{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Savoy Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":70.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10317691,"projectId":9841806,"letterContent":"When the boxes arrived, my students didn't know what was inside—but they felt the excitement in the air. As we opened each package and pulled out the fidgets, playdough, kinetic sand, and the brand‑new classroom play table, something in the room shifted. It felt like hope. It felt like someone out there—someone they've never met—believed in them.\r\n\r\nHow We're Using the New Resources\r\nThese materials have become more than classroom tools. They've become bridges—helping my students cross from overwhelm to calm, from frustration to focus, from silence to communication.\r\nEvery morning, students walk in and head straight to the sensory station. Some choose playdough and slowly squeeze it between their palms, grounding themselves before the day truly begins. Others choose a fidget and hold it tightly, using the rhythm to feel steady and safe.\r\nThe kinetic sand has become a quiet retreat—when emotions rise, students know they can go to the sand, breathe, and come back ready to try again.\r\nThe play table has transformed learning into something joyful. My students gather around it, laughing, building, talking, and taking turns in ways that felt impossible months ago.\r\n\r\nA Moment That Meant Everything\r\nThere was one moment I'll never forget.\r\nOne student—who usually shuts down when work feels too hard—was having a difficult morning. Tears were welling up, shoulders tight, breathing fast. I gently guided them to the kinetic sand, and we sat there together. After a few minutes, they whispered, \"This helps me... I can try again.\"\r\nThey returned to their work—not perfectly, not instantly—but bravely.\r\nAnd that small moment of courage came from something a donor gave us.\r\nThat's the power your gift had.\r\n\r\nTheir Reactions When They First Saw the Materials\r\nWhen the students first saw the sensory tools, they didn't just smile—they lit up. Some gasped. Some clapped. One student, who rarely uses words, whispered \"Wow.\" Another kept pointing at the play table, almost unable to believe it was really for them.\r\nThese resources told my students something I try to communicate every day:\r\nYou matter. Your needs matter. People care about you.\r\n\r\nWhat's Next for Our Learning\r\nRight now, my students are working hard on building fine‑motor skills, emotional regulation, communication, and independence. These tools are now woven into every part of that journey.\r\n\r\nWe'll use playdough and kinetic sand to strengthen hands for writing.\r\nWe'll use fidgets and textures to build self‑advocacy: learning to ask for what helps them feel safe.\r\nWe'll use the play table to practice sharing, turn‑taking, and social language—skills that help them far beyond the classroom.\r\n\r\nWith your help, our classroom is becoming a place where students don't just learn—they thrive. Every day, these materials help them feel calmer, braver, more capable, and more connected to the world around them.","fullyFundedDate":1762192036367,"projectUrl":"project/roaring-for-resources-unlocking-potenti/9841806/","projectTitle":"Roaring for Resources: Unlocking Potential, One Roar at a Time","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10317691"},{"teacherId":6850076,"projectId":9656977,"letterContent":"My students and I are incredibly grateful for your donation. The previous headphones that we had had been at the school even before I came here. They were old, chunky, and peeling. My students deserve to have a comfortable learning experience in music class. The new headphones fit comfortably around their head with no residue left on their clothes. The keyboard labels make learning accessible for all of my students.\r\n\r\nOur 5th grade students can comfortably practice on the keyboard without having to hear the sounds from their surroundings. They have a music composition project that they are currently completing that requires them to use headphone to record. Our new set is amazing and makes it easy for students to record their work. Our piano labels make it easy for all students to read and play music. Some of the 1st graders read the sheet music with letters on it and are able to identify the letters on the keyboard thanks to you. They are improving their reading skills and their playing skills. At Savoy, our students are joyfully exploring the piano with ease thanks to you.","fullyFundedDate":1760693742604,"projectUrl":"project/piano-exploration/9656977/","projectTitle":"Piano Exploration","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Brown","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6850076_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758147121916","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6850076"},{"teacherId":9212214,"projectId":9858424,"letterContent":"Thanks to the generous support of the Bainum Family Foundation, our new carpets have transformed key areas in our classroom, including the morning meeting space, the library, and the block center. When the carpets arrived, my students were immediately drawn to them and quickly understood that these areas were special places for learning, collaboration, and connection. During morning meeting, students can sit comfortably together, helping them focus, listen, and participate more fully. In the library and block center, the carpets create defined, inviting spaces that encourage purposeful play, problem-solving, and peer interaction. These soft spaces have made a big difference in how my students engage with their environment, and they will continue to support meaningful learning experiences every day.","fullyFundedDate":1766067129552,"projectUrl":"project/soft-spaces-for-big-learning/9858424/","projectTitle":"Soft Spaces for Big Learning!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Atem","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9212214_orig.jpg?crop=3337,3337,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1750353240109","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-atem"},{"teacherId":9212214,"projectId":9884078,"letterContent":"Thank you so much to the Bainum Family Foundation for making our classroom laptop possible. When I introduced the laptop to my students, they were thrilled to see learning come to life through interactive songs, stories, and visuals. We are already using it for whole-group lessons, small-group instruction, and digital learning moments that keep students engaged and excited. This laptop has also helped me better document student growth and create more intentional lessons tailored to my students' needs.","fullyFundedDate":1766067140219,"projectUrl":"project/learning-in-the-digital-age-one-click-a/9884078/","projectTitle":"Learning in the Digital Age: One Click at a Time!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Atem","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9212214_orig.jpg?crop=3337,3337,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1750353240109","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-atem"},{"teacherId":9212214,"projectId":9883197,"letterContent":"Thank you to the Bainum Family Foundation for bringing this project to life. When the books arrived, they instantly drew students in and renewed excitement around reading. Students were thrilled to explore new stories that connected directly to our unit studies and classroom discussions. We now use the books during read-alouds, independent reading, and small-group conversations. One special moment was seeing students recommend books to one another based on shared interests. Next, we'll continue to deepen comprehension and vocabulary through intentional, book-based learning experiences.","fullyFundedDate":1766067047602,"projectUrl":"project/books-that-bring-learning-to-life/9883197/","projectTitle":"Books That Bring Learning to Life!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Atem","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9212214_orig.jpg?crop=3337,3337,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1750353240109","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-atem"},{"teacherId":9212214,"projectId":9881999,"letterContent":"I would like to thank the Bainum Family Foundation for generously funding our Social-Emotional Learning project. My students were beyond excited when they saw the new books, visuals, and calm-down tools, and they immediately began using the materials during our morning meetings and throughout the day. One of the most meaningful moments has been watching students independently go to the Calm Corner, name their feelings, and use strategies we've practiced together. These resources have helped my Pre-K4 students build emotional vocabulary, empathy, and confidence in handling big feelings. Next, we will continue strengthening these skills through role-playing, reflective conversations, and connecting emotions to our daily learning experiences.","fullyFundedDate":1766067125959,"projectUrl":"project/big-feelings-little-learner/9881999/","projectTitle":"Big Feelings, Little Learner!!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Atem","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9212214_orig.jpg?crop=3337,3337,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1750353240109","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-atem"},{"teacherId":9212214,"projectId":9836696,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding our project and thanks to the generous support from the Bainum Family Foundation, these resources are already making a meaningful impact in our classroom. The engineering materials sparked instant curiosity and excitement among my students. As soon as they arrived, students eagerly began building, testing ideas, and collaborating with peers. We've used the resources during science centers to explore problem-solving, trial and error, and teamwork. Watching students redesign their creations after challenges has been incredibly rewarding. Next, we will expand these experiences by connecting engineering play to real-world structures and classroom challenges.","fullyFundedDate":1766067128959,"projectUrl":"project/engineers-in-the-making-building-curiou/9836696/","projectTitle":"Engineers in the Making: Building Curious Minds Through STEM!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Atem","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9212214_orig.jpg?crop=3337,3337,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1750353240109","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-atem"},{"teacherId":2172666,"projectId":9399188,"letterContent":"Thank you for bringing these basic classroom supplies into our room. I'm so grateful for your support. Thanks to you my students were able to engage in a variety of engaging, academic activities. One of my students' favorite activities was using play-doh. We used play-doh to build students' fine motor skills which, helped with their writing mechanics. I love the story paper from this project because, it allows students to represent what they learned visually with a picture and in writing.\r\n\r\nIn addition to play-doh and paper, my students enjoyed using the dry erase boards. We used these during reading, writing and math. My students were eager to participate anytime white boards and dry erase markers were involved! Thank you for making learning fun.","fullyFundedDate":1753634411221,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-basics-please/9399188/","projectTitle":"Classroom Basics, Please!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wilson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2172666_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1466446231612","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-wilsonhoustonelementary"},{"teacherId":2172666,"projectId":9677096,"letterContent":"Thank you for bringing these guided reader books into our classroom. You really enhanced our classroom library!\r\n\r\nThanks to you my students had new, leveled books to read. We used these books during small group instruction and independent reading. The goal of adding these books to our classroom library was to improve students reading skills so, they could eventually increase their reading level. \r\n\r\nMy students and I really enjoyed reading these colorful books. Thanks again for this wonderful, learning opportunity.","fullyFundedDate":1757789568734,"projectUrl":"project/guided-readers/9677096/","projectTitle":"Guided Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wilson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2172666_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1466446231612","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-wilsonhoustonelementary"},{"teacherId":2172666,"projectId":9437132,"letterContent":"Thank you for the opportunity to attend this year's Autism conference sponsored by CASSI. The conference was virtual this year and that gave me to chance to attend more sessions online. For instance, I attended the session titled \"Neurodiversity Paradigm Change in Clinical Support and Special Education: Historical context and important implications for professionals.\" This session discussed shifts in how Autism is defined, perceived and treated. There was also an interesting session about bilingual learners and families. I wish had this information last school year when I worked with bilingual families. Thank you for helping to expand my knowledge of Autism Spectrum Disorders so I can serve families more effectively.","fullyFundedDate":1753893679550,"projectUrl":"project/autism-conference-2025/9437132/","projectTitle":"Autism Conference 2025","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wilson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2172666_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1466446231612","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-wilsonhoustonelementary"},{"teacherId":2172666,"projectId":9655038,"letterContent":"Thank you for the opportunity to teach my students about financial literacy. This is a subject that I wish had been taught to me as a student.\r\n\r\nAlthough most of my students can count aloud, some of them have difficulty writing double-digit numbers. For instance, they may ask me, \"how do I make 12?\" As a result, I requested the number tracing center so, my students could practice writing and identifying double-digit numbers.\r\n\r\nIn addition to the number tracing center, I requested toy money. I use these to teach my students the value of paper money and coins. Thanks for bringing this learning opportunity to life.","fullyFundedDate":1756633770064,"projectUrl":"project/financial-literacy-begins-with-the-basic/9655038/","projectTitle":"Financial Literacy Begins with the Basics","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wilson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2172666_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1466446231612","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-wilsonhoustonelementary"},{"teacherId":2172666,"projectId":9641780,"letterContent":"Thank you for giving to this project. I greatly appreciate your support. Thanks to you my students had daily access to healthy snacks. My students had the option of eating fruit snacks, goldfish and Cheez-Its. These snacks are low in sugar and sodium. In addition to the snacks, you provided our class with a storage container to hold the snacks inside. \r\n\r\nWe also received Clorox Wipes that we used daily to clean student desks and other classroom areas, as needed. Thanks for bringing these materials into our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1756225193007,"projectUrl":"project/quill-snacks-and-cleaning-supplies/9641780/","projectTitle":"Quill Snacks and Cleaning Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wilson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2172666_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1466446231612","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-wilsonhoustonelementary"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_24139","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":199,"numTeachers":26,"percentFrplEligible":88,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":94,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":5,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"7.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":29.8,"schoolId":24139,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Savoy Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Savoy Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/district-of-columbia/dc-public-schools/savoy-elementary-school-birney-elementary-school/24139"}