{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Spreckels Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":49.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2065111,"projectId":9898001,"letterContent":"Learning sticks when my fourth graders get their hands on learning and the materials in this project do just that thanks to donors like you who make our dreams come true! From hot glue gun sticks to scented stix markers we are grateful for getting what we need to make learning memorable and fun! \r\n\r\nThe wood stir sticks and the pipe cleaners were the perfect \"branches\" in our science simulation to see how trees can withstand and survive the elements of weather. The pipe cleaners were able to bend with the weight of the paperclips, whereas the wood sticks snapped. My fourth graders were able to transfer their learning to the abstract science concept through the hands-on experience. \r\n\r\nSpeaking of the weather, the ChapStick is saving the day for many of my students with the dry days of winter weather. They are grateful for the soothing relief the ChapStick brings to help them focus on learning. Not to mention, the TeeTurtle reversible plushies and the Nerf stress relief foam balls help with this, too! For this, we say thank you! Lastly, the recorders are a life saver on the music days when my fourth grade friends forget their recorder at home. With music only once a week, having a loaner on hand makes a big difference! Thank you for the making a difference in the educational experience of many. We appreciate you!","fullyFundedDate":1764741998064,"projectUrl":"project/make-it-stick/9898001/","projectTitle":"Make It Stick!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Huntsman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2065111_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1595696043263","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lori-huntsman"},{"teacherId":9376618,"projectId":10002207,"letterContent":"Thank you to everyone who supported bringing these storytelling companions into our learning space. Because of your contributions, my students now have engaging tools that spark imagination, invite participation, and make learning feel exciting and safe. This investment in interactive learning is so appreciated.\r\n\r\nThe impact puppets will have on students' language skills is truly remarkable. Puppets naturally encourage conversation, storytelling, and expressive language, helping students expand vocabulary, practice sentence structure, and build confidence in speaking. They create a low-pressure environment where even shy learners feel comfortable participating, asking questions, and experimenting with new words. Through role-play and dialogue, students strengthen listening skills, improve comprehension, and develop clearer articulation. By turning language practice into playful interaction, puppets will help students grow not only as communicators, but as confident, creative thinkers.","fullyFundedDate":1770385823749,"projectUrl":"project/storytelling-leads-to-compassion/10002207/","projectTitle":"Storytelling Leads to Compassion","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lisa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9376618_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1700687726314","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lisafinburgh"},{"teacherId":9376618,"projectId":9989703,"letterContent":"Thank you to Allstate who helped make the Kindness Cart such a meaningful success on our campus. Your generosity and dedication truly made a difference. What may have seemed like a simple cart filled with treats became something much more—a symbol of care, connection, and community. Your willingness to show up for our students in such a thoughtful way reflects the very best of what our campus stands for.\r\n\r\nThe impact of the Kindness Cart has been incredible to see. Students have expressed how much it meant to receive a snack during a long day of classes, especially when it was paired with friendly conversation and genuine encouragement. It created moments of relief during stressful times and reminded students that they are supported and valued. Beyond the snacks themselves, the cart sparked positivity, strengthened relationships, and inspired others to spread kindness in their own ways. In addition, the cart helped foster independence for my students as they learned to man the cart. Thank you for helping create a ripple effect of compassion that continues to brighten our campus community.","fullyFundedDate":1769707382763,"projectUrl":"project/kindness-cart/9989703/","projectTitle":"Kindness Cart","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lisa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9376618_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1700687726314","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lisafinburgh"},{"teacherId":9376618,"projectId":10003523,"letterContent":"Using small trinkets in articulation therapy positively impacted the development of compassion and prosocial skills alongside speech goals. When students earned or shared small rewards, it created natural opportunities to practice turn-taking, encouragement, and celebrating others' successes. Students complimented a peer's effort, acknowledged improvement, and demonstrated patience while waiting for a turn. These interactions helped students associate hard work and kindness with positive outcomes, reinforcing not only correct speech sound production but also empathy and supportive peer relationships. Over time, students began to internalize these behaviors, offering praise and encouragement more independently.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, incorporating trinkets into group therapy fostered perspective-taking and emotional awareness. For example, discussing how a peer might have felt when they achieved a goal or when they were still working toward mastery promoted compassion and understanding. The tangible nature of a small reward made abstract social concepts more concrete and meaningful for young learners. When used thoughtfully, trinkets became more than simple incentives; they served as tools to build a positive, collaborative environment where students learned that growth, effort, and kindness toward others were equally valued. Thank you.","fullyFundedDate":1769176510139,"projectUrl":"project/counting-successes-20/10003523/","projectTitle":"Counting Successes 2.0","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lisa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9376618_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1700687726314","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lisafinburgh"},{"teacherId":2065111,"projectId":9920760,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping me set my fourth graders up to lead the way through reading books in a book club sort of way. Both Willodeen and Wishtree are written by a beloved author that my students adore who writes books that my fourth graders fall in love with time and time again. The best part of having a set of books is that my readers will share in the joy of reading the books and discussing what they read together. \r\n\r\nAlong with reading, my fourth graders love coloring and the California coloring book is a wonderful way to color and cover fourth grader social studies geography at the same time. What we've noticed, however, is that the blue colored pencils are the first to disappear so the blue replacement pencils are much needed for the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. \r\n\r\nLastly, the reversible plushies are a marvelous way to reflect and show the moods and emotions with the cute stuffed animals. We spend many hours together in our class community and we're bound to have our ups and downs. Thank you for the cute way to show it. We appreciate you!","fullyFundedDate":1764628562162,"projectUrl":"project/lead-the-way/9920760/","projectTitle":"Lead the Way!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Huntsman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2065111_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1595696043263","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lori-huntsman"},{"teacherId":7480698,"projectId":9917598,"letterContent":"I would like to thank all the donors for this grant. This projected connected Latino culture with reading and Art. It took us 6-8 week to complete the Calaveras since we are a big class. We used boxes, tape, wire , paint, glue and tissue paper to bring or Calaveras to life. \r\n\r\nWe learned about the artist Jose Guadalupe Posada and how he began his artist career. He made a huge impact on the Mexican culture . The books we got from this grant gave us a lot information into different types of art. \r\n\r\nStudents were able to present their finished product to the entire school . They wrote 1-2 paragraphs regarding the significance of Calaveras. It was an amazing time for students to show off their artistic skills.","fullyFundedDate":1764741751317,"projectUrl":"project/creating-calaveras-creating-confidence/9917598/","projectTitle":"Creating Calaveras, Creating Confidence!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Pepin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7480698_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1762196106018","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/pepin"},{"teacherId":7480698,"projectId":9831436,"letterContent":"We have had a great time working in the garden. We were able to start planting seeds and seeing grow into seedlings. Students loved watching their seed grow . Next getting their hands dirty and putting the seedlings into the soil was the best part. \r\n\r\nAs a class we worked in groups to plant different types of winter vegetables. We used our gardening tools as well as the watering systems for weekend watering. Students also enjoyed watering their plant plots every other day. \r\n\r\nThe result of our planting gave us joy in being able to see broccoli, cauliflower, cabbabe, and lettuce grow. We also planted cilantro and basil.","fullyFundedDate":1763597743962,"projectUrl":"project/school-garden-to-grow-and-harvest-our-ve/9831436/","projectTitle":"School Garden to Grow and Harvest Our Veggies","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Pepin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7480698_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1762196106018","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/pepin"},{"teacherId":9376618,"projectId":9960504,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting this project and helping make communication tools more accessible for students. With the addition of Velcro dots, a storage cart, and reliable batteries, students now have consistent access to visual supports and voice-output devices that allow them to express their needs, emotions, and ideas more independently. This support has strengthened students' ability to recognize feelings in themselves and others, fostering empathy and perspective-taking. By reducing barriers to communication and frustration, these materials have created more opportunities for meaningful peer interactions and compassionate responses within the classroom.\r\n\r\nWe are also deeply grateful for the resources that promote emotional safety and self-regulation, including timers, and window privacy film. These tools help students understand turn-taking, respect boundaries, and remain regulated in a busy learning environment, which in turn supports cooperative behavior and kindness toward others. Because of this generosity, students are demonstrating increased helping behaviors, improved social engagement, and greater independence across daily routines. Your support has had a meaningful impact on students' communication, confidence, and capacity for compassion, and we truly appreciate your contribution.","fullyFundedDate":1767928980429,"projectUrl":"project/misc-classroom-gear-for-compassion/9960504/","projectTitle":"Misc. Classroom Gear for Compassion","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lisa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9376618_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1700687726314","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lisafinburgh"},{"teacherId":9376618,"projectId":8860168,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support in providing the mail trays used to house our compassion-building activities. Having these materials organized and easily accessible has made a meaningful difference for students. The trays create clear structure and predictability, helping students independently access activities and understand expectations. This organization allows for smoother transitions, increased engagement, and more focused participation during lessons.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, the activities housed in these trays have supported students' social-emotional growth by providing intentional opportunities to practice empathy, perspective-taking, and kindness. Students use the materials to role-play helping others, identify feelings, take turns, and reflect on how their actions impact peers. These concrete, hands-on experiences make abstract concepts like compassion and responsibility more understandable and meaningful for students. We are truly grateful for the positive impact these materials have had on both student learning and classroom community.","fullyFundedDate":1767229070700,"projectUrl":"project/weve-got-mail-bins-and-compassion/8860168/","projectTitle":"We've Got Mail (Bins) and Compassion","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lisa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9376618_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1700687726314","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lisafinburgh"},{"teacherId":9376618,"projectId":9905529,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support and thoughtfulness. The manipulatives have had a meaningful impact in our speech sessions, allowing me to increase the number of learning trials in a natural and engaging way. Because students are motivated to interact with hands-on materials, I am able to embed repeated practice opportunities for language, articulation, and communication goals without the tasks feeling repetitive or overwhelming. This has supported more accurate data collection while keeping students actively engaged and successful.\r\n\r\nIn addition, these manipulatives have provided valuable opportunities to build compassion and social understanding. Students practice turn-taking, sharing materials, waiting, helping peers, and noticing others' needs during play-based activities. These moments allow us to work on perspective-taking and empathy in a concrete, developmentally appropriate way. Your support has directly enhanced both the academic and social-emotional growth of students in speech, and I am truly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1765821748002,"projectUrl":"project/counting-successes/9905529/","projectTitle":"Counting Successes","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lisa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9376618_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1700687726314","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lisafinburgh"},{"teacherId":9376618,"projectId":9873940,"letterContent":"These Cricut supplies have already had a positive impact on students by deepening their understanding of compassion through real-world application. Students have used the materials to create thank-you cards, appreciation signs, and small personalized gifts, allowing them to actively practice gratitude rather than just talk about it. These projects have helped students recognize the efforts of teachers, classmates, and community members, encouraging sincere expressions of thanks. Many students have shown increased thoughtfulness in their designs, carefully choosing words and images that reflect empathy and appreciation, demonstrating growth in their ability to consider others' feelings.\r\nThe supplies have also strengthened classroom relationships and collaboration. Students have become more willing to help one another with designs, share materials, and offer encouragement, often expressing gratitude by saying thank you for assistance or ideas. This cooperative environment has led to greater patience and kindness, especially when mistakes occur or projects need revisions. Overall, the Cricut supplies have already contributed to a more compassionate classroom culture, where gratitude, empathy, and respectful teamwork are regularly practiced and reinforced through meaningful creative work. Thank you so much!!","fullyFundedDate":1764717571461,"projectUrl":"project/cricut-20/9873940/","projectTitle":"Cricut 2.0","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lisa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9376618_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1700687726314","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lisafinburgh"},{"teacherId":7339224,"projectId":9755810,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of my project. Because of your kindness, my students have had meaningful learning experiences that truly made a difference in their classroom and beyond.\r\n\r\nYour donation allowed students to participate in hands-on STEM activities that sparked curiosity, encouraged problem-solving, and strengthened critical thinking skills. These engaging experiences helped students learn by doing, building confidence as they explored new ideas and worked through challenges together.\r\n\r\nIn addition, the art components of this project gave students a powerful outlet to explore their feelings and express their unique perspectives. The Squishmallows provided a sense of calm, comfort, and safety, helping students feel secure and supported as they learned. For many students, this emotional support made it easier to focus, share, and take creative risks.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has had a lasting impact on both the academic growth and emotional well-being of my students. Thank you for believing in them and for helping create a classroom environment where learning is joyful, meaningful, and nurturing.","fullyFundedDate":1759256134864,"projectUrl":"project/little-kindergarten-explorers-art-sc/9755810/","projectTitle":"Little Kindergarten Explorers: Art & Science Adventure","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cowell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7339224_orig.png?crop=1103,1103,x67,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1703834731483","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/terri-cowell"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_38070","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":650,"numTeachers":26,"percentFrplEligible":36,"percentAsian":9,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":47,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":30,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"25.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":51.0,"schoolId":38070,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Spreckels Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Spreckels Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/san-diego-unified-school-district/spreckels-elementary-school/38070"}