{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Governor John Fairfield School","outOfStateSupporters":20.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":3821648,"projectId":9845229,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, my second graders had an amazing experience exploring our new classroom puzzles! Some of my students had never completed a puzzle before, so the excitement and curiosity in the room were incredible. We had a very special afternoon during Red Ribbon Week, connecting the theme \"Life Is a Puzzle, Solve It Drug Free™\" to our hands-on puzzle time.\r\n\r\nAs the students worked together, they shared ideas, encouraged one another, and celebrated every completed section. It was wonderful to see their confidence grow as the pictures came together piece by piece. The puzzles have continued to be a favorite activity — even on our most recent rainy-day indoor recess, the students were eager to pull them out again!\r\n\r\nThese puzzles have truly become a great addition to our classroom, helping my students build teamwork, patience, and problem-solving skills while having fun. I'm even planning to add a few more 100/60-piece puzzles now that I've seen how much the children enjoy them.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping make this project possible and for giving my students such a joyful, meaningful learning experience!","fullyFundedDate":1761177550647,"projectUrl":"project/little-puzzlers-big-thinkers/9845229/","projectTitle":"Little Puzzlers, Big Thinkers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. MacKenzie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3821648_orig.jpg?crop=768,768,x192,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1695813330312","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/maine-teacha"},{"teacherId":3821648,"projectId":9492749,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping us bring the world into our second grade classroom! Your generosity has sparked a beautiful journey of discovery for my students.\r\n\r\nThe globes you provided have become treasured learning tools. Students spin the political globe to find new countries and work together to reassemble the puzzle globe, piece by piece. \r\n\r\nThe books—A Ticket Around the World and The EARTH Book—have opened their eyes to cultures and landscapes far beyond our community.\r\n\r\nWhat has touched my heart most is seeing students search the globes for their family stories. They've proudly pointed to Honduras, Brazil, and the Philippines, tracing the incredible journeys their families made to USA and Maine. \r\n\r\nWith the colorful pens and construction paper, students will be creating their own maps and illustrations, labeling continents and showing what they've learned about this amazing Earth we all share.\r\n\r\nYour support has given my students more than supplies. You've given them pride in their heritage, curiosity about others, and the confidence to explore.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our classroom and for helping us discover that there are so many places we can learn!","fullyFundedDate":1755742327710,"projectUrl":"project/oh-the-places-well-learn/9492749/","projectTitle":"Oh, The Places We'll Learn!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. MacKenzie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3821648_orig.jpg?crop=768,768,x192,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1695813330312","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/maine-teacha"},{"teacherId":10085899,"projectId":9482106,"letterContent":"We extend our deepest gratitude for your donation of the Tonies Box. This generous gift has immediately transformed our classroom. It serves as a vital tool for streamlining transitions and improving overall classroom flow. The engaging audio stories provide a calm, reliable anchor, replacing moments of distraction with quiet focus and maximizing our instructional time.\r\n\r\nThe Box's value extends to read-alouds, offering a powerful multisensory literacy tool, and acts as a highly effective behavior incentive, rewarding cooperation with shared listening time. Your kindness is a clear investment in a more joyful and focused educational experience for our students. Thank you for your profound and lasting impact.","fullyFundedDate":1758229355947,"projectUrl":"project/tonies-in-the-classroom-improving-liste/9482106/","projectTitle":"Tonies in the Classroom: Improving Listening Comprehension for Young Learners.","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hauck","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10085899"},{"teacherId":9886406,"projectId":9248727,"letterContent":"On behalf of our class, I want to express our heartfelt thanks for your generous donation toward providing each student with a copy of Clementine by Sara Pennypacker. Thanks to your support, we were able to dive into this delightful book and explore its rich story elements, such as character, plot, conflict, and resolution.\r\n\r\nThe students were immediately drawn to the main character, Clementine, and her endearing quirks. Her unpredictable nature and humorous escapades sparked so much laughter and engagement in our classroom. This book not only made learning about story elements fun and accessible, but it also created opportunities for students to bond over their shared love of Clementine's adventures. They found joy in her humor and, in turn, in their own learning. It was the perfect way to end the school year on a lighthearted and silly note.\r\n\r\nYour donation has made an incredible impact on our classroom community. The joy, laughter, and connections formed over this book are memories that will last far beyond the classroom walls. Thank you again for making this experience possible for our students.","fullyFundedDate":1744205963035,"projectUrl":"project/juicing-up-our-reading/9248727/","projectTitle":"Juicing Up Our Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pomerleau","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9886406"},{"teacherId":3821648,"projectId":9314459,"letterContent":"Thank you for believing in my Donors Choose project -Reading Magic Starts Here!- and making a donation that helped bring summer reading material and excitement for my second graders! Your support provided each student with their own Magic Tree House boxed set (Books 1-4) to take home.\r\n\r\n We read \"Dinosaurs Before Dark\" together in class, and then started the second book about castles, which connected perfectly with our art lessons on castle drawing. The students were genuinely excited to continue Jack and Annie's adventures on their own after being hooked by these first two stories. \r\n \r\n By providing this engaging series right at the start of summer, we've given students an immediate reason to pick up a book during their time off. The fast-paced, adventurous stories are perfectly suited for their reading level and interests.\r\n\r\n The students left for summer break with four captivating chapter books, already invested in the series and eager to see what happens next. Having a new series to explore gives them sustained motivation to keep reading throughout the summer months. Your generosity helped ensure that learning continues over the summer in a fun, engaging way, setting these soon-to-be third graders up for continued reading success.","fullyFundedDate":1746469847308,"projectUrl":"project/reading-magic-starts-here/9314459/","projectTitle":"Reading Magic Starts Here!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. MacKenzie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3821648_orig.jpg?crop=768,768,x192,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1695813330312","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/maine-teacha"},{"teacherId":9780305,"projectId":9252285,"letterContent":"My students have been genuinely thankful for the new supplies - fresh pencils, dry erase markers, erasers, and a classroom timer. These small additions have made a huge difference in their daily routines! My students were so excited to have new materials that have helped them to stay focused and organized. It's been amazing to hear their positive comments and see their enthusiasm in using tools that supported their learning.\r\n\r\nThe new timer has also helped to improve transitions and time management during lessons. Students responded well to the clear visual of the Time Timer, and many have said it helped them stay on task. Their appreciation showed not only in words but also in how respectfully they treated the materials. These thoughtful additions have brought a boost of energy to our classroom as we finish out the school year.","fullyFundedDate":1746469847423,"projectUrl":"project/finishing-strong-in-second-grade/9252285/","projectTitle":"Finishing Strong in Second Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mitchell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9780305_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744309933460","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9780305"},{"teacherId":3821648,"projectId":9225849,"letterContent":"I am writing with heartfelt gratitude for your support of our \"One Book One You #5\" project. Thanks to your generosity, each of my students now has their very own copy of \"Clementine,\" a story that's truly \"a-peeling\"!\r\n\r\nThe impact of your donation was immediate and profound. I made the day extra special by giving each student a real clementine fruit along with their book—a tangible connection that delighted them! When they received their personal copies, their faces lit up with excitement. For many, this is the first chapter book they've ever owned. One student exclaimed, \"I get to keep this? Forever?\" \r\n\r\nAs they enjoyed their sweet clementine treat, we gathered to begin reading together as a class. The students quickly formed deep connections with Clementine's character. They giggled at her creative ideas, empathized with her misadventures, and thoughtfully discussed the importance of understanding different perspectives. During our class discussions, students began sharing their own \"Clementine moments\" when they had good intentions that didn't quite work out as planned.\r\n\r\nThe book has sparked meaningful conversations about embracing our unique qualities and celebrating what makes each of us special. \r\n\r\nYour generosity has ignited a love for reading, fostered important social-emotional skills, and given these young learners a treasured book they can return to for years to come. You haven't just provided books – you've helped create readers, thinkers, and more empathetic individuals. Thank you!!!","fullyFundedDate":1744199906971,"projectUrl":"project/one-book-one-you-5/9225849/","projectTitle":"One Book One You #5","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. MacKenzie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3821648_orig.jpg?crop=768,768,x192,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1695813330312","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/maine-teacha"},{"teacherId":9912632,"projectId":9089395,"letterContent":"I can't thank you enough for donating this basketball hoop and new basketballs for our students. Having age appropriate equipment is so important in the early stages of physical development. This basketball hoop allows all the kids in the school to be successful and able to shoot and make a basket on a hoop. I am able to lower it and higher it to fit the needs of all students and it isn't a small plastic hoop that separates them from the rest of the class. The basketballs were a great addition to my collection. The students loved the new colors and had a blast using the new balls.","fullyFundedDate":1738614694361,"projectUrl":"project/basketball-hoop/9089395/","projectTitle":"Basketball Hoop","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Trinder","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9912632"},{"teacherId":9780305,"projectId":9037664,"letterContent":"The donation of letter tiles, Elkonin boxes, and whiteboards have greatly enhanced the literacy experience in my classroom. The letter tiles allow students to manipulate individual sounds and build words, which helps them connect phonemic awareness with letter recognition. This tactile approach makes learning to read more interactive and engaging, helping students visualize and physically form words, which reinforces their understanding of letter-sound relationships. The Elkonin boxes, in particular, provide an invaluable strategy for segmenting and blending sounds, allowing students to break words down into smaller, more manageable parts. This method has proven to be especially beneficial for struggling readers, enabling them to focus on one sound at a time and gradually build up to more complex words.\r\n\r\nThe addition of whiteboards has also been a game-changer for my classroom. They provide an opportunity for instant feedback and give every student a chance to actively participate in the lesson. With the whiteboards, students can practice writing words, segmenting sounds, or drawing representations of phonetic patterns, all while receiving immediate corrections and encouragement. This instant interaction fosters a sense of ownership over their learning and boosts their confidence. Overall, these materials have created a dynamic and hands-on approach to phonics instruction that has not only improved reading skills but also increased student engagement and enthusiasm for learning.","fullyFundedDate":1738074211196,"projectUrl":"project/phonics-skill-building/9037664/","projectTitle":"Phonics Skill Building","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mitchell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9780305_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744309933460","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9780305"},{"teacherId":9886406,"projectId":9034913,"letterContent":"Teaching phonics in a second-grade classroom presents significant challenges, particularly in the areas of encoding and decoding sounds. Many students struggle with these fundamental skills. However, the new materials acquired through the funding of my DonorsChoose project, have greatly enhanced student engagement and enthusiasm for learning about letter sounds. These resources have proven beneficial in fostering a deeper understanding of phonics among my students. The best part is that the new materials my classroom received have helped increase enthusiasm for learning more about the sounds of letters.\r\n\r\nThese new phonics books, magnetic paddles with Elkonin boxes and disks, and dry erase markers will provide struggling and/or reluctant readers with materials to practice phonics skills in an efficient and fun way. These materials have been a fun way to diversify instruction. I believe students will embrace these additional classroom word work materials this year and for years to come.\r\n\r\nYour generous support for this project is greatly appreciated. It has made a positive impact by ensuring that high-quality, purposeful, and intentional books and tools are accessible to my growing writers and readers. Thank you for helping to foster a love of learning in my classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1736375619072,"projectUrl":"project/phonics-writing/9034913/","projectTitle":"Phonics & Writing","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pomerleau","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9886406"},{"teacherId":9886416,"projectId":9027750,"letterContent":"Teaching phonics in a second-grade classroom presents significant challenges, particularly in the areas of encoding and decoding sounds. Many students struggle with these fundamental skills. However, the new materials acquired through the funding of my DonorsChoose project, \"Flipping For Phonics #2,\" have greatly enhanced student engagement and enthusiasm for learning about letter sounds. These resources have proven beneficial in fostering a deeper understanding of phonics among my students. The best part is that the new materials my classroom received have helped increase enthusiasm for learning more about the sounds of letters.\r\nThese new phonics books, magnetic paddles with Elkonin boxes and disks, and dry erase markers will provide struggling and/or reluctant readers with materials to practice phonics skills in an efficient and fun way. These materials have been a fun way to diversify instruction. I believe students will embrace these additional classroom word work materials this year and for years to come.\r\nYour generous support for this project is greatly appreciated. It has made a positive impact by ensuring that high-quality, purposeful, and intentional books and tools are accessible to my growing writers and readers. Thank you so much for helping to foster a love of learning in my classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1736374811139,"projectUrl":"project/fun-with-phonics/9027750/","projectTitle":"Fun with Phonics","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Mercier","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9886416"},{"teacherId":3821648,"projectId":9040797,"letterContent":"I am so excited to share the impact your generous contribution has had on my second-grade students! Thanks to your support, each of my students received a personal copy of Fergus and Zeke and the 100th Day of School to celebrate our journey together as a class. This book has been a meaningful part of our celebration of the 100th day, a milestone in our school year that we've been eagerly anticipating.\r\n\r\nThe goal of this project was to provide every child with their own copy of the book to read, discuss, and cherish. It was challenging to gather enough copies for each student, but with the extra effort from DonorsChoose, 20 books were delivered to our classroom. The students were thrilled to receive their very own copy, and it has sparked excitement in our reading time.\r\n\r\nIn class, students have been reading the book independently and with friends. We've been discussing its powerful messages about perseverance, determination, and creativity. Soon, the students will bring their special 100th-day book home to share with their families, keeping it as a lasting reminder of their growth as learners and readers this year.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, the Fergus and Zeke series has become a favorite in our classroom. The other books from the series have inspired students to explore new adventures in their reading and have deepened their love of learning.\r\n\r\nThank you again to DonorsChoose for making this project a reality. Your support is helping my students not only celebrate their growth but also inspire them to continue exploring new opportunities in their learning journey.","fullyFundedDate":1737050197166,"projectUrl":"project/a-special-book-for-the-100th-day-of-scho/9040797/","projectTitle":"A Special Book for the 100th Day of School!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. MacKenzie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3821648_orig.jpg?crop=768,768,x192,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1695813330312","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/maine-teacha"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_66072","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":289,"numTeachers":26,"percentFrplEligible":33,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":8,"percentWhite":78,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":2,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 2","studentTeacherRatio":"11.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":80.0,"schoolId":66072,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Governor John Fairfield School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Governor John Fairfield School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/maine/saco-schools/gov-john-fairfield-school/66072"}