{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Smith Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":38.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9814508,"projectId":9924661,"letterContent":"I wanted to start off by sincerely thanking you for contributing to my classroom and donating these materials to my students. Overtime, I have learned the importance of having tangible items for students to earn throughout the day. Stickers have always been a big hit with my kiddos and thanks to you they have a plethora to choose from now. They love going through the sticker bin and picking out their favorite one to put on their badge, the back of their hand, or their t-shirt. We use the stickers for individual token systems, our classroom group contingency token system, and completion of whole-group lessons. The stickers have helped students to maintain engagement, stay on-task, reduce challenging behaviors, and encourage one another to earn them individually or as a group. I have seen a positive impact on all students since upgrading our sticker bin! We cannot thank you enough for this contribution and the way it has positively impacted our classroom. Thank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1767098766889,"projectUrl":"project/one-small-sticker-boost-of-confidence/9924661/","projectTitle":"One Small Sticker = Boost of Confidence","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Amanda","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9814508_orig.jpg?crop=398,398,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1763654607989","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-amanda-nieves"},{"teacherId":8714626,"projectId":9747952,"letterContent":"I want to say a big THANK YOU for giving my kindergarten classroom Let's Find Out magazines! Every week, my kindergarteners look forward to reading these special magazines. They have helped my students learn so much! The magazines helped us read and understand new words and stories and feel happy and safe by reading about kids like us. My students love learning about science with animals, plants, and nature and learning about our world through fun facts and pictures. Your gift gave my students something very special. Now they love to read! They ask for the magazines every week. They talk about what they learned at home with their families. These magazines showed my kindergarteners that reading and learning are fun and exciting. Thank you for believing in my students. Thank you for helping me build a classroom full of curious, happy readers. Your kindness is truly appreciated!","fullyFundedDate":1768582355314,"projectUrl":"project/discover-the-world-with-lets-find-out-m/9747952/","projectTitle":"Discover the World with Let's Find Out Magazines!","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":9997295,"projectId":9932201,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our students now have individual dry erase markers to use on their whiteboards during math instruction—and it has truly transformed our classroom learning experience.\r\n\r\nWe are using the markers every single day during whole-group, small-group, and partner math time. One powerful moment happened during a recent multiplication lesson. Instead of quietly solving problems in notebooks, every student solved the problem on their whiteboard and held it up. Instantly, I could see who understood the distributive property and who needed reteaching. More importantly, students could see different strategies their classmates were using. It sparked meaningful math conversations like, \"Oh! I broke apart the 12 into 10 and 2!\" and \"I used a number bond!\"\r\n\r\nWhen the markers first arrived, the excitement was immediate. Students gasped when they saw the box and asked, \"Are these for us?!\" There is something incredibly empowering about having their own tools. Even my most hesitant learners were eager to participate because mistakes could be easily erased. The whiteboards have created a safe space to try, revise, and grow.\r\n\r\nThe impact goes beyond engagement—it has increased accountability and confidence. Every child is now actively solving every problem instead of just a few volunteers. I can quickly assess understanding and adjust instruction in the moment.\r\n\r\nAs we move into our next unit on division and problem-solving, students will continue using their whiteboards to model equal groups, draw arrays, and explain their thinking step-by-step. We are also beginning more math discourse routines where students will solve, compare strategies, and defend their reasoning—all with their markers in hand.\r\n\r\nYour donation didn't just provide supplies—it increased participation, confidence, and joy in learning. You gave my students the tools to think visibly and bravely.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our classroom and believing in our mathematicians. 💙","fullyFundedDate":1767098762570,"projectUrl":"project/dry-erase-supplies-for-interactive-math/9932201/","projectTitle":"Dry Erase Supplies for Interactive Math","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Marchell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9997295_orig.jpg?crop=1440,1440,x0,y33&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744310446204","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9997295"},{"teacherId":3676908,"projectId":8978163,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping me stock my classroom with the supplies my students need each day. The crayons and expo markers are used daily and I was even able to replenish students' toolboxes with crayons mid way through the school year thanks to the classroom set of crayons! \r\n\r\nStudents use expo markers for phonics and math time daily. They are also one of our most used supplies and I am thankful to have this donation so that it is less of a burden on parents to buy the supplies that students use the fastest in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1734099440908,"projectUrl":"project/first-grade-essentials/8978163/","projectTitle":"First Grade Essentials","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Deprey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3676908_orig.png?crop=1080,1080,x0,y129&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1680099716355","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3676908"},{"teacherId":3676908,"projectId":9072602,"letterContent":"Thank you for providing my classroom with lap desks, chart paper for the easel, and lamination sleeves. All of these materials are helping to make learning accessible to my first graders. \r\n\r\nStudents have been using the lap desks if they need to be closer to the board for a lesson, and also for small group time. \r\n\r\nThe chart paper is used often so that I can make anchor charts about key topics we are learning and hang them in the room for students to reference later. \r\n\r\nI am able to laminate materials such as word cards students will use over and over for durability. This is all possible because of YOU!","fullyFundedDate":1746554247152,"projectUrl":"project/making-learning-accessible/9072602/","projectTitle":"Making Learning Accessible","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Deprey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3676908_orig.png?crop=1080,1080,x0,y129&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1680099716355","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3676908"},{"teacherId":3676908,"projectId":9246771,"letterContent":"Thank you very much for providing the necessary tools my students need every day for math. The markers allow them to use certain math mats in dry erase sleeves like ten frames, number bonds and more and easily show and adjust their work. \r\n\r\nMy students have also been using their dry erase boards on vertical surfaces around the classroom to show their thinking on math problems in a small group. This strategy has made an especially big impact on my students' math learning and it would not be possible without your generous donation.","fullyFundedDate":1746554245286,"projectUrl":"project/math-minds-need-markers/9246771/","projectTitle":"Math Minds Need Markers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Deprey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3676908_orig.png?crop=1080,1080,x0,y129&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1680099716355","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3676908"},{"teacherId":7465419,"projectId":9881842,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation to our Kindergarten classroom. Your contribution of plastic animals and sorting mats has made an immediate and meaningful impact on our students' learning experience.\r\nOur class is currently engaged in a comprehensive Zoology unit where students are exploring the fascinating world of animals, including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians. Your donation has directly enhanced this unit by enabling us to create interactive sorting and writing centers that bring hands-on scientific exploration directly into our classroom.\r\nYour investment in hands-on learning materials has truly made a difference in our Kindergarteners' educational journey. \r\nThank you again for supporting our classroom and our students' love of learning.","fullyFundedDate":1765914104063,"projectUrl":"project/plastic-animal-sorting/9881842/","projectTitle":"Plastic Animal Sorting","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":3664530,"projectId":9826844,"letterContent":"The new books, such as Dog Man, Cat Kid, and A–Z Mysteries, introduce key reading skills like comprehension, visual literacy, prediction, and reading stamina while teaching lessons about perseverance and confidence. Reading in our classroom is active and joyful, with students choosing books they enjoy, discussing stories, and recommending favorites to peers. Many reluctant readers are especially engaged, gaining confidence and excitement as they explore new books and read independently.We thank you so much for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1765914104876,"projectUrl":"project/adventures-in-reading/9826844/","projectTitle":"Adventures in Reading","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":3664530,"projectId":9384940,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donation to our classroom. Students have been working hard in reading centers and these materials have made a difference. The pencil pouches help us keep materails organized. \r\nWhite board markers are used multiple times a day for literacy activities. Students love having access to hands on materials, like cookie cutters and rolling pins for playdough to work on literacy skills. \r\nWe truly appreciate your support in helping our classroom grow and engage learners. Thank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1750773650584,"projectUrl":"project/reading-centers/9384940/","projectTitle":"Reading Centers","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":8714626,"projectId":9504278,"letterContent":"I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation of cube chairs and sensory materials to my kindergarten classroom. Your thoughtfulness has made a meaningful difference in our learning environment.\r\n\r\nThe flexible seating cube chairs have already become a favorite among my students. These chairs allow my kindergarteners to sit independently while promoting focus during our learning activities.\r\n\r\nThe sensory sand and suction toys are amazing! My students love touching and playing with them. These materials help our little learners explore how things feel, move their fingers in new ways, and use their imaginations to create wonderful games.\r\n\r\nThe kick bands and sensory stickers are wonderful tools too. They help my students feel calm and peaceful when they need it. When children feel worried or wiggly, these items help them feel better and more ready to focus.\r\n\r\nYour donations have made such a big difference in my kindergarten classroom. My students are learning, growing, and having so much fun with these materials. We are so grateful for your kindness and support.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your generosity. Your kindness is truly appreciated!","fullyFundedDate":1763577696497,"projectUrl":"project/flex-and-feel-sensory-resources-flexi/9504278/","projectTitle":"Flex and Feel: Sensory Resources & Flexible Seating","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":9814508,"projectId":9910472,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom. Your generosity has truly made a difference in our students' daily learning experience.\r\nWe have been using the cube chairs every day during morning meeting and circle time. In a self-contained classroom, flexible seating is so important for helping students regulate their bodies and stay engaged. When the cube chairs arrived, the students were beyond excited; they immediately wanted to try them out on the carpet! They explored all the different ways to use them, flipping them to create tables for writing and manipulatives, and choosing the seating position that felt best for their bodies. It has been wonderful to see students who previously struggled to sit and attend now able to participate more comfortably and confidently.\r\nWe have also been using A Little Spot of Feelings during our social-emotional learning block. The students absolutely love holding the puppets while we read. One special moment was when each student came to the front during their part of the story to act out an emotion using their puppet. They were smiling, engaged, and proudly identifying feelings, skills that are so important for communication and self-regulation.\r\nNext, we will continue building on our feelings unit by practicing identifying emotions in ourselves and others and connecting them to coping strategies. The cube chairs will continue to support students during group lessons, small groups, and independent work, giving them the sensory input they need to focus and learn.\r\nYour support has helped create a comfortable classroom environment, engaging and supportive of all learners. We are so grateful for your kindness and belief in our students!","fullyFundedDate":1764119488902,"projectUrl":"project/student-success-i-can-sit-and-focus-on/9910472/","projectTitle":"Student Success: I Can Sit and Focus on My Own!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Amanda","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9814508_orig.jpg?crop=398,398,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1763654607989","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-amanda-nieves"},{"teacherId":7465419,"projectId":9961621,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to my Kindergarten Author Study book Project. Your donation made such a big difference in our classroom because we now have beautiful read aloud books that the students love. I can see the joy in my students faces as they light up when I read these colorful pages to them. Jan Brett has wonderful hidden animal pictures on the side of her pages that we all take the time to find and enjoy. Thank you again for allowing my students to make memories of familiar stories and find the love for reading at an early age.","fullyFundedDate":1765914108328,"projectUrl":"project/author-study-read-alouds/9961621/","projectTitle":"Author Study Read Alouds","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"}],"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":61.3,"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"}