{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Pick Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":39.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9518858,"projectId":9103211,"letterContent":"When my students first saw the wobble stools, their faces lit up with excitement—they could hardly wait to try them out! Now, students use the stools on a daily basis during math and science lessons, and I've noticed how much easier it is for them to stay focused and engaged. One of my favorite moments was during a collaborative science investigation, when several students who normally struggle to stay seated were fully immersed in their work while using the stools.\r\n\r\nThese resources have not only given my students the movement they need but have also created a classroom environment where they feel comfortable and ready to learn. Our next steps are diving deeper into our current science unit, where students will use their new seating options during hands-on experiments and group projects. The excitement and focus these stools bring have truly elevated the learning experience for everyone in the room.","fullyFundedDate":1746808220836,"projectUrl":"project/wobble-with-itwith-wobble-stools/9103211/","projectTitle":"Wobble With it...with Wobble Stools!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Garlock","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9518858_orig.png?crop=286,286,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1738893862230","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9518858"},{"teacherId":1012473,"projectId":9385019,"letterContent":"✨ Thank you so much for your generous donations that made it possible for us to get this beautiful rug for our classroom!\r\n\r\nAt the start of 3rd grade, I had large green velcro dots on the floor, but students struggled to find a spot and we weren't able to do whole-group work on the carpet the way I love to. When the rug arrived and students saw it the next morning, they were so excited! They immediately talked about how cute it was and loved choosing a happy face to sit on each day.\r\n\r\nNow that we've had the rug for a couple of weeks, it's become a favorite spot for learning. Students love working together on it during whole group, and many even ask if they can use it for independent work. I never realized how much a happy face rug could bring so much joy and excitement to our classroom community.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving us this special gift—it truly makes learning happier every day!","fullyFundedDate":1752842716421,"projectUrl":"project/help-us-find-our-spot-to-shine/9385019/","projectTitle":"Help Us Find Our Spot to Shine!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Carlson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1012473_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y301&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1748525438527","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1012473"},{"teacherId":9923609,"projectId":9242486,"letterContent":"I am excited to announce some fantastic news—our DonorsChoose project has been entirely funded, and it's all due to your incredible generosity and support! As an ESL teacher, I have always aspired to create an environment fostering language development and identity. With your contributions, that aspiration is turning into reality. The inviting and comfortable book corner we envisioned will soon be realized, featuring a soft rug, a cozy chair, gentle lighting, and baskets filled with beautiful bilingual books. This area will not just be a part of our classroom; it will serve as a haven where multilingual learners feel acknowledged, valued, and empowered to thrive academically and personally.\r\nIncorporating bilingual books in English and students ' home languages will significantly enhance language learning. For many of my students, particularly newcomers, mastering English can be daunting. Access to stories in English and their native language enables them to forge meaningful connections and bolsters their confidence as readers. These books act as a bridge, linking their past experiences and culture to their current learning. Seeing their identities reflected in the stories they read affirms their worth and cultivates a genuine love for reading. With these resources, students will be encouraged to take language risks, knowing they are supported and celebrated just as they are.\r\nMoreover, the physical space you helped create will provide students a safe and calming atmosphere amidst a bustling school day. Whether they are curling up with a story that evokes memories of home or practicing new vocabulary in a familiar setting, students will engage with language in a natural and joyful way. This cozy corner will become a hub of curiosity, exploration, and belonging, crucial for academic success and emotional well-being. Your contribution has not only supplied materials; it has conveyed a powerful message to my students: that they are essential, their languages and cultures are valuable, and compassionate individuals are cheering them on from near and far. I extend my heartfelt gratitude for making this possible. The impact of your kindness will resonate for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1746787410415,"projectUrl":"project/bilingual-books-for-multilingual-learner/9242486/","projectTitle":"Bilingual Books for Multilingual Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Erica","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9923609_orig.jpg?crop=2086,2086,x383,y846&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1740505412465","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/erica-skidmore"},{"teacherId":9923609,"projectId":9113852,"letterContent":"Thanks to the incredible generosity of our DonorsChoose supporter, our classroom is now a more vibrant, inclusive, and engaging space for language learning. The addition of bilingual books, puppets, playdough, and hands-on learning tools has transformed the way my English as a Second Language (ESL) students experience reading and language development. With these new resources, we are not only building literacy but also confidence, creativity, and a stronger sense of belonging.\r\n\r\nThe bilingual books have become a cornerstone of our daily routines, supporting essential language skills such as vocabulary acquisition, sentence structure, story sequencing, and comprehension. These texts allow students to make connections between their home language and English, which helps build a strong foundation for academic success. We use the books to model how to make predictions, ask and answer questions, identify story elements (like characters, setting, and plot), and retell stories using transition words. For many of my multilingual learners, these bilingual texts are their very first time seeing their language reflected in print in the classroom. That sense of representation is powerful—it validates their identities while giving them a bridge to English proficiency.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is now dynamic and joyful. During small group time, we read together using puppets to act out stories. Students take turns holding puppets to retell events or create new story endings, which promotes speaking and listening skills in a low-pressure, imaginative way. Other times, students use playdough to sculpt characters or scenes from the story we're reading, which helps make abstract concepts concrete and provides a creative outlet for demonstrating comprehension. These multisensory approaches to reading are especially beneficial for students who are still developing English language skills, as they offer multiple pathways for understanding and expressing ideas.\r\n\r\nOne of the most heartwarming parts of this project has been watching specific students fall in love with reading. Daniel, a 3rd grader from Guatemala, lights up every time he finds a book in Spanish and English. He proudly reads aloud in both languages, often translating for his classmates. His self-esteem has soared, and he now volunteers to lead storytime for the group. Another student, Sarah, who speaks Arabic at home, has become fascinated by the textures and characters we build with playdough. She used to be shy, but now she confidently narrates parts of our stories using her own creative language, piecing together English words with gestures and visuals. These are moments of magic—students finding their voice through the joy of books and storytelling.\r\n\r\nThanks to your support, reading in our classroom is no longer just an academic task; it's an adventure, a celebration, and a source of connection. We are so grateful for your generosity, which has given our multilingual learners the tools they need to thrive—not just as readers, but as confident, expressive, and joyful learners.","fullyFundedDate":1742906293953,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-language-to-life-multicultural/9113852/","projectTitle":"Bringing Language to Life: Multicultural Magic for ESL Learners!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Erica","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9923609_orig.jpg?crop=2086,2086,x383,y846&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1740505412465","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/erica-skidmore"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_106206","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":460,"numTeachers":26,"percentFrplEligible":34,"percentAsian":19,"percentBlack":17,"percentWhite":47,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":10,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"3 - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"17.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":60.9,"schoolId":106206,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Pick Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Pick Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/alabama/auburn-city-school-district/pick-elementary-school/106206"}