{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Frances Willard Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":18.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10248498,"projectId":10382328,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of my project. Your kindness has helped create exciting opportunities for my kindergarten students to learn, explore, and grow. One of the wonderful resources we received was the Playmags 150-Piece Magnetic Tiles Set with ABC Learning Tiles. These colorful magnetic building tiles have quickly become a classroom favorite! My students use them during learning centers to explore shapes, colors, letters, patterns, and early STEM concepts while developing their creativity, problem-solving skills, and fine motor coordination.\r\nMy students were thrilled when they first saw the magnetic tiles! Their excitement was contagious as they began building colorful towers, houses, and other imaginative structures. We also incorporated the ABC tiles into our literacy activities, allowing students to recognize letters, identify sounds, and build simple words. It has been wonderful to see their confidence grow as they learn through play!","fullyFundedDate":1784563000116,"projectUrl":"project/little-hands-big-learning-kindergarten/10382328/","projectTitle":"Little Hands, Big Learning: Kindergarten Classroom Essentials","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Virji","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10248498"},{"teacherId":2578639,"projectId":10385394,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and helping my students grow as young writers! The \"Growing Writers – Kindergarten Writing Curriculum\" has given me the tools to provide meaningful, developmentally appropriate writing instruction. My students have had opportunities to grow from drawing and labeling pictures to writing complete sentences. Through engaging lessons and meaningful practice, they are learning that their ideas matter and that they all have something important to share as writers.\r\n\r\nOne of the most rewarding parts has been seeing my students' confidence grow along with their excitement for writing. While some children are ready to write sentences, others are just beginning to put their ideas on paper. This curriculum has allowed me to meet each child where they are, provide the support they need, and celebrate their progress along the way. I love seeing their creativity, independence, and pride shine through as they bring their ideas to life through drawing and writing.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in my students and making it possible for them to access the resources they need to learn, grow, and succeed. Your generosity is making a meaningful difference in our classroom, and its impact will extend far beyond this school year!","fullyFundedDate":1784562994350,"projectUrl":"project/from-scribbles-to-stories/10385394/","projectTitle":"From Scribbles to Stories","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Covarrubias","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2578639_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1536273623769","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-covarrubias402"},{"teacherId":2578639,"projectId":10272961,"letterContent":"My kindergarten students love having opportunities to express themselves through art. They look forward to visiting our classroom art center, where they draw, paint, and create their own projects. They love choosing their own colors, experimenting with different materials, and sharing their creations with their classmates. It is wonderful to see their imaginations come to life as they proudly show what they have made!\r\nOur outdoor chalk area is another favorite! My students love drawing pictures, practicing letters and numbers, and creating colorful designs on the blacktop. Art also gives children a calming outlet to express their feelings, relieve stress, and feel more comfortable as they adjust to school routines and expectations.\r\nThanks to your generosity, my students will have more opportunities to create, explore, and learn through hands-on art experiences. These supplies will help make our classroom an even more engaging and welcoming place where children can express themselves, develop new skills, and discover the joy of being an artist. Thank you for investing in my young learners and helping their creativity grow!","fullyFundedDate":1783456041081,"projectUrl":"project/art-supplies-for-a-bright-start-to-kinde/10272961/","projectTitle":"Art Supplies for a Bright Start to Kindergarten","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Covarrubias","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2578639_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1536273623769","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-covarrubias402"},{"teacherId":3729674,"projectId":10389897,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding our kindergarten whiteboard project! My students use their individual lap whiteboards and markers almost daily, and they have quickly become a favorite and valuable learning tool in our classroom.\r\n\r\nStudents use the boards to practice writing letters and numbers, and we have recently started using them to practice sight words. Some students are even beginning to write simple sentences! During math, students draw objects to represent quantities and then practice adding and subtracting. The whiteboards give every child an opportunity to participate, practice new skills, and share their thinking.\r\n\r\nOne of the best things about using whiteboards is that students can easily erase their work, make corrections, and try again without worrying about making mistakes. This encourages them to take risks, build confidence, and recognize that learning takes practice.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has provided my students with a hands-on way to learn, grow, and celebrate their progress. Thank you for investing in my classroom. We are so happy with our new lapboards!","fullyFundedDate":1787182253619,"projectUrl":"project/writing-drawing-and-learning-together/10389897/","projectTitle":"Writing, Drawing, and Learning Together","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rosales","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3729674_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y504&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1788835694910","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3729674"},{"teacherId":3557310,"projectId":10111928,"letterContent":"This has been a bit of a tricky submission because I received the project materials at the end of last school year. However, I was able to begin using some of the materials with my class right away, and they were an immediate hit!\r\n\r\nWe started using the treasure box items last year, and the students were so excited to have so many new prizes to choose from. Previously, most students would grab a homework pass because it was considered the \"best\" prize available. Once we added the new items, students were much more excited to explore the treasure box and choose from the variety of prizes. It was wonderful to see how something as simple as a new reward could bring so much excitement and motivation to the classroom.\r\n\r\nThe other items included a daily science resource and materials to help students who were struggling to learn their multiplication facts. The science resource has become part of our morning enrichment routine and has been a huge hit. The students really enjoy learning about science each morning. The pages are short and engaging without being overwhelming. They provide enough information to teach students something new while keeping them interested and excited to learn more.\r\n\r\nSince I did not have an opportunity to use the multiplication materials last year, I plan to put them to use this school year. I am currently assessing students to determine who will benefit most from the additional support, and I will begin using the materials very soon. I know these resources will help my students build a stronger understanding of multiplication and, in turn, give them a stronger foundation for success with fifth-grade math standards.\r\n\r\nI am so appreciative to everyone who contributed to this project. From multiplication practice, to daily science learning, to exciting new treasure box prizes, these donations are helping my students build skills, stay motivated, and enjoy their time at school. Thank you so very much for supporting my classroom and my students!","fullyFundedDate":1774446356692,"projectUrl":"project/exciting-new-prizes/10111928/","projectTitle":"Exciting New Prizes","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Van Der Heide","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3557310"},{"teacherId":3729674,"projectId":10393245,"letterContent":"I was so excited to receive the materials from our \"They Like to Move It, Move It!\" project! My kindergarten students are doing a wonderful job building their stamina for active listening, but young children need regular opportunities to move their bodies in order to be ready to learn. These new mini cones, rhythm sticks, beanbags, wooden spoons & eggs, and fluff balls have made our movement breaks more engaging and purposeful.\r\n\r\nWe have been balancing, practicing mini relays, working on motor skills, and even incorporating our new materials into math lessons. Recently, we learned position words such as in front of, next to, above, and below. Instead of keeping those concepts on the pages of a math book, we used our counting bears and beanbags to demonstrate them! The students loved hiding their bears under the beanbags, and there were plenty of giggles while learning.\r\n\r\nI am also looking forward to using these materials for more indoor P.E. activities, giving students opportunities to practice balance, coordination, motor skills, cooperation, and even the important social skills of winning and losing gracefully. Thank you for helping us bring more movement, fun, and active learning into our kindergarten classroom. We appreciate your generosity and can't wait to keep moving!","fullyFundedDate":1785988323515,"projectUrl":"project/they-want-to-move-it-move-it/10393245/","projectTitle":"They Want to Move It, Move It!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rosales","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3729674_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y504&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1788835694910","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3729674"},{"teacherId":3729674,"projectId":10310538,"letterContent":"I was so happy to receive these math manipulatives at the beginning of the school year! My kindergarten students first had the opportunity to explore the bear counters, linking cubes, and Geo Foam Shapes before using them in our math lessons, and they got really creative with their uses. \r\n Math can sometimes feel abstract, but having tangible objects to count, add, sort, and build helps students make meaningful connections. I've also been thrilled to hear students using academic vocabulary as they play and learn. One group recently built \"castles\" for their bears while correctly naming the different geometric shapes they used. Math is already feeling a lot like play—and I am all for fun-filled math lessons! Thank you for investing in our young mathematicians!","fullyFundedDate":1784298659909,"projectUrl":"project/building-a-solid-math-foundation-one-cu/10310538/","projectTitle":"Building a Solid Math Foundation, One Cube at a Time","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rosales","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3729674_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y504&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1788835694910","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3729674"},{"teacherId":3729674,"projectId":10377015,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for investing in our kindergarten classroom and in our youngest readers! Your generous support provided us with a Big Book Center, and I want to share just how meaningful this addition has already been to our classroom. We have been using our Big Book Center almost every day during our reading lessons, and it has quickly become one of the most exciting and engaging places in our classroom.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite ways to use the Big Book Center is during our shared reading time. Before we begin reading, I invite my students to participate in a picture walk. We look carefully at the illustrations, talk about what we notice, and make predictions about what we think might happen in the story. Because the books are oversized and displayed at the perfect height, every child can clearly see the illustrations and participate in the conversation.\r\n\r\nAs we begin reading, I invite students to come up to the Big Book Center and help me read. We practice some of the most important early reading skills in a very natural and meaningful way. I point to the illustrations and words as we talk about the story, and students practice taking turns following the text from left to right. We also practice moving from the end of one line of text to the beginning of the next line. These may seem like simple skills to an adult reader, but for a kindergarten child, they are important steps toward becoming an independent reader.\r\n\r\nOne of the most exciting experiences so far has been reading Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? After practicing with the book together, I noticed a wonderful change in my students. Their confidence grew, and they began to realize that they could actually \"read\" the book themselves. They learned how to turn the pages the way we had practiced, follow the words across the page, and use the illustrations to support their reading.\r\n\r\nI was surprised by how many students began asking for a turn at the Big Book Center during free-choice time. I have watched children wait patiently in line because they are eager for an opportunity to \"read\" one of the big books. The Big Book Center has become a magnet for students who are excited about books and eager to practice their emerging reading skills. Seeing kindergarten students choose to spend their free time reading is incredibly rewarding!\r\n\r\nPerhaps the greatest benefit of all is that the Big Book Center makes our reading lessons accessible to everyone. Before having the center, it could be difficult for every child to see the illustrations or clearly observe what I was doing with the book. Now, everyone has a front-row seat. No one is complaining that the pictures are too small or that they cannot see the words. Every student can watch as I model reading behaviors, follow along with the text, and participate in the lesson.\r\n\r\nYour donation has done more than provide us with a place to display oversized books. It has created a space where children can see themselves as readers. It has encouraged participation, built confidence, strengthened early literacy skills, and made reading a shared experience for our entire classroom.\r\n\r\nThank you again for investing in our youngest learners and helping us create a classroom where books are exciting, reading is fun, and every child has the opportunity to become a confident reader. We appreciate your generosity more than you know!","fullyFundedDate":1784298674296,"projectUrl":"project/giving-all-students-a-front-row-seat-to/10377015/","projectTitle":"Giving All Students a Front-Row Seat to Reading!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rosales","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3729674_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y504&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1788835694910","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3729674"},{"teacherId":10248498,"projectId":9790017,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our classroom. The books have been a wonderful addition to our kindergarten library and have helped foster a love of reading in my students. They enjoy exploring new stories, building vocabulary, strengthening comprehension skills, and developing early literacy skills through daily reading opportunities.\r\n\r\nThe bins have also made a tremendous difference in our classroom. They have helped us organize our books by level, making it easier for students to independently find, use, and return books. An organized library encourages responsibility and allows students to spend more time engaged in reading and learning.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has helped create a more inviting, organized, and literacy-rich learning environment for my students. Thank you for supporting their growth and love of learning.","fullyFundedDate":1762035270227,"projectUrl":"project/building-a-love-of-reading-in-kindergart/9790017/","projectTitle":"Building a Love of Reading in Kindergarten","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Virji","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10248498"},{"teacherId":10248498,"projectId":9698262,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our classroom. The items you provided have greatly benefited my kindergarten students, especially in our calming corner. The calming corner has become a safe and supportive space where students can practice self-regulation, manage their emotions, and return to learning ready to succeed.\r\n\r\nThe supplies have also supported our writing development. Students have used the materials to strengthen their fine motor skills, build confidence in writing letters and words, and engage in meaningful writing activities throughout the year. Your generosity has made a positive impact on both their social-emotional growth and academic learning.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our students and helping create a positive learning environment for all.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your kindness and support!","fullyFundedDate":1757691139344,"projectUrl":"project/building-bright-futures-in-kindergarten/9698262/","projectTitle":"Building Bright Futures in Kindergarten","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Virji","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10248498"},{"teacherId":10248446,"projectId":10131574,"letterContent":"Thank you so very much for donating to our special education classes! Our students grades 1st through 5th grade use these EzyRollers everyday and enjoy wheeling around our playground area during their recess, lunch, or breaks. We deeply appreciate your generosity in helping us acquire additional sensory items to help our students enjoy their time at school. We hope you enjoy seeing the two photos I was able to capture during recess. Again, many thanks for your kindness and willingness to support me and my students.","fullyFundedDate":1773856087776,"projectUrl":"project/help-bring-joy-mobility-with-an-ezyrol/10131574/","projectTitle":"Help Bring Joy & Mobility With an EzyRoller","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Christina","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10248446_orig.jpg?crop=422,422,x0,y138&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1772665183592","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10248446"},{"teacherId":2578639,"projectId":9709690,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our kindergarten classroom project! Your generosity makes a meaningful difference in the daily learning experiences of my students. \r\nIn kindergarten, learning happens best when children can touch, build, imagine, and collaborate. The kinetic sand helps strengthen the fine motor muscles students need for writing, cutting, and other important classroom tasks. It also provides a calming sensory experience that supports emotional regulation and helps students stay focused and engaged throughout the school day.\r\nBeyond the academic benefits, this project encourages creativity, teamwork, and communication. My students work together to build, share ideas, and solve problems as they create with the sand and tools. \r\nThank you for investing in our classroom and helping create memorable learning experiences for my kindergarteners.","fullyFundedDate":1757898114849,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-sand-play-for-curious-kindergart/9709690/","projectTitle":"Sensory Sand Play for Curious Kindergarteners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Covarrubias","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2578639_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1536273623769","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-covarrubias402"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_26613","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":412,"numTeachers":26,"percentFrplEligible":77,"percentAsian":10,"percentBlack":7,"percentWhite":10,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":66,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":5,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"15.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":81.2,"schoolId":26613,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Frances Willard Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Frances Willard Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/pasadena-unified-school-district/frances-willard-elementary-school/26613"}