{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Ridgecrest Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":21.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":479637,"projectId":6605479,"letterContent":"The addition of our new science materials— including a microscope, prepared slides, hand magnifiers, and our butterfly nursery—has transformed curiosity into hands-on discovery for my kindergarten students. Instead of simply hearing about the world around them, my students are now able to see it up close.\r\n\r\nThe microscope and slides have opened their eyes to an entirely new level of detail. They crowd around in excitement, taking turns to look at tiny structures they never knew existed. For many of them, it's the first time they've experienced real scientific tools, and it makes them feel like true scientists.\r\n\r\nOur butterfly nursery has been one of the most magical additions. Each day the children rush into the classroom to check on the caterpillars, observe changes, and record what they see. Watching the life cycle unfold in real time has sparked questions, conversations, and a sense of responsibility as they care for the insects.\r\n\r\nHand magnifiers have become a staple during outdoor exploration. Students now eagerly search for leaves, rocks, and insects to examine more closely. These tools have encouraged language development, collaboration, critical thinking, and a deeper connection to nature.\r\n\r\nOverall, these materials have created a richer, more engaging science experience in our classroom. They have helped my young learners become active investigators, confident explorers, and joyful participants in the scientific process. My students are learning that science isn't just something in a book—it's something they can touch, observe, and wonder about every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1660080051009,"projectUrl":"project/little-scientists/6605479/","projectTitle":"Little Scientists","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lee","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp479637_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1556200683138","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-hendrix"},{"teacherId":479637,"projectId":9529293,"letterContent":"The addition of new phonics-based independent workstation materials has made a tremendous difference in my kindergarten classroom. Tools such as find-and-write CVC word cards, write-and-wipe word ladders, touch-and-read sight-word sentence matches, alphabet-matching ice cream cones, and dedicated writing paper have transformed our literacy block into a highly engaging, hands-on learning environment. My students are now able to practice essential early-reading skills in meaningful, fun ways that build their confidence as readers and writers.\r\n\r\nThese materials allow my young learners to work independently while still receiving the structured practice they need. They can manipulate letters, decode simple words, form sentences, and strengthen phonemic awareness—all through developmentally appropriate activities that feel like play. The fidget tools have also had a positive impact, helping students who need movement or sensory input stay focused and successful during workstations.\r\n\r\nSince adding these materials, I have seen stronger engagement, smoother transitions, and much more enthusiasm for reading activities. Students who were hesitant to try writing or decoding are now eagerly choosing these stations and celebrating their progress. These resources have helped create a classroom where every child feels capable, supported, and excited about learning to read.","fullyFundedDate":1758834824817,"projectUrl":"project/phonics-fun-for-everyone/9529293/","projectTitle":"Phonics Fun for Everyone","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lee","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp479637_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1556200683138","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-hendrix"},{"teacherId":479637,"projectId":9492988,"letterContent":"Our new classroom rug, vacuum, and color tiles have transformed the way our kindergarten class learns, moves, and interacts each day. The rug has become the heart of our classroom—a cozy, welcoming space where students gather for read-alouds, morning meetings, and whole-group lessons. With clear, colorful sections, the rug helps students understand personal space, stay organized, and focus better during instruction.\r\n\r\nThe vacuum has been a surprising game-changer. With 5- and 6-year-olds, crumbs, tiny scraps, and dirt add up quickly. Being able to clean our rug and learning areas daily has kept our classroom healthier, fresher, and more comfortable. Students are even taking pride in keeping our shared space tidy because they see how clean and inviting it stays.\r\n\r\nThe color tiles have improved our transitions and behavior management tremendously. Each child has an assigned color tile to stand on during line-ups, movement activities, and centers. This simple tool has reduced crowding, eliminated arguing over spots, and taught students independence and responsibility. Our lines are straighter, transitions are faster, and students feel confident knowing exactly where to go.\r\n\r\nTogether, these items have created a more peaceful, organized, and joyful learning environment. My kinders can focus, collaborate, and feel proud of their classroom—and that has made all the difference.","fullyFundedDate":1759325304937,"projectUrl":"project/a-rug-a-tile-a-smile/9492988/","projectTitle":"A Rug, a Tile, a Smile!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lee","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp479637_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1556200683138","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-hendrix"},{"teacherId":8804334,"projectId":9487587,"letterContent":"On behalf of my students and myself, I want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation of school supplies. These resources have already made a meaningful difference in our classroom.\r\n\r\nWe've been putting the materials to good use during our current dyslexia intervention lessons. For example, the new supplies allowed us to create interactive group activities and work hands-on with the content. One special moment that stood out was seeing a group of students proudly use their markers to play are fluency hopscotch game. Something that would have been difficult without your support.\r\n\r\nWhen the supplies first arrived, my students' faces lit up with excitement. Many of them couldn't wait to open the boxes and explore what was inside. They immediately began brainstorming how they could use the materials, and their enthusiasm turned our classroom into a place buzzing with energy and creativity.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we plan to build on this momentum by using these resources for our upcoming decoding lesson. Having these tools ensures that every child has what they need to participate fully and confidently, and it helps them see that their hard work matters.\r\n\r\nThank you again for investing in my students' learning. Your generosity not only provided supplies, but also inspired joy, curiosity, and confidence in the classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1754157600501,"projectUrl":"project/sensoryliteracy-items/9487587/","projectTitle":"Sensory/Literacy Items","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8804334_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1667261752103","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8804334"},{"teacherId":8804334,"projectId":9254590,"letterContent":"Thank you for choosing to support my students. The students are always excited to use new materials such as being the first to use the word mapping mats. They also love getting their own materials that belong to only them such as their new writing notebooks. What makes these writing notebooks so special is the lines are made for students learning correct letter formation and they also have raised grids which make them tactile that helps with multi sensory learning.My next steps with this project is to give my new students their notebooks at the beginning of the school year in August. I will also incorporate the new dry erase sound mapping map when we learn syllable division. Thank you donor community.","fullyFundedDate":1746070208495,"projectUrl":"project/accessible-notebooks/9254590/","projectTitle":"Accessible Notebooks","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8804334_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1667261752103","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8804334"},{"teacherId":8804334,"projectId":9244695,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donations. The new books allow assist in teaching my students specific phonics skills by introducing words that target specific sounds and books with high frequency words. In our class we read to improve different reading skills such as decoding, fluency, \r\nvocabulary, and reading comprehension. \r\n\r\nSome students enjoy the books as read aloud and some students enjoy reading the books themselves. I enjoy all my students being engaged with what they are learning. We appreciate all the support from our donors.","fullyFundedDate":1744253088092,"projectUrl":"project/phonics-text-connections/9244695/","projectTitle":"Phonics Text Connections","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8804334_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1667261752103","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8804334"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_17611","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":722,"numTeachers":52,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":3,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":91,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"13.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":78.8,"schoolId":17611,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Ridgecrest Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Ridgecrest Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/spring-branch-independent-school-district/ridgecrest-elementary-school/17611"}