{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Strong Start Academy Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":52.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9272311,"projectId":10588464,"letterContent":"My students have been so excited to use the new resources from our Power Up PE project! They enjoy having new equipment and activities that give them more opportunities to move, practice skills, and have fun with their classmates. Seeing their excitement when they first saw the new materials was a great reminder of how meaningful these resources are for our PE program.\r\n\r\nWe are using the new resources during our PE lessons to practice skills such as throwing, catching, kicking, balancing, and teamwork. Students are able to participate in a variety of activities and challenge themselves while learning how to work together and follow directions. The new materials have helped make our PE lessons more engaging and give students more opportunities to be active.\r\n\r\nAs we continue through the school year, our goal is to introduce students to new activities and sports while helping them build confidence and develop healthy habits. We are excited to keep using these resources to create fun learning experiences and encourage our students to stay active both in and outside of PE. We are so grateful to our donors for helping make this possible!","fullyFundedDate":1788669450187,"projectUrl":"project/power-up-pe/10588464/","projectTitle":"Power Up PE!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sama","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9272311_orig.jpg?crop=585,585,x0,y228&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1721673776256","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9272311"},{"teacherId":9752611,"projectId":10270641,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my students and our classroom by providing lab coats and a classroom rug. Your generosity has made a meaningful difference in both the learning environment and the experiences my students will remember for years to come.\r\n\r\nThe lab coats are especially meaningful because my students will use them when they present their plant research projects to the entire school at the end of the year. After spending months researching, observing, and caring for their plants, they will have the opportunity to stand in front of their peers and share what they have learned. Wearing their lab coats will help them feel like real scientists and will give them a sense of pride and confidence as they showcase their hard work.\r\n\r\nThe rug has also helped create a welcoming space in our classroom where students can gather, collaborate, and learn together. It gives us a comfortable place for discussions, group activities, and moments of reflection as we explore science.\r\n\r\nYour donation is about so much more than classroom supplies. You are helping my students see themselves as scientists, researchers, and capable learners. You are giving them opportunities to take pride in their work and share their learning with others.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in my students and helping make their learning experiences more engaging, meaningful, and memorable. We are incredibly grateful for your support","fullyFundedDate":1778129601834,"projectUrl":"project/botanist-lab-coats-and-cozy-corner/10270641/","projectTitle":"Botanist Lab Coats and Cozy Corner","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Balasquide","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9752611_orig.png?crop=421,421,x7,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1778086570233","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9752611"},{"teacherId":9752611,"projectId":10265407,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my classroom and my students! Your generosity has provided us with so many items that will make a meaningful difference in our school day—from brand-new shoes for students to essential classroom supplies like pencils, markers, tissues, and Clorox wipes.\r\n\r\nThese may seem like simple items, but in our classroom, they make a HUGE difference. Having the supplies we need allows my students to focus on learning instead of worrying about whether they have the materials they need. The shoes will also help ensure that students feel comfortable, confident, and ready to participate in their school day.\r\n\r\nI am especially excited about the seating for our cozy corner. This space gives my students a comfortable place to take a break, reset their emotions, read a book, or simply have a quiet moment when they need one. For our little learners, having a safe and welcoming space to regulate their emotions can make all the difference in being able to return to learning ready to succeed.\r\n\r\nBecause of your kindness, my classroom is becoming more than just a place where students learn—it is becoming a place where they feel cared for, supported, and valued.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in my students and helping create a classroom where every child can feel prepared, comfortable, and excited to learn. Your generosity truly makes an impact!","fullyFundedDate":1778034154246,"projectUrl":"project/mrs-b-classroom-restock/10265407/","projectTitle":"Mrs. B Classroom Restock","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Balasquide","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9752611_orig.png?crop=421,421,x7,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1778086570233","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9752611"},{"teacherId":9272311,"projectId":9292915,"letterContent":"Before receiving the new equipment, students often had to share limited materials, which reduced the amount of time each child was actively participating. With additional equipment available, every student now has more opportunities to practice skills independently and with partners. This increase in active participation has allowed students to build confidence while improving their fundamental movement skills such as throwing, catching, dribbling, kicking, balancing, and striking. More repetitions during lessons have led to noticeable growth in student performance and overall skill development.\r\n\r\nThe new equipment has also increased student motivation and enthusiasm for physical education. Students are excited to see new activities introduced throughout the year, and they look forward to participating in class each week. The variety of equipment allows lessons to remain fresh and engaging while meeting the needs of students with different abilities and interests. Students who were once hesitant to participate have become more willing to try new activities because the equipment provides opportunities for success at every skill level.\r\n\r\nAnother important benefit has been the ability to create multiple learning stations during class. Station based instruction allows students to rotate through different activities that focus on specific skills while keeping everyone actively engaged. This instructional format reduces waiting time, encourages teamwork, and allows me to provide more individualized instruction and feedback. Students remain active throughout the lesson, which increases moderate to vigorous physical activity while supporting our state physical education standards.\r\n\r\nSafety has also improved as a result of the additional equipment. Having enough equipment for students reduces overcrowding and minimizes the need for students to compete for materials. Students have more personal space to practice safely, resulting in fewer disruptions and allowing them to focus on proper technique. Equipment designed specifically for elementary-aged students also provides appropriate sizes and weights that help students learn skills correctly while reducing the risk of injury.\r\n\r\nOverall, the new equipment has greatly enhanced the quality of instruction in my physical education program. It has increased student participation, improved skill development, promoted safety, and created a more engaging and inclusive learning environment. Most importantly, it has inspired students to enjoy being physically active and has helped foster healthy habits that can last a lifetime. The investment in this equipment has made a lasting and meaningful difference in my classroom and has provided students with opportunities to succeed both physically and socially every day.","fullyFundedDate":1746659565132,"projectUrl":"project/enhance-our-physical-education-class/9292915/","projectTitle":"Enhance Our Physical Education Class!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sama","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9272311_orig.jpg?crop=585,585,x0,y228&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1721673776256","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9272311"},{"teacherId":10407788,"projectId":10035688,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom through DonorsChoose. Receiving this printer will make a tremendous difference for my students and our daily learning environment. Your generosity will allow me to quickly provide high-quality learning materials, differentiated activities, assessments, and resources that directly support student success.\r\nHaving a classroom printer means students will have immediate access to the materials they need without delays, helping us maximize instructional time and keep learning engaging and organized. Your donation is more than just a piece of equipment—it is an investment in my students, their education, and their future.\r\nMy students and I are incredibly grateful for your kindness and support. Thank you for believing in our classroom and helping create meaningful learning opportunities every day.","fullyFundedDate":1768745267505,"projectUrl":"project/need-materials/10035688/","projectTitle":"Need Materials","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Garcia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10407788"},{"teacherId":8800904,"projectId":9510133,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom! The new technology and items has made learning more engaging and exciting for my students. They love being able to practice skills in interactive ways and feel very motivated when using the new tools.\r\n\r\nWhat excites them most is having something new that makes learning feel fun and special. I've especially noticed some quieter students becoming more confident and eager to participate during lessons.\r\n\r\nYour generosity truly makes a difference in our classroom, and my students are so grateful for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1754253112565,"projectUrl":"project/a-fresh-start-full-of-joy/9510133/","projectTitle":"A Fresh Start Full of Joy!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Salazar","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8800904_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720471180969","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8800904"},{"teacherId":9370086,"projectId":10031278,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in providing color ink for our classroom printer. With access to color printing, I have been able to create vibrant vocabulary cards for our math word wall. \r\n\r\nIn addition, we are currently engaged in a plant science unit. My students are learning vocabulary in Spanish and are working hard to complete their science boards for an upcoming gallery walk. Your support has truly enriched our classroom environment and expanded what is possible for my students. Thank you for helping make learning more engaging, accessible, and inspiring.","fullyFundedDate":1768699741541,"projectUrl":"project/enhanced-learning-through-colors/10031278/","projectTitle":"Enhanced Learning Through Colors","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Flores","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9370086"},{"teacherId":9352318,"projectId":10025289,"letterContent":"Students spent several weeks reading fairy tales, folk tales, and fable; all involving animal characters. Students were fully engaged in the story elements. We had rich discussions about the characters, setting, problem and solution. Students recognized the lessons in the story and were able to make connections to lessons learned in their lives.\r\n\r\nStudents then went on a journey of writing a narrative story. They developed their own animal characters; giving them their own unique character traits. Once they put all of their story elements together they wrote their story.\r\n\r\nFinally, students worked in teams to create a \"group story\" and brought their stories to life by creating a diorama . Students were so engaged in developing this story using the items donated from project. As a teacher, you feel when students are truly experiencing love of learning. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to introduce this to my students. This will definitely be something I do with all future classes!","fullyFundedDate":1768672386369,"projectUrl":"project/animal-stories-come-to-life/10025289/","projectTitle":"Animal Stories Come to Life!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Smith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9352318"},{"teacherId":8152467,"projectId":10025800,"letterContent":"My third grade classroom was filled with excitement and gratitude when the donated items arrived. My students were immediately drawn to the new books, eagerly flipping through pages and sharing their first impressions with one another. It was inspiring to see their enthusiasm for reading grow so naturally, as they couldn't wait to dive into the stories and explore new ideas together.\r\n\r\nAs we began reading, the students were especially engaged in discussing common themes and sharing interesting facts they discovered. Their conversations became richer and more thoughtful, with many students making connections between texts and their own experiences. The donations not only provided new materials but also sparked meaningful learning opportunities that strengthened both comprehension and collaboration.\r\n\r\nThe buzzers were an absolute highlight in our classroom. They quickly became a favorite tool during games and review activities, adding an element of fun and friendly competition. Students were highly motivated to participate. These resources have truly made a positive impact, and we are deeply appreciative of the generosity that made this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1768675714990,"projectUrl":"project/reading-our-way-to-success/10025800/","projectTitle":"Reading Our Way to Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Reyes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8152467"},{"teacherId":8414619,"projectId":10030924,"letterContent":"When I think about what your generosity has done for my classroom, I keep coming back to one moment. One of my students was sitting in our book nook, curled up on a new pillow with a book in hand, completely lost in the story. This is a student who used to rush through reading just to be done. That day, they did not want to leave the space. That is the kind of impact you have made.\r\n\r\nBefore this project, so many of the things that bring learning to life felt just out of reach. Printing in color and laminating materials required special permission, which meant my students often missed out on the kind of vibrant, hands on resources that help ideas stick. Now, I can create what they need when they need it. The difference is immediate. Lessons feel more alive, and students are more focused, more excited, and more confident in what they are learning.\r\n\r\nWhat has meant the most is watching my students take ownership. They love using the highlighters and pens to go back into their work, to fix mistakes, and to make it better. It has shifted how they see themselves. They are not just completing assignments anymore. They are growing. They are thinking. They are proud.\r\n\r\nYou did more than provide supplies. You created a space where students feel comfortable, capable, and cared for. You gave them color, comfort, and a sense that their learning matters. I see it every single day, and I am so grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1768696818269,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-color-to-learning-and-comfort-t/10030924/","projectTitle":"Bringing Color to Learning and Comfort to Our Book Nook","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. McSwain","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8414619_orig.jpg?crop=1726,1726,x0,y575&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1701212596218","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mcswain4change"},{"teacherId":10165040,"projectId":9996883,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donation. I've utilized the donations to support our Bee Buck Student Store which is a way for students to purchase a prize with their Bee Bucks. Students earn Bee Bucks through demonstrating the Three B's: Be Safe, Be Kind, and Be Responsible. Along side with that, I've utilized other donated items for tutoring. This past year, we've received Professional Development on CGI (Cognitively Guided Instruction) to implement with our math instruction. One of the strategies/ tools that has been taught to us is utilizing little trinkets as a counting collection. Such an awesome way for students to have fun while learning! \r\n\r\nThank you again!!","fullyFundedDate":1768448953605,"projectUrl":"project/bee-buck-student-storetutoring/9996883/","projectTitle":"Bee Buck Student Store/Tutoring","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Christine","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10165040"},{"teacherId":9755014,"projectId":10033385,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom has transformed into a space where every child feels like a reader.\r\nThese new decodable books and phonics games have given my students access to reading in a way that truly meets them where they are. Instead of guessing or memorizing, students are now learning how to decode words using specific phonics patterns. With the short vowel books, they began by building foundational skills like sounding out simple CVC words (cat, dog, sun). As they grew more confident, we introduced digraphs (like sh and ch) and blends (like bl and st), helping them read longer and more complex words. Now, with the long vowel VCE books, students are practicing patterns like cake, bike, and home, which is a huge milestone in early reading development.\r\nReading in our classroom is active, joyful, and full of growth. You'll see students pointing under each word, stretching out sounds, and celebrating when they successfully read a sentence on their own. We read together, in small groups, and independently. The phonics games and flash cards have turned practice into something they genuinely look forward to, especially during literacy centers where they can play and learn at the same time.\r\nSome of my students who once felt unsure about reading are now the most excited to pick up a book. I have one student who used to avoid reading altogether, but now proudly shares decodable stories with me, sounding out each word with determination. Another student loves using the word games to \"teach\" their classmates, building both confidence and leadership skills. These moments are small but powerful, and they are happening every single day because of these resources.\r\nYour support has not just provided materials, it has built confidence, independence, and a love of reading in young learners. Thank you for helping my students see themselves as readers.","fullyFundedDate":1768708131285,"projectUrl":"project/give-the-power-to-read/10033385/","projectTitle":"Give the Power to Read","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Garces","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9755014"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_131007","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":264,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":16,"percentWhite":6,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":71,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":4,"gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":47.1,"schoolId":131007,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Strong Start Academy Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Strong Start Academy Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/nevada/state-public-charter-school-authority/strong-start-academy/131007"}