{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"PS 169M Robert F Kennedy","outOfStateSupporters":38.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8995231,"projectId":10264969,"letterContent":"The moment our new supplies arrived, you could feel the shift in our classroom. I set up the tower fan in the corner, and one of my students immediately said, \"It actually smells good in here now.\" That small comment meant everything. Every morning, students now take turns doing our \"Fresh Start\" routine wiping down tables with the disinfecting wipes, sweeping up with the vacuum, and misting the air. What started as a chore has become a point of pride. They own this space, and it shows. When I unboxed everything, my students gathered around like it was a holiday. One student who rarely speaks up said, \"Is this really for us?\" I told her it was because some very kind people believed our classroom deserved to feel like a place we love coming to. She smiled and grabbed the wipes first. We're building on this momentum. Our next classroom project is a \"Wellness Corner\" a small space in our room where students can take sensory breaks, breathe, and reset. The wipes, baby wipes, and fresh scented air will be a core part of keeping that space calm and welcoming. We're also planning a unit on community responsibility, and this daily cleaning routine will anchor the real world connection.","fullyFundedDate":1778177210046,"projectUrl":"project/a-clean-space-is-a-learning-space/10264969/","projectTitle":"A Clean Space Is a Learning Space!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Barnett","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8995231"},{"teacherId":8995231,"projectId":10230238,"letterContent":"When my students walked in and saw the snacks waiting for them, their faces said it all. Eyes went wide, smiles spread across the room, and for a moment everything stopped. What started as a simple surprise quickly became one of the most memorable days we have had together this year. These small treats sent a big message to my students that someone out there believes in them and wants them to feel celebrated. We have been using snack time as a way to build community in our classroom. Students gather, share, and talk with each other in a relaxed setting that does not always happen during a busy school day. Whether it is passing around Pringles during a class discussion or enjoying popcorn during a reflection activity, these moments of sharing help my students open up, connect with their peers, and feel like they belong. For many of my students, feeling safe and welcomed at school makes all the difference in how they learn. Looking ahead, we are planning a classroom celebration where students will share work they are proud of while enjoying these treats together. It will be a moment for them to shine in front of their classmates and feel genuinely recognized for their effort. None of this would be possible without your generosity. Thank you for reminding my students that their community supports them and that they are worth celebrating.","fullyFundedDate":1777938769475,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-smiles-and-success-fuel-my-stu/10230238/","projectTitle":"Snacks, Smiles, and Success: Fuel My Students' Best Days!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Barnett","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8995231"},{"teacherId":10349503,"projectId":10099269,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of school supplies to our classroom. Your support has made a meaningful difference in the lives of our students.\r\n\r\nBecause of your kindness, our students now have the tools they need to learn with confidence, stay organized, and fully participate in daily activities. Supplies like the ones you donated may seem simple, but they help create a positive and productive learning environment where every child feels prepared and included.\r\n\r\nYour donation also eases financial stress for families and allows students to focus more on learning, creativity, and growth. Seeing new supplies waiting for them has already brought excitement and motivation to our classroom.\r\n\r\nWe are truly grateful for your generosity and your investment in education. Thank you for helping our students feel supported, valued, and ready to succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1773416091803,"projectUrl":"project/help-my-kids-learn-to-read-and-recognize/10099269/","projectTitle":"Help My Kids Learn to Read and Recognize Their Emotions","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Moreno","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/andy"},{"teacherId":9916388,"projectId":10120293,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the thoughtful donation! My students have loved all our new books. The students already have their favorite book that they always pick off the shelf to look through. They know that during any moment of downtime they are able to take one off the shelf. It also gives them something to do when they finish their work early and cannot play yet. My paras and I have also enjoyed being able to read to the class or individual students. \r\n\r\nWe are also learning how to hold the book the right way and gently flip through the pages. We want these books to last a long time so we are using this opportunity on how we treat classroom items with respect.\r\n\r\nThank you again for the donation of books!","fullyFundedDate":1773079843697,"projectUrl":"project/books-for-little-minds/10120293/","projectTitle":"Books for Little Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Leigh","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9916388_orig.png?crop=1170,1170,x0,y42&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758131564270","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9916388"},{"teacherId":10099542,"projectId":9670199,"letterContent":"Thanks to the generosity of our donors, my students now have access to flexible seating options, including a comfortable rug and supportive seating choices that meet their individual needs. This has transformed our classroom into a more inclusive and calming environment where students feel safe and ready to learn.\r\nFor my students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), having the ability to choose where and how they sit helps reduce anxiety, improve focus, and support sensory regulation. The rug provides a welcoming space for group activities and connection, while the seating options allow students to stay engaged in ways that work best for them.\r\nBecause of your support, my students are more comfortable, more focused, and more confident learners.","fullyFundedDate":1757961983076,"projectUrl":"project/flexible-seating-project/9670199/","projectTitle":"Flexible Seating Project","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gutierrez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10099542_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755359251346","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10099542"},{"teacherId":3742896,"projectId":9857107,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our students are actively engaging in basketball in ways that are meaningful, accessible, and—most importantly—fun. The new resources have allowed us to break down skills like shooting, passing, and dribbling into developmentally appropriate steps so every student can participate with confidence.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite moments came during a recent lesson where we introduced modified shooting stations. Some students were using lowered hoops and larger, lighter balls, while others practiced aiming at visual targets I wore on my shirt (yes—the \"basketball spider\" made an appearance!). One student who is typically nonverbal lit up after successfully getting the ball through the hoop with support. The entire class celebrated—it was one of those real, goosebumps moments that reminds you why inclusion matters.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the materials, their reactions were immediate—excitement, curiosity, and a willingness to jump right in. For many, just having equipment that \"fits\" their needs made all the difference. Instead of hesitation, we saw confidence. Instead of frustration, we saw persistence.\r\n\r\nThese resources aren't just equipment—they're entry points.\r\n\r\nNext, we're building on these skills by incorporating small-sided games and peer collaboration activities. Students will begin applying what they've learned in structured gameplay, focusing on teamwork, communication, and decision-making. We're also integrating cross-curricular connections, including movement-based choice cards and social-emotional learning through our \"Kup of K.A.R.M.A.\" framework, reinforcing positive behaviors while they play.\r\n\r\nYour support has helped create a space where all students can experience success, joy, and growth through movement. Thank you for making that possible.","fullyFundedDate":1766770104698,"projectUrl":"project/hoop-there-it-is/9857107/","projectTitle":"Hoop? There it is!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. H.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3742896_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1509388781741","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/hambelj"},{"teacherId":3742896,"projectId":9546420,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my students are now able to engage in physical education in ways that truly meet them where they are—and more importantly, help them discover what they can do.\r\n\r\nWe've been using the new resources during our adapted physical education lessons to build both movement skills and confidence. One powerful moment that stands out involved a student who is nonverbal and typically hesitant to participate. Using modified equipment and visual supports funded through this project, we broke down an overhand throwing activity into smaller, achievable steps. At first, the student simply held the ball and needed prompting—but within the same lesson, they were able to independently release the ball toward a target. The smile and excitement in that moment said everything.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, their reactions were immediate—curiosity, excitement, and joy. Many of my students benefit from visual and hands-on learning, and having equipment that is accessible, colorful, and adaptable made them eager to participate right away. For some, just having equipment that \"fits\" their needs removed a barrier that had always been there.\r\n\r\nThese resources have allowed us to turn activities into meaningful learning experiences. Whether it's using hoops to simulate dribbling, adapting targets for success, or creating engaging movement stations, students are not only participating—they're progressing.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we are continuing to build on these skills by incorporating the materials into structured skill progressions and small-group activities. Our next steps include expanding into partner-based activities and peer modeling, helping students apply their skills in more dynamic and social settings. We're also working on increasing independence, so students can initiate and complete movement tasks with less support over time.\r\n\r\nYour support didn't just provide equipment—it created opportunities, confidence, and moments of success that might not have been possible otherwise. Thank you for being part of our classroom and for helping my students shine.","fullyFundedDate":1757113432385,"projectUrl":"project/rebuilding-from-scratch-launching-a-pe/9546420/","projectTitle":"Rebuilding from Scratch: Launching a PE Program for All Students”","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. H.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3742896_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1509388781741","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/hambelj"},{"teacherId":9916388,"projectId":9954129,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the thoughtful donation! All of the supplies you sent have made the classroom feel much more organized. All our toys and supplies are in bins on our bookshelves. This has helped the classroom environment feel much calmer because all toys have a home and are no longer falling off the shelves. With the multicolor bins I organized our toys, sensory tools, and supplies. The students now know exactly what color bin to pull when it is time to play. Since these bins are opaque the students cannot see the toys and they are better able to focus during our lessons. We also now have bags that we can put all our puzzles in! Before pieces were falling out every time the puzzles fell from the shelves, but now with the bags we no longer have the fear of loosing a piece. Thank you again for helping organize our classroom and making it a better place to learn and play in!","fullyFundedDate":1766366145876,"projectUrl":"project/a-place-for-everything-learning-for-eve/9954129/","projectTitle":"A Place for Everything, Learning for Everyone","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Leigh","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9916388_orig.png?crop=1170,1170,x0,y42&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758131564270","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9916388"},{"teacherId":9916388,"projectId":9694894,"letterContent":"Thank you for supper my self contained classroom. Everything you donated has helped create a more organized and calmer environment. We now have supplies needed to complete our work. Many of the students do not have motor skills needed for writing and the crayons and stamps have allowed me to modify the work so they are able to practice spelling and math. All the students love the sensory tools! The use of the slugs and drip timers give students something to play and look at while they are waiting for the rest of the class and help them calm their bodies when they are dysregulated. The sand timers also help calm down bodies when students are upset and give them a visual cue of how long they need to wait until they are ready to join the group.","fullyFundedDate":1765308802672,"projectUrl":"project/first-supplies-then-learning/9694894/","projectTitle":"First, Supplies - Then, Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Leigh","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9916388_orig.png?crop=1170,1170,x0,y42&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758131564270","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9916388"},{"teacherId":8995231,"projectId":9710560,"letterContent":"When the cleaning supplies and laminating materials arrived, my students were immediately curious and excited to see all the new tools we could use in our classroom. I demonstrated how we could safely use the disinfecting wipes and paper towels to help keep our tables and shared spaces clean. The students were thrilled to help maintain a tidy learning environment they even took turns wiping down surfaces, which made them feel responsible and proud.\r\n\r\nThe laminator and laminating sheets opened up a world of possibilities for our learning materials. We were able to create durable flashcards, charts, and activity sheets that will last throughout the year. Students were amazed to watch the lamination process, and many asked if they could laminate their own creations. It turned a simple classroom tool into a fun and engaging project moment! Next, we plan to use the VELCRO dots to organize our learning centers and create interactive boards where students can match and move items during lessons. Thanks to your generosity, our classroom is not only cleaner and safer, but it's also more organized and hands on. Your support has already made a big difference, and we can't wait to see how these resources continue to enhance learning and student engagement every day.","fullyFundedDate":1769015608112,"projectUrl":"project/clean-bright-and-ready-to-learn/9710560/","projectTitle":"Clean, Bright, and Ready to Learn!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Barnett","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8995231"},{"teacherId":9916388,"projectId":9910333,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the thoughtful donation of sensory tools supplies! \r\n\r\nOnce a week we have a calming sensory time, where we shut off the overhead lights and use the calming light you bought for my classroom. We now have sensory options to choose from during this time and we are working on making a choice, understanding we might not get our first choice, and sticking to our choices. The students have enjoyed this 10 minutes in our day and they help calm and regulate our bodies. \r\n\r\nThe small tools have also been helpful to us. When students are finished with their work they are able to use a tool to keep them busy while waiting for their friends. This has lead to calmer classroom periods and allow everyone to be ready for our next lesson. Additionally, the sand timers have helped give the students a visual idea of a minute and can be used to help calm their bodies during tricky moments.","fullyFundedDate":1764787193427,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-supports-for-success/9910333/","projectTitle":"Sensory Supports for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Leigh","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9916388_orig.png?crop=1170,1170,x0,y42&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758131564270","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9916388"},{"teacherId":10358704,"projectId":9940672,"letterContent":"This project has made an immediate and meaningful difference in our classroom. The cleaning supplies help us keep a safe, organized, and welcoming learning space, while the snacks ensure students can stay focused and energized throughout the day. One moment that stood out was during a small-group lesson—students were able to concentrate longer, collaborate more patiently, and take pride in cleaning up their work areas together afterward.\r\nWhen students first saw the supplies and snacks, they were genuinely excited and grateful. Many shared that having snacks helped them feel cared for and ready to learn. Because of your generosity, we're now able to move forward with hands-on lessons and group projects without worrying about distractions from hunger or an unclean environment. Our next steps include continuing collaborative activities where students practice responsibility, teamwork, and perseverance—skills that are strengthened every day thanks to your support.","fullyFundedDate":1765078186173,"projectUrl":"project/show-it-share-it/9940672/","projectTitle":"Show It! Share It!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mikaela Elvey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10358704_orig.jpg?crop=420,420,x0,y99&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1764004688183","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10358704"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_7781","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":257,"numTeachers":64,"percentFrplEligible":94,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":39,"percentWhite":2,"percentIndigenous":2,"percentLatinx":53,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":0,"gradesServed":"Not specified","studentTeacherRatio":"4.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":61.8,"schoolId":7781,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about PS 169M Robert F Kennedy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"PS 169M Robert F Kennedy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-york/new-york-city-dept-of-ed/ps-169-the-robert-f-kennedy-school/7781"}