{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Ponderosa Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":28.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8295834,"projectId":9181337,"letterContent":"Our classroom rug has created a space for students to learn and build their community. It is a place to unwind after recess and a comfortable spot to gather for stories and math. Forever grateful for this rug!\r\nSeeing that my project was made possibly because of your generosity was a magical gift for myself and our class. When I shared with my students that we would be getting a classroom carpet, they cheered and were so excited. On the day of delivery our class walked to the front office to pick up our rug and the joy from that moment will last a life time. Excited to see my classes each year come to this carpet and experience the same sparks of love for learning and connecting as a class.","fullyFundedDate":1743534607914,"projectUrl":"project/cozy-community-carpet/9181337/","projectTitle":"Cozy Community Carpet","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lusk","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8295834"},{"teacherId":9632129,"projectId":9270888,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donations for our primary reading books. With your donation we have been able to purchase many titles that will are highly engaging and accessible for our primary readers. I serve a large, diverse population that needs a wide range of reading materials to become readers. The series that were published have been popular with this age range, and as our building is growing, I am happy to add more of these items to our collection. Students do not always have access to libraries throughout the summer, so I know they will be very excited to see these books when they start this upcoming school year.","fullyFundedDate":1746786231682,"projectUrl":"project/primary-grades-beginning-readers/9270888/","projectTitle":"Primary Grades Beginning Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tritz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9632129_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723048399080","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9632129"},{"teacherId":9632129,"projectId":9268197,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donations for our book hospital supplies. With your donation we have been able to purchase the necessary tools and supplies for fixing our books to keep increase their longevity and shelf life. Taking care of books is a foundational skill for many elementary students, but as to be expected, this skill takes time to learn. The book hospital supplies will be there for the moments where students make mistakes or have accidents. I am excited to have the tools I need to fix these minor repairs along the way.","fullyFundedDate":1746785611319,"projectUrl":"project/book-hospital-supplies/9268197/","projectTitle":"Book Hospital Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tritz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9632129_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723048399080","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9632129"},{"teacherId":6804088,"projectId":9099128,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contribution to our DonorsChoose project. Your support is extremely appreciated by my students and me. \r\n\r\nThanks to your kindness, we will now have stools for small group work at our kidney table, snacks for kiddos who are unable to bring one from home, and some fun activities for student engagement. These resources will make a great impact in our classroom, supporting learning, and showing our students that people believe in them.\r\n\r\nYour donation is more than just a gift—it's a message to my students that their education matters. I can't wait to share with them that someone they've never even met is rooting for their success!","fullyFundedDate":1744032901690,"projectUrl":"project/stools-snacks-and-stem/9099128/","projectTitle":"Stools, Snacks, and STEM!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Costa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6804088_orig.jpg?crop=280,280,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1699478732793","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6804088"},{"teacherId":1563253,"projectId":8979194,"letterContent":"Your donation to supply my students with manipulatives has helped my students better understand decimals and their relationship to a whole. It helps them understand decimal concepts by providing a concrete, hands-on representation of abstract numbers\r\n\r\nThe manipulatives help students visually see connections to place value and how they relate to one whole. It also helps them understand and one whole may look different in different situations and how decimals are composed.\r\n\r\nAgain, thank you for your generous donation in supporting kids learning.","fullyFundedDate":1739376111647,"projectUrl":"project/building-concrete-decimal-skills/8979194/","projectTitle":"Building Concrete Decimal Skills","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Yoshinaga","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1563253_orig.jpg?crop=679,679,x0,y359&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1745065892300","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1563253"},{"teacherId":9633286,"projectId":8974302,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for providing a moveable whiteboard for our classroom! Studies show that when students do math \"vertically,\" they retain information at greater rates. I see this first-hand when my students are able to model their thinking for their classmates on the whiteboard. They take risks they wouldn't on an individual board and the collaboration and discourse around mathematical thinking improves.\r\n\r\nOutside our \"whole class\" learning, students are able to add their thinking during individual work time, continue using the resource, and access the learning of their peers when stuck. I like having the flexibility of moving the whiteboard to different parts of our classroom, depending on the purpose and specific need.\r\n\r\nMy third graders were amazed that people cared enough about their learning to contribute such an amazing piece of equipment to our classroom. Thank you for boosting their confidence, both mathematically and as valued learners.","fullyFundedDate":1739376122391,"projectUrl":"project/creating-mathematical-thinking-through-d/8974302/","projectTitle":"Creating Mathematical Thinking Through Discourse","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rim","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9633286_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723238362566","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsrim"},{"teacherId":6804088,"projectId":8882479,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations towards our project, our glass is very appreciative! Headphones are necessary for many of our online learning tools, and the class set we received ensures that all students can now access the technology they need to learn and thrive in their studies. \r\nThe snacks were an added bonus for our kiddos, some of which often come to school without one. Full bellies help students ability to be engaged and work on a full tank. We are so grateful for your kindness!","fullyFundedDate":1732302423397,"projectUrl":"project/headphones-and-happy-bellies/8882479/","projectTitle":"Headphones and Happy Bellies!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Costa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6804088_orig.jpg?crop=280,280,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1699478732793","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6804088"},{"teacherId":9632129,"projectId":8762289,"letterContent":"I would like to extend my deepest gratitude for your donations to our library collection. With your donations, we added 60 new nonfiction titles to our collection. Our district and school goals focus on building literacy skills, teaching students how to read, and fostering a love for reading. As our school has been without a library for the last decade, the collection has grown to be very outdated. With these 60 new titles, students are getting their hands on updated, high-interest books.\r\n\r\nAll of these books are being utilized for choice reading, but some books are also being utilized for teaching students the difference between fiction and nonfiction as well as how to recognize non-fiction text features. These books will be utilized for units of study in third, fourth, and fifth grade. Students are excited about their learning and reading with highly engaging books. They are especially excited to have physical copies of these books that they previously either didn't have access to or only digital access. Students in third, fourth, and fifth grade are being introduced to these new nonfiction titles through a book tasting. Students will go around tables and have a few minutes to preview the books. This will allow students to find new topics of interest and their choice reading books for the week.\r\n\r\nOur school is unique in that our students come from a wide array of cultures and backgrounds. More than 34 languages are spoken by our students and their families. With the help of this grant, we are moving towards a collection that is more diverse and includes characters that represent our diverse student population. To see the joy on students' faces when they find one of these books with characters that look like them is telling enough that these books are fostering a love for reading. We at Ponderosa cannot thank you enough for your donations!","fullyFundedDate":1732200623337,"projectUrl":"project/stacks-with-facts/8762289/","projectTitle":"Stacks With Facts!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tritz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9632129_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723048399080","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9632129"},{"teacherId":9238473,"projectId":8574421,"letterContent":"Students were so excited to get the cozy reading corner materials. The Mini Carpet rounds helped the kids get comfortable in their own space for both independent reading and whole group read alouds. The students already had a deep love of the Pigeon books and having additional books of the series got them super excited to read! The other books series will be used later in the year to do an author studies to notice patterns between the author's work. I know they'll love the series and I'm excited to see their love of reading continue to grow.","fullyFundedDate":1727462598428,"projectUrl":"project/cozy-reading-time/8574421/","projectTitle":"Cozy Reading Time","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Malpaya","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9238473"},{"teacherId":9632129,"projectId":8789309,"letterContent":"I would like to extend my deepest gratitude for your donations to our library collection. With your donations, we added 78 new nonfiction titles to our collection. Our district and school goals focus on building literacy skills, teaching students how to read, and fostering a love for reading. As our school has been without a library for the last decade, the collection has grown to be very outdated. With these 78 new titles, students are getting their hands on updated, high-interest books.\r\n\r\nAll of these books are being utilized for choice reading, but some books are also being utilized for teaching students the difference between fiction and nonfiction as well as how to recognize non-fiction text features. These books are being utilized for units of study in kindergarten, first grade, third grade, and fifth grade. Students are excited about their learning and reading while utilizing these books. They are especially excited to have physical copies of these books that they previously either didn't have access to or only digital access. They are being utilized with read along digital versions for kindergarten courses which supports multi-modal learning and deepens student understanding.\r\n\r\nOur school is unique in that our students come from a wide array of cultures and backgrounds. More than 34 languages are spoken by our students and their families. With the help of this grant, we are moving towards a collection that is more diverse and includes characters that represent our diverse student population. To see the joy on students faces when they find one of these books with characters that look like them is telling enough that these books are fostering a love for reading. We at Ponderosa cannot thank you enough for your donations!","fullyFundedDate":1729618045331,"projectUrl":"project/library-stacks-with-facts/8789309/","projectTitle":"Library Stacks with Facts","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tritz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9632129_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723048399080","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9632129"},{"teacherId":9108584,"projectId":8456349,"letterContent":"I want to sincerely thank you for your contribution to our special education classroom. My students were so excited to see all of the new materials. Upon walking into the classroom for the first time, one student told me they loved the \"new classroom.\" We have been able to use the social/emotional resources to learn about feelings and coping skills. Many students love the Spot books and spend their free time in the cozy corner. Additionally, all the toys have been put to use and are well-loved. We are beyond grateful for the difference you have made in making our classroom a more cozy and welcoming environment.","fullyFundedDate":1721217985671,"projectUrl":"project/special-education-classroom/8456349/","projectTitle":"Special Education Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Grace","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9108584_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y46&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718406561344","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9108584"},{"teacherId":9230314,"projectId":8573070,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation of books to my first-grade classroom. Your thoughtful support has brought so much excitement and joy to my students and me.\r\n\r\nThe moment the books arrived, their faces lit up with curiosity and eagerness. Each story and illustration is more than just words and pictures—it's an opportunity for my students to explore new ideas, develop their imaginations, and build a lifelong love of reading.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has made a meaningful impact on our classroom. Whether it's during independent reading time, group story sessions, or just a quiet moment flipping through pages, these books are fostering a learning environment filled with discovery and wonder.\r\n\r\nThank you for being a part of this journey and for helping to create such a special experience for my students. Your generosity inspires me to continue nurturing these young minds and reminds me of the amazing community supporting education.","fullyFundedDate":1727462818898,"projectUrl":"project/library-worthy-of-exploration-and-imagin/8573070/","projectTitle":"Library Worthy of Exploration and Imagination","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Houghton","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9230314"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_42768","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":634,"numTeachers":46,"percentFrplEligible":64,"percentAsian":7,"percentBlack":24,"percentWhite":16,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":42,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"13.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":71.3,"schoolId":42768,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Ponderosa Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Ponderosa Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/colorado/cherry-creek-school-district-5/ponderosa-elementary-school/42768"}