{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Helen J Stewart Special School","outOfStateSupporters":60.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8163961,"projectId":9571640,"letterContent":"Here's a polished, heartfelt paragraph you can use for DonorsChoose, a thank-you note, or a project update:\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\nThe sports equipment our classroom received has made an incredible difference in my special needs classroom. These items have created new opportunities for my students to develop motor skills, socialization, turn taking, and confidence in a safe and supportive environment. We now use these games to practice turn-taking, teamwork, emotional regulation, and following multi-step directions—all critical skills for my students. Most importantly, the equipment has brought so much joy into our room; students who were once hesitant to join physical activities are now eager, engaged, and proud of their successes. Your generosity has helped create an inclusive space where every child can learn, grow, and shine. Thank you for making such a meaningful impact on our classroom community.","fullyFundedDate":1758289712906,"projectUrl":"project/moving-toward-success/9571640/","projectTitle":"Moving Toward Success!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lynda","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8163961_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1661865865244","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8163961"},{"teacherId":7656060,"projectId":9372689,"letterContent":"On behalf of our students and staff, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks for your generous donation of a mini fridge to our classroom.\r\n\r\n This fridge has already made a meaningful difference in our daily learning activities, especially in our cooking projects. These hands on projects are not just about making snacks or meals, they're powerful tools for teaching life skills, communication, independence, and sensory engagement. Having access to a fridge allows us to safely store ingredients and leftovers, plan more engaging lessons, and give students the opportunity to participate in real world tasks in a supportive and structured environment.\r\n\r\n Your support helps us create a classroom where all students can thrive and learn in ways that are meaningful and accessible to them. Thank you for being part of that mission.","fullyFundedDate":1756444947316,"projectUrl":"project/refresh-and-recharge-mini-fridge/9372689/","projectTitle":"Refresh and Recharge: Mini Fridge","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Flora","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7656060_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1632970772205","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7656060"},{"teacherId":8163961,"projectId":9270613,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our \"Bank it, Save it, Spend it\" project. Your generosity brought financial literacy to life for my students in a meaningful and lasting way.\r\n\r\nWith the materials you helped fund, we've created a full classroom economy that not only teaches budgeting and money management, but also reinforces responsibility, positive behavior, and real-world math skills. One of our favorite parts of the project is how we repurposed the \"cell phone holder\" into our very own \"Pot O' Gold Bank\"—a secure and structured \"safe deposit box\" where each student stores their earned classroom dollars. The pride they feel in managing their personal \"account\" is truly heartwarming.\r\n\r\nStudents earn \"cash\" throughout the week for demonstrating good behavior, staying on task in class, and showing responsibility at our off-campus work sites. Then, on Thursdays, our classroom transforms into a lively marketplace as students visit the \"Rainbow Reward Shop.\" They take their money out of their safe deposit box, count it using a counting jig, bring their money to the shop, count it again using a money jig to double-check their totals, and see if they have enough for the items they've been eyeing. If they do, they proudly exchange their dollars with our classroom cashier. If not, they place their item on layaway and continue saving. This simple weekly event has become a powerful lesson in patience, planning, and perseverance.\r\n\r\nThe excitement and sense of ownership my students have shown is incredible. That growth in confidence is exactly what we hoped for—and it's all thanks to you.\r\nLooking ahead, we plan to expand this system by taking our students to a store and have them use their newly acquired purchasing skills.\r\n\r\nYour donation has given my students more than just materials—you've given them a chance to practice real-life skills in a way that is fun, meaningful, and memorable. From all of us, thank you for being part of our journey.","fullyFundedDate":1753117071282,"projectUrl":"project/bank-it-save-it-spend-it/9270613/","projectTitle":"Bank It, Save It, Spend It!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lynda","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8163961_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1661865865244","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8163961"},{"teacherId":5371436,"projectId":9102241,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our classroom is now alive with sound—we received the JBL sound system, and it has already transformed our learning environment. From the moment we powered it on, students lit up. We can finally play audio that is clear, full, and engaging enough for every learner in the room to hear.\r\nThis upgrade makes a daily difference. During read-alouds and lessons, students can follow along without straining. In small-group activities, we use music to set routines and regulate energy—calming tracks for focus, upbeat rhythms for movement breaks, and soundscapes for creative writing. Clear audio also supports our students who benefit from auditory cues and structured listening; it helps us model pacing, tone, and pronunciation, and it keeps everyone included.\r\nA few early wins:\r\n\r\nListening centers are clearer, so students can attend to stories and informational texts with improved comprehension.\r\n\r\nBrain breaks are more effective—and fun—because the music is crisp, not tinny.\r\n\r\nVideos and virtual field trips feel \"real,\" drawing students into content they might otherwise overlook.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, our students feel seen. They know someone beyond our classroom believes in their potential. That message, carried on every note from this sound system, is powerful.\r\nThank you for investing in us and for turning an everyday classroom into a vibrant place to learn. We promise to keep the volume of gratitude high and the feedback positive—literally and figuratively.","fullyFundedDate":1742409875031,"projectUrl":"project/better-sound-equals-a-better-experience/9102241/","projectTitle":"Better Sound Equals a Better Experience!","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Williams","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5371436_orig.jpg?crop=1021,1021,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1699628097988","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5371436"},{"teacherId":9642330,"projectId":9069720,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for this donation! With it, we have been able to make customized projects for our students, and creating beautiful spaces in the classroom at the same time. We've been able to make a better birthday board, cool down area, backpack area, and the board out front of our classroom.\r\nThe kids love seeing the different ways the cricut can work and what it can do. They help me peel the design away from the backing and place it on cardstock. We hope to use the machine in the future to assist the students in learning their names and letters and numbers and many more.\r\nThank you from all of us at room 5!!","fullyFundedDate":1742409874946,"projectUrl":"project/artists-of-room-5/9069720/","projectTitle":"Artists of Room 5","teacherDisplayName":"Mx. Onix","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9642330_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723329527778","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/onixbritt"},{"teacherId":7755116,"projectId":8996393,"letterContent":"Music empowers our students with special needs by offering a unique way to communicate and express emotions beyond words. Instruments provide a hands-on method to explore creativity and self-expression.\r\n\r\nGroup music activities foster social skills, cooperation, and confidence. Students learn to take turns, collaborate, and feel a sense of belonging while contributing to collective efforts.\r\n\r\nMusic also supports cognitive growth, memory, and focus while helping students regulate emotions. Integrating music in learning promotes engagement, independence, and joy, allowing every student to reach their potential.","fullyFundedDate":1742964916819,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-special-needs-students-throu/8996393/","projectTitle":"\"Empowering Special Needs Students Through Music and Instruments\"","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sherry","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7755116"},{"teacherId":9348054,"projectId":9039546,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the science kits! My students have loved doing projects over the past two months. We held a \"physics\" expo with these projects. They chose which ones they wanted to do from a certain category, and did them together one on one so they clearly understood the assignment. We talked about energy from different sources, like batteries, solar, water, and salt energy! Some of them they did as team projects and competed against each other. It was great fun and a awesome way to bring science to students who struggle with reading comprehension, as the pictures were very clear. Thank you again!","fullyFundedDate":1739801913703,"projectUrl":"project/stemming-the-gap-bring-science-kits-to/9039546/","projectTitle":"STEMming the Gap: Bring Science Kits to Autism Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cait","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9348054_orig.jpg?crop=1619,1619,x222,y261&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1698865216913","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/caitlin-hjs"},{"teacherId":2476072,"projectId":9048250,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for all the great yarns. My students have been making birds to go in their basket nests they made prior to this. They are so fun and cute and my kiddos love the tactile aspect of the thick, soft yarn. Even my students who are tactile defensive love the feel of this yarn. It's almost like cashmere. Next year, we will be creating a lot more art projects with it. We love yarn paintings from Mexico and finger weaving. Again, thank you so much for your generous donation to my project. It is so appreciated.","fullyFundedDate":1742934285605,"projectUrl":"project/thick-weaving-yarns/9048250/","projectTitle":"Thick Weaving Yarns","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mazerov","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2476072_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1588305962509","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2476072"},{"teacherId":9873282,"projectId":9005194,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in funding our classroom project! Because of your support, our learning environment has been transformed with new materials that are already making a meaningful difference.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived we started using the resources right away, the excitement was contagious. Students were wide-eyed and full of energy, eager to explore everything. It was a heartwarming reminder of how much your contribution means.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we're continuing our work on the sensory corner these resources will support them every step of the way, helping them build confidence, collaborate with peers, and manage social emotional behavior.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving us this opportunity. Your kindness has made a lasting impact, and we're so grateful you're a part of our classroom journey.","fullyFundedDate":1739367639077,"projectUrl":"project/room-5-sensory-time/9005194/","projectTitle":"Room 5 Sensory Time!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Sean","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9873282"},{"teacherId":2476072,"projectId":9060971,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting my classroom. Having all these wonderful cardstock papers to choose from has been such a blessing. My students made name sculptures and table decorations for our graduating seniors so far. They are loving all the choices. I cannot wait to see what they create next. \r\nThank you again for your generous donation to my project and for supporting my students and their learning journey.","fullyFundedDate":1742409874919,"projectUrl":"project/creating-materials/9060971/","projectTitle":"Creating Materials","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mazerov","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2476072_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1588305962509","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2476072"},{"teacherId":2476072,"projectId":9228357,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the donation to my project. Having a student with severe medical issues who was born without eyes, these books will enhance her education. She loves listening to the stories as she is able to feel along with the books. This matches along with her educational goals. She will enjoy them for many years as there are a lot of books and she is a gentle little girl. \r\nThank you again for your generosity. It means so much to her and all the teachers who work with her.","fullyFundedDate":1744221359309,"projectUrl":"project/touchy-feely-books/9228357/","projectTitle":"Touchy Feely Books","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mazerov","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2476072_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1588305962509","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2476072"},{"teacherId":9351639,"projectId":8996198,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, my students have been engaging in an exciting hands-on project—customizing T-shirts using a heat press and making candles with the assistance of our support staff. These activities have provided incredible opportunities for them to practice their vocational and communication skills meaningfully.\r\nWhen my students first saw the materials, their excitement was undeniable! Since they are non-verbal, they use their communication devices to express their enthusiasm. A standout moment was when they recognized the T-shirt labels and made connections to our Read Across America theme, especially the popular books of Dr. Seuss. Each student had the chance to choose a design for their T-shirt, making the project even more personal and engaging.\r\nMy students will continue to build their communication and vocational skills by participating in similar hands-on activities. These experiences help prepare them for future independence while making learning fun and functional. Thank you for making this possible!","fullyFundedDate":1733853063382,"projectUrl":"project/vocational-and-leisure/8996198/","projectTitle":"Vocational and Leisure","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sheryline","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9351639_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1700590955068","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9351639"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_82940","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":75,"numTeachers":18,"percentFrplEligible":83,"percentAsian":6,"percentBlack":22,"percentWhite":21,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":41,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Not specified","studentTeacherRatio":"4.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":39.7,"schoolId":82940,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Helen J Stewart Special School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Helen J Stewart Special School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/nevada/clark-county-school-district/helen-j-stewart-special-school/82940"}