{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"McKinley Elementary School 10","outOfStateSupporters":18.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2994922,"projectId":10290275,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom! Your generous donation of engaging big books will make a wonderful difference in the way my students learn, participate, and develop a love of reading.\r\n\r\nWhen my students see the new books for the first time, I know they will be excited to gather around, explore the colorful illustrations, and discover the stories together. The large format will allow everyone to see the pictures and words clearly and will encourage students to participate during our read-alouds.\r\n\r\nWe will use these books during whole-group reading, story discussions, and literacy activities. One of the stories we will explore is The Little Red Hen. Students will have opportunities to listen to the story, talk about the characters, learn new vocabulary, and share their ideas about what happens in the story.\r\n\r\nThese new resources will help my students build vocabulary, strengthen listening and comprehension skills, practice retelling and sequencing, and develop a love and appreciation for books. I look forward to creating meaningful moments where students can learn, wonder, ask questions, and enjoy stories together.\r\n\r\nAs we begin the school year, we will continue exploring these books through story retelling, sequencing activities, vocabulary practice, and connections to our own classroom experiences. I am excited to see how these new resources will support my students as they grow as readers and learners.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping us start the school year with new books and exciting opportunities to learn. Your generosity will help bring stories to life in our classroom and give my students a wonderful foundation for a year filled with reading and discovery!","fullyFundedDate":1786541664862,"projectUrl":"project/big-books-big-imaginations/10290275/","projectTitle":"Big Books, Big Imaginations!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Saab","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2994922"},{"teacherId":2994922,"projectId":10080398,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, \"Feelings, Friendship, and Fantastic Reading\"! The new books have given my students exciting opportunities to strengthen their reading skills while learning important lessons about feelings, friendship, kindness, and understanding others. Through these stories, students are building vocabulary, practicing comprehension, making connections to their own experiences, and learning how characters handle emotions and challenges. The books also give us wonderful opportunities to talk about empathy, problem-solving, and how we can be good friends and classmates.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is an engaging and interactive experience. Students enjoy listening to stories, looking closely at the illustrations, discussing the characters, and sharing their thoughts about what they would do in similar situations. Some students especially enjoy choosing books independently and returning to their favorite stories again and again. It has been wonderful to see their excitement when they recognize a familiar book or eagerly share their favorite part of a story. Our next steps are to continue using these books to encourage meaningful conversations, build reading confidence, and help students discover the joy of reading while developing important social-emotional skills.","fullyFundedDate":1773839188303,"projectUrl":"project/feelings-friendship-and-fantastic-read/10080398/","projectTitle":"Feelings, Friendship, and Fantastic Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Saab","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2994922"},{"teacherId":2994922,"projectId":9136124,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, \"Creating Calm Spaces: Sensory Pods for Autistic Children to Thrive.\" Your generosity has helped us create a calming and supportive space where students can take a break, regulate their emotions, and feel comfortable when the classroom environment becomes overwhelming. The students were excited and curious when they first saw the new materials. They quickly began exploring the sensory resources and learning that the space was available to help them feel calm, focused, and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nWe are now incorporating the sensory space into our daily classroom routines. Students are learning to recognize when they need a quiet moment and are practicing using the sensory materials appropriately before returning to classroom activities. It has been wonderful to see students become more comfortable communicating their needs and using the space to help them refocus. Our next steps are to continue building self-regulation, independence, and confidence while helping students successfully participate in classroom lessons and activities. Thank you for giving our students a safe and welcoming space where they can thrive and be ready to learn!","fullyFundedDate":1742258186316,"projectUrl":"project/creating-calm-spaces-sensory-pods-for/9136124/","projectTitle":"\"Creating Calm Spaces: Sensory Pods for Autistic Children to Thrive\"","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Saab","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2994922"},{"teacherId":2994922,"projectId":8859063,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, \"Building Teamwork and Leadership: Empowering Students Through Team Sports\"! Because of your generosity, my students now have new sports equipment that allows them to be more active, participate fully, and develop important skills through team sports. When the students first saw the new equipment, they were excited and eager to get started. Their enthusiasm brought so much energy to our activities and showed how meaningful these resources are to them.\r\n\r\nWe are using the equipment during our physical education activities to practice teamwork, communication, leadership, and sportsmanship. Students are learning how to encourage one another, work together toward a common goal, and take on leadership roles while participating in different team activities. Our next steps are to continue building these skills through team games and challenges where every student has an opportunity to contribute. Thank you for giving my students the resources they need to stay active, build confidence, and learn the value of working together!","fullyFundedDate":1737666687388,"projectUrl":"project/building-teamwork-and-leadership-empowe/8859063/","projectTitle":"Building Teamwork and Leadership: Empowering Students Through Team Sports","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Saab","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2994922"},{"teacherId":2994922,"projectId":9090937,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, \"Empowering Students: Access to Essential Feminine Care.\" Your generosity is helping create a more supportive, comfortable, and confident environment for our students each day.\r\n\r\nWhen the supplies arrived, I was incredibly grateful knowing that our students would now have access to essential items they may need during the school day. Many students expressed relief and appreciation knowing these resources were available to them without worry or embarrassment. Having these necessities readily accessible has already made a positive impact on students' confidence, comfort, and ability to remain focused on learning.\r\n\r\nThe resources are being used daily to support students in a practical and meaningful way. By ensuring students have access to essential feminine care products, we are helping reduce stress and interruptions to their learning experience. One meaningful moment occurred when a student quietly shared how thankful she was to know the classroom had supplies available when she unexpectedly needed them. Experiences like that remind me how important these resources truly are.\r\n\r\nYour support is helping foster a classroom culture built on dignity, care, and compassion. Students are able to spend more time engaged in lessons, participating in activities, and feeling confident throughout the school day because their basic needs are being supported.\r\n\r\nAs we continue through the school year, these resources will remain an important part of creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment where every student feels valued and prepared to succeed. Your generosity has not only provided essential supplies, but also reassurance and encouragement for students who need it most.\r\n\r\nThank you again for believing in our students and helping us create a classroom community where everyone can feel supported, empowered, and ready to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1742251332065,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-students-access-to-essentia/9090937/","projectTitle":"\"Empowering Students: Access to Essential Feminine Care\"","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Saab","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2994922"},{"teacherId":2994922,"projectId":9756547,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our project, \"Fueling Future Innovators: Empowering Young Minds Through Afterschool STEM.\" Your generosity has opened exciting new opportunities for my students to explore, create, and grow through hands-on STEM learning experiences.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials arrived, the students were filled with excitement and curiosity. They eagerly unpacked the resources and immediately began asking questions about what they could build, test, and discover. Their energy and enthusiasm were truly inspiring, and they could not wait to dive into our afterschool STEM activities.\r\n\r\nThe new resources have already transformed our learning environment. Students are using them during collaborative engineering challenges, problem-solving activities, and creative design projects. One memorable moment occurred during a team-building challenge when students worked together to design and test solutions, encouraging one another through trial and error. It was amazing to watch their confidence grow as they shared ideas, experimented, and celebrated their successes together.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, my students are developing critical thinking, teamwork, creativity, and perseverance—skills that will benefit them far beyond the classroom. These resources are helping students see themselves as innovators, engineers, scientists, and future leaders.\r\n\r\nAs we continue our STEM journey, students will use these materials for even more hands-on projects focused on coding, engineering design, and real-world problem solving. They are excited to continue exploring new concepts and pushing their creativity to new levels.\r\n\r\nThank you again for believing in my students and investing in their future. Your generosity is helping spark curiosity, inspire innovation, and empower young minds every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1766598667367,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-future-innovators-empowering-y/9756547/","projectTitle":"\"Fueling Future Innovators: Empowering Young Minds Through Afterschool STEM\"","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Saab","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2994922"},{"teacherId":2994922,"projectId":10034938,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, \"When It's Cold Outside, Generosity Keeps Us Warm.\" Your kindness and generosity have made a meaningful difference in our classroom, and my students were beyond excited to receive these new resources.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials arrived, the students immediately gathered around with huge smiles and eager questions. They could not wait to begin using everything in our classroom activities. Seeing their excitement reminded me how powerful community support can be for young learners.\r\n\r\nThe new resources have already helped create a more engaging and comfortable learning environment. Students are using them daily during small-group instruction, independent work, and collaborative projects. One special moment happened during a recent lesson when students worked together more confidently and stayed focused because they had the tools they needed right in front of them. Their enthusiasm and participation noticeably increased.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, my students are building stronger academic skills while also learning the importance of kindness and generosity from others who believe in their success. The resources will continue to support future classroom projects, hands-on learning activities, and creative lessons throughout the school year.\r\n\r\nThank you again for investing in my students and helping keep our classroom warm with generosity, encouragement, and opportunity. Your support means more than words can express.","fullyFundedDate":1769379853447,"projectUrl":"project/when-its-cold-outside-generosity-keeps/10034938/","projectTitle":"When It’s Cold Outside, Generosity Keeps Us Warm","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Saab","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2994922"},{"teacherId":2994922,"projectId":8805308,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, \"It's Never Too Early to Learn Harmony\"! Because of your generosity, my students now have new musical instruments that they can use to explore music, practice harmony, and build their confidence as young musicians. When the materials first arrived, the students were so excited to see the new instruments and couldn't wait to begin using them. Their enthusiasm made it clear just how meaningful these resources are to our classroom.\r\n\r\nWe are using the instruments during our music lessons to practice listening, rhythm, teamwork, and harmony. Students are learning that making music together requires cooperation and careful listening to one another. As we continue our lessons, they will have more opportunities to practice their instruments and work together to create music as an ensemble. Thank you for giving my students the opportunity to learn through hands-on musical experiences and for helping make music a joyful part of their education!","fullyFundedDate":1733287278854,"projectUrl":"project/its-never-to-early-to-learn-harmony/8805308/","projectTitle":"It's Never to Early to Learn Harmony","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Saab","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2994922"},{"teacherId":10427771,"projectId":10102517,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for making our butterfly project possible! Your generosity brought science to life in a way my students will never forget.\r\nWhen the butterfly books arrived, my students were beyond excited. They immediately wanted to flip through the pages, share interesting facts with one another, and make predictions about what we would learn. Throughout our butterfly unit, we used the books to explore the butterfly life cycle, learn new vocabulary, and answer questions about each stage of metamorphosis. Watching the butterflies grow from tiny caterpillars into beautiful butterflies was an unforgettable experience, and the books helped students make meaningful connections between what they were reading and what they were observing firsthand.\r\nOne of my favorite moments was listening to students excitedly compare our butterflies to the pictures and diagrams in the books. They eagerly identified each stage of the life cycle and proudly explained the process to their classmates using the new knowledge they had gained. Their curiosity grew each day as they checked on the butterflies and recorded observations in their science journals.\r\nThe excitement from this project has inspired my students to ask even more questions about animals, habitats, and life cycles. As we continue exploring science throughout the year, they will use the skills they developed during this unit—observing carefully, asking thoughtful questions, and using nonfiction texts to deepen their understanding of the world around them.\r\nThank you for helping create such a memorable and meaningful learning experience. Your generosity sparked curiosity, encouraged a love of reading and science, and gave my students an opportunity they will remember for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1778255868701,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-science-to-life/10102517/","projectTitle":"Bringing Science to Life","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Asalieh","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10427771"},{"teacherId":8437258,"projectId":9739660,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support in helping us create a nurturing and inclusive sensory space for our students. Your contribution has brought comfort, calm, and joy to children who experience sensory processing challenges or are on the autism spectrum. Because of your kindness, our students now have a dedicated environment where they can safely explore, regulate their emotions, and develop the focus needed to succeed in school and beyond.\r\n\r\nThe new sensory tools have transformed our room into a space students look forward to visiting each day. These items encourage creativity, self-expression, and imagination while providing the calming input that helps them stay grounded and engaged. For many of our students, this room is a place of safety and renewal,a space where they can reset and return to the classroom ready to learn.\r\n\r\nYour support also helped provide essential hygiene supplies, such as gloves, ensuring that staff can continue to meet students' daily needs with comfort and safety. As our sensory room and student population grow, these resources have become vital in maintaining a healthy, supportive environment for everyone.\r\n\r\nThis project has created more than just a space,it has built a sense of community and belonging for our students. Thank you for believing in the power of sensory learning and for helping our children thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1758848963609,"projectUrl":"project/all-the-feels-for-our-senses/9739660/","projectTitle":"All the Feels for Our Senses!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Madeira","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8437258"},{"teacherId":8437258,"projectId":9703648,"letterContent":"This project has made a meaningful difference in our classroom. Thank you for your generous support through \"DonorsChoose\" and for believing in the importance of inclusive education. Your contribution provided essential sensory tools that help our students with autism feel comfortable, focused, and confident each day.\r\n\r\nThe bean bags created peaceful spaces where students can take breaks, re-center, and return ready to learn. The sequin fabric became a favorite sensory activity, offering a calming and engaging way for students to manage stress and stay attentive. The sandbags enhanced our sensory swing, giving students the grounding input they need to feel secure and balanced. With the new storage containers, every student now has easy access to personalized sensory materials, promoting independence and organization.\r\n\r\nTogether, these items transformed our classroom into a space where all learners can thrive. Students who once struggled to stay engaged are now participating more actively and joyfully. This project has not only supported their academic growth but has also boosted their confidence, emotional regulation, and sense of belonging.\r\n\r\nYour kindness continues to ripple through our classroom every day,thank you for making this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1758484323262,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-support-for-autistic-students/9703648/","projectTitle":"Sensory Support for Autistic Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Madeira","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8437258"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_81358","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":296,"numTeachers":34,"percentFrplEligible":70,"percentAsian":5,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":6,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":85,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":0,"gradesServed":"K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"8.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":81.3,"schoolId":81358,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about McKinley Elementary School 10 on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"McKinley Elementary School 10","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-jersey/north-bergen-school-district/mckinley-elementary-school-10/81358"}