{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Strawberry Hill Elementary School - Rogers International","outOfStateSupporters":20.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":3718284,"projectId":9460502,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom has been completely transformed—both in how it looks and in how it feels for my students. The flexible seating you funded has become the heart of our reading workshop. Students settle into the bean bags and couches with their novels, leaning into discussions with a new sense of comfort and confidence. One of my favorite moments happened during our Refugee book club circles: a group of typically reserved students chose the beanbag nook, and for the first time, they led the conversation—reading aloud, asking thoughtful questions, and staying deeply engaged. Their reactions when the materials first arrived were priceless; many gasped, some cheered, and several said, \"It feels like a real reading lounge!\" These resources have given them a sense of ownership and pride in their learning space.\r\n\r\nAs we continue our current units on independent reading and thematic analysis, students are using the new seating every day to collaborate, reflect, and dive deeper into their books. The next steps include student-led book talks and small-group literacy projects, all of which will make full use of our new flexible spaces. Your support didn't just provide furniture—it elevated our classroom into a place where students feel safe, motivated, and excited to learn. Thank you for giving them a space that truly feels like a second home.","fullyFundedDate":1752866636767,"projectUrl":"project/where-books-meet-belonging-focus-both-l/9460502/","projectTitle":"Where Books Meet Belonging: Focus Both Literacy and Emotional connection.","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. McArdle","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3718284_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1470394907204","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3718284"},{"teacherId":10069018,"projectId":9442934,"letterContent":"Firstly, thank you again for your generous donations which allowed me to get my classroom easel! It's been such a great experience being able to jot down important information together as a class. It was nice going over key characteristics of a fairy tale and my students were right there helping me create it. \r\n\r\nOn a daily basis, as we are going through lessons, I love being able to call students up to help answer questions. There has certainly been a rise in student engagement since implementing this. \r\nThank you again!","fullyFundedDate":1752102095275,"projectUrl":"project/easel-y-engaged-bringing-learning-to-li/9442934/","projectTitle":"Easel-y Engaged: Bringing Learning to Life!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10069018_orig.jpg?crop=392,392,x0,y92&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1751469094154","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10069018"},{"teacherId":4248462,"projectId":9424797,"letterContent":"I cannot thank you enough for supporting this project and helping create a classroom environment where every student feels comfortable, focused, and ready to learn. Your generosity provided materials that truly transform the way my students experience school. With your help, we've been able to set up a learning space that is not only functional, but also welcoming, flexible, and inspiring.\r\n\r\nOne of the biggest changes you made possible is giving students alternatives to traditional desk seating. The cushioned stadium-style chairs have become a favorite spot for students who need a break from sitting in stiff chairs all day. Having the choice to sit on the floor with proper back support gives them a sense of ownership over their learning environment. \r\n\r\nThe chair bands have also been a game changer for students with wiggly feet and restless energy. Instead of being a distraction, those little movements now have a positive outlet, which helps students stay engaged with the lesson. It has been amazing to see how something so small can make such a big difference in keeping attention on the learning rather than on the fidgeting.\r\n\r\nYour support also provided visual anchors like science posters, bulletin board sets, and sign holders, which brighten our walls and spark curiosity every single day. These visuals help students connect with content, see the bigger picture of what they're learning, and even dream about future careers in science. They don't just decorate the classroom—they reinforce important concepts and give students daily reminders of what's possible.\r\n\r\nThe addition of STEM building kits and notebooks has opened up even more opportunities for creativity and reflection. The STEM kits let students design and build, putting their problem-solving skills to the test in a hands-on way. The notebooks, on the other hand, give students a quiet space for reflection. We use them for journaling about moments of gratitude throughout the week, which helps build resilience and supports their emotional well-being. These little writing breaks are teaching them the importance of pausing, noticing the good, and re-centering before moving forward.\r\n\r\nCreating a clean, healthy, and positive classroom atmosphere has also been a priority, and you've made it possible. The air purifier has given us peace of mind, especially in keeping the air fresh and safe for everyone. The plant stand adds a touch of nature to our classroom, and even the broom and dustpan set has made a difference, because it allows us to keep our learning space clean and organized every day.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has created an environment that feels less like a traditional classroom and more like a community space where students feel safe, comfortable, and excited to learn. For that, I am deeply grateful. Thank you for believing in my students and for making their learning experiences richer, healthier, and more joyful. You've made an impact that will last far beyond this school year. \r\n\r\nI'd like to especially thank the Dalio Foundation as well for their matching donations that got our project funded so quickly and in time for the start of the school year. Dalio has consistently supported the goals of public education and it is much appreciated.","fullyFundedDate":1753610949219,"projectUrl":"project/supported-and-at-ease-in-science/9424797/","projectTitle":"Supported and at Ease in Science","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lynam","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-lynam"},{"teacherId":4248462,"projectId":9689193,"letterContent":"On behalf of my fifth-grade students, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks for your generous contributions that made it possible to bring such an exciting collection of STEM and creative learning materials into our classroom. Your support has already sparked a sense of anticipation among our inquirers, and I cannot wait to see the discoveries, creations, and moments of wonder that will unfold throughout the school year because of your kindness.\r\n\r\nAs a new-to-science teacher, I strive to create a classroom environment where curiosity drives learning. My students are natural inquirers, wonderers, and risk takers who thrive when given opportunities to design, create, and explore. With the variety of building sets, craft materials, puzzles, and inquiry tools you helped provide, they will be able to engage in authentic exploration and problem solving in ways that traditional textbooks simply cannot offer.\r\n\r\nThe wooden planks, magnetic tiles, and LEGO baseplates will serve as the foundation for countless engineering challenges. Students will design bridges, towers, and simple machines, learning first-hand how stability, balance, and creativity work together in engineering. At another station, colorful pipe cleaners, pom poms, toothpicks, and clay will allow students to prototype models of animals, ecosystems, and inventions that represent their understanding of science concepts. Even small details, like modeling clay or craft tape, support their ability to bring abstract ideas to life in three-dimensional form.\r\n\r\nFor those who may not gravitate toward building, puzzles and tangrams will challenge them to think critically and recognize how smaller parts fit together to create a whole. These logic-based activities not only build perseverance but also connect to scientific practices of identifying patterns and developing solutions through trial and error. The Newton's Cradle, magnet set, and magnetic balls provide hands-on opportunities to observe forces, motion, and energy transfer—concepts that are often difficult to grasp without tangible demonstrations. These materials make science real, accessible, and engaging.\r\n\r\nFrom a teaching perspective, these resources expand my opportunities to differentiate instruction and foster student choice. By rotating through various stations, students can explore topics at their own pace and according to their interests. While one group may be designing the tallest tower, another may be solving a geometric puzzle or exploring magnetism. This flexibility allows me to act as a facilitator of inquiry, guiding students to ask deeper questions and encouraging them to reflect on their learning. It also creates a classroom culture where every child can find a pathway to success, whether through creativity, logic, collaboration, or hands-on building.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, these materials are just the beginning of a larger vision for our classroom. The next steps will involve connecting these explorations to our science units more intentionally—for example, using modeling clay and natural objects to build models of ecosystems, or using wooden planks and tape to design structures that mimic weather-resistant buildings. In this way, the materials you provided will continue to support not only curiosity and play but also the development of communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your generosity. Your contribution is helping us build more than towers and bridges—it is helping to build confidence, creativity, and a love of science in every one of my students. I look forward to sharing their discoveries and successes with you as the year unfolds.\r\n\r\nI especially want to thank Ripple for their matching donations that allowed us to fufill the project and receive our materials so quickly.","fullyFundedDate":1757510915278,"projectUrl":"project/stem-play-create-and-learn/9689193/","projectTitle":"STEM: Play, Create, and Learn","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lynam","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-lynam"},{"teacherId":9458083,"projectId":8746555,"letterContent":"I apologize for the delayed letter, but my students have been thoroughly enjoying these wonderful books! Interest in independent reading has notably increased with the addition of these titles to our classroom library. By advertising these books using themed book displays and exposing students to various new titles through book tastings, students are reading more than ever in my classroom.\r\n\r\nMy students and I are so grateful for all that supported this project, for you have helped breathe life in reading! Your generosity has directly helped build a community of lifelong readers.","fullyFundedDate":1726155425388,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-young-readers-with-manga-fan/8746555/","projectTitle":"Empowering Young Readers With Manga, Fantasy, and Graphic Novels","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Fox","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9458083_orig.jpg?crop=1499,1500,x246,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1725654871863","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9458083"},{"teacherId":1074152,"projectId":8387097,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping my students acquire a subscription to Scholastic Magazine! Every month a new set of issues arrive in our mailbox and my class is excited and eager to ; earn about the various topics covered in each issue. An added feature of being subscribers is the ability to access the digital copies along with the corresponding lesson extension activities and worksheets. Every Friday, we are able to learn about a new topic in a new and exciting way.\r\n\r\nThrough the use of Scholastic magazines my students have increased their vocabulary, depth of knowledge and reading and listening comprehension. Thank you again for your generosity and support of my students. We appreciate you very much!","fullyFundedDate":1717090457855,"projectUrl":"project/extra-extra-read-all-about-it/8387097/","projectTitle":"Extra, Extra, Read All About It!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rinaldi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1074152_orig.jpg?crop=657,657,x0,y32&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1565876569575","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jrinaldi"},{"teacherId":8065494,"projectId":8613137,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donations to fund the additional comfortable cozy seating project. This has provided an opportunity to allow enough seating so all children, if they choose can sit in another location other than their desk.\r\n\r\nAlternative seating, which is comfortable allows children to have a relaxed environment to do their work. This additional seating allows the children to do partner work without being confined to their desks. The children are excited and eager to get to their assignments and stay on task because of the flexibility to work around the classroom. \r\n\r\nWith this additional seating, learning centers were established previously at the desk, where they can now be set up throughout the classroom.\r\n\r\nI am forever grateful for your donations, and the joy and excitement it has brought to my class.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAgain thank you for your generosity which has increased the creativity and enthusiasm in my classroom for learning","fullyFundedDate":1728072341103,"projectUrl":"project/cozy-and-comfy-while-you-work/8613137/","projectTitle":"Cozy and Comfy While You Work","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Maddox","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8065494"},{"teacherId":217876,"projectId":8279194,"letterContent":"When our new physical fitness resources arrived, the excitement was immediate. Students couldn't wait to explore everything, and their first reactions were full of smiles, laughter, and curiosity. Some even started friendly races just to try out the equipment right away. It was clear from the start that these resources would spark both energy and enthusiasm in our classroom.\r\n\r\nOne of the most memorable moments came during our first fitness challenge. Students rotated through stations, tracking their progress and encouraging one another along the way. I watched as a few students who are usually more hesitant in PE stepped up with confidence, even leading their groups. The level of teamwork, perseverance, and positivity they showed was inspiring, and it turned fitness into something that everyone wanted to be part of.\r\nWe are eternally grateful and look forward to physical, emotional, and creative growth.","fullyFundedDate":1720615774919,"projectUrl":"project/fit-for-success/8279194/","projectTitle":"Fit for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Sapia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/217876"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_122421","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":799,"numTeachers":26,"percentFrplEligible":65,"percentAsian":11,"percentBlack":10,"percentWhite":29,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":39,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"30.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":79.1,"schoolId":122421,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Strawberry Hill Elementary School - Rogers International on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Strawberry Hill Elementary School - Rogers International","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/connecticut/stamford-public-schools/strawberry-hill-school/122421"}