{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Grassy Creek Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":29.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":1860486,"projectId":10156110,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our DonorsChoose project! The fidgets and calming tools you provided are already making a meaningful difference for our students.\r\n\r\nBy the time a student comes to my office, they are often having a really hard moment. They may be frustrated, overwhelmed, angry, anxious, or simply unable to put into words what they are feeling. Having these calming tools available gives students a safe and positive way to slow down, regulate their emotions, and begin to feel in control again.\r\n\r\nSomething as simple as a fidget, sensory item, or calming activity can help a child shift from a moment of distress to a place where they are ready to talk, problem-solve, and eventually return to the classroom ready to learn. These items allow me to meet students where they are and give them the time and tools they need to reset.\r\n\r\nYour donation is much more than a collection of toys and fidgets—it is helping create a safe space for children when they need it most. Thank you for investing in our students and helping us support not only their academic success, but their social and emotional well-being as well. We are incredibly grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1778005838832,"projectUrl":"project/fidgets-focus-finding-calm/10156110/","projectTitle":"Fidgets, Focus & Finding Calm","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Betts","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1860486_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1774294004967","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1860486"},{"teacherId":10492492,"projectId":10261627,"letterContent":"Thank you VERY much for the donations to the Brew Crew, Grassy Creek's new Cold Brew Coffee Cart that is owned and operated by Grassy's very own Life Skills Class. Because the nature of a Life Skills class is self-contained, students are typically less exposed to opportunities for socialization and a sense of community. However, the Brew Crew has already created opportunities for integration and newfound connections for our students along with the entire school community and we couldn't be more excited. Here are a few notes from staff members throughout our school: \r\n\r\n\"I love seeing our kiddos getting to enjoy something while practicing socializing and communicating. This is a great opportunity for them to get more real-world practice. It is such a great opportunity and brings so much joy! This project brightens every person's day who interacts with the Brew Crew.\" - Mrs. Smith, Principal\r\n\r\n\"It is so exciting to have our kids bring the coffee cart around every Friday. It is a great way to end the week. I love seeing how our students are learning to work with staff and making the orders. When they show up at my door, the excitement on their face is priceless. They are really enjoying this. Not only has this made an impact on our students who work the Brew Crew Cart, but it really brings up the morale of the staff.\" -Mrs. Betts, Assistant Principal\r\n\r\n\"It is truly a joy to see our students working towards a goal that will not only further their social skills and independence but also serves the building. I loved helping to design the cart sign for our Brew Crew and then seeing it evolve with the help of their teachers! I love seeing the students interact with staff and working together to perform their tasks. The impact of this project far exceeds what we can put on paper. This initiative is giving our students life long skills for the work force and beyond.\" -Mrs. Shea, Art Teacher \r\n\r\n\"It has been really fun getting to see the students outside of their classroom setting. I have appreciated the chance to see them blossom with their newly practiced social skills! There is one student, with his smiles, when he makes a drink, and starts an order... I love that he loves meeting new people! This has warmed the hearts of so many teachers, thank you for doing it!\" -Mrs. Hager, School Counselor\r\n\r\n\"The Brew Crew is a wonderful way for our teachers and students to get to know our Life Skills scholars. They are given an opportunity to bring joy to teachers and staff with a coffee or soft drink as well as build communication and social skills in our building. I love the CORE coin tip jar! This allows the entire building to help those students earn coins to spend at our Golden Celebration or CORE store. Donations/funding makes this endeavor possible. Without the generosity of the donors it would be difficult to keep up weekly.\" - Mrs.Brown, Instructional Coach\r\n\r\n\"It's great to see the students engaging with the wider community at school. It's awesome to see them communicating and following directions to complete a job! The Brew Crew not only brightens the day of staff, but also prepares our students for real job-like experiences.\" -Ms. Greven, Occupational Therapist\r\n\r\n\"It has been great to see the Brew Crew interacting with multiple staff members and smiling as they are learning new and important skills.\tThis is impacting students by giving them real-world opportunities to build confidence and skills.\" - Mrs. Tonade, 4th Grade Teacher\r\n\r\n\"It is so special to see how happy the students are to knock on the door and greet the teachers. Thank you so much for providing items! It brings a little bit of joy to our hectic lives.\" -Mrs. Roberts, 3rd Grade Teacher\r\n\r\n\"Thanks so much for allowing teachers to be the recipients of the wonderful treats served every Friday. It has been a joy to meet and greet the students who are serving us wonderful drinks. This program has given students the opportunity to perform services and grow in their communication with adults in the building. Thank you!\" -Mrs. Hartung, 2nd Grade Teacher\r\n\r\n\"The Brew Crew had completed my week with a well-deserved drink to start my day. Along with the courtesy of some adorable servers that are learning how to build social skills, one of the Brew Crew members gave me the right amount that was 100% to my liking! That really made my day! Thank you for thinking about our staff to get us through the day refreshed, recharged and ready to accomplish the day!\" Ms. Matthews, Kindergarten Teacher\r\n\r\n\"I love seeing and meeting the students. We see them every day but often don't get to know them. It is nice to put a face with a name and to build those relationships we perhaps wouldn't otherwise. Thank you for giving our students the opportunity to build additional life skills as well as giving the student population the opportunity to meet and know these students.\" -Mrs. Brower, 3rd Grade Teacher\r\n\r\n\r\nI have already noticed such a difference in my students and their abilities to communicate with new people, to follow one-step directions, and I've noticed a difference in our school culture as well. Building relationships within the community of our school is something that we plan to prioritize this year and this is the perfect way to do it. Thank you for making it happen! We couldn't have done it without you.","fullyFundedDate":1778614877460,"projectUrl":"project/fostering-independence-in-our-life-skill/10261627/","projectTitle":"Fostering Independence in our LIFE Skills Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Everhart","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10492492_orig.jpg?crop=412,412,x0,y27&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1777981289636","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10492492"},{"teacherId":6456873,"projectId":10157515,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, \"Growing Through Grief.\" The impact of placing a personal copy of these books directly into each student's hands has been truly profound. Navigating the loss of a loved one is a deeply complex, heavy experience for a child, and having their very own book provides a safe, lasting anchor. We love growing our students literacy skills, and sometimes it is easier for students to make connections with books and characters when the feelings they have are too great to identify at such a young age. Through these stories, our students are not only mastering essential literacy skills; but they are also acquiring vital tools for processing grief and building resilience.\r\n\r\nHaving individual copies to keep transforms how our students interact with the material. Reading in our school building has become a quiet, personal sanctuary where students can mark meaningful passages, re-read comforting chapters at their own pace, and take the story home to continue processing away from school. For children coping with the painful reality of losing someone dear, owning a book that acknowledges their pain makes them feel validated and far less isolated. This project has helped us bridge feelings from home and family; by also showing our school supports students at home and in their personal lives as well. Your generosity provided more than just classroom resources; you gave each child a permanent, personal companion on their journey toward healing. This project shows our students that there are always caring adults and people to lean on in hard times. We hope that they pass it forward and share the empathy and skills they acquire in our SEL group.","fullyFundedDate":1778005839009,"projectUrl":"project/growing-through-grief/10157515/","projectTitle":"Growing Through Grief","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lauren Hager","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6456873_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754616864789","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6456873"},{"teacherId":5776094,"projectId":10124351,"letterContent":"Thank you so much, Young Sheldon, for supporting our classroom and providing us with these amazing hands-on learning materials! My students were so excited when we unboxed all of the supplies and could not wait to start exploring. The Fossil Dig Kit allowed students to become paleontologists and learn about fossils through hands-on discovery. The Volcano Science Kit, along with the baking soda, vinegar, and food coloring, gave us the opportunity to explore chemical reactions and see our science learning come to life. Even the grass seed became a valuable learning tool as students observed how plants grow and what they need to survive.\r\n\r\nThese materials allowed me to take our learning beyond the textbook and create meaningful, hands-on experiences for my students. The Kids Real Tool Set gave students the opportunity to safely practice using real tools, while simple supplies like cups, plates, and cotton balls allowed us to create and recreate things we learned about throughout our units. Many of these materials will be used during our culminating activities, where students can dive deeper into the material, work together, problem-solve, and demonstrate their learning in creative ways. Thank you, Young Sheldon, for helping make these experiences possible and for giving my students the opportunity to learn through curiosity, exploration, and hands-on discovery!","fullyFundedDate":1778005839398,"projectUrl":"project/from-curiosity-to-creation-stem-for-all/10124351/","projectTitle":"From Curiosity to Creation: STEM for All","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Smith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5776094_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1535122208815","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5776094"},{"teacherId":971496,"projectId":10086818,"letterContent":"Thank you again for your generous donation of whiteboards, talking sticks, answer paddles, timers and buzzers. These engagement tools are transforming our K-4 classrooms into vibrant, interactive spaces where every child actively participates. Here is how your gift is making a daily impact on our students' learning: \r\nIndividual Whiteboards: These erase the fear of making mistakes. Students confidently try tough math problems or spell new words, knowing they can easily wipe away errors and try again.\r\nAnswer Paddles: These allow teachers to conduct instant, silent understanding checks. Every single student holds up their answer simultaneously, preventing a few eager students from dominating the lesson.\r\nGame Buzzers: These turn routine review sessions into high-energy, memorable challenges. The friendly competition keeps students deeply focused and eager to demonstrate what they have learned.\r\nTalking Sticks: These teach our youngest learners the essential social skills of patience and respect. They ensure that every voice is valued and that students listen intently to their peers.\r\nYour support has replaced passive listening with active, hands-on learning. Thank you for investing in our classrooms and giving our students the tools they need to thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1778005839199,"projectUrl":"project/engage-to-elevate-empowering-student-vo/10086818/","projectTitle":"Engage to Elevate: Empowering Student Voice and Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Brown","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp971496_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1452959584411","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/hawthornehawks"},{"teacherId":3756597,"projectId":10090126,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom project!\r\n\r\nOur kindergarteners are getting to do something really special. They are learning how to be helpers, leaders, and kind friends to others in our school.\r\n\r\nOur students are creating Kindness Coins, Testing Coins, and \"I Need a Hug\" Coins to share with other students. We've been talking a lot about how our words and actions can help others feel brave, happy, and cared for—especially during big moments like testing days.\r\n\r\nIt has been so sweet to watch them get excited about helping older students. They are so proud knowing that something they made can make someone else smile or feel better. We love seeing their big hearts in action!\r\n\r\nYour support made all of this possible, and it means so much to our classroom.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping our little learners do big things!","fullyFundedDate":1772552022775,"projectUrl":"project/kindness-you-can-hold-student-created-c/10090126/","projectTitle":"Kindness You Can Hold: Student-Created Coins","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Abbey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3756597"},{"teacherId":6456873,"projectId":10050743,"letterContent":"Thank you for your donation! With the funds provided we were able to create three calm down/sensory circuit areas in our school!\r\n\r\nTwo of the sensory circuits are for primary grades: Kindergarten, First and Second Grade. While we have another sensory area made for older students when they need to let off some energy and calm themselves down. These areas are openly available for students to use as needed. The include wiggle seats, physical movement, and more! We love that kids can use these areas as needed, then quickly return to learning and not miss as much instruction by leaving the classroom to go to the school office.","fullyFundedDate":1770306459892,"projectUrl":"project/help-us-get-regulated-and-ready-to-learn/10050743/","projectTitle":"Help Us Get Regulated and Ready to Learn!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lauren Hager","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6456873_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754616864789","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6456873"},{"teacherId":6456873,"projectId":10042020,"letterContent":"We are so grateful for your kind donations. We have been doing so many read a loud lessons in the counseling classroom! Also, this has helped our school so much with food security. There are times students come to school late, by no fault of their own, and have missed breakfast. Your donation has helped us have consistent snacks available so no kiddos have to be hungry at school.\r\nAdditionally, the snacks have been really amazing rewards for positive behavior. We love having a snack and getting to spend one on one time with the counselor as a reward for being helpful and kind. We have many opportunities to earn special time with Mrs. Hager and earn treats. We have a \"caught being kind\" bulletin board and get lots of shout outs for being good citizens, too!","fullyFundedDate":1770306459800,"projectUrl":"project/help-us-get-more-books-and-snacks-for-go/10042020/","projectTitle":"Help Us Get More Books and Snacks for Good Behavior","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lauren Hager","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6456873_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754616864789","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6456873"},{"teacherId":3756597,"projectId":10090128,"letterContent":"I want to thank you so much for all of your donations for my Building Big Thinkers: Coding Foundations Through Play project. The minute I took it out of the box, my students were so excited. They wanted to know what it was and how it works. I started with talking anout what coding is and how to use it. I then showed my students how to use the Cody Block Started set.\r\n\r\n I explained that he was on an adventure and needs their help. I told my students that they needed to direct Cody through right and left turns to get him home. They are to use the blocks to change Cody's direction to navigate the city. He drives like magic which is what the coding is. I explained how to put the top of the cr onto the block which moves the car. We then used the right and left blocks to drive Cody home. I explained that we coded the car without having to use a computer. The chulden werre very excited and wanted to try it out. I let 4 at a time use it. Cody was a big success. The childen began to understand if they do not put the blocks in the right spot, Cosy will not work. They had to experiment and use trail and error. \r\n\r\nI would highly recommedn the Cody Starter pack!\r\n\r\n\r\nWith gratitude,\r\nMts. Abbey","fullyFundedDate":1772135625731,"projectUrl":"project/building-big-thinkers-coding-foundation/10090128/","projectTitle":"Building Big Thinkers: Coding Foundations Through Block Play","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Abbey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3756597"},{"teacherId":8813373,"projectId":9524694,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding our Mindful Morning's project; your support has created more opportunities for collaboration and teamwork, and the students are genuinely excited each time to see which activity they'll be assigned. Many have already chosen favorites and discovered strengths they didn't know they had, and because several activities use new materials, student engagement during activity time is very high. The students see it as an extra recess, but I love that it is challenging their minds, and we're seeing real growth in focus, confidence, and peer cooperation within these activities. \r\n\r\nI'm excited to allow my students to continue growing their strengths and collaboration with peers through our morning tubs and eventually I would love to add on to what I can already offer them. These opportunities would not be available to my students without the support of donors.","fullyFundedDate":1763581039796,"projectUrl":"project/mindful-mornings/9524694/","projectTitle":"Mindful Mornings","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Peterson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8813373_orig.jpg?crop=427,427,x0,y1&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754674285475","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8813373"},{"teacherId":6133675,"projectId":9473845,"letterContent":"Thank you for the donations that allowed me to purchase these wonderful biographies by the Little Golden Book Company. The kids thoroughly enjoyed them. We took a couple of weeks to just read them at home, knee to knee with a partner in our room, or to a younger student in a buddy classroom.\r\n\r\nThey were able to read several biographies and then chose one person to highlight through a written essay. Students were able to use the writing process to complete their writing and then publish and share with others.\r\n\r\nMany of the students chose someone that they could identify with be that their background or personality. Several chose artists because they like art or singing because that is an interest to them. I personally loved that they were exposed to compassionate leaders that are from another generation like Harry Belafonte or Rita Moreno.\r\n\r\nThank you for this wonderful gift that will keep giving!","fullyFundedDate":1758672177972,"projectUrl":"project/future-compassionate-givers/9473845/","projectTitle":"Future Compassionate Givers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Langan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6133675"},{"teacherId":5776094,"projectId":9940806,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for choosing to fund our classroom project! We are incredibly grateful for your generosity and can't wait to begin using the thoughtfully selected materials that will help amplify learning within our new reading curriculum.\r\n\r\nMy students could hardly contain their excitement when I shared the materials with them. To help build meaningful connections, I introduced items that relate to units we have already studied this year, and the engagement was immediate. I look forward to incorporating the remaining materials as we continue to roll out new units throughout the school year.\r\n\r\nYour support will have a lasting impact on our classroom by enriching instruction, strengthening understanding, and fostering a love of learning. Thank you for investing in my students and in their educational journey.","fullyFundedDate":1768401034353,"projectUrl":"project/new-curriculum-new-strategies/9940806/","projectTitle":"New Curriculum, New Strategies","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Smith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5776094_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1535122208815","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5776094"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_20197","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":509,"numTeachers":25,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":60,"percentWhite":10,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":18,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":9,"gradesServed":"K - 4","studentTeacherRatio":"20.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":70.6,"schoolId":20197,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Grassy Creek Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Grassy Creek Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/indiana/msd-of-warren-township/grassy-creek-elementary-school/20197"}