{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Margaret C. Ells School","outOfStateSupporters":27.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10171345,"projectId":9802778,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to my project. The supplies you provided have helped me create meaningful, engaging anchor charts for my students, and they have truly made a difference in our classroom.\r\n\r\nMy students love working together on our shared writing experiences, letters of the week, and the various anchor charts we create both together and independently. These visual supports have become an essential tool in helping them understand new concepts, stay engaged, and take pride in their learning. As a first-year teacher, having these resources has made a tremendous impact on my ability to provide the rich, hands-on learning environment I envisioned.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has not only supported me but has inspired my students. They are excited to participate, eager to contribute, and proud to see their ideas displayed in our classroom.\r\n\r\nThank you again for believing in our classroom and for helping us grow.","fullyFundedDate":1760741643767,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-lessons-to-lifeone-poster-at-a/9802778/","projectTitle":"Bringing Lessons to Life—One Poster at a Time","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Feliciano","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10171345_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y378&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755626010577","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10171345"},{"teacherId":1810443,"projectId":9370687,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your kindness and support of our classroom project. My students are energetic, curious learners who do their best when they feel comfortable, calm, and engaged. Thanks to your generosity, we are one step closer to creating that environment for them.\r\n\r\nThe classroom fan you provided makes a big difference on warm days, helping students stay cool, comfortable, and focused. The stand-up lights soften the harsh glare from our ceiling lights, creating a peaceful, calming space where children can learn and explore without distraction.\r\n\r\nWe are especially excited about the movable sand table and sensory materials. Many of my students thrive with hands-on experiences, and these tools allow them to scoop, pour, build, and discover in meaningful ways. Sensory play supports language, social skills, and fine motor development, giving students daily opportunities to grow in all of these areas.\r\n\r\nYour generosity is transforming our classroom into a warm, welcoming, sensory-friendly space where every child can learn and grow with confidence.","fullyFundedDate":1760737112429,"projectUrl":"project/cool-calm-and-learning-on/9370687/","projectTitle":"Cool, Calm, and Learning On","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Knowlton","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1810443_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1701139834451","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1810443"},{"teacherId":9780883,"projectId":9414944,"letterContent":"I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your generous support of my project, \"Purpose of Sensory Equipment in Supporting Autistic Children.\" Your contribution has made a tremendous difference in my classroom and in the lives of my students.\r\nThe sensory equipment you helped fund has had an incredible impact. The trampoline and peanut balls have become essential tools for helping my students strengthen their core muscles while providing them with the sensory input they need. These items also serve as perfect breaks during Discrete Trial Training (DTT), allowing students to relax, self-regulate, and return to their work calm, focused, and ready to learn.\r\nThe carpets I ordered have transformed our classroom space. The leaf-patterned carpet is especially loved, it adds both color and a soothing atmosphere to the room while keeping our students safe on the tile floor. It's amazing how such a simple change can make our environment feel more welcoming and comfortable for everyone.\r\nSome items from my original request were no longer available, but I was able to select other engaging materials that my students truly enjoy. Because many of my learners are younger, I focused on items that support fine motor development. The toys have been a great addition, encouraging hands-on exploration and skill-building through play.\r\nI was also thrilled to finally find the fabric books I had been searching for. These books are durable, easy to clean, and perfect for young hands. My students absolutely love them! They enjoy the textures, bright colors, and interactive pages. Seeing their smiles as they explore these books and sensory materials reminds me daily of the positive impact your generosity has made.\r\nThank you again for helping create a space where my students feel supported, engaged, and capable of success. Your kindness continues to inspire both me and my students every day.","fullyFundedDate":1760737109568,"projectUrl":"project/purpose-of-sensory-equipment-in-supporti/9414944/","projectTitle":"Purpose of Sensory Equipment in Supporting Autistic Children","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. B","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9780883_orig.jpg?crop=480,480,x0,y25&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1728934845642","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9780883"},{"teacherId":10171345,"projectId":9650445,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of my project, \"Rolling Into Learning With a Whiteboard!\" The whiteboard has made such a wonderful difference in our classroom. It has quickly become an essential part of our daily routine and learning environment!\r\n\r\nWe use it every day during circle time to write our morning message, practice the letter and word of the week, and work on writing letters and numbers together during whole group lessons. The students especially love coming up to the board to find the letters of the week hidden in our morning message—it has become one of their favorite parts of the day!\r\n\r\nYour generosity has made it possible for my students to learn in a more interactive and meaningful way. I am so grateful for your kindness and for helping create a classroom where learning is hands-on, fun, and full of growth.","fullyFundedDate":1756856067126,"projectUrl":"project/rolling-into-learning-with-a-whiteboard/9650445/","projectTitle":"Rolling Into Learning With a Whiteboard!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Feliciano","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10171345_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y378&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755626010577","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10171345"},{"teacherId":10171345,"projectId":9625505,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our Pre-K classroom has been transformed in the most meaningful way! The new Calming Corner items and decor, along with the Prize Box treasures, have made a tremendous impact—helping our little learners manage big feelings and celebrate positive choices every day.\r\n\r\n The Calming Corner has quickly become a safe, comforting space where students can go when they feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or simply need a quiet moment. The soft, textured toys you provided are a favorite—children love exploring the different materials and discovering which ones help them feel most at ease. It's now one of the most beloved spots in our classroom, and I've noticed how much joy and peace it brings to our students.\r\n \r\n The Prize Box is another classroom hit! We use it to recognize kindness, effort, and thoughtful behavior. Whether a student helps a friend, uses their words, or tries something new, they earn a small reward—and the pride on their faces says it all. They love choosing a prize to take home and share with their families, and it's helping build confidence and encourage positive choices.\r\n\r\n🧠 We're continuing to build on these tools by teaching calming strategies like breathing exercises, using \"feeling words,\" and asking for help. Students now point to the feelings poster in the Calming Corner to express their emotions, and we're expanding our classroom kindness chart to complement the Prize Box. This visual tool helps students track their positive behavior and set small, meaningful goals—turning everyday choices into lifelong habits.\r\n\r\nThank you again for supporting our youngest learners. Your generosity is helping them grow stronger, more confident, and more connected—inside and out.\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\nWould you like help turning this into a newsletter, thank-you card, or social media post? I'd be happy to tailor it!","fullyFundedDate":1755719893245,"projectUrl":"project/helping-hearts-growing-minds-calming/9625505/","projectTitle":"Helping Hearts & Growing Minds: Calming Tools and Motivational Rewards","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Feliciano","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10171345_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y378&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755626010577","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10171345"},{"teacherId":7483831,"projectId":9213811,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donations including Ripple! The planter bags were super useful and allowed multiple little hands working in the dirt at the same time. \r\n The garden trellis materials allowed us to grow large sunflowers to showcase our garden to the community. It allowed the children to see that everything in life at some point needs a helping hand to grow. Our summer garden continues to grow and welcomed our new pre-k students in. \r\nWe appreciate all of the donations and look forward to using these reusable materials for the fall and next spring.","fullyFundedDate":1746448289429,"projectUrl":"project/having-fun-in-the-garden/9213811/","projectTitle":"Having Fun in the Garden","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Blue","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7483831_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1598459331190","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7483831"},{"teacherId":9097574,"projectId":9428604,"letterContent":"I feel so blessed and grateful for your generosity in supporting our project, Moving, Learning, and Pretending Together! Because of you, my students will soon have new opportunities to grow, learn, and explore through movement, imagination, and play.\r\n\r\nThe students haven't seen the materials yet, but I know their faces will light up with joy once everything is introduced. I can already imagine the excitement in their voices as they dive into pretend play, role-playing different community helpers, or creating their own stories together. These resources will open the door for learning that is active, fun, and full of creativity.\r\n\r\nThe beauty of this project is that it allows us to merge academic learning with real-life skills. With pretend-play materials, students can act out stories, practice taking turns, strengthen their vocabulary, and explore problem-solving in a natural way. For example, we are planning to set up a \"pretend grocery store\" where students will count, sort, and use language while shopping and selling. This type of activity not only supports math and literacy, but also builds confidence, teamwork, and social-emotional growth.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has truly blessed our classroom. Because of you, I am able to design lessons that give students the chance to move, imagine, and learn in ways that traditional paper and pencil cannot provide. The next steps for my students include expanding our pretend-play centers and creating story-based activities that encourage role-playing and collaboration. These experiences will prepare them for the upcoming school year by strengthening their love of learning and helping them practice important life skills.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your kindness, support, and belief in my students. You have given us more than materials—you have given us opportunities, joy, and memories that will last far beyond this project.","fullyFundedDate":1753999509344,"projectUrl":"project/moving-learning-and-pretending-togethe/9428604/","projectTitle":"Moving, Learning, and Pretending Together!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Toro","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9097574_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689112281700","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9097574"},{"teacherId":9097574,"projectId":9401253,"letterContent":"I am deeply grateful for your generosity and support of our summer program. Because of you, my students have had access to wonderful new resources that turned our classroom into a place full of joy, learning, and creativity. The students were so excited when they first saw the materials—their faces lit up with curiosity, and they immediately wanted to explore everything. Seeing their excitement reminded me how important these opportunities are for their growth and development.\r\n\r\nDuring our summer lessons, the resources you provided allowed us to build projects that encouraged teamwork, creativity, and hands-on learning. From working together on puzzles and organizing our learning spaces to enjoying new books that encourage kindness, empathy, and respect, the students have been actively engaged every day. One special highlight was creating a class-made book where each child contributed a page about what they love most about learning in the summer. Using the new materials, we bound the pages into a real book for our classroom library, and the pride the children felt was priceless.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has truly blessed our classroom. The next steps for my students include continuing to use these resources as we strengthen our literacy, social-emotional skills, and creative expression throughout the rest of the program. Your donation not only supported learning for this summer but also planted seeds of confidence and excitement that will carry over into the upcoming school year. Thank you for believing in my students and for making such a lasting impact on their education and lives.","fullyFundedDate":1749765046145,"projectUrl":"project/summer-program/9401253/","projectTitle":"Summer Program","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Toro","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9097574_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689112281700","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9097574"},{"teacherId":9097574,"projectId":9389341,"letterContent":"I feel truly blessed by your generosity and the love you have shown to my students and classroom. Because of your support, we were able to bring in wonderful new resources that will help us grow academically, socially, and emotionally.\r\n\r\nThe students haven't seen the materials yet, but I know their faces will light up with joy the moment they do. I am so grateful for this opportunity to share these blessings with them. The new storybooks about kindness, empathy, justice, and diversity will allow us to build stronger conversations around understanding others and celebrating differences. These are lessons my students will carry with them not only this year, but throughout their lives. The Feelings Family Plush Set will be used in our calm-down corner to guide students in expressing emotions in a healthy way. I can already imagine how these tools will help create a peaceful and supportive classroom environment.\r\n\r\nThe organizational tools and storage bins are also such a gift. They allow me to keep our space structured and welcoming, making it easier for the children to find their supplies and stay engaged. The laminator and laminating sheets will be used to make hands-on resources—like alphabet puzzles, sight word games, and student-made books—that students can use over and over again. One of my favorite projects we're planning is to create a kindness book together, where each child will draw and write about how they can show kindness to others. With the binding machine, we'll turn their work into a real book to add to our classroom library, giving them a sense of pride and ownership in their learning.\r\n\r\nYour donations have made a lasting impact. With these resources, I can teach more effectively, create meaningful projects, and give my students the tools they need to thrive. Most importantly, your support reminds them that there are people who care deeply about their education and their future.\r\n\r\nFrom the bottom of my heart, thank you for blessing our classroom. You have given us the gift of learning, creativity, and joy, and I cannot wait to share the results with you as my students begin to use these new materials.","fullyFundedDate":1748824735983,"projectUrl":"project/empathy-diversity-and-learning-through/9389341/","projectTitle":"Empathy, Diversity, and Learning Through Books and Visuals","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Toro","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9097574_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689112281700","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9097574"},{"teacherId":6444006,"projectId":8505469,"letterContent":"I would like to thank all the donors that have helped our classroom this year. We ate more than greatful. Our children have more visuals this school year thanks to the cricut machine and our printer. This year our children will create more crafts and more project with our new technology.\r\n\r\nThe students are grateful for there weighted plushies the new addition to our classroom. It helps them calm down during the day. \r\n\r\nOur future projects this school year will include, holidays ornaments and end of the year celebration, field trip shirts. I have shared the cricut machine with my co workers and they are very grateful for our donation and addition to our school. We thank you again.","fullyFundedDate":1724109680600,"projectUrl":"project/hooray-for-preschool/8505469/","projectTitle":"Hooray for Preschool!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dávila Lacén","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6444006_orig.png?crop=450,450,x183,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753710002551","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6444006"},{"teacherId":9097574,"projectId":9101251,"letterContent":"I want to sincerely thank you for supporting our \"Love for Math Pre-K\" project. Because of your generosity, our classroom will soon have engaging math resources that will make an incredible difference in how my students learn and experience math. These materials will allow us to move beyond traditional instruction and into hands-on, playful learning that sparks curiosity, confidence, and joy in math from an early age.\r\n\r\nAlthough my students haven't yet seen the materials, I can already imagine their excitement when the boxes arrive. Pre-K students love bright colors, textures, and interactive tools, and I know their eyes will light up when they explore counting manipulatives, puzzles, and math games for the very first time. They are naturally curious learners, and these resources will give them the opportunity to explore numbers, shapes, and problem-solving in ways that feel more like play than work. I can't wait to see their smiles and hear the proud voices when they discover that \"math is fun!\"\r\n\r\nThese materials will become a central part of our daily lessons and small-group activities. For example, during our upcoming \"Building Numbers\" unit, students will use linking cubes and counters to practice one-to-one correspondence, sorting, and simple addition. The manipulatives will give them the chance to make their thinking visible—literally building their math knowledge with their hands. In the near future, we are also planning a \"Math in Our World\" project, where students will explore how numbers are connected to everyday life. Thanks to you, they will be able to measure, count, and problem-solve in interactive ways that encourage collaboration and confidence.\r\n\r\nAs a teacher, I am especially grateful that your support makes it possible for me to design lessons that meet each student's learning style. Some of my students learn best visually, others through touch and movement, and others through stories and play. With the resources you helped provide, I can reach all of them in ways that spark understanding and enthusiasm. You have given me the tools to make math less intimidating and more joyful, and that is a gift that will benefit my students for years to come.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, your generosity sends a message to my students that people beyond their classroom believe in them and care about their learning. Knowing that others have invested in their education will inspire them to do their best and remind them that they are capable of great things. I look forward to sharing updates as they begin to explore and grow with these new materials.\r\n\r\nFrom the bottom of my heart, thank you for helping us bring math to life in Pre-K. We are deeply grateful for your kindness and support.","fullyFundedDate":1746741625490,"projectUrl":"project/love-for-math-pre-k/9101251/","projectTitle":"Love for Math Pre-K","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Toro","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9097574_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689112281700","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9097574"},{"teacherId":7388270,"projectId":8505348,"letterContent":"Thank You!\r\n\r\nThank you so much for your generous donations of sensory toys for our preschool classroom! Your support helps create a more engaging and inclusive learning environment where all of our students can thrive. We truly appreciate your kindness and thoughtfulness!\r\n\r\nYour support is making a meaningful difference in the daily experiences of our young learners, especially those who benefit from sensory-focused tools to support their growth and development.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, sensory tools are not simply toys—they are essential learning supports. They help our students regulate their emotions, engage with peers, build fine motor skills, and access the curriculum in ways that are meaningful to them. For children with autism, especially those with limited access to resources at home, having access to high-quality, developmentally appropriate sensory materials can be transformative.","fullyFundedDate":1725663627412,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-oasis/8505348/","projectTitle":"Sensory Oasis","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Nowak","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7388270_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1596859143453","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7388270"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_60894","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":141,"numTeachers":15,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":15,"percentWhite":7,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":68,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - Pre-K","studentTeacherRatio":"9.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":73.0,"schoolId":60894,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Margaret C. Ells School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Margaret C. Ells School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/massachusetts/springfield-public-school-district/margaret-c-ells-ecc/60894"}