{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"PS 224 Hale A Woodruff","outOfStateSupporters":30.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9094934,"projectId":7509276,"letterContent":"I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your incredibly generous donation of sensory bounce bands and sit cushions to our classroom. Your kindness has made a meaningful and lasting difference in the daily experiences of my students, especially those with special needs who rely on sensory supports to help them regulate, focus, and feel comfortable in their learning environment. These tools are far more than classroom accessories—they are essential supports that empower students to access learning in ways that feel safe, manageable, and tailored to their unique needs.\r\n\r\nFor many of my students, sitting still for extended periods is not just challenging—it can be overwhelming, uncomfortable, and distracting to their ability to learn. Sensory needs vary widely, but they deeply influence how students navigate both academic tasks and social interactions. The bounce bands and sit cushions you provided address these needs beautifully, giving students the ability to move in controlled, purposeful ways that help them self-regulate without disrupting their classmates. These supports allow for a healthy outlet for extra energy, reduce anxiety and restlessness, and create a more inclusive classroom environment where all students can thrive.\r\n\r\nThe sensory bounce bands have already become a quiet but powerful tool. Students who struggle with hyperactivity, fidgeting, or difficulty sustaining attention can now gently bounce or move their feet during lessons, which helps them maintain focus and remain engaged in their work. This simple movement makes a profound difference in their ability to listen, follow directions, and participate in classroom activities. Instead of feeling frustrated or discouraged by their bodies' need to move, they can now channel that energy in a productive way that supports their learning rather than interrupting it.\r\n\r\nSimilarly, the sit cushions have provided comfort, stability, and improved core engagement for students who have difficulty sitting in traditional chairs. Many students with sensory sensitivities benefit from seating that offers texture, movement, or additional support. These cushions help them stay grounded and alert, reducing the number of times they need to reposition themselves or take breaks due to discomfort. With the support of the cushions, students are more willing to participate in group lessons, independent work, and small-group activities because they feel physically comfortable and emotionally secure.\r\n\r\nThroughout the school year, these sensory tools will be used during a variety of daily routines—including whole-group instruction, small-group learning, testing situations, and independent work time. They will also support students during calming moments, sensory breaks, or times of transition when regulation can be especially difficult. Because these tools are durable and versatile, they will benefit not only this year's class but many future classes as well, becoming a long-term part of the supportive environment we are building together.\r\n\r\nYour generosity also sends a powerful message to my students: that their needs are valid, that the ways they learn matter, and that there are people outside our classroom who believe in their success. For students with special needs, this sense of acceptance and understanding is just as important as any academic support. Knowing that others care enough to provide these tools helps them feel valued and supported in ways that extend far beyond the school day.\r\n\r\nThank you for making our classroom a more inclusive, responsive, and compassionate space. Your donation has already made a noticeable impact, and its benefits will continue to ripple throughout the year as students grow more confident in their ability to learn comfortably and successfully. We are deeply grateful for your generosity and for the positive difference you are making in the lives of our students.","fullyFundedDate":1692289175820,"projectUrl":"project/brew-crew-sensory/7509276/","projectTitle":"Brew Crew Sensory","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Brewington","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9094934_orig.jpg?crop=1206,1205,x0,y321&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689705616980","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9094934"},{"teacherId":9094934,"projectId":9406148,"letterContent":"I want to extend my deepest and most heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation of diverse books to our classroom library. Your kindness has made a meaningful and lasting impact on our learning community, especially for the students with special needs who rely on inclusive, engaging, and representative materials to help them grow as readers and individuals. Your contribution is far more than a stack of books—it is an investment in our students' confidence, curiosity, and sense of belonging.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, many of our students benefit from materials that reflect the world around them in ways they can genuinely connect with. For students with special needs, this connection is often essential for comprehension, motivation, and emotional engagement. The diverse stories you have provided—featuring characters of different backgrounds, abilities, cultures, identities, and life experiences—give our learners both mirrors and windows: mirrors that allow them to see themselves in the pages, and windows that gently open their minds to perspectives beyond their own. This dual experience is powerful. It encourages students to feel seen, understood, and valued, while also helping them develop empathy and broader world awareness.\r\n\r\nThroughout the year, these books will be used in a variety of ways that support both academic and social-emotional growth. Students will explore them during independent reading time, where they can choose stories that speak to their interests and needs. For many of my students, having the autonomy to select a book that resonates with them is an important confidence-building experience. We will also use the books as shared reading materials during small-group instruction, allowing us to not only practice reading skills but also discuss themes like identity, friendship, acceptance, and resilience in ways that feel safe and meaningful. The relatable characters and thoughtful narratives help students make personal connections—something that can sometimes be challenging for learners with developmental or learning differences.\r\n\r\nThese books will also support our social-emotional learning curriculum. Stories that highlight problem-solving, communication, emotional regulation, and understanding differences are incredibly valuable for students who may struggle with these skills. By reading about characters facing challenges similar to their own, students can see examples of how to navigate feelings, relationships, and responsibilities. We often use story discussions as gentle entry points for conversations about real experiences students may not always know how to express aloud. Books become bridges to connection—and because of your generosity, we now have more bridges than ever before.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, many of these titles will serve as mentor texts for writing projects and creative activities. Whether students are responding through art, storytelling, journaling, or group discussions, the literature you have provided will inspire authentic, thoughtful work all year long. These opportunities for expression are especially important for students with special needs, who may require alternative pathways to demonstrate understanding or connect emotionally with themes.\r\n\r\nYour generosity sends our students a powerful message: that their stories matter. That they deserve to see themselves reflected in books. That their identities, interests, and experiences are worthy of representation. You have helped create a classroom library that is more inclusive, more supportive, and more reflective of the beautiful diversity within our community.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students and investing in their growth. Your kindness will touch their lives not just this year, but for many years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1750436265341,"projectUrl":"project/displaying-diversity-through-books/9406148/","projectTitle":"Displaying DIVERSITY through books.","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Brewington","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9094934_orig.jpg?crop=1206,1205,x0,y321&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689705616980","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9094934"},{"teacherId":4522686,"projectId":9320085,"letterContent":"When our 5th graders first received the materials for our Full Plates, Full Hearts project, the room was filled with excitement and curiosity. They eagerly unpacked the resources and immediately began brainstorming ways to use them to kickstart our school-wide snack pack drive. One powerful moment came when students gathered in small groups to research food insecurity, using the supplies to create colorful posters and awareness messages.\r\n\r\nThanks to these materials, our students are not only building empathy and teamwork but also seeing themselves as leaders who can create real change right here in our neighborhood.","fullyFundedDate":1747082832908,"projectUrl":"project/full-plates-full-hearts/9320085/","projectTitle":"“Full Plates, Full Hearts”!!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Smart","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4522686_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1507850973595","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/smartkids"},{"teacherId":56195,"projectId":8820438,"letterContent":"Thank you very kindly for your generous donations to our classroom. We were elated to know that you believed in us and helped to make our dreams a reality. Some of my students are ENL (english as as New Language Learners). With the I-pad , they get to read and listen to audio books. This greatly help them to immerse them in the language. The I-Pad is used to to select level books which are chosen based on students interest or on particular topics and the scholars academic levels. Additionally, it is used a Teaching tool as read a-louds are shared via Smart-board.\r\n\r\nOne student is most excited about listening to Eric Carle's book. He enjoy the fact that the books are shared in the form of music instead of a regular reading voice. He now has his favorite. \r\n\r\nWe appreciate all of you.","fullyFundedDate":1737687917362,"projectUrl":"project/learning-with-an-ipad/8820438/","projectTitle":"Learning With An IPad","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. T.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/56195"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_2142","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":271,"numTeachers":26,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":4,"percentBlack":59,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":32,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"10.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":69.7,"schoolId":2142,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about PS 224 Hale A Woodruff on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"PS 224 Hale A Woodruff","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-york/new-york-city-dept-of-ed/ps-224-hale-a-woodruff/2142"}