{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"University Elementary School at La Fiesta","outOfStateSupporters":9.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10230206,"projectId":9661353,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my students now have access to thoughtfully chosen handwriting tools that are already making a meaningful difference in their learning, confidence, and engagement. These resources are being used in whole-class handwriting lessons across both General Education (GE) and Special Day Class (SDC) classrooms, allowing me to support a wide range of learners in an inclusive, classroom-based setting.\r\nWe are using these materials as part of a carefully scaffolded handwriting approach that begins with high-structure tasks and gradually reduces support as students develop confidence and mastery. For many students, handwriting can feel intimidating or frustrating, so beginning with tools like magnetic tracing boards and stencils clipped onto chalkboards helps them experience immediate success. Students trace letters with clear boundaries, feel the resistance of chalk against the board, and receive multisensory input that reinforces correct letter formation through touch, sight, and sound. These early successes are crucial as they help students to feel capable and proud of their work, which is deeply motivating.\r\nWhen students first saw the materials, their reactions were full of excitement and curiosity. The chalkboards and chalk were especially popular, with many students reporting that they had never used a chalkboard before. The scented stickers, used to support breathing exercises before writing tasks, brought smiles and laughter while also helping students to regulate their bodies and minds before fine motor work. Several students immediately commented that the tools made writing feel \"easier\" or \"more fun,\" and others were proud to show peers and teachers how neatly they could form letters when using the stencils with clipboards and chalkboards.\r\nAs students progress, we intentionally reduce task structure. Dry erase sleeves allow us to move from stencil-based practice to tracing and visual-motor activities that still provide guidance while encouraging greater independence. Dry erase markers, felt erasers, and chalkboards support repeated practice without fear of mistakes, reinforcing a growth mindset. For students who are ready for more advanced instruction, we use tools such as hi-write paper, or color coded letters to teach writing legibility skills such as alignment and sizing while using the \"Sky, Grass, Earth\" adaptive dry erase board and paper model. This visual perceptual framework has been especially effective in helping students understand letter placement and sizing. Clipboards and binder clips have made these lessons flexible and portable, allowing students to work comfortably at desks, tables, or on the floor. The storage shelf has been invaluable in keeping materials organized and accessible. \r\nProviding these lessons in a whole-class format allows me to offer Response to Intervention (RTI) support to students who have not been formally identified by the Special Education department, while also supporting students with IEPs in the least restrictive environment. Many students benefit from remaining in their classroom with peers, particularly with those who struggle with transitions to an office, or who engage more fully during shared learning experiences.\r\nThe next steps for my students include continued progression toward independent handwriting tasks, increased endurance for written work, and greater pride in their finished products. As task structure is gradually reduced, students are gaining confidence, joy, and a sense of mastery that carries over into all areas of learning.\r\nYour support has given my students the tools they need to feel successful, included, and proud of their work. Thank you for investing in their growth and for giving them the opportunity to experience handwriting not as a barrier, but as a skill they can truly master. These tools have made a big difference already with our students' handwriting legibility.","fullyFundedDate":1758832171820,"projectUrl":"project/strong-starts-in-writing-multi-sensory/9661353/","projectTitle":"Strong Starts in Writing: Multi-sensory Tools for TK–5 Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Matt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10230206_orig.png?crop=285,285,x1,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756414646044","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10230206"},{"teacherId":10011210,"projectId":9438878,"letterContent":"Originally this project started out as a new printer to print colored pages and posters for my students. Unfortunately, the printer was out of stock and there was not an alternative within price range. However, we made the best out of a sticky situation and ordered art supplies and manipulatives! We got 2 big buckets of buttons to make some crazy projects later this year. We even got some fruit counters that go great with morning math centers. These new additions to our classroom encourage my students to learn with their hands as well as explore their creative sides.","fullyFundedDate":1758832513881,"projectUrl":"project/learning-with-color/9438878/","projectTitle":"Learning with Color!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. WILLIAMS","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10011210_orig.jpg?crop=1955,1955,x947,y483&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746147189855","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/teachinglittlesdaily"},{"teacherId":10011210,"projectId":9507438,"letterContent":"My students and I love our new classroom supplies! We do coloring every day, so the markers and crayons are super helpful. My little TKs have been trying to practice cutting shapes as well, so the scissors are a big help. The kid scissors are great for their little hands and they love the colors and feel of the scissors too. My students are so excited to use their big crayons in their workbooks and to draw more pictures. \r\n We also got the skin color packs of markers, and it's perfect for when we draw ourselves or other people we know. The skin toned markers give them the opportunity to be inclusive and also expressive in their coloring. And we can't forget about the glue sticks! We have been doing crafts with glitter, feathers, and sequins and glue sticks are so useful! \r\n All of my students are so excited to have their own pack of crayons and their own scissors to use throughout the school year. We love to share in our classroom, but having our own personal items is also so fun and personalized.","fullyFundedDate":1754411432818,"projectUrl":"project/school-supplies-for-tk/9507438/","projectTitle":"School Supplies for Tk!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. WILLIAMS","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10011210_orig.jpg?crop=1955,1955,x947,y483&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746147189855","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/teachinglittlesdaily"},{"teacherId":10011210,"projectId":9308677,"letterContent":"My students absolutely love using the fake food and fake kitchen set in our dramatic play area in our classroom. We utilize a kitchen themed dramatic play every day during choice time. My kids are 4 years old and are obsessed with play-pretend. They really like making me food and giving it to me to eat. I had these materials the first day of school and the students lost their minds. They were so excited to see a kitchen. \r\n The next steps for my dramatic play area is to turn it into a grocery store! I have some grocery baskets and grocery items from my project as well! This is going to go along great with our healthy eating lesson in a few weeks. Dramatic play is so important for children, especially TKs. I really appreciate the fact that I was able to provide them with such a full and colorful kitchen play center.","fullyFundedDate":1746785307180,"projectUrl":"project/lets-get-cooking-play-food-for-our-tk/9308677/","projectTitle":"Let’s Get Cooking! Play Food for Our TK Kitchen!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. WILLIAMS","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10011210_orig.jpg?crop=1955,1955,x947,y483&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746147189855","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/teachinglittlesdaily"},{"teacherId":10011210,"projectId":9308816,"letterContent":"The resources provided to me by this project have made the first few days of school a great time for students to calm down and relax. The sensory boxes I've created with the items like magnetic boards, stress balls, and plastic animal figurines really encourage my students to play independently during rest time. In the photos I provided, I've created a sensory box for each student. These boxes rotate students throughout the weeks so each student experiences something new. No two sensory boxes are the same! \r\n My students are 4 and 5 years old, so they were ecstatic to see the squishy stress balls and the magnetic drawing board. They really like to work with their hands, and playing with a squishy ball really entices them at this age. This school year, I really want to incorporate art and science into my TK classroom. I work at a PBL school where project based learning is the key to a successful year. With TK kids, it's a bit harder to create projects that they can really understand, so I'm working on brainstorming different projects that they'll understand and take with them as they get older!","fullyFundedDate":1746785800939,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-boxes/9308816/","projectTitle":"Sensory Boxes!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. WILLIAMS","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10011210_orig.jpg?crop=1955,1955,x947,y483&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746147189855","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/teachinglittlesdaily"},{"teacherId":9887261,"projectId":9030139,"letterContent":"I want to sincerely thank each of you for your generosity—your support is truly making a difference for our students. We received the new resources before summer, which gave me the time to thoughtfully set up the classroom for a fresh group of incoming students who will benefit tremendously from them.\r\n\r\nThanks to these materials, the classroom now feels like a totally different space—designed to support students who struggle with traditional learning methods, like sitting still at a desk. The sensory supports and flexible areas encourage engagement, movement, and multiple ways to access learning. This aligns with Universal Design for Learning principles, helping all students thrive by meeting their unique needs.\r\n\r\nAlthough we haven't started using the materials in therapy sessions yet, I'm confident they will be essential tools to foster communication, language growth, and confidence in a way that truly works for our students. Because of your kindness, we're creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where every child has the opportunity to succeed.\r\n\r\nI look forward to sharing updates on their progress and successes as the year goes on. Thank you again for making such a meaningful impact!","fullyFundedDate":1741997013902,"projectUrl":"project/thriving-through-sensory-and-regulatory/9030139/","projectTitle":"Thriving Through Sensory and Regulatory Supports","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lani","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9887261_orig.jpg?crop=1179,1179,x0,y353&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1736143570451","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9887261"},{"teacherId":6858458,"projectId":8854226,"letterContent":"I want to extend my sincerest gratitude to each of you for your generous support of the STEAM Experience for All donation requests. Thanks to your contributions, our STEAM event exceeded all expectations!\r\nFor two days, our Multi-Purpose Room was filled with children eagerly exploring the world of science through the circuits you helped us purchase. Your generosity also inspired our PTA to contribute additional funding, further enriching the experience for our students.\r\nOn our parent evening, we welcomed over 200 attendees, all excited to engage in hands-on science exploration. The overwhelming enthusiasm from students and families has led us to make this an annual event for our school community!\r\nThis incredible experience would not have been possible without your kindness and support. From the bottom of our hearts—thank you!\r\nWarmly,\r\nTammy Barksdale\r\n3rd Grade Teacher\r\nUELF","fullyFundedDate":1731560349607,"projectUrl":"project/steam-experience-for-all/8854226/","projectTitle":"STEAM Experience for All","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. B","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6858458"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_106381","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":265,"numTeachers":11,"percentFrplEligible":46,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":42,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":46,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"24.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":90.5,"schoolId":106381,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about University Elementary School at La Fiesta on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"University Elementary School at La Fiesta","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/cotati-rohnert-park-unified-school-district/university-elementary-school-la-fiesta/106381"}