{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Union Avenue Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":21.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":788498,"projectId":9923692,"letterContent":"Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your incredible generosity and support. Because of you, our classroom is becoming a more vibrant, organized, and inspiring space for young writers. The new Author's Chair, storage bench, and bookcase are so much more than pieces of furniture—they are tools that will help my students feel proud, confident, and excited about their learning.\r\n\r\nThe Author's Chair will give each child a special place to share their writing—a place where their voice matters, and their stories are celebrated. Our new storage benches and bookcase will help bring calm and organization to our classroom, making it easier for students to access materials, take responsibility for their learning tools, and feel at home in our shared space. These additions will strengthen our writing community and transform the way students engage with reading, writing, and collaboration.\r\n\r\nYour kindness is a gift that will impact my students every single day. You have given them a space where creativity feels safe, where their ideas are valued, and where classroom routines can run more smoothly. Thank you for believing in the importance of joyful, organized, and student-centered learning environments.","fullyFundedDate":1764693145997,"projectUrl":"project/a-cozy-space-for-authors-readers-and-t/9923692/","projectTitle":"A Cozy Space for Authors, Readers, and Thinkers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Chen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp788498_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754107469107","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/helpms-chen"},{"teacherId":788498,"projectId":9919827,"letterContent":"From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Your kindness and generosity have brought so much excitement and possibility into our classroom. Because of you, my students will now have the chance to capture the moments that make learning meaningful—teamwork during STEM challenges, the joy of new friendships formed during centers, and the pride they feel when they accomplish something they once thought was impossible.\r\n\r\nThe Polaroid Now+ and Now Gen 3 cameras, along with the instant film and cardstock you helped provide, will allow my students to become storytellers in a whole new way. They will be able to freeze special memories in time and transform those photos into creative projects, personal writing pieces, and keepsakes they'll treasure for years. For many of my students, this will be their very first experience using a real camera, and I cannot wait to see their faces light up when they hold their first printed photo.\r\nYour support means so much more than materials—you've given my students an opportunity to see themselves as creators, collaborators, and authors. You've made our classroom a place where everyday moments become memories and where every child feels seen.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and in the magic that happens inside our classroom. We are truly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1764693145707,"projectUrl":"project/capturing-joy-polaroid-cameras-to-build/9919827/","projectTitle":"Capturing Joy: Polaroid Cameras to Build Memories and Creativity","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Chen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp788498_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754107469107","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/helpms-chen"},{"teacherId":788498,"projectId":9886224,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting my project and for believing in my students. Because of your kindness, my third graders now have the opportunity to learn through meaningful, hands-on experiences that truly bring learning to life.\r\n\r\nWith the $100 TPT gift cards, I am able to provide engaging, high-quality lessons and activities tailored to my students' needs. The giant magnetic teaching manipulatives and magnetic fraction circles have transformed our math lessons, helping students visualize and understand challenging concepts in a concrete and exciting way. The dry erase boards allow every student to participate, take risks, and share their thinking with confidence.\r\n\r\nOur new digital food scales and thermometers have opened the door to real-world science investigations. Students are now measuring, comparing, observing, and thinking like real scientists and engineers. The handheld mirrors have made our science lessons on light even more interactive and fun, encouraging curiosity and exploration.\r\n\r\nMany of my students are English Learners, and hands-on learning gives them a powerful way to build vocabulary, confidence, and understanding. You did more than just donate supplies — you gave my students access to experiences that spark curiosity, deepen learning, and make school more joyful and meaningful.\r\n\r\nThank you for making a lasting difference in our classroom and for helping inspire the next generation of thinkers, problem-solvers, and innovators.","fullyFundedDate":1763567424641,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-stem-adventures-exploring-math/9886224/","projectTitle":"Hands-On STEM Adventures: Exploring Math and Light!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Chen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp788498_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754107469107","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/helpms-chen"},{"teacherId":788498,"projectId":9840853,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting my classroom through my DonorsChoose project. Because of your generosity, my curious and creative third graders now have the opportunity to explore the world in meaningful, hands-on ways through our CKLA units on Ancient Rome, Light and Sound, and Early North American Explorations.\r\n\r\nWith the Carolina Introduction to Light and Optics Kit, Optics Sets, tuning fork holder, flashlights, and the Nasco Sound Demonstration Kit, my students are no longer just reading about how light and sound travel — they are seeing it, hearing it, and experimenting with it themselves. They are shining light through lenses, observing reflections and refractions, and discovering how vibrations create sound waves. These experiences have sparked excitement, deep questions, and genuine scientific thinking.\r\n\r\nThe History Pockets for Native Americans and the materials for our Ancient Rome lessons — such as the Roman numeral resources, toga-themed props, laurel crowns, and the vintage pocket watch — have brought history to life in a way that textbooks alone never could. Students have stepped into the past, imagining what life was like in ancient civilizations, comparing cultures, and making meaningful connections to our modern world.\r\n\r\nMany of my students are English learners, and hands-on materials give them another way to access content, build vocabulary, and express their understanding with confidence. I've already seen them working together more, asking thoughtful questions, and engaging in deeper conversations because of the learning experiences you made possible.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has truly made a lasting impact on my students and our classroom community. Thank you for believing in my students and investing in their education. They feel seen, valued, and inspired because of you.","fullyFundedDate":1761661259779,"projectUrl":"project/interactive-and-hands-on-learning-histo/9840853/","projectTitle":"Interactive and Hands-on Learning: History, Science, and Art","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Chen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp788498_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754107469107","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/helpms-chen"},{"teacherId":788498,"projectId":9884177,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting our classroom and making these hands-on holiday activities possible. Your kindness has given my students the chance to work together, express their creativity, and experience the true joy of giving. From making handmade ornaments and heartfelt cards to crafting small keepsakes, these projects are helping my students strengthen their fine motor skills, practice teamwork, and build a beautiful sense of community.\r\n\r\nThey already had so much fun creating their Thanksgiving turkey craft to share with their families, and the pride on their faces was unforgettable. Because of you, they will now get to experience that same joy as they make their Christmas crafts—gifts that will bring smiles to the people they love most.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and giving them memories they will treasure. We are truly grateful for your generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1762787551303,"projectUrl":"project/holiday-crafts-and-gifts-from-the-heart/9884177/","projectTitle":"Holiday Crafts and Gifts from the Heart","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Chen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp788498_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754107469107","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/helpms-chen"},{"teacherId":788498,"projectId":9822372,"letterContent":"From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your generous donation to our classroom project. Because of your kindness, we now have a Chromebook cart that keeps every device charged and ready to go each day. What a difference it has made!\r\n\r\nMy students can now easily put away their Chromebooks, cutting down on transition time and keeping our learning running smoothly. The cart has also freed up valuable space, making our classroom \"family room\" feel bigger, cozier, and more welcoming. It's truly become a space where students can gather, collaborate, and learn comfortably together.\r\n\r\nYour support has not only given us a tool to stay organized but has also created a calmer, more efficient, and joyful learning environment. Thank you for believing in our classroom and for helping us build a space where every student feels at home and ready to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1760669182653,"projectUrl":"project/new-charging-cart-to-keep-our-learning-p/9822372/","projectTitle":"New Charging Cart to Keep Our Learning Powered and Organized!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Chen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp788498_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754107469107","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/helpms-chen"},{"teacherId":788498,"projectId":9822130,"letterContent":"Dear Generous Donor,\r\n\r\nFrom the bottom of my heart, thank you for making our classroom dream come true. Because of your kindness, our learning space has been transformed into what we now lovingly call our \"family room.\" This special area has become the heart of our classroom—a place where my students and my students in MELD gather to learn, share, and simply feel at home together.\r\n\r\nThe cozy couch, storage benches, and colorful carpet mats have created a warm and flexible environment where every student feels comfortable, valued, and ready to learn. Whether they're reading quietly on the couch, collaborating on the carpet, or working independently on the benches, my students now have the freedom to choose where they learn best.\r\n\r\nIt has been so touching to hear them say how comfortable and peaceful the space feels. Their smiles and excitement each day remind me of how powerful your generosity truly is. You've given my students more than just furniture—you've given them a sense of belonging and a space where learning feels like home.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and for helping me create a place filled with comfort, connection, and joy.\r\n\r\nWith heartfelt gratitude,\r\nMs. Chen","fullyFundedDate":1760705097839,"projectUrl":"project/comfortable-choices-for-engaged-learners/9822130/","projectTitle":"Comfortable Choices for Engaged Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Chen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp788498_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754107469107","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/helpms-chen"},{"teacherId":788498,"projectId":9809847,"letterContent":"I am filled with gratitude for your generosity and support. Every day, I walk into my classroom inspired by my students' curiosity, energy, and eagerness to learn. Many of them come from diverse backgrounds, and a large number are English Language Learners. With your help, I can make learning come alive in ways that are engaging, hands-on, and accessible for every child.\r\n\r\nThanks to your donation, our classroom has already had a sneak peek at the wonders of science! My students used a microscope to explore a honeybee wing, and their excitement was contagious. Soon, when we dive into our Human Body Systems unit, they'll get to use stethoscopes, microscopes, and models of muscles, bones, and organs. I've also invited another 3rd-grade class to explore our microscope and materials, spreading the joy of hands-on learning beyond our room. For my English Learners and lower-level students, these visual and tactile experiences make complex concepts understandable, inclusive, and memorable.\r\n\r\nYour support doesn't just provide materials—it opens doors to curiosity, deepens understanding, and sparks a love of science in every child. Most importantly, it shows my students that their learning matters and that they are worth investing in. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for believing in them and helping make their learning dreams a reality.","fullyFundedDate":1760373319448,"projectUrl":"project/sparking-3rd-grade-curious-minds-one-exp/9809847/","projectTitle":"Sparking 3rd Grade Curious Minds One Experiment at a Time","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Chen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp788498_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754107469107","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/helpms-chen"},{"teacherId":788498,"projectId":9798564,"letterContent":"Dear Donors,\r\n\r\nFrom the bottom of my heart, thank you for your incredible generosity and belief in my third-grade students. Because of your kindness, our classroom is now filled with the magic of stories, laughter, and curiosity. Each book you helped provide—Charlotte's Web, Dear Mr. Henshaw, and Dog Man—has opened a door to imagination and learning that many of my students have never experienced before.\r\n\r\nI am especially thrilled to share that I will be using Dear Mr. Henshaw with my MELD students as a novel study, and they are so excited about it! The letter format of the story has already sparked conversations about voice, emotions, and self-expression. It's been wonderful to see my students connect with the text and begin to see themselves as writers, too.\r\n\r\nFor many of my readers, especially my English Learners, books can sometimes feel intimidating. But now, they are diving into pages with excitement and confidence. The Dog Man graphic novels have been especially powerful for our most reluctant readers, while Charlotte's Web continues to teach us about friendship, courage, and compassion.\r\n\r\nOur motivational bookmarks have also become more than just tools—they are little reminders of perseverance and pride. Students love choosing quotes that inspire them to keep reading, even when a chapter feels challenging.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping me nurture a culture of literacy, joy, and resilience in our classroom. Because of your support, my students are becoming stronger readers and more confident learners. You've given them the priceless gift of believing in their own potential.\r\n\r\nWith heartfelt gratitude,\r\nMs. Chen","fullyFundedDate":1759977137515,"projectUrl":"project/inspiring-readers-books-and-bookmarks-f/9798564/","projectTitle":"Inspiring Readers: Books and Bookmarks for Third Grade Literacy","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Chen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp788498_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754107469107","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/helpms-chen"},{"teacherId":788498,"projectId":9798598,"letterContent":"Dear Donors,\r\n\r\nFrom the bottom of my heart, thank you for your incredible generosity in supporting our classroom's project, \"Exploring the Wild: Building Literacy through Non-Fiction Animal Books.\" Your donation has opened the door to a world of discovery for my third graders. Because of you, my students now have access to vibrant, high-quality non-fiction books that spark curiosity, deepen understanding, and make reading come alive.\r\n\r\nThe moment the new animal books arrived, excitement filled the room. Students eagerly gathered around, flipping through pages filled with stunning photographs, diagrams, and fascinating facts. Even my most reluctant readers were captivated—pointing out pictures, asking questions, and sharing discoveries with their classmates. It's a beautiful thing to see their faces light up as they connect what they're learning in our Ecology and Animal Adaptations unit with the books in their hands.\r\n\r\nFor my English Learners, these books have been especially transformative. The visuals, clear language, and leveled text sets give them the confidence to engage meaningfully with complex science content. They're learning to navigate non-fiction features like captions, headings, and glossaries—skills that build not just literacy, but lifelong learning habits.\r\n\r\nThanks to you and the DonorsChoose community, we are turning curiosity into comprehension and wonder into knowledge. Each page my students read brings them closer to becoming confident readers and thinkers who understand that learning about the natural world is both exciting and empowering.\r\n\r\nWe are endlessly grateful for your kindness and belief in our mission. Your support is helping my students grow, read, and dream a little bigger every single day.\r\n\r\nWith heartfelt appreciation,\r\nMs. Chen","fullyFundedDate":1759977137697,"projectUrl":"project/non-fiction-books-for-our-3rd-grade-anim/9798598/","projectTitle":"Non-Fiction Books for Our 3rd Grade Animal Unit","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Chen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp788498_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754107469107","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/helpms-chen"},{"teacherId":4180208,"projectId":9580556,"letterContent":"The classroom set of Japanese abacus influenced students learning through dynamic multi-sensory experiences. The students experienced powerful tactile opportunities by moving the beads while counting numbers, discussing numbers and comparing numbers. They engaged in rigorous student discourse while comparing their abacus devices with each other.\r\n\r\nThe classroom set of Japanese abacus impacted their learning by highlighting place value fluency and precision. The students were able to visually see the place value beads in alignment with our place value number system and deepen their understanding of when a number rises or decreases in value, the corresponding place value beads will adjust in alignment with numerical values. Students engaged in robust conversations and shared their findings.\r\n\r\nThank you for your support and generous donation of the classroom set of Japanese abacus.","fullyFundedDate":1756680659948,"projectUrl":"project/click-slide-count-strengthening-math/9580556/","projectTitle":"\"Click, Slide, Count\" Strengthening Math Skills with an Abacus","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Mendoza-Gonzalez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4180208_orig.jpg?crop=2317,2317,x0,y652&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1729453530556","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4180208"},{"teacherId":788498,"projectId":9556112,"letterContent":"Dear Generous Donors,\r\n\r\nI want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your incredible support in funding our classroom printer project. Because of your generosity, we were able to bring an Epson EcoTank ET-3830 All-in-One Supertank Inkjet Printer, replacement ink bottles, and printer paper into our classroom—a true game-changer for my students and me.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, we believe in hands-on, project-based learning where students take ownership of their work and bring their creativity to life. Thanks to you, we now have the tools to make that vision possible every single day. The moment my students saw the new printer set up, their eyes lit up with excitement and curiosity. They crowded around, whispering \"Wow!\" and \"Can we really print our own projects now?\" It was heartwarming to see how something so simple could make them feel so empowered.\r\n\r\nWe immediately put the printer to use for our latest unit on historical research. Each student selected a key figure or event from the past and created a digital research poster to showcase their learning. Before, our old printer often ran out of ink or broke down, leaving many students unable to print their final projects. This time, every student was able to print in color, adjust layouts, and reprint pages as needed—just like real designers and researchers. Watching them hold their polished, professional-quality posters filled me with pride. One student said, \"It feels like my work is important now.\" That single moment perfectly captured the impact of your gift.\r\n\r\nThe new printer has also made publishing our creative writing projects a joy. Students recently completed their own short stories as part of our narrative writing unit, and now they're able to design covers, add illustrations, and print bound copies to share with families. Seeing their stories in print has boosted their confidence and made them feel like true authors. One student even asked if she could print a copy to donate to our school library so others could read her story—what a beautiful testament to the pride and ownership your donation has inspired.\r\n\r\nBeyond these projects, the printer has become a vital part of our daily learning. Students are now printing math visuals, science reports, and art projects independently. It has fostered responsibility and self-sufficiency, showing them that their ideas matter and deserve to be shared.\r\n\r\nOur next step is to continue integrating this resource into our upcoming project-based units. Soon, we'll be starting our \"Community Changemakers\" project, where students research ways to improve our neighborhood and create informational brochures to share with local organizations. Thanks to you, we'll be able to print and distribute their final products—connecting their classroom learning to real-world impact.\r\n\r\nFrom the bottom of my heart, thank you for making this possible. Your generosity has not only provided us with a reliable printer—it has given my students the confidence to see themselves as creators, thinkers, and contributors. You've made a lasting difference in our classroom community.\r\n\r\nWith sincere gratitude,\r\nMs. Chen\r\n3rd Grade Teacher","fullyFundedDate":1755695173472,"projectUrl":"project/printing-for-project-based-learning/9556112/","projectTitle":"Printing for Project-Based Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Chen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp788498_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754107469107","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/helpms-chen"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_7386","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":833,"numTeachers":49,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":95,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"17.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":78.8,"schoolId":7386,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Union Avenue Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Union Avenue Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/los-angeles-unified-school-district/union-elementary-school/7386"}