{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"PS/IS 268","outOfStateSupporters":37.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":4368244,"projectId":9789725,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my deep gratitude for your generous support and to share the meaningful impact that Mo Willems' Pigeon books have had on my kindergarten class. Our classroom is a vibrant community of learners that includes students with SPED needs, English language learners (ELLs), and children who are just beginning their educational journeys. Thanks to your contribution, these joyful and engaging books have helped nurture a true love of reading in every corner of our classroom.\r\n\r\nFrom the moment we opened Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! the room filled with laughter, curiosity, and connection. Mo Willems' humor, expressive illustrations, and repetitive language patterns have provided an accessible and inviting entry point into literacy for all of my students—especially those who often need extra support to feel confident with reading. The simplicity and predictability of the text allow emerging readers to participate fully, anticipating what the Pigeon might say next, joining in the repeated phrases, and recognizing familiar words with pride.\r\n\r\nFor my SPED students, the Pigeon books offer a safe and engaging way to practice communication, comprehension, and social-emotional skills. The exaggerated expressions and relatable feelings of the Pigeon help us talk about emotions, self-control, and problem-solving in a playful and meaningful way. Several students who typically struggle to stay focused during stories now eagerly volunteer to \"read\" the Pigeon's lines, using their voices expressively and confidently. Moments like these highlight not just academic growth, but personal growth as well.\r\n\r\nFor my ELL students, Mo Willems' storytelling has become a bridge between language barriers and joyful participation. The visual storytelling supports comprehension, while the repeated structures build vocabulary naturally. It has been heartwarming to hear students who once watched quietly now eagerly shout, \"No, Pigeon!\" along with their classmates. These shared experiences help strengthen language acquisition, social belonging, and enthusiasm for learning.\r\n\r\nAcross the entire classroom, the Pigeon has become a beloved character whose books students ask for every single day. The excitement around these stories has transformed our reading block. Children now crowd around the carpet with anticipation, make predictions about what trouble the Pigeon may get into next, and beg to read the books independently during quiet time. Some students have even begun creating their own Pigeon-inspired drawings and writing their own versions of the story—proof that inspiration is taking root.\r\n\r\nYour support brought more than books into our classroom; you brought joy, laughter, confidence, and opportunity. You helped create a space where every child—regardless of background, learning style, or language—can feel successful and connected through reading. That spark of joy matters. It is the foundation of lifelong learning.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students and for investing in their growth. Because of you, reading has become one of the happiest parts of our day, and the Pigeon has become a treasured companion on our learning journey.","fullyFundedDate":1763388486203,"projectUrl":"project/readers-take-flight/9789725/","projectTitle":"Readers Take Flight","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bajaj","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4368244_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1515845390361","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4368244"},{"teacherId":7648168,"projectId":9817522,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity to our class. My students love to read. Each day we engage in a read aloud and shared reading with the class. At the end of the story we share and talk about the problem and solution as well as the characters. The pigeon series is a great addition to our Mo Williams author study. This excitement of each pigeon give my student added enthusiasm in reading. This particular story of the pigeon needing a bath is a funny and enjoyable story as each kindergarten student shares in discussion on the importance of good hygiene.","fullyFundedDate":1763388489131,"projectUrl":"project/encourage-emergent-readers-with-a-fun-pi/9817522/","projectTitle":"Encourage Emergent Readers With A Fun Pigeon Book","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Morning","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7648168_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1644015095343","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/happyday-2020"},{"teacherId":7648168,"projectId":9889538,"letterContent":"Thank you for funding this project. The book bins are perfect for my students personal libraries at home. My students are so excited about having their own library. Each day a book is read aloud and given to a student. It is great to see their eyes light up as they receive the books for their bin. \r\n\r\nMy students not only love the beautiful colors but love the idea of taking ownership of such a fun and enjoyable artifact. These at home book bins will keep my students interested in reading and encourage their families to participate on their road to reading fluency.","fullyFundedDate":1763168314596,"projectUrl":"project/bin-my-home-library/9889538/","projectTitle":"Bin My Home Library","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Morning","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7648168_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1644015095343","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/happyday-2020"},{"teacherId":4368244,"projectId":9876332,"letterContent":"On behalf of my entire class, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks for your generous gift of Mo Willems' Piggie and Gerald books. Your contribution has made a remarkable difference in our classroom, and I want to take a moment to share the joy, growth, and excitement your donation has sparked.\r\n\r\nFrom the moment the box arrived, my students could hardly contain their excitement. Many recognized the familiar characters right away—Piggie with her boundless enthusiasm and Gerald with his thoughtful, cautious nature. These books have a unique way of drawing children in, and your donation allowed each student to engage with stories that are not only fun but also deeply meaningful.\r\n\r\nWhat makes Mo Willems' work so impactful is its perfect balance of humor, emotion, and simplicity. The expressive illustrations help emerging readers decode feelings and actions, while the clear text empowers them to read independently. For many of my students, these books have become their first \"I can read this by myself!\" accomplishment. The confidence they gain from turning page after page with success is immeasurable.\r\n\r\nBeyond improving literacy skills, these stories have also become springboards for rich classroom conversations. Piggie and Gerald model empathy, problem-solving, communication, and the ups and downs of friendship—all themes that resonate strongly with children. After reading together, my students eagerly discuss how the characters helped each other, how they handled misunderstandings, and what it means to be a good friend. These conversations build social-emotional skills that are just as important as academic growth.\r\n\r\nYour gift has also given us new opportunities for collaborative learning. Students frequently pair up to read Piggie and Gerald stories aloud to one another, laughing over familiar jokes and practicing expressive reading. Some have even begun writing their own mini-stories inspired by Willems' style, creating their own characters, speech bubbles, and humorous plot twists. Watching their creativity bloom has been one of my favorite parts of this experience.\r\n\r\nPerhaps the most meaningful impact is the sense of ownership and pride my students now feel. Having access to a collection of beloved, high-interest books transforms reading from a task into a joy. Many students who were previously reluctant readers now rush to our classroom library during free time, excited to revisit their favorite story or discover a new one starring Piggie and Gerald. That shift—toward enthusiasm, curiosity, and confidence—will benefit them long after they leave my room.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has created moments of laughter, learning, and connection that my students will remember. Thank you for believing in the power of books and for investing in our young readers. Your kindness has made our classroom a happier, more vibrant place, and we are truly grateful for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1763307989983,"projectUrl":"project/make-reading-fun/9876332/","projectTitle":"Make Reading Fun!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bajaj","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4368244_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1515845390361","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4368244"},{"teacherId":10234628,"projectId":9667885,"letterContent":"I wanted to give you a large thank you for the new resources for my occupational therapy students. I work in a K-8 public school, where I work with minimal resources. I only receive a very small stipend each year to buy new materials for my students, and often spend money out of pocket to purchase these items. \r\n\r\nWhen my students saw the new items we received, they were so excited! They felt so loved to know that others are thinking about them and want them to succeed! The new items have allowed my students to work on their fine motor skills and executive functioning skills, which are 2 large components of occupational therapy. They use the number link set to work on their bilateral coordination, by using both hands to push together the pieces to create a chain. They are working on their letter identification and distal control when using the fishing puzzle. Additionally, they work on their bilateral coordination when stacking the small \"people\" to build a large tower. The school supplies help us to be able to complete writing tasks, and other crafts for many of the holidays we celebrate.","fullyFundedDate":1756745072823,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-and-fine-motor-fun-in-ot/9667885/","projectTitle":"Sensory and Fine Motor Fun in OT!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Debra","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10234628_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756653407940","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10234628"},{"teacherId":7648168,"projectId":9846664,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating to our kindergarten class. Your donation makes it possible for our class to run with excitement responsibility. The stylus pens are a wonder to my students. Learning their purpose was essential to every student, who now keeps it safe until it's time to use it. The organization boxes makes it easy for every student to learn how to be responsible for their own supplies. \r\n\r\nWe are learning how to reduce germs on our iPad screens with the stylus pens. The wipes help us give our iPads freshness between uses. Keeping our technology clean and organizes keeps germs to a minimum and keeps us healthy and safe in school.","fullyFundedDate":1762267652563,"projectUrl":"project/keeping-our-technology-clean-and-organiz/9846664/","projectTitle":"Keeping Our Technology Clean and Organized","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Morning","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7648168_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1644015095343","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/happyday-2020"},{"teacherId":7648168,"projectId":9792378,"letterContent":"Thank you do much for your support of our kindergarteners. Your donation has added so much to our learning environment both socially and physically. My students love the idea of having their own materials organized and ready for daily use. The color coded boxes for each group of students adds a wonderful social bond while working in cooperative groups. Each students is proud to exhibit their responsibility in taking care of their own supplies. \r\n\r\nThe small glue bottles work well with each child learning how to use fine motor skills and precision when putting crafts together. Unlike a glue stick the small tip of the glue bottle gives my kindergarteners practice in developing this important skill. Thank you for building my kindergarteners social and physical development skills.","fullyFundedDate":1761964972329,"projectUrl":"project/building-organized-fine-motor-skills/9792378/","projectTitle":"Building Organized Fine Motor Skills","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Morning","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7648168_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1644015095343","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/happyday-2020"},{"teacherId":7648168,"projectId":9743485,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donation to our project. Your generosity reaches my students with care and support for their learning. Your donation will help keep my kindergarteners strong and healthy in their learning environment. The healthy snacks will sustain their motivation with no distractions due to hunger. \r\n\r\nAs a part of a Title 1 School there are some challenges of nourishment my students face in their young lives. Your support alleviates that challenge and ensures strong bodies for happy successful learners.","fullyFundedDate":1761966211354,"projectUrl":"project/keep-kindergarten-scholars-strong/9743485/","projectTitle":"Keep Kindergarten Scholars Strong!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Morning","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7648168_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1644015095343","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/happyday-2020"},{"teacherId":4368244,"projectId":9410423,"letterContent":"I am so excited to share the wonderful impact your generosity has made in our kindergarten classroom. Thanks to your support, our students now have engaging, hands-on workbooks that have transformed our daily learning experience. From the moment the workbooks arrived, the children's eyes lit up with excitement and curiosity. Each page has become a new adventure—filled with letters to trace, numbers to count, and fun problems to solve. These workbooks have truly inspired our students to see learning as something joyful and rewarding. \r\n\r\nEvery day, I see incredible progress in their letter recognition and handwriting skills. Students who once struggled to identify letters are now proudly pointing them out in words they see around the classroom. The tracing and writing activities have not only improved their handwriting but also strengthened their fine motor control. They are developing the hand strength and precision needed for writing, coloring, and other daily classroom tasks. It is amazing to watch their little fingers move with greater confidence and control as they complete each page. \r\n\r\nThe counting and problem-solving sections have also made a huge difference. Through engaging exercises, students are learning to recognize patterns, understand number order, and think critically about simple math problems. What once felt challenging now feels achievable. These skills are building a strong foundation for future learning in both math and reading comprehension. \r\n\r\nBeyond academics, these workbooks are helping students grow in confidence and independence. Each child takes pride in completing their own pages, often cheering, \"I did it myself!\" That sense of accomplishment fuels their motivation to keep learning. I've seen students who were once hesitant or unsure now eagerly reach for their workbooks at the start of every lesson. They are learning that effort leads to success, and that belief in themselves is growing stronger every day. \r\n\r\nThe workbooks also play an important role in helping students develop focus and perseverance. As they sit and complete each task, they are learning how to stay engaged, follow directions, and finish what they start. This ability to focus for longer periods has carried over into other parts of our classroom routine, improving participation in group lessons and centers. \r\n\r\nWhat touches me most is how these workbooks are helping all students—whether they are English Language Learners, students receiving special education support, or emerging readers—find success at their own pace. The visual instructions and structured practice make it easier for every child to understand and progress. They feel included, capable, and proud of their accomplishments. \r\n\r\nYour generous donation has done more than provide learning materials; it has provided opportunities for growth, joy, and self-belief. These workbooks have become a daily tool that supports not only academic development but also emotional and social growth. Our students are learning important skills that will serve them for years to come—confidence, independence, focus, and resilience. \r\n\r\nOn behalf of our kindergarten class, thank you for making this possible. Your kindness and investment in our young learners have created a classroom full of excitement, curiosity, and hope. You are helping our children build a strong foundation for a lifetime of learning.","fullyFundedDate":1758898894542,"projectUrl":"project/building-strong-foundations-with-kinderg/9410423/","projectTitle":"Building Strong Foundations with Kindergarten Workbooks","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bajaj","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4368244_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1515845390361","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4368244"},{"teacherId":10237724,"projectId":9674809,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generous donation. These gifts are not just equipment; they're a symbol of possibility. They allow us to expand our PT services in a way that's playful, inclusive, and deeply meaningful. \r\nThe tricycle offers a safe and empowering way for our students to strengthen their muscles and improve coordination. Playing with different kinds of balls supports their physical, cognitive, and social development by engaging motor skills, coordination, teamwork, and sensory regulation. Every item you donate supports their growth physically, emotionally, and academically. \r\n\r\nWith heartfelt appreciation,","fullyFundedDate":1758899190866,"projectUrl":"project/physical-therapy-rocks-play-grow-and-l/9674809/","projectTitle":"Physical Therapy Rocks Play, Grow, and Learn","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Shaw","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10237724_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y386&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756904963263","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10237724"},{"teacherId":7648168,"projectId":9713468,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding our project. Your donation added some wonderful books to our listening center. My students love a good story and look forward to sharing the experience. With our listening center and the great books you have supplied us, these kindergartners improve listening skills. Listening skills are essential to a successful educational career.\r\n\r\n The read aloud books on CD keeps my students interested in fun stories like \"Clifford The Big Red Dog\". They were so excited to listen to these stories and most of all sit at a self directed listening center with their friends. How wonderful to see the joy on their faces as they take a listening journey into great literature. These are truly \" great books for great listeners.\"","fullyFundedDate":1758898941713,"projectUrl":"project/great-books-for-great-listeners/9713468/","projectTitle":"Great Books for Great Listeners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Morning","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7648168_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1644015095343","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/happyday-2020"},{"teacherId":7648168,"projectId":9708827,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donation to our project. My students were so excited to see the treats that we would sample. We started our celebration by students first identifying the flag of their native heritage from the classroom display. We followed with a read aloud and shared in a discussion. To close out our day we enjoyed the various treats.\r\n\r\nMany of my students are of Hispanic heritage and felt validated by our class project. We learned more about Hispanic culture including a variety of clothing styles and colors.\r\nMy class enjoyed and learned a lot from each other. Thank you for making this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1758906593116,"projectUrl":"project/celebrating-hispanic-heritage-month-is-a/9708827/","projectTitle":"Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month Is a Treat!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Morning","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7648168_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1644015095343","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/happyday-2020"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_2021","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":697,"numTeachers":45,"percentFrplEligible":82,"percentAsian":25,"percentBlack":12,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":8,"percentLatinx":50,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"15.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":62.6,"schoolId":2021,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about PS/IS 268 on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"PS/IS 268","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-york/new-york-city-dept-of-ed/ps-268/2021"}