{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Ponderosa Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":10.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10481974,"projectId":10203726,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in funding our language-building outdoor play project! Your support has brought so much joy and learning to our transitional kindergarten (TK) classroom. The flannel board pieces, sidewalk chalk, and bubble machine have completely transformed our outdoor time into a vibrant, interactive learning environment where my young students are thriving.\r\n\r\nThe flannel board pieces have quickly become a classroom favorite for bringing our favorite stories and songs to life. By manipulating the pieces, our TK students are building crucial early literacy skills, practicing story sequencing, and expanding their vocabularies. Meanwhile, the sidewalk chalk and bubble machine have turned our outdoor play into a dynamic space for cooperative communication. As the children chase bubbles and draw together, they are naturally practicing turn-taking, describing their actions, and developing the foundational language skills they need to succeed.\r\n\r\nYour investment in our classroom does more than just provide materials; it creates meaningful experiences that foster a lifelong love for learning. My students are so excited to use these tools every day, and it is wonderful to watch their confidence and communication skills grow through play. We are deeply grateful for your kindness and dedication to early childhood education.","fullyFundedDate":1778009384930,"projectUrl":"project/preschool-language-enrichment-outdoor-e/10203726/","projectTitle":"Preschool Language Enrichment: Outdoor Edition","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Howell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10481974"},{"teacherId":326323,"projectId":10248431,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our young readers with the classroom materials we needed to continue our UFLI Foundations instruction. Your generosity has made a meaningful difference in our students' daily learning and has helped us keep the momentum going as our students work toward becoming confident, capable readers.\r\n\r\nThis year, our students are continuing to grow in their ability to decode words, recognize spelling patterns, read with greater fluency, and apply their phonics knowledge to unfamiliar words. The individual whiteboards have been an important part of that progress. During UFLI lessons, students use them to build and manipulate words, practice spelling patterns, map sounds, and respond to teacher prompts. Every student gets to actively participate rather than simply watch or listen.\r\n\r\nThese materials have also helped create classrooms where mistakes are part of learning. Students can try a word, notice an error, erase it, and try again. For students who have struggled with reading in the past, this low-risk practice has helped build both skills and confidence. Seeing students who once hesitated to read aloud now eagerly show their work and celebrate when they successfully decode a challenging word has been incredibly rewarding.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, you have helped our students experience success as readers. Your generosity has provided much more than whiteboards, markers, and erasers—you have provided opportunities for practice, perseverance, and those important \"I can do it!\" moments.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our students and helping us give every child the tools they need to become a confident reader. We are so grateful for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1777987452531,"projectUrl":"project/restocking-supplies-for-phonics-success/10248431/","projectTitle":"Restocking Supplies for Phonics Success With UFLI!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Murphy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/dodson"},{"teacherId":326323,"projectId":10248575,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade students with new whiteboards, dry-erase markers, and erasers! Your generosity has given our students the tools they need to participate, practice, make mistakes, and try again every single day.\r\n\r\nThese may seem like simple classroom supplies, but they make a big difference in how our students learn. Instead of waiting for a few students to raise their hands, every student can pick up a whiteboard and show what they know. Teachers can quickly see who understands, who needs a little more support, and who is ready for a challenge.\r\n\r\nFor students who are working to close achievement gaps, these opportunities for immediate practice and feedback are especially valuable. A student who may be hesitant to share an answer aloud can confidently put their thinking on a whiteboard. A student who makes a mistake can erase it, try again, and learn from the process.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, our students now have fresh, reliable materials that will be used every day. You have helped create classrooms where every learner has a voice, every idea is worth sharing, and mistakes are simply part of learning.","fullyFundedDate":1777987535312,"projectUrl":"project/whiteboard-supplies-for-active-and-engag/10248575/","projectTitle":"Whiteboard Supplies for Active and Engaging Upper Grade Learning!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Murphy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/dodson"},{"teacherId":10488542,"projectId":10240537,"letterContent":"We are so grateful for the generous donation of recess equipment! These new items will give our students more opportunities to play, exercise, and have fun with their classmates during recess. Having a variety of equipment will encourage students to be active, build teamwork and cooperation skills, and make recess an even more enjoyable part of their school day. The students were so excited when the equipment arrived. Thank you for helping create a fun, healthy, and positive environment for our students!","fullyFundedDate":1778003626344,"projectUrl":"project/recess-equipment/10240537/","projectTitle":"Recess Equipment","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Brown","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10488542_orig.jpg?crop=4000,4000,x0,y786&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1787166592788","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10488542"},{"teacherId":718157,"projectId":10434489,"letterContent":"Technology is an integral part of our school day for both adults and students. Having the necessary equipment is essential for the students to access the curriculum and available technology.\r\n\r\nThe students are already using the headsets with their Chromebooks to access learning. They are using the headsets to access reading apps and websites that allow them to read and listen to books. They are using the headsets so that they can access math lessons that are at an appropriate level for them. Some of them are now able to access English language learner apps to help with language learning.\r\n\r\nThe colorful and comfortable headsets make it fun and motivating for the students to learn. Thank you for your donation and support of students and classrooms!","fullyFundedDate":1786127538966,"projectUrl":"project/headsets-for-learning-on-chromebooks/10434489/","projectTitle":"Headsets for Learning on Chromebooks","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. L.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/718157"},{"teacherId":10488542,"projectId":10240412,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of Scholastic News to our classroom! Your support provides students with engaging, age-appropriate reading materials that help them stay informed about the world around them while building their reading, vocabulary, and critical-thinking skills. We truly appreciate your generosity and your commitment to supporting our students' learning and education. Your donation will make a meaningful difference in our classroom! During reading class, students feel safe, comfortable, and happy as they explore books and stories at their own pace. A welcoming classroom environment helps children feel confident sharing their thoughts, asking questions, and expressing their ideas without fear of making mistakes. Reading time gives students a chance to relax, use their imagination, and discover new interests while building important literacy skills. When students feel supported and encouraged, they are more willing to participate, take risks in their learning, and develop a positive attitude toward reading.","fullyFundedDate":1777987855876,"projectUrl":"project/exploring-with-scholastic-news/10240412/","projectTitle":"Exploring With Scholastic News","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Brown","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10488542_orig.jpg?crop=4000,4000,x0,y786&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1787166592788","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10488542"},{"teacherId":692681,"projectId":10021694,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for all of your generosity. These third grade students will benefit from reading these Scholastic Magazines all year. They are so engaging, educational, fun and exciting. The students will be reading them weekly and doing the activities that come with them. They love the videos that come with them, especially the learning games. Often they are put into teams and they get so excited. \r\nThese magazines are so worthy and very educational. The articles are so well written and the students like to partner read them in class. We appreciate your donations!","fullyFundedDate":1773854166907,"projectUrl":"project/help-our-class-to-get-reading-magazines/10021694/","projectTitle":"Help Our Class to Get Reading Magazines!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Shumaker","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp692681_orig.jpg?crop=387,387,x484,y108&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1576986453330","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-shumaker"},{"teacherId":391753,"projectId":9935234,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the donations for our classroom! We have been using the materials everyday! The students love to sit in the camping chairs by the pretend campfire, and the tree and twinkle lights have really made our calm corner, prime real estate!\r\n\r\nWhen I first unpacked and set up the chairs and campfire, the students were so excited to try them out. Everyone got a turn to roast their pretend marshmallows over the campfire! Now, the 2 classroom helpers get to sit in the chairs for reading time, and during the rest of the day, students can sit in the chairs or by the tree for a little quiet time. \r\n\r\nOne of the great things about these materials is that they are really well made. I know they will be part of the classroom for as long as I continue teaching. And the novelty of something new has not worn off. Students really enjoy the chairs, campfire and tree bookshelf, as much as they did on the first day the materials were put out. My only complaint is that the chairs are not big enough for me to sit in! Thank you again for your support of primary education!","fullyFundedDate":1768424581422,"projectUrl":"project/happy-campers/9935234/","projectTitle":"Happy Campers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Thorwaldson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp391753_orig.jpg?crop=1585,1585,x0,y442&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1657667791609","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/391753"},{"teacherId":6588594,"projectId":9866011,"letterContent":"Our school has never had such few behavior issues at recess! Gagaball was greatly improved our recess time. Third through fifth graders love playing this game. It has been very cool to see how well the students are following the rules. \r\n\r\nThe students are supportive of each other and cheer for their peers. The kids are learning honesty and how much better it is to just admit it and leave the game, rather than argue. The kids constantly thank me for bringing Gagaball to our school and I could not have done that without your generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1764739327298,"projectUrl":"project/gaga-for-gaga-ball/9866011/","projectTitle":"Gaga for Gaga Ball!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hood","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6588594_orig.jpg?crop=271,271,x83,y244&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1595113936242","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6588594"},{"teacherId":6131520,"projectId":9916280,"letterContent":"Thank you for donating to my project. You helped our entire 4th grade group (4 classes) have the materials needed to succeed on the Wax Museum project. \r\nThe Wax museum is a highly popular project in 4th grade where students research a historical person, write a biography, create a poster, and give a speech dressed as that person. \r\nWith your support we were able to provide books, materials, and props to do this comprehensive and important project. All students were able to participate and parents got to come celebrate their success.","fullyFundedDate":1765736989000,"projectUrl":"project/wax-museum-biography-project/9916280/","projectTitle":"Wax Museum Biography Project","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Farac","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6131520_orig.jpg?crop=2142,2142,x0,y357&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755652898966","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6131520"},{"teacherId":6588594,"projectId":8632555,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our classroom. Our school was built in the 1960's and it shows. The new carpet really updates the look of our old room. \r\n\r\nThe carpet is where a lot of learning happens! From discussing books, to laying down working on group projects, to sitting around it in a circle sharing, the carpet is the major meeting area of a classroom. \r\n\r\nMy students were so shocked when they came, they didn't want to wear their shoes on the carpet to get it dirty! We were slippers inside to prevent it from getting stained from muddy shoes and we never eat on it to prevent any spills. \r\n\r\nA new carpet may seem little but in a classroom, it makes kids feel like someone is investing in them.","fullyFundedDate":1723690751639,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-carpet/8632555/","projectTitle":"Classroom Carpet","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hood","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6588594_orig.jpg?crop=271,271,x83,y244&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1595113936242","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6588594"},{"teacherId":10351214,"projectId":9897163,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for all the contributions to our Extended Learning program. All the Rubik's Cubes and \"brain games\" have been a big hit with our students. The Rubik's Cubes in particular have been the talk of the room! Some students have taken it upon themselves to teach others how to complete the sides of the Rubik's Cube. Students have even created Rubik's Cube-solving competitions where they time each other to see who can solve one side of the Rubik's Cube in the shortest amount of time. Some students have even taken it upon themselves to try to beat the record for solving a 2x2 Rubik's Cube, 0.43 seconds!","fullyFundedDate":1764377435156,"projectUrl":"project/creativity-through-manipulatives/9897163/","projectTitle":"Creativity Through Manipulatives","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Blanca","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10351214"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_4973","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":503,"numTeachers":25,"percentFrplEligible":28,"percentAsian":38,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":16,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":35,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":6,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"20.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":89.5,"schoolId":4973,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Ponderosa Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Ponderosa Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/santa-clara-unified-school-district/ponderosa-elementary-school/4973"}