{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Manzanita Community School","outOfStateSupporters":23.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":968520,"projectId":10184263,"letterContent":"Flexible seating has made a wonderful difference in our 1st grade classroom. Young learners are naturally active and often learn best when they have opportunities to move, feel comfortable, and make opportune choices about their learning environment. Traditional desks can make it challenging for young students to sit still for long periods, sometimes leading to distraction or frustration.\r\n\r\nOur new colorful seating area has brought so much excitement and joy to the classroom. Students were immediately happy to see the bright, inviting space and eager to use it during learning activities. The interlocking foam mats provide students with a comfortable place to learn alongside their peers during whole-group lessons, small-group activities, and partner work. Having these options allows students to move, collaborate, and choose a space where they can feel comfortable and focused.\r\n\r\nThe foam mats have also become a favorite during our brain breaks! Students love being able to safely jump, dance, and move their bodies before returning to their learning. These short movement breaks help students release energy, reset their minds, and return to instruction feeling refreshed and ready to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1778725828192,"projectUrl":"project/a-place-for-everyone/10184263/","projectTitle":"A Place for Everyone","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kim","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp968520_orig.jpg?crop=1232,1232,x0,y78&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1678763119828","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jennifer-kim"},{"teacherId":7355427,"projectId":10225531,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping make our outdoor play space more engaging, inclusive, and active for our students!\r\n\r\nOur students absolutely love being outside, and our shared yard is one of the most important parts of our school day. Since receiving the materials from this project, we have been able to create new opportunities for children to move, explore, imagine, and learn through play. We have intentionally embedded the new materials into different areas of our playground so that every child can find a way to participate, including students who may not typically seek out physical activity.\r\n\r\nOne of our favorite examples has been the play strollers in our outdoor dramatic play area. Students who are naturally drawn to pretend play are now getting more movement as they push their baby dolls around the playground, turning imaginative play into an opportunity to build strength, coordination, and endurance. The wheelbarrows have also brought new movement to students who love digging and exploring in the dirt. They can now load up their wheelbarrows and transport dirt from one side of the yard to another, building physical skills while engaging in an activity they already enjoy.\r\n\r\nAlthough we have not yet been able to build and introduce the swings or the rocking boat, we are excited to add them to our playground once we have the support and resources needed for installation. We hope to make the introduction of these new materials a special experience by involving our students in exploring and learning how to use each item safely and responsibly.\r\n\r\nOur next step is to continue observing how students use these materials and finding ways to expand their play. We want our playground to be a place where every child can find a meaningful way to move, whether they are pretending to care for a baby, transporting dirt, rocking, climbing, or exploring something new.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our students and helping us create a playground where all children can move, explore, and grow together. Your generosity has helped us turn everyday outdoor play into even more opportunities for learning, physical development, confidence, and joyful connection.","fullyFundedDate":1779293547049,"projectUrl":"project/big-movement-for-little-bodies-outdoor/10225531/","projectTitle":"Big Movement for Little Bodies: Outdoor Play for Active Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Maria","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7355427_orig.jpg?crop=2720,2720,x626,y2933&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1777082910338","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7355427"},{"teacherId":3462250,"projectId":10395385,"letterContent":"Our students are already beginning to see themselves as learners through their very own portfolios! Thanks to all of you, each child has a personal binder that will travel with them throughout the school year and become a collection of their learning, growth, ideas, and experiences. We have started by creating personalized covers and adding each child's first self-portrait, first name-writing sample, and family questionnaire. The children have been excited to see their own work gathered in one special place, and these early pieces provide a meaningful snapshot of who they are as they begin their TK journey. We have also begun documenting observations and writing down children's play stories, capturing the learning that happens naturally as they explore, create, collaborate, and problem-solve.\r\n\r\nThe portfolios will continue to grow alongside the children. We will add photographs, work samples, observations, and stories that show their development over time. Most importantly, the portfolios will be accessible to the children themselves, allowing them to look through their learning, revisit experiences, and contribute to their own documentation. We plan to invite children to share their thinking as they explore their portfolios and record their words through dictation. We hope these conversations will help children notice their own growth, remember meaningful experiences, and develop a strong sense of themselves as capable learners. As the year continues, these portfolios will become more than a collection of work, they will tell each child's unique learning story and provide a beautiful opportunity for children and families to celebrate their growth together. Thank you for helping us make children's learning visible and giving our students a tangible way to see, \"This is me. This is what I can do. This is how I learn and grow.\"","fullyFundedDate":1785825358252,"projectUrl":"project/documenting-our-learning-journey/10395385/","projectTitle":"Documenting Our Learning Journey","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Maranatha","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3462250_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753105488461","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3462250"},{"teacherId":3462250,"projectId":10179868,"letterContent":"Our students have been so excited to explore the new resources made possible by all of you! During our first week of school, we began introducing several of the materials indoors so that children could become familiar with them before we move everything into our outdoor learning space. Even in just these first few days, we have already seen the materials spark creativity, language, collaboration, and joyful play. The dollhouse has been an especially big hit. Rather than simply using it as a traditional house, the children have transformed it into many different places through their imaginative play. We have heard stories about a home, a school inside a garden, and even a space station! As they build these stories together, students are practicing communication, negotiating roles, solving problems, and using language to share their ideas. It has been wonderful to watch them discover that an open-ended material can become almost anything they imagine. The children have also begun exploring our new outdoor art area. The utility cart and magnetic clips have already made a noticeable difference by helping us organize and make materials accessible to children. Instead of waiting for an adult to gather supplies, students can more easily see, reach, and use the materials they need, supporting the independence we want to build from the very beginning of the school year.\r\n\r\nThe students' reactions when they first encountered the materials reminded us why hands-on, play-based learning is so important for young children. There was immediate curiosity and excitement as they explored the new possibilities. Some children went straight to creating with the art materials, while others were drawn into dramatic play and storytelling. We have also introduced music and quickly discovered that we have many students who are eager to dance, move, and express themselves through music. We have not yet introduced the scarves and wrist ribbons, but we are excited to add these materials very soon. We anticipate that they will give children even more ways to explore movement, rhythm, self-expression, and creative storytelling. As we continue settling into our classroom routines, our next step is to move more of these materials outdoors and intentionally develop our outdoor space into a flexible studio for art, music, movement, and imaginative play. We will be observing what children choose to do, listening closely to their ideas, and using their interests to guide what we add or change in the environment. We hope to document their learning through photographs, children's words, and examples of their creations so that they can see themselves as capable learners and families can see the rich learning that happens through play. Thank you for helping us create an environment where our young learners can explore, imagine, create, communicate, and discover that their ideas matter. Your generosity is already making a meaningful difference in our classroom, and we are excited to see where our students' creativity takes us next!","fullyFundedDate":1778470966561,"projectUrl":"project/curious-minds-outdoors-with-art-nature/10179868/","projectTitle":"Curious Minds Outdoors with Art, Nature, and Creative Expression","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Maranatha","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3462250_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753105488461","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3462250"},{"teacherId":10235004,"projectId":9669361,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in funding our classroom project for the 2025-2026 school year. When the boxes arrived filled with noise-canceling headphones, timers, fidget tools, the emotion board, and prize box items, my students were absolutely thrilled. Their eyes lit up with excitement as we unpacked each item, and they could not wait to try them out. It was a beautiful moment of pure joy and anticipation, and your kindness instantly made our classroom feel like an even more welcoming, supportive space for learning this past year.We immediately put these wonderful resources to daily use during our independent reading and small-group math stations. The noise-canceling headphones became a complete game-changer for my special education students, allowing them to block out hallway distractions and focus deeply on their tasks. \r\n\r\nAt the same time, our autistic student utilized the new emotion board every morning to confidently communicate how they were feeling, which greatly supported their emotional regulation. The timers and fidget tools helped all of my students manage their pacing and stay physically grounded while working, while the Friday prize box became a massive hit, highly motivating everyone to put forth their best behavior and effort throughout the entire week.As we moved forward, our next steps focused on using these tools to build greater long-term independence and self-advocacy skills. During our subsequent writing and social-emotional learning projects, students practiced selecting their own regulation tools—like grabbing a fidget or a pair of headphones—whenever they recognized they needed a sensory break. \r\n\r\nThank you again for opening up your hearts to our classroom and providing my students with the essential resources they needed to thrive, focus, and feel celebrated every single day during the school year.With deepest gratitude,","fullyFundedDate":1758850641731,"projectUrl":"project/resource-specialist-working-alongside-st/9669361/","projectTitle":"Resource Specialist Working Alongside Students With Learning Disabilities","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Tooley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10235004"},{"teacherId":9688355,"projectId":10167017,"letterContent":"We are thrilled that our DonorsChoose project to provide headphones for our classroom has been fully funded! Thanks to your generosity, every student now has a reliable pair of headphones to use for lessons, reading practice, and online activities. The difference is immediate; no more borrowing, no more searching for a pair that actually works, and no more lost learning time.\r\n\r\nOur students are so excited and grateful; they can focus, participate confidently, and enjoy their work without interruptions. This gift has made our classroom more equitable and ready for learning. Thank you to everyone who made this possible; your support truly changes lives and helps our students succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1774474262196,"projectUrl":"project/headphones-for-computers/10167017/","projectTitle":"Headphones for Computers","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Robbins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9688355"},{"teacherId":3462250,"projectId":9922333,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our TK yard in Oakland is truly zooming with excitement! The moment the new plasmacars arrived, the energy was contagious. The children gathered around with wide eyes and huge smiles, eager to see what was inside the boxes. Instead of simply unveiling them, we turned the experience into a collaborative project. The students helped put the plasmacars together, carefully holding pieces, passing tools, and cheering one another on as each car took shape. They were so proud of themselves, not just because we had new cars, but because they had helped build them. That sense of ownership immediately deepened their connection to the materials. From the very first ride, the yard transformed into a space filled with joyful movement, laughter, and confidence. What was once a long wait for a turn has now become sustained engagement, with multiple children riding, steering, and exploring at the same time.\r\n\r\nThe impact on both physical development and social-emotional growth has been powerful. With more plasmacars available, students are spending increased time strengthening their gross motor skills, balance, coordination, and spatial awareness. We see children challenging themselves to steer around cones, create pathways, and navigate safely through shared space. Even more meaningful, though, has been the growth in collaboration and friendship. We have a special group of three students who love to play together, and before your donation, they often had to rotate turns, sometimes leading to disappointment. Now, they ride side by side, creating imaginative storylines and cheering each other on as they race from one end of the yard to the other. The shared experience of moving together has strengthened their communication, patience, and problem-solving skills. Across the yard, children are practicing negotiation (\"Let's park here!\"), cooperation (\"You go first, then me!\"), and empathy (\"Are you ready?\"). Your gift has supported the whole child, body, heart, and mind, exactly as we hoped!\r\n\r\nAs a Title I school, access to high-quality outdoor equipment makes a meaningful difference in our students' daily experiences. Your support honored the persistence and kindness our students were already demonstrating as they shared just two cars. Now, instead of long lines and limited turns, we see equitable access, increased confidence, and more opportunities for joyful play. The plasmacars have become more than just riding toys, they are tools for community building, resilience, and independence. Each day, as I watch our yard filled with movement and hear the laughter echoing across the playground, I am reminded of the generosity that made this possible. Thank you for investing in our energetic, curious learners and for helping us create an outdoor space where every child has the chance to move, connect, and thrive. Your kindness is felt in every joyful lap around the yard.","fullyFundedDate":1768268824152,"projectUrl":"project/more-wheels-more-joy-for-tk/9922333/","projectTitle":"More Wheels, More Joy for TK!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Maranatha","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3462250_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753105488461","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3462250"},{"teacherId":8946244,"projectId":9701325,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in funding this project. Your contribution is deeply appreciated and has made a meaningful difference in the lives of my students. Because of you, we are able to provide more opportunities for students who may not otherwise have access to these types of resources.\r\nThis project goes far beyond just classroom materials—it represents hope, encouragement, and the belief that every child deserves the chance to thrive. I truly believe in the power of education to change lives, and your donation is helping to make that a reality. Thanks to your generosity, my students will be able to engage with tools and activities that support both their academic growth and emotional well-being.\r\nMany of my students face challenges that extend beyond the classroom, and it's not always easy for them to stay motivated or feel confident in their learning journey. Your support brings light into their school day. It shows them that someone out there believes in them, cares about their success, and wants to see them reach their full potential.\r\nI sincerely hope that more students continue to benefit from opportunities like this—ones that show them they are seen, valued, and capable of achieving great things. It's because of kindhearted donors like you that we're able to bridge the gap and ensure that even our most underserved students can have access to enriching, empowering experiences.\r\nThank you once again for your kindness and commitment to helping students. You've made a lasting impact, and I'm incredibly grateful for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1767941146274,"projectUrl":"project/stem-structure-and-calm-for-growing-mi/9701325/","projectTitle":"STEM, Structure, and Calm for Growing Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Quiñones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8946244_orig.jpg?crop=1275,1275,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1713982752266","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-liyah"},{"teacherId":3462250,"projectId":9816238,"letterContent":"Thank you again for your incredibly generous donation to our DonorsChoose project, Shade, Sand, and Stories: Learning through Outdoor Play. Your support means more to our classroom community than words can fully capture. Because of you, our vision for a rich, engaging, and welcoming outdoor learning environment is becoming a reality. We are excited to share that we have a special family day planned in February, where students and their families will come together to officially set up our outdoor yard. This day will be a true celebration of community and collaboration, as children and families work side by side to help bring this space to life. We plan to share food, paint the wooden letters, rearrange the outdoor furniture, and thoughtfully create interest areas that invite exploration, creativity, and connection. Knowing that this space was made possible by your kindness adds even more meaning to this experience for our families and students. We truly cannot wait to complete the outdoor setup and begin fully using all of the amazing materials you have provided to support play-based, hands-on learning.\r\n\r\nWe are especially looking forward to incorporating the beautiful collection of board books into our daily routines, as our students have shown a growing and enthusiastic interest in books and reading. Having access to engaging, age-appropriate texts will allow us to foster early literacy skills in a joyful and meaningful way, both indoors and outdoors. Already, your donation has begun making an impact. We have opened a few of the items early so students could begin exploring them and learning how to use them thoughtfully within the classroom. Without a doubt, their favorite item so far has been the dollhouse. Day after day, we observe students gathered around it, playing out family scenarios, practicing communication, collaboration, and empathy through imaginative play. During our recent Pets study, we were delighted to see children bringing over small animal figures from other areas of the classroom and adding them to the dollhouse as beloved family pets. These moments highlight the power of open-ended materials to extend learning across subject areas and support social-emotional development in authentic ways. Your generosity has given our students opportunities to explore, create, and make sense of their world in ways that are deeply meaningful to them.\r\n\r\nFrom all of us, students, families, and teachers, thank you for your overwhelming kindness and belief in the importance of play, outdoor learning, and early childhood education. Your donation is not just providing materials; it is shaping experiences, nurturing curiosity, and creating a space where children feel inspired, valued, and excited to learn every day. We are so grateful to have donors like you as partners in our students' learning journey","fullyFundedDate":1761795616474,"projectUrl":"project/shade-sand-and-stories-learning-throu/9816238/","projectTitle":"Shade, Sand, and Stories: Learning through Outdoor Play","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Maranatha","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3462250_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753105488461","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3462250"},{"teacherId":8946244,"projectId":9694730,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in funding this project. Your contribution is truly appreciated and has already made a meaningful difference in the lives of my students. Because of your kindness, we are able to provide opportunities and resources that many of our students might not otherwise have access to.\r\n\r\nThis project represents so much more than classroom materials—it reflects hope, encouragement, and a deep belief that every child deserves the chance to succeed. I strongly believe in the power of education to transform lives, and your donation plays a vital role in making that belief a reality. Thanks to your generosity, my students will be able to engage in learning experiences that support both their academic growth and emotional well-being.\r\n\r\nMany of my students face challenges beyond the classroom, which can sometimes make it difficult for them to stay motivated or confident in their abilities. Your support brings light and reassurance into their school day. It reminds them that someone believes in them, values their potential, and wants to see them thrive.\r\n\r\nI truly hope that more students continue to benefit from opportunities like this—opportunities that affirm they are seen, supported, and capable of achieving great things. It is because of compassionate donors like you that we are able to close gaps and ensure our most underserved students receive enriching and empowering experiences.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your generosity and commitment to supporting students. Your impact is lasting, and I am deeply grateful for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1767200241054,"projectUrl":"project/making-math-visual-and-accessible-for-al/9694730/","projectTitle":"Making Math Visual and Accessible for All Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Quiñones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8946244_orig.jpg?crop=1275,1275,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1713982752266","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-liyah"},{"teacherId":8946244,"projectId":9716527,"letterContent":"I just wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation of games and refreshments for my classroom. Your support truly means the world to me and my students, and I can't thank you enough for your kindness and thoughtfulness.\r\nProviding engaging and meaningful learning experiences for all students is always my top priority. However, the reality is that many of my students come from homes where access to educational games, snacks, and basic classroom supplies is very limited. Your donation helped fill that gap in such a special way. The games you provided not only bring joy and laughter to our classroom, but they also help build teamwork, problem-solving skills, and social-emotional development—skills that are just as important as the academic content I teach each day.\r\nThe snacks you contributed were also incredibly helpful. Some of my students come to school without having had breakfast, and it can be difficult for them to focus or stay engaged throughout the day. Having snacks available in the classroom gives them that little boost they need to stay energized and feel cared for. It might seem like a small gesture, but to a hungry or tired student, it makes a huge difference.\r\nI'm also extremely grateful for your support through DonorsChoose. It's a wonderful platform that allows teachers like me to get much-needed resources into the hands of students who deserve every opportunity to thrive. Knowing that there are people out there who care enough to support classrooms they've never even stepped into is incredibly uplifting. It restores our sense of community and reminds us that we are not in this work alone.\r\nBecause of your donation, my students feel seen, supported, and valued. Their eyes lit up when we unpacked the new games, and they were so excited to start using them. Moments like these reinforce why I do what I do. Your contribution has helped create a warm and welcoming classroom where students can learn, grow, and simply enjoy being kids.\r\nSo once again, thank you—from the bottom of my heart—for investing in my students and believing in the power of education. Your generosity and support have had a real and lasting impact, and I hope you know how much it is appreciated not just by me, but by every single student who walks through my classroom door.","fullyFundedDate":1767240714643,"projectUrl":"project/strong-bodies-strong-minds-sports-and/9716527/","projectTitle":"Strong Bodies, Strong Minds: Sports and Exercise for Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Quiñones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8946244_orig.jpg?crop=1275,1275,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1713982752266","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-liyah"},{"teacherId":9669603,"projectId":9684948,"letterContent":"I am so grateful that you financially supported my classroom, specifically upgrading my classroom's calm space. It is no small thing to donate your money, and it is no small thing to share your resources with my students. I work in an environment where needs are often greater than what our school budget can meet, so your generosity has had a real and immediate impact. Because of you, my classroom now includes a wooden cube calming space (which is used often), kinetic sand (a much loved activity in my class), social-emotional learning children's books, and kinesthetic regulation pads. These tools that help me to help my students feel grounded, safe, and supported during the school day.\r\n\r\nMany of my students are neurodiverse, and all of them come from families who are economically underresourced due to systemic racism and xenophobia. For these children, school is not just a place for academic learning; it must also be a place where their nervous systems are supported and their whole selves are welcomed. The calm space materials you funded allow students to regulate their bodies, emotions, and sensory needs so they can more fully engage in learning and community. I see students choose these tools independently, return to learning more centered, and feel a sense of belonging and dignity in having their needs recognized and respected.\r\n\r\nYour support sends a powerful message to my students: that they matter, that their well-being is important, and that people beyond our classroom care about their success. Thank you for helping make my classroom a safer, more inclusive, and more compassionate place. Your generosity has lasting effects that extend far beyond the materials themselves, and I am deeply grateful for your investment in my students' lives.","fullyFundedDate":1760729492284,"projectUrl":"project/upgraded-calm-corner-meeting-the-needs/9684948/","projectTitle":"Upgraded Calm Corner: Meeting the Needs of All My Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Malka","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9669603_orig.jpg?crop=1078,1078,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723675777312","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9669603"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_3945","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":301,"numTeachers":19,"percentFrplEligible":93,"percentAsian":11,"percentBlack":22,"percentWhite":2,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":56,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":1,"percentMultiracialImputed":5,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"15.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":76.6,"schoolId":3945,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Manzanita Community School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Manzanita Community School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/oakland-unified-school-district/manzanita-community-school/3945"}