{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Ocean Ave Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":32.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9076133,"projectId":10348275,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping bring a new rug into our classroom! This rug fits our classroom space perfectly, and has added so much color, joy, and structure to our classroom! Students were SO excited to see it in our classroom on the first day of school, and have loved having their own flower to sit on.\r\n\r\n Our rug is so much more than a place to sit—it is where our classroom community comes together each day. From morning meetings and read-alouds to class discussions, celebrations, and problem-solving, so many important moments happen here. Your generosity has given my students a fresh, welcoming space where they can feel comfortable, connected, and ready to learn. Thank you for helping create a classroom where every student feels that they belong!","fullyFundedDate":1785546927789,"projectUrl":"project/a-gathering-place-where-community-blooms/10348275/","projectTitle":"A Gathering Place Where Community Blooms!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Libby","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9076133_orig.png?crop=803,804,x0,y109&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689709380513","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/j-libby"},{"teacherId":9076133,"projectId":10311375,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my classroom! Your generosity has helped provide the everyday supplies my second graders need to learn, create, and grow. From pencils and markers to chart paper, timers, magnets, and classroom organization tools, these resources help our classroom run smoothly and make learning more engaging. Having these essentials ready for my students allows me to focus on creating a welcoming, joyful classroom where everyone feels prepared to participate and do their best. Thank you for investing in my students and helping us start the school year ready to learn!","fullyFundedDate":1786366901974,"projectUrl":"project/back-to-school-essentials-to-support-stu/10311375/","projectTitle":"Back-to-School Essentials to Support Students From the Start","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Libby","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9076133_orig.png?crop=803,804,x0,y109&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689709380513","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/j-libby"},{"teacherId":8611186,"projectId":10331088,"letterContent":"We are incredibly thankful to have new headphones that work for all of our students! Before receiving these headphones, we did not have enough working pairs for everyone, which meant that students often had to share. While we made it work, sharing headphones could be difficult and sometimes made it harder for students to stay focused and engaged in their learning.\r\n\r\nNow, every student has their own working pair of headphones to use during lessons and activities. This has made such a positive difference in our classroom! Students can listen to directions, complete learning activities, and work independently without having to wait for or share headphones with someone else.\r\n\r\nWe are so grateful for this support and for the opportunity to provide our students with the tools they need to be successful. Having headphones for everyone helps create a smoother learning environment and allows each student to focus on their own learning. Thank you for helping make this possible for our students!","fullyFundedDate":1787191193017,"projectUrl":"project/headphone-refresh/10331088/","projectTitle":"Headphone Refresh!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Weeks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8611186_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1706291722115","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8611186"},{"teacherId":10186216,"projectId":10350180,"letterContent":"The new rug has already made such a wonderful difference in our classroom! My students were absolutely thrilled when they first saw it. They were so excited to sit on it and immediately began choosing their own special \"rug spots.\" It has been so sweet to see how proud they are of their spots and how excited they get when it is time to gather on the rug.\r\n\r\nThe rug is big enough for all of my students to have their own comfortable space while still being close together as a class. It is soft and cozy, which makes our whole-group learning time much more inviting. We use it for morning meetings, read-alouds, lessons, discussions, and opportunities to share our thinking with one another. It has quickly become a special place in our classroom where so much learning and connection happens.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite moments was watching the students' reactions when they realized the rug was theirs to use every day. They were eager to find their spots and were so excited to show me where they wanted to sit. Something as simple as having a comfortable place to gather has brought so much joy and excitement to our classroom.\r\n\r\nOur next steps are to continue building our classroom community and using the rug as a space for learning, listening, sharing, and working together. We will continue using it during our lessons and read-alouds while encouraging students to participate, share their ideas, and learn from their classmates.\r\n\r\nI am truly grateful to the donors who made this possible. You didn't just give us a rug—you gave my students a comfortable, welcoming place to learn, connect, and feel like they belong. Seeing their excitement and happiness makes me so thankful for your generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1784475094663,"projectUrl":"project/a-rug-for-reading-learning-and-growing/10350180/","projectTitle":"A Rug for Reading, Learning, and Growing","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ferrell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10186216_orig.jpg?crop=2027,2027,x691,y737&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755529944714","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msferrellsclass"},{"teacherId":135802,"projectId":10140541,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for bringing our \"Curiosity Cart\" to life! Because of your generosity, reading in our classroom has transformed into a vibrant, multi-dimensional experience. Instead of just quietly turning pages, my students are actively investigating the world. Through Esperanza Rising and our texts on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, they are developing critical historical empathy and textual analysis skills. They aren't just reading about the past; they are learning to identify universal themes of human dignity, mapping out how the struggles of characters like Esperanza mirror real-world human rights challenges. Reading in our room is loud, collaborative, and deeply reflective, filled with passionate debates and connections to current events.\r\n\r\n\r\nThe impact of your gift doesn't stop at the final chapter. The true magic of these resources is how they bridge the gap between literature and STEM. Once our students built that \"heart\" for social justice, the Curiosity Cart allowed them to transition seamlessly into our bridge engineering unit. They utilized the Engineering Design Process to brainstorm, prototype, and build physical models meant to solve community isolation problems. Watching them debate structural integrity with the same passion they used to debate character motivations has been incredible. They are learning that solving real-world problems requires both technical skill and deep human empathy.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has sparked a unique joy in all of my students, but it has been a complete game-changer for my hands-on learners and reluctant readers. One student in particular, who usually struggles to stay focused during traditional reading blocks, completely lit up while reading Esperanza Rising. The combination of a deeply moving human story and the tangible engineering challenge that followed kept them completely locked in and motivated. Thank you for showing my students that whether they are analyzing a narrative or building a suspension bridge, they have the power to engineer a better, more connected future.","fullyFundedDate":1778505065499,"projectUrl":"project/support-and-strength-a-dual-unit-on-bri/10140541/","projectTitle":"Support and Strength: A Dual Unit on Bridges and Resilience","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Soule","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp135802_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1535678653765","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/soulec"},{"teacherId":9076133,"projectId":10183767,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom! As we unpacked these books when they arrived, students were BEAMING with joy, and could not wait to get their hands on these new books! Thanks to your generosity, my students will have access to engaging, diverse book series that will spark their excitement for reading. There is nothing more special than watching a student fall in love with a book, and your donation is helping make those moments possible. Your support is not only adding books to our shelves, it's helping build confidence, foster a love of learning, and create a classroom where every student feels seen and valued. We are so grateful for your kindness and for investing in our students!\r\n\r\nWith gratitude,\r\nMs. Libby","fullyFundedDate":1777042573784,"projectUrl":"project/book-series-we-cant-put-down/10183767/","projectTitle":"Book Series We Can't Put Down","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Libby","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9076133_orig.png?crop=803,804,x0,y109&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689709380513","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/j-libby"},{"teacherId":1456359,"projectId":10258951,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project and helping provide reinforcers for our students! These materials have already made a meaningful impact on our school community, especially for students participating in Check-In Check-Out and other social-emotional supports.\r\n\r\nStudents use these reinforcers throughout the school day as encouragement for demonstrating positive behaviors, meeting goals, showing kindness, and making responsible choices. One of the most rewarding moments has been watching students light up with pride when earning a small reward after working hard on self-regulation or problem-solving skills. The excitement and motivation these items bring have helped create more positive interactions and stronger student engagement.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the new materials, they were incredibly excited and eager to work toward their goals. Many students immediately began talking about the behaviors they wanted to improve and encouraging one another to earn rewards as well. It has helped create a more supportive and encouraging environment throughout the school.\r\n\r\nAs we continue building our positive behavior supports, students will keep practicing skills like responsibility, emotional regulation, cooperation, and perseverance. These reinforcers help us celebrate growth along the way and remind students that their hard work matters. Thank you again for helping us create a positive and motivating environment where students can thrive!","fullyFundedDate":1778521586799,"projectUrl":"project/motivating-growth-through-positive-reinf/10258951/","projectTitle":"Motivating Growth Through Positive Reinforcement","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Thompson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1456359_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1784662505156","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/epartridge"},{"teacherId":1456359,"projectId":10259065,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, Kindness Starts With a Story. These new picture books have helped our students learn important social-emotional skills like empathy, inclusion, compassion, and how to treat others with kindness and respect.\r\n\r\nReading in our classrooms is interactive and discussion-based, giving students opportunities to connect the stories to their own lives and relationships. Many students especially enjoy sharing moments when they have shown kindness or when someone has shown kindness to them. Some of our quieter students have even begun participating more during discussions because they connect so strongly with the stories and characters.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has helped us create meaningful learning experiences and build a more caring classroom community. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of our students!","fullyFundedDate":1778017440198,"projectUrl":"project/kindness-starts-with-a-story/10259065/","projectTitle":"Kindness Starts With a Story","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Thompson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1456359_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1784662505156","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/epartridge"},{"teacherId":1456359,"projectId":10258160,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, Finding Courage Through Picture Books. Because of your generosity, our students now have access to meaningful stories that help them explore bravery, resilience, perseverance, and self-confidence in ways that truly connect to their everyday lives.\r\n\r\nThese books have opened the door to important conversations and learning opportunities in our classrooms. Through the stories, students are learning skills such as problem-solving, standing up for themselves and others, trying new things even when they feel nervous, and understanding that courage can look different for everyone. Many of our discussions center around recognizing emotions, developing empathy, and building a growth mindset when facing challenges.\r\n\r\nReading in our classrooms is interactive, reflective, and engaging. Students participate in read-alouds, partner discussions, and activities that help them make personal connections to the characters and lessons in each story. They are excited to share moments when they showed courage themselves, whether it was raising their hand in class, making a new friend, or persevering through a difficult task.\r\n\r\nSeveral students have especially connected with these books. Some of our quieter or more hesitant students have found comfort in seeing characters work through fears and challenges similar to their own. We have noticed students becoming more willing to participate, speak up, and encourage one another after hearing these stories. It has been incredibly meaningful to watch students realize that courage is not about never being afraid—it is about continuing even when something feels hard.\r\n\r\nYour kindness and support have made a lasting impact on our students and our school community. Thank you for helping us build confident, courageous learners through the power of books.","fullyFundedDate":1778109372612,"projectUrl":"project/finding-courage-through-stories/10258160/","projectTitle":"Finding Courage Through Stories","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Thompson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1456359_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1784662505156","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/epartridge"},{"teacherId":1456359,"projectId":9936005,"letterContent":"Our new books go beyond building reading skills—they help students develop important life skills like responsibility, empathy, and self-awareness. Through these stories, students learn to recognize emotions, understand how their actions affect others, and make thoughtful choices. The books give us a way to turn big ideas into real, relatable moments that students can see and practice in their everyday lives.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is interactive and discussion-based. Students listen, think, and share their ideas, often making connections between the story and their own experiences. Many students, especially those who are typically quieter, are really engaging with these books—eager to share, relate to characters, and participate in conversations. It's been exciting to see students connect with the stories and grow both socially and emotionally.","fullyFundedDate":1773833522234,"projectUrl":"project/building-responsible-kids-one-picture-b/9936005/","projectTitle":"Building Responsible Kids, One Picture Book at a Time","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Thompson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1456359_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1784662505156","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/epartridge"},{"teacherId":1456359,"projectId":9966526,"letterContent":"Our new picture books are doing far more than building literacy—they are helping students develop essential social-emotional skills. Through these texts, we introduce and practice perspective-taking, empathy, respectful communication, and self-awareness. Students learn how to recognize emotions in themselves and others, make thoughtful choices, and reflect on how their actions impact a community. The stories provide natural entry points for discussing real-life situations, allowing us to turn abstract ideas like respect and inclusion into concrete, relatable lessons. Reading in our classroom is interactive and reflective—students actively listen, turn and talk with peers, share their thinking, and connect the stories to their own experiences.\r\n\r\nThese moments are especially powerful for students who may struggle with expressing emotions or navigating social situations. We have seen students light up during discussions, eager to share their thoughts or relate to a character's experience. Some who are typically quieter are finding their voice through these conversations, while others are becoming more mindful and inclusive in their interactions. The books create a shared language and understanding that helps all students feel more connected, supported, and engaged.","fullyFundedDate":1773862624882,"projectUrl":"project/reading-with-respect-building-kind-clas/9966526/","projectTitle":"Reading with Respect: Building Kind Classrooms","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Thompson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1456359_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1784662505156","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/epartridge"},{"teacherId":1456359,"projectId":9966403,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, something meaningful is taking root in our classrooms—something that extends far beyond books on a shelf. You have helped bring the power of empathy, understanding, and respect directly into the hands of our youngest learners, and the impact is already being felt each day.\r\n\r\nYour support has provided high-quality picture books to our K–5 students, giving them access to stories that reflect diverse experiences and perspectives. These books do more than tell stories—they create opportunities. Students are able to step into someone else's shoes, ask thoughtful questions, and engage in meaningful conversations about how we treat one another.\r\n\r\nThrough these shared reading experiences, abstract ideas like respect, kindness, and inclusion become real. A character's experience becomes a classroom discussion. A moment in a story becomes a chance to reflect, connect, and grow. These are powerful learning moments that support not only academic development, but social-emotional growth as well.\r\n\r\nYour generosity is doing more than funding books—it is helping shape a culture of dignity, empathy, and belonging. Thank you for investing in our students and for helping us create a kinder, more connected school community.","fullyFundedDate":1776188248756,"projectUrl":"project/purposefull-pages-opening-doors-to-hone/9966403/","projectTitle":"PurposeFull Pages: Opening Doors to Honesty","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Thompson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1456359_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1784662505156","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/epartridge"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_101468","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":315,"numTeachers":36,"percentFrplEligible":41,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":24,"percentWhite":58,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":8,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":5,"gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"8.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":67.9,"schoolId":101468,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Ocean Ave Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Ocean Ave Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/maine/portland-public-schools/ocean-avenue-elementary-school/101468"}