{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Walnut Creek Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":21.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":3079105,"projectId":9256240,"letterContent":"On behalf of our entire school community, I'm extending my sincere gratitude for your generous donation of Rubik's Cubes for our library. Your support provides our students with engaging, hands-on tools that strengthen problem-solving, spatial reasoning, perseverance, and creativity.\r\n\r\nThanks to your contribution, our library is better equipped to inspire curiosity and joyful learning. I am are truly grateful for your partnership and for investing in our students' growth.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your kindness and commitment to our school.","fullyFundedDate":1752170752254,"projectUrl":"project/puzzling-our-way-to-critical-thinking-an/9256240/","projectTitle":"Puzzling Our Way to Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Stephens","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3079105_orig.jpg?crop=1823,1823,x428,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1700936078120","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/stephens-m-heather"},{"teacherId":3079105,"projectId":9283276,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for bringing books to our library that will allow our students, staff, and counselor to focus on character development and will help us continue to emphasize the Neuro Sequential Model at our school. Although our school district is fortunate to have the Character Strong program, we previously did not have any of the recommended books to use as resources for these powerful lessons. Due to your generosity, students and teachers are now able to check out books from the school library that reinforce the skills being developed in the classrooms. Our students will now be able to read books about kindness, respect, cooperation, responsibility, courage, perseverance, creativity, empathy, gratitude, and honesty! Additionally, our counselor has a deeper well of resources to use for her impactful lessons. Our school district is facing unprecedented budget challenges, and there is truly no way I could have brought these books to our library without your support. Again, thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1746552015566,"projectUrl":"project/regulate-relate-and-reason-by-reading/9283276/","projectTitle":"Regulate, Relate, and Reason by Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Stephens","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3079105_orig.jpg?crop=1823,1823,x428,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1700936078120","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/stephens-m-heather"},{"teacherId":3079105,"projectId":9249750,"letterContent":"Thank you for bringing the Mathical Prize Books to our school library! These award-winning books teach students that math is more than numbers and equations and help inspire children of all ages to see math in the world around them. These books will also serve as an additional resource for teachers as they seek to provide new perspectives on math and integrate mathematical thinking throughout other subjects areas and periods of the school day. We are excited to feature them in a dedicated year-round display in the library and highlight them throughout the year.\r\n\r\nIn a time when our students are struggling with math achievement and with our district facing an unprecedented budget deficit, there is truly no other way we could have brought these books to our students this year. Thank you so much for your generous support!","fullyFundedDate":1745424726851,"projectUrl":"project/zeroing-in-on-the-best-math-books/9249750/","projectTitle":"Zeroing in on the BEST math books!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Stephens","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3079105_orig.jpg?crop=1823,1823,x428,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1700936078120","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/stephens-m-heather"},{"teacherId":9476770,"projectId":9259682,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for making Waves of Calm possible! When the materials arrived, the kids were amazed—touching the lights, exploring the emotion cards, and saying things like \"this helps me feel calm.\"\r\n\r\nWe've been using everything daily to talk about how we feel and learn ways to manage our emotions. One special moment was when a student asked to go to the calm corner on their own—it was a big step!\r\n\r\nRight now, we're working on recognizing our feelings as a group and sharing strategies that help us. Thank you for helping us create a calmer, safer space to grow and learn.\r\n\r\nWith gratitude,","fullyFundedDate":1746786916336,"projectUrl":"project/waves-of-calm-learning-emotions-with-li/9259682/","projectTitle":"Waves of Calm: Learning Emotions with Light and Love","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gil Maia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9476770_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y211&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723828064940","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9476770"},{"teacherId":9163495,"projectId":9218387,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for bringing the joy of board games into our classroom! The students were thrilled when they saw the colorful boxes and couldn't believe they were part of our learning. These games have quickly become a favorite part of our routine, helping us practice teamwork, critical thinking, and communication in fun, meaningful ways.\r\n\r\nOne memorable moment was during a literacy activity where students used a storytelling game to build creative plots and characters. Even our shyest students joined in with excitement! Next, we plan to design our own educational board games, combining what we've learned in class with our creativity.\r\n\r\nYour support has made a lasting impact—thank you for making learning so engaging!","fullyFundedDate":1745846940861,"projectUrl":"project/game-on-board-games-for-creative-classr/9218387/","projectTitle":"Game On: Board Games for Creative Classrooms","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. CANDANEDO","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9163495_orig.jpg?crop=643,643,x0,y135&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1695584930779","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9163495"},{"teacherId":9301464,"projectId":9248598,"letterContent":"Thanks to your support, \"Thanks to your support, \"Books, Lamps, and Giggles: A Reading Corner Adventure\" has created a cozy, exciting space for our kinder graders! The new books have helped us build important skills like sounding out words, recognizing sight words, and understanding stories.\r\n\r\nNow, reading time is full of smiles, cozy corners, and eager readers. Students who were once hesitant now race to pick out new books and share their favorite parts. Your generosity has truly made reading an adventure in our classroom — thank you!\r\n\r\n\" has created a cozy, exciting space for our first graders! The new books have helped us build important skills like sounding out words, recognizing sight words, and understanding stories.\r\n\r\nNow, reading time is full of smiles, cozy corners, and eager readers. Students who were once hesitant now race to pick out new books and share their favorite parts. Your generosity has truly made reading an adventure in our classroom — thank you","fullyFundedDate":1744249055001,"projectUrl":"project/books-that-hug-the-heart-in-a-cozy-corne/9248598/","projectTitle":"Books That Hug the Heart in a Cozy Corner","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Diaz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9301464_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1730511310019","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9301464"},{"teacherId":9163495,"projectId":9248622,"letterContent":"Thanks to your incredible support, our project \"Books, Lamps, and Giggles: A Reading Corner Adventure\" has made a wonderful difference in our first-grade classroom! The new books have helped us introduce important early reading skills, like recognizing sight words, sounding out new words, understanding story structure (beginning, middle, and end), and talking about characters and their feelings. We've also been building confidence by encouraging students to share their favorite parts of the stories with each other.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, reading time is full of excitement and smiles. Students cozy up under our new lamps, choosing books that match their interests and reading levels. Some sit quietly and enjoy books on their own, while others pair up to practice reading aloud together. Our reading corner has truly become a favorite place where students feel safe and excited to explore new stories.\r\n\r\nSeveral students who were once reluctant readers now eagerly race to the reading corner as soon as they get the chance. They are laughing at silly stories, asking thoughtful questions about characters, and proudly showing how many new words they can recognize. It's a joy to see how your generosity has turned reading into an adventure they look forward to every day.\r\n\r\nThank you for making this possible — you have helped plant a love of reading that will grow for years to come!","fullyFundedDate":1744236825700,"projectUrl":"project/books-lamps-and-giggles-a-reading-cor/9248622/","projectTitle":"Books, Lamps, and Giggles: A Reading Corner Adventure","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. CANDANEDO","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9163495_orig.jpg?crop=643,643,x0,y135&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1695584930779","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9163495"},{"teacherId":9476770,"projectId":9032668,"letterContent":"Thank you!!Your generous support has turned our classroom into a lively, welcoming space where reading sparks joy and growth every day. The new library is not just about books—it's about exploring stories that help our students build important skills like reading fluency, vocabulary, and storytelling while also supporting their social and emotional development. Every day, you can hear excited chatter during our shared reading sessions and see the smiles light up as students cozy up in our reading corners with their favorite tales. We've seen a once-shy student confidently read aloud and another who uses a picture exchange system to ask for a cherished book, showing just how much these books have connected with our hearts and minds.","fullyFundedDate":1740596050390,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-young-mindsa-library-for-lea/9032668/","projectTitle":"Empowering Young Minds:A Library for Learning and Growth in sped","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gil Maia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9476770_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y211&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723828064940","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9476770"},{"teacherId":9163495,"projectId":9034802,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting our bilingual first-grade classroom! Because of your generosity, we now have a variety of hands-on Spanish language materials that are helping my students build confidence and pride in their bilingual abilities. When the flashcards, vocabulary cards, and word-building tools arrived, the students could hardly wait to explore them. One of them proudly said, \"¡Ahora puedo leer estas palabras solo!\"—a beautiful reminder of why this project matters so much.\r\n\r\nThese materials have become a daily part of our language routines. We use them during literacy centers, partner activities, and small groups. The colorful visuals and interactive formats are helping my students master vocabulary, practice sentence building, and improve their pronunciation. It's been incredible to see them encouraging one another, correcting gently, and even using Spanish more naturally in classroom conversations. Their excitement and progress make it clear—these tools are exactly what they needed.\r\n\r\nNext, we're creating personal Spanish word banks and using the flashcards to play language games that reinforce grammar and comprehension. These resources are helping my students feel proud of their bilingualism and laying a strong foundation for lifelong language learning. Thank you for investing in their growth, their voices, and their future. ¡Mil gracias por creer en nosotros!","fullyFundedDate":1743446482378,"projectUrl":"project/supporting-spanish-success-in-a-bilingua/9034802/","projectTitle":"Supporting Spanish Success in a Bilingual Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. CANDANEDO","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9163495_orig.jpg?crop=643,643,x0,y135&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1695584930779","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9163495"},{"teacherId":9301464,"projectId":9047340,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our kindergarteners have been thrilled to explore life cycles in a hands-on way! Their excitement was priceless as they observed caterpillars transform into butterflies, carefully documenting each stage in their science journals. The joy of releasing the butterflies was an unforgettable moment!\r\n\r\nNow, we're expanding our learning by exploring plant life cycles, planting seeds, and making connections between different growth processes. Your support has made this exploration possible, sparking curiosity and a love for science in our young learners. Thank you for making a difference!\r\n\r\nWith gratitude,","fullyFundedDate":1742961786146,"projectUrl":"project/watch-us-grow-life-cycle-explorations/9047340/","projectTitle":"Watch Us Grow: Life Cycle Explorations","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Diaz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9301464_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1730511310019","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9301464"},{"teacherId":9163495,"projectId":9006064,"letterContent":"I am thrilled to share the incredible impact your generosity has had on my first-grade students. Thanks to your support, our Spanish learning experience has become more interactive, creative, and engaging. The new resources have transformed our classroom into a space where young learners can explore language through hands-on activities, fostering both curiosity and confidence.\r\n\r\nOne memorable moment was when my students first saw the new materials. Their eyes lit up with excitement as they eagerly explored the colorful books, interactive games, and learning tools. It was heartwarming to see them collaborating, practicing new words, and confidently using Spanish in playful conversations. \r\n\r\nMoving forward, we plan to continue incorporating these resources into our daily lessons. The materials will help us expand our vocabulary, practice conversational skills, and dive deeper into cultural exploration. Your contribution has truly made a lasting difference in my students' learning journey, and I am deeply grateful for your kindness and support.","fullyFundedDate":1741960790138,"projectUrl":"project/fun-and-engaging-spanish-learning-for-fi/9006064/","projectTitle":"Fun and Engaging Spanish Learning for First-Grade Explorers!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. CANDANEDO","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9163495_orig.jpg?crop=643,643,x0,y135&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1695584930779","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9163495"},{"teacherId":9163495,"projectId":9006130,"letterContent":"We are beyond grateful for your generosity in bringing Playful Minds: Engaging Games for Active Recess Fun to life! Your contributions have made an immediate and lasting impact on our students, turning recess into an exciting, active, and engaging experience.\r\n\r\nWhen our students first saw the new games and equipment, their faces lit up with joy and excitement! It was like watching a birthday surprise unfold—cheers erupted, and they couldn't wait to dive in. Since then, we've been incorporating the games into our daily recess routine, ensuring that every student has a chance to participate, build teamwork skills, and stay active.\r\n\r\nOne memorable moment came when we introduced a new collaborative relay game. Students who were previously hesitant to join in at recess suddenly became team leaders, strategizing with their classmates and cheering each other on. It's been incredible to witness their confidence and friendships grow through play.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we are working on student-led recess stations where small groups will teach and lead different games for their peers. This will not only encourage leadership skills but also ensure that all students feel included and engaged during playtime.\r\n\r\nThank you for being a part of this journey with us. Your generosity has truly made our playground a place of joy, connection, and growth!","fullyFundedDate":1738618485238,"projectUrl":"project/playful-minds-engaging-games-for-active/9006130/","projectTitle":"Playful Minds: Engaging Games for Active Recess Fun","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. CANDANEDO","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9163495_orig.jpg?crop=643,643,x0,y135&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1695584930779","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9163495"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_17168","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":542,"numTeachers":44,"percentFrplEligible":84,"percentAsian":5,"percentBlack":5,"percentWhite":6,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":81,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"12.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":78.3,"schoolId":17168,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Walnut Creek Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Walnut Creek Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/austin-independent-school-district/walnut-creek-elementary-school/17168"}