{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Spreckels Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":48.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"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"},{"teacherId":9376618,"projectId":9873927,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support in funding play materials such as these building blocks. Your gift is making a meaningful difference for the children we serve.\r\nThrough hands-on play with building blocks, children are learning far more than construction skills. They are practicing cooperation, sharing ideas, solving problems together, and understanding one another's perspectives—key foundations for developing compassion and empathy.\r\nBecause of your generosity, children now have opportunities to learn how to work together, communicate kindly, and build positive relationships in a joyful and engaging way. These early experiences help shape caring, thoughtful individuals and create a stronger, more connected community.\r\nWe are truly grateful for your commitment to supporting children's growth through purposeful play. Thank you for helping us build not only structures, but also compassion and understanding.","fullyFundedDate":1764179122859,"projectUrl":"project/play-cant-be-bagged/9873927/","projectTitle":"Play Can't be Bagged","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":9767899,"letterContent":"It's the little things that make a big difference and your donation means the world to us! Our school is becoming a cleaner and more environmentally friendly place to be because of your generosity. \r\n\r\nMy fourth graders absolutely loved reading The Dog Poop Initiative! Books have a magical way of inspiring my fourth graders to take action to be a hero and not simply point out problems they see. Turns out the City noticed the problem as well and installed a Dog Poop Station as we envisioned just as our project was funded. We were able to replace the Dog Poop Station we intended to install with some books and goodies to reward the good deeds of my fourth graders. \r\n\r\nDonors like you inspire my students to be the best they can be by helping them get the recycle bins to take action and be leaders on our campus. Thank you for helping us make a difference!","fullyFundedDate":1760635619406,"projectUrl":"project/advocates-for-the-environment/9767899/","projectTitle":"Advocates for the Environment","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":2065111,"projectId":9641389,"letterContent":"Oh, the endless possibilities as we explore careers and see what sparks an interest to pursue a goal from which our learning stems! Thank you for helping me enrich my fourth graders learning experience with hands-on activities in art and science. \r\n\r\nPicking apart owl pellets is one of the most unique and memorable experiences my fourth graders have in our learning adventure. We have yet to reach our life science unit this year, but I've dropped some hints along the way and my students are chomping at the bit to find out what is packed inside an owl pellet. Their patience will pay off when we reach that part of the school year!\r\n\r\nArt is another crowd pleaser in our classroom. We love learning new art techniques and we look forward to making prints with the foam plates. The sky's the limit thanks to donors like you! Thank you for making art and science come alive for my learners.","fullyFundedDate":1757892567286,"projectUrl":"project/a-palette-of-possible-careers-stem-from/9641389/","projectTitle":"A Palette of Possible Careers Stem From Classroom Experiences","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":9905254,"letterContent":"Magnetic toys provide rich, hands-on opportunities for children to build and practice language skills through exploration, play, and interaction. When students use magnetic tiles, letters, or figures, they naturally engage in labeling objects, describing actions, comparing shapes, and explaining what they are building. These toys support expressive language by encouraging children to use new vocabulary, plan out their ideas verbally, and engage in problem-solving dialogue with peers. They also strengthen receptive language as children follow directions, listen to others' ideas, and respond to questions about their creations. Magnetic toys are especially beneficial for students who learn best through tactile and visual experiences, as they make abstract language concepts—like spatial words, storytelling, and categorization—concrete and accessible.\r\nThoughtful storage solutions amplify these benefits by helping children see, access, and organize materials independently. When magnetic toys are stored in clearly labeled bins or on designated shelves, students learn important language concepts such as categories, attributes, and sorting. Clean, organized storage also promotes smoother transitions and clearer routines, which reduces cognitive load and frees up students' attention for communication. Additionally, when children can easily find and return materials, they are more likely to initiate play, share materials appropriately, and collaborate with peers—creating more natural opportunities for conversation and social language practice. Together, magnetic toys and intentional storage systems create an environment where children can explore, communicate, and build strong foundational language skills.","fullyFundedDate":1763502721355,"projectUrl":"project/no-lost-loose-parts-here/9905254/","projectTitle":"No Lost Loose Parts Here!","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"}],"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":51.1,"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"}