{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Taft Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":32.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":184609,"projectId":10189116,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for bringing the joy of reading into our classroom! My third graders were absolutely thrilled when they saw their new books, and their excitement was contagious! Their eyes lit up as they eagerly explored the colorful covers, shared their discoveries with classmates, and picked out stories they couldn't wait to read. Through interactive read-alouds, partner discussions, and independent reading, these wonderful books helped my scholars build confidence, strengthen literacy skills, and discover the magic of getting lost in a great story.\r\n\r\nOne of the most special moments was watching my students personalize their very own reading tote bags with colorful fabric markers, creative drawings, and heartfelt messages about their love for reading. Each bag became a unique expression of their personality and growing identity as a reader! My scholars were super excited for the opportunity to select their favorite books to keep and proudly carry home in their handmade tote bags.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has given my students so much more than books. You've given them the gift of imagination, confidence, and the opportunity to build their very own home libraries. Thank you for investing in their futures, nurturing their love of reading, and reminding them that their dreams and stories matter. Your thoughtful gift will continue to inspire little readers and make a BIG difference long after they leave our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1778199174233,"projectUrl":"project/read-it-love-it-keep-it/10189116/","projectTitle":"Read It, Love It, Keep It!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kensinger","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp184609_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597280455458","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-kensinger"},{"teacherId":184609,"projectId":10167586,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping us fill our classroom library with books my students are genuinely excited to read! Many of these titles came directly from my students' own wish list, so seeing the books arrive made them feel heard, valued, and eager to begin reading. These new books are helping my third graders strengthen important literacy skills such as building vocabulary and fluency, making predictions and inferences, identifying character traits, summarizing, and supporting their ideas with evidence from the text. Just as importantly, they are discovering that reading can be fun, meaningful, and something they choose to do.\r\n\r\nReading is an important part of each day in our classroom. Students enjoy independent reading, choose books that match their interests, share recommendations with classmates, and record their reading through our weekly reading log. It has been especially rewarding to see some of my more reluctant readers gravitate toward graphic novels and highly illustrated books, while others proudly challenge themselves with chapter books. One of my favorite moments is hearing a student ask, \"Can I read that when you're finished?\" or \"Do you have another book like this one?\" Those simple questions tell me that these books are doing exactly what I hoped - they are creating excited, confident readers.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has given my students so much more than new books. You have given them choices, new worlds to explore, opportunities to see themselves and others in stories, and another reason to look forward to reading each day. Most importantly, you are helping my third graders see themselves as readers and planting the seeds for a lifelong love of books. Thank you for believing in my scholars and for helping us create a classroom where curiosity, imagination, and the joy of reading can flourish!","fullyFundedDate":1774390234735,"projectUrl":"project/spring-into-books-help-my-readers-bloom/10167586/","projectTitle":"Spring Into Books: Help My Readers Bloom!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kensinger","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp184609_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597280455458","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-kensinger"},{"teacherId":184609,"projectId":10135565,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping bring stories to life in our classroom. The Toniebox, story characters, engaging books, and portable microphone have given my students new ways to listen, read, imagine, and share. The Toniebox lets them enjoy stories independently and revisit them, building listening skills, vocabulary, and understanding of story events. The books and characters invite them to act out what they hear, while the microphone gives them a chance to retell stories, perform, and sing for their classmates.\r\n\r\nThis project has also created welcoming ways for different learners to participate. Students who prefer to listen before speaking can first enjoy a story and follow along; those who are ready to share can use a character or microphone to join in. Each student can take part in a way that feels comfortable, then gradually find more confidence in using their voice.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has helped create a classroom where stories invite students to learn, create, and express themselves. Thank you for supporting their growth as readers, listeners, and storytellers.","fullyFundedDate":1778131003488,"projectUrl":"project/help-my-students-bring-stories-to-life/10135565/","projectTitle":"Help My Students Bring Stories to Life!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kensinger","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp184609_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597280455458","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-kensinger"},{"teacherId":184609,"projectId":10280323,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and helping bring engaging, inclusive learning experiences to my third-grade scholars! Because of your generosity, Teachers Pay Teachers has given me access to high-quality digital resources that make technology a meaningful part of learning. These resources have been especially valuable when collaborating with our wonderful Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) \"STEAM\" buddies, because strong visuals and interactive activities help make learning more accessible and encourage communication and teamwork among all students.\r\n\r\nYour donation has provided much more than access to digital materials - it has given me additional ways to reach children with different learning, communication, and academic needs. Most importantly, these resources are helping my students become curious thinkers, creative problem-solvers, confident communicators, and supportive teammates. Thank you for investing in my scholars and helping me create a classroom where technology brings students together and makes learning exciting, accessible, and meaningful for every child!","fullyFundedDate":1778569533115,"projectUrl":"project/engaging-steam-learning-with-tpt/10280323/","projectTitle":"Engaging \"STEAM\" Learning with TPT","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kensinger","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp184609_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597280455458","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-kensinger"},{"teacherId":184609,"projectId":9974817,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my third graders didn't just learn about Chinese culture -they experienced it! One of their favorite activities was learning to use chopsticks while enjoying noodles together, filling our classroom with laughter, determination, and proud \"I did it!\" moments. Students also loved playing Chinese Checkers, learning and performing a Chinese song, and using our Chinese boy and girl puppets to create imaginative stories and performances for their classmates.\r\n\r\nThe materials inspired creativity, collaboration, and curiosity. Students explored family life and traditions through culturally representative dolls, stories, and dramatic play. Along the way, they strengthened communication, patience, fine motor skills, and problem-solving while gaining a greater appreciation for another culture.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, you gave my scholars joyful, memorable experiences that helped make our big world feel a little closer. They discovered that exploring another culture can be fun, meaningful, and a wonderful way to understand and respect one another. Thank you for opening their hearts and minds, sparking their curiosity, and making this special cultural adventure possible. We are truly grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1772726526770,"projectUrl":"project/learning-and-exploring-chinese-culture-t/9974817/","projectTitle":"Learning and Exploring Chinese Culture Through Play","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kensinger","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp184609_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597280455458","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-kensinger"},{"teacherId":184609,"projectId":9918246,"letterContent":"I'm excited to share a closer look at how your generous support has come to life in our classroom through \"Together We Play, Together We Learn.\"\r\n\r\nWe use the games you provided as part of our weekly learning routine. Each week, we introduce a new game, learn the rules together, and then rotate through stations so every student gets a chance to play, practice, and lead. One of my favorite moments happened during a game of Monopoly, when a group of students began discussing strategy and fairness during trades. They thoughtfully negotiated with one another, justified their decisions, and even paused the game to make sure everyone felt included and understood. It was such a powerful example of students applying critical thinking and empathy in real time.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the excitement was immediate and contagious. Students' eyes lit up as they recognized familiar games and discovered new ones. There was a buzz of curiosity as they asked questions, read instructions, and eagerly anticipated their turn to play. What stood out most was how naturally they encouraged one another; students who had played certain games before quickly stepped into leadership roles to help their classmates learn.\r\n\r\nYour support has truly brought learning to life in a joyful, meaningful way. Thank you for giving my students the opportunity to grow not only academically, but also as thoughtful, collaborative individuals.","fullyFundedDate":1766024819904,"projectUrl":"project/together-we-play-together-we-learn/9918246/","projectTitle":"Together We Play, Together We Learn!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kensinger","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp184609_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597280455458","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-kensinger"},{"teacherId":184609,"projectId":9951468,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible kindness and generosity. Because of your support, my students were able to experience and celebrate Chinese culture in meaningful, hands-on ways that brought so much joy and excitement into our classroom.\r\n\r\nWith the books you helped provide, students built a strong understanding of important Chinese traditions, especially surrounding Lunar New Year. They loved learning about the zodiac animals and were especially excited to discover details about the Year of the Horse. These stories sparked thoughtful discussions and helped them make connections between different cultures and traditions around the world.\r\n\r\nYour generosity also allowed my students to learn through creativity and exploration. They designed and painted their own paper fans, crafted bright and colorful lanterns, and worked together to create an accordion dragon puppet. One of the most memorable moments was when they used their dragon to act out a classroom \"dragon dance,\" filling the room with laughter and teamwork.\r\n\r\nOne of their favorite experiences was receiving red lucky bags filled with special treats. This small but meaningful activity helped them connect personally to the traditions they were learning about, making the experience even more memorable.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, my students didn't just learn about another culture - they experienced it. You helped foster curiosity, cultural appreciation, and a deeper understanding of the world around them. Thank you again for your generosity and for making such a lasting impact on my students.","fullyFundedDate":1766770856326,"projectUrl":"project/gallop-into-lunar-fun-explore-chines/9951468/","projectTitle":"\"Gallop Into Lunar Fun\" - Explore Chinese Culture","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kensinger","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp184609_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597280455458","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-kensinger"},{"teacherId":184609,"projectId":9808793,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping our classroom \"fall\" into learning! Because of your generosity, my young scientists and creators explored the wonders of autumn through hands-on \"STEAM\" activities that connected science, math, art, and literacy. The Teachers Pay Teachers resources I was able to purchase helped support our learning centers and experiments by giving students engaging recording sheets, science journals, and literacy connections. After activities like our leaf experiment and pumpkin investigations, students used these materials to document observations, analyze patterns, and explain their thinking like real scientists.\r\n\r\nThe most exciting moment for students was our Leaf Chromatography experiment. When the pigments began separating on the coffee filters, students were amazed to see yellows and oranges appear from leaves that originally looked green. One student exclaimed that there were \"secret colors hiding in the leaf!\" The pumpkin math investigations and mini catapult engineering challenge were also huge hits. Students estimated pumpkin weights, measured circumference, counted seeds, and tested their candy pumpkin catapults while learning about engineering and physics through play.\r\n\r\nI also saw several students truly shine during these activities. Because of your support, learning became something students could touch, test, and explore. Thank you for giving my students the opportunity to experience the joy of hands-on discovery and helping them see themselves as scientists and problem solvers.","fullyFundedDate":1763614096563,"projectUrl":"project/steamin-through-the-season-apples-lea/9808793/","projectTitle":"STEAMin’ Through the Season: Apples, Leaves, and Pumpkins, Please!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kensinger","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp184609_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597280455458","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-kensinger"},{"teacherId":184609,"projectId":9610513,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity and for supporting our classroom through this project. Because of you, my students have had a stronger, smoother, and more successful start to the school year. The supplies and materials you provided helped create a clean, organized, and welcoming learning environment where students could focus on learning instead of worrying about not having what they needed. With access to essential classroom supplies and engaging instructional materials, my students felt more comfortable, confident, and ready to participate each day.\r\n\r\nThis project had a direct and meaningful impact on both student learning and my teaching. Having the supplies needed to stay healthy and organized allowed us to establish strong routines and minimize interruptions. With resources that made lessons more interactive and engaging, I was able to spend more time teaching and supporting students academically. I could plan more creative, hands-on lessons and focus on helping each student grow in reading, writing, and math.\r\n\r\nYour generosity, along with the support of the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation, truly made a lasting difference in our classroom. You helped give my students the tools they needed to feel prepared, supported, and successful from day one. Thank you for believing in my scholars and for investing in their learning - we are so grateful for you!","fullyFundedDate":1758822780148,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-futures-basic-supplies-for-a-b/9610513/","projectTitle":"Fueling Futures - Basic Supplies for a Bright School Year!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kensinger","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp184609_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597280455458","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-kensinger"},{"teacherId":184609,"projectId":9251257,"letterContent":"Thank you once again for supporting my classroom in such a meaningful way. Your kindness and generosity are truly appreciated, and we're so grateful for the opportunity to use these helpful tools in our everyday learning.\r\n\r\nThe LCD writing tablets have been a total game changer. There is no more searching for markers that work, no more dirty hands from wiping off dry-erase boards, and no more distractions. Most importantly, my students love them. They are genuinely excited when an activity involves their LCD writing tablets, and that excitement has led to greater engagement, participation, and confidence during lessons.\r\n\r\nThe Amazon Echo has quickly become an invaluable classroom tool. We use it daily to support our routines with timers, play engaging music, and access quick answers to student questions. It has made learning more fun, interactive, and accessible for my third graders.\r\n\r\nThe computer mice have helped my students work with greater accuracy, speed, and confidence as they bring their ideas to life on the screen. Students are able to focus on demonstrating what they know rather than struggling with the technology, which has reduced frustration and boosted their confidence during assessments, research projects, and daily learning tasks.\r\n\r\nI am incredibly grateful for your generous donation and the positive impact it has made on my students. Because of you, my classroom is more engaging, efficient, and joyful. Thank you for believing in my students and supporting their learning journey!","fullyFundedDate":1755289432179,"projectUrl":"project/tap-into-tech-learning-tools-for-our-ti/9251257/","projectTitle":"Tap into Tech: Learning Tools for our Tigers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kensinger","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp184609_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597280455458","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-kensinger"},{"teacherId":184609,"projectId":9273864,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our art project! Because of your generosity, my students had the chance to explore their creativity, express themselves, and build meaningful connections with their classmates.\r\n\r\nThey loved creating sand art and painting rocks, experimenting with colors, patterns, and textures. Our \"Paint and Juice\" art session was a true celebration. My students beamed with pride as they took home their artwork along with a special \"first day of school\" keepsake photo to share with their families. \r\n\r\nOne of the most touching moments was seeing students make friendship bracelets. They carefully crafted each one and proudly shared them with classmates, spreading kindness, generosity, and joy throughout the classroom.\r\n\r\nYour support not only fueled their creativity, it helped nurture empathy, confidence, and a love of learning. We are incredibly grateful for your kindness and for helping us make these special memories possible.","fullyFundedDate":1754086312519,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-hearts-open-expressing-throug/9273864/","projectTitle":"Hands-On, Hearts Open: Expressing Through Art","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kensinger","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp184609_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597280455458","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-kensinger"},{"teacherId":1996092,"projectId":9500967,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in funding a complete class set of \"A Long Walk to Water\" for my fifth grade students. Your donation has given my class access to a powerful story that has truly transformed our learning experience. \r\n\r\nWatching my students connect with Salva's and Nya's journeys has been remarkable—they've been captivated by the courage and resilience shown in the face of unimaginable challenges. The book has sparked deep conversations about perseverance, empathy, and the importance of clean water access, issues many of them had never considered before. Students who sometimes struggled to stay engaged during reading time have been eagerly turning pages, asking thoughtful questions, and making meaningful connections between the story and their own lives.\r\n\r\nBeyond developing stronger reading skills, this book has opened my students' eyes to the world beyond our classroom walls. They've learned about South Sudan's history, researched the ongoing global water crisis, and have even started brainstorming ways they might help make a difference in their own community. Several students have told me this is the best book they've ever read, and I've seen a newfound appreciation for the power of education and opportunity that we sometimes take for granted. Your support has given my students more than just a book—you've given them a window into another person's experience and inspired them to become more compassionate global citizens. Thank you for investing in these young readers and for believing in the impact that one powerful story can make.","fullyFundedDate":1755801454255,"projectUrl":"project/building-bridges-through-books-a-long-w/9500967/","projectTitle":"Building Bridges Through Books: A Long Walk to Water","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lostaunau","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1996092_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1470870245131","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1996092"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_93139","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":409,"numTeachers":28,"percentFrplEligible":94,"percentAsian":4,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":3,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":89,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":1,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"14.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":67.2,"schoolId":93139,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Taft Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Taft Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/santa-ana-unified-school-district/taft-elementary-school/93139"}