{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Alta California Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":10.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8517650,"projectId":9055570,"letterContent":"The donation of markers for whiteboards and anchor charts has greatly enhanced both instruction and student engagement in my classroom. These materials play a crucial role in creating a dynamic and interactive learning environment where students can actively participate and visually connect with the content being taught. Anchor charts, created using these markers, serve as important visual references that reinforce key concepts and strategies. These charts are displayed in the classroom and provide students with ongoing support as they work independently or in small groups.\r\n\r\nThe use of colorful, clear, and organized anchor charts helps make learning more accessible, especially for students who benefit from visual supports. These charts break down complex ideas into manageable steps, allowing students to better understand and apply what they have learned. Whether we are working on math strategies, reading comprehension, or writing skills, anchor charts serve as a valuable tool that students can refer back to at any time.\r\n\r\nIn addition to supporting instruction, whiteboard markers allow students to engage in hands-on learning activities. Students use whiteboards for practice, problem-solving, and sharing their thinking in real time. This immediate feedback allows me to quickly assess understanding and provide support when needed. It also encourages participation from all students, as they feel more comfortable taking risks and trying out their ideas in a low-pressure setting.","fullyFundedDate":1746785356010,"projectUrl":"project/parkour-for-markers/9055570/","projectTitle":"Parkour for Markers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Castro","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8517650_orig.jpg?crop=828,827,x0,y276&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1657079024869","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-moni-castro"},{"teacherId":8517650,"projectId":9055730,"letterContent":"The donation of highlighters has had a significant impact on my students' ability to engage with text and develop strong reading comprehension skills. These tools have transformed the way students interact with reading materials by encouraging active participation and deeper analysis. Instead of passively reading, students are now able to highlight key details, main ideas, and important evidence, which helps them better understand and retain information.\r\n\r\nUsing highlighters has been especially beneficial in teaching students how to annotate effectively. Annotation is a critical skill that supports comprehension, critical thinking, and the ability to analyze text. With these tools, students can visually organize information, identify patterns, and make connections within the text. This process helps them break down complex passages into manageable parts, making reading less overwhelming and more accessible.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, highlighters have supported students in developing their ability to cite evidence when answering questions. This is an essential skill across all subject areas, particularly in reading and writing. By highlighting specific evidence, students are able to refer back to the text more easily and provide stronger, more accurate responses. This has improved the quality of their written and verbal answers, as they are learning to support their thinking with clear and relevant details.\r\n\r\nThe use of highlighters has also increased student engagement and independence. Students take ownership of their learning by actively interacting with the text and making decisions about what is important. This hands-on approach makes learning more interactive and helps students feel more confident in their abilities. Overall, this simple yet effective resource has made a meaningful difference in helping students become more strategic, thoughtful, and successful readers.","fullyFundedDate":1746785533266,"projectUrl":"project/annotating-brighter-with-highlighters/9055730/","projectTitle":"Annotating Brighter with Highlighters","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Castro","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8517650_orig.jpg?crop=828,827,x0,y276&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1657079024869","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-moni-castro"},{"teacherId":8517650,"projectId":9055738,"letterContent":"The donation of holiday-themed books has had a meaningful impact on creating a more inclusive, engaging, and culturally responsive classroom environment. These books provide students with the opportunity to learn about a variety of traditions, celebrations, and perspectives from different cultures and communities. By incorporating these texts into our classroom, students are able to expand their understanding of the world around them while also developing empathy and respect for others.\r\n\r\nOne of the most powerful impacts of these books is the sense of representation and belonging they bring to the classroom. Many of my students come from diverse backgrounds, and when they see their own cultures, traditions, and experiences reflected in the stories we read, it helps them feel valued and seen. This sense of inclusion plays a crucial role in building confidence and fostering a positive classroom environment. At the same time, students are exposed to cultures and traditions that may be different from their own, which promotes curiosity, open-mindedness, and meaningful discussions.\r\n\r\nThese books have also supported literacy development by providing engaging and relatable content that captures students' interest. Students are more motivated to read and participate when they can connect to the material. We use these texts for read-alouds, discussions, and writing activities, allowing students to practice comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills. The stories often serve as a starting point for conversations about values, traditions, and personal experiences, helping to strengthen both academic and social-emotional learning.\r\n\r\nOverall, the holiday-themed books have helped create a classroom environment where diversity is celebrated, and every student feels a sense of belonging. These resources have made learning more meaningful and have strengthened the connections between students, their peers, and the world around them.","fullyFundedDate":1746785533377,"projectUrl":"project/holiday-gourmet/9055738/","projectTitle":"Holiday Gourmet","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Castro","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8517650_orig.jpg?crop=828,827,x0,y276&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1657079024869","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-moni-castro"},{"teacherId":8517650,"projectId":9304804,"letterContent":"The donation of testing materials, including workbooks, has played a critical role in supporting my students' academic growth and preparedness for assessments. These resources provide structured and targeted practice that aligns with grade-level standards, allowing students to strengthen key skills in both reading and mathematics. One of the most significant impacts of these workbooks is that they help familiarize students with the format and expectations of standardized testing. By regularly engaging with test-style questions, students become more comfortable with the structure, language, and rigor of assessments, which helps reduce anxiety and build confidence.\r\n\r\nThese materials also allow for differentiated instruction, which is essential in a classroom with a wide range of learning needs. I am able to assign specific sections based on individual student abilities, ensuring that each student is working at an appropriate level. This targeted approach helps close learning gaps and provides additional support for students who may need extra practice, while also challenging those who are ready to go further. The workbooks serve as a valuable tool for both independent practice and guided instruction, allowing students to reinforce what they have learned in a structured and meaningful way.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, these resources make it easier to track student progress over time. By reviewing student responses, I am able to identify areas of strength and areas that need improvement, which helps inform my instruction. Students also benefit from seeing their own growth, which boosts motivation and encourages a growth mindset. Over time, they begin to take more ownership of their learning and develop greater independence in completing tasks.\r\n\r\nOverall, the testing materials have created a more supportive and effective learning environment where students feel prepared, capable, and confident. These resources have not only improved academic performance but have also helped students approach assessments with a more positive and determined mindset.","fullyFundedDate":1746785322210,"projectUrl":"project/tools-for-testing-triumph/9304804/","projectTitle":"Tools for Testing Triumph!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Castro","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8517650_orig.jpg?crop=828,827,x0,y276&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1657079024869","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-moni-castro"},{"teacherId":8517650,"projectId":9304813,"letterContent":"The donation of The Wild Robot has had a powerful and meaningful impact on my students' engagement, comprehension, and overall love for reading. This novel has served as an anchor text in our classroom, allowing students to fully immerse themselves in a rich and imaginative story while also developing essential literacy skills. Through reading The Wild Robot, students have been able to explore complex themes such as survival, empathy, adaptation, and the relationship between technology and nature. These themes have opened the door for deeper conversations and critical thinking, allowing students to move beyond surface-level understanding and truly engage with the text.\r\n\r\nIn addition to strengthening comprehension, this book has provided numerous opportunities for students to practice important reading strategies. Students have been able to identify key details, analyze character development, and make inferences based on evidence from the text. They have participated in both whole-group discussions and small group activities, where they share ideas, listen to different perspectives, and build on each other's thinking. This collaborative environment has helped students grow not only academically but also socially, as they learn how to respectfully communicate and support their ideas with evidence.\r\n\r\nFurthermore, The Wild Robot has supported writing instruction by serving as a model for narrative structure and detailed storytelling. Students have been inspired to write their own responses, summaries, and reflections, using the text as a guide. For many of my students, this book has sparked a renewed interest in reading, especially for those who may have previously struggled to stay engaged with longer texts. It has helped build stamina, confidence, and a sense of accomplishment as they work through the novel together. Overall, this donation has truly enriched our classroom by making reading more meaningful, interactive, and impactful for all learners.","fullyFundedDate":1746785475107,"projectUrl":"project/wild-about-reading-set/9304813/","projectTitle":"Wild About Reading Set","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Castro","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8517650_orig.jpg?crop=828,827,x0,y276&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1657079024869","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-moni-castro"},{"teacherId":9992727,"projectId":9238999,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my classroom now has a full class set of Wonder, and it has already made a meaningful impact on our students' reading experiences. Having a copy for every student has allowed us to read together and engage in thoughtful discussions without worrying about sharing or waiting for materials.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is interactive and reflective. Students follow along during read-alouds, practice their reading fluency, and respond to questions that promote critical thinking and empathy. We often pause to reflect on character choices, make connections to our own lives, and explore deeper themes like kindness, inclusion, and courage. These kinds of conversations were enriched by the powerful messages in Wonder.\r\n\r\nSome of my reluctant readers have especially connected with this novel. One student who typically hesitates to participate in reading discussions has been raising their hand more often, eager to share their thoughts and personal connections to the story. Another student who struggles with reading fluency has shown renewed motivation and confidence now that they have their own book to follow along with.\r\n\r\nOverall, this project has sparked meaningful conversations and deeper engagement in reading. You've helped create an environment where students feel excited to read, think critically, and grow not only as readers but as kind and thoughtful individuals. Thank you so much for making this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1744232273040,"projectUrl":"project/wonder-filled-readers-in-the-making/9238999/","projectTitle":"Wonder-Filled Readers in the Making","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Garcia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9992727_orig.png?crop=992,992,x0,y59&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1743986900799","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9992727"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_101254","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":617,"numTeachers":32,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":4,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":90,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":0,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"19.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":89.1,"schoolId":101254,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Alta California Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Alta California Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/los-angeles-unified-school-district/valley-region-elementary-school-6/101254"}