{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"North Star Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":38.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5969219,"projectId":9979929,"letterContent":"The teachers and second graders at our school cannot thank you enough for your generosity. Having the materials needed to bring our science and reading curriculum to life has truly been a game changer.\r\n\r\nOur students were completely engaged as they observed the changes taking place in the ant farm and watched ladybug larvae and caterpillars transform through their life cycles. They used resin specimens to compare and differentiate insects from arachnids, gaining a deeper understanding of animal classification and scientific observation.\r\n\r\nStudents also learned how to use microscopes, prepare their own slides, and examine a variety of specimens. These hands-on experiences sparked curiosity, encouraged critical thinking, and made learning both meaningful and memorable.\r\n\r\nThe excitement and enthusiasm these activities generated extended far beyond our science lessons and inspired students to ask questions, make discoveries, and develop a genuine appreciation for the world around them. The books were always being used and it was so nice to see the stronger readers help the emerging readers enjoy them as well. As we released the insects, we \"wished them well\" and celebrated with snacks and a hope to see them again.\r\n\r\nYour support has provided opportunities that our students will remember for years to come. Thank you for investing in their education and helping inspire the next generation of scientists, explorers, and lifelong learners.","fullyFundedDate":1776098138846,"projectUrl":"project/we-are-all-scientists/9979929/","projectTitle":"We Are All Scientists!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gardeline","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5969219"},{"teacherId":2855063,"projectId":10115862,"letterContent":"Thank you all so very much for the donations supporting our hatching of chicks this spring. My kindergarten students were awed and engaged as they moved through the month-long learning experience. They read and wrote about chickens, observed and played with their chicks. The life cycle books and models furthered their thinking and understanding about what was happening within the eggs. The whole experience brought new vocabulary and conceptual knowledge that served as the foundation for oral language practice and development.\r\n\r\n Thanks to you, the experience of interacting with a clutch of newly-hatched chicks was available to our entire student body, as the chicks arrived just in time for STEM night. North Star students and families enjoyed holding the day-old chicks for our annual event. The brooder box proved to be a welcome resource, as it allowed for easy viewing while also ensuring the chicks' safety when they needed a few minutes' break from little hands. Connections were formed between students and families as they shared personal recollections about past experiences with chickens.\r\n\r\n Paragraph writing was our kindergarten focus for fourth quarter, and chickens provided an ideal vehicle for telling about their new learning. The books, especially the title about a class hatching chicks that invited personal connections, built background knowledge that informed students' sentence writing. I hope you can check out a few of their pieces in the photos. \r\n\r\n Again, thank you for your kindness. You helped end our year on a high note.","fullyFundedDate":1775236625145,"projectUrl":"project/check-out-the-chicks-life-cycle/10115862/","projectTitle":"Check Out the Chicks’ Life Cycle!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mildon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2855063"},{"teacherId":8970552,"projectId":7624364,"letterContent":"Thank you SO much for your generous support of Anchorage students! Our students are creative, clever, and FUN to learn with. \r\n\r\nYour financial support allowed for our school to receive supplies for the school counseling program. These items have been used in classroom lessons, small groups, and individually with students. \r\n\r\nSocial and Emotional Skill development is so important- thank you for supporting our bright students in this way!\r\n\r\nWishing you a wonderful and safe summer.\r\nSincerely,\r\nKylee Smith","fullyFundedDate":1691343871615,"projectUrl":"project/school-counseling-materials/7624364/","projectTitle":"School Counseling Materials","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Smith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8970552"},{"teacherId":9150172,"projectId":10064691,"letterContent":"With nearly 60 preschoolers in our school, adding a set of preschool-sized cross-country skis will make a big impact on our student body.\r\nWe have several Preschool teachers who are passionate about cross-country skiing. With the arrival of our skis, we have set up skiing kits for teachers to take out to recess with them. Our school has a couple of hills and some long, flat spots on the playground. The teachers and paraprofessionals will be overseeing small ski groups every recess time. We have outdoor play every day for 2 hours (our preschool program is an all-day program). The skis allow for variety of skill practice and will liven up recess time for sure.\r\nThank-you for supporting these little ones on their outdoor adventures. The school has Kindy-5th grade skis already, so with their new skills, they'll be able to easily transition to the bigger equipment when they're ready.","fullyFundedDate":1771269801124,"projectUrl":"project/alaskan-preschoolers-learning-to-ski/10064691/","projectTitle":"Alaskan Preschoolers Learning to Ski","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Stein","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9150172"},{"teacherId":9495301,"projectId":9541617,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our classroom project, \"Catching Kindness.\" Your generosity has helped create a special experience for my students and has encouraged them to intentionally look for the good happening around them each day.\r\n\r\nThanks to your support, students have been taking turns capturing moments of people in our school being safe, kind, and responsible. We have already begun building our **Catching Kindness** wall, and it has been wonderful to see the excitement students feel when they recognize and celebrate positive actions in others.\r\n\r\nThis project is helping students develop the habit of noticing kindness and understanding the impact their own actions can have on those around them. My hope is that this mindset continues to grow beyond our classroom and into their lives in the community.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping make this meaningful project possible for our students.\r\n\r\nWith sincere appreciation,","fullyFundedDate":1764658736468,"projectUrl":"project/catching-kindness/9541617/","projectTitle":"“Catching” Kindness","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Luke","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9495301_orig.jpg?crop=462,462,x0,y1&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1713539338405","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9495301"},{"teacherId":9857241,"projectId":9956006,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, we were able to host a special \"Lunch & Learn\" for all of our 4th and 5th graders as part of our Confidence with Care – Period Project. During this time, students learned how to use the supplies, what to expect as their bodies grow and change, and how to care for themselves with confidence.\r\n\r\nEach student left with their own personal period pouch filled with supplies — something that was theirs to keep. For many, this was their first time seeing or holding these items, and having the opportunity to ask questions in a safe, supportive space made all the difference.\r\n\r\nThe room was filled with curiosity, thoughtful questions, and visible relief. What you provided wasn't just materials — it was knowledge, dignity, and reassurance. Our students now know they are prepared and supported, and that their health and wellbeing matter.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping us create a space where confidence truly meets care.","fullyFundedDate":1766958950865,"projectUrl":"project/confidence-begins-with-care-breaking-t/9956006/","projectTitle":"Confidence Begins With Care - Breaking the Ice About Periods","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Olivia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9857241_orig.jpg?crop=1872,1872,x128,y712&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744730622018","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9857241"},{"teacherId":10397056,"projectId":10045964,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support for our school library. These books will make a huge impact in our student's lives. As soon as we unboxed the books, I heard the excitement with the students mentioning that it was Splatoon. I heard one student say, \"Wait, isn't that the video game!\" It is really something to watch the students get excited about books and reading. \r\n\r\nThe day the boxes of Splatoon manga arrived was one of the most exciting days our library has seen this year. Word traveled fast, and within minutes of unboxing, a \"Squid Squad\" of students had gathered, eyes wide with excitement. For many of my students, seeing a favorite video game world reflected on the library shelves was a moment of pure validation. It sent a clear message: their interests matter, and our school is a place that meets them where they are. Your donation allows me to keep students engaged in reading materials they actually will enjoy reading. It helps me to keep books on the shelves that the students actually want to read. Before I could even put the stickers and labels on, I had a waiting list of students that wanted to check out the books.","fullyFundedDate":1770238487693,"projectUrl":"project/ink-redible-reading-hooking-students-wi/10045964/","projectTitle":"Ink-redible Reading: Hooking Students with Splatoon Manga!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. McMillen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10397056"},{"teacherId":2855063,"projectId":9921097,"letterContent":"A million thank you's to each of you for the gift of these math resources! Maybe I should say \"hundreds of thanks\" because we just passed our 100th day of school!\r\n \r\n These math learning tools have had a tremendous impact — immediate, daily, ongoing — on our classroom math instruction and have gone a long way toward making math more tangible and visual for students!\r\nYour gifts have helped kids strengthen their conceptual understanding of place value, greater than/less than, number partners to ten, and more! We use the rekenrek arithmetic frames almost daily and many kids are demonstrating a stronger ability to see a quantity without needing to count by 1s. \r\n\r\n The hopscotch carpet has reinforced basic number identification up through ten for students working at that entry level. Likewise, the dominoes and ten frames have been helpful in identifying quantities, matching objects to numerals, and more.\r\n\r\n This stronger number sense students are developing will benefit their math learning for years to come! Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1764826073900,"projectUrl":"project/making-math-learning-magical/9921097/","projectTitle":"Making Math Learning Magical!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mildon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2855063"},{"teacherId":2855063,"projectId":9739955,"letterContent":"Thank you for your kind support of our Learning Language through Purposeful Play project. Students have greatly enjoyed the selection of toys you provided and are fully engaged during each choice time session. They have been developing language concepts around naming words for household objects or processes unfamiliar to them and we are working on expanding and combining sentences when they describe the actions and experiences of the dollhouse family members.\r\n The Lego sets, marble works, Lincoln Logs, Tinker Toys, and Magnetics are all favorites! Each has allowed language explorations related to math and science concepts as students build structures that require greater support, create flowers similar to ones they grew, inviting review as they name and describe the functions of parts such the stem, leaves, or petals. Tracking our marbles has even helped with counting by 1s and 5s as students check that they close their play session with five marbles of each color! Responsibility learning in action.\r\n We sincerely appreciate your part in making these learning toys a part of the kids' kindergarten experience!","fullyFundedDate":1762222299133,"projectUrl":"project/learning-language-through-purposeful-pla/9739955/","projectTitle":"Learning Language Through Purposeful Play","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mildon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2855063"},{"teacherId":9857241,"projectId":9596904,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our art small group became a space where students could slow down, express big feelings, and connect through creativity. We used the art materials during counseling small groups this year to help students explore emotions, practice self-regulation, and build confidence through hands-on projects like drawing feelings, mixed-media self-portraits, and collaborative art pieces that encourage teamwork and communication.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, their faces lit up. There was a noticeable shift in energy... students who are usually hesitant to talk began opening up as they worked, using art as a safe and engaging way to share their thoughts.\r\n\r\nNext, more students will continue using these supplies to dive deeper into classroom lessons around coping skills, self-expression, and problem-solving. We'll be connecting art projects to SEL. Because of you, our counseling space feels more inviting, creative, and supportive—and our students feel seen, heard, and empowered.","fullyFundedDate":1755756670653,"projectUrl":"project/painting-peace-one-brushstroke-at-a-tim/9596904/","projectTitle":"Painting Peace, One Brushstroke at a Time","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Olivia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9857241_orig.jpg?crop=1872,1872,x128,y712&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744730622018","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9857241"},{"teacherId":8444453,"projectId":9842945,"letterContent":"Wow! What can I say? My students have never felt so thankful in their lives. This is so amazing and I am so grateful that you were able to donate. Most of my students are struggling big time. They come to school wearing the same clothes everyday. They fall asleep in class. This has brought a light to them. \r\n\r\nI also am struggling financially myself and being a teacher gets to be quite expensive so I am happy that they were able to have nice things even though I wasn't able to buy them out of my pocket. You've have a tremendous impact on my students, our school, and myself. I appreciate you so much. Thank you.","fullyFundedDate":1769201039913,"projectUrl":"project/45-combo-35-students/9842945/","projectTitle":"4/5 Combo 35 Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dabbs","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8444453_orig.jpg?crop=1008,1008,x0,y57&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1691084527716","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8444453"},{"teacherId":7536160,"projectId":9827554,"letterContent":"Thank you, Mr. Brabets, for funding Increasing Learning through Comfort. In first grade, we spend much of our learning time on the carpet, which is thin and on top of a concrete floor. The cushions were a big hit with the kids. They all agreed they were more comfortable. The cushions have helped define their personal space, increase comfort and decrease the \"wiggles.\" This has led to increased focus and participation in the group lessons. \r\nWe spent some time learning the expectations for when to use and how to use the cushions in a respectful and safe manner. Students learned how to take care of them so the cushions can be used each year with new first graders. The kids have been very appreciative and often comment what a nice man you were to have purchased these for them.\r\nI am uploading a picture of the thank you card we made as well as some photos taken during some of our group learning.\r\nThank you again for your kindness!","fullyFundedDate":1764655778825,"projectUrl":"project/increase-learning-through-comfort/9827554/","projectTitle":"Increase Learning Through Comfort","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Robins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7536160"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_56402","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":387,"numTeachers":26,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":12,"percentBlack":7,"percentWhite":10,"percentIndigenous":17,"percentLatinx":16,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":26,"percentMultiracialImputed":10,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"14.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":61.4,"schoolId":56402,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about North Star Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"North Star Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/alaska/anchorage-school-district/north-star-elementary-school/56402"}