{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Columbus Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":43.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":3682830,"projectId":9303187,"letterContent":"The standing desk was a HUGE success! The daily questioning of when they can use the standing desk is more than I can explain. \r\n\r\n My students who struggle sitting benefit most from it. Often I have a student who realizes he cannot maintain his attention and will point and ask if he can use the standing desk. \r\n\r\n It's not only used to keep students focused, but as a positive reward. It also allows students to try to gain experience or knowledge of how their focus works whether if they stand or sit. Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1750774649958,"projectUrl":"project/standing-desk-for-learners/9303187/","projectTitle":"Standing Desk for Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Piorkowski-Picarazzi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3682830_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1512439224135","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3682830"},{"teacherId":1155164,"projectId":9624769,"letterContent":"Thank you ever so much for donating to our ESL (English as a Second Language) Classroom! It means the absolute world to me and my students! They were simply over the moon to have new scissors for our learning English activities! Unfortunately, ours were very old and rusty and these new scissors are not only new and glide through the paper with ease, but now they are also developmentally appropriate and so much easier to hold and use!! Thank you so much for making this possible for this year and so many more years to come!","fullyFundedDate":1767118810146,"projectUrl":"project/multilingual-learners-would-love-scissor/9624769/","projectTitle":"Multilingual Learners Would Love Scissors for Our Projects, Please!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tomlinson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1155164_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1604968399594","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-rtomlinson"},{"teacherId":9094602,"projectId":9636252,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation in support of our special education preschool program. Your kindness and commitment make a meaningful difference in the lives of our young learners and their families.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, we are able to provide essential resources that help create an inclusive, engaging, and nurturing learning environment. These materials support early development, creativity, and independence, giving our students the strong foundation they need during these critical early years.\r\n\r\nWe are deeply grateful for your belief in the importance of early childhood special education. Your generosity not only enriches our classroom but also helps our students grow with confidence, curiosity, and joy.\r\n\r\nThank you again for being a valued partner in our mission. We truly could not do this work without the support of caring community members like you.","fullyFundedDate":1761937397947,"projectUrl":"project/wizards-at-play-in-the-enchanted-village/9636252/","projectTitle":"Wizards at Play in the Enchanted Village of Endless Imaginations!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Vazquez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9094602_orig.jpg?crop=1169,1170,x0,y908&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1749850382386","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9094602"},{"teacherId":6795711,"projectId":9410466,"letterContent":"Thank you once again for your generous donations. The kids loved seeing the new rug and couldn't wait to sit on the brand-new blue cube chairs!\r\n\r\nLet me start by saying that I apologize for the delay as this time of year is hectic as you know, and the kids and I have been super busy at circle time, on the great rug, learning and singing. The cube chairs help some of my little ones attend with greater ease and lets them be aware of their own personal space. The rug is interactive as well and it is such an inviting place for the class to gather for morning meeting, circle time, or music. \r\n\r\nYour thoughtfulness and donations are so greatly appreciated, especially in an inner-city school, where budgets can be tight. I can't thank you enough for taking the time to think of us and allow us to grow as a classroom and allow my students to thrive!\r\n\r\nHappy Holidays!!","fullyFundedDate":1757440057921,"projectUrl":"project/comfortable-content-and-calm/9410466/","projectTitle":"Comfortable, Content, and Calm","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Alison","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6795711_orig.jpg?crop=224,224,x0,y54&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1729262153376","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6795711"},{"teacherId":8016595,"projectId":9234401,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom has been transformed into a vibrant hub of creativity, collaboration, and hands-on learning! The new resources—carpet markers, construction paper, magnetic blocks, Crayola jumbo crayons, and Elmer jumbo glue sticks—have opened up a world of possibilities for my students.\r\nWhen my students first saw the materials, their faces lit up with excitement. The carpet markers instantly became a favorite—they couldn't wait to claim their spots and dive into activities with a new sense of ownership and organization\r\n\r\n\r\nYour contribution gave my students more than just supplies; it gave them tools to imagine, build, and grow. Thank you for being part of our journey","fullyFundedDate":1746785569200,"projectUrl":"project/creativity-through-art/9234401/","projectTitle":"Creativity Through Art","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Garcia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8016595_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1706913508857","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8016595"},{"teacherId":7490669,"projectId":6580232,"letterContent":"When the new resources arrived, my students were immediately excited and curious. One of the first projects we used them for were for working projects. Having access to these materials allowed my students to engage in hands-on learning that we couldn't do before. They explained their idea to the class using the new materials, and the others quickly built on it. \r\n\r\nWhen they first saw the materials, their faces lit up with excitement. Many of them couldn't wait to dive in and start exploring. Some even asked, \"Do we really get to keep using these?\" Their enthusiasm showed me just how much of an impact these resources are already making in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1659726199401,"projectUrl":"project/small-group-lesson-materials/6580232/","projectTitle":"Small Group Lesson Materials","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Faiella","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7490669"},{"teacherId":4061033,"projectId":9371642,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation. We truly appreciate your commitment to the students of our community. With your help and donation, you made my 29 students so happy and eager to come to school every day. They're building healthy relationships with peers and adults, improving their grades and looking forward to coming to school.\r\n\r\nAgain, thank you so much for your generous gift. My students are so excited to hear the good news. We need the borders for our new classroom set up. Thank you, again, for your support and believing in our classroom!\r\n\r\nWith gratitude,\r\nMrs. Sikka","fullyFundedDate":1758223904512,"projectUrl":"project/food-and-drinks-for-scholars/9371642/","projectTitle":"Food and Drinks for Scholars","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sikka","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4061033_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1478627632058","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4061033"},{"teacherId":6795711,"projectId":9282098,"letterContent":"I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for your generous contribution that allowed my preschool special needs classroom to witness the incredible transformation of caterpillars into butterflies. Your support made it possible for my students to experience one of nature's most magical processes right in our classroom—and the impact was truly extraordinary.\r\n\r\nFor many of my students, hands-on, sensory-rich experiences are essential to learning. Watching caterpillars grow, form chrysalises, and emerge as butterflies provided a unique opportunity to engage their curiosity and stimulate their senses.\r\n\r\nEach day, my students eagerly observed the caterpillars, noticing changes and asking questions. Even those with limited verbal communication found ways to express excitement—pointing, smiling, and using gestures to share what they saw. The transformation process helped build vocabulary, encouraged observational skills, and supported emotional development as students learned to care for living creatures and wait for change.\r\n\r\nWhen the butterflies finally emerged, the joy in the room was amazing. We celebrated together, and students participated in releasing the butterflies into our school garden. \r\n\r\nThank you for believing in the power of experiential learning and for supporting a classroom where every child is celebrated and encouraged to grow. Your kindness has made a lasting impact, and we are so grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1746486473445,"projectUrl":"project/watch-our-kids-blossom-like-butterflies/9282098/","projectTitle":"Watch Our Kids Blossom Like Butterflies!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Alison","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6795711_orig.jpg?crop=224,224,x0,y54&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1729262153376","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6795711"},{"teacherId":6795711,"projectId":9410621,"letterContent":"I am writing to extend my deepest gratitude for your thoughtful and impactful donation of puzzles to my preschool special needs classroom. Your generosity has made a meaningful difference in the lives of my students, and I want to share just how transformative your gift has been.\r\nIn a classroom where every child learns differently and faces unique challenges, puzzles have become more than just a fun activity—they are powerful tools for growth, engagement, and development. Thanks to your support, I was able to introduce a wide variety of puzzles tailored to different skill levels, interests, and learning goals. These included shape sorters, tactile puzzles, and multi-piece jigsaws that encouraged problem-solving, fine motor development, and cognitive skills.\r\n\r\nStudents who previously struggled with attention and focus began to show increased engagement during puzzle time. One child, who often found it difficult to participate in group activities, discovered a love for animal puzzles and began initiating interactions with peers to complete them together. Eye hand coordination has improved for my students. These moments of success have boosted their confidence and fostered a sense of accomplishment that carries over into other areas of learning.\r\n\r\nBeyond individual growth, the puzzles have helped create a more inclusive and collaborative classroom environment. They have become a bridge for communication, allowing non-verbal students to express themselves through choice and action. They've also encouraged teamwork, patience, and turn-taking—skills that are essential for social development and often challenging for young children with special needs.\r\n\r\nAs a teacher, your donation has empowered me to design more engaging and differentiated learning experiences. I've been able to incorporate puzzles into daily routines and thematic units, enriching our curriculum and making learning more hands-on and joyful. The versatility of the puzzles has allowed me to target specific developmental goals while keeping activities fun and motivating for my students.","fullyFundedDate":1750796712365,"projectUrl":"project/puzzles-and-preschool/9410621/","projectTitle":"Puzzles and Preschool","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Alison","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6795711_orig.jpg?crop=224,224,x0,y54&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1729262153376","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6795711"},{"teacherId":9708818,"projectId":9190933,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom has been transformed into a more organized, welcoming, and empowering space for every student. The addition of individual cubbies and new materials has made a world of difference in how we learn, collaborate, and grow together.\r\nHow we're using the new resources:\r\nEach student now has their own cubby, which has given them a sense of ownership and pride. They use it to store their personal supplies, books, and projects—no more lost folders or mixed-up materials! One of our favorite moments was during our \"All About Me\" writing project. Students decorated their cubbies with mini posters about themselves, and it sparked so many meaningful conversations and connections. It turned into a celebration of identity and community.\r\nTheir first reactions:\r\nWhen the students first walked in and saw the cubbies, their faces lit up. One student exclaimed, \"We each get our own space?!\" It was a moment of pure joy and surprise. They immediately began organizing their things, and some even started naming their cubbies! It was clear that this small change made them feel seen and valued.\r\nWhat's next for us:\r\nRight now, we're diving into a science unit on ecosystems. With the new materials, students are working in small groups to build dioramas of different habitats. The cubbies have helped keep their supplies and research organized, and the extra space has made group work smoother and more focused. Next week, we'll be presenting our projects to another class—our first \"museum walk\" of the year!","fullyFundedDate":1746785534676,"projectUrl":"project/cubbies-for-students/9190933/","projectTitle":"Cubbies for Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Riccio","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9708818_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731540908406","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9708818"},{"teacherId":9708818,"projectId":9190889,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom! The dry erase markers you provided have already made a meaningful difference in how my students learn and engage each day.\r\nWhen the students first saw the new markers, they were thrilled. You'd be surprised how something so simple can spark so much excitement! One student exclaimed, \"Now we can all write on the boards without sharing!\"—a small but powerful moment that showed how your gift helped foster independence and confidence.\r\nWe've been using the markers during our math lessons, where students solve problems on their personal whiteboards. It's been incredible to see how this hands-on approach boosts participation and helps students feel more comfortable making mistakes and learning from them. During a recent lesson on place value, students worked in pairs to build and compare numbers using their boards, and the energy in the room was electric!\r\nNext, we're starting a unit on sentence structure and grammar. The markers will be used for interactive writing activities, where students will correct sentences, build their own, and even play grammar games—all on their whiteboards. These activities make learning fun and collaborative, and your support made it all possible.\r\nThank you for giving my students the tools to learn with joy and confidence. Your kindness truly reached into our classroom and made a lasting impact.","fullyFundedDate":1746785677791,"projectUrl":"project/dry-erase-markers-for-students/9190889/","projectTitle":"Dry Erase Markers for Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Riccio","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9708818_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731540908406","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9708818"},{"teacherId":9708818,"projectId":8953546,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support! The pencils you provided have made a bigger difference than you might imagine.\r\nWhen my students first saw the new pencils, their faces lit up with excitement. It may seem small, but having fresh, quality supplies made them feel seen and valued. One student even said, \"Now I can finally finish my stories without my pencil breaking!\" That moment reminded me how essential these tools are to their learning and confidence.\r\nWe've already put the pencils to great use in a recent writing project. The class worked on creating personal narratives, and each student wrote a story about a special memory. With their new pencils in hand, they were more focused, more enthusiastic, and proud of their work. One student decorated their pencil and called it their \"magic writing wand\"—a perfect symbol of how your gift sparked creativity.\r\nNext, we're diving into a unit on poetry. The students will be writing and illustrating their own poems, and thanks to your support, they're equipped and ready to express themselves fully.\r\nYour contribution gave my students more than just pencils—it gave them the tools to learn, create, and believe in themselves. Thank you for being part of our classroom journey.","fullyFundedDate":1742342999183,"projectUrl":"project/pencils-for-kids/8953546/","projectTitle":"Pencils for Kids","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Riccio","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9708818_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731540908406","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9708818"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_43415","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":546,"numTeachers":42,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":18,"percentWhite":7,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":72,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"13.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":57.0,"schoolId":43415,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Columbus Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Columbus Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/connecticut/bridgeport-public-schools/columbus-elementary-school/43415"}