{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Downey Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":29.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5090676,"projectId":10293126,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your kind contributions. We are an inner city school library with no funding at all. Have books that are of high interest is truly a gift to my almost 600 students. \r\nHow do you encourage the young to be life long readers you have books that spark their interest in literacy. These books are some of their favorite as well as some historical people that should be of interest to them.\r\nThere is so much excitement in the library when I tell them there are new books. Having Donors Choose available for schools like mine is so crucial to a solid library experience.","fullyFundedDate":1779370997263,"projectUrl":"project/yeah-new-books/10293126/","projectTitle":"Yeah! New Books!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Walkama","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5090676_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689042659260","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5090676"},{"teacherId":5090676,"projectId":10267968,"letterContent":"These wonderful items have been a huge success in our library. They are a wonderful addition to our makerspace.\r\n\r\nPlus Plus are always a huge hit for my students. The creativity that the students use in playing with them are just amazing. From examples included to creating their own design it is such a good creative outlet. The straw and connectors also has been a huge hit. They have created things that have gone the length of the library and then measured the creation.\r\n\r\nThen of course smelley markers are always a huge hit and used as a special award each week for those following expectations.","fullyFundedDate":1778865728709,"projectUrl":"project/library-fun/10267968/","projectTitle":"Library Fun!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Walkama","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5090676_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689042659260","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5090676"},{"teacherId":5090676,"projectId":10206078,"letterContent":"The wonderful books that this project funded has helped us countless times celebrate our countries special birthday. We have learned about the Constitution and from that we were able to hold a special outdoor activity called a Constitution Escape Room.\r\n\r\nWe are now learning about all the states and what is special about them. From that we are using flash cards to discuss what we have learned.\r\n\r\nThese books were a wonderful addition to our library and will be used and celebrated beyond our country's special anniversary.","fullyFundedDate":1778030341461,"projectUrl":"project/happy-250th-to-the-usa/10206078/","projectTitle":"Happy 250th to the USA","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Walkama","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5090676_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689042659260","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5090676"},{"teacherId":5090676,"projectId":10147881,"letterContent":"Our bubble party we held with the support of Donors Choose and AllState was a huge success. We have a very large population of \"special friends\". These students often are not included in special celebrations with our neuro typical students. Often it is because of the level of noise, the number of students, or the activity's requirements. \r\n\r\nBubbles are a universal sign of hope. They are also something that do not require a level of skill that would exclude our special friends. And on the other hand all students love the specialness of bubble activities.\r\n\r\nOur selected Gr. 5 peer leaders led, interacted with, and developed friendships with our special friends. We held each party class by class with the peer leaders so the groups could be smaller.\r\n\r\nThe bubble toys now will be used every year by the upcoming peer leaders to hold and annual Make a Friend Bubble Party.","fullyFundedDate":1775751637491,"projectUrl":"project/want-to-play-bubbles/10147881/","projectTitle":"Want to Play Bubbles!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Walkama","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5090676_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689042659260","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5090676"},{"teacherId":8012978,"projectId":10148638,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of books to our students. We truly appreciate your kindness, generosity, and support of our school community.\r\n\r\nThese books have given our students more opportunities to read, learn, explore new ideas, and enjoy stories both inside and outside of the classroom. Having new and engaging books available has helped make reading more exciting for our students and has encouraged them to spend more time reading independently. The books also help support important skills such as vocabulary development, comprehension, fluency, and critical thinking.\r\n\r\nBecause of the materials provided, we are able to offer students a wider variety of reading choices and use the books during classroom lessons, small-group activities, independent reading time, and discussions. Having access to these resources allows us to create more meaningful and engaging learning experiences while also helping students discover books and topics that interest them.\r\n\r\nWe are especially thankful to the DonorsChoose Community for helping make this possible. Your support has made a meaningful difference in our classroom and has provided our students with resources that will continue to benefit them throughout the school year.\r\n\r\nThank you again for thinking of our school, supporting our students, and helping us encourage a lifelong love of reading. We are truly grateful for your generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1773878866993,"projectUrl":"project/books-that-teach-kindness-empathy-and/10148638/","projectTitle":"Books That Teach Kindness, Empathy, and Emotional Strength","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Oliveira","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8012978"},{"teacherId":4445540,"projectId":10356146,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our classroom! These new books have already become a treasured part of our day. We use them during independent reading, small group lessons, and read-alouds, and they've given my third graders so many new stories, characters, and topics to explore. Having a wider selection means every student can find something that matches their interests and reading level, which has made a real difference in how excited they are to pick up a book.\r\n\r\nWalk into our classroom during reading time and you'll see students curled up in their favorite flexible seating spots, wrapped in blankets and using book lights to dive into their stories. It's become the coziest, most peaceful part of our day. Even better, students now ask every night if they can borrow a book to take home and keep reading. Every single student is enjoying them, and that love of reading is something I know will stay with them long after this year. Thank you for making this possible!","fullyFundedDate":1784915601074,"projectUrl":"project/you-pick/10356146/","projectTitle":"You Pick","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Weatherbee","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4445540_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1495465235775","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4445540"},{"teacherId":4445540,"projectId":10255901,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our classroom! These dividers have made a huge difference in how our room runs each day. With flexible seating, my students don't have their own desks, which means finding a place to store their materials has always been a challenge. Now every student has a designated spot where their notebooks, folders, and supplies are organized and easy to reach. It has given them a sense of ownership and responsibility for their own materials.\r\n\r\nBefore these dividers, I tried several other storage options, and each one ended in disaster and disorganization. Materials got lost, mixed up, or piled in corners, and valuable learning time was spent searching for things. Now, getting materials out and putting them away is quick and efficient, and transitions run smoothly so we can spend more time on what matters most: learning. This system is truly perfect for our classroom, and we are so grateful for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1782133855165,"projectUrl":"project/divide-and-conquer/10255901/","projectTitle":"Divide and Conquer","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Weatherbee","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4445540_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1495465235775","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4445540"},{"teacherId":2137930,"projectId":9635464,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for fully funding our project and helping me provide a clean, well-stocked, and creative space for my students! As the art teacher for our entire school, I welcome around 150 students into my classroom each day and approximately 650 students each week. That means a lot of little hands creating, sharing supplies, making messes, and occasionally needing a tissue or a Band-Aid! Because of your generosity, our classroom now has the everyday essentials we need—tissues, hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, and other items that help keep our busy art room comfortable and ready for learning.\r\n\r\nYour support also provided materials that allow us to create projects we simply couldn't do with our standard classroom supply list. My students now have access to exciting new materials like neon paper, along with new pencil boxes to keep our supplies organized and paper plates that will become the starting point for future works of art. These may seem like simple supplies, but in the hands of a young artist, they can become something completely unexpected!\r\n\r\nMost importantly, your donation helps ensure that every one of my students has the opportunity to experiment, create, and experience the joy of making art—regardless of what supplies they may have access to outside of school. I am incredibly grateful to have friends, family, and donors who believe in my students and continue to help me give them an art room where they feel supported, valued, and excited to create. Thank you for helping us turn everyday supplies into opportunities for creativity, confidence, and pride!","fullyFundedDate":1758838412613,"projectUrl":"project/25-26-art-room-supplies/9635464/","projectTitle":"25-26 Art Room Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Giovannello","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2137930_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1505222383914","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/missg-art"},{"teacherId":2137930,"projectId":8675715,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of my art classroom! Because I have the privilege of teaching every student in our school, I'm always looking for ways to make our art room a comfortable, welcoming, and accessible space for every learner who walks through the door. Your generosity helped me make several small but meaningful changes that are already making a difference in our classroom.\r\n\r\nThe new light-diffusing covers have helped create a softer, calmer environment by reducing the harsh fluorescent lighting in our room. Our rolling whiteboard and easel has been an especially helpful addition! I can now move demonstrations, examples, directions, and vocabulary around the classroom so that all of my students can see what we are learning, no matter where they are sitting. It has given me much more flexibility in how I teach and demonstrate art techniques, while making lessons more accessible to all of my learners.\r\n\r\nAnd of course, an art room filled with hundreds of young artists each week comes with plenty of runny noses, messy hands, and sticky situations! Having tissues and baby wipes readily available helps us keep our shared space clean and comfortable so we can focus on creating. Thank you for investing in my students and helping me continue to improve our art room year after year. Your support truly impacts every child in our school, and we are so grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1726773288236,"projectUrl":"project/d-art-room-24-25/8675715/","projectTitle":"D. Art Room 24-25","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Giovannello","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2137930_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1505222383914","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/missg-art"},{"teacherId":4445540,"projectId":10256091,"letterContent":"Thank you for the books — the students love them. They are a wonderful addition to our classroom library; the children's excitement was clear when the package was opened. There were audible gasps. Kids were eager for reading time, and these high-interest titles will encourage reading for years to come. We truly appreciate your support.\r\n\r\nThis project was inspired by one student asking for more books in this series to read. It was a want that you made happen for this child and many more. Students are often told what they have to read during their school day. It is refreshing for students to have a choice of what to read and to feel the joy of reading. \r\n\r\nThank you, from the bottom of my heart.","fullyFundedDate":1778172628444,"projectUrl":"project/the-last-kids-on-earth/10256091/","projectTitle":"The Last Kids on Earth","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Weatherbee","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4445540_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1495465235775","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4445540"},{"teacherId":5090676,"projectId":10213666,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my wonderful students. We are an inner city Title 1 school with no budget for supplies. With over 600 students supplies are used up quickly.\r\nMy students love to create and these supplies helped so much. Art supplies especially are always greatly needed.\r\nWe are celebrating World Cup with many of our student's families representing countries participating in this special event.\r\n With the donated items the kids created masks for Brazil's Carnivale! Others made crowns celebrating World Cup 2026.\r\nThank you","fullyFundedDate":1778019079250,"projectUrl":"project/crayons-markers-scissors-whoo-hoo/10213666/","projectTitle":"Crayons, Markers, Scissors Whoo Hoo!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Walkama","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5090676_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689042659260","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5090676"},{"teacherId":645630,"projectId":10285688,"letterContent":"When the supplies arrived, my first graders were absolutely thrilled ! The colorful folders alone sparked so much excitement, and it was a joy to watch them take ownership of their new materials. Everything is already in daily use. The chair pockets have streamlined our transitions, the primary journals are a centerpiece of our writing block, and the visual timer has made independent work time noticeably more focused and productive. These may seem like small things, but in a first-grade classroom, the right tools make an enormous difference. We're heading into a reading and writing unit, and thanks to your generosity, we are fully equipped to give these students the experience they deserve. Thank you sincerely for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1778769291566,"projectUrl":"project/ready-to-learn-classroom-essentials-for/10285688/","projectTitle":"Ready to Learn: Classroom Essentials for First Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kenn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp645630_orig.png?crop=348,348,x31,y29&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1628280787768","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-corvi"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_62733","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":602,"numTeachers":39,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":57,"percentWhite":12,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":21,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":7,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"15.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":70.2,"schoolId":62733,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Downey Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Downey Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/massachusetts/brockton-school-district/downey-elementary-school/62733"}