{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"St Elmo Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":20.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6573448,"projectId":9264048,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting Wild About Learning! These materials transformed our classroom into an exciting world of animals, exploration, and discovery. My students were instantly engaged—they eagerly matched animal puzzle cards, built habitats, and used doodle boards to draw the creatures they love.\r\n\r\nWith these resources, my prekinders strengthened letter recognition, vocabulary, problem-solving, and early STEM skills through hands-on, play-based learning. The animal theme made every activity meaningful and motivating, especially for students who learn best through movement, touch, and imagination.\r\n\r\nYour generosity helped create richer learning centers, deeper conversations, and more confident learners. Thank you for bringing joy, curiosity, and real growth to our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1752254447597,"projectUrl":"project/wild-about-learning/9264048/","projectTitle":"Wild About Learning!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nancy Casas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6573448_orig.jpg?crop=367,367,x180,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1565670839990","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-nancycasas"},{"teacherId":6573448,"projectId":9264046,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project! Your generosity has made a big impact on our energetic prekindergarten students. Outdoor play is essential to their development, and because of you, our outdoor space is becoming a place full of movement, learning, and joy.\r\n\r\nThe balls, bubbles, and catching games you helped provide may seem simple, but they help children build coordination, confidence, and social skills. Through chasing bubbles, tossing balls, and playing together, my students are strengthening motor skills, practicing teamwork, and growing through active, hands-on play.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving my students the tools they need to play, learn, and thrive. We are truly grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1746496974563,"projectUrl":"project/lets-play-and-grow/9264046/","projectTitle":"Let’s Play and Grow!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nancy Casas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6573448_orig.jpg?crop=367,367,x180,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1565670839990","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-nancycasas"},{"teacherId":10074024,"projectId":9453325,"letterContent":"Our new carpet has quickly become the heart of our classroom. Every morning the children gather for circle time to sing, share, and listen together. Having a cozy and defined space has made it easier for them to focus and feel connected as a community.\r\n\r\nWhen the carpet was unrolled for the first time, the students' faces lit up with excitement. Several found \"their spot\" right away, and one child happily said, \"Now we all fit!\" It was a joyful moment that showed how something simple can make such a big difference.\r\n\r\nWith this new space, we are beginning to introduce leadership roles during circle time—letting children lead songs, guide movement games, and share stories. \r\n\r\nThank you so much for your generosity and for helping us create a welcoming place where every child feels included and proud to learn. We are deeply grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1753651500894,"projectUrl":"project/building-community-during-circle-time/9453325/","projectTitle":"Building Community During Circle Time","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Villacorta","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10074024_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752054565483","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10074024"},{"teacherId":9828625,"projectId":8924579,"letterContent":"My classroom has never been so alive! Students are using their fine motor skills with help from the donated items, and they are loving it! I have never seen my kindergarteners so engaged in the learning. When they first saw all the new materials their eyes beamed with excitement because most of them have never had so many resources available to them. Our centers have flourished with so much active learning and participation. \r\n\r\n I have also seen so much improvement when my students. With the help of the letter/phonics materials they have been understanding how to write and put their ideas on paper. Others have been able to use their hands in ways they had trouble with before, including their pencil grip and handwriting. I am so grateful to see all their beautiful growth. I see the frustration that the student had before has slowly grown to incredible growth and independence. \r\n\r\n Their math skills have also improved because how they are having so much fun with the math games. They are enjoying all the new learning and continue to ask for your names! My kindergarten students are so grateful. They are using their hands to benefit their own learning, and it is beautiful. They especially love the \"space men\" which help them remember their spaces in between words in writing! Some have even named theirs! \r\n\r\n I thank you for your incredible generosity and kindness. Our classroom is full of movement and growth, and we will continue to find the fun in learning.","fullyFundedDate":1735408812032,"projectUrl":"project/kindergarteners-need-movement/8924579/","projectTitle":"Kindergarteners Need Movement!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tessa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9828625"},{"teacherId":2124546,"projectId":8898654,"letterContent":"On behalf of the staff and students at St. Elmo Elementary, I want to express our gratitude for your generous support in providing the materials to improve fine motor skills for our pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students. For many of our young learners, developing these skills has been a significant challenge. Simple tasks like holding a pencil or forming letters have been difficult due to various barriers, including limited access to learning tools and less time engaged in fine motor tasks at home. However, thanks to your grant, we are now able to provide them with additional tools to help them succeed, and the difference has been immediate and impactful. \r\n\r\nOur students have embraced the new materials with a sense of excitement and joy. It's been incredibly rewarding to see their face light up as they confidently trace or write a letter for the first time. These hands-on, age-appropriate resources are making fine motor development feel like a fun and creative experience, rather than a challenge. For our neediest students, these moments are not only about learning - they are about overcoming obstacles. The pride they feel in their progress is inspiring. \r\n\r\nWe are deeply thankful for your support, which is giving these remarkable children the chance to thrive. With the new materials, we are building a foundation for academic success, one joyful step at a time, and ensuring that every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to develop the skills they need to succeed. Thank you for helping us provide these students with the resources that are making a real difference in their lives.","fullyFundedDate":1735408811909,"projectUrl":"project/strong-hands-strong-writers/8898654/","projectTitle":"Strong Hands & Strong Writers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Castonguay","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2124546_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1453499399382","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2124546"},{"teacherId":857828,"projectId":8800819,"letterContent":"On behalf of our class-PK at St. Elmo with Ms. Watt, I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation of STEM toys. Your contribution plays a pivotal role in helping us inspire curiosity and foster a love for learning in the young minds we serve.\r\n\r\nYour thoughtful gift will allow us to provide children with hands-on, engaging opportunities to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in a fun and interactive way. We believe that these toys will not only ignite their imaginations but also build valuable skills that will last a lifetime.\r\n\r\nWe are excited to see how the STEM toys will impact the children in our programs and can't thank you enough for your support. Your kindness is truly making a difference in their educational journeys.\r\n\r\nOnce again, thank you for your generosity and commitment to helping the next generation of learners. We look forward to staying in touch and updating you on the positive impact your donation is having.\r\n\r\n\r\nMs. Watt PK Teacher\r\nSt Elmo ES","fullyFundedDate":1732194128019,"projectUrl":"project/engaging-stem-games/8800819/","projectTitle":"Engaging STEM Games!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Watt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp857828_orig.jpg?crop=600,600,x0,y154&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724414012136","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/857828"},{"teacherId":6573448,"projectId":8765441,"letterContent":"Thanks to donors like you, we were able to get the right tools to incorporate interactive experiments and projects into lessons, making complex concepts much more approachable. These new STEM resources also fostered group projects that require collaboration, where students combine skills in science, technology, engineering, and math to solve problems all while having fun learning and working.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the new STEM materials, their faces lit up with excitement. It was like a spark of curiosity had been ignited in the room! Some of them eagerly gathered around to examine the new gadgets, tools, and materials, asking questions and already brainstorming how they could use them. It felt like we had opened a door to a world of discovery, and they couldn't wait to dive in.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has greatly enhanced our Prekindergarten program and enabled me to design engaging and innovative learning spaces that will positively impact generations of students. We are deeply thankful for your dedication to supporting early childhood education and ensuring that every child has access to exceptional learning opportunities.","fullyFundedDate":1726672813385,"projectUrl":"project/the-best-and-fun-center-games/8765441/","projectTitle":"The Best and Fun Center Games!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nancy Casas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6573448_orig.jpg?crop=367,367,x180,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1565670839990","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-nancycasas"},{"teacherId":7256583,"projectId":8625229,"letterContent":"The students at our school express profound gratitude for the generous donations received for the Brain Wave Space. The introduction of flexible seating options, particularly the vibrant bean bags and wobble stools, has significantly enhanced their counseling sessions. The bean bags, favored for their variety of colors, have become a popular choice among students, while the wobble stools are actively utilized during creative projects. \r\n\r\nUpon first encountering the array of sensory items in the Brain Wave Space, students exhibited excitement and enthusiasm for this innovative environment. They appreciate the opportunity to engage with different seating options, fostering self-discovery and body regulation. \r\n\r\nMoving forward, my project aims to expand the sensory resources available, allowing students to explore various stations equipped with items such as kinetic sand and play utensils. These tools not only facilitate individual learning but also promote essential skills in sharing and self-care.","fullyFundedDate":1726665458180,"projectUrl":"project/the-brain-wave-space/8625229/","projectTitle":"The Brain Wave Space","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sans","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7256583_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1725487065361","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7256583"},{"teacherId":2124546,"projectId":8927032,"letterContent":"On behalf of the entire staff and students at St. Elmo Elementary, I want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation that made it possible to purchase native Texas wildflower seeds for our school. Your contribution is already having a meaningful and lasting impact on our community.\r\n\r\nThanks to your support, our PreK through 5th grade students, alongside our dedicated staff, were able to come together to plant a beautiful array of wildflowers right outside the windows of our library. With enthusiasm, the students stomped the seeds into the soil, and are looking forward to the vibrant colors they will see bloom in the spring. Some of our classes also planted bluebonnet seeds in a flower bed in the same area, adding a special touch to our school grounds. The wildflower garden will not only beautify our campus but will also serve as a living lesson in nature, sustainability, and the joy of hands-on learning.\r\n\r\nIn the coming months, as the flowers begin to bloom, the entire school will have the opportunity to view this colorful and lively garden. Whether from the library windows or the playground, every student and staff member will be able to enjoy the results of their collective effort. This garden will remind us all of the power of collaboration, community, and the natural world.\r\n\r\nYour generous gift has not only provided a source of beauty but also helped to foster a sense of pride and connection among our students. The lessons they've learned throughout this process will remain with them, and we know they'll carry the joy of this experience into future projects and endeavors.\r\n\r\nOnce again, thank you for your support, especially the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation, for helping to create something truly special here at St. Elmo.","fullyFundedDate":1732198640333,"projectUrl":"project/beauty-grown-from-seeds/8927032/","projectTitle":"Beauty Grown from Seeds","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Castonguay","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2124546_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1453499399382","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2124546"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_17065","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":299,"numTeachers":22,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":3,"percentWhite":21,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":69,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"13.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":79.7,"schoolId":17065,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about St Elmo Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"St Elmo Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/austin-independent-school-district/st-elmo-elementary-school/17065"}