{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Pinewood Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":43.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8893620,"projectId":10008907,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our Family Literacy Backpacks project! These backpacks have already made a meaningful impact by helping extend language and literacy learning beyond the classroom and into our students' homes.\r\n\r\nStudents are excited each time they get to take a backpack home. Each backpack provides families with engaging books and literacy activities they can enjoy together, creating valuable opportunities for students to practice reading, build vocabulary, and strengthen language skills with the people who matter most to them.\r\n\r\nOur multilingual families have especially appreciated having resources they can use at home to support their child's learning in a fun and accessible way. The backpacks have helped bridge the gap between school and home, empowering families to be active partners in their child's education.\r\n\r\nAs we continue using these backpacks throughout the year, students will rotate through different themes and activities tied to our classroom learning. Your generosity is helping us build stronger readers, stronger family-school connections, and a lasting love of literacy.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our students and families!","fullyFundedDate":1769104252929,"projectUrl":"project/even-more-family-literacy-backpacks-for/10008907/","projectTitle":"Even More Family Literacy Backpacks for Multilingual Families","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Newkirk","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8893620_orig.jpg?crop=2936,2936,x0,y156&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1769439564884","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-tnewkirk"},{"teacherId":8893620,"projectId":10053357,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our Building Language Through Sensory Play project! These materials have become an invaluable part of our language instruction for multilingual learners.\r\n\r\nOur students use the sensory play resources during small-group lessons to build vocabulary, practice oral language, and strengthen communication skills through hands-on exploration. Whether describing textures, following directions, asking questions, or engaging in imaginative play, students are using language in authentic and meaningful ways while they learn.\r\n\r\nThese resources continue to support our current lessons as students expand their vocabulary, practice sentence structures, and develop confidence communicating with peers and teachers. Your generosity is helping create a classroom environment where language learning feels joyful, interactive, and accessible for all students.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our students' growth and helping make language learning come alive!","fullyFundedDate":1769524492111,"projectUrl":"project/building-language-through-sensory-play/10053357/","projectTitle":"Building Language Through Sensory Play","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Newkirk","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8893620_orig.jpg?crop=2936,2936,x0,y156&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1769439564884","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-tnewkirk"},{"teacherId":5333110,"projectId":9928420,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our classroom is now home to a world of real-time discovery. I am writing to share the incredible impact your support has had on my students and their understanding of the world around them.\r\nMy students have always been naturally curious, but your gift has given that curiosity a practical outlet. With our new weather station, they are no longer just passive observers of a forecast on a screen—they are the meteorologists. They've begun analyzing live data to make their own predictions, learning firsthand how to spot the key details that professional forecasts sometimes miss. There is a special kind of magic in seeing a student look at the data, make a call on a potential snow day, and truly understand the \"why\" behind the weather.\r\nBeyond the science, your contribution has allowed me to foster a more motivating and comfortable learning environment. The new alternative seating and reward prizes have provided that \"little extra\" boost that keeps them engaged and excited to reach their goals.\r\nThank you for investing in their knowledge and for rewarding their hard work. You haven't just given us equipment; you've given these students the tools to see how the world works and the confidence to predict its next move.","fullyFundedDate":1766510075287,"projectUrl":"project/rewarding-with-science/9928420/","projectTitle":"Rewarding with Science","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Griffin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5333110_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1722529976720","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-j-griffin"},{"teacherId":8893620,"projectId":10007114,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom with VOX read-along books! These books have truly transformed what reading looks like for my students. Many of my students are multilingual learners who are still building their reading skills, so having access to books that model fluent, expressive reading has been a game changer. As they listen and follow along, they are developing important skills like decoding, fluency, pronunciation, and comprehension while building confidence.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, reading is active and joyful. Students listen, track the words with their fingers, repeat phrases, and even practice reading aloud using the same expression they hear in the books. These read-aloud models help them understand what \"good reading\" sounds like, which is something that is often hard to teach with words alone. We also use the books to spark conversations, build vocabulary, and connect to what we are learning in class.\r\n\r\nSome of my students who were once hesitant to pick up a book are now excited to read independently. I have watched students light up as they successfully follow along and realize, \"I can read this!\" That confidence is everything. Your generosity has given my students access to books that meet them where they are while helping them grow, and I am so grateful for the impact you've made in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1768417624849,"projectUrl":"project/read-along-magic-bringing-stories-to-li/10007114/","projectTitle":"Read-Along Magic: Bringing Stories to Life","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Newkirk","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8893620_orig.jpg?crop=2936,2936,x0,y156&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1769439564884","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-tnewkirk"},{"teacherId":8893620,"projectId":10049143,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, we were able to celebrate our students' positive Habits of Heart in a meaningful and memorable way! Students who were recognized for demonstrating character traits such as responsibility, perseverance, kindness, and integrity received special wristbands and pencils as awards for their hard work.\r\n\r\nStudents were incredibly proud to be recognized, and their peers were motivated to work toward earning the same celebration. These simple rewards helped make character education feel tangible and important for our students.\r\n\r\nWe are continuing to use these incentives to reinforce positive behavior and build a classroom culture where kindness, responsibility, and perseverance are celebrated daily. Your support is helping us create an environment where students feel seen, valued, and motivated to be their best selves.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in both the academic and character growth of our students!","fullyFundedDate":1769254712068,"projectUrl":"project/celebrating-character-rewards-for-posit/10049143/","projectTitle":"Celebrating Character: Rewards for Positive Habits of the Heart","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Newkirk","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8893620_orig.jpg?crop=2936,2936,x0,y156&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1769439564884","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-tnewkirk"},{"teacherId":8893620,"projectId":9776064,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our classroom frogs have become the highlight of the school day. My students have loved watching the tadpoles grow and change, and their excitement has spread beyond our classroom. The frog habitats are kept just outside my room, so students from many classes stop by each day to observe them and check on their progress.\r\n\r\nMy students have taken ownership of caring for the frogs by taking on different jobs and responsibilities. They have been reading frog books, observing the changes closely, and asking thoughtful questions about how frogs survive. These experiences are helping them think creatively about frog adaptations. \r\n\r\nThank you for giving my students the chance to learn through curiosity, observation, and hands-on discovery!","fullyFundedDate":1765652172607,"projectUrl":"project/freaky-frogs-designing-biomimicry-solut/9776064/","projectTitle":"Freaky Frogs: Designing Biomimicry Solutions from Nature","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Newkirk","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8893620_orig.jpg?crop=2936,2936,x0,y156&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1769439564884","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-tnewkirk"},{"teacherId":10224888,"projectId":9651847,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our elementary art room is glowing a little brighter — literally and creatively! Thank you for funding light boxes that are already transforming the way my students learn and create. These light boxes give students the opportunity to slow down, observe closely, and refine their drawing skills through tracing and careful line work. In our classroom, tracing is not about copying — it is about building confidence, strengthening fine motor skills, and helping students truly see the details in shapes, lines, and forms. For many of my young artists, especially those who are hesitant or developing their skills, the light boxes provide a scaffold that allows them to experience success.\r\nI have watched students who typically say, \"I can't draw,\" light up with pride when they see what they can accomplish with focused observation and practice. The tools you provided support differentiation for multilingual learners, students with IEPs, and those who benefit from visual reinforcement. They allow every child to engage meaningfully in the creative process. Beyond skill development, the light boxes encourage patience, perseverance, and creative risk-taking essential habits in both art and life. Your support sends a powerful message to my students: their creativity matters.\r\nThank you for investing in our art room and in the confidence of young artists. We are so grateful for your kindness and belief in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1765205111977,"projectUrl":"project/light-up-the-classroom/9651847/","projectTitle":"Light Up the Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mette","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10224888"},{"teacherId":10362069,"projectId":10008927,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our classroom now has sensory supports that truly meet the needs of our K–5 special education students. We are using these new resources throughout the day to help students regulate, focus, and feel safe enough to learn. One powerful moment came during a small-group lesson when a student who typically struggles to stay seated was able to remain engaged by using a flexible seating option and a sensory tool. Instead of needing frequent breaks, the student completed the activity alongside peers with confidence and pride.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the materials, their reactions were filled with excitement and relief. Many immediately recognized items that helped them feel calm or focused, and several asked if they could try them right away. It was clear that these supports made students feel understood and valued. Seeing their smiles and hearing comments like \"This helps my body feel better\" reminded us just how impactful the right sensory tools can be.\r\n\r\nThanks to you, our next steps include teaching students how to independently choose and use sensory strategies that work best for them. We are currently practicing self-regulation skills during lessons and transitions so students can apply these tools across settings. These sensory supports will continue to help our students build independence, emotional regulation, and readiness to learn. Your contribution has made our classroom a more inclusive, calm, and supportive environment where every child has the chance to succeed. Thank you for being such an important part of our students' journey. 💙","fullyFundedDate":1769177145467,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-supports-for-small-group-learnin/10008927/","projectTitle":"Sensory Supports for Small-Group Learning (K–5)","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Martin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10362069"},{"teacherId":4153,"projectId":9423121,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity in funding our project, 'The Power in Play.' When the boxes arrived, my students were excited to see the dolls, string-a-beads, Geostix, and Magna-Tiles. These materials, added to our engineer and create labs, gave students the opportunity to learn through play, which strengthens not only cognitive skills but also others such as problem solving and creativity. I wish I had taken a video of Hector, who had to figure out ways to connect the Magna-Tiles when creating a tower. You could see the wheels turning!","fullyFundedDate":1758220609155,"projectUrl":"project/the-power-in-play/9423121/","projectTitle":"The Power in Play","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Quick","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4153_orig.png?crop=394,394,x0,y9&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1622987800627","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/joann-quick"},{"teacherId":4153,"projectId":9415515,"letterContent":"materials to supplement \r\n\r\nThank you so much for your incredible generosity in funding our project, 'Managing Emotions.' When the books, puzzles, cards, and mirrors arrived, my students were very excited! These materials have supplemented our Morning Meetings with SEL lessons (social-emotional learning). Now, students are able to identify their feelings and have learned ways to manage their emotions. All the materials have allowed for students to relate to situations that have big feelings and teaches strategies to cope with upsets. Thank you for believing in my students!","fullyFundedDate":1755702234961,"projectUrl":"project/managing-emotions/9415515/","projectTitle":"Managing Emotions!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Quick","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4153_orig.png?crop=394,394,x0,y9&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1622987800627","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/joann-quick"},{"teacherId":8893620,"projectId":9857015,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my students were able to bring compassion to life in a meaningful and tangible way. Using these beautiful books as inspiration, we read stories about empathy, kindness, and standing up for others. These stories sparked thoughtful conversations, and students began to see how even small actions can make a big difference in someone's day.\r\n\r\nJust before Valentine's Day, my students put their learning into action by creating handmade cards filled with encouraging words and colorful illustrations. They were incredibly excited and took the task seriously, carefully choosing their words and decorating each card with love and intention. One of the most powerful moments was watching them walk around our school to deliver their cards to teachers, office staff, and other school employees. Their faces lit up with pride as they realized that their words had the power to brighten someone else's day. Many also chose to create cards for friends and classmates, helping strengthen our classroom community.\r\n\r\nThis project has become the foundation for an ongoing kindness initiative in our classroom. We will continue reading books that build empathy and exploring the power of words through writing. Next, students will create cards and letters for members of our local community, such as nursing home residents and community helpers. Through these experiences, students are learning that their voices matter and that they have the power to spread kindness beyond our classroom walls.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping my students become not only stronger readers and writers, but more compassionate human beings.","fullyFundedDate":1762266367842,"projectUrl":"project/compassion-in-action-writing-to-spread/9857015/","projectTitle":"Compassion in Action: Writing to Spread Kindness","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Newkirk","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8893620_orig.jpg?crop=2936,2936,x0,y156&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1769439564884","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-tnewkirk"},{"teacherId":8893620,"projectId":9926697,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our Family Literacy Backpacks are officially ready to launch, and we are so excited! When I shared the backpacks with our team, they were thrilled. They immediately began talking about which students and families would benefit most and how we could incorporate them into our weekly routines. Their enthusiasm confirmed just how needed this resource is.\r\n\r\nWe are now beginning to send the backpacks home on a rotating basis so families can enjoy them together. Each backpack includes simple activities, hands-on materials, and bilingual resources to support language development through play, reading, and conversation. Families will be encouraged to share feedback and photos of their experiences, helping us strengthen the home-school connection.\r\n\r\nOur next steps are to continue rotating the backpacks, track family participation, and expand this program to reach even more students. These materials will be used year after year, supporting hundreds of families as they build early language and literacy skills at home. None of this would be possible without your support. Thank you for believing in our students and investing in their future.","fullyFundedDate":1764150225103,"projectUrl":"project/family-literacy-backpacks-for-multilingu/9926697/","projectTitle":"Family Literacy Backpacks for Multilingual Families","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Newkirk","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8893620_orig.jpg?crop=2936,2936,x0,y156&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1769439564884","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-tnewkirk"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_1665","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":472,"numTeachers":34,"percentFrplEligible":89,"percentAsian":5,"percentBlack":28,"percentWhite":7,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":55,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"13.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":56.5,"schoolId":1665,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Pinewood Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Pinewood Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/north-carolina/charlotte-mecklenburg-school-district/pinewood-elementary-school/1665"}