{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Veterans Memorial Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":17.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10567267,"projectId":10528138,"letterContent":"I'd like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the wonderful members of the DonorsChoose community for generously funding small prizes for our readers! Your kindness and support are making a bigger difference than you may realize. These little prizes have become a big source of excitement, motivation, and pride for our students as they work toward becoming stronger, more confident readers.\r\n\r\nThe prizes are used to celebrate reading milestones and recognize students for their hard work and dedication. Whether they reach a certain number of books, complete a reading goal, or simply show consistent effort, they have something special to look forward to along the way. These small tokens are such a simple yet meaningful way to make their accomplishments tangible. Instead of just hearing that they have done a great job, they get to hold a little reward in their hands that reminds them of what they have achieved!","fullyFundedDate":1787600057780,"projectUrl":"project/read-reward-repeat/10528138/","projectTitle":"Read, Reward, Repeat!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Smith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10567267"},{"teacherId":10567267,"projectId":10423102,"letterContent":"Having a designated podcasting space full of comfy chairs, functional microphones and appropriate signage has added significantly to the studio's success. \r\n\r\nThe Pod Squad students are benefiting from each stage of the podcasting process. Doing so in their own dedicated studio with comfy chairs, microphones and \"on air signs\" creates an environment where the podcast process comes to life.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping to create competent researchers, script writers and podcasters who are excited to learn and create!","fullyFundedDate":1787185773655,"projectUrl":"project/the-pod-squad/10423102/","projectTitle":"The Pod Squad!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Smith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10567267"},{"teacherId":2335034,"projectId":10434627,"letterContent":"My students have been so excited to use the new hands-on learning materials! The project provided us with a large variety of manipulatives and STEM activities that allow students to learn by building, creating, testing, and problem-solving rather than simply learning from a textbook or worksheet.\r\n\r\nThe students especially enjoy using the materials in our STEM bins. These are available for students who finish their classwork early, but they have also become a great way to incorporate more hands-on learning into our science classroom. Students work together to complete challenges, experiment with different ideas, and use critical thinking and creativity to solve problems. It has been wonderful to see students who may not always be excited about traditional assignments become completely engaged when they are given the opportunity to build and explore.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, my students were immediately curious and excited to see all of the different activities and manipulatives. They couldn't wait to start exploring and asking questions about what they could create.\r\n\r\nOur next step is to continue incorporating these materials into our science lessons and STEM challenges throughout the year. Having these resources available gives my students more opportunities to practice collaboration, problem-solving, creativity, and perseverance while making learning fun and meaningful. I am so grateful to the donors who made these experiences possible for my students!","fullyFundedDate":1787748012752,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-for-learning/10434627/","projectTitle":"Hands-on for Learning!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wildonger","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/wildonger"},{"teacherId":10204171,"projectId":10392048,"letterContent":"Hard to see in the pic since faces are blocked out, but the students are extremely excited for all the new supplies! Your grant allowed me to purchase items for the class that we will use at various times throughout the year. \r\nThe bowls have already been used for a candy and sorting investigation. Squirt bottles allow students to measure water without a mess during states of matter activities. While we have not had the opportunity to use most of the supplies yet, we look forward to adding prisms and mirrors to investigations on light energy. The sandpaper is to create friction boards for racing cars. This force and motion activity is by far one of their favorite things to do. \r\nWe start using the plant supplies this month and will plants will continue to be a part of our daily learning till the end of the year. Plants are helpful in nature of science to learn scientific method, control group and variables. \r\nMy kids come to science eagerly expecting a fun learning experience. For that, you are very much appreciated!!","fullyFundedDate":1787604150263,"projectUrl":"project/seed-sprout-grow/10392048/","projectTitle":"Seed, Sprout, Grow!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Eisenberg","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10204171_orig.jpg?crop=919,919,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757378465227","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10204171"},{"teacherId":10203298,"projectId":10444266,"letterContent":"I would like to express my deepest gratitude for supporting my fifth-grade classroom. Your generosity has provided my students with pencils, whiteboards, erasers, markers, and flexible seating, and so much more these items make a meaningful difference in our classroom every day.\r\n\r\nAs a teacher, I know that having the right supplies can make a tremendous difference in a student's ability to learn. Something as simple as having a pencil ready when an assignment begins can prevent frustration and help a student stay focused. The whiteboards and markers will give my students opportunities to actively participate in lessons, share their thinking, practice new skills, and receive immediate feedback. \r\n\r\nThe flexible seating is especially exciting for our classroom. Fifth graders are active learners who benefit from having opportunities to move and work in ways that help them remain focused and engaged. Flexible seating will allow students to make appropriate choices about their learning environment while still maintaining a productive and respectful classroom. My goal is to create a classroom where students feel comfortable, supported, and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nThese materials are more than just classroom supplies. They are tools that will help create an environment where my students can feel successful. When students have access to the materials they need, they are better able to participate, take ownership of their learning, and build confidence in their abilities. I want every student who walks into our classroom to know that they are important, capable, and deserving of the resources they need to succeed.\r\n\r\nYour support also sends a powerful message to my students. It shows them that people they may never meet believe in their education and want to see them succeed. That is something I hope they will carry with them—not only this school year, but throughout their educational journey.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in my fifth-grade students and helping me create a classroom that is engaging, welcoming, and student-centered. Your generosity will be felt every time a student uses a whiteboard to share an idea, reaches for a marker to demonstrate their thinking, uses a new pencil to complete an assignment, or chooses a flexible seating option that helps them focus.\r\n\r\nI am incredibly grateful for your kindness and support. Because of your organization my students have more opportunities to learn, participate, collaborate, and grow. Thank you for helping make our classroom a place where students can feel prepared, confident, and excited to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1787969401018,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-essentials-for-academic-achiev/10444266/","projectTitle":"Classroom Essentials for Academic Achievement","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hepler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10203298"},{"teacherId":10162831,"projectId":10565564,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your amazing support! Your generosity has brought so much energy and excitement into our jump rope club, I can see the joy in our students eyes!\r\n\r\nThe students were thrilled when the jump ropes arrived! They couldn't wait to dive in and get to jumping. We're already using them for our jump rope club and it's been awesome seeing them work together. Their smiles are contagious.\r\n\r\nThank you for making this happen and for giving my students such a cool opportunity to learn about exercise, fitness, and social health !","fullyFundedDate":1788486637791,"projectUrl":"project/helping-students-jump-move-grow/10565564/","projectTitle":"Helping Students Jump, Move & Grow!","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Stewart","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10162831_orig.jpg?crop=418,418,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754659395471","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10162831"},{"teacherId":10191616,"projectId":10456921,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for generously supporting my classroom through your grant funding! Your generosity has provided my students with new number line whiteboards, markers, erasers, and a teacher whiteboard easel, and these resources have already made a meaningful difference in our classroom.\r\n\r\nMy students absolutely love using the number line whiteboards during math! They provide my students with a hands-on and visual way to practice addition and subtraction concepts. Being able to physically see and use the number line helps them understand how numbers relate to one another, visualize moving forward and backward, and make connections between mathematical concepts and the strategies they are learning. The whiteboards also give every student an opportunity to practice, make mistakes, try again, and show their thinking in a fun and engaging way.\r\n\r\nThe teacher whiteboard easel has also been an incredibly helpful addition to my classroom. It provides a large, clear visual that my students can easily see and follow along with during whole-group and small-group instruction. Whether I am modeling a new math strategy, working through a problem step-by-step, or creating an anchor chart, the easel allows my students to stay engaged and see the learning process right in front of them.\r\n\r\nThese materials have helped me make math more interactive, accessible, and enjoyable for my students. I am so grateful for your generosity and for your commitment to providing students with the tools they need to build confidence and be successful learners. Thank you for making a difference in my classroom and in the lives of my students!","fullyFundedDate":1788017798373,"projectUrl":"project/write-learn-grow-tools-for-every-lear/10456921/","projectTitle":"Write, Learn, Grow: Tools for Every Learner","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rynsburger","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10191616"},{"teacherId":4902960,"projectId":10565973,"letterContent":"My students were so excited when they saw our new flexible seating resources arrive! They now have more choices in how and where they work during reading, independent practice, partner activities, and small-group instruction.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite moments has been watching students settle into their new seating during independent reading. Students who often struggle to sit still or stay focused are more comfortable, engaged, and ready to learn. The seating has given them an appropriate way to move while still being productive.\r\n\r\nWe are continuing to use our flexible seating every day as we focus on strengthening reading comprehension and building confidence. My students are learning that everyone learns differently, and finding the right environment can help them be successful.\r\n\r\nThank you to my donors for investing in my students and helping create a classroom where every child has the opportunity to learn in a way that works best for them!","fullyFundedDate":1788375115243,"projectUrl":"project/rock-roll-retain/10565973/","projectTitle":"Rock, Roll, & Retain!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Scalise","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4902960_orig.jpg?crop=577,577,x0,y30&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755696903216","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-scalise"},{"teacherId":10282952,"projectId":10170199,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for creating an engaging classroom atmosphere. Students are able to practice skills and strategies from all areas of curriculum. With the help of the these materials we have created games, turned worksheets into interactive activities and built our classroom family. \r\nParents of my students have reported that their children are coming home and wanting to teach them a game that reinforces math concepts using dice, and playing cards. These are simple materials and affordable for all families to purchase and reuse over and over.","fullyFundedDate":1776439706324,"projectUrl":"project/roll-flip-spin-to-the-rescue/10170199/","projectTitle":"Roll, Flip, Spin to the Rescue","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hudson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10282952_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1785963608440","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10282952"},{"teacherId":1118301,"projectId":10157271,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding my grant! For the past 4 years I have used 3-drawer plastic \"bookcases\". These bookcases were not really functional for my classroom. Textbooks, workbooks, notebooks and folders weight quite a bit and the drawers were not able to hold the weight properly. Because of this, the drawers were hard to open and hard to close. This is reason I put in for a grant for the wooden bookcases. They were sturdier, and did not have any drawers to open or close! They are so much better to use than what I previously had. They help to organize all of the supplies. \r\n\r\nAlso, I had requested legos. I am the teacher who is the leader of the Lego Club at our school. With the donation of the legos, it gives students more choices to work on, and with that, it gives more opportunity for students to be able to work by themselves if they choose or with a partner. \r\n\r\nThank you so much for your donation. The students enjoy the ability to being organized and being creative.","fullyFundedDate":1774375996554,"projectUrl":"project/small-supplies-big-dreams-equipping-ou/10157271/","projectTitle":"Small Supplies, Big Dreams: Equipping Our Classroom for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Van Osten","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1118301"},{"teacherId":10192868,"projectId":9632238,"letterContent":"My students love using the dry erase boards, dry erase markers and the sleeves to practice their math strategies. through the use of the materials that you donated to my classroom, my previous and present day students are able to easily practice their math strategies and correct mistakes without making them permanent through the use of these supplies. I cannot thank you enough for helping me empower my students and helping them build confidence in math.\r\nThis year I have also seen great results using the materials with my students. They love writing on the dry erase clipboards to work problems out. They are able to quickly solve equations and solve problems with ease and they love working together to share their responses during math. I will continue to use these materials with my students for years to come. Thank you so much for your generous donations and help. I am forever grateful!\r\nMany thanks,\r\nMrs. Torkelson","fullyFundedDate":1755880360224,"projectUrl":"project/magical-math/9632238/","projectTitle":"Magical Math","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Torkelson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10192868"},{"teacherId":10182787,"projectId":9612611,"letterContent":"The visual timers had such a positive impact in my classroom. They increased task engagement, helped students develop time management skills, made routines predictable and set an overall calm classroom tone. We used the timers to make transition smoother because students knew exactly when to wrap up and move to the next activity. The students became more focused and motivated to complete work when they could see how much time they had to complete a task without needing constant reminders from me. This help develop their time management skills and helped them practice self monitoring.\r\nStudents especially enjoyed the large, colorful sand timers. They would often use them during free choice activities. Overall, the visual timers made a positive impact in our classroom and helped with overall behavior and engagement in the classroom. We all give a big thanks !","fullyFundedDate":1755405804847,"projectUrl":"project/enhancing-student-focus-and-time-managem/9612611/","projectTitle":"Enhancing student focus and time management with visual classroom timers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Morrison","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10182787"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_94689","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":676,"numTeachers":52,"percentFrplEligible":29,"percentAsian":1,"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 - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"13.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":82.8,"schoolId":94689,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Veterans Memorial Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Veterans Memorial Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/florida/collier-county-public-schools/veterans-memorial-elementary-school/94689"}