{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Thomas J Kenny Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":31.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8699843,"projectId":8811192,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our Free Choice Friday project! Because of your generosity, my students enjoyed learning through play with Magna-Tiles, chess, Uno, and Charades.\r\n\r\nThese games quickly became classroom favorites. Students practiced teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and good sportsmanship while having fun together. They learned to take turns, include others, and think creatively.\r\n\r\nYour gift gave my students more than games. It created a fun, welcoming classroom where they could build friendships, strengthen important skills, and celebrate a great week of learning. Thank you for making this possible!","fullyFundedDate":1731516011198,"projectUrl":"project/free-choice-friday-building-minds-with/8811192/","projectTitle":"Free Choice Friday: Building Minds with Games!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bleakney","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8699843_orig.jpg?crop=890,890,x0,y64&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1750471862066","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8699843"},{"teacherId":8699843,"projectId":9136746,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our classroom and making our Peter Pan play so special. Because of your generosity, my students were able to step into the roles of Peter Pan, Wendy, Captain Hook, Tinker Bell, and the Lost Boys with costumes that brought the story to life.\r\n\r\nThe costumes helped students feel confident and excited as they rehearsed and performed. They became more engaged in reading, writing, and acting because they truly felt like the characters they had been studying. Performing for their families was a memorable experience that they will always remember.\r\n\r\nYour kindness gave my students more than costumes. You gave them the chance to build confidence, work together, and celebrate their learning in a fun and meaningful way. Thank you for helping create a magical ending to our Literary Classics unit.","fullyFundedDate":1742343929661,"projectUrl":"project/bring-neverland-to-life-costumes-for-ou/9136746/","projectTitle":"Bring Neverland to Life: Costumes for Our Peter Pan Play!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bleakney","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8699843_orig.jpg?crop=890,890,x0,y64&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1750471862066","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8699843"},{"teacherId":8699843,"projectId":9634190,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom. Because of your generosity, our students now have a new storage unit that keeps our math materials organized, easy to find, and ready to use every day.\r\n\r\nOur students learn best with hands-on materials like counters, cubes, fraction pieces, place value blocks, and number cards. These tools help them understand new math concepts, solve problems, and work together with confidence.\r\n\r\nThis year, our school adopted a new math curriculum that came with many new manipulatives. While we were excited to receive these resources, we quickly ran out of storage space. Without enough room, materials were stored in different places, making it harder for students to find what they needed and harder for me to keep everything organized.\r\n\r\nThanks to your support, every math tool now has a place. Students can easily find the materials they need, use them during lessons, and return them when they are finished. This has helped them become more independent and responsible while making our classroom run more smoothly.\r\n\r\nThe new storage unit also works perfectly with the 20-cubby unit that generous DonorsChoose supporters funded last year. Together, they provide enough space to organize all of our math materials so they are always ready for learning.\r\n\r\nThis simple addition has made a big difference. We spend less time looking for supplies and more time learning. Students stay focused because they know where everything belongs, and transitions between activities are much quicker.\r\n\r\nYour gift is more than a storage unit. It has helped create a classroom that is organized, welcoming, and designed to support student learning every day. These storage units will continue to serve many classes of students for years to come.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students and investing in their education. Your generosity helps provide a learning environment where every child has the tools they need to grow, explore, and succeed. My students and I are truly grateful for your kindness and support.","fullyFundedDate":1756847333963,"projectUrl":"project/organized-math-organized-minds/9634190/","projectTitle":"Organized Math, Organized Minds!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bleakney","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8699843_orig.jpg?crop=890,890,x0,y64&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1750471862066","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8699843"},{"teacherId":8699843,"projectId":9816528,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project. Because of your generosity, our school now has a shared laminator that will help more than 300 students this year and many more in the future.\r\n\r\nOur students learn best with hands-on activities, games, and visual materials. Before this project, teachers had to use small personal laminators or travel to a store to laminate classroom resources. Now we can quickly make strong, reusable materials that will last much longer.\r\n\r\nThe laminator will be shared by our K–6 teachers to create learning tools like alphabet cards, math games, vocabulary cards, classroom charts, and other resources that students use every day. These materials will help keep students engaged and give teachers more time to focus on teaching instead of replacing worn-out materials.\r\n\r\nYour gift will make a difference in our classrooms for years to come. Thank you for investing in our students, our teachers, and our school community. We truly appreciate your kindness and support.","fullyFundedDate":1763502019009,"projectUrl":"project/protecting-our-students-learning-a-sha/9816528/","projectTitle":"Protecting Our Students’ Learning: A Shared Laminator for K–6 Classrooms!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bleakney","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8699843_orig.jpg?crop=890,890,x0,y64&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1750471862066","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8699843"},{"teacherId":2128668,"projectId":10000693,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for contributing to \"Treats for Testing.\" Students are very busy with assessments this time of year and the sustaining the energy and motivation for the task of standardized testing can be challenging. By giving students special treats and extrinsic rewards for repeated testing they are better able to give their best efforts toward showing what they know and performing their best. The fidget toys help students to focus. Snacks give students the required energy and brain power when they get tired or loose motivation. Finally, the gifts help motivate when the ultimate impact of testing is not apparent to them or when the task is not what they understand as a priority on a beautiful day! The testing has become a required necessary task but your support for our students makes it a bit more sustainable and maybe even rewarding!","fullyFundedDate":1777711969398,"projectUrl":"project/treats-for-testing/10000693/","projectTitle":"Treats for Testing","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Leo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2128668_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1467049763336","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-leo"},{"teacherId":3073737,"projectId":9771060,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your incredible generosity in supporting our Sensory Lending Library. Because of you, our classroom has transformed from a space where students struggled to stay on task into a space of self-regulation and focus. With the wide range of disabilities represented in my room, \"one size fits all\" never worked. Your donations provided the specific tools my students needed to advocate for their own comfort:\r\n\r\nThe Compression Vests: These have been life-changing for my students who deal with high anxiety or sensory-seeking behaviors. I've watched students who previously could not sit for more than two minutes put on a vest and suddenly feel \"grounded\" enough to complete a full drawing or writing task.\r\n\r\nThe Wiggle Feet & Chair Bands: These have been a \"quiet\" savior. Students who need to move can now \"run a 5K\" with their feet while their hands and eyes stay focused on their lessons. It has significantly reduced the need for students to leave their desks, distracting themselves and those around them.\r\n\r\nThe Floor Chairs: The addition of the Maitys and Crazy Creek chairs has redefined our floor time. For students with low muscle tone, sitting on the floor was physically exhausting. Now, they have the back support they need to participate in group stories and hands-on projects without getting tired or losing focus.\r\n\r\nA Library of Success:\r\nThe \"Lending Library\" model you helped fund allows my students to \"try on\" different versions of themselves. One day, a student might need the deep pressure of a vest; the next, they might need the rhythmic movement of a wiggle cushion. You haven't just given us \"stuff\"—you've given my students the tools to understand their own bodies and the confidence to say, \"I know what I need to learn today.\"\r\n\r\nOn behalf of my students and their families, thank you for seeing their potential and investing in their growth. We are so grateful for your kindness.","fullyFundedDate":1767144328424,"projectUrl":"project/unique-students-have-unique-needs/9771060/","projectTitle":"Unique Students Have Unique Needs","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Coyne Mullen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3073737"},{"teacherId":9073625,"projectId":9429610,"letterContent":"Thank you again for supporting our project, \"A Seriously Fun Journey into First Grade Literacy.\" Your generosity has made a meaningful difference in my classroom. The new books have helped introduce important literacy skills such as making predictions, identifying characters and settings, retelling stories, and discussing the message of a text. During our read-alouds, we pause to ask questions, talk about what characters are feeling, and look for clues in the illustrations and words. Books like The Day the Crayons Quit, Creepy Carrots!, and David Goes to School make these lessons fun and engaging while helping students build strong reading comprehension skills.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is a very interactive experience. Students gather together during read-aloud time to listen, laugh, and share their ideas about the story. We often turn reading into discussions where students make connections to their own lives, predict what might happen next, and explain their thinking using evidence from the text. The variety of books we received allows us to explore different types of stories while encouraging students to develop a love for reading.\r\n\r\nSeveral of my students have especially connected with these new books. Some students who were previously hesitant to participate are now eager to raise their hands and share their thoughts during story time. Others love revisiting the funny and surprising moments in the stories and asking to read them again. Seeing their excitement and curiosity grow has been incredibly rewarding. Because of your support, my students are not only improving their literacy skills but are also discovering the joy that comes from reading and sharing stories together.","fullyFundedDate":1756602195653,"projectUrl":"project/a-seriously-fun-journey-into-first-grade/9429610/","projectTitle":"A Seriously Fun Journey into First Grade Literacy","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tavarez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9073625_orig.png?crop=600,600,x93,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757519430656","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9073625"},{"teacherId":9073625,"projectId":9338936,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous donation, I was able to purchase a $100 Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) gift card, which allowed me to access high-quality educational resources specifically designed for my students' needs. Technology and digital resources like those on TPT help teachers bring engaging, interactive learning activities into the classroom. With these materials, I can provide differentiated lessons, hands-on activities, and visual supports that help my students better understand new concepts in reading, writing, and other subjects. These resources allow me to reinforce skills in creative ways that keep students motivated and excited to learn.\r\n\r\nThe most exciting part for my students has been the variety of engaging activities we can now use during lessons and centers. Many of the materials include colorful visuals, interactive worksheets, and structured activities that make learning feel fun and meaningful. Instead of using only traditional worksheets, students can practice skills through games, task cards, and interactive learning tasks that encourage participation and collaboration. These resources also help me adapt lessons to meet the different learning levels in my classroom.\r\n\r\nSome of my students, especially those who need extra support, have really benefited from these new materials. The clear visuals and structured activities help them stay focused and understand the lesson better. I have noticed that students who sometimes struggle to stay engaged are more willing to participate and complete their work when using these interactive resources. Because of your generosity, I can continue providing meaningful learning experiences that help my students build confidence and succeed in the classroom. Thank you for supporting our learning community!","fullyFundedDate":1750899619004,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-classrooms-a-gift-card-from/9338936/","projectTitle":"Empowering Classrooms: A gift card from Teachers Pay Teachers Resources","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tavarez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9073625_orig.png?crop=600,600,x93,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757519430656","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9073625"},{"teacherId":9073625,"projectId":9148231,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my students now have a more organized, flexible, and comfortable classroom environment where they can focus and learn. When the colorful floor cushions arrived, the students were so excited to have flexible seating options where they could sit comfortably while reading, working in groups, or participating in discussions. The new storage carts and organizers have helped us keep our classroom materials neat and easy for students to access independently.\r\n\r\nStudents love choosing a floor pad during reading time, and it has made our literacy centers feel more inviting and engaging. The rolling carts allow us to quickly move supplies around the classroom so students can easily participate in different learning stations and activities. Our desk organizers and storage systems have also helped students practice responsibility by keeping their work areas tidy.\r\n\r\nOne special moment was during our reading workshop when students grabbed a cushion, spread out around the room, and excitedly began reading their books in their new cozy spots. The classroom calendar and display stands help us stay organized and highlight student work, which makes students feel proud of their accomplishments.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, our classroom now feels more welcoming, organized, and student-centered. These materials will continue to support collaborative learning, independent work, and engaging lessons throughout the year. Thank you for helping create a space where my students feel comfortable, motivated, and ready to learn every day.","fullyFundedDate":1746561562444,"projectUrl":"project/operation-desk-declutter-the-great-st/9148231/","projectTitle":"Operation: Desk Declutter – The Great Storage Showdown","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tavarez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9073625_orig.png?crop=600,600,x93,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757519430656","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9073625"},{"teacherId":448599,"projectId":9804667,"letterContent":"I cannot begin to describe how thrilled the kindergarteners were to receive this amazing dollhouse and all of the furniture and people for inside. Their eyes absolutely lit up with excitement upon the giant box arriving in our classroom, and the joy only built from there. They have been playing pretend with this dollhouse every single day since its arrival. They tell stories and communicate with each other, learning to take turns and share, and all of this is possible thanks to you. You have made such a difference. Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1767812545119,"projectUrl":"project/dollhouse-drama/9804667/","projectTitle":"Dollhouse Drama!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Czaja","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp448599_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1454525394318","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-czaja"},{"teacherId":1581888,"projectId":9559445,"letterContent":"This wonderful donation of books has dramatically improved students' reading engagement and interest in books. With the addition of many new titles, students now have greater access to books that match their interests, reading levels, and curiosity. This increased access has sparked excitement around reading and encouraged students to spend more time exploring different genres and authors.\r\n\r\nOne of the most meaningful impacts of the donation is that students are able to take books home. Many students were previously limited in the number of books they had access to outside of school, but now they are building small personal libraries and reading more regularly at home. Being able to keep and share books with their families has strengthened the connection between school and home reading.\r\n\r\nAs a result, students' reading habits have improved significantly. They are reading more frequently, discussing books with classmates, and showing greater enthusiasm during reading time. Teachers are also seeing growth in students' reading stamina, comprehension, and confidence. Overall, the book donation has helped foster a stronger culture of reading and has played an important role in supporting students' academic growth and lifelong interest in books.","fullyFundedDate":1764763595653,"projectUrl":"project/a-novel-idea/9559445/","projectTitle":"A Novel Idea","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Vale","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1581888_orig.png?crop=630,630,x0,y60&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1701188676887","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1581888"},{"teacherId":448599,"projectId":9804550,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating to my project! My students are so lucky to have many new sensory toys to explore. These tools are helping them to learn how to self regulate and are also building vocabulary and social skills. They absolutely adore the kinetic sand and would happily play with it all day!\r\nYour donations have shown my students that their education is important and they they are valued as learners. Thank you so very much for considering us as you plan your charitable donations. We truly appreciate you!","fullyFundedDate":1763508701437,"projectUrl":"project/super-sensory-supplies/9804550/","projectTitle":"Super Sensory Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Czaja","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp448599_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1454525394318","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-czaja"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_62935","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":329,"numTeachers":27,"percentFrplEligible":58,"percentAsian":11,"percentBlack":31,"percentWhite":21,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":27,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":7,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"12.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":68.1,"schoolId":62935,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Thomas J Kenny Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Thomas J Kenny Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/massachusetts/boston-public-schools/thomas-j-kenny-elementary-school/62935"}