{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"John Robert Lewis Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":28.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":4822406,"projectId":9292470,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our Back to School Essentials Project has given our students the strong, confident start they truly deserve. Beginning a new school year can be exciting but also overwhelming for many children, especially when they are unsure whether they will have the tools they need to succeed. Your kindness ensured that every student stepped into our classroom prepared, supported, and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nWhen the supplies arrived—fresh pencils, colorful folders, notebooks, glue sticks, scissors, and other essential materials—the students' reactions were priceless. Several students gasped when they saw the neatly organized bins, and one student whispered, \"This is the first year I get my own new supplies!\" Others ran their hands across the bright stacks of materials, thrilled to know they would be able to start the year with everything they needed. Their excitement filled the room with positivity and set the tone for a successful start.","fullyFundedDate":1754144377192,"projectUrl":"project/back-to-school/9292470/","projectTitle":"Back To School!","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Jefferson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4822406_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720465019939","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kerrie-jefferson"},{"teacherId":4822406,"projectId":9216677,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our Reading Competition Prep project has energized our students and transformed the way they approach reading. The materials you provided have helped our team prepare for the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl, and the excitement in our classroom has grown with each passing week.\r\n\r\nThe moment the new books and preparation materials arrived, the students' reactions were priceless. Several of them eagerly flipped through the pages right away, choosing which book they wanted to read first. Others carefully organized the titles into reading order, already thinking ahead to strategies for remembering key details. For many of our students, this was the first time they had access to a complete set of competition books, and their sense of pride was unmistakable.\r\n\r\nOne of our most memorable early moments came during our first team practice. Students sat together in small groups, discussing characters, predicting plot twists, and diving into themes with maturity far beyond their years. One student who typically reads slowly proudly announced he had finished his first book ahead of schedule—and the rest of the team cheered for him. These moments remind us why opportunities like this matter so deeply.\r\n\r\nThe new resources have supported our team in several meaningful ways. Students use sticky notes and practice journals to record important quotes, character details, and chapter summaries. During our mock quiz sessions, they use their notes to compare ideas, ask questions, and help each other understand tricky sections. The books are getting heavy use—corners softened, pages flagged with tabs, and margins filled with thoughtful annotations. These signs of love and learning show just how invested our students have become.\r\n\r\nBeyond the competition, this project has strengthened students' confidence as readers. They are developing stronger comprehension skills, learning how to analyze text closely, and practicing teamwork as they prepare for the bowl. Their conversations have become richer, their summaries more detailed, and their excitement more contagious. Several students have even asked to take the books home to share with siblings—a beautiful sign that your impact is spreading beyond our classroom.\r\n\r\nAs we continue preparing for the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl, our next steps include deepening text analysis, practicing buzzer-style speed rounds, and holding small-group discussions to strengthen memory and comprehension. Students are also beginning to create character maps, theme charts, and chapter-by-chapter fact sheets to help the entire team stay organized. They have taken ownership of their preparation and are determined to compete with confidence and pride.\r\n\r\nThanks to you, our readers feel supported, capable, and motivated. They walk into practice excited, they talk about the books during lunch, and they encourage one another to keep pushing. Your generosity has not only given them books—it has given them purpose, teamwork, and the joy of academic competition.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students and for helping them prepare for this meaningful challenge. Your contribution is helping them become stronger readers, thinkers, and teammates every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1746787304367,"projectUrl":"project/reading-competition-prep/9216677/","projectTitle":"Reading Competition Prep!","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Jefferson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4822406_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720465019939","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kerrie-jefferson"},{"teacherId":4822406,"projectId":9216580,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom has become a more organized, efficient, and creative learning environment. The essential supplies you provided—scissors, laminating sheets, glue sticks, and notepads—are now part of our daily routines and have made a noticeable difference in both the quality of our work and the confidence of our students.\r\n\r\nFrom the moment the materials arrived, the students were excited to explore everything. Many of them immediately noticed that we finally had matching, sturdy scissors instead of the mismatched, dull ones we had struggled with before. Several students cheered when they saw the new glue sticks, knowing we could now complete projects without worrying about running out halfway through. The notepads were also a big hit—students loved having their own spaces for jotting ideas, sketching, writing notes, and planning their work.","fullyFundedDate":1744472127929,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-essentials/9216580/","projectTitle":"Classroom Essentials","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Jefferson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4822406_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720465019939","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kerrie-jefferson"},{"teacherId":4822406,"projectId":9186057,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our Mega Play Project has brought a new level of excitement, engagement, and hands-on learning into our classroom. The new play materials have quickly become essential tools that we use throughout the day to support academic learning, social-emotional growth, and creative exploration.\r\n\r\nFrom the moment the students saw the new equipment, their reactions were unforgettable. Some jumped up and down, others gasped, and a few immediately began planning what they wanted to build or explore first. Several students carefully opened the boxes and ran their hands over the bright pieces, amazed by how many new possibilities were in front of them. Their sense of ownership and pride was evident from the very beginning.\r\n\r\nOne of our first activities with the materials was a classroom challenge called \"Team Builders Play Day.\" Students worked in small groups to rotate through stations that encouraged problem-solving, communication, and cooperation. Using the building pieces and movement tools, students had to create bridges strong enough to hold small objects, design obstacle courses, and work together to complete timing challenges. Watching them collaborate—sometimes struggling, sometimes laughing, but always trying—was a powerful reminder of how play can bring out the best in them. A particularly meaningful moment happened when a student who often feels hesitant to participate became the leader of her group, guiding her teammates through a tricky balancing activity. Her confidence blossomed right before our eyes.\r\n\r\nThe Mega Play materials have also strengthened academic learning in ways that feel natural and fun. Students use building pieces to practice counting, measuring, comparing sizes, and exploring cause-and-effect. Movement materials support lessons on speed, force, and direction. During literacy time, students use play items to act out stories or build scenes from the books we read, deepening their comprehension and creativity. The resources you provided have helped us make learning more active and meaningful.\r\n\r\nSocial-emotional development has also grown tremendously through this project. Students practice taking turns, sharing materials, listening to each other's ideas, and working through conflicts. The play environment gives them space to test ideas, take risks, and express themselves in healthy ways. Many students who struggle to focus during traditional lessons are thriving in these hands-on, movement-based activities.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we are beginning a new project called \"Play to Learn Labs.\" Students will brainstorm, design, and build their own mini play stations using the materials you helped provide. They will sketch their ideas, test them with classmates, revise their designs, and explain the purpose behind each station. This upcoming project will help students develop planning skills, creativity, communication, and ownership of their learning environment.\r\n\r\nYour support has done so much more than bring play into our classroom—it has created opportunities for growth, joy, confidence, and discovery. Thank you for believing in our students and for making such a meaningful impact on their learning each day.","fullyFundedDate":1743087279041,"projectUrl":"project/mega-play/9186057/","projectTitle":"Mega Play!","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Jefferson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4822406_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720465019939","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kerrie-jefferson"},{"teacherId":4822406,"projectId":9184568,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom has been transformed into a lively, creative studio. The new crayons and color boxes are now a daily part of our lessons, and the students have embraced them with an enthusiasm that has lifted the energy of our entire room.\r\n\r\nOne of our first projects using the new materials was a \"Colors\" activity. Students chose a favorite memory and illustrated it using color to express emotion—warm yellows for joy, bold reds for excitement, and soft blues for calm moments. Watching them experiment with shading and blending was incredible. One student, who is usually hesitant to draw, proudly held up his picture and said, \"I didn't know I could make colors do this!\" Moments like that made it clear how much these materials matter.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the boxes of crayons, their reaction was priceless. Many gasped, some cheered, and a few ran their hands over the organized rows of colors as if they had discovered treasure. They immediately began planning what they wanted to create: nature scenes, superhero comics, portraits of friends, and even color-coded maps.\r\n\r\nYour donation gave them not just supplies, but confidence and opportunity.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we are starting a project called \"Our Community in Color,\" where students will create a collaborative mural representing the people and places that shape their everyday lives. The crayons will allow each student to add their own vibrant piece to the final artwork. This project will help us practice composition, build storytelling skills, and explore how art communicates ideas that words sometimes can't.\r\n\r\nThank you for bringing color, joy, and creativity into our classroom. Your contribution continues to inspire our students every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1743115858570,"projectUrl":"project/colors-in-action/9184568/","projectTitle":"Colors in Action","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Jefferson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4822406_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720465019939","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kerrie-jefferson"},{"teacherId":2370828,"projectId":9387411,"letterContent":"My students and I have been able to use our new materials in the classroom to enhance our learning. We are especially excited to use the 5-minute vocabulary practice cards to practice our skills in synonym/antonyms, context clues, multiple meaning words, idioms, and prefixes/suffixes. While this may seem like skills 5th graders should already know by this time, I work with EL's whose first language is not English and they struggle with learning concepts that are not in their native language. Once the students are instructed in the standard they can practice the skill int he small group using the tangible material that I ordered and I been generously donated to our classroom.\r\n\r\nMy students are also very excited about the power pens because it gives then the opportunity to check their work when working independently. They feel empowered and it is a great way to know if they have mastered the skill or need more practice. \r\n\r\nFinally, without the tangible resources for my students reinforcing the concepts that we are learning would have been challenging for the demographics of students I teach (EL's). Again, please accept our sincere thanks and gratitude for donating to our project.","fullyFundedDate":1756078221200,"projectUrl":"project/esol-listen-learn/9387411/","projectTitle":"ESOL Listen & Learn","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. McNelly","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2370828_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753180529052","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/fjoseph"},{"teacherId":2955800,"projectId":9417365,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting this project to help me keep my classroom organized and preserve resources. My students have loved having their markers taped together. Not one student has lost a cap since August! That is a record in all my 25 years of teaching.\r\n\r\nI'm also happy that if one of the markers gets dried up, we can add in a new marker and everyone is good to go. The students use the markers for all sorts of projects from coloring in drawings to making posters for social studies to illustrating their own books. Please know that you have made one teacher and 24 students very happy this year and I look forward to using this genius marker organization idea for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1752023258010,"projectUrl":"project/no-lost-caps-supplies-all-in-one-place/9417365/","projectTitle":"No Lost Caps! Supplies All in One Place","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Schuyler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2955800_orig.jpg?crop=1589,1589,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1570493575694","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2955800"},{"teacherId":9272821,"projectId":9187509,"letterContent":"The students and parents enjoyed our field day and graduation celebration. The students enjoyed the snacks, the medals rewards and the certificates. The ceremony helped each students honor their achievements. \r\n\r\nDuring this time the students were able to show compassion and charisma in their work by being competitive in their athletic activities. By giving them medals as a teacher and an adviser who advocates for Exceptional Education students I'm proud of each one of my students. Thank you, Donors Choose, I couldn't do this project without you!","fullyFundedDate":1744472128045,"projectUrl":"project/end-of-year-project-field-day-and-gradu/9187509/","projectTitle":"End of Year Project Field Day and Graduation","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lattimore","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9272821_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1694562258011","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9272821"},{"teacherId":8082231,"projectId":9635173,"letterContent":"Already the items donated to us has helped us out tremendously. Being in a classroom with littles, we are constantly washing and sanitizing our hands and the paper towels have been a big help! Potty training has become a cleaner task being that we have the ability to clean and sanitizer the shared toileting area for our students. And oh my please do not let me forget to mention snack time, the students are confident in knowing that during their long day at school they will be met with atleast two snacks that will be sure to put smiles upon their faces.","fullyFundedDate":1757608022540,"projectUrl":"project/weve-only-just-begun-and-already-the-g/9635173/","projectTitle":"We've only just begun, and already the germs have attacked!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Morrow","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8082231_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1632356047116","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8082231"},{"teacherId":7504953,"projectId":9246740,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity in helping us bring diverse books into our classroom library. Your support has made a tremendous difference, and I'm excited to share the impact it has had on my students. \r\n\r\nOne of the most loved additions is The Proudest Blue. The moment I introduced it, the room lit up. In my classroom, about 50% of the girls wear hijabs, and it is incredible to see their faces light up as they saw themselves reflected in the story. \r\n\r\nBeyond the joy of recognition, these books are sparking meaningful conversations about identity, culture, and kindness. My students are learning that every story has value and that our differences are something to be celebrated. \r\n\r\nFrom the bottom of my heart, thank you for helping my students feel seen, valued, and inspired. Your generosity has created a lasting ripple in our classroom community.","fullyFundedDate":1744200926737,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-minds/9246740/","projectTitle":"Fueling Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Thomas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7504953_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1598971773515","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7504953"},{"teacherId":2955800,"projectId":9150130,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations. These supplies will keep our garden growing strong for a long time. We've already put the fertilizers to use and plants are looking beautiful. The Zinnia seeds have already sprouted and the kids are happily using the new gloves. All our seeds are now organized in the pockets in a binder so we can easily access our seeds in the upcoming seasons.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, we have a thriving garden and the next generation of passionate gardeners and environmental stewards has been created. You would love it if you could see how some of my students just run to the garden at recess time to see what is blooming or ready to harvest. We've made salads and cooked things like collard greens in the classroom. We are \"farm to table-ing\" in the best way. Please know that all of these would not be possible without the support of people like you!","fullyFundedDate":1742483864400,"projectUrl":"project/school-garden-supplies/9150130/","projectTitle":"School Garden Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Schuyler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2955800_orig.jpg?crop=1589,1589,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1570493575694","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2955800"},{"teacherId":2955800,"projectId":9151125,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support. My students and I have already put these materials to use in our school garden. We spent a lot of time out there this year tending the garden, planting seeds, and harvesting vegetables that we made into salads or cooked. I think together we created the next generation of gardeners and environmental stewards as many of the kids would run to the garden at recess time to see what was happening.\r\n\r\nI'm looking forward to continuing all this fun in the garden in August with my new 2nd graders and the Garden Club. I also will support a whole group of teachers to get their classes involved too. I will be sure to integrate experiences in the garden with our curriculum standards. I'm looking forward to using the hydroponics supplies so we can be growing plants even in the coldest days of winter. Please know that all of this would not be possible with the support of people like you!","fullyFundedDate":1744472128004,"projectUrl":"project/growing-our-stem-skills-with-plants/9151125/","projectTitle":"Growing Our STEM Skills with Plants","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Schuyler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2955800_orig.jpg?crop=1589,1589,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1570493575694","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2955800"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_110847","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":840,"numTeachers":33,"percentFrplEligible":84,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":3,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":92,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"25.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":71.5,"schoolId":110847,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about John Robert Lewis Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"John Robert Lewis Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/georgia/dekalb-county-school-district/john-robert-lewis-elementary-school/110847"}