{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Strandwood Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":7.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9889543,"projectId":9786825,"letterContent":"Words cannot express the depth of our gratitude for your generous support in funding our recent DonorsChoose project for our special education upper elementary classroom serving students with extensive learning needs. Your kindness and commitment to fostering hands-on, inclusive learning experiences have transformed what we are able to provide for our students each day. Because of your contributions, we can now create rich, multi-sensory STEM learning opportunities that inspire curiosity, build communication, and nurture problem-solving skills in meaningful, engaging ways.\r\n\r\nThe new materials — including the magnetic math activity tins, living things magnetic activity tins, and Squigz starter set — are already sparking joy and discovery in our classroom. My students are naturally drawn to tactile, interactive learning experiences, and these tools allow them to explore foundational STEM concepts through touch, sight, and movement. With the magnetic sets, students are learning how to sort, match, and classify living and nonliving things, as well as explore math operations in a way that feels like play. The Squigz have quickly become a class favorite — students build towers, patterns, and shapes while strengthening fine motor coordination and collaborative play skills. For many of my students, fine motor work can be challenging, but with these new materials, the hard work feels exciting and rewarding rather than overwhelming.\r\n\r\nThe motion discovery tubes and sound mystery capsules are opening up incredible opportunities for sensory exploration and science discussions. These tools help my students investigate cause and effect, sound, and motion — all essential STEM concepts that are now made accessible and enjoyable. Watching them observe the swirling movement inside the tubes or listen intently to identify the sound from each capsule shows how much active learning is happening. Their eyes light up with excitement as they predict what might happen next, and for nonverbal students, these tools encourage communication through pointing, gesturing, or using augmentative communication devices. The 8-foot parachute has been another incredible addition, providing cooperative play, sensory regulation, and physical activity. My students work together to make the parachute rise and fall, learning teamwork, rhythm, and anticipation — all while having pure, joyful fun.\r\n\r\nThe Learning Resources Color Sorting Pirate Treasure and Mini Farm Stand Sorting Set are perfect for incorporating math, color recognition, and sorting skills into play-based learning. My students take turns identifying colors, counting treasures, and sorting fruits and vegetables by category, which supports both their academic and social-emotional growth. The Indestructibles books have provided durable, accessible reading materials that can withstand enthusiastic use and meet the diverse sensory needs of our students who love to explore through touch. Finally, the pull-back racing cars and die-cast vehicles bring lessons on force, motion, and direction to life — students eagerly test how far their cars travel, compare speeds, and hypothesize how different surfaces affect movement. These moments are the heart of STEM learning: curiosity, discovery, and excitement in action.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has done far more than supply materials; it has helped us build a classroom where every child feels capable, valued, and inspired to explore. In our extensive learning needs classroom, every small success represents hours of perseverance, encouragement, and creativity. Because of you, my students now have more ways to engage meaningfully with the world around them, and I can more effectively meet their individual goals through sensory, motor, and cognitive pathways that fit their unique learning styles. You have empowered my students to learn through joy and movement — and that is the most powerful kind of learning there is.\r\n\r\nFrom the bottom of our hearts, thank you for investing in our classroom, our students, and their futures. Your support has brought new life and energy to our STEM centers, and we are so excited to continue growing, experimenting, and discovering together — all thanks to you.","fullyFundedDate":1759899238136,"projectUrl":"project/stem-surprises-sensory-smarts/9786825/","projectTitle":"STEM Surprises & Sensory Smarts!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sullivan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9889543_orig.jpg?crop=1572,1572,x40,y1824&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758319521349","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9889543"},{"teacherId":9889543,"projectId":9786702,"letterContent":"Our classroom is absolutely buzzing with excitement, thanks to your incredible generosity and kindness in funding our STEM project! As a special education upper elementary classroom serving students with extensive learning needs, every learning tool you help provide truly transforms how our students engage with the world around them. The new two-station sand and water table, ball pit balls, white play sand, wooden car ramp zig zag, and wooden car ramp race track toy are not just classroom materials—they are gateways to discovery, hands-on exploration, and joyful learning. These materials give my students the chance to explore STEM principles like motion, cause and effect, gravity, and texture through play that feels exciting, motivating, and accessible to all abilities. Each item you helped provide has a special purpose in our daily activities, and I can already see the ways it will make a lasting difference for my students.\r\n\r\nThe sand and water table will become a hub of sensory exploration and scientific investigation. My students will have the opportunity to pour, scoop, and measure as they compare the properties of sand and water, discovering firsthand how materials behave differently. For some students, this table also provides powerful sensory regulation—helping them calm their bodies and focus their minds before engaging in other learning tasks. The white play sand you funded gives us a clean, bright, and safe medium to support tactile exploration, fine motor strengthening, and imaginative play. The addition of ball pit balls adds a new level of fun and sensory input; these lightweight, colorful spheres will be used for sorting, counting, and movement-based learning stations that blend physical activity with academic skill-building. The wooden car ramps, both the zigzag and the race track designs, bring physics to life for young learners who might otherwise struggle to grasp abstract concepts. As cars zip down the tracks, students will observe speed, slope, and momentum in action—developing vocabulary, curiosity, and the confidence to ask \"why\" and \"how\" questions that spark deeper learning.\r\n\r\nBeyond STEM learning, these materials nurture important social-emotional and communication skills. Students will take turns, share materials, and work together to build and explore, which are all essential life skills that will serve them far beyond the classroom walls. The setup allows for inclusive participation; even those with limited mobility or verbal communication can fully engage through sensory experiences, gestures, and shared laughter. Watching a student light up as they see their car zoom down the ramp, or feel the sand trickle through their fingers for the first time, reminds me why this work—and your support—matters so deeply. You've given my students opportunities that go beyond academics; you've given them moments of pride, discovery, and pure joy in learning.\r\n\r\nThank you from the bottom of my heart for believing in my students and in the importance of creating equitable access to STEM learning experiences. Your generosity doesn't just fill a classroom—it fills hearts, sparks curiosity, and builds the confidence of children who learn best through doing, touching, moving, and exploring. Each day, as my students dive into hands-on STEM discovery, they'll be learning because of you. I cannot wait to share their progress, their smiles, and their excitement as they explore, play, and grow with the amazing materials you made possible. Your gift has truly changed what's possible in our classroom, and for that, we are endlessly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1759899238231,"projectUrl":"project/stem-through-play-exploring-building/9786702/","projectTitle":"STEM Through Play: Exploring, Building, and Discovering!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sullivan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9889543_orig.jpg?crop=1572,1572,x40,y1824&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758319521349","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9889543"},{"teacherId":9889543,"projectId":9773873,"letterContent":"From the bottom of our hearts, thank you so much for your incredible generosity in funding our classroom project focused on STEM-based inclusive center rotations. Your donation has made an extraordinary impact on our special education upper elementary classroom, where each day is filled with learning, discovery, and joy. The materials you have provided—such as the Animals Up Close Puzzle Set, logic puzzles, alphabet and number puzzles, busy board puzzles, magnetic puzzles, shapes puzzles, emotion match puzzles, and the wide variety of sound puzzles (pets, instruments, farm, vehicles, and zoo)—will create hands-on, meaningful opportunities for my students to grow their problem-solving, fine motor, communication, and cognitive skills in ways that are both accessible and deeply engaging.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, every student learns differently and expresses themselves uniquely. Many of my students require visual and tactile supports, repetitive practice, and multisensory engagement to access academic and social-emotional learning. These new materials allow me to design center rotations that meet those diverse needs—rotations where students can build fine motor strength by fitting together puzzle pieces, practice language by identifying animal sounds or naming shapes, and strengthen critical thinking through logic puzzles that encourage cause-and-effect reasoning. The puzzles and busy boards also help reinforce sequencing, matching, and categorization—skills that form the foundation for reading, math, and scientific thinking. With your support, these materials transform learning from abstract concepts into real, concrete experiences that my students can touch, see, and feel.\r\n\r\nThe beauty of these resources lies in their inclusivity. Our class is designed for students with extensive learning needs, including those who use alternative communication systems or mobility devices. The puzzles you've funded are durable, colorful, and adaptable—perfect for every learner, whether they're just beginning to explore letters and shapes or are working toward identifying patterns and solving multi-step problems. These tools are not just teaching aids; they are bridges that connect each child to learning in their own way. Students who once hesitated to participate are now eagerly joining small groups, motivated by the sense of accomplishment and confidence they feel when completing a puzzle or matching an emotion face correctly.\r\n\r\nEach morning, as we rotate through our inclusive STEM learning centers, I see my students' curiosity bloom. A student who struggles with language may find a voice by pressing the sound puzzle and mimicking the animal noises; another student who finds transitions difficult may calm down while engaging with the busy board puzzle. These activities strengthen not only their cognitive growth but also their self-regulation, attention, and social interaction. Learning through play allows my students to access academic standards while also practicing vital life skills such as patience, persistence, and cooperation. These are moments of triumph—small to some, but monumental for us. Your generosity makes them possible.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in a classroom where learning looks different, sounds different, and feels different—but where the outcomes are every bit as meaningful. Because of you, our students will have access to rich, multisensory learning opportunities that foster independence, joy, and discovery every day. Your kindness and belief in inclusive education ensure that every child, no matter their ability level, can be a scientist, a problem solver, and a lifelong learner.","fullyFundedDate":1759349376235,"projectUrl":"project/puzzles-for-building-stem-thinking-in-an/9773873/","projectTitle":"Puzzles for Building STEM Thinking in an Extensive Needs Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sullivan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9889543_orig.jpg?crop=1572,1572,x40,y1824&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758319521349","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9889543"},{"teacherId":9889543,"projectId":9771623,"letterContent":"Our classroom is overflowing with excitement, gratitude, and curiosity thanks to your generous support of our Inclusive Sensory Garden STEM project. Every donation you made helped transform a simple idea into a hands-on, accessible, and deeply meaningful learning experience for my upper elementary students with extensive learning needs. For many of my students, the world is often experienced through touch, smell, and movement rather than traditional paper-and-pencil tasks. This project gives them an authentic way to explore science, math, and nature through sensory-rich experiences that engage all of their senses. The new pruning tools, gardening gloves, and extra-thick kneeling pads have made it possible for each student to participate safely and comfortably, regardless of mobility or sensory sensitivities. Watching their eyes light up as they gently dig into the soil or water the seedlings is a reminder that learning can—and should—be joyful and inclusive.\r\n\r\nThe addition of our mini greenhouse and grow light stand has made this project especially exciting. Our classroom can now continue to learn about plant life cycles and sustainable food sources year-round, even during colder months. Students have begun planting winter vegetables, edible flowers, and a variety of herbs, and they are already noticing differences in textures, smells, and growth rates. These observations have led to meaningful discussions about plant needs, environmental changes, and nutrition. Each child, regardless of their ability level, has found a role—some track the height of the plants using adaptive measuring tools, others water the seedlings daily, and several students enjoy labeling each plant with picture symbols for our nonverbal communicators. The wire rack shelf and portable greenhouse allow the plants to be displayed at multiple heights, making them accessible to students using wheelchairs and walkers. It's heartwarming to see them take ownership of their garden space, proudly showing off their progress to peers and staff who visit our classroom.\r\n\r\nBeyond science, this project has nurtured emotional growth, teamwork, and confidence. The calming rhythm of watering, the satisfying crunch of soil, and the fresh scent of herbs have created moments of peace and focus for students who often struggle with regulation. Gardening has become a shared language that fosters cooperation and empathy—students take turns, offer help, and cheer one another on when a sprout breaks through the soil. It's also been a beautiful way to teach responsibility and patience. They are learning that growth takes time and care, and every small effort contributes to something bigger. Your donations have given them an ongoing, living lesson in persistence and wonder. From counting seeds to observing roots, they are learning real-world STEM concepts through active participation, and their sense of pride is immeasurable.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students and for understanding that education looks different for every child. This project is more than just materials—it is an inclusive, sensory-based learning experience that bridges accessibility and science education. Because of your generosity, our classroom garden will continue to grow—just like our students. Your kindness has planted seeds of learning, inclusion, and joy that will continue to bloom for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1759552730551,"projectUrl":"project/growing-minds-stem-through-gardening/9771623/","projectTitle":"Growing Minds: STEM Through Gardening","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sullivan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9889543_orig.jpg?crop=1572,1572,x40,y1824&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758319521349","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9889543"},{"teacherId":9889543,"projectId":9761489,"letterContent":"Our classroom is overflowing with joy and excitement thanks to your incredible generosity in funding our project! As a teacher of an upper elementary special education class serving students with extensive learning needs, I am deeply grateful for your kindness and belief in inclusive education. Your donation to our STEM-focused project has brought meaningful, hands-on tools that make learning accessible, engaging, and fun for every single student in our room. The Kangaroo Air Cloud Rocker, wobble disk, and hippity hoppity hop balls have already transformed the way we incorporate movement and sensory regulation into our daily lessons. These tools are more than just fun—they are essential supports that help my students build balance, coordination, and body awareness, all while laughing, smiling, and connecting with one another.\r\n\r\nThe sensory bins—featuring themes like pets, farms, and the galaxy—have quickly become classroom favorites. They offer incredible opportunities for exploration, imagination, and STEM-based play. Students can dig through sand and textures to discover miniature animals, planets, or objects that spark curiosity and discussion. For many of my learners, tactile engagement is the key to unlocking communication, critical thinking, and scientific observation skills. Watching them make discoveries, use new vocabulary, and share their findings with their peers fills me with such pride and gratitude. These experiences promote not only science and problem-solving skills, but also social interaction, turn-taking, and self-regulation—skills that are essential for their lifelong growth.\r\n\r\nThe weighted stuffed animal, wobble disk, and sensory tools provide calm and comfort for students who need extra support to focus or transition between activities. Many of my students experience sensory processing differences, and having access to these tools gives them the freedom to regulate their bodies and minds in ways that make learning feel safe and joyful. During morning meetings and STEM exploration time, students often gravitate toward these materials independently, using them to prepare their bodies for engagement and participation. The rainbow-tailed catch balls have been another delightful addition, encouraging teamwork and motor skill practice while adding bright bursts of color and laughter to our physical activity time. Every single item you helped provide serves a unique purpose in supporting the whole child—academically, socially, emotionally, and physically.\r\n\r\nYour kindness reminds my students that there are people in the world who believe in them—people who see their potential and want to help them shine. In a classroom filled with diverse needs, it can sometimes feel challenging to meet every learner exactly where they are. But with your help, we can do just that. These materials empower me to create lessons that are multisensory, inclusive, and responsive to how my students learn best. Thank you for helping us build a space where movement, creativity, and STEM exploration come together to make learning both accessible and magical. Because of you, my students are thriving, exploring, and growing every day with smiles that light up our entire classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1758861427295,"projectUrl":"project/moving-with-stem-exploring-motion-ener/9761489/","projectTitle":"Moving With STEM: Exploring Motion, Energy, and Creativity!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sullivan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9889543_orig.jpg?crop=1572,1572,x40,y1824&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758319521349","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9889543"},{"teacherId":9889543,"projectId":9757157,"letterContent":"Our classroom is filled with excitement and gratitude thanks to your incredible generosity in funding our recent DonorsChoose project! As a special education upper elementary classroom serving students with extensive learning needs, every material that enters our room is carefully chosen to open doors of exploration, engagement, and joy. Your support has provided us with a wide range of STEM-based sensory and creative tools—like the Toobz Air Toy and its expansion pack, Fat Brain Toys Air Toobz, our beautiful new tongue drum, the sensory sand construction bin, multicolored kinetic sand, dazzling face gems, and miniature construction machines for our sensory bins. These items are so much more than toys or classroom supplies—they are bridges to learning, connection, and discovery.\r\n\r\nWhen my students engage with these new materials, they aren't just playing—they are experimenting with concepts of cause and effect, motion, air pressure, texture, color, and sound. For many of my students, traditional instruction methods are not always accessible due to cognitive or communication challenges. The hands-on, sensory-based nature of these materials provides multiple points of access for learning. The Toobz Air Toy set, for example, has quickly become a favorite tool for teamwork, turn-taking, and scientific curiosity. Students watch with awe as lightweight objects are lifted and swirled through clear air tubes, exploring airflow and energy transfer through play. The Fat Brain expansion pack allows us to build new tube paths and test different shapes, which sparks conversations and experimentation about what happens when airflow changes direction or pressure. It's STEM in action—and it's accessible to every learner in the room.\r\n\r\nThe sensory sand construction bin and the different colors of kinetic sand offer an equally engaging way to explore texture, building, and creativity. My students use their hands, tools, and construction vehicles to dig, pour, and mold, which helps them practice both fine motor skills and problem-solving. For students with sensory sensitivities, these materials are grounding and regulating, helping them calm their bodies while still engaging in meaningful exploration. The face gems, too, have unexpectedly become part of our creativity corner—students use them for art projects, sorting by color and size, and even as counting manipulatives in math and science lessons. Our little construction machines add another layer of play-based learning, encouraging students to explore force, motion, and balance as they create miniature building sites.\r\n\r\nThe addition of the tongue drum has brought a new dimension to our classroom's STEM and sensory experiences. The calming tones and vibrations from the drum have captured my students' attention and brought a sense of peace and focus to our learning environment. We use it during transitions and sensory breaks, and it's been particularly effective for students who are nonverbal, as it allows them to communicate and express emotion through sound. The connection between sound waves, vibration, and rhythm ties beautifully into our STEM lessons about energy and motion—transforming what was once a simple sensory break into a meaningful scientific experience.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, my students are building confidence, curiosity, and collaboration skills in ways that meet their individual learning needs. You've made it possible for us to explore STEM through multiple senses and access points, ensuring that every student feels successful and included. Thank you for believing in the power of sensory play and hands-on learning for all students. You have not only provided materials but also the spark that ignites a love of discovery and joy in learning. Our classroom is truly brighter, more vibrant, and more inclusive because of your kindness and support.","fullyFundedDate":1758777193765,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-stem-for-creative-minds/9757157/","projectTitle":"Hands-On STEM for Creative Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sullivan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9889543_orig.jpg?crop=1572,1572,x40,y1824&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758319521349","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9889543"},{"teacherId":9889543,"projectId":9748326,"letterContent":"Our classroom is absolutely buzzing with excitement and joy thanks to your generous support of our recent STEM project! As an upper elementary special education class serving students with extensive learning needs, our days are full of exploration, movement, and discovery. Your kindness has provided us with hands-on tools that make science, technology, engineering, and math concepts accessible and meaningful for every learner—regardless of their communication style, sensory needs, or physical abilities. Because of you, my students can now truly see, touch, and experience the wonder of STEM in ways that meet them right where they are.\r\n\r\nThe new life cycle animal kit has brought real-world science to life in our room. Watching the process of change and growth—tadpoles turning into frogs or caterpillars transforming into butterflies—has opened up endless opportunities for communication and curiosity. Students who use AAC devices are now using new vocabulary to describe what they see, while others are making connections between what they learn in class and the world outside our school walls. The frog balance counting toy has been another wonderful addition, helping students build early math skills through playful and sensory-rich interaction. Numbers and measurement have never felt so concrete or so fun!\r\n\r\nSTEM exploration has also turned into movement and sensory joy thanks to your support. The flex track race car set has inspired conversations about motion, speed, and design, while promoting collaboration as students work together to assemble creative track layouts. The stomp rocket has become a class favorite for outdoor science and cause-and-effect learning—each launch sparks smiles, laughter, and scientific wonder. Meanwhile, items like the rainbow ribbons, juggling scarves, and sensory fidgets have brought important sensory regulation and movement breaks to our daily routine. These tools help students stay calm, focused, and ready to learn, especially during transitions or moments of sensory overload.\r\n\r\nThe New Sprouts Garden Fresh play food, Hand2Mind seasons sensory tubes, and tea set have encouraged social play, turn-taking, and imaginative thinking. My students often struggle with initiating and maintaining peer interactions, so these materials have created new opportunities for friendship and teamwork. The sensory tubes, in particular, have provided calming visual input while also serving as conversation starters about weather, change, and the world around us. The fine motor hedgehog and other manipulatives have been incredibly valuable for building dexterity, finger strength, and coordination—skills that support independence both in and out of the classroom.\r\n\r\nEvery day, your generosity continues to ripple through our classroom. You've made it possible for my students to experience learning with joy, movement, and curiosity. These materials are helping them make sense of science in a tactile, sensory-friendly way, and helping me build lessons that honor their unique ways of learning. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for believing in my students and in inclusive, hands-on education. You've given us the gift of exploration, laughter, and empowerment—and that's something that will stick with us for a very long time.","fullyFundedDate":1758713889563,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-stem-for-curious-learners/9748326/","projectTitle":"Hands-On STEM for Curious Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sullivan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9889543_orig.jpg?crop=1572,1572,x40,y1824&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758319521349","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9889543"},{"teacherId":9889543,"projectId":9717105,"letterContent":"Our classroom is overflowing with excitement, movement, and joy thanks to your generous support through DonorsChoose! As an upper elementary special education class serving students with extensive learning needs, we strive every day to make learning active, meaningful, and inclusive. This project, focused on preparing our students for the Special Olympics and encouraging lifelong health and fitness, has made a tremendous impact on both our physical education lessons and our overall classroom community. Your donation didn't just fund supplies — it opened new pathways for our students to participate, move, and shine in ways that celebrate their abilities.\r\n\r\nThe materials you helped fund are already transforming the way we teach and learn. The slow motion soccer ball and rubber basketball have become instant favorites, giving our students the chance to practice and build coordination at a pace that meets their needs. These adapted materials ensure that every student—whether they use a wheelchair, have limited motor control, or are just beginning to explore team play—can experience success. Our new jump ropes, knobby balls, and waffle ball scoops bring laughter and teamwork to every activity. The joy on my students' faces as they participate, encourage each other, and celebrate small victories is truly heartwarming. You have made physical education inclusive and exciting for learners who sometimes face barriers to participation, and that is a gift beyond measure.\r\n\r\nYour support also allowed us to prepare our students for the upcoming Special Olympics, which is a highlight of our school year. The adapted sports practice sessions we're creating are helping students develop not just physical skills, but also confidence, communication, and teamwork. The FlagHouse ringing soccer balls have been especially meaningful for our students with visual or sensory processing differences—they can track the sound and stay engaged in a game that once felt inaccessible. Every toss, kick, and cheer now brings us closer together as a community. Through your generosity, our students are learning what it means to work hard, persevere, and celebrate progress, no matter how big or small.\r\n\r\nIn addition to the sports equipment, your funding for laminating pouches and Velcro has allowed us to create durable, accessible materials that support our learners in mastering routines, visual schedules, and communication systems related to exercise and sports. These tools are vital for our students who rely on structured visual supports to understand and follow multi-step tasks. Having strong, reusable materials means we can individualize instruction, adapt lesson plans, and make learning consistent for each child. It might seem simple, but laminated visuals and Velcro-backed task cards are truly the backbone of accessibility for many of our learners. Thanks to you, our teaching materials are stronger, clearer, and more engaging than ever.\r\n\r\nAnother exciting part of this project has been the Teacher Pay Teachers gift card, which has allowed us to access specialized lesson plans and adapted curriculum focused on fitness, teamwork, and movement-based learning. These resources help bridge the gap between classroom academics and physical education, reinforcing important concepts like counting, following directions, sequencing, and taking turns. Many of my students thrive when learning is active and sensory-based, and these lessons help us blend physical activity with academic content in creative ways. I've already found adapted games and visuals that align perfectly with our students' needs, and I'm thrilled to see how engaged they've been in trying new activities inspired by these materials.\r\n\r\nYour generosity through DonorsChoose does more than supply materials—it validates the importance of inclusion. You've helped make sure that every child, regardless of ability level, can experience the pride of being part of a team, the joy of movement, and the satisfaction of mastering new skills. My students are not only exercising their bodies but also growing their confidence and independence. The positive energy in our classroom has multiplied; students cheer for one another, take turns helping set up activities, and even remind their peers to use \"good sportsmanship words.\" These may sound like small moments, but for our learners, they represent tremendous progress in communication, social-emotional growth, and self-esteem.\r\n\r\nFrom the bottom of my heart, thank you for believing in our students and supporting their journey toward greater independence and inclusion. Every piece of equipment, every visual aid, and every adapted lesson you've made possible contributes to a richer, more accessible learning environment. Because of you, our students can train for the Special Olympics with confidence, learn through movement, and experience the joy of teamwork in a setting designed for their success. Your kindness and generosity will continue to ripple through our classroom, playground, and community for a long time to come.","fullyFundedDate":1758082051316,"projectUrl":"project/adapted-sports-equipment-for-special-oly/9717105/","projectTitle":"Adapted Sports Equipment for Special Olympics Champions","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sullivan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9889543_orig.jpg?crop=1572,1572,x40,y1824&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758319521349","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9889543"},{"teacherId":9889543,"projectId":9733912,"letterContent":"Our classroom is buzzing with excitement thanks to your generous donation! The new STEM materials—like kinetic sand, peg boards, and the color sorting games—are already bringing learning to life in hands-on ways that perfectly meet our students' sensory and academic needs. Every day, my students are exploring, experimenting, and discovering through play. For many of them, these tactile and visual tools make concepts like counting, sorting, and color recognition more accessible and engaging than ever before.\r\n\r\nYour support helps our students build confidence, communication skills, and curiosity. The sensory floor mats and sand containers have created calm, focused spaces for exploration and self-regulation, allowing each student to learn in a way that feels just right for them. STEM is all about discovery, and because of your kindness, our students can experience that joy in ways tailored to their unique learning styles. Thank you for believing in inclusive, hands-on education that truly makes a difference every day.","fullyFundedDate":1758481883429,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-stem-for-all-building-creatin/9733912/","projectTitle":"Hands-on STEM for All: Building, Creating, and Learning Together","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sullivan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9889543_orig.jpg?crop=1572,1572,x40,y1824&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758319521349","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9889543"},{"teacherId":2598036,"projectId":9243305,"letterContent":"The diverse, multi-language learners that I teach want to see characters in their books that look like them; seeing characters that they can relate to helps them make deeper connections to the text. Due to your generosity, our learners not only excelled, they all made monumental growth in literacy and reading comprehension.\r\n\r\nThe beautiful mentor texts that we read also positively impacted their knowledge of math, engineering, science, technology, art, physical education, music, drama, geography, history, and more. Mindsets were changed! Students who previously \"didn't like ______ (insert subject)\" were turned around by the end of the year.\r\n\r\nAgain, I thank you for your immense generosity!\r\n\r\nMost appreciatively,\r\n\r\nMrs. Maeder","fullyFundedDate":1746443381296,"projectUrl":"project/superheroes-love-to-read-and-always-nee/9243305/","projectTitle":"Superheroes Love to Read and Always Need More Books!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Maeder","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2598036_orig.jpg?crop=470,471,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1659818488685","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2598036"},{"teacherId":9889543,"projectId":9360237,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom project. The addition of the iPad and protective cover has already begun to transform the way my students access learning. For many of my elementary students with extensive needs, technology provides a bridge to understanding complex ideas. The iPad allows us to use interactive, visual, and accessible apps that bring lessons to life in ways traditional materials cannot. This has made learning more engaging, personalized, and meaningful for every child.\r\n\r\nWhat excites my students most about this new technology is the opportunity to interact with learning in ways that feel natural and fun. They are captivated by the touch-screen activities, voice features, and colorful visuals that the iPad provides. It's amazing to see how quickly they adapt and how eager they are to participate when lessons are delivered in a format that matches their interests and abilities.\r\n\r\nSeveral students in particular have especially warmed to this new tool. For example, one student who usually struggles to engage during group discussions has shown newfound confidence when using the iPad to express their thoughts. Another student who has difficulty focusing during traditional lessons has been able to sustain attention for longer periods thanks to the interactive features of the apps. The iPad has given these students a voice and a sense of pride in their learning.","fullyFundedDate":1747510434276,"projectUrl":"project/touch-technology-for-all-learners/9360237/","projectTitle":"Touch Technology for All Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sullivan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9889543_orig.jpg?crop=1572,1572,x40,y1824&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758319521349","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9889543"},{"teacherId":9889543,"projectId":9381928,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom project. The addition of the iPad and protective cover has already begun to transform the way my students access learning. For many of my elementary students with extensive needs, technology provides a bridge to understanding complex ideas. The iPad allows us to use interactive, visual, and accessible apps that bring lessons to life in ways traditional materials cannot. This has made learning more engaging, personalized, and meaningful for every child.\r\n\r\nWhat excites my students most about this new technology is the opportunity to interact with learning in ways that feel natural and fun. They are captivated by the touch-screen activities, voice features, and colorful visuals that the iPad provides. It's amazing to see how quickly they adapt and how eager they are to participate when lessons are delivered in a format that matches their interests and abilities.\r\n\r\nSeveral students in particular have especially warmed to this new tool. For example, one student who usually struggles to engage during group discussions has shown newfound confidence when using the iPad to express their thoughts. Another student who has difficulty focusing during traditional lessons has been able to sustain attention for longer periods thanks to the interactive features of the apps. The iPad has given these students a voice and a sense of pride in their learning.","fullyFundedDate":1748464361530,"projectUrl":"project/universal-design-planning-for-social-jus/9381928/","projectTitle":"Universal Design Planning for Social Justice and Racial Equity","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sullivan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9889543_orig.jpg?crop=1572,1572,x40,y1824&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758319521349","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9889543"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_4148","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":600,"numTeachers":27,"percentFrplEligible":10,"percentAsian":12,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":53,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":15,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"22.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":92.2,"schoolId":4148,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Strandwood Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Strandwood Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/mount-diablo-unified-school-district/strandwood-elementary-school/4148"}