{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Desert Star Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":35.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8380932,"projectId":10448074,"letterContent":"Thank you! When this package was delivered to the school, a room full of middle schoolers cheered. This was a book that they picked for their book study and they worked so hard to write a funding proposal in their writing groups. Thank you for supporting their reading and learning. I am excited to share pictures throughout our book study and the students being able to keep the books after is making them so much more excited for the learning. Thank you for supporting students and teachers! We appreciate you.","fullyFundedDate":1788449178873,"projectUrl":"project/chasing-space-with-middle-school-readers/10448074/","projectTitle":"Chasing Space with Middle School Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Knight","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8380932_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1647814302794","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-knights-stars"},{"teacherId":8380932,"projectId":9258768,"letterContent":"Thank you! We were able to collect items to create care baskets and a pantry for students, community members, and those in need. The students that participated in creating care packages learned so much about supporting their community and worked hard to make sure they continued the learning outside of the classroom. They began volunteer work in the community. I am thankful for your support in making this happen. Thank you from the students, the school family, and the community. I am excited to make this project a yearly middle school activity so that we can support those in need around us.","fullyFundedDate":1746786220629,"projectUrl":"project/care-items-for-our-community/9258768/","projectTitle":"Care Items for Our Community","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Knight","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8380932_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1647814302794","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-knights-stars"},{"teacherId":8380932,"projectId":10177000,"letterContent":"Our science unit on space, planets, and the moon was so much fun. This project gave us the supplies we needed to really make learning a hands on experience. Students got hands on learning opportunities and really connected to the learning. We were able to make models of our moon, Luna. We were also able to track moon phases and make our own creative tracking charts. Our solar system model is displayed for the whole school to see! I am excited to show you what we created. Your contribution made this happen and we are so thankful!","fullyFundedDate":1776096027720,"projectUrl":"project/fly-me-to-the-moon/10177000/","projectTitle":"Fly Me to the Moon","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Knight","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8380932_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1647814302794","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-knights-stars"},{"teacherId":8380932,"projectId":10212913,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting this project! We were able to give students options to use for recess and free time. In the AZ heat there are many students who have sensory issues and do not like to play on the playground equipment. There are many days where indoor recess is the only option due to the heat. We were able to fill a cart will games, activities, and toys that could be used to give play options. This project gives students of all ages and all abilities sensory friendly options for free time and recess. Thank you again.","fullyFundedDate":1778596386547,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-recess-items/10212913/","projectTitle":"Sensory Recess Items","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Knight","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8380932_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1647814302794","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-knights-stars"},{"teacherId":7539622,"projectId":10161697,"letterContent":"Thank you for providing funds to help my classroom library continue to grow. The graphic novels have been a great addition to the books I already have. We are one month into the new school year and students are already excited about reading.\r\n\r\nOne student in particular, DJ, has been super excited about the new graphic novels, even before I had them labeled and on my shelves. His favorite so far is a Batman graphic novel.\r\n\r\nStudents in my classroom read frequently and as much as they can. I allow them to read whenever they finish work early. They are also responsible for reading a couple of books independently throughout the year.","fullyFundedDate":1778044833842,"projectUrl":"project/go-graphic/10161697/","projectTitle":"Go Graphic!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Blankenship","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7539622"},{"teacherId":8380932,"projectId":9704723,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our classroom. My 2-4th grade group got to collaborate with the middle school group to learn about sound. We created STEAM learning stations and the students worked together to explore the concept. The materials we were able to get from this project were so important to the learning. Students walked away able to explain the concept in their own words and with real life experience and handing on experiences. Thank you for your support. We could not do it without community members like you.","fullyFundedDate":1760629017947,"projectUrl":"project/stem-learning-sound/9704723/","projectTitle":"STEM Learning- Sound","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Knight","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8380932_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1647814302794","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-knights-stars"},{"teacherId":8380932,"projectId":10096494,"letterContent":"We did it! Thank you for helping us reach our goal! \r\nWe were able to partner with local community groups to support animal rescue in such a meaningful way. Students got to collaborate with organizers and gather supplies for a project they created. This was so empowering. Many students were moved to continue their community service efforts outside of the project. They are volunteering with animal rescues, being mindful of their impact on animals in the community, and creating their own plans to support animals in need. \r\nYour contribution is helping to create future community leaders. Thank you again for the support. I am excited to continue to share the impact you have on my classroom, our school, and our community. Thank you again.","fullyFundedDate":1771946537676,"projectUrl":"project/community-service-project-mission-prot/10096494/","projectTitle":"Community Service Project- Mission: Protect Animals","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Knight","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8380932_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1647814302794","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-knights-stars"},{"teacherId":8380932,"projectId":9223981,"letterContent":"Thank you for your support. Your donations helped us get needed supplies to support our great support staff in running groups. We were able to get equipment to create games and activities to teach teamwork and social skills. Our students practice taking turns, sportsmanship, learning and folling rules, and conflict resolution. These supplies we be used for years to come for our k-8 students. We appreciate your help in supporting our school family and we are excited to share the positive results with you.","fullyFundedDate":1746785975952,"projectUrl":"project/team-sports-to-build-social-skills/9223981/","projectTitle":"Team Sports to Build Social Skills!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Knight","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8380932_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1647814302794","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-knights-stars"},{"teacherId":8380932,"projectId":9259035,"letterContent":"Students worked with staff and community members to collect amd organized items for our school food pantry. This was meaningful to our school family. Students got to put our social skills lessons into action and see how working together could support those around us. Our wider community was impacted by more access to needed food and care items. As a teacher in a title one school, it has been personally important to take action when i see a need. The items from our project helped me teach students and fill a need. Thank you for supporting our learning and our community.","fullyFundedDate":1744999336436,"projectUrl":"project/food-drive-community-project/9259035/","projectTitle":"Food Drive Community Project","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Knight","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8380932_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1647814302794","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-knights-stars"},{"teacherId":7539622,"projectId":9907427,"letterContent":"I am a book person in many different ways. I love to read a variety of books. As far as fiction goes, my favorites are pioneer historical fiction. As far as nonfiction goes, anything related to my job as a middle school educator, or anything related to brain science. I read wherever I can. I read whenever I can. I write annotations right in my book and sometimes I use a ton of sticky notes.\r\n\r\nWhile reading these texts I have learned about a variety of strategies that will increase the success of my gifted students. I hve learned about how they think and how they show their thinking and learning.\r\n\r\nI have begun trying out some of these strategies in my classroom with a small group of students. The gifted students I have tried these strategies with have responded with enjoyment for the added challenges. In the upcoming new school year I will try them out with my new students.","fullyFundedDate":1773853618537,"projectUrl":"project/growing-gifted-learners/9907427/","projectTitle":"Growing Gifted Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Blankenship","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7539622"},{"teacherId":7539622,"projectId":10160785,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping to provide for these books. These books will help my middle school students learn more a bout a variety of social emotional topics. They will allow them to work on their mental and social emotional health, along with their academics. Students will increase their chances of acadeic success with stronger social emotional health.\r\n\r\nReading in my classroom looks like a variety of things. Students read independently, at a variety of levels, in small groups and sometimes as a whole class. They almost always have something to \"do\" with the reading. But sometimes we read just to enjoy reading.\r\n\r\nSo far no particular students have embraced these books, but I know that over time they will.","fullyFundedDate":1773873102208,"projectUrl":"project/navigating-middle-school-life/10160785/","projectTitle":"Navigating Middle School Life","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Blankenship","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7539622"},{"teacherId":7539622,"projectId":10090449,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating to this project. Receiving books to continue to diversify my classroom library has been so exciting. Students are excited to see more books with characters like themselves. They are able to better relate to the characters which keeps them more engaged in my classroom.\r\n\r\nReading in my classroom is done mostly when students finish work early. They ae also allowed to check books out of the classroom library. This allows them to take the books home to read and to share with others.\r\n\r\nWhile I have yet to use any of these books for classwide lessons, I plan to use them of them next school year as part of our social emotional learning and work.","fullyFundedDate":1773873102660,"projectUrl":"project/diversify-our-reading/10090449/","projectTitle":"Diversify Our Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Blankenship","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7539622"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_71579","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":701,"numTeachers":36,"percentFrplEligible":43,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":12,"percentWhite":22,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":59,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":2,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"19.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":65.0,"schoolId":71579,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Desert Star Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Desert Star Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/arizona/avondale-elementary-school-district/desert-star-elementary-school/71579"}