{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Sunnyside Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":31.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9880172,"projectId":10065751,"letterContent":"My students have loved these books so far, and it is a highlight of our day to get together and read more of Petey! We've tied in vocabulary, perspective, and worked to better understand how attitudes toward people's differences have changed over time. We tie what we read to our character-strong curriculum and have had wonderful discussions about change, growth, perseverance, and how kindness lifts others up.\r\n\r\nThis book is set in our home state of Montana, which makes it easier for students to connect to the story. Empathy and understanding have truly grown throughout this process, and students have become emotionally invested in Petey's successes.\r\n\r\nThe stand-up desks and stools have been wonderful additions to our classroom! They allow students to move naturally throughout the day, which helps them stay focused and engaged. This flexibility has improved attention and created a more positive learning environment.\r\n\r\nThese books are building stronger readers and shaping compassionate, thoughtful individuals who understand the power of perseverance and kindness. I am ecstatic to continue this journey with Fish in a Tree!","fullyFundedDate":1778867556192,"projectUrl":"project/cozy-seats-and-even-better-reads/10065751/","projectTitle":"Cozy Seats and Even Better Reads","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Girard","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9880172_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1773838253295","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-girard-ss"},{"teacherId":5809656,"projectId":10146863,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in helping us create a bright, cozy, and inviting reading corner for our kindergarten classroom. Your gift has transformed a special space in our room into a place where students can slow down, get comfortable, and discover the joy of books.\r\nWhen our students first saw the new reading corner, they were immediately excited. They were eager to explore the cozy space, look through the books, and find a comfortable spot to read. We heard students saying things like, \"This is my favorite place!\" and \"Can I read here?\" It was wonderful to see how quickly they understood this space was created especially for them.\r\nWe are already using the reading corner every day. One special classroom moment was watching a group of students gather together to look at a picture book. They took turns studying the illustrations, making predictions, and retelling the story to one another. Some students were \"reading\" the pictures and creating their own stories, while others were practicing the words and sounds they have been learning. What started as a cozy place to sit quickly became a space for collaboration, imagination, conversation, and growing confidence as readers.\r\nYour donation is supporting so much more than comfortable seating and classroom materials. It is helping us build a positive relationship with reading at one of the most important stages of a child's educational journey. Our students are learning that books can take them to new places, introduce them to new ideas, and help them understand themselves and the world around them.\r\nAs we continue our current reading lessons, students will be working on strengthening their letter-sound knowledge, building vocabulary, practicing reading strategies, and retelling and discussing stories. We will continue encouraging them to choose books independently, share their thinking with classmates, and use the reading corner as a place to practice the skills they are developing. Our goal is to help every child see themselves as a capable and enthusiastic reader.\r\nPerhaps most importantly, the impact of your generosity will extend far beyond this year's kindergarten class. Each year, we welcome a new group of young learners into our classroom, and each new class will have the opportunity to enjoy this special space. Year after year, children will curl up with books, share stories with friends, imagine new possibilities, and develop a lifelong love of reading in the reading corner you helped create.\r\nThank you for investing in our students and for helping us create a classroom environment where children feel comfortable, curious, and excited to learn. Your generosity has created a lasting resource that will continue to welcome, inspire, and encourage kindergarten readers for many years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1779316520266,"projectUrl":"project/cozy-bright-reading-corner/10146863/","projectTitle":"Cozy & Bright Reading Corner","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hall","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5809656_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x0,y160&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753821188033","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5809656"},{"teacherId":5809656,"projectId":10137067,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your incredibly generous donation of caps and gowns for our kindergarten graduation. Because of your kindness, 60 kindergartners and their families were able to experience a graduation celebration that was truly special and memorable.\r\nWhen our students first saw the caps and gowns, their faces lit up with excitement! They could hardly believe that they were going to get to wear their very own graduation attire. We watched our kindergarteners proudly put on their caps and gowns, look at themselves, and smile with such a sense of accomplishment. For many of our students, this was their first experience celebrating a major school milestone, and your gift helped them understand just how important their hard work and growth have been.\r\nOne of the most meaningful moments was watching our students practice for graduation together. They carefully learned how to walk in their caps and gowns, practiced holding their heads high, and proudly prepared to walk across the stage in front of their families. What might seem like a simple cap and gown became something much bigger—it represented all the reading, writing, counting, friendships, perseverance, and growth our students experienced throughout kindergarten.\r\nYour generosity will continue to make a difference long after this year's graduation. These caps and gowns will be used year after year, touching the lives of kindergarten students and families for years to come. Each new group of students will have the opportunity to experience that same feeling of pride and accomplishment, and each family will have a special memory to treasure. Your gift truly is a lasting legacy in our school community.\r\nThank you for believing in our students and for helping make such an important milestone unforgettable. Your generosity gave 60 children the chance to feel proud, celebrated, and ready for what comes next. Most importantly, your gift will continue creating those joyful moments for kindergarteners and their families year after year.","fullyFundedDate":1778286605143,"projectUrl":"project/class-of-2026/10137067/","projectTitle":"Class of 2026","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hall","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5809656_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x0,y160&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753821188033","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5809656"},{"teacherId":6963007,"projectId":10057161,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation! These new tables have already made a huge difference in our classroom. My 5th grade students were beyond excited to see brand new tables when they first entered the classroom. My students now have sturdy, functional workspaces that will allow for easier collaboration and participation. These new tables have created an environment that feels more organized, welcoming and student-centered. Instead of worrying about our old worn-out tables, the students can focus their attention where it belongs-- learning. \r\n This project has also given my students more opportunities to work together and learn from one another. These tables also provide flexible workspace, which necessary for our science class. They have helped make learning more interactive. We are incredibly grateful to every donor who helped make this possible. Your generosity has helped improve our classroom and will continue to benefit students for years to come!","fullyFundedDate":1773018373259,"projectUrl":"project/building-better-spaces-to-learn/10057161/","projectTitle":"Building Better Spaces to Learn","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Shipman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6963007_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1574128392807","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6963007"},{"teacherId":6622281,"projectId":10165446,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the outdoor play activities. I was able to purchase an assortment of footballs, volleyballs, basketballs, soccer balls, and jump ropes for our students in grades kindergarten through sixth grade. Students had access to these items any time they were outside for recess. They enjoyed having choices of activities, which allowed our students to work on their social skills. Thank you again. I appreciate your support in helping our younger generation thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1777998726639,"projectUrl":"project/play-move-thrive-equipping-our-studen/10165446/","projectTitle":"Play, Move, Thrive: Equipping Our Students for Active Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Munden","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6622281_orig.jpg?crop=442,442,x0,y39&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1679276325845","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6622281"},{"teacherId":10420878,"projectId":10066139,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generosity! It has left an impact on students at Sunnyside. Each week students were ready with positive energy. There were a handful of times students ran out of their classrooms to join our line. In fact, many students that were not part of group were asking to join. Here is some of what they said about why they have loved group each Thursday:\r\n\r\n\"Getting to have fun!\"\r\n\"Learning breathing techniques.\"\r\n\"Spending time with each other and learning new ways to calm my body down.\"\r\n\"I can listen to my teacher better when I go back to class.\"\r\n\"Making new friends and learning techniques to breathe. My favorite is the dolphin breath.\"\r\n\r\nYour support allowed us to have the supplies to be able to visually and physically work on processing emotions. Thank you for your investment in mental health, especially for a younger population of students. These students will take these regulation and friendship skills into the next many school years and beyond.","fullyFundedDate":1769870304800,"projectUrl":"project/healing-stress-and-trauma-with-creative/10066139/","projectTitle":"Healing Stress and Trauma with Creative Arts","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Woyth","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10420878"},{"teacherId":10420704,"projectId":10065675,"letterContent":"You generosity created an essential tool to enhance overall safety and wellbeing for students with Type 1 Diabetes in the school setting. With the funds, I was able to purchase all of the supplies/materials to create emergency packs for all 31 students in our school district with Type 1 Diabetes. Each student has been given a pack with extra supplies for checking blood sugar, sharps container, as well as snacks and emergency glucose. \r\n\r\nMany of the students were excited to have their own assigned pack and to be able to pick out their own color of pack. There were \"gasps\" and \"giggles\" as they saw everything that was in it and were deciding which way to wear their packs. \r\n\r\nThis is just the starting point. The packs have created an opportunity for school nurses to further educate teachers, as these supplies will be kept on the student or on the teacher (depending on what is deemed safest for that particular student). With the packs, specific instructions are printed out and given to teachers to be kept in the classroom. Next school year, I intend to give a 30 minute power point educational session for each teacher receiving a student in their class who has Type 1 Diabetes. \r\n\r\nI am humbled by the generosity of our community and the commitment to helping kids thrive and feel cared for.","fullyFundedDate":1770223829618,"projectUrl":"project/emergency-packs-for-students-with-type-1/10065675/","projectTitle":"Emergency Packs for Students with Type 1 Diabetes","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10420704_orig.jpg?crop=1108,1108,x604,y745&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1769541151073","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/schoolnurse-gfps"},{"teacherId":9060320,"projectId":10065984,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the incredibly generous donation of classroom books. Your kindness and support have already made such a meaningful impact on my 2nd grade students, and I truly cannot thank you enough. From the moment the books arrived, the excitement in our classroom has been absolutely contagious. Students who were once hesitant to pick up a book are now eager to dive into reading, and it has been such a joy to witness their growing enthusiasm.\r\n\r\nOne of the most noticeable changes has been how much more my students are choosing to read during both independent reading time and even during moments of free choice throughout the day. The new books have sparked curiosity, imagination, and a genuine love of reading that continues to grow each day. In particular, the Dog Man books have quickly become a classroom favorite. Students are constantly asking to read them, sharing them with one another, and even discussing their favorite parts and characters with excitement. It has been amazing to see how these books have encouraged even my most reluctant readers to become more engaged and confident.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, my students are not only reading more, but they are also building important literacy skills, improving their comprehension, and developing a stronger connection to books. They are beginning to see reading not as a task, but as something enjoyable and meaningful. The variety of books has allowed each student to find something that interests them, which has been key in helping them feel successful and motivated.\r\n\r\nYour support truly makes a difference in the lives of my students every single day. Thank you for investing in their education, their confidence, and their love of learning. Your generosity is helping shape lifelong readers, and I am so grateful for the positive impact you have made in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1769815378509,"projectUrl":"project/new-classroom-books/10065984/","projectTitle":"New Classroom Books!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Anderson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9060320_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1769570610504","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9060320"},{"teacherId":6622281,"projectId":10061138,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all of the new books we were able to purchase with your generous donation. With the contribution you made, we were able to purchase several new books for our school library. These high-interest texts will be used for years to come with students in grades kindergarten through sixth grade. The students are enjoying having several new authors and titles to choose from. These books are turning reluctant readers into enthusiastic ones. \r\nThank you again. I appreciate your support in helping take my students on new reading adventures.","fullyFundedDate":1771609398840,"projectUrl":"project/a-reading-journey-part-two/10061138/","projectTitle":"A Reading Journey Part Two","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Munden","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6622281_orig.jpg?crop=442,442,x0,y39&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1679276325845","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6622281"},{"teacherId":6963007,"projectId":10065230,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom through DonorsChoose. Because of your generosity, my students now have class sets of books that allow everyone to follow along, participate in discussions, and fully engage in our reading together.\r\n\r\nHaving their own copy in hand makes a huge difference. Students are able to annotate, reference the text during conversations, and feel more confident sharing their ideas. The excitement when the books arrived was incredible, and it has already sparked greater enthusiasm for reading in our classroom.\r\n\r\nYour support is helping create stronger readers and richer classroom discussions. Thank you for investing in my students and making such a meaningful impact on their learning.","fullyFundedDate":1769800410125,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-books-back/10065230/","projectTitle":"Bringing Books Back","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Shipman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6963007_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1574128392807","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6963007"},{"teacherId":6622281,"projectId":10061085,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the new books we were able to purchase with your generous donation. With your contribution, we could acquire several new books for our school library. Our school is a Title I school with 100% of students receiving free lunch and breakfast. Several students don't have the choice at home to choose books they enjoy. These books have expanded the options available to our students when selecting good-fit books for themselves. We will be able to continue using these books for years to come. Thank you again for taking our students on new reading journeys.","fullyFundedDate":1769468644493,"projectUrl":"project/a-reading-journey/10061085/","projectTitle":"A Reading Journey","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Munden","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6622281_orig.jpg?crop=442,442,x0,y39&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1679276325845","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6622281"},{"teacherId":5220807,"projectId":10057658,"letterContent":"The memoir Ugly by Robert Hoge has a powerful impact on sixth graders' development of empathy and self-confidence because it presents a real person's experience with appearance, bullying, and self-acceptance.\r\nFirst, the book helps students develop empathy. Robert Hoge was born with a facial tumor and other physical differences, and he shares honestly about how people reacted to his appearance and how those reactions affected him as a child. As sixth graders read about his experiences with teasing, staring, and feeling excluded, they begin to better understand how hurtful judgments about appearance can be. Because Robert tells his story in a very open and relatable way, students are able to imagine what it might feel like to be treated differently, which encourages kindness and compassion toward others.\r\nSecond, the memoir helps strengthen self-confidence in students. Throughout the book, Robert learns to accept himself and recognize that his value comes from who he is rather than how he looks. This message is especially important for sixth graders, who are at an age where self-image and peer approval often become more significant. Seeing how Robert grows into a confident and successful adult shows students that differences do not define a person's worth.\r\nFinally, the book encourages important classroom discussions about bullying, identity, and acceptance. Students reflect on how their actions and words affect others and consider how they can help create a more supportive and inclusive environment. Robert's story also reminds them that everyone has challenges, even if those challenges are not always visible.\r\nOverall, Ugly helps sixth graders build empathy for others while reinforcing the idea that confidence and character come from accepting oneself and treating others with kindness and respect. Thank you so much for helping make our world a kinder and more generous place.","fullyFundedDate":1769395661862,"projectUrl":"project/everyone-is-a-little-ugly/10057658/","projectTitle":"Everyone Is a Little \"Ugly\"","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kojetin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5220807"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_39707","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":393,"numTeachers":27,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":57,"percentIndigenous":8,"percentLatinx":13,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":18,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"14.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":68.6,"schoolId":39707,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Sunnyside Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Sunnyside Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/montana/great-falls-school-district-1a/sunnyside-elementary-school/39707"}