{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Joseph M McVey Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":69.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":1561002,"projectId":9655764,"letterContent":"When our easel arrived, my students were immediately drawn to it—they couldn't wait to come up and use it. During our first lesson, hands shot up as students eagerly volunteered to write, solve problems, and share their thinking. The easel has quickly become the focal point of our classroom, helping students stay engaged and actively participate in lessons.\r\n\r\nWe now use the easel every day for phonics, writing, math problem-solving, and creating anchor charts together. Instead of just watching, students are coming up, interacting, and learning in a more hands-on way. I've already seen increased focus, stronger participation, and more confidence—especially from students who are usually hesitant to share.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, we will continue using the easel during small group instruction and collaborative activities, giving students more opportunities to explain their thinking and build their skills. This tool is helping bring our learning front and center—exactly as we hoped.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping create a classroom where students are engaged, involved, and excited to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1766611335344,"projectUrl":"project/putting-learning-front-and-center-easel/9655764/","projectTitle":"Putting Learning Front and Center: Easel for Our Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tschaepe","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1561002_orig.jpg?crop=405,405,x464,y314&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1648580895233","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrstschaepe"},{"teacherId":1561002,"projectId":9654908,"letterContent":"Some of my students walk into the classroom already feeling behind—before the lesson even begins. Because of your generosity, that is starting to change.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials arrived, my students were so excited to have what they needed. One student even asked, \"This is mine?\"—a small moment that meant so much. Since then, we've been using these supplies every day during writing, math, and independent work. I've already seen students stay more focused, take pride in their work, and feel more confident completing tasks.\r\n\r\nThese resources are helping my students build independence and stay organized, and we will continue using them in small groups and hands-on lessons as we grow our skills.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping create a classroom where my students feel prepared, supported, and ready to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1765548683544,"projectUrl":"project/starting-from-scratch-giving-my-student/9654908/","projectTitle":"Starting From Scratch: Giving My Students the Tools to Learn","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tschaepe","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1561002_orig.jpg?crop=405,405,x464,y314&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1648580895233","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrstschaepe"},{"teacherId":9332213,"projectId":9834388,"letterContent":"The students are loving their new check out station! With the card holders, bins, and other supplies provided by you, students are able to use our self-checkout kiosk with complete independence.\r\n\r\nEarlier this year, each student made their own library card. The cards are stored in bins sorted by homeroom. When a student is ready to check out, they find their card, scan the card and book, and head off for another adventure. This process works during classes, allowing the adults in the room to help students find books or guide them through their work. It also works throughout the day as students can select and check out books independently.\r\n\r\nThank you for your generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1760794983216,"projectUrl":"project/self-checkout-for-independent-readers/9834388/","projectTitle":"Self-Checkout for Independent Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Smith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9332213_orig.jpg?crop=2624,2624,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1697360451750","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9332213"},{"teacherId":4600036,"projectId":9823596,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the generous donation to our classroom! The books and materials have made a huge difference and will continue to help students beyond this year. Decodable books are an essential part of reading development and essential part of every elementary classroom. You have made that possible, you are helping to change lives. The materials consist of hands on, muti sensory activities to help learners to hear all of the sounds in words as they work towards becoming fluent readers and spellers. Thank you very much.","fullyFundedDate":1760793033434,"projectUrl":"project/decodables-for-all/9823596/","projectTitle":"Decodables for All","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hedberg","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4600036_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1501638248795","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4600036"},{"teacherId":9771207,"projectId":9951153,"letterContent":"I want to express my deepest gratitude for your support of \"Operation Holiday Heart: DIY Gifts for Healing Minds.\" Many of my students face the stress of the holiday season knowing their families cannot afford extra gifts, and your generosity directly lifted that burden. When the materials first arrived, the children were buzzing with pure excitement. Seeing their eyes light up at the sight of the vibrant beads, paints, and \"snow\" was a moment I won't soon forget. For many, it felt like a message that someone truly cared about them, which in turn inspired them to pour that same love into the gifts they created for their own families.\r\n\r\nThe room transformed into a bustling workshop filled with creativity and pride. I watched students carefully consider each choice, deciding whether to paint a custom design on an ornament or create a winter scene inside it with snow. The beads quickly became a favorite, inspiring many students to use them not only in their ornaments but also to craft beautiful bracelets for their loved ones.\r\n\r\nThis project did wonders for their self-esteem; you could see their confidence grow as they realized they were capable of creating something beautiful and professional. One of the most moving moments was watching a normally reserved student beam with a sense of accomplishment as they finished a gift, knowing they finally had something special to place under the tree for their parents. We were so inspired that we used all of the supplies donated!\r\n\r\nAs a next step, we are working on a reflective writing project. The students are writing \"Artist Statements,\" where they describe the thought process behind their designs, identify and connect with the emotions they experienced, and reflect on the joy they felt while creating them. This reflective writing practice will extend beyond the holidays and continue throughout the entire school year. This activity supports social-emotional learning by helping students build self-awareness, express positive emotions, and understand how creativity can contribute to their emotional well-being.\r\n\r\n Thank you for giving my students the tools to feel proud, generous, and seen.","fullyFundedDate":1765305001899,"projectUrl":"project/operation-holiday-heart-diy-gifts-for-h/9951153/","projectTitle":"Operation Holiday Heart: DIY Gifts for Healing Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kennesha","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9771207_orig.jpg?crop=1080,1080,x0,y7&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727122559145","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9771207"},{"teacherId":3872618,"projectId":9485021,"letterContent":"I just wanted to let you know that my kids were soooo excitied to see that they had packages delivered to our school for them. They converged to see what they were getting. Once they saw all of the items that they were able to use and that everyone had the same items. They have been doing a great job being responsible for their items and being careful when they use them so they can keep them nice and they dont get damaged.\r\nMy students are currently midway through their school year, and are coming up on their 100th day of school on February 25th. They are using the project items daily and really enjoy the whiteboards.","fullyFundedDate":1762876490450,"projectUrl":"project/starting-back-in-style/9485021/","projectTitle":"Starting Back in Style!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Guns","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3872618_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x430,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1603207383741","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3872618"},{"teacherId":9332213,"projectId":9562717,"letterContent":"Your donation provided the micro:bit supplies for the 4th and 5th grade STEM club students. Boy, did they have a great time! Students join the club during the exploratory block, which meets for 45 minutes each Wednesday morning. Before these supplies arrived, students were limited to computer-based projects. The code they wrote stayed on the screen with no real-world impact. With these supplies, students were able to apply their programming skills to hands-on projects. They could move around, create interactive tools, and build physical models.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, there was a bit of envy from the students in the chorus, art, and team sports clubs. There were more than a few students who switched to STEM club for the Spring semester.","fullyFundedDate":1757505470539,"projectUrl":"project/coding-you-can-touch-an-introduction-to/9562717/","projectTitle":"Coding You Can Touch: an Introduction to Micro:Bits","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Smith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9332213_orig.jpg?crop=2624,2624,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1697360451750","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9332213"},{"teacherId":6747304,"projectId":9824244,"letterContent":"The DonorsChoose project for laptop charging stations made a meaningful difference in our 3rd grade classroom by creating a safer, more organized, and more student-friendly learning environment. Before we had the stations, our computers were stored on a table with cords tangled everywhere or packed into a bulky cart that took up valuable space. Managing devices was time-consuming and often distracting, and the clutter of wires posed safety concerns for our students. The new charging stations eliminated these issues by providing a designated, orderly place for each laptop, making our classroom feel calmer and more efficient.\r\n\r\nWith the charging stations in place, students are now able to independently access, return, and charge their devices with confidence. This has saved instructional time, reduced technology-related interruptions, and encouraged responsibility and ownership among students. Transitions between lessons are smoother, and we can focus more on learning rather than managing equipment. Overall, the charging stations have had a positive impact on both classroom organization and student engagement, allowing technology to better support instruction and learning.","fullyFundedDate":1760624617076,"projectUrl":"project/ready-to-read-learn-with-charged-devic/9824244/","projectTitle":"Ready to Read & Learn With Charged Devices","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cunningham","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6747304_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1566739717878","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/cunninghamcomfortableclassroom"},{"teacherId":8848108,"projectId":9830906,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, That's the Power of Music! Because of your generosity, my students now have access to new boomwhackers, bells, recorders, and drums that are being used daily across all grade levels. Over time, many of our classroom instruments had become worn or damaged from regular use, making it difficult for every student to fully participate. With these new, durable, and well-tuned instruments, students are able to play together successfully, hear accurate pitches, and take pride in using materials that both look and sound professional.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new instruments, their excitement was immediate and contagious. They were eager to explore sounds, try new techniques, and work together in ensemble settings. These instruments allow students to engage in hands-on learning as they explore rhythm, melody, and teamwork. Music lessons now feel more energetic and inclusive, and every student can actively participate rather than sharing or sitting out due to limited or broken materials.\r\n\r\nThese resources also support learning beyond the music room. Through rhythm, rhyme, and storytelling, students strengthen language skills that support reading, writing, and vocabulary development. Music also enhances math literacy by helping students recognize patterns, understand fractions through rhythm and beat, and develop sequencing and problem-solving skills. Thanks to your generosity, our next steps include continuing ensemble work, expanding music literacy activities, and building a strong foundation that fosters creativity, collaboration, and a lifelong love of music for all 350 students we serve each week.","fullyFundedDate":1760664153241,"projectUrl":"project/thats-the-power-of-music/9830906/","projectTitle":"That’s the Power of Music!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Leydic","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8848108_orig.jpg?crop=1159,1159,x0,y42&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1669502560379","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8848108"},{"teacherId":319018,"projectId":9822739,"letterContent":"The addition of these decodable texts has truly elevated my classes independent reading. Students who would not consider themselves \"readers\" if asked are engaged with these texts and able to share thoughts about the characters or events they read about it. \r\n\r\nMany texts for young readers rely heavily on illustrations or simplified words that don't create a logical story which can lead to boredom. On the other hand, the texts we were able to purchase with your donations have allowed students to more realistically practice their budding reading skills with books they honestly enjoy. \r\n\r\nThank you so much for helping share the joy of reading with my students.","fullyFundedDate":1760385357733,"projectUrl":"project/reading-rocks/9822739/","projectTitle":"Reading Rocks","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lockwood","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp319018_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1518963898986","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mdarcangelo"},{"teacherId":5749618,"projectId":9840572,"letterContent":"Thank you for your donation to my Donors Choose project! Your generosity will help my students achieve their goal of becoming independent readers.\r\n They were so excited to see boxes of decodable books arrive! As the 2nd half of the school year begins, the students will be getting independent reading bags with the decodable books for practicing their reading skills after lunch. Eventually, we will move into partner reading with these books and even taking them home to share with their families!\r\n Thank you again for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1764716760109,"projectUrl":"project/becoming-independent-readers/9840572/","projectTitle":"Becoming Independent Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. McAnulty","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5749618_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1594325455956","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5749618"},{"teacherId":5749618,"projectId":9840408,"letterContent":"Thank you for your donation to my Donors Choose project! Your generosity will help my students have a comfortable place to learn and work! \r\n The new rug came during lunchtime and the custodian and I had just enough time to roll up the old rug and lay out the new one before they came back.\r\n They were so excited to see the new rug and commented all afternoon how bright and comfortable it is! The new rug has really helped our room become a warm and comfortable place to learn!\r\n Thanks again for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1760845378631,"projectUrl":"project/becoming-good-readers/9840408/","projectTitle":"Becoming Good Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. McAnulty","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5749618_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1594325455956","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5749618"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_44551","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":384,"numTeachers":29,"percentFrplEligible":66,"percentAsian":3,"percentBlack":39,"percentWhite":32,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":20,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"13.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":30.1,"schoolId":44551,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Joseph M McVey Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Joseph M McVey Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/delaware/christina-school-district/joseph-m-mcvey-elementary-school/44551"}