{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Ponce De Leon Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":29.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":630681,"projectId":9710402,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, my students have been able to experience multiplication and division in a completely new, hands-on way. The manipulatives you provided—playdough, toy animals, and miniature people—have transformed abstract math concepts into something tangible and exciting. Recently, during a lesson on the distributive property of multiplication, students used playdough to physically break apart factors and rebuild them into equal groups. One student proudly explained, \"So 6 × 4 is the same as 6 × 2 plus 6 × 2... I can actually see it now!\" Moments like this have shown how deeply these tools are helping students build real understanding.\r\n\r\nTheir reaction when the materials first arrived was pure joy. Many had never used math manipulatives beyond basic counters, so the idea that playdough and small figurines could be \"math tools\" amazed them. Students immediately began creating equal groups with the toy animals, lining them up to show multiplication situations and even experimenting with sharing them evenly to model early division concepts. The room buzzed with discovery, collaboration, and the kind of engaged learning that every teacher hopes to see.\r\n\r\nAs we continue building our unit, these manipulatives will play a central role in helping students transition from concrete models to pictorial representations and, eventually, to abstract equations. Our next steps include using the playdough arrays and grouping figurines to introduce multi-step word problems, encouraging students to explain their reasoning with confidence. Your donation has opened the door to deeper learning and stronger foundational skills, and I cannot thank you enough for investing in my students' growth.","fullyFundedDate":1759420394613,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-multiplication-and-division/9710402/","projectTitle":"Hands on Multiplication and Division","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Christena","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-christena"},{"teacherId":9756255,"projectId":9471422,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our students now have access to high-quality headphones that are transforming the way they learn on our classroom computers. With headphones, students are able to focus during reading programs, online assessments, and interactive lessons without being distracted by background noise. This makes it easier for them to hear directions clearly, follow along at their own pace, and build important literacy and math skills.\r\n\r\nStudents are especially excited because they no longer have to share or struggle with broken equipment. The headphones are giving all students equal access to technology, whether they're practicing phonics, listening to a story, or working through math problems.\r\n\r\nYour gift is helping us create a focused, supportive learning environment where every child can succeed. Thank you for making such a meaningful difference in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1758830187076,"projectUrl":"project/hear-to-read-headphones-for-literacy-su/9471422/","projectTitle":"Hear to Read: Headphones for Literacy Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Angles","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9756255"},{"teacherId":9756255,"projectId":9232964,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, for supporting our Boys Battle library, it has grown in ways that are already making a difference for students. These new books introduce important reading skills such as identifying central ideas, analyzing characters, and noticing how text structure builds meaning. They also spark opportunities for rich conversations about themes like perseverance, friendship, and problem solving skills that go beyond reading and into everyday life.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, reading looks like choice, collaboration, and growth. Students gather in small groups to read aloud, discuss characters' decisions, and make connections to their own lives. Others enjoy independent reading time, where they can select a \"just right\" book that matches both their level and their interests. The new texts are fueling excitement students are asking thoughtful questions, recommending books to one another, and building their confidence as readers.\r\n\r\nSome of the biggest smiles have come from students who previously struggled to find books they enjoyed. One reluctant reader is now hooked on a new graphic novel series and is finishing books faster than ever before. Another student who usually avoided group discussions eagerly raised her hand to share insights from a nonfiction text we received. These moments show just how powerful access to high-interest, high-quality books can be.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, our classroom library is not just a set of books it's a doorway into skills, stories, and confidence that students will carry with them far beyond our classroom walls. Thank you for helping us nurture lifelong readers.","fullyFundedDate":1744994533355,"projectUrl":"project/turning-pages-changing-lives/9232964/","projectTitle":"Turning Pages, Changing Lives","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Angles","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9756255"},{"teacherId":5704584,"projectId":8991320,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for bringing this project to life! It has made such a difference to have copies and for some books, multiple copies. My students are able to interact more thoroughly with the books and can even use post it notes to mark specific sections to go back to. This has been so helpful for them in highlighting their thinking and developing more in-depth responses and explanations to questions. \r\n\r\nIn previous years, we have used read aloud videos of many of these texts, but it wasn't as rich of an experience. Additionally, online videos, while vetted, don't always mean students won't be bombarded with advertisements or lead to other unrelated content. Having copies of these books has given us more control and opportunity to work away from technology. \r\n\r\nI'm especially grateful as in our gifted program, the curriculum rotates every three years. So, in three years' time, we will be able to reuse these materials and keep doing so for many years to come. This project hasn't only helped this year's students but has a much longer impact.","fullyFundedDate":1738250522143,"projectUrl":"project/class-set-of-read-alouds-for-gifted-inte/8991320/","projectTitle":"Class set of Read Alouds for Gifted Intermediate Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hays","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5704584_orig.jpg?crop=338,338,x0,y27&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1596944722635","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/hays"},{"teacherId":630681,"projectId":9091085,"letterContent":"I am writing to express our heartfelt gratitude for the generous funds provided to support our teacher book study on dyscalculia. This initiative is crucial in equipping our educators with the knowledge and strategies needed to effectively support students who struggle with this often-overlooked learning difficulty. Your contribution will enable us to purchase essential resources and facilitate professional development sessions that will profoundly impact our teaching practices and, ultimately, our students' learning experiences.\r\n\r\nWith the funds received, we plan to delve into comprehensive studies on dyscalculia, exploring evidence-based interventions and instructional techniques. This will not only enhance our understanding of the condition but also empower our teachers to identify and address the unique challenges faced by students with dyscalculia. By fostering a more inclusive and supportive learning environment, we aim to improve academic outcomes and boost the confidence of all our students. Your support is instrumental in making this vision a reality, and we are deeply appreciative of your commitment to advancing education.\r\n\r\nThank you once again for your invaluable support. We look forward to sharing the positive outcomes of this initiative with you in the near future.","fullyFundedDate":1738809746608,"projectUrl":"project/dyscalculia-in-elementary-education/9091085/","projectTitle":"Dyscalculia in Elementary Education","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Christena","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-christena"},{"teacherId":9774742,"projectId":8815202,"letterContent":"I wanted to thank you for your generous donation to my students. I run the afterschool tutoring program for my school and am always looking for ways to make this program more fun and engaging for our students. As you can imagine, students are rarely eager to stay after school and do more of what they did all day. These games help to excite reluctant readers and get them more interested in the strategies of reading.\r\n\r\n This is also a great tool for our teachers. The teachers are playing with the kids and building positive relationships with them outside of their normal classroom time. These games offer teachers opportunities to teach in the moment in a way this is not threatening or stressful for kids who usually avoid drawing attention to themselves in the classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1732204425747,"projectUrl":"project/gaming-our-way-to-better-reading/8815202/","projectTitle":"Gaming Our Way to Better Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Coleman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9774742"},{"teacherId":630681,"projectId":8814911,"letterContent":"On behalf of our entire team and the students who have benefitted from the Family Engagement Math Packs, I want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation. Your support has made a significant impact on students' learning experience at school and now at home by bringing math to life in ways we could only dream of before.\r\n Thanks to your contributions, we were able to assemble and distribute the math bags filled with engaging games, materials, manipulatives, workbooks, and interactive activities. These resources have been instrumental in helping our students engage in math concepts outside of the classroom, fostering a love for learning and improving their math skills.\r\n This project extends beyond individual students. It also fostered a sense of community among our families. Students have already shared stories and pictures of working together with their children on math activities, creating valuable bonding moments and reinforcing the importance of education. Thank you once again for your generosity and for believing in the potential of our students.","fullyFundedDate":1734531333457,"projectUrl":"project/family-engagement-packs-for-struggling-m/8814911/","projectTitle":"Family Engagement Packs for Struggling Math Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Christena","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-christena"},{"teacherId":9756255,"projectId":8977564,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our students have been diving into magazines that have transformed the way they read, think, and engage with literature. The articles have introduced critical reading skills, such as analyzing central ideas, making inferences, and understanding different perspectives. Beyond comprehension, students are learning to express their thoughts confidently.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, reading is an interactive and dynamic experience. Whether it's small group discussions, partner reading, or independent exploration, students are immersed in stories that spark curiosity and critical thinking. We are building background knowledge on topics they couldn't visit such as Oregon Trail.\r\n\r\nYour support has made this possible—thank you for helping us create a classroom where stories come to life and every student can discover the joy of reading!","fullyFundedDate":1734648898092,"projectUrl":"project/build-bright-futures-donate-to-expand/8977564/","projectTitle":"\"Build Bright Futures: Donate to Expand Students’ Knowledge!\"","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Angles","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9756255"},{"teacherId":9756255,"projectId":9015403,"letterContent":"On behalf of our students and the entire book club, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation of books! As fellow book lovers, we know the joy of getting lost in a good story, and thanks to you, our students have new opportunities to explore, imagine, and learn.\r\n\r\nIn our book club, reading is more than just turning pages—it's about building comprehension skills, making connections, and learning to think critically. With these new books, we're introducing students to themes like empathy, perseverance, and creativity. They're practicing reading strategies like making predictions, summarizing, and asking thoughtful questions—all skills that help them become stronger, more confident readers.\r\n\r\nThe excitement in our classroom has been incredible! Students are eagerly reaching for these books, sharing their favorite parts with friends, and even recommending titles to one another. One student, Sara Elizabeth], was especially captivated by Chasing Vermeer and now can't wait to check out more books in the series. Seeing their enthusiasm grow is a reminder of just how powerful stories can be.\r\n\r\nThank you for being part of this journey with us. Your generosity is making a lasting impact, and we are so grateful for your support","fullyFundedDate":1737056067706,"projectUrl":"project/chapter-chasers-a-journey-through-stori/9015403/","projectTitle":"Chapter Chasers: a Journey Through Stories","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Angles","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9756255"},{"teacherId":9774927,"projectId":8815532,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the gifts. I have been using them on a daily basis during my fractions unit during small group instruction. The students love playing Fraction Wars against each other and want to improve on their comprehension of generating equivalent fractions/comparing fractions in order to compete against their peers. The fractions flip chart is outstanding for giving a hands-on, visual representation of the fractions they are comparing. \r\n\r\nThe additional VersaTiles kits have provided an extremely interactive atmosphere when it comes to reviewing before an assessment. Review days are a lot more fun now because they cannot wait to use the new VersaTiles kits. I use them on a weekly basis and since I have enough for the entire class to work in partners, it promotes a higher level of teamwork and student interaction which is great for building social skills as well.\r\n\r\nThanks again for all the donations!","fullyFundedDate":1729439532952,"projectUrl":"project/math-is-radd/8815532/","projectTitle":"Math Is Radd","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Radd","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9774927"},{"teacherId":9756255,"projectId":8960780,"letterContent":"I hope this letter finds you well. On behalf of our kindergarten class, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation of writing tablets. Your kindness has made an immediate and meaningful impact on our students' learning experience.\r\n\r\nWhen the tablets first arrived, the excitement in our classroom was absolutely contagious! The students' faces lit up with joy and curiosity, and they couldn't wait to explore their new tools. For many of them, it was their first time using a device like this, and their enthusiasm was a testament to how special this gift truly is.\r\n\r\nCurrently, we are using the tablets to practice letter formation and sight words. The interactive features allow the students to trace letters and receive feedback, which has been incredibly helpful for their fine motor skill development. The tablets will play a central role in this project, helping students learn letters and sight words.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has opened up new possibilities for our classroom, and we are so grateful for your support. Thanks to you, our students are developing a love for learning and building skills that will serve them for years to come.\r\n\r\nThank you once again for making a difference in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1732904389653,"projectUrl":"project/write-their-future-tablets-for-tiny-han/8960780/","projectTitle":"Write Their Future: Tablets for Tiny Hands!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Angles","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9756255"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_46924","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":546,"numTeachers":48,"percentFrplEligible":92,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":31,"percentWhite":23,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":35,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"11.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":70.8,"schoolId":46924,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Ponce De Leon Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Ponce De Leon Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/florida/pinellas-county-schools/ponce-de-leon-elementary-school/46924"}