{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Town Creek Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":33.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6566165,"projectId":9958933,"letterContent":"This project started out with an order for kites for the students to make themselves and fly outside while doing our wind unit for our reading program. However, once I put the order in I was later told the kites that I had ordered were no longer available. I couldn't find a replacement within the price range so I decided to order Teacher Pay Teacher gift cards so I could purchase some wind materials to use with my wind unit that I had not had access to in the past that would help my wind unit be more interesting, fun, and exciting.\r\n I was very happy with the materials I was able to purchase with the gift cards. I was able to purchase materials that went with the stories The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Brave Irene, Feel the Wind, and Gilberto and the Wind. Once I started using the materials one of my student's favorite activities to do was to design their own kites. They were given a blank outline of a kite and then were able to design their kite however they wanted to. I'm so glad they enjoyed doing this activity because this was similar to what they would have done with the original kites I was trying to purchase. They also enjoyed a writing that came with The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. Some of the other activities that were included were assessments, story maps, and crafts.","fullyFundedDate":1765736223841,"projectUrl":"project/flying-into-first-grade/9958933/","projectTitle":"Flying Into First Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Girten","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6566165_orig.jpg?crop=2573,2573,x490,y449&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1695174534812","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6566165"},{"teacherId":10340944,"projectId":9873195,"letterContent":"My kiddos want to thank you so much for all of the gifts they have received! I have groups from 2nd to 5th grade! Many of these kids can't get their hands on flash cards to learn basic facts! With your donations they have the appropriate items to aide in learning what they need to help be successful! Each student has the opportunity to use these items and raise where they are on the ladder in the classroom. Some of my students were struggling reaching independent goals. Now I have several students that have surpassed their goal and have continued on! I couldn't be more grateful! These kiddos have felt more confident and it shows! \r\nI have never looked for help from donorschoose and now I will look for help in the future! \r\nThanks again for your wonderful gifts!","fullyFundedDate":1763144266572,"projectUrl":"project/flashcard-fluency/9873195/","projectTitle":"Flashcard Fluency!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Flemming","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10340944"},{"teacherId":9844529,"projectId":9965457,"letterContent":"Thanks to the generous donations from our supporters, our classroom bearded dragon now has a spacious new tank that provides a healthier and more comfortable home. This upgrade allows students to observe our class pet more easily and learn about reptile care, habitats, and responsibility in a hands-on way. The new tank creates a safer environment with the proper space, lighting, and enrichment our bearded dragon needs to thrive. Your kindness has not only improved the life of our class pet but has also created meaningful learning opportunities for our students every single day. We are incredibly grateful for your support! 🦎💚","fullyFundedDate":1766712643997,"projectUrl":"project/scaling-up-for-our-bearded-dragon-suppo/9965457/","projectTitle":"Scaling Up for Our Bearded Dragon: Support Our Favorite Pet!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Vasquez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9844529_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1766510157763","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9844529"},{"teacherId":5747586,"projectId":9866342,"letterContent":"I am writing to you today with a heart full of gratitude and a classroom full of inspired students. When I first posted this project on DonorsChoose, I had a vision of transforming our STEM curriculum from theoretical lessons into a vibrant, tactile \"maker space.\" Thanks to your incredible generosity, that vision has become a reality. These craft materials are more than just supplies; they are the essential building blocks for our next generation of engineers, scientists, and innovators.\r\nIn our classroom, we believe that the best way to understand a complex concept is to build it. Because of your support, my students have moved past the \"thinking\" phase and straight into the \"doing\" phase. I want to share a few specific ways your gift has already sparked a fire for learning in our room.\r\nEngineering the Winter Games\r\nOne of the highlights of our recent STEM unit was our exploration of physics and velocity through the lens of the Olympics. Using the popsicle sticks you provided, my students became sports engineers. They were tasked with designing and constructing miniature skiers and skeleton racers.\r\nThis wasn't just a \"craft\" project; it was a lesson in friction, aerodynamics, and structural integrity. Students had to figure out how to angle their popsicle-stick skis to maximize speed while maintaining balance. They debated the placement of weight on their skeleton racers to see who could achieve the fastest descent down our classroom \"slopes.\" Without those simple wooden sticks, those abstract concepts of physics would have remained just words in a textbook. Instead, they became a tangible challenge that students were eager to solve.\r\nVisualizing the Cosmos\r\nWe also transitioned from the snowy slopes to the depths of space. Learning about the moon phases can be notoriously difficult for young learners to visualize. However, using the various types of paper and cardstock from your donation, students created interactive lunar calendars. By cutting, layering, and assembling their own models, they were able to physically manipulate the shadows and light that create the waxing and waning phases we see in the night sky. The \"lightbulb moment\" that happens when a student successfully models a waning gibbous for the first time is a direct result of having the right materials at their fingertips.\r\nThe Bond That Holds Us Together\r\nFinally, I have to mention the \"unsung hero\" of our classroom: the glue. It sounds simple, but in a STEM-focused environment, glue is used literally everywhere. It is the literal bond that holds our prototypes together and the tool that allows a student's imagination to take a permanent shape. Whether we are securing a cardboard foundation or reinforcing a bridge, your donation ensured that we never have to pause our momentum because we ran out of the basics.\r\nThe Long-Term Impact\r\nThe impact of your kindness extends far beyond these individual projects. By providing these materials, you have sent a powerful message to my students: their ideas are worth investing in. You have created an environment where it is safe to prototype, fail, iterate, and eventually succeed. You have turned our classroom into a true laboratory of innovation.\r\nOn behalf of myself and my energetic, curious students, thank you for being the bridge between an idea and a creation. We are so grateful for your support and your commitment to education.","fullyFundedDate":1762266243334,"projectUrl":"project/color-create-explore/9866342/","projectTitle":"Color, Create, Explore","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lewis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5747586_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1734976428976","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5747586"},{"teacherId":6508103,"projectId":9820361,"letterContent":"I cannot begin to thank you enough for your generosity in supporting our project. While the items we received may seem like small, everyday items, they have made a tremendous impact in our classroom. My students were genuinely excited when they realized they would each have clipboards to use during our around-the-room activities and the restock of dry erase markers was met with just as much enthusiasm — they are a daily tool in our classroom, and students were thrilled to see such a fresh supply.\r\n\r\nWe now use the clipboards multiple times each week for math problem-solving tasks and collaborative thinking activities. The dry erase markers are used every day on desks for warm-ups and at our vertical whiteboards for group work. One of my favorite moments happened during a recent math activity when every student was up at the boards, actively solving and revising their thinking. When a marker ran out, instead of disengaging, a student quickly asked for a new one so they could keep going. That small moment perfectly captured the impact of your generosity — these tools remove barriers and allow students to stay focused, confident, and engaged in their learning.\r\n\r\nThank you again for investing in our classroom and in my students. Your support helps create an active, hands-on learning environment where students are excited to participate and take ownership of their work. We are so grateful for your kindness and for the difference you have made.","fullyFundedDate":1760638172448,"projectUrl":"project/equipped-to-think-tools-for-an-active-l/9820361/","projectTitle":"Equipped to Think: Tools for an Active Learning Space","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ward","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6508103_orig.jpg?crop=593,593,x46,y32&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1747680006342","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6508103"},{"teacherId":10048585,"projectId":9769545,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of math manipulatives and fun learning games to our classroom. Your support has already made a meaningful difference in how students engage with math concepts.\r\nThe materials you provided allow students to explore problem-solving in hands-on, interactive ways, helping them build confidence and deepen their understanding. The students are excited to use these resources, and I truly appreciate your investment in their learning.\r\nThank you again for your generosity and for supporting our classroom. It is sincerely appreciated.","fullyFundedDate":1763144266688,"projectUrl":"project/math-manipulatives-and-games/9769545/","projectTitle":"Math Manipulatives and Games","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Young","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10048585_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1750691379164","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10048585"},{"teacherId":10385922,"projectId":9961781,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in helping fund adaptable furniture for our classroom. Your kindness has already made a meaningful difference in the daily experiences of our students, especially those with diverse learning and sensory needs.\r\n\r\nMany of our students benefit from flexible seating options that allow them to move, adjust, and feel comfortable while learning. For children with ADHD, autism, and emotional regulation challenges, adaptable furniture provides the ability to focus, self-regulate, and engage in lessons without unnecessary distractions or discomfort. Something as simple as a wobble stool, flexible chair, or alternative seating option can help a child feel grounded, calm, and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nBecause of your donation, students now have choices that support their individual needs. They are learning to recognize what helps their bodies and minds work best, building independence and confidence along the way. We have already seen improvements in focus, participation, and overall classroom behavior as students feel more supported and included.\r\n\r\nYour generosity goes far beyond furniture—it sends a powerful message to our students that their needs matter and that their learning environment was created with them in mind. Thank you for investing in a classroom where all learners can feel safe, successful, and valued.\r\n\r\nWe are incredibly grateful for your support and for the positive impact you have made on our students' lives.","fullyFundedDate":1767191721093,"projectUrl":"project/flexible-seating-for-2nd-graders/9961781/","projectTitle":"Flexible Seating for 2nd Graders","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kent-Oswalt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10385922"},{"teacherId":10054947,"projectId":9520796,"letterContent":"This project has truly changed the way my students experience science. Before, distractions and difficulty hearing directions often made learning frustrating. Now, with individual headphones, students can finally slow down, focus, and feel successful as they explore science topics like the water cycle, ecosystems, and force and motion. I see students more confident, more independent, and more excited to take ownership of their learning.\r\nThe Science Spin magazines have brought science to life in a powerful way. Students light up when they see real-world connections, vibrant images, and articles that make science feel relevant to their everyday lives. For many of my students, these magazines have helped bridge the gap between reading and science, building confidence with nonfiction text and introducing them to new vocabulary in an engaging, accessible way. Students who once hesitated to participate are now asking questions, sharing ideas, and making connections beyond the classroom.\r\nBecause of this project, my students are not just learning science standards—they are discovering curiosity, confidence, and a genuine love of learning. These resources have created a more inclusive, focused, and inspiring classroom environment, and the impact will stay with my students long after the school year ends. Thank you again!","fullyFundedDate":1757866392674,"projectUrl":"project/listen-learn-and-explore-headphones-a/9520796/","projectTitle":"Listen, Learn, and Explore: Headphones and Science Spin for Young Scientists!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Simmons","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10054947_orig.jpg?crop=2163,2163,x685,y860&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753969899017","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10054947"},{"teacherId":9492494,"projectId":9384091,"letterContent":"The technology you provided has been an incredible addition to our classroom. Many of our donors use devices at home, but in school these tools serve a very different purpose. Instead of just consuming content, my students use the technology to practice skills independently, receive immediate feedback, and engage with lessons in a hands-on, interactive way. It allows me to differentiate instruction more effectively, making sure every student gets what they need—whether that's extra support or an extra challenge.\r\n\r\nThe most exciting part for my students has been how engaging and fun learning has become. They love being able to move through activities at their own pace, explore interactive lessons, and celebrate small successes along the way. You can see their confidence grow each time they complete a task or master a new skill.\r\n\r\nI've already seen a few students who have especially connected with this new technology. Some of my quieter students, who don't always feel comfortable speaking up in class, have really come out of their shells while working on the devices. They're eager to participate, take on new challenges, and share what they've learned. For others who typically struggle to stay focused, the interactive format has helped them stay engaged and motivated.\r\n\r\nYour generosity is truly making a difference—thank you for helping create a classroom where every student can learn in a way that works best for them.","fullyFundedDate":1757866391787,"projectUrl":"project/include-not-just-1-but-all/9384091/","projectTitle":"Include Not Just 1 but All!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Simcox","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9492494_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1748465310122","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9492494"},{"teacherId":5747586,"projectId":9411995,"letterContent":"When our new Chompsaw cardboard cutter arrived, my students could hardly wait to put it to use! In our STEM classroom, cardboard is one of our most-used materials, and before the Chompsaw, cutting thick pieces safely and neatly was a real challenge. Now, students can confidently and independently cut through cardboard to bring their engineering ideas to life — from building bridges and towers to creating prototypes for inventions.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite moments was during our \"Build a Monster Trap\" project. Students were sketching blueprints and testing their designs, and the Chompsaw allowed them to make precise cuts for doors, ramps, and trap mechanisms. Their excitement was contagious — several students even commented that they \"felt like real engineers!\" The Chompsaw has turned what used to be a tricky step in construction into one that builds confidence and teamwork.\r\n\r\nThanks to this tool, our STEM projects have become safer, more efficient, and much more creative. Students are already brainstorming what they want to build next — from cardboard cars with moving parts to marble runs that twist and turn. Your generosity has truly elevated what's possible in our classroom, and my students are learning that with the right tools, their imaginations really can take shape.","fullyFundedDate":1757866393122,"projectUrl":"project/cut-it-out-were-building-here/9411995/","projectTitle":"Cut It Out, We're Building Here!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lewis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5747586_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1734976428976","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5747586"},{"teacherId":6508103,"projectId":9363385,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in making this project a reality! Since adding the vertical whiteboards, students have been collaborating daily and are genuinely excited to be up and moving instead of sitting at their desks. What once would have been a worksheet activity is now transformed into lively group problem-solving that gets everyone talking, thinking, and learning together.\r\n\r\nOne of their favorite activities so far was a \"Mystery Phrase\" challenge, where students solved problems to earn words that eventually formed a phrase. The boards made it easy for them to show their thinking, track progress, and celebrate success as a team.\r\n\r\nWhen the boards first arrived, students immediately began asking when and how they'd get to use them. Now, if a couple of days go by without using the boards, they're quick to ask when their next opportunity will be! As our lessons grow more complex, I'm excited to see how these boards will continue to boost confidence, collaboration, and mathematical thinking.","fullyFundedDate":1752187321362,"projectUrl":"project/vertical-thinking-visible-learning/9363385/","projectTitle":"Vertical Thinking, Visible Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ward","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6508103_orig.jpg?crop=593,593,x46,y32&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1747680006342","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6508103"},{"teacherId":6555389,"projectId":7350735,"letterContent":"We have used the materials from this project endlessly in our classroom! My students received daily handwriting practice from the items donated in this project. \r\n\r\nMy students are able to write their names, letters, and cvc words now due to repetitious and meaningful practice. \r\n\r\nThank you for your support of learning, teachers, students, and communities across the country. Donors like you make a HUGE difference for students and teachers each day. \r\n\r\nI have a classroom filled with strong writers thanks to you!","fullyFundedDate":1691032788668,"projectUrl":"project/help-students-with-autism-have-access-to/7350735/","projectTitle":"Help Students With Autism Have Access to Wonderful Handwriting Materials!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Eubanks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6555389_orig.jpg?crop=645,646,x0,y105&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1695218960524","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6555389"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_97684","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":697,"numTeachers":40,"percentFrplEligible":80,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":12,"percentWhite":61,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":15,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 4","studentTeacherRatio":"17.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":66.4,"schoolId":97684,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Town Creek Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Town Creek Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/north-carolina/brunswick-county-school-district/town-creek-elementary-school/97684"}