{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Sullivan Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":17.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":221036,"projectId":9225202,"letterContent":"Thanks to your support, \"Because of Winn-Dixie\" and \"The Witches\" have become powerful tools for engaging every reader in our 4th and 5th grade classroom—including our most reluctant ones. These carefully selected books have strengthened our 3-5 curriculum by providing rich, accessible stories that draw students in regardless of their reading level or interest. What's been remarkable to witness is how even students who typically avoid reading have found themselves captivated by Opal's journey with her beloved dog and the thrilling adventures in Roald Dahl's magical world.\r\n\r\nThe themes in these books have opened up incredible conversation opportunities that extend far beyond our reading time. Students are diving deep into discussions about friendship, family dynamics, courage, and belonging—topics that resonate personally with many of them. Through character analysis activities, literature circles, and thoughtful discussions, they're developing critical thinking skills while building empathy and emotional intelligence. These aren't just reading lessons; they're life lessons wrapped in engaging stories.\r\n\r\nThe activities we've been able to create around these reading units have truly expanded what's possible in our classroom. From creative writing responses inspired by the characters to dramatic interpretations of key scenes, students are making connections between literature and their own experiences in ways that strengthen both their reading comprehension and their sense of community. Your investment in these books has given my students stories they'll remember long after they leave our classroom, while building the reading skills and love of literature that will serve them throughout their lives.","fullyFundedDate":1744233452293,"projectUrl":"project/from-supermarket-dogs-to-child-hunting-w/9225202/","projectTitle":"From Supermarket Dogs to Child-Hunting Witches: Classic Adventures Await!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Whitkanack","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp221036_orig.jpg?crop=559,559,x869,y131&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732224404295","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrswhitswsc"},{"teacherId":221036,"projectId":9223596,"letterContent":"Thanks to your support, the Thames and Kosmos Human Body Kit has transformed how my 1st-3rd-grade students explore and understand their bodies. When I first introduced the kit during our human body unit stations, my students' eyes lit up at the sight of all the hands-on materials and tools. They loved diving into the experiments, and their excitement was contagious as they moved through each station. The variety of materials—from stethoscopes to anatomical models—captured their attention in ways that textbooks simply cannot.\r\n\r\nThe impact on student engagement has been remarkable. Students who typically struggle with traditional textbook approaches came alive during these hands-on explorations. Participation soared as visual and kinesthetic learners finally had multiple pathways to understand complex concepts about their bodies. Instead of passively reading about how their hearts work, they were actively listening to their heartbeats and making real connections between what they could observe and what was happening inside them. The station format allowed every student to engage at their own pace and learning style.\r\n\r\nYour investment in these materials will continue paying dividends for years to come. We're already planning to expand our human body unit next year, building on the foundation of curiosity and discovery that your donation made possible. These young scientists now approach learning about their bodies with the hands-on investigation skills that will serve them throughout their educational journey. Thank you for believing in the power of experiential learning and giving my students the tools to explore their world with wonder and scientific thinking.","fullyFundedDate":1743691823148,"projectUrl":"project/exploring-our-amazing-bodies-hands-on-a/9223596/","projectTitle":"Exploring Our Amazing Bodies: Hands-On Anatomy Adventures","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Whitkanack","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp221036_orig.jpg?crop=559,559,x869,y131&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732224404295","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrswhitswsc"},{"teacherId":221036,"projectId":8986941,"letterContent":"The impact of your generous donation to our inclusive playground project has been nothing short of magical. Our students ' reactions were unforgettable when we unveiled the new ADA-accessible equipment. A third-grader who uses a wheelchair experienced the wheelchair-accessible swing for the first time and exclaimed, \"I'm flying!\" with pure joy spreading across their face. Their classmates cheered them on, eager to take turns pushing them higher. What was once a barrier has transformed into a bridge, connecting all our students through shared play experiences. The height-adjusted sensory panels have become gathering spots where students naturally mix, collaborate, and engage in imaginative play regardless of their mobility levels.\r\n\r\nThe ripple effects extend far beyond recess time. Teachers have noticed significant improvements in classroom dynamics, with more natural friendships forming between students of all abilities. Our wheelchair users no longer wait on the sidelines – they're now central participants in playground games and activities. The \"Better Together\" motto we've championed has become tangible as students develop their inclusive games using adaptive equipment. Recently, our fourth-grade class created a playground scavenger hunt that incorporated all the accessible features, ensuring everyone could participate equally. These organic moments of inclusion demonstrate how your contribution has fundamentally changed our school culture, teaching our students that accessibility isn't an accommodation – it's simply the right way to build a community.","fullyFundedDate":1733495223753,"projectUrl":"project/recess-better-together/8986941/","projectTitle":"Recess: Better Together","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Whitkanack","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp221036_orig.jpg?crop=559,559,x869,y131&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732224404295","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrswhitswsc"},{"teacherId":221036,"projectId":8959867,"letterContent":"Your generous donation has been truly transformative for our school community. The reaction was immediate and decisive when the new ADA-compliant swing set was installed. Students who had previously watched from the sidelines during recess now beam joyfully as they safely transfer from their wheelchairs to experience the simple pleasure of swinging alongside their friends. One particularly moving moment occurred when a fourth-grader who used a wheelchair could swing for the first time in her school career. The spontaneous cheer that erupted from her classmates as she soared through the air brought tears to the eyes of every teacher on the playground.\r\n\r\nThe student advocates who initiated this project have blossomed into confident leaders. They've formed an \"Accessibility Team\" that meets weekly to discuss new ways to make our school more inclusive. Currently, they're working on creating illustrated guides that demonstrate how to use the transfer platform properly, ensuring everyone feels comfortable and safe. These same students are now collaborating with our art teacher to design a colorful mural that celebrates diversity and inclusion beside the playground. Your contribution hasn't just provided physical equipment—it has sparked a movement of empathy and action throughout our entire school.","fullyFundedDate":1732333644570,"projectUrl":"project/play-together-play-for-all/8959867/","projectTitle":"Play Together, Play for All!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Whitkanack","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp221036_orig.jpg?crop=559,559,x869,y131&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732224404295","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrswhitswsc"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_19529","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":627,"numTeachers":32,"percentFrplEligible":51,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":94,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":1,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"19.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":82.8,"schoolId":19529,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Sullivan Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Sullivan Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/indiana/southwest-school-district-7715/sullivan-elementary-school/19529"}