{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Mary O Pottenger Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":27.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":4343217,"projectId":9750847,"letterContent":"My class we ecstatic when all of the boxes arrived for this project! The big hit so far is our butterfly pavilion! The caterpillars are just starting to form chrysalis's and they are able to see the stages of a butterfly! \r\nThey are also enjoying the variety of pop tarts for breakfast and/or snack. We love the fruit snacks also! The cleaning supplies came in handy to help clean after breakfast and lunch! \r\nWe are still waiting for the soccer net to come in for recess. I had to reorder it because it was out of stock. We can't thank you enough for all of the art supplies also!","fullyFundedDate":1760748197636,"projectUrl":"project/recess-and-more/9750847/","projectTitle":"Recess and More!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. DeSantis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4343217_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1532044682324","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4343217"},{"teacherId":7988063,"projectId":9074964,"letterContent":"My students love the new materials. They have been put to great use.\r\nI want to thank the donors for funding the project and the students thank you too.\r\n\r\nThe students faces lit up when the saw the new stuff. They came running over right away to see what was in the boxes. And they have been using them every day since. So we want to thank you again for your generous donation. It is much appreciated,\r\n\r\nWe are going to continue to use the materials and hope to get more funded in the future. Thanks so much!","fullyFundedDate":1746654302593,"projectUrl":"project/happy-learners/9074964/","projectTitle":"Happy Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gross","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7988063"},{"teacherId":7105722,"projectId":9262642,"letterContent":"With your help, my students have made significant improvements in their fine motor skills and turn-taking abilities. For turn-taking, students will listen to part of the Mat Man story and construct the directed piece of Mat Man's body (for example, his circular head). Next, they will nicely switch with another student, listen to the next steps, and then assemble the next part of Mat Man's body, and so on until he is completed. Afterwards, they can build him on their own, which is a huge step for my kiddos!\r\n\r\nAdditionally, the Mat Man materials are also used for making different capital letters, enhancing fine motor skills, and literacy. The items used to create Mat Man double as letter builders, where students have worked to connect the pieces to create uppercase letters, with significant work on the \"E\" and \"F\" this school year. They have then been able to transfer these fine motor skills and letter recognition to their chalkboards and paper. Prior to having these materials in the classroom, they weren't able to draw or write independently and now they drawing and starting to write uppercase letters, by themselves.\r\n\r\nWhen my students received these materials, they were beyond excited to use them. The hands-on element that the Mat Man products provide in my classroom gives my students more access to and understanding of autonomy and expression through their developed fine motor skills. Our next steps with these materials are being able to learn and create all of the capital letters on their own, and eventually be able to write them on their personal chalk boards and paper. Lots of this will be possible through the Teacher Pay Teacher gift cards that you have generously provided me. Teachers Pay Teachers allows me to download content-specific curriculum for my classroom and provide my students with different writing and tracing templates. I am very thankful for your donation in support of my student's ability to learn!","fullyFundedDate":1756077089750,"projectUrl":"project/handwriting-without-tears/9262642/","projectTitle":"Handwriting Without Tears","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Baker","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7105722_orig.jpg?crop=1500,1500,x0,y115&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1713225565619","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7105722"},{"teacherId":7475049,"projectId":9198346,"letterContent":"Our students spend a lot of time using their laptops each week. One of the things they talked about the most before your generous donations helped me to get these headphones was how uncomfortable their previous headphones were. We had a lot of problems with headphones getting tangled, jacks breaking off into the laptops, and painful ears from the lack of cushioning. \r\nSince receiving these new headphones, our students are now so excited to get on to their laptops! They are able to work so much more efficiently and comfortably. They can hear the directions of the programs they are required to be on. They have overall changed the atmosphere of our classroom in regards to working on their laptops and I am so thankful for this change!","fullyFundedDate":1746738386827,"projectUrl":"project/listening-ears/9198346/","projectTitle":"Listening Ears","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Morissette","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7475049_orig.jpg?crop=2526,2526,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1599245702056","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7475049"},{"teacherId":4343217,"projectId":9448872,"letterContent":"As the boxes came in , the students got more and more excited! We cannot thank you enough for the basic supplies that helped us start our year! We are using the cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer and tissues to keep our room clean and ourselves healthy. The pencils, name tags, and notebooks are helping us the stay organized! \r\nThe new recess games are really coming in handy for days that we just can't get outside. If the weather is not cooperating, we have the opportunity to stay in and use new items that are fun and can help us with learning. We can make bracelets or play math games! \r\nThank you again for your generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1755701260792,"projectUrl":"project/fresh-start/9448872/","projectTitle":"Fresh Start","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. DeSantis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4343217_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1532044682324","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4343217"},{"teacherId":7988063,"projectId":9407018,"letterContent":"Thanks so much for your generous donation. The students absolutely love the sensory toys, fidgets and outdoor playthings. We use the fidgets to help sit at morning meeting and as reinforcers so they can earn them after their work. I was just as excited as the students when the materials came. \r\nAll of them love the materials and look forward to using them every day. So, they will definitely get lots of use. We appreciate your generous donation tremendousley. You don't realize how much this means to me and my students. Thanks again!","fullyFundedDate":1754436078179,"projectUrl":"project/outdoor-explorationplay-and-sensory/9407018/","projectTitle":"Outdoor Exploration/Play and Sensory","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gross","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7988063"},{"teacherId":9608350,"projectId":8520401,"letterContent":"Over the past school year my students were thrilled to have the choice between stools and traditional chairs while they worked. This was especially beneficial for my taller students who needed an option that allowed them to sit comfortably as our chairs are not adjustable. We have no problems at all this year with missing screws causing seats to break allowing us to make it through the full year without having to feel safe and be the best learners possible. These stools will continue to be an important resource in our classroom for many years!","fullyFundedDate":1724109679614,"projectUrl":"project/no-more-loose-screws/8520401/","projectTitle":"No More Loose Screws!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lanphear","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9608350"},{"teacherId":4343217,"projectId":9083944,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for this generous donation that will help my students with Science. We are enjoying the totes of Science materials that help with current curriculum and review. Each bucket is fully packed with awesome hands on activities that enhance our learning! \r\nWe also needed the cleaning supplies for our classroom. We are keeping things nice, neat and clean! Thanks so much for the Expo markers. We did so much learning this year that they were starting to run out! We can't say thank you enough!","fullyFundedDate":1746629250040,"projectUrl":"project/science-and-more/9083944/","projectTitle":"Science and More!!!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. DeSantis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4343217_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1532044682324","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4343217"},{"teacherId":7105722,"projectId":8314347,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation. Each of my autistic students require customized materials to address their individual needs. This project had a huge impact on their abilities to communicate, with each student being non-verbal prior to this project. I ordered several color-coded file folders which I cut to fit into mini binders. Within each binder, I used the velcro to attach the student's individualized visuals to help my students communicate via pictures to request or tell me something. The use of communication through visuals was an amazing change to have in the classroom by giving my students as their means to communicate.\r\n\r\nThe customized visuals that were velcroed into each student's binder were possible through the Teachers Pay Teachers gift card. Every student has a variety of different needs and wants so I was able to purchase many different resources and communication visuals unique to each child. I was also able to create materials to meet each student's unique abilities and goals. Through the use of these materials, and because of your gracious donations, my students have made huge strides in their communicative abilities, helping them become more prepared for communication within our community and the world. Thank you, again. Your donation has made a huge difference in my classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1714875031136,"projectUrl":"project/implementing-independence-in-an-autisti/8314347/","projectTitle":"Implementing Independence in an Autistic Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Baker","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7105722_orig.jpg?crop=1500,1500,x0,y115&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1713225565619","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7105722"},{"teacherId":5609825,"projectId":8710667,"letterContent":"With these new items my students were able to better connect with themselves emotionally! With relating better to themselves, they were also able to better connect with each other.\r\n\r\nWe read about having worries, and how to deal with them. We used yoga books and cards when we were in the classroom for P.E.\r\n\r\nAnd in health, we used the books about bones and our bodies to learn more about how our bodies function. Students were able to ask questions that deepened their understanding of the human body.","fullyFundedDate":1727962034774,"projectUrl":"project/social-emotional-health/8710667/","projectTitle":"Social Emotional Health","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Perez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5609825"},{"teacherId":3226300,"projectId":8518148,"letterContent":"When the surprise boxes were delievered to the classroom, my kids faces lit up with wonder. They asked , \"What are those Ms Clarke \". I explained that we had a very generous donator who wants to see us achieve greatness throughout the year. The smiles on their faces made my heart melt. \r\n Everyday we use the whiteboard divider during group time. They kids love playing with the stem game during recess and are so appreciative of the resources that were so kindly donated. Thank you for investing in my classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1731506749937,"projectUrl":"project/interactive-environment/8518148/","projectTitle":"Interactive Environment","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dolly Clarke","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3226300_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1623266283115","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3226300"},{"teacherId":9478478,"projectId":8519393,"letterContent":"I am writing this letter to thank you for your generous donation to my music classroom. With the newfound classroom materials, the students are able to have more hands-on music making experiences and have more opportunities to experience meaningful music making. Your generosity means the world to both me and the students. \r\n\r\nUsing the donated materials, the students are learning about the musical alphabet, learning how to read music in both traditional and non-traditional formats and learning how to play a string instrument. Additionally, the students will be showcasing what they have learned with these materials in a concert. \r\n\r\nThank you for valuing music education in schools.","fullyFundedDate":1723680100893,"projectUrl":"project/ms-fourniers-ukulele-project-part-1/8519393/","projectTitle":"Ms. Fournier's Ukulele Project Part 1","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Fournier","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9478478"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_60895","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":365,"numTeachers":27,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":11,"percentWhite":6,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":77,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"13.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":72.4,"schoolId":60895,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Mary O Pottenger Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Mary O Pottenger Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/massachusetts/springfield-public-school-district/mary-o-pottenger-elementary-school/60895"}