{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Norman R Brekke Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":26.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10332839,"projectId":9859321,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my classroom. I truly appreciate it. I teach an ESN class, so having hands on, calming, and engaging materials is essential for my students. We use these items throughout the entire day, especially during centers and in our calm corner.\r\n\r\nOne moment that really stood out to me was a student who typically gets overwhelmed during transitions. Instead of escalating, he independently walked over, grabbed one of the Hugimals, and sat in the calm corner to regulate. That is something we have been working on for months and seeing him do that on his own was huge. The emotion toys and wiggle cushions have also helped my students stay regulated and ready to learn, which has made a big difference in their academic performance. \r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, my students were so excited. I mean, who doesn't love new things?! They immediately gravitated toward the sensory items like the kinetic sand, stretchy strings, and counting bears. Even students who are usually harder to engage wanted to join in on the fun. The magnets, sorting activities, and sentence building materials have made learning more accessible and interactive. It has been really special to see them engaged, smiling, and proud of themselves.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, we will continue using these materials during our daily centers to build early literacy, math, and communication skills. My students learn best through hands on experiences, and these tools allow me to meet each of them where they are. \r\nThank you again for making this possible. Your support has truly made a difference in my classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1769177666851,"projectUrl":"project/supporting-every-learner-every-feeling/9859321/","projectTitle":"Supporting Every Learner, Every Feeling","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hanna","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10332839_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1761452286280","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10332839"},{"teacherId":5090695,"projectId":10145072,"letterContent":"My students were so excited as the boxes arrived in class. They are definitely ready to jump in and read some new titles and start on some new series that that they haven't read yet. I am organizing and leveling them all so the new books are ready for the students to borrow them They also keep asking to play multiplication games with the new decks of cards. That is a treat for them. \r\nWe all really appreciate your support in helping this particular project get funded. I love to read and I love to get my students excited about reading as well!","fullyFundedDate":1773773060076,"projectUrl":"project/books-books-books/10145072/","projectTitle":"Books, Books, Books!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gonzales","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5090695_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1516311567031","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-igonzales"},{"teacherId":10334147,"projectId":10037843,"letterContent":"Thank you for making this project possible for my students. Because of your generosity, our classroom library is now filled with inclusive, high-interest books that truly reflect my students and the world around them. These books have transformed how my students engage with reading.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, reading looks like excitement, choice, and meaningful conversations. Students eagerly select books that interest them, see themselves in characters, and make connections to their own lives. Through these new texts, we are building essential skills such as comprehension, vocabulary development, critical thinking, and empathy. Students are not only learning how to read more effectively, but also how to understand different perspectives and experiences.\r\n\r\nI have already seen students who were previously reluctant readers become more engaged and confident. Some are asking for more time to read, while others are excited to share their books with classmates. Watching them connect with stories that feel relevant and inclusive has been incredibly powerful.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping create a space where every student feels seen, inspired, and excited to read. Your support is making a lasting difference in their learning and their love of books.","fullyFundedDate":1769177677465,"projectUrl":"project/books-that-reflect-every-student/10037843/","projectTitle":"Books that Reflect Every Student","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Henke","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10334147"},{"teacherId":9154897,"projectId":10114560,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of A Wolf Called Wander and the accompanying books on wolves, ecosystems and food webs. Our class is absolutely thrilled to begin reading these books! The students are already excited to dive into the story and explore how living things survive, interact, and depend on balance in an ecosystem.\r\nThese books could not have arrived at a better time. This unit connects perfectly to our study of environments and will help students better understand the importance of every plant and animal within a habitat, just in time for our upcoming Earth Day lessons. Your donation has brought curiosity, energy, and meaningful learning into our classroom.\r\nThank you for giving my students the opportunity to learn through engaging literature that inspires both wonder and understanding. We are so grateful for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1772235094789,"projectUrl":"project/wolves-on-the-move-exploring-ecosystems/10114560/","projectTitle":"Wolves on the Move: Exploring Ecosystems, Migration and Food Webs","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9154897_orig.jpg?crop=995,995,x63,y314&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752452677535","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9154897"},{"teacherId":9154897,"projectId":10059890,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of owl pellets for our class! At first, the students were a little grossed out by the idea of dissecting them, but that feeling quickly turned into pure excitement and curiosity. Once they started discovering bones and even skulls, they were amazed to learn about all the different animals owls eat.\r\nYou brought a sense of wonder into our classroom that can't be measured. Many students asked if they could have another owl pellet and said they would love to do this experiment again in the future. They were so proud of their discoveries that they took pictures and couldn't wait to show their families what they found.\r\nThis project is something they will remember for years to come, and we are so grateful. Thank you for giving our students such an unforgettable learning experience.","fullyFundedDate":1769534165861,"projectUrl":"project/investigating-ecosystems-through-owl-pel/10059890/","projectTitle":"Investigating Ecosystems Through Owl Pellets.","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9154897_orig.jpg?crop=995,995,x63,y314&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752452677535","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9154897"},{"teacherId":9154897,"projectId":10009682,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of books to our classroom. Our students were thrilled to receive the exact titles they had been hoping for, and the excitement in the room was incredible. Many of them have already jumped right into reading, eager to explore the stories they requested.\r\nYour kindness has brought so much joy to our class and has helped nurture a love of reading that we hope will last a lifetime. We are truly grateful for your support and for making such a meaningful difference in our learning community.\r\nThank you again for your generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1768329666776,"projectUrl":"project/help-fill-our-bookshelves-with-stories-s/10009682/","projectTitle":"Help Fill Our Bookshelves with Stories Students are Dreaming Of!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9154897_orig.jpg?crop=995,995,x63,y314&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752452677535","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9154897"},{"teacherId":9154897,"projectId":10038882,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of fairy tales with a twist for our classroom! The students are absolutely thrilled to have these new books, and they are already eager to dive into comparing and contrasting traditional fairy tales with their modern, reimagined versions.\r\nYour contribution makes a meaningful difference in helping students strengthen their reading comprehension, critical thinking, and analysis skills, all while enjoying fun and engaging stories. These books are sparking great discussions, creative thinking, and so much excitement during reading time.\r\nWe truly appreciate your kindness and support. Thank you for helping bring these stories to life for our students!","fullyFundedDate":1769177684969,"projectUrl":"project/from-once-upon-a-time-to-what-happens-n/10038882/","projectTitle":"From Once Upon a Time… to What Happens Next?","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9154897_orig.jpg?crop=995,995,x63,y314&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752452677535","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9154897"},{"teacherId":9154897,"projectId":9984515,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contributions to our classroom's Lunar New Year celebration. The books, red envelopes, fortune cookies, and other festive items you donated helped create a meaningful and joyful experience for our students.\r\nBecause of your kindness, our fourth graders were able to learn about Lunar New Year in an authentic, interactive way. The books provided rich stories and perspectives, helping students gain a deeper understanding of the traditions and values celebrated across various Asian cultures. The red envelopes and fortune cookies allowed students to experience hands‑on elements of the holiday, sparking conversations about good fortune, family customs, and the importance of cultural traditions.\r\nCelebrating Lunar New Year in such a thoughtful and engaging manner helps our students grow as global citizens. Your donations made it possible for them to appreciate and respect cultures beyond their own, fostering empathy, curiosity, and inclusivity in our classroom community.\r\nWe are truly grateful for your generosity and for supporting meaningful cultural learning experiences for our students.","fullyFundedDate":1768111523952,"projectUrl":"project/from-stories-to-traditions-discovering/9984515/","projectTitle":"From Stories to Traditions: Discovering Lunar New Year Together","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9154897_orig.jpg?crop=995,995,x63,y314&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752452677535","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9154897"},{"teacherId":9154897,"projectId":9958165,"letterContent":"Wanted to share the tremendous impact that having Boomwhackers, bells, and a steel drum has had on our fourth‑grade music program. These instruments have transformed our classroom into a more engaging, hands‑on, and joyful learning environment where every student can participate and succeed.\r\nFirst, Boomwhackers have provided an accessible way for students to explore pitch, rhythm, and ensemble skills. Their colorful, lightweight design invites participation from all learners, including those who may feel hesitant about traditional instruments. Students are able to quickly experience success, which builds confidence and encourages further exploration in music.\r\nThe bells have added an important layer of musical literacy and teamwork to our lessons. Because each student is responsible for just one or two notes, they must work together with precision, patience, and careful listening. This fosters not only musical growth but also collaboration, focus, and shared responsibility, skills that extend beyond music class and support students in all areas of learning.\r\nThe addition of a steel drum has opened the door to cultural exploration and creativity. Students are fascinated by its unique sound and history, and its presence has allowed us to discuss world music traditions in meaningful ways. It has become a favorite classroom instrument that inspires curiosity, improvisation, and joyful music‑making.\r\nOverall, these instruments have significantly enriched our classroom community. They promote active participation, strengthen musical understanding, and create opportunities for every student to shine. Most importantly, they bring excitement and a sense of wonder into our learning space each day.\r\nThank you for supporting experiences that help our students grow as musicians, collaborators, and creative thinkers.","fullyFundedDate":1768492568867,"projectUrl":"project/unlocking-the-gift-of-music-creating-ha/9958165/","projectTitle":"Unlocking the Gift of Music, Creating Harmony in our Classroom!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9154897_orig.jpg?crop=995,995,x63,y314&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752452677535","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9154897"},{"teacherId":5090695,"projectId":9749251,"letterContent":"Having this project funded helped add to the gifts I gave to my students for Christmas. They loved getting the squishy squares, colored pencils, Christmas pencils and books marks in addition to a few other goodies I gifted to them.\r\n\r\nThe Geronimo Stilton books were added to the classroom library, and I continue to add books to keep my students interested in reading. I just put new name tags on their desks and used the velcro strips to hold them down. The sensory tubes are fun to pass around and let the students have a few minutes with them.","fullyFundedDate":1764628361018,"projectUrl":"project/stem-and-organization-in-our-classroom/9749251/","projectTitle":"STEM and Organization in Our Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gonzales","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5090695_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1516311567031","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-igonzales"},{"teacherId":9154897,"projectId":9792106,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of classroom incentives. The pens, pencils, candy, medals, fidgets, and other fun treats have brought so much excitement and motivation to our students. Your support has truly helped create a positive learning environment where students feel encouraged and celebrated for their hard work.\r\nOne student, after choosing a prize, excitedly said, \"I love these! It makes me want to work even harder!\" Moments like this show just how meaningful your generosity is.\r\nWe sincerely appreciate your kindness and the joy you've brought to our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1767207772950,"projectUrl":"project/motivated-to-shine-rewards-for-positive/9792106/","projectTitle":"Motivated to Shine: Rewards for Positive Behavior & Meeting Goals","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9154897_orig.jpg?crop=995,995,x63,y314&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752452677535","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9154897"},{"teacherId":9154897,"projectId":9949315,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation that provided our class with hands‑on science experiments. The students had an incredible time participating in our \"bird beak\" activity, where they used spoons, forks, knives, and even chopsticks to simulate how different birds gather food. It was both fun and eye‑opening for them, they quickly realized how challenging it can be for birds to survive in the wild!\r\nYour support has truly enriched our science lessons and sparked a new level of curiosity in the classroom. The students are excited to continue their science exploration journey, and your contribution makes that possible.\r\nThank you again for helping bring meaningful, engaging learning experiences to our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1765169782280,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-science-building-curiosity-thr/9949315/","projectTitle":"Hands-On Science: Building Curiosity Through Experiments!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9154897_orig.jpg?crop=995,995,x63,y314&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752452677535","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9154897"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_65977","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":588,"numTeachers":24,"percentFrplEligible":63,"percentAsian":11,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":4,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":78,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"24.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":73.1,"schoolId":65977,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Norman R Brekke Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Norman R Brekke Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/oxnard-elementary-school-district/norman-r-brekke-elementary-school/65977"}