{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Great Lakes Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":29.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9310836,"projectId":9542261,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donation to our classroom! The kids have loved using the toys to explore and build! They things they have built and the ideas they have created have been so interesting. \r\n\r\nWhen the students first opened the tubs with the toys, they were so excited! Its been a long time since they've had access to such great STEM toys! \r\n\r\nWe had a science unit where we explored chain reactions. The students were able to use the toys to create their chain reactions. It was so fun watching them learn and explore!","fullyFundedDate":1755693798917,"projectUrl":"project/3rd-grade-stem-toys/9542261/","projectTitle":"3rd Grade STEM Toys","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Vander Kolk","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9310836"},{"teacherId":1867305,"projectId":9413790,"letterContent":"We are delighted and profoundly grateful to report that our mission—to transform the K–5 science classroom into an \"out-of-this-world learning galaxy\"—has been completed, and the results have already exceeded our highest expectations. Because of your exceptional generosity, our young scientists have officially achieved liftoff!\r\n\r\nYour support was the fuel we needed to launch this ambitious project. On behalf of every curious Kindergartener, every energetic First Grader, and every aspiring Astronomer up through Fifth Grade, thank you. You didn't just fund a classroom renovation; you invested in a catalyst for lifelong curiosity and empowerment.","fullyFundedDate":1750796754938,"projectUrl":"project/blast-off-into-learning/9413790/","projectTitle":"Blast Off Into Learning!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Harris","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1867305_orig.jpg?crop=1536,1536,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718655487055","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/sherwood"},{"teacherId":1867305,"projectId":9438069,"letterContent":"We are absolutely thrilled to share the incredible success of our science discovery classroom transformation, a project made possible entirely by your generous support! Thanks to you, our space has officially transformed from \"just okay\" to a source of daily wonder and inspiration for our K–5 students. The new calming light covers filter sunlight softly, a cheerful welcome sign greets every explorer, and the beautiful pond-themed rug now serves as the central gathering place for curious minds. These thoughtful details haven't just decorated a room; they have established a beautiful, nature-rich environment that instantly sets a tone for joy, focus, and creativity.\r\n\r\nThe true measure of your impact is visible in the daily lives of our young scientists. We are seeing a marked difference in how students engage with their lessons. Instead of stiff chairs, our explorers now perch on plush tree stump pillows, allowing them to feel truly immersed—like they are deep in the forest—while discussing complex topics like the water cycle or the mysteries of the world around them. This feeling of safety and connection to their environment is invaluable; it encourages their imaginations to flourish and helps them focus on the wonders of science. You have helped us create a space where every child feels like a valued part of our science story.\r\n\r\nFrom the bottom of our hearts, thank you for believing in the power of an inspiring learning environment. Your contribution is more than a donation; it is an investment in fostering a deep, lifelong love of learning and curiosity. Because of your kindness, our science discovery classroom is now a place where learning blooms daily and students are encouraged to let their curiosity grow wild. We are profoundly grateful for your partnership in helping our students shine!","fullyFundedDate":1754325001979,"projectUrl":"project/our-cozy-science-spot-where-nature-meet/9438069/","projectTitle":"Our Cozy Science Spot: Where Nature Meets Discovery","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Harris","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1867305_orig.jpg?crop=1536,1536,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718655487055","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/sherwood"},{"teacherId":3565816,"projectId":9453028,"letterContent":"I can't thank you enough for your generosity and support! The white writing folders, composition books, LED magic erase boards, and Trapper Keeper binders have made such a difference in our classroom.\r\n\r\nMy students are now more organized, engaged, and confident in their learning. The folders and binders have helped them keep track of their writing drafts and resources, making the writing process smoother and more meaningful. The composition books are being filled with creative stories, thoughtful reflections, and daily journal entries that showcase how much they've grown as writers.\r\n\r\nThe LED magic erase boards have quickly become a class favorite! They make practicing spelling, editing sentences, and brainstorming ideas fun and interactive. Students are eager to participate and collaborate because they can easily share and revise their thinking in real time.\r\n\r\nThanks to you, our classroom feels more purposeful, creative, and inspired. Your kindness has not only provided materials — it has encouraged my students to see themselves as real writers and learners.\r\n\r\nWith heartfelt appreciation,","fullyFundedDate":1754325002192,"projectUrl":"project/word-by-word-our-journey-through-storie/9453028/","projectTitle":"Word by Word: Our Journey Through Stories and Writing","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kuiper","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3565816_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1466617906692","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-kuiper"},{"teacherId":9522122,"projectId":9578989,"letterContent":"We love our new seats! Students have taken the time to pick out a cozy reading seat where they can immerse themselves in a good book! They love to find one that interests them, and I am so excited that they are intentional about the books they read. Our space feels even cozier with our new overhead lamps that allow for less harsh overhead lighting. \r\nStudents are thrilled to continue diving into series we started during our ELA curriculum, and they have you to thank for that! So many students follow Pinky and Rex, Biscuit, and Poppleton along through all their adventures.","fullyFundedDate":1755693799468,"projectUrl":"project/science-of-reading/9578989/","projectTitle":"Science of Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. McCarthy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9522122_orig.jpg?crop=1280,1280,x0,y162&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1714436192211","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msmccarthymi"},{"teacherId":9522122,"projectId":9402146,"letterContent":"We have been hard at work learning routines and getting to know one another better! Your generous donation has allowed us to understand where our things go and how to put our materials away properly. This then allows students to clean up more efficiently and spend time diving into one of our new books! \r\nMany students are very interested in the \"Who Would Win?\" series, and now that I have a collection, all students can find an animal or two that they are interested in! It is so rewarding to see students come together and talk about what they are reading!","fullyFundedDate":1753291463204,"projectUrl":"project/for-the-love-of-books/9402146/","projectTitle":"For the Love of Books","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. McCarthy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9522122_orig.jpg?crop=1280,1280,x0,y162&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1714436192211","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msmccarthymi"},{"teacherId":1936914,"projectId":9550247,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contributions to our classroom! My kids have already used these awesome lap desks and I absolutely love to see the way they get excited to use them! Having 10 additional lap desks has provided an opportunity for my students to do their work, be it writing, Chromebook, or math work, anywhere around the room. Second graders thrive when they get this kind of movement and choice and I feel so blessed to be able to give them these opportunities. Thank you so much, these have quickly become such a staple in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1755693799328,"projectUrl":"project/comfortable-seating/9550247/","projectTitle":"Comfortable Seating","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tucker","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1936914_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1454601751554","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/pfosta"},{"teacherId":1936914,"projectId":9574194,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations to our classroom! Our year has started and it has never felt better to have such beautiful supplies and resources for my students to use and earn every single day. This has truly been one of the greatest starts I've had and it is no doubt in part to our ability to stay organized and clutter free. The students all have their own water bottle holder and it has provided them with more work space, less distracting items on their desk, and access to water whenever they need it. Thank you for considering our class, we appreciate it so much!","fullyFundedDate":1755693799042,"projectUrl":"project/minimize-clutter-and-maximize-rewards/9574194/","projectTitle":"Minimize Clutter and Maximize Rewards","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tucker","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1936914_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1454601751554","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/pfosta"},{"teacherId":1936914,"projectId":9393246,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contributions to our second grade classroom! Because of you, my students will have the choice to choose where around the room they want to sit and comfortably get their work done. These fun tables allow students to still have good posture, to still read and write, and also give them a fun way to move around the room. I try to allow my second graders opportunities to make their own decisions, including where they sit and what they read. I appreciate the ability to provide them with the resources they need to make their own decisions! Thank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1750796755171,"projectUrl":"project/alternative-and-flexible-seating/9393246/","projectTitle":"Alternative and Flexible Seating","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tucker","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1936914_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1454601751554","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/pfosta"},{"teacherId":1936914,"projectId":9386863,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our 2nd grade classroom! Because of you, my students will have brand new exciting books to choose from! I am so thankful that these amazing resources will be available to them this year and so thankful that you chose our class to contribute to. Second grade is a big year for reading-I get to witness students go from learning to read to reading to learn. I tried my best to pick books that would be interesting, relevant, and exciting for these kiddos. Thank you again, we all appreciate it so much!!","fullyFundedDate":1750796754511,"projectUrl":"project/fresh-reads-for-second-graders/9386863/","projectTitle":"Fresh Reads for Second Graders","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tucker","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1936914_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1454601751554","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/pfosta"},{"teacherId":3565816,"projectId":9286356,"letterContent":"On behalf of my 5th grade students and myself, I want to extend our deepest thanks for your generous donation of combination locks and Oh, The Places You'll Go! books for my students making the big leap from elementary to middle school.\r\n\r\nYour thoughtful gifts did more than just mark the end of a school year—they marked a rite of passage. The locks represent a new sense of independence and responsibility, while the books offer encouragement, wisdom, and inspiration as my students step into the next exciting chapter of their education journey.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, each student walked away not only with tools for success, but also with the feeling that they are seen, supported, and believed in. Your kindness made the transition just a little less intimidating—and a lot more special. Thank you for helping me send my students off with confidence, hope, and a tangible reminder that they're capable of great things.","fullyFundedDate":1746446044409,"projectUrl":"project/life-skills-learning-farewell-gift/9286356/","projectTitle":"Life Skills & Learning Farewell Gift","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kuiper","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3565816_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1466617906692","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-kuiper"},{"teacherId":9522122,"projectId":8961731,"letterContent":"We are in full swing with our Me on the Map unit. Through this unit, our students learn about diversity between individuals, families, and cities. We also start by focusing on ourselves and then zoom out to use maps to locate our homes, streets, cities, state, country, continent, and finally, planet. Students have loved the new books we are able to use that teach us about diversity in various settings. They often refer back to these books as we have class discussions.\r\nIn addition, students love having the magnetic rod at our writing wall in order for them to see teacher copies, examples, and generate new ideas. You are supporting our love of writing!","fullyFundedDate":1733164707761,"projectUrl":"project/books-books-books/8961731/","projectTitle":"Books, Books, Books!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. McCarthy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9522122_orig.jpg?crop=1280,1280,x0,y162&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1714436192211","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msmccarthymi"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_68171","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":426,"numTeachers":44,"percentFrplEligible":66,"percentAsian":8,"percentBlack":4,"percentWhite":22,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":57,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"9.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":70.6,"schoolId":68171,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Great Lakes Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Great Lakes Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/michigan/west-ottawa-public-school-district/great-lakes-elementary-school/68171"}