{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Pearsontown Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":18.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2656357,"projectId":9008130,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your help with supplies for Science Olympiad! They were very helpful!\r\n\r\nWe used the hot glue guns and glue sticks for several projects. The main one was our Pasta Tower challenge. Students worked to build a tower out of pasta and the glue was essential for their work!\r\n\r\nThe safety glasses were a requirement for some of our events, so they were needed! Students who made bottle rockets wore them while launching their rockets during meetings and at competition. Students who competed for Pasta Tower also wore them. \r\n\r\nWe tried using the bottle rocket launcher, but it broke while we were setting it up! I'm going to see if I can fix it. We used another one I had for this year, but hopefully in the future, we can also use the 3-bottle launcher.\r\n\r\nThese materials will continue to come in handy as we continue Science Olympiad in the coming years! Thank you again!","fullyFundedDate":1734438692989,"projectUrl":"project/science-olympiad-materials/9008130/","projectTitle":"Science Olympiad Materials","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Baucom","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2656357_orig.jpg?crop=538,539,x0,y14&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1734551385340","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2656357"},{"teacherId":401539,"projectId":9381113,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom! Your donation has provided my academically gifted 4th graders with engaging new texts that will open the door to deeper thinking and meaningful conversations. These book will allow us to explore important skills like character development, making inferences, identifying themes, and understanding historical context. My students are not just reading for fun—they are learning how to analyze texts, support their ideas with evidence, and connect what they read to their own lives and the world around them.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is a vibrant, joyful experience. Students read in cozy corners, work together in small groups, and share their insights in thoughtful discussions. One student, who was once reluctant to read independently, now rushes in each morning eager to dive into her book and share her thinking. Another student, fascinated by historical fiction, is using one of our new books as a springboard for a research project! Your gift has made our classroom a place where books spark curiosity, confidence, and creativity—and we are so thankful for that.","fullyFundedDate":1748366980849,"projectUrl":"project/the-power-of-words-to-be-leaders/9381113/","projectTitle":"The Power of Words to be Leaders","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Lesher","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp401539_orig.jpg?crop=1406,1406,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1664070268220","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/401539"},{"teacherId":401539,"projectId":9376620,"letterContent":"Thanks to your incredible generosity, our gifted learners are thriving with the new VersaTiles hands-on math resources you helped provide! These tools have become a central part of our math enrichment time, giving students the chance to apply advanced concepts in a fun, self-paced, and interactive way. The VersaTiles have been especially powerful in helping students build confidence while tackling multi-step problems, developing logical reasoning, and reinforcing key math skills through immediate feedback and self-correction.\r\n\r\nOne particularly exciting moment was during our recent \"Math Challenge Day,\" where students rotated through problem-solving stations using the VersaTiles kits. One of our most reserved students lit up with pride after completing an entire logic puzzle tile set on her own—and then asked to do another! That moment captured exactly what we hoped to achieve with this project: empowering students to push themselves, embrace challenges, and feel joy in learning. Thank you for making this possible. Your support has created a lasting impact in our classroom, and we are so grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1748357590127,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-learning-for-math/9376620/","projectTitle":"Hands-on Learning for Math","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Lesher","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp401539_orig.jpg?crop=1406,1406,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1664070268220","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/401539"},{"teacherId":9841737,"projectId":9004993,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support! The materials you provided — small marble notebooks, organizing trays with lids, pencils, and eraser tops — have already made a huge difference in my classroom.\r\n\r\nI work with kindergarten, first grade, and second grade students throughout each day, so organization is crucial. The trays have helped us keep each group's supplies separate and easy to grab, and the notebooks have given every student a personal space to record their work and ideas. One specific moment that stands out was during a writing activity: each student excitedly grabbed their own notebook and a pencil from their group's tray. Because everything was organized and ready, they could jump right into writing without delays. It made our classroom feel more focused, calm, and productive — a big win when working with young learners!\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the new materials, they were thrilled. They loved having their very own notebooks, and the trays help the groups' materials stay neat and tidy. It was heartwarming to see them so excited and feeling a sense of ownership over their supplies.\r\n\r\nRight now, we are using the notebooks to complete an end-of-year writing project, where students journal about their learning each week. Our next step is to begin creating \"All About Me\" books, where each student will use their notebook entries to build a personal story. Having everything organized means we can spend more time creating and less time searching for supplies — and that has made all the difference.\r\n\r\nThank you again for investing in our classroom and helping us grow in both independence and creativity. We couldn't have done it without you!","fullyFundedDate":1734300241151,"projectUrl":"project/school-supplies-for-success/9004993/","projectTitle":"School Supplies for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Virgil","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9841737_orig.png?crop=336,336,x0,y69&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731953234517","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9841737"},{"teacherId":401539,"projectId":9029503,"letterContent":"We are so grateful for the literature journals that you helped provide to our classroom. These journals have become an essential tool in helping students develop critical thinking, writing, and reflection skills. Through their use, students are learning how to organize their thoughts, make text-to-self and text-to-world connections, and analyze literary themes more deeply. Writing in their journals allows them to engage with literature on a personal level, strengthening both their comprehension and their ability to express ideas clearly.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, reading has become a more interactive and meaningful experience thanks to these journals. Students use them during independent reading, group discussions, and whole-class lessons to jot down their thoughts, pose questions, and respond to prompts. Whether they are summarizing a chapter, exploring a character's motivations, or illustrating key scenes, the journals provide a space for creativity and reflection. They also serve as an ongoing record of student growth, allowing them to look back and see how their understanding has evolved over time.\r\n\r\nIt has been especially rewarding to see certain students flourish with the use of these journals. One student, who previously hesitated to speak up in discussions, now confidently shares insights because she has taken time to organize her thoughts in writing first. Another student, who enjoys drawing, has used his journal to create visual representations of stories, deepening his engagement with the text. These journals are not just notebooks; they are tools for empowerment, allowing all students to find their voices and engage with literature in ways that feel meaningful to them. Your generosity has truly enriched our classroom experience, and we cannot thank you enough!","fullyFundedDate":1736115170192,"projectUrl":"project/book-study-journals-project/9029503/","projectTitle":"Book Study Journals Project","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Lesher","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp401539_orig.jpg?crop=1406,1406,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1664070268220","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/401539"},{"teacherId":401539,"projectId":8955509,"letterContent":"We are incredibly grateful for your generosity in helping us bring A Long Walk to Water and related picture books into our classroom. These texts are providing our students with powerful lessons on perseverance, empathy, and global awareness. Through the story of Salva Dut and Nya, students are developing critical thinking skills as they analyze themes of survival, resilience, and the impact of access to clean water. Additionally, these books are enhancing their comprehension skills as they compare fiction and nonfiction texts, make connections to real-world issues, and engage in meaningful discussions about social and ethical responsibility.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is an engaging, dynamic experience. Students are participating in shared read-alouds, small group discussions, and independent reading time, where they reflect on the novel's themes and make connections to their own lives. They are also using the picture books to deepen their understanding of the real-life challenges faced by people in Sudan and other parts of the world. Through journaling, collaborative projects, and hands-on activities, students are not just reading—they are thinking critically, asking important questions, and finding ways to take action.\r\n\r\nIt has been especially rewarding to see how these books have impacted individual students. One student, who was previously hesitant to participate in discussions, is now eagerly sharing thoughts about Salva's journey and connecting it to her own experiences of overcoming challenges. Another student, inspired by the novel's message of perseverance, has taken a keen interest in learning more about global water initiatives and has even begun brainstorming ways to raise awareness in our school community. These books are not only fostering a love for reading but also inspiring students to think beyond themselves and see their role in the world. Your support has made this possible, and we cannot thank you enough!","fullyFundedDate":1733087129939,"projectUrl":"project/a-long-walk-to-water-novel-study/8955509/","projectTitle":"A Long Walk to Water Novel Study","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Lesher","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp401539_orig.jpg?crop=1406,1406,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1664070268220","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/401539"},{"teacherId":401539,"projectId":8951017,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our 4th-grade students are engaging deeply with the Harlem Renaissance through a rich selection of new texts. These books are introducing them to important literacy skills, such as analyzing poetry, identifying themes of resilience and identity, and making connections between history and literature. Through the words of Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and other influential voices, students are not only improving their reading comprehension but also gaining a greater appreciation for storytelling as a form of cultural expression. These texts are helping them explore complex ideas while building their confidence in discussing history, art, and social change.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, reading is an interactive and collaborative experience. Students engage with these texts through read-alouds, small group discussions, and independent reading time. By immersing themselves in the literature of the Harlem Renaissance, students are strengthening their literacy skills while also developing a deeper understanding of the impact of this historical movement.\r\n\r\nIt has been especially exciting to see certain students flourish with these new books. Students who have previously struggled to connect with traditional reading assignments, are now eagerly flipping through a Langston Hughes poetry collection, creating projects with classmates. These moments highlight how access to diverse, high-quality literature can spark curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of reading. Your support has made this possible, and we are incredibly grateful for your investment in our students' learning.","fullyFundedDate":1732110105035,"projectUrl":"project/a-study-of-the-harlem-renaissance/8951017/","projectTitle":"A Study of the Harlem Renaissance","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Lesher","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp401539_orig.jpg?crop=1406,1406,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1664070268220","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/401539"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_1459","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":750,"numTeachers":50,"percentFrplEligible":32,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":36,"percentWhite":40,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":9,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"15.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":81.3,"schoolId":1459,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Pearsontown Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Pearsontown Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/north-carolina/durham-public-schools/pearsontown-elementary-school/1459"}