{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Valders Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":34.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10093005,"projectId":10272929,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our \"Tools for Learning\" project! Your generous donation of staplers, a pencil sharpener, erasable pens, and erasers helps give my students the supplies they need to feel prepared and ready to learn each day.\r\n\r\nThese everyday tools make a difference in our classroom. The pencil sharpener helps students keep their pencils ready for writing, while the staplers help them organize their work and put together projects they are proud to share.\r\n\r\nThe erasable pens and erasers support students as they practice, revise, and try again. Whether they are solving a math problem or improving a sentence, students have tools that make correcting mistakes easier and encourage them to keep working.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in my students and our classroom. Your kindness helps us spend more time learning and ensures students have access to supplies they need. We are so grateful for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1788439621036,"projectUrl":"project/tools-for-learning/10272929/","projectTitle":"Tools for Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Maertz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10093005_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1763171615655","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msmaertz"},{"teacherId":10093005,"projectId":10291521,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our Summer Reading Launch project! Your generous donation of copies of Fourth Grade Rats and bookmarks helped encourage students to keep reading throughout the summer and gave them something special to look forward to.\r\n\r\nStudents were so excited when they earned their very own copy of Fourth Grade Rats! Having a book to call their own made this celebration even more meaningful. The bookmarks were a wonderful addition, giving students a way to save their place as they continued their reading adventures.\r\n\r\nYour support helped us celebrate students' efforts and nurture their growing love of reading. The excitement of receiving these books reminded students that reading can be both rewarding and fun, and that there are always new stories waiting to be discovered.\r\n\r\nThank you for getting these books into my students' hands and helping us build a community of readers. We are so grateful for your generosity and for helping make summer reading a special experience!","fullyFundedDate":1787592617040,"projectUrl":"project/summer-reading-launch/10291521/","projectTitle":"Summer Reading Launch","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Maertz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10093005_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1763171615655","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msmaertz"},{"teacherId":10093005,"projectId":10268789,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom with sensory tools and calm-down bags! Your generosity helps students access the support they need to feel comfortable, manage their emotions, and be ready to learn. These supplies help us create a caring classroom where students' individual needs are recognized and supported.\r\n\r\nThe fidgets and sensory supplies give students helpful ways to keep their hands busy while focusing on their learning. Having these tools available allows students to practice choosing a support that works for them and helps them stay engaged in classroom activities.\r\n\r\nThe calm-down bags also provide students with tools to take a break when they feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or need a moment to reset. These breaks give students an opportunity to practice calming strategies so they can return to learning feeling more settled and ready to participate.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in both our students' learning and their emotional well-being. Your kindness helps students understand that it is okay to need a break and that support is available when they need it. We are so grateful for your thoughtful contribution and the difference it makes in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1778793345300,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-support-calm-down-bags/10268789/","projectTitle":"Sensory Support & Calm Down Bags","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Maertz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10093005_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1763171615655","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msmaertz"},{"teacherId":10093005,"projectId":10268700,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom through DonorsChoose! Your generosity has helped create a learning environment where all students have access to tools that help them focus, participate, and stay on track. These materials are already making a difference in our daily routines.\r\n\r\nThe headphones are already in use, and students who previously did not have access to a pair can now listen to their lessons and complete their work with fewer distractions. The wobble feet on our chairs also give students a way to move while they learn, helping them stay comfortable and focused during classroom activities.\r\n\r\nOur visual timers are used all day, every day! They help students see how much time they have left, prepare for transitions, and stay on track with their work. I am also eagerly awaiting a replacement Bintiva Ball Chair and cannot wait to make this additional seating option available to my students. It will provide another way for students to move while staying engaged in learning.\r\n\r\nI cannot thank you enough for investing in our students and their success. Your support helps us meet different learning needs and gives every child more opportunities to do their best. We are so grateful for your kindness and for the lasting impact you are making in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1778161058359,"projectUrl":"project/supporting-all-students/10268700/","projectTitle":"Supporting All Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Maertz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10093005_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1763171615655","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msmaertz"},{"teacherId":10093005,"projectId":10157430,"letterContent":"Because of you, my classroom is buzzing like a beehive. The science books—animal adaptations, inventors, and our 180 Days of Science activity book—have become instant favorites. When the box arrived, my students acted like it was Christmas morning. They were flipping through pages, calling out facts, and asking if we could \"do science right now.\"\r\n\r\nWe've already used the adaptation books to kick off a project where students match real‑world animal features to survival needs. The activity book has become our go‑to for quick investigations that get everyone thinking.\r\n\r\nUp next, my students will be using these texts to build their own mini research projects. Your support didn't just give us materials—it gave my students a reason to be excited about science every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1778061944281,"projectUrl":"project/growing-scientists-through-reading-forc/10157430/","projectTitle":"Growing Scientists Through Reading: Forces, Motion, and Amazing Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Maertz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10093005_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1763171615655","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msmaertz"},{"teacherId":10093005,"projectId":9961277,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting our third‑grade classroom. Every student who walks through our door brings something special—creativity, curiosity, humor, kindness, and wonderfully unique ways of learning. Many of my students are neurodivergent, and they thrive when they have tools that support their sensory and emotional needs. They are bright, capable learners who sometimes need movement, texture, or calming input to feel safe and stay focused. What makes them extraordinary isn't just how they learn—it's how beautifully they remind us that there is no single \"right\" way to be a learner.\r\n\r\nYour generosity is helping us create a space that honors those differences. The wobble feet, fidgets, and calming tools you've funded are not distractions—they're essential supports that help students regulate their bodies and minds throughout the day. A child who struggles to sit still can now channel their energy in a productive way. A fidget can help another stay grounded during transitions or challenging moments. These tools make our classroom more inclusive, more responsive, and more joyful.\r\n\r\nMy goal has always been to build a classroom where every student feels seen, supported, and empowered. Your gift brings us closer to that reality. You're helping turn sensory needs into superpowers and showing each child that they belong exactly as they are.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and in the beauty of neurodiversity. Your kindness will be felt every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1772889798991,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-tools-supporting-neurodivergent/9961277/","projectTitle":"Sensory Tools Supporting Neurodivergent Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Maertz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10093005_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1763171615655","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msmaertz"},{"teacherId":10093005,"projectId":10130074,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom. Your generosity has already made a real difference. With the new organizing cart, color‑coded labels, book displays, and binders, my students finally have systems that help them feel calm, capable, and proud of their work.\r\n\r\nWhat I love most is watching them take ownership—creating the color‑coding, managing the cart, rotating displays, and teaching each other how to use our new success stations. They feel trusted, and that confidence shows in everything they do.\r\n\r\nYou didn't just fund supplies. You gave my students independence, leadership, and a learning space that truly works for them. I'm deeply grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1778061885720,"projectUrl":"project/organized-minds-bright-futures-third-g/10130074/","projectTitle":"Organized Minds, Bright Futures: Third Grade Success Systems","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Maertz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10093005_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1763171615655","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msmaertz"},{"teacherId":10093005,"projectId":10086293,"letterContent":"My students are so proud to share the impact of our Calm Stations project with you. Thanks to your generosity, we were able to bring fidgets, flexible seating, and calming‑corner tools to shared spaces across our school. These resources are already helping students regulate their emotions, reset their bodies, and return to learning with confidence.\r\n\r\nOur third‑grade leaders took charge of this project from start to finish. They unpacked materials, organized supplies, created kid‑friendly visuals, and delivered Calm Stations to areas where students need support the most. They've become helpers and role models, teaching younger students how to use the tools and checking in to restock stations when needed.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, students now have access to sensory tools that help them feel safe, focused, and ready to learn. We've seen students choose a breathing tool instead of shutting down, use a fidget to stay engaged during transitions, and settle into flexible seating when their bodies need movement or grounding. These small moments add up to a calmer, more supportive school community.\r\n\r\nYour donation didn't just provide supplies — it empowered students to lead, to serve, and to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Thank you for believing in our kids and helping us build","fullyFundedDate":1772557099325,"projectUrl":"project/calm-stations-for-our-school-community/10086293/","projectTitle":"Calm Stations for Our School Community","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Maertz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10093005_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1763171615655","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msmaertz"},{"teacherId":10093005,"projectId":9897281,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my students have experienced what it truly feels like to be part of a reading community. With multiple copies of each book, every child has been able to hold the same text, turn the same pages, and join the same conversations. This simple shift—everyone reading together—has transformed the way my students see themselves as readers.\r\n\r\nSo far, our class has read four books together, and each one has sparked new layers of discussion, curiosity, and connection. Students who were once hesitant to share their thinking now jump into conversations with confidence, knowing their peers are right there with them in the story. During small‑group time, I've watched students point to passages, debate character choices, and make text‑to‑self connections that feel meaningful and personal. One of my favorite moments was seeing a group huddle around a chapter ending, each student eager to predict what might happen next.\r\n\r\nThank you so much for getting these books into my students hands.","fullyFundedDate":1765503733207,"projectUrl":"project/small-groups-big-hearts-growing-reader/9897281/","projectTitle":"Small Groups, Big Hearts: Growing Readers in Community","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Maertz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10093005_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1763171615655","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msmaertz"},{"teacherId":10093005,"projectId":9926784,"letterContent":"When our project was fully funded, my students could hardly believe it. The moment the cardstock, markers, glitter, and stickers arrived, the room buzzed with excitement. Several students immediately started planning who they wanted to recognize first—classmates who held doors, helped a friend clean up, or invited someone new to play at recess. They couldn't wait to begin spreading kindness across our school.\r\nThese resources have transformed kindness from something we talk about into something students actively lead. They now walk the halls with purpose, noticing small acts of goodness and turning them into public celebrations. Teachers have started displaying the shout‑outs on classroom doors, and students from other grades stop by to read them. The pride on my students' faces when they see their work making someone's day is priceless.\r\nYour generosity didn't just provide supplies—it empowered my students to become leaders of empathy, recognition, and community. Thank you for helping them build a culture of kindness that reaches far beyond our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1765379803661,"projectUrl":"project/kindness-patrol-we-see-you/9926784/","projectTitle":"Kindness Patrol: We see you!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Maertz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10093005_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1763171615655","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msmaertz"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_37614","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":383,"numTeachers":21,"percentFrplEligible":29,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":87,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":9,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":1,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 4","studentTeacherRatio":"18.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_DISTANT"},"inStateSupporters":65.2,"schoolId":37614,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Valders Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Valders Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/wisconsin/valders-area-school-district/valders-elementary-school/37614"}