{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Pinon Hills Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":21.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9974409,"projectId":9317315,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom with these beautiful new books for our book studies! The titles from Eric Carle, Jan Brett, and the other authors included in this project have already made such a meaningful impact on our reading instruction. These stories help introduce important early literacy skills, such as sequencing, identifying story elements, recognizing patterns and repetition, making predictions, comparing characters, and building vocabulary. Many of the books also support lessons in science and social-emotional learning, which helps our TK students make deeper connections across subjects.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is an active, joyful experience. We gather on the carpet for our daily read-alouds, where students participate by asking questions, noticing details in the illustrations, and practicing AVID-style picture notes to track their thinking. After reading, we engage in hands-on response activities such as retelling with props, sequencing cards, art projects inspired by the illustrations, and turn-and-talks with partners. These new books have made our reading block even more engaging, and students look forward to each new story we explore.\r\n\r\nSeveral students have taken an especially strong interest in the new books. One of our English language learners has been repeatedly choosing Eric Carle books during independent reading time because the repetitive phrasing and rich illustrations help him feel confident and successful. Another student who is typically hesitant to speak during class has been eagerly raising her hand to share predictions and observations during our Jan Brett book studies, pointing out the detailed borders and hidden story clues.\r\n\r\nThank you again for giving our students the opportunity to build a love of reading through high-quality, beautifully illustrated texts. Your generosity is helping create lifelong readers, one story at a time!","fullyFundedDate":1757701931458,"projectUrl":"project/building-love-for-reading-through-book-s/9317315/","projectTitle":"Building Love for Reading Through Book Studies and Library Books","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Webster","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9974409_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1742610185725","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9974409"},{"teacherId":9974409,"projectId":9204028,"letterContent":"Our TK class has been absolutely loving our new shelves! We are using them every single day to help organize our learning centers and make our classroom more accessible for our youngest learners. One of my favorite moments was watching students independently rotate through centers and proudly return materials to the correct labeled bins, something that was much harder for them before we had proper storage. The shelves have created a calmer, more purposeful space where students can easily find what they need for art, math, literacy, and STEM tubs.\r\n\r\nWhen the shelves first arrived, the students were so excited. Many of them gasped and said things like, \"This is our new classroom store!\" and immediately began exploring where everything belonged. They loved helping decide which bins would go where and took real ownership in setting up the new space. Their excitement was contagious!\r\n\r\nRight now, we are working on building independence during centers and practicing responsibility with classroom materials. The new shelves have become a big part of that lesson—students are learning how to choose tools, return them properly, and keep our classroom organized. Our next steps include introducing new math and literacy tubs that students can access on their own thanks to the additional storage. We are also planning to expand our STEAM center now that we have the space to store materials safely and neatly.\r\n\r\nThank you again for helping transform our classroom! Your support has made a meaningful impact on our learning environment and on the independence and confidence of our TK students every day.","fullyFundedDate":1746786222654,"projectUrl":"project/shelving-to-help-transition-to-play-bas/9204028/","projectTitle":"Shelving to Help Transition to Play Based Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Webster","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9974409_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1742610185725","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9974409"},{"teacherId":9593237,"projectId":9237002,"letterContent":"Reading and literacy is very important right now. Students are falling behind more than ever, particularly in under served communities like ours. We are a low income community and have many English language learners at our site. \r\n\r\nResources for reading are extremely important and hard to find. We appreciate your support and couldn't have achieved this without your donations. Students will be better prepared for their education when they have a strong beginning. Thank you for your support and your donations.","fullyFundedDate":1746785387354,"projectUrl":"project/love-for-literacy/9237002/","projectTitle":"Love for Literacy","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hindman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9593237_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1764167547786","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9593237"},{"teacherId":9593237,"projectId":9300941,"letterContent":"This large seating space has done so much for our classroom. It has brought students together for learning and has built community within our classroom. It has elevated the calmness in the classroom and enhanced social emotional learning. \r\n\r\nI get many compliments from other teachers and staff for our carpet and every time I do, I tell them about your company and about donors choose. We teachers usually pay out of our own pockets and this is something I could not afford. I am tremendously grateful for companies like yours and the impact you make on this tiny community. Thank you for everything!","fullyFundedDate":1746785940308,"projectUrl":"project/seizing-seating/9300941/","projectTitle":"Seizing Seating","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hindman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9593237_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1764167547786","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9593237"},{"teacherId":9593237,"projectId":9115139,"letterContent":"Students have been using our drying rack in the classroom weekly. This has made it easier to incorporate art into the classroom. The students now have a designated space for items to dry or rest. \r\nIn our community, we are a school in need of support with many disadvantaged youth. People and companies like you show our students that they are worth the effort. It shows them love and it shows them encouragement. In kindergarten, it also builds a love for learning at a very young age. I'm proud of the community support that we receive through donors like you.","fullyFundedDate":1742504726961,"projectUrl":"project/crafting-picasso-for-the-next-gen/9115139/","projectTitle":"Crafting Picasso For The Next Gen","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hindman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9593237_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1764167547786","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9593237"},{"teacherId":9596728,"projectId":9214417,"letterContent":"Please allow me to express my gratitude for the AMAZING Number Blocks counting and number sense system that donors provided. Our kindergarten and first grade students have been using the new \"tools\" every day! We share between classes because I was able to secure these highly-engaging and effective number toys through the generosity of the Donor's Choose donors. Our students have been \"playing\" with these new tools for about a month now, and we have noticed their number sense understanding increase! First, we watch the YouTube video that corresponds to the math lesson. Then, the students in both grades work independently to recreate the video's lesson. This directly impacts their understanding of number values, addition, subtraction, greater than, less than, and even multiplication through repeated addition! It is absolutely exhilerating to see little students catch on to high-cognitive skills with such ease. The children say THANK YOU with their beginning writing skills on Thank You notes that are in the mail! Enjoy those and thank you again!","fullyFundedDate":1752586521735,"projectUrl":"project/numberblocks-madness-get-ready-to-count/9214417/","projectTitle":"Numberblocks MADNESS! Get Ready to Count!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hughes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9596728_orig.jpg?crop=1366,1366,x949,y563&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755542819381","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9596728"},{"teacherId":9974409,"projectId":9218639,"letterContent":"Our TK class is absolutely loving our new community helper toys, books, and dramatic play materials! We've been using them daily during centers to support our current unit on community helpers and to build language, collaboration, and imagination. One of my favorite moments was watching a group of students set up a \"fire station\" in our dramatic play area. They took turns being firefighters, dispatchers, and even families calling for help. As they played, they used vocabulary from our read-alouds, words like \"emergency,\" \"rescue,\" and \"community.\" It was incredible to see their understanding come to life through play.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new materials, their excitement filled the room instantly. They gasped, cheered, and rushed over to explore the new costumes and toys. Many shouted, \"I want to be the doctor!\" or \"Can I drive the ambulance?\" Their joy was contagious, and they immediately began working together to unpack the items and decide how to set up their play areas.\r\n\r\nRight now, we are learning about the important roles community helpers play in keeping us safe, healthy, and supported. The next steps for our class include using the new books to guide discussions about responsibility and teamwork, and using the dramatic play materials to act out different community helper scenarios. We will also extend the unit by creating simple maps and drawings of places in our community, helping students build early social studies and literacy skills.\r\n\r\nThank you so much for supporting our classroom. Your generosity has brought learning to life for our youngest students, and we are so grateful for the positive impact these materials have already made!","fullyFundedDate":1746785517377,"projectUrl":"project/exploring-community-helpers-through-play/9218639/","projectTitle":"Exploring Community Helpers Through Play and Stories!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Webster","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9974409_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1742610185725","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9974409"},{"teacherId":9974409,"projectId":9211687,"letterContent":"I am beyond grateful for your generosity and support in funding our DonorsChoose project for light tables in our Transitional Kindergarten classroom. Thanks to you, our students have been introduced to an exciting and engaging way to explore phonics, name writing, math, and so much more!\r\n\r\nWhen the light tables first arrived, the look on my students' faces was pure joy and curiosity. They gasped, clapped, and instantly swarmed around to explore the glowing surfaces. For many of them, it was their first time experiencing anything like it. It was like the classroom had transformed into a magical place of discovery.\r\n\r\nSince then, we've used the light tables in so many meaningful ways. During phonics, students build words and practice letter recognition with translucent alphabet tiles. For name-writing practice, we use transparent tracing sheets over the light table, helping little hands strengthen fine motor skills in a fun and inviting way. In math, we've counted and sorted colorful manipulatives, explored patterns, and built shapes using translucent pattern blocks.\r\n\r\nOne moment that stands out was during a name recognition lesson. A student who had been struggling to write their name finally did it—letter by letter—on the light table with a huge smile of pride. The glow of the table made it feel like a spotlight moment, and the class even gave a little cheer. That confidence boost has had a lasting impact.\r\n\r\nOur light tables have quickly become a favorite center in the classroom and a powerful tool for hands-on, sensory-rich learning. They've helped bring abstract concepts to life in a way that is developmentally appropriate and joyful.\r\n\r\nNext, we are using the light tables to explore symmetry and patterns in math and will soon integrate them into our science unit on colors and light. Your donation continues to enhance learning opportunities every day and helps make school an exciting place for our youngest learners.\r\n\r\nThank you again for believing in our students and investing in their early learning journey. You truly made a difference.","fullyFundedDate":1743350881998,"projectUrl":"project/bright-ideas-inspiring-learning-through/9211687/","projectTitle":"Bright Ideas: Inspiring Learning Through Light Exploration","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Webster","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9974409_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1742610185725","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9974409"},{"teacherId":9596728,"projectId":8977626,"letterContent":"I would like to express my appreciation for our new learning tools. My kindergarten students' first excited glimpse of the big boxes indicated to me that we were about to do something amazing with our new, clean white board supplies- addition and subtraction!! Students need strong number sense skills in order to provide a foundation for high level math (algebra, calculus, etc.) that directly can be applied to STEM careers. My 30 students easily utilized the new dry erase markers that all worked \"the very first time.\" We have not utilized this highly effective tool for awhile because the pens dry out so quickly. A kindergarten teacher's worst nightmare is to not have enough of whatever you're using!\r\n\r\nThe very best part about this donation is that it has helped my class, the high school graduating class of 2037, to fluently add and subtract within 10. They are ready for first grade! Finally, I have emphasized the need for my students to take good care of the erasers, pens, sentence strips, and the boards in order to pass them on to the high school graduating class of 2038. Thanks again, we love them!","fullyFundedDate":1742504789814,"projectUrl":"project/not-bored-with-white-boards/8977626/","projectTitle":"Not Bored With White Boards","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hughes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9596728_orig.jpg?crop=1366,1366,x949,y563&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755542819381","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9596728"},{"teacherId":9974409,"projectId":9204005,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom was transformed into a living laboratory this spring! Your donations provided our students with an unforgettable, hands-on science experience that sparked wonder, curiosity, and joy. Through the butterfly life cycle kit and the incredible Lakeshore STEM kits, my students had the opportunity to explore, experiment, and engage with science in a meaningful and developmentally appropriate way.\r\n\r\nWhen the butterfly life cycle kit arrived, the excitement was electric. The tiny caterpillars were met with wide eyes and eager questions: \"Are they going to be butterflies soon?\", \"What do they eat?\", \"Can we name them?\" It quickly became a classroom tradition to check on the caterpillars every morning. Students carefully observed and documented changes in their science journals, noticing when the caterpillars grew larger, spun their chrysalides, and, finally, emerged as beautiful Painted Lady butterflies. We even held a butterfly release celebration in our school garden, where students shared what they learned with their peers and families. One student whispered, \"This is the best day ever!\" as we watched the butterflies take flight.\r\n\r\nThis project did more than teach students about metamorphosis—it fostered a deep sense of responsibility, empathy, and awe for the natural world. Students took turns being \"scientists of the day,\" carefully monitoring and caring for our caterpillars. They used vocabulary like larva, chrysalis, adult, and metamorphosis in their daily conversations and could explain each stage of the life cycle with confidence. They asked thoughtful questions, made predictions, and connected what they observed to books we read and videos we watched. It was authentic, joyful learning at its finest.\r\n\r\nIn addition to the butterfly kit, the Lakeshore STEM kits elevated our science center and added a whole new level of hands-on exploration. The STEM building sets and experiment kits allowed students to engage in collaborative problem-solving and imaginative play. For example, with the magnetic construction kit, students designed their own bridges and towers, testing stability and strength while learning about engineering concepts. Another group used the sink or float kit to explore buoyancy by predicting, testing, and recording results—while giggling over their surprising discoveries!\r\n\r\nOne specific project that stood out was when a group of students used the design-and-build kit to create a zip line to help a \"rescue animal\" get from one tree to another. They had to troubleshoot their design, revise it multiple times, and cheer each other on when it finally worked. Their collaboration, perseverance, and critical thinking skills were on full display, and it was a moment I'll never forget. One student even said, \"I want to be a scientist when I grow up so I can keep making cool things!\"\r\n\r\nNow, we're using what we've learned to dive into our next science inquiry: What do animals need to survive? We're connecting this to habitats and how animals adapt to their environments. The butterfly life cycle gave students a foundation in understanding change and growth, and now they're ready to apply that knowledge as they explore how different animals live in diverse ecosystems. The STEM kits will continue to support this work by providing materials to model animal homes, food chains, and adaptations.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, my students see themselves as scientists, engineers, and problem solvers. You didn't just fund materials—you funded inspiration, wonder, and confidence in our youngest learners. Thank you for making a lasting impact on their education. Your kindness made all the difference.","fullyFundedDate":1743033187591,"projectUrl":"project/stem-learning-centers-through-play-based/9204005/","projectTitle":"STEM learning centers through play-based exploration.","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Webster","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9974409_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1742610185725","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9974409"},{"teacherId":9974409,"projectId":9204056,"letterContent":"I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous contribution to our classroom project. Thanks to your support, our students now have a fantastic set of MagnaTiles that have quickly become a favorite learning tool.\r\n\r\nWhen our students first saw the MagnaTiles, their faces lit up with excitement! They couldn't wait to start building, and it didn't take long for their creativity to shine. One memorable project we completed was creating \"our habitat,\" where students used the MagnaTiles to design and build their own homes. This activity sparked wonderful conversations about family, community, and what makes a house a home.\r\n\r\nWe also integrated the MagnaTiles into our math lessons to explore 3D shapes. By constructing cubes, pyramids, and other geometric forms, students gained a hands-on understanding of these concepts in a way that was both engaging and memorable.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we plan to continue using the MagnaTiles to expand our STEM activities, encouraging students to collaborate, problem-solve, and think critically. Their excitement for learning has grown tremendously, and these resources have played a huge role in fostering that.\r\n\r\nThank you for your kindness and generosity. Your support has made a meaningful impact on our classroom, and I can't wait to see what our students will create next!","fullyFundedDate":1742936202732,"projectUrl":"project/stem-magnatiles/9204056/","projectTitle":"STEM MagnaTiles","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Webster","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9974409_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1742610185725","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9974409"},{"teacherId":9593237,"projectId":8497567,"letterContent":"My students have been enjoying the variety of STEAM materials you helped provide. They are being given access to materials they might not have access to at home. I truly believe we need to look into providing more opportunities for students to use critical thinking skills. They need to problem-solve, they need to work together and independently, and to verbalize what they are doing and why. With the advancements in the STEAM fields, we need to prepare our young students with the proper skills and knowledge they will need. \r\n\r\nWhen I first brought the materials into the classroom, my students were elated. They got to see how excited I was, and they were ready to use the materials. It took me a couple of days to put together their brain boxes. When I finally let them play with them, they LOVED it! Ever since, I have given them access to the boxes at centers and for earned free play (and when I say play, I mean learning). \r\n\r\nThe next steps will be to utilize these materials in different ways. It will also prep them for their next science project- a marble run. We will be learning about gravity, pushes, pulls, and so on. They will see that if they change their design, they can change the outcome of the run, much like in the boxes! Thank you again for all of your support.","fullyFundedDate":1731464885393,"projectUrl":"project/brain-steam-box-materials/8497567/","projectTitle":"Brain Steam Box Materials","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hindman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9593237_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1764167547786","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9593237"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_55340","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":534,"numTeachers":18,"percentFrplEligible":82,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":28,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":60,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"29.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_DISTANT"},"inStateSupporters":78.4,"schoolId":55340,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Pinon Hills Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Pinon Hills Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/snowline-joint-unified-school-district/pinon-hills-elementary-school/55340"}