{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Park Ridge Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":45.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10040783,"projectId":9388262,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donation. My students have greatly benefited from the various ways to practice their letters. We utilize these items daily in our learning center time; the simplicity allows for independent practice while providing ample letter repetition. This activity not only aids in recognizing letter sounds but also in matching uppercase and lowercase letters. The students thoroughly enjoy these games and frequently request to play with them. Your support has provided my students with valuable opportunities to practice. I am incredibly grateful. Thank you.","fullyFundedDate":1758816405711,"projectUrl":"project/letter-practice/9388262/","projectTitle":"Letter Practice","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hyslop","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10040783_orig.png?crop=499,499,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1747854790779","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/hyslop25-26"},{"teacherId":10040783,"projectId":9374564,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donation to my class! The table has been a wonderful addition and is currently being used alongside our weekly themed books, allowing my students to engage deeply with the material. They truly enjoy sitting at our little table and immersing themselves in the stories.\r\n\r\nThe magnifying glasses have been a hit as well! They've been utilized not only with the books but also during our small group activities. The students love using them to search for hidden letters during our letter hunts.\r\n\r\nAlthough we haven't used the butterfly books yet, we are excited to incorporate them once we receive our butterflies in the spring. With the magnifying glasses, we'll be able to observe the caterpillars as they transform into butterflies, enhancing our understanding of this fascinating process.\r\n\r\nThank you once again for your support! It truly makes a difference in our learning experience.","fullyFundedDate":1748358869458,"projectUrl":"project/let-science-fly-in/9374564/","projectTitle":"Let Science Fly In","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hyslop","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10040783_orig.png?crop=499,499,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1747854790779","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/hyslop25-26"},{"teacherId":7880804,"projectId":9040887,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project \"Empower Learning With SEL, Dramatic Play, and Kitchen Fun!\" Your generosity brought so much joy and opportunity into our classroom!\r\n\r\nThe new books you helped provide have become essential tools in our daily learning. These stories introduce rich lessons about friendship, problem-solving, emotions, and kindness—skills that directly connect to our Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) goals. We use them to spark meaningful discussions during circle time, and they help students connect their own feelings to the characters we read about. Dramatic play has become even more imaginative, as students now act out scenes inspired by these books, deepening both comprehension and empathy.\r\n\r\nReading time in our classroom is now filled with excitement and curiosity. Students love curling up with our new stories in our cozy corners or bringing them into the play kitchen to \"read while cooking.\" One student, who was previously hesitant during story time, now eagerly chooses books from our new collection and shares them with friends—something that's been beautiful to watch.\r\n\r\nThank you for making this possible. Your kindness has truly empowered our learning!","fullyFundedDate":1739375890487,"projectUrl":"project/empower-learning-with-sel-dramatic-play/9040887/","projectTitle":"Empower Learning With SEL, Dramatic Play, and Kitchen Fun!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Duerksen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7880804_orig.jpg?crop=2240,2240,x0,y776&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1623295009661","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7880804"},{"teacherId":7880804,"projectId":9025006,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting our Fueling Young Minds: Snacks for All Kindergarten Students project. Your generosity has had an immediate and meaningful impact on my classroom, and most importantly—on the lives of my students.\r\n\r\nAs a teacher at a Title I school, I work with many students who face challenges beyond the classroom. One of the most pressing issues I see every day is hunger. Many of my students arrive late to school and miss the chance to eat breakfast in the cafeteria. Others are dropped off without having eaten anything at home. Some simply don't bring a snack, even though their little bodies and growing brains need that fuel to focus and succeed.\r\n\r\nBecause of this project—and because of you—I now have snacks on hand every day to make sure every student has something to eat. This has not only helped ease my students' hunger, but it's also helped reduce stress, increase focus, and bring a sense of comfort and care into our classroom.\r\n\r\nThe difference has been incredible. Students who were once sluggish or distracted during morning lessons are now more alert and ready to learn. I've had kids come up to me and quietly ask, \"Do you have a snack today?\"—and now, I get to say \"Yes!\" with confidence, knowing I can meet their basic needs.\r\n\r\nOne moment that especially stuck with me was a student who, after finishing their snack, said with a smile, \"Now my tummy isn't growling—I can listen better!\" That small sentence reminded me why this project matters so much. Hunger shouldn't stand in the way of learning, especially in kindergarten, where every moment is critical for building strong foundations.\r\n\r\nThe snacks you helped provide are more than just food. They are kindness, comfort, and consistency. They show my students that they are cared for, that their needs matter, and that someone out there believes in giving every child a fair chance to thrive.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, I plan to continue incorporating snack breaks into our daily routine to ensure students can recharge and refocus. I'm also teaching them about making healthy food choices and listening to their bodies. Your donation has helped create a more equitable classroom environment—one where every student starts the day with the energy they need to do their best.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping me fuel not just growing bodies, but growing minds. Your kindness has made a lasting impact, and I am so grateful for your support of my students and our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1735933338099,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-young-minds-snacks-for-all-kind/9025006/","projectTitle":"Fueling Young Minds: Snacks for All Kindergarten Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Duerksen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7880804_orig.jpg?crop=2240,2240,x0,y776&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1623295009661","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7880804"},{"teacherId":7880804,"projectId":8847369,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, my classroom now has a vibrant, engaging, and truly effective focus wall—all made possible by our brand new color printer! Your donation to The Power in Color project has made a powerful difference in how I deliver instruction and how my students stay focused, organized, and excited to learn.\r\n\r\nBefore this project, I was printing in black and white, which made it challenging to highlight key concepts, vocabulary, and learning goals in a way that truly grabbed my students' attention. But now, with the ability to print in color, our focus wall has come to life. Each subject area is color-coded, visuals and anchor charts are bright and easy to follow, and students can clearly see what we're learning and why it matters.\r\n\r\nThe first day I unveiled our new, full-color focus wall, one of my students said, \"It looks like a real learning wall now!\" That simple comment said it all. My students are naturally drawn to the wall throughout the day—checking for vocabulary words, reviewing daily objectives, and using the visuals to support their understanding.\r\n\r\nThe printer has also helped me quickly and efficiently update our materials. Whether it's printing sight words, phonics posters, or math strategy cards, I can now create materials that are not only functional but also visually engaging. This has been especially helpful for my visual learners, who benefit greatly from colorful cues and clearly organized information.\r\n\r\nBeyond the focus wall, I've also started using the color printer to create student work displays, center labels, and learning games. It's incredible how something as simple as color can spark interest and motivation in young learners. It's no longer just a piece of paper on the wall—it's a tool that's helping students engage, connect, and retain what they're learning.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite moments since receiving the printer was watching a group of students use the focus wall during a partner activity. They were pointing to the color-coded vocabulary cards and helping each other use the correct terms in their writing. That kind of independent learning and peer support is exactly what I hoped this project would foster.\r\n\r\nThanks to you, our classroom is more vibrant, student-centered, and aligned with best practices for learning. Your generosity gave us more than just a printer—you gave us the power to make learning visible, meaningful, and fun.\r\n\r\nFrom the bottom of my heart, thank you for investing in our classroom and in the power of color. You've made a lasting difference in the daily learning experience of every student who walks through my door.","fullyFundedDate":1735691485609,"projectUrl":"project/the-power-in-color/8847369/","projectTitle":"The Power in Color","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Duerksen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7880804_orig.jpg?crop=2240,2240,x0,y776&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1623295009661","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7880804"},{"teacherId":7880804,"projectId":6268980,"letterContent":"Thanks to your incredible generosity, our April Showers Bring Reading Powers project became an unforgettable PBIS reward event that celebrated both positive behavior and a huge academic achievement—our K–2 students read over 750 books in just one month!\r\n\r\nThis celebration was part of our school's PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) program, which encourages students to be safe, respectful, and responsible. We wanted to reward their amazing behavior and reading progress with an experience they would never forget—and that's exactly what your support made possible.\r\n\r\nThen came the biggest event of all—the pie-a-teacher celebration! As a PBIS reward and reading incentive. The top student in each class had an opportunity to pie a teacher. We also used the Albertsons gift card to purchase ice cream to celebrate everyone .\r\n\r\nThis project didn't just provide supplies—it created lasting memories, boosted student morale, and strengthened the positive culture in our school. By combining literacy goals with behavior rewards, we created an experience that celebrated the whole child.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in the power of fun, learning, and positive reinforcement. Because of you, April showers truly brought reading powers—and a whole lot of laughter too!","fullyFundedDate":1651252768287,"projectUrl":"project/april-showers-bring-reading-powers/6268980/","projectTitle":"April Showers bring READING POWERS!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Duerksen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7880804_orig.jpg?crop=2240,2240,x0,y776&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1623295009661","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7880804"},{"teacherId":7880804,"projectId":5646461,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, my classroom has been transformed in ways that make learning more inviting and accessible for my students. The new carpet provides a comfortable, cozy space where students gather for reading time, group lessons, and discussions. It has quickly become a favorite spot in the room where children feel relaxed and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nThe magnetic shelves for my book display have made it so much easier to organize and showcase a wide variety of books. When students first saw the colorful, accessible book display, their excitement was contagious! They were eager to explore new stories and choose books that sparked their interests.\r\n\r\nOne special moment was during our daily reading circle when a student shared a story they picked from the magnetic shelves. The joy on their face showed how much the new setup encouraged independent reading and a love for books.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, my students are diving into a new reading project where they will select books from the display to read independently or in small groups. They will then share their favorite parts with their classmates, building both comprehension and communication skills.\r\n\r\nYour support has created a welcoming learning environment that encourages curiosity, collaboration, and a lifelong love of reading. I am so grateful for your contribution and excited to see my students grow and thrive with these wonderful new resources.","fullyFundedDate":1628825991585,"projectUrl":"project/hocus-pocus-everybody-focus/5646461/","projectTitle":"Hocus Pocus ... Everybody FOCUS!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Duerksen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7880804_orig.jpg?crop=2240,2240,x0,y776&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1623295009661","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7880804"},{"teacherId":7880804,"projectId":9176703,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, Your generosity brought valuable resources into our classroom that have made a real difference in both academic learning and emotional development.\r\n\r\nThe literacy games have become a classroom favorite. Students now engage more eagerly during reading time, and I've already seen improvements in their vocabulary, fluency, and overall confidence. Learning through play has helped even my more reluctant readers feel successful and excited about literacy.\r\n\r\nThe social-emotional learning materials have been just as impactful. They've given students the tools to better understand their feelings and manage their behavior. One student, who used to struggle with frustration, now uses calming strategies and has even started helping classmates when they feel upset. It's been incredible to watch the growth in empathy and self-awareness.","fullyFundedDate":1746786275703,"projectUrl":"project/building-brighter-futures-literacy-game/9176703/","projectTitle":"Building Brighter Futures: Literacy Games and Social-Emotional Learning Fun!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Duerksen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7880804_orig.jpg?crop=2240,2240,x0,y776&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1623295009661","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7880804"},{"teacherId":7880804,"projectId":9150668,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom has been filled with excitement, creativity, and a renewed love for learning! When the materials from our \"Building Brighter Futures: Literacy Games and Social-Emotional Learning Fun!\" project arrived, the students could hardly contain their excitement. Their faces lit up with joy and curiosity as they unpacked each item. The energy in the room was truly contagious. From that very moment, I knew these resources would spark something special—and they absolutely have.\r\n\r\nWe've already incorporated the materials into our daily routine, especially during our literacy centers. One of the biggest hits has been the Splash Games. These colorful, hands-on activities have turned reading practice into something joyful and interactive. Students take turns, help one another, and dive into each challenge with enthusiasm. For many of them, it no longer feels like \"schoolwork\"—it feels like fun. Even those who were once reluctant to participate are now eagerly waiting for their turn.\r\n\r\nWhat's been most magical is seeing how these tools have encouraged collaboration and confidence. One student, who used to shy away from reading aloud, now leads her group through the word games with pride. Another student, who often struggled to stay focused, is now engaged and motivated because the learning feels fresh and playful. These small wins add up and create a learning environment where students feel safe to try, fail, and grow.\r\n\r\nIn addition to the academic gains, the social-emotional learning resources have made a meaningful impact as well. Students are starting to use the strategies we've practiced with the materials to regulate their emotions and solve conflicts more independently. Our classroom feels calmer, more cooperative, and more connected.\r\n\r\nNone of this would have been possible without your generosity. You've helped bring joy, learning, and emotional growth into our classroom in a way that students will carry with them far beyond this school year. These resources are more than just tools—they're building blocks for confidence, community, and lifelong learning.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and supporting our classroom. We are deeply grateful for your kindness and investment in our future.","fullyFundedDate":1746785802003,"projectUrl":"project/igniting-minds-hands-on-literacy-throug/9150668/","projectTitle":"Igniting Minds: Hands-On Literacy Through Play","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Duerksen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7880804_orig.jpg?crop=2240,2240,x0,y776&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1623295009661","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7880804"},{"teacherId":7880804,"projectId":9125135,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom has been filled with excitement and creativity! When the materials arrived, my students were beyond thrilled. Their faces lit up as they explored each item, and the energy in the room was contagious. It was clear from that moment that these resources would spark something special.\r\n\r\nWe've already put the materials to great use in our literacy centers. They had a blast! It was so fun seeing my shy kiddos light up !Thank you so much for making learning fun possible","fullyFundedDate":1746786246815,"projectUrl":"project/small-groups-big-growth-fun-tools-for/9125135/","projectTitle":"Small Groups, Big Growth: Fun Tools for Learning\"","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Duerksen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7880804_orig.jpg?crop=2240,2240,x0,y776&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1623295009661","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7880804"},{"teacherId":3080780,"projectId":9054123,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for bringing color to our classroom! Our new printer has made such a difference in the atmosphere of our room. I have been able to switch from black and white award certificates to color, I have been able to print the lunch menus in color, I have created permission slips that students took home in color, and I was able to print out stories that students wrote on colorful pages. My students are more engaged and excited to take home their awards and create content that includes color. It has transformed my room into a more colorful, inviting, and engaging place to learn. Thank you again for investing in my students.","fullyFundedDate":1739375881035,"projectUrl":"project/now-in-color/9054123/","projectTitle":"Now in Color!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Eilers","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3080780_orig.jpg?crop=1932,1932,x0,y412&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1663172941471","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3080780"},{"teacherId":1266295,"projectId":9018717,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom received brand-new chairs and storage cabinets—and they've made such a difference!\r\n\r\nThe new chairs have brought a fresh energy to our room. Students were so excited when they first saw them—many commented that they felt like \"real scholars\" sitting in their upgraded seats. The chairs are not only more comfortable, but they've helped students stay more focused and engaged during lessons.\r\n\r\nThe cabinets have completely transformed how we organize our learning materials. Instead of cluttered desks and scattered supplies, everything now has a place. Students take pride in being able to neatly put away their things and quickly find what they need for each subject. This has created a calmer, more efficient classroom environment.\r\n\r\nAs we continue working on hands-on learning projects and small group rotations, these resources will continue to support a more organized, focused, and student-centered space.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving us the tools to create a classroom where students feel comfortable, confident, and ready to learn every day!","fullyFundedDate":1735933338197,"projectUrl":"project/organized-spaces-inspired-learning/9018717/","projectTitle":"Organized Spaces, Inspired Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hinshaw","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1266295_orig.jpg?crop=2048,2048,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1646154187947","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-millersgators"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_63075","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":302,"numTeachers":20,"percentFrplEligible":58,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":63,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":30,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"15.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":54.4,"schoolId":63075,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Park Ridge Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Park Ridge Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/idaho/nampa-school-district/parkridge-elementary-school/63075"}