{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Robert Sanders Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":21.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5844002,"projectId":9909973,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in funding our \"Science Camp Essentials\" project. When we first set out for our trip, we knew we were in for an adventure, but we didn't anticipate just how much we would rely on the gear you provided. The moment the students saw the brand-new sleeping bags, ponchos, and hand warmers, their excitement shifted from nervous anticipation to pure joy. For many of my students, having high-quality outdoor gear made them feel like \"real\" scientists ready to tackle the elements.\r\n\r\nAs it turned out, Mother Nature had a very rainy week in store for us! We truly would not have survived the experience comfortably without these supplies. During our night hike and forestry lessons, the rain was persistent, but the ponchos kept everyone dry while the hand warmers were absolute lifesavers during the chilly evening campfire sessions. Instead of focusing on being cold or wet, my students were able to focus on the local ecology, identifying native plants and observing the watershed in action. It was a powerful, hands-on lesson in resilience and scientific observation that they will never forget.","fullyFundedDate":1769736651431,"projectUrl":"project/science-camp-essentials/9909973/","projectTitle":"Science Camp Essentials","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kieffer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5844002_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1536363990875","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5844002"},{"teacherId":5844002,"projectId":9910544,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in bringing \"The Magical World of Reading\" to life in our classroom! Because of your support, every student now has their very own copy of Harry Potter, and the transformation in our room has been nothing short of spellbinding. These books have allowed us to move beyond simple literacy exercises and truly immerse ourselves in a rich, complex narrative that has captured every student's imagination.\r\n\r\nThe impact was immediate the moment we \"sorted\" the class into houses. This element of gamification and community-building has turned our daily reading block into the highlight of the day. Students aren't just practicing fluency and comprehension; they are debating character motivations, predicting plot twists, and connecting deeply with the themes of friendship and bravery. For many of my students, this is the first time they have felt truly \"lost\" in a book, and seeing that spark of engagement is the greatest gift a teacher could ask for.\r\n\r\nBy providing these materials, you have helped foster a genuine love for reading that will stay with these students long after they turn the final page. You've given them more than just books; you've given them a shared experience and a portal to a lifelong hobby. We are so grateful for your investment in our classroom and our future readers.","fullyFundedDate":1764716203900,"projectUrl":"project/the-magical-world-of-reading/9910544/","projectTitle":"The Magical World of Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kieffer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5844002_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1536363990875","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5844002"},{"teacherId":5844002,"projectId":9877263,"letterContent":"I cannot thank you enough for your incredible generosity in supporting our \"Imaginative Play\" project. The arrival of these STEM activity sets has completely transformed the energy in our classroom. From the moment my 4th and 5th graders walk through the door, they are no longer reaching for screens; instead, they are reaching for marble runs, building blocks, and hands-on manipulatives.\r\n\r\nThe reaction when they first saw the materials was pure excitement. Seeing a group of 10 and 11-year-olds huddle together to problem-solve a complex marble run or collaborate on a structural masterpiece is a joy to witness. This \"soft start\" to our morning allows them to wake up their brains, practice social-emotional skills, and engage in critical thinking before we even begin our formal lessons. It has created a sense of community and wonder that was missing during our digital-heavy routines.\r\n\r\nBeyond our morning choice time, these resources have become a staple in our core curriculum. We are using the building sets in Science to study physics and structural integrity, and the manipulatives in Math to visualize complex geometric patterns and spatial reasoning. Looking ahead, our next step is a classroom \"Engineering Challenge\" where students will have to use these specific materials to solve a real-world design problem. Thank you for giving my students the tools to build, create, and imagine!","fullyFundedDate":1766524098040,"projectUrl":"project/imaginative-play/9877263/","projectTitle":"Imaginative Play","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kieffer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5844002_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1536363990875","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5844002"},{"teacherId":5844002,"projectId":9162376,"letterContent":"I want to express my deepest gratitude for your incredible generosity in providing a class set of Holes by Louis Sachar for my students. Before your support, reading in our classroom often felt like a fragmented experience, as we scrambled to share a handful of worn-out copies or relied on digital excerpts. Now, every student has the opportunity to hold their own book, flip through the pages at their own pace, and truly immerse themselves in the world of Stanley Yelnats and Camp Green Lake.\r\n\r\nSince these books arrived, reading time has transformed into the highlight of our day. My students are captivated by the mystery of the buried treasure and the intricate way the past and present storylines intertwine. Beyond the engaging plot, these texts have allowed us to dive deep into complex literary skills like analyzing character development, irony, and the theme of social justice. Seeing a student's face light up when they finally \"connect the dots\" between Elya Yelnats and Stanley's current predicament is a testament to how powerful a high-interest, cohesive curriculum can be.\r\n\r\nThere are a few students in particular who have struggled with reading engagement in the past, often feeling defeated by difficult texts. However, the accessible yet profound nature of Holes has turned them into some of my most eager participants. They are the first to raise their hands to discuss \"The Warden\" or predict what will happen next. You haven't just provided books; you've provided a sense of ownership and confidence that my students will carry with them long after we finish the final chapter.","fullyFundedDate":1744255346825,"projectUrl":"project/filling-the-holes-in-our-curriculum/9162376/","projectTitle":"Filling the Holes in Our Curriculum!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kieffer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5844002_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1536363990875","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5844002"},{"teacherId":5844002,"projectId":7834821,"letterContent":"I want to express my deepest gratitude for your support in bringing computer mice into our classroom. While many of us use technology daily, it's easy to overlook how a simple tool like a mouse can fundamentally change a student's educational experience. For my students, having these mice has shifted the focus from struggling with hardware to mastering the material on the screen.\r\n\r\nThe students were incredibly excited to unbox the new equipment! Many of them have grown up using touchscreens or clunky trackpads, so having a responsive, ergonomic mouse felt like a \"pro-upgrade\" to them. This transition has significantly improved their fine motor skills and increased their speed during research projects and coding lessons.\r\n\r\nIn particular, I've seen a group of students who previously struggled with frustration during digital assignments really blossom. One student, who used to avoid our online math platform because the laptop trackpad was too difficult to navigate, is now finishing assignments independently. Your generosity has removed a physical barrier to their learning and replaced it with confidence.","fullyFundedDate":1695099156665,"projectUrl":"project/productivity-and-access-via-computer-mic/7834821/","projectTitle":"Productivity and Access via Computer Mice","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kieffer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5844002_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1536363990875","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5844002"},{"teacherId":5844002,"projectId":8544318,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of a class set of *Matilda*. Because of your support, every student was able to hold their own copy of the book, follow along closely, and truly immerse themselves in the story. From the very first chapters, my students fell in love with Matilda, Miss Honey, and even loved to debate the actions of characters like Miss Trunchbull. Having access to the same high-quality text helped create a shared reading experience that brought our classroom together.\r\n\r\nEach day, students eagerly asked when it was time to read and were excited to discuss predictions, character traits, and favorite moments. Many students who are typically hesitant readers became more confident and motivated, participating in discussions and looking forward to reading time. The humor, heart, and courage found in *Matilda* inspired meaningful conversations and helped students see themselves as capable, powerful readers.\r\n\r\nYour kindness made a lasting impact on our classroom community and helped foster a genuine love of reading. Thank you for believing in my students and investing in their learning. This book will be remembered as a story that sparked joy, curiosity, and a lifelong appreciation for reading.","fullyFundedDate":1727963350535,"projectUrl":"project/read-alouds-fostering-the-love-of-readin/8544318/","projectTitle":"Read-Alouds Fostering the Love of Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kieffer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5844002_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1536363990875","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5844002"},{"teacherId":9554279,"projectId":9429245,"letterContent":"My class was so excited to see that we had gotten dictionaries for our class ! Providing third graders with a class set of dictionaries offers valuable support for developing their vocabulary and language skills. At this stage, students are expanding their reading abilities and encountering a wide range of new words across subjects. Having access to dictionaries empowers them to look up definitions, check spelling, and explore word meanings independently. This practice builds their confidence as readers and writers while reinforcing phonics, spelling patterns, and proper word usage. It also encourages curiosity about language, helping students become more active learners rather than relying solely on the teacher for answers.\r\n\r\nDictionaries also play an important role in strengthening academic skills that extend beyond language arts. Regular use of dictionaries promotes critical thinking and problem-solving as students learn to alphabetize, use guide words, and select the correct definition for a word's context. These skills foster greater independence and prepare students for more complex research tasks in later grades. Additionally, having a shared class set ensures equal access for all learners, supporting equity in the classroom and allowing every student to build essential literacy skills at their own pace.","fullyFundedDate":1750729609967,"projectUrl":"project/help-us-spell-out-success/9429245/","projectTitle":"Help Us Spell Out Success!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rocha","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9554279_orig.jpg?crop=1528,1528,x694,y1042&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1716396410791","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9554279"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_4868","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":330,"numTeachers":20,"percentFrplEligible":78,"percentAsian":15,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":3,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":74,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"16.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":78.4,"schoolId":4868,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Robert Sanders Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Robert Sanders Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/mount-pleasant-elementary-school-district/robert-sanders-elementary-school/4868"}