{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Vanalden Avenue Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":35.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6617268,"projectId":7035895,"letterContent":"First, I owe you a sincere apology. This thank-you is long overdue—nearly four years late—but my appreciation for your generosity has only grown with time. Your gift has continued to benefit hundreds of students, and I wanted to share the lasting impact it has had on our classroom.\r\n\r\nReceiving a second iPad was a game changer for our computer lab. It allowed more students to participate in creative projects at the same time, making lessons more collaborative and reducing the wait for students eager to create. Instead of taking turns one at a time, students were able to work together, experiment with new ideas, and stay engaged throughout each lesson.\r\n\r\nOver the past several years, we've used the iPads to explore video production, green screen activities, digital storytelling, and other creative apps that aren't available on our district-managed devices. These tools have allowed students to think like creators rather than just consumers of technology. They love seeing themselves on screen, editing their own videos, and discovering new ways to communicate their ideas.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite moments has been watching students who are typically quiet or hesitant come alive during these projects. Giving them creative ways to express themselves has helped build confidence, teamwork, and problem-solving skills while making technology feel approachable and exciting.\r\n\r\nLooking back, it's incredible to realize how many students have benefited from this single donation. Year after year, these iPads continue to be an important part of our computer lab, helping students develop creativity, digital literacy, and the confidence to try new things.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students and investing in their future. Your generosity has had a lasting impact on our school, and we are deeply grateful for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1669750892769,"projectUrl":"project/from-ipad-to-ilearn-take-2/7035895/","projectTitle":"From iPad to iLearn Take 2","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nickel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6617268_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755354818159","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6617268"},{"teacherId":6617268,"projectId":6936498,"letterContent":"First, I owe you an apology. It has taken me far too long—nearly four years—to write this thank-you note. Although it's long overdue, my gratitude is no less genuine. Your generosity has continued to make an impact in my classroom year after year, and I wanted to take a moment to let you know just how much your support has meant to my students and me.\r\n\r\nThe iPad has become an incredible creative tool in our computer lab. Because our district-managed computers have limitations on which apps can be installed, having access to an iPad has allowed students to explore educational apps that bring their ideas to life. We've begun introducing students to activities like creating videos, experimenting with green screen effects, and learning the basics of digital media production. Instead of just consuming technology, students are becoming creators with it.\r\n\r\nThe excitement was immediate when students saw the iPad. They were eager to explore the creative possibilities and were amazed by how quickly they could record, edit, and enhance their own projects. Even students who are sometimes hesitant to participate have become more engaged when given the opportunity to create something unique using these tools.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite things to watch has been students proudly sharing their finished work with classmates. Whether they're creating a video, telling a story, or experimenting with a new app, they're building confidence, problem-solving skills, creativity, and digital literacy along the way.\r\n\r\nLooking back over the past four years, it's amazing to see how many students have benefited from this single donation. Your generosity has had a lasting impact that extends far beyond one lesson or one school year.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our students and helping provide them with meaningful, real-world technology experiences. Your support has inspired countless young creators, innovators, and lifelong learners, and for that I am truly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1667833859282,"projectUrl":"project/from-ipad-to-ilearn/6936498/","projectTitle":"From iPad to iLearn","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nickel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6617268_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755354818159","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6617268"},{"teacherId":6617268,"projectId":9982046,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for making our ABCya Classroom Membership possible! Your generosity has had an immediate impact on my students and has brought even more excitement and engagement into our computer lab.\r\n\r\nFrom the very first day, students were eager to explore the games and couldn't wait to jump into learning. They were excited to discover that practicing important skills like mouse control, typing, math, reading, and problem-solving could be so much fun. I loved hearing comments like, \"Can we play another one?\" while knowing they were actively building foundational technology and academic skills.\r\n\r\nWe've been using ABCya as part of our computer lab lessons to reinforce the concepts we're learning while also giving students opportunities to strengthen their confidence using a computer. Whether they're practicing clicking and dragging, improving keyboard and mouse skills, or applying what they've learned in engaging educational games, every student is able to participate and learn at their own pace.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite moments has been watching students who were once hesitant to use a computer become more independent and confident with each visit to The Orchard. The games create a positive learning environment where students are excited to try, make mistakes, and keep learning.\r\n\r\nAs we look ahead, we'll continue incorporating ABCya into our computer lab lessons to reinforce classroom learning and help students build the digital skills they'll use throughout their education.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our students and helping make learning both meaningful and fun. Your generosity is making a difference!","fullyFundedDate":1768401204938,"projectUrl":"project/mouse-skills-made-fun-with-abcya/9982046/","projectTitle":"Mouse Skills Made Fun with ABCya!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nickel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6617268_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755354818159","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6617268"},{"teacherId":6617268,"projectId":9697642,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and helping make this project a reality! Thanks to your generosity, our students were able to begin exploring the exciting world of t-shirt design using blank shirts and Cricut iron-on materials.\r\n\r\nWhen the supplies arrived, my students were thrilled! Many had never seen the process of designing and creating a custom shirt before, and they couldn't wait to get started. There was so much excitement as they watched their digital designs transform into something they could actually hold and wear. It was incredible to see their creativity come to life.\r\n\r\nWe used these materials to introduce students to the complete design process—from brainstorming ideas and creating graphics on the computer to cutting, preparing, and applying the iron-on designs to their shirts. Along the way, they practiced creativity, problem-solving, attention to detail, and perseverance while learning valuable technology and maker skills.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite moments was watching students proudly hold up the shirts they had created themselves. Seeing their confidence grow as they realized, \"I made this!\" was something truly special.\r\n\r\nThese resources are only the beginning. The shirts and Cricut materials have given students the opportunity to practice the skills they'll continue using next school year as we expand into creating custom shirts for our fifth-grade students. This project has laid the foundation for even more authentic design experiences in our makerspace, helping students turn their ideas into meaningful creations.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students and investing in their creativity. Your generosity is giving them opportunities to learn by making, create with confidence, and discover that their ideas have the power to become something real. We are incredibly grateful for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1757525346553,"projectUrl":"project/tee-rrific-creativity-shirts-that-spark/9697642/","projectTitle":"Tee-rrific Creativity: Shirts that Spark Student Pride","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nickel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6617268_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755354818159","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6617268"},{"teacherId":8334846,"projectId":10056081,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my students now have access to engaging, higher-level texts that are helping them grow into confident, thoughtful readers. With these new books, we've been able to focus on essential literacy skills such as identifying theme, analyzing characters, making inferences, and citing evidence to support their thinking. Students are moving beyond basic comprehension and learning to think deeply about what they read, making meaningful connections and engaging more fully with texts.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom has become a vibrant, student-driven experience. Each day, students read independently from books they are genuinely excited about and participate in meaningful discussions with their peers. I've seen hesitant readers become more confident as they find \"fun\" books that spark their interest, leading to increased stamina and enthusiasm for reading. Your support has transformed our classroom into a community of engaged readers, and I am truly grateful for the impact you've made on my students' learning.","fullyFundedDate":1773927738565,"projectUrl":"project/write-the-next-chapter-donate-books-to/10056081/","projectTitle":"Write the Next Chapter: Donate Books to Spark Imaginations! 4","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kim","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8334846_orig.png?crop=398,398,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1645763385898","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kim18"},{"teacherId":1217950,"projectId":9975586,"letterContent":"With heartfelt gratitude, thank you for your generous donation of materials to our 2nd grade classroom. Your support has transformed how my students learn and has made our classroom a place where learning is joyful, engaging, and fun.\r\n\r\nBecause of your gift, students now have hands-on tools and resources that bring lessons to life. Math becomes concrete when students manipulate blocks and pop its counters, and magnetic bills.\r\n\r\nThe impact has been immediate and remarkable. Students arrive eager to learn, excited to discover, and ready to participate. Lessons that once felt abstract are now tangible and meaningful. Struggling learners gain confidence through hands-on practice. Every child feels included and successful.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, your donation has made learning fun. Students laugh and celebrate small success during math activities, and beam with pride as they create and explore. Their enthusiasm and love of learning shine brighter each day.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has created a classroom where curiosity thrives, where every child feels capable, and where learning is an adventure. We are deeply grateful for your investment in our students' growth and joy.","fullyFundedDate":1774446359361,"projectUrl":"project/math-in-motion-handson-centers-that-ma/9975586/","projectTitle":"Math in Motion: Hands‑On Centers That Make Number Sense Pop!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Luc","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1217950_orig.jpg?crop=1536,1536,x0,y199&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1763131132277","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/katyluc"},{"teacherId":1217950,"projectId":10136011,"letterContent":"With my deepest gratitude, thank you for the generous gift of chapter books to our classroom. Your support has brought immeasurable joy and excitement to my 26 second graders.\r\n\r\nThe moment the books arrived, students' faces lit up with pure delight. They could hardly wait to open the boxes and discover new stories. Now, every day, I watch them eagerly reach for their favorite titles—I Survived, Goosebumps, Dogman book series, Pizza Taco and Max Meow—and settle into reading with genuine enthusiasm and focus.\r\n\r\nThe impact has been remarkable. Students who were hesitant readers now ask to read during free time. Struggling readers feel proud holding chapter books, and fluent readers are challenged and engaged by longer stories. These books have sparked meaningful conversations about characters, predictions, and favorite moments. Small groups gather to share discoveries, and students ask to take books home to read with their families. Thank you for giving them a love for reading!","fullyFundedDate":1774446495963,"projectUrl":"project/chapter-books-fostering-a-love-of-readi/10136011/","projectTitle":"Chapter Books- Fostering a Love of Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Luc","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1217950_orig.jpg?crop=1536,1536,x0,y199&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1763131132277","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/katyluc"},{"teacherId":8334846,"projectId":9905822,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom economy is thriving once again! When my students saw the Smalmart items arrive, their excitement was immediate. They couldn't wait to see what new treasures were available and immediately began talking about how much class cash they needed to save. Watching them eagerly calculate their earnings and plan their purchases was such a rewarding moment. These items have become powerful motivators that encourage students to stay focused, complete their work, and make positive choices throughout the day.\r\n\r\nStudents are actively using the classroom economy in their daily routines. They earn class cash through their classroom jobs, responsible behavior, and academic effort, and they carefully manage their money by saving or spending it at Smalmart. This system naturally integrates math skills like counting money and budgeting while also reinforcing real-world lessons about responsibility, patience, and goal setting.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, students will continue participating in our classroom economy as they work toward their financial goals and make thoughtful decisions about saving and spending. They are already discussing strategies for earning more class cash and planning what they hope to purchase next. Your support has helped create an engaging environment where students are excited to learn, take ownership of their choices, and experience the real-life rewards of hard work. Thank you for making this possible for my class!","fullyFundedDate":1766598401498,"projectUrl":"project/restock-on-smalmart-aisles/9905822/","projectTitle":"Restock on Smalmart Aisles","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kim","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8334846_orig.png?crop=398,398,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1645763385898","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kim18"},{"teacherId":4055798,"projectId":9920002,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding this project for my students. Your generosity truly impacts the way we create classroom decorations and fun projects inside our 4th-grade classroom! \r\n\r\nMy students saw the machine and were questioning what it was for. I explained to them what we would be using it for, and they got so excited! They were even more excited when they noticed the new classroom posters, mini crafts, and decorations with their names on them! I love that an advanced piece of technology was able to not only brighten my classroom, but also brighten many little ones' days. \r\n\r\nI will be needing new labels very soon, which will give me the chance to use the Cricut to decorate and customize brand new ones for the classroom to put everyone's names on. I could even customize them to what the kids like! Another amazing feature about the Cricut Joy Xtra! Your donation truly unleashed the creative, artistic, and enthusiastic part of my students.","fullyFundedDate":1764613547017,"projectUrl":"project/getting-crafty-and-creative-with-a-cricu/9920002/","projectTitle":"Getting Crafty and Creative With a Cricut Joy Xtra!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Santivanez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4055798_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1479435316165","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4055798"},{"teacherId":1217950,"projectId":9965296,"letterContent":"With heartfelt gratitude, thank you for bringing our hands‑on Health Heroes unit to life. Your generous support provided the materials and resources that turned science into an active, meaningful experience for our students.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, learning about the human body and its nutritional needs was spot on, engaging, and so much fun for everyone. Students were able to experience hands‑on labs, role‑plays, and design challenges that deepened their understanding of organs, movement, and healthy choices. Day 1's mystery patient sparked curiosity and questions that launched deep learning about bodies and organs. On Day 2, students practiced real observation and data recording in labs—checking heartbeats, measuring height, and comparing tastes—building scientific habits that will last. Day 3's Health Heroes Clinic let them take on roles as doctors, nurses, and coaches, growing empathy, teamwork, and communication as they listened, diagnosed, and offered healthy solutions. Day 4's design challenge fostered creativity and safety thinking as teams created movement routines and healthy snacks. Finally, Day 5's community share let families see students lead clinics, demonstrate routines, and teach others—an unforgettable moment of pride and learning.\r\n\r\nYour gift did more than buy supplies; it created authentic opportunities for students to observe, question, collaborate, and take responsibility for learning and health. I've seen increased engagement, stronger scientific vocabulary, greater confidence in speaking and presenting, and real joy in discovery. These experiences will influence classroom routines and students' healthy choices for years to come.\r\n\r\nWe are deeply grateful for your belief in our learners and for making this rich, hands‑on unit possible.","fullyFundedDate":1767033567232,"projectUrl":"project/caring-for-our-bodies-a-handson-real/9965296/","projectTitle":"Caring for Our Bodies — A Hands‑On, Real‑World Role‑Play Inquiry","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Luc","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1217950_orig.jpg?crop=1536,1536,x0,y199&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1763131132277","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/katyluc"},{"teacherId":1217950,"projectId":9918023,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our classroom art project. Your generous gift turned a lesson into a hands‑on experience that all students could access and enjoy. When the students first saw the materials, the room buzzed with excitement — eyes widened at the colors and textures, hands reached eagerly to explore paints, papers, and tools. Some paused in quiet wonder, others dove in, swapping ideas and sketching plans. That moment of discovery sparked animated conversations and quick collaboration.\r\n\r\nThroughout the project, students used the resources creatively and thoughtfully. They planned designs, divided tasks, and solved problems when techniques didn't work as expected. Quiet learners gained confidence and often led small groups; advanced students mentored peers. The finished pieces reflect cultural connections and personal interests and now brighten our classroom, sparking conversations with families. Beyond art, this experience strengthened planning, fine motor skills, visual literacy, teamwork, and resilience.","fullyFundedDate":1764786807750,"projectUrl":"project/inspired-strokes-create-like-a-master-a/9918023/","projectTitle":"Inspired Strokes: Create Like a Master Artist","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Luc","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1217950_orig.jpg?crop=1536,1536,x0,y199&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1763131132277","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/katyluc"},{"teacherId":4055798,"projectId":9795637,"letterContent":"I would like to express my immense gratitude for the donation of our Chromebook charging station. Your generosity has had an immediate, positive impact on our students and our daily teaching.\r\n\r\nThanks to your donation, my students can now begin lessons with charged devices, so no one misses instructional learning time due to a dead battery. We also lessen transitional minutes as we spend more time on instruction and collaborative work and less time on device management. Digital assignments and formative assessments happen reliably, giving me timely data to tailor instruction and interventions.\r\n\r\nBest of all, small groups run smoothly! Devices are ready when students move between stations, and students know when to rotate, which increases their independence. \r\nYour gift supports equity in our lovely classroom. Many of my students rely on school devices to complete homework and class projects; having a dependable charging solution ensures every child can fully participate and access grade-level learning.\r\n\r\nWe've already started using the charging station during math and writing workshops. Students enjoy taking responsibility for charging and storing their devices in an organized way, and I can tell it's helping build routines that strengthen focus and digital citizenship.\r\n\r\nThank you again for investing in our learners. Your kindness not only supplied a useful tool, but it also helped create a steadier, more effective learning environment.","fullyFundedDate":1762445616942,"projectUrl":"project/power-up-learning-chromebooks-easels/9795637/","projectTitle":"Power Up Learning: Chromebooks & Easels for Bright Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Santivanez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4055798_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1479435316165","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4055798"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_7074","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":353,"numTeachers":20,"percentFrplEligible":93,"percentAsian":4,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":16,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":74,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":1,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"17.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":64.4,"schoolId":7074,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Vanalden Avenue Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Vanalden Avenue Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/los-angeles-unified-school-district/vanalden-avenue-elementary-school/7074"}