{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"McDowell Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":15.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":3660721,"projectId":9582637,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting this project. Having a well stocked physical education and recess cart is very important for students. Not only does it help them stay healthy, be active and have good experiences with their peers, it also helps keep them from getting into trouble from boredom. I couldn't supply the students with all the balls, jump ropes, and other supplies without donors like you. The students and families are very grateful for your contribution to this project and for caring about our students.","fullyFundedDate":1760464592987,"projectUrl":"project/playground-equipment-for-recess/9582637/","projectTitle":"Playground Equipment for Recess!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Costello","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3660721_orig.jpg?crop=606,606,x34,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1674599645667","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3660721"},{"teacherId":3660721,"projectId":9719693,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting this project. Having a well stocked physical education and recess cart is very important for students. Not only does it help them stay healthy, be active and have good experiences with their peers, it also helps keep them from getting into trouble from boredom. I couldn't supply the students with all the balls, jump ropes, and other supplies without donors like you. The students and families are very grateful for your contribution to this project and for caring about our students.","fullyFundedDate":1760464594314,"projectUrl":"project/physical-education-equipment-for-healthy/9719693/","projectTitle":"Physical Education Equipment for Healthy Bodies and Minds!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Costello","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3660721_orig.jpg?crop=606,606,x34,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1674599645667","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3660721"},{"teacherId":9483161,"projectId":9627038,"letterContent":"My fifth graders were so excited when they saw the new board games! They immediately wanted to explore the materials and start playing. We are using the games during learning centers and small-group activities to practice collaboration, strategic thinking, and problem-solving in a fun, engaging way. It's been amazing to watch them explain rules to each other, support their classmates, and reflect on their strategies. These resources have created meaningful, hands-on learning experiences. Next, students will continue using the games to develop critical thinking and communication skills, and eventually they will design and test their own board games connected to our classroom lessons.","fullyFundedDate":1758832509153,"projectUrl":"project/game-on-leveling-up-learning-in-our-cla/9627038/","projectTitle":"Game On! Leveling Up Learning in Our Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lorente","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9483161"},{"teacherId":3660721,"projectId":9725880,"letterContent":"On behalf of our school community, I want to extend our deepest gratitude for your generous donation that made it possible to purchase a new computer for my classroom. Your support has had an immediate and meaningful impact on both our educator's professional work and our students' daily learning experiences. The upgraded technology has dramatically improved the efficiency with which I can complete essential tasks such as grading, lesson planning, and communication with students and parents. No longer limited by outdated software or sluggish hardware, she can now grade assignments promptly and provide timely, constructive feedback—something that has already enhanced student engagement and accountability. This new computer also allows her to integrate a wider range of educational tools and digital resources into her curriculum, offering students interactive and engaging experiences that are better aligned with 21st-century learning standards.\r\n\r\nMore importantly, your investment in this technology has empowered me to dream bigger and deliver more innovative, technology-based projects that truly excite and inspire her students. Whether it's creating interactive presentations, designing collaborative research assignments using cloud-based platforms, or incorporating multimedia tools to accommodate diverse learning styles, she now has the resources to bring these ideas to life with confidence and ease. Students have noticed the change as well—they're more enthusiastic, more curious, and more engaged during lessons that use the new technology. For many of our students, especially those who may not have access to digital tools at home, these experiences are not only educational but transformative. Your support has not just equipped a classroom with a new computer; it has provided our teacher with a renewed sense of possibility and our students with opportunities they might not have otherwise had. From everyone at [School Name], thank you for believing in our mission and for being a vital part of the positive changes happening here. Your generosity is not only appreciated today—it will continue to echo in the growth and success of our students for months and years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1758832511080,"projectUrl":"project/grading-done-promptly/9725880/","projectTitle":"Grading Done Promptly!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Costello","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3660721_orig.jpg?crop=606,606,x34,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1674599645667","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3660721"},{"teacherId":3660721,"projectId":9582577,"letterContent":"We are so excited to see this project get funded. Sixth-grade science camp is such a huge part of the sixth-grade year. During camp, there are multiple chunks of time where the students have free time and being provided with activities for them to do during that time is very helpful. There were lots of cute camp-themed activities, such as wilderness-themed Uno sets. \r\n\r\nI am also super excited to have our last night glow party again this year. It was a favorite activity last year. Building lifelong memories is easier with donors like you. Thank you again for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1758250642597,"projectUrl":"project/sixth-grade-camp-cabin-activities/9582577/","projectTitle":"Sixth Grade Camp Cabin Activities!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Costello","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3660721_orig.jpg?crop=606,606,x34,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1674599645667","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3660721"},{"teacherId":9483161,"projectId":9218022,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for making it possible for me to attend the course on language and language development. Because of your generosity, I gained invaluable insights into scaffolding strategies, techniques that help structure lessons in a way that meets students where they are and guides them toward independence. The most inspiring part was a hands-on workshop where I practiced designing scaffolded, language-rich lessons. I left energized by how small yet thoughtful adjustments like pre-teaching vocabulary, using visuals, and pacing language input can make a profound difference in student understanding and engagement.\r\n\r\nAlready, I've implemented one simple but powerful tool in my classroom: the \"Question of the Day\" scaffolded prompt. Each class, I introduce a short scenario and ask students questions like, \"What happens next?\" or \"Why did the character say that?\" These prompts encourage real language use, support vocabulary growth, and invite participation from all students. Since I started using this method, I've seen increased confidence, richer language production, and more enthusiastic participation even from students who were initially hesitant to speak up.\r\n\r\nOnce again, thank you for investing in my professional growth. Your support is making a tangible difference not just in my teaching, but in the language development and confidence of my students.","fullyFundedDate":1747873548533,"projectUrl":"project/enhancing-language-development-to-empowe/9218022/","projectTitle":"Enhancing Language Development to Empower Multilingual Learner","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lorente","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9483161"},{"teacherId":3660721,"projectId":9088266,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting this project. We are just starting a new school year, and it has been amazing to have a ton of school supplies so that the classroom is well stocked and ready for my new class. \r\n\r\nThe water bottles are going to come in very handy, and they will help keep students from leaving the classroom for water regularly. The pencil cases, pencils, etc. are also going to be very helpful. The students at my school often don't have school supplies at the beginning of the year, and it is helpful to have them here for them when they arrive.","fullyFundedDate":1747873547157,"projectUrl":"project/a-well-stocked-classroom-for-student-suc/9088266/","projectTitle":"A Well-stocked Classroom for Student Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Costello","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3660721_orig.jpg?crop=606,606,x34,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1674599645667","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3660721"},{"teacherId":9867669,"projectId":8995145,"letterContent":"My favorite way to begin a lesson is to start with a book! Most of the time I try to choose a book that is relevant to the lesson, if possible. Reading a book to my students reels them in and gets them engaged for the lesson. It stimulates their interest, gives them visuals, and entertains them. Often there are mini lessons in the story or relations to real life situations. Sometimes there is humor in the stories too, which children love.\r\n\r\nOut of the books you donated, I think my favorite is \"Mixed\" by Aree Chung. It is about the primary colors, segregated in a town. One day the yellow and blue become friends and decide to \"mix\" and so they make green. Other colors mix to make secondary and tertiary colors. The town enjoys the diversity and they all live together in the town. There are a few messages here including acceptance, inclusion, diversity, and community building. I pair this book with my color theory lessons. We often mix playdoh to start the TK or K class out with color mixing. We follow with paint and paint mixing to create a color wheel. This is all inspired by the book \"Mixed.\"\r\n\r\nI would like to extend my sincerest thank you to you for donating these books. These books will be enjoyed by art students for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1736803529072,"projectUrl":"project/art-inspiration-begins-with-beautiful-bo/8995145/","projectTitle":"Art Inspiration Begins With Beautiful Books!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kris","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9867669_orig.png?crop=264,264,x0,y83&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755891080281","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9867669"},{"teacherId":3660721,"projectId":9088271,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting this project! My students have truly appreciated having a wide selection of books to choose from for their novel studies. Having options in their native language is critical for their literacy development, and they are able to find books they are interested in due to the support of donors like you. \r\n\r\nWithout your support, students would be limited to textbooks and checking out books from the library. I love having an elaborate classroom library where students can explore different genres and expand their interests.","fullyFundedDate":1744257110277,"projectUrl":"project/multilingual-books-for-our-classroom-lib/9088271/","projectTitle":"Multilingual Books for Our Classroom Library!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Costello","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3660721_orig.jpg?crop=606,606,x34,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1674599645667","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3660721"},{"teacherId":9483161,"projectId":9264507,"letterContent":"Taking the course Inclusive Classrooms Through Cultural Understanding has been a truly meaningful experience that has enriched my teaching and positively impacted my students. Throughout the course, I explored how cultural awareness and inclusive practices can transform a classroom into a space where all students feel respected, valued, and empowered to learn.\r\n\r\nOne of the most valuable things I learned was how to intentionally incorporate students' cultural identities into daily lessons and classroom routines. The course emphasized the importance of representation, student voice, and creating opportunities for children to share their backgrounds in authentic ways. It deepened my understanding of how cultural relevance supports student engagement and builds stronger relationships between students, families, and teachers.\r\n\r\nA highlight of the course was reflecting on my own biases and learning how to create more equitable learning experiences by being more culturally responsive. This helped me grow not just professionally, but personally as well.\r\n\r\nOne specific strategy I've implemented as a result of the course is a weekly \"Cultural Circle Time,\" where students can share something meaningful from their background—like a family tradition, a song, a word in their home language, or a cultural celebration. This has quickly become a favorite part of our week and has helped build trust and a sense of community in the classroom. I've seen students light up with pride when they share something from home, and it has also encouraged others to listen, ask questions, and celebrate diversity.\r\n\r\nThanks to your support, I've been able to take what I learned in this course and bring it directly into my classroom in a way that's making a real difference. I'm so grateful for the opportunity and for the impact it's having on my students every day.","fullyFundedDate":1746755043152,"projectUrl":"project/inclusive-classrooms-through-cultural-un/9264507/","projectTitle":"Inclusive Classrooms Through Cultural Understanding","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lorente","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9483161"},{"teacherId":9511949,"projectId":8846978,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our students are thriving with the new technology in our classroom. The tablets and headphones allow them to work independently or in small groups without distractions. Using apps designed for both English and Spanish, students are building their bilingual skills while also practicing math in a fun and interactive way. The self-paced nature of these tools helps each student focus on their unique needs and strengths, creating a more personalized learning experience.\r\n\r\nWhat excites the students most is the reward system in the apps, which motivates them to read and complete challenges in both languages. This has turned learning into an exciting activity they look forward to each day. We've seen incredible growth in their confidence and independence, as students take ownership of their learning and celebrate their progress. Your contributions have made a real difference—thank you for helping us achieve this!","fullyFundedDate":1728003484107,"projectUrl":"project/headphones-for-reading-independently/8846978/","projectTitle":"Headphones for Reading Independently","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tejada","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9511949_orig.jpg?crop=730,730,x184,y88&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1713237120429","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/iratitejada"},{"teacherId":9483161,"projectId":8536341,"letterContent":"Participating in this course has greatly enhanced my teaching by deepening my understanding of cultural diversity and inclusive practices. I've learned to integrate diverse materials and create opportunities for students to share their cultural experiences, making the curriculum more relevant and fostering a classroom culture of respect.\r\n\r\nFor example, after learning how to incorporate students' backgrounds, I organized an activity where students created a mural of their country's flags and shared cultural facts. This allowed them to see themselves reflected in the curriculum and promoted empathy and respect among peers.\r\n\r\nThe course has helped my students feel more engaged and connected to their learning, while also building critical skills like empathy and communication, which are essential for their success in a globalized world.","fullyFundedDate":1728000937962,"projectUrl":"project/a-cultural-revolution-transforming-educ/8536341/","projectTitle":"A Cultural Revolution: Transforming Education Through Inclusion","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lorente","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9483161"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5148","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":305,"numTeachers":12,"percentFrplEligible":85,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":6,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":84,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"25.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":84.2,"schoolId":5148,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about McDowell Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"McDowell Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/petaluma-city-schools/mcdowell-elementary-school/5148"}