{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Emerson Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":21.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10242452,"projectId":9684758,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support! Sorry for the delay– I kept forgetting to take pictures because we were having so much fun every day! Every single day at school, I use materials you helped me get for my classroom, from the hand sanitizer to the wobble cushions and even the toys. Because of the wobble cushions, my kids can independently grab a cushion whenever they feel it will benefit them during our sessions. They also significantly reduced the kids tipping out of the folding chairs I have to use at one school, since they can now wiggle on the cushion instead. The balloons, bubbles, wind-up toys, and jack-in-the-box have been an absolute hit when building choice-making skills with my emergent communicators. It is so exciting hearing or seeing a new word/sign for the first time from a kiddo! Games like Jumping Jack is highly requested and have been great for working on social language skills with others. I have been pairing the bingo chips and \"magic wands\" with free printable dot marker sheets that are easy to switch up with the season to keep my articulation drill work super exciting. Even the mirrors make me feel a lot more comfortable knowing that I do not have to worry about glass mirrors shattering around the kids. I have been collecting books from free libraries and thrift stores, but it can be difficult to find books with more diverse characters. The books donated helped ensure my collection features main characters that are more representative of the population I work with, so that all my kids can continue building a positive self-image and a sense that their story is worth telling, even during speech. Forever grateful for all the love we received. Thank you so so much!","fullyFundedDate":1758987674590,"projectUrl":"project/setting-up-my-two-rooms-as-a-new-slp/9684758/","projectTitle":"Setting up my Two Rooms as a New SLP!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kate","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10242452"},{"teacherId":4796955,"projectId":9835211,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our classroom. Your kindness has made a meaningful difference in the daily lives of my students and has helped create a safer, healthier, and more supportive learning environment for them.\r\n\r\nI have the joy of working with 10 amazing students, ages 5–7, who have moderate to extensive needs. Each child brings curiosity, courage, and heart into our classroom every day. They work hard to communicate, learn new skills, and navigate the world around them. Your support helps make our classroom a place where they feel safe, valued, and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nBecause of your donation, we now have essential cleaning supplies such as tissues, disinfecting wipes, paper towels, and cloths. These items allow us to maintain a clean and comfortable classroom, which is especially important for students who may be more sensitive to their environment. A clean space helps them feel calm, focused, and ready to engage in learning.\r\n\r\nIn addition, the healthy snacks you helped provide—such as popcorn, pretzels, Goldfish, and chips—give my students the fuel they need to stay focused and regulated throughout the day. For many of them, these snacks are not just a treat, but an important support that helps them stay calm, participate in activities, and build positive routines.\r\n\r\nYour generosity directly supports my students' academic, social, and emotional growth. Because of you, they are learning in an environment that meets their needs and helps them thrive. Thank you for believing in my students and for helping make our classroom a happier, healthier place.","fullyFundedDate":1764918912029,"projectUrl":"project/healthy-snacks-and-clean-spaces-for-happ/9835211/","projectTitle":"Healthy Snacks and Clean Spaces for Happy Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Reyes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4796955_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1532918160451","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/roomd1"},{"teacherId":9341842,"projectId":9558968,"letterContent":"The moment our students walked into the classroom and saw the new materials, the atmosphere shifted instantly into one of pure joy and discovery. The room was filled with excited gasps and \"Oohs\" as they gravitated toward the vibrant, Lego-themed rug and space themes hopscotch affirmation pathway. Our students felt that a special space had been built specifically for them, making them feel seen, welcomed, and valued.\r\n\r\nThe \"Affirmation Path\" has become an overnight favorite, serving as both an emotional and sensory anchor for our daily routine. We watched with pride as students began jumping and hopping from word to word, literally stepping into their own potential. Some students who have challenges with reading were making attempts to read the words on the pathway and even accepted help from our staff to sound out the words without getting frustrated or giving up. This has been especially impactful for our students with sensory needs, as the intentional movement provides the \"heavy work\" and proprioceptive input they need to calm their bodies and focus their minds.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, our next steps involve curating specific conversation prompts centered around these affirmations to deepen our daily practice of positive self-talk. We are integrating these prompts into our Learning sessions to help students articulate how believing they are \"smart,\" \"creative,\" or \"truthful\" directly impacts their ability to take risks and learn. By connecting these positive thoughts to their academic efforts, we are teaching them that a confident mind is the best tool for tackling new challenges. Your generosity has provided the foundation for these life-changing conversations, ensuring our students have the internal and external support they need to thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1756309798351,"projectUrl":"project/busy-bodies-and-clean-hands/9558968/","projectTitle":"Busy Bodies and Clean Hands","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Melanie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9341842_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1698369694033","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msmelaniesped"},{"teacherId":4796955,"projectId":9735593,"letterContent":"Thanks to the generosity of our donors, our DonorsChoose project, \"Keeping Our Promethean Alive for Learning,\" has had an incredible impact on my classroom and the 10 amazing students I teach, ranging from Kindergarten through 2nd grade at a Title I school in Oakland, CA. All of my students have moderate to extensive support needs, and every day they rely on tools and technology to access learning in meaningful ways. Before receiving the new computer, our classroom Promethean interactive board was limited in its use because the old computer had become obsolete. Many lessons that were designed to be interactive and engaging could not be displayed properly, and valuable educational videos, songs, and specialized software were difficult or impossible to use. This technology gap created challenges in helping students fully engage in literacy, math, communication, and social-emotional activities tailored to their unique learning needs. Now, with a replacement computer fully connected to the Promethean board, we are able to harness the full potential of this incredible tool, transforming daily instruction into interactive, accessible, and exciting learning experiences.\r\n\r\nThe impact on my students has been immediate and profound. With the new computer, lessons are no longer static or limited; students can interact with the board, respond to prompts, and participate in group activities that reinforce their understanding and skills. For many of my students, technology is not just a teaching tool—it is an essential bridge to learning, communication, and independence. They can now engage with educational software that supports literacy by allowing them to sound out letters and words, practice reading comprehension, and build vocabulary in ways that match their individual needs. In math, students are able to manipulate numbers, shapes, and patterns on the board, helping them visualize and understand concepts that were previously abstract or inaccessible. Beyond academics, the Promethean board supports social-emotional development and motor skills, as students take turns interacting with the technology, working together, and celebrating each other's successes. I have observed increased motivation, attention, and confidence among my students since we began using the new computer, and it has allowed me to better meet each student where they are in their learning journey.\r\n\r\nPerhaps most importantly, this project has fostered a sense of excitement and inclusion in the classroom. My students thrive when lessons are engaging, multisensory, and interactive, and the Promethean board, powered by the new computer, allows me to create these experiences consistently. We can now integrate music, movement, and multimedia into our learning, which helps students who struggle with attention or communication to remain engaged and participate fully. The donors' support has not only provided a piece of technology—it has provided an opportunity for my students to experience learning in ways that honor their abilities, celebrate their progress, and give them access to the same enriching educational experiences as their peers. Thanks to this donation, my students are more motivated, more connected to the material, and more confident in their abilities. It is a daily reminder that when the right tools are in place, every student has the chance to thrive, learn, and grow.","fullyFundedDate":1759615411195,"projectUrl":"project/keeping-our-promethean-alive-for-learnin/9735593/","projectTitle":"Keeping Our Promethean Alive for Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Reyes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4796955_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1532918160451","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/roomd1"},{"teacherId":4796955,"projectId":9722014,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom has been transformed into an even more supportive, joyful, and engaging space for my students. Every item you helped bring into our room has made a visible difference in their daily experiences.\r\n\r\nThe sensory chewies have become essential tools for many of my students, giving them safe and calming outlets that allow them to regulate their bodies and maintain focus during lessons. Instead of becoming frustrated or overwhelmed, students now have strategies they can rely on to stay engaged. They are already making an impact on a student that has a behavioral plan due to her sensory needs!\r\n\r\nThe sensory toys are a huge hit—they spark curiosity and invite hands-on exploration. I've seen students collaborate, problem-solve, and practice social interaction skills while laughing and having fun. These toys have helped turn learning moments into opportunities for connection. They are a favorite amongst the students!!\r\n\r\nThe suction plates have supported my students' independence at mealtimes. Several children who once became frustrated when their food moved around are now confidently practicing self-feeding, building both motor skills and confidence in themselves.\r\n\r\nThe educational toys have been woven into our daily routines, making lessons more interactive and accessible. Whether we're working on communication, early literacy, or problem-solving, these tools give students multiple pathways to express what they know and build new skills through play.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, these resources have helped my students feel successful and celebrated every day. I see their pride when they master a new task, their smiles when they connect with a peer, and their excitement when learning feels fun and within reach.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has not only provided materials but has also given my students the message that they are valued and supported by a community that believes in them. For that, I am deeply grateful.\r\n\r\nEnjoy the pictures!","fullyFundedDate":1758341050971,"projectUrl":"project/tools-for-sensory-play/9722014/","projectTitle":"Tools for Sensory Play","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Reyes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4796955_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1532918160451","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/roomd1"},{"teacherId":9743307,"projectId":9732436,"letterContent":"Receiving materials for speech therapy through DonorsChoose has made a meaningful and lasting impact on my students and the progress they are making in speech and language. The articulation cards have been especially valuable, giving students clear, structured opportunities to practice target sounds in a way that is consistent and engaging. Having access to high-quality, developmentally appropriate materials has allowed me to better individualize therapy, increase repetitions during sessions, and track student progress more effectively. Students are more confident when they can see and manipulate visual supports, and this has translated into improved participation and carryover of skills beyond the therapy room.\r\n\r\nThe games and toys provided through DonorsChoose have also transformed our therapy sessions by making learning feel fun, motivating, and meaningful. These materials help students stay engaged for longer periods of time while naturally encouraging turn-taking, following directions, and expressive language. For many of my students, play-based activities reduce anxiety and increase willingness to attempt challenging sounds or words. Because of these donated resources, therapy sessions are more dynamic and interactive, allowing students to practice their goals in a positive, supportive environment that fosters both communication growth and a genuine love of learning.","fullyFundedDate":1758857228149,"projectUrl":"project/speech-therapy-materials/9732436/","projectTitle":"Speech Therapy Materials!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jenna","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9743307"},{"teacherId":9341842,"projectId":9033431,"letterContent":"My small group students were overjoyed by the snacks that were available, as a result of your gifts! They felt welcome and excited to come and do their work because they knew something yummy was waiting for them here.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping me create a learning environment that showed care beyond a student's ability to perform academically. By meeting a basic need, it takes some of the pressure off of my students who might not feel comfortable saying that they are hungry and can't focus.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, my students were better equipped for learning in a space that said, \"You are welcome here and you matter,\" simply with a preferred snack item to eat. Thank you, thank you, thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1738779345506,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-for-my-hard-working-small-groups/9033431/","projectTitle":"Snacks for My Hard Working Small Groups","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Melanie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9341842_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1698369694033","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msmelaniesped"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_3923","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":332,"numTeachers":13,"percentFrplEligible":74,"percentAsian":4,"percentBlack":38,"percentWhite":22,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":17,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"25.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":78.1,"schoolId":3923,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Emerson Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Emerson Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/oakland-unified-school-district/emerson-elementary-school/3923"}