{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Sundance Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":54.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5315172,"projectId":9950276,"letterContent":"First of all, thank you for enabling us to embark on this \"long walk\" to Sudan with Salva and Nya, the two main characters in Linda Sue Park's book, \"A Long Walk to Water.\" My students show great enthusiasm for reading this book. \r\nI introduced Sudan as a country with a complex history and rich culture. We took 3-D virtual field trips to a pyramid site and the Nile River, both in Sudan, we read about conflicts dating back to the mid-1900s, and watched a video following two girls carrying water to their village. We reenacted their journey by walking barefoot in our classroom with a five-gallon bucket of water. These activities helped build background knowledge so that as we read the book, students could build connections with the events.\r\nThis book contains complex concepts and themes. For instance, each chapter follows two characters in two different time lines. Each character experiences different challenges and as a reader, it is important to track the each timeline separately in order to avoid confusion. The interactions between characters in each timeline reveal themes of family, loyalty, and perseverance. As we read each chapter, we discuss what the text says, pair-share our thoughts, make inferences and type a \"response to reading\" that forces students to think deeply and support their thinking with text evidence. \r\nOne of our students checked out the book from the public library because he couldn't wait to read ahead. Multiple students have commented that they can't wait to get to the reading part of the day because of the suspense the author builds. As a class, they say they really enjoy seeing what new challenges Nya and Salva face, gut wrenching as they are.\r\nWithout the support of our donors, this reading experience and the memories students are building as we follow Nya's and Salva's journeys would not be possible. Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1765803759572,"projectUrl":"project/from-wyoming-to-water-understanding-the/9950276/","projectTitle":"From Wyoming to Water: Understanding the Long Walk","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cartwright","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5315172"},{"teacherId":7813660,"projectId":9180723,"letterContent":"I am beyond grateful for your generous support of our classroom project. Because of your kindness, my students now have the opportunity to explore their creativity through a variety of engaging art activities that they otherwise would not have experienced.\r\n\r\nThe art materials you helped provide have already made a meaningful impact in our classroom. My students are excited to express themselves, experiment with new techniques, and build confidence in their artistic abilities. Watching them light up as they create, share ideas, and take pride in their work has been truly heartwarming.\r\n\r\nArt gives children a voice. It encourages imagination, problem-solving, and self-expression—skills that extend far beyond the classroom. Your generosity has not only supplied materials but has also inspired creativity, joy, and a deeper love for learning.\r\n\r\nOn behalf of my students and myself, thank you for believing in our classroom and investing in our children's growth. Your support makes a difference every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1742923147172,"projectUrl":"project/lets-get-creative/9180723/","projectTitle":"Let's Get Creative!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Moeller","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7813660_orig.png?crop=398,398,x0,y37&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1741809816632","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7813660"},{"teacherId":8960806,"projectId":9913407,"letterContent":"The materials you've provided to my classroom have been beneficial in so many ways. They allow us to keep classroom resources organized and easily accessible, making it simple for both myself and my paraprofessionals to prepare materials that meet the diverse needs of our learners.\r\n\r\nStudents are also able to keep their own materials organized within the classroom, which helps reinforce the executive functioning skills we work on every day. Building independence and organizational habits is such an important part of their growth, and these materials directly support that development.\r\n\r\nAgain, thank you so much for your generosity and for supporting my classroom. I am truly grateful for the impact you're making on my students and their learning environment.","fullyFundedDate":1764694193191,"projectUrl":"project/essential-supplies-for-a-busy-resource-r/9913407/","projectTitle":"Essential Supplies for a Busy Resource Room!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. McKenzie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8960806_orig.png?crop=402,402,x0,y32&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1696602002249","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsmckenziewy"},{"teacherId":8960806,"projectId":8711784,"letterContent":"These books have brought so much joy to the readers in my classroom — and in classrooms throughout our building!\r\n\r\nNot only are they read for enjoyment by both teachers and students, but they also serve as the heart of our core reading instruction. We use them daily to teach vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills. As part of a comprehensive literacy curriculum, these texts support a wide range of reading skills and provide meaningful opportunities for discussion and learning.\r\n\r\nI feel incredibly fortunate to have these books in my classroom as exemplar texts that we return to again and again.\r\n\r\nThank you, truly, for your generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1727966213503,"projectUrl":"project/hello-engaging/8711784/","projectTitle":"Hello, Engaging","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. McKenzie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8960806_orig.png?crop=402,402,x0,y32&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1696602002249","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsmckenziewy"},{"teacherId":8960806,"projectId":9855227,"letterContent":"This resource has been an absolute game-changer in my classroom! It gives me access to an incredible range of materials, allowing me to provide decodable books, meaningful independent practice, and take-home resources for students and families.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, it ensures my students are practicing skills aligned to their individual phonics needs. I can quickly generate targeted materials that support decoding, fluency, and comprehension, which makes a huge difference for my emerging readers.\r\n\r\nIt has also been an incredible time-saver, giving me more time to thoughtfully tailor instruction to each individual learner. Instead of spending hours creating materials from scratch, I'm able to focus on what matters most — supporting my students' growth and confidence as readers.","fullyFundedDate":1763235213045,"projectUrl":"project/phonics-fun-reading-wins/9855227/","projectTitle":"Phonics Fun = Reading Wins!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. McKenzie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8960806_orig.png?crop=402,402,x0,y32&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1696602002249","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsmckenziewy"},{"teacherId":8960806,"projectId":9693978,"letterContent":"This sensory table has been such a fun and meaningful addition to my classroom! I rotate the materials monthly, and students are always eager to see what's new at the start of each month. Even my older students (3rd and 4th graders!) can't resist exploring what's inside.\r\n\r\nWhat I love most is how easily I can tailor activities to meet the needs of my diverse learners. We're able to practice math and literacy skills while also strengthening fine motor skills — an area many of my students truly benefit from.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your generosity. The sensory table and tools have become a staple in my classroom, no matter the grade level or content area I'm teaching. Your support is making a difference every single day!","fullyFundedDate":1758057032677,"projectUrl":"project/play-to-learn-building-foundational-ski/9693978/","projectTitle":"Play to Learn: Building Foundational Skills Through Hands-On Fun!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. McKenzie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8960806_orig.png?crop=402,402,x0,y32&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1696602002249","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsmckenziewy"},{"teacherId":10383259,"projectId":9957291,"letterContent":"The items from this project were added to our classroom store. Students earn classroom money through hard work, positive behavior, and making good choices throughout the school day. They can then use their earnings to \"shop\" in the store, which has become a powerful motivator and a fun way to reinforce responsibility and goal-setting.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new items, they were absolutely over the moon ecstatic and full of excitement. Their faces lit up immediately, and they began talking about how hard they wanted to work to earn rewards from the store.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, we will continue using the classroom store to motivate students to put forth their best effort each day. The next steps focus on maintaining positive behaviors, strengthening work habits, and helping students understand that consistent effort and good choices lead to meaningful rewards.","fullyFundedDate":1765803760376,"projectUrl":"project/positive-choices-positive-rewards/9957291/","projectTitle":"Positive Choices, Positive Rewards!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Olson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10383259_orig.jpg?crop=480,480,x0,y36&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1768236067551","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10383259"},{"teacherId":8960806,"projectId":9320756,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of my DonorsChoose project! Because of you, I was able to purchase high-quality, teacher-created resources that will immediately benefit my students. These games and activities are engaging and ready to use. They make a real difference in helping my learners grow—especially in the areas of reading, writing, and math.\r\n\r\nYour contribution means my students have access to tools that bring lessons to life, support different learning needs, and allow me to spend more time teaching and connecting with kids rather than creating materials from scratch. They are already excited about the new resources, and I can't wait to see the progress they make.\r\n\r\nThank you again for believing in my classroom and for investing in the success of my students. Your kindness truly makes an impact.","fullyFundedDate":1746555580927,"projectUrl":"project/lets-learn-through-play/9320756/","projectTitle":"Let's Learn Through Play!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. McKenzie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8960806_orig.png?crop=402,402,x0,y32&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1696602002249","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsmckenziewy"},{"teacherId":8960806,"projectId":9133373,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our classroom! Your support has brought brand-new literacy games into the hands of my students, and the excitement has been instant. These materials are already creating meaningful opportunities for my young learners to practice reading skills in fun, engaging, and confidence-building ways.\r\n\r\nIn a resource room where every minute counts, having hands-on literacy games allows my students to strengthen phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension while feeling successful and motivated. Your kindness directly impacts their daily learning—and it shows in their smiles, proud moments, and \"Can we play again?\" requests.\r\n\r\nWe are truly grateful for your belief in our classroom and in the hard work of our students. Thank you for helping make learning joyful, accessible, and full of possibility.","fullyFundedDate":1744128028541,"projectUrl":"project/learning-with-literacy-games/9133373/","projectTitle":"Learning with Literacy Games","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. McKenzie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8960806_orig.png?crop=402,402,x0,y32&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1696602002249","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsmckenziewy"},{"teacherId":8960806,"projectId":9101742,"letterContent":"I have been able to share the books that were donated with over 100 students! We have thoroughly enjoyed all of these books. The books were part of our \"March Book Madness,\" but we will continue to read and reread these books (many, many times!). \r\n\r\nThe best part about these books is that most of my students (and even other teachers) hadn't read them before; we love discovering new literature! \r\n\r\nIn addition to just reading these books for \"fun,\" teachers in kindergarten, first, and second grades were able to connect the content to our ELA standards. The book discussions amongst the students have been great, too! Hearing 5-year-olds talking about books has been fun for teachers.\r\n\r\nAgain, thank you so much for this donation. It has meant so much to the K-2 wing at Sundance Elementary!","fullyFundedDate":1739314032351,"projectUrl":"project/growing-readers-in-k-2/9101742/","projectTitle":"Growing Readers in K-2","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. McKenzie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8960806_orig.png?crop=402,402,x0,y32&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1696602002249","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsmckenziewy"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_39399","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":250,"numTeachers":19,"percentFrplEligible":24,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":96,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":0,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"13.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_REMOTE"},"inStateSupporters":45.7,"schoolId":39399,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Sundance Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Sundance Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/wyoming/crook-county-school-district-1/sundance-elementary-school/39399"}