{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Berkshire Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":58.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8074847,"projectId":9756725,"letterContent":"Receiving desk trays immediately transform our classroom by reducing clutter and creating predictable spaces for students' materials. When each learner has a designated tray for pencils, notebooks, and current work, transitions become smoother and instructional time increases. Fewer misplaced supplies means less time spent searching and more time focused on learning, so students—especially those who struggle with organization—can stay engaged and complete tasks more efficiently.\r\n\r\nDesk trays also support independence and executive‑function skills. By teaching students a simple system for sorting and returning materials, we build habits that transfer beyond the classroom: planning, prioritizing, and maintaining a workspace. These routines boost student confidence and responsibility; learners take greater pride in their work when their materials are neat and accessible. For teachers, trays make it easier to circulate, provide timely feedback, and run small groups without the chaos of scattered supplies.\r\n\r\nFinally, the trays contribute to an inclusive, equitable classroom environment. Students who lack organizational tools at home arrive ready and prepared at school, leveling the playing field and allowing every child to participate fully. The improved classroom order also creates a calmer atmosphere that benefits social‑emotional learning and classroom community. Your support will have lasting effects by helping students develop practical skills and creating a more focused, joyful place to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1763474718360,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-desk-bins-for-better-student-o/9756725/","projectTitle":"Classroom Desk Bins for Better Student Organization","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Martinez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8074847_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y88&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1702162473555","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8074847"},{"teacherId":9023990,"projectId":9744923,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our \"Sleighing the Season with Stories!\" project. Your generosity brought a wonderful collection of holiday-themed books into our classroom, and the excitement was immediate. As we unpacked each title, my students were buzzing with anticipation — many couldn't wait to dive into the stories right away.\r\n\r\nThese books have transformed our reading time. Students who were once hesitant are now eager to participate, and our class discussions have grown more lively and joyful. The holiday stories sparked curiosity, laughter, and meaningful conversations about kindness, traditions, and family. Watching students share books, recommend favorites to each other, and connect with the characters has been one of the highlights of our season.\r\n\r\nYour support has helped create a warm and engaging learning environment where young readers feel motivated and confident. Thank you for making this special experience possible and for giving my students memories — and books — they will carry with them beyond the holidays.","fullyFundedDate":1763474765777,"projectUrl":"project/sleighing-the-season-with-stories/9744923/","projectTitle":"Sleighing the Season with Stories!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bickham","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9023990_orig.jpg?crop=2227,2227,x161,y987&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752968409728","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9023990"},{"teacherId":9023990,"projectId":9481348,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding our project Books, Blocks, and a Bit of Brainpower! Your generosity has made an immediate and meaningful difference in our second-grade classroom. When the books, pattern blocks, games, and supplies arrived, my students were thrilled — it felt like the whole room lit up.\r\n\r\nThe new guided-reading books have helped several reluctant readers become eager participants during literacy time. Our math lessons are now more hands-on and engaging thanks to the pattern blocks and games, which help students visualize and explore concepts in ways that truly stick. Even the simple supplies, like pencils and cardstock, have supported daily writing and creative projects that build confidence.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, your support has created a classroom environment where students feel excited to learn and proud of their accomplishments. Knowing that someone believes in them has had a powerful impact on their motivation and joy for learning.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in my students and giving them tools that will benefit them far beyond this school year. We are all so grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1757874305361,"projectUrl":"project/books-blocks-and-a-bit-of-brainpower/9481348/","projectTitle":"\"Books, Blocks, and a Bit of Brainpower!\"","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bickham","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9023990_orig.jpg?crop=2227,2227,x161,y987&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752968409728","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9023990"},{"teacherId":530829,"projectId":9710878,"letterContent":"Our Paws for Kindness Animal Rescue Dramatic Play Center has already brought so much excitement to our classroom. Even in the first moments of exploring the new materials, students were eager to care for the stuffed animals, check them with pretend tools, and work together to \"help\" each pet feel safe. I can already see how this project will support social-emotional learning through empathy, teamwork, and kindness. Students are practicing communication skills, sharing responsibilities, and using rich language as they care for their pretend animals. I'm excited to watch this center continue to grow into a safe and nurturing space where our youngest learners can build compassion through play.","fullyFundedDate":1763474789154,"projectUrl":"project/paws-for-kindness-an-animal-rescue-dram/9710878/","projectTitle":"Paws for Kindness: An Animal Rescue Dramatic Play Center","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Babb","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jbabb"},{"teacherId":530829,"projectId":9790532,"letterContent":"Our Cozy Cocoa Café materials arrived recently, and even after just one day of play, I can already see how exciting and engaging this space will be for my Transitional Kindergarten students. The café setup immediately drew students in, and they were eager to explore the new materials, pretend to make cocoa, and invite friends to join them.\r\n\r\nEven in the first day, students practiced turn-taking and sharing, used new vocabulary, and showed pride in taking care of the materials. I'm looking forward to watching this center grow into a place where students build confidence, friendships, and communication skills all winter long.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping us create something so special. Your generosity is already making a difference!","fullyFundedDate":1763474733005,"projectUrl":"project/warm-up-our-winter-a-cozy-cocoa-cafe/9790532/","projectTitle":"Warm Up Our Winter: A Cozy Cocoa Cafe","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Babb","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jbabb"},{"teacherId":8074847,"projectId":9469228,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding our DonorsChoose project and providing our classroom with a button maker. Your generous gift is already making a meaningful difference.\r\n\r\nWe're using the button maker to create custom reward buttons that recognize student achievements like kindness, effort, improved behavior, and academic growth. Students beam with pride when they design and earn a button — then attach it to their lanyard for the week. Seeing their lanyards fill with earned buttons has become a visible and motivating reminder of progress and positive choices.\r\n\r\nThe process itself builds skills: students plan designs, practice fine motor work, collaborate to produce buttons, and reflect on what each reward represents. Younger students gain confidence when peers help them create a button, and older students develop leadership by assisting with production and distribution. Teachers also use the buttons during celebrations, parent conferences, and student-led conferences to showcase growth.\r\n\r\nThank you again for supporting our classroom community. Your donation not only provides a fun, hands-on tool but also strengthens student motivation, responsibility, and belonging. We look forward to sharing photos and stories of the many smiles and successes your gift continues to create.","fullyFundedDate":1758636491892,"projectUrl":"project/boost-student-motivation-with-custom-ach/9469228/","projectTitle":"Boost Student Motivation with Custom Achievement Buttons!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Martinez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8074847_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y88&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1702162473555","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8074847"},{"teacherId":530829,"projectId":9111124,"letterContent":"The moment my students saw the new materials, their excitement filled the room. They rushed to explore everything, and it was incredible to watch how quickly they became engaged in meaningful play. The campfire set and the hands on pieces created a calm and joyful environment that my class desperately needed. My students have been using these materials every day during centers, and I have already seen a big difference in their ability to work together, share, and stay focused. One of my students who often struggles to regulate himself sat for almost twenty minutes pretending to roast marshmallows and invite friends to join him. It was the most peaceful I have seen him this year. These resources have given my students a place to play, imagine, and connect with one another, and they feel proud of what they create. Your generosity made this possible, and it has brought so much happiness and stability to our classroom. Thank you for supporting my students and helping us bring learning to life through play","fullyFundedDate":1746787014547,"projectUrl":"project/from-campfires-to-cones-bringing-learni/9111124/","projectTitle":"From Campfires to Cones: Bringing Learning to Life Through Play","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Babb","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jbabb"},{"teacherId":530829,"projectId":9247358,"letterContent":"Our new sensory water table has completely transformed our classroom! My transitional kindergarten students are naturally drawn to water play, and this project has opened up endless opportunities for exploration, collaboration, and hands-on learning. Each day, students experiment with pouring, scooping, and measuring—building early math and science skills without even realizing it. The sensory table has also supported social-emotional growth as children learn to take turns, share space, and problem-solve together. Watching their curiosity and joy come alive through this experience has been incredible. We are so thankful to our donors for making \"Wonder Through Water\" a reality in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1749145527295,"projectUrl":"project/wonder-through-water-sensory-play-for-e/9247358/","projectTitle":"Wonder Through Water: Sensory Play for Early Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Babb","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jbabb"},{"teacherId":801230,"projectId":9406411,"letterContent":"I hope this letter finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to share how your generous donation of PE equipment has made a meaningful difference in my classroom and for my students.\r\nSince receiving the new balls, scoops, exercise dice and jump ropes, my students and I have been able to engage in a variety of exciting activities that weren't possible before. A recent class stands out, was when students enjoyed practicing hand-eye coordination with the new scoops. Watching them cheer each other on as they learned how to use the scoops was truly inspiring—such joy and pride in their faces!\r\nWhen my students first saw the new equipment, their eyes lit up with excitement. They eagerly ran over, asking if they could try everything right away. Their enthusiasm was contagious, and it reminded me how important it is to have the right tools to foster a love of movement and learning. With this gear, they are not only developing their motor skills but also building confidence, practicing cooperation, and learning to regulate their emotions—all while having fun.\r\nLooking ahead, our next step is to incorporate these resources into a new \"Outdoor Adventure\" unit. The students will be practicing spatial awareness and coordination through obstacle courses, helping them strengthen their bodies and minds as part of their growing physical literacy. I am thrilled to see how these activities will further inspire their curiosity and create a positive foundation for a healthy, active lifestyle.\r\nThank you once again for your support. Your generosity has truly transformed our PE time into a space of discovery, growth, and joy. I am grateful for donors like you who believe in the potential of every child to develop lifelong healthy habits.","fullyFundedDate":1754849510272,"projectUrl":"project/little-movers-big-fun/9406411/","projectTitle":"Little Movers, Big Fun!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/801230"},{"teacherId":9564910,"projectId":8955112,"letterContent":"When my students first saw the new STEM materials, their eyes lit up with excitement. The Mattel Hot Wheels Massive Loop Mayhem Track Set was the first to be opened, and instantly, the room filled with laughter and cheers as cars zoomed through the giant loops. The children quickly began experimenting—predicting which cars might make it all the way around, then testing and adjusting their ideas. It was an early science lesson disguised as pure fun.\r\n\r\nOne of the most memorable moments came during free exploration with the Learning Resources Gears! Gears! Gears! Robot Factory STEM Set and the Lakeshore Turn & Learn Magnetic Gears. A small group of students worked together to connect pieces into a long chain, carefully observing how turning one gear set the entire design in motion. When the final gear clicked into place and the whole system spun smoothly, they jumped up, clapped, and proudly called out, \"It works!\" That moment captured the joy of discovery and teamwork that these materials make possible.\r\n\r\nRight now, our class is diving into a unit on motion and speed. Students are using the Marble Run Toys and BELLA GLOBE Magnetic Tiles Race Car Track Set to test how changing the height or angle of a ramp affects how fast objects travel. Their next step will be to design their own \"STEM Challenge Tracks\" by combining pieces from the different sets. This project not only strengthens early science and math skills but also encourages problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration—all essential foundations for future learning.\r\n\r\nYour generosity gave my students the chance to explore, create, and share their discoveries. Every day, I see them gaining confidence as engineers, inventors, and teammates. Thank you for making this possible!","fullyFundedDate":1742325522107,"projectUrl":"project/building-bright-futures-hands-on-stem-p/8955112/","projectTitle":"Building Bright Futures: Hands-On STEM Projects for Curious Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Beck","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9564910_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718073801178","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-beck-tk"},{"teacherId":10011954,"projectId":9312616,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, \"A Fresh Start for a Fresh Grade\"! Because of your generosity, I was able to set up our 4th grade classroom as a warm and welcoming space where students feel safe, comfortable, and ready to learn. \r\n\r\nThe essentials you provided-decorative supplies, dry erase markers, whiteboards-have made a huge difference. My students walk in each morning with smiles and many have said that they feel relaxed and comfortable in the classroom. That sense of belonging is exactly what I hoped for when I created this project. \r\n\r\nYour kindness has not only provided the necessities for learning but has also shown my students that they matter, that their education is important, and that there are caring people who believe in them.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping me create a classroom that is more than just four walls-it is now a place where my students feel supported, inspired, and excited to grow.","fullyFundedDate":1748022956433,"projectUrl":"project/a-fresh-start-for-a-fresh-grade/9312616/","projectTitle":"A Fresh Start for a Fresh Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Carter","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10011954"},{"teacherId":530829,"projectId":9195886,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our Creative Construction Zone in TK! The excitement on my students' faces was priceless when they first saw the new materials. They immediately began building towers, houses, and bridges, working together and sharing ideas. It has been incredible to see their creativity come alive.\r\n\r\nThese resources have already transformed our classroom. Students are practicing problem solving, cooperation, and persistence as they design and construct. For many of them, this is the highlight of their day. They cannot wait to get to the construction zone and see what new creation they can make.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has given my students opportunities they would not have had otherwise. They are learning not only early math and engineering concepts but also how to work as a team and express their ideas. Thank you for helping us create a space where every child feels like a builder and an innovator","fullyFundedDate":1752516962384,"projectUrl":"project/creative-construction-zone-in-tk/9195886/","projectTitle":"Creative Construction Zone in TK","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Babb","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jbabb"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_72505","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":923,"numTeachers":36,"percentFrplEligible":88,"percentAsian":13,"percentBlack":6,"percentWhite":6,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":71,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"25.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":41.7,"schoolId":72505,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Berkshire Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Berkshire Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/panama-buena-vista-union-school-district/berkshire-elementary-school/72505"}