{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Lorna J Kesterson Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":26.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":3286882,"projectId":9582209,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding my project! The students were so excited about this new addition to our classroom. My students use the felt side of the easel to retell stories, act out characters, and build their language skills. I use the dry-erase side every single day during lessons, and it has become an essential part of our routine.\r\n\r\nThe bottom shelf holds all of my must-have teaching materials, keeping everything in easy reach and helping our classroom run smoothly. I love that it has holders for chart paper as well as a ledge to hold books. I can see this easel being something that will be used for many years to come. Thanks to you, learning is more organized, interactive, and joyful for my kindergarteners.","fullyFundedDate":1757553980096,"projectUrl":"project/easel-y-learning/9582209/","projectTitle":"Easel-y Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Casey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3286882_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1463600883162","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kinder"},{"teacherId":4363381,"projectId":9809827,"letterContent":"Thank you for the continued support for my classroom. The additional printer and made the printing process much faster for my students. They are so excited and motivated when they hear the hum of the machines. \r\nThe items printed in my classroom reach more students than just my GATE class, they impact the entire school. With the additional printer we are able to make prizes and trophies for students around the school. Students are attending more and learning more. Thank you for helping make our learning more fun and engaging.","fullyFundedDate":1760760000616,"projectUrl":"project/printing-ideas/9809827/","projectTitle":"Printing Ideas","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Donald","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4363381_orig.jpg?crop=816,816,x0,y119&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673378872700","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4363381"},{"teacherId":8134585,"projectId":9246957,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in helping us purchase our new decodable readers. These resources have already made a meaningful impact in our classroom.\r\n\r\nWe began using the books right away during our small-group reading rotations. One of our first projects was a \"Readers Build Knowledge\" activity—students read texts at their level, practiced decoding and fluency strategies, and then shared something new they learned with a partner. It was great to see them settle in with books that truly matched their reading needs.\r\n\r\nThanks to your support, our next step is to help students strengthen their comprehension and academic vocabulary using texts that challenge them appropriately. \r\n\r\nYour kindness has opened doors for my students and created real excitement around reading. We are deeply grateful for your support and belief in their potential.","fullyFundedDate":1752752731670,"projectUrl":"project/first-grade-readers/9246957/","projectTitle":"First Grade Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Mirasol","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8134585_orig.jpg?crop=900,900,x0,y135&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1699228283013","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8134585"},{"teacherId":5957743,"projectId":9306947,"letterContent":"I can't thank you enough for providing us with these wonderful decodable books for my first graders to read! They are sooo excited to go grab a book and be able to read it! The curriculum we use is still a little bit too hard for them to read the stories on their own, but these books are just right for them. They ask if they can go get one of the books to read all day long. \r\n\r\nDuring a meeting, one little boy went and got a book to show his mom how well he can read! He was so happy and proud and so was I:) Thank you again for your generosity and know that you are helping a new generation to learn how to read!","fullyFundedDate":1755728401274,"projectUrl":"project/just-right-readers-for-1st-grade/9306947/","projectTitle":"Just Right Readers for 1st Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gibson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5957743_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1699065297868","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5957743"},{"teacherId":307060,"projectId":9303420,"letterContent":"Nothing beats starting off the school year with bright, bold new markers and crayons. The students loved the vivid hues of the new liquid watercolor paints and much needed thicker paper to paint on. These new supplies not only allowed the student artists to express their emotions and ideas in a tangible way, thus fostering creativity and self-expression. Also, the act of creating with these supplies help with fine motor skills and creative problem-solving skills.\r\n\r\nA couple of the kinder art projects were dot paintings inspired by the book, The Dot, which encourages creativity and confidence in oneself and unique elephants inspired by the book Elmer. 4th graders created abstract positive and negative spaces mixed media projects. 5th graders painted colorful skies for their winter landscapes inspired by graphic artist, Jen Aranyi. 2nd graders learned about warm/cool colors thru their warm sun/cool moon painting.","fullyFundedDate":1746463928188,"projectUrl":"project/art-is-too-important-not-to-share/9303420/","projectTitle":"Art Is Too Important Not to Share","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Denney","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/gogh-art"},{"teacherId":3286882,"projectId":9571978,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding our project! The sentence strips you provided are already being put to great use in our classroom. My students love using them to create their ABC hats each week. Every time we learn a new letter, they proudly decorate their hats with words and pictures that begin with that letter, and the sentence strips make it easy for them to build, wear, and show off their work. It's such a fun way to make learning letters meaningful and memorable.\r\n\r\nWe are also using the strips in science as sentence frames to learn and review ideas and discoveries. Whether we're writing down what we notice during experiments or putting new vocabulary into sentences, the sentence strips help my students share their thinking in a clear and exciting way.","fullyFundedDate":1755730577737,"projectUrl":"project/abc-headbands/9571978/","projectTitle":"ABC Headbands!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Casey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3286882_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1463600883162","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kinder"},{"teacherId":116909,"projectId":9056258,"letterContent":"I am writing to share the incredible impact Breakout EDU has had on my 5th-grade classroom, made possible by the generosity of donors like you. Your support has transformed how my students engage with and master academic content.\r\n\r\nBreakout EDU provides an interactive, hands-on learning experience that goes far beyond traditional worksheets and lectures. My students work in small teams to solve a series of puzzles and challenges, each related to a specific topic we have covered in class. To \"break out\" of the locked box, they must apply their knowledge in a critical and creative way.\r\n\r\nFor example, when we were reviewing our unit on fractions, I used a Breakout EDU game. The students had to solve word problems involving equivalent fractions and operations, with each correct answer providing a code for a lock. Students were not just finding answers; they were collaborating, communicating, and persevering through challenging problems. I saw them get excited about a topic that many of them had previously found difficult or boring. The excitement and collaboration in the classroom were palpable.\r\n\r\nThis kind of active, inquiry-based learning is exactly what students need to develop the problem-solving skills necessary for the future. The games not only reinforce content but also build crucial soft skills like teamwork and resilience. Thank you for your belief in innovative teaching and for providing my students with this powerful learning tool. Your donation is directly impacting their education in a meaningful and memorable way.","fullyFundedDate":1747104815236,"projectUrl":"project/breaking-out-of-the-classroom/9056258/","projectTitle":"Breaking Out of the Classroom!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ybarra","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp116909_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1539492899509","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-ybarra"},{"teacherId":3846441,"projectId":9479374,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your consideration and generous donations to our classroom project \"Let's Show it, then Share it!\" The kids really enjoy using the writing pads to demonstrate their work, especially during our math lessons! Being able to put together a project with my students, and watch them benifit from using the items our donors thought would be benficial to our class, is a pretty humbling experience. I hope this note helps to express just how greatful I really am for your donation to our project! I feel truly blessed and supported!","fullyFundedDate":1755320237321,"projectUrl":"project/lets-show-it-then-share-it/9479374/","projectTitle":"Let's Show it, then Share it!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Salas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3846441_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1472938446273","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3846441"},{"teacherId":1988166,"projectId":9292304,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation towards tools we needed to start the school year off right. The materials have made it to the little hands in the classroom. We learned about how to take care of them so they will last us the entire school year. I know that these tools have already helped tremendously for the little hands my students have. The larger crayons and pencils helped them grip with confidence, and I could see real progress in their fine motor control. Even simple tasks like writing their names or gluing shapes turned into opportunities for growth and independence all thanks to having materials sized just right for their little hands. Without your help we wouldn't have made this possible you've provided tools for success, growth, and joy. Thank you for investing in our young learners. You've made a lasting impact!","fullyFundedDate":1746787007176,"projectUrl":"project/big-tools-for-little-hands/9292304/","projectTitle":"Big Tools for Little Hands!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. AhQuin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1988166_orig.png?crop=324,324,x0,y34&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1684988883840","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-soma"},{"teacherId":3286882,"projectId":9126211,"letterContent":"We are so excited and grateful for the caterpillar kits, books, and plushies you've given to our classroom! The caterpillar kits gave my students the chance to watch the amazing life cycle unfold, deepening their understanding in a way that only real-life experiences can. They especially loved The Very Hungry Caterpillar and the matching plushie, which made our lessons both fun and meaningful.\r\n\r\nWe are also excited to begin our Amplify Science unit, Plants and Animals, where students act as scientists to help the children of Mariposa Grove discover why caterpillars have disappeared after their field of milkweed was turned into a garden. Thanks to your generosity, my students are entering this unit with firsthand knowledge and excitement—they aren't just studying science, they're truly experiencing it.\r\n\r\nThank you for making this unforgettable learning adventure possible!","fullyFundedDate":1746486796112,"projectUrl":"project/little-wings-big-dreams/9126211/","projectTitle":"Little Wings, Big Dreams","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Casey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3286882_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1463600883162","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kinder"},{"teacherId":3286882,"projectId":9276859,"letterContent":"We are so grateful for your generous support of our kindness project! Thanks to you, our class received emotional storytelling kits, kindness stickers, colorful pens, and cardstock to bring our ideas to life.\r\n\r\nThe storytelling kits have already sparked joy and meaningful conversations, helping students act out powerful lessons about friendship, empathy, and community. With the cardstock, pens, and stickers, my kindergarteners are now creating heartfelt kindness cards to share with classmates, staff, and community helpers. One of our teachers is starting a kindness club, and she will be using the items donated from this project for her group of 1st - 5th students. \r\n\r\nYour gift is helping my students understand that kindness is more than just a word—it's an action they can take every single day. Because of you, they're not just learning about compassion, they're living it. Thank you for making this project possible and for inspiring us.","fullyFundedDate":1747252994365,"projectUrl":"project/service-star-spread-kindness/9276859/","projectTitle":"Service Star - Spread Kindness","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Casey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3286882_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1463600883162","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kinder"},{"teacherId":8139833,"projectId":9318024,"letterContent":"I want to extend my deepest thanks for your generous support of our project, \"Learning Through LEGOs: Empowering Young Minds with Autism.\" Because of your kindness, our classroom now has an incredible set of tools that are making a real difference in our students' learning, communication, and confidence.\r\n\r\nWhen the LEGO sets first arrived, the excitement in the room was electric. Students' faces lit up as we opened the boxes—some couldn't believe that these bright, colorful bricks were truly theirs to explore. One student, usually quiet and reserved, clapped with joy and immediately began sorting pieces by color and size. It was a beautiful moment of connection and engagement.\r\n\r\nWith these LEGO sets, students have been able to work together on small group builds, practice turn-taking and conversation, and express themselves through design and creativity. Whether it's building a simple house or an elaborate spaceship, each creation helps them grow in confidence and skill. During one recent session, I watched as a group of students collaborated to build a zoo—taking turns adding animals, negotiating the layout, and proudly presenting their finished project to the class. It was not just about the build; it was about teamwork, self-expression, and joyful learning.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we're incorporating the LEGO sets into our ongoing social skills and STEM lessons. Students will continue working in groups to solve design challenges, create story-based builds, and even present their creations to the class—practicing communication and self-advocacy along the way. These next steps are helping each child build not just with bricks, but with essential life skills.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving our students this opportunity. Your generosity has created a learning space where every child—regardless of ability—feels empowered, included, and inspired.","fullyFundedDate":1747160193718,"projectUrl":"project/learning-through-legos-empowering-young/9318024/","projectTitle":"Learning Through LEGOs: Empowering Young Minds with Autism","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Camarena","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8139833"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_68351","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":535,"numTeachers":39,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":6,"percentBlack":13,"percentWhite":24,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":37,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"13.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":73.7,"schoolId":68351,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Lorna J Kesterson Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Lorna J Kesterson Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/nevada/clark-county-school-district/lorna-kesterson-elementary-school/68351"}