{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"College Gate Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":66.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9744142,"projectId":9806092,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping to fill my classroom library with Moon Dog books. I was so excited to receive these book collections after seeing how much my students were enjoying them.\r\n\r\nSome of the great things about these books is that they have strong representation of young people of different races and abilities, so my students get to read books with people who look like them. The characters are doing fun, interesting, and relatable activities in the stories. My students can connect to the stories and care about what's happening. From a teaching standpoint, the books very intentionally target specific phonics skills. I can introduce a skill, and then we get a chance to practice it with multiple books that use that skill.\r\n\r\nIt's also been so great to have a LARGE inventory of books to draw from. I have students who want to bring home a DIFFERENT book every day. They are excited to read new things, and now I can support that while also sending home books that are at their independent level and won't frustrate them. It's been so great, and I can't think you enough for making it possible.","fullyFundedDate":1766042764333,"projectUrl":"project/give-the-kids-what-they-want-more-moon/9806092/","projectTitle":"Give the Kids What They Want--More Moon Dog Books!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cinti","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9744142"},{"teacherId":2595183,"projectId":9957777,"letterContent":"The Chomp saw has added an element of fun to our hands on projects in health. We are making an outline of a person and will add a flip scene of all the human body systems. We are learning about the heart and made a heart with valves. \r\n\r\nThe students were eager to have a turn with the chomp saw. Many of them said they will ask their parents to get them one. I am excited to see the children excited to be creative with the hands on saw. \r\n\r\nOur next steps with the saw will be to make all the human body parts and create a \"pin the part\" on the body game. \r\nWe thank you from the bottom of our hearts! You continue to make children happy and excited about learning.","fullyFundedDate":1766042766254,"projectUrl":"project/chomp-saw-creativity/9957777/","projectTitle":"Chomp Saw Creativity","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Eads","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2595183_orig.jpg?crop=1440,1440,x0,y393&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732673826566","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2595183"},{"teacherId":2007001,"projectId":10058310,"letterContent":"Your generous donation for classroom headphones helps my students learn by reducing environmental noise, increasing their focus, and facilitating personalized, self-paced, and interactive learning. The headphones help create a quiet, individualized space that improves concentration during independent work and testing. They also allow my students to engage with multimedia content without disturbing their classmates.\r\n\r\nOverall, the classroom headphones help create a simple yet effective tool for improving the classroom experience by fostering a quieter, more personal, and engaging learning atmosphere. \r\n\r\nThank you from my 2nd and 3rd graders!","fullyFundedDate":1770064971274,"projectUrl":"project/now-hear-this/10058310/","projectTitle":"Now Hear This!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Colley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2007001"},{"teacherId":9179266,"projectId":9816379,"letterContent":"College Gate's Student Council cannot thank you enough for your continued generosity! You are truly making a difference in many lives, and the lessons that go along with you donating were an unplanned surprise. It really touched our hearts.\r\n\r\nSeeing the students faces when we opened the boxes and them coming to the realization that someone they don't even know, would care about them, and what they are doing to better our school community was grand!\r\n \r\nWe had a meeting where we figured out what size shirts we were going to need and how many. Next, we had students decide what color our shirts would be. They decided on a tie dye shirt (not our traditional school colors). We voted on colors and the color teal was chosen. We then researched what we would need for this project. We discovered that soda ash was recommended for the tie dye process.\r\n\r\nWe originally thought to have the students tie dye the shirts but that proved to be difficult, so my husband and I did the shirts during winter break. The students will help with the design and we will iron them on. I know these shirts will be a lasting token for the students as they move on to middle school.","fullyFundedDate":1762979676675,"projectUrl":"project/t-shirts-for-student-council-success/9816379/","projectTitle":"T-Shirts for Student Council Success!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Roys","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9179266"},{"teacherId":9179266,"projectId":9816584,"letterContent":"Let me begin by saying a BIG thank you! The students and I were so pleased to receive the supplies to create some Holiday cheer for our school. Student Council was thrilled to have received such a gift. I really felt that they were amazed by the generosity of others and that people they didn't know would care about what we are doing in the school to bring happiness and cheer during the holiday season. I believe this was a great lesson for students to realize that you can make a difference in other people's lives by being generous and giving without even knowing them.\r\n\r\nWhen the students saw all the donations that were given to us, they were genuinely happy and excited. Their eyes lit up and some of them held their hearts as I told them the items were generously donated by donors from Donors Choose. This truly warmed my heart to see them be so grateful. \r\n\r\nWatching the students make the candy cane reindeer is such a wonderful feeling. There are so many lessons to be learned by working together. They came up with the idea of how to make centers to make the process easier and faster. Having practice counting money and working with customers was very valuable and I know it will be a skill that will help them throughout their lives.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your generosity. You have given us the supplies we needed to make this such a positive learning experience for everyone. Seeing the happiness that was created was great too!","fullyFundedDate":1760718555643,"projectUrl":"project/happy-holidays-for-tiny-humans/9816584/","projectTitle":"Happy Holidays for Tiny Humans!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Roys","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9179266"},{"teacherId":9140179,"projectId":9717426,"letterContent":"This was the first time I've done Santa's Workshop at College Gate and it was even more impactful than I could've ever imagined! We had over 80 students come in and shop for their families, completely free of charge. Many parents were shocked that it didn't cost them a dime and were even trying to see if they could also do some shopping. \r\n\r\nThe students had such a good time looking for things for their loved ones. It was really cool to see their thought process on how to spend their 20 points in order to get everything they wanted. Without your heartfelt donations, this event wouldn't have been possible. Thank you so much for making such a positive impact on the students at College Gate Elementary School!","fullyFundedDate":1759546746371,"projectUrl":"project/santas-workshop-2025/9717426/","projectTitle":"Santa's Workshop 2025","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jefferson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9140179"},{"teacherId":9161951,"projectId":9797763,"letterContent":"Thank you for the generosity and kindness you have shown my students. The prizes you have donated to our program has brought so much joy to the children. They are so excited to try their best in class so they can earn one of the toys and it is so great knowing that the toys they get are truly enjoyable. \r\n\r\nBecause of your donation I have been able to incentivize learning for something fun and attainable. Students are more eager and willing to complete their work and engage with the hopes of a toy. Through this they have started to enjoy learning and I have heard students excitedly ask each other about what they might be learning in class that day. With the challenges todays society brings with learning being associated with boredom the further incentive has caused students to actually try which is the biggest hurdle. It's amazing to see the love of learning blossom and grow.\r\n\r\nI was able to give the students in my WIN group gifts for the end of the quarter and the excitement had the room buzzing with joy. I hope you can enjoy their letters of gratitude for you and what you have made possible. \r\n\r\nThank you!","fullyFundedDate":1760391654258,"projectUrl":"project/celebrating-student-success/9797763/","projectTitle":"Celebrating Student Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Williams","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9161951_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1691367818305","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9161951"},{"teacherId":2595183,"projectId":9886183,"letterContent":"My students have the best time and learn the most when I am able to provide hands on materials. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to purchase the learning tools. \r\n\r\nThe students couldn't wait to take a turn building the models. They were talking about their body parts and truly having a great time.\r\n\r\nI will continue to have these tools available to students for every health class. It is amazing to see and hear the students become interested in the science behind how their bodies work.\r\n\r\nAll of our smiles and thanks to you. Keep helping out the future.","fullyFundedDate":1763603857634,"projectUrl":"project/stem-and-health/9886183/","projectTitle":"STEM and Health","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Eads","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2595183_orig.jpg?crop=1440,1440,x0,y393&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732673826566","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2595183"},{"teacherId":3430077,"projectId":9308601,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible donation to our classrooms. We are so grateful that because of you, our classroom environment is less harsh, and our students now have a wonderful interschool mail delivery system.\r\n Our classes are enjoying this great writing opportunity that has not only engaged the students in conversation but has helped create a lifelong bond. The light coverings in the classrooms have helped soften the harsh lighting and have created an environment that encourages learning.\r\n By providing us with the mailboxes and doorbells, you have helped us facilitate our interschool mail delivery with our buddies class. The ceiling light diffuser we used to block the harsh light, and the window clings to block the outside world, really helped the students focus better. \r\n Thank you again for helping support our project to teach writing skills in a fun and creative way that engages students in a classroom setting that encourages learning.","fullyFundedDate":1746787251688,"projectUrl":"project/mini-mail-delivery-system-for-writing-sk/9308601/","projectTitle":"Mini Mail Delivery System for Writing Skills!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Elliott","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3430077"},{"teacherId":9158833,"projectId":9839008,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our classroom now has Impact Weighted Stuffed Toys that act as comforting \"service pets,\" along with storybooks that gently teach and model positive behavior. These resources have quickly become part of our daily routine. Students use their weighted pets during reading time, emotional-regulation breaks, and social-skills lessons. One of my favorite moments happened during a lesson on sharing: we read one of our new behavior storybooks together, and as we talked about the characters' choices, a student cradled his weighted pet and said, \"He helps me be calm so I can listen better.\" Watching the connection between comfort and learning grow in real time was incredible.\r\n\r\nThe day the materials arrived felt like a small celebration. The room filled with excitement as students carefully chose a weighted pet, introduced themselves, and settled into cozy spots to explore the new storybooks. Some students who usually have trouble focusing during read-alouds were suddenly attentive, petting their weighted toy while following along with big smiles. The combination of the calming pets and the engaging stories made the entire classroom feel softer, safer, and more connected.\r\n\r\nOur next steps include using these tools during structured social-emotional lessons, small-group reading circles, and moments when students need help regulating their bodies and emotions. We're beginning a \"Be My Best Self\" unit, where each week students pair a behavior storybook with a strategy they can practice—such as sharing, using kind words, or taking calming breaths with their service pet. Your support didn't just add materials to our room; it transformed the way my students learn, behave, and care for themselves.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving my students comfort, confidence, and the tools to grow into their best selves.","fullyFundedDate":1762504590048,"projectUrl":"project/weighted-stuff-toys-as-my-service-pet/9839008/","projectTitle":"Weighted Stuff Toys as My Service Pet","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Paasa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9158833_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724126527043","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9158833"},{"teacherId":2595183,"projectId":9741730,"letterContent":"Today I put out all our new materials for the students to explore. I loved the laughter and squeals as they played the old game \"operation\". It was great to see the students taking turns and working together. \r\nThe Mr. Potato head was a big hit with the younger students. As I sat at the table with that group we talked about all our body parts. They continued to play and enjoy building different characters.\r\nThe magnet body puzzle fascinated all grade levels. They loved showing me the different mixes of systems they put together. I was able to discuss with the students Muscles, Bones and other systems as they played.\r\nIt was a day of joyous learning, with many more to come thanks to your generous contributions.","fullyFundedDate":1762267526456,"projectUrl":"project/mr-potato-head-learns-health/9741730/","projectTitle":"Mr. Potato Head Learns Health","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Eads","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2595183_orig.jpg?crop=1440,1440,x0,y393&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732673826566","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2595183"},{"teacherId":3430077,"projectId":9308320,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible donation to our classrooms. We are so grateful that because of you, our students now have wonderful new desk pets and sensory toys.\r\n The students were thrilled when they opened the boxes. They couldn't believe that they had new desk pets. They were so excited that there were enough that they could share between big and little buddies. They are teaching their new pets the school rules and explaining assignments. When they are feeling lonely, they have a friend to work with and one in their big buddy classroom to check in with as well. \r\n It is so hard when you have the wiggles to be able to focus on what you are supposed to be doing. The sensory toys are working well for those who have difficulty sitting still and paying attention. They are exceptionally helpful for their big buddies who are at a transitional stage of life, where they are working hard to figure out how to deal with their emotions. \r\n It's moments like these that remind me of why I teach. Your contribution has truly brought our learning to life and has made our classrooms a more vibrant and engaging place for everyone.","fullyFundedDate":1746787200812,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-toys-and-desk-pets-help-us-learn/9308320/","projectTitle":"Sensory Toys and Desk Pets Help Us Learn!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Elliott","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3430077"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_44446","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":413,"numTeachers":20,"percentFrplEligible":74,"percentAsian":10,"percentBlack":5,"percentWhite":19,"percentIndigenous":27,"percentLatinx":7,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"20.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":33.2,"schoolId":44446,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about College Gate Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"College Gate Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/alaska/anchorage-school-district/college-gate-elementary-school/44446"}