{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Tarpon Spgs Fundmntl Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":5.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9742636,"projectId":8796283,"letterContent":"My name is Michelle Stylianou and I am the art teacher at Tarpon Springs Fundamental Elementary School. I am writing to say thank you for funding our \"Clay Extruder and Ceramic Supplies\" grant. \r\n\r\nI have always had a focus on working on ceramics with my students, since I have a ceramics background and it is one of my passions. However, ceramic supplies are costly, so we have been limited as to how many clay lessons we can complete each yesr due to the cost. When we found out that our grant was approved, my students were over the moon with glee! I involved my students in the planning of the project and we agreed that we would create whimsical totem piles for the gardens around our school. This would be an ongoing project, which we would add to each year with new groups of students. This has also created an ongoing impact on the number of students who can participate in this open ended project.\r\n\r\nThis project has allowed my students to learn about the planning that goes into creating an installation. We started by looking at pictures of other installation, And visited the leepa Rattner Museum of Art to see an installation in person. My students brought their sketchbooks along to document their favorite works and sketch ideas for their own installation. My fourth and fifth graders then created their own miniature diagrams of an installation they would design. Younger grades sketched out ideas and we considered each one.\r\n\r\nAs a school we decided on totem poles. Creativity soon took over and students had amazing ideas for totem poles, such as one made with doughnuts. Other classes had different ideas such as a totem made from \r\n tigers, the mascot of our school. The students had so much fun playing with the clay extruder to create coils for the totem pieces. The color burst glazes make the ceramic pieces really stand out, and the students enjoyed learning about the mini explosions that happen in the kiln to create these meat color effects. \r\n\r\nAnother fascinating element of this project was helping with a kiln firing. Older students helped me load the kiln for the bisque fire. We closed the lid and set a prayer that no projects would explode. And woohoo it was a success! Next was the glaze fire which is not as worrisome. Students learned how to carefully place projects onto stilts and ensure that projects were not touching each other, in order to avoid projects sticking Ask any of my students and they will tell you that the correct temperature for a low fire is around 1,900 degrees! They learned a lot being a part of this process!\r\n\r\nThe final step was Installing heavy vertical metal rods into the ground where the totem poles would go. We picked a few places around the art courtyard to place our totem poles and then we layered on the ceramic pieces.\r\n\r\nStudents worked hard on their creations, finding a way to add personal voice to a collaborative project. When students walk by the totems, they remember the group engagement and reminisce on the fun times they had creating them. \r\n\r\nOur school is oh so thankful for the opportunity to create something like this. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for funding our project!","fullyFundedDate":1732205406494,"projectUrl":"project/clay-extruder-and-ceramic-supplies-for-t/8796283/","projectTitle":"Clay Extruder and Ceramic Supplies for Tarpon Fundamental","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Stylianou","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9742636"},{"teacherId":9888186,"projectId":9033658,"letterContent":"I am excited to share the incredible impact your donations have had on our Garden Club! Your donations of our new aqua garden, hydroponic system, gardening tools, and tomato planters have transformed our club into a hands-on learning experience that fosters responsibility, teamwork, and a deep connection with nature.\r\n\r\nSince introducing these new tools, our students have engaged in meaningful, hands-on learning that extends beyond the classroom. With the aqua garden and hydroponic system, they have explored sustainable farming techniques, learning how to grow plants without soil and witnessing firsthand the importance of water conservation. This has sparked discussions about food security and environmental stewardship, inspiring many students to consider careers in agriculture, science, and sustainability.\r\n\r\nThe addition of gardening tools and tomato planters has empowered students to take ownership of their gardening projects. They are working on cultivating their own crops, from seed to harvest, experiencing the joy and patience that gardening requires. Many students have shared how this experience has improved their confidence and provided a sense of accomplishment, especially when they see their plants thriving.\r\n\r\nBeyond the practical skills, our garden has become a space for creativity, relaxation, and collaboration for our ENTIRE school!!! It has strengthened friendships, encouraged problem-solving, and provided a therapeutic escape from daily stress. Students leave each session with a deeper appreciation for nature and a stronger sense of responsibility for their environment.\r\n\r\nThank you for your support in making this vision a reality. Our Garden Club continues to grow, not just in plants but in knowledge, passion, and impact. We look forward to expanding our efforts and sharing the fruits of our labor with our school and community.","fullyFundedDate":1738250727057,"projectUrl":"project/bloom-where-you-are-planted/9033658/","projectTitle":"Bloom Where You Are Planted","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fitz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9888186"},{"teacherId":9806818,"projectId":8886453,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for sponsoring our \"Step Up Student Engagement Levels Using STEM Challenges\" project! \r\n\r\nWhen the materials arrived at our school, I sent a photo of them to all of our instructional staff members to let them know that they were available to use in the classroom. The teachers were beyond excited! \r\n\r\nRight away, I had kindergarten and 1st grade teachers asking if they could use the STEM Literacy Kits with their students since they had just finished reading \"The Three Billy Goats Gruff\" in class. \r\n\r\nI was able to get a photo of some of our kindergarten students using the STEM kits during literacy centers to build a bridge that was tall enough for the goats to travel over the troll and strong enough to hold all three goats! They worked together and experienced success as a result. \r\n\r\nThank you for making learning come alive at our school! We appreciate your generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1732204285285,"projectUrl":"project/step-up-student-engagement-levels-using/8886453/","projectTitle":"Step Up Student Engagement Levels Using STEM Challenges!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lloyd","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9806818"},{"teacherId":9746551,"projectId":8774752,"letterContent":"I hope everyone had a pleasant holiday season and Happy New Year to you all!\r\n\r\nThanks first and foremost for the generosity and good will toward helping fund this project. It put a great assortment of newer, high-interest, high-quality literature into the hands of the 2nd grade kiddos. They've been actively reading through and sorting their way through Geronimo Stilton, Captain Underpants, and a crowd-pleaser, Dog Man, to name a few. \r\n\r\nCoincidentally, our school has purchased another program by the name of Book Taco, and it allows students to log their reading, complete activities regarding vocabulary, spelling, story-mapping, etc. Students can even take quizzes on the books they read as well as write their own reviews. It has been a great accompaniment to the new books we have so the students can earn points, tickets, and prizes, all while enjoying a great book!\r\n\r\nThanks again to Mr. and Mrs. Short, Mr. Coleman, Mrs. Delgado, Mr. Kanz, Mr. Lebron, Mrs. Trujillo, Mr. Ferguson, and last but not least, Mr. Quattrochi. Thanks to Berkeley in \r\nTexas, a fellow retired teacher, as well. You all have brought the gift of literature to this class of students and for those in years to come as well. \r\n\r\nMany blessings to you and your families, and thanks with great gratitude and joy, on behalf of our whole class. Have a happy new year in 2025! Happy Reading, as well!","fullyFundedDate":1727636793142,"projectUrl":"project/feed-the-need-to-read-high-quality-rele/8774752/","projectTitle":"Feed the Need to Read! High Quality Relevant Literature!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Ferguson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9746551_orig.jpg?crop=1932,1932,x0,y264&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726189667122","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9746551"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_46946","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":267,"numTeachers":21,"percentFrplEligible":33,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":8,"percentWhite":71,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":11,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"12.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":94.6,"schoolId":46946,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Tarpon Spgs Fundmntl Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Tarpon Spgs Fundmntl Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/florida/pinellas-county-schools/tarpon-spgs-fundmntl-elementary-school/46946"}