{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Daniel Wertz Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":28.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10546391,"projectId":10370910,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting my classroom project, \"Empowering Every Learner Through Sensory Support.\" Your generosity has made a meaningful difference in our classroom and has helped create a more inclusive, supportive environment where every student can feel safe, valued, and ready to learn.\r\nStudents have been using the sensory tools to help regulate their emotions and return to learning when they feel overwhelmed. \r\nYour support has shown my students that their feelings matter and they deserve tools and opportunities to be successful. \r\nThank you for investing in our students and believing in the power of sensory support.","fullyFundedDate":1783785701040,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-every-learner-through-sensory/10370910/","projectTitle":"Empowering Every Learner Through Sensory Support","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Terwiske","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10546391"},{"teacherId":10347050,"projectId":10271622,"letterContent":"The One and Only Ivan is the first real chapter book most of my students will own. We read this book together in class, and they love the sweet story based on a real gorilla. \r\nAfter reading The One and Only Ivan, we create our own pretend zoo. We choose specific animals to live in our zoo, and we research to learn their specific needs. We measure out and graph the needed space for an enclosure, and we talk about the budget to feed our animals. We create our own billboards to advertise our zoo, just like the billboard of Ivan at the Big Top Mall. \r\nAfter our project is completed, each student takes home their own copy of The One and Only Ivan to add to their personal home library. \r\nThank you for partnering with me to make this project possible!","fullyFundedDate":1778782869090,"projectUrl":"project/the-one-and-only-ivan/10271622/","projectTitle":"The One and Only Ivan","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Burden","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10347050_orig.png?crop=602,602,x2,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1780314483482","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10347050"},{"teacherId":10347050,"projectId":10271717,"letterContent":"Our new classroom rug has been an excellent addition to our classroom! We use it constantly—almost all our lessons are taught on the carpet. \r\nThe design of the rug has been very helpful for two main reasons. 1) Each student knows they may take up one dot. We're learning about respecting the space of our body and others. 2) First grade uses lots of partner chats and collaboration in our lessons. It's been so easy to assign partners! A quick, \"hey red friends, you are partners with yellow!\" and it's done. \r\nI did not have the rug for Meet the Teacher night, but my class was sooo excited when they came to school on the first day and saw the rug waiting for them. It is so nice to have a soft space to sit for lessons! \r\nThank you so much for your generosity! It has truly made a difference to my students and me!","fullyFundedDate":1778355638612,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-rug/10271717/","projectTitle":"Classroom Rug","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Burden","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10347050_orig.png?crop=602,602,x2,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1780314483482","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10347050"},{"teacherId":9936792,"projectId":9273550,"letterContent":"In our kindergarten classroom, reading is so much more than simply looking at words on a page. We use books to build vocabulary, develop comprehension, strengthen oral language, and inspire a lifelong love of reading. By pairing each story with its matching character stuffie, students can physically interact with the stories they love, making reading more engaging and memorable.\r\n\r\nDuring independent reading and literacy centers, students use the character stuffies to retell stories, identify characters and settings, sequence events, and make connections between the text and their own lives. These hands-on experiences help young learners build important comprehension skills while encouraging creativity, communication, and confidence.\r\n\r\nMany of my students are still developing foundational reading skills, so having familiar characters to hold and play with makes books feel approachable and exciting. Even reluctant readers become eager to pick up a book when they can read alongside a favorite character. Watching students enthusiastically retell a story or recommend a book to a classmate is one of the best parts of our reading time, and these new books and stuffed characters will help create even more joyful literacy experiences.","fullyFundedDate":1746785495005,"projectUrl":"project/book-buddies/9273550/","projectTitle":"Book Buddies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Schapker","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9936792_orig.jpg?crop=785,785,x849,y80&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1743647022410","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9936792"},{"teacherId":8951404,"projectId":10272751,"letterContent":"You have no idea how excited I am to use these binders and folders this upcoming year! These binders will give students the ability to stay organized while still learning the ins and outs of my kindergarten classroom! They will promote independence in a way a plain folder could not! It will allow parents a \"home base\" where all their child's work and important information will be stored. \r\nYour help and donation shows me how much you value teachers and our work. It truly warms my heart for these students to have people like you backing them every step of the way! \r\nThank you!","fullyFundedDate":1778950749983,"projectUrl":"project/ready-set-organize/10272751/","projectTitle":"Ready! Set! Organize!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fentress","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8951404_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1675603357633","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8951404"},{"teacherId":5643895,"projectId":9655496,"letterContent":"Each year, at the end of our school year, I read \"The One and Only Ivan\" to my students. We spend time discussing Ivan's story, taking deep dives into the characters and setting, and taking this opportunity to talk about the strong emotions and opinions this story can create. It's a really great book that offers so much to my students, and because of you, they will have the chance to read Ivan's story over and over again. The excitement on the last day of school when they receive their copy is so wonderful to watch. We are forever grateful for your generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1764690022409,"projectUrl":"project/firsties-love-the-community-of-reading/9655496/","projectTitle":"Firsties Love the Community of Reading!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sizemore","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5643895_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683499026096","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/erin-sizemore"},{"teacherId":9936792,"projectId":9628420,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and helping provide essential materials for our students. Because of your generosity, we now have whiteboards, clipboards, laminating sheets, and bookends that make a meaningful difference in our daily learning.\r\n\r\nThese items may seem simple, but they are truly crucial tools that support learning throughout our day. The whiteboards allow students to actively participate during lessons by practicing letters, sounds, numbers, and problem-solving in a way that is engaging and low-pressure. My students love being able to quickly try their ideas, erase, and try again. This encourages confidence and gives every child the opportunity to practice and participate.\r\n\r\nThe clipboards have also been incredibly helpful, allowing students to comfortably write and work anywhere in the classroom. Whether we are working at the carpet, around the room, or during small group activities, students can focus on their learning without worrying about where to place their work.\r\n\r\nThe laminating sheets have allowed me to create durable materials that can be used again and again. This helps me provide hands-on learning activities, games, and visual supports that make lessons more interactive and accessible for young learners.\r\n\r\nThe bookends have helped us organize our growing classroom library so students can easily find and care for books. Encouraging students to explore books and develop a love of reading is such an important part of our classroom, and these simple tools help make that possible.\r\n\r\nYour support has helped create a classroom environment where students have the tools they need to practice, explore, and grow. Many of these materials will be used for years to come and will continue supporting students long after this school year.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our classroom and in my students. Your generosity truly makes a difference in their learning experience every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1755692381044,"projectUrl":"project/clipboards-whiteboards-and-bright-idea/9628420/","projectTitle":"Clipboards, Whiteboards, and Bright Ideas!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Schapker","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9936792_orig.jpg?crop=785,785,x849,y80&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1743647022410","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9936792"},{"teacherId":9936792,"projectId":9380571,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and helping provide wave seats for our small group table. Your generosity has already made a meaningful difference in our daily learning environment.\r\n\r\nDuring small group time, my students are working on some of their most important foundational skills. Because of the flexible wave seating you helped provide, students are able to stay comfortable, engaged, and focused while we work together. The gentle movement the seats allow helps many of my students concentrate better and gives them an appropriate way to move while still staying involved in their learning.\r\n\r\nI have noticed such a positive difference in how students approach small group instruction. They are excited to come to the table, eager to participate, and able to remain engaged for longer periods of time. This allows me to focus more on teaching and supporting their individual needs rather than redirecting discomfort or restlessness.\r\n\r\nFlexible seating like these wave seats helps create a learning space where students feel supported and successful. For many young learners, movement is a natural and important part of how they learn, and these seats allow them to move in a way that supports their focus rather than distracts from it.\r\n\r\nYour kindness and generosity have helped create a more comfortable and effective learning space for my students. Opportunities like this truly make a difference in their school experience, and I am so grateful for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1754941221752,"projectUrl":"project/wiggle-and-learn/9380571/","projectTitle":"Wiggle and Learn","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Schapker","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9936792_orig.jpg?crop=785,785,x849,y80&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1743647022410","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9936792"},{"teacherId":9936792,"projectId":9145736,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our kindergarten classroom and making our plant unit possible. Because of your generosity, my students were able to experience the plant life cycle in a way that went far beyond what a textbook or picture could provide.\r\n\r\nWith the materials you provided — propagation tubes, soil, pots, diagrams, books, and posters — my students became true scientists. One of their favorite parts was watching our plant cuttings grow roots inside the propagation tubes. Every day, they rushed to check the tiny changes, pointing out new roots and excitedly sharing their observations with one another. When the roots were ready, the students carefully helped pot the plants and watched them continue to grow into the beautiful classroom plants we now care for every day.\r\n\r\nWe also planted grass seeds together. This simple activity became something very meaningful for them. The students took pride in watering the plants, checking the soil, and making sure they had sunlight. Through this process, they began to truly understand what it means for something to be living. They loved explaining why plants are living things and what they need to survive.\r\n\r\nFor many of my students, opportunities like this only happen at school. Because of you, they were able to observe, explore, and care for living things in a hands-on way. Your kindness gave them a chance to feel curious, responsible, and proud of what they were growing.\r\n\r\nThe excitement in our classroom during this unit was unforgettable. My students were not just learning about plants — they were nurturing them, watching them change, and feeling a sense of ownership and wonder.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our classroom and for giving my students this meaningful learning experience. Your generosity truly made a difference.","fullyFundedDate":1743515670224,"projectUrl":"project/plant-lovers/9145736/","projectTitle":"Plant Lovers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Schapker","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9936792_orig.jpg?crop=785,785,x849,y80&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1743647022410","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9936792"},{"teacherId":9936792,"projectId":9221545,"letterContent":"Dear Donors,\r\n\r\nI am so grateful for your generosity and support of our classroom chick-hatching project. Because of you, my students experienced something truly special and unforgettable.\r\n\r\nThanks to your donations, we had everything we needed to make this project meaningful and hands-on. The incubator, food, feeder, stuffed animals, and chick diagram helped bring our learning to life. Most importantly, the safe and warm enclosure allowed our students to observe the chicks up close each day while keeping them protected and comfortable. This made a huge difference in how connected the students felt to the project.\r\n\r\nMy students became completely invested in watching the eggs and chicks grow. Each day, we used our chicken journals to record changes, ask questions, and reflect on what we observed. They were excited to come to school, eager to check on the eggs, and proud to share what they had learned. The egg diagrams showing development inside the egg helped them understand the science behind what they were seeing, making learning both fun and meaningful.\r\n\r\nThe enclosure made the experience even more powerful. It allowed students to safely interact with and observe the chicks, helping them feel truly included in the process. Many of them formed strong emotional connections and learned responsibility, empathy, and respect for living things. For some students, this was their first time witnessing life develop in such a personal way.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, my classroom was filled with curiosity, joy, and meaningful learning. Your kindness gave my students an experience they will remember for years to come. Thank you for believing in our classroom and for helping make this project such a success.\r\n\r\nWith sincere appreciation,\r\nAudrey S.","fullyFundedDate":1744772691239,"projectUrl":"project/crazy-chicks/9221545/","projectTitle":"Crazy Chicks","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Schapker","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9936792_orig.jpg?crop=785,785,x849,y80&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1743647022410","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9936792"},{"teacherId":8951404,"projectId":8994385,"letterContent":"This years students were able to walk into a classroom that was fresh, stocked, and new JUST for them. Because of your donation, these students were able to see this classroom for what it's meant to be - theirs. Materials were not broken and left over from previous classes. Things were updated and ready for them at their current leave. Their teacher felt proud and confident with what she was presenting to them. Kindergarten is their first impression of school. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.","fullyFundedDate":1744033055939,"projectUrl":"project/can-you-help-us/8994385/","projectTitle":"Can You Help Us?","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fentress","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8951404_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1675603357633","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8951404"},{"teacherId":8951404,"projectId":9305478,"letterContent":"The materials like clipboards and other flexible seating tools have made a big difference in our classroom! They allow students to move around the room while still being able to work comfortably and stay engaged. Instead of being confined to their desks, students can choose spaces that help them focus—on the rug, at a table, or even standing. This freedom of movement has encouraged collaboration, creativity, and better attention during lessons. It's helped create a more active, student-centered learning environment where kids feel comfortable and motivated to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1746785740525,"projectUrl":"project/kindergarten-is-on-the-move/9305478/","projectTitle":"Kindergarten is On the Move!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fentress","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8951404_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1675603357633","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8951404"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_20407","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":245,"numTeachers":21,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":6,"percentWhite":75,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":4,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":12,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"11.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":71.1,"schoolId":20407,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Daniel Wertz Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Daniel Wertz Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/indiana/evansville-vanderburgh-co-sd/daniel-wertz-elementary-school/20407"}