{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Thunder Valley K-8 School","outOfStateSupporters":44.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5665769,"projectId":9384090,"letterContent":"My students have been so excited to use the new materials. When they were at a station that had a new set of blocks or a new game they are ecstatic to explore. \r\nThe magnetic blocks have been a huge hit. The students have been using them to make all sorts of characters and fruit. The blocks make a slight jingle sound when you move them. One student said the sound was so \"satisfying.\" \r\nThe new dice game \"Tenz\" took a bit for the students to get used to but as soon as they have it has become a favorite. They love the different colored dice and the many different games to play. There are so many different games to play they can play by themselves or with a partner.\r\nThank you again for supporting my students.","fullyFundedDate":1758469763290,"projectUrl":"project/hand-on-exploration-stations/9384090/","projectTitle":"Hand-On Exploration Stations","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ladd","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5665769_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1679192017103","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5665769"},{"teacherId":8662287,"projectId":9232897,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my students now have access to a vibrant new collection of dystopian novels that are already sparking curiosity and conversation in our classroom. These books have transformed our independent reading time. Students are eagerly discussing themes of equity, power, and resilience, making thoughtful connections between the fictional worlds they're reading about and the real-world issues they see around them. Your support has helped me create a space where reading feels relevant, empowering, and exciting.\r\n\r\nThe new titles have also taken our Book Trailer Tuesdays to a whole new level! Students can't wait to see which book will be featured next, and the raffle to check out a featured copy has become a highlight of the week. Many students who previously struggled to find books that interested them are now more engaged.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, my classroom library is a place of choice, engagement, and discovery. Your gift has not only provided books, it has also opened doors for students to explore big ideas, find their voices in discussions, and see themselves as readers. Thank you for believing in the power of stories and helping me bring that power to my students every day.","fullyFundedDate":1745422943549,"projectUrl":"project/books-they-cant-put-down-engaging-read/9232897/","projectTitle":"Books They Can't Put Down: Engaging Reads for 8th Graders","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ahlberg","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8662287_orig.jpg?crop=2048,2048,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1661724195597","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8662287"},{"teacherId":9626565,"projectId":9457434,"letterContent":"This has been such an amazing year so far, and already I'm seeing the impact of your donation in their handwriting as the handwriting books have helped. \r\n\r\nWhat's hard about being a middle schooler with poor handwriting is that it impacts their self confidence. They see their handwriting and think that something is wrong with them when really they just need more practice. I've seen their confidence and their retention of knowledge improve so much over these last few weeks using these books. They love them and seek out every available opportunity to use them. So thank you for donating the materials to make this happen. \r\n\r\nYou have helped them as they have entered what is often a difficult time in life. Middle school is hard enough, but you've taken one thing off their plate so thank you so so much!","fullyFundedDate":1753467248659,"projectUrl":"project/making-writing-readable-with-handwriting/9457434/","projectTitle":"Making Writing Readable with Handwriting Practice","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lewis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9626565"},{"teacherId":9251139,"projectId":9295188,"letterContent":"When my students first saw the new Snap Circuit kits, their excitement was clear. Many of them rushed to open the boxes, eager to explore the colorful pieces and figure out how the circuits worked. Some students immediately started pointing out familiar parts, like batteries and switches, while others were curious about the pieces they had never seen before. The hands-on nature of the kits quickly captured their attention, and even students who are usually hesitant about science were engaged and enthusiastic.\r\n\r\nAs they began working with the kits, students collaborated in small groups to build different types of circuits. They snapped pieces together to light up bulbs, make fans spin, and even create sound effects. Through trial and error, they practiced problem-solving and teamwork, often cheering when their circuits finally worked. The kits gave them a chance to connect abstract science concepts, like energy flow and electrical current, to real, tangible outcomes. This hands-on experience allowed them to see science in action and build confidence in their learning.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, there are many potential next steps to expand on what students have learned with Snap Circuits. They could design their own circuit challenges, apply their knowledge to more complex projects like building alarms or radios, or even connect the concepts to coding and robotics. Another next step could be for students to reflect on their designs and explain how energy moves through their circuits, reinforcing science vocabulary and understanding. The kits have sparked curiosity and creativity, opening the door for deeper exploration of energy, electricity, and engineering.","fullyFundedDate":1746785610232,"projectUrl":"project/lighting-up-learning-with-snap-circuits/9295188/","projectTitle":"Lighting Up Learning With Snap Circuits!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tutkowski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9251139"},{"teacherId":7288885,"projectId":5777205,"letterContent":"This allowed my previous school an ability and opportunity to connect and communicate regarding student safety! This also allowed for future staff members to have more consistent communication even after I moved onto a new school. I am so thankful I was able to create and fund this opportunity to keep current and future students safe. \r\n\r\nIt was a huge ordeal to get these funded, and they are still be actively used by the Special Education Team at Thunder Valley K8! I know it positively impacted my work there and allowed for a safer environment.","fullyFundedDate":1636979476360,"projectUrl":"project/walkie-talkies-for-the-sped-team/5777205/","projectTitle":"Walkie Talkies for the SPED Team","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Duncan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7288885_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1593383682085","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7288885"},{"teacherId":7288885,"projectId":5390388,"letterContent":"We were able to grow in our collaborative game play and play alongside our peers in their classrooms! We also used the supplies to create a sensory hallway for our students to have during the Field Day event! This allowed for those students who needed a moment away to quietly sit and play games, puzzles, participate in art, and other sensory bins. It was very popular!\r\nMy students were incredibly excited to have new activities to learn with, and grow their skills! I cannot wait for my future students to continue playing, exploring and more!","fullyFundedDate":1614051590102,"projectUrl":"project/collaborations-and-fun/5390388/","projectTitle":"Collaborations And Fun","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Duncan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7288885_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1593383682085","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7288885"},{"teacherId":7778038,"projectId":8562759,"letterContent":"Even now, months after the books you so generously helped fund arrived, my students are still excited about them. It has help boost a community of readers that are talking about the books they currently reading or the ones they just finished\r\nThrough this project, I was able to expand the Spanish section in my library and have been able to connect with students who I hadn't been able to reach. Even students in earlier graders I haven't met yet are coming to ask to read from my Spanish section which is so heartwarming. \r\nThank you for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1723156384476,"projectUrl":"project/keep-colorado-reading/8562759/","projectTitle":"Keep Colorado Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Orozco","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7778038_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1614612265504","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7778038"},{"teacherId":9219897,"projectId":8981794,"letterContent":"The definition of gratitude is the feeling of being grateful and thankful and that is exactly how our staff and students feel after receiving the very generous donation of books to our school library! The library is the heart of our building and both our staff and students love not only visiting the space but, more importantly, using its resources. Thanks to your donation we were able to add a large number of valuable non fiction and social and emotional support titles that are, quite literally, flying off of the shelves. We were also able to provide a more inclusive and newer collection for our patrons, which is such an important aspect of a healthy library. We cannot say thank you enough for your donation!\r\n\r\nNon Fiction books can quickly be considered out of date and trying to stay on top of purchasing new titles is no easy task, especially as a school library where budgets are already very tight. With this donation, however, we were able to provide staff and students with up-to-date titles about different jobs, animals, biographies, history, and sports. All of those topics are high-interest and the majority of the new books have already been checked out multiple times. The middle school students really enjoy the nonfiction graphic novels, which bring to life different historical events in a fun, entertaining way. Our elementary students are all talking to each other about the new section of non-fiction books that encourage them to think about what it would be like to have different animal parts, such as, \"What if You Had Animal Teeth?\" Again, these books are great because they encourage students to learn facts about animals but in a completely different and unique way. \r\n\r\nWith the increasing need of social and emotional support for our students the addition of the Little Spot books was pivotal. Staff have been using them for whole class instruction, focusing on a different emotion/theme each week and using the book as a read aloud to highlight key elements and teach students strategies to work through times when they may feel that emotion. We also have been using them in small groups for students who may be struggling with coping and the books provide a great way for them to make connections both with the text and ideas as well as with each other. Additionally, there are some individual students who have been checking those titles out to read independently and create reflection activities afterwards. Our counseling staff are also thrilled to have additional resources available for them to use in their groups and classes and they also love knowing that there are resources available for students to check out on their own through the school library that supports the topics they are teaching. \r\n\r\nThe mission and vision in our library is to foster a love of reading for all students. We strive for every student to both see themselves as readers and to acknowledge each other as readers. To do that we have to be able to provide books that students WANT to read and your donation helped do exactly that. These books are so valuable and will be cherished and loved for years to come. Thank you, again, for your very generous donation. We look forward to seeing all of the amazing books we were able to buy continue to circulate throughout the staff and students at Thunder Valley K8.","fullyFundedDate":1736452866956,"projectUrl":"project/new-non-fiction-and-sel-library-books/8981794/","projectTitle":"New Non-Fiction and SEL Library Books","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kelly","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9219897"},{"teacherId":9626565,"projectId":8996817,"letterContent":"I cannot thank you enough for donating the funds for this rug and I also apologize for the lack of photos. The impact of this rug happens at times when I'm not able to take photos, cause it often is most obvious when I am teaching. \r\n\r\nBeing in an equity based school, sometimes students have been taught not to care about education. Sometimes, what I need to do in order to teach is to call everyone to the rug to get them to care about the lesson. When students come to the rug and are sitting there, looking up, I think it triggers something in their minds and takes them back to a point in their lives when they were young and learning was exciting. Somehow, the rug truly does seem to be magical. It sets them in the mind space needed to learn and gets them ready for the lesson. \r\n\r\nIt has helped SO much with behavior management and with getting the students regulated again, and I am so so thankful for you. Going into spring break now, I'm able to reflect on the rugs impact and acknowledge how amazing it has been for my class.","fullyFundedDate":1735345929963,"projectUrl":"project/the-magic-listening-rug/8996817/","projectTitle":"The Magic Listening Rug","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lewis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9626565"},{"teacherId":9634916,"projectId":8586110,"letterContent":"The technology donated to our classroom has positively impacted the learning experience for my students. As a school, we were fortunate to receive new iPads, which have opened up exciting opportunities for interactive and personalized learning. However, one of the initial challenges was that many students didn't have access to the required headphones needed to fully utilize the iPads. In a classroom of 26 students, having enough headphones to share was essential to ensure everyone could stay focused and on task without distractions.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, we received a new classroom set of adapters to support the iPads, which was a valuable addition. However, we initially struggled with how to keep everything organized and safe. The use of a pocket chart and Velcro provided a practical solution. The chart allowed us to designate a specific space for each item, while the Velcro ensured we could label each item with their student numbers for quick identification. This simple organizational system not only protected the technology but also helped teach students the importance of responsibility and keeping their workspace tidy.\r\n\r\nI have to say, the thing that the students were more excited for were the batteries to ensure we could have Flashlight Friday. Students were so engaged on these days and it is fun to hear them cheer with excitement when they know they will be reading in the dark. This simple addition to their day, promotes excitement and the love for reading. \r\n\r\nThanks to these resources and solutions, my students have been able to fully engage with the technology, enhancing their learning experience in ways that weren't possible before.","fullyFundedDate":1723692085629,"projectUrl":"project/elevating-our-classroom-experiences-with/8586110/","projectTitle":"Elevating Our Classroom Experiences With Updated Technology","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Blake","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9634916"},{"teacherId":8662287,"projectId":8575065,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous support of our 6th-grade language arts classroom. Your contributions are vital in creating a dynamic, engaging, and inclusive learning environment where every student feels inspired and equipped to succeed.\r\n\r\nThe fidgets you provided have been a game-changer for many of my students. These simple yet effective tools help channel restless energy and allow students to focus better during lessons. By having a variety of options available, I can meet each learner's unique needs, ensuring that everyone has the tools they need to thrive.\r\n\r\nYour gifts of prizes and stickers have brought an added layer of excitement and motivation to our classroom. These small rewards inspire students to set ambitious goals, particularly in their reading, and celebrate their achievements with pride. Watching their faces light up as they earn a sticker or prize is a reminder of how powerful positive reinforcement can be in building confidence and a love for learning.\r\n\r\nPerhaps most significantly, your support for our classroom library has been transformative. The new books have captivated my students' imaginations, encouraging them to explore diverse genres and perspectives. These fresh additions have sparked curiosity and fostered meaningful discussions and a deeper appreciation for reading. A well-stocked library is truly the heart of a language arts classroom, and your contributions have made it possible to keep ours vibrant and relevant.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in the power of education and for investing in our students' futures. Your generosity makes a tangible difference in their daily lives, empowering them to grow as learners and individuals.","fullyFundedDate":1727462941060,"projectUrl":"project/replenish-and-shine-6th-grade-success-s/8575065/","projectTitle":"Replenish and Shine: 6th Grade Success Supply Refresh","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ahlberg","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8662287_orig.jpg?crop=2048,2048,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1661724195597","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8662287"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_41430","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":880,"numTeachers":53,"percentFrplEligible":57,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":33,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":59,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"16.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":55.5,"schoolId":41430,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Thunder Valley K-8 School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Thunder Valley K-8 School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/colorado/st-vrain-valley-school-district-re-1j/frederick-elementary-school/41430"}