{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Okolona Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":31.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9093754,"projectId":9869680,"letterContent":"Thank you again for supporting our classroom. Your generosity made it possible for each student to receive a rainforest animal figure and a puzzle for our upcoming holiday celebration. We have been learning about the rainforest, so these gifts fit perfectly with what we are studying right now.\r\n\r\nEven though we have not handed out the gifts yet, the students have already been using our rainforest theme in meaningful ways. We have been researching different layers of the rainforest, studying the animals that live there, and writing short informational pieces about what we are learning. These new materials will help students make an even stronger connection to the unit. I know they will be thrilled when they see them.\r\n\r\nWe are getting ready for our next big step in the unit. Students will soon create a mini museum exhibit where they will teach others about a rainforest animal and its role in the ecosystem. The animal figures will make this project feel even more real and hands-on. The puzzles will give us a calm and fun activity to enjoy during the holiday week and will also help students practice perseverance and collaboration.\r\n\r\nI cannot wait to see their faces when they open everything. Your support has created so much joy and anticipation in our classroom, and it truly means a lot.","fullyFundedDate":1762693656636,"projectUrl":"project/a-wild-christmas-rainforest-gifts/9869680/","projectTitle":"A Wild Christmas: Rainforest Gifts","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9093754_orig.jpg?crop=1800,1800,x2000,y1826&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1688751453376","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9093754"},{"teacherId":9093754,"projectId":9869675,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom library. These new books have brought so much excitement into our room. My students practically sprint to the shelves every morning.\r\n\r\nWith the books you helped provide, we have been able to introduce so many important reading skills. Wonder has helped us dive into point of view, empathy, and understanding character motives. Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Dog Man have been perfect for getting even my most hesitant readers hooked. We use them to practice decoding, fluency, and understanding text features like comics, speech bubbles, and visual storytelling. The dictionaries have been huge in helping students become more independent readers. They are learning how to look up unfamiliar words, expand their vocabulary, and really take ownership of their learning.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, reading is a mix of book groups, independent reading time, and partner discussions. Students curl up around the room with their books, annotate with Post-its, and share their thoughts with their groups. It is quiet, focused, and honestly one of the happiest parts of our day.\r\n\r\nSome students who have struggled in the past are now reading more than ever. One of my reluctant readers grabbed Dog Man the moment I unpacked it and has not put it down since. He is flying through pages and proudly telling classmates about each chapter. My more advanced readers are loving the new book group options and keep asking when we are starting our next discussions. And the dictionaries are used constantly. Students actually ask to use them, which tells me they feel empowered by having the right tools at their fingertips.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has not just given us books. It has given my students confidence, joy, and a growing love for reading. Thank you for believing in them.","fullyFundedDate":1762786790554,"projectUrl":"project/books-for-bright-minds/9869675/","projectTitle":"Books for Bright Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9093754_orig.jpg?crop=1800,1800,x2000,y1826&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1688751453376","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9093754"},{"teacherId":6363263,"projectId":9494980,"letterContent":"I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your generous donations that helped bring floor lamps, playdough, and On Strike! book sets into our kindergarten classroom. Your contributions have made a remarkable difference in the daily lives of my students.\r\n\r\nThe floor lamps have transformed our learning space into a calm, welcoming environment. Many of my students are multilingual learners who thrive when they feel safe and comfortable. The soft, warm lighting has replaced the harsh overhead lights, helping students feel more relaxed and focused during lessons. It has truly created a sense of peace that supports both learning and emotional well-being.\r\n\r\nThe playdough has been a huge success! My students use it daily to strengthen their fine motor skills, which are so important for handwriting and other classroom tasks. They love creating letters, shapes, and even small models from our stories. For many of my multilingual students, playdough time also becomes a bridge for language development—as they talk, share, and describe what they're making, they gain confidence using English and their home languages in meaningful ways.\r\n\r\nFinally, the On Strike! book sets have been a wonderful addition to our classroom library. These stories spark thoughtful discussions about emotions, teamwork, and problem-solving. My students love exploring how characters express their feelings and find solutions together. These conversations have helped them grow in social-emotional learning, showing greater empathy and communication with one another.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in the power of classroom community and supporting young learners. Your generosity has helped create a space where children feel safe, engaged, and excited to learn every day.","fullyFundedDate":1753957092661,"projectUrl":"project/unlocking-potential/9494980/","projectTitle":"Unlocking Potential","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Barbour","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6363263_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726530818369","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6363263"},{"teacherId":291606,"projectId":9406418,"letterContent":"Thanks to your support our students can shop each week at a prize store. Student earn leader bucks everyday for showing positive behaviors in school in a variety of areas as leaders. Students are allowed to shop every other week with their leader bucks for rewards. They love being able to get things like smencils, galaxy slime, ring pops and so many other cool choices. For so many of our students this is the only way they would ever get a cool prize. Your help in our store has been crucial. We could not have done this at all without your support. Thank you so much for making this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1750082619679,"projectUrl":"project/leaders-are-rewarded-for-success/9406418/","projectTitle":"Leaders Are Rewarded For Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Brown","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp291606_orig.jpg?crop=1932,1932,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1591733173819","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/291606"},{"teacherId":291606,"projectId":9381390,"letterContent":"The clubs this year started last Friday. The kids were so excited as they got to begin their new clubs.The kids have lived being able to choose a club that is interesting to them. Having these clubs has also helped our school wide attendance to improve. The kids don't want to miss out on any of the fun. Thank you for helping us with this project. This means so much u h to our students. As always you have made a huge impact on creating a loving place for so many young people. We could not begin to offer the things we have without your support.Thank you again for being our donors choose hero's.","fullyFundedDate":1749572605766,"projectUrl":"project/clubs-that-spark-imagination/9381390/","projectTitle":"Clubs that Spark Imagination","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Brown","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp291606_orig.jpg?crop=1932,1932,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1591733173819","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/291606"},{"teacherId":291606,"projectId":9416391,"letterContent":"Our school year has begun with a study of different poets and what inspires them to write poetry. These resources have helped to bring more poetry into the classroom other than what the school curriculum provided us. Having poetry from Langston Huges, Robert Frost and the Hate that Cat from Sharon Creech have been big hits with the kids. \r\n\r\n We also have been using the graph paper journals in our math class. This tool is helping them learn to draw,solve and then write about their math skills. This will hopefully help them to increase their test scores with practice all year in their writing about math.\r\nThank you so much for helping get these tools for my class. Every thing matters when trying to open doors to learning.","fullyFundedDate":1751981836042,"projectUrl":"project/poetry-and-problem-solving-all-work-toge/9416391/","projectTitle":"Poetry and Problem Solving All Work Together","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Brown","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp291606_orig.jpg?crop=1932,1932,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1591733173819","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/291606"},{"teacherId":9776626,"projectId":9254029,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your contribution to our project! \r\n\r\nThe bean bag chair has been popular in our library, allowing students to engage in their reading as well as independent research work. \r\n\r\nThe rug in the front of our room has given students a place to sit for morning meeting and whole group math and reading lessons. The flowers on the rug help students know exactly where to sit, allowing for smooth transitions during these times. \r\n\r\nI am grateful to have both of these things in my room as I watch students learn and grow everyday!","fullyFundedDate":1746466246656,"projectUrl":"project/comfortable-seating/9254029/","projectTitle":"Comfortable Seating","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Haas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9776626_orig.jpg?crop=1104,1104,x956,y117&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727905762556","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9776626"},{"teacherId":9677827,"projectId":9509269,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our DonorsChoose project. Because of your kindness, our classroom library has been transformed with an exciting selection of new books that my 5th graders absolutely love. Every day, I see students eagerly reaching for these books—whether it's during independent reading time, literacy groups, or even in those spare moments between lessons. Your donation has truly ignited a passion for reading in our classroom, and it's been amazing to witness the joy and excitement that these new titles bring to our students.\r\n\r\nThese books have not only enhanced the quality of reading in our room, but they've also given students access to relevant, engaging texts that reflect their interests and experiences. Many of my students now see themselves in the stories they read, and that representation has been powerful. Your contribution has opened doors for deeper thinking, meaningful conversations, and a growing love of literature. We are incredibly grateful for your generosity—your impact will be felt far beyond this school year!","fullyFundedDate":1753957092681,"projectUrl":"project/upgrading-my-classroom-library/9509269/","projectTitle":"Upgrading My Classroom Library!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nowicki","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9677827_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723760837353","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9677827"},{"teacherId":9605609,"projectId":9438532,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the generous gift of stories that reflect us. My students were thrilled to see books where they could recognize themselves, their families, and their communities. These stories have given them a sense of pride and belonging while also helping us celebrate the diversity within our classroom.\r\n\r\nWith these books, my students are learning that their voices and experiences matter. They are more engaged during read-alouds, eager to share connections, and inspired to write their own stories. This has helped us create a classroom culture where students feel seen, valued, and empowered to be themselves.\r\n\r\nWhat may seem like a small collection of books has become an important tool for representation and confidence. My students are not only growing as readers, they are also growing in self-awareness and respect for one another.\r\n\r\nWe are truly grateful for your kindness and support. You have made a lasting impact on our classroom, and my students and I will carry your generosity with us every time we open these stories that reflect who we are.","fullyFundedDate":1751295077886,"projectUrl":"project/stories-that-reflect-us/9438532/","projectTitle":"Stories That Reflect Us!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Greer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9605609_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1722309068097","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/miss-cgreer"},{"teacherId":9605609,"projectId":9441531,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the generous gift of books for our classroom. My students were so excited to see new titles on our shelves and could not wait to dive in. These books are already helping us build a stronger classroom culture by giving us stories that spark meaningful conversations about kindness, respect, and leadership.\r\n\r\nWith these books, my students are seeing themselves represented, learning about others' experiences, and developing empathy through the stories we read together. Our read-aloud time has quickly become one of the most powerful parts of our day because it connects directly to how we treat one another in and out of the classroom.\r\n\r\nWhat may seem like a simple collection of books has become a foundation for building a safe, supportive, and connected learning environment. My students are becoming not only stronger readers but also more thoughtful friends and leaders.\r\n\r\nWe are truly grateful for your kindness and support. You have made a lasting impact on our classroom, and my students and I will remember your generosity every time we open a book and share a story together.","fullyFundedDate":1751454709952,"projectUrl":"project/building-classroom-culture-through-books/9441531/","projectTitle":"Building Classroom Culture Through Books","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Greer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9605609_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1722309068097","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/miss-cgreer"},{"teacherId":9605609,"projectId":8734928,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous gift of rolling carts for our classroom! My students were thrilled to see them and quickly began using them for their books and supplies. These carts are already helping us stay organized and making our learning space much more efficient.\r\n\r\nWith six carts, one for each table, students now have a dedicated place for their materials. This has cut down on clutter, saved time during transitions, and given everyone a sense of responsibility for keeping their area neat. For many of my learners, having supplies within reach has reduced stress and allowed them to focus more on their work.\r\n\r\nWhat may seem like simple storage has created a smoother, calmer classroom environment. Students are more independent, and we have more space for learning because our materials are organized and accessible.\r\n\r\nWe are truly grateful for your kindness and support. You have made a lasting impact on our classroom, and my students and I will appreciate your generosity every time we grab our books and supplies from the carts and get to work.","fullyFundedDate":1725966656326,"projectUrl":"project/rolling-into-a-great-year/8734928/","projectTitle":"Rolling into a great year!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Greer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9605609_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1722309068097","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/miss-cgreer"},{"teacherId":9605609,"projectId":8736854,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous gift of headphones for our classroom! My students were beyond excited to open the package and immediately put them to use. These headphones are already making a huge difference in our daily learning.\r\n\r\nWith the new headphones, my students can focus better during small-group instruction, independent reading, and digital learning programs. Instead of distractions or background noise, they now have the tools to concentrate on their own work. For some of my learners who need extra support in reading and math, this has been especially powerful because they are able to hear their lessons clearly and stay engaged longer.\r\n\r\nWhat may seem like a simple supply to many has created a calmer, more productive classroom environment. Students feel more confident when they can work independently without worrying about disturbing others. For my class, these headphones are helping us build stronger readers, sharper mathematicians, and more focused learners.\r\n\r\nWe are truly grateful for your kindness and investment in our education. You have made a lasting impact on our classroom, and my students and I will remember your generosity every time we put our headphones on and get to work.","fullyFundedDate":1725887541550,"projectUrl":"project/blocking-out-the-noise/8736854/","projectTitle":"Blocking Out the Noise!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Greer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9605609_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1722309068097","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/miss-cgreer"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_58243","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":403,"numTeachers":22,"percentFrplEligible":70,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":26,"percentWhite":28,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":37,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"18.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":68.9,"schoolId":58243,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Okolona Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Okolona Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/kentucky/jefferson-county-public-schools/okolona-elementary-school/58243"}