{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Sioux Valley Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":28.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10482715,"projectId":10206021,"letterContent":"want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generosity and for the incredible impact you have made in our classroom. Your support means so much to me and my students, and I hope you know how much of a difference you are making in our learning community. Having the resources and opportunities to bring meaningful reading experiences into the classroom is something I truly appreciate, and I am so thankful for your willingness to invest in our students and their growth.\r\n\r\nThis school year has already been off to a wonderful start, and one of the highlights has been beginning the year by reading Restart by Gordon Korman together as a class. It was such a great experience! The book immediately captured my students' attention and gave us so many opportunities to talk about important themes, including friendship, kindness, identity, second chances, and the choices we make. My students enjoyed following the story, discussing the characters, making predictions, and thinking about how people can change and grow. It was exciting to see them become invested in the book and look forward to finding out what would happen next. Even more meaningful were the conversations that developed as we explored the story together. Reading Restart was not only an enjoyable way to begin the school year, but it also helped us build connections, strengthen our classroom community, and think more deeply about how we treat others.\r\n\r\nI am also excited to share that we have taken our reading adventures a step further! Some of my students who are in a high reading group have now begun a book study of their own. This is such an exciting opportunity for them because it allows them to explore literature in greater depth, challenge themselves as readers, and engage in thoughtful conversations about what they are reading. Through our book study, students have the chance to analyze characters, discuss themes, make connections, ask questions, and share their interpretations with one another. They are learning that reading is about so much more than simply getting through the pages of a book. It is about thinking critically, exploring new perspectives, and discovering ideas that can stay with us long after we finish reading.\r\n\r\nWatching students become excited about books and take ownership of their learning is one of the most rewarding parts of being a teacher. When students have access to engaging reading materials and opportunities that meet their needs, they can grow in confidence, develop stronger reading skills, and discover just how much they are capable of achieving. Seeing my students embrace these experiences reminds me why creating a classroom filled with curiosity, meaningful learning, and a love of reading is so important.\r\n\r\nYour generosity helps make these experiences possible. Because of supporters like you, I can provide my students with opportunities to learn, explore, and grow in ways that reach beyond the traditional classroom lesson. Your kindness is helping us create an environment where students feel encouraged to challenge themselves, share their ideas, and develop a deeper appreciation for reading. These opportunities may begin with a book, but their impact can extend much further by helping students build confidence, strengthen relationships, and develop skills that will benefit them for years to come.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our classroom and for recognizing the importance of supporting students and teachers. Your generosity is a reminder that there are people who care deeply about education and want to help students succeed. I am truly grateful for your willingness to be part of our journey this school year.\r\n\r\nPlease know that your contribution is appreciated more than words can fully express. I look forward to seeing where our reading adventures take us next and to sharing more of our classroom successes with you. Thank you for helping make learning meaningful, engaging, and memorable for my students. We are so fortunate to have your support, and I am excited about all the wonderful things still to come!","fullyFundedDate":1779455985326,"projectUrl":"project/books-that-build-bright-minds/10206021/","projectTitle":"Books That Build Bright Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Schreurs","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10482715_orig.jpg?crop=2480,2480,x0,y983&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1776793260012","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10482715"},{"teacherId":10426473,"projectId":10086530,"letterContent":"The novel study packets had a meaningful impact on my 5th graders by increasing both their engagement with reading and their overall comprehension skills. Students became more confident in discussing characters, themes, and plot development because the packets encouraged them to think critically and respond thoughtfully to what they read.\r\n\r\nThe structured activities helped students stay organized and focused while reading independently and in groups. Many students showed growth in their ability to cite text evidence, make predictions, and explain their thinking in writing. The packets also supported vocabulary development and strengthened reading stamina by guiding students through longer texts in manageable sections.\r\n\r\nIn addition to academic growth, the novel studies encouraged collaboration and deeper classroom discussions. Students were more willing to share opinions, ask questions, and connect the stories to their own experiences. Overall, the packets created a more interactive reading environment and helped foster a stronger appreciation for literature among my 5th graders.","fullyFundedDate":1771218485151,"projectUrl":"project/engaging-novel-study-packets/10086530/","projectTitle":"Engaging Novel Study Packets","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wudtke","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10426473"},{"teacherId":10426473,"projectId":10077536,"letterContent":"Our new classroom books have made a meaningful difference in how my students experience reading every day. These texts have allowed us to go beyond simply reading words on a page and instead focus on building essential skills like comprehension, vocabulary development, and critical thinking. Students are practicing how to make predictions, identify themes, and connect stories to their own lives—skills that help them grow not just as readers, but as thoughtful learners.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is an active, engaging process. You might see students gathered in small groups discussing characters, independently exploring books that match their interests, or listening closely during read-aloud time while making connections and asking questions. The new books have helped create a classroom environment where reading feels exciting and accessible for every student.\r\n\r\nSeveral students in particular have really come alive as readers with these new texts. Some who were previously hesitant are now eager to pick up a book and share what they've discovered. Others are diving deeper into stories, showing increased confidence and enthusiasm during discussions. It's been especially rewarding to see students find books that reflect their interests and experiences, this connection has made reading more meaningful and motivating for them.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, my students are not only improving their reading skills but also developing a genuine love of books. Thank you for helping create these opportunities for growth and joy in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1770040658079,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-novels-and-connection-to-my-cla/10077536/","projectTitle":"Bringing Novels and Connection To My Class","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wudtke","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10426473"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_91764","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":339,"numTeachers":21,"percentFrplEligible":14,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":90,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":4,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":3,"gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"16.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_DISTANT"},"inStateSupporters":71.4,"schoolId":91764,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Sioux Valley Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Sioux Valley Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/south-dakota/sioux-valley-school-district-5-5/sioux-valley-school/91764"}