{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"YCCAC Head Start","outOfStateSupporters":64.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9083419,"projectId":9258699,"letterContent":"Words cannot describe the gratitude we feel for the generosity you showed our classroom in providing us with the tools we need to learn important social-emotional skills in the classroom. The children were overjoyed to see the materials as we unpacked them from the boxes and described what each item was and how we could use it.\r\n\r\nWe jumped right in with your donation and created a Safe Place area that we can use when our big emotions need space. In this Safe Place, we have our Ocean Emotion sea shells, which provide us with a way to express how we are feeling and relate those emotions to visuals to communicate with others when we just can't find the right words to use. We also have our sea turtle with the soothing sequins to support our sensory-seeking children during times of upset. To add a cozy touch, we put our stuffed axolotls in our Safe Place to provide our children with something safe to squeeze and squish when the urge arises.\r\n\r\nWith the rainbow emotion fidget poppers, our children can put a physical, concrete, visual example to their feelings. They are also great for our non-verbal children to provide them with a means to communicate how they are feeling if they don't know how to verbalize it. They also provide multiple of the same emotions, which allow the children to interact with each other in a group setting and engage in cooperative play, while learning to relate to one another through emotions.\r\n\r\nFinally, the doctor kit as provided our children with a wonderful opportunity to learning about cooperative play while engaging in pretend play with their peers. This kit allows our children to learn about pretend play, sharing, cooperation between peers, and communicating with each other. It has already provided countless hours of fun and learning for our little ones.\r\n\r\nWhile we have only scratched the surface of using the materials we received, we are so excited to continue to explore and build on our social-emotional skills in the classroom using the generous donations you made to us. We are truly so blessed and grateful for your kindness and generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1746787413006,"projectUrl":"project/social-emotional-growth-through-play/9258699/","projectTitle":"Social-Emotional Growth Through Play!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Carrie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9083419_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689019750479","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9083419"},{"teacherId":9256352,"projectId":9236166,"letterContent":"Thanks to your incredible support, our preschool classrooms are now filled with laughter, comfort, and meaningful conversations, all sparked by Mo Willems' hilariously relatable books and the cozy, sensory-friendly materials you helped provide. As a Head Start special educator who works across five classrooms and supports students with diverse needs, I've seen firsthand how these resources have transformed our shared learning spaces into nurturing environments where children feel safe to explore, express, and connect.\r\nReading time has become a special part of our day. Whether we're gathered on soft cushions for a group story or sharing a quiet moment one-on-one, Willems' characters have opened the door to rich emotional learning. Elephant and Piggie help children practice patience and kindness, while Pigeon's big feelings give us language to talk about frustration, excitement, and self-control. One student on my caseload, who often struggles with transitions, now requests \"The Pigeon Has Feelings, Too!\" as a way to process his own emotions. Another child hugs her weighted plush pal while listening, visibly calmer and more engaged. These books aren't just stories, they're mirrors and bridges, helping children see themselves and build empathy for others.\r\nThe comfy cushions and weighted plush pals have made a huge difference in helping students regulate their bodies and focus during group time. I've been able to use these tools during individualized sessions to support sensory needs and emotional growth, and I've even brought them into younger classrooms during my volunteer time to introduce foundational skills in a gentle, developmentally appropriate way. Your generosity has helped us build a foundation for kindergarten readiness that honors each child's emotional journey—and I'm so grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1746787353675,"projectUrl":"project/foundations-for-preschool-learning-throu/9236166/","projectTitle":"Foundations for Preschool Learning Through Books, Comfort, and Emotional Growth","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Serena","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9256352_orig.jpg?crop=2234,2234,x0,y879&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723678738662","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-serenas-hopes-and-dreams"},{"teacherId":9256352,"projectId":9327490,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, music has become a powerful tool for connection, growth, and joy across all five preschool classrooms I support as an itinerant special education teacher. From structured group activities to quiet one-on-one moments, the instruments you helped provide, Boomwhackers, kalimbas, rhythm sticks, and our beloved wooden frog guiro, have transformed how I engage with students of all abilities and emotional needs.\r\nFor the children on my caseload, these materials have opened up new ways to communicate and self-regulate. One child, who often struggles with verbal expression, found his voice through rhythm sticks, tapping out patterns to share his excitement and connect with peers. Another student uses the kalimba during transitions to ease anxiety and build fine motor strength. These quiet, focused moments are where the magic happens: music becomes a bridge between emotion and expression, helping each child feel seen, heard, and supported.\r\nI also bring these instruments into younger classrooms during my volunteer time, offering even our littlest learners a chance to explore sound and movement in developmentally appropriate ways. Next, I'll be integrating these tools into our sensory tents and emotion stations, allowing students to choose instruments that match how they're feeling, whether they need to energize, soothe, or simply play. Your support has made it possible for me to create consistent, meaningful musical experiences across classrooms and caseloads, and I'm deeply grateful for the impact you've made.","fullyFundedDate":1752586444387,"projectUrl":"project/unlocking-preschool-minds-creativity-an/9327490/","projectTitle":"Unlocking Preschool Minds, Creativity and Self-Confidence Through Music","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Serena","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9256352_orig.jpg?crop=2234,2234,x0,y879&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723678738662","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-serenas-hopes-and-dreams"},{"teacherId":9256352,"projectId":9176676,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, I've been able to bring structure, comfort, and engaging learning experiences to five Head Start preschool classrooms—creating a consistent foundation for both group learning and individualized support. As an itinerant special education teacher, I work with students who thrive on predictability and sensory-friendly tools, and this project has allowed me to offer just that. From visual schedules to calming materials and interactive learning supports, these resources have helped students feel safe, confident, and ready to explore.\r\n\r\nOne of the most meaningful moments came during a 1-on-1 session with a student who often struggles with transitions. Using our new materials, we created a personalized routine board and paired it with sensory tools that helped him move through the day with ease. In another classroom, a group of students used new manipulatives to build a collaborative \"feelings garden,\" where each flower represented an emotion they were learning to name and navigate. The excitement and pride they showed when sharing their creations was a beautiful reminder of how structure and creativity can go hand in hand.\r\n\r\nNext, I'll be integrating these tools into our classroom sensory tents and emotion stations, helping students build self-regulation skills and social-emotional awareness. Your support has helped me create a consistent, nurturing environment across classrooms—one that honors each child's emotional journey and learning style. Thank you for helping us build a foundation that will last a lifetime.","fullyFundedDate":1743107243714,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-young-learners-with-sensory-/9176676/","projectTitle":"Empowering Young Learners with Sensory & Mobile Teaching Tools!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Serena","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9256352_orig.jpg?crop=2234,2234,x0,y879&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723678738662","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-serenas-hopes-and-dreams"},{"teacherId":9697106,"projectId":8688647,"letterContent":"The students helped us open every box. The joy on their faces warmed my heart so much. We got the third box and one of the students says, \"There is more!!!\". These items have made a great impact on our classroom. The students love the diversity books. With the sink and float we made a frog pond, and the students investigated what sinks and what floats. The sensory shears the students love to use them with the playdough. They practice their fine motors skills by opening them and then they become everything from ice-cream bowls to lollypops. The sand toys are played with outside every day. Yesterday they made a whole city out of the sandcastles. The sensory beads for the sand table are such a hit we have to do a timer and a waiting list for them to play there. The clear storage containers make it easy for the students to find what they want to play with without teacher support. Thank you all so much the students love every bit of the items we got.","fullyFundedDate":1734625118501,"projectUrl":"project/see-it-share-it-gift-it/8688647/","projectTitle":"See It! Share It! Gift It!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Littlefield","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9697106_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755823457342","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9697106"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_120252","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":null,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":58,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":93,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":1,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"US Census Data for the surrounding geographic area","gradesServed":"Not specified","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"Census ZCTA","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"UNCLASSIFIED","ncesMetroType":null},"inStateSupporters":35.7,"schoolId":120252,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about YCCAC Head Start on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"YCCAC Head Start","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/maine/office-of-head-start/sanford-spruce-street-head-start/120252"}