{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"John E Steinbeck Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":16.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9700342,"projectId":9319385,"letterContent":"Reading Refugee transformed our classroom into a community of thoughtful readers and empathetic learners. Students became deeply invested in the stories of the characters and eagerly discussed the challenges they faced. Through whole-class discussions, literature circles, and written reflections, students explored themes of resilience, courage, perseverance, and hope while making meaningful connections to current events and their own lives.\r\n\r\nWhat stood out most was the level of empathy students developed while reading. Many students expressed a deeper understanding of what it means to leave one's home, face uncertainty, and overcome obstacles. They demonstrated compassion and curiosity as they learned about experiences different from their own.\r\n\r\nSeveral students who were initially reluctant readers became highly engaged because of the fast-paced storytelling and multiple perspectives. They looked forward to reading each day and we were excited to share predictions, reactions, and discoveries with their peers.\r\n\r\nThanks to our donors, every student was able to participate fully in this shared reading experience. The impact went far beyond improving literacy skills—it helped students become more thoughtful, informed, and compassionate individuals while fostering a genuine love of reading.","fullyFundedDate":1746786144868,"projectUrl":"project/expanding-horizons-more-copies-of-refug/9319385/","projectTitle":"Expanding Horizons: More Copies of Refugee for Every Student","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sandoval","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9700342_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y256&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727938385718","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9700342"},{"teacherId":9700342,"projectId":9319394,"letterContent":"The Chromebook charging station has made a meaningful difference in ensuring that all students have consistent access to learning technology. In our classroom, Chromebooks are an essential tool for instruction, research, and completing assignments. However, many students faced challenges with keeping their devices charged due to circumstances beyond their control, such as moving between homes or limited access to reliable charging at home.\r\n\r\nWith the addition of a centralized charging station, students now have a dependable place to power their devices each day. This has significantly reduced lost instructional time and eliminated the stress some students previously felt when their Chromebooks were low on battery or unavailable. Students are now able to begin lessons fully prepared and stay engaged throughout the day.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, this resource has strengthened a sense of equity and inclusion in the classroom. Every student has the tools they need to succeed, and technology is no longer a barrier to learning. Thanks to the generosity of donors, our classroom is more connected, efficient, and supportive for all learners.","fullyFundedDate":1746785532698,"projectUrl":"project/powering-success-chromebook-charging-st/9319394/","projectTitle":"Powering Success: Chromebook Charging Station for Every Student","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sandoval","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9700342_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y256&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727938385718","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9700342"},{"teacherId":9700342,"projectId":9298523,"letterContent":"The classroom supplies from this project have had a tremendous impact on student engagement, creativity, and organization. These materials have become part of our daily learning routine and have helped create an environment where students feel excited to learn and take pride in their work.\r\n\r\nLearning in our classroom is hands-on and interactive. Students regularly use these supplies to create visual representations of their thinking, collaborate on projects, and engage in creative problem-solving activities. The colorful materials have helped make lessons more engaging and accessible for a variety of learning styles.\r\n\r\nThe folders, notebooks, and highlighters have also made a significant difference. Students are more organized, better able to track their assignments, and take greater ownership of their learning. Having access to quality supplies has helped students feel prepared and confident each day.\r\n\r\nThanks to the generosity of our donors, our students have the tools they need to create, organize, and succeed. These supplies have supported both academic growth and student confidence while helping make our classroom a welcoming and inspiring place to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1746785897170,"projectUrl":"project/colorful-supplies-spark-creativity-joy/9298523/","projectTitle":"Colorful Supplies Spark Creativity, Joy, and Learning in Fifth Grade!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sandoval","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9700342_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y256&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727938385718","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9700342"},{"teacherId":9700342,"projectId":9123472,"letterContent":"Our classroom garden has become one of the most exciting and meaningful learning experiences for our students. The donated soil, plants, and garden supplies transformed our outdoor space into a living classroom where students could explore science concepts through hands-on learning.\r\n\r\nThrough planting, observing, and caring for the garden, students learned about plant life cycles, ecosystems, pollination, weather patterns, and sustainability. They practiced making observations, collecting data, and recording changes over time, strengthening both their science and critical-thinking skills. The garden also provided opportunities to incorporate math through measuring plant growth and social studies through discussions about agriculture, food systems, and environmental stewardship.\r\n\r\nThe garden has also fostered a strong sense of ownership and teamwork. Students understand that the success of the garden depends on everyone's contributions, and they have embraced the responsibility of caring for a shared space. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, our students have gained valuable academic skills, developed a deeper appreciation for the natural world, and experienced the joy of nurturing something from seed to harvest.","fullyFundedDate":1746786131517,"projectUrl":"project/growing-minds-building-our-community-ga/9123472/","projectTitle":"Growing Minds: Building Our Community Garden Together!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sandoval","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9700342_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y256&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727938385718","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9700342"},{"teacherId":9700342,"projectId":9120259,"letterContent":"The new sports equipment has made a tremendous difference in our students' daily lives. From the moment the volleyballs, basketballs, soccer balls, and badminton rackets arrived, students were excited to get moving and participate in active play.\r\n\r\nPhysical activity looks vibrant and engaging in our classroom community. Students eagerly organize volleyball games, practice basketball skills, play soccer with friends, and explore new activities like badminton. The equipment has helped keep students active, focused, and engaged while providing a positive outlet for their energy.\r\n\r\nBeyond physical fitness, this project has taught valuable life lessons about perseverance, responsibility, respect, and teamwork. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, our students have access to equipment that supports their physical well-being while helping them develop important social and emotional skills that will benefit them for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1746786326531,"projectUrl":"project/game-on-bringing-more-sports-to-our-5th/9120259/","projectTitle":"Game On! Bringing More Sports to Our 5th-Grade Athletes","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sandoval","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9700342_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y256&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727938385718","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9700342"},{"teacherId":8344612,"projectId":10047042,"letterContent":"These sports equipment replacements have made it possible to create a structured play experience at lunch recess. The students are so much happier because they have something to do that is fun and engaging. They can now play games such as \"Birds in a Nest\" and \"Volleyball 4 Square\". The number of office referrals has decreased as well. I attribute this to the fact that students are now engaged in active play with each other and there have been fewer conflicts between everyone. The whole \"vibe\" of the playground has changed as a result of the fulfillment of my project. I can not thank you enough for making a contribution to the happiness of the students at John Steinbeck Elementary School.","fullyFundedDate":1771636888081,"projectUrl":"project/catching-on-to-play/10047042/","projectTitle":"Catching on to Play","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. G","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8344612_orig.jpg?crop=1280,1280,x160,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1762473714435","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8344612"},{"teacherId":9700342,"projectId":9319407,"letterContent":"I am so grateful for your support of \"Drawing Success: A Digital Tablet to Elevate Instruction & Creativity.\" This tool has truly transformed my teaching and the way my students learn. I use it every day in math, science, and even art lessons, allowing me to draw notes, diagrams, and examples just like I would in a notebook, but now it is much clearer and easier for all students to see. Before, using the document camera sometimes caused glare or made my handwriting difficult to read, but the digital tablet solves that problem entirely.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite classroom moments was when I demonstrated a complex math problem on the tablet. Students were able to follow each step clearly, ask questions in real time, and even try solving problems alongside me. Their engagement and excitement during the lesson were incredible to see. This tool has allowed me to better meet the needs of all learners, giving every student a chance to succeed and feel confident in their understanding.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, I am excited to continue using this tablet to explore creative ways to teach, from interactive lessons to digital art projects. It has helped me grow as a teacher, improve my instruction, and find new ways to connect with my students every day.","fullyFundedDate":1746785287595,"projectUrl":"project/drawing-success-a-digital-tablet-to-ele/9319407/","projectTitle":"Drawing Success: A Digital Tablet to Elevate Instruction & Creativity","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sandoval","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9700342_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y256&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727938385718","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9700342"},{"teacherId":5784766,"projectId":10027659,"letterContent":"Thank you for donating to my project. I teach students with Autism in a special day class and we are aligned with the common core state standards and even though we learn slower or different we do everything that the general education students do in the \"regular\" classes. With these books we will do a novel study of the book. I play the audiobook while students follow along with their own books. Then we answer comprehension questions and do a project once done reading the whole book.\r\nAs a treat we watch the movie with popcorn after as a treat!","fullyFundedDate":1769177815283,"projectUrl":"project/novel-studies/10027659/","projectTitle":"Novel Studies","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fauver","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5784766"},{"teacherId":9700342,"projectId":9857001,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity. I was so aesthetic to tell my colleague that the project was fulfilled and she was still grateful she had shared with her students that they would be getting hardcover books and they all cheered with excitement. These books are such a wonderful way of allowing their culture to be represented or even introducing to other cultures. Thank you for taking the time to look at this project and thank you for selecting it. My colleagues and I and the students are beyond blessed by your generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1771895543607,"projectUrl":"project/gold-in-the-classroom-inspiring-5th-gra/9857001/","projectTitle":"Gold in the Classroom: Inspiring 5th Graders Through Novel Studies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sandoval","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9700342_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y256&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727938385718","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9700342"},{"teacherId":10052211,"projectId":9570964,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping bring The Circuit to life for my 5th grade students. Because of your generosity, my students are truly experiencing the power of reading in a deep and meaningful way.\r\n\r\nThe students are absolutely enjoying this book. In fact, they often get upset when we finish a chapter because they want to keep reading! They are deeply engaged in the story and are able to feel the sadness and emotions connected to the events the author describes. Many students have shared how powerful it is to read an autobiography and know that these events truly happened, which has helped them connect even more to the text.\r\n\r\nThe excitement doesn't stop there, students are eager to take their Accelerated Reader quiz after finishing the book, and they are already thrilled at the idea of comparing and contrasting The Circuit with Esperanza Rising once we complete our reading. Their enthusiasm, curiosity, and empathy have grown with every chapter.\r\n\r\nThank you for making this experience possible. Your support has helped foster a love of reading, deeper understanding, and meaningful conversations in our classroom. We are so grateful for you. With appreciation and gratitude from all of my students!","fullyFundedDate":1764623374295,"projectUrl":"project/help-bring-the-circuit-to-life-for-my/9570964/","projectTitle":"Help Bring “The Circuit” to Life for My 5thgrade Students!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gonzalez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10052211_orig.jpg?crop=2268,2268,x0,y884&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1777821893392","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10052211"},{"teacherId":5784766,"projectId":9657207,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your kind generosity my students were so excited to see the new incentives I had to offer due to you funding my recent project.\r\nMy students come from low income farm working migrant families where they don't have extra funds to be able to purchase prizes such as these legos so my students were very happy to see they could not only use the Legos but take them home to keep.\r\nThe joy in their eyes brought tears to mine seeing them pick a Lego set of their own. Thank you again for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1758636641591,"projectUrl":"project/christmas-project/9657207/","projectTitle":"Christmas Project","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fauver","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5784766"},{"teacherId":10052874,"projectId":9404552,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my students now have brand new classroom sets of books to read and enjoy together. Having enough copies for everyone has completely transformed our reading time—students can follow along, engage in meaningful discussions, and truly feel part of a shared learning experience. \r\n\r\nYour support has not only provided us with the materials we needed but also inspired a stronger sense of community and love for reading in my classroom. These books are helping my students see themselves as capable readers and active participants in our learning journey. Thank you for believing in them and for making such a lasting difference in their education.","fullyFundedDate":1750437212350,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-books-to-our-classroom-a-reque/9404552/","projectTitle":"Bringing Books to Our Classroom: A Request for Support","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sawyer Ortwig","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10052874_orig.jpg?crop=1338,1338,x0,y272&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1750441539372","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10052874"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_55777","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":500,"numTeachers":26,"percentFrplEligible":83,"percentAsian":3,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":2,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":89,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":4,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"19.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":83.3,"schoolId":55777,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about John E Steinbeck Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"John E Steinbeck Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/alisal-union-school-district/john-e-steinbeck-elementary-school/55777"}