{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Union Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":40.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10039302,"projectId":9428038,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our students now have access to fidgets and sensory tools that make an immediate difference in their ability to stay calm, focused, and ready to learn. These new resources have quickly become an essential part of our classroom routines. Students use the fidgets during whole-group lessons, small-group instruction, and independent work time to help manage their energy, maintain attention, and self-regulate throughout the day.\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the excitement was instant. The students were eager to explore the different textures, shapes, and movements of each tool. The fidgets brought a sense of curiosity and joy, and it was clear right away that these tools would support their engagement and comfort in the classroom.\r\nOne of the most meaningful impacts has been seeing how smoothly students transition into lessons when they have access to the sensory supports they need. The tools help provide quiet movement, reduce stress, and give students an appropriate outlet that supports—not interrupts—their learning.\r\nAs we move forward, these fidgets will continue to support ongoing work in communication, literacy, and hands-on activities. Our next steps include helping students learn when and how to choose the sensory tool that best supports their focus, building independence and self-awareness. These materials will remain a vital part of our classroom as we continue developing strong learning routines and positive habits.\r\nYour generosity has created a more supportive, focused, and joyful learning environment. Thank you for helping our little learners thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1760462486126,"projectUrl":"project/fidgets-for-focus-tools-to-help-little/9428038/","projectTitle":"Fidgets for Focus: Tools to Help Little Minds Thrive","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Shaffer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10039302_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1750737227094","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10039302"},{"teacherId":10039302,"projectId":9442035,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom is starting each day with exactly what our students need most: a full belly and a calm, ready-to-learn mindset. Having consistent access to snacks and morning nourishment has transformed the way our days begin. Students are able to settle into routines more smoothly, engage more quickly, and show improved focus during instruction.\r\nWhen the snacks first arrived, the class reacted with excitement and gratitude. The materials immediately became a comforting and familiar part of our morning routine, helping everyone feel grounded and prepared for learning. These resources are more than food—they are tools that support stability, comfort, and readiness.\r\nAs we move forward, these materials will continue to support our work on communication, self-regulation, and independence. With their basic needs met, students are better prepared for hands-on activities, group lessons, and one-on-one instruction. Our next step is to build on this strong foundation by continuing to develop structured morning routines that help students transition confidently into their first learning tasks.\r\nYour support has made an immediate, meaningful difference in our classroom. Thank you for nourishing their bellies, their confidence, and their learning.","fullyFundedDate":1755882631890,"projectUrl":"project/because-learning-starts-with-a-full-bell/9442035/","projectTitle":"Because Learning Starts with a Full Belly","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Shaffer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10039302_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1750737227094","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10039302"},{"teacherId":10039302,"projectId":9430152,"letterContent":"When the STEM materials arrived, my students' excitement was contagious! They couldn't wait to open the boxes and explore all the new tools. The room was filled with curious questions, wide smiles, and lots of eager hands ready to build and experiment. For many of my students, who learn best through hands-on activities, these resources opened the door to learning in a way that feels both fun and meaningful.\r\nOne of the first projects we used the materials for was a group engineering challenge. Students worked together to design and build simple structures, testing different ideas and problem-solving along the way. It was incredible to see them collaborating, encouraging one another, and celebrating their successes. The new resources gave them the opportunity to think like real scientists and engineers, and they felt so proud of what they created.\r\nLooking ahead, we will continue using these materials to expand our STEM lessons — from exploring coding and robotics to experimenting with design challenges that tie into real-world problems. Thanks to your generosity, my students now have the tools to explore, innovate, and grow their confidence as problem-solvers.","fullyFundedDate":1752337036399,"projectUrl":"project/stem-tastic-learning-for-every-student/9430152/","projectTitle":"STEM-tastic Learning for Every Student","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Shaffer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10039302_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1750737227094","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10039302"},{"teacherId":10039302,"projectId":9393557,"letterContent":"When the flexible seating arrived, my students could hardly contain their excitement. They immediately wanted to try out every option and their reactions were full of smiles, laughter, and even a few happy cheers. For many of my students with exceptional needs, having the ability to choose how and where they learn has made a huge difference. Instead of being tied to one spot all day, they now have the freedom to move, wiggle, and get comfortable while still staying engaged in their work.\r\nOne of my favorite moments was watching a student who typically struggles to stay focused settle into a wobble seat and stay engaged through an entire reading activity. The flexible seating gave him the movement he needed without distracting from his learning a breakthrough moment for both of us.\r\nThese resources are already being used daily during small-group lessons, independent reading, and hands-on activities. The next step for my students is learning how to use their seating choices responsibly and understanding what helps them do their best work. Thanks to your generosity, they now have the tools to feel more comfortable, independent, and confident in their learning.","fullyFundedDate":1750428417225,"projectUrl":"project/support-flexible-seating-for-exceptional/9393557/","projectTitle":"Support Flexible Seating for Exceptional Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Shaffer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10039302_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1750737227094","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10039302"},{"teacherId":4079016,"projectId":8690363,"letterContent":"Thank you for the generous support of this project. Reading is an essential life skill that must be taught in the classroom. It is important to foster not only the skill of reading, but the love of reading. With the help of these quality mentor texts, both will be able to be increased within my classroom. \r\n\r\nStudents have thoroughly enjoyed listening to these read aloud texts during our reading lessons. Their discussions have increased and deepened, leading to improved reading comprehension. Additionally, I have seen more and more of them diving into these books during independent reading time than ever before. \r\n\r\nI appreciate your support of reading and learning in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1735571160042,"projectUrl":"project/quality-mentor-texts-for-increased-stude/8690363/","projectTitle":"Quality Mentor Texts for Increased Student Comprehension","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Phillips","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4079016_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1492704545857","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4079016"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_53886","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":240,"numTeachers":18,"percentFrplEligible":91,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":99,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":0,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"13.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":60.0,"schoolId":53886,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Union Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Union Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/west-virginia/upshur-county-school-district/union-elementary-school/53886"}