{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Taylor Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":42.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10355633,"projectId":9907576,"letterContent":"Thank you for your willingness to donate to my youngest learners. They are the future engineers, problem solvers and creative minds! Unfortunately, the STEM Duplo sets I was hoping to provide for them are out of stock. However, rest assured we have found other supplies that will give them equal opportunities to grow and learn. With these classes, students are read a story and then given a task based on the read aloud. Last week, they created aliens after reading a CCBA nominated book 'We are Definitely Humans.' They loved the choices they had to create with lego, art supplies or blocks. Thanks to your donation, the supplies we needed to create these projects were available! \r\n It is so wonderful to be give these students at chance to have choice and ownership in their learning. We know that what looks like play to them is actually meaningful learning. These supplies gave them the chance to 'play' while using their critical thinking, math, language and social emotional skills. \r\nI can't wait for next week, when learners will hear a tale about a treasure chest in a far off land and have to work together to create a vehicle that will take us there. I am certain their imagination will fly and these vehicles will be out of this world.","fullyFundedDate":1764680969112,"projectUrl":"project/building-bright-minds-steam-lego-kits-f/9907576/","projectTitle":"Building Bright Minds: STEAM Lego Kits for Creative Problem Solvers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Westbrooks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10355633"},{"teacherId":10355633,"projectId":9907784,"letterContent":"I wanted to extend my sincerest gratitude for your generosity. I was more than a little surprised when this actually worked and I saw that you had donated to this project! I couldn't believe the kindness of a stranger supporting a classroom they had no ties to. I want you to know that from now on, you do have ties to us! You have left a lasting impression on me and my students. Everyone time one of them gets the opportunity to design and build something- you will have a part in that. Every time a child feels the joy and pride of completing a build and being successful in a task- you will be there. \r\n These Lego Spike kits are especially helpful for my unique school. We have a large number of students that are working below grading level and managing big behaviors. For many of them, school is a place they dread because they don't feel success. I want them to feel their potential, their greatness everyday. I know that these kits will allow them to find joy in school. Already, they have light up at the thought of programming and building an amazing amusement park and a cave car. Their jaws dropped when they saw these lego kits had actual motors and pieces to program! So much of their day is filled with work that doesn't inspire them yet- this was different!\r\n We truly cannot wait to get started. I have a few students organizing and exploring the kits. We will begin using the unit plans from LEGO education starting with the adventure series. I can't wait to see what they make! Thank you for making this dream a reality.","fullyFundedDate":1764680968918,"projectUrl":"project/from-consumers-to-creators-lego-stem-ki/9907784/","projectTitle":"From Consumers to Creators: Lego Stem Kits for Growing Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Westbrooks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10355633"},{"teacherId":10355632,"projectId":9907575,"letterContent":"It was such a joy getting our mirrors delivered right before Christmas break! My students were overjoyed at the surprise. Our room feels bigger and more professional now. What an amazing gift, and just in time! We had two weeks of practice before our annual Winter Show. They were super motivated to practice, and it really paid off because they did great!\r\n\tAs I imagined, the mirrors have been a big help. Students are finally able to self-correct. If they are turning the wrong way or not moving in time with the group, they notice and can fix it. This has been a major help to me and has opened the door for my students to make major progress. I'm also seeing students try new moves, testing them in the mirror to see if they \"look cool\". It has been such a treat for me to witness this growth!\r\n\tI want to extend my deepest gratitude to those that contributed to this cause. Knowing that there are people who support teachers means so much. Life can be hard for kids and sharing the joy of dance with them is the best gift I can give. Thank you!!","fullyFundedDate":1764600981006,"projectUrl":"project/watch-us-grow-mirrors-for-young-dancers/9907575/","projectTitle":"Watch Us Grow: Mirrors for Young Dancers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pinar","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10355632"},{"teacherId":9226732,"projectId":9072461,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our mosaic mural project with your generous donation of clay, glaze, grout, and adhesive supplies. Your gift helped bring a bold, colorful vision to life—one that now lives proudly on the outside wall of our school for all to see. Each student contributed a hand-formed and glazed tile to the design, creating a powerful visual story about our school community, our values, and our creativity. The process gave students ownership and pride in a project that will last for years to come.\r\nWhen the materials arrived, excitement buzzed through the art room. For many students, it was their first time working with real ceramic materials and glazes. They were amazed to see their individual tiles go into the kiln and come out transformed—vibrant, shiny, and ready to become part of something bigger. One student said, \"I can't believe something I made is going to be part of our school forever!\" Their joy, focus, and sense of purpose throughout the project were inspiring.","fullyFundedDate":1741143328702,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-creativity-to-the-community-a/9072461/","projectTitle":"Bringing Creativity to the Community: A School-Wide Mosaic Project","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Woerner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9226732_orig.jpg?crop=1536,1536,x0,y512&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1736899536351","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9226732"},{"teacherId":9226732,"projectId":9061419,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in funding our classroom slab roller! This tool has completely transformed how we approach clay work in the art room. With the slab roller, my students are now able to create even, professional-quality clay slabs—something that was incredibly difficult (and frustrating) for small hands to do by hand. We recently completed a project where students designed their own textured ceramic tiles, pressing found objects into the clay and then glazing them. The slab roller helped every student start with a smooth, consistent surface, making their creative details shine.\r\nWhen the slab roller arrived, the students were in awe. Their eyes lit up as I demonstrated how it worked—one student exclaimed, \"It's like magic for clay!\" Another student proudly told their family, \"We have a real artist machine now!\" These reactions were a reminder that access to tools like this not only improves the quality of their work, but also makes them feel like true artists. For many of my students, this was their first time working with equipment that professional artists use, and it was empowering for them to know they could create something meaningful with it.\r\nNow that we have this amazing tool, we're moving on to a storytelling-through-clay unit. Students will use the slab roller to create clay panels that illustrate personal or cultural stories, incorporating texture, carving, and layered glaze techniques. This wouldn't be possible without your support. Your gift has opened new possibilities in our classroom—not just in what we can make, but in how students see themselves as creators. From all of us, thank you for making this kind of learning possible.","fullyFundedDate":1739376119809,"projectUrl":"project/rolling-out-creativity-a-slab-roller-fo/9061419/","projectTitle":"Rolling Out Creativity: A Slab Roller for Young Artist","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Woerner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9226732_orig.jpg?crop=1536,1536,x0,y512&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1736899536351","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9226732"},{"teacherId":9226732,"projectId":7883114,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our art room has truly come alive! We've been using the new paint, glaze, brushes, and other supplies to explore a wide range of art techniques. One standout project was our \"Self-Portrait in Color\" unit, where students used acrylic paint and new fine brushes to express their personalities through color, line, and emotion. The quality of the materials allowed them to be more precise and confident, and the results were amazing—we even turned the portraits into a mini-gallery in the hallway to share with our school community.\r\nWhen I unveiled the new supplies, the room erupted with excitement. Students were eager to touch and test everything—especially the glazes and vibrant paints. One student shouted, \"Are these really for us?\" It was a heartwarming moment that reminded me how much access to quality supplies matters. Many of my students had never worked with real glazes or professional-grade brushes before, so having these tools made them feel like real artists.\r\nNext, we'll be diving into a unit on ceramics and texture. Now that we have glazes and better brushes, students will get to create clay pieces that they'll glaze themselves—adding color and character to their 3D artwork. We'll also explore how different cultures use ceramics in storytelling and everyday life, helping students connect their artwork to history and community. These next steps would not be possible without your support, and I'm so grateful that you've helped make this creative journey possible for them.","fullyFundedDate":1695596570148,"projectUrl":"project/professional-art-supplies-for-taylor/7883114/","projectTitle":"Professional Art Supplies for Taylor","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Woerner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9226732_orig.jpg?crop=1536,1536,x0,y512&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1736899536351","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9226732"},{"teacherId":9303218,"projectId":9349605,"letterContent":"We have already started using the new ukuleles in our classroom music lessons, and it has been such an exciting change! One of our first projects was learning to play simple chords and then using those chords to accompany a class song. The students loved being able to make music together and could immediately hear the difference it made when everyone played in unison.\r\n\r\nWhen the ukuleles first arrived, the students' faces lit up with surprise and joy. Many of them had never held an instrument like this before, and they couldn't wait to strum their first notes. There was a lot of excitement (and a few giggles!) as we tuned them up and made our first sounds.\r\n\r\nOur next steps will be to expand from single-chord songs to learning chord progressions, which will allow us to accompany even more songs and eventually perform as a group. The students are already asking when we can give a small performance, and these instruments have truly motivated them to practice, listen, and create music together.","fullyFundedDate":1752586510265,"projectUrl":"project/uketastic-muisc/9349605/","projectTitle":"Uketastic Muisc!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Armstrong","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9303218"},{"teacherId":9303218,"projectId":9322634,"letterContent":"I want to thank you for your generous support in providing our classroom with headphones and markers. While they may seem like simple supplies, these tools have already made a big difference in the way my students are able to learn and participate. The headphones allow students to focus more deeply on individual practice without distraction, giving them the chance to listen closely, refine their skills, and take more ownership of their learning. The markers have been a surprisingly powerful addition too, helping us practice writing and creating using music notation.","fullyFundedDate":1746824164650,"projectUrl":"project/music-learning-enhancement/9322634/","projectTitle":"Music Learning Enhancement","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Armstrong","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9303218"},{"teacherId":9303218,"projectId":9295995,"letterContent":"I want to sincerely thank you for your generous donation that allowed us to have a drum kit for one of my band students to use. Your gift has provided so much more than just an instrument—it has given a young musician the opportunity to learn, grow, and express themselves in a way that wasn't possible before.\r\n\r\nMusic education teaches more than notes and rhythms—it builds confidence, discipline, and teamwork. Thanks to you, my students have a new opportunity to experience those lessons, and to do so in a way that sparks joy and creativity. Every beat on that drum kit is a reminder that people like you value their growth and are willing to invest in their future.\r\n\r\nAs a teacher, I am deeply grateful. I cannot do this work without a community that understands the power of music and the importance of giving students the tools they need to succeed. You have helped make that possible, and your generosity will echo in every rehearsal, every performance, and every smile that comes from behind those drums.","fullyFundedDate":1746473603078,"projectUrl":"project/drumtastic-learning/9295995/","projectTitle":"Drumtastic Learning!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Armstrong","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9303218"},{"teacherId":9159124,"projectId":9484227,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our classroom! The teacher's easel with chart paper hooks has already made our lessons more engaging and interactive, giving students a clear and organized space to learn. The floor lamps have created such a cozy, welcoming atmosphere in our reading corner, making it a favorite spot for students to settle in with a good book. These resources are helping transform our classroom into a place where students feel excited and comfortable to learn every day.\r\n\r\nYour thoughtful gifts—from the sight word games that build reading skills, to the small student erasers, and even the fun tiger paw eraser that shows our school spirit—have truly blessed our classroom. The whiteboard cleaner is also a huge help in keeping our teaching space neat and ready for learning. Each item you provided has a purpose and is making a real difference in both our daily routines and our students' growth. We are deeply grateful for your kindness and support!","fullyFundedDate":1755716471851,"projectUrl":"project/gearing-up-for-second-grade/9484227/","projectTitle":"Gearing up for Second Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Firkins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9159124_orig.jpg?crop=480,480,x0,y70&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1722684753113","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9159124"},{"teacherId":9159124,"projectId":9568492,"letterContent":"The impact of your generosity in our classroom has been truly positive. The floor cushions have been a huge hit with the students, giving them a comfortable place to sit and learn. The carpet sweeper has also been such a blessing—students actually ask to help with cleanup, which builds responsibility and pride in taking care of our learning space.\r\n\r\nThe storage bins have made a significant difference as well, keeping our math manipulatives neat, organized, and easily accessible for students. These resources are helping create a classroom that is engaging, organized, and welcoming. Thank you so much for providing these wonderful items. We are deeply grateful for your kindness and support!","fullyFundedDate":1755023162954,"projectUrl":"project/more-room-please/9568492/","projectTitle":"More Room Please!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Firkins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9159124_orig.jpg?crop=480,480,x0,y70&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1722684753113","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9159124"},{"teacherId":9159124,"projectId":9112130,"letterContent":"Thank you for buying wiggly chairs for my classroom. The students are staying focused and more engaged in their learning. These chairs help them release energy positively, allowing them to concentrate better during lessons and activities. Your generosity has truly made a difference in creating a learning environment where all students can succeed. We are so grateful for your support and kindness, which will benefit our classroom for many years to come. You have blessed us greatly!\r\n\r\nThe flexible seating, more hands-on learning materials, and updated technology to support interactive lessons that cater to all learning styles have been appreciated.","fullyFundedDate":1739576755031,"projectUrl":"project/my-project-will-help-students-focus-whil/9112130/","projectTitle":"My Project Will Help Students Focus While Wiggling in Seat.","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Firkins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9159124_orig.jpg?crop=480,480,x0,y70&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1722684753113","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9159124"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_41788","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":152,"numTeachers":14,"percentFrplEligible":64,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":5,"percentWhite":53,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":26,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"10.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":57.3,"schoolId":41788,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Taylor Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Taylor Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/colorado/colorado-springs-school-district-11/taylor-elementary-school/41788"}