{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Vista Grande Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":61.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":1610477,"projectId":10306225,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the birthday goodies — the bracelets, stickers, pencils, bookmarks, and squishies that go into each student's birthday swag bag. Birthdays already feel special to a six or seven year old, but watching them open that little bag makes it something they won't forget. Several of my students had noticed other kids carrying a squishy toy and wished they had one of their own, so getting one on their birthday, just for them, meant more than I think we realized. It's a small gift, but the surprise and joy on their faces every single time never gets old.\r\n\r\nI also want to thank you for the koala pencils we handed out on the first day of school. Since the koala is our school mascot, giving each student their own pencil with it felt like a small way to make them feel like they belonged from day one. So many of the kids kept that pencil in their pocket or backpack for weeks, not because they needed a spare, but because it made them happy and gave them a little pride in their school. That first day, I could see it on their faces — they felt cared for, and it set the tone for how excited they were to come back the next day, and the day after that. Thank you for helping make that happen.","fullyFundedDate":1781121618670,"projectUrl":"project/help-us-get-some-birthday-cheer-motivat/10306225/","projectTitle":"Help Us Get Some Birthday Cheer, Motivation, and Incentives!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Quach","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1610477_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1470265713522","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msmimi"},{"teacherId":1610477,"projectId":10306201,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the ink, colored paper, and cardstock. These might seem like small supplies, but they've made a bigger difference in my classroom than I expected. The colored paper alone changed how families responded to my class newsletters and brochures — parents told me the bright colors actually caught their eye in a stack of school papers, so more of them were reading what I sent home. I also used the colored paper for math games, and swapping out plain white pages for color instantly made the students more engaged. They were less bored and more willing to dig in, just from that simple change. The colored ink also made graphics come alive and grab their attention as well.\r\n\r\nThe cardstock has been just as useful in a different way. I made a set of flashcards with it, and because it holds up so much better than regular paper, they'll last me the rest of the year instead of falling apart after a few weeks. There's also something about the sturdier feel of cardstock that seems to make students take the material more seriously, like it matters more than a flimsy worksheet would. I even used it to make rulers for a math lesson, and it worked out perfectly. Thank you again for these supplies — they've gone a lot further than I think you realized.","fullyFundedDate":1781121618087,"projectUrl":"project/gaining-and-holding-attention-through-co/10306201/","projectTitle":"Gaining and Holding Attention Through Color","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Quach","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1610477_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1470265713522","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msmimi"},{"teacherId":1610477,"projectId":10305888,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the TeachersPayTeachers gift card. It made a real difference in my classroom this year. I was able to find and download materials that actually fit my first and second graders instead of settling for generic worksheets. I found activities labeled specifically for their grade level, graphics with multicultural faces that looked like my students, and posters with Pokémon characters that caught their attention the second I put them up. Little things like that mattered more than I expected.\r\n\r\nThe kids noticed right away, and their engagement changed because of it. Students who usually needed a lot of prompting to get started were suddenly referring to the Pokémon posters with letter sounds, and I heard more than one comment about seeing themselves in the characters that looked like them. When the content reflects who a kid is and what they're into, they show up differently for the lesson. Thank you again for making that possible this year — it helped me reach my students in a way I couldn't have otherwise.","fullyFundedDate":1781121618076,"projectUrl":"project/when-students-see-themselves-in-projects/10305888/","projectTitle":"When Students See Themselves In Projects","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Quach","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1610477_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1470265713522","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msmimi"},{"teacherId":1610477,"projectId":10241795,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of frisbees, balls, and rackets to our first and second grade class! From the moment the equipment arrived, our classroom has been buzzing with excitement. Watching the kids dive into PE time with brand-new gear has been such a joy — some of our students had never even held a frisbee before, and the look on their faces the first time they caught one was priceless. They practiced throwing and catching over and over, cheering each other on and laughing every time they landed a good throw. One little boy was so taken with his new frisbee skills that he told me, with the biggest grin, that he's asking Santa for one of his very own this Christmas!\r\n\r\nGifts like these go so much further than just fun — they're helping our students build confidence, stay active, and grow closer as friends. I've seen kids who usually stick to themselves teaming up for a game of catch, and others discovering they're pretty great at something they'd never tried before. You are making a real difference in these children's health, their happiness, and the friendships they're forming right before my eyes. Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, for investing in our students — you've given them so much more than equipment; you've given them joy, connection, and a little extra spring in their step at PE.","fullyFundedDate":1778520739852,"projectUrl":"project/help-us-have-equipped-pe-time/10241795/","projectTitle":"Help Us Have Equipped PE Time!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Quach","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1610477_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1470265713522","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msmimi"},{"teacherId":10443233,"projectId":10203796,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support of our classroom. Because of your kindness, my students will have access to a comprehensive, year-long science curriculum that keeps all of our learning in one organized place. Instead of piecing together lessons from multiple websites and resources, I can provide a seamless program that builds science concepts throughout the year while ensuring every lesson aligns with our fifth-grade NGSS standards.\r\n\r\nThis resource will allow my students to spend more time exploring, questioning, and discovering through engaging science lessons rather than adjusting to different formats and activities from various sources. A consistent curriculum helps students make meaningful connections between concepts, strengthens their understanding, and prepares them for the fifth-grade science state assessment with confidence.\r\n\r\nYour generosity allows me to focus my time where it matters most: teaching, supporting, and inspiring my students. Thank you for investing in their education and helping create a classroom where every student has the opportunity to succeed. Your support will make a lasting difference in the lives of my young scientists.","fullyFundedDate":1778520740473,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-students-through-engaging-sci/10203796/","projectTitle":"Empowering Students Through Engaging Science","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Western","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10443233_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1772231065792","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10443233"},{"teacherId":189063,"projectId":10169193,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support of our classroom! The TeachersPayTeachers gift card has been an incredible resource, allowing me to purchase high-quality lessons, activities, and graphics that enrich learning and engage students in meaningful ways.\r\n\r\nThese resources help bring concepts to life, provide additional practice and enrichment opportunities, and support a variety of learning styles. The graphics and materials also help create visually appealing and organized lessons that make learning more enjoyable and accessible for students.\r\n\r\nYour generosity gives me the flexibility to select resources that best meet the needs and interests of my students, ensuring they have access to engaging and effective learning experiences throughout the year.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our classroom and helping make learning creative, meaningful, and fun!","fullyFundedDate":1775681614060,"projectUrl":"project/tpt-resources-for-enhancing-learning/10169193/","projectTitle":"TPT Resources for Enhancing Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Allard's STEAM Lab","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp189063_orig.jpg?crop=2208,2208,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1662913139351","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kallard"},{"teacherId":189063,"projectId":10160336,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support of our classroom! The plastic dinosaurs you provided have become an exciting and engaging learning tool for our students.\r\n\r\nUsing these models, students are able to sort and compare different types of dinosaurs while exploring their unique adaptations and features. Through hands-on activities, they investigate similarities and differences, classify dinosaurs into groups, and deepen their understanding of how physical characteristics helped these fascinating creatures survive.\r\n\r\nThese interactive experiences bring science to life and spark curiosity, critical thinking, and a love of learning. Your kindness helps create memorable opportunities that inspire our young scientists every day.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our students and making these experiences possible!","fullyFundedDate":1775150483855,"projectUrl":"project/dinosaurs-and-paleontology-exploration/10160336/","projectTitle":"Dinosaurs and Paleontology Exploration","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Allard's STEAM Lab","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp189063_orig.jpg?crop=2208,2208,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1662913139351","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kallard"},{"teacherId":10023733,"projectId":9898339,"letterContent":"This year, our students used the new resources as part of our classroom \"Class Tycoon\" system, where students earned classroom money for being responsible, completing assignments and homework on time, and making positive choices throughout the year. The students became very motivated and excited to save their money, and it created such a positive classroom environment. They learned the value of responsibility, hard work, and good decision-making while having fun at the same time. Watching students encourage each other and take pride in their accomplishments was one of the best parts of the year.\r\nAt the end of the year, the students with the most money earned a special party, and the prizes were a huge hit! The donated prizes made the celebration extra meaningful and gave students something exciting to work toward all year long. Students were so proud of themselves for reaching their goals, and many talked about how rewarding it felt to see their hard work pay off. Thank you, donors, for helping make this experience so memorable and motivating for our students. Your generosity truly made a difference in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1772052610437,"projectUrl":"project/prize-box-incentives/9898339/","projectTitle":"Prize Box Incentives","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Nichols","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10023733_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746585732098","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10023733"},{"teacherId":10443233,"projectId":10155999,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom. Because of your kindness, my students will have the opportunity to explore diverse stories that help them see themselves in books while also learning about cultures and experiences from around the world.\r\n\r\nYour donation is more than just books on a shelf. It is an investment in my students' growth as readers, thinkers, and compassionate individuals. These picture books will spark meaningful conversations, build empathy, and inspire a lifelong love of reading.\r\n\r\nWe are truly grateful for your support and for believing in our students. Your generosity has made a lasting impact on our classroom, and we appreciate you for helping us create a richer, more inclusive learning environment.","fullyFundedDate":1773858481786,"projectUrl":"project/books-that-help-every-student-feel-seen/10155999/","projectTitle":"Books That Help Every Student Feel Seen","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Western","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10443233_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1772231065792","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10443233"},{"teacherId":189063,"projectId":10121339,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and support of our art classroom! The watercolor colored pencils you provided have been a wonderful addition to our supplies and have already made a tremendous difference for our students.\r\n\r\nThese unique materials allow students to explore both drawing and painting techniques, encouraging creativity, experimentation, and self-expression. Our young artists have been excited to discover how a simple drawing can transform with the addition of water, and they have loved seeing their artwork come to life in new ways.\r\n\r\nYour kindness helps provide experiences that inspire imagination and foster a love of art. We are truly grateful for your support and for investing in the creativity of our students.","fullyFundedDate":1774394589440,"projectUrl":"project/watercolor-pencils-refresh/10121339/","projectTitle":"Watercolor Pencils Refresh","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Allard's STEAM Lab","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp189063_orig.jpg?crop=2208,2208,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1662913139351","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kallard"},{"teacherId":10443233,"projectId":10135456,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for giving us the ability to purchase supplemental lessons in math and science from Teachers Pay Teachers. Your generosity allowed my students to experience engaging, hands-on learning that supports our curriculum and strengthens their understanding of important concepts.\r\n\r\nUsing a performance task from Teachers Pay Teachers, students applied their skills in volume to design and create robots made from rectangular prisms. They were fully engaged, excited, and eager to problem-solve as they built their creations. In fact, this activity created one of the quietest and most focused learning times my classroom has experienced—everyone was deeply involved in their work.\r\n\r\nYour support makes lessons like this possible and helps bring creativity, excitement, and meaningful learning into our classroom. Thank you for investing in my students and helping them grow as confident mathematicians and scientists.","fullyFundedDate":1773163226143,"projectUrl":"project/resources-that-add-up-to-success/10135456/","projectTitle":"Resources that Add Up to Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Western","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10443233_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1772231065792","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10443233"},{"teacherId":10443233,"projectId":10131587,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations to support our classroom prize box. Your kindness has made it possible for me to recognize and celebrate students who demonstrate excellent behavior and responsibility each week.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, students are motivated to make positive choices, stay focused, and complete their work. The opportunity to choose a prize from the prize box gives them something to look forward to and encourages them to take pride in their actions and achievements. These rewards help build confidence, responsibility, and a positive classroom environment where students feel encouraged to do their best.\r\n\r\nThank you for making a meaningful difference in our classroom and for helping my students stay motivated and successful.","fullyFundedDate":1773605499376,"projectUrl":"project/small-rewards-big-motivation/10131587/","projectTitle":"Small Rewards, Big Motivation!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Western","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10443233_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1772231065792","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10443233"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_44961","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":370,"numTeachers":16,"percentFrplEligible":43,"percentAsian":10,"percentBlack":4,"percentWhite":37,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":29,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":18,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"23.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":38.8,"schoolId":44961,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Vista Grande Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Vista Grande Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/san-diego-unified-school-district/vista-grande-elementary-school/44961"}