{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Mariano Castro Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":18.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10237500,"projectId":10508356,"letterContent":"The Self-Love Planting Project gave students a hands-on opportunity to learn about self-worth, growth, and taking care of themselves. Students enjoyed filling their pots with soil, planting their flower seeds, and decorating their pots. As they watch their plants grow, students will see how plants need care, patience, and love to grow—just like we do. The activity provided a calming and engaging experience while encouraging students to think about their own strengths and the importance of self-care. Students were so excited to participate and eagerly signed up for this activity. This project helped make social-emotional learning meaningful and memorable by connecting a simple planting activity to important lessons about self-love, patience, and personal growth.","fullyFundedDate":1787453291103,"projectUrl":"project/student-self-love-project/10508356/","projectTitle":"Student Self Love Project","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kiera","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10237500_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1787002775105","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10237500"},{"teacherId":10237500,"projectId":10574206,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for bringing this project to life! When the students heard there was going to be a plant potting activity, they were so excited and quickly lined up at the door to be a part of it. They eagerly decorated their flower pots and talked about how their flowers would grow with love, just like we do. It was wonderful to see so many students excited to participate in this hands-on activity. The students had the opportunity to express their creativity, connect with one another, and learn about the importance of nurturing and caring for something as it grows. This activity provided a meaningful way to connect plant growth with self-love, patience, and personal growth. We had a great turnout, and the students truly benefited from this experience. Thank you for helping create such a fun, engaging, and meaningful opportunity for our students!","fullyFundedDate":1789054107822,"projectUrl":"project/teamwork-makes-the-dream-work-building/10574206/","projectTitle":"Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Building Cooperation through Books","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kiera","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10237500_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1787002775105","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10237500"},{"teacherId":9682821,"projectId":10552952,"letterContent":"The new STEAM classroom rug has made a wonderful difference in our classroom. It has created a comfortable, welcoming space where my students can come together for lessons, discussions, read, collaborate, and share ideas. Having a designated gathering space has helped make whole-group learning more engaging and has given students a place where they can feel connected to their classmates and our classroom community.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, I have been able to create more opportunities for students to learn together outside of their desks. Whether we are gathering for a lesson, having a class discussion, or simply taking a moment to connect, the rug has become an important part of our classroom. What may seem like a simple classroom rug has helped create a more inviting learning environment where my students can learn, participate, and feel that they belong.","fullyFundedDate":1788187157604,"projectUrl":"project/steam-carpet/10552952/","projectTitle":"STEAM Carpet","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Data","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9682821_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1787865947860","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9682821"},{"teacherId":9682821,"projectId":10536289,"letterContent":"The supplies provided to aid in our effort to create a calm classroom have made a meaningful difference in my classroom by giving students a safe and welcoming space to pause, reset, and manage their emotions when they are feeling overwhelmed. The materials have helped my students learn that taking a moment to calm their bodies and minds is a normal and important part of learning. I have been able to use the Calm Corner to teach students strategies for self-regulation and help them recognize what they need when they are having a difficult moment.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, my students have a space where they can take a break without feeling embarrassed or singled out. This has helped them return to learning feeling more prepared to participate, focus, and engage with their classmates. These supplies have allowed me to make social-emotional learning a more visible and meaningful part of our classroom community. Thank you for helping me create a classroom where my students feel supported not only as learners, but as individuals.","fullyFundedDate":1787790235325,"projectUrl":"project/a-calm-classroom/10536289/","projectTitle":"A Calm Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Data","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9682821_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1787865947860","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9682821"},{"teacherId":9682821,"projectId":10523865,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for providing our students with an outdoor picnic table! It has already created a wonderful new space on our campus where students can learn, work together, and take a break outside the classroom.\r\n\r\nOur campus has very limited shaded areas and outdoor spaces where students can comfortably gather, so having this table has made a meaningful difference. Students now have a place to take their learning outdoors, collaborate with classmates, read, work on projects, or simply sit and recharge in the shade during the school day.\r\n\r\nWhat may seem like a simple picnic table has given our students something they did not have before: a dedicated outdoor space to learn, connect, and rest. We are incredibly grateful for your generosity and for helping us create a more welcoming and supportive environment for our students.\r\n\r\nFrom the moment we built and set the table outside kids were drawn to the space and I have seen it being used every day since. I can't wait to see all the ways we can incorporate this outdoor space into our learning.","fullyFundedDate":1787758447689,"projectUrl":"project/a-table-in-the-shade/10523865/","projectTitle":"A Table in the Shade","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Data","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9682821_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1787865947860","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9682821"},{"teacherId":6625855,"projectId":10553147,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom and for investing in our emerging readers. The reading intervention tools you provided—including the ergonomic pencil grips, all-in-one phonics kits, and word mapping boards—have made an immediate, profound difference in our small-group instruction. For young learners who find early literacy challenging, having hands-on, multi-sensory resources transforms abstract concepts into tangible discoveries. The word mapping boards have become an essential daily tool, allowing students to physically push chips to isolate individual sounds before anchoring them to written letters. Watching a student's face light up with confidence as they segment and spell a word entirely on their own is an absolute joy, and your gift makes those breakthrough moments possible every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1788050110265,"projectUrl":"project/materials-for-engaging-reading-intervent/10553147/","projectTitle":"Materials for Engaging Reading Intervention!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dux","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6625855_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1565537786580","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-dux"},{"teacherId":6625855,"projectId":10232814,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for investing in our kindergarten classroom. The addition of seat sacks to our chairs has fundamentally transformed our daily routines, creating a calm, efficient environment where five- and six-year-olds can truly thrive.\r\n\r\nIn kindergarten, managing personal supplies can easily become an overwhelming hurdle. Before having seat sacks, materials were constantly misplaced, floor space was cluttered with bulky bins, and simple tasks often derailed our momentum. Today, having dedicated storage right at their fingertips has made a measurable difference across three major areas:\r\n\r\nYour generosity did more than provide fabric pockets; it gave my students the structural support they need to build confidence and responsibility from the start of their school journey. Thank you for believing in our classroom and making our days run so much smoother.","fullyFundedDate":1784591781184,"projectUrl":"project/learning-independence-through-organizati/10232814/","projectTitle":"Learning Independence Through Organization!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dux","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6625855_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1565537786580","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-dux"},{"teacherId":4665310,"projectId":10541920,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donation! The hand wipes are already being put to good use to keep our hands and desks clean after getting messy with projects such as the one shown in the photo. The color ink has helped me to print lesson materials in color so that students can see crisp, clear images that help them to learn more easily and accurately. The whiteboard cleaner has helped keep the whiteboard nice and clean, ready for teaching! \r\n\r\nAt first glance, these little things may not seem like much, but these unglamorous materials are essential to the daily work of teaching and learning. They help to maintain a clean and safe environment that allows students and teachers to devote themselves fully without distraction to learning. Thank you again.","fullyFundedDate":1787897695175,"projectUrl":"project/colorful-and-clean/10541920/","projectTitle":"Colorful and Clean","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kwon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4665310_orig.png?crop=2216,2216,x0,y22&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1654646859963","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/janekwon"},{"teacherId":10237500,"projectId":10508511,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping make the counseling office a warm, hands-on space for students! The supplies we received have already made such a positive impact.\r\n\r\nStudents were so excited to see the new hands-on tools! They immediately wanted to explore the different fidgets, try the breathing tool, and hold Stevie the weighted Sloth. The new basket organizers have also helped us keep these resources easily accessible and organized, making it simple for students to choose a tool that works for them. These materials give students something they can touch, practice with, and use in the moment while learning important social-emotional skills. \r\n\r\nYour generosity is helping us create a counseling space where students feel safe, supported, and excited to learn new ways to care for themselves.","fullyFundedDate":1787758447721,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-counseling-office/10508511/","projectTitle":"Hands on Counseling Office","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kiera","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10237500_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1787002775105","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10237500"},{"teacherId":9336230,"projectId":10195369,"letterContent":"My students were so excited to meet all of our new classroom animals! The stuffed animals quickly became part of our play and learning, with students using them to act out stories, create their own adventures, and connect characters and animals to books we have read together.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite things to see has been students retelling familiar stories with the animals and then adding their own ideas. This playful storytelling builds comprehension, vocabulary, sequencing, and oral language while also encouraging students to work together and use their imaginations.\r\n\r\nThis year, we will continue using the animals alongside our readalouds and in dramatic play as students practice retelling stories and eventually creating stories of their own. Thank you for giving our students such a fun, hands-on way to bring books and storytelling to life!","fullyFundedDate":1778773556876,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-stories-to-life-stuffed-animal/10195369/","projectTitle":"Bringing Stories to Life: Stuffed Animals & Storytelling Tools","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bowie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9336230_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1699749382741","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9336230"},{"teacherId":9336230,"projectId":10212383,"letterContent":"My students were so excited to use their new notebooks, colorful markers, and especially the fun pom-pom pens! These materials have helped make writing something students choose to do during play and free-choice time.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite things to see has been students writing notes to each other and making cards for their friends and teachers. They are practicing writing their names, forming letters, drawing pictures, and beginning to communicate their own ideas through writing—all while doing something that feels meaningful and fun to them.\r\n\r\nThank you for your generous donations!","fullyFundedDate":1777487810197,"projectUrl":"project/journals-and-pens-for-writing/10212383/","projectTitle":"Journals and Pens for Writing","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bowie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9336230_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1699749382741","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9336230"},{"teacherId":9336230,"projectId":10195094,"letterContent":"My students were so excited when they saw all of our new materials! They especially loved seeing the bright paints, watering cans, balls, and all of the pieces we could use for water play. Almost immediately, they wanted to know what everything was for and when they would get a chance to try it.\r\n\r\nWe have already started putting these materials to work in our outdoor learning space. One of our favorite projects has been experimenting with water movement using the clear tubing, connectors, balls, basters, eyedroppers, and watering cans. Students can pour and squeeze water, send balls and other objects through the tubes, and work together to figure out how to change the setup when something doesn't work the way they expected. What looks like simple water play quickly turns into problem-solving, early engineering, science, fine motor practice, and lots of conversation with friends.\r\n\r\nThe new smocks and washable paints have also allowed us to bring more art outside, where students have room to paint, experiment, and create on a larger scale. Our wagon and crates make it much easier to bring materials outdoors and let students help with setting up and cleaning up our learning spaces.\r\n\r\nOur next step is to keep expanding the ways students can design and build with the tubing system rather than having one permanent setup. I want them to experiment with changing the height and direction of the tubes, predicting where the water or balls will travel, and then testing their ideas. We will also continue caring for our outdoor space using the watering cans and adding art, books, and other materials as they connect to what we are learning in class.\r\n\r\nThese resources have helped make our outdoor space a true extension of our classroom. Thank you for giving my students more opportunities to explore, create, move, collaborate, and learn through play!","fullyFundedDate":1778611548811,"projectUrl":"project/more-outdoor-play-in-tk/10195094/","projectTitle":"More Outdoor Play in TK","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bowie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9336230_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1699749382741","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9336230"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_4858","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":245,"numTeachers":12,"percentFrplEligible":83,"percentAsian":4,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":3,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":91,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":0,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"20.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":81.1,"schoolId":4858,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Mariano Castro Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Mariano Castro Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/mountain-view-whisman-school-district/mariano-castro-elementary-school/4858"}