{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Montello Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":51.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8960773,"projectId":9885307,"letterContent":"Thank you for your donation to my class! My students are thoroughly enjoying being able to read stories in their native languages!\r\nThe joy you have provided by this simple act of kindness is unmatched!\r\nI have watched students reading to their peers from these books and beaming with pride! Students are asking them to teach them how to say certain words and phrases in their language. I have even watched my other students attempt to read books in the multilingual text! What a beautiful thing!\r\n\r\nI am forever grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1763585587822,"projectUrl":"project/creating-a-multilingual-classroom-librar/9885307/","projectTitle":"Creating a Multilingual Classroom Library","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. White","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8960773_orig.jpg?crop=356,356,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1750658246045","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8960773"},{"teacherId":9765652,"projectId":9680624,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, reading in our classroom has become more purposeful, engaging, and joyful. These new books allow me to teach important skills in a meaningful way. In our reading groups, students are practicing comprehension strategies like identifying theme, making inferences, citing text evidence, and analyzing characters' motivations. We work on fluency, vocabulary development, and thoughtful discussion skills. Having shared texts at just the right level makes it possible to truly meet students where they are and help them grow with confidence.\r\n\r\nReading time in our classroom now looks like a community of engaged learners. During small groups, students lean in, ask questions, and build on one another's ideas. During independent reading, the room settles into a focused calm as students dive into books they chose themselves. That choice has been powerful. When students can read texts that match their abilities and interests, they take more risks, read for longer periods of time, and talk excitedly about what they're discovering.\r\n\r\nI've already seen particular students blossom. One student who used to avoid reading now eagerly grabs his group book and volunteers to read aloud. Another, who struggled to find \"just right\" books before, has finished multiple independent novels and proudly shares recommendations with classmates. Your support didn't just add books to our shelves—it gave my students confidence, ownership, and a stronger belief in themselves as readers.","fullyFundedDate":1762632076644,"projectUrl":"project/a-world-of-books-for-growing-readers/9680624/","projectTitle":"A World of Books for Growing Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Van Garsse","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9765652_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731818228126","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9765652"},{"teacherId":9765652,"projectId":9659101,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our classroom feels more organized, comfortable, and ready for learning each day. Students are using the book bins to keep their materials neatly stored and easy to access, which has helped build independence and responsibility. The floor cushions have quickly become a favorite during independent reading and partner work. Students love having a cozy spot to sit while diving into a good book or collaborating on a project. Even something as simple as having tissues readily available has helped us stay focused and comfortable throughout the day.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, my students were so excited. They immediately noticed how bright and inviting the space felt with the new seating and organized bins. Several students commented on how \"cozy\" our classroom felt, and they were eager to choose a cushion and get started on their work. It was wonderful to see their pride in taking care of the new materials and setting up their own organized spaces.\r\n\r\nAs we continue our current lessons, these resources are supporting independent reading, small group discussions, and collaborative projects. Our next step is building stamina during reading workshop and deepening our discussions through partner and small-group conversations. Thanks to you, my students have a classroom environment that supports focus, comfort, and a love of learning. We are so grateful for your support and for being part of our classroom story.","fullyFundedDate":1762632076428,"projectUrl":"project/a-cozy-and-organized-classroom-for-succe/9659101/","projectTitle":"A Cozy and Organized Classroom for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Van Garsse","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9765652_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731818228126","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9765652"},{"teacherId":9765652,"projectId":9712600,"letterContent":"My students have been absolutely thrilled with the resources your generosity provided. One of the biggest highlights has been receiving their own individual Time for Kids copies. Even though the issues don't have their names on them, the fact that each child gets their own magazine makes it feel special and personal. They can't wait for each new issue to arrive, and these magazines are helping them build skills like identifying main ideas, exploring text features, and connecting what they read to the world around them.\r\n\r\nReading time has taken on a whole new energy in our classroom. Students spread out with their magazines or their National Geographic books, diving into topics that spark genuine curiosity. Some read with partners while others read independently and then excitedly share interesting facts they've discovered. These nonfiction texts have opened the door to lessons on vocabulary strategies, comparing information across sources, and asking deeper questions about animals, nature, and history.\r\n\r\nA few students in particular have really blossomed with the National Geographic books. My animal lovers are fully absorbed in the pages about mammals, sharks, and animal armor, and I've seen hesitant readers become more confident and engaged. These books give them subjects they're passionate about and the tools to explore them in meaningful ways. Your support has brought so much joy, curiosity, and growth into our classroom, and we are truly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1760365847807,"projectUrl":"project/time-for-kids-national-geographic-adve/9712600/","projectTitle":"Time for Kids + National Geographic Adventures","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Van Garsse","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9765652_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731818228126","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9765652"},{"teacherId":996705,"projectId":9393193,"letterContent":"The new resources for our calming corner were a welcome change for our classroom. The students were very excited at the variety of materials we were given. Each time a new package came the first few weeks of school was an exciting time and we would have a show and tell of each piece as I opened boxes. \r\n\r\nThey were excited to put together the storage for all of our fidgets and calming materials. They were happy to test out new pieces and had plenty of questions about the purpose of each. It also got students back into reading the SPOT emotion books our classroom already had. They are constantly comparing notes on different emotion books each child has read. Some have made goals to read them all, and many have picked favorites that they have asked me to read aloud to the group. \r\n\r\nNow, our new project, is to figure out which materials work best for which students. We have begun listing expectations for the calming corner and the use of materials. We want to make sure everyone gets a chance to use the space but we want to use it properly and be fair to one another. Thank you for caring so much about us and contributing to the emotional well being of our class!","fullyFundedDate":1751201448882,"projectUrl":"project/calm-and-collected-classroom/9393193/","projectTitle":"Calm and Collected Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Derouche","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp996705_orig.jpg?crop=1767,1767,x0,y517&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1704805260684","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-julian"},{"teacherId":8960773,"projectId":9428134,"letterContent":"My students have thoroughly enjoyed the craft and creativity materials you have provided for them. Many of the girls have been making bracelets every day! \r\nI have several budding artists who have been using the \"How to Draw\" books to further their talents. They are quite impressive! I will be sure to send along a picture or two! \r\n\r\nAs their teacher, I have been excited for each of them to have their own clipboard! This allows us as a class to move about the building and even take our work outside to sit under the trees!","fullyFundedDate":1751201449838,"projectUrl":"project/creativity-in-grade-6/9428134/","projectTitle":"Creativity in Grade 6","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. White","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8960773_orig.jpg?crop=356,356,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1750658246045","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8960773"},{"teacherId":8960773,"projectId":9428113,"letterContent":"My students are thrilled to each have a water bottle of their very own! Our classroom is so hot, and so being able to go to the bubbler to fill up their bottle with ice cold water has been such a blessing! The students loved choosing their own bottle, and are now working to earn class money so they can decorate their bottles with water bottle stickers from our class store! Many students were so excited that they wanted to take their bottle home to show their families! \r\n\r\nAlso, having a bottle holder attached to their desks has been a teacher's dream! No more wet papers, spilled water, or rolling water bottles! For that, I am grateful!\r\n\r\nI look forward to the colder months ahead when I can give my students each a hat and pair of gloves! These items will be more treasured belongings for many of my students!","fullyFundedDate":1751201448783,"projectUrl":"project/help-me-equip-my-students-with-basic-nec/9428113/","projectTitle":"Help Me Equip My Students with Basic Necessities","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. White","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8960773_orig.jpg?crop=356,356,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1750658246045","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8960773"},{"teacherId":9765652,"projectId":9666417,"letterContent":"When my students first walked into the classroom and saw the new posters and displays, their faces lit up with excitement. Before putting anything up, we got to plan together as a class where each poster should go, which made them feel proud and involved in creating their learning space. During a recent science lesson, students used the posters as quick references to help explain their ideas, giving them more confidence when sharing with the class.\r\n\r\nThe voice level chart has already made a difference in creating a calmer, more focused learning environment. The corkboard has become a favorite spot where we proudly showcase student work and celebrate their progress—it's quickly turning into a source of motivation for everyone.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our classroom feels more organized, welcoming, and student-centered. These resources are supporting us daily, and I can already see the impact on my students' learning and enthusiasm. Our next step is to build on this excitement by starting a unit project where students will create their own mini-posters to teach each other about key concepts, which we'll proudly display alongside the materials you helped provide.","fullyFundedDate":1757509027994,"projectUrl":"project/posters-and-tools-for-student-success/9666417/","projectTitle":"Posters and Tools for Student Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Van Garsse","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9765652_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731818228126","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9765652"},{"teacherId":996705,"projectId":8367232,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donations towards our classroom storage and comfort. I know my students and I are extremely grateful. \r\n\r\nThe rugs have proven to be great meeting spaces for students when reading, writing, or talking about their learning. They have even worked together to keep the rugs clean this year with a class vaccuum! \r\n\r\nThe extra book cases have helped me to store most of our reading library and the classroom math books and materials. It has helped me a ton with classroom organization and keeping things as neat and tidy as possible with a room full of 7 and 8 year olds. \r\n\r\nI have already thought of ways to start tweaking our classroom design to better meet the needs of our students next year and it is all thanks to your lovely donations!","fullyFundedDate":1723649185348,"projectUrl":"project/cozy-corners-and-book-storage/8367232/","projectTitle":"Cozy Corners and Book Storage","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Derouche","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp996705_orig.jpg?crop=1767,1767,x0,y517&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1704805260684","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-julian"},{"teacherId":7125399,"projectId":8567736,"letterContent":"It is with profound gratitude that I write to you to express our heartfelt gratitude for the generous support and gifts to our classroom. \r\n I serve a very marginalized, and in many cases, traumatized students. These students have had difficult lives and many have very specific needs in order to thrive. Your gifts helped to provide them with a safe and calm environment in which to learn. \r\n As you can see from the pictures, the students thoroughly enjoyed their new furniture, flexible seating and games. The flexible choices provided by these gifts were a huge success!","fullyFundedDate":1731953529254,"projectUrl":"project/an-oasis-of-calm/8567736/","projectTitle":"An Oasis of Calm!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lindell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7125399_orig.jpg?crop=1837,1837,x223,y965&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1722990733104","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsklindell"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_65183","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":628,"numTeachers":62,"percentFrplEligible":92,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":55,"percentWhite":33,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":4,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"10.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":48.6,"schoolId":65183,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Montello Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Montello Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/maine/lewiston-public-schools/montello-elementary-school/65183"}