{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Kuumba Academy Charter School","outOfStateSupporters":46.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10314731,"projectId":9835285,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our literacy project and for providing both engaging books and hands-on learning materials for my students. As a reading interventionist, I work with small groups of children who need targeted instruction, and these resources allow me to explicitly teach essential reading skills. The new texts help students strengthen phonics, decoding, fluency, and comprehension skills, while materials like letter tiles, highlighters, whiteboards, and play dough support multisensory learning. Students use letter tiles and play dough to build words and practice phonics patterns, highlighters to identify key details and sight words in text, and whiteboards to practice spelling, sentence construction, and quick responses.\r\n\r\nReading in our small intervention groups is interactive, supportive, and engaging. Students read aloud, collaborate, and actively apply strategies using the new materials, which has increased both confidence and motivation. Several students who previously struggled with reading are especially enjoying the new books and hands-on activities; they are more willing to take risks, participate in discussions, and celebrate their progress. Seeing students take pride in successfully reading a text or building a word independently is incredibly rewarding. Your generosity has made a meaningful difference in our students' literacy growth, and we are truly grateful for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1761065075782,"projectUrl":"project/inspiring-readers-one-word-at-a-time/9835285/","projectTitle":"Inspiring Readers, One Word At A Time","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Runyiri","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10314731_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y177&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1761003197894","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10314731"},{"teacherId":10342883,"projectId":9877991,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom project! Your generosity has already made a huge difference, and I'm excited to share how my students are using the new resources. Since receiving the iPad, new stools for small groups, and our phonics learning materials, my students have been more engaged than ever. One moment that stands out was during our small-group phonics lesson. Students gathered around the new stools and used the iPad to practice interactive reading games while exploring the phonics materials hands-on. It was amazing to see them collaborate, share ideas, and cheer each other on as they sounded out words and built their reading skills.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the students were thrilled! They couldn't wait to try the iPad and the phonics games. Their excitement was contagious, and it's been wonderful to see them so motivated to learn. Right now, we are continuing to strengthen our phonics and reading skills. Next, we'll use the iPad and phonics materials to:\r\nPractice decoding and spelling new words\r\nPlay interactive reading games to reinforce skills\r\nWork in small groups to build confidence and teamwork\r\n\r\nThanks to your support, my students have the tools they need to explore, learn, and grow every day. Your donation is helping create a classroom where reading becomes exciting and every student can succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1762660142452,"projectUrl":"project/building-our-kindergarten-toolbox/9877991/","projectTitle":"Building Our Kindergarten Toolbox!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Taniyah","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10342883"},{"teacherId":10324688,"projectId":9848914,"letterContent":"Since receiving these materials, my speech room has become a much more inviting and welcoming space for my students. They immediately noticed the difference. When they first saw the new books, writing tools, carpet, and flexible seating options, their excitement was obvious; smiles, curious questions, and eagerness to jump right in. Several students asked if we could start using the materials that same day, which led to some of our most engaged sessions yet.\r\n\r\nWe are now using the resources in many different ways to support literacy and communication. Students are reading leveled texts, identifying main ideas and key details, and practicing writing responses using structured supports. The hands-on materials have been especially helpful for students who need movement or visuals to stay focused. I've seen students who were previously hesitant to read or write participate more willingly, take risks, and show pride in their work. Most importantly, they are gaining confidence in expressing their thoughts, both in writing and during discussions.\r\n\r\nIn upcoming days, we will continue building on these skills by connecting reading comprehension to written expression and oral storytelling. Students will use the materials to plan paragraphs, sequence stories, and explain their thinking more clearly. These resources have opened up new opportunities for learning and growth, helping my students see themselves as capable readers, writers, and confident communicators. I'm incredibly grateful to our donors for making this meaningful impact possible.","fullyFundedDate":1761057140040,"projectUrl":"project/space-for-learning-and-growing-through-r/9848914/","projectTitle":"Space for Learning and Growing through Reading!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dani","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10324688"},{"teacherId":10322056,"projectId":9845728,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom. Because of you, my students now have access to wonderful resources that support both their learning and their well-being.\r\nWe have been using the play dough daily to help students trace letters and strengthen their fine motor skills. During recess, students also enjoy using the play dough tools to cut, mold, and create different shapes, which encourages creativity and hands-on learning. The copy paper has been incredibly helpful for making student work materials so everyone can fully participate in lessons. In addition, the snacks have been a big support for my students and are often used as incentives for good behavior, helping keep students focused and motivated throughout the day.\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, they were absolutely thrilled! They were especially excited about the play dough and tools and immediately began exploring how to use them. The snacks were also a huge hit—students were very excited and often asked for them throughout the day. Their enthusiasm truly showed how meaningful these resources are to them.\r\nThanks to your generosity, our next steps are to continue building students' developmental and fine motor skills through hands-on activities, provide meaningful work opportunities, and support students by offering snacks when they are hungry so they can stay focused and ready to learn.\r\nThank you again for making such a positive impact on my students and our classroom. Your kindness and support truly make a difference every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1760921194222,"projectUrl":"project/project-classrom-help/9845728/","projectTitle":"Project Classrom Help","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Muldrow","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10322056"},{"teacherId":6087835,"projectId":9852491,"letterContent":"I created a DonorsChoose project to get ELA and Math Learning Games to help keep my students engaged during our small group rotation. When the items started to arrive they were introduced to the new learning games and were eager to begin using them. \r\n\r\nBefore receiving the new ELA and Math Learning Games, I noticed that the students who were less engaged started participating more when they were using the learning games. It helped them get more excited about learning and allowed them to work at their own pace.","fullyFundedDate":1761257122209,"projectUrl":"project/mrs-smothers-shining-stars/9852491/","projectTitle":"Mrs. Smothers' Shining Stars","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Smothers","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6087835"},{"teacherId":10342062,"projectId":9876162,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom. Because of your generosity, my students were able to use hands on materials that made learning more meaningful and engaging. We used items like the Snap Circuits Arcade Kit, magnetism kits, robotics projects, and engineering challenge materials to explore science concepts in a way that felt fun and accessible to students.\r\n\r\nInstead of just reading about electricity, magnetism, or engineering, students were able to build, test, and experiment. They worked together to figure out how circuits function, how magnets interact, and how structures can be designed to withstand challenges. These activities encouraged students to talk through their thinking, solve problems as a team, and learn from mistakes.\r\n\r\nThe materials helped boost student engagement and confidence. Many of my students come from diverse backgrounds and face different challenges, but having access to these resources allowed them to feel successful and proud of their work. Students were excited to come to class and eager to try new ideas. Your support made it possible to create learning experiences that were hands on, meaningful, and memorable for my students. Thank you for making a real difference in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1762640667094,"projectUrl":"project/stem-literacy/9876162/","projectTitle":"STEM Literacy","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Dragone","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10342062"},{"teacherId":3765870,"projectId":9849810,"letterContent":"Picture this: The bell rings at the start of ELA class. Relaxing music is playing and eighth grade students are already settled in their seats, which are outfitted with colorful, comfortable cushions. Their books are open and they are engaged in their choice reading books - some students are reading realistic fiction about the ups and downs of being teenagers, others are reading non-fiction about world changing advocates and athletes, and others still are reading fantasy texts that stretch their imaginations beyond the limits of the real world. In addition to building their reading stamina, these students are understanding the themes - life lessons beyond the classroom - these texts are designed to teach: Be honest. Treat others with respect. Never give up.\r\n\r\nLater in the day, when these students have to practice literacy skills on the computer, each student puts on a pair of new, fully functional headphones to reduce distractions and \"lock in\" on their practice. The headphones also allow students who need extra support via read aloud the ability to access this support discreetly. Students have paper and post-its to take notes and anchor charts around the room to support their growing understanding. Students, who are growing in confidence, call me over to say: \"I just finished a lesson!\" and \"Check out my pass rate!\"\r\n\r\nTHIS is the reality you have helped to create for 50 young people (and their deeply appreciative teacher). Thank you again for choosing to donate to our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1761403424317,"projectUrl":"project/reigniting-a-love-for-reading/9849810/","projectTitle":"Reigniting a Love for Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Borish","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3765870_orig.jpg?crop=481,481,x0,y33&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1761093846959","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3765870"},{"teacherId":6202346,"projectId":9871347,"letterContent":"I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for your generous support of our recent DonorsChoose project. Because of you, our classroom now has sensory tools that create a calmer, more supportive, and more inclusive learning environment for all of our students.\r\nThese materials are already making a meaningful difference. Students who often struggle with focus, self-regulation, or overstimulation now have resources that help them feel grounded and ready to learn. You've given them a sense of comfort, confidence, and belonging—things every child deserves in their school day.\r\nYour kindness has created real, tangible change in our classroom. You didn't just donate items; you invested in our students' well-being, their ability to learn, and their overall classroom experience. We are truly grateful.\r\nThank you again for believing in our students and in the work we do each day. Your generosity will continue to support our learners for years to come","fullyFundedDate":1763484980454,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-tools-to-support-regulation-foc/9871347/","projectTitle":"Sensory Tools to Support Regulation, Focus, in Our Self-Contained Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Diamond","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6202346"},{"teacherId":10313947,"projectId":9833390,"letterContent":"The new seating options in my class have been so wonderful to have. My students love having options about where to sit during our small group time. I have seen an improvement in their attention spans. \r\nThe small group center activities that I received have helped the children get some hands on practice with forming letters and sounds. This kinesthetic learning has improved their memory for letters and the sounds they make. They especially love the magnet boards with the letters. These are growing with them as they move from learning sounds to forming words.","fullyFundedDate":1760801075537,"projectUrl":"project/literacy-supplies/9833390/","projectTitle":"Literacy Supplies!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Herlyn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10313947"},{"teacherId":3036506,"projectId":9848272,"letterContent":"When our new materials arrived, my first graders' eyes lit up with excitement! They couldn't wait to explore the new books and immediately started sharing stories and favorite characters with their friends. The dry erase boards have become a classroom favorite—students love using them during reading and math centers to practice spelling, sentence writing, and problem-solving in a fun, hands-on way. The snacks have been a quiet but powerful support, ensuring that every student can focus and feel ready to learn each day.\r\nThese resources have truly transformed our classroom. Students are more engaged, confident, and collaborative during lessons. Right now, we're using our new materials during our literacy block to strengthen reading fluency and comprehension, and the dry erase boards are helping us master addition and subtraction facts. Thanks to your generosity, my students are not only learning—they're thriving.","fullyFundedDate":1761063261859,"projectUrl":"project/mrs-blackwells-class/9848272/","projectTitle":"Mrs. Blackwell's Class","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Blackwell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3036506_orig.jpg?crop=901,901,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1760119383656","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3036506"},{"teacherId":3038578,"projectId":9253524,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, children in my class are discovering that reading isn't just a skill — it's an adventure. Your support has sparked excitement, confidence, and a love of learning in young readers .\r\n\r\nThis year, your impact has been remarkable:\r\n\r\nMy students are now independently engaging with books and reading materials .\r\n\r\nThrough our new Reading Rewards Program, students are earning small prizes for every book they complete — and they're more eager than ever to read!\r\n\r\n\r\nBecause of you, reading has become something children look forward to — not just in school, but at home and in their communities. You've helped transform reading from a challenge into a celebration.\r\n\r\nAs we look ahead, we're excited to expand our rewards program and bring the joy of reading to even more children. Thank you for making this possible. Your generosity is turning stories into success stories.","fullyFundedDate":1746717727044,"projectUrl":"project/the-reading-reward-box/9253524/","projectTitle":"The Reading Reward Box","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bratcher","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3038578"},{"teacherId":5031362,"projectId":5324392,"letterContent":"I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for this wonderful donation. The items that we received will greatly impact our students by allowing them to be creative within our learning environment. Although the pandemic slowed our progress, it didn't stop us from learning. We are resilient and will continue to grow.\r\n\r\nMy students were so happy to recieve these items. They were eager to use them. We started by going over the materials and how to use them properly. We then integrated the arts into our everyday curriculum. We are delighted, thankful, and humbled.","fullyFundedDate":1607397167337,"projectUrl":"project/kuumba-is-creativity/5324392/","projectTitle":"Kuumba Is Creativity!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Alexander","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5031362_orig.jpg?crop=2208,2208,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1606147778609","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5031362"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_70851","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":720,"numTeachers":49,"percentFrplEligible":60,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":90,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":4,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"14.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":53.5,"schoolId":70851,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Kuumba Academy Charter School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Kuumba Academy Charter School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/delaware/delaware-department-of-education/kuumba-academy-charter-school/70851"}