{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Waltersville Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":43.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10220123,"projectId":10009527,"letterContent":"Our students have been using the kitchen set and play food during structured play to work on communication, engagement, and daily living skills. Because many of our students are nonverbal and use wheelchairs, we focus on alternative ways for them to participate, such as using gestures, switches, or communication devices to make choices like selecting foods or indicating \"more\" or \"all done.\" With support, they are able to take turns, interact with peers, and be part of a shared activity in a meaningful way.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the kitchen set, their reactions were immediate and joyful. Many showed excitement through smiles, vocalizations, reaching, and increased attention. Some students who are typically harder to engage were especially drawn to the materials, which created great opportunities for connection and interaction.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, we plan to build this into more structured routines, such as following simple steps to \"prepare\" a meal, making choices between items, and practicing functional communication throughout the activity. We will continue using these materials to support independence, social interaction, and communication in ways that are accessible and engaging for all of our students.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping us create meaningful, inclusive learning experiences for our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1772116132317,"projectUrl":"project/cooking-up-communication-through-play/10009527/","projectTitle":"Cooking Up Communication Through Play","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rosario","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10220123_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756081340497","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10220123"},{"teacherId":10220123,"projectId":9951269,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom project! Because of your kindness, our students now have a Bluey station that has quickly become a favorite part of their day.\r\n\r\nThe Bluey-themed materials are not only fun and engaging, but they also encourage imagination, social interaction, and communication skills. Our students are excited to learn, play, and explore together using these resources, and it has truly made a positive impact on our classroom environment.\r\n\r\nYour donation has brought smiles, laughter, and meaningful learning opportunities to our students. We are so grateful for your support and for helping us create a space where our students can grow, connect, and thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1769610449447,"projectUrl":"project/building-a-bluey-station-for-my-new-lear/9951269/","projectTitle":"Building a Bluey Station for My New Learner","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rosario","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10220123_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756081340497","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10220123"},{"teacherId":10220123,"projectId":9958988,"letterContent":"From the bottom of my heart, thank you for bringing so much joy, engagement, and meaningful learning into our classroom. Because of your generosity, my students now have access to music drums, water bead sensory drums, and a Bluey-themed learning station \r\neach one carefully chosen to support their unique needs.\r\n\r\nFrom the very first moment the materials were introduced, the room lit up. My students, many of whom are nonverbal and use wheelchairs, immediately began exploring through touch, sound, and movement. The water bead drums were especially captivating students who typically struggle with engagement were reaching, tapping, and smiling as they experienced the different textures and sounds. The music drums have become a powerful tool during our morning circle, helping students participate in a way that feels natural and exciting. And of course, the Bluey station quickly became a favorite, creating a familiar and comforting space that encourages communication, joint attention, and social interaction.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite moments was during circle time when a student who rarely initiates interaction independently reached out to tap the drum in rhythm with the group. It was such a small moment, but for us, it was HUGE. That is the power of the resources you provided.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, we will be incorporating these materials into structured lessons focused on communication, cause-and-effect, and sensory exploration. We are currently working on concepts like \"big vs. small\" and using the drums and sensory materials to help students physically experience these ideas","fullyFundedDate":1765812228810,"projectUrl":"project/when-words-are-hard-music-speaks/9958988/","projectTitle":"When Words Are Hard, Music Speaks","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rosario","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10220123_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756081340497","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10220123"},{"teacherId":300275,"projectId":9987259,"letterContent":"Having been a teacher for two decades, I've noticed over the years that reading as a pastime has waned among my students to an alarming extent. In order to mitigate the effects of preoccupation with electronics, I've been making an effort to make my students develop an interest in reading. \r\n\r\nTo encourage my students to read, I intended to provide them books popular among children. The \"Goosebumps\" series is one such.\r\n\r\nThanks to your interest, empathy and generosity. it has been possible for me to stock my classroom library with the books we need.\r\n\r\nThank you, so very much!","fullyFundedDate":1768066170696,"projectUrl":"project/a-gift-of-books/9987259/","projectTitle":"A Gift of Books","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Menon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp300275_orig.jpg?crop=405,405,x19,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1768391260476","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/300275"},{"teacherId":10405667,"projectId":10101090,"letterContent":"My students are tremendously grateful for the snacks you have provided. In fact, they have helped ensure that students can focus on their work rather than on being hungry. They have been working hard to earn their snacks, and they are truly well-deserved.\r\n\r\nWhen the snacks arrived, the students were very excited. Many expressed that they would work even harder to earn the reward. Others shared how seen and appreciated they felt knowing that people donated money to provide their favorite snacks. That recognition goes beyond the classroom; it shows them that they are part of a community and that they are not alone.\r\n\r\nI will continue providing snacks to help fuel my students' minds so they can stay focused and ready to learn. I will also make sure they understand that these snacks are connected to their effort and hard work in the classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1771355610010,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-to-fuel-learning/10101090/","projectTitle":"Snacks to Fuel Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Reyes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10405667_orig.jpg?crop=1170,1170,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1768413582416","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10405667"},{"teacherId":10220123,"projectId":9895562,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and support of our medically fragile classroom. Your kindness is making a meaningful difference in the daily lives of my students.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, many of my students are nonverbal and wheelchair-bound, and sensory tools play a vital role in helping them feel calm, safe, and ready to learn. The sensory lamps create a soothing atmosphere that supports emotional regulation and reduces anxiety throughout the day. The marble runs is sooo amazing it has created a cause-and-effect learning in a way that is engaging and developmentally appropriate. They truly love it ❤️\r\n\r\nBecause of you, my students participate more meaningfully during lessons and sensory breaks, helping them stay focused, relaxed, and excited about learning. Creating an accessible, calming, and engaging environment is essential for their success, and your support has helped make that possible.\r\n\r\nScience is such an amazing subject to explore, and thanks to you, my students will now have tools that allow them to experience it in a way that meets their unique needs.\r\nThank you again for believing in my students and for helping our classroom grow into a space where every learner can thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1763565574816,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-spaces-that-spark-calm-curiosi/9895562/","projectTitle":"Sensory Spaces That Spark Calm & Curiosity","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rosario","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10220123_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756081340497","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10220123"},{"teacherId":9459283,"projectId":9883844,"letterContent":"Because of your generous donation, our classroom is now filled with safety, designing, and building. Thanks to your support, we received the safety gloves and various types of tape, and they have already made a meaningful difference for my students.\r\n\r\nThese resources are helping students by keeping their hands safe while they use tools such as hot glue guns and hobby knives. The tape has been used for various engineering projects where students have the opportunity to make something they imagine come to life. \r\n\r\nThank you so much for contributing to our project, my students learning, and their imaginations. We appreciate your generosity immensely.","fullyFundedDate":1763593806893,"projectUrl":"project/safe-and-creative-stem-builders/9883844/","projectTitle":"Safe and Creative STEM Builders!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Buzzeo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9459283"},{"teacherId":10220123,"projectId":9844407,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, Hearing Their Hearts: Helping Nonverbal Students Communicate and Connect. Because of your generosity, our students now have access to engaging books that support communication, emotional understanding, and early literacy in a way that truly meets their needs.\r\n\r\nThe new texts are helping introduce important skills such as identifying emotions, building vocabulary, following simple story sequences, and connecting pictures with meaning. Many of the books include clear visuals and repetitive language, which is perfect for our nonverbal and emerging communicators. Students are learning to point to pictures, use their AAC devices to make choices, and show understanding through gestures and expressions.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom looks very interactive and sensory-friendly. We use large visuals, voice output devices, and hands-on materials while reading together in small groups and during circle time. Students are encouraged to touch pictures, respond with their devices, and participate in simple questions like \"Who do you see?\" or \"How does the character feel?\" This makes reading a shared experience rather than just listening.\r\n\r\nSeveral students have especially connected with the new books. Some enjoy pointing to characters and matching emotions to pictures, while others become very focused during story time and attempt to use their communication devices to label animals and objects. We have also seen students sitting longer, turning pages independently, and showing increased engagement progress that was difficult for them before.","fullyFundedDate":1761954915302,"projectUrl":"project/hearing-their-hearts-helping-nonverbal/9844407/","projectTitle":"Hearing Their Hearts: Helping Nonverbal Students Communicate and Connect","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rosario","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10220123_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756081340497","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10220123"},{"teacherId":10220123,"projectId":9840618,"letterContent":"We have already started using the new resources daily, and they have become a meaningful part of our classroom routine. One of our favorite moments was during our sensory center time when students explored the new materials while practicing turn-taking and communication. Jaelah used the items to help regulate her body before transitioning to a learning activity, and Jimmy stayed engaged longer than usual while working on matching and counting. These resources have helped create a calmer, more focused learning environment where students feel safe and supported.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, their faces lit up with excitement. Many immediately wanted to touch and explore everything, and several students who typically struggle with attention were able to sit longer and participate more actively. It was wonderful to see how quickly the resources became motivating and comforting for them.\r\n\r\nThanks to our donors, the next steps in our classroom include building structured sensory stations to support self-regulation while working on academic goals such as letter identification, early counting, and communication skills. We are also incorporating the materials into small-group lessons to support transitions and social interaction. These tools are helping our medically fragile students access learning in a way that meets their individual needs and allows them to grow with confidence.","fullyFundedDate":1761954915323,"projectUrl":"project/building-communication-and-calm-in-every/9840618/","projectTitle":"Building Communication and Calm in Every Student","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rosario","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10220123_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756081340497","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10220123"},{"teacherId":300275,"projectId":9860028,"letterContent":"I was proud of having obtained for my class a set of books for my students to read, thanks to the generosity of donors. I was excited to share the news with my students who instantly recognized the books by their titles, since it is a series popular with youngsters.\r\n\r\nMany of my students have expressed their keen interest in the book series and have told me how eagerly they look forward to reading these books. It is exciting and rewarding for me to see students of the 7 - 8 age group taking an interest in reading instead of being preoccupied with hand-held games. \r\n\r\nI hope this step will instill in my students a life-long interest in reading.","fullyFundedDate":1766104330826,"projectUrl":"project/read-to-develop-imagination/9860028/","projectTitle":"Read, to Develop Imagination","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Menon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp300275_orig.jpg?crop=405,405,x19,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1768391260476","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/300275"},{"teacherId":3954984,"projectId":9381341,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of pencils, notebooks, tissues, and highlighters to our 2nd grade classroom. Your support has made a meaningful difference in my students' daily learning experiences.\r\n The pencils you provided are used every day as students complete classwork, practice new skills, and demonstrate their understanding across subject areas. Having an ample supply ensures that all students are always prepared to learn and fully participate in classroom activities. The notebooks have become an essential learning tool during independent work time and are also used during ELA and math centers. These centers allow students to practice targeted skills and help close academic gaps by meeting learners where they are. The notebooks give students a dedicated space to record their thinking, practice strategies, and reflect on their learning. \r\n The tissues are greatly appreciated, especially during the winter months when stuffy noses are common. Having tissues readily available helps keep students comfortable, healthy, and focused throughout the school day. Finally, the highlighters are a valuable resource during ELA instruction. Students use them to annotate texts, identify key details, and highlight important information, which strengthens comprehension and supports close reading skills.\r\n Thank you again for your generosity and for investing in our students and their success. Your donation directly supports a positive, prepared, and engaging learning environment for my 2nd graders.","fullyFundedDate":1750608423994,"projectUrl":"project/from-blank-page-to-brilliance/9381341/","projectTitle":"\"From Blank Page to Brilliance\"","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rios","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3954984_orig.png?crop=1248,1248,x0,y20&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1725493407090","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3954984"},{"teacherId":3954984,"projectId":9271089,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in donating a classroom printer, printer paper, laminating sheets, and a laminator to our 2nd grade classroom. Your support has already made a meaningful difference in our daily learning environment.\r\n Having access to a classroom printer allows me to quickly and efficiently create differentiated materials that meet the diverse academic needs of my students. Whether it's targeted reading practice, math supports, or enrichment activities, I am now able to provide resources that ensure every student is appropriately challenged and supported.\r\n Additionally, the laminating sheets and laminator have been invaluable. These tools allow me to create durable instructional materials that students will use consistently throughout both ELA and math. From reusable learning tools to hands-on practice activities, these materials help reinforce skills while maintaining an organized and engaging classroom space.\r\n Your generosity directly supports student learning and helps create an environment where students can thrive. We are truly grateful for your kindness and support.","fullyFundedDate":1748031730848,"projectUrl":"project/bring-learning-to-lifeone-print-at-a-ti/9271089/","projectTitle":"Bring Learning to Life—One Print at a Time","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rios","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3954984_orig.png?crop=1248,1248,x0,y20&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1725493407090","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3954984"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_43431","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":432,"numTeachers":36,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":33,"percentWhite":3,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":60,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"12.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":56.2,"schoolId":43431,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Waltersville Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Waltersville Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/connecticut/bridgeport-public-schools/waltersville-elementary-school/43431"}