{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Lorna J Kesterson Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":26.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9579403,"projectId":9614199,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my Seat Sacks for Success project. These seat sacks have made a wonderful difference in our classroom by helping eliminate overcrowding in students' desks. Instead of digging through messy desks, students now have an organized space where their most-used materials are easy to access.\r\n\r\nBecause the seat sacks hang right on the backs of their chairs, students can quickly grab items like privacy folders, headphones, and whiteboards when we need them. This simple change has helped save instructional time and keeps our classroom running more smoothly. Your generosity has helped create a more organized and efficient learning environment for my students, and we are truly grateful for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1755745319082,"projectUrl":"project/seat-sacks-for-success/9614199/","projectTitle":"Seat Sacks for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Spindel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9579403_orig.jpg?crop=1944,1944,x0,y648&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1719799517240","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9579403"},{"teacherId":10400676,"projectId":10002878,"letterContent":"Our class was buzzing with a very specific kind of electricity as we introduced our Sport Stacking Unit. When I first pulled out the sets of vibrant, neon stacking cups, the reaction was immediate and infectious. That initial wave of curiosity quickly turned into high-energy engagement as they realized these weren't just ordinary cups, but specialized tools designed for lightning-fast movement. It was one of those fun teaching moments when every single student, regardless of their usual athletic interests, was leaning in, eager to get their hands on the equipment.\r\n\r\nSince that first day, we have been using the cups to master intricate patterns like the 3-3-3 and the 3-6-3, which require students to use both their left and right hands independently. Beyond the fun, these movements are actually \"brain food\" by forcing students to cross the midline of their bodies, we are strengthening the neurological pathways that help them track words across a page during reading and maintain steady hand control during writing. It's been incredible to see them realize that \"fast hands\" in the gym lead to a \"focused mind\" in the classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1768178876869,"projectUrl":"project/speed-stacking-at-our-elementary/10002878/","projectTitle":"Speed Stacking at Our Elementary","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Freeman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10400676"},{"teacherId":6516144,"projectId":10066333,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation! When the boxes first arrived, the atmosphere in the room was electric. My students were hovering near the door, eyes wide, asking, \"Is that for us?\" As we unboxed the button maker and the colorful playground balls, one student shouted, \"It's like a giant birthday party for the whole class!\" Seeing their faces light up was a powerful reminder to them that there is a whole community of supporters invested in their happiness and success.\r\n\r\nWe have hit the ground running with these new tools. The art and writing supplies have turned our daily assignments into vibrant projects, but the button maker has been the surprise superstar. We are working on designing buttons to be used as rewards for the whole school.\r\n\r\nA Specific Moment: Just last week, a student who usually struggles to stay engaged in writing worked diligently for three days to earn \"Game Time.\" When they finally sat down to play one of the new board games with a peer, the sense of pride and social connection was palpable. It wasn't just about the game; it was about the goal they reached to get there.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has set the stage for our next big endeavor. We are currently starting a unit on \"Identity and Community.\" Students will be using the writing and art supplies to create autobiographical posters, and as a culminating activity, each student will design and manufacture a custom button that represents their unique contribution to our classroom. Meanwhile, our new playground balls are helping us practice sportsmanship and teamwork every single day during recess.\r\n\r\nThank you for bringing these resources—and this joy—into our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1770054233551,"projectUrl":"project/help-us-become-well-rounded-children/10066333/","projectTitle":"Help Us Become Well Rounded Children!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Zeiders","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6516144"},{"teacherId":3286882,"projectId":9990207,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding my project. This is such a great boost to my classroom with much-needed supplies. I let the students open all the boxes and materials, and they had such a great time! \r\n\r\nI have already used the Cricut mat to create a bulletin board. Using the Cricut has saved me hours of tedious cutting! The other items will be used in their birthday cups and for testing motivation!\r\n\r\nI have set everything up and am so grateful to be \"stocked up.\" My students deserve the best, and I'm so happy that you helped provide it for them.","fullyFundedDate":1768090286531,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-learning/9990207/","projectTitle":"Hands-On 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":1988166,"projectId":9580791,"letterContent":"Your donation to our classroom has sparked so much joy for all of us. The day our package arrived felt like Christmas. Curiosity and excitement filled the room. We opened our boxes at the end of the day and the students were so excited to come to school the next day knowing we had new learning games to play. This donors choose project has brought magic into our classroom. \r\n\r\nBecause of your support, students are now strengthening foundational skills like letter recognition, phonics, counting, number sense, and problem-solving. These resources allow students to practice at their own pace while collaborating with classmates, building both academic and social skills.\r\n\r\nThese materials will be used for many years to come and help many students along the way learn their foundational skills through play. Thank you again for all of your support in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1759193727096,"projectUrl":"project/play-to-learn-building-brains-through-g/9580791/","projectTitle":"Play to Learn: Building Brains Through Games!","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":9815855,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for fully funding my project and making it possible to bring these amazing Lakeshore Learning resources into our kindergarten classroom! The phonics kits, ABC Mystery Box, and Launch & Learn materials have already made such a meaningful difference for my students.\r\n\r\nThe phonics kits give my students hands-on, engaging practice as they build letter–sound connections and develop early reading skills. The ABC Mystery Box has quickly become a class favorite—students are excited to explore, make predictions, and strengthen their alphabet knowledge in a playful, memorable way. The Launch & Learn materials help turn abstract concepts into concrete learning experiences, allowing my students to actively participate, talk about their thinking, and build confidence as learners.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, my students are learning through exploration, movement, and joy every single day. Thank you for investing in our classroom and supporting the foundation of literacy for these young learners. Your kindness truly helps launch a lifelong love of learning.","fullyFundedDate":1762305272627,"projectUrl":"project/abcs-of-kindergarten/9815855/","projectTitle":"ABC's of Kindergarten!","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":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"}],"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"}