{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Highlands Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":10.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":4018403,"projectId":10036830,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our Transitional Kindergarten Project \"Creative Construction for Curious TK Kids\". Your generosity is helping create a learning environment filled with creativity, exploration, and meaningful hands-on experiences for our youngest learners.\r\n\r\nThe loose parts materials, shape frames for loose part art, and wooden trays will make a huge difference in our classroom every single day. Our students learn best through play, discovery, and open-ended exploration, and these materials encourage exactly that.\r\n\r\nThe wooden trays will help create visible, organized, and inviting learning spaces where children can independently access materials and make thoughtful choices. The trays will also support our STEM, art, and math centers by giving students defined spaces to build, sort, design, count, create patterns, and problem-solve.\r\n\r\nThe loose parts and shape frames will inspire creativity, imagination, and critical thinking as students design pictures, explore geometry, and express themselves through art. These experiences build early math, language, and social skills while making learning joyful and engaging.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in the power of play-based learning and for investing in our classroom community. Your kindness is giving our TK students opportunities to explore, create, and grow with confidence every day.","fullyFundedDate":1774963807590,"projectUrl":"project/creative-construction-for-curious-tk-kid/10036830/","projectTitle":"Creative Construction for Curious TK Kids","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Davis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msdavisk3"},{"teacherId":617302,"projectId":9987923,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our DonorsChoose project for loose parts and sorting trays. Because of you, our classroom is filled with new opportunities for hands-on exploration, creativity, and meaningful learning.\r\n\r\nThese materials are already making a big impact. Students are using the loose parts to build, create, and imagine in ways that strengthen their problem-solving and critical thinking skills. The sorting trays are helping them organize their thinking as they sort, count, classify, and explore patterns. Through play, they are developing important math and language skills in a way that feels engaging and fun.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, these materials encourage independence and creativity. Each child is able to explore at their own level, make choices, and express their ideas in unique ways. It has been so special to watch their confidence grow as they interact with these new tools.\r\n\r\nYour generosity is making a difference every single day in our classroom. Thank you for investing in our students and supporting their learning journey.","fullyFundedDate":1776659811843,"projectUrl":"project/loose-parts-big-hearts-inspiring-creat/9987923/","projectTitle":"Loose Parts, Big Hearts: Inspiring Creativity in TK","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wenzel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp617302_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y7&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1677306138186","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-wenzel"},{"teacherId":617302,"projectId":10126976,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in funding our classroom wagon. Your kindness has made a meaningful difference in our daily routines!\r\n\r\nThis wagon will help us safely and easily transport lunches and water bottles as we travel to music, the library, and lunchtime. For our young learners, having an organized and efficient way to carry our belongings helps everything run more smoothly and allows us to focus more on learning and enjoying our day.\r\n\r\nWe are so grateful for your support and for investing in our students' experience. Your generosity truly makes a difference in the little moments that add up to a big impact.","fullyFundedDate":1773279458931,"projectUrl":"project/the-wheels-on-the-wagon/10126976/","projectTitle":"The Wheels on the Wagon","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wenzel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp617302_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y7&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1677306138186","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-wenzel"},{"teacherId":4018403,"projectId":9896197,"letterContent":"Our classroom is filled with excitement and creativity thanks to your incredible generosity! 💛\r\n\r\nThe Giant Magna-Tiles, Magna-Tiles Animal Set, Magna-Tiles Animal Kingdom Blocks, Marble Run, and our beautiful Elements of Art & Design posters have already transformed the way our students explore and learn.\r\n\r\nWith the Magna-Tiles and Animal Kingdom blocks, our students are building zoos, habitats, castles, and imaginative worlds while strengthening problem-solving, collaboration, and early engineering skills. \r\n\r\nThe Marble Run has sparked curiosity, critical thinking, and joyful experimentation as students test, redesign, and celebrate their creations.\r\n\r\nOur Elements of Art & Design posters are giving our young artists in grades TK-5 the language to talk about line, shape, color, and texture, helping them see themselves as true creators.\r\n\r\nYour support provides more than materials — it provides opportunity, confidence, and hands-on learning experiences that will benefit our students every single day.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our classroom and investing in our little learners. Your generosity truly makes a lasting difference!","fullyFundedDate":1763609171436,"projectUrl":"project/magnets-imagination-tk-success/9896197/","projectTitle":"Magnets + Imagination = Tk Success!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Davis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msdavisk3"},{"teacherId":602233,"projectId":9832123,"letterContent":"This is my favorite project of the year. We just starting writing this week. We are writing choose your own adventure stories. The kids are so excited. They have been asking since I got the materials when we would get started. I have been reading them choose your own adventure stories where our goal is to try and survive whatever perils face us. They will use these to help model how they will write theirs. They have research and animal with defense mechanisms. I need to be able to see their research in their writing. They will also be the illustrators of their books.","fullyFundedDate":1760826260408,"projectUrl":"project/making-our-own-books/9832123/","projectTitle":"Making Our Own Books","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Torrez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/l-torrez"},{"teacherId":602233,"projectId":9610189,"letterContent":"I cannot begin to thank you enough for your generous donations to my class projects. My kids love books and are constantly reading. Anytime they are done they automatically pick up a book to read. They are keeping me in my toes to make sure I have exactly what they like to read. Every year the kids are different with different wants and needs. Your donations help me have the newest and greatest books. There is always something they want to read. As soon as I get new books someone grabs it off the shelf to read.","fullyFundedDate":1755739489829,"projectUrl":"project/new-class-new-books/9610189/","projectTitle":"New Class, New Books","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Torrez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/l-torrez"},{"teacherId":617302,"projectId":9569525,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our DonorsChoose project for art materials. Because of you, our Transitional Kindergarten students now have access to paint sticks, colorful construction paper, smelly markers, and paint cups that have brought creativity and joy into our classroom.\r\n\r\nThese materials have given our students the freedom to explore, create, and express themselves in meaningful ways. Using paint sticks and markers strengthens fine motor skills, while colorful paper and paint encourage imagination, self-expression, and confidence. For some of our students, this is their first experience working with high-quality art supplies, and the excitement is contagious.\r\n\r\nArt plays a powerful role in social-emotional development, problem-solving, and early learning. Through open-ended art experiences, our students are learning to make choices, take risks, and feel proud of their unique creations. Your generosity has helped create a classroom environment where creativity is valued and every child feels like an artist.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in the importance of the arts and for investing in our students. Your support has made a lasting impact on our young learners.","fullyFundedDate":1763613295376,"projectUrl":"project/little-hands-big-masterpieces/9569525/","projectTitle":"Little Hands, Big Masterpieces!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wenzel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp617302_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y7&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1677306138186","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-wenzel"},{"teacherId":617302,"projectId":9840340,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our DonorsChoose project. Because of you, our Transitional Kindergarten students now have access to coding critter toys and frog balance scales that are already making a meaningful impact in our classroom.\r\n\r\nThe coding critters have sparked so much excitement and curiosity. Our students are learning early problem-solving, sequencing, and critical thinking skills through hands-on play. Watching them collaborate, test ideas, and celebrate their successes has been truly rewarding.\r\n\r\nThe frog balance scales have become a favorite during math and science exploration. Students are developing a strong foundation in number sense, comparison, and measurement while engaging in playful, meaningful learning. These materials support our play-based approach and help make abstract concepts concrete and accessible for young learners.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has directly enriched the learning experiences of our students and has helped create a classroom environment filled with wonder, exploration, and joy. We are so grateful for your belief in our students and for investing in their education.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping our little learners grow, explore, and thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1763614072850,"projectUrl":"project/building-bright-thinkers-in-tk-with-stem/9840340/","projectTitle":"Building Bright Thinkers in TK with STEM!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wenzel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp617302_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y7&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1677306138186","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-wenzel"},{"teacherId":9111328,"projectId":9427640,"letterContent":"These materials directly support evidence-based literacy instruction for students with dyslexia by strengthening foundational skills, engagement, and access to grade-level content. The National Geographic Nonfiction Readers provide structured, high-interest texts that build background knowledge while supporting decoding, fluency, and comprehension. Nonfiction texts are especially valuable for students with dyslexia because they offer predictable text features, visual supports, and authentic vocabulary exposure, allowing students to apply phonics skills in meaningful contexts and build confidence as readers.\r\n\r\nThe hand2mind phonemic awareness and phonics manipulatives, including Elkonin boxes and word mapping tools, are essential for explicit, multisensory instruction aligned with the Science of Reading. These materials allow students to physically manipulate sounds, syllables, and phoneme–grapheme correspondences, which is critical for students with dyslexia who require repeated, structured practice to develop automaticity. Using consistent manipulatives across lessons supports skill generalization and helps students internalize sound–symbol relationships more effectively than verbal instruction alone.\r\n\r\nThe magnetic lined whiteboards and Mrs Wordsmith phonics card game further reinforce active engagement and structured practice. Individual whiteboards allow students to practice encoding, sentence construction, and spelling patterns with immediate feedback in a low-risk format, reducing anxiety and encouraging participation. The phonics card game adds an element of structured play, which increases motivation while reinforcing decoding and phonics patterns in a way that is accessible and supportive for learners with dyslexia. Together, these materials create a cohesive instructional toolkit that promotes skill development, engagement, and reading growth across our dyslexia classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1760719159968,"projectUrl":"project/tools-to-help-dyslexic-learners-thrive/9427640/","projectTitle":"Tools to Help Dyslexic Learners Thrive","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. David","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9111328_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1691261009262","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9111328"},{"teacherId":4018403,"projectId":9684656,"letterContent":"Your generous donations have provided our TK students with the beginning of many days of exploration and learning in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Art changing our STEM Day to a STEAM Day in TK.\r\n\r\nThe Educational Balance Game and Counting Frog Set will be great for hands-on math practice making earning math fun and interactive. \r\n\r\nThe Mindware Start-Up Circuits and Space Rover Coding Set are perfect for exploring technology and early coding skills. \r\n\r\n The primary and neon color Wikki Stix add a creative touch for art projects, \r\n\r\nand the Engineering Creative Construction Building Blocks will inspire endless building and engineering imagination.\r\n\r\nWe truly appreciate these amazing educational materials—thank you for your generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1757715976085,"projectUrl":"project/stem-day-in-tk/9684656/","projectTitle":"STEM Day in TK!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Davis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msdavisk3"},{"teacherId":4018403,"projectId":9259025,"letterContent":"My Transitional Kindergarten students and I are so grateful for your donations to our classroom.\r\n\r\nBeing able to experience different art mediums has brought excitement and energy to not only this project but other end of the year activities.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has allowed for my transitional kindergarteners to create three- dimensional art filed with color, life, dimensions and imagination. It has provided the opportunity for collaborative projects, enhanced fine motor skills and discussions among the students about their visons and the art they have created. These materials are an exciting opportunity for us to experience new mediums.\r\n\r\nSeveral of the students created their own paper dioramas, crowns and cards for their families and each other.\r\n\r\nI can't thank you enough for supporting not only this new opportunity but for allowing my students to experience this activity.","fullyFundedDate":1746573835103,"projectUrl":"project/creating-like-eric-carle-take-2/9259025/","projectTitle":"Creating Like Eric Carle Take 2","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Davis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msdavisk3"},{"teacherId":4018403,"projectId":9185664,"letterContent":"I am so very grateful for your generous donations to my TK class.\r\n\r\nThe hands-on opportunities with the Living Things Magnetic Activity Tins and Insect Lore Products Life Cycle Figurines provide us opportunities to engage in life-cycle conversations and learning with manipulatives. A necessary tool for learning at this young age. Your donations give us the opportunity to learn to sort with the self -checking activity that is so important to learning and mastery of skills.\r\n\r\nThe Science Can Solar System and Marble Run Toy allows us endless opportunities to experience the engineering and science strands of STEM. \r\n\r\nThe Preschool Puzzle Library provides us critical thinking and reasoning opportunities through trial and error all while enhancing our fine motor skills.\r\n\r\nThe Museum gel is a safe medium for hanging our mirrors, giving us time and opportunity to look at ourselves to help us identify the emotions we feel. \r\n\r\nThe laminating sheets provide us a means of saving our amazing art to present tour families.","fullyFundedDate":1746670578656,"projectUrl":"project/benefitting-brain-and-body-in-tk/9185664/","projectTitle":"Benefitting Brain and Body in TK!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Davis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msdavisk3"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_4135","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":502,"numTeachers":25,"percentFrplEligible":13,"percentAsian":17,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":34,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":25,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":19,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"20.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":90.0,"schoolId":4135,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Highlands Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Highlands Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/mount-diablo-unified-school-district/highlands-elementary-school/4135"}