{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"The Richmond Pre-K Center - Father Capodanno","outOfStateSupporters":36.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6189993,"projectId":9465705,"letterContent":"When our \"Wipe, Write, and Learn: Classroom Essentials Needed!\" project arrived, my students' faces lit up with excitement. They eagerly helped open the boxes, each child gasping at the simple joy of seeing clean paper and Clorox wipes. To them, these weren't just supplies—they were tools for creating, learning, and caring for our classroom. The copy paper quickly became a favorite during center time, where students proudly practiced writing their names, drawing pictures of their families, and creating stories to share with their friends. The Clorox wipes gave them a sense of responsibility; they loved helping clean the tables after art or snack time, learning that teamwork also means keeping our classroom safe and welcoming.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite moments was seeing a small group of students work together to write and illustrate a \"Classroom Rules\" book using the new paper. They wrote, \"We clean up after we play,\" and then grabbed the wipes to show exactly what that means! Little moments like this remind me that learning happens not only through lessons but through experiences of care and pride.\r\n\r\nThanks to this project, our classroom feels brighter, cleaner, and more full of joy. My students have become more independent and confident, and they look forward to every new activity we do together. Thank you to our generous donors for making this possible—you helped create a space where little hands can learn, grow, and shine every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1758899282851,"projectUrl":"project/wipe-write-and-learn-classroom-essent/9465705/","projectTitle":"Wipe, Write, and Learn: Classroom Essentials Needed!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Leda","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6189993_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1663615082160","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6189993"},{"teacherId":6189993,"projectId":9340304,"letterContent":"Since receiving the instruments and listening center from our Tuning Into Learning project, our classroom has truly come alive with sound, rhythm, and excitement. Each morning, our preschoolers rush to the music area with smiles on their faces, eager to explore the drums, shakers, tambourines, and rhythm sticks. The new listening center has become one of the most popular learning stations in our room—students put on their headphones and immediately become absorbed in stories, songs, and interactive audio lessons that help them learn to listen, focus, and respond.\r\n\r\nMusic has always been a powerful tool for early learning, but this project has made it more accessible and engaging for all of our students, including those with special needs. Many of my students are developing speech, listening, and self-regulation skills, and music provides a bridge for them to express themselves when words are hard to find. With the instruments, we've been able to create daily \"music circles,\" where children practice turn-taking, following directions, and identifying sounds. The listening center allows them to strengthen comprehension and vocabulary while also developing their ability to listen carefully and recall details.\r\n\r\nThe technology in our listening center has been especially transformative. Many of our donors might be familiar with tablets or smart speakers at home, but in our classroom, the technology is being used as a learning equalizer. The students learn to operate the center independently—choosing a track, pressing play, pausing, and switching between songs or stories. These small actions teach fine motor control and confidence with technology in a safe, age-appropriate way. They are building early digital literacy skills that will help them succeed in kindergarten and beyond.\r\n\r\nThe most exciting part for the students has been the combination of hands-on instruments and digital listening experiences. They love listening to a song on the center and then recreating the beat using the classroom instruments. During one lesson, we played a slow lullaby, and students used scarves to move gently with the music; then we switched to a lively rhythm and they jumped, tapped, and danced with huge grins. Their joy and focus during these moments show how music can spark both learning and emotional connection.\r\n\r\nA few students have especially benefited. One of my quieter students, who rarely spoke during group time, has begun singing along to familiar songs and even leading the class in rhythm games. Another student who struggles with attention has been able to sit through entire listening activities, tapping his foot along with the beat and answering comprehension questions afterward. The instruments and technology have given these children a voice, a rhythm, and a sense of belonging.\r\n\r\nThanks to this project, our classroom has grown into a space filled with harmony, movement, and laughter. The music and listening tools are helping our little learners tune in—not just to the sounds around them, but to each other, to language, and to the joy of learning every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1752586531465,"projectUrl":"project/tuning-into-learning-music-and-listenin/9340304/","projectTitle":"Tuning Into Learning: Music and Listening Tools for Little Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Leda","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6189993_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1663615082160","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6189993"},{"teacherId":6189993,"projectId":8605103,"letterContent":"iWhen our new storytelling materials arrived, the classroom filled with excitement and wonder. My preschoolers' eyes widened as they explored the colorful story sets, puppets, sequencing cards, and story cubes. Many of them immediately recognized familiar stories like The Three Little Pigs and The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and they couldn't wait to retell them in their own way. Their enthusiasm reminded me how powerful storytelling can be in early childhood — it gives every child, no matter their ability or background, a voice.\r\n\r\nWe began by introducing one story set during our morning meeting. I asked who remembered the story, and nearly every hand went up. The students eagerly started retelling parts of it, often adding their own funny or creative twists. This led to a class discussion about the beginning, middle, and end of a story, helping students naturally learn sequencing and comprehension skills. Seeing them so engaged made it clear that these materials would help them build strong language and communication foundations.\r\n\r\nSoon after, we launched our \"Storytime Adventures\" project. Small groups were given different storytelling kits to explore. One group used puppets to act out The Very Hungry Caterpillar, while another group used the magnetic storyboards to retell Goldilocks and the Three Bears. We even created a \"Story Theater\" corner with a curtain, soft seats, and props where students could perform their stories. Watching them take turns as narrators and actors was amazing — they learned to collaborate, listen to each other, and express emotions through storytelling.\r\n\r\nOne moment I will never forget was when one of my quietest students, who usually avoids speaking during group time, stood up with a puppet in hand and confidently retold The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Her classmates clapped and cheered. The pride in her smile said it all. The storytelling sets opened a door for her to express herself freely and feel valued. These materials have not only built literacy skills but also confidence and a sense of belonging.\r\n\r\nWe've now integrated the storytelling sets into daily literacy centers. Students use sequencing cards to retell familiar stories or invent new ones. Others draw pictures of their favorite scenes or use story cubes to roll and create imaginative tales. During writing time, we dictate their words and turn them into simple sentences. This hands-on, creative approach has made reading and writing feel joyful, not intimidating.\r\n\r\nOur next step is to create a class storybook called Our Storytime Adventures. Each student will contribute one illustrated page featuring a short story or caption they create. We'll bind it together so they can take turns bringing it home to share with their families. We're also planning a \"Storytelling Celebration,\" where families will be invited to watch performances and explore storytelling stations.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, my students now have the tools to let their imaginations shine. You have helped transform our classroom into a place where stories come alive — where every child feels heard, creative, and proud of their voice.","fullyFundedDate":1730788525055,"projectUrl":"project/storytime-adventures-empowering-prescho/8605103/","projectTitle":"Storytime Adventures: Empowering Preschoolers With Storytelling Sets","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Leda","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6189993_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1663615082160","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6189993"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_125770","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":null,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":74,"percentAsian":14,"percentBlack":16,"percentWhite":12,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":34,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Not specified","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR District Record","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"UNCLASSIFIED","ncesMetroType":null},"inStateSupporters":63.6,"schoolId":125770,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about The Richmond Pre-K Center - Father Capodanno on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"The Richmond Pre-K Center - Father Capodanno","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-york/new-york-city-dept-of-ed/the-richmond-pre-k-center-father-capodanno/125770"}