{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"PS 63 Old South","outOfStateSupporters":34.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9743750,"projectId":9946228,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generosity. When I first showcased the new glockenspiels, students were struck by the metal bars. Scholars were interested in the standard notation that was implemented on the keys. On top of that, they were fascinated by the different sounds these glockenspiels made compared to the ones they played this year. Needless to say, students were very happy to add these glockenspiels to our collection. \r\n\r\nOn a personal level, as a result of receiving these 3 glockenspiels, I'm so glad to have increased our collection to 12 this year. This will allow musicians of all ages to learn various musical concepts like solfège, melodic direction, and note names. These glockenspiels also ensures students of all abilities are able to play an instrument. Something worthy of mentioning is that our self-contained classes consistently mentioned glockenspiels as their instrument. I'm looking forward to continuing xylophone education in our school. Thank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1772745756972,"projectUrl":"project/ringing-in-support/9946228/","projectTitle":"Ringing in Support","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Ditchek","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9743750"},{"teacherId":9743750,"projectId":9856231,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous donations, over 200 students were able to play piano this year. Piano stands were used during class time, rehearsals, and performances throughout the year. In class, students developed social-emotional skills with the piano stands, whether it be learning how to silently walk to a piano stand to being extra cautious while playing the piano, ensuring the stands do not break. Rehearsals and performances were logistically easier because of the stands, allowing students to be comfortable while playing pianos. The best part surrounds transforming my classroom into a piano lab because of your help. \r\n\r\nThe piano stands will be used next year in the previously mentioned environments. Because of your generosity, I also gained knowledge in assembling these stands. I look forward to continuing meaningful piano education, and that comes from your assistance.","fullyFundedDate":1761688986922,"projectUrl":"project/stand-up/9856231/","projectTitle":"Stand Up!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Ditchek","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9743750"},{"teacherId":224365,"projectId":10185880,"letterContent":"Our new math materials have completely transformed the way my students learn and interact with math concepts each day! The dry erase number lines have become a favorite tool during our whole-group and small-group math lessons. Students use them to practice counting on, solving addition and subtraction problems, and showing their thinking in a hands-on way. During one recent lesson, I watched students excitedly race to solve story problems using their number lines and explain their strategies to classmates with confidence. \r\n The 3D shapes sparked so much excitement the moment students opened the bins and explored them together. They eagerly examined the faces, edges, and vertices while comparing shapes and connecting them to real-world objects in our classroom. Many students could not wait to share discoveries with their classmates, proudly holding up shapes and describing what made each one unique. These new resources have brought so much engagement, collaboration, and joy into our math block. My students are more confident mathematicians because they are able to touch, build, explore, and truly experience math in a hands-on way each day.","fullyFundedDate":1777822841427,"projectUrl":"project/making-math-come-alive-with-manipulative/10185880/","projectTitle":"Making Math Come Alive With Manipulatives","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Szilagyi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp224365_orig.png?crop=667,667,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731969846660","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/224365"},{"teacherId":224365,"projectId":10185909,"letterContent":"Our new dry erase boards and erasers have quickly become an essential part of our daily learning. My students use them during math to solve problems, show their thinking, and practice new skills in a low-pressure way where mistakes are part of learning. One special moment that stood out was during a recent lesson on telling time—students eagerly drew clocks, adjusted the hands, and proudly held up their boards to share their answers. The ability to quickly write, erase, and try again has helped build their confidence and encourages everyone to participate.\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the excitement in the classroom was immediate. Students couldn't wait to use their own boards and took great pride in taking care of them. There were big smiles and lots of \"Can we use our boards again?\" throughout the day. Even my more hesitant learners became more willing to take risks, knowing they could easily fix mistakes. The simple addition of these tools has made lessons more interactive, engaging, and fun for everyone. These resources have truly transformed how my students engage with learning, and I am so grateful to our donors for making this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1776535210594,"projectUrl":"project/think-it-write-it-wipe-it-learn-it/10185909/","projectTitle":"Think It. Write It. Wipe It. Learn It.","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Szilagyi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp224365_orig.png?crop=667,667,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731969846660","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/224365"},{"teacherId":9878472,"projectId":9597842,"letterContent":"Thank you for your contribution to my classroom. We are very fortunate to have had your support in supplying our classroom with a new rug. As soon as it arrived, the excitement in their eyes was obvious a warm and calming smiley face rug fit perfectly into our meeting area. My students are enjoying our new all smiles rug. This rug has given them a space to sit and learn and collaborate. They look forward to our daily meetings and each have a special spot on the rug. Thank you so much for helping me provide my students with a warm and inviting comfortable learning environment.","fullyFundedDate":1760883022144,"projectUrl":"project/all-smiles-for-comfortable-seating/9597842/","projectTitle":"All Smiles for Comfortable Seating!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Adams","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9878472"},{"teacherId":224365,"projectId":9105448,"letterContent":"The decodable books from my DonorsChoose project have really changed what reading time looks like in my classroom. My students finally have books that match the phonics skills we're working on, which has made a big difference. Instead of guessing words or getting stuck, they're actually able to sound things out and feel successful. Reading time feels calmer and more focused, and there's a lot more excitement around books. Students are more willing to try, and they're proud of themselves when they can read something on their own.\r\n\r\nI've seen some of my more hesitant readers really come out of their shells with these books. A few students who used to avoid reading are now eager to pick up a book and show me what they can do. They love going back and rereading the same books, and you can see their confidence grow each time. I also hear them pointing out phonics patterns we've learned, which is something they weren't doing before. Overall, the books have helped create a classroom where more students feel successful and excited about reading, and that's been really rewarding to see.","fullyFundedDate":1744811940910,"projectUrl":"project/unlocking-literacy-empowering-young-re/9105448/","projectTitle":"\"Unlocking Literacy: Empowering Young Readers with Decodable Books\"","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Szilagyi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp224365_orig.png?crop=667,667,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731969846660","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/224365"},{"teacherId":10199648,"projectId":9885668,"letterContent":"Thank you for donating to our classroom. The cushion seats and wobble chairs have helped us focus and sit more comfortably throughout the day. The books are a hit and it is all of our favorite series! The bins are helping our classroom library stay organized and easily accessible. The seat sacks you have helped us receive has given us extra room to keep our books and other academic supplies at our desks for easy access throughout the day!\r\nThank you so much for your thoughtful and kind contributions.","fullyFundedDate":1769363804841,"projectUrl":"project/comfort-focus-and-favorite-books-buil/9885668/","projectTitle":"Comfort, Focus, and Favorite Books: Building a Better Reading Space","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bulla","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10199648_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1767923219072","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10199648"},{"teacherId":10360653,"projectId":9921481,"letterContent":"The Cuisinart oven has been a wonderful addition to our 3K classroom, creating meaningful, hands-on learning experiences for our youngest students. Using our Cuisinart oven, children are able to participate in simple cooking and baking activities that connect directly to our lessons. Whether we are baking muffins to practice measuring ingredients or warming up homemade snacks during a nutrition unit, the oven allows students to see learning come to life. These experiences help build early math skills, vocabulary, and fine motor development in an engaging and memorable way.\r\n\r\nBeyond academics, the oven enhances our classroom community. Cooking together teaches cooperation, patience, and responsibility as children take turns pouring, mixing, and observing changes in food as it bakes. The excitement they feel when they smell something cooking and later taste what they helped create fosters a sense of pride and accomplishment. The Cuisinart oven has truly enriched our 3K program by turning everyday lessons into interactive, joyful experiences that support both social-emotional growth and foundational learning skills.","fullyFundedDate":1763996383707,"projectUrl":"project/lets-bake/9921481/","projectTitle":"Let's Bake!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ziemak","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10360653"},{"teacherId":9093550,"projectId":9536597,"letterContent":"The donated classroom materials had a deeply positive impact on my special education kindergarten students, both academically and emotionally. Many of my students benefit from a structured, calm, and sensory-supportive environment, and these materials allowed them to feel safe, focused, and ready to learn. The addition of light filters transformed our classroom atmosphere by softening harsh lighting and creating a peaceful space where students could regulate their emotions more easily. With fewer sensory distractions, students were better able to attend to instruction, participate in activities, and engage meaningfully with their learning.\r\n\r\nBecause of the materials provided, I was able to create a more intentional and supportive learning environment tailored to my students' unique needs. The hands-on resources allowed me to differentiate instruction, provide targeted small-group support, and reinforce essential skills through play-based and interactive learning. The calming light filters, paired with these materials, helped reduce anxiety and overstimulation, allowing students to remain engaged for longer periods of time and experience success throughout the school day. This support made it possible to focus not only on academic growth, but also on social-emotional development and self-regulation.","fullyFundedDate":1758850881807,"projectUrl":"project/kinder-garden-of-learning/9536597/","projectTitle":"Kinder-Garden of Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hughes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9093550_orig.jpg?crop=1087,1087,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757293989757","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9093550"},{"teacherId":9878472,"projectId":9012903,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generosity with providing flexible seating for my second grade students. Our classroom is full of amazing students who deserve to feel valued and supported with learning. \r\n\r\nBy providing flexible, seating such as the rockers and the beanbags my students have been able to sit in various places in the classroom in a comfortable way where learning is maximized throughout the day.\r\n\r\n Thanks to donors chose this project has provided for my students a welcoming and supportive environment. We are extremely grateful for all the donors who contributed to this project ! \r\nThank you !","fullyFundedDate":1744816992557,"projectUrl":"project/inspiring-little-minds-by-creating-a-fle/9012903/","projectTitle":"Inspiring Little Minds by Creating a Flexible Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Adams","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9878472"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_2149","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":956,"numTeachers":81,"percentFrplEligible":81,"percentAsian":41,"percentBlack":5,"percentWhite":5,"percentIndigenous":4,"percentLatinx":41,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":0,"gradesServed":"K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"11.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":65.7,"schoolId":2149,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about PS 63 Old South on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"PS 63 Old South","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-york/new-york-city-dept-of-ed/ps-63-old-south/2149"}