{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Griffith Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":35.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":112625,"projectId":10128554,"letterContent":"The new button maker has brought so much creativity and excitement into our classroom! My students were amazed when they first saw the machine and could not wait to turn their own artwork and ideas into real buttons. We have been using it to celebrate student accomplishments, encourage positive character traits, and create special keepsakes connected to our classroom learning.\r\n\r\nOne memorable moment was watching students proudly hold up their finished buttons after carefully planning and creating their designs. The project gave them an opportunity to express themselves while practicing creativity, attention to detail, and perseverance. Our next step is for students to design buttons connected to current lessons, including important vocabulary, book themes, and encouraging messages for classmates. We are also excited to explore making magnets, keychains, and bottle openers for future classroom projects and celebrations. Thank you for providing a resource that makes learning meaningful, creative, and fun!","fullyFundedDate":1774614278556,"projectUrl":"project/making-learning-pop-with-buttons/10128554/","projectTitle":"Making Learning POP with Buttons!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fraas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp112625_orig.jpg?crop=396,396,x48,y446&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1574863505017","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/fraasd"},{"teacherId":112625,"projectId":10442761,"letterContent":"The Word Origins materials from Ventris Learning have brought excitement and curiosity into our classroom! My students are using these resources to explore how words are built by studying roots, prefixes, suffixes, and word origins. During a recent lesson, students worked together to break unfamiliar words into meaningful parts and were excited to discover that they could use those parts to determine each word's meaning.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the new materials, they were eager to look through them and begin learning. They especially enjoyed becoming \"word detectives\" and making connections between words they already knew and new vocabulary.\r\n\r\nOur next step is to apply this knowledge while reading and writing across different subjects. Students will continue building word families, studying word histories, and using word parts to understand challenging vocabulary independently. Thank you to our generous donors and Exponential Scholars for providing resources that are helping my students become stronger, more confident readers, writers, and thinkers!","fullyFundedDate":1787585165113,"projectUrl":"project/rooted-in-reading-bringing-word-origins/10442761/","projectTitle":"Rooted in Reading: Bringing Word Origins to Fourth Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fraas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp112625_orig.jpg?crop=396,396,x48,y446&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1574863505017","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/fraasd"},{"teacherId":112625,"projectId":10468940,"letterContent":"Our students have been so excited to have new games to play and learn from in our classroom! These games give students meaningful opportunities to practice turn-taking, following directions, problem-solving, counting, strategy, patience, and communication while having fun with their classmates. During game time, it has been wonderful to see students encourage one another, celebrate each other's successes, and learn how to handle both winning and losing appropriately.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new games, they were full of excitement! They immediately wanted to explore the different games and decide which ones they could play together. One of our favorite moments has been watching students work as a team and remind each other of the rules while playing games such as Connect 4, Mancala, and Operation.\r\n\r\nOur next steps are to continue using these games during small-group activities and as opportunities to build positive peer relationships. Students will continue practicing important social-emotional skills such as cooperation, patience, problem-solving, and respectful communication. We are incredibly grateful to our donors for providing resources that make learning engaging while helping our students build friendships and important life skills.","fullyFundedDate":1787584862179,"projectUrl":"project/game-on-creating-an-engaging-indoor-rec/10468940/","projectTitle":"Game On! Creating an Engaging Indoor Recess","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fraas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp112625_orig.jpg?crop=396,396,x48,y446&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1574863505017","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/fraasd"},{"teacherId":112625,"projectId":10326382,"letterContent":"Our students have been so excited to dive into the Dragon Masters book series! The new books have encouraged many of our students to read more often and have given them an exciting series to look forward to. One special classroom moment was watching students eagerly choose a Dragon Masters book, find a comfortable spot to read, and then share their favorite characters and parts of the story with their classmates.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new books, they were thrilled! They immediately wanted to look through the different titles and talk about which dragons and characters they remembered. Some students who are sometimes hesitant to read became especially interested because the stories are fun, adventurous, and engaging.\r\n\r\nOur next steps are to continue building reading stamina and comprehension through the series. Students will read independently and with partners, discuss characters and events, make predictions, and practice explaining their thinking using evidence from the text. We are so thankful to our donors for helping us build a classroom library that makes reading feel exciting and accessible. Your generosity is helping our students discover the joy of reading and become more confident readers every day!","fullyFundedDate":1784418199738,"projectUrl":"project/where-dragons-and-readers-take-flight/10326382/","projectTitle":"Where Dragons and Readers Take Flight","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fraas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp112625_orig.jpg?crop=396,396,x48,y446&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1574863505017","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/fraasd"},{"teacherId":112625,"projectId":10204589,"letterContent":"We are already putting the new resources to wonderful use! Our students have been especially excited about creating an outdoor learning and play space where they can build, explore, practice social skills, and learn through hands-on activities. The picnic table has become a favorite place for students to gather for small-group activities, conversations, and creative projects. The glow fort building set gives them opportunities to work together, plan, problem-solve, and use their imaginations while building different structures.\r\n\r\nThe students were thrilled when they first saw the materials! There was so much excitement as they explored everything and started sharing ideas about what they wanted to build and which games they wanted to play. It was wonderful to see students naturally encouraging one another, taking turns, and working as a team.\r\n\r\nOur next steps are to continue developing our outdoor learning area and incorporate these materials into upcoming lessons and activities. Students will have opportunities to design and build structures, participate in carnival-style games that support coordination and following directions, and observe the natural environment around them. We are also excited to use the bird bath and trellis as part of nature-based learning, giving students opportunities to observe birds, plants, insects, and seasonal changes.\r\n\r\nThese resources are helping us create more opportunities for students to learn through movement, creativity, collaboration, and exploration. We are so grateful to our donors for helping make these experiences possible and for giving our students a classroom environment where learning can be active, engaging, and fun!","fullyFundedDate":1778796625296,"projectUrl":"project/open-sky-learning/10204589/","projectTitle":"Open Sky Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fraas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp112625_orig.jpg?crop=396,396,x48,y446&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1574863505017","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/fraasd"},{"teacherId":10440753,"projectId":10116374,"letterContent":"January will be an exciting month for Griffith Elementary! Griffith will be preparing for our upcoming school-wide reading program. Using the Donors Choose books provided by our generous sponsors. Griffith Elementary will be 'traveling' to Alaska through the Magic Tree House book Balto and Robert J. Blake's Togo. Students will learn about sled teams, strength, determination, perseverance, historical events, and the Iditarod. By looking at how the heroes of old paved the way for modern extreme athletes, our students will have the opportunity to visit the world outside of themselves and become richer for the experience.\r\n\r\nWe use read aloud for our students to build excitement about reading. We introduce authors and books so students will want to read more adventures in a particular series or by a particular author. We have chosen Magic Tree House books. We also use these books to build interest in topics that are new to students, and hope their natural curiosity will cause them to learn even more on the subject/areas. \r\n\r\nAs a school wide read aloud we incorporate all subject areas. We learn about force and motion for sled dogs in science and PE. We use sled teams and their journeys in the Iditarod Race to calculate distances, how much further, how much time will that take and each classroom has their own team to follow. There are so many ways we can use the novel and incorporate learning. Even pet care and what specialized needs these athletes and dogs may have. The weather is something Kindergarten can focus on because it is so much different than ours. :)\r\n\r\nThank you again for your donation! It makes an impact on ALL of our students.","fullyFundedDate":1773885210023,"projectUrl":"project/school-wide-read-aloud/10116374/","projectTitle":"School Wide Read Aloud","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Crystal Donley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10440753"},{"teacherId":8813881,"projectId":10202867,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your contribution to my classroom! I have already had to give out band aids and my students were so excited to get a cool, unique one! The sniffles have already started too, so the tissues are so helpful to have! \r\nI pride myself on having items on hand to meet my students needs. Working at a low income school, our students come to us seeking comfort and love. Having something as simple as band aids and tissues bring comfort and meet the immediate needs of my students.\r\nI cannot thank you enough for supporting public educators and our community!","fullyFundedDate":1785325268671,"projectUrl":"project/heal-the-boo-boos-and-catch-the-runny-no/10202867/","projectTitle":"Heal the Boo Boos and Catch the Runny Noses!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wilson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8813881_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1667338655152","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8813881"},{"teacherId":5222435,"projectId":9644293,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and support of our classroom. Because of your kindness, my students now have access to a stand-up desk, dry erase markers, a new cart to organize our small group materials, and dry erase graph whiteboards. These resources have already made a meaningful impact on our daily learning experiences, and we are incredibly grateful for your investment in our students' success.\r\n\r\nThe dry erase graph whiteboards and markers have transformed the way students participate in math lessons. Instead of solving problems only on paper, students can now quickly model their thinking, graph data, and explain their strategies during whole-group and small-group instruction. One memorable classroom moment occurred during a recent lesson on graphing and data analysis. Students worked in teams to collect classroom data, create graphs on their whiteboards, and present their findings to their classmates. The excitement and confidence they showed while sharing their work demonstrated how these resources encourage active participation and collaboration.\r\n\r\nThe new cart has also made a tremendous difference. It keeps our small group materials organized and easily accessible, allowing transitions between activities to be smoother and more efficient. Students are taking greater ownership of their learning because they can independently access the materials they need. This extra organization has given us more instructional time and created a more productive learning environment.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new materials, their reactions were priceless. Their faces lit up with excitement as they explored each item. They immediately began asking questions about how we would use the graph boards and who would get a chance to work at the stand-up desk. The enthusiasm was contagious, and students felt truly special knowing that people they had never met cared enough to support their learning. It was a wonderful opportunity to talk about kindness, generosity, and the power of community.\r\n\r\nAs we continue through the school year, these resources will play an important role in our current and future projects. Right now, students are building their skills in mathematical reasoning, problem-solving, and collaborative learning. The graph whiteboards will allow them to practice representing and analyzing data in more engaging ways, while the small group materials cart will support differentiated instruction tailored to student needs. We are also preparing for project-based learning activities that will require students to work together, share ideas, and communicate their thinking clearly.","fullyFundedDate":1757423259674,"projectUrl":"project/learning-through-small-groups/9644293/","projectTitle":"Learning through Small Groups","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Swift","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5222435_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1529066940625","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5222435"},{"teacherId":6415764,"projectId":10053393,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our classroom and helping us create an assessment environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, my students now have access to tools that promote focus, independence, and fairness during testing and small-group assessments. The addition of privacy screens gives each student a defined personal space, reducing visual distractions and limiting the urge to compare their work to others. This is especially important in an Exceptional Children classroom, where many students face challenges with attention, anxiety, impulse control, or sensory processing. Even small distractions can significantly affect their performance, so these screens make a meaningful difference in helping students stay engaged and confident.\r\n\r\nThe portable standing desk has also transformed the way I support my students during assessments. Being able to stand and move allows me to monitor all students at once, ensure testing integrity, and provide accommodations as needed without being confined to one spot. This flexibility helps me respond quickly and effectively, ensuring that each student receives the support they require in the moment.\r\n\r\nTogether, these resources create a structured yet supportive testing environment that promotes independent work, reduces anxiety, and supports students who need clear boundaries. Most importantly, they allow me to collect accurate, reliable data that truly reflects each student's abilities. This data is essential for guiding instruction and making informed decisions about individualized education plans (IEPs).\r\n\r\nYour support is making assessments more fair, respectful, and meaningful for every student in my classroom. Because of you, my students can better show what they know and feel more confident doing so.","fullyFundedDate":1770923590467,"projectUrl":"project/helping-every-student-show-what-they-kno/10053393/","projectTitle":"Helping Every Student Show What They Know—Independently","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Trillo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6415764_orig.jpg?crop=2048,2048,x0,y430&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718641657829","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ecresource"},{"teacherId":6415764,"projectId":10028158,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and support of our classroom. Your kindness has made a meaningful difference for both my students and our daily learning environment.\r\n\r\nThis year has been especially challenging with a difficult flu season affecting so many students and staff. Having access to baby wipes, disinfecting wipes, sprays, cleaners, and tissues has had an immediate and lasting impact on our classroom. These supplies help us keep shared spaces cleaner, respond quickly to spills and messes, and reduce the spread of germs throughout the day.\r\n\r\nThe impact of these items goes far beyond simple cleaning. Students are able to stay healthier, miss fewer days of school, and feel more comfortable in a classroom that is safe and well cared for. Tissues are always within reach, desks and tables can be sanitized regularly, and students are learning valuable habits about hygiene and personal responsibility.\r\n\r\nA clean classroom supports stronger learning. When students feel well and can remain in school consistently, they are better able to focus, participate, and grow academically and socially. Your support helps protect instructional time and creates an environment where students can thrive.\r\n\r\nI love my students for their resilience, kindness, and enthusiasm for learning, even during difficult times. Because of your generosity, they know their classroom is a place where they are cared for and supported. Having these much needed supplies, helped take the edge off for a few students that cannot grasp the concept of one tissue at a time or to keep their fingers out of their nose. \r\n\r\nNow that we are in full blown allergy season this is again a huge blessing. Thank you for investing in our students and helping us create a healthier, happier classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1769104250227,"projectUrl":"project/clean-spaces-healthy-faces-ready-to-le/10028158/","projectTitle":"Clean Spaces, Healthy Faces, Ready-to-Learn Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Trillo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6415764_orig.jpg?crop=2048,2048,x0,y430&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718641657829","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ecresource"},{"teacherId":8813881,"projectId":9674462,"letterContent":"Thank you again for donating to our school! Over winter break I was able to make all of the labels for the bottles with student names and make each bottle for our students. It took some time, but with your donated supplies I was able to make a personalized water bottle for each student.\r\nWith the warm weather coming in, students will be outside in the heat more and more. Many don't have a reusable water bottle of their own. Giving them a Griffith Gents water bottle with their name on it will not only be helpful, but will be something they can carry with pride.","fullyFundedDate":1767134306772,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-young-men-with-pride-gents-c/9674462/","projectTitle":"Empowering Young Men With Pride: Gents Club Water Bottles","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wilson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8813881_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1667338655152","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8813881"},{"teacherId":6415764,"projectId":9826331,"letterContent":"I never imagined that diapering would become part of my role given my training and position in special education—but it has become a very real and necessary part of supporting my students. Without a proper changing station and consistent district support, this responsibility often felt unsafe and, at times, compromised the dignity and hygiene of both students and staff.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, that has changed.\r\n\r\nThe supplies you provided—gloves, covers, and aprons—have made an immediate impact across multiple classrooms. For many of us, these were items we had not been consistently supplied with, despite their importance. Having access to proper protective equipment has allowed us to care for our students in a way that is both safe and respectful.\r\n\r\nThe scratch guards have been especially meaningful. They have prevented countless abrasions and injuries; in fact, we now notice immediately when we forget to wear them. That alone speaks volumes about how essential they've become in our daily routines.\r\n\r\nAnd the pull-ups have made a huge difference in maintaining cleanliness and dignity. Without them, we were constantly cycling through clothing changes, which was difficult for both students and staff. Now, we're able to manage these needs more effectively and with far less disruption.\r\n\r\nYour support has directly improved the safety, hygiene, and dignity of our classroom environment—for our students and for those of us who care for them every day. We are truly grateful.\r\n\r\nThank you for making this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1768324058571,"projectUrl":"project/the-perils-of-diaper-duty-diaper-change/9826331/","projectTitle":"The Perils of Diaper Duty: Diaper Changes for Our Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Trillo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6415764_orig.jpg?crop=2048,2048,x0,y430&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718641657829","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ecresource"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_1488","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":575,"numTeachers":46,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":41,"percentWhite":9,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":41,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":5,"gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"12.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":64.4,"schoolId":1488,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Griffith Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Griffith Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/north-carolina/winston-salem-forsyth-county-schools/griffith-elementary-school/1488"}