{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Westover Magnet Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":30.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":4964811,"projectId":9888453,"letterContent":"I want to thank you for your generosity and the Young Sheldon foundation for matching donations to get this project fully funded. \r\n My school is growing from an Elementary to a K-8 school currently housing grades K-7. The school media specialist/technology guru for the building and I are in the middle of creating a Makerspace for our Upper School Students. \r\n The Pinewood Derby Cars and hand tools we received will help us with our first makerspace project. So far the students have unboxed the materials, and are in the midst of researching various derby cars before creating blueprints of their own designs. They are so excited to get building.","fullyFundedDate":1763591894964,"projectUrl":"project/pinewood-derby-cars/9888453/","projectTitle":"Pinewood Derby Cars","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Minkler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4964811_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1548077664587","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-minkler"},{"teacherId":3260685,"projectId":9694737,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our project. Because of you, our students now have access to engaging, high-quality materials that are already making a meaningful difference in our classroom. We are using these resources daily across lessons to support creativity, collaboration, and hands-on learning. One of the most memorable moments was watching students immediately dive in sharing ideas, experimenting with the materials, and helping one another problem-solve. These items truly offer something for everyone, allowing students with different interests and learning styles to stay engaged and feel successful.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the excitement was instant. Students were eager to explore, ask questions, and begin using them right away. Several students commented on how the new resources made learning feel more fun and interactive, and we've already seen increased participation and focus during lessons. The materials have also allowed us to create more inclusive learning experiences, ensuring that every student has an opportunity to contribute and shine.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, these resources will continue to play a key role in our current and future projects, especially as students build skills through collaborative and creative lessons. An added benefit is our ability to share these items with the Westover arts team, extending their impact beyond our classroom and supporting a broader community of learners. Your generosity has helped create a richer, more engaging learning environment, and we are incredibly grateful for your support and belief in our students.","fullyFundedDate":1767027307807,"projectUrl":"project/inclusion-for-everyone/9694737/","projectTitle":"Inclusion for Everyone","teacherDisplayName":"Teacher Mr. Hart","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3260685_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1548684528240","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3260685"},{"teacherId":4576192,"projectId":8185345,"letterContent":"Due to your support and generous donations our students were able to create terrariums in our after school program and at our family STEAM night. They learned about specific plants that can survive in terrariums and how to take care of them so that they can thrive. \r\n\r\nStudents love learning about how to take care of something else and this would not be possible without your support! Our school has a big focus on social emotional learning. In taking care of something else our students able to put this learning to the test. They must be compassionate and understanding in our to best take care of their plants. So not only did this help them to understand our different habitats, they also learned about caring for something else. They were so excited to be able to create and watch something grow due to this!","fullyFundedDate":1706938101879,"projectUrl":"project/terrific-terrariums-for-mental-wellness/8185345/","projectTitle":"Terrific Terrariums for Mental Wellness","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Griffin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4576192_orig.jpg?crop=480,480,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1642014892309","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4576192"},{"teacherId":1143192,"projectId":9582276,"letterContent":"Wow, the impact of the new mini potters' wheels has been immediate and profound! Throwing pots is an experience none of my middles schoolers ever had, and the pure excitement on their faces when they realized the wheels were finally here was incredible.\r\n\r\nThe REAL lesson began once the clay hit the wheel. The students were hilariously surprised at how challenging it is! They watch so many 2-minute videos where it seems the pots take form quickly and effortlessly, that they have unrealistic expectations of how seemingly easy it is. For example, Billy, who usually masters new skills easily, spent half an hour just trying to center the clay on the wheel, growing increasingly frustrated. Other students sturggled with pulling up the side walls and even using the wire to cut thier pot off the wheel head. They are learning there are myriad subtle skills that require focus, care, and attention in order to master the art of throwing clay on the wheel. Eventually, they all became advocates of the studio habit of mind Engage and Persist. \r\n\r\nThese potters' wheels are more than just machines, they are tools that help my students realize that they are transitioning out of elementary art into a middle school studio. The wheels are reserved for older students, who have learned the clay basics in order to \"level up\" to throwing on the wheel. \r\n\r\nI am grateful to all who contributed. Your generosity provided the tangible tools needed to teach high-level skills but more importantly, you gave my students the opportunity to shift their mindset. Because of you, they now face challenges not with defeat, but with determination to Engage and Persist. Thank you for enriching our middle school art program.","fullyFundedDate":1755864761829,"projectUrl":"project/spin-to-win-middle-schoolers-discover-t/9582276/","projectTitle":"Spin to Win: Middle Schoolers Discover the Potter’s Wheel!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. McElroy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1143192_orig.jpg?crop=1772,1772,x0,y100&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1764533922610","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1143192"},{"teacherId":4964811,"projectId":9587447,"letterContent":"I am so pleased with the STEM Kits that we received due to your generosity. My little engineers are thrilled to use them. \r\nI began with an unboxing of the materials. First I introduced the Building Block kit. Each student sat in a small group with me to review the expectations and completed the Ask and Imagine steps of the engineering process. The next class we added the Building block kit to our engineering center and the students used it to create solutions. \r\nI followed the same process for each of the Fairytale STEM kits as well. I am so impressed with the creativity and sharing of ideas my engineers are producing.","fullyFundedDate":1755693925749,"projectUrl":"project/first-grade-engineers/9587447/","projectTitle":"First Grade Engineers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Minkler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4964811_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1548077664587","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-minkler"},{"teacherId":4964811,"projectId":9545458,"letterContent":"My Kindergarten classes are enjoying their new puzzles. They cheered as I open the boxes and displayed all of the different choices they had to use.\r\nThe first week, I had the students rotate through stations so I could monitor and explain behavior expectations while using our new puzzles. \r\nThe next week, I gave each table a different puzzle to complete and walked around to see how they would work together. I noticed that some students had little experience in completing puzzles and tried to force pieces together. Other students used the picture as a guide as they worked.\r\nThis week I will teach specific puzzling strategies and watch the students use them.\r\n What a wonderful addition to our class!","fullyFundedDate":1755033084709,"projectUrl":"project/kinder-puzzle-solvers/9545458/","projectTitle":"Kinder Puzzle Solvers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Minkler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4964811_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1548077664587","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-minkler"},{"teacherId":7464332,"projectId":9483360,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom project! Because of your generosity, our indoor recess just got a lot more exciting and meaningful.\r\n\r\nThe board games and puzzles you helped fund are already making a big difference. My students are laughing, working together, solving problems, and learning how to be great classmates. It's been amazing to watch them collaborate and connect in new ways during their downtime.\r\n\r\nYour kindness brought more than just games into our room, you gave my students opportunities to grow socially and emotionally. These skillsets are ones they'll carry well beyond recess.\r\n\r\nThank you again for believing in our project and for supporting our classroom. We're so grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1753381541069,"projectUrl":"project/playful-pathways-building-skills-throug/9483360/","projectTitle":"Playful Pathways: Building Skills Through Play!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Melia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7464332_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y977&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1658952076861","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7464332"},{"teacherId":3983387,"projectId":9062818,"letterContent":"Thank you for your incredible support! Your project provided all fourth-grade students with the resources they needed to approach their studies with confidence. Every one of our 100+ students received new headphones, pencils, and privacy folders, which were crucial for their daily preparation for state testing and other key assessments.\r\n\r\nThis simple act of providing them with the right tools made a significant difference. Our students felt more prepared and focused, and that confidence carried over into their academic work. These materials are already being used this new school year for their diagnostic assessments, proving their long-term value.\r\n\r\nYou've made a meaningful and lasting impact on our students, and we truly appreciate it.","fullyFundedDate":1741832954038,"projectUrl":"project/headphones-needed-for-4th-graders/9062818/","projectTitle":"Headphones Needed for 4th Graders","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Buckett","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3983387_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1737128299484","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-buckett"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_43569","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":624,"numTeachers":63,"percentFrplEligible":65,"percentAsian":10,"percentBlack":18,"percentWhite":20,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":45,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"9.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":69.5,"schoolId":43569,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Westover Magnet Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Westover Magnet Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/connecticut/stamford-public-schools/westover-magnet-elementary-school/43569"}