{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Urbita Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":20.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8578824,"projectId":8911946,"letterContent":"Thanks to the generous support of our donors, this project has made a significant impact on my students' language acquisition, literacy skills, and overall academic growth. The introduction of diverse Spanish books has enriched their learning experience, providing them with the tools to engage with language in ways that extend far beyond traditional textbook learning.\r\n\r\nThe new books have introduced a range of essential skills that are critical to bilingual literacy development. For example, students have been expanding their vocabulary, learning new words and phrases in context, which allows them to understand how language is used naturally. The books encourage reading comprehension and help students practice decoding skills, as they engage with both familiar and unfamiliar vocabulary.\r\nAdditionally, the diversity of texts has helped students strengthen their critical thinking skills. As they read stories and explore different themes, they are learning to analyze characters, plot development, and the cultural contexts of the stories. These texts have also promoted language fluency, as students practice reading aloud, improve their pronunciation, and build confidence in speaking Spanish. The integration of stories that reflect their experiences and cultures has created a stronger emotional connection to the language, making the learning process more meaningful.\r\n\r\nThe books have created a vibrant atmosphere where students are eager to explore new stories. I've noticed that students are more excited to read in Spanish and are actively seeking out books to check out on their own time. Several students have shown a newfound passion for reading because of the diverse selection of books in the Spanish library. An English language learner, has found confidence in reading through the graphic novels and picture books we introduced. These books, with their visual elements, have made reading less intimidating and more fun. Even some of the quieter students, who previously struggled to engage with language materials, have become more involved in class reading activities. They are participating more in group discussions and feeling more comfortable speaking up about what they've read.\r\n\r\nThe Spanish books have had a tremendous impact on my students' engagement with language and reading. They have helped foster a sense of excitement and pride in learning Spanish, encouraged students to connect with their cultural identities, and developed critical language skills in both Spanish and English. I'm incredibly grateful to our donors for making this project possible, as it has truly transformed the way my students approach language learning, and I can already see the long-term benefits it will have on their academic and personal growth. Thank you for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1732657057968,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-minds-the-importance-of-span/8911946/","projectTitle":"Empowering Minds: the Importance of Spanish Books in the Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lemus","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8578824_orig.jpg?crop=1852,1852,x1235,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718853400368","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8578824"},{"teacherId":8578824,"projectId":8756158,"letterContent":"Thanks to the generous support of our donors, the creation of a Spanish library has had a profound impact on my students' learning experience. This project has provided them with an invaluable opportunity to engage with the Spanish language in a more personal, independent way, which is helping them develop essential skills and lessons that go far beyond the classroom.\r\n\r\nThe books in the library aren't just language tools—they also serve as gateways to improving critical thinking, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. As students read, they are exposed to new vocabulary and idiomatic expressions that help them understand the subtleties of the Spanish language. The diversity of texts—ranging from picture books for beginners to more complex narratives for advanced learners—also introduces students to different literary genres and styles. This variety encourages students to think critically, analyze themes, and connect what they read to their own experiences and the world around them.\r\n\r\nMany students are particularly excited about the opportunity to pick out books that interest them. One of my students, for example, who struggled with reading in English, has become deeply engaged with a series of graphic novels in Spanish. The combination of visual storytelling and accessible language has helped her build confidence, and she's now more eager to tackle longer, more challenging books.Even students who were initially reluctant to read are now showing increased interest. One of my quieter students, who often felt overwhelmed by traditional textbooks, has been coming in every week to check out a new book. With the new library resources, reading has become an enjoyable and motivating activity for him, and his language proficiency is growing as a result.\r\n\r\nThe Spanish library has made a significant difference in my students' learning journeys. It's not just about reading books—it's about nurturing curiosity, self-confidence, and a love for the Spanish language and culture. I can already see how these new texts are empowering my students, helping them build skills that will benefit them far beyond the classroom. With your continued support, we can keep fostering this growth and enriching their educational experience even further. Thank you for making this possible!","fullyFundedDate":1730303702059,"projectUrl":"project/creating-a-spanish-library/8756158/","projectTitle":"Creating a Spanish Library","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lemus","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8578824_orig.jpg?crop=1852,1852,x1235,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718853400368","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8578824"},{"teacherId":8578824,"projectId":8463034,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contribution to our classroom! The journals and fidget toys you provided have made an incredible difference in the lives of my students.\r\n\r\nThe journals have quickly become an essential part of our daily routine. Students use them to reflect on their learning, express their thoughts, and document their progress. One of our recent projects involved a creative writing activity, where each student used their journal to brainstorm ideas, write their drafts, and revise their work. It was amazing to see how the journals helped students stay organized and focused, especially those who sometimes struggle to express their thoughts in a more traditional format.\r\n\r\nThe fidget toys have been equally transformative. They've provided a calming tool for students who benefit from sensory breaks during lessons. I can't tell you how wonderful it was to see the joy on their faces when they first saw the fidget toys! The toys quickly became a favorite resource in the classroom, helping students focus during challenging tasks, and giving them the support they need to succeed.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we're using these new tools to continue working on our current project, which is a collaborative science experiment. The journals will allow students to record observations, reflect on results, and document their findings in a more hands-on way. The fidget toys will support them through the trial and error phase, helping them stay engaged and focused throughout the process.\r\n\r\nOnce again, thank you for believing in our students and helping provide resources that will make a lasting impact on their learning journey.","fullyFundedDate":1725887897527,"projectUrl":"project/expressing-creativity-through-a-story/8463034/","projectTitle":"Expressing Creativity Through a Story","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lemus","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8578824_orig.jpg?crop=1852,1852,x1235,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718853400368","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8578824"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_35421","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":390,"numTeachers":18,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":94,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"21.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":80.0,"schoolId":35421,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Urbita Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Urbita Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/san-bernardino-city-unified-school-district/urbita-elementary-school/35421"}