{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Howard C Reiche Community School","outOfStateSupporters":40.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9347355,"projectId":9692119,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your incredible generosity in providing our classroom with the \"Play, Paint, and Create\" materials. When my students first saw the new supplies, they were absolutely thrilled, and the room was filled with excitement as they explored the possibilities. These tools have given my first graders a vital outlet to express themselves through art, which has significantly benefited both their academic growth and their overall sense of belonging in our classroom.\r\n\r\nWe have already put these resources to amazing use! Most recently, the students used the new watercolors to create beautiful paintings inspired by our unit on birds, and they are so proud to see their work displayed for everyone to see. The markers have also become a daily favorite, as the children use them to bring their stories to life with vibrant illustrations in their creative writing journals. During choice time, the \"Play-Doh Cafe\" is officially open for business! One moment that truly touched my heart was watching students use the play dough to create foods from their own cultures; it was wonderful to see a plate of \"Fufu\" served alongside \"Nutella,\" showing just how much these materials allow their unique identities to shine.\r\n\r\nYour support has provided my students with the essential tools for imagination and self-expression. As we move forward, our next steps include a project where the students will use their paints and markers to illustrate \"Bird Books\" for our upcoming classroom publishing party. Thank you for directly impacting these wonderful first graders and for making our classroom a place where creativity truly flourishes.","fullyFundedDate":1766711637355,"projectUrl":"project/play-paint-and-create-tools-for-imagi/9692119/","projectTitle":"Play, Paint, and Create: Tools for Imagination","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gleeson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9347355_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755790331408","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9347355"},{"teacherId":9347355,"projectId":9691892,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your incredible generosity in providing our classroom with a brand-new, colorful rug. It has quickly become the heart of our room and a favorite space for every child. When the students first saw it, their faces lit up with pure excitement, and they couldn't wait to claim their very own colorful square. This designated personal space has truly been a game-changer; it allows me to manage spots effectively, which has significantly increased student engagement during our group lessons. Whether we are gathered together to decode the complex features of a non-fiction text or simply relaxing to enjoy a favorite story, the children love having a comfortable, defined area to call their own.\r\n\r\nYour gift has also allowed us to breathe new life into our classroom library, as our older small carpet is now tucked away there, creating even more cozy nooks for students to sit and read comfortably. \r\n\r\nIn addition to our group lessons, this carpet has provided a vital sense of security for my students; every morning, one of my little ones takes a nap on the new carpet, waking up comfortable and recharged in a way that truly sets him up for success for the rest of the school day. Thank you so much for your kindness and for directly impacting the lives of these wonderful first graders.","fullyFundedDate":1765991696701,"projectUrl":"project/a-classroom-carpet-the-heart-of-the-cla/9691892/","projectTitle":"A Classroom Carpet: the Heart of the Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gleeson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9347355_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755790331408","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9347355"},{"teacherId":9347355,"projectId":9893322,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for the incredible organization and storage resources you have provided for our classroom. Since these materials arrived, our room has undergone a complete transformation. Everything is now extremely organized and easy for my students to access independently. This has helped create a learning environment where our daily routines are clear and the physical space feels open and calm, allowing us to focus entirely on growth and discovery.\r\n\r\nThe impact of this organization on individual students has been profound. I have one student in particular who finds sorting and color-coding our new materials to be incredibly grounding; he will often take a short break to organize a bin by color as a way to de-stress and reset. It is a beautiful thing to see how these resources provide a sense of peace and predictability for him. Additionally, the new storage has allowed us to create dedicated student mailboxes and a home for our \"Early Finisher\" centers. This station helps the children stay organized and clearly see their learning options, which empowers them to take ownership of their day.\r\n\r\nOn a personal note, having a streamlined system takes a massive load off my shoulders as a teacher. Because the materials are so accessible, I can spend less time managing \"stuff\" and more of my time and energy on the most important thing: teaching and supporting my students. I am so excited to use this organization for years to come, knowing it has changed our classroom environment for the better. Thank you for investing in these wonderful first graders and for helping our classroom run like a well-oiled machine!","fullyFundedDate":1771019891801,"projectUrl":"project/color-coded-calm-organizing-our-way-to/9893322/","projectTitle":"Color-Coded Calm: Organizing Our Way to Independence and Focus","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gleeson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9347355_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755790331408","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9347355"},{"teacherId":570438,"projectId":10140306,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our classroom has been filled with stories that spark conversation, empathy, and reflection. The books you helped provide have allowed us to bring meaningful literature into our daily routines, giving students opportunities to see themselves in stories while also learning about the experiences and perspectives of others. These shared reading moments have quickly become some of the most engaging parts of our day, as students eagerly listen, discuss, and connect the characters' experiences to their own lives.\r\n\r\nThese books have also been an incredible support to our social-emotional learning curriculum. I have been able to start a robust library that teachers can borrow from to to enhance their teaching. Each story helps reinforce the core character traits we focus on with our students, such as kindness, responsibility, perseverance, and empathy. Through these stories, students are able to explore big ideas in ways that feel natural and relatable. The characters give us real examples to talk about during class discussions, helping students think about how they can make positive choices, show respect to others, and build strong relationships in our school community.\r\n\r\nYour support has truly helped bring our curriculum to life. Instead of simply talking about these important character traits, our students are able to see them modeled through powerful stories and thoughtful conversations. Thank you for helping us create a classroom where stories inspire growth, compassion, and a love of reading. Your kindness is making a lasting impact on our students every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1773937312105,"projectUrl":"project/purposefull-reading/10140306/","projectTitle":"PurposeFull Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. McCallum","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp570438_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1635436375751","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-jessie"},{"teacherId":291144,"projectId":9993830,"letterContent":"It was amazing when I prepared my math cool down booklets to have this stapler. I was able to just get it out and whip the booklets through. No worrying if the booklet was too thick for my regular stapler, no worries about the front cover falling off. \r\nMy students noticed how neat the booklets looked, the covers were on straight and they stay on, amazing. \r\n\r\nI also put one stapler in our teacher's room for staff to use, they are thrilled to have this in the building, if it makes our job easier it's a win for sure.","fullyFundedDate":1771089398335,"projectUrl":"project/staple-time/9993830/","projectTitle":"Staple Time","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Murray","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp291144_orig.jpg?crop=967,967,x37,y182&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1674174923352","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/joan-murray"},{"teacherId":10381743,"projectId":9955127,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity in supporting my classroom library project. Your contribution has changed our day-to-day learning experiences. Since receiving these new books, I have integrated them into our daily routine. We use the illustrations to support new concepts, while the text helps students reinforce what they are learning in class. For my students in particular, the visual elements have been powerful; they serve as accessible entry points to complex vocabulary, allowing students to infer meaning and practice language skills in a low-pressure, engaging environment.\r\n\r\nPreviously, I lacked the resources to branch out and teach nuanced concepts like point of view or to clearly differentiate between a map and a globe. Now, the atlases have become our most helpful tools, allowing me to culturally diversify our collection so students can contrast and compare different regions. While I haven't had the opportunity to use every book yet, I am already planning ahead: the new book on rivers, for instance, will be essential next fall when my third graders begin their Wabanaki studies unit. Having this specific resource ready will allow us to make deep, meaningful connections to the local landscape and history right from the start.\r\n\r\nYour support has done more than just fill our shelves; it has broadened our horizons and prepared us for future success. Thank you for believing in my students and investing in their future.","fullyFundedDate":1767373868605,"projectUrl":"project/building-language-through-stories/9955127/","projectTitle":"Building Language Through Stories","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dora","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10381743_orig.jpg?crop=2320,2320,x0,y317&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1773368626662","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10381743"},{"teacherId":1715412,"projectId":9574338,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous support of our classroom. Your donations have made a meaningful difference in the daily learning experiences of my students, and I truly appreciate your kindness and commitment to education.\r\n\r\nThe decodable texts you provided have been an incredible resource for helping my students develop their reading fluency skills. These books allow students to practice phonics patterns in a structured and supportive way, building both confidence and independence as they grow as readers. \r\n\r\nThe Magna-Tiles have also become a favorite in our classroom. They encourage students to work together, fostering cooperation, communication, and teamwork. At the same time, they spark creativity and imagination as students design and build their own unique structures. It has been wonderful to watch them problem-solve and collaborate in such an engaging way.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, the plush dolls have provided valuable opportunities for social learning. Through play, students are able to express emotions, practice empathy, and develop important interpersonal skills. These tools create a safe and comforting way for children to explore social situations and build stronger relationships with their peers.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your generosity and for supporting our classroom. Your contributions are helping to create a positive, enriching, and inclusive learning environment where all students can thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1764694731013,"projectUrl":"project/learning-through-play-and-reading/9574338/","projectTitle":"Learning Through Play and Reading!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Hummel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1715412_orig.jpg?crop=630,630,x216,y10&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1663516079443","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1715412"},{"teacherId":8962611,"projectId":9983316,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for contributing to our library's game area! Students love to come and play fun, educational games that help them think and learn when they're done shopping for books in the library during the week. I love to be able to give them materials that make library fun and that also let them learn so much!\r\n\r\nThe giant uno deck has been the hit of the school, and the students are taking such good care of it. I'm looking forward to seeing what other new games they're going to learn, and how they're going to grow into wonderful young adults.","fullyFundedDate":1771857067888,"projectUrl":"project/learning-games-for-the-library/9983316/","projectTitle":"Learning Games for the Library","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. M","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8962611_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y211&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1774384555081","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8962611"},{"teacherId":1978426,"projectId":10134602,"letterContent":"Thank you for your donation to this project. The books came yesterday and we can not be more excited to add them to our cart. So that is just what we did, the books were added to the cart so that someone might choose one of your books this week. This project is very special to me. \r\nThis school year marks the year 8 of the Reiche Birthday Book Cart. Every Friday any student in the school that had a birthday gets to come to my room and pick a book to take home. This celebrates all the students while building a love of reading and building at home libraries.","fullyFundedDate":1773863328724,"projectUrl":"project/maine-authors-and-illustrators/10134602/","projectTitle":"Maine Authors and Illustrators!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. McDonough","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1978426_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1504272858842","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1978426"},{"teacherId":8962611,"projectId":10066596,"letterContent":"I've already begun to repair books in our library with the book binder machine. I love it so much, and it's going to be such an essential addition to my workspace. Being able to mend books that break more easily extends the life of the book to a point where many more children will be able to check it out and read it. \r\n\r\nWithout your help, I would still be using old packing tape to fix all of the books in the school library! It's so nice to know that I have a way to fix things a little bit more permanently.\r\n\r\nThank you again, you don't know how appreciative I am!","fullyFundedDate":1772039608456,"projectUrl":"project/book-binding-machine-for-the-library/10066596/","projectTitle":"Book Binding Machine for the Library","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. M","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8962611_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y211&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1774384555081","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8962611"},{"teacherId":1090489,"projectId":10140276,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for these wonderful books! They complete our class/grade team collection of all the books for our SEL curriculum. We now have a special read aloud for every week of the school year that goes with our Social Emotional Learning Topic. It is a fabulous gift. The stories are meaningful, the illustrations interesting, and the students love to read them on their own after they have been shared with the class. These books are being shared with four different classrooms, giving more students access to inspirational texts. Thank you!!!!","fullyFundedDate":1773833832485,"projectUrl":"project/good-books-for-good-feelings/10140276/","projectTitle":"Good Books for Good Feelings!!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Feenstra","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kfeenstra"},{"teacherId":9724419,"projectId":9806320,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping me in my endeavor to create life-long readers in my fifth grade classroom. My job as their teacher extends beyond teaching them how to read. As well as this, I want my students to truly fall in love with reading, something that they can take with them as they one day leave the classroom.\r\n\r\nYour generosity helps to aid in creating a classroom library full of variety in genre, author, and representation. In my classroom, I have over six different languages spoken and many cultures from around the world represented. When students can see themselves in the books they are reading, they feel seen and valued in who they are. This also gives students the opportunity to experience perspectives and stories unfamiliar to their own. Not only does this aid in creating a classroom where diversity is celebrated, but it also helps in providing students with books they are likely to return to.","fullyFundedDate":1766161474139,"projectUrl":"project/chapter-books-to-support-representation/9806320/","projectTitle":"Chapter Books to Support Representation & Love for Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bistayi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9724419"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_65272","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":463,"numTeachers":38,"percentFrplEligible":65,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":41,"percentWhite":30,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":21,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"12.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":59.1,"schoolId":65272,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Howard C Reiche Community School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Howard C Reiche Community School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/maine/portland-public-schools/howard-c-reiche-community-school/65272"}