{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Joseph H Saunders Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":29.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10054966,"projectId":9869946,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support of our Write from the Start to 1st Grade project. Because of you, my students have access to developmentally appropriate writing tools that support early literacy growth and build strong foundational skills.\r\n\r\nThese materials have helped students improve letter formation, spacing, and sentence writing while increasing confidence and engagement during writing time. Students are more willing to take risks, share their work, and express their ideas in writing.\r\n\r\nYour support has made a meaningful difference in our classroom and directly contributed to our students' growth as writers. Thank you for investing in their learning and success.","fullyFundedDate":1762266422117,"projectUrl":"project/the-write-start-to-first-grade/9869946/","projectTitle":"The Write Start to First Grade!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10054966_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1749769287465","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/brionnajohnson757"},{"teacherId":3571551,"projectId":9717442,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for restocking our classroom treasure box with exciting prizes for my students. These rewards are used to celebrate positive behavior, effort, and growth, whether it's following classroom expectations, showing kindness to others, or working hard on a challenging task. The treasure box has quickly become a meaningful motivation tool, helping students stay engaged and make positive choices throughout the school day.\r\n\r\nWhen the prizes arrived, my students were beyond excited. They loved seeing the variety of items and eagerly talked about what they hoped to earn. Having new and appealing rewards has made a big difference—students are more motivated to participate, try their best, and take pride in their accomplishments. It has also helped create a joyful classroom culture where effort and good behavior are consistently recognized.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, I am able to continue reinforcing positive behaviors while building a supportive and encouraging learning environment. As we move forward, students will keep working toward classroom goals and personal milestones, knowing their hard work will be celebrated. Thank you for helping make our classroom a place where students feel motivated, valued, and proud of themselves every day.","fullyFundedDate":1766704617761,"projectUrl":"project/treasure-box-restock/9717442/","projectTitle":"Treasure Box Restock","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Snow","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3571551_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1566692782362","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/susansnow"},{"teacherId":3571551,"projectId":9717349,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for providing my students with their own personal writing and coloring materials, as well as cleaning supplies to help keep our classroom healthy. These resources are already making a meaningful difference in our daily routine. Students now have their own crayons, markers, and writing tools that they can use during journals, story writing, and creative projects without having to share, which has helped them feel more independent and excited about their work. The cleaning products are used throughout the day to wipe down tables, shared surfaces, and materials, helping us maintain a cleaner space and reduce the spread of winter illnesses.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials arrived, my students were thrilled. Many of them eagerly opened their individual supplies and proudly organized them, saying things like, \"These are mine!\" It was a special moment to see how something as simple as personal materials made them feel valued and motivated. Having their own supplies has also reduced distractions and allowed students to focus more on their writing and creativity.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, we are able to continue building strong writing habits in a safe, healthy classroom environment. Our next steps include using these materials for ongoing writing projects, illustration practice, and daily journaling as students develop their ideas and fine motor skills. Thank you for giving us the tools we need to learn, create, and stay healthy—your support truly makes a difference every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1766179976374,"projectUrl":"project/keeping-my-kiddos-in-class/9717349/","projectTitle":"Keeping my Kiddos in Class","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Snow","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3571551_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1566692782362","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/susansnow"},{"teacherId":3571551,"projectId":4663001,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for providing our classroom with a new printer and much-needed ink. These resources have already made a meaningful difference in our daily learning. We use the printer constantly for small-group reading activities, math practice, writing journals, and hands-on learning materials that students can interact with independently. One moment that stands out was when students were able to immediately print their own sight-word books and proudly read them to classmates—something that wouldn't have been possible without your support.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new printer set up in our classroom, they were excited to know that their work could be printed right away. It has helped them feel more ownership over their learning and increased their motivation to complete assignments carefully, knowing their work would be shared, celebrated, and taken home. Having reliable access to printed materials has also allowed me to respond quickly to student needs, whether that means extra practice, enrichment activities, or individualized supports.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, our next steps include expanding our small-group instruction and continuing a current focus on early reading and writing skills. Students will use printed resources to practice phonics, sentence building, and math problem-solving as they grow more confident and independent learners. Your contribution gave you a real peek into our classroom, and we are so grateful for the role you've played in helping our students succeed. Thank you for investing in their education.","fullyFundedDate":1577387433795,"projectUrl":"project/ready-to-read/4663001/","projectTitle":"Ready to Read","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Snow","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3571551_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1566692782362","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/susansnow"},{"teacherId":10054966,"projectId":9739675,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and making our new mailbox possible! This simple but powerful tool has already made a meaningful difference in how our classroom runs each day.\r\n\r\nThe mailbox is now the designated place where students turn in completed work for me to check and prepare to send home. Having one consistent, organized system has helped students take ownership of their responsibilities and better understand classroom routines. Instead of papers being misplaced or forgotten, students confidently know exactly where their work belongs.\r\n\r\nThis has also saved valuable instructional time, allowing me to focus more on teaching and giving feedback rather than managing loose papers. Students feel proud placing their finished work into the mailbox, knowing it represents their effort and learning.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, our classroom is more organized, efficient, and student-centered. Thank you for investing in tools that support both learning and independence for my students.","fullyFundedDate":1761917269933,"projectUrl":"project/special-deliveries-from-first-grade/9739675/","projectTitle":"Special Deliveries from First Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10054966_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1749769287465","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/brionnajohnson757"},{"teacherId":10054966,"projectId":9874229,"letterContent":"The materials from this project have made such a meaningful difference in our classroom. The new seating and writing supports have given my little writers a cozy, inviting space where they can focus, feel confident, and enjoy the writing process. Instead of worrying about being uncomfortable or distracted, my students are now able to settle in, express their ideas, and take pride in their work.\r\n\r\nThese resources have transformed our writing time into a moment they truly look forward to each day. Thank you for helping my young learners feel safe, supported, and excited to grow as authors. Your generosity is truly shaping their confidence and creativity.","fullyFundedDate":1764688086315,"projectUrl":"project/little-writers-deserve-big-comfort/9874229/","projectTitle":"Little Writers Deserve Big Comfort!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10054966_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1749769287465","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/brionnajohnson757"},{"teacherId":3571551,"projectId":9692315,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous donation, our classroom printer and ink have become an essential tool for both learning and creativity. While many people think of a printer as a simple office supply, in our classroom it has opened up countless opportunities for engagement and hands-on learning. We're now able to print individualized reading materials, math practice pages, and colorful visual supports that meet each student's unique needs. Having the ability to quickly print learning resources means our lessons can be more flexible, responsive, and personalized than ever before.\r\n\r\nThe students are especially excited when they get to see their own work printed and displayed. Whether it's a story they wrote, a piece of artwork, or a certificate celebrating their progress, holding something they created in their hands gives them a deep sense of pride. It has made their learning feel more \"real\" and has encouraged even our most reluctant writers and artists to participate enthusiastically.\r\n\r\nOne of the most heartwarming changes has been watching students light up when their printed work goes on our classroom walls or in their take-home folders to share with families. For many, this has become a favorite part of the day. Your donation has truly helped us celebrate learning in a tangible, meaningful way—turning our students' efforts into something they can see, touch, and take pride in every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1757955043105,"projectUrl":"project/printing-possibilities-a-classroom-in-c/9692315/","projectTitle":"Printing Possibilities: A Classroom in Color","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Snow","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3571551_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1566692782362","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/susansnow"},{"teacherId":10054966,"projectId":9614531,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom has been filled with so much joy and comfort! The flexible seating cushions have become a huge hit with my first graders. They use them every single day — during buddy reading, small groups (which I now love holding on the carpet for extra space!), math centers, or just when they need a comfy spot to learn. My students are always so excited for their turn to grab a cushion!\r\n\r\nOur calm-down corner has also gotten a cozy little upgrade with our new dusty rose bean bag chair, and it's safe to say the kids are obsessed! It's such a popular spot that I actually had to set time limits because everyone wants a turn to relax in it. This space has truly become a peaceful place where students can take a break, breathe, and reset before jumping back into learning.\r\n\r\nYour support has made such a difference in helping my students feel comfortable, calm, and excited to learn every day. We're so grateful! 💕","fullyFundedDate":1758202691396,"projectUrl":"project/flexible-seating-for-focused-and-engaged/9614531/","projectTitle":"Flexible Seating for Focused and Engaged Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10054966_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1749769287465","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/brionnajohnson757"},{"teacherId":9517439,"projectId":9280759,"letterContent":"I want to sincerely thank you for your generous contributions toward our \"Building Confidence and Emotional Growth Through Journaling\" kits. Your support has made it possible to provide students with the tools they need to explore their thoughts, express their feelings, and develop self-confidence through writing.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, each student will now have their own personalized journaling kit—something tangible that will encourage creativity, self-reflection, and emotional growth. These kits are more than just supplies; they are an investment in our students' well-being and future.\r\n\r\nYour kindness and generosity will make a lasting impact, and I'm truly grateful to have you as a partner in this important work.","fullyFundedDate":1746655529662,"projectUrl":"project/building-confidence-and-emotional-growth/9280759/","projectTitle":"Building Confidence and Emotional Growth Through Journaling.","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tammy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9517439_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746655262198","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9517439"},{"teacherId":6603048,"projectId":8639189,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contribution to our classroom. Your support directly impacted the learning experience of 50 students, providing them with the tools and environment they needed to thrive. Because of you, we were able to promote biliteracy, bilingualism, and academic achievement in a setting where students felt encouraged, supported, and valued. Your donation helped create a space where students could grow in confidence and develop skills that will serve them for a lifetime. We are truly grateful for your commitment to education and student success.","fullyFundedDate":1726585877233,"projectUrl":"project/learning-and-moving/8639189/","projectTitle":"Learning and Moving","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Scruggs","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6603048_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x20,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720298911113","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-scruggs3rdgraders"},{"teacherId":9517439,"projectId":9069021,"letterContent":"The new iPad is making a big difference in my classroom! It's helping with data tracking, making it easier to monitor student progress in real time. Instead of relying on paper or bulky laptops, I can quickly record and review student performance, ensuring that each student gets the support they need.\r\n\r\nWhat excites my students the most is the daily check-in and exit ticket process. They love that they can complete these activities on the iPad without having to bring their laptops to small group instruction. This makes transitions smoother and keeps them more engaged in their learning. Thanks to this technology, we can focus more on instruction and less on logistics!","fullyFundedDate":1742905738745,"projectUrl":"project/tech-tools-for-students-with-disabilitie/9069021/","projectTitle":"Tech Tools for Students With Disabilities' Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tammy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9517439_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746655262198","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9517439"},{"teacherId":6826168,"projectId":8661562,"letterContent":"We are thrilled to share with you the profound impact of your generous contributions on our students and their educational experience. Your unwavering support has allowed us to acquire essential resources that have significantly transformed our school environment, and for that, we are incredibly grateful.\r\n\r\nStudent Reactions\r\nWhen the students first encountered the new materials, their faces lit up excitedly. The new clothing gave them a renewed sense of dignity and self-esteem, while the improved food options alleviated their worries about hunger during school hours. This initial reaction underscores the importance of addressing basic needs to foster a more conducive learning environment. Witnessing how your support directly influences their happiness and confidence is heartwarming.\r\n\r\nNext Steps for Our Students\r\nLooking ahead, our students will embark on a meaningful project: creating care packages for those still in need. This lesson will focus on developing empathy, teamwork, and the spirit of giving back to the community. Your financial backing has made this project possible, and we are eager to see how it unfolds. We believe this initiative will empower our students to recognize their ability to make a positive impact in the lives of others, further solidifying the values of compassion and service that we strive to instill.\r\n\r\nThe Importance of Your Support\r\nProviding clean and appropriate clothing is not merely about appearance; it is fundamentally about dignity, self-esteem, and the opportunity to engage fully in school activities without feeling self-conscious. Similarly, having access to nutritious food is crucial for maintaining energy and concentration throughout the school day. Unfortunately, not all our students can access these basic needs at home, which is why your support is so vital.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, we have created a more inclusive and supportive environment where every student can thrive. Your contributions have made a tangible difference in their lives, and we cannot thank you enough for your commitment to our mission. Together, we are ensuring that our students have the resources they need to succeed, both academically and personally.\r\n\r\nThank you once again for considering our project and for your invaluable support. We look forward to continuing this journey together and sharing more success stories that your contributions help create.","fullyFundedDate":1731980215402,"projectUrl":"project/providing-basic-needs/8661562/","projectTitle":"Providing Basic Needs!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Weiss","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6826168_orig.jpg?crop=398,398,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723747345369","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6826168"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_34826","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":664,"numTeachers":38,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":51,"percentWhite":14,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":24,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"17.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":70.3,"schoolId":34826,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Joseph H Saunders Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Joseph H Saunders Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/virginia/newport-news-public-schools/joseph-h-saunders-elementary-school/34826"}