{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Orenda Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":4.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10052722,"projectId":9404148,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our classroom — your gift has made a real difference. Here's how your donation is helping our 2nd graders learn, focus, and thrive.\r\n\r\nWhat we're using and how\r\n\r\nAlternative seating (seat cushions and bench) is used every day during writing centers. Students choose a spot that helps them stay comfortable and engaged while drafting and revising.\r\nThe weighted sloth and blanket are part of our brain-break and calming corner. Students use them during scheduled breaks or when they need a quick reset before returning to work.\r\nSTEM materials are used for hands‑on challenges that build collaboration, problem‑solving, and persistence.\r\n\r\nA specific classroom moment\r\n\r\nDuring a recent writing center, a student who usually struggles to sit still selected a sea cushion and settled at the bench to write a story about the ocean. With the improved posture and choice of seating, she wrote two full paragraphs for the first time all year, then proudly read her work aloud to the class.\r\nAfter a fast-paced math game, three students came to the calming corner and used the weighted sloth and blanket for five minutes. They returned focused and completed their independent math practice with far fewer prompts than usual.\r\n\r\nStudent reactions\r\n\r\nExcited and proud — many students rushed to try the new seating the first day and couldn't stop talking about their \"special spot.\" The calming tools quickly became a trusted resource; students ask for them appropriately and report they \"feel ready\" after using them.\r\nIncreased ownership — students take care of the materials and make responsible choices about when to use them.\r\n\r\nNext steps for classroom learning\r\n\r\nWriting: We'll build on recent gains by launching a mini-unit where students draft a short illustrated chapter that they'll revise and publish. Alternative seating will remain available so students can choose their most productive writing environment.\r\nSTEM: We'll design collaborative engineering challenges that integrate writing (design journals) and math (measurement), using the STEM kits to prototype and iterate.\r\nSelf-regulation: We'll track how calming-corner use supports on-task behavior and gradually teach students to use the tools independently as part of our classroom routines.\r\n\r\nIn short: your donation has improved comfort, concentration, and independence — and it's already helping students produce stronger work and develop self-regulation skills. Thank you for giving our classroom a better place to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1750007777343,"projectUrl":"project/new-after-19-years-color-my-classroom-i/9404148/","projectTitle":"New After 19 Years! Color My Classroom in Creativity!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. McBride","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10052722_orig.jpg?crop=1080,1080,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1749478706521","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-amcbride"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_22441","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":548,"numTeachers":36,"percentFrplEligible":17,"percentAsian":5,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":76,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":9,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"15.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":95.8,"schoolId":22441,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Orenda Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Orenda Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-york/shenendehowa-central-school-district/orenda-elementary-school/22441"}
By supporting Orenda Elementary School on DonorsChoose, you make it possible for teachers to request the specific resources their students need most. Weâll show you the tangible difference your gift made.
Join the 24 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Orenda Elementary School is
a suburban public school
in Clifton Park, New York that is part of Shenendehowa Central School District.
It serves 548 students
in grades K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 15.2:1.
Its teachers have had 4 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Public School
Grades K - 5
548 Students
36 Teachers
970 Route 146Contact info is sourced from our partners at MDR Education, and DonorsChoose updates our site ahead of each school year.
Boost support for this school! Share this page with friends, family, alumni, and fellow supporters. Every connection helps teachers get the supplies they need and shows how much your community cares about its students.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for public school teachers.
Every donation funds real needs — pencils, books, lab equipment, art supplies, and more — helping students learn and thrive. We ship supplies directly to the school, and you'll see exactly where each dollar goes.
of students receive free or reduced price lunch
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Source: the National Center for Education Statistics
16%
of students are Black, Latino, Native
American, or Asian
Data about school demographics comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. The numbers in this chart may not add up to 100% because of limitations in the available data.
Orenda Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 25, 2025
DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students
in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.
Orenda Elementary School
$2,750
raised using DonorsChoose
4
projects
funded
4
teachers
funded
24
donors
1
project
for
basic supplies
Orenda Elementary School has received support from
23 individuals from New York and
1 individual out-of-state.