{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Pinecrest Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":48.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2271672,"projectId":9567588,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our students have been energized, inspired, and deeply engaged through our Color Run project. The resources you helped provide have brought new life to our Walking/Running with Purpose club and created moments I wish each of you could've witnessed firsthand.\r\nHow we're using the new resources\r\nEach week, our students gather with excitement as we train together for the final community give‑back color run. The new materials—cones, lap counters, paint supplies, fitness tools, and organizational items—have turned our practices into structured, purposeful sessions that the kids genuinely look forward to. One of my favorite moments happened during a lesson on perseverance: students were working through a longer run, and when one runner felt tired, another ran beside them saying, \"We finish together.\" The resources you funded allowed that moment to happen safely and successfully.\r\nTheir first reactions\r\nWhen students first saw everything laid out—especially the color packets for the big run—there were gasps, cheers, and a whole lot of jumping up and down. For many of them, this is their first time participating in a fitness event like this, and seeing all the materials made it real. One student yelled, \"This is going to be the best day of my life!\"—and the rest quickly agreed.\r\nWhat's next for our students\r\nRight now, we're working on setting individual fitness goals and learning about how physical activity connects to mental well‑being and community service. Our next step is preparing for the color run itself, where students will not only complete the race but also help run stations, encourage peers, and celebrate their growth. This event is also tied to their give‑back mission: raising awareness and support for Fostering Success. Your contribution is helping them see how their actions can make a difference beyond our classroom walls.\r\nThank you for believing in our students and in this project. You've given them confidence, community, and an unforgettable experience.","fullyFundedDate":1755703075470,"projectUrl":"project/color-our-run/9567588/","projectTitle":"Color Our Run","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Claude","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2271672_orig.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754754365438","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2271672"},{"teacherId":3921857,"projectId":10134205,"letterContent":"The impact of this book donation project has been immediate and powerful in my classroom. Students are more engaged in independent reading than ever before, and the excitement around books is something you can feel the moment you walk into the room. Series that were once hard to access are now readily available, allowing students to stay immersed in stories instead of losing momentum. Wings of Fire has been especially well received, with students eagerly passing the books along and discussing their favorite characters and moments. At the same time, Diary of a Wimpy Kid has brought excitement to nearly every reader in the class, creating a shared reading experience that has encouraged even reluctant readers to participate.\r\n\r\nThis project has also had a measurable impact on student achievement. With consistent access to engaging books, students are reading more frequently and with greater stamina. As a result, they are taking more Accelerated Reader tests and earning more points, which has boosted both their confidence and their sense of accomplishment. Books like the Aru Shah series, which were previously very difficult to get from the school library, are now available for students to read from beginning to end. This continuity has allowed students to deepen their comprehension, follow complex storylines, and truly invest in the reading process without interruption.\r\n\r\nOn a personal level, one of the most rewarding aspects of this project has been watching students connect with books that I love. Seeing students pick up The Hobbit, my favorite book, has been incredibly meaningful, and even more exciting is hearing them talk about continuing on to read The Lord of the Rings. These moments reflect exactly what this project set out to accomplish—not just improving reading skills, but fostering a genuine love of literature. Because of your support, students are not only becoming stronger readers, but they are also discovering the joy and adventure that books can bring into their lives.","fullyFundedDate":1773696643947,"projectUrl":"project/what-a-series/10134205/","projectTitle":"What a Series!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Combes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3921857_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1501177186102","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3921857"},{"teacherId":3921857,"projectId":9544079,"letterContent":"I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks for supporting our classroom aquarium project. Because of your generosity, my fifth-grade students now have a living ecosystem right in our classroom, and it has become one of the most powerful learning tools we use every day. Instead of only reading about ecosystems in a textbook, students can observe one in real life. The aquarium allows them to see how plants, shrimp, microorganisms, and water conditions all interact to create a balanced environment. Students have learned that an ecosystem is not just a place where organisms live, but a system where every living and nonliving part affects the others. They watch as plants grow and produce oxygen, shrimp search for food among the plants and substrate, and beneficial bacteria help keep the water clean. These daily observations have sparked curiosity and thoughtful discussions about food webs, habitats, and the importance of balance in nature. Many students start their mornings by quietly observing the tank, noticing small changes they might not have seen before. This has helped them develop strong observation skills and a deeper appreciation for how delicate and interconnected ecosystems truly are.\r\n\r\nThe aquarium has also given students the opportunity to learn responsibility by helping maintain a living environment. Caring for a real ecosystem requires attention to detail and teamwork, and students take great pride in participating in the care of the tank. They help check water levels, observe plant health, and make sure the environment remains clean and stable for the organisms living inside. Through these tasks, students have learned that maintaining a healthy habitat is an ongoing process that requires patience and care. We discuss how even small changes in water quality, light, or nutrients can affect the organisms living in the tank. These lessons naturally connect to larger environmental topics, such as how pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change can impact ecosystems around the world. Students begin to understand that humans also play a role in maintaining the health of natural environments. The aquarium has helped transform abstract science concepts into meaningful experiences. Instead of memorizing facts about ecosystems, students are actively participating in caring for one, which makes the learning far more memorable and impactful.\r\n\r\nOne of the most exciting parts of this project has been observing how shrimp reproduce and develop. Students have been fascinated by the life cycle they are able to witness right in front of them. They have learned that shrimp carry their eggs beneath their bodies, carefully protecting them until they hatch. Watching this process has helped students understand reproduction in living organisms and how new life begins in many aquatic species. When students first noticed a shrimp carrying eggs, the excitement in the classroom was incredible. We began closely observing the changes each day, and students asked thoughtful questions about development, survival, and the role of reproduction in sustaining a population. Eventually, tiny baby shrimp appeared in the tank, which gave students a real example of how life cycles work in ecosystems. Experiences like this make science come alive in a way that reading alone cannot accomplish. Because of your generosity, my students are not only learning about ecosystems, environmental care, and life cycles, but they are also developing curiosity, responsibility, and a deeper respect for living things. Thank you for helping create such a meaningful and inspiring learning experience for our classroom. Your support has made a lasting difference for my students.","fullyFundedDate":1754708752533,"projectUrl":"project/aquatic-art/9544079/","projectTitle":"Aquatic Art","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Combes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3921857_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1501177186102","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3921857"},{"teacherId":10090931,"projectId":9686870,"letterContent":"When our students first saw the new STEM materials, their excitement was immediate and contagious. As soon as we opened the Squigz construction set and the STEM Builder kits, hands shot up and students eagerly asked, \"Can we build now?\" During our first exploration day, small groups worked together to design tall towers with the Squigz, testing which structures would stand the longest. What began as simple play quickly turned into rich conversations about balance, stability, and problem-solving. In our science center, students carefully used the Primary Science Lab tools to observe and compare objects, practicing how to make predictions and record what they noticed. Their curiosity led the learning.\r\nOne of our most memorable moments came during a lesson using the Human Anatomy Model and the Build an Animal kit. Students worked collaboratively to assemble body parts, making connections between bones, organs, and how living things function. They were fascinated to discover how different parts work together, and many proudly shared their new vocabulary words with classmates. The Astronomy STEAM Kit has also sparked thoughtful questions about planets and space, with students eagerly discussing what they might find beyond Earth. Seeing their confidence grow as they experiment, build, and explain their thinking has been incredibly rewarding.\r\nThanks to your generosity, our students are not just learning about STEM concepts, they are experiencing them firsthand, building the confidence and critical thinking skills that will carry them into future learning adventures.","fullyFundedDate":1763599328417,"projectUrl":"project/steam-is-the-future/9686870/","projectTitle":"STEAM Is the Future","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fuentes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10090931"},{"teacherId":10090931,"projectId":9494820,"letterContent":"Since receiving the materials from Building Bright Futures One Letter at a Time, my students have been using these resources daily during literacy instruction and learning centers. In both Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten, students are practicing letter recognition, beginning sounds, and early writing through hands-on, engaging activities. One meaningful classroom moment occurred during small-group literacy time when students worked together to match letters to sounds and proudly identified letters in their own names. many for the first time.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, my students were filled with excitement and curiosity. They gathered around as we unpacked everything, eagerly asking questions and wanting to explore the materials right away. Several students who are typically reserved became immediate participants, showing increased confidence and enthusiasm. Their reactions reinforced how powerful engaging, developmentally appropriate resources are for early learners.\r\n\r\nThese materials have now become a core part of our daily routines. Students transition more independently through literacy centers, collaborate with peers, and take greater ownership of their learning. The resources allow me to differentiate instruction, supporting students who are still developing foundational skills while extending learning for those ready for more advanced challenges.\r\n\r\nThe next steps for my students include building on these early literacy skills through guided reading, phonological awareness activities, and cross-curricular connections that integrate writing, speaking, and listening. As students continue strengthening their letter knowledge, they are developing the confidence and readiness needed for future academic success.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping us truly build bright futures, one letter at a time. Your generosity has made a lasting and meaningful impact on my students and our classroom community.","fullyFundedDate":1762388084360,"projectUrl":"project/building-bright-futures-one-letter-at-a/9494820/","projectTitle":"Building Bright Futures, One Letter at a Time","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fuentes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10090931"},{"teacherId":9524689,"projectId":9552132,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our classroom reading area. Your support has truly enhanced our learning environment and brought so much joy to our students. The colorful lighting has added excitement and warmth to the reading corner, making it an inviting space where students love to curl up with a book. They are genuinely excited to visit this area each day, and it has helped foster a positive and enthusiastic attitude toward reading.\r\n\r\nIn addition, the table spots and stools have brought vibrant color to our small group work area while also helping ensure that each child knows exactly where to sit. This simple but thoughtful addition has improved organization, focus, and independence during lessons. Students feel confident and included in their learning spaces.\r\n\r\nThe phoneme phones and accompanying activities have also been a huge hit. Students have so much fun using them while practicing sounds, and it has made learning phonics more engaging and interactive. Your generosity has made a lasting impact on our classroom, and we are incredibly grateful for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1754915204592,"projectUrl":"project/a-cozy-environment-for-reading/9552132/","projectTitle":"A Cozy Environment for Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bowers","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9524689_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754789514496","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9524689"},{"teacherId":996226,"projectId":9640159,"letterContent":"Thank you so very much for your generous gift of our beautiful new carpet! Before we had it, our classroom felt a little empty—but now it feels cozy, happy, and full of life.\r\n\r\nOur kindergarteners absolutely love gathering together on the carpet each day. It's where we start our mornings with songs and greetings, where we listen to stories, practice counting, learn our letters, and share our thoughts during circle time. We even use our new carpet for quiet reading, partner games, and our favorite—build-and-learn centers with blocks and puzzles!\r\n\r\nYour gift has turned our classroom into a warm, welcoming space that helps our students feel safe, connected, and ready to learn. Every day, when we sit together on the carpet, we are reminded of your kindness and generosity.\r\n\r\nFrom all of us in Kindergarten,\r\nThank you from the bottom of our hearts!","fullyFundedDate":1762392088931,"projectUrl":"project/rug-for-the-restless/9640159/","projectTitle":"Rug for the Restless","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. PIERRE","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/996226"},{"teacherId":10241306,"projectId":9681252,"letterContent":"Pinecrest Elementary School\r\nKids On the Go Morning Running Club\r\n1/23/2026\r\n\r\nOn behalf of our students and staff, I would like to express our deepest gratitude for your generous donation of food snacks to support our Kids on the Go morning running program. Your contribution has made a meaningful difference in both the health and motivation of our students.\r\nEach morning, our students arrive ready to run, walk, and actively participate in building healthy habits that set a positive tone for their day. Thanks to your support, we are able to provide nutritious snacks that help fuel their bodies and reward their efforts. These snacks have become more than just refreshments—they are powerful incentives that keep our students excited, engaged, and committed to reaching their personal goals.\r\nYour donation also plays an important role in celebrating student success. Whether it is recognizing miles completed, personal improvement, consistent participation, or simply showing up with a positive attitude, the snacks help us acknowledge their achievements in a meaningful way. Students take pride in their progress, and the encouragement they receive helps build confidence and a sense of belonging.\r\nBecause of your generosity, our students begin their day energized, supported, and inspired. You are helping us create an environment where healthy choices, perseverance, and celebration of effort are part of everyday learning.\r\nThank you for believing in our kids and for investing in their well being. Your commitment to supporting student health and success truly makes a lasting impact in our school community.\r\n\r\nMy sincere appreciation,\r\nSaintano Damas\r\nTeacher/Head Soccer Coach\r\nPinecrest Elementary School","fullyFundedDate":1757202695817,"projectUrl":"project/energize-encourage-snack-support-for/9681252/","projectTitle":"Energize & Encourage: Snack Support for Student Runners","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Damas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10241306"},{"teacherId":6104066,"projectId":9653634,"letterContent":"My students enjoyed reading and preparing to share the stories they've read. We also partnered with other classrooms to hand out the bookmarks, so students could track their own reading in a fun way.\r\n\r\nMy students developing read aloud videos, so students throughout the school will be able to share in the wonderful stories. They have developed follow up activities to make the reading experience more meaningful. Each class that they visit gets to enjoy a story, a short lesson on story themes, and a small craft to remember the story or lesson. \r\n\r\nIn the future, we hope to create more opportunities to share our love of reading with parents during our school's Literacy Night, and throughout the community, by partnering with nearby daycare centers and preschools.","fullyFundedDate":1758687251177,"projectUrl":"project/sharing-the-joy-of-reading/9653634/","projectTitle":"Sharing the Joy of Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Taylor","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6104066"},{"teacherId":9267659,"projectId":9501290,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating to my class project. The students are using the classroom rug daily!\r\nWe use the rug at many points of our day and I also teach two different classes making it so more students are impacted. In total you have improved 38 students learning experience. \r\nThe rug gives students the chance to lead their own learning in comfort and style. \r\nThroughout the day we will meet in small groups on the rug, complete independent work at their free will on the rug and even do fun read aloud together. \r\n\r\nThank you for making our classroom a better place to be.","fullyFundedDate":1758636526439,"projectUrl":"project/comfortable-seating/9501290/","projectTitle":"Comfortable Seating","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hackworth","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrshackworthsclass"},{"teacherId":4860526,"projectId":9622195,"letterContent":"Thanks so much for the new additions to our library!! Our biggest hit right now is our new library fish and his cool aquarium. The students voted on his name \"Bluey Andrew\" and they love stopping by just to say hi. Leaders of the week are utilized to feed him daily and several students have created cards and drawings for him. He has, no doubt, helped to bring added joy to our media center. The most rewarding part is that our books on fish have begun to circulate more and I have used it as a promotional point to spark interest in more nonfiction reading!\r\n\r\nAdditionally, I am loving our new clear acrylic bookstands and display boards. They are totally functional as well as appealing. Teachers have complimented these updated stands and have asked for information on where to purchase. The additional bins and storage supplies that were funded also help support organization in our library, which is key to keeping everything in its proper place.\r\n\r\nOnce again, I am thoroughly pleased with the impact of this project. Your donation has allowed us to add items that were out of our budget and I am genuinely grateful. Wishing you Happy Holidays!","fullyFundedDate":1755572605595,"projectUrl":"project/school-library-enhancement/9622195/","projectTitle":"School Library Enhancement","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Cade","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4860526_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1506995375661","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4860526"},{"teacherId":2664768,"projectId":9623916,"letterContent":"We are using the resources to make bracelets for women who are fighting breast cancer. My students are excited to make the bracelets during our Student Leadership Team time which happens once a month in my room. They are a combination of 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders, boys and girls. They got very excited when they got our materials and were ready to start working. \r\n\r\nWe are still making the bracelets every month until we can donate them to either the Magnolia Center in Naples Florida or I can travel to Lima Peru to deliver them to The Edgardo Rebagliatti Martins Hospital. Whatever comes first. \r\n\r\nWe have been working helping each other to accomplish our goal. We would like to prepare 100 bracelets . We are using our talents, imagination, and creativity to make every bracelet a unique piece. \r\n\r\nI took pictures of my student making the bracelets to encourage the ladies to be courageous. These ladies who are dealing with sickness and depression due to the cancer treatment will benefit from this project and we thank you for supporting our cause.","fullyFundedDate":1755626324791,"projectUrl":"project/beads-for-bravery/9623916/","projectTitle":"Beads For Bravery","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Moreno","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2664768"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_45566","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":584,"numTeachers":58,"percentFrplEligible":94,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":16,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":81,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"10.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":51.2,"schoolId":45566,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Pinecrest Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Pinecrest Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/florida/collier-county-public-schools/pinecrest-elementary-school/45566"}