{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Spooner Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":80.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5792065,"projectId":9794656,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous donations, our Rock Star Academy students are now able to experience the thrill of playing real electric instruments! The addition of a student-sized electric guitar and bass guitar—with their very own cases—has taken our music program to the next level.\r\n\r\nWe are using these new instruments to teach students about teamwork, rhythm, and performance in a real band setting. During Rock Star Academy rehearsals, students rotate between guitar, bass, piano, drums, and vocals as they learn to play rock and pop classics together. The excitement in the room is electric—literally! One of our favorite moments was when a student confidently played the bass line to Louie Louie for the first time, and the entire group cheered. That sense of pride and collaboration is what this program is all about.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the new electric guitar and bass, their eyes lit up with pure excitement. Many had only seen instruments like these on stage or in videos, and now they get to play them themselves. They couldn't wait to plug them in, strum their first chords, and feel like true rock stars.\r\n\r\nNext, our students are preparing for their winter performance, where they'll showcase songs they've been practicing together as a band. These new instruments have opened doors for creativity, confidence, and connection that will continue to grow with every rehearsal and performance.\r\n\r\nThank you, DonorsChoose supporters, for giving our students the chance to discover the music within!","fullyFundedDate":1760132949605,"projectUrl":"project/rock-star-academy-discovering-the-music/9794656/","projectTitle":"Rock Star Academy: Discovering the Music Within","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kris Knutson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5792065_orig.jpg?crop=670,670,x164,y186&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1760025957511","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kris-knutson"},{"teacherId":5792065,"projectId":4750655,"letterContent":"Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!\r\n\r\nOur students begin ukulele instruction in 2nd grade, and the new ukuleles have made such a difference in our music room! Each student now has their own instrument to learn basic chords, strumming patterns, and ensemble skills. One special moment was when a 2nd-grade class played their first full song together — the pride and excitement on their faces were unforgettable!\r\n\r\nWhen the ukuleles arrived, the excitement was incredible! Students' eyes lit up as we unpacked the boxes, and many could hardly believe the instruments were really for them. They couldn't wait to strum their first notes and explore the sounds they could make.\r\n\r\nOur next step is that the students will be learning to play simple songs using the C, F, and G7 chords. They'll practice in small groups to build teamwork and confidence, and later share their music with classmates and families. These ukuleles are helping our young musicians develop skills they'll carry with them for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1588722963378,"projectUrl":"project/uke-can-make-it-happen-for-our-student/4750655/","projectTitle":"\"Uke\" Can Make It Happen For Our Students!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kris Knutson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5792065_orig.jpg?crop=670,670,x164,y186&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1760025957511","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kris-knutson"},{"teacherId":5792065,"projectId":6422423,"letterContent":"Thank you, thank you, thank you!!\r\n\r\nOur new drum set cymbals have brought a whole new energy to our music room! Students are learning how each cymbal contributes to the overall sound of a band and practicing rhythm patterns that connect to songs they recognize. During our \"Rock Star Academy\" unit, students rotate through instruments—guitar, bass, piano, and drums—and they've loved getting the chance to keep the steady beat and dynamic accents on the new cymbals. The improved sound quality has made our performances feel more authentic and exciting!\r\n\r\nThe moment they saw the shiny new cymbals, their eyes lit up. Several students said, \"It sounds like a real band now!\" Many were eager to take turns trying them out and couldn't believe how different the sound was compared to what we had before. It instantly boosted their enthusiasm and sense of pride in our music program.\r\n\r\nNext, students will be preparing short ensemble performances using our full band setup, featuring the new cymbals. They'll work on teamwork, keeping steady tempo, and listening across instruments—skills that translate directly to performing as a group. We're planning to showcase their progress during our next school assembly, so the whole school can experience the powerful, professional sound these cymbals make possible!","fullyFundedDate":1651502050716,"projectUrl":"project/crash-bang-boom/6422423/","projectTitle":"Crash, Bang, Boom!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kris Knutson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5792065_orig.jpg?crop=670,670,x164,y186&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1760025957511","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kris-knutson"},{"teacherId":5792065,"projectId":6398559,"letterContent":"There are not words to express my gratitude for your generosity! Thank you for helping me share my love of music and passion for creating by donating to my \"Music Stands Gracefully Stay 2!\" project.\r\n\r\nWe now have the perfect place for our stands to rest. The stand holder and mover allows us to be in the classroom and not have to worry about stands falling and is portable to take our stands to the gym for our Rails Rallies.\r\n\r\nYour gift will continue to enhance my students' learning and ultimately helping to create memorable experiences in performance for all of my current students and for years to come. The cart that you helped to provide will allow many children to be able to learn, grow and explore music and sound.","fullyFundedDate":1651154496621,"projectUrl":"project/music-stands-gracefully-stay-part-2/6398559/","projectTitle":"Music Stands Gracefully Stay! Part 2","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kris Knutson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5792065_orig.jpg?crop=670,670,x164,y186&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1760025957511","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kris-knutson"},{"teacherId":7476821,"projectId":9173170,"letterContent":"My after school club is loving the acrylic paints! They have been using them for a variety of projects, but most recently they have are using them to crete monoprints using Gelli plates and acrylic paints. \r\nThe students loved unpackaging the materials because they got to see ALL the colors together instead of individual bottles. They helped remove all the caps and the plastic seals. They were also shown how to use only a little at time instead of lots all at once.\r\nI will continue to use these materials throughout the year on various projects with upper class students. They have enhanced the quality of our artwork! Thank you again for your support and donations!","fullyFundedDate":1745964634792,"projectUrl":"project/color-my-world/9173170/","projectTitle":"Color My World","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sellner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7476821_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1606840666787","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/annette-sellner"},{"teacherId":7476821,"projectId":9173074,"letterContent":"Thank you for your donations to the art room! My students sure do love to make are AND messes! Having some heavy duty materials to pick up spills quickly makes my job easier and keeps my students safe from falls. \r\nI especially love the rubber gloves! These are useful for students who have sensory conditions. They allow these students to participate if gluing and painting activities where they would feel uncomfortable getting their hands dirty. \r\nThis platform has given my classroom such a boost, thank you again for you help!","fullyFundedDate":1743277353087,"projectUrl":"project/clean-it-up/9173074/","projectTitle":"Clean it Up!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sellner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7476821_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1606840666787","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/annette-sellner"},{"teacherId":4845285,"projectId":8895055,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donation to our classroom! Students are wiggling more than ever this time of year. The incorporation of these seats/resources have made our classroom so more inclusive & bright! This year, we have a wiggly bunch that needs to move throughout the day. \r\n\r\nBecause of these new resources, we are seeing more success with Guided Reading Centers and math. We now have more room to fit more students at the table. The students love the comfort and are constantly wanting to come to the table. \r\n\r\nStudents love the different options that our classroom provides. There is truly a seat for everyone. Thanks again!","fullyFundedDate":1730229571144,"projectUrl":"project/wiggle-and-learn/8895055/","projectTitle":"Wiggle and Learn!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wilson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4845285_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1506649421143","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-backus3b"},{"teacherId":7476821,"projectId":8946728,"letterContent":"This year I had the privilege of test driving a yoga class for my elementary students. This has been a wonderful experience and has benefited the students mental health. With the materials that were provided through your donations, my students have been able to enjoy a serene space that is colorful and reflects how fun yoga and meditation can be. \r\nThank you for your donation to our school and to our new yoga and meditation space. I will always be able to look at the colorful mats and be reminded of all the wonderful people that made it happen!","fullyFundedDate":1739455234574,"projectUrl":"project/breath-and-believe/8946728/","projectTitle":"Breath and Believe","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sellner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7476821_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1606840666787","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/annette-sellner"},{"teacherId":7476821,"projectId":8946855,"letterContent":"Thank you for your support to see this project through. I would love to have an organized space for my students to find what they need without needing to ask me. They love the fact that the materials are easy to find and can easily be seen through the clear plastic drawers. I know I say this a lot, but students and teachers alike would be pretty lost without this platform and it's donors help. Being a teacher is a rewarding profession, but nothing makes life easier and more enjoyable when you have the supplies you need, or are able to pick out more fun items for the students to explore with. I am honored to have you onboard.","fullyFundedDate":1733283185669,"projectUrl":"project/construction-paper-chaos/8946855/","projectTitle":"Construction Paper Chaos","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sellner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7476821_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1606840666787","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/annette-sellner"},{"teacherId":2284179,"projectId":9014165,"letterContent":"The impact of the new supplies in our kindergarten classroom has been truly remarkable. With fresh materials like markers, scissors, construction paper, and pens, my students have been able to engage in creative and hands-on learning activities every day. It is fun to see them excited to share up their artwork with their classmates.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new supplies, there was an immediate sense of joy and excitement. They couldn't wait to get their hands on the markers and scissors, eager to start crafting their projects. The tools were such a hit that we even used them for writing exercises, with the students enthusiastically using the pens and markers to write letters and numbers. The quality and variety of the supplies allowed for endless possibilities, and they truly sparked the students' imaginations.\r\n\r\nThese new resources have made a world of difference in fostering creativity, enhancing fine motor skills, and providing a more engaging learning experience for my students. Thanks to your support, our classroom has become a vibrant, exciting place where children are empowered to learn through exploration and creativity.","fullyFundedDate":1735482679281,"projectUrl":"project/exploration-starts-here-kindergarten-su/9014165/","projectTitle":"Exploration Starts Here: Kindergarten Supply Drive","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Piskie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2284179_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1574206445389","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jpiskie"},{"teacherId":2284179,"projectId":8119698,"letterContent":"I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for your generous donation to my classroom. Your support has made a world of difference to my students, and the impact has been truly remarkable.\r\n\r\nThe students were absolutely thrilled to receive the new resources, and their excitement was contagious. They dove into their lessons with a renewed sense of enthusiasm and curiosity, and it has been so inspiring to see them flourish. Many students have even expressed how grateful they are, and some have shared how they feel more confident in their learning.\r\n\r\nBecause of your kindness, they are not only gaining knowledge but also experiencing the joy of having the tools and supplies they need to succeed. I am deeply grateful for your contribution to their educational journey.\r\n\r\nThank you once again for believing in my students and their potential.","fullyFundedDate":1703948019448,"projectUrl":"project/discover-learn-and-play/8119698/","projectTitle":"Discover, Learn, and Play","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Piskie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2284179_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1574206445389","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jpiskie"},{"teacherId":7476821,"projectId":8820975,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for you continued support of the fine arts. My students have been thrilled to unbox all the \"new\" items for our makerspace. They love all the options and can choose what they want to do as a good behavior reward. I love seeing all the things they come up with. Who knew that kids have the ability to be creative without any instructions, they just go with the flow! We will be using these items until the end of the year and possibly into the next. Without your help I wouldn't be able to purchase these fun items that we don't always use for our regular curriculum projects.","fullyFundedDate":1730669171753,"projectUrl":"project/maker-space-supplies/8820975/","projectTitle":"Maker Space Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sellner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7476821_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1606840666787","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/annette-sellner"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_53122","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":361,"numTeachers":28,"percentFrplEligible":57,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":89,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":4,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 4","studentTeacherRatio":"12.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_REMOTE"},"inStateSupporters":19.4,"schoolId":53122,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Spooner Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Spooner Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/wisconsin/spooner-area-school-district/spooner-elementary-school/53122"}