{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Walter Hays Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":16.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8058632,"projectId":9910528,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our accessible toys project. Your donation is making a real difference for special education students by giving them tools that are tailored to their unique needs and learning styles. Because of you, students who often face barriers in the classroom can engage with materials that help them feel confident, capable, and included.\r\n\r\nThese accessible toys—designed with features like larger buttons, textured surfaces, simple cause-and-effect interactions, and visual or auditory cues—enable hands-on exploration that strengthens fine motor skills, sensory processing, and problem-solving abilities. Just as importantly, they encourage communication and social interaction, allowing every student to participate meaningfully in play with their peers.\r\n\r\nYour generosity helps create a more inclusive, supportive learning environment where all students can thrive. Thank you for believing in these learners, investing in their growth, and helping us provide the tools that empower them to learn through play. Your kindness truly makes an impact.","fullyFundedDate":1764077669478,"projectUrl":"project/accessible-toys-and-fidgets-galore/9910528/","projectTitle":"Accessible Toys and Fidgets Galore!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8058632"},{"teacherId":10089214,"projectId":9551648,"letterContent":"Our Calm Corner has always been an important part of our classroom, but when the students saw the new rug, the space immediately took on a new sense of comfort. They gently touched the rug, laid down to test it out, and said things like, \"It feels so soft\" and \"I want to be here.\" This cozy rug has helped transform the area into a true safe space. A place where students feel supported when big emotions arise.\r\n\r\nStudents now use the Calm Corner to take deep breaths, practice self-regulation strategies, use sensory tools, and reset when they're feeling overwhelmed. The soft rug helps them settle into the space more easily, giving them a comfortable spot to sit, stretch out, or curl up with a stuffed animal as they navigate their feelings. One meaningful moment happened when a student told a friend, \"You can calm down on the soft rug. It helps me too.\"\r\n\r\nAs we continue teaching emotional awareness, coping skills, and peaceful conflict resolution, this rug will remain an essential part of our SEL work. Your generosity has helped my young learners feel safe, seen, and supported emotionally. This is something that will positively impact them far beyond this school year. Thank you for creating a space where students can breathe, reset, and reconnect with themselves.","fullyFundedDate":1755537014258,"projectUrl":"project/calm-corner-rug-a-safe-place-to-feel-bi/9551648/","projectTitle":"Calm Corner Rug: A Safe Place to Feel Big Feelings","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Carissa Nguyen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10089214_orig.jpg?crop=1150,1150,x609,y972&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753221677868","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-carissa-t-k-classroom"},{"teacherId":10089214,"projectId":9553947,"letterContent":"The day we unrolled our new library rug, my students immediately flocked to the area. Several sat down with books right away, while others laid on their stomachs and announced, \"This is the comfiest spot ever!\" The transformation to our reading corner was immediate. What was once just a space with bookshelves is now a cozy, inviting nook that truly encourages exploration, imagination, and a love for reading.\r\n\r\nWe use this rug for independent reading, partner reading, small-group literacy lessons, and teacher-led read-alouds. Having a comfortable, defined space has made a noticeable difference! Students stay engaged longer, regulate their bodies more easily, and treat the area like a treasured part of the room. One special moment happened when a student asked if they could \"live in the book corner forever\". This was a sign that this space now has the magic I always hoped it would.\r\n\r\nAs we continue to build reading stamina and introduce more structured literacy routines, this rug will continue to anchor the library as a safe, joyful space. Your support didn't just give us a rug, it gave my students a place to fall in love with books, stories, and the joy of reading. Thank you for bringing warmth and wonder into our classroom library.","fullyFundedDate":1754789841973,"projectUrl":"project/a-space-to-fall-in-love-with-reading/9553947/","projectTitle":"A Space to Fall in Love with Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Carissa Nguyen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10089214_orig.jpg?crop=1150,1150,x609,y972&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753221677868","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-carissa-t-k-classroom"},{"teacherId":10089214,"projectId":9549139,"letterContent":"When my students first walked in and saw our brand-new Morning Meeting rug, their excitement was immediate! Several rushed toward it, choosing \"their spots\" and commenting on how soft and colorful it looked. This rug has instantly become the heart of our classroom, just as I hoped when creating this project. Now, every day begins with all of us gathered together for Morning Meeting: greeting each other, sharing stories, singing songs, and building the foundation of our classroom community.\r\n\r\nWe use this rug throughout the day for whole-group lessons, read-alouds, music and movement, and SEL activities. One of my favorite recent moments was when a student quietly said, \"I feel happy on this rug,\" during our morning greetings. This was a reminder of how environment shapes belonging. The designated space helps my TK learners feel grounded, supported, and ready to start the day connected to one another.\r\n\r\nOur next steps include strengthening our SEL routines, practicing collaborative discussions, and beginning longer whole-group lessons that require attentive listening and participation. Thanks to your generosity, my students now have a warm, welcoming gathering space to learn, grow, and build community. One morning meeting at a time.","fullyFundedDate":1754771651644,"projectUrl":"project/a-rug-to-build-our-classroom-community/9549139/","projectTitle":"A Rug to Build Our Classroom Community","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Carissa Nguyen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10089214_orig.jpg?crop=1150,1150,x609,y972&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753221677868","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-carissa-t-k-classroom"},{"teacherId":8058632,"projectId":9100806,"letterContent":"We cannot thank you enough for your incredible support in funding the AMS device and filament for our 3D printer. Your generosity has had a direct and meaningful impact on our students with disabilities, allowing us to create customized tools that enhance their learning and independence.\r\n\r\nWith this new equipment, we can print adaptive aids such as tactile learning tools, custom grips, and communication boards—items that make everyday tasks more accessible and engaging for our students. Seeing their excitement when they receive tools designed just for them has been truly heartwarming.\r\n\r\nBeyond the immediate benefits, your support is also inspiring innovation and problem-solving in our classroom. Students are learning how technology can be used to help others, sparking creativity and a spirit of inclusivity.\r\n\r\nYour kindness is making a lasting difference, ensuring every student has the tools they need to succeed. We are deeply grateful for your generosity and belief in our mission.","fullyFundedDate":1739385154644,"projectUrl":"project/3d-accessibility/9100806/","projectTitle":"3D Accessibility","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8058632"},{"teacherId":8058632,"projectId":9073982,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating to our project to help supply switch accessible toys to students with disabilities. We were able to purchase toys for our lending library. These toys can be checked out by teachers in the district to allow their students access to fun recreational activities that mimic that of their non-disabled peers. Having a lending library with a variety of toys allows teachers to swap out options so that the students do not get bored and remain engaged in play activities. \r\n\r\nThank you!","fullyFundedDate":1738149479748,"projectUrl":"project/accessible-toys-for-students/9073982/","projectTitle":"Accessible Toys for Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8058632"},{"teacherId":8058632,"projectId":9074089,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your recent contribution to our project. We have been excited to get started on using our new 3D printer to print accessibility items for the students in Palo Alto Unified. \r\n\r\nThe most exciting of those items has been a 3D printed visual schedule that can be customized for size and shape and use with icons. We showed it to one of the classrooms and they had purchased something similar for MUCH more than what it cost us to make it. We are now working on tactile maps for our teachers of the visually impaired and keyguards for our AAC devices. \r\n\r\nSo many cool projects!","fullyFundedDate":1738092554116,"projectUrl":"project/3d-printed-accessibility/9074089/","projectTitle":"3D Printed Accessibility","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8058632"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_4901","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":295,"numTeachers":24,"percentFrplEligible":16,"percentAsian":36,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":28,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":18,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"12.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":83.8,"schoolId":4901,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Walter Hays Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Walter Hays Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/palo-alto-unified-school-district/walter-hays-elementary-school/4901"}