{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Vanalden Avenue Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":35.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":1217950,"projectId":9919600,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding the diverse books for our classroom. When the boxes arrived, my students were bursting with excitement — they gathered around, flipping through pages, pointing to characters that looked like them, and calling out stories they wanted to read first. Some students chose books that reflected their own cultures; others picked titles that showed lives and experiences different from their own. The energy in the room was electric.\r\n\r\nThese books are already making a real impact:\r\n\r\nAcademic growth: Students are more motivated to read independently and to discuss texts during guided reading. Their comprehension and vocabulary are improving because they're engaged with stories they care about.\r\nSocial-emotional learning (SEL): Seeing themselves in books promoted pride and belonging. Reading about diverse perspectives built empathy, sparked respectful conversations, and helped students reflect on their own feelings and choices.\r\nCultural understanding: Class discussions have become richer. Students ask thoughtful questions, share personal connections, and celebrate both differences and commonalities.\r\nConfidence and voice: Several quieter students have chosen to read aloud and share their thoughts — the representation in these books gave them permission to be seen and heard.\r\nWe use these books in small groups, read-alouds, and independent reading time. They've become anchors for lessons on identity, kindness, and perspective-taking. Thank you for helping create a classroom where every student can see themselves and learn from others. Your generosity is shaping readers, thinkers, and more compassionate citizens.","fullyFundedDate":1764628733880,"projectUrl":"project/spotlight-on-diversity-multicultural-bo/9919600/","projectTitle":"Spotlight on Diversity: Multicultural Books and Reader Role Kits","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":9927111,"letterContent":"On behalf of our art classroom and every student who walks through our doors, I offer our heartfelt thanks for funding the new mobile art cart. Your gift will make a real, everyday difference for our program.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support we now have a safe, organized place to dry and store student artwork between lessons. This simple improvement solves a constant classroom challenge—wet paintings and projects needing space to dry—so materials won't be damaged, work won't be lost, and students can continue creating without interruption. The cart's mobility means drying space follows our classes, supports small-group projects across different rooms, and keeps the studio tidy and accessible.\r\n\r\nThe impact goes beyond convenience. Students will feel that their work is valued when it has a proper home while it dries. That respect boosts pride, persistence, and confidence in their creative risks. Now I gain flexibility to plan multi-step projects, introduce new media, and manage transitions more smoothly. Over time, we expect to see richer portfolios, more ambitious collaborative projects, and stronger engagement from learners who know their work will be cared for.\r\n\r\nWe are so excited to put the cart to use immediately. Already, students are talking about projects they can try now that drying space is available. Your generosity supports their growth as makers and thinkers—and models the kind of community investment in arts education that transforms school experiences.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students and the power of art education!","fullyFundedDate":1764372664746,"projectUrl":"project/the-artdry-rollaway-rack/9927111/","projectTitle":"The ArtDry Rollaway Rack","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":9911536,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom. Your gifts have already transformed the way our second‑grade scientists explore, create, and learn.\r\n\r\nBecause of you we now have insect resin specimens, microscopes, magnifying glasses, LEGOs and 3D building materials, programmed robots, storage containers, and STEM kits — each item playing a special role in our small‑group rotation model. The room buzzes with excitement: students cheer to move between stations, and you can feel their curiosity grow with every rotation.\r\n\r\nWhat your donations made possible\r\n\r\nInsect resin specimens — Students carefully observe real insect features up close, describing body parts and using evidence to support their ideas. These durable specimens make life cycles and habitats tangible while strengthening science vocabulary and observational habits.\r\nMicroscopes & magnifying glasses — Everyday investigations have become powerful science experiences. Children take turns using student microscopes and handheld magnifiers to study textures, plant cells, fabric weaves, and insect details, then share discoveries during group discussions.\r\nLEGOs & 3D building materials — Open‑ended building challenges spark engineering thinking and spatial reasoning. Students collaborate to design bridges, habitats, and machines, trying ideas, iterating, and celebrating creative solutions.\r\nProgrammed robots — Our coding station turns playful exploration into early computational thinking. Through sequencing and trial‑and‑error, students learn cause‑and‑effect and explain their algorithms to peers.\r\nSTEM kits — Curated experiments and design challenges give clear, standards‑aligned tasks that guide inquiry while leaving room for student choice and creativity.\r\nStorage containers — Organized materials keep rotations smooth and maximize hands‑on time. Quick transitions mean more learning, more practice, and more student ownership.\r\nClassroom impact Small‑group rotations have become the heart of our instruction. In short, focused bursts, students receive targeted support, practice skills with peers, and apply learning in meaningful projects. I've watched quieter students find confidence in small groups, friendships deepen around shared challenges, and academic risks turn into growth. Formative checks already show gains in vocabulary, observation skills, problem solving, and collaborative communication.\r\n\r\nThank you, sincerely Your investment is more than materials — it's a vote of confidence in our students' curiosity, creativity, and potential. Every time a child peers into a microscope, programs a robot, or proudly presents a LEGO design, your generosity is at work. We are deeply grateful for your support and for partnering with us to make learning joyful and powerful.","fullyFundedDate":1763929878068,"projectUrl":"project/steam-discovery-station/9911536/","projectTitle":"STEAM Discovery Station","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":9926371,"letterContent":"On behalf of our students and staff, thank you for generously funding our classroom economy project. Your support has had an immediate and joyful impact — you gave students a real chance to practice essential life skills while having fun.\r\n\r\nBecause of your gift, students experienced the excitement of earning and using their own classroom currency. They earned money for good citizenship, strong work habits, and thoughtful study — then used those earnings to buy prizes, save toward larger goals, and trade with one another. Watching them count, calculate change, compare prices, and decide whether to spend or save was a classroom highlight. Many students delighted in selecting small rewards right away, while others practiced patience and goal-setting by saving for something bigger. The conversations about budgeting, making choices, and collaborating were rich and authentic.\r\n\r\nBeyond the math practice — adding, subtracting, estimating, and problem-solving — the project strengthened social skills, responsibility, and pride. Students beamed as they completed transactions, negotiated trades, and celebrated one another's successes. These moments of ownership and agency have made learning tangible and memorable.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our learners. Your generosity turned a lesson into an experience they'll remember and built practical skills they'll use for years. We're deeply grateful for your partnership in making this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1764438427503,"projectUrl":"project/a-yearlong-classroom-economy/9926371/","projectTitle":"A Year‑Long Classroom Economy","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":9911537,"letterContent":"Students were cheering with joy when they learn that each one of them will finally get a headphone that works. We are really grateful for your donation!\r\n\r\nThank you so much for donating headphones to our 2nd‑grade classroom. Your generosity makes an immediate, meaningful difference for our students.\r\n\r\nBecause of your gift:\r\n\r\nStudents can focus better during independent reading and listening centers, reducing distractions and improving comprehension.\r\n\r\nSmall‑group and blended learning rotations run more smoothly — each child has access to audio resources and adaptive programs at the same time.\r\n\r\nChildren who need a quieter workspace or sensory support can participate more comfortably and confidently.\r\n\r\nClassroom management is easier, so instructional time is more productive and students make faster progress.\r\n\r\nWe've already seen quieter, more engaged work times and happier faces when children use their own headphones. Gone are the days with the headphone struggle with low volume, no volume or only one side of the headphone has volume. We are truly grateful for your generos donation!","fullyFundedDate":1764186013513,"projectUrl":"project/tune-into-learning-headphones-for-every/9911537/","projectTitle":"Tune Into Learning: Headphones For Every 2nd Grader","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":6617268,"projectId":9557271,"letterContent":"Thanks to your incredible generosity, our makerspace, The Grove, has officially transformed into the creative hub our students and teachers always imagined. The arrival of the Cricut Venture has opened the door for bigger ideas, bolder designs, and hands-on learning that feels truly authentic.\r\n\r\nThe excitement began the moment my fellow teachers first saw the machine in action. Eyes widened, hands shot into the air, and many asked, \"Wait... it can do THAT?\" They were amazed not just by the Cricut Venture's size and speed, but by the realization that their digital designs could now become real, professional-quality creations. Students immediately began brainstorming posters, banners, stickers, apparel designs, and even props for upcoming school performances.\r\n\r\nSince then, the Cricut Venture has become an extremely useful tools in both class projects and school-wide initiatives. Our Maker Club has taken the lead in designing and producing large posters for campus events, from spirit days to service campaigns. Teachers have jumped in as well—using it during professional-development sessions to learn how they can incorporate digital design and fabrication into their own lessons. The Venture's speed and large capacity have shortened project times, which has made collaborative projects more engaging and accessible for everyone.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, my fellow teachers and I are already planning our next projects. The Cricut Venture has given them and me the confidence to dream bigger and the tools to bring those ideas to life.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students, and my fellow teachers and I and in our creativity, and the future of The Grove. Your support has made a lasting impact—not just on the quality of their projects, but on their sense of pride, agency, and possibility. We are so grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1755375251741,"projectUrl":"project/venture-to-new-learning-heights-with-cri/9557271/","projectTitle":"Venture to New Learning Heights with Cricut Venture","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":1217950,"projectId":9874419,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding our classroom library! Our students absolutely love Bad Kitty — they laugh at the stories and adore the silly sense of humor. The students love the illustrations and Kitty's dramatic expressions! They also appreciate the wide variety of chapter books you provided such as Dogman, Princess In Black, Chocolate Touch and DIary of the Wimpy Kid. Also, thank you for the rotating bookshelf so we have extra storage space! It makes us feel incredibly special that the author of the book we love helped fund the project. We are beyond grateful!\r\n\r\nThe chapter books have made a big impact on our 2nd graders: they're building reading stamina, growing vocabulary, improving comprehension, and gaining confidence as readers. Most important, these books have sparked joy and a real love of reading that shows up every day in our classroom.\r\n\r\nWe have also used the books to read during small groups and discuss the story elements and vocabulary. \r\n\r\nWith heartfelt thanks,","fullyFundedDate":1763308175594,"projectUrl":"project/beginning-chapter-books-building-reader/9874419/","projectTitle":"Beginning Chapter Books: Building Readers Today, Leaders Tomorrow","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":9817358,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding the beginning chapter books for our students. The books were an instant hit — when the children saw them they cheered, smiled, and couldn't wait to start reading. Your gift has already created so much joy and helped spark a real love of reading in our classroom.\r\n\r\nBecauset of the chapter books we got, students are building reading stamina so they can focus on longer texts. It also helped them expand vocabulary through repeated exposure to new words in context. Students' reading comprehension also has imporved as they follow plots, characters, and sequences over multiple chapters. It also trengthen fluency and expression through practice and rereading and increasing confidence and independence as readers who can tackle chapter-length stories.\r\n\r\nStudents love to buddy up and take turn reading the chapter books together and discussing about the stories with friends. . \r\n\r\n\r\nWe are deeply grateful for your support and for making this special moment possible.","fullyFundedDate":1763638324240,"projectUrl":"project/bright-beginnings-chapter-books-to-spar/9817358/","projectTitle":"Bright Beginnings: Chapter Books to Spark 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":1217950,"projectId":9898524,"letterContent":"We are so grateful for your generous support of our canvas painting project. When I told the students they would be painting on canvases like real-life artists, their excitement was instant — faces lit up, and many gasped with amazement. They could hardly wait to begin!\r\n\r\nThe lesson was hands-on, engaging, and joyful. Students explored new art materials and learned important vocabulary as they worked: canvas, acrylic paint, easel, mixtures, paint pallates, overlapping, background, foreground, canvas, lines, shapes, textures, primary colors and secondary colors. Watching them experiment with color mixing, layering backgrounds and foregrounds, and creating textures with different brush strokes was inspiring.\r\n\r\nBecause of your gift, students had the authentic experience of creating art on canvas — a dream come true for many. Your support has not only taught artistic skills but also kindled confidence, creativity, and a deeper appreciation for the arts. You have helped inspire young artists to dream, create, and love learning.\r\n\r\nThank you so much for making this experience possible. We are deeply appreciative of your kindness and investment in our students.","fullyFundedDate":1763327146019,"projectUrl":"project/colorful-beginnings-our-first-canvas-ex/9898524/","projectTitle":"Colorful Beginnings: Our First Canvas Experience","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":9893171,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding our classroom project to purchase the wobbly stools. Your generosity made an immediate, joyful difference.\r\n\r\nWhen the stools arrived, every student wanted to try one — and it was easy to see why. The stools tuck neatly under tables, freeing up important floor space, and students can join small groups quickly without needing to carry a chair across the room. Because of your gift, transitions are smoother and our classroom feels more flexible and welcoming.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, students are more engaged and focused during small-group work. The simple change of furniture has helped them settle into collaborative tasks more easily and concentrate on their learning. Your support has created more opportunities for meaningful interaction, hands-on learning, and deeper understanding.\r\n\r\nWe are so grateful for your investment in our students' learning environment. Your kindness is making school more comfortable, manageable, and inspiring for our learners each day.","fullyFundedDate":1763490334544,"projectUrl":"project/wobbly-chairs-for-focused-small-group-le/9893171/","projectTitle":"Wobbly Chairs for Focused Small-Group Learning","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":9666844,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding our classroom project to purchase the wobbly stools. Your generosity made an immediate, joyful difference.\r\n\r\nWhen the stools arrived, every student wanted to try one — and it was easy to see why. The stools tuck neatly under tables, freeing up important floor space, and students can join small groups quickly without needing to carry a chair across the room. Because of your gift, transitions are smoother and our classroom feels more flexible and welcoming.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, students are more engaged and focused during small-group work. The simple change of furniture has helped them settle into collaborative tasks more easily and concentrate on their learning. Your support has created more opportunities for meaningful interaction, hands-on learning, and deeper understanding.\r\n\r\nWe are so grateful for your investment in our students' learning environment. Your kindness is making school more comfortable, manageable, and inspiring for our learners each day.","fullyFundedDate":1763590367916,"projectUrl":"project/flexible-seating/9666844/","projectTitle":"Flexible Seating","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":9858927,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping bring hula hoops, dodgeballs, and the wooden‑spoon race game to our classroom! Your generosity has had a wonderful impact on our students' physical education and play.\r\n\r\nSince receiving these items, students have been excited to try activities they've never done before. We used to play dodgeball with regular handballs, and the new dodgeballs were an immediate hit—safer, bouncier, and perfect for skill practice. The wooden‑spoon race game sparked pure delight; children who had never tried it laughed, cheered, and worked together to balance and race, building coordination and teamwork in a fun way. Hula hoops have become a favorite for improving balance, core strength, and confidence as kids challenge themselves and celebrate small wins.\r\n\r\nIntroducing a variety of sports and games is wonderful for exposing students to different ways to be active, learn new skills, and find activities they love. Our students are truly loving P.E.—they arrive eager, engaged, and ready to move.\r\n\r\nThank you for making our P.E. lessons more joyful, diverse, and meaningful. Your support is helping our students grow healthier, happier, and more confident.","fullyFundedDate":1762186603257,"projectUrl":"project/healthy-hearts-happy-hands-fun-sports/9858927/","projectTitle":"Healthy Hearts, Happy Hands: Fun Sports Gear for Kids","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"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_7074","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":386,"numTeachers":20,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":4,"percentBlack":3,"percentWhite":14,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":74,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"19.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":64.5,"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"}