{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Smith Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":38.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8714626,"projectId":9472267,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your wonderful gifts to my kindergarten classroom! Your kindness will help our little learners have the best school year ever. My students are so excited about the shiny new pencils and fresh glue sticks you gave us! These special tools have helped them write their letters and names, create beautiful art projects, share their amazing ideas on paper, and feel proud of their neat work. The pencil sharpener you donated is like a superhero helper in our classroom! Now when pencils get dull, we can make them sharp and ready to write. My kindergarteners love practicing their letters and words on whiteboards! The new dry erase markers make learning even more fun. Because of your generous hearts, my kindergarten classroom is ready for a fantastic year of learning! Every time my students pick up a pencil, squeeze some Play-Doh, or write on their whiteboards, they'll be using the special gifts you gave them. Thank you for believing in our young learners and helping them grow into confident, creative students! Your kindness is truly appreciated!","fullyFundedDate":1756325798047,"projectUrl":"project/supplies-for-a-successful-start/9472267/","projectTitle":"Supplies For A Successful Start","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Card","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8714626_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1750797173800","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kinder-card"},{"teacherId":261258,"projectId":9577104,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for your incredible donation of a classroom rug and bean bag chair to our learning community. Your thoughtful contribution has created a transformative impact on our daily classroom experience and has provided students with essential tools for both learning and comfort. The classroom rug has become the heart of our gathering space, serving as our designated area for morning meetings, interactive read-alouds, and collaborative group discussions. Students now have a defined, comfortable space where they can sit together during lessons, participate in educational games, and engage in peer-to-peer learning activities. The soft surface has also proven invaluable for students who benefit from floor-based learning, allowing them to stretch out with their materials during independent work time and providing a calming space for those who need sensory breaks throughout the day.\r\n\r\nThe bean bag chair has quickly become one of the most cherished additions to our classroom environment, offering students a cozy retreat for independent reading and quiet reflection. This flexible seating option has been particularly beneficial for students who struggle with traditional desk chairs, providing them with the comfort and support they need to focus on their learning. I have observed remarkable improvements in student engagement during reading time, as the bean bag creates an inviting atmosphere that encourages students to dive deeper into their books. Additionally, the chair serves as a reward space for students who demonstrate exceptional effort or kindness, and it has become a valuable tool for supporting students who need a moment to regulate their emotions during challenging times. Your generosity has not only enhanced our physical learning space but has also contributed to creating a more inclusive, comfortable, and student-centered classroom where every learner can thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1755295902817,"projectUrl":"project/whole-group-whole-child-learning/9577104/","projectTitle":"Whole Group, Whole Child Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rawlinson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp261258_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754956183342","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/261258"},{"teacherId":8714626,"projectId":9431352,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your wonderful gift to our kindergarten classroom! Our little learners are so excited about the new reading materials you helped us get. You Are Our Reading Heroes! Every day, our kindergarten friends work hard to learn their letters and sounds. With your help, we now have special pouches and containers that keep all our reading games neat and tidy. No more lost puzzle pieces or scattered cards! Your donation has helped us in many ways! Our reading centers stay organized and clean. Students can find all the pieces they need to play learning games. We spend more time reading and less time looking for missing parts. When we read new words or finish a reading game, we will remember how you helped make it possible. From all of us in kindergarten, thank you for believing in our learning. You are helping us grow into strong readers. Your kindness is truly appreciated!","fullyFundedDate":1753458234010,"projectUrl":"project/organized-kindergarten-literacy-centers/9431352/","projectTitle":"Organized Kindergarten Literacy Centers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Card","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8714626_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1750797173800","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kinder-card"},{"teacherId":3664530,"projectId":9480870,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donation to our classroom. Our pet gecko is thriving in his new enclosure with his new items. He is able to stay at school full time now with his new refrigerator!\r\nThe students in the whole school come visit him and he is a great reward for good behavior. Students have learned about taking care of him and making sure he has all of the things he needs.\r\nWe are so thankful for your generous donation to help us continue to make learning fun and engaging for all students. Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1753975179289,"projectUrl":"project/lets-gecko-ing-part-2/9480870/","projectTitle":"Let’s Gecko-ing Part 2","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Recinos","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3664530_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1472777579837","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/misstwarog"},{"teacherId":7465419,"projectId":9405957,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating to my Kindergarten classroom. Your donation has made a significant impact on our learning environment. The new alphabet puzzles and games have not only enhanced our educational resources but have also brought an added dimension of joy and excitement to our daily activities.\r\nMastering letters and sounds is a crucial first step in a child's reading journey. The materials you've provided are instrumental in keeping our Kindergarteners engaged in this vital process. Your contribution has helped create an atmosphere where learning feels like play, which is incredibly valuable at this age.","fullyFundedDate":1751452381099,"projectUrl":"project/alphabet-puzzles-and-games/9405957/","projectTitle":"Alphabet Puzzles and Games","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Monfredo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7465419_orig.png?crop=272,272,x0,y123&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1623261834770","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsmonfredo"},{"teacherId":7465419,"projectId":9449095,"letterContent":"Thank you for donating to my Kindergarten classroom. Your support has made a significant impact on our learning environment and the educational experiences of my students.\r\nStudents are eagerly exploring the new ABC books, enhancing their literacy skills and expanding their knowledge in the classroom library. The ABC games have become a highlight of independent literacy time. It's wonderful to see my students enthusiastically finding letters and matching uppercase to lowercase, reinforcing their alphabet recognition in a fun and engaging way. My students love using the dot marker book! It helps them to practice both fine and large motor skills. It's amazing how such a simple tool can bring so much joy while supporting their development.\r\nThank you again for your kindness and for making these educational opportunities possible.","fullyFundedDate":1751943649208,"projectUrl":"project/abc-books-and-games/9449095/","projectTitle":"ABC Books and Games","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Monfredo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7465419_orig.png?crop=272,272,x0,y123&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1623261834770","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsmonfredo"},{"teacherId":7465419,"projectId":9412815,"letterContent":"I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for your generous donation to my Kindergarten classroom. Your thoughtful contribution has made a significant impact on our learning environment. The white paper and cactus decorations have transformed our classroom into a warm and inviting space. The new read-aloud books have captivated my students' attention and fostered a love for literature. My Kindergarteners absolutely adore being read to, and these new additions have brought fresh excitement to our daily reading. The seat sacks have greatly improved our classroom organization, helping my students keep their materials tidy and easily accessible.\r\nThank you again for your kindness and support. It truly means the world to our classroom community.","fullyFundedDate":1750255550426,"projectUrl":"project/getting-ready-for-the-beginning-of-the-y/9412815/","projectTitle":"Getting Ready for the Beginning of the Year","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Monfredo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7465419_orig.png?crop=272,272,x0,y123&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1623261834770","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsmonfredo"},{"teacherId":7465419,"projectId":9249501,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the wonderful supplies you donated to our Kindergarten classroom! The chart paper, pencils, and crayons have made such a big difference in our learning environment. The chart paper is used to helps us display our work around the classroom. The pencils are used for daily writing and math work. The crayons are used to create beautiful illustrations for our stories. \r\nBecause of your kindness, our students are more excited about learning. When they have the right tools, they can focus on their work instead of worrying about supplies. Your donation shows them that people in our community care about their education.","fullyFundedDate":1748115301090,"projectUrl":"project/supplies-supplies-supplies/9249501/","projectTitle":"Supplies, Supplies, Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Monfredo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7465419_orig.png?crop=272,272,x0,y123&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1623261834770","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsmonfredo"},{"teacherId":6891974,"projectId":9120520,"letterContent":"One of the most loved tools in our classroom has been the Lakeshore Touch & Read CVC phonics game. This interactive game helps students blend sounds to form simple words using tactile learning—perfect for early readers who benefit from a multi-sensory approach. Over the years, this game has been used and loved by so many students that it's now in need of replacement.\r\nFor many of my students, reading begins to fall apart when they encounter longer words. They simply don't know how to break them down or decode them. That's where the new syllable version of Touch & Read becomes a vital tool. It provides guided, hands-on practice for dividing and decoding multisyllabic words. The tactile, game-like structure reinforces foundational literacy skills in a way that feels like play, not work. \r\nThe pocket charts are versatile, durable tools that allow for sorting, building words, sequencing, matching sounds, and much more. The possibilities with pocket charts are truly endless.","fullyFundedDate":1745846969202,"projectUrl":"project/playing-to-learn/9120520/","projectTitle":"Playing to Learn","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ballard","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6891974_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1573191230843","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/b-ballard"},{"teacherId":6891974,"projectId":9125741,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, I am able to create a classroom environment that is not only organized and engaging but one that also celebrates effort and growth. The zipper pouches have completely transformed the way I organize my hands-on phonics activities. These pouches allow me to label and separate each activity, preventing materials from getting mixed up and making it easy to quickly grab what I need during small-group instruction. \r\nThe smaller zipper pouches have become a way to motivate and reward students for their hard work. I tell my students, \"You earn stickers by showing effort.\" It's not about being perfect—it's about trying. Many of my fifth graders have taken this to heart, and I've noticed them trying to store their earned stickers in their name tag holders just to keep them safe. Thanks to these new pouches, students now have a special place of their own to store their hard-earned stickers. \r\nWith the power strip you've helped provide, we can now safely charge the four iPads in our classroom. This power strip not only allows us to charge all the devices at once, but it also protects them from power surges that could damage our limited technology. \r\nFinally, the sticky tabs have added another layer of independence for my students during reading response activities. This keeps our materials neat, saves time, and helps students take ownership of their workspaces. Having clear, simple systems in place gives them the confidence to focus on the task instead of the logistics.","fullyFundedDate":1747229541708,"projectUrl":"project/an-organized-place-for-materials/9125741/","projectTitle":"An Organized Place for Materials","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ballard","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6891974_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1573191230843","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/b-ballard"},{"teacherId":6891974,"projectId":9124457,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support in helping bring both Squishmallows and whisper phones into my reading classroom. These items have made an impact on their academic development as well as their emotional well-being and motivation to succeed. The whisper phones have been a huge hit with my younger students. They ask to use them constantly! These simple tools allow them to hear their own voices clearly as they read, helping them improve fluency, pronunciation, and expression while learning to control their volume. These phones have helped create a quieter, more effective learning environment and a sense of pride in their reading practice.\r\n\r\nThe Squishmallows have been both a reading reward and emotional support tool. I am thrilled to share that several of my students have exited intervention groups after meeting benchmark expectations. For students who have struggled for so long, this growth is monumental—and they deserve to be recognized and celebrated. Squishmallows have become a beloved reward and a powerful symbol of success in our classroom. Students light up when they see one displayed, knowing they could earn it by working hard and reaching a goal.","fullyFundedDate":1746554247655,"projectUrl":"project/squishmallows-rewards-for-academic-succ/9124457/","projectTitle":"Squishmallows: Rewards for Academic Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ballard","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6891974_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1573191230843","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/b-ballard"},{"teacherId":6891974,"projectId":9028311,"letterContent":"I want to express my sincere gratitude for your generous donation of a new magnetic whiteboard to our classroom. Before receiving the new whiteboard, our limited board space made it challenging to fully implement these lessons. The board was so crowded that students often had difficulty moving the magnetic pieces around, which made it hard for them to fully engage with the material without interrupted the flow of instruction.\r\nWith the addition of the new whiteboard, all of that has changed. We have ample room to lay out the complete alphabet, digraphs, and word-building materials without cramping or overlap. Students have the physical space needed to manipulate them as they learn. This hands-on approach is essential for struggling readers. Physically moving magnetic letters to build and change words helps them understand how sounds blend together and how words are constructed. It takes abstract phonics concepts and turns them into something tangible and accessible.\r\nThe impact has been immediate and powerful. Students are more engaged, more confident, and more eager to participate. They are excited to come to their reading groups, knowing they will get to interact with materials in a meaningful way.","fullyFundedDate":1745008623366,"projectUrl":"project/whiteboard-for-interactive-phonics/9028311/","projectTitle":"Whiteboard for Interactive Phonics","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ballard","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6891974_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1573191230843","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/b-ballard"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_43736","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":507,"numTeachers":36,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":10,"percentWhite":10,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":69,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"14.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":61.4,"schoolId":43736,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Smith Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Smith Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/connecticut/consolidated-school-district-of-new-britain/smith-elementary-school/43736"}