{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Deer Run Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":32.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8811833,"projectId":10074050,"letterContent":"Thanks to this generous DonorsChoose project, my students have had countless opportunities to learn through hands-on play, creativity, and collaboration. The magnetic tiles and building sticks have encouraged problem-solving, engineering, and teamwork, while the plastic animals and wooden dessert play food have inspired imaginative storytelling and language development. These materials have become some of the most popular choices during centers, helping students build social skills, critical thinking, and creativity in an engaging and meaningful way. My students are excited to learn every day because of these wonderful resources!","fullyFundedDate":1778300913939,"projectUrl":"project/stem-starts-here/10074050/","projectTitle":"STEM Starts Here!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Petr","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8811833"},{"teacherId":159183,"projectId":10264943,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your generous support of our project, \"Strengthening Early Fluency with 10 Beads Racks.\" Your kindness has brought an invaluable learning tool into our classroom, and our Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd-grade students are already reaping the benefits!\r\n\r\nFluency in the early grades is all about helping students move away from counting on their fingers and toward seeing numbers in groups. The 10-bead math racks you provided do exactly that. Because the beads are clearly grouped by color, they give our young learners a powerful visual representation of the foundational \"benchmark\" numbers 5 and 10.\r\n\r\nYour gift is transforming our math block in some wonderful ways:\r\n\r\nBuilding Whole-Group Confidence: During our whole-class math talks, these racks allow us to model numbers together. Students love the hands-on interaction, and it is incredible to watch a Kindergarten or 1st-grade student confidently slide a group of beads and explain, \"I know this is 7 because I see 5 red and 2 white!\"\r\n\r\nTargeting Small-Group Growth: In small groups, these racks are the ultimate tool for differentiation. For our 2nd graders, we use them to reinforce trickier concepts like making a ten to add or subtract. They provide a safe, concrete way for students to practice, make mistakes, and build speed and accuracy at their own pace.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, our math lessons have transformed from abstract worksheets into tangible, joyful discoveries.\r\n\r\nBy funding this project, you haven't just given us classroom supplies; you have given my students the confidence to see themselves as capable mathematicians. They are building a rock-solid foundation in number sense that will support them for the rest of their school years.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our classroom, believing in early childhood education, and helping us strengthen our early math fluency!","fullyFundedDate":1778300911049,"projectUrl":"project/strengthening-early-fluency-with-10-bead/10264943/","projectTitle":"Strengthening Early Fluency with 10 Beads Racks","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Santoro","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp159183_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1457646965807","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/asantoro"},{"teacherId":159183,"projectId":10264880,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity and for supporting our project for math racks! Your investment in our classroom has brought a vibrant, hands-on energy to our daily math lessons, and I am so excited to share the amazing impact these tools are already having on our students.\r\n\r\nWe have been actively using these math racks (also known as rekenreks) in both whole-group and small-group settings to support essential math fluency for our Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd-grade students. For our youngest learners, building a strong foundation in number sense is absolutely critical, and these math racks provide the perfect visual and tactile bridge to help them truly see how numbers work.\r\n\r\nHere is a glimpse into how your gift is making a difference every day:\r\n\r\nWhole-Group Discovery: During our community math warm-ups, the math racks allow us to explore subitizing (recognizing quantities without counting), anchoring to 5 and 10, and discussing different strategies for solving problems. Because they can physically slide the beads, students are actively engaged rather than just passively listening.\r\n\r\nTargeted Small-Group Instruction: In smaller groups, I can easily differentiate lessons to meet every child's specific needs. Whether a student is working on simple addition in Kindergarten or mastering two-digit addition and subtraction strategies in 2nd grade, the math racks offer the concrete support they need to build confidence and accuracy.\r\n\r\n\"I love using the math racks because I can see the numbers in my head now!\" — From one of our enthusiastic students.\r\n\r\nBy giving our K-2 students a physical tool to manipulate, you have helped demystify abstract math concepts. They aren't just memorizing facts; they are developing a deep, conceptual understanding of mathematics that will serve them for the rest of their academic journeys. More than that, you have fostered a sense of excitement and joy around math in our classroom.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students and for partnering with me to make math accessible, engaging, and fun. We are incredibly grateful for your kindness!","fullyFundedDate":1778300913600,"projectUrl":"project/building-strong-math-foundations-with-ma/10264880/","projectTitle":"Building Strong Math Foundations with Magnetic Math Racks","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Santoro","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp159183_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1457646965807","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/asantoro"},{"teacherId":9518535,"projectId":10293048,"letterContent":"It is hard to believe the year is almost over! Thank you for supporting our DonorsChoose project! Because of your generosity, each student will receive a special end-of-year book to celebrate their growth, learning, and accomplishments throughout the school year. These books will serve as meaningful keepsakes that students can look back on and cherish for years to come. Your kindness and support help create lasting memories and make a positive impact on our classroom community. We are incredibly grateful for your contribution and for helping make this project possible. Thank you for investing in our students and helping us end the school year on a special note!","fullyFundedDate":1779981704518,"projectUrl":"project/turning-pages-all-summer-long/10293048/","projectTitle":"Turning Pages All Summer Long!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Panzo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9518535_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753399397802","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9518535"},{"teacherId":3727058,"projectId":10248316,"letterContent":"\"Sunkissed and Smart: Celebrating Kindergarten\" has allowed us to wrap up our school year on the highest possible note, blending joyful celebration with essential academic closure. Because of these resources, I was able to design a memorable, engaging end-of-year experience that honored my students' hard work and boosted their self-esteem as readers and thinkers. Your generous support did more than just supply our classroom; it gave these young learners a sense of pride in their achievements and a joyful launchpad into their future academic journeys. Thank you for investing in our littlest scholars!\r\n The arrival of the large, mysterious delivery boxes brought a wave of pure magic and buzzing anticipation to our classroom! While the students know the boxes are filled with special resources for them, I am keeping the contents a strict secret until our upcoming end-of-the-year celebration with their parents. Every time a student looks at the stacked boxes, their eyes light up with curiosity, and the room fills with whispers of excited guesses about what could be inside. It has created a wonderful sense of community suspense, and seeing their eager faces has made the countdown to our big celebration even more joyful and meaningful.","fullyFundedDate":1778535894191,"projectUrl":"project/sunkissed-and-smart-celebrating-kinderg/10248316/","projectTitle":"Sunkissed and Smart: Celebrating Kindergarten","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ragaini","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3727058"},{"teacherId":3727058,"projectId":10248469,"letterContent":"The resources from \"Building Little Hands & Big Behaviors\" have become a cornerstone of our daily morning centers and \"calm-down\" toolkit. We recently used the fine motor manipulatives during our morning busy box time where students practiced forming letters using the new tactile materials. It was incredible to see a student, who previously struggled with the frustration of holding a pencil, spend fifteen focused minutes happily building letters with their hands. These tools are transforming \"work\" into \"play,\" allowing my students to build the physical strength they need for writing while staying emotionally regulated.\r\nThe \"unboxing\" moment was pure magic! When the boxes arrived, the students' eyes lit up with curiosity and excitement. As I pulled out the new sensory items and building tools, there were audible gasps and cheers. One student immediately reached for a tactile fidget and wanted to explore. Seeing their faces transform from routine classroom anticipation to genuine joy was a powerful reminder of how much it means to them to have high-quality, beautiful materials that are \"just for them.\" This project isn't just about the physical items; it's about teaching them the lifelong skill of self-regulation.","fullyFundedDate":1778599323041,"projectUrl":"project/building-little-hands-big-behaviors/10248469/","projectTitle":"Building Little Hands & Big Behaviors","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ragaini","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3727058"},{"teacherId":10237428,"projectId":9674273,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for bringing our classroom to life with these amazing new learning games! In Pre-K, we believe that if a child can touch it, they can understand it.\r\n\r\nThe Braille letters have opened up a wonderful world of tactile exploration, teaching my students that there are many ways to communicate and read. Whether they are \"fishing\" for letters, matching letter llamas, or hunting for treasure with the number pirate chests, my students are building foundational literacy and math skills without even realizing they're \"working.\" Your generosity has turned our classroom into a hands-on discovery center!","fullyFundedDate":1767118810956,"projectUrl":"project/building-bright-beginnings-with-letters/9674273/","projectTitle":"Building Bright Beginnings with Letters & Numbers!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Appleyard","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10237428"},{"teacherId":3727315,"projectId":9954997,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our classroom has been filled with hands-on learning every single day. The kids were so excited when the new supplies arrived and couldn't wait to use them. Even the simplest things like dry-erase boards and stickers have made such a big impact on their confidence and excitement to learn.\r\nOne of my favorite moments has been during our phonics lessons, watching students eagerly write, erase, and try again without fear of making mistakes. The laminated center activities have also been a game changer, helping me better support each student while keeping everyone engaged and working at their level.\r\nWe'll continue using these materials every day as we move into new reading and math units. Thank you for giving my students the tools they need to feel successful, take risks, and truly enjoy learning. Your support means so much to all of us.","fullyFundedDate":1768408001628,"projectUrl":"project/little-hands-need-big-supplies/9954997/","projectTitle":"Little Hands Need Big Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. McKee Gorske","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3727315_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1470774953780","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3727315"},{"teacherId":10237206,"projectId":9673845,"letterContent":"I am beyond thrilled to share that our project, \"STEM in Motion: Hands-On Tools for Engaged Learning,\" has been fully funded! Your generosity has brought a wave of excitement to our classroom.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, my students will no longer just be reading about scientific concepts—they will be experiencing them. These hands-on tools allow them to experiment, fail, iterate, and ultimately succeed in ways that a textbook simply can't provide. You aren't just providing \"stuff\"; you're providing the \"aha!\" moments that turn students into lifelong learners.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our classroom and investing in the next generation of thinkers and builders.","fullyFundedDate":1762265317444,"projectUrl":"project/stem-in-motion-hands-on-tools-for-engag/9673845/","projectTitle":"STEM in Motion: Hands-On Tools for Engaged Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Pukos","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10237206"},{"teacherId":8924188,"projectId":9836555,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting \"A Voice and a Cheer for Every Pre-K Friend!\" Your generous donation will help provide AAC devices for our Pre-K students, giving them new ways to communicate, participate, and be heard.\r\n\r\nFor many of our young learners, communication can be one of the biggest challenges they face. With the support of these AAC devices, our students will be able to express their needs, share their ideas, and join in classroom activities with greater confidence. These tools will help open doors to learning, friendship, and independence.\r\n\r\nBecause of your kindness, our classroom will become a more inclusive place where every child has the opportunity to find their voice. Your support means so much not only to our students, but also to the teachers and families who cheer them on every day.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping our Pre-K friends be heard. Your generosity is truly making a difference!","fullyFundedDate":1770670658251,"projectUrl":"project/a-voice-and-a-cheer-for-every-pre-k-frie/9836555/","projectTitle":"A Voice and a Cheer for Every Pre-K Friend!","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":5001360,"projectId":9422964,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting Climate Explorers: Hands-On Fun for Environmental Learning! Because of your generosity, my students will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful, hands-on activities that bring environmental science to life.\r\n\r\nYour donation is more than just materials for our classroom—it's an investment in curiosity, critical thinking, and a love for our planet. Through interactive lessons and real-world exploration, my students will deepen their understanding of climate, ecosystems, and the importance of environmental stewardship.\r\n\r\nMany of my students may not otherwise have access to these types of enriching resources. Your kindness ensures they can explore, experiment, and grow as young scientists and responsible global citizens.\r\n\r\nWe are incredibly grateful for your support and belief in our classroom. Thank you for helping us inspire the next generation of climate explorers!","fullyFundedDate":1753280245962,"projectUrl":"project/climate-explorers-hands-on-fun-for-envi/9422964/","projectTitle":"Climate Explorers: Hands-On Fun for Environmental Learning!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gamble","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5001360"},{"teacherId":10115711,"projectId":9681499,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your incredible generosity. When the boxes arrived filled with our new classroom organizational tools and decor, it felt like Christmas kept on giving! Because of your support, our learning environment has been transformed into a space that is not only more efficient but also more welcoming.\r\n\r\nThe impact of these materials was immediate. My students were especially mesmerized by the Dazzle Bright Color Changing Fairy Lights. When I first turned them on, a hush fell over the room, followed by collective \"oohs\" and \"aahs.\" Students earn the privilege to choose the color of the lights as a behavioral incentive. \r\n\r\nWe are using the Magnetic Book Shelves and File Holders to create a home display. Instead of books being tucked away on a shelf in the back, our current read-alouds and mentor texts are front and center. One student remarked, \"It's like a bookstore right on the wall!\"\r\n\r\nOrganization in Action\r\nThe Stainless Steel Pencil Dispenser has been a total game-changer. Students love the tactile feel of dispensing their own pencil- I added colored pencils so there is an extra element of surprise! We've also put the Magnetic Dry-Erase Pockets and Sentence Strips to work immediately during our small-group time. The clear pockets make a simple activity or worksheet more FUN; they love to use the dry-erase markers to show their work. The magnetic sentence strips allow us to complete dictation in various spots around the room, where everyone can see and interact with the words.\r\n\r\nWe are using the folders to track their reading work. Next week, we will use the Jumbo Push Pins and Magnetic Hooks to curate a \"Gallery Walk\" of any work they would like to showcase.\r\n\r\nBy providing these \"teacher must-haves,\" you haven't just given us supplies; you've given me and my students a sense of pride in our classroom. They see that people they've never met care about their education, and that is a lesson that stays with them long after the school day ends.","fullyFundedDate":1767240238175,"projectUrl":"project/look-what-we-can-do-showcasing-student/9681499/","projectTitle":"Look What We Can Do! Showcasing Student Success","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"}],"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","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":7,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 2","studentTeacherRatio":"9.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":67.2,"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"}