{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Deer Run Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":30.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10115711,"projectId":9692598,"letterContent":"When your donations arrived, my students were immediately drawn to the bright, tactile materials—you could feel the excitement ripple across the room. They were eager to bend and twist the Wikki Sticks and playdough into letters they had been practicing. The smiles on their faces made it clear that these tools instantly transformed learning from something challenging into something inviting.\r\n\r\nWe have been using these resources daily during our reading groups. One of my favorite moments happened during a small-group phonics lesson: a student who typically struggles with letter identification used the legos to build and contrast two tricky visually similar letters: t and f. We used the adaptive writing paper for the first time. With the highlighted lines guiding her, she wrote all her letters on the line with appropriate spacing. That single moment captured exactly why these materials matter so much.\r\n\r\nThe magnetic sentence strips have become a class favorite during \"What Say's\". Students love using the dry erase markers. In partners, they will pretend to be the teacher and write the letters independently (even during their free time). The access to these materials keep the students engaged and a daily reminder of their growth.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we will continue to strengthen sentence-level writing skills. These materials will play a central role as students move from writing letters and spelling CVC words with magnetic strips to writing their own expanded sentences on adaptive paper. The tactile tools will continue supporting students who benefit from multisensory practice as they deepen their phonics knowledge and build automaticity.\r\n\r\nYour generosity did more than supply materials—it reshaped the way my students experience literacy. They now approach reading and writing with confidence, curiosity, and joy. Thank you for making this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1760386983903,"projectUrl":"project/building-readers-one-sense-at-a-time/9692598/","projectTitle":"Building Readers, One Sense at a Time!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Toti","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10115711_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758483884343","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10115711"},{"teacherId":3984793,"projectId":9622572,"letterContent":"For this project, I received the gray shag rug for my special space. The other items were unavailable. The message at the bottom is what I received, followed by a list of replacement items I ordered instead. I posted pictures of the \"Soft Oval Throw Rug\" which the students LOVE! It is so soft and cozy! I added two aqua blue bean bags to the area, as you will see in the picture.\r\n\r\n\"*Some of these resources were not available at the time of funding (read more about why this happens) and the teacher has selected some replacement items: Elmer's School Washable Glue Sticks, 0.24 oz., Purple, 30/Pack (2159542) · Quill.com\r\nLOCHAS Fluffy Bedroom Rug 3.3' x 6.2', Shaggy Area Rug for Bedroom Bedside, Soft Oval Throw Rugs Carpet for Living Room Kids Girls Home Decor · Amazon Business\r\nClassic Stacking Chair - 15 1/2\" - Blue · Lakeshore Learning Materials\"","fullyFundedDate":1756313374800,"projectUrl":"project/special-space-for-literacy/9622572/","projectTitle":"Special Space for Literacy","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ridley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3984793_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1475860384041","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/sandraridley"},{"teacherId":8924188,"projectId":9765488,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for fully funding our project, \"STEM and Sensory Exploration: Light Table Learning for PreK!\"\r\n\r\nBecause of your generous support, our classroom will soon have a dedicated light table, transforming how my students learn and engage with foundational concepts in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).\r\nYour contribution ensures that our youngest learners are not just passively consuming information, but are actively designing, testing, and reflecting on their learning—the heart of the STEM process.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in the power of early sensory education to unlock cognitive potential. We can't wait to share photos of our students building, creating, and learning with light!","fullyFundedDate":1762266295671,"projectUrl":"project/stem-and-sensory-exploration-light-tabl/9765488/","projectTitle":"STEM and Sensory Exploration: Light Table Learning for PreK","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ashley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8924188_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1674897207650","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8924188"},{"teacherId":8811833,"projectId":9704147,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the generous donation of the Smart Board to our classroom. We are incredibly grateful for your support and for the impact this technology will have on our students. The moment it was installed, the excitement in the room was impossible to miss—students were immediately curious and eager to learn in new, interactive ways.\r\n\r\nThis Smart Board will allow us to bring lessons to life, encourage hands-on participation, and give students opportunities to explore concepts through visuals, movement, and collaboration. From math games to interactive read-alouds to digital science experiments, this tool will enhance our learning environment every single day.\r\n\r\nYour generosity shows how much you value education and the success of our students. Thank you for investing in their growth, creativity, and future. We truly appreciate your kindness and the difference you are making in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1761922301107,"projectUrl":"project/stem-smartboard-lighting-up-learning-in/9704147/","projectTitle":"STEM Smartboard: Lighting Up Learning in Grade 1!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Petr","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8811833"},{"teacherId":2190979,"projectId":9716359,"letterContent":"Wow! On behalf of my incredible Pre-K through 2nd-grade students, I want to share a huge, heartfelt thank you. Your generous support for their continued language learning is making a tangible difference every single day in our classroom.\r\n\r\nIt has been an absolute joy to watch them dive into the new materials you funded. The vibrant storybooks have become instant favorites, with little hands eagerly turning pages and voices growing stronger as they predict what happens next. The interactive games have filled our room with laughter, transforming vital practice with sounds and sentences into an exciting challenge they beg to play. For students who need extra support, the speech materials are providing targeted, engaging ways for them to build confidence and find their voice.\r\n\r\nYour donation has done more than just provide resources; it has reignited motivation and fostered a deep sense of engagement. You are helping create a positive, playful environment where learning and growth happen at the same time. Thank you for investing in their journey and for helping them unlock the power of language.","fullyFundedDate":1759112056332,"projectUrl":"project/speaking-for-our-earth-stem-and-languag/9716359/","projectTitle":"Speaking for Our Earth: STEM and Language Through Play","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Michelle","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2190979"},{"teacherId":3306111,"projectId":9746605,"letterContent":"My students were so excited to receive our new yoga mats, exercise dice games and soft, foam soccer balls! These new supplies will help to develop the young students' physical fitness, mental awareness and social skills.\r\n\r\nThe exercise/yoga dice game was a big hit with the students and they enjoyed taking turns to roll the dice and teach each other new exercises. It is also much nicer to do exercises on a mat instead of a hard gym floor. The soccer balls are made of soft foam and they are allowing the students to play soccer in a safe way. \r\n\r\nWe are grateful for your help and support!","fullyFundedDate":1759112056828,"projectUrl":"project/yoga-and-soccer-for-healthy-living/9746605/","projectTitle":"Yoga and Soccer for Healthy Living","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Black","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3306111_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1472052005244","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3306111"},{"teacherId":3306111,"projectId":9764658,"letterContent":"My students and I are so grateful for your generous donation to our project that includes books, shapes and sorting fun with hands on tools. We now have some new calming and sensory books, a shape sorter bucket and a shapes sorting activity to inspire our minds and to move at the same time. These items will help us learn manipulative skills, math and science skills and provide experiences, as well as being accessible for our special needs students.\r\n\r\nMy hope is to engage these students in Physical Education activities and to inspire them to be lifelong exercises for healthy bodies and a sense of well being. Thank you for investing in the future of our country! We really appreciate your caring heart!","fullyFundedDate":1759112056081,"projectUrl":"project/stem-through-hands-on-learning-books-s/9764658/","projectTitle":"STEM Through Hands-On Learning: Books, Shapes, and Sorting Fun","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Black","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3306111_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1472052005244","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3306111"},{"teacherId":3306111,"projectId":9746548,"letterContent":"My students and I are so grateful for your generous donation to our project about building, counting and creating with hands on tools. We now have some new bristle blocks, dinosaur counters, a magnetic shapes maze and sensory shapes to inspire our minds and to move at the same time. These items will help us learn manipulative skills which will connect with counting, building and creating, as well as being accessible for our special needs students.\r\n\r\nMy hope is to engage these students in Physical Education activities and to inspire them to be lifelong exercises for healthy bodies and a sense of well being. Thank you for investing in the future of our country! We really appreciate your caring heart!","fullyFundedDate":1759112055553,"projectUrl":"project/stem-in-action-building-counting-and/9746548/","projectTitle":"STEM in Action: Building, Counting, and Creating with Hands-On Tools","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Black","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3306111_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1472052005244","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3306111"},{"teacherId":8924188,"projectId":9703810,"letterContent":"On behalf of my classroom of curious and creative preschoolers here in East Haven, thank you from the bottom of my heart! The arrival of our new sensory materials—the Pluffle, Flarp, dry corn, shaving cream, and Play-Doh—has sparked so much excitement. We are about to embark on a fantastic journey of hands-on learning, all thanks to your generosity.\r\n\r\nWhat might look like messy fun is actually some of the most important work we do in Pre-K. You have given us more than just play materials; you have provided essential tools for brain development. As my students squeeze the Play-Doh and scoop the dry corn, they are building the fine motor skills and hand strength they will one day need to hold a pencil and write. As they describe the unique textures of the fluffy Pluffle and the goopy Flarp, their language skills blossom. When they mix shaving cream and explore its properties, they are engaging in their very first scientific experiments.\r\n\r\nI can already picture the joyful discovery and focused concentration these materials will bring to our sensory center. You have funded moments of wonder, collaborative play, and the building of critical neural pathways that will support all future learning.\r\n\r\nThank you for understanding and supporting the power of play-based, hands-on education. We can't wait to send you photos of our learning in action!","fullyFundedDate":1758202896022,"projectUrl":"project/stem-in-action-sensory-play-for-curious/9703810/","projectTitle":"STEM in Action: Sensory Play for Curious Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ashley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8924188_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1674897207650","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8924188"},{"teacherId":3727058,"projectId":9249346,"letterContent":"ChatGPT said:\r\n\r\nThanks to your thoughtful donations of items like the My Birthday Chair Cover, Birthday Seat Cover, and Birthday Rubber Bracelets, this project has made a significant impact on our students. These special items have created an atmosphere of celebration and inclusion, allowing each student to feel recognized and valued on their birthdays. The chair covers and seat covers have turned simple classroom moments into memorable, personalized experiences, while the birthday bracelets have served as a fun, tangible reminder of the joy we all share in these special moments. Your generosity has not only brightened our students' birthdays but has also helped to foster a sense of community, self-worth, and belonging that will resonate with them long after the celebrations. Thank you for making these meaningful moments possible!","fullyFundedDate":1746491303307,"projectUrl":"project/birthday-books/9249346/","projectTitle":"Birthday Books","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ragaini","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3727058"},{"teacherId":10237206,"projectId":9702280,"letterContent":"I am writing to you on behalf of my entire class with a sense of overwhelming gratitude and excitement. The news that you have so generously funded our DonorsChoose project, \"Stem in the Sand: Building, Creating, and Exploring,\" has filled our classroom with an incredible buzz of anticipation. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for believing in our vision and for investing in the creative and intellectual growth of my young students.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, I am privileged to witness sparks of natural curiosity every single day. My students are innate builders, investigators, and artists, constantly seeking ways to understand the world by touching, shaping, and manipulating it. However, the resources to truly facilitate this essential, hands-on exploration were limited. You have filled that crucial gap, providing not just materials, but a new world of learning that was previously out of reach. Your gift of sand and stickers is about to transform our learning environment in the most profound ways.\r\n\r\nThis sand is so much more than a simple plaything; it is a landscape for innovation. I envision my students becoming budding architects and civil engineers as they design castles, build bridges, and dig tunnels. They will learn firsthand about foundational stability, gravity, cause and effect, and structural integrity as they test hypotheses and problem-solve when their creations inevitably tumble. As scientists, they will pour, measure, and sift, making tangible connections to abstract concepts like volume, mass, and texture. These are foundational STEM lessons that simply cannot be replicated on a screen or a worksheet; they must be felt and experienced.","fullyFundedDate":1757872104191,"projectUrl":"project/stem-in-the-sand-building-creating-an/9702280/","projectTitle":"Stem in the Sand: Building, Creating, and Exploring","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Pukos","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10237206"},{"teacherId":9455005,"projectId":9433358,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, Creative Tools for Hands-On Learning and a Greener Future! My students are so excited to use the new materials, and I am grateful that your generosity has made this possible.\r\n\r\nThese tools are already sparking creativity and encouraging hands-on exploration in our classroom. Each activity helps my students learn by doing—whether it's problem-solving, building, or creating something new. Even more meaningful is the way these resources connect to sustainability, helping students understand that they can take care of our planet while learning and growing.\r\n\r\nYour support has given my students more than just materials; you've given them opportunities to explore STEM, think critically, and work together in meaningful ways. Thank you for believing in their potential and for helping us build a greener, brighter future through learning!","fullyFundedDate":1757872103648,"projectUrl":"project/creative-tools-for-hands-on-learning-and/9433358/","projectTitle":"Creative Tools for Hands-On Learning and a Greener Future","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Annie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9455005"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_43947","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":232,"numTeachers":24,"percentFrplEligible":78,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":6,"percentWhite":44,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":38,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 2","studentTeacherRatio":"9.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":69.1,"schoolId":43947,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Deer Run Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Deer Run Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/connecticut/east-haven-school-district/deer-run-elementary-school/43947"}