{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Polk Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":36.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9232871,"projectId":10469425,"letterContent":"Today was my first opportunity to use the Gopher nets, and I was excited to see the immediate impact they had on my PE classes! I used them as a visual barrier during a Halloween-themed Ghostbuster activity, and I was amazed at how well they worked. Not a single student crossed the center line, and everyone stayed safely on their own side. It was such a simple addition that made a big difference in keeping students organized, engaged, and focused on the activity.\r\n\r\nI'm already looking forward to all the ways we'll use these nets throughout the year. They will be a valuable resource during our upcoming racquet unit, providing students with clear boundaries and opportunities to practice their skills. Beyond their versatility, I can already see how much they will help with classroom management and creating a safe, structured learning environment.\r\n\r\nThank you for supporting my PE program and providing equipment that makes such a positive difference for students. Your generosity helps me create engaging learning experiences while giving students the opportunity to develop new skills, stay active, and have fun!","fullyFundedDate":1787190386235,"projectUrl":"project/nets-in-a-snap-making-pe-more-active-an/10469425/","projectTitle":"Nets in a Snap: Making PE More Active and Accessible","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ogden","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9232871"},{"teacherId":6921799,"projectId":10699322,"letterContent":"The books arrived so promptly and were so welcome for my 6th graders. One of our 6th grade families generously donated bookshelves, a rug, some pictures, and some comfy seats and we converted our intervention room - which had very little usage - into a \"book nook.\" All the old books that we had have now gone into our pod, where they acts as a back up, if anyone cannot find one of the new books that they want.\r\nThe students were super excited to see the \"book nook\" taking shape, and they are always clamouring to be able to use it. It's wonderful to see students happily sitting down with a book to read, and thanks to you, we now have such a huge variety of styles, titles, fiction, and non-fiction books.\r\nUnfortunately, reading is gradually becoming less popular with a lot of students these days, with the competition from technology, gaming, and social media challenging for their attention. However, new books are always interesting, and the topics really grab thier attention, along with the ambience set up by the \"book nook!\" So, thank you again for your kindness and generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1790777872700,"projectUrl":"project/engaging-books-for-sixth-graders/10699322/","projectTitle":"Engaging Books for Sixth Graders!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Edwards","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6921799_orig.png?crop=320,320,x244,y378&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1715045062112","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6921799"},{"teacherId":6921799,"projectId":10293129,"letterContent":"The whole idea of this project was to better organize the classroom for my students so they would be able to access the art supplies that they needed to complete a lot of their project work. We have used art in all our major subjects: social studies, math, language arts and science. Giving students the option to do art is something that does not happen enough in the present day classroom, due to the increasing curricula demands placed on teachers and districts from the State Board of Education. As a subject art only is 45 minutes a week and although this is something that the majority enjoy, it is not enough to stimulate their creative talents.\r\nWe have used art in math to expand on rates, ratios and percents. In Language Arts to embellish work from the autobiography of Roadl Dahl - \"Boy: Tales of Childhood.\" A very good book that reflects on the typical education received in England about 100 years ago. In social studies exploring the East African Rift Valley, and the Adventures of Marco Polo. And finally in science, to look at the Earth-Moon-Sun system, as well as the Solar System.\r\nSo, thank you for your genorosity. It has gone a long way in helping my class become more interesting and satisfying for the students!","fullyFundedDate":1785425729288,"projectUrl":"project/art-supplies-basic-supplies-and-storage/10293129/","projectTitle":"Art Supplies, Basic supplies and Storage For The Year!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Edwards","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6921799_orig.png?crop=320,320,x244,y378&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1715045062112","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6921799"},{"teacherId":8672730,"projectId":10276492,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our first grade classroom and helping us bring new books into the hands of our young readers! Your generosity means so much. At this age, books are so much more than stories. They are tools that help children build confidence, develop important skills, discover new interests, and begin to see themselves as readers.\r\n\r\nThese new books are already creating meaningful learning opportunities in our classroom. As we read, students practice identifying characters, settings, and major events, retelling stories in order, making predictions, and describing how characters feel. We also work on asking and answering questions, making connections to our own lives, and using illustrations and text clues to deepen our understanding. Our books inspire writing lessons, too! Students practice creating complete sentences, adding details to their ideas, using punctuation, and sounding out unfamiliar words. It is exciting to watch a simple story turn into a conversation, a writing activity, or a lesson about kindness, friendship, and problem solving.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is part of every day. Sometimes we gather together for an interactive read aloud, where students eagerly share their thoughts, make predictions, and discuss what is happening in the story. Other times, students read independently, explore books with partners, or practice their growing phonics skills in small groups. We are working hard to build a classroom community where reading feels enjoyable rather than intimidating. I want every child to understand that being a reader does not mean knowing every word right away. It means being curious, trying new strategies, and celebrating progress along the way.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite things about having new books is seeing which students gravitate toward them. Some of my students who are still developing confidence with reading are especially excited to choose a book, study the pictures, and proudly tell a friend what they notice. Others love finding familiar words they can read independently and cannot wait to show me. I have also noticed how books bring students together. Children who might not normally choose the same activity will sit side by side, laugh at a funny page, or excitedly discuss their favorite characters. Those small moments are special because they show that students are developing not only reading skills, but also a genuine love for books.\r\n\r\nFor first graders, having access to engaging, age appropriate books makes a difference. It gives them opportunities to practice skills at their own levels while also encouraging imagination, conversation, and curiosity. Most importantly, it helps them feel proud of themselves as learners. Every time a student asks to read one more page, recommends a story to a classmate, or realizes they can read a sentence on their own, I am reminded why these resources matter.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in my students and believing in the importance of early literacy. Your kindness is helping us create a classroom filled with excitement, growth, and opportunities for every child to discover the joy of reading. We are grateful for your support and the difference you are making in our classroom every day!","fullyFundedDate":1778252073818,"projectUrl":"project/turning-pages-changing-lives/10276492/","projectTitle":"Turning Pages, Changing Lives","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hroch","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8672730"},{"teacherId":7133713,"projectId":10403342,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations of school supplies. We have been using the pencils, markers and folders to finish setting up our desks and cubbies for the school year. We will be using the sheet protectors for our binders in class which help keep up organized throughout the year. New markers are always a big hit and my students were so excited to get them. I was very happy to not have to worry about running around picking up supplies in the days leading up to the beginning of school because I knew I would have what I needed arriving soon. \r\n\r\nMy class is very appreciate! Thank you again!","fullyFundedDate":1787140882049,"projectUrl":"project/ready-set-start-the-year-off-right/10403342/","projectTitle":"Ready, Set, Start the Year Off Right!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cain","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7133713"},{"teacherId":7133572,"projectId":10228031,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting the organization in my classroom! Magnetic shelves have been so useful in displaying read-aloud books that pair with our current learning to increase interest and engagement. Binders have been invaluable in creating a place to hold our weekly tests, goal setting pages, and encourage parent engagement.\r\n\r\nStudents are especially loving the new wobble stools and fidget toys! They help them stay focused on their learning by facilitating appropriate wiggling. I have also been able to purchase many resources through Teachers Pay Teachers to create language arts focus walls and vocabulary cards. My students and I are so appreciative of those who generously support our learning!","fullyFundedDate":1778004640060,"projectUrl":"project/structured-and-flexible-organization-too/10228031/","projectTitle":"Structured and Flexible Organization Tools","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dye","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7133572_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y8&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1692571601908","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7133572"},{"teacherId":5872918,"projectId":10296868,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom by providing sensory and classroom materials for my students! Your generosity has made a meaningful difference in our classroom and has given my students new tools to help them feel comfortable, engaged, and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, my students were so excited to see all of the new resources! They were eager to explore the different sensory items and quickly began discovering which materials helped them feel calm, focused, and ready to participate. It was wonderful to see their excitement and curiosity as they tried out the new items.\r\n\r\nWe are using these resources throughout our school day, especially during learning activities, transitions, and times when students need a sensory break. One special moment was watching students use the weighted lap pads during classroom work. Students who sometimes have difficulty staying focused were able to use the lap pads to help regulate their bodies while they learn.\r\n\r\nOur next steps are to continue incorporating these materials into our daily routines and lessons while helping students learn how to recognize what their bodies need and choose appropriate tools to support themselves. As we continue with our current classroom activities and projects, students will have opportunities to practice using the sensory resources independently and appropriately while staying engaged in their learning.\r\n\r\nThank you again for investing in our students and our classroom. Your generosity has provided much more than classroom materials—it has given my students additional opportunities to feel successful, supported, and ready to learn. We are incredibly grateful for your kindness and support!","fullyFundedDate":1787140935232,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-help-for-students-with-disabilit/10296868/","projectTitle":"Sensory Help for Students With Disabilities!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Birmingham","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5872918"},{"teacherId":7134161,"projectId":10258423,"letterContent":"The bar stools have transformed our high-top work area into the most popular spot in the room—giving students a comfortable, designated space where they can collaborate or zero in on independent work during group time. Meanwhile, resources purchased with the Teachers Pay Teachers gift card allow me to quickly adapt and print targeted, differentiated practice materials for our current math and literacy units. The keychain system is a daily anchor in our classroom: after kicking off the year by giving every student their first keychain at Back to School Night, students continue earning new ones throughout the school year as rewards for reaching academic milestones and demonstrating positive behavior.\r\n\r\nThe excitement started right at Back to School Night when students and families first saw the keychains and the display board. Students were immediately talking about which rewards they were going to work toward first. When they walked in on the first week and saw the bar stools set up, the high-top table instantly felt like a real \"grown-up\" workstation, with students vying for the chance to sit there right away. Seeing these new upgrades made them feel valued and gave our classroom a fresh, energizing start to the year.\r\n\r\nWith these tools in place, students are currently working through a multi-step project where they set and track their own personal growth goals. Earning their next keychain serves as a tangible milestone as they complete each phase, keeping their momentum high. As we move into our next unit, students will continue using the high-top seating area for peer-editing and small-group problem solving, while I use the TPT resources to tailor instruction to each child's individual needs. Thank you for giving my students a space—and an incentive system—that reflects their hard work!","fullyFundedDate":1778077906058,"projectUrl":"project/comfortable-seats-and-creative-keys-to-l/10258423/","projectTitle":"Comfortable Seats and Creative Keys to Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hall","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7134161_orig.jpg?crop=956,956,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755302577434","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7134161"},{"teacherId":7134161,"projectId":9756732,"letterContent":"Words cannot fully express how grateful my students and I are for your generous support! Thanks to this grant, our classroom library has been transformed with a significantly broader and more diverse collection of district-approved books. Having these new resources has completely energized our daily reading instruction. My students now have the freedom to choose stories that reflect their own experiences and spark their curiosity, while I have access to a rich variety of texts tailored specifically for our guided reading groups. Your generosity has not only put new books into small hands, but it has also fostered a deeper love for reading and helped every child in my classroom feel seen and supported. Thank you for making a lasting difference in our learning journey!","fullyFundedDate":1758817969794,"projectUrl":"project/bridging-the-literacy-gap-a-targeted-cl/9756732/","projectTitle":"Bridging the Literacy Gap: A Targeted Classroom Resource Initiative","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hall","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7134161_orig.jpg?crop=956,956,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755302577434","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7134161"},{"teacherId":7134161,"projectId":10432550,"letterContent":"The new storage tools have instantly transformed the flow of our day—students head straight to clearly labeled bins to independently grab their supplies, saving valuable instructional time. We recently put our multicultural art materials to work during an identity self-portrait project. Students used skin-tone crayons, markers, and paper shades to create portraits that accurately represent themselves, while utilizing our community supplies to add personal symbols that reflect their unique backgrounds and interests.\r\n\r\nWhen the boxes first arrived and were opened, the excitement in the room was contagious! The students were immediately drawn to the diverse array of art supplies. Hearing a student point to a specific shade and say, \"This actually looks like my skin color!\" was a unforgettable moment. The organized storage bins also gave them a sense of pride in their environment—they immediately took ownership of keeping their new, brightly sorted supplies neat and accessible.\r\n\r\nNow that students have completed their self-portraits, our next step is to hang their artwork on our community display board alongside written reflection pieces about what makes them unique. We will continue to build on this momentum using our celebration supplies to acknowledge weekly growth, effort, and peer-support milestones. Thanks to your support, our classroom is well-stocked, highly organized, and full of joyful, confident learners!","fullyFundedDate":1787140592479,"projectUrl":"project/back-to-school-setting-the-stage-for-su/10432550/","projectTitle":"Back to School: Setting the Stage for Success!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hall","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7134161_orig.jpg?crop=956,956,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755302577434","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7134161"},{"teacherId":5267042,"projectId":10228778,"letterContent":"The day the boxes arrived, the energy was electric! Seeing the Squishmallows, figurines, and magnets, students were wide-eyed and immediately discussed the goals they would set to earn them. These tangible rewards made them feel valued, proving their hard work is recognized. Our Cougar pride is soaring, and these incentives sparked an immediate shift from reluctance to eager participation.\r\n\r\nTo combat absenteeism and sustain growth, these resources drive our next steps:\r\n\r\nAttendance Streaks: We're launching a challenge where daily presence unlocks tiered rewards, building momentum starting in our morning Crew Meetings.\r\n\r\nAcademic Milestones: Students will track \"small wins\" in reading and math, earning prizes as they hit new benchmarks.\r\n\r\nSelf-Regulation: We are using mini putty during Zen Time as tactile focus tools for independent work.\r\n\r\nOur ultimate goal is to keep this momentum going so every student is motivated to show up every day!","fullyFundedDate":1777994954011,"projectUrl":"project/the-momentum-project/10228778/","projectTitle":"The Momentum Project","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ashby","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5267042_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1522288156233","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5267042"},{"teacherId":9969466,"projectId":10263817,"letterContent":"Thanks for the clipboards. We use them everyday and the students love them. Last year I had students use whiteboards just as a hard surface, but these clipboards keep the paper on one spot. Students got really excited when they say the different colors (blue, purple, pink, yellow, green, and red). \r\n\r\nWe use the clipboards a lot especially for math. Students sit back to back, work on question 1 by themselves, then they turn around to compare. After that routine is finished, they do it again until all of the problems are finished. These clipboards are amazing.","fullyFundedDate":1778007739669,"projectUrl":"project/third-grade-readers-and-organization/10263817/","projectTitle":"Third Grade Readers and Organization","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Jensen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9969466"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_33406","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":517,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":43,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":60,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":31,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":5,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":63.2,"schoolId":33406,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Polk Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Polk Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/utah/ogden-school-district/polk-elementary-school/33406"}