{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Patrick J Kennedy Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":38.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6998441,"projectId":9506899,"letterContent":"I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your generous donations, which allowed us to bring meaningful new resources into our preschool classroom. Because of your support, our class of 20 low-income students now has access to a wide variety of fidgets, as well as a fully stocked calming center and prize box. These tools have already made a noticeable difference in helping our students regulate their emotions, stay focused during learning activities, and feel excited about participating in the classroom community.\r\nThe moment the children first saw the materials was unforgettable—eyes wide, little hands reaching out with curiosity, and smiles all around. One student who often struggles during transitions immediately gravitated toward a textured fidget and later said, \"This helps my hands feel calm.\" During our morning centers, students have begun choosing fidgets to support themselves during literacy time, and our calming center has quickly become a safe, comforting space where they can take a break and return ready to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1758836411810,"projectUrl":"project/fidgets-focus-and-feelings-tools-for/9506899/","projectTitle":"Fidgets, Focus, and Feelings: Tools for a Calmer Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Herrera","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6998441_orig.jpg?crop=638,638,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1598906057691","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6998441"},{"teacherId":2379818,"projectId":9430351,"letterContent":"My students were beyond excited when our new notebooks arrived! Their eyes lit up as they each chose one and began decorating the covers with their names, drawings, and motivational words. It was a special moment to see how something as simple as a notebook could bring such pride and excitement.\r\n\r\nWe've been using these notebooks daily during our writing workshop. Students brainstorm ideas, draft stories, and reflect on their learning inside them. One of my favorite moments was when a student who often hesitated to write filled an entire page with a personal story. Then, he proudly read it aloud to the class!\r\n\r\nThese notebooks have truly helped my students see themselves as writers. They are writing with more confidence, taking creative risks, and sharing their voices more freely. Our next step is to use these notebooks to publish our first class book filled with original stories and poems. Thank you for helping my students' words take flight!","fullyFundedDate":1751361697314,"projectUrl":"project/notebooks-to-help-our-words-take-flight/9430351/","projectTitle":"Notebooks to Help Our Words Take Flight!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Queeley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2379818_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1562619046528","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/twilkes"},{"teacherId":2379818,"projectId":9579629,"letterContent":"Thanks to your incredible generosity, my students and I have been able to bring Motivation in a Box to life in our third-grade classroom, and the results have been absolutely amazing! \r\n\r\nWhen the boxes first arrived, my students could hardly contain their excitement. They circled around the table, whispering guesses about what could be inside. The moment we opened the packages, the room filled with gasps, cheers, and \"oohs\" and \"aahs.\" Each new item sparked curiosity and ideas about how we could use them. I told my students that these materials were special — not because they were new or shiny, but because they represented their effort, teamwork, and growth mindset. You could immediately see the pride on their faces.\r\n\r\nWe took some time to talk about what \"Motivation in a Box\" means. I explained that it's not just about earning rewards; it's about celebrating progress, trying new things, and showing kindness to others. Together, we created a class chart of the kinds of behaviors and attitudes that would earn a reward — things like helping a classmate, showing grit during a tough math problem, or using encouraging words during group work. The students had amazing ideas and were eager to contribute. It was a beautiful reminder that they care deeply about our classroom community.\r\n\r\nSince then, the materials from this project have become a meaningful part of our daily routine. I've filled our Treasure Chest with small items that bring big joy — colorful pencils, stickers, erasers, bookmarks, and positive affirmation cards — along with handwritten notes recognizing specific achievements. Each Friday, students who have demonstrated positive habits get to choose something from the chest, and we celebrate as a class. What's most powerful is that the students cheer for each other when someone earns a reward. It has created such a positive, encouraging energy in our room.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite moments so far came during a math block. A student who had been struggling with multiplication facts had a particularly challenging day but refused to give up. She used a growth mindset strategy we practiced. She took a deep breath, tried again, and asked for help when she needed it. By the end of the lesson, she was so proud of herself. When I called her name to choose from the Treasure Chest, she was beaming. Her classmates clapped for her, and she said softly, \"I didn't quit this time.\" That moment captured exactly what this project is all about — perseverance, pride, and encouragement.\r\n\r\nThe impact has extended beyond individual rewards, too. We've started using the materials as part of our group goals. When our class earns a certain number of \"Motivation Moments,\" we celebrate together with a fun activity — like a read-aloud picnic or a game afternoon. Students now set personal goals each Monday, track their progress, and reflect on their growth at the end of the week. The Treasure Chest helps make their efforts feel seen and valued.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, our next steps include connecting this system to our social-emotional learning lessons. We're learning about empathy, self-control, and responsible decision-making, and students are beginning to recognize how their choices impact not only themselves but our classroom community as a whole. I'm planning to introduce new types of motivational rewards, like \"Classroom Helper for the Day\" or \"Teacher's Assistant,\" that give students a sense of leadership and ownership.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our classroom now has a concrete, joyful way to reinforce all the positive behaviors that help children grow into kind, confident, and motivated learners. The materials from this project have truly brightened our days — both literally, with colorful new supplies, and emotionally, with renewed energy and enthusiasm for learning.\r\n\r\nI am so deeply grateful to each of you who donated to make this possible. Because of you, my students feel valued, celebrated, and inspired to be their best selves.","fullyFundedDate":1755729337501,"projectUrl":"project/motivation-in-a-box/9579629/","projectTitle":"Motivation in a Box","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Queeley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2379818_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1562619046528","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/twilkes"},{"teacherId":1727092,"projectId":9706085,"letterContent":"Once again, I want to thank you for making it possible for my students to have welcoming space in our classroom. The students have enjoyed the motivational quotes in the classroom. They all chose one that sticks out to them and expalin why. We have enjoyed the students stories and their favorite quote. Since the room is a welcoming space, you can see how students take pride in their classroom. The make sure everything is always in its place and the classroom is clean and organized.\r\n\r\nMy students love to put their work on the bulletin boards. They love to use the white board to show how they solve their math problems. The students also take the time to teach each other how to do the math using the white board.\r\n\r\nMy students are enjoying these resources in our classroom. Thank you again for your generous donation to my classroom. It is greatly appreciated everyday.","fullyFundedDate":1757861300162,"projectUrl":"project/a-welcoming-space-with-classroom-decor/9706085/","projectTitle":"A Welcoming Space With Classroom Decor","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Melendez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1727092_orig.jpg?crop=2040,2040,x520,y640&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1739932903889","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/rosa-melendez"},{"teacherId":1727092,"projectId":9714447,"letterContent":"I wanted to take the time and tell you how these materials have been greatly appreciated. My students have been learning all about financial literacy and budgeting. With the boards games they are learning about paying bills, investing, choosing a career that will provide them with their needs and wants, and etc. They are able to identify all the coins and dollar bills. In the beginning of of the school year students believed that with $100 they are able to buy a car or a house. Now with this materials and learning financial literacy they understand what they can possibly purchase with $100.\r\n\r\nThese Math materials and manipulatives have provided hours of hands-on lessons and activities for my students. These resources have helped my students' learn about money while having fun and at the same time learn English.\r\n\r\nThese resources have made it easier to teach basic math topics to my students and in a fun way! Thank you once again for donating to my classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1758047205717,"projectUrl":"project/board-games-for-indoor-recess/9714447/","projectTitle":"Board Games for Indoor Recess","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Melendez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1727092_orig.jpg?crop=2040,2040,x520,y640&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1739932903889","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/rosa-melendez"},{"teacherId":1727092,"projectId":9506313,"letterContent":"Thank you for making a donation to my classroom. The books we received have provided my students with new opportunities to pick up a book and discover the wonders of reading. Thank you for making this possible.\r\n\r\nAs I mentioned in my project, these books are ideal for both guided, independent and home reading. The kids are loving the fact they finally have books in their hands instead of a screen. It looks like the favorite books are the scary stories and graphic novels due to the nice photos. These books promote my students to learn about the world around us. My students are reading books at their level which they enjoy. The book are well organized and easy to find in the cart. The students are able to locate a book and put them pack in the box that it belongs.\r\n\r\nMy students are enjoying this new collection in our classroom library. Thank you again for your generous donation to my classroom. It is greatly appreciated everyday.","fullyFundedDate":1757949645450,"projectUrl":"project/we-need-books/9506313/","projectTitle":"We Need Books!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Melendez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1727092_orig.jpg?crop=2040,2040,x520,y640&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1739932903889","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/rosa-melendez"},{"teacherId":1727092,"projectId":9506765,"letterContent":"Thank you so very much for your incredibly generous donations! We are so excited to finally have headphones in the class to use. The students love them. They are telling me how good they are because they can now hear. They are so funny!\r\n\r\nWe have had the headphones for 2 months and they made a huge difference in learning. The students work without distractions on their chrome books in class. They use many online learning games while using the headphones so they don't disturb anyone else. Our students will be able to learn better because of your donation! Now the students can also use the listening center where students can listen to stories.\r\n\r\nIt is because of generous donation that public schools are able to continue having amazing educational opportunities for their students. Without your generous funding, there is no way we could have afford these (or many other) educational tools! Thank you again so very much!","fullyFundedDate":1755700242067,"projectUrl":"project/what-i-cant-hear-you/9506765/","projectTitle":"What? I Can't Hear You!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Melendez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1727092_orig.jpg?crop=2040,2040,x520,y640&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1739932903889","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/rosa-melendez"},{"teacherId":1727092,"projectId":9582032,"letterContent":"Thank you all so very much for your incredibly generous donations! My students were so excited to receive these magazines. They told me they felt like they were adults reading magazines.\r\n\r\nI am constantly looking for new types of texts for them to read and take home to study. Now my students have the opportunity to read and learn information about current events in their world. The concepts of world, continent, country, region, state, city, and community are very abstract and hard to comprehend for many of my students. The weekly classroom news magazine has motivated my students to read. Issues cover a wide range of real-world topics using nonfiction text and themes kids love to learn about, while helping to build critical skills like reading comprehension and critical-thinking.\r\n\r\nIt is because of you that public schools are able to continue having amazing educational opportunities for their students. Without your generous funding, there is no way we could have afford this (or many other) educational tools!","fullyFundedDate":1755700241143,"projectUrl":"project/scholastic-classroom-magazines/9582032/","projectTitle":"Scholastic Classroom Magazines","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Melendez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1727092_orig.jpg?crop=2040,2040,x520,y640&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1739932903889","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/rosa-melendez"},{"teacherId":9195072,"projectId":9217536,"letterContent":"We are deeply grateful for your generosity in helping bring this project to life. Thanks to your support, our students now have meaningful tools that empower them to self-regulate, manage their emotions, and focus on learning and personal growth.\r\n\r\nYour kindness ensures that these students are reminded daily that they are supported, valued, and never alone in their journey through grief. The environment you've helped create is one where they feel safe, understood, and empowered to heal an impact that will extend far beyond the classroom.\r\n\r\nThank you for your contribution for the emotional well-being of our students and for making a lasting difference in their lives. Muchas Gracias!","fullyFundedDate":1746785935726,"projectUrl":"project/comfort-and-healing-sensory-tools-for-s/9217536/","projectTitle":"Comfort and Healing: Sensory Tools for Students Coping with Grief","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Karen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9195072_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1695422844332","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9195072"},{"teacherId":6998441,"projectId":9193347,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of Play-Doh and fidget toys! These items have brought so much joy—and calm—to our classroom of energetic 4- and 5-year-olds. Play-Doh is more than just fun; it helps children strengthen their fine motor skills, express creativity, and build focus through hands-on play. The fidget toys have been especially helpful during transitions and quiet times, giving students a healthy way to self-regulate and stay engaged.\r\n\r\nYour support has made our classroom a more supportive and enriching place to learn. We are so grateful for your kindness!","fullyFundedDate":1746458236614,"projectUrl":"project/way-to-go/9193347/","projectTitle":"Way to Go!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Herrera","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6998441_orig.jpg?crop=638,638,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1598906057691","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6998441"},{"teacherId":6998441,"projectId":9043840,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of ink! It may seem like a simple item, but it's made a big difference in our classroom. With access to printed materials, I've been able to create vibrant learning tools—like colorful worksheets, visual schedules, and interactive games—that meet the needs of all learners.\r\nThis technology is helping students stay engaged and better understand new concepts, especially our early readers and visual learners. The ability to print in color has allowed me to individualize activities and bring lessons to life in a way that black-and-white copies simply can't.\r\nWhat excites the students most is seeing their own work, classroom charts, and learning games in bright, full color—it adds a sense of pride and ownership to everything they do. One student, in particular, who previously struggled with focus has become much more engaged during centers, thanks to personalized printed activities made possible by your donation.\r\nYour support has truly enhanced the learning experience in our classroom. Thank you again for helping us grow!","fullyFundedDate":1737040275772,"projectUrl":"project/in-color/9043840/","projectTitle":"In Color","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Herrera","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6998441_orig.jpg?crop=638,638,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1598906057691","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6998441"},{"teacherId":6998441,"projectId":8331509,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous gift of watercolor paints and paper! Your donation brought so much joy and creativity to our classroom. The students loved exploring color mixing and expressing their ideas through art. These materials helped support fine motor skills, focus, and self-expression. Because of your kindness, our young learners feel inspired and proud of their work. Their work really lit up our classroom and the hallways of our school. The students felt so proud and encouraged. We are truly grateful for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1714658825152,"projectUrl":"project/incoming-k1-students/8331509/","projectTitle":"Incoming K1 students!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Herrera","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6998441_orig.jpg?crop=638,638,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1598906057691","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6998441"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_62913","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":279,"numTeachers":22,"percentFrplEligible":81,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":5,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":91,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"12.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":61.8,"schoolId":62913,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Patrick J Kennedy Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Patrick J Kennedy Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/massachusetts/boston-public-schools/patrick-j-kennedy-elementary-school/62913"}