{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Lake Rim Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":48.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2549994,"projectId":9970347,"letterContent":"This project has already begun making a meaningful impact in our Pre-K classroom by bringing Lunar New Year learning to life in a developmentally appropriate and engaging way. We started our exploration with interactive read-alouds using The 12 Days of Lunar New Year, Happy Lunar New Year! (Sesame Street), and Peppa's Chinese New Year. These stories have quickly become student favorites. The children are excited and engaged during read-aloud time, eagerly pointing out familiar characters, asking questions, and sharing observations about family celebrations, special foods, red envelopes, and cultural symbols. These moments have supported vocabulary development, listening comprehension, and early cultural awareness.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials were first introduced, students showed immediate curiosity and enthusiasm. They were especially excited to see the colorful books and began making connections between the stories and their own family traditions and celebrations. The books have sparked rich conversations and helped students understand that people around the world celebrate important events in different ways.\r\n\r\nIn the coming weeks, students will continue their learning through hands-on art and craft activities using markers, stickers, and other creative materials. They will create lanterns, dragon artwork, and red envelope–inspired projects, strengthening fine motor skills, creativity, and symbolic understanding. Finished work will be preserved with laminating sheets so it can be reused in classroom displays, dramatic play, and future lessons. Students will also participate in a small Lunar New Year celebration, earning themed rewards to reinforce learning, engagement, and positive social behaviors.\r\n\r\nThanks to the generosity of the DonorsChoose Community and Panda Express, my students are experiencing Lunar New Year through stories, art, play, and celebration. Your support has given you a special peek into our classroom and is helping build curiosity, respect, and joy for learning about diverse cultures, an impact that will continue well beyond this unit.","fullyFundedDate":1767115681891,"projectUrl":"project/lets-explore-lunar-new-year-in-pre-k/9970347/","projectTitle":"Let’s Explore!: Lunar New Year in Pre-K","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. McCoy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2549994_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1449063534383","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/nikole-mccoy"},{"teacherId":2549994,"projectId":9845545,"letterContent":"My preschoolers were energetic, curious learners who loved to ask questions, make discoveries, and share their ideas. For many students, this project supported their very first school experience, and for some, their first opportunity to learn and practice English. In our classroom, curiosity and creativity were nurtured through hands-on exploration and rich conversations, and these new resources strengthened that approach in meaningful ways.\r\n\r\nWhen students and families were first introduced to the Family Engagement Language & Literacy Kits, the response was overwhelmingly positive. To ensure students felt confident using the materials, we began with the story retelling kit, which aligned with our current instructional focus. I introduced the kit to the whole group, modeling how to use the materials to sequence events, retell stories, and describe characters and settings. Students were highly engaged during this lesson, eagerly volunteering to retell parts of the story and share their ideas with peers. After this introduction, the kit was sent home so students could continue practicing these skills with their families.\r\n\r\nFamilies shared that students were excited to use the kits at home, and many returned to school eager to talk about their experiences. The availability of the kits in both English and Spanish helped families feel welcomed and included as active partners in learning. At home, children practiced retelling stories, building vocabulary, and asking and answering questions, which strengthened oral language and comprehension skills.\r\n\r\nThe kits extended learning beyond the classroom while reinforcing key early literacy and STEM foundations. Through playful, hands-on activities, students observed patterns, practiced sequencing, and developed critical thinking skills connected to early math and science. These experiences supported letter and sound recognition, vocabulary growth, and the use of comparative language skills essential for both reading and scientific reasoning.\r\n\r\nAs a next step, students continued applying these skills during ongoing classroom lessons, including shared reading, story mapping, and hands-on science investigations. The success of the story retelling kit provided a strong foundation for introducing additional kits that connect literacy with STEM learning. Thanks to our donors, this project strengthened family engagement, supported meaningful learning at home and school, and helped students grow as confident readers, thinkers, and future scientists—one story and discovery at a time.","fullyFundedDate":1764865898970,"projectUrl":"project/stem-starts-with-stories-that-build-fu/9845545/","projectTitle":"\"STEM Starts with Stories: That Build Future Scientists!\"","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. McCoy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2549994_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1449063534383","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/nikole-mccoy"},{"teacherId":2549994,"projectId":9950028,"letterContent":"This project had a joyful and meaningful impact on my equity-focused Title I preschool classroom, where all students receive free lunch, and many come from military families or meet at-risk criteria such as low family income, identified disabilities, English language needs, or parental employment challenges. In December 2025, each student received a stocking filled with small learning-based items, including candy and toys, as a reward for positive behavior demonstrated during the first two quarters of the school year.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the stockings, they reacted with excitement, curiosity, and pride. Many eagerly predicted what might be inside, while others smiled, knowing they were included. Opening the stockings became a shared classroom moment filled with joy, laughter, and connection. For some students who may not have received holiday gifts at home due to financial hardship or a parent's deployment, this experience provided a meaningful and inclusive holiday celebration.\r\n\r\nThe stockings were intentionally used as hands-on learning tools. Students engaged in predicting contents, sorting and counting items, naming objects, and describing colors and textures. These activities supported fine-motor development, early math skills, vocabulary growth, and oral language development, particularly for English learners. The excitement of the activity naturally encouraged inquiry-based learning, as students asked questions, shared ideas, and explored materials at their own pace.\r\n\r\nThis project also reinforced important social-emotional goals. It strengthened our positive behavior system by celebrating kindness, teamwork, and perseverance while fostering a sense of belonging and classroom community. Thanks to our donors, this project created a joyful, inclusive learning experience that supported academic growth and ensured every child felt valued and celebrated.","fullyFundedDate":1765210643396,"projectUrl":"project/building-joy-equity-and-community-thro/9950028/","projectTitle":"Building Joy, Equity, and Community Through Hands-on Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. McCoy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2549994_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1449063534383","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/nikole-mccoy"},{"teacherId":2549994,"projectId":9945933,"letterContent":"In our Pre-K classroom, learning is an adventure filled with curiosity, creativity, and discovery. Thanks to your support, we are able to use technology in meaningful, developmentally appropriate ways that enhance hands-on, student-centered learning. The MacBook charger, cables, and surge protector ensure our classroom devices stay powered and ready for use during daily learning centers. This allows me to deliver interactive lessons, model early digital learning skills, and support activities such as music, read-alouds, interactive storytelling, and educational learning platforms that reinforce literacy, math, and social-emotional development.\r\n\r\nWhat excites my students most is how technology brings their learning to life. They love participating in interactive read-alouds, listening centers, and project-based activities connected to themes like \"Community Helpers,\" \"Transportation,\" and beloved stories such as If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. Items like the kid-friendly headphones help students focus during independent technology time, while themed materials like the Mario backpack set and water bottle support organization and role-playing during dramatic play and literacy centers. These tools help students feel prepared, engaged, and eager to participate.\r\n\r\nSeveral students who benefit most from structured routines and independent exploration have especially warmed to this technology. Students who need extra support with attention, language development, or sensory regulation are able to engage more confidently using headphones and interactive digital activities. By keeping our learning stations safely powered and organized, this project supports consistent access to technology and helps create a classroom where students can explore, interact, and express themselves. Thank you for helping make learning joyful, meaningful, and accessible for every child in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1765991262163,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-learning-to-life-through-hands-/9945933/","projectTitle":"Bringing Learning to Life Through Hands-On, Interactive, and Real-World Experiences","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. McCoy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2549994_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1449063534383","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/nikole-mccoy"},{"teacherId":2549994,"projectId":9789983,"letterContent":"From birth, children are naturally curious, and in my Pre-K classroom, I see that curiosity come to life every day through questions, play, and problem-solving. Thanks to this project, we now have reliable access to high-quality printing that helps turn my students' ideas into visible learning. Many donors use technology at home, but in our classroom, this technology allows me to create and print observation sheets, visuals, bilingual supports, and student work samples that directly support early literacy, STEM exploration, and kindergarten readiness. Having these materials available ensures that every student, especially those learning English or needing visual supports, can fully access instruction.\r\n\r\nWhat excites my students most is seeing their work come to life in color. They love printing photos of their block structures, science experiments, and artwork, then proudly sharing them with classmates and families. Students use printed number charts, shape games, writing practice pages, and simple \"blueprints\" to guide building projects. These tangible materials make abstract concepts more concrete and help young learners stay engaged, focused, and motivated.\r\n\r\nSeveral students who benefit most from visual and hands-on learning have especially warmed to this technology. Students with language delays or emerging communication skills use printed visuals and adapted materials to express themselves more confidently, while multilingual learners benefit from bilingual supports that honor their home language. By displaying their work, students build pride, confidence, and communication skills. Your support has provided a simple but transformative resource that makes my students' learning visible, valued, and joyful. Thank you for helping nurture curiosity, creativity, and confidence in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1765986307710,"projectUrl":"project/printing-bright-futures-exploring-stem/9789983/","projectTitle":"Printing Bright Futures: Exploring STEM Through Creativity and Play","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. McCoy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2549994_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1449063534383","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/nikole-mccoy"},{"teacherId":4289438,"projectId":9523956,"letterContent":"Having the right school supplies is about much more than just having tools to write with; it's about creating a psychological and structural foundation for learning. When a student has highlighters, markers, pencils, and folders, they aren't just \"carrying stuff\"—they are building a system for cognitive processing and emotional stability.\r\nWe use the supplies daily in classroom work, independent work and station work. The students enjoy using the markers to create colorful work that stands out and they are proud to take ownership of.\r\nThe students were really excited when they received the bags loaded with the supplies. \r\nTheir love for learning has surely increased with supplies to brighten their learning.\r\n\r\nSupplies like highlighters and markers are essential for \"active learning,\" which moves a student from passively reading text to actively engaging with it.\r\n\r\nInformation Retention: Highlighting key phrases helps the brain register them as important, strengthening neural connections.\r\n\r\n Markers allow students to create color-coded systems (e.g., green for dates, pink for vocabulary). This reduces \"cognitive load\" by making complex notes easier to scan and digest.\r\n\r\nThe physical act of writing with a pencil involves fine motor skills that improve memory more effectively than typing. It allows for \"hands-on\" learning, such as drawing diagrams or solving math problems step-by-step.","fullyFundedDate":1758636774618,"projectUrl":"project/watch-out-third-grade-here-we-come/9523956/","projectTitle":"Watch Out Third Grade, Here We Come!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Parker","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4289438_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1762653683204","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/pammie-parker"},{"teacherId":3432422,"projectId":9959031,"letterContent":"From the bottom of my heart, thank you for supporting our Rainy Days Recess Rhythm project. Your generous gift of drums, bells, triangles, and other percussion instruments has already brought so much joy to my first graders. They light up when we explore different rhythms and beats — tapping steady pulses, swapping instruments, and discovering how sounds can tell a story. Watching them cooperate, listen, and take creative risks during our music time has been a true delight.\r\n\r\nMusic is essential for first graders: it builds listening skills, strengthens language and pattern recognition, and boosts confidence. Your support gives our students hands‑on experiences that enrich their learning and spark lasting enthusiasm for the arts. I deeply appreciate your kindness and belief in our classroom. Thank you for helping make every rainy day a chance to learn, create, and celebrate together.","fullyFundedDate":1765812054301,"projectUrl":"project/rainy-day-recess-rhythms/9959031/","projectTitle":"Rainy Day Recess Rhythms","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Charleston","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3432422_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1729525593637","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/d-charleston"},{"teacherId":6048788,"projectId":9676627,"letterContent":"The materials that you helped us purchase are being well received by our students. Our proficiency has improved with majority of students gaining 30 plus points from pre to post assessments using the graphing notebooks and the math games. What a great way to get boys and girls excited about mathematical concepts. They see the real world applications by looking at the data over time on line graphs and applying it to their learning of place values up through six digits. This connects directly to what students are asked to exhibit on Summative Assessments. We also thank Synchrony Bank for matching donations with your generosity and support.","fullyFundedDate":1757260312142,"projectUrl":"project/sailing-against-the-odds-mathematical-s/9676627/","projectTitle":"Sailing Against the Odds: Mathematical Success","teacherDisplayName":"Coach S. McDonald","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6048788_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1605060893361","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/hollywoodstars"},{"teacherId":2549994,"projectId":9919031,"letterContent":"This project brought The Polar Express to life in a way that deeply enriched my students' learning and joy. Through the read-aloud and movie experience, students practiced key literacy skills such as identifying story elements, sequencing events, analyzing character traits, and exploring figurative language and theme. The quote, \"The bell still rings for all who truly believe,\" sparked meaningful discussions about imagination, confidence, and believing in oneself, helping students connect literature to their own lives.\r\nReading in our classroom is interactive, engaging, and community-centered. Students gather together to listen, discuss, act out scenes, and respond through movement, conversation, and creative expression. Watching the movie alongside the text allowed students to compare versions, deepen comprehension, and talk about fantasy versus reality, all while staying fully engaged in the story's magic.\r\nSeveral students who are typically quiet or hesitant readers were especially excited during this experience. Dressing up, enjoying hot chocolate, and participating in the celebration helped them feel confident and included, which led to increased participation in discussions and story retelling. This project didn't just support literacy; it created lasting memories, strengthened classroom community, and reminded every child that learning can be joyful, magical, and meaningful.","fullyFundedDate":1764684785747,"projectUrl":"project/the-bell-rings-for-those-who-truly-belie/9919031/","projectTitle":"The Bell Rings for Those Who Truly Believe","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. McCoy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2549994_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1449063534383","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/nikole-mccoy"},{"teacherId":2549994,"projectId":9891477,"letterContent":"Since receiving these resources, our classroom has felt refreshed, comfortable, and more organized. Students help use the mop pads during our daily clean-up routine, taking pride in keeping our shared space safe and tidy. The fans have made a noticeable difference during warmer days. Students remain calmer, more focused, and able to stay engaged during lessons and center time without discomfort.\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, students were excited and eager to explore them. They immediately noticed the improved airflow and happily helped organize supplies using the desk organizers and trash cans. The wet-erase markers quickly became a favorite during small-group instruction, where students practice writing, problem-solving, and drawing responses on reusable surfaces, making learning interactive and fun.\r\nThese resources are supporting our next steps in learning by strengthening independence and collaboration. As we continue hands-on projects in literacy, math, and inquiry-based centers, students are able to independently access materials, follow smooth routines, and focus on learning rather than logistics. Thanks to your generosity, our classroom is a welcoming, well-equipped environment where students feel confident, capable, and excited to learn every day.","fullyFundedDate":1764693647039,"projectUrl":"project/clean-comfortable-and-ready-to-learn/9891477/","projectTitle":"Clean, Comfortable, and Ready to Learn: Restocking Our Classroom Essentials","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. McCoy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2549994_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1449063534383","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/nikole-mccoy"},{"teacherId":3432422,"projectId":9890838,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for generously funding our STEM resources. Your gift is already making a noticeable difference in our classroom and sparking excitement every day.\r\n\r\nThe connector building sets have become a classroom favorite. Students work together to design and test towers, bridges, and imaginative creations that reinforce teamwork, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving. The engineering tube straws are perfect for trying new structural ideas — children experiment with shapes, load-bearing designs, and simple prototypes, learning engineering habits of mind as they iterate and improve their models.\r\n\r\nThe science teacher resource book is an invaluable guide. It has helped me plan fresh, hands-on lessons that keep students engaged and curious. The ready-made activities and clear explanations let me focus on facilitating exploration and extending students' thinking rather than spending hours creating new materials.\r\n\r\nWe'll use the pattern blocks regularly during math station time to build fluency with shapes, fractions, and symmetry. These manipulatives support visual reasoning and give students a concrete way to explore abstract math ideas. And when we study rocks and Earth science, the kids are thrilled to create a fizzy volcano — a memorable, hands-on experiment that brings scientific concepts to life and sparks questions about chemical reactions and geology.\r\n\r\nYour generosity not only provides materials but also expands learning opportunities: more collaboration, deeper investigation, and joyful discovery. These resources help us build a classroom where students can try, fail, revise, and succeed — essential skills for lifelong learners.\r\n\r\n\"Giving to children plants seeds of possibility that grow for a lifetime.\"","fullyFundedDate":1763582807779,"projectUrl":"project/tiny-engineers-big-ideas-classroom-ste/9890838/","projectTitle":"Tiny Engineers, Big Ideas: Classroom STEM Kits","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Charleston","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3432422_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1729525593637","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/d-charleston"},{"teacherId":3432422,"projectId":9938467,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding our classroom supply project. We are deeply grateful for your generosity — a heartfelt thank you for the new dry erase boards to replace our worn ones, the dry erase markers, and the chart paper. These supplies make a real difference for our students every day.\r\n\r\nThe new dry erase boards will let small groups practice reading skills, write and revise responses quickly, and share thinking with classmates. In science, students will use the boards to draw observations, sketch models, and record hypotheses during experiments. In math, the boards give every student space to solve problems, show their work, and try multiple strategies without wasting paper. The markers and chart paper will help us create clear anchor charts, model strategies, and celebrate student work — all of which boost understanding and engagement across reading, science, and math.\r\n\r\nPlease know your support directly enriches learning and helps every child succeed. As a reminder of the power of your gift:\r\n\r\n\"Giving to children is an investment that returns a lifetime of possibility.\"","fullyFundedDate":1764723407568,"projectUrl":"project/wipe-write-shine-first-grade-supply-r/9938467/","projectTitle":"Wipe, Write, Shine: First Grade Supply Renewal","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Charleston","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3432422_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1729525593637","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/d-charleston"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_1396","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":626,"numTeachers":44,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":58,"percentWhite":12,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":18,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"14.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":51.7,"schoolId":1396,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Lake Rim Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Lake Rim Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/north-carolina/cumberland-county-schools/lake-rim-elementary-school/1396"}