{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Western Connecticut Academy - International Studies","outOfStateSupporters":28.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":4184534,"projectId":9281208,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contribution to our classroom! The fairy lights, cozy reading chairs, and soft lighting have transformed our space into a calm and tranquil environment. Each afternoon when I turn on the lights for reading and centers, my students settle in more relaxed and peaceful after recess and lunch. It truly changes the mood of our classroom in the most positive way.\r\n\r\nOur new cozy corner has even caught the attention of former students who stop by to visit—they tell me they wish they could come back and be in our class again! We are all so excited and grateful for the beautiful new look and feel of our room.\r\n\r\nWith love and appreciation,\r\nMrs. Vinson's Class","fullyFundedDate":1746677732561,"projectUrl":"project/calm-cozy-creating-a-reading-retreat/9281208/","projectTitle":"Calm & Cozy: Creating a Reading Retreat for My Kindergarteners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Vinson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4184534_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723667493678","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4184534"},{"teacherId":8340940,"projectId":8185306,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom library is now more inviting and organized than ever—with individual book bins and wobble seats that are making a real difference in our second graders' learning experience!\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the colorful book bins neatly arranged and filled with books at their reading levels, they were thrilled. Several rushed over to explore and exclaimed things like, \"These are just for us?\" and \"Now I can find my favorite book so fast!\" The bins have helped each student build a personal connection to their reading materials while keeping our classroom tidy and easy to navigate.\r\n\r\nIn addition to the book bins, the wobble seats have been a game changer—especially for students who benefit from movement and sensory input to stay focused. One student who usually struggles with sitting still during independent reading said, \"I can wiggle and read at the same time!\" These seats allow for gentle movement while maintaining engagement during reading, writing, and other independent tasks.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping us create a space that supports focus, fosters independence, and makes reading feel like an adventure!","fullyFundedDate":1706930538973,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-organization/8185306/","projectTitle":"Classroom Organization","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kneski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8340940_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1645585607884","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-kneski"},{"teacherId":8340940,"projectId":7491980,"letterContent":"Thanks to your incredible generosity, our second-grade classroom now has colorful, durable chair pockets—and they have made a huge difference in our daily routine!\r\nFrom the moment my students saw the chair pockets on their chairs, their faces lit up with excitement. One student exclaimed, \"We have our own storage now?!\" It was a small change that made them feel so grown-up and responsible.\r\n\r\nWe use the chair pockets every single day to store folders, journals, and books. During our writing block, students can now quickly access their writing notebooks and tools without having to dig through desks or wait in line for supplies. This has helped maximize our learning time and minimize distractions. During a recent opinion writing lesson, students were able to grab their materials independently and stay focused—one even said, \"I feel like a real author!\"\r\n\r\nThis organization tool has also supported our classroom culture of independence and responsibility. Students take ownership of keeping their materials neat and ready to go.\r\nAs we continue working on our \"Jobs in My Community\" unit, the next step for students is to complete an opinion piece about a community helper they admire. Having easy access to their resources is helping them stay organized and confident as they plan, draft, and revise their writing.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping us build not just skills—but also pride—in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1692115375565,"projectUrl":"project/pockets-of-possibilities/7491980/","projectTitle":"Pockets of Possibilities","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kneski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8340940_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1645585607884","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-kneski"},{"teacherId":8340940,"projectId":7388593,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our second-grade classroom now has a high-quality speaker that has truly enhanced our learning environment. While many people use technology at home for entertainment or communication, in our classroom, this speaker has become an essential learning tool.\r\n\r\nWith the speaker, all of my students can now clearly hear videos, audiobooks, songs, and other digital resources—whether we're learning about community helpers, exploring a new read-aloud, or following directions during a writing lesson. This clarity ensures that no student misses important information, especially those sitting further from the board or who need extra auditory support.\r\n\r\nWhat excites the students most is how the sound makes everything feel more alive and engaging. Whether it's hearing the realistic sounds in a virtual field trip or the cheerful music during transitions, the speaker adds energy and focus to our classroom routines.\r\n\r\nStudents now participate more actively during group discussions and sing along during educational songs, which has helped boost their confidence and classroom involvement.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping bring learning to life in our room!","fullyFundedDate":1691000006533,"projectUrl":"project/speakers-for-success/7388593/","projectTitle":"Speakers for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kneski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8340940_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1645585607884","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-kneski"},{"teacherId":9486022,"projectId":8588996,"letterContent":"I don't know where to begin with my thank you! I wish you could have heard the excitement of my students when box after box of surprises were brought into my classroom. When I explained what Donors Choose was to my students, and explained that there were people (you!) who donated these books and markers for them, their faces lit up and I heard exclamations such as, \"They did that for us?!\" \"But, they don't even KNOW us!\" \"How did they know where our school is?\" \"Why did they do that?\" \"WOW!! They're the BEST!\"\r\n\r\nAll of the books have been a huge hit—specifically, the I Survived graphic novels. I have waiting lists for these! When one of my students saw the bin of new graphic novel books, he said, \"You have I Survived?! You're the best teacher ever!\" My reply was, \"Thank you but we really have the best DONORS ever!\" Other kids got in on the conversation and we all agreed how KIND and GENEROUS it was for you to donate so many meaningful things to our classroom. Thank you just doesn't seem grand enough.\r\n\r\nHaving a whole class set of different sized colored markers has been an incredible help. We have done several drawing projects that students were super happy to have new markers of varying colors for. Students dive into the bold colored markers but when it comes to the skin toned colored markers, they always ask first. They seem to understand that those are \"extra\" special. Kids have been testing the colors on their skin with the markers to find the \"just right\" color for their skin tone. It brings me a sense of satisfaction to see my students have the ability to represent themselves in this way. \r\n\r\nOnce again, THANK YOU for your generosity, for caring about the impact of my project, and for helping to bring awareness and joy to my students!","fullyFundedDate":1727995331360,"projectUrl":"project/targeting-imagination-through-art-and-re/8588996/","projectTitle":"Targeting Imagination Through Art and Reading!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Woodruff","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9486022"},{"teacherId":4184534,"projectId":8640461,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your incredible generosity in supporting our Kindergarten classroom. Thanks to your thoughtful donations, my students have been able to engage in hands-on activities like magnetic tiles, STEM puzzles, Play-Doh, LCD writing boards, and LEGO STEM sets. These activities have become an essential part of our day, allowing the children to think critically, build creatively, and explore their ideas in new and exciting ways. \r\n\r\nThe Little Spot of Emotion books and plush toys are wonderful resources have had such a positive impact on helping my students learn to identify and manage their emotions. Self-regulation is such an important skill at this age, and these books and toys have made it easier for the children to understand their feelings in a fun, relatable way. My students were absolutely thrilled when I introduced them to these new resources, and I can already see how much they are helping to create a calm, supportive environment in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1730923810670,"projectUrl":"project/creating-engaging-centers-in-the-morning/8640461/","projectTitle":"Creating Engaging Centers in the Morning for My Kinder Friends!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Vinson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4184534_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723667493678","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4184534"},{"teacherId":4814854,"projectId":8822009,"letterContent":"I am incredibly grateful for your generous donation of books through DonorsChoose for our \"Help Expand Our Cultural Library!\" project. Your support has provided our students with a diverse range of literature that reflects the rich tapestry of cultures and experiences around the world. The excitement and eagerness that the books have added to our Library is amazing and it is heartwarming to see how your contribution has already begun to foster a love for reading and learning among the children.\r\n\r\nYour kindness and willingness to invest in our students' education mean more than words can express. Because of donors like you, we can continue to inspire and empower our students, equipping them with the tools they need for a successful future. Thank you once again for your thoughtful donation and for making a tangible difference in our Library.","fullyFundedDate":1727995331987,"projectUrl":"project/help-expand-our-cultural-library/8822009/","projectTitle":"Help Expand Our Cultural Library!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Alterio","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4814854_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1547663057057","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-magliocco-alterio"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_31964","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":330,"numTeachers":25,"percentFrplEligible":71,"percentAsian":8,"percentBlack":8,"percentWhite":29,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":45,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"13.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":71.3,"schoolId":31964,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Western Connecticut Academy - International Studies on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Western Connecticut Academy - International Studies","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/connecticut/danbury-public-schools/western-ct-academy-of-internat/31964"}