{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"McKinley Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":13.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8716770,"projectId":9272914,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity and support of our project, Operation: Snack Squad, our classroom has been transformed in ways that go far beyond just having food available. The snack donations we received have been an absolute blessing, creating an environment that is welcoming, engaging, and motivating for our students. Social skills group, which was already a favorite activity for many of our students, has become an even more exciting and anticipated part of their day. The students now enter the classroom with enthusiasm and curiosity, often noticing the snacks arranged neatly on their desks, ready for them to enjoy. This simple addition has made a big difference in how they feel about coming to class; it fosters a sense of belonging, comfort, and excitement. The presence of snacks has also created a warm and inviting atmosphere where students feel valued and cared for, which has strengthened our classroom community and encouraged positive interactions among peers.\r\n\r\nThe students' reactions to seeing the variety of snacks for the first time were priceless. There were smiles, laughter, and a genuine sense of joy as they discovered that snacks were now a part of their learning environment. For many students, these snacks are more than just a treat—they are a tangible reward for their hard work and participation. During social skills group, students now have the opportunity to earn snacks for demonstrating cooperation, active listening, and respectful communication. This has led to increased engagement and motivation as they strive to meet classroom expectations and support each other in practicing these important skills. Witnessing their excitement and eagerness to participate not only brightens my day as an educator but also reinforces the power of thoughtful resources in promoting positive behavior and learning. These small rewards have helped students see the connection between effort and recognition, building confidence and reinforcing the value of teamwork and persistence.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, the impact of Operation: Snack Squad continues to grow. We are already planning how to integrate these resources into upcoming lessons and projects to maximize their benefits. For example, during our next social skills group sessions, students will participate in structured collaborative activities where they can earn snacks for demonstrating empathy, problem-solving, and cooperation. Beyond just individual rewards, we are exploring ways to use the snacks to foster group achievements, encouraging students to work together toward shared goals and celebrate collective success. These next steps will not only continue to motivate students but also strengthen their social-emotional growth, teaching them important life skills while creating joyful, memorable learning experiences. Your contribution has made this possible, and the lasting effect on our students' engagement, confidence, and happiness is something that will continue to shape our classroom for months to come.","fullyFundedDate":1746785670462,"projectUrl":"project/operation-snack-squad/9272914/","projectTitle":"Operation: Snack Squad","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Castillo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8716770"},{"teacherId":8716770,"projectId":9130116,"letterContent":"On behalf of my students and myself, I would like to sincerely thank you for your generous donation of snacks for our classroom. Your thoughtful contribution made such a positive difference in our group sessions. The small snacks provided the perfect way to welcome students as they came in, setting a warm and inviting tone for the day, while the larger snacks were a wonderful way to celebrate and encourage participation.\r\n\r\nThe students were truly excited when they saw the snacks, and what they enjoyed most was the variety you provided. It brought joy to our classroom and gave the students an extra boost of motivation. Your kindness not only nourished them physically but also created a sense of care and encouragement that they will remember. We are so grateful for your generosity and support of our students' learning experience.","fullyFundedDate":1744922883417,"projectUrl":"project/snack-donations/9130116/","projectTitle":"Snack Donations","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Castillo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8716770"},{"teacherId":6878683,"projectId":8616177,"letterContent":"I want to thank you again for your wonderful donation. My 3rd grade classrooms were so excited when learning about rainbow trouts during these past weeks. They got to see the changes in the fish each week, and loved to see them grow.\r\nThe students created models of the fish eggs, trout life cycle mobiles, dissected fish gills, and even designed their own trout based on adaptations they could have.\r\nAt the end of the time the students were able to watch a video of the release of the trout and were happy to see them get to go into nature. Your donation of the cooler unit made such a huge impact on them.","fullyFundedDate":1725908113356,"projectUrl":"project/trout-in-an-inner-city-classroom/8616177/","projectTitle":"Trout in an Inner City Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Herrera","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6878683"},{"teacherId":1481158,"projectId":8600383,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of ink for our classroom. Because of your support, my first-grade students have been able to access colorful, engaging visuals that bring their learning to life. From vibrant reading materials and math charts to interactive learning games and student-made projects, the printed materials you helped provide have made a world of difference in how my students understand and connect with the curriculum.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has truly transformed our learning environment. With visual aids, my students—especially those who learn best by seeing—have shown more confidence, excitement, and curiosity in class. It's amazing to see their eyes light up when they receive a colorful worksheet or see a bright anchor chart that helps them make sense of new concepts. Your donation didn't just supply ink—it gave my students a brighter, more accessible path to learning. Thank you for believing in them and in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1731940451917,"projectUrl":"project/enhanced-engagement-through-visual-mater/8600383/","projectTitle":"Enhanced Engagement Through Visual Materials","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Stronach","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1481158_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753415279505","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1481158"},{"teacherId":1481158,"projectId":8911144,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of printer ink and paper. These everyday essentials have made a big impact in our classroom by allowing students to engage with printed materials that support their learning in meaningful ways. With access to printed worksheets, reading passages, and graphic organizers, students are better able to focus, highlight key information, and interact with their learning physically. The ability to touch, write on, and take home materials gives them a deeper connection to the content.\r\n\r\nHaving reliable access to ink and paper also helps me tailor lessons to meet the diverse needs of my students. I can print differentiated resources, extra practice sheets, and personalized feedback to support each student's growth. For visual learners, printed materials make complex concepts easier to understand, while students who need repetition benefit from printed review packets they can use at their own pace. It's these small but crucial tools that make individualized learning possible.\r\n\r\nMy students especially enjoy seeing their work printed and displayed around the classroom or taken home to show their families. There's a real sense of pride that comes from holding something they've created in their hands. Thanks to your support, my students have the opportunity to learn through print in a way that's engaging, accessible, and effective. Your generosity has helped create a learning environment where every student feels equipped and encouraged to succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1731940495008,"projectUrl":"project/vivid-visuals/8911144/","projectTitle":"Vivid Visuals","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Stronach","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1481158_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753415279505","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1481158"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_79331","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":619,"numTeachers":34,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":16,"percentWhite":5,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":75,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"18.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":86.3,"schoolId":79331,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about McKinley Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"McKinley Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/bakersfield-city-school-district/mckinley-elementary-school/79331"}