{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Zamorano Elementary School Fine Arts Academy","outOfStateSupporters":21.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10096087,"projectId":9762162,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our kindergarten classroom! When the new materials arrived, my students were absolutely thrilled. They immediately gathered around the large book display, excited to place their library books there each week, and couldn't wait to explore the magnetic building blocks. The fidget chair bands sparked curiosity as students eagerly tried them out during table work, and the colored spots quickly became a helpful guide for where to sit on the carpet and where to line up throughout the room.\r\n\r\nWe are using these resources daily to support both learning and independence. The book display has transformed our reading area by providing enough space for books to be easily accessed, helping students independently select stories and build a love of reading. During center time, students collaborate and problem-solve using the magnetic building blocks, creating towers, shapes, and structures while strengthening early STEM skills. The fidget chair bands help students stay focused during independent work, and the left-handed scissors have empowered students who previously struggled with cutting tasks to participate confidently in art and fine motor activities. The color spots are now part of our daily routine, helping students line up to turn in computers and follow directions with ease.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, we are ready to take the next steps in our learning. Students will continue using the book display to practice proper book handling and organization, while the magnetic blocks will support upcoming lessons on shapes, patterns, and teamwork. These materials have helped create a more engaging and inclusive classroom, and we are so grateful for the opportunity to grow and learn with them. Thank you for giving my students the tools to explore, collaborate, and succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1759012078384,"projectUrl":"project/last-minute-essentials/9762162/","projectTitle":"Last Minute Essentials","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gale","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10096087"},{"teacherId":10096087,"projectId":9598708,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our kindergarten classroom! When the wobble cushions, large gray carpet, floor cushions, and cube chairs arrived, my students were beyond excited. They immediately wanted to sit, wiggle, and explore their new flexible seating options. They especially loved the softness of the new carpet, some even rolled around making \"snow angels\" on it! Seeing their joy and eagerness reminded me just how important a comfortable, welcoming learning space is for our youngest learners.\r\n\r\nThese new resources have truly transformed how we learn together. The neutral colored carpet creates a calming environment and, because it has no marked boundaries, it also gives students an opportunity to learn about personal space in a natural way. The wobble cushions and cube chairs have been especially beneficial for students who need movement to stay focused, while the floor cushions provide cozy spots for independent work, partner activities, and small-group learning. I've already noticed increased attention, participation, and confidence during lessons.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has helped create a classroom environment where students feel supported, included, and ready to learn. Thank you for helping us build a flexible, student-centered space where every child can thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1758764129232,"projectUrl":"project/flexible-kinder-seating/9598708/","projectTitle":"Flexible Kinder Seating","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gale","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10096087"},{"teacherId":8016193,"projectId":9551749,"letterContent":"When I first showed the kids the pedometers, and they realized they were each getting one to use, they were so excited. Since the first day, we have been using the pedometers daily to track our steps! The kids are super enthusiastic about it. We have been tracking and recording our steps which has been inspiring the students to get more movement throughout the day. One rainy day, instead of playing classroom games during recess, they made a line and marched around the room to get steps!\r\n\r\nThey have also been using the volleyballs every chance they get, which is great, because their middle school has a volleyball team. The donated volleyballs are giving them a chance to learn some hits and how to volley . They are forming little teams and learning how to work together with the equipment.","fullyFundedDate":1760721744291,"projectUrl":"project/step-it-up/9551749/","projectTitle":"Step it Up!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Oswald","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8016193"},{"teacherId":4073976,"projectId":9692942,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donations towards our project and funding our color printer dreams. Our TK students were so excited to work on the colorful activity mats---all the while developing their fine motor skills and learning about their shapes, colors, and patterns. On these mats, students created shapes using rolled play dough snakes, connected pattern blocks, and colored cubes. Other mats challenged our students to count objects and replicate the number with their tools. The assortment of work mats included ones for sorting by colors, sizes, and shapes. The students' busy fingers and hands were getting stronger while the items were pinched, squeezed, and lined up. They loved expanding their understanding through playful interactions with each other and with their colorful materials.\r\n Additionally, we utilized the color printer to create a more inviting and language-rich classroom. Our role-playing stations have picture labels that guide students how to care for and clean up the area-- instilling a sense of responsibility and respect from the materials and each other. We posted environmental print that students love reading, along with encouraging affirmations illustrated by favorite read aloud characters. These serve to build up the students' confidence as individuals and as readers. Their faces light up and the excitement is contagious when they walk into our classroom. We cannot thank you enough for helping us create the warm and engaging classroom of our dreams. We look forward to creating more colorful activities for the class to enjoy!","fullyFundedDate":1757510104099,"projectUrl":"project/colorful-print-unlocks-the-fine-motor-sk/9692942/","projectTitle":"Colorful Print Unlocks the Fine Motor Skills & Mathematics World","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. de la Cruz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4073976_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1765319014206","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/rosanna-delacruz"},{"teacherId":10235532,"projectId":9670510,"letterContent":"Thank you for your donation to fund the \" Learning Targets on the Carpet.\" The students were screaming and were so excited when the carpet was delivered to our classroom by the office staff. They were laying down on the carpet when it was first set on the floor. Words were not enough to describe how happy they were with a clean and nice carpet for their classroom activities like reading with their buddies, playing legos, and doing Science or Math tasks. The size of the carpet was perfect and the students have their own personal space. They enjoy listening to their teachers or classmates on the carpet. The color of the carpet also matched the Dr. Seuss theme in the classroom. What a great way to start the school year!","fullyFundedDate":1757465736858,"projectUrl":"project/learning-targets-on-the-carpet/9670510/","projectTitle":"Learning Targets on the Carpet","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Idos","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10235532"},{"teacherId":9503329,"projectId":9807336,"letterContent":"I'm thrilled to share a wonderful update on \"Our Safe Place,\" a project that's truly transforming student support. Your invaluable commitment has brought this vital initiative to life, creating a dedicated haven where our young learners can develop crucial emotional well-being and self-regulation skills.\r\n\r\nThis sanctuary offers students a safe space to process emotions and find calm, leading to remarkable improvements in focus and a reduction in disruptive behaviors. What began as a concept has blossomed into a meticulously designed environment focused entirely on holistic development.\r\n\r\nKey elements include a tranquil soft-seating area for quiet reflection, and a dynamic Crayola Travel Glow Art Studio, providing a creative outlet for emotional expression. We've also incorporated therapeutic resources like Autism Sensory Toys and Marble Maze Mat Fidget Toys to aid sensory regulation. A particular highlight is \"Luna The Calming Kitty\" from hand2mind, an interactive guide for breathing exercises and anxiety relief.\r\n\r\n\"Our Safe Place\" is more than just a room; it's a foundation for building resilience and emotional intelligence, equipping our students with essential coping mechanisms for life. Your unwavering belief didn't just provide funding; it was a profound investment in their long-term success and well-being.","fullyFundedDate":1761016044201,"projectUrl":"project/our-safe-place/9807336/","projectTitle":"Our Safe Place","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gavino Quichocho","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9503329_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754784679629","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9503329"},{"teacherId":9503329,"projectId":9723397,"letterContent":"We want this express our sincerest gratitude for your wonderful donation to our DonorsChoose project! Your generosity is directly empowering our TK learners in Room 727! \r\n\r\nThe resources you've provided are vital in cultivating the foundational fine motor skills of a child's early development. This directly translates into greater independence in daily life, crucial readiness for academic tasks, and a significant boost in their overall confidence and cognitive abilities.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in the bright futures and comprehensive development of our TK students at Zamorano Fine Arts Academy!","fullyFundedDate":1759363039179,"projectUrl":"project/gassing-up-on-finger-fuel/9723397/","projectTitle":"Gassing up on Finger Fuel","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gavino Quichocho","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9503329_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754784679629","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9503329"},{"teacherId":10096087,"projectId":9504750,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our kindergarten classroom! The materials you provided — glue sticks, dry erase markers, laminating sheets, sheet protectors, sensory rice, headphones, math and CVC games, UV flashlights, and fruit snacks — have already made (and will continue to make) such a big difference in our daily learning. My students were so excited when the boxes arrived; their eyes lit up as we unpacked everything, and they eagerly asked what we would get to use first.\r\n\r\nThe fruit snacks were the first to disappear and were loved by everyone! They've been a perfect addition to snack time, especially for students who don't always have healthy snacks available at home. Our glue sticks have been put to great use during sound sort activities, where students cut and paste pictures to match beginning sounds — an important early literacy skill. Dry erase markers have become a classroom staple for name writing, ABC and number tracing, and reusable binder activities, supported by the laminated sheets and sheet protectors that make daily practice sustainable and fun.\r\n\r\nStudents especially love our hands-on morning centers, using sensory rice to practice letter and number formation. During our beginning-of-the-year writing unit, we used laminated pattern block templates to build people and structures, helping students connect shapes to drawings — a creative and exciting way to build writing confidence. And as a special treat, my class is already buzzing with anticipation for our 100th day of school celebration, where we'll use the UV flashlights you donated to solve a mystery through learning games and hidden clues!\r\n\r\nYour donations have brought so much engagement, creativity, and joy into our classroom. Thank you for giving my students the tools to learn, imagine, and thrive every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1754677837353,"projectUrl":"project/beginning-of-the-year-basics/9504750/","projectTitle":"Beginning of the Year Basics","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gale","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10096087"},{"teacherId":9503329,"projectId":9692853,"letterContent":"We are incredibly grateful for your generous donation. It has directly powered the expansion of our interactive math activities, transforming how our students engage with mathematics.\r\n\r\nGone are abstract lessons; in their place, children are actively exploring concepts through hands-on activities like building geometric shapes, conducting measurements, and solving real-world puzzles. This active, playful approach isn't just impactful; it allows them to discover and internalize mathematical ideas personally.\r\n\r\nThe results are already visible: students are developing a deeper understanding, boosting their confidence, and honing crucial problem-solving skills. Your support is truly building a strong foundation for their academic success and fostering a lifelong love of learning.\r\n\r\nThank you for your vital investment in our students' bright futures. Your partnership makes an undeniable difference.","fullyFundedDate":1757776177336,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-math-fun-for-everyone/9692853/","projectTitle":"Hands-on Math Fun for Everyone","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gavino Quichocho","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9503329_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754784679629","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9503329"},{"teacherId":9172644,"projectId":9203250,"letterContent":"The donated sensory materials have had a tremendous impact on my kindergarten classroom, especially in our Title 1 school where resources are often limited. These tools have created a more inclusive and supportive learning environment by helping students with varying sensory needs regulate their emotions, focus their attention, and engage more fully in classroom activities. The items have given my students the opportunity to explore and learn in ways that are developmentally appropriate and tailored to their individual needs.\r\n\r\nFor many of my students, these sensory materials have become an essential part of their daily routine. They help reduce anxiety, improve concentration, and support smoother transitions between activities. I've seen students who previously struggled to stay engaged now participate more confidently and independently. These tools not only enhance academic learning but also promote emotional well-being, which is foundational at this early stage of development. I am deeply grateful for the support, as it has truly made a difference in the lives of all my students.","fullyFundedDate":1746553764048,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-needs-for-students-with-exceptio/9203250/","projectTitle":"Sensory Needs for Students with Exceptionalities!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Valdivia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9172644_orig.jpg?crop=429,429,x86,y147&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1691632024092","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-flv"},{"teacherId":9503329,"projectId":9569388,"letterContent":"I'm writing to update you on the incredible success of our recent project, thanks to your generous support! The children's reaction to the delivery of the STEM kits was truly heartwarming. The sight of the colorful straws, connectors, LEGOs, and magnetic tiles elicited immediate cheers and enthusiastic clapping – a testament to their inherent curiosity and eagerness to learn.\r\n\r\nThe integration of these STEM kits into our center rotations has yielded remarkably positive results. We've observed a significant increase in children's engagement, focus, and attentiveness. Their creativity has flourished as they experiment with different designs and problem-solving strategies, developing critical thinking skills. The hands-on nature of the activities fosters a deeper understanding of concepts, building their confidence as they master new challenges and proudly showcase their creations. Each day, the children approach the centers with renewed excitement, embracing new tasks and demonstrating their determination and confidence with a different challenge each day. \r\n\r\nFurthermore, these activities have fostered invaluable collaborative skills. The children are actively learning to work together, share ideas, and celebrate each other's achievements, building a strong sense of community within the classroom. The benefits of early childhood STEM education are abundantly clear, and we are thrilled with the progress we're seeing.\r\n\r\nWe've shared numerous photos on ClassDojo, allowing parents and family members to witness firsthand the children's joyful engagement with the STEM activities. We've also provided parents with readily accessible STEM activity suggestions to extend the learning experience beyond the classroom. By making learning fun and engaging, both teachers and parents can cultivate a lifelong love of exploration, problem-solving, and discovery in young learners.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we're diligently working on a new project to further enrich our math centers with even more hands-on activities. We believe this will provide further opportunities for our students to thrive. Thank you again for your invaluable contribution to their educational journey. We are deeply grateful for your partnership.","fullyFundedDate":1755303094123,"projectUrl":"project/lets-explore-build-and-create-with-ste/9569388/","projectTitle":"Let’s Explore, Build and Create With STEM!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gavino Quichocho","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9503329_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754784679629","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9503329"},{"teacherId":9172644,"projectId":9327672,"letterContent":"I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for your generous donations to our kindergarten classroom. Your support has truly made a difference in the lives of my students, and I'm so grateful for your kindness and belief in the power of early education.\r\n\r\nBecause of your contributions, our classroom has been filled with new and engaging literacy resources—literacy centers, that have transformed the way my students learn. These tools have not only sparked their curiosity but also built a strong foundation in reading and writing.\r\n\r\nEvery day, I see the impact your generosity has made. Students who were once hesitant to pick up a book are now excited to explore new stories. They are learning letter sounds, recognizing sight words, and beginning to write their own sentences—all milestones that will shape their future learning.\r\n\r\nOne of the most rewarding moments has been watching my students develop confidence as readers and storytellers. These early successes are made possible because of the resources you helped provide.\r\n\r\nThank you again for investing in our classroom and in the educational journey of these bright and eager young learners. Your support is helping to create lifelong readers, and for that, we are truly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1746786038589,"projectUrl":"project/literacy-matters/9327672/","projectTitle":"Literacy Matters!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Valdivia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9172644_orig.jpg?crop=429,429,x86,y147&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1691632024092","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-flv"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_53282","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":843,"numTeachers":44,"percentFrplEligible":71,"percentAsian":28,"percentBlack":10,"percentWhite":2,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":42,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"19.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":78.4,"schoolId":53282,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Zamorano Elementary School Fine Arts Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Zamorano Elementary School Fine Arts Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/san-diego-unified-school-district/zamorano-elementary-school/53282"}