{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Julie Korenstein Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":20.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9406816,"projectId":9798163,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations to our 3rd grade classroom! The students are so excited to use the 1 minute timers for their weekly fluency practice. We also appreciate the colorful headphones which are gentle on the students' ears when it comes to our daily IREADY usage. The school's big gray bulky headphones hurt their ears because they were so tight causing redness and soreness around their ears.\r\n I've been using the pencils and erasers toppers as incentives for perfect attendance, good citizenship, and turning in completed homework. The students have been enjoying using and receiving the items donated to our class.","fullyFundedDate":1763600237233,"projectUrl":"project/headphones-for-little-ears/9798163/","projectTitle":"Headphones for Little Ears","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Larrabee","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9406816_orig.jpg?crop=240,240,x0,y79&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1747266124119","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9406816"},{"teacherId":9163189,"projectId":9856983,"letterContent":"I am writing this letter with a heart full of gratitude to express the profound impact that your generous donation of video game-themed books has had on my first-grade students. Your support has truly been a game-changer for my classroom, especially for those reluctant readers who previously viewed reading as a chore. The project, \"Level Up Our Literacy with Video Game Books,\" sought to harness the inherent motivation my students have for gaming and channel it into a passion for reading. The results have been nothing short of remarkable.\r\n\r\nBefore receiving these materials, I had several students, particularly boys, who were completely disengaged during independent reading time. They would fidget, avoid picking up a book, and express that reading was \"boring\". Traditional stories, while valuable, often failed to capture their interest in a way that competed with the dynamic, interactive worlds they loved to explore outside of school. I realized I needed to meet them where they were, leveraging their existing passions to build a bridge to literacy.","fullyFundedDate":1762266250651,"projectUrl":"project/videogame-books/9856983/","projectTitle":"Videogame Books","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Chhipa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9163189_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1697933119120","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9163189"},{"teacherId":8521154,"projectId":9804946,"letterContent":"Receiving holiday art supplies will make a meaningful difference for our 3rd graders. These materials give students the opportunity to express their creativity, strengthen fine motor skills, and engage more deeply in our holiday lessons. For many of our kids especially those who may not have access to art materials at home these supplies open the door to joy, confidence, and hands-on learning. They help create memorable experiences, support academic and social-emotional growth, and bring a sense of celebration and belonging to our classroom during this special time of year.","fullyFundedDate":1763575211843,"projectUrl":"project/holiday-art-cheer/9804946/","projectTitle":"Holiday Art Cheer!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Reynoso","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8521154_orig.jpg?crop=480,480,x29,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1699071061152","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-reynoso3rdgradescholars"},{"teacherId":9163189,"projectId":9856977,"letterContent":"Gator balls have played a powerful role in creating a fun, engaging, and supportive learning environment for my 1st graders as they explore physical education. At this age, students are still developing their coordination, confidence, and understanding of teamwork, so having equipment that is safe, versatile, and inviting makes a tremendous difference. Gator balls have been the perfect tool to encourage active participation, risk-taking, and joy during our PE lessons.\r\n\r\nOne of the biggest impacts of using gator balls is how they help students feel safe while trying new skills. Traditional playground balls can feel intimidating to young learners who may worry about getting hurt or failing in front of peers. Gator balls are soft, squishy, and lightweight, which allows students to throw, catch, kick, roll, and bounce them without fear. This sense of safety builds confidence, making students more willing to participate and more excited to challenge themselves physically.\r\n\r\nGator balls have also supported the development of important gross motor skills. My students use them to practice throwing and catching, which strengthens hand-eye coordination. When we use them for kicking or dribbling games, students strengthen balance and body control. Because the balls are easy to grip, even students who struggle with fine motor tasks feel successful. Over time, I have seen students' accuracy, strength, and coordination grow simply because they feel comfortable and motivated to practice.\r\n\r\nBeyond physical skills, gator balls have improved teamwork and communication in our classroom. Many of our activities involve students working in partners or small groups, such as passing games, relay races, and team-building challenges. Students must talk to each other, encourage one another, and cooperate to meet shared goals. These experiences help students build social-emotional skills—such as patience, sportsmanship, and empathy—which are essential for both school and life. Gator balls make these activities accessible and enjoyable, helping students focus on positive peer interactions.\r\n\r\nAnother powerful benefit is how gator balls support inclusive play. Every child, regardless of ability level, can participate meaningfully in our activities. Students who may struggle with confidence in academic settings often shine during PE with the help of gator balls, reminding them that they are capable and talented in many ways. This boosts their overall self-esteem and creates a classroom culture where everyone's strengths are celebrated.\r\n\r\nGator balls have also helped create a sense of excitement and anticipation around physical education. My students look forward to PE because they know the activities will be fun, playful, and full of movement. This enthusiasm carries over into other parts of the day, helping students release energy, improve focus, and return to class ready to learn. Physical education has become a highlight of the week, not just a break from academics but a meaningful part of their overall growth.\r\n\r\nIn all these ways, gator balls have transformed our PE lessons into joyful, inclusive, and confidence-building experiences. They help students feel safe, successful, and proud of their accomplishments. By providing the tools needed for active learning, gator balls have made physical education a positive and essential part of our 1st grade classroom environment.","fullyFundedDate":1762266248901,"projectUrl":"project/equipment-to-build-strong-scholars/9856977/","projectTitle":"Equipment to Build Strong Scholars!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Chhipa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9163189_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1697933119120","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9163189"},{"teacherId":9163189,"projectId":9877629,"letterContent":"The Amazon tablet has transformed learning in my first-grade classroom by giving my students access to interactive, personalized, and developmentally appropriate educational tools. While many donors may be familiar with using technology at home, it plays a very different and powerful role in a school setting—especially for young learners who are still building foundational skills in reading, math, language, and social-emotional development. In the classroom, the tablet becomes far more than a device for entertainment. It is a structured learning tool that provides targeted academic support, engages students who need extra motivation, and allows every child to learn at a pace that fits their needs.\r\n\r\nThe technology helps my students learn by giving them immediate feedback, step-by-step guidance, and practice opportunities they cannot always receive in whole-group instruction. For example, students working on phonics can hear letter sounds repeated clearly, practice blending through interactive games, and track their own progress. Students who are beginning readers can listen to stories read aloud while following the text, which strengthens early literacy skills. In math, children can manipulate virtual objects, solve problems with visual support, and build fluency through fun, game-like practice. The tablet also supports English language learners by offering visuals, vocabulary reinforcement, and audio cues that help them better understand lessons. Because each app adapts to each child's level, the tablet serves as a personalized tutor that adjusts to what they need in real time.\r\n\r\nWhat excites my students most about this new technology is how fun and empowering it feels. To them, the tablet transforms learning into something joyful and hands-on. They love earning badges, completing levels, and discovering new stories and challenges. Many of my students see the tablet as a reward itself, which naturally motivates them to stay focused and try their best. They also love being able to choose apps that match their interests—whether that's reading, math, drawing, or early coding. This sense of choice helps them take ownership of their learning and builds independence from an early age.\r\n\r\nSeveral students in particular have shown remarkable growth and enthusiasm because of this technology. One student who struggles with attention during whole-group lessons has become highly focused when using the tablet. The interactive features keep him engaged, and he often completes extra reading activities because he feels successful. Another student, who is learning English as a second language, has built confidence through apps that reinforce vocabulary and pronunciation. She now participates more during class because the tablet has helped her practice language skills at her own pace. A third student, who is typically shy, has discovered a love for digital storytelling. Using simple illustration and narration tools, she has begun creating her own stories—something she was previously too hesitant to try on paper.\r\n\r\nOverall, the Amazon tablet has been a powerful addition to our classroom. It supports personalized learning, boosts student motivation, and gives every child—including those who need extra help—an opportunity to feel successful. This technology has truly helped my first graders grow academically, emotionally, and creatively, and we are deeply grateful for the impact it continues to make each day.","fullyFundedDate":1763666410095,"projectUrl":"project/amazon-to-the-rescue/9877629/","projectTitle":"Amazon to The Rescue!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Chhipa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9163189_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1697933119120","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9163189"},{"teacherId":10228584,"projectId":9676090,"letterContent":"First, my preschoolers and I would like to say THANK YOU for donating all of the wonderful items!\r\n\r\nWhen they found out we received smelly stickers, they were beyond excited — screaming, jumping, and smiling from ear to ear! 🥰 Every afternoon before going home, we reflect on our day. Each student gets called up to choose a smelly sticker, and they proudly smell it and tell us what scent they think it is — \"chocolate,\" \"watermelon,\" and more. It has quickly become one of their favorite moments of the day!\r\n\r\nThe smelly markers were a big hit as well! The students used them to decorate their Thanksgiving placemats and loved how bright and colorful they were — but especially the smells! Before they draw, they always take a moment to sniff the marker first. We are also practicing responsibility by learning how to take the cap off and put it back on when finished.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your kindness and generosity. You have truly brought so much joy and excitement to our classroom! 🍎✨","fullyFundedDate":1760693752818,"projectUrl":"project/-learn-and-thrive-supporting-our-pre/9676090/","projectTitle":"\", Learn, and Thrive: Supporting Our Preschoolers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Aguilar","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10228584_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y60&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1763859857697","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10228584"},{"teacherId":1807431,"projectId":9740517,"letterContent":"The new Apple iMac has made a tremendous difference in my classroom and has opened up new learning opportunities for my students. Many of my RSP students benefit from visual, hands-on, and interactive learning, and the iMac allows them to engage with educational tools in a way that supports their individual needs. They use it for writing assignments, research, reading support, and creative projects, and the large screen and accessibility features make learning more accessible and exciting for them.\r\n\r\nWhat my students love most is being able to create whether they are designing slides, typing stories, exploring educational apps, or using technology to express their ideas in ways that paper and pencil do not allow. Several students who were previously reluctant writers now feel more motivated to participate because the iMac makes the process easier and more enjoyable for them. One student in particular, who struggles with attention and written expression, now looks forward to using the iMac each day to complete his writing tasks and explore learning apps that help him stay focused.\r\n\r\nThis project has truly unlocked creativity, confidence, and curiosity in my students, and I am so grateful for the support that made this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1763584042373,"projectUrl":"project/unlocking-creativity-and-learning-with-a/9740517/","projectTitle":"Unlocking Creativity and Learning with an Apple iMac","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Barragan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1807431"},{"teacherId":10228584,"projectId":9658611,"letterContent":"First, my preschoolers and I would like to say THANK YOU for donating all of the wonderful items!\r\n\r\nWhen they found out we received smelly stickers, they were beyond excited — screaming, jumping, and smiling from ear to ear! 🥰 Every afternoon before going home, we reflect on our day. Each student gets called up to choose a smelly sticker, and they proudly smell their sticker and tell us what scent they think it is — \"chocolate,\" \"watermelon,\" and so on. It has become one of their absolute favorite moments of the day.\r\n\r\nThe smelly markers were a big hit as well! The students used them to decorate their Thanksgiving place mats and loved how bright and colorful they were — but especially the smells! Before they draw, they always take a moment to sniff the marker first. We are also practicing responsibility by learning how to take the cap off and put it back on when finished. \r\nWe are going to continue using the smelly markers for our Christmas activities coming up and through out the school year.","fullyFundedDate":1760693779736,"projectUrl":"project/growing-through-creativity/9658611/","projectTitle":"Growing Through Creativity","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Aguilar","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10228584_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y60&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1763859857697","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10228584"},{"teacherId":1266252,"projectId":9544617,"letterContent":"The addition of these literature-rich books has transformed the way my students learn to read, think, and engage with stories. These new texts allow us to introduce essential literacy skills such as vocabulary development, character analysis, theme exploration, making inferences, and identifying text structures. Students are now able to practice close reading with books that are culturally relevant, age-appropriate, and exciting. With richer texts available, we've deepened lessons on author's purpose, point of view, and comprehension strategies that help students grow into thoughtful, confident readers.\r\nReading in our classroom now feels vibrant and interactive. Students participate in shared reading, small guided reading groups, book talks, and independent reading time where they can choose texts that spark their interests. Our book corner is always full, with students eagerly exploring new titles, discussing stories with peers, and applying reading skills in authentic ways. The classroom environment feels more like a community of readers, students spread out with books in hand, jot notes on sticky pads, and talk enthusiastically about characters and ideas.\r\nSome students have connected with these new books in especially meaningful ways. One reluctant reader now rushes to pick up graphic novels and chapter books that finally match his reading level and interests. Several English learners are thriving with high-interest texts that support language development while building comprehension and confidence. Even our quietest students have found joy in discovering stories that reflect their cultures, families, and experiences. These books have opened doors, both academically and emotionally, by giving every child something they can enjoy, relate to, and grow from. Thank you for giving our students the gift of powerful stories and meaningful literacy opportunities.","fullyFundedDate":1758834909382,"projectUrl":"project/growing-readers-growing-scholars/9544617/","projectTitle":"Growing Readers, Growing Scholars!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Manzo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1266252_orig.jpg?crop=551,551,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1748498618171","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1266252"},{"teacherId":1266252,"projectId":9544702,"letterContent":"Our new SONOS speakers have transformed the learning environment in ways that many families may not see from home but are truly powerful inside the classroom. Clear, room-filling audio has allowed students to engage more deeply during science demonstrations, music lessons, read-alouds, and multimedia STEM activities. Whether it's listening to a model of heartbeats during a health lesson or identifying instrument families during music exploration, the speakers help students focus, process information more clearly, and stay immersed in each lesson. This technology has created an accessible learning atmosphere for all students, especially English learners and students with auditory processing needs, because every sound is crisp, easy to follow, and consistent throughout the room.\r\nOverall, the SONOS speakers have elevated our lessons, supported diverse learners, and increased student participation in authentic, meaningful ways. Thank you for investing in a tool that continues to make our classroom more inclusive, dynamic, and joyful every day. Your generosity is heard, literally and figuratively, in every lesson we teach.","fullyFundedDate":1760693718242,"projectUrl":"project/sound-success-empowering-scholars-with/9544702/","projectTitle":"Sound Success: Empowering Scholars With Beats Speaker","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Manzo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1266252_orig.jpg?crop=551,551,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1748498618171","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1266252"},{"teacherId":8521154,"projectId":9717981,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of prizes and clipboards for our 3rd grade classroom. Your support has made a wonderful impact on our students' learning and motivation. The prizes help encourage positive behavior and celebrate their hard work, while the clipboards allow them to participate in lessons and activities more comfortably during small group and independent work. Your contribution truly helps create a more engaging and supportive learning environment for all our students. Thank you it truly makes a difference in how my students learn.","fullyFundedDate":1762265362877,"projectUrl":"project/we-are-all-winners/9717981/","projectTitle":"We Are All Winners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Reynoso","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8521154_orig.jpg?crop=480,480,x29,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1699071061152","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-reynoso3rdgradescholars"},{"teacherId":1807431,"projectId":9730685,"letterContent":"When my students first saw the new pens, markers, notebooks, and clipboards, their faces lit up with excitement. These simple but powerful tools have transformed our daily lessons in the Resource Room. Students now have their own materials ready to go, which has increased their sense of ownership and pride in their work. The colorful markers and pens have made writing and illustrating ideas much more engaging—especially for those who need extra motivation to stay focused.\r\n\r\nOne memorable moment was during a writing activity where students used their new clipboards to move around the room and take \"notes like real reporters.\" They were so proud to share their finished work, and it sparked more conversation and confidence than I've seen before. The notebooks are being used for goal tracking, journaling, and practicing academic skills, helping students see their growth over time.\r\n\r\nThese resources have helped my students stay organized, participate more actively, and take pride in their accomplishments. Our next step is to continue using these materials to support self-monitoring and reflection, encouraging students to take ownership of their learning and celebrate their \"gripping\" success!","fullyFundedDate":1762267553126,"projectUrl":"project/stem-scholars-tools-to-record-discoveri/9730685/","projectTitle":"STEM Scholars: Tools to Record Discoveries","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Barragan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1807431"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_101261","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":314,"numTeachers":20,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":3,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":3,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":88,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"15.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":79.4,"schoolId":101261,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Julie Korenstein Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Julie Korenstein Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/los-angeles-unified-school-district/valley-region-elementary-school7/101261"}