{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Smalley Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":45.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8494788,"projectId":9685940,"letterContent":"These supplies have been lifesavers—literally! With cold and flu season hitting hard, students have been using the tissues, hand sanitizer, and wipes every day. One moment that stood out was during a group project when students naturally grabbed wipes to clean their tables before working together. It kept everyone healthier and helped our classroom run smoothly.\r\nThey were relieved and grateful. Many students commented that it felt good knowing we had plenty of tissues and sanitizer \"just in case.\" It gave them a sense of comfort and safety during a time when lots of sickness was going around.\r\nAs we continue our collaborative activities and hands-on projects, these supplies will keep students healthy and able to stay in school and participate. Having a clean, well-stocked classroom makes it easier for them to focus, work together, and stay on track with learning.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping us stay healthy and ready to learn during a tough season!","fullyFundedDate":1762266350878,"projectUrl":"project/clean-classroom/9685940/","projectTitle":"Clean Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mazzarella","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8494788_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755750437978","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8494788"},{"teacherId":8494788,"projectId":9401127,"letterContent":"The new toolboxes, pencil sharpener, and organizational supplies have transformed our classroom routines. Students started the year by setting up their personal toolboxes, and it was wonderful to see how carefully they arranged their materials. Having everything organized has helped them start each activity focused and prepared.\r\nThey were so excited—especially about the sturdy toolboxes and the \"fancy\" pencil sharpener! Several students said it felt like they were in a \"real workspace,\" and they loved having their own organized setup.\r\nAs we begin our early-year projects, these organization tools will help students move smoothly through group work, writing tasks, and goal-setting activities. Everything has a place now, and it's already making our classroom calmer, cleaner, and more productive.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving us such a strong, organized start to the year!","fullyFundedDate":1755732124643,"projectUrl":"project/welcome-to-first-grade/9401127/","projectTitle":"Welcome To First Grade!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mazzarella","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8494788_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755750437978","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8494788"},{"teacherId":9335776,"projectId":9398551,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our DonorsChoose project. Your kindness has made a meaningful difference in our first-grade classroom of multilingual learners, and we are incredibly grateful.\r\n\r\nBecause of your donation, our students now have wonderful new materials that will enrich their learning every day. The Melissa & Doug Safari Buddies Hand Puppets (elephant, tiger, parrot, giraffe, monkey, and zebra) are already helping students practice language, storytelling, and social interaction in ways that feel playful, safe, and exciting. For multilingual learners, having tools that encourage speaking and confidence is invaluable, and these puppets are already making that happen.\r\n\r\nThe $100 gift card for educational resources from Teachers Pay Teachers allows me to provide highly targeted lessons, visuals, and interactive activities designed specifically for language development. These resources help tailor instruction to each learner's needs and give them more opportunities to succeed.\r\n\r\nWe also deeply appreciate the Brother INKvestment Tank Ink Cartridges, which allow us to print materials, visuals, anchor charts, student work, and supports that bring learning to life in colorful and accessible ways. Having reliable printing supplies is a game-changer in a classroom with diverse language needs.\r\n\r\nYour generosity provides more than supplies — it provides confidence, access, inclusion, and joy in learning. My students feel seen, supported, and excited because someone they've never met believes in them.\r\n\r\nOn behalf of myself and all of my amazing first-grade multilingual learners, thank you for investing in our classroom and helping every child grow.","fullyFundedDate":1756325800683,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-hearts-open-language-learnin/9398551/","projectTitle":"Hands-On, Hearts Open: Language, Learning, and Joy for Multilingual Learners!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cipolla","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9335776_orig.jpg?crop=1170,1170,x0,y128&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1705076616374","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9335776"},{"teacherId":9335776,"projectId":9682191,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my DonorsChoose project and investing in the success of my first-grade multilingual learners. Your generosity provided our classroom with the Snap & Build CVC Words from Lakeshore Learning, a Large Display Digital Wall Clock with RGB color-changing features, an Artificial Fall Lighted Maple Tree with 24 LEDs, and the BAYSING Wooden Magnetic Sight Word Fishing Game with alphabet fish for hands-on literacy practice.\r\n\r\nThese materials have already begun transforming our learning environment. The CVC building set and magnetic fishing game offer my students fun, multisensory ways to practice phonics and build foundational reading skills. The large digital clock helps us keep routines clear and consistent—something especially helpful for multilingual learners building language around time and schedules. And our new maple tree adds a warm, calming glow that makes our classroom feel welcoming, safe, and full of joy.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, my students have more opportunities to engage, communicate, and learn with confidence. You have given them tools that spark curiosity, support language development, and make each day brighter—literally and figuratively.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and helping create a classroom where they can thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1763577695532,"projectUrl":"project/a-calm-and-creative-classroom-for-growin/9682191/","projectTitle":"A Calm and Creative Classroom for Growing Multilingual Minds!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cipolla","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9335776_orig.jpg?crop=1170,1170,x0,y128&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1705076616374","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9335776"},{"teacherId":9335776,"projectId":9410862,"letterContent":"I want to give a huge thank you for supporting my classroom this year! My first grade multilingual learners were so excited to use the new materials! \r\nAs a resource teacher, I work with many small groups all day long, so the ability to adjust my lessons with materials that meet their needs is essential. The stack and build phonics flip books have been a huge hit with my students. They love building words by looking at the photos and finding the tiles to spell the words. It is a huge bonus that there are multiple levels, so as they learn, they can advance to a higher color. \r\nThe CVC words spelling game has also been a crowd pleaser. My students love the photos and the color coded tiles. They are having fun while learning to read, and that is amazing!\r\nThese are just a couple of examples of materials that we are enjoying thanks to your generosity. We appreciate you!","fullyFundedDate":1756325799797,"projectUrl":"project/lighting-the-way-to-literacy-for-multili/9410862/","projectTitle":"Lighting the Way to Literacy for Multilingual Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cipolla","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9335776_orig.jpg?crop=1170,1170,x0,y128&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1705076616374","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9335776"},{"teacherId":9359029,"projectId":9082888,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom! Your donations of laminating sheets, sensory toys, and books have already made such a positive impact on our students' learning environment.\r\n\r\nThe laminating sheets help us preserve important classroom materials and student work, so we can use them again and again. The sensory toys have been a wonderful addition, providing students with tools to help them focus, self-regulate, and feel calm throughout the day. And the new books have sparked excitement and curiosity—students can't wait to explore new stories and ideas!\r\n\r\nYour kindness and generosity remind our class that there are people who truly care about their education and success. Thank you for helping us create a space that is engaging, inclusive, and full of joy.","fullyFundedDate":1746554245790,"projectUrl":"project/cool-and-calm/9082888/","projectTitle":"Cool and Calm","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Butler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9359029"},{"teacherId":2066058,"projectId":9378316,"letterContent":"Thanks to our generous donors, our classroom now has the storage materials we desperately needed! The new shelves, bins, drawers, and baskets have transformed the way our students interact with our STEAM supplies. Now, students can easily find the tools they need for building, experimenting, and creating, which allows them to spend more time learning and less time searching or cleaning up.\r\n\r\nThe first time my students saw the organized cubes and rolling carts, their excitement was contagious! They immediately began using the bins to sort and store their materials, proudly taking responsibility for keeping their projects and supplies neat. During one engineering challenge, students were able to quickly gather exactly what they needed and start building without delays. It was incredible to see them collaborate more effectively and stay focused on problem-solving because the clutter no longer distracted them.\r\n\r\nThese materials are already supporting greater independence, creativity, and critical thinking in our classroom. Next, students will continue to use the organized space for upcoming STEAM challenges, where they'll design, test, and refine their projects with even more efficiency. By providing a clean and accessible learning environment, this donation has opened up new opportunities for exploration and innovation for every student.","fullyFundedDate":1750774761713,"projectUrl":"project/steam-dreams-organizing-our-space-to-sp/9378316/","projectTitle":"STEAM Dreams: Organizing Our Space to Spark Innovation!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Woodward","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2066058_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1559255634332","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/nwoodward127"},{"teacherId":2066058,"projectId":9104982,"letterContent":"This project has had an incredible impact on my students' learning. The new Dash robot tools—the Gripper, Whiteboard Mat, Sketch Kit, and Launcher—have transformed our classroom into a hub of creativity, problem-solving, and hands-on exploration. Students are excited to design challenges where Dash can pick up objects, draw shapes, and launch balls, which helps them understand coding, engineering, math, and physics in a tangible, playful way.\r\n\r\nWhat excites my students most is seeing their ideas come to life through Dash. They love experimenting with new tools, testing hypotheses, and refining their coding sequences to achieve the results they want. This trial-and-error process builds perseverance, encourages collaboration, and helps students see themselves as engineers, artists, and problem-solvers.\r\n\r\nSeveral students who were initially hesitant about coding have especially warmed to this technology. For example, some students who struggled with attention or confidence have become leaders in their groups, guiding peers through coding challenges and celebrating their shared successes. These tools have not only enhanced learning but also boosted students' confidence, engagement, and teamwork skills in ways that go far beyond the screen.\r\n\r\nThanks to Dalio Education and our generous donors, my students now experience coding as an interactive, creative, and empowering part of their learning journey.","fullyFundedDate":1748115301708,"projectUrl":"project/dash-robot-power-up-accessory-drive/9104982/","projectTitle":"Dash Robot Power-Up: Accessory Drive!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Woodward","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2066058_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1559255634332","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/nwoodward127"},{"teacherId":2066058,"projectId":9430516,"letterContent":"When our new supplies arrived, my students were so excited to see that we now had everything we needed to keep our classroom clean, safe, and ready for learning. Right away, they noticed the disinfecting wipes and tissues and began reminding each other to \"take care of our space.\" During a messy art project with paint and recycled materials, students used the baby wipes and paper towels to clean up on their own—showing real independence and responsibility.\r\n\r\nThe screen cleaner and compressed air have already made a big difference in caring for our devices. My students use laptops and tablets every day for coding, research, and design work, and they love being able to help keep them working their best. When they first saw the air duster in action, they thought it was \"magic\" that cleaned out the keyboards! These tools have not only kept our technology functioning but have also helped students learn how to respect and maintain the resources they use.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our STEAM classroom feels healthier and more organized. Students are learning that part of being a good scientist, engineer, or artist is also being responsible for their work environment. As we move into our next big design challenge, students are already talking about how to keep their materials and tools clean so they can focus on creativity and collaboration. Your support has given them both the resources and the mindset to take pride in their learning space—thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1756325802130,"projectUrl":"project/mission-clean-possible/9430516/","projectTitle":"Mission: Clean Possible","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Woodward","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2066058_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1559255634332","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/nwoodward127"},{"teacherId":2066058,"projectId":9430515,"letterContent":"When our new bee-themed materials arrived, my students could hardly contain their excitement. The moment I pulled out the child-sized beekeeping suit, hands shot up with eager volunteers ready to try it on. Right away, they began role-playing as scientists—taking turns pretending to check the hive, share bee facts, and explain their \"discoveries\" to classmates. It was amazing to see their natural curiosity transform into imaginative, hands-on learning.\r\n\r\nThe bee puppet and life cycle puzzle have become staples in our STEAM lessons. Students use the puppet to act out how bees communicate through their \"waggle dance,\" and the puzzle helps them sequence and retell the life cycle in their own words. The LEGO beekeeper set has been a favorite during our building challenges, where students collaborate to design their own pollinator-friendly environments.\r\n\r\nOne of the most powerful moments was during a recent observation of our live hive. A student noticed the bees bringing in bright orange pollen and, using the puppet and suit, she confidently explained to the class what was happening. Her pride and excitement were contagious, and her classmates leaned in with more thoughtful questions.\r\n\r\nNext, our students will be working on designing pollinator gardens to support real bees in our community. These new tools have given them the knowledge and confidence to connect their classroom learning to the outside world, and they're eager to take the next step as environmental stewards.","fullyFundedDate":1754506738454,"projectUrl":"project/steam-is-buzzing-exploring-bees-through/9430515/","projectTitle":"STEAM Is Buzzing: Exploring Bees Through Hands-On Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Woodward","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2066058_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1559255634332","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/nwoodward127"},{"teacherId":2066058,"projectId":9371202,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom has been transformed into a space where creativity and technology come together in exciting new ways. The stylus pens and Procreate guidebook have given my students the tools they need to bring their artistic visions to life with confidence. Instead of feeling frustrated when their fingers couldn't make the lines they wanted, students are now drawing with precision and pride. The book has helped them discover new techniques step-by-step, and they are quickly building their digital art skills while feeling like real illustrators.\r\n\r\nOne of the most exciting parts for my students has been printing their finished artwork. The Epson EcoTank printer has allowed them to see their digital creations become something tangible they can hold, share, or even turn into custom stickers. For many students, this was the first time they could take a design from the screen and transform it into something real—and the joy on their faces was unforgettable. They love trading stickers with one another, decorating their folders, and displaying their printed work around the classroom.\r\n\r\nI've also noticed that some students who are usually hesitant to participate in art activities have really opened up with these tools. One student who often struggled with fine motor tasks now beams with excitement when using the stylus, because it gives them better control and helps them succeed where they once felt discouraged. Watching students' confidence grow as they proudly share their art has been the most rewarding part of this project.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving my students the chance to feel like true artists and designers. Your support is not only helping them develop creativity and technology skills but also building confidence that will carry into all areas of their learning.","fullyFundedDate":1748115301582,"projectUrl":"project/styluses-and-stickers-designing-the-fut/9371202/","projectTitle":"Styluses and Stickers: Designing the Future With Digital Tools","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Woodward","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2066058_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1559255634332","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/nwoodward127"},{"teacherId":10069583,"projectId":9445970,"letterContent":"On behalf of our School, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation. Your support plays an invaluable role in helping us create a vibrant and enriching educational environment for our students.\r\nThanks to your kindness, these students are equipped with the tools they need to succeed and thrive in their education. We truly appreciate your commitment to supporting our school, and we are grateful for the difference you are making in the lives of these students. \r\nYour generosity sets an inspiring example, and we look forward to continuing this important work with your support. The students thanks you for everything that you did to them.","fullyFundedDate":1756325798845,"projectUrl":"project/supplies-for-a-great-start/9445970/","projectTitle":"Supplies for a Great Start","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nebby Sanchez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10069583"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_43735","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":594,"numTeachers":44,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":8,"percentWhite":7,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":77,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"13.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":54.9,"schoolId":43735,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Smalley Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Smalley Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/connecticut/consolidated-school-district-of-new-britain/smalley-academy/43735"}