{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Nantucket Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":42.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2963276,"projectId":9679779,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom with these wonderful materials. Your generosity fills our STEM Lab with bright colors, clear spaces for thinking, and tools that help every learner take part. The whiteboards, easel pads, and markers you provided turn our lessons into hands-on experiences where ideas come alive. The TPT gift card also allows me to choose high-quality resources that make learning meaningful and accessible for all students.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, my young scientists are drawing their ideas, doodling their observations, sketching their thinking, and learning through creation every single day. These tools help them share their voices, collaborate with confidence, and practice the joy of expressing big ideas in small hands.\r\n\r\nThere is a word in Zulu, Ubungani, that means friendship. It speaks to the way people strengthen one another, the way stones become smooth when they travel together in a river. Your gift does this for us. It supports our growth and helps our classroom become a place where curiosity and creativity can thrive.\r\n\r\nThank you for being part of our Ubungani circle. You did not just give supplies. You helped shape joyful learning moments for every child who walks through our door.","fullyFundedDate":1762267587156,"projectUrl":"project/from-stem-to-literacy-lab-charting-our/9679779/","projectTitle":"From STEM to Literacy Lab: Charting Our Learning Everywhere!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jami","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2963276_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1466872885797","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-witherell"},{"teacherId":9920644,"projectId":9600898,"letterContent":"Our new classroom rug has truly transformed our learning environment! Having a clear, visual space for each student to sit has made transitions smoother and helped create a sense of structure and community. We use the rug daily for morning meetings, read-alouds, and whole-group lessons. The designated spots help students stay focused and give everyone a sense of belonging.\r\n\r\nWhen the rug first arrived, the students were so excited—they immediately began exploring the design and proudly found \"their\" spots. One memorable moment was during our first class on the rug; the students noticed how organized the space felt, and they all commented on how nice it was to have a \"special place\" for learning together.\r\n\r\nOverall, the rug has become the heart of our classroom—a warm, inviting space where learning and connection happen every day.","fullyFundedDate":1755696546527,"projectUrl":"project/a-spot-for-everyone/9600898/","projectTitle":"A Spot for Everyone!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tornovish","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9920644_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755614215959","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9920644"},{"teacherId":2963276,"projectId":9484013,"letterContent":"Our classroom has been buzzing with creativity, curiosity, and joy thanks to your generous support! The arrival of our Button Maker Machine and collection of new texts has opened a whole new world of hands-on storytelling and science exploration for our young learners.\r\n\r\nWe've been reading powerful picture books like The Girl with a Mind for Math, A Computer Called Katherine, and Wangari's Trees of Peace, celebrating the brilliance and courage of innovators around the world. Each story invites students to see themselves as creators and change-makers. The button maker has become an extension of that learning — a joyful way to turn ideas into tangible expressions of identity and inspiration. Students have begun designing their own pins based on these stories, using symbols and words that reflect what they've learned about persistence, creativity, and care for the world around them.\r\n\r\nReading in our STEM Lab looks like conversation, collaboration, and creativity in action — students sprawled on rugs, reading with friends, sketching ideas, and then bringing those ideas to life. Thank you for helping us build a classroom where stories spark invention, and invention inspires empathy.","fullyFundedDate":1756402084828,"projectUrl":"project/pinned-with-purpose-stories-that-inspir/9484013/","projectTitle":"Pinned with Purpose: Stories That Inspire Compassion","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jami","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2963276_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1466872885797","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-witherell"},{"teacherId":2963276,"projectId":9478144,"letterContent":"With easel pads sticky, our ideas took flight,\r\nCharts full of questions, discoveries in sight.\r\nBins held our treasures, from clay to small tools,\r\nKeeping our lab spaces tidy and cool.\r\n\r\nDry-erase pockets gave voices their chance,\r\nTo solve and to share in a circle, not stance.\r\nMagnets and numbers, bright pathways to see,\r\nMath turned to play in community.\r\n\r\nTape, pins, and brads held creations secure,\r\nWhile pastel-tip markers made stories endure.\r\nTogether we built with each colorful thread,\r\nA classroom of makers where curiosity spread.\r\n\r\nThis is Ubungani—like pebbles in a stream,\r\nWe polish each other, we lift up the dream.\r\nSupplies became bridges, connections grew strong,\r\nWith friendship and learning, we all move along.\r\n\r\nIt's important for your to know that we've already had so much fun with the resources, and looking forward to even more. We've drawn weather, and captured the sun, we've worked really hard to to care of everything you granted us. With so much gratitude!","fullyFundedDate":1755911763722,"projectUrl":"project/the-basics-for-blooming-in-stem/9478144/","projectTitle":"The Basics for Blooming in STEM!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jami","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2963276_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1466872885797","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-witherell"},{"teacherId":2963276,"projectId":9461081,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity in supporting our classroom. Because of your kindness, we now have the everyday essentials that keep our learning space safe, clean, and welcoming. From Clorox wipes and tissues to hand sanitizer and even a carpet sweeper, each item will help us maintain a healthy, comfortable environment where students can focus on learning.\r\n\r\nThese may seem like small things, but they make a big difference in the daily lives of our young scientists. Every disinfected desk, every tissue within reach, and every clean corner of our classroom means more time and energy can be devoted to exploring, questioning, and discovering. I am always GENUINELY surprised by the ABSOLUTE joy that comes from helping clean our lab - a job to fight over, really!\r\n\r\nYour gift shows our learners what community care looks like in action. We are grateful for your support and the way you continue to polish us, much like the Zulu word ubungani reminds us—that true friendship is like pebbles in a stream, shining each other brighter.","fullyFundedDate":1752671484977,"projectUrl":"project/scent-sational-science-starts-with-a-cle/9461081/","projectTitle":"Scent-sational Science Starts with a Clean Slate!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jami","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2963276_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1466872885797","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-witherell"},{"teacherId":2963276,"projectId":9548329,"letterContent":"The arrival of our new journals, pencils, and paper created such a meaningful start to our year. With these fresh materials in hand, students began by creating self-portraits of themselves as scientists, which now serve as the very first page of their journals. Each drawing was unique and full of imagination — some pictured themselves with lab coats and microscopes, others studying plants or coding robots. These portraits gave every child a chance to say, \"I am a scientist,\" and to see their own identity reflected in the world of discovery.\r\n\r\nWhen the supplies first arrived, students were thrilled. They sharpened their new pencils right away, carefully chose colors for their portraits, and proudly shared their work with peers. One child beamed as he held up his drawing and said, \"This is me when I find something new!\" Another added a rocket ship to her page and explained, \"I'm exploring space.\" The excitement was contagious, and the journals quickly became something more than notebooks — they became places to dream, create, and record ideas.\r\n\r\nThese journals will now travel with us through every unit of study. Students will use them to track experiments, record observations, and reflect on their learning. Thanks to your support, they didn't just receive supplies — they received a powerful invitation to step into the role of scientist from day one.","fullyFundedDate":1755019886816,"projectUrl":"project/color-us-kindergarten-curious/9548329/","projectTitle":"Color Us Kindergarten & Curious!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jami","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2963276_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1466872885797","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-witherell"},{"teacherId":2963276,"projectId":9468090,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom feels more comfortable and cared for. The fridge is already stocked with applesauce cups, juice pouches, and other snacks, giving students a chance to recharge when the heat or hunger makes it hard to focus. For many of my learners, knowing they have something cold and refreshing waiting for them helps them feel ready to learn.\r\n\r\nThe fan you provided is also making a huge difference — it's the only one in our room, and on warm afternoons it keeps the air moving and the students' energy up. Instead of drooping in the heat, they're able to stay alert and engaged.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the fridge being filled, they cheered and asked right away if they could have applesauce at snack time. The fan, too, became a highlight — one student said, \"It feels like the breeze followed us inside!\"\r\n\r\nOur next step is simple but meaningful: keeping the fridge stocked with nourishing snacks and using these resources to make sure every child feels comfortable, cared for, and ready to learn. Your gift turned our classroom into a cooler, calmer, and kinder place to be.","fullyFundedDate":1754519949428,"projectUrl":"project/from-melting-minds-to-cool-and-kind/9468090/","projectTitle":"From Melting Minds to Cool and Kind!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jami","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2963276_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1466872885797","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-witherell"},{"teacherId":2963276,"projectId":9461048,"letterContent":"Our classroom is glowing with excitement thanks to you! The moment students saw the new Crayola markers, Colors of Kindness crayons, and bright folders, their eyes lit up. They immediately began personalizing their science folders, carefully writing their names in bold colors and decorating them with pride. These first steps were more than just art — they were a way of taking ownership of their learning, setting the stage for a year of STEM discovery.\r\n\r\nYour gifts provided more than supplies — you polished our classroom, just as ubungani describes: like pebbles polishing one another in a stream, you've helped our young learners shine brighter. Every marker stroke, every glue stick project, and every labeled folder builds confidence and joy.\r\n\r\nAlready, students are using these materials to begin their investigations, sketching observations, recording data, and preparing to share their work in community showcases. From laminated anchor charts to vibrant construction paper models, the tools you provided are helping us build a strong foundation for inquiry and collaboration.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our year has started with creativity, curiosity, and connection. You've shown my students that their voices and ideas matter — and that they have partners beyond our classroom who believe in them. For that, we are deeply grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1755284884899,"projectUrl":"project/bright-ideas-big-hearts-and-a-splash-o/9461048/","projectTitle":"Bright Ideas, Big Hearts, and a Splash of Glue","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jami","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2963276_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1466872885797","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-witherell"},{"teacherId":2963276,"projectId":9445075,"letterContent":"When our new notebooks, pencils, and labels arrived, the excitement was contagious. Students couldn't wait to open their colorful journals, sharpen their triangular pencils, and begin recording their ideas. One student hugged her notebook and said, \"This is my science book!\" Another immediately started sketching a robot design, proud to have a space of their own for writing and drawing.\r\n\r\nWe've already begun using the materials in our STEM investigations. Learners are writing observations in their journals as they test how plants grow in different conditions, coding robots to model caretaking routines, and labeling their data charts with the new stickers. These simple tools have given them a sense of ownership and pride in their work — their notebooks are becoming both science logs and storybooks of discovery.\r\n\r\nNext, students will be preparing for a community showcase, where they'll share their data, models, and reflections with families. Having these resources helps them feel like \"real scientists,\" ready to present their findings with confidence.\r\n\r\nIn Zulu, the word ubungani means friendship, like pebbles polishing one another in a stream. Your gift has done the same for my students — with every page they fill, their ideas grow sharper, their learning grows deeper, and their confidence shines brighter. Thank you for being a part of their journey.","fullyFundedDate":1752671537286,"projectUrl":"project/a-place-to-wonder-and-write-tools-for-s/9445075/","projectTitle":"A Place to Wonder and Write: Tools for STEM Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jami","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2963276_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1466872885797","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-witherell"},{"teacherId":2963276,"projectId":9230794,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, we were able to end the year with joy, wonder, and a little bit of STEM magic. Every single one of my 120 kindergarten and first-grade students received a special summer send-off bag—complete with a real compass, a pair of dice, and game cards filled with STEM challenges, building prompts, and math adventures to keep their curious minds engaged all summer long.\r\n\r\nThe moment they opened the bags was unforgettable. \"A real compass?!\" one kindergartener gasped. \"Now I can find my way through the woods AND my backyard!\" shouted another. The excitement was contagious. One student immediately asked if we could \"race north\" on the playground. Another started rolling the dice and inventing a game on the spot. The materials sparked creativity, exploration, and a sense of independence that will carry with them through the summer.\r\n\r\nThese weren't just party favors—they were tools for continued learning, inspired by the work we've done together this year in our STEM Lab. From learning how animals migrate using directional clues, to building their own maps and mazes, the compass and dice became meaningful symbols of the thinking, problem-solving, and play we fostered all year.\r\n\r\nAs we head into the break, students are using their STEM Bags to build obstacle courses, create dice-based math games with their siblings, and explore their backyards like scientists. Our next step? Returning in the fall with fresh ideas sparked by their summer STEM adventures.\r\n\r\nThank you for making this possible. You helped put tools directly into the hands of our youngest engineers, mathematicians, and explorers—and it means the world.","fullyFundedDate":1746994344525,"projectUrl":"project/taking-home-stem-class/9230794/","projectTitle":"Taking Home Stem Class!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jami","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2963276_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1466872885797","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-witherell"},{"teacherId":2963276,"projectId":9024325,"letterContent":"OH WOW—you should have seen their faces when the box arrived!\r\n\r\n\"Are those REAL bubble lights?!\" one student gasped. Another sprinted over and shouted, \"It's like a light show for our feelings!\" Thanks to you, we've turned a quiet corner of our classroom into a bright, calming, joy-sparking sensory oasis. The moment we plugged in the seahorse aquarium lamp and tabletop fountain, the room fell into a hush—not out of boredom, but total awe. \"It's like the ocean lives here now,\" one kindergartener whispered.\r\n\r\nThe Tap Tap lights? Instant magic. Students arrange the hexagon tiles into hearts, stars, and zig-zags, then tap them on like they're casting spells. When someone's having a tough moment, they'll walk over, breathe deeply, and light one up. It's become our new ritual—breathe in, tap, breathe out. The Calm Strips are a constant companion for our fidgety fingers during storytime, and the motion bubbler is the unofficial MVP of morning meetings (it's so mesmerizing that even the adults sneak peeks!).\r\n\r\nWe didn't just add cool tools—we changed the way students feel about learning. Now, when a child needs a reset, they don't leave the classroom—they step into a space designed just for them. And when they return? They're centered, smiling, and ready to rejoin the group.\r\n\r\nYou made that possible. You helped us build a classroom that doesn't just support academic growth—it supports the whole child. From the bottom of our joyful, bubbly, rainbow-lit hearts: thank you.","fullyFundedDate":1740370753783,"projectUrl":"project/stem-sensory-spark-enhancing-engagement/9024325/","projectTitle":"STEM Sensory Spark: Enhancing Engagement!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jami","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2963276_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1466872885797","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-witherell"},{"teacherId":9893327,"projectId":9053952,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredibly generous donation of TOON Books for the students at Nantucket Elementary School. Your thoughtful gift has made a meaningful and immediate impact on our young readers. From the moment the books arrived, the excitement was contagious. The students couldn't wait to dive in and explore the stories and characters you've brought to life through your books.\r\n\r\nAs a school that serves our island's youngest learners from preschool through second grade, access to high-quality, engaging literature is essential. Many of our students are just beginning their reading journeys, and graphic novels like TOON Books have proven to be a powerful gateway into literacy. Your books spark joy, curiosity, and a love of storytelling in even the most reluctant readers. It's been wonderful to see students connecting with the characters, rereading their favorites, and sharing them with classmates and siblings. Some have even begun asking if they can write or illustrate their own books, proof that your work is inspiring a new generation of creators.\r\n\r\nFor many of our children, access to books at home can be limited. Your donation ensures that all students, regardless of background, have the opportunity to experience the fun, humor, and creativity that TOON Books offers. You've given them more than just stories, you've given them confidence, inspiration, and a space to fall in love with reading.\r\n\r\nThank you for continuing to foster a lifelong love of learning and reading. We are so grateful for your generosity and for the difference you've made in our school community.","fullyFundedDate":1736886112814,"projectUrl":"project/librarian-who-loves-learning-inspires-li/9053952/","projectTitle":"Librarian Who Loves Learning Inspires Littles!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dew","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9893327_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1736907934561","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9893327"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_45497","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":399,"numTeachers":33,"percentFrplEligible":80,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":9,"percentWhite":35,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":46,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 2","studentTeacherRatio":"12.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"TOWN_DISTANT"},"inStateSupporters":57.4,"schoolId":45497,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Nantucket Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Nantucket Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/massachusetts/nantucket-public-school-district/nantucket-elementary-school/45497"}