{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Garden City Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":25.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9601085,"projectId":9958937,"letterContent":"Your generosity has brought something truly special into our classroom—peace, joy, and a sense of calm that so many of my students deeply need. With these musical instruments, we've been able to build meaningful mindfulness routines into our day. One of my favorite moments was during our first guided breathing session with music. As students gently played instruments and followed a calming rhythm, I watched their bodies relax, their shoulders drop, and their focus completely shift. Students who often struggle with big emotions were able to regulate themselves in a new and powerful way.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the excitement was immediate—but what stood out even more was how quickly that excitement turned into intention. My students treated the instruments with such care and curiosity. They were eager to learn how to use them not just to make noise, but to create calm. For many of my students, who experience stress both in and out of school, having access to these tools has given them a safe and healthy way to process emotions and reset throughout the day.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, we are now building consistent mindfulness practices into our classroom routine. We are working on student-led calming circles, where students take turns guiding breathing exercises with music, and integrating sound into transitions and focus time. These next steps are helping students build lifelong skills in emotional regulation, focus, and self-awareness. Thank you for helping create a classroom where students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1766099249733,"projectUrl":"project/where-music-meets-mindfulness/9958937/","projectTitle":"Where Music Meets Mindfulness","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Czaja","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9601085_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y386&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1721500417905","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9601085"},{"teacherId":9601085,"projectId":9927382,"letterContent":"Your generosity has truly transformed our classroom in the most meaningful way. Because of you, my students now have access to snacks that help them stay focused, energized, and ready to learn throughout the day. One moment that stood out was during our reading block—students who would typically struggle to stay engaged were calmly enjoying a snack while diving into their books. It may seem small, but having that consistent nourishment made a huge difference in their ability to concentrate and participate.\r\n\r\nWhen the snacks first arrived, my students were beyond excited—there were smiles, gasps, and so many heartfelt \"thank yous.\" For many of my students, these are not just treats, but reliable sources of food during their school day. Knowing they can count on something to eat has brought a sense of comfort and stability into our classroom. It has also helped build a stronger sense of community, as students share, show gratitude, and look out for one another.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, we are able to continue focusing on what matters most—learning and growing together. Our next steps include building stamina during independent reading, strengthening math skills during small group instruction, and continuing to foster a positive, supportive classroom environment. Your kindness is felt every single day, and it is helping my students show up as their best selves. Thank you for making such a powerful impact in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1766067666902,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-smiles-and-everyday-classroom-j/9927382/","projectTitle":"Snacks, Smiles, and Everyday Classroom Joy","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Czaja","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9601085_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y386&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1721500417905","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9601085"},{"teacherId":9989018,"projectId":9911781,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of snacks to our second grade classroom. Your support truly makes a difference for my students each day, and we are very grateful.\r\n\r\nHaving snacks available in the classroom helps students stay focused and ready to learn. Second graders work hard throughout the day, and a small snack gives them the energy they need to keep going!\r\n\r\nYour donation also helps ensure that every student feels included and supported. Sometimes students forget a snack or may not have one to bring from home. Thanks to you, I can make sure every child has something during snack time, which helps them feel comfortable and cared for in our classroom.\r\n\r\nYour generosity not only helps meet a basic need, but it also shows my students that people care about them and their education. We really do appreciate your kindness and support!\r\n\r\nThank you for helping our second graders succeed!","fullyFundedDate":1769643184565,"projectUrl":"project/healthy-snacks-for-smart-minds/9911781/","projectTitle":"Healthy Snacks for Smart Minds!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wellner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9989018_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1743639739366","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9989018"},{"teacherId":6168509,"projectId":9893285,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom. Because of you, my second graders have access to snacks that make a real difference in their day.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, learning requires focus, energy, and confidence, but those things are hard to maintain when a child is hungry. Thanks to your donation, my students no longer have to worry about that. They know that if they need a snack, one will be available without judgment or embarrassment.\r\n\r\nI've already seen the impact. Students who were once distracted or tired are now more engaged, participating in lessons, and able to stay focused throughout the day. A simple snack has helped improve not only their concentration, but also their mood and overall sense of comfort in the classroom.\r\n\r\nYou have helped create an environment where all 21 of my students feel cared for, supported, and ready to learn. Your kindness ensures that every child can focus on what truly matters, growing academically and believing in themselves.\r\n\r\nYour donation may seem small, but to my students, it means everything. You are making a meaningful difference in their daily lives and helping set them up for success.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in my students and showing them that people care.","fullyFundedDate":1771990811092,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-success-healthy-snacks-for-grow/9893285/","projectTitle":"Fueling Success: Healthy Snacks for Growing Second Graders","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6168509_orig.jpg?crop=2034,2034,x0,y128&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757796921970","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/j-johnson2"},{"teacherId":9989018,"projectId":9715332,"letterContent":"Because of your generous donation, my students now have access to games that encourage teamwork, problem-solving, and conversations! Instead of working alone on their iPads, students are sitting together, taking turns, sharing strategies, and learning how to collaborate respectfully. I am seeing stronger communication skills, improved social interactions, and more student engagement during these times, especially when we have indoor recess. These games have helped build a positive classroom community where students learn from one another and grow together. Thank you for making this possible for my classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1762266380983,"projectUrl":"project/building-skills-through-indoor-recess-ga/9715332/","projectTitle":"Building Skills Through Indoor Recess Games","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wellner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9989018_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1743639739366","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9989018"},{"teacherId":3590455,"projectId":9691826,"letterContent":"Thank you very much for your support in bringing this project to fruition. Every trimester, I meet with all the teachers in our school to discuss the support needs of each student. The number of requests for support during whole group lessons on the floor is remarkable. Students struggle with sitting on the floor and staying in their space. Usually, I have to choose which students to support because I only have one chair to offer. Thanks to you, I was able to support every student who needed the help!\r\n\r\nI met with each student receiving the chair to show them how to use it. They were all thrilled to receive their special chair and use it in the classroom! The smile on their face was so cute, and their eyes truly lit up. I check in with each student who uses the chair weekly, and they all say it is so much easier to learn! I spoke with one teacher, and she said how great it has been to have the student join the carpet for learning because of the chair, rather than sitting at his desk in the back of the room as he was before.\r\n\r\nI am excited to continue problem-solving every roadblock that arises and ensure that every student has the opportunity to learn and grow. I want to work to remove every barrier and allow their true brilliance to shine!","fullyFundedDate":1758811954264,"projectUrl":"project/support-our-core/9691826/","projectTitle":"Support Our Core","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hartman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3590455_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1461882945637","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3590455"},{"teacherId":6168509,"projectId":9483011,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in providing classroom materials for my students. Because of your kindness, every student in our classroom now has access to the tools they need to learn, grow, and succeed each day.\r\n\r\nThe materials you helped provide are used daily across reading, writing, math, and hands-on learning activities. Students are more engaged, confident, and eager to participate because they have the proper supplies to fully take part in lessons—without worrying about what they may not have at home.\r\n\r\nYour donation has helped create an equitable learning environment where all students feel prepared and included. It has allowed me to focus on teaching and supporting each child rather than worrying about limited resources. Most importantly, it has helped foster a classroom culture where students feel valued, capable, and excited about learning.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in my students and believing in their potential. Your generosity truly makes a difference in our classroom, and we are incredibly grateful for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1758636836563,"projectUrl":"project/together-we-can-create-a-thriving-learni/9483011/","projectTitle":"Together We Can Create a Thriving Learning Environment","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6168509_orig.jpg?crop=2034,2034,x0,y128&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757796921970","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/j-johnson2"},{"teacherId":9601085,"projectId":9881797,"letterContent":"Because of No Child Hungry: Snacks for Students in School, my classroom has become a place where students can focus on learning without worrying about hunger. The snacks are available daily and are often used during long learning blocks, after recess, or when a student comes to school without having had enough to eat. One moment that truly stayed with me was when a student quietly asked for a snack, then visibly relaxed and re-engaged in their work just minutes later. These small moments have made a huge difference in attention, behavior, and confidence.\r\n\r\nWhen the snacks first arrived, students were incredibly excited—but also deeply grateful. Many of my students rely on school for consistent meals, and having snacks readily available made them feel safe and supported. They understood that these resources were there to help them learn and succeed, not as a reward or privilege. For families facing financial hardship, this support removes a heavy burden and ensures that no child feels left out or distracted by hunger during the school day.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our next steps include continuing to build strong routines around learning stamina, independence, and self-advocacy. Students are learning to recognize when their bodies need fuel and to ask for help appropriately. Most importantly, they are able to fully participate in reading, math, and collaborative activities without hunger getting in the way. You didn't just provide snacks—you provided equity, dignity, and the ability for every child to learn. Thank you for caring for our students in such a meaningful way. 💙","fullyFundedDate":1762874347204,"projectUrl":"project/no-child-hungry-snacks-for-students-in/9881797/","projectTitle":"No Child Hungry: Snacks for Students in School","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Czaja","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9601085_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y386&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1721500417905","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9601085"},{"teacherId":9601085,"projectId":9760379,"letterContent":"Because of Peace, Positivity, and Plenty of Color, our classroom has been filled with creativity, calm, and meaningful self-expression. We use the art supplies daily during writing extensions, social-emotional learning time, and calm-down moments. One of my favorite moments was watching students create colorful drawings to represent how they were feeling that day, then proudly share their artwork with classmates using kind words and reflections. The colors have truly become a language for emotions, storytelling, and connection.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials arrived, the excitement was immediate—students' eyes lit up as they explored the markers, crayons, and paper with huge smiles. Many of my students don't have access to quality art supplies at home, so having these resources in the classroom made them feel valued and included. They treated the materials with care and respect, understanding that these supplies were special tools meant to help them learn, relax, and express themselves in positive ways.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our next steps include using art to deepen literacy and social-emotional learning. Students will continue illustrating stories, creating visual responses to read-alouds, and using color to regulate emotions during challenging moments. You didn't just provide art supplies—you helped create a peaceful, inclusive space where every child feels safe to express who they are. Thank you for bringing so much color, joy, and positivity into our classroom. 🎨💙","fullyFundedDate":1762266362521,"projectUrl":"project/peace-positivity-and-plenty-of-color/9760379/","projectTitle":"Peace, Positivity, and Plenty of Color","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Czaja","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9601085_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y386&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1721500417905","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9601085"},{"teacherId":9601085,"projectId":9866449,"letterContent":"Because of Breathe, Draw, Believe: Supporting Student Mental Health, our classroom has become a calmer, safer space where students are learning how to understand and manage their emotions. We use the art materials, calming tools, and mindfulness resources daily during our calm-down moments, transitions, and after challenging situations. One especially meaningful moment was watching a student independently choose a quiet drawing activity and deep breathing instead of shutting down—then proudly return to learning feeling regulated and ready.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the materials, they were immediately drawn in with excitement and curiosity. They felt special knowing these resources were just for them and that their feelings truly matter. Many of my students face stressors outside of school, and having dedicated mental health supports in the classroom helps them feel secure and supported. The smiles, gentle focus, and relaxed shoulders said more than words ever could—these tools were exactly what they needed.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our next steps include teaching students to independently identify emotions, choose calming strategies that work for them, and reflect through drawing and writing. As we continue building social-emotional skills like empathy, self-regulation, and resilience, students are gaining confidence not only as learners, but as people. You didn't just fund supplies—you helped nurture mental wellness, emotional safety, and belief in themselves. Thank you for investing in our students' hearts and minds. 💙","fullyFundedDate":1762266249394,"projectUrl":"project/breathe-draw-believe-supporting-stude/9866449/","projectTitle":"Breathe, Draw, Believe: Supporting Student Mental Health","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Czaja","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9601085_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y386&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1721500417905","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9601085"},{"teacherId":9601085,"projectId":9859600,"letterContent":"Because of Warm for Winter: Keeping Kids Cozy Outside!, my students are able to fully enjoy recess, outdoor learning, and fresh air—even on the coldest Minnesota days. The hats, mittens, and winter gear are used daily and have made a huge difference. Instead of staying inside or rushing through recess because they are cold, students are now running, playing, and laughing outside with confidence and comfort. One moment that truly stood out was seeing a student proudly zip up their coat, pull on warm mittens, and say, \"Now I can stay out the whole time!\"\r\n\r\nWhen the winter gear arrived, the reaction was pure joy and relief. Students were excited, but also clearly comforted knowing they had what they needed to stay warm. For many of my students, winter gear can be difficult for families to afford or replace, so having access to these items at school made them feel supported and cared for. They understood that people outside our classroom believed in them and wanted them to be safe, healthy, and included—no matter the weather.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our next steps include continuing outdoor play, movement breaks, and winter science observations without worrying about who has proper clothing. Students are learning responsibility by caring for their gear and independence by getting dressed on their own. Most importantly, they are able to participate equally with their peers. You didn't just help keep students warm—you helped create equity, confidence, and joyful moments every single day. Thank you for making such a meaningful difference in our classroom. 💙❄️","fullyFundedDate":1761754730072,"projectUrl":"project/warm-for-winter-keeping-kids-cozy-outsi/9859600/","projectTitle":"Warm for Winter: Keeping Kids Cozy Outside!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Czaja","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9601085_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y386&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1721500417905","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9601085"},{"teacherId":9601085,"projectId":9691435,"letterContent":"Because of Microscope Explorers: Building Curiosity Through Science, my second graders have transformed into real scientists. We are using the microscopes during hands-on investigations where students observe leaves, sand, fabric, and even the tiny details of classroom objects they see every day but never truly noticed before. One of the most powerful moments was hearing a student gasp and say, \"There's a whole world inside this!\" Students are sketching what they observe, labeling details, and asking thoughtful questions—exactly what authentic science learning should look like.\r\n\r\nWhen the microscopes first arrived, the excitement was electric. Students gathered around, eyes wide, buzzing with curiosity and anticipation. Many of my students had never seen or used a microscope before, and holding one in their hands made them feel important and capable. They treated the materials with incredible care, understanding that these tools were special and meant for real learning. For students in an economically disadvantaged community, access to high-quality science equipment like this is truly transformative.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our next steps include deeper investigations into living and nonliving things, comparing observations, and using evidence to explain what we see. Students will continue building scientific vocabulary, practicing careful observation, and developing confidence as problem-solvers and critical thinkers. You didn't just fund microscopes—you sparked curiosity, empowered young scientists, and opened doors to future learning. Thank you for believing in my students and investing in their wonder and potential. 🧪💙","fullyFundedDate":1758079250351,"projectUrl":"project/microscope-explorers-building-curiosity/9691435/","projectTitle":"Microscope Explorers: Building Curiosity Through Science","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Czaja","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9601085_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y386&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1721500417905","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9601085"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_75575","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":366,"numTeachers":29,"percentFrplEligible":65,"percentAsian":30,"percentBlack":32,"percentWhite":5,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":24,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"12.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":75.0,"schoolId":75575,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Garden City Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Garden City Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/minnesota/osseo-independent-school-district-279/garden-city-elementary-school/75575"}