{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Desert Star Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":35.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"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"},{"teacherId":8380932,"projectId":9888930,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your care and help! We were able to start a community food pantry to support students and neighbors. We got not perishable items, Baby supplies, personal care items, and some clothing. Students organized items and created flyers to let the community know we were here to help. Our student leaders maintain the pantry and have been making such a big difference in the community. Our school family and our neighborhood send love and thanks. You have helped us make a change in our world.","fullyFundedDate":1763498235852,"projectUrl":"project/keep-our-food-pantry-full/9888930/","projectTitle":"Keep Our Food Pantry Full","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":9148636,"letterContent":"Thank you for contributing to our literacy project. We were able to supply a class set of books and after our reading journey students took them home. In the classroom, James and the Giant Peach was a journey that students explored together. When students found out they could keep their book they were thrilled! This has had a meaningful impact on the students and families. For some, this was the first new book they owned. For many, it was a book they could share with their family to encourage reading at home.","fullyFundedDate":1741745956109,"projectUrl":"project/james-and-the-giant-peach-reading-adve/9148636/","projectTitle":"James and the Giant Peach (Reading Adventure)","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":9871489,"letterContent":"We did it! Your support helped us reach our goal! Students learned about the need in our school and community for food and care items. They worked to create plans for a food panty and a care pantry and a list of items they would need. The funding from this project helped the plan come to life. Students were so empowered and the project was a success. Our community now has a food and care pantry and upkeep has been a community and school project. This will have a lasting impact on the students as they are the future leaders. Thank you again!","fullyFundedDate":1762202104284,"projectUrl":"project/fight-food-insecurity-and-support-mental/9871489/","projectTitle":"Fight Food Insecurity and Support Mental Health","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":3191826,"projectId":9866550,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support of our gifted students. Because of you, our classroom has been transformed into a space where creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving come to life through the use of Keva blocks.\r\n\r\nOur gifted learners are using the Keva blocks as part of engineering and design challenges that encourage higher-level thinking and collaboration. Recently, students worked in teams to design and construct structures that met specific criteria—such as height requirements, stability under stress, or the ability to span a distance without collapsing. Throughout the process, students hypothesized, tested their ideas, analyzed failures, and refined their designs. The Keva blocks have provided a powerful hands-on way for students to apply mathematical reasoning, spatial awareness, and perseverance while engaging deeply in the engineering design process.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the Keva blocks, their excitement was immediate. Many students eagerly began planning structures before we even started the lesson, sketching designs and discussing strategies with classmates. Several students commented on how the materials made learning feel like \"real engineering.\" It was clear they felt both challenged and inspired, and they quickly took ownership of their learning.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, students will continue using the Keva blocks to extend their current learning. Upcoming lessons will focus on complex problem-solving, structural analysis, and collaborative design challenges that require students to justify their thinking and reflect on their process. These experiences are helping gifted students stretch their abilities, embrace productive struggle, and deepen their understanding in meaningful ways.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving our gifted students the opportunity to learn, create, and think like engineers. Your support has made a lasting impact, and we are incredibly grateful for your investment in their growth and potential.","fullyFundedDate":1768517523372,"projectUrl":"project/keva-blocks-for-gifted-students/9866550/","projectTitle":"Keva Blocks for Gifted Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Michael","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3191826_orig.jpg?crop=670,670,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1677267318381","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msmichael15"},{"teacherId":3191826,"projectId":9866577,"letterContent":"When the ice machines first arrived, the students' reaction was immediate, they crowded around them with wide eyes and big smiles. They could hardly believe they would have access to cold ice and drinks after their long, hot practices. \"Wow, this is so cool!\" one student exclaimed, and another said, \"Now I can hydrate and feel so much better before I head home.\" It was a moment that truly captured how deeply appreciated your support was.\r\n\r\nSince then, we have already used the machines after our after-school runs. It has made a noticeable difference: students push harder, attempt longer runs and have better attitudes. This small, but powerful change has improved morale, kept hydration levels up, and helped build a stronger sense of community within the club.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we're planning to integrate the ice machines into our regular post-run routine. Our next step is to start a \"cool down & chat\" time after each run where students will grab ice-cold water, stretch together, and reflect on their run by answering questions like; what went well, how they felt, and what they hope to improve next time. We believe this will not only support their physical recovery, but also foster teamwork, leadership, and motivation for future sessions.","fullyFundedDate":1762267483082,"projectUrl":"project/cooling-support-for-heart-sole-runners/9866577/","projectTitle":"Cooling Support for Heart & Sole Runners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Michael","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3191826_orig.jpg?crop=670,670,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1677267318381","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msmichael15"}],"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":64.8,"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"}