As a second year educator, your contribution has been a boon and has truly help set up my classroom and students for success. \r\n\r\nThe book bins have kept the classroom and students organized. Each student loved picking out their choice of color, and it gives them a personal space to keep their things and to continue to build responsibility. Since most of my students come from economically disadvantaged homes, the access to comfortable and fitting headphones has made computer time more enjoyable and easier. No student feels left out, and their headphones work day in and day out. Plus, they are fun colors!\r\n\r\nOnce again, thank you for your generosity. I look forward to getting many years out of these tools.","fullyFundedDate":1754059719101,"projectUrl":"project/let-the-children-hear-and-be-organized/9511161/","projectTitle":"Let the children hear and be organized","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Slacks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9723385_orig.jpg?crop=601,601,x0,y40&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753805097078","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9723385"},{"teacherId":6268321,"projectId":9599061,"letterContent":"We can't thank you enough for your generous donation of a vacuum to our school! While it might seem like a simple item, it has made a huge difference in our daily classroom environment. Clean, safe, and organized spaces are essential for focused learning — and now, thanks to you, we're able to maintain just that with much more ease.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, we'll continue to use the vacuum to keep our classroom and shared areas tidy — especially after hands-on projects that involve paper scraps, glitter, or snacks.","fullyFundedDate":1758218733699,"projectUrl":"project/clean-schools-safe-students/9599061/","projectTitle":"Clean Schools, Safe Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Merino Gomez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6268321_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1550245993639","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/wizardwriters"},{"teacherId":8563486,"projectId":9379302,"letterContent":"The donation of board games, karaoke microphones, and sports balls has brought a wonderful sense of joy, connection, and learning to our classroom community. These resources have been instrumental in creating opportunities for social interaction, teamwork, and confidence-building outside of traditional academic tasks. We use the board games during indoor recess and as brain breaks, helping students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills in a fun, relaxed setting. The karaoke microphones have become a favorite during our weekly \"language celebration\" sessions, where students practice speaking, listening, and pronunciation in both English and Spanish through songs and stories. The sports balls encourage physical activity during outdoor breaks, promoting teamwork and healthy movement, which is essential for young learners' overall well-being and focus.\r\n\r\nOne memorable moment was when we hosted a \"Game Day\" where students rotated through different board games and had the chance to perform karaoke songs in small groups. The excitement was palpable—students who are usually shy found their voices through singing, and others took the lead in organizing game play and teaching rules to their peers. When the materials first arrived, students' faces lit up with enthusiasm, eager to explore each new resource. The energy and engagement these items bring have created a positive classroom culture where learning feels dynamic and inclusive. Moving forward, we plan to integrate the karaoke microphones into our upcoming science project focused on oral presentations, while the board games and sports balls will continue to support social skills and physical health through cooperative play and movement breaks.","fullyFundedDate":1758833257336,"projectUrl":"project/class-fun/9379302/","projectTitle":"Class Fun","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Gutierrez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8563486_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1748207832991","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-gh"},{"teacherId":8563486,"projectId":9569302,"letterContent":"The addition of two fans and a handheld fan has been a game-changer in keeping our classroom cool, comfortable, and focused—especially during those warmer days when it can be difficult for students to concentrate. Before we had these fans, the classroom would often get stuffy and uncomfortable in the afternoons, making it challenging to stay engaged during instruction or group work. Now, with better air circulation, students can stay alert and focused throughout the day. We've positioned the fans strategically around the room to ensure even airflow, and the handheld fan is especially useful for small group sessions or when a student needs a quick cool-down break to reset and refocus.\r\nOne memorable moment came during a recent science lesson where students were learning about temperature and how it affects materials and living things. On a particularly warm day, the fans helped keep the classroom comfortable so students could fully engage in their experiments measuring temperature changes in different environments. The handheld fan even became part of a discussion about airflow and how it can cool surfaces, making the lesson more interactive and relatable. When the fans first arrived, the students were excited and curious, eagerly helping to set them up and quickly noticing how much cooler the room felt. These fans have made a big difference in creating a comfortable space that supports focused learning. As we move forward into our next unit on weather patterns and data collection, maintaining a cool environment will be key to keeping students engaged and attentive during hands-on activities.","fullyFundedDate":1758219195207,"projectUrl":"project/too-hot-to-learn-a-fan-tastic-solution/9569302/","projectTitle":"Too Hot to Learn: A Fan-tastic Solution","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Gutierrez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8563486_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1748207832991","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-gh"},{"teacherId":8563486,"projectId":9379251,"letterContent":"Having new stools for our group table, wobble stools, and chair bands has truly transformed the way our classroom functions. These flexible seating options have created a more inclusive and student-centered learning environment where kids can move, focus, and collaborate more effectively. The wobble stools help students who need to fidget or move while learning without being disruptive, and the chair bands provide a quiet outlet for energy during focused work time. The new stools at our group table have also made small-group instruction more comfortable and inviting—students are eager to join in and stay engaged during lessons and projects.\r\n\r\nOne memorable moment was during a recent science project where students worked in teams to in their math stations. The group table was buzzing with excitement, and the new stools gave students the perfect place to gather, share materials, and exchange ideas. A few students who typically struggle with staying seated and focused during longer tasks were able to stay engaged thanks to the movement allowed by the wobble stools and chair bands. When the students first walked in and saw the new seating options, their faces lit up—many of them immediately asked, \"Can we try these today?\" It was clear right away how much of a positive impact this would have on both their comfort and their learning. As we continue into our next unit on collaborative storytelling, these seating tools will keep supporting students as they write, edit, and share their work in groups—helping them focus, contribute, and feel at home in our learning space.","fullyFundedDate":1753651504130,"projectUrl":"project/flexible-seating-in-our-classroom/9379251/","projectTitle":"Flexible Seating in Our Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Gutierrez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8563486_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1748207832991","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-gh"},{"teacherId":8563486,"projectId":9367178,"letterContent":"The donation of books in both English and Spanish has been an incredible gift for our dual language classroom, supporting not just literacy development, but also cultural connection and language confidence. These new texts allow us to build lessons around key reading skills such as identifying main ideas, making inferences, comparing texts across languages, and expanding vocabulary in both English and Spanish. With access to high-interest, grade-level appropriate books in both languages, students are more engaged and willing to participate in meaningful discussions and writing activities based on what they read. It also allows us to teach critical thinking and comprehension strategies in both languages, reinforcing biliteracy in a way that's both natural and joyful.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, reading is an active and interactive part of each day. Students participate in read-alouds, partner reading, independent reading time, and small group book discussions. With these new books, they're able to see themselves and their cultures reflected in the stories, which makes them more connected to the material. One student, who was previously hesitant to read in English, now eagerly checks out bilingual books from our class library and reads them during quiet time. Another student has become the go-to reading buddy, excitedly helping peers understand new Spanish vocabulary from a story they love. These books are doing more than teaching reading—they're building a love of language, identity, and community in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1749832570922,"projectUrl":"project/class-library-with-diversity/9367178/","projectTitle":"Class Library with Diversity","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Gutierrez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8563486_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1748207832991","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-gh"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_17368","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":454,"numTeachers":43,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":3,"percentWhite":6,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":85,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"10.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":71.1,"schoolId":17368,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Galindo Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Galindo Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/austin-independent-school-district/galindo-elementary-school/17368"}