{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Edna M Rollins Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":20.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9001514,"projectId":9977404,"letterContent":"Your generosity has made a meaningful difference in our classroom and in the lives of my students. Because of your support, my students now have access to engaging materials that inspire creativity, collaboration, and confidence every day. Many of my students come from a high-needs, bilingual Title I school community where access to extra educational and creative resources outside of school is limited. These new supplies have helped create opportunities that many students may not otherwise experience.\r\n\r\nSince receiving these materials, students have been more excited to participate, take creative risks, and work together. I have already seen increased engagement, stronger communication skills, and greater pride in their work. The resources allow me to provide hands-on, differentiated learning experiences that support all learners, including English language learners and students who need additional support.\r\n\r\nOne of the most rewarding moments has been watching students light up with excitement when using the new materials. They feel valued knowing that people they have never met care about their education and believe in their success. Your kindness has helped build confidence, joy, and a stronger sense of community in our classroom.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in my students and helping provide enriching experiences that will have a lasting impact far beyond this school year. Your support reminds my students that their creativity, learning, and growth truly matter.","fullyFundedDate":1770387216798,"projectUrl":"project/designing-the-future-3d-art-creative-c/9977404/","projectTitle":"Designing the Future: 3D Art, Creative Careers, and College Readiness","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gallin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9001514_orig.jpg?crop=725,725,x927,y241&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1698435075519","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9001514"},{"teacherId":9001514,"projectId":9977400,"letterContent":"Our students have been excitedly using the new resources during our fiber and mixed-media art unit. With the colored paper, they are designing original artworks that explore color theory, pattern, and composition. One memorable moment was watching a student carefully arrange layers of paper into a bright abstract design, proudly explaining how they used warm and cool colors to create contrast. The spool-making tools have allowed students to practice winding yarn, organizing materials, and experimenting with texture in ways that feel both creative and purposeful. They are learning patience, problem-solving, and fine motor skills while creating something uniquely their own.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the new materials, their reactions were full of excitement and curiosity. Many immediately asked when they could start using the yarn tools and wanted to know how the bingo dabber refill tool worked. They were especially thrilled to learn that we could refill and reuse materials instead of throwing them away. It sparked conversations about sustainability and taking care of classroom tools. For many of our students, having access to these high-quality supplies at school makes them feel valued and inspires them to try new things.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has opened the door to experiences our students may not otherwise have. The next steps for our current project are to combine their paper designs with fiber elements such as wrapped yarn, textured surfaces, and layered compositions to create finished mixed-media pieces. Students will also reflect on their creative choices and discuss how the skills they are practicing connect to careers in art, design, engineering, and manufacturing. Because of your support, our students are building confidence, creativity, and real-world skills that will benefit them far beyond the art room.","fullyFundedDate":1771460815588,"projectUrl":"project/preparing-creative-thinkers-for-college/9977400/","projectTitle":"Preparing Creative Thinkers for College and Careers Through Art","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gallin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9001514_orig.jpg?crop=725,725,x927,y241&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1698435075519","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9001514"},{"teacherId":8934857,"projectId":10039465,"letterContent":"Thank you again for your generous donation towards my project, \"Class in Need, Some Books For Us to Read!\" The books in this project were selected for a few reasons. The Cat Kid Comic Book Collection and Pizza and Taco graphic novels were selected as independent reading materials for some of my graphic novel loving students. One student gasped when he saw the books on my counter! His face lit up when I let him borrow one. The other texts about punctuation, silent e, and vowels will be used to teach different phonics patterns while incorporating literature into my lessons. \r\n\r\nThe various other texts were selected to help teaching topics like pumpkins, how to writing, growth mindset and a plethora of other important topics.\r\n\r\nMy students are greatly impacted by your donation and we are incredibly appreciative for donors like yourself who believe in Donors Choose. Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1771031009031,"projectUrl":"project/class-in-need-some-books-for-us-to-read/10039465/","projectTitle":"Class in Need, Some Books for Us to Read!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Phelps","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8934857_orig.jpg?crop=1240,1240,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1691632195486","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8934857"},{"teacherId":10060004,"projectId":9424014,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our DonorsChoose project and for believing in my students. Because of your generosity, my students,especially those who are performing significantly below grade level,now have access to hands-on materials they use every single day during math instruction. These resources have completely changed how they experience learning. Instead of struggling only with abstract numbers on a page, they are able to touch, build, model, and explore concepts in concrete ways that help them truly understand the \"why\" behind the math. The materials have made lessons more engaging, motivating, and fun, and students get genuinely excited when it's time to use them.\r\n\r\nThe growth I've seen has been incredible. Students who once felt frustrated or hesitant now approach math with confidence and curiosity. They use the tools independently, finding their own strategies and solutions to problems that once felt overwhelming or out of reach. Watching them develop deeper conceptual understanding and pride in their learning has been one of the most rewarding experiences as a teacher. Your support has made this possible, and the impact you've had on their confidence and achievement will last far beyond this school year. Thank you for investing in my students and helping them believe they can succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1757537392059,"projectUrl":"project/making-math-hands-on/9424014/","projectTitle":"Making Math Hands-On","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Zuniga","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10060004_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752327001464","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10060004"},{"teacherId":9105122,"projectId":9424350,"letterContent":"Because of your kindness, my students now have the supplies they need to feel ready and excited to learn each day. Having pencils, glue sticks, scissors, and markers available makes a big difference in our classroom. Students can jump right into writing, drawing, cutting, and creating without worrying about not having what they need.\r\n\r\nI've already seen students feel more confident and proud of their work. The classroom feels calmer and more welcoming because everyone has access to the same materials, and students can focus on learning and working together instead of feeling stressed or left out.\r\n\r\nYour support helps every student feel included and capable from the very start. These supplies make hands-on learning possible and help students express their ideas freely. Thank you for helping create a classroom where students feel supported, prepared, and excited to grow. 💛","fullyFundedDate":1757632972258,"projectUrl":"project/back-to-school-essentials-for-bright-fut/9424350/","projectTitle":"Back-to-School Essentials for Bright Futures","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hernandez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9105122_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720999149085","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9105122"},{"teacherId":9001514,"projectId":9372160,"letterContent":"The **Deep Space Sparkle membership** has truly elevated my teaching practice and enriched my students' learning experiences. With access to high-quality lesson plans and professional development resources, I've been able to design more structured, engaging, and inclusive art lessons that meet the needs of all learners. The variety of projects and step-by-step guidance has allowed me to confidently introduce new media and techniques, from watercolor resist paintings to paper sculptures inspired by world cultures. Having these resources has also helped me plan more efficiently, freeing up time to focus on supporting individual students—especially English learners—through visual and hands-on instruction.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite moments since implementing these new lessons was watching my third graders explore color mixing through a \"warm and cool landscapes\" project. Many students who are usually hesitant to participate were completely absorbed in experimenting with paint, proudly explaining how their color choices reflected mood and temperature. Their excitement reminded me how powerful art can be for building both confidence and communication skills, especially in a bilingual classroom.\r\n\r\nAs I continue using Deep Space Sparkle, I'm excited to grow in creating even stronger cross-curricular connections between art, literacy, and social-emotional learning. I plan to explore upcoming lessons that connect to cultural studies and storytelling, allowing students to celebrate their diverse backgrounds through creative expression. Thanks to your support, my teaching has grown, my students are more engaged than ever, and our classroom continues to be a vibrant space for imagination and joy.","fullyFundedDate":1748347264210,"projectUrl":"project/inspiring-young-artists-with-deep-space/9372160/","projectTitle":"Inspiring Young Artists With Deep Space Sparkle!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gallin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9001514_orig.jpg?crop=725,725,x927,y241&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1698435075519","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9001514"},{"teacherId":9001514,"projectId":9304283,"letterContent":"When the new printmaking supplies arrived, my students' excitement filled the room. They were thrilled to see the bright inks, brayers, and printing plates, and many immediately began brainstorming what positive messages and images they could create for their kindness cards. During our first printmaking session, students worked carefully to carve their designs, experimenting with color and texture to express messages of hope, gratitude, and encouragement. One student, who is a newcomer learning English, proudly printed a card that said \"You are important\" with a bright sun design — a message that perfectly captured the heart of this project. It was an inspiring moment to see students encouraging one another and taking pride in creating something meant to make others smile.\r\n\r\nWe are now using these materials regularly as part of our **Service Stars** community project. Students are planning themed kindness card drops throughout the year, such as thank-you cards for school staff, welcome cards for new families, and encouragement cards for local hospitals and libraries. This ongoing project not only teaches printmaking techniques but also builds empathy, communication skills, and a strong sense of community pride. Our next step is to expand the project by showcasing student prints in a \"Gallery of Kindness\" at school, where others can be inspired to spread compassion through art. Thanks to our generous donors, my students have discovered that their creativity can be a powerful force for good.","fullyFundedDate":1747768231950,"projectUrl":"project/printing-kindness-for-our-community/9304283/","projectTitle":"Printing Kindness for Our Community","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gallin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9001514_orig.jpg?crop=725,725,x927,y241&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1698435075519","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9001514"},{"teacherId":9001514,"projectId":9143053,"letterContent":"When the new materials arrived, my students were absolutely thrilled! They couldn't believe that all of the hygiene items, art supplies, and games were just for them. Several students immediately asked if they could use the new markers and clay during free art time, while others were excited to try out the cooperative games with their classmates. One special moment was watching a small group of students who often struggle with teamwork successfully complete a game challenge together — they were cheering each other on, laughing, and communicating in both English and Spanish. It was a joyful reminder of how powerful shared, hands-on experiences can be for building confidence and community.\r\n\r\nWe are now using the hygiene items to make sure every student feels prepared and comfortable throughout the day, which has helped reduce distractions and increase focus during lessons. The art supplies are being incorporated into cross-curricular projects, such as illustrating science concepts or designing story scenes in literacy centers. The cooperative games have become a regular part of our social-emotional learning time, where students practice teamwork and communication. Our next step is to continue integrating these materials into creative, project-based learning experiences that combine art, language, and problem-solving. Thanks to our generous donors — especially **An Anonymous Supporter in memory of Francinia Hall** — my students are growing not only as learners but also as caring, confident members of our classroom community.","fullyFundedDate":1742823938101,"projectUrl":"project/body-and-mind-care/9143053/","projectTitle":"Body and Mind Care","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gallin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9001514_orig.jpg?crop=725,725,x927,y241&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1698435075519","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9001514"},{"teacherId":9001514,"projectId":9111736,"letterContent":"When the Buddha Boards arrived, my students' faces lit up with excitement and curiosity. Many had never seen anything like them before and were amazed that they could create art using only water. During our first lesson, I explained how the images slowly fade away as the water dries, symbolizing that mistakes are temporary and creativity is about the process, not the product. The room grew calm and focused as students began painting — some drew simple shapes and patterns, while others created detailed designs and watched them disappear with awe. It was a moment of quiet joy and mindfulness, something rare and special in a busy school day.\r\n\r\nWe are now using the Buddha Boards as part of our \"Mindful Moments\" at the start or end of art class. Students take a few minutes to center themselves, breathe, and express their feelings through temporary art before moving into larger projects. This simple practice has already helped many students approach their creative work with more confidence and calm. Our next step is to connect these moments of mindfulness to our upcoming watercolor unit, where students will apply the patience and focus they've practiced on the Buddha Boards to more permanent artworks. I'm so grateful to our donors for helping make these meaningful experiences possible — they've given my students not just a new art tool, but a lasting lesson in mindfulness and resilience.","fullyFundedDate":1741099902506,"projectUrl":"project/mindful-art-wellness-buddha-boards-fo/9111736/","projectTitle":"Mindful Art & Wellness: Buddha Boards for Creative Expression","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gallin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9001514_orig.jpg?crop=725,725,x927,y241&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1698435075519","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9001514"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_26320","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":492,"numTeachers":22,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":9,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":85,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":1,"gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"22.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":79.5,"schoolId":26320,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Edna M Rollins Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Edna M Rollins Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/east-aurora-school-district-131/edna-e-m-rollins-elementary-school/26320"}