{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Vista Grande Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":61.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":1610477,"projectId":10637076,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of art supplies to our Spanish Art class! Your kindness and support have made a meaningful difference in our classroom, giving our students the tools and freedom to explore their creativity, express themselves, and experience the joy of making art together.\r\n\r\nOur students especially loved using the paint sticks while learning about the Spanish artist Joan Miró and his imaginative, colorful, and playful artwork. Inspired by Miró's unique style, the students collaborated on a large group art project that allowed everyone to contribute their own ideas and creativity. The paint sticks were a perfect medium for this project! The students loved how smoothly and easily they glided across the paper, creating vivid, bold colors that looked just like paint without the need for paintbrushes, water, or a messy cleanup. \r\n\r\nHaving this wonderful tool in their hands allowed them to focus on what mattered most: experimenting, imagining, and letting their creativity flow. It was exciting to watch their ideas come to life as they worked together to create something bigger than themselves. The best part came when we displayed their finished artwork for the entire school to enjoy! Students and teachers alike stopped to admire their work and share compliments. Our young artists were so proud to see their creations appreciated by such a wide audience, with admirers ranging in age from 4 to 60 years old! It was a beautiful reminder that art brings people together, sparks conversations, and creates connections across generations.","fullyFundedDate":1789564164562,"projectUrl":"project/learning-spanish-through-art/10637076/","projectTitle":"Learning Spanish Through Art","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":10579831,"letterContent":"The new stools have made a wonderful difference in our classroom! They are giving students more choices about where and how they sit during learning. Some students enjoy having a little movement while they work, and the stools allow them to move comfortably without distracting others. Having different seating options helps students find a space where they feel comfortable and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nThe stools have also been especially helpful around our small-group table. Because they are less bulky than traditional chairs, we can fit more students comfortably around the table while still having room to move and work. This has made our small-group lessons more efficient and inviting. Students are excited to use the stools, and I have noticed that having the right seating option can make a real difference in their focus, participation, and engagement.","fullyFundedDate":1790109493835,"projectUrl":"project/choose-your-seat-choose-your-success/10579831/","projectTitle":"Choose Your Seat, Choose Your 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":10358157,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping expand our classroom library with new and engaging chapter books. My goal is to help my students develop a genuine love for reading, and having a wider variety of books has given them more opportunities to find stories that capture their interests. The new books provide students with opportunities to practice important reading skills such as identifying theme, describing characters, making inferences, using text evidence, summarizing, and discussing what they have read. Most importantly, they are learning that reading can be something they choose to enjoy, not simply an assignment.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom means having choices. Students can browse the shelves, talk with classmates about books they are enjoying, recommend books to one another, and find a quiet spot to become absorbed in a story. I have especially enjoyed seeing students who were unsure about reading become excited when they find a book or series that interests them. Our diverse collection also gives students opportunities to see themselves represented in books while learning about characters and experiences that may be different from their own. Watching students eagerly pick up a new book and want to keep reading is exactly what I hoped this project would accomplish.","fullyFundedDate":1789582992126,"projectUrl":"project/creating-lifelong-readers-one-book-at-a/10358157/","projectTitle":"Creating Lifelong Readers, One Book at a Time","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":10384192,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for making our PE project possible. My 5th graders have been excited to use our new kickballs and jump ropes during PE. Having enough equipment allows more students to participate and stay active throughout our lessons.\r\n\r\nThe kickballs have been especially popular. Students have enjoyed playing traditional kickball as well as trying a new game called kickball basketball. Our sturdy jump ropes are also getting lots of use during PE rotations as students practice jumping, coordination, and other fitness skills.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has made PE more active, engaging, and fun for our students. Thank you for helping provide opportunities for every student to move, learn, and enjoy being active together!","fullyFundedDate":1785506733951,"projectUrl":"project/jump-play-and-thrive-pe-fun-for-every/10384192/","projectTitle":"Jump, Play, and Thrive: PE Fun for Every Student","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":10483699,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our math project. Your generosity has already made a difference in our classroom. The floor pillows have given my students a comfortable place to sit on the rug near the board, allowing them to focus on our lessons and participate more comfortably.\r\n\r\nThe place value discs will be a wonderful addition to our math learning as we work with division and decimals. They will give students a hands-on way to model their thinking and better understand concepts that can sometimes feel abstract. These resources are helping enrich our math lessons and provide students with more opportunities to learn by doing.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in my students and helping make our classroom a more engaging and supportive place to learn. Your kindness is making a meaningful difference!","fullyFundedDate":1788293496818,"projectUrl":"project/building-confident-mathematicians-learn/10483699/","projectTitle":"Building Confident Mathematicians: Learning Through Hands-On Math","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":10023733,"projectId":10346454,"letterContent":"This project allowed me to purchase a wonderful author study unit that pairs perfectly with the books that were generously donated to my classroom. Having both the books and the instructional resources has made it possible for my students to engage with the literature in a much deeper and more meaningful way.\r\nMy class is currently reading one of the donated books together, and we are using the graphic organizers, discussion questions, writing prompts, and lesson tools from the author study unit to guide our learning. These resources have provided my students with a clear structure for thinking about the characters, plot, themes, author's craft, and important messages within the story. Instead of simply reading the book, students are learning how to look closely at the text, support their ideas with evidence, and explain their thinking.\r\nOne of our main goals is helping students become stronger readers and writers. The graphic organizers have been especially helpful because they give students a place to organize their thoughts before beginning their written analysis. For many students, putting their ideas into writing can feel overwhelming. Breaking the process into smaller steps has helped them feel more confident and successful. They are learning that good writing begins with thoughtful reading, careful planning, and evidence from the text.\r\nI have also enjoyed seeing students become more engaged in our class discussions. As we read, students are making connections, asking questions, noticing details, and sharing their interpretations of the story. The lesson tools have given me additional ways to encourage these conversations and help students build on one another's ideas.\r\nThe donated books have also helped create a shared reading experience in our classroom. Having a class set means that students can follow along together, discuss the same chapters, and refer back to the text during lessons and writing activities. It has created a sense of community around reading and has given students opportunities to learn from one another.\r\nI am especially grateful that this project allowed me to purchase resources that will continue to be useful beyond this one book. The author study materials can be used to support future reading and writing activities, giving me additional tools to differentiate instruction and meet the needs of students with different levels of reading and writing experience.\r\nThank you for making this possible! Your generosity has provided my students with more than just books and classroom materials. You have given them opportunities to become thoughtful readers, stronger writers, and more confident learners. I truly appreciate your support of my classroom and the learning experiences it makes possible for my students. Thank you for investing in their education and helping make reading and writing more engaging and meaningful!","fullyFundedDate":1782667173566,"projectUrl":"project/new-read-alouds-and-author-study-project/10346454/","projectTitle":"New Read Alouds and Author Study Projects","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":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"}],"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":39.0,"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"}