{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Vista Grande Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":61.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"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"},{"teacherId":10443233,"projectId":10122828,"letterContent":"My students have truly enjoyed using the new tempera paint sticks as a creative medium in our classroom. As we prepare artwork for our upcoming Open House, students created beautiful flower scenes that reflect both their creativity and the skills we have been practicing. They were excited to experiment with a new material and quickly became engaged in the process of planning, designing, and bringing their ideas to life. It has been wonderful to watch their confidence grow as they realized they could create vibrant, eye-catching artwork.\r\n\r\nOne of the things students commented on most was how smoothly the paint sticks glide across the paper. They loved being able to color and blend without the usual mess associated with traditional paint. This allowed them to focus more on their artistic choices, such as layering colors, adding details, and creating texture, rather than worrying about spills or cleanup. The bright, vibrant colors made their flower scenes stand out, and students took great pride in seeing their work come together so beautifully.\r\n\r\nUsing tempera paint sticks has made our art time more enjoyable, efficient, and accessible for all learners. The finished flower scenes will be proudly displayed at Open House, giving students a chance to showcase their hard work and creativity to their families. This new medium has not only enhanced their artistic expression but has also made art a joyful and memorable learning experience.","fullyFundedDate":1772821944834,"projectUrl":"project/color-their-world-with-tempera-paint-sti/10122828/","projectTitle":"Color Their World with Tempera Paint Sticks!","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":10134061,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom book project. Because of your kindness, my students now have access to a vibrant collection of STEAM and art-based books that will spark their curiosity and creativity. \r\n\r\nThese books are more than just pages and pictures—they are doorways into imagination, problem-solving, and discovery. My students are already diving into stories that connect science, technology, engineering, art, and math in exciting and meaningful ways. They are asking questions, thinking critically, and exploring new ideas with enthusiasm.\r\n\r\nYour contribution helps create a classroom where creativity and innovation thrive. You have given my students the opportunity to see themselves as artists, engineers, and thinkers, and that is a gift that will last far beyond this school year.\r\n\r\nWith heartfelt gratitude,","fullyFundedDate":1773868186890,"projectUrl":"project/how-to-catchbooks-for-steam/10134061/","projectTitle":"How to Catch....Books for STEAM","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":10135723,"letterContent":"Thank you for bringing the Biorb Air 60 into our classroom. The kids are fascinated by it, and the youngest ones want to run over to take a look when they come into my classroom. So far we have added some orchids and other colorful leaf plants. We still need to figure out some other plants to add, and maybe, eventually, some small creatures. \r\n\r\nThe Biorb does a ton of things automatically, making it a self-sustaining system. It has an automatic misting and humidity system, but it also has a 24 hour lighting system that gradually increases and decreases at sunrise and sunset. \r\n\r\nThank you for making this project possible!","fullyFundedDate":1773163228146,"projectUrl":"project/biorb-for-study-inspiration-and-calm/10135723/","projectTitle":"Biorb for Study, Inspiration, and Calm","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":1610477,"projectId":10121039,"letterContent":"On behalf of our 3rd grade class, I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks for the generous donation of new P.E. equipment. Your support has made an immediate and meaningful impact on our students, and we are truly grateful.\r\n\r\nWhat has been especially wonderful to see is how students who usually stuck to just one game are now eager to try new sports and activities. The variety of equipment has encouraged exploration, confidence, and a willingness to step outside of their comfort zones. With more materials available, students are spending far less time waiting for a turn and much more time actively engaged. This has made a big difference in keeping everyone moving, learning, and having fun throughout class.\r\n\r\nFor some of our students, this was their very first time ever touching a tennis ball or using a scoop ball paddle. In just a few short days, we have already noticed improvements in their hand-eye coordination, as well as their overall confidence during physical activities.\r\n\r\nThe addition of more dodgeballs has also been a huge hit! Students were thrilled and quickly began laughing, creating their own games, and taking initiative during playtime. It has been amazing to see them develop fast moves, sharpen their reflexes, and work together in such creative and energetic ways.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has helped create a more inclusive, engaging, and joyful environment for our students. Thank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1772925088152,"projectUrl":"project/motivated-to-move-lets-get-movin/10121039/","projectTitle":"Motivated to Move! Let's Get Movin'!","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":10023733,"projectId":10115118,"letterContent":"The donation had a significant and lasting impact on my classroom project, enriching both social studies and science instruction in meaningful ways. With the generous support, we were able to purchase supplemental social studies materials that directly supported our unit on the American colonies. These resources allowed students to engage in a collaborative, hands-on project where they worked together to research, design, and create detailed posters representing different colonies.\r\nThrough this activity, students were not only able to build a stronger understanding of the historical content, but they also developed important collaboration and communication skills. Working in small groups, they divided responsibilities, shared ideas, and supported one another throughout the creative process. This type of teamwork fostered a sense of accountability and encouraged students to take ownership of their learning. The visual and interactive nature of the posters also helped students make deeper connections to the material, as they were able to represent key information such as geography, economy, culture, and daily life in each colony in a meaningful and memorable way.\r\nIn addition to strengthening social studies instruction, the project also supported skills that are essential in science learning. Students practiced critical thinking as they analyzed information from multiple sources and determined what was most important to include. They also engaged in problem-solving as they figured out how to organize their posters, present information clearly, and use materials effectively. These skills are directly transferable to scientific inquiry, where students must evaluate evidence, collaborate with peers, and communicate their findings clearly.\r\nThe materials purchased through the donation also allowed for greater student engagement and inclusivity. Having access to high-quality, supplemental resources ensured that all students, regardless of their learning style, could participate fully in the project. Visual learners benefited from the creative aspects, while others thrived in the research and writing components. This variety helped create a more equitable learning environment where every student had the opportunity to succeed.\r\nFurthermore, the project brought a sense of excitement and pride into the classroom. Students were highly motivated to complete their posters and were eager to share their work with classmates. This culminated in a gallery-style presentation, where groups presented their colonies and learned from one another. Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1772052610457,"projectUrl":"project/supplemental-resources-for-social-studie/10115118/","projectTitle":"Supplemental Resources for Social Studies and Science","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":1610477,"projectId":10134418,"letterContent":"I wish you could have been in our classroom the day your generous donation arrived—there was an immediate buzz of excitement, smiles all around, and so many eager hands reaching to explore the new books and instruments. \r\n\r\nThe moment students heard that a copy of Wonder by R.J. Palacio was available for them to borrow, the entire room lit up with excitement. They were eager to know when it would be their turn to take the book home for the week, and it has quickly become something they all look forward to. As a class, we are currently reading Wonder, and the students are completely enthralled. They have fallen in love with the characters and are deeply engaged in the story, while also learning important life lessons about kindness, empathy, and acceptance.\r\n\r\nThe musical egg shakers have also been a wonderful addition to our classroom. Students were immediately drawn to them and have already created unforgettable memories through fun and interactive musical games. The laughter, creativity, and sense of community these activities have fostered have been truly special to witness.\r\n\r\nThank you from the bottom of our hearts!","fullyFundedDate":1773095612506,"projectUrl":"project/help-us-build-social-skills-and-have-mus/10134418/","projectTitle":"Help Us Build Social Skills and Have Music Therapy","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":189063,"projectId":10119367,"letterContent":"This is amazing to have so many options for resources using the Teacher Pay Teachers website. I feel that it is a double bonus because it not only benefits myself as a teacher and artist, but also the teachers that create the materials. Even though I do love creating resources myself, who has time for that while working?!? \r\n\r\nIn addition to the resources I can use on the TPT site, I can also use various science and art-based clipart and decorations that help me to build the resources as I need. \r\n\r\nThank you for choosing my classroom and my students to support.","fullyFundedDate":1772828812636,"projectUrl":"project/tpt-resources-for-steam-engaging/10119367/","projectTitle":"TPT Resources for STEAM Engaging","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":10080200,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom by funding a Teachers Pay Teachers gift card. Your generosity helps bring engaging materials and creative resources directly into our classroom. These lessons and activities are designed by educators and help make learning more interactive, meaningful, and fun for students.\r\n\r\nWith access to these resources, I can provide hands-on activities, visually rich lessons, and differentiated materials that meet the needs of all learners. Engaging resources help students stay curious, motivated, and excited about what they are learning each day.\r\n\r\nYour support allows our classroom to continue exploring new ideas and learning in ways that spark creativity and enthusiasm. Thank you for helping provide materials that make learning more dynamic and engaging for my students.","fullyFundedDate":1771986998438,"projectUrl":"project/tpt-resources-for-enhancing-learning/10080200/","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":9859324,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom by funding a heat press. This generous donation opens up so many creative opportunities for my students. With this tool, we will be able to design and create our own shirts, fabric art, and iron-on projects that bring our ideas to life in a hands-on way.\r\n\r\nProjects like these help students build creativity, problem-solving skills, and pride in their work. Being able to see their designs transferred onto fabric will make the learning experience even more meaningful and memorable. Your kindness is helping transform our classroom into a space where imagination and creativity can truly shine.\r\n\r\nWe are incredibly grateful for your support and for believing in the importance of providing students with engaging, creative learning experiences. Thank you for making a lasting difference in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1770074360116,"projectUrl":"project/steaming-up-with-a-heat-press/9859324/","projectTitle":"STEAMing Up With a Heat Press","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":1610477,"projectId":9847293,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the Teachers Pay Teachers gift card—it has been a real asset for our third grade class. With the resources we were able to purchase, the students have enjoyed several meaningful activities. They explored biographies and read about inventors and took notes on a special writing template. In math, they used graph paper to draw our school mascot and learn about area. They were so proud of their pixel art.\r\n\r\nThese kinds of hands-on tasks have made the material feel more relevant and engaging for the kids. One project that stood out was the one-pager on Native American tribes: each student researched a tribe, wrote key facts, and included their own drawings to illustrate what they learned. It gave them a chance to organize their thoughts and present information in a creative way. \r\n\r\nThese learning experiences wouldn't have been possible without your generous donation, and we're truly grateful for the support. It's made a noticeable difference in keeping our classroom activities varied and interesting. Thank you again from all of us—your caring heart means the world!","fullyFundedDate":1770346376188,"projectUrl":"project/making-math-science-fun-and-accessible/9847293/","projectTitle":"Making Math & Science Fun and Accessible!","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"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_44961","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":392,"numTeachers":16,"percentFrplEligible":43,"percentAsian":9,"percentBlack":4,"percentWhite":41,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":25,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"24.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":38.9,"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"}