{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Veterans Memorial Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":16.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10213522,"projectId":9797258,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom. Because of your kindness, my students are now using art materials to bring their writing to life in exciting and meaningful ways. We have been combining writing and illustration during our literacy block, where students create stories, poems, and personal narratives and then add detailed drawings to match their ideas. One special moment was when a student who usually struggles with writing proudly shared a fully illustrated story with the class—the pictures helped them confidently express ideas they previously found difficult to put into words.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new materials, they were thrilled. Their excitement was immediate, and they couldn't wait to start creating. The addition of art has made writing more engaging for everyone, especially for students who benefit from visual expression. I've noticed an increase in effort, creativity, and confidence, as students are eager to complete their writing so they can illustrate it. It has truly helped them take ownership of their work and feel proud of what they create.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we will continue building on this momentum by working on a class book project, where each student will write and illustrate their own page to contribute to a published collection. We are also focusing on adding more detail to both writing and illustrations, helping students grow as storytellers and artists. Your support has given my students the tools to express themselves in new and powerful ways, and we are so grateful for the impact you have made in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1770393727401,"projectUrl":"project/using-art-to-enhance-literacy/9797258/","projectTitle":"Using Art to Enhance Literacy","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Burns","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10213522"},{"teacherId":10213522,"projectId":9638174,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom. Because of your kindness, we were able to add prizes and fidgets, like pop-its, to strengthen our positive behavior system. My students use these items as part of a token economy, where they earn points for making good choices, following directions, and showing kindness. One special moment that stood out was watching a student who often struggled with impulsive behavior stay focused and work hard to earn enough points for a reward—they were so proud of themselves!\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new prizes and fidgets, their excitement was immediate. They were eager to participate and quickly understood how their positive choices could lead to earning rewards. These materials have made a big difference in both engagement and behavior. Students are more motivated, attentive, and thoughtful about their actions. The fidgets, in particular, have helped them stay calm and focused during lessons, which has improved our overall classroom environment.\r\n\r\nThanks to your support, we will continue building on this success by using the token economy to encourage responsibility and self-control. As we move forward, students will set goals, track their progress, and celebrate their achievements with earned rewards. These tools are helping my five-year-old learners develop important habits and become more responsible, confident students. Your generosity has truly made a lasting and meaningful impact on our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1757960710907,"projectUrl":"project/great-behavior-wins/9638174/","projectTitle":"Great Behavior Wins","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Burns","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10213522"},{"teacherId":10204171,"projectId":10169004,"letterContent":"The students love sitting in the front of the class when I use Powerpoints and play videos. I found a couple benches at yards sales, but they went bonkers when they saw the bean bag chairs!! They have been such a hit, I have to pull names for who sits in them each day. These chairs encourage them to sit near the front which in turn provides better focus, fewer distractions as well as improved listening and understanding. I can already witnessing more participation in class discussions as a result. \r\n\r\nWhen I taught human body organs earlier this year, the students loved my life sized model with removable organs. I would allow them to take turns but it wasn't same excitement I witnessed this week during review time. Now, thanks to you, every table has a mini human body torso with removable organs. Turning learning from a book into something they can touch is magical! Removing and replacing organs is helping to identify what each organ is and it's placement in the body. I find it also encourages curiousity because it has some organs that are not part of our benchmark and has deepened their understanding. \r\n\r\nThe magnetic body is fun because it allows students to flip from skeletal to muscular side which again, helps to make connections they may not otherwise understand. \r\n\r\nThank you for helping to make science fun!","fullyFundedDate":1776442466026,"projectUrl":"project/get-comfy-learn-about-organs/10169004/","projectTitle":"Get Comfy & Learn About Organs","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Eisenberg","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10204171_orig.jpg?crop=919,919,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757378465227","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10204171"},{"teacherId":10204171,"projectId":9933739,"letterContent":"I am a new 5th grade science teacher and truly believe learning should be fun and interactive. The donations I received allowed me to provide hands on activities to give them a better understanding of how things work and why. Of course, they learn when things do not work too...my favorite part of science! \r\nThe snap circuits, power tiles, alligator clips, energy stick, plasma globe and batteries were all part of our Electricity benchmark. These items gave them multiple ways to investigate. They learned that the way the battery is connected matters, and sometimes the battery was not strong enough and we had to use multiple or stronger batteries. My human conductors passed electricity with the Steve Spangler energy stick and witnessed the power of static electricity with the plasma globe. \r\nUsing the film canisters and Alka Seltzer packets to create rockets were perfect for understanding Einstein's 3 Law of Motion. Definitely the kids favorite this year! \r\nI filled the water cycle kit with water and added ice cubes (condensation) under the clouds, then hung a heat lamp (heat from sun) above it. The kids got really excited when condensation \"rained\". \r\nSome items arrived after the unit was taught so I do not have pics. Please know that you have made a big difference in these kids lives. I am told often that science is their favorite class...even from those that claimed to hate science when they started school. Your donation has been a huge blessing to me and my 68 students!!","fullyFundedDate":1765226410264,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-science-to-life/9933739/","projectTitle":"Bringing Science to Life","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Eisenberg","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10204171_orig.jpg?crop=919,919,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757378465227","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10204171"},{"teacherId":10184234,"projectId":9615306,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donations to my classroom! My students and Nature Club were so excited to see the watering cans! We use them daily in our \"Kinder\" garden and learn about plants and insects too! we used the rocks with our 4th and 2nd grade buddies to help beautify our school grounds. You can see how useful the LCD writing tablets are... we practice writing sight words, sounding out CVC words and we do math addition/subtraction as well! Thank you so much for making such a great impact on these students!!","fullyFundedDate":1755441582832,"projectUrl":"project/joy-and-time-in-our-kinder-garden/9615306/","projectTitle":"Joy and Time in our \"Kinder\" Garden!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Broven-Buonocor","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10184234"},{"teacherId":10189881,"projectId":9624841,"letterContent":"Thank you for the donated arts supplies that have been used in our Art Club this year. The arts supplies have had a powerful impact on the students in the art club by allowing creativity to thrive beyond the regular classroom. With consistent access to quality materials, the students have been able to experiment with new techniques, take creative risks, and develop their artistic skills without worrying about limited supplies. These supplies help create a welcoming, collaborative space where students feel encouraged to express their identities, build confidence, and connect with peers who share similar interests. For many students, the art club becomes a vital outlet for self-expression and stress relief, and the donated materials made it possible for that supportive, inspiring environment to exist and grow.","fullyFundedDate":1755879963008,"projectUrl":"project/crafted-minds/9624841/","projectTitle":"Crafted Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sheltra","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10189881"},{"teacherId":10346576,"projectId":9885325,"letterContent":"The mini grant for the nature journals has provided students engagement, enthusiasm and an opportunity to express themselves authentically and creatively. The journals for a kindergarten class, my 2nd grade classes and two 4th grade classes recently traveled with us to a field trip at Wonder Gardens in Bonita Springs on March 5th.\r\n\r\nAll students were provided time to reflect on their observations following the guided tour. \r\n\r\nThe journals speak volumes. Some students asked if they could continue journaling while on the bus ride back to school.\r\n\r\nThank you for your generosity and for helping to ignite learning in a creative way.","fullyFundedDate":1762664047542,"projectUrl":"project/nature-journaling-inspires-young-scienti/9885325/","projectTitle":"Nature Journaling Inspires Young Scientists","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Iacovino","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10346576"},{"teacherId":10203298,"projectId":9633549,"letterContent":"On behalf of my 5th grade students and myself, I would like to extend our deepest and most sincere thanks for your generous donation of headphones to our classroom. Your kindness and support have already made a meaningful difference in the way our students learn, grow, and engage with their daily instruction. It is truly heartwarming to know that members of our community care so deeply about our students and their success.\r\n\r\nIn today's classrooms, technology plays a vital role in supporting and enhancing learning. From reading programs and math interventions to science simulations and writing tools, our students rely on digital resources more than ever. However, for those tools to be used effectively, students need the ability to focus without distractions. Your donation of headphones has given our students exactly that—an opportunity to learn in a way that is calm, focused, and individualized to their needs.\r\n\r\nOne of the most immediate and noticeable impacts of the headphones has been during independent reading time. Many of our students use online reading programs that include stories, passages, and comprehension questions that are read aloud. Before receiving your donation, students often struggled to hear clearly, especially when multiple programs were being used at the same time in the classroom. This led to frustration and distraction. With the headphones, students are now able to listen closely, follow along, and fully engage with the material. This has improved not only their comprehension but also their confidence.\r\n\r\nYour donation has also supported our efforts to prepare students for the future. As students grow older, they will be expected to use technology responsibly, independently, and effectively. By providing them with tools like headphones, you are helping them develop the skills they need to navigate digital learning environments with confidence. They are learning how to manage their time, stay focused, and take ownership of their learning—skills that will benefit them far beyond 5th grade.\r\n\r\nPerhaps the most important impact of your generosity is the message it sends to our students. When they see that people outside of their classroom care enough to invest in their education, it makes them feel valued and supported. It reminds them that their learning matters and that they are part of a larger community that believes in their potential. That feeling of being supported can make a tremendous difference in a child's motivation and self-confidence.\r\n\r\nOnce again, thank you for your thoughtful and generous donation. The headphones you provided are not just classroom supplies—they are tools that are helping our students grow as readers, thinkers, and learners. We are incredibly grateful for your support, and we will continue to use these headphones every day to help our students reach their fullest potential.","fullyFundedDate":1766193309665,"projectUrl":"project/amplify-learning-donate-headphones/9633549/","projectTitle":"Amplify Learning: Donate Headphones","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hepler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10203298"},{"teacherId":8943158,"projectId":9641415,"letterContent":"My students were incredibly excited about the new art books. Many of them enjoy drawing anime, and having four new books allows each table to follow its own set of directions. Students may use the books during free draw time or when they earn five stars for a free draw party.\r\nMy primary students have been using bingo daubers for the first time, and they were thrilled to try a new tool in the art room. Bingo daubers allow students of all ability levels to create large drawings using ink. Students created either a snowman or a penguin with their bingo daubers to take home before winter break. This project is a favorite among first through third graders.\r\nSuper glue has been a valuable tool when ceramic projects have accidents, break in the kiln, or chip. I assist students in using super glue to reattach broken pieces. This tool teaches students that mistakes happen and that there is always a way to fix them.\r\nThe new organizational baskets, folders, and drawers have helped make our classroom much more organized. Students can easily find past projects if they were absent by checking the bins labeled by grade level. This saves time and allows lessons to continue smoothly without interruption.\r\nThese new materials and supplies have had a very positive impact on our classroom, and we truly appreciate all the support!","fullyFundedDate":1757960710819,"projectUrl":"project/setting-artist-up-for-success/9641415/","projectTitle":"Setting Artist Up for Success!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Stowers","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8943158"},{"teacherId":9609543,"projectId":9638956,"letterContent":"I can't thank you enough for your incredible generosity! Your donations have truly transformed our classroom into a place full of creativity, collaboration, and joy.\r\nBecause of you:\r\n\r\nDoodle boards have motivated my students to love writing and solving math problems. Craft scissors have sparked creativity and inspired imaginative projects. Whiteboards have given every child a voice—especially those who are less vocal—allowing them to share their ideas with confidence. Clipboards have made learning mobile and flexible, letting students work anywhere in the classroom. Magnetic tiles and building blocks have encouraged teamwork and imaginative play. Foam dice have turned math into a game, making learning fun and engaging.\r\n\r\nEvery single item you provided has made a difference. My students are excited to learn, explore, and create every day because of your kindness. You didn't just give supplies—you gave my students opportunities to grow and shine.\r\nFrom the bottom of my heart, thank you for believing in our classroom and helping us make learning an adventure!","fullyFundedDate":1756159099211,"projectUrl":"project/choo-choo-steam/9638956/","projectTitle":"Choo- Choo STEAM","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Soriano","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9609543"},{"teacherId":10191805,"projectId":9627711,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations to our classroom. Because of your support, all students have made great strides both academically and socially. These additions have already made a meaningful difference in our learning environment.\r\n\r\nMy students were absolutely elated when the new materials arrived! They love the flexible seating options and are excited to use them during both small group instruction and intervention times. The wobble stools have helped students stay engaged, comfortable, and focused while learning. In addition, students can earn the opportunity to use the flexible seating during whole group instruction by working hard and being a \"Star Stool Student\" which has been a wonderful motivator and source of pride within our classroom environment.\r\n\r\nThe whiteboard easel has also been a valuable tool, allowing for more interactive lessons and student participation. Students use the whiteboard feature as a collaborative planning space during classroom activities. Students also use the easel as a reference tool for all of our learned phonics skills within our current unit of study. Together, these resources have created a more dynamic, supportive, and student-centered classroom. \r\n\r\nI am incredibly grateful for your generosity and investment in my student, both present and future as we will continue to utilize these learning tools for years to come. Your support has truly enhanced the learning experience of my students and brought so much joy to our classroom. Thank you for making such a positive impact!","fullyFundedDate":1758049317951,"projectUrl":"project/with-flexible-seatingwe-can-read-write/9627711/","projectTitle":"With Flexible Seating…We Can Read, Write, and Share Together!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Trueblood","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10191805"},{"teacherId":10282952,"projectId":9761588,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the bucket chairs and seat sacks! The students were so excited to see the new editions to the classroom. Every student received a seat sack and we have 6 bucket chairs. The seat sacks allow for so much work space on their tables. This is so important because we do a lot of Team work activities. This allows for large charts, displays and even cooperative puzzles. We do Teamwork Tuesday where a new puzzle appears and the students work on it throughout the day when they have time. The goal is to finish as a classroom and they love to try and get it done in one day. The bucket chairs allow for flexible seating during reading time as well as math. Sometimes we use them as a reward other times they just like to sit in them around the room for a quiet comfy spot. Thanks so much for the key editions to our room!!","fullyFundedDate":1758846800363,"projectUrl":"project/smart-seats-smart-spaces/9761588/","projectTitle":"Smart Seats, Smart Spaces","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hudson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10282952"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_94689","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":729,"numTeachers":52,"percentFrplEligible":94,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":3,"percentWhite":67,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":22,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":4,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"14.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":83.8,"schoolId":94689,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Veterans Memorial Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Veterans Memorial Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/florida/collier-county-public-schools/veterans-memorial-elementary-school/94689"}