{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Ramona Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":22.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7377937,"projectId":9497757,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of snacks for our classroom. Your support has made a tremendous difference in ensuring that my students have the nourishment they need to stay focused and ready to learn each day. Many of my students come to school hungry, without time for breakfast or access to food at home, and your kindness helps fill that gap in a meaningful way. Because of your generosity, our classroom is a place where every student can feel cared for and energized to do their best.\r\n\r\nYour donation not only meets a basic need but also creates a more positive and supportive learning environment. It's amazing to see how something as simple as a healthy snack can improve a child's mood, attention, and confidence. Thank you for recognizing the importance of this need and for helping our students start each day with the energy and encouragement they deserve. I am truly grateful for your compassion and generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1755697262971,"projectUrl":"project/energy-for-young-learners-snacks-for-su/9497757/","projectTitle":"Energy For Young Learners: Snacks for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wences","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7377937_orig.jpg?crop=1067,1067,x0,y323&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746547469299","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7377937"},{"teacherId":7377937,"projectId":9497827,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of stools for our classroom. Your contribution has made a meaningful difference in creating a more engaging and flexible learning environment for my students. The new seating allows students to gather comfortably at our back table to focus, collaborate, and receive additional support when needed. Your kindness has truly helped enhance the way we learn and work together every day.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, because of your generosity, my students now have a dedicated space where they can concentrate better, revisit challenging concepts, and build confidence through independent practice. It's wonderful to see how something as simple as new seating has encouraged more active participation and focus. I am deeply grateful for your support in helping my students thrive and for believing in the importance of creating a classroom that meets every learner's needs.","fullyFundedDate":1755697262818,"projectUrl":"project/small-groups-big-impact/9497827/","projectTitle":"Small Groups, Big Impact","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wences","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7377937_orig.jpg?crop=1067,1067,x0,y323&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746547469299","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7377937"},{"teacherId":6624684,"projectId":9519574,"letterContent":"We use the mini play dough, fun notepads and pens, bubbles, chair cover, centerpiece, and small treats to make each child's celebration simple and special: the birthday child receives a decorated desk with the chair cover and centerpiece, a small bag of treats, and a photo with our sign. On weekday birthdays I do a short in‑class interview and take a picture to share with families. I try to photograph every student so each child has a keepsake, and we add the birthday to our pocket‑chart calendar and count down together each day to build anticipation and classroom community. Many students can't wait for their turn and watch the calendar eagerly as the days pass. If a student has a birthday on the weekend they receive the same things but we ask them what they did for their birthday as well. \r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the materials they were thrilled. Their faces lit up at the decorated chair and the little bag of treats, and classmates cheered for each celebrant. Next steps are to continue these celebrations for every child, collect their interview responses and photos into a class album, and use the daily calendar countdown to reinforce counting and calendar routines; these small moments have already boosted student confidence, belonging, and positive peer interactions, and we're so grateful for your support in making them possible.","fullyFundedDate":1755697263191,"projectUrl":"project/celebrating-every-little-light-in-kinder/9519574/","projectTitle":"Celebrating Every Little Light in Kindergarten!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Brown","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6624684_orig.jpg?crop=444,444,x35,y65&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1708623958699","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/missbrown26"},{"teacherId":6624684,"projectId":9808443,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of the wooden ice cream set and pots and pans for our kindergarten pretend play area! It's been wonderful to see the kids excitedly playing ice cream store and restaurant, working together to define roles like cashier, server, chef, and customer. Through this imaginative play, they are developing important social skills such as cooperation, communication, and problem-solving.\r\nThe cooking experiences also help them practice fine motor skills as they handle the wooden food and utensils. Pretending to prepare and serve food encourages language development and early math skills as they count scoops, measure portions, and manage pretend money. These hands-on activities are perfect for five and six-year-olds, fostering creativity, collaboration, and real-world understanding in a fun and engaging way. I can't wait to see what other creative ideas they come up with next! Your support truly makes a difference in their learning and joy.","fullyFundedDate":1761051958185,"projectUrl":"project/wooden-food-for-creative-play/9808443/","projectTitle":"Wooden Food for Creative Play","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Brown","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6624684_orig.jpg?crop=444,444,x35,y65&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1708623958699","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/missbrown26"},{"teacherId":6624684,"projectId":9693671,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our classroom! When my kindergarteners first saw the new STEAM materials like puzzles, magnetic building toys, pretend play sets, and geo-construction tools, they were full of excitement and curiosity. They immediately wanted to explore and start building together.\r\n\r\nOne special moment was watching them play restaurant, making plates of food to bring to me and their peers. They created pizzas, pepperoni soup, and all kinds of imaginative dishes. It was wonderful to see how engaged and joyful they were while role-playing and sharing with each other.\r\n\r\nRight now, we are building on these experiences by learning about concepts like balance and stability. Next, we plan to connect these lessons with more role-playing activities to help students apply their problem-solving skills in real-life situations. These materials have made learning hands-on and fun, and I'm excited to see where their curiosity takes them next! They absolutely love the new materials and none of this would be possible without your generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1758202849928,"projectUrl":"project/building-bright-futures-with-puzzles-and/9693671/","projectTitle":"Building Bright Futures with Puzzles and Play","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Brown","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6624684_orig.jpg?crop=444,444,x35,y65&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1708623958699","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/missbrown26"},{"teacherId":6624684,"projectId":9691307,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom is now filled with wonderful hands-on STEAM materials like jigsaw puzzles, magnetic building toys, pretend play sets, and geo-construction tools. All of these are neatly stored on a puzzle rack that keeps our space organized and welcoming.\r\n\r\nI love seeing them work together, sharing ideas, and coming up with creative solutions as they build and play. Their faces light up while solving tricky puzzles or inventing new games with magnets. When they pretend to run a grocery store, they're practicing counting, sharing, and problem-solving. All while having fun.\r\n\r\nKindergarten is such an important time for laying the foundation for a lifetime of learning. Because of your support, I'm able to create a classroom where my students feel inspired to explore, take risks, and believe in what they can do. I'm so grateful for your kindness and can't wait to see all the incredible things my students will dream up next!","fullyFundedDate":1758202837718,"projectUrl":"project/building-bright-minds-steam-toys-for-kin/9691307/","projectTitle":"Building Bright Minds-STEAM toys for Kindergarten","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Brown","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6624684_orig.jpg?crop=444,444,x35,y65&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1708623958699","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/missbrown26"},{"teacherId":6624684,"projectId":9554339,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom. Your gift of yogurt squeezes and applesauce pouches, fresh anchor chart paper and markers, a sturdy pocket chart stand, and a headphone rack has already made a big difference. We used the pocket chart for daily letter sorts and other hands‑on word work, and during our pumpkin exploration small groups gathered there to sort vocabulary and practice observation skills while I recorded student ideas on the anchor chart paper. It was wonderful to watch children collaborate to lift the heaviest pumpkin, and one shy student who rarely volunteers surprised us all by counting seeds aloud. I added their estimates to the chart and you could see their confidence grow.\r\n\r\nStudents loved trying the yogurts and applesauces (many exclaimed \"Yum! and \"I love those.\"), and those snacks have been especially helpful for children who arrive tardy without time for breakfast so they can stay focused through morning lessons. The new headphone rack has become a dependable place to keep lost headphones and to store replacements, which speeds transitions at the tech center and teaches students care for materials. The pocket chart stand has made letter sorts and small‑group activities safer and more accessible at child height, increasing hands‑on practice and participation. \r\n\r\nNext we'll move into narrative writing about bears using our anchor chart routines and the same small‑group structures, while continuing to use tech rotations with headphones for differentiated literacy and counting practice. I'll use these observations to form targeted groups for extra support and enrichment. We are deeply grateful for your generosity. Your support is helping our 24 kindergarten learners build skills, confidence, and joyful classroom routines every day.","fullyFundedDate":1755697263787,"projectUrl":"project/smart-snacks-smarter-spaces-for-our-ki/9554339/","projectTitle":"Smart Snacks & Smarter Spaces for Our Kindergarten Stars","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Brown","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6624684_orig.jpg?crop=444,444,x35,y65&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1708623958699","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/missbrown26"},{"teacherId":7377937,"projectId":9267624,"letterContent":"I cannot thank you enough for your generous donations. It is often difficult to keep students engaged in the last weeks and/or month of school, especially in 5th grade after weeks of state and district testing. However, it seemed as though nothing could get in the way of their willingness and excitement for working in their \"book clubs\" on various activities related to \"Holes\". These activities allowed students to closely read or reread the text, identify themes throughout the story, analyze characters, and make inferences. Students were often having to cite evidence to support their claims, which in turn strengthened their understanding of the story overall. Ultimately, this kind of engagement with text is what allows students to become strong readers. Putting \"Holes\" in their hands, did just that. \r\n\r\nThis experience completely changed the way my students viewed themselves as readers. For my struggling readers, having a book club and other students to discuss various topics and questions with allowed them to feel included, seen, and supported. For my higher readers, \"Holes\" rekindled their love of reading and sparked a curiosity I hadn't seen until now. (Please note that several students asked to take the book home and finished it in a weekend.) This kind of excitement for learning and reading is exactly what fueled my desire to become a teacher. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for making this possible. I cannot wait to read \"Holes\" with my future classes!","fullyFundedDate":1745768013450,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-futures-one-book-at-a-time/9267624/","projectTitle":"Fueling Futures, One Book At A Time","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wences","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7377937_orig.jpg?crop=1067,1067,x0,y323&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746547469299","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7377937"},{"teacherId":6624684,"projectId":9186404,"letterContent":"During the last two months of the school year, your generous donation provided a wonderful variety of snack items for our classroom snack cart, which truly helped us finish the year strong! When the students first saw the boxes filled with snacks, their excitement was contagious—fruit snacks and applesauces quickly became favorites, making snack time a special moment each day.\r\n\r\nHaving these snacks available during recess was a big support for our classroom routine. It was amazing to watch how a simple snack helped students stay focused and energized throughout the day, allowing them to fully engage in their learning and play. I love being able to provide this small but meaningful boost that helps my students stay attentive and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generous support, students were thrilled to see the range of snack items available to them. I wouldn't have been able to provide this without you, and I'm extremely grateful for your kindness and generosity. Looking ahead, I am thrilled to have some snack items left over to help start the new school year strong. Providing snacks during recess will continue to help students stay energized and focused, supporting their well-being and engagement each day.\r\n\r\nThank you again for making these meaningful supports possible. Your generosity fills not only our snack carts but also our students' hearts, helping us build a warm, connected, and joyful classroom community.","fullyFundedDate":1745672083615,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-and-smiles-for-little-ones/9186404/","projectTitle":"Snacks and Smiles for Little Ones","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Brown","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6624684_orig.jpg?crop=444,444,x35,y65&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1708623958699","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/missbrown26"},{"teacherId":6624684,"projectId":9256862,"letterContent":"I had so much fun seeing my students take each item out of their summer buckets as they waited at the gate, eagerly standing by the cart to find the one with their name on it. The buckets were filled with fun, play-focused items—including coloring books that the students got to choose themselves—and a few special donations from parents. This project wasn't just about keeping kids busy over the summer; it was about encouraging creativity, play, and excitement for learning beyond the classroom. After we finished assembling the buckets, the students kept asking when they would get to take them home!\r\n\r\nTo make the buckets extra special, I personalized each one with our school mascot and included a keychain with a photo I took with each student. It was heartwarming to see some students bring their keychains back on the last day, proudly carrying them as keepsakes. One message from a parent touched me deeply—a child cried all night because it was the last day of kindergarten and she would miss me so much. The photo I gave her brought comfort during that difficult moment.\r\n\r\nI was also able to give a bucket to one of my students who transferred schools a few weeks before the year ended. My students were so excited to see her again, and I was happy to send her off with a gift as she started her summer. Another teacher mentioned how nice it was that I made one for her, and I told her that even though this student is no longer at our school, she is still very much part of our school family. Each day, my students take a moment to send well wishes to friends and adults who have moved on, and it's beautiful to see the love we've built in our little classroom community.\r\n\r\nI am incredibly thankful to donors like you who made this project possible. The parents were thrilled to see all the thoughtful items prepared for their children. I genuinely couldn't have done any of this without your support, and I am extremely grateful.\r\nWhile this project wasn't about traditional reading lessons, it reminded me how important it is to connect learning materials to students' lives and emotions. Reading in my classroom isn't just about decoding words—it's about creating joyful experiences and personal connections that encourage a lifelong love of learning. Many students really enjoyed choosing their own coloring books and felt special knowing their bucket was personalized just for them.\r\n\r\nThis summer bucket project showed me how choice, personalization, and community support can deepen student engagement and excitement for learning—even beyond the school year.\r\n\r\nThank you again for supporting projects that bring so much joy and meaning to our students' experiences!","fullyFundedDate":1745674628763,"projectUrl":"project/spreading-sunshine-with-summer-buckets/9256862/","projectTitle":"Spreading Sunshine with Summer Buckets","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Brown","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6624684_orig.jpg?crop=444,444,x35,y65&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1708623958699","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/missbrown26"},{"teacherId":6624684,"projectId":9256926,"letterContent":"With our recent summer bucket project, I saw firsthand how providing students with choice and personalized items can make a big impact. The buckets were filled with fun, play-focused items—including coloring books that students got to select themselves—and a few special donations from parents. This wasn't just about keeping kids busy over the summer; it was about encouraging creativity, play, and excitement for learning beyond the classroom. The students were so eager to take their buckets home that, after we finished assembling them, they kept asking when they could bring them home!\r\n\r\nTo make the buckets extra meaningful, I personalized each one with our school mascot and included a keychain with a photo I took with each student. It was heartwarming to see some students bring their keychains back on the last day, carrying them proudly as a keepsake. One message from a parent especially touched me—she shared that her child cried all night because it was the last day of kindergarten and she would miss me so much. The photo I gave her helped comfort her during that difficult moment.\r\nI am so thankful that donors like you helped to make this project a reality. The parents were so happy to see all of the nice things prepared for their little ones. I wouldn't have been able to do any of it without your support, and I am extremely grateful.\r\n\r\nWhile this project wasn't about traditional reading lessons, it highlights the importance of connecting learning materials to students' lives and emotions. Reading in my classroom isn't just about decoding words; it's about creating joyful experiences and personal connections that encourage students to value books and learning.\r\nMany students really enjoyed selecting their own coloring books and felt special knowing their bucket was made just for them. This project reinforced how choice, personalization, and community support can deepen students' engagement and excitement for learning—even outside the school year.\r\n\r\nThank you again for supporting projects like this that bring so much joy and meaning to our students' experiences!","fullyFundedDate":1745672083710,"projectUrl":"project/buckets-of-fun-for-everyone/9256926/","projectTitle":"Buckets of Fun for Everyone","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Brown","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6624684_orig.jpg?crop=444,444,x35,y65&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1708623958699","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/missbrown26"},{"teacherId":6624684,"projectId":9287449,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our kindergarten culmination photo project! The kids absolutely loved walking around campus in their caps and gowns, proudly marking this special milestone. We were fortunate to use the learning garden, which was in full bloom and made a beautiful setting for their photos. The students beamed with excitement as they saw themselves dressed up—it truly made them feel proud and celebrated.\r\n\r\nYour contributions have allowed us to create lasting keepsakes that families will treasure for years to come. This project has given our students a meaningful way to recognize their accomplishments and build confidence as they prepare to transition to 1st grade.\r\n\r\nIn the classroom, we have been using the photos and related activities to reflect on the year's growth and learning. For example, students have enjoyed sharing their favorite memories of the year, which has encouraged mindfulness, creativity, and a strong sense of community.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, students will continue to share memories and exchange affirmations and compliments with their peers to strengthen our classroom community. We have also been discussing the students and adults who have left our classroom and what lies ahead for them in 1st grade, helping our kindergarteners prepare emotionally for this important transition.\r\n\r\nYour support has truly enriched our students' learning environment and made these special moments possible. We are so grateful for your kindness and commitment to celebrating our kindergarteners' journey!","fullyFundedDate":1746481289443,"projectUrl":"project/hats-off-to-you/9287449/","projectTitle":"Hats Off to You","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Brown","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6624684_orig.jpg?crop=444,444,x35,y65&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1708623958699","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/missbrown26"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_29220","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":446,"numTeachers":22,"percentFrplEligible":93,"percentAsian":6,"percentBlack":8,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":81,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"20.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":77.4,"schoolId":29220,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Ramona Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Ramona Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/bellflower-unified-school-district/ramona-elementary-school/29220"}