{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Betances Early Reading Laboratory School","outOfStateSupporters":33.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6321029,"projectId":9554015,"letterContent":"I wanted to send a sincere thank you for the STEM materials you helped fund for my classroom. The impact they've had on our daily routine, especially during indoor recess, has been wonderful. Indoor recess used to be a challenging time, but now, the students have something meaningful and engaging to do. They genuinely love using the materials—whether they are building structures, experimenting with the engineering kits, or simply creating together. It's made the atmosphere in the classroom much more focused and positive, and it's something they look forward to every indoor recess.\r\n\r\nOne of the most heartwarming changes I've witnessed involves a student who is non-verbal. The LEGOs, in particular, have become her favorite way to engage. She spends long periods focused on her creations. When it's time to clean up and transition to the next activity, she clearly communicates her enjoyment and desire to continue through body language—sitting firmly on the floor and shaking her head 'no' with great determination. It's given her a truly meaningful way to express herself and feel successful. In addition, these materials have naturally encouraged the students to work together and get along. They have to share, discuss their designs, and solve problems as a team, which has significantly improved the overall collaborative spirit in the room.\r\n\r\nThank you again for this essential contribution. Your support didn't just provide toys; it gave my students valuable tools for learning, communication, and positive interaction.","fullyFundedDate":1758314192549,"projectUrl":"project/build-play-learn-stem-bins-for-2nd-gr/9554015/","projectTitle":"Build, Play, Learn: STEM Bins for 2nd Grade Engineers!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Levine","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6321029_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753128990372","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6321029"},{"teacherId":8367138,"projectId":9184012,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your kind donations of materials for my classroom.\r\nMy students were thrilled when they saw all the boxes and were so excited to open them with me. The play dough was a student favorite. They love being able to have a sensory activity and I love that I can link playdough activities to our theme. I also love the white and colored cardstock. My students are able to create and bring home sturdy math and language activities to do at home with their families. The ink is also a wonderful material to have because I can print colored copies of different activities which make the activities more engaging for my students.","fullyFundedDate":1751389898462,"projectUrl":"project/lets-have-fun-in-pre-k/9184012/","projectTitle":"Let's Have Fun in Pre-K!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dozier","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8367138_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1647189503697","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tiffany-dozier"},{"teacherId":9474657,"projectId":9633951,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredibly generous donation to our first-grade classroom! The laminator will be a game-changer, allowing me to create durable, engaging learning materials that the students can use for years to come. Your support also provided us with essential cleaning supplies, ensuring we have a healthy, tidy, and welcoming environment where all of our young learners can focus on what matters most—discovering the joy of reading, writing, and math. We are truly grateful for your commitment to our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1758835968774,"projectUrl":"project/laminate-and-learn/9633951/","projectTitle":"Laminate and Learn","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ashkinaze","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9474657_orig.png?crop=346,346,x0,y6&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1749986950470","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9474657"},{"teacherId":9113360,"projectId":9145805,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our Same Year, New Space project! Your donations have truly transformed our classroom environment into a brighter, calmer, and more welcoming space for learning. The new lamps have created a warm and inviting atmosphere that helps students feel comfortable and focused during lessons and independent work time. The calming blue bulletin board paper has given our classroom a cohesive and peaceful look, and we've already used it to display student goals, class achievements, and mindfulness reminders.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the new materials, their excitement was priceless. They immediately noticed how cozy and calm the classroom felt, and many commented that it \"felt like home.\" The Breathing Pal \"Kyle\" and the sensory stickers have become favorite tools in our calm-down corner—students use them to regulate their emotions and refocus when needed. It has been amazing to see them take ownership of their emotional well-being with these new resources.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, we'll continue to incorporate mindfulness and self-regulation into our daily routines while fostering a learning environment that supports both academic and emotional growth. Thanks to your kindness, our classroom has become not just a place to learn—but a space where students feel safe, supported, and ready to shine.","fullyFundedDate":1746785619356,"projectUrl":"project/same-year-new-space/9145805/","projectTitle":"Same Year, New Space!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hall","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9113360_orig.jpg?crop=1431,1431,x846,y876&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1693654937633","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9113360"},{"teacherId":6321029,"projectId":9490514,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous book donations! Your kindness has made a real difference in our space, bringing joy and excitement to so many young readers. \r\n\r\nEvery day, Ayden rushes in and heads straight to the \"Bad Guys\" bin, eyes wide with anticipation, eager to see what new adventures await. His enthusiasm is infectious, and it's a reminder of how stories can spark imagination and create daily rituals kids look forward to.\r\n\r\nAnabel and Willeidys have become inseparable from the Pigeon books — they laugh, point out their favorite parts, and ask to read them again and again. It's moments like these that show how your donations don't just provide books; they build memories, habits, and a lifelong love of reading. Thank you for being part of that","fullyFundedDate":1754369866581,"projectUrl":"project/building-a-love-of-reading-one-book-at/9490514/","projectTitle":"Building a Love of Reading, One Book at a Time","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Levine","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6321029_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753128990372","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6321029"},{"teacherId":9474657,"projectId":9415220,"letterContent":"We extend our heartfelt thanks to our generous donor for the wonderful donation of bulletin board supplies and chalk! Your contribution is a big part of creating a calm classroom environment where our students can thrive. With the new bulletin board supplies, we can create more engaging and organized visual aids, and the chalk will be used for calming exercises and creative expression. Your support makes a real difference in our students' daily lives and helps us build a peaceful and productive learning space. \r\n\r\nThese items are essential for our calm classroom initiative, helping us maintain a peaceful and productive learning space. Your generosity directly supports our students by providing the tools they need to stay focused and engaged. We are so grateful for your contribution to our classroom community.\r\n\r\nThank you so much for the generous contribution.","fullyFundedDate":1750773647400,"projectUrl":"project/calming-classroom-supplies/9415220/","projectTitle":"Calming Classroom Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ashkinaze","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9474657_orig.png?crop=346,346,x0,y6&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1749986950470","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9474657"},{"teacherId":7803127,"projectId":9103783,"letterContent":"Please accept my heartfelt thanks for your generous support of our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Fair through DonorsChoose.\r\n\r\nThanks to your kindness, we were able to host an engaging and meaningful event that brought together our school community in a celebration of wellness, connection, and emotional growth. Students explored important SEL concepts through interactive games, mindfulness activities, creative arts, and family-friendly experiences. Your donation made it possible for us to provide the materials, resources, and enriching experiences that made this day such a success.\r\n\r\nWe are deeply grateful for your commitment to helping our students thrive not only academically, but socially and emotionally. Your generosity made a real difference in the lives of our learners and helped us build a more supportive, connected school environment.","fullyFundedDate":1740666865700,"projectUrl":"project/betances-learning-labs-annual-social-em/9103783/","projectTitle":"Betances Learning Lab's Annual Social Emotional Learning and Mindfulness Fair","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Barnaby","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7803127"},{"teacherId":8090839,"projectId":8404134,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredibly generous contributions to our project, \"Bound to Learning!\" Your donations for bookbinding materials have made a profound impact on our classroom. We are absolutely thrilled to now have the supplies needed to create authentic, beautifully bound books right here in our classroom. Not only are students eager to use the binding machine themselves, seeing their hard work come to life in such a professional way fosters immense pride in their writing and learning. They can't wait to add their own published books to our classroom library for everyone to enjoy! Beyond celebrating their creativity, these personalized books will serve as powerful tools, allowing students to create their own resources directly aligned with our curriculum. Your support isn't just funding materials; it's empowering young authors and providing a tangible way for them to connect deeply with their learning. We are so grateful for your belief in our students' potential!","fullyFundedDate":1717009069390,"projectUrl":"project/bound-to-learning/8404134/","projectTitle":"Bound To Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dunn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8090839_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x0,y64&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1715689468711","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8090839"},{"teacherId":8090839,"projectId":9053519,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contributions to \"INKspirational,\" our project for classroom printer ink! Your support has already made a tremendous impact. Having a reliable supply of color ink is truly transformative for our learning environment. The excitement it brings to my students is palpable – from vibrant vocabulary cards that make new words pop, to visually rich graphic organizers that bring complex concepts to life, and personalized learning packets that feel truly engaging. But beyond their enthusiasm, having immediate access to a classroom printer with color ink also brings incredible ease and efficiency to my daily planning and preparation. No more waiting for the main office printer, or running out of color mid-lesson! This allows me to swiftly create and adapt materials on the fly, ensuring every student has timely access to the visual support they need, especially my multilingual learners. Your donations are not just coloring our lessons; they are directly fueling more dynamic and accessible learning experiences and streamlining my ability to meet every student's needs. We are so grateful for your thoughtfulness and for helping us bring our lessons to life in brilliant color!","fullyFundedDate":1746614876258,"projectUrl":"project/ink-spirational/9053519/","projectTitle":"'Ink' spirational","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dunn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8090839_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x0,y64&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1715689468711","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8090839"},{"teacherId":9849514,"projectId":8974108,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous donation, my classroom is now a bit more organized! When the students saw the new chair back organizers, they were SO excited! They were asking where they had come from and how we got them, and what they were for! They were so eager to put their pencil boxes and FUNdation books into them, and they love how easy they are to use. \r\n\r\nThe students are also enjoying the other items that were included in our package- the auto-stop pencil sharpener is a beloved tool that has a daily line to use it! The Post-It Note easel paper is used multiple times a day for both our reading and math curriculum, and the 10 drawer organizer has made my life SO much easier with where to put the materials for daily learning, be it worksheets to pass out or parts of a Focusing Question Task that we're finishing up. \r\n\r\nI truly cannot express how grateful I am for your generosity and kindness. Thank you SO much for making a difference in my classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1735489667017,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-organization-for-our-room/8974108/","projectTitle":"Classroom Organization for Our Room","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nutt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9849514"},{"teacherId":8367138,"projectId":8380353,"letterContent":"Thank you so much! My students were able to have such an amazing end of the school year filled with hands on projects and activities. They were also so happy because they had memories they could bring home and share with their families. The new resource and materials allowed for them to use their imagination and extend their learning about the topics in the curriculum. The printer ink was useful in creating specific activities for counting, language and literacy. Thank you for your support and donating to such a great cause!","fullyFundedDate":1716472341347,"projectUrl":"project/lets-end-the-school-year-with-some-fun/8380353/","projectTitle":"Let's End the School Year With Some Fun!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dozier","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8367138_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1647189503697","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tiffany-dozier"},{"teacherId":9113360,"projectId":8543394,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, my students have been diving into our new reading materials with excitement! We recently started a classroom book club, where students choose books from our new collection and engage in lively discussions. One memorable moment was when a normally reluctant reader eagerly shared their thoughts on a chapter and inspired others to join in the conversation. \r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the books, their faces lit up with joy and curiosity. They eagerly flipped through the pages, making plans for which books they wanted to read first. Some even started reading immediately, completely absorbed in their new stories! \r\n\r\nRight now, we are using the books to enhance our literacy skills through small group discussions and creative projects. Next, students will be working on writing their own short stories, drawing inspiration from the books they've read. Your generosity has truly made a lasting impact, and we are so grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1723632596253,"projectUrl":"project/reading-never-goes-out-of-style/8543394/","projectTitle":"Reading Never Goes Out Of Style","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hall","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9113360_orig.jpg?crop=1431,1431,x846,y876&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1693654937633","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9113360"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_53027","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":398,"numTeachers":24,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":31,"percentBlack":18,"percentWhite":5,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":39,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 4","studentTeacherRatio":"16.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":66.9,"schoolId":53027,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Betances Early Reading Laboratory School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Betances Early Reading Laboratory School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/connecticut/hartford-public-school-district/ramon-e-betances-elementary-school/53027"}
Join the 384 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Betances Early Reading Laboratory School is
an urban public school
in Hartford, Connecticut that is part of Hartford Public School District.
It serves 398 students
in grades Pre-K - 4 with a student/teacher ratio of 16.6:1.
Its teachers have had 111 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. Each classroom request for funding was created by a classroom teacher and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
Betances Early Reading Laboratory School Demographics
95%
of students receive free or reduced price lunch
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Source: the National Center for Education Statistics
88%
of students are Black, Latino, Native
American, or Asian
Data about school demographics comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. The numbers in this chart may not add up to 100% because of limitations in the available data.
Betances Early Reading Laboratory School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 5, 2025
DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students
in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.
Betances Early Reading Laboratory School
$55,437
raised using DonorsChoose
111
projects
funded
37
teachers
funded
384
donors
17
projects
for
basic supplies
23
projects for
technology
16
projects for
books
6
projects
for
art supplies
Betances Early Reading Laboratory School has received support from
257 individuals from Connecticut and
127 individuals out-of-state.