{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Carlson Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":35.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10378649,"projectId":10071688,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the pottery additions to our classroom! Last year I registered for a small kiln, clay, and glazes. When we got closer to making the pottery projects, I realized we were still missing a few things. It was a great help to be able to register on DonorsChoose and have the community come support our Title 1 Classroom. We are really grateful because the sponges, bisque-ware drawing tools, and various shaping tools have already helped us in the classroom.\r\n\r\nI'm excited to see what the artists continue to make this year as we do more and more clay across grades Kinder-6th!\r\n\r\nThank you for contributing to the lives of young Colorado Artists!\r\n\r\nWith gratitude,\r\nMrs. Lily","fullyFundedDate":1771440716580,"projectUrl":"project/pottery-additions/10071688/","projectTitle":"Pottery Additions","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lily","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10378649_orig.png?crop=421,421,x72,y64&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1765218158495","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-lily-art"},{"teacherId":10378649,"projectId":9950603,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the donated small kiln, clay, pottery crafting materials, and glazes that you contributed to our art classroom receiving this past year. We are already up and doing clay projects and have run the kiln several times.\r\n\r\nThere was a hangup getting the kiln delivered on time due to a worldwide shortage of kiln bricks, so it was delayed by months. When it arrived the second to last week of school, I knew we'd have to push our clay projects to the 26-27 school year. This fall we started with some small projects (the projects have to be small, because it's a small kiln) for the upper elementary grades. We made coins with textures pressed into them. I had made some texture stamps ahead of time with a local potter who came and helped me set up the kiln and get it ready for use and go through my materials with me. He was the one who helped me compile this list that I registered for through DonorsChoose last year.\r\n\r\nClay is so cool because the exploration is a huge part of it. Getting messy and getting in there to experiment creates a flexible learning attitude and invites the concept of a creative art practice to young learners. During our texture coin project, we got to really explore this. Figuring out how the clay moves when we push into it and then enjoying how the glazes go on top of that bisque fired clay. We have more grades and more projects to explore this with as the year goes on! I've ordered magnet backs so we can make small magnets and am planning to make small animals with another class. It feels really exciting we can actually get our hands messy with proper pottery equipment and get creating.\r\n\r\nThank you so much for your generous donation to the art room at our Title 1 school. The kids are over the moon with the idea of proper pottery equipment and the ones who already explored clay have already gained so much more adaptability and exploration skills. We're so excited for all that we will continue to create in the coming years!\r\n\r\nWith gratitude,\r\nMrs. Lily","fullyFundedDate":1765845300321,"projectUrl":"project/functional-pottery-project/9950603/","projectTitle":"Functional Pottery Project","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lily","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10378649_orig.png?crop=421,421,x72,y64&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1765218158495","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-lily-art"},{"teacherId":3003021,"projectId":9876027,"letterContent":"Because of our community's generosity in collaboration with The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation, $1,600 was raised to purchase a Gaga Ball pit at Carlson Elementary School — and we cannot thank you enough!\r\n\r\nFrom the very first day the pit was installed, it has been filled with laughter, movement, and excitement. When students first saw it, they literally gasped and began cheering and running towards it. We had previously played Gaga Ball using folding tables to make a pit, but we had never had the chance to play in a real pit. Within minutes, students were asking, \"When can we start?\" and \"Can we play again tomorrow?\" Their enthusiasm was immediate and contagious.\r\n\r\nWe are using the Gaga Ball pit daily during both Physical Education classes and recess. One of my favorite moments happened during our first structured PE lesson using the pit. We focused on teamwork, strategy, and sportsmanship. I watched as students encouraged one another, helped explain rules to classmates who were new to the game, and even celebrated good plays made by their opponents. One student who is often hesitant to participate in team sports confidently jumped into the pit and ended up winning a round — the smile on their face said everything. It was a powerful reminder that inclusive games like Gaga Ball truly give every child a chance to shine.\r\n\r\nBeyond the physical skills — striking, dodging, agility, and hand-eye coordination — we are intentionally connecting Gaga Ball to social-emotional learning. Students are practicing self-regulation, resilience, and positive communication. We've even had classroom discussions about strategy and problem-solving, helping students reflect on how planning and quick thinking in the pit connects to perseverance in academics.\r\nNext, we are expanding our focus to student leadership. Older students will begin helping referee games, teach rules to younger grades, and model sportsmanship. The Gaga Ball pit is not just a recess activity — it is becoming a cornerstone of community-building and character development at our school.\r\n\r\nYour support has created far more than a play space. You have provided a safe, inclusive environment where students build confidence, strengthen friendships, and develop lifelong skills — all while having an incredible amount of fun.\r\nThank you for giving our students this opportunity. Your generosity is felt every single day in the cheers echoing from the Gaga Ball pit.\r\nWith heartfelt appreciation,","fullyFundedDate":1762829426753,"projectUrl":"project/gagaball-pit/9876027/","projectTitle":"Gagaball Pit","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Rusin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3003021_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1505250693619","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/climbingshoes"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_41463","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":140,"numTeachers":18,"percentFrplEligible":44,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":71,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":15,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":9,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"7.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_DISTANT"},"inStateSupporters":64.4,"schoolId":41463,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Carlson Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Carlson Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/colorado/clear-creek-sch-dist-re-1/carlson-elementary-school/41463"}