{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"E.C. Stevens Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":41.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7072443,"projectId":9786704,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our DonorsChoose project and helping us add two comfy, colorful chairs to our school library! Your generosity has made a wonderful difference for our youngest readers.\r\n\r\nThe chairs are now part of one of our reading areas in the library, and they have quickly become a favorite spot for our Pre-kindergarten through second grade students. The bright colors make the space feel welcoming and fun, and the soft, comfortable seating gives students a place where they can truly relax with a book.\r\n\r\nEvery day, I see students eagerly choosing a book and heading straight to the chairs. They curl up, settle in, and become completely absorbed in their stories. These simple pieces of furniture have helped create a cozy reading environment that encourages students to slow down, enjoy books, and develop a love of reading.\r\n\r\nYour support has helped turn part of our library into a special place where young readers feel comfortable and excited to read. Thank you for helping us create a space where imagination and learning can flourish.\r\n\r\nLike one of my Kindergarten students said \"This chair is the best! Can I bring it back to my classroom?\"","fullyFundedDate":1767204623604,"projectUrl":"project/relax-and-read-comfy-seats-for-our-cozy/9786704/","projectTitle":"Relax and Read: Comfy Seats for Our Cozy Library","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Harrington","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7072443_orig.jpg?crop=545,545,x0,y270&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1609808012482","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7072443"},{"teacherId":7072443,"projectId":9601891,"letterContent":"My students and I have enthusiastically used these resources during center time as well as for follow-up activities connected to books read in the library. After each read-aloud, students complete a related activity, check out their books, and are then invited to choose a makerspace bin to explore. These additions have greatly enhanced the makerspace bins in the library, and the students absolutely love them. One of my preschool students perfectly captured their excitement by exclaiming, \"This is the best day ever!\" when I introduced the new centers.\r\n\r\nMany of the resources have been intentionally integrated with our story activities. After reading Creepy Carrots, students used Duplo LEGOs to build protective fences around the \"creepy carrots.\" Following Catch That Cookie, they used Play-Doh wheels to practice making pretend cookies, reinforcing fine motor skills and imaginative play. The preschool classes especially enjoy the town set that was added to our train station center; they delight in designing and creating their own towns and communities.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, the Squigz were used to design creative traps for the Gingerbread Man after reading several different versions of the classic tale. These hands-on activities encourage problem-solving, collaboration, and storytelling while keeping students highly engaged.\r\n\r\nAs the year continues, these resources will remain an integral part of our library programming. They will be used across a wide variety of read-aloud extensions, STEM activities, and preschool play centers, continually supporting creativity, learning, and a love of reading.","fullyFundedDate":1761754140701,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-library/9601891/","projectTitle":"Hands-on Library!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Harrington","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7072443_orig.jpg?crop=545,545,x0,y270&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1609808012482","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7072443"},{"teacherId":1639431,"projectId":9414376,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom has been buzzing with excitement and discovery! The new manipulatives you helped fund have transformed our literacy and math lessons into hands-on, engaging experiences that reach every learner.\r\nWhen the boxes arrived, my students' eyes lit up with curiosity and joy. They couldn't wait to explore the hand2mind Advancing Phonics Word Work sets, using them to build words and strengthen their phonics skills. During small group reading time, students eagerly sound out CVC words, moving letters and tiles to create real and nonsense words — all while building confidence and fluency.\r\nIn math, the Cactus Counting Desert Math Set and Geoboards have brought abstract concepts to life. Students are using the cactus counters to practice addition, subtraction, and number composition in a fun, visual way. The geoboards have become a favorite during math centers, where students create shapes, explore geometry, and even design patterns collaboratively. The Pop Blocks Fidget Toys have been an unexpected hit — they double as sensory tools and a creative way to practice color recognition and spelling.\r\nThese resources have made our classroom more interactive and inclusive, allowing every child to learn through touch, movement, and play. The engagement and enthusiasm I've seen during lessons are incredible — students who once hesitated to participate are now leading small group discussions and sharing their thinking proudly.\r\nAs we continue the school year, we'll be using these materials to deepen our understanding of number sense, strengthen foundational phonics skills, and build independence in small-group learning. Your donation didn't just supply materials — it created moments of discovery, confidence, and joy in learning every single day.\r\nFrom the bottom of our hearts, thank you for believing in our classroom and helping our kindergartners grow through hands-on learning.\r\nWith gratitude,\r\n[Your Name]\r\nKindergarten Teacher\r\n\r\nWould you like me to make a shorter version (around 150–200 words) for posting directly on DonorsChoose?","fullyFundedDate":1751228981732,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-learning-reading-and-math-mani/9414376/","projectTitle":"Hands-On Learning: Reading and Math Manipulatives for Kindergarten Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Medeiros","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1639431_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1464612124116","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/medeiros17"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_44075","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":266,"numTeachers":29,"percentFrplEligible":37,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":66,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":24,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":4,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 2","studentTeacherRatio":"9.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":58.3,"schoolId":44075,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about E.C. Stevens Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"E.C. Stevens Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/connecticut/wallingford-public-school-district/e-c-stevens-elementary-school/44075"}