{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Alta Vista Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":34.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10094378,"projectId":9501851,"letterContent":"Our classroom self-care cart has been an incredibly meaningful resource for students, providing access to hygiene essentials such as toothbrushes, shower wipes, and hair care items. Students use the cart discreetly and respectfully when they need it, often at the start of the day or after recess. One powerful moment was seeing a student's confidence noticeably improve after being able to freshen up independently before beginning class. Having these resources readily available allows students to focus on learning without the distraction or embarrassment of unmet basic needs.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the materials, their reactions were a mix of surprise and relief. Many shared how helpful it felt to know that these items were available if they needed them. The cart immediately reinforced the message that our classroom is a place of care, dignity, and support. Students quickly learned how to use the items responsibly, and it has helped foster a culture of empathy and understanding among classmates.\r\n\r\nBecause of our donors' generosity, students are able to show up each day feeling comfortable, confident, and ready to learn. As we continue with our learning students are working on building independence and perseverance skills that are strengthened when their basic needs are met. Your support has made a lasting impact, helping ensure that every student can focus on learning, growth, and being their best self at school.","fullyFundedDate":1755980182010,"projectUrl":"project/the-classroom-care-cart-supporting-mind/9501851/","projectTitle":"The Classroom Care Cart: Supporting Minds & Hearts","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Orduno","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10094378_orig.jpg?crop=1555,1555,x202,y575&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753500698361","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10094378"},{"teacherId":9099241,"projectId":9964557,"letterContent":"The Learning the Alphabet Through Play project had a meaningful impact on our students by helping them build letter recognition and early literacy skills in a fun, hands-on way. Through play-based activities such as letter matching games, sensory bins, and alphabet manipulatives, students were able to explore letters through movement, touch, and collaboration. One special moment was watching students proudly identify letters in their names and help classmates find matching sounds, showing both confidence and peer support.\r\n\r\nBecause of the materials provided, I was able to create engaging literacy centers that supported multiple learning styles and encouraged independent exploration. The resources allowed me to differentiate instruction, reinforce letter-sound relationships, and increase student engagement—especially for learners who benefit most from hands-on experiences. These materials helped make learning the alphabet joyful, accessible, and developmentally appropriate for all students.","fullyFundedDate":1766091672220,"projectUrl":"project/learning-the-alphabet-through-play/9964557/","projectTitle":"Learning the Alphabet Through Play","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Speckman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9099241_orig.jpg?crop=750,750,x0,y530&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689446123068","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/vpkpack"},{"teacherId":9099241,"projectId":9898751,"letterContent":"We are using the new resources in our science center during small-group and independent exploration time, allowing students to investigate, experiment, and make discoveries through hands-on learning. One memorable moment was when students worked together to explore magnets—predicting which objects would stick, testing their ideas, and then excitedly sharing their results with the group. They took turns explaining what they noticed and proudly used new science vocabulary as they described their discoveries.\r\n\r\nThese materials have sparked curiosity, encouraged teamwork, and helped students feel confident asking questions and trying new ideas. The hands-on experiences have truly brought science to life in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1764794116521,"projectUrl":"project/exploring-wonders-a-hands-on-science-ce/9898751/","projectTitle":"Exploring Wonders: a Hands-On Science Center for Curious Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Speckman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9099241_orig.jpg?crop=750,750,x0,y530&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689446123068","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/vpkpack"},{"teacherId":9099241,"projectId":9615398,"letterContent":"Our students are using the Fueling Minds After School Math & Reading Games for Success resources during our after-school enrichment time to strengthen core skills in a fun, hands-on way. We've incorporated the games into small-group rotations, where students practice reading comprehension, sight words, number sense, and problem-solving while working collaboratively with their peers. One special moment was watching students coach each other through a reading game—celebrating correct answers and encouraging one another when a question was challenging.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, they were beyond excited. Their faces lit up as they realized learning could feel like play. Several students asked, \"Can we do this every day?\" The games immediately increased engagement, confidence, and participation—especially for students who typically feel hesitant with math or reading. These resources have truly helped make learning joyful and accessible, and we are so grateful to our donors for making this experience possible.","fullyFundedDate":1764794114509,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-minds-after-school-math-readin/9615398/","projectTitle":"Fueling Minds After School Math & Reading Games for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Speckman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9099241_orig.jpg?crop=750,750,x0,y530&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689446123068","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/vpkpack"},{"teacherId":239038,"projectId":9506290,"letterContent":"This project was designed to meet our school's two greatest needs: literacy and positive behavior support. Students earn a special gold coin to use in our school's book vending machine. The coin can be earned through making good choices at school. Once they receive their coin, they can choose one of the books to \"purchase\" from our book vending machine. These books are theirs to keep and add to their home libraries. This helps to instill a lifelong love of reading in our students.\r\n Students are always working on comprehension skills. While these skills are varied, the one constant is that students are building reading stamina through this project. My students' fluency improves the more they read independently. When students are choosing their own books, even the most reluctant reader enjoys reading. In my classroom, students ALWAYS have a book to read. I can teach all the comprehension skills, but it is in the independent practice of reading that students soar.\r\n At this point, all my students have received a book. One thing that stands out is that students will often have book talks with their peers. They will talk about the books they got from the vending machine, share how much they enjoyed it, and encourage others to read it too. This excitement is not something that is easy to generate! Thank you for helping to inspire a lifelong love of reading in my students.","fullyFundedDate":1760798307992,"projectUrl":"project/pages-with-purpose-literacy-rewards-for/9506290/","projectTitle":"Pages With Purpose: Literacy Rewards for Positive Actions","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hall","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp239038_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y231&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753718264019","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/239038"},{"teacherId":9314124,"projectId":9252756,"letterContent":"The impact of our DonorsChoose project for the \"Bin It to Win It\" organization has been incredible for my students! Before receiving the materials, keeping our center activities organized was often a challenge — supplies were scattered, and students sometimes had a hard time transitioning smoothly between tasks. With the new bins, everything now has a clear place and purpose. Each center has its own labeled bin, making it easy for students to find what they need and put it back independently. This structure has helped them take ownership of their materials, stay focused during rotations, and maximize their learning time.\r\n\r\nThe excitement on my students' faces when the bins arrived was priceless! They couldn't wait to help sort and set up each one, and now they take so much pride in keeping our classroom organized. It has truly made centers something they look forward to — the colorful bins make our space inviting, and the sense of order helps them feel confident and prepared. Thanks to DonorsChoose and our generous donors, our classroom runs more smoothly than ever, and my students are learning the value of responsibility and teamwork every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1746647906973,"projectUrl":"project/bin-it-to-win-it-first-grade-needs-orga/9252756/","projectTitle":"Bin It to Win It: First Grade Needs Organization!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. McKee","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9314124_orig.jpg?crop=1284,1284,x0,y21&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1696302213672","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9314124"},{"teacherId":9718584,"projectId":9446369,"letterContent":"The coding robots have transformed how my students learn computer science. Instead of just playing games on screens, they're now programming real objects to move and respond. Botley has been especially powerful because students can code without needing computers or tablets—they just press buttons to create sequences. When they see their robot follow the exact path they programmed, the connection between their commands and the robot's actions clicks instantly.\r\nWhat excites students most is that they can physically touch and control what they're programming. The Sphero Mini has been a huge hit during recess—kids are actually choosing to program soccer moves instead of just kicking a ball. The Sillbird building kits let students become engineers first, then programmers. They spend hours building different robot models, then figure out how to make each one move differently.\r\nI've noticed several students who normally struggle with traditional lessons have become classroom leaders with these robots. One student who rarely participated now teaches others how to debug their code when robots don't move correctly. Another student created an entire maze challenge system for the Robot Mouse that the whole class uses. Students who were once intimidated by the word \"coding\" now confidently explain algorithms to their parents. These robots proved to my students that they really can create technology, not just use it.","fullyFundedDate":1752613649877,"projectUrl":"project/code-create-conquer-robotics-for-futu/9446369/","projectTitle":"Code, Create, Conquer: Robotics for Future Programmers","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Jaffee","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9718584_orig.jpg?crop=406,406,x0,y125&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1735176081880","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9718584"},{"teacherId":7388045,"projectId":9229628,"letterContent":"Our Eagle Eye News Crew has been greatly impacted by the laptops you so generously provided. In the past, our students often lost valuable writing time when our school computer labs were closed for testing. Now, thanks to your contributions, they can work consistently on writing and editing their news stories without interruptions. This has allowed them to develop stronger writing habits, learn how to research efficiently, and collaborate in real time—skills that mirror the way professional journalists use technology every day.\r\n\r\nThe laptops have brought a new level of excitement to our newsroom. Students are thrilled to have their own dedicated tools for writing, and they especially enjoy the ability to quickly draft, revise, and share their stories with their peers. For many of them, it's the first time they've been able to use technology specifically for creating something meaningful rather than simply completing assignments. One of our quieter students, for example, has become much more engaged since receiving access to the laptops; she discovered a love for editing digital drafts and now volunteers to help others polish their articles.\r\n\r\nOverall, your support has empowered our students to see themselves as true reporters, with the technology they need to succeed. They are not only improving their writing and communication skills, but also building confidence as they take ownership of their stories. Your generosity has given them tools that will serve them well beyond our school news crew, and for that, we are deeply grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1746648647909,"projectUrl":"project/breaking-news-empowering-young-journali/9229628/","projectTitle":"Breaking News: Empowering Young Journalists with Laptops!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rivera","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7388045_orig.jpg?crop=1932,1932,x0,y70&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1743705652863","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7388045"},{"teacherId":9099241,"projectId":9394903,"letterContent":"The \"Building Empathy and Emotional Skills: Social-Emotional Learning for Our Classroom\" project made a meaningful and lasting difference in our classroom environment. Many of my students come to school facing challenges that can make it difficult to manage big feelings or understand how to navigate social situations. This project gave us the tools we needed to build a strong emotional foundation and create a more supportive, respectful classroom community.\r\n\r\nWith the addition of SEL books, calming tools, visual aids, and interactive activities, students learned how to identify and name their emotions, practice self-regulation, and show empathy toward others. Our daily routines now include check-ins, emotion cards, and social stories that help students express how they feel and problem-solve peacefully.\r\n\r\nOne of the most noticeable changes was in how students began to support one another. They started using language like \"I feel...\" and \"How can I help?\"—demonstrating that they were truly internalizing the lessons. Conflicts decreased, cooperation increased, and students began to build stronger, more trusting relationships with each other.\r\n\r\nFor children who struggle with emotional regulation or social interaction, this project provided a safe, structured way to practice and grow. It empowered them with lifelong skills like active listening, empathy, and mindfulness. Thanks to this project, our classroom became a more caring, calm, and connected place where every child felt seen and supported.","fullyFundedDate":1753300476224,"projectUrl":"project/building-empathy-and-emotional-skills-s/9394903/","projectTitle":"Building Empathy and Emotional Skills: Social-Emotional Learning for Our Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Speckman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9099241_orig.jpg?crop=750,750,x0,y530&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689446123068","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/vpkpack"},{"teacherId":9099241,"projectId":9375160,"letterContent":"The \"Rhyme Time: Building Literacy with Nursery Rhymes!\" project had a powerful impact on our classroom by sparking a love for language and early reading skills. Through engaging activities centered around classic nursery rhymes, my students were able to build foundational literacy skills such as rhyming, phonemic awareness, and vocabulary development in a playful and meaningful way.\r\n\r\nMany of my students enter the classroom with limited exposure to books and language-rich environments. This project gave them daily opportunities to chant, sing, and act out rhymes like Humpty Dumpty, Twinkle Twinkle, and The Itsy Bitsy Spider, which helped them make connections between spoken and written words. The repetition and rhythm of the rhymes helped even my most reluctant learners feel confident in participating.\r\n\r\nWe used hands-on props, sequencing cards, and storytelling tools to bring each rhyme to life. This helped boost comprehension and memory skills, especially for my English language learners and those who benefit from multi-sensory experiences. Students were excited to retell the rhymes during center time, building their speaking and listening skills while collaborating with peers.\r\n\r\nOverall, this project helped transform literacy time into an engaging, confidence-building experience. It laid the groundwork for future reading success while creating joyful memories around language and learning.","fullyFundedDate":1750946508495,"projectUrl":"project/rhyme-time-building-literacy-with-nurse/9375160/","projectTitle":"Rhyme Time: Building Literacy with Nursery Rhymes!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Speckman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9099241_orig.jpg?crop=750,750,x0,y530&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689446123068","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/vpkpack"},{"teacherId":4594049,"projectId":9333749,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to my project, Literacy Center Refresh. Literacy Centers are such a fun and dynamic time for students to practice new reading and writing skills that they have learned in the classroom. We have exciting centers for writing, reading, working with words and also centers using technology. Most of these centers are hands on and use materials that need to be replaced throughout the years. \r\n\r\nYour donation helped update our centers and replace some of the consumable materials being used. We were also able to replace our listening center headphones that were amazing, but were almost 15 years old! (We take super great care of our materials) My student's favorite part of the day is literacy centers, and you have helped our classroom to continue centers with new supplies, exciting new materials and countless opportunities to learn and grow!","fullyFundedDate":1747659400685,"projectUrl":"project/literacy-center-refresh/9333749/","projectTitle":"Literacy Center Refresh","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cox","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4594049_orig.jpg?crop=1944,1944,x250,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753657891738","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4594049"},{"teacherId":794585,"projectId":8520082,"letterContent":"When our new stand up desk arrived, our class was ELATED to see such a valuable and helpful tool for our classroom! We have already been able to use this stand up desk daily and it has been so amazing to see our students be able to stand and work at the same time! \r\n The day I set up the standing desk, the students were amazed to see a desk that could move up and down with the touch of a button. Because of this, students were able to either stand while completing their work or move the desk down to be able to sit while working. \r\n I cannot wait to incorporate this standing desk even more this year and possibly utilize this desk as a center or an area for students to stretch their legs and move while working. As a 5 year old, and even as an adult, it's difficult to sit for a long period of time, so having the flexibility to stand and work really expands the possibilities! Thank you so much for your contribution and for helping our students learn in a new and exciting way!","fullyFundedDate":1722472962446,"projectUrl":"project/stand-up-for-learning/8520082/","projectTitle":"Stand Up for Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kellemen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp794585_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1467829617664","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mscleworth"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_47099","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":453,"numTeachers":52,"percentFrplEligible":84,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":15,"percentWhite":25,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":48,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"8.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":65.6,"schoolId":47099,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Alta Vista Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Alta Vista Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/florida/sarasota-county-school-district/alta-vista-elementary-school/47099"}