{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Old Mill Pond School","outOfStateSupporters":19.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9706668,"projectId":9485879,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project! Your generosity brought a brand-new trombone and essential accessories into our beginning band program, and it has already made a tremendous impact on my students. Thanks to your generosity, one fifth grade student is able to play the trombone in band this year!\r\n\r\nWe're preparing for our upcoming winter concert, and thanks to this instrument, our brass section is stronger and more confident than ever. As we continue rehearsing, this student will be working on expanding her range, refining slide accuracy, and contributing to the ensemble sound. This gift has truly set this student up for long-term success in band.\r\n\r\nThank you again for giving my students the tools they need to learn, grow, and make music. Your support means the world to our beginning band!","fullyFundedDate":1754436084640,"projectUrl":"project/slide-into-success-support-a-young-trom/9485879/","projectTitle":"Slide into Success: Support a Young Trombonist","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Andrews","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9706668_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y947&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724621824938","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9706668"},{"teacherId":10192373,"projectId":9628375,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, these tablets have become tiny portals to the wider world for my students. Most adults are familiar with using technology at home — browsing, watching videos, checking maps — but in our classroom, these devices are transforming the way kids learn and experience science and social studies. With augmented reality, students can hold a beating heart in their hands, explore ecosystems from every angle, or watch a volcanic eruption unfold safely on their desks. Google Earth has become our \"classroom plane,\" letting students zoom from our town to Yellowstone, the Amazon, or ancient sites we're studying in history. And with iNaturalist, my students are becoming real community scientists, documenting organisms around our school and contributing to a global dataset.\r\n\r\nThe excitement these tablets bring is electric. Students don't just read about a landform — they step inside it. They don't just look at a picture of a plant — they identify it in the field, name it confidently, and track changes over time. Every day, someone discovers something new and shouts across the room, \"Come look at this!\" The sense of curiosity has skyrocketed.\r\n\r\nSome of the biggest transformations have been with students who usually struggle to engage or feel successful. One student who rarely raised their hand is now our resident \"AR expert,\" helping classmates model chemical changes and annotate virtual objects. Another student with a deep love for animals has become one of our strongest contributors on iNaturalist, proudly sharing their observations and explaining species traits to others. Several students who often feel anxious during traditional lessons light up when exploring in VR/AR — it gives them a way to learn that feels safe, active, and meaningful.\r\n\r\nThese tablets aren't just tools. They're confidence-builders, conversation-starters, and doorways to places my students may never get to visit in person. Your gift didn't just bring technology into our classroom — it brought possibility, imagination, and real-world science into their hands.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in them, and for helping our classroom feel a little bigger, brighter, and more connected to the world.","fullyFundedDate":1755735914411,"projectUrl":"project/tech-tools-for-young-explorers/9628375/","projectTitle":"Tech Tools for Young Explorers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. O'Brien","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10192373_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755655983822","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10192373"},{"teacherId":412589,"projectId":9410999,"letterContent":"Our STEAM classroom thanks you so much for your generous donations. My students have enjoyed working with each device, figuring things out on their own, exploring how each work, and then creating amazing Computer Science activities.\r\n\r\nALL grades at my school are learning Computer Science for the first time this year with me. Using block coding on different free platforms, students can now incorporate the Makey Makey, Micro:bit, and BeeBots into their programming. \r\n\r\nI know how important STEAM and Computer Science is for our students, and I thank you so much for giving mine this opportunity to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1757509624714,"projectUrl":"project/bring-computer-science-to-the-district/9410999/","projectTitle":"Bring Computer Science to the District","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Whitney","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/412589"},{"teacherId":9706668,"projectId":9676586,"letterContent":"Our new music stands and storage rack have already made a huge difference for our band program! All 32 of my students in grades 4–6 now have their own stand during rehearsals, which has completely changed the way we practice. Instead of juggling shared stands or balancing music on chairs, students can now focus fully on posture, reading music clearly, and playing together as a group.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite moments was the day we set them up for the first time, the students immediately noticed how \"official\" our rehearsal space looked. Several said it felt like \"a real band room,\" and you could see the pride on their faces as they adjusted their stands and got ready to play.\r\n\r\nNext, we're preparing for our winter concert, and having this setup will allow us to rehearse more efficiently and with a stronger sense of ensemble. The rack has also made cleanup a breeze, helping us take better care of our equipment. Thank you for giving my students the tools to feel and sound like true musicians! Your support has made our classroom feel more like a real band program than ever before!","fullyFundedDate":1759244455205,"projectUrl":"project/ready-to-play-music-stands-for-our-band/9676586/","projectTitle":"Ready to Play: Music Stands for Our Band Program","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Andrews","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9706668_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y947&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724621824938","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9706668"},{"teacherId":9706668,"projectId":9421376,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, one of my fifth-grade students has been able to begin learning the flute this year! The new instrument and method book have opened the door for her to join our beginning band and experience the joy of making music as part of an ensemble.\r\n\r\nRight now, she's preparing to perform in her very first winter concert with the band. Watching her confidence grow with each rehearsal has been incredible. Thank you for helping make this opportunity possible! Your support has truly made a difference in her musical journey!","fullyFundedDate":1752586496728,"projectUrl":"project/melodies-in-the-making-sponsor-a-studen/9421376/","projectTitle":"Melodies in the Making: Sponsor a Student's Flute Journey","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Andrews","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9706668_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y947&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724621824938","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9706668"},{"teacherId":9072729,"projectId":7428257,"letterContent":"I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for your generous donation of classroom supplies. Your support has made an immediate and meaningful impact on both my teaching and my students' learning experience.\r\n\r\nThanks to your contribution, our classroom is now better equipped with the tools we need to stay organized, creative, and engaged. Everything you've provided helps create a more vibrant and effective learning environment.\r\n\r\nYour kindness reminds my students that they are supported by a community that believes in their potential. We're truly grateful for your thoughtfulness and generosity—it means more than words can express.\r\n\r\nWith sincere appreciation,","fullyFundedDate":1690985557084,"projectUrl":"project/cozy-up-and-read-with-first-grade/7428257/","projectTitle":"Cozy Up and Read With First Grade!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. St Denis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9072729_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756575994632","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9072729"},{"teacherId":9072729,"projectId":8545482,"letterContent":"I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for your generous donation of classroom supplies. Your support has made an immediate and meaningful impact on both my teaching and my students' learning experience.\r\n\r\nThanks to your contribution, our classroom is now better equipped with the tools we need to stay organized, creative, and engaged. Everything you've provided helps create a more vibrant and effective learning environment.\r\n\r\nYour kindness reminds my students that they are supported by a community that believes in their potential. We're truly grateful for your thoughtfulness and generosity—it means more than words can express.","fullyFundedDate":1724784957820,"projectUrl":"project/the-essentials/8545482/","projectTitle":"The Essentials","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. St Denis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9072729_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756575994632","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9072729"},{"teacherId":9706668,"projectId":8730263,"letterContent":"Thanks to the generous donations to this project, another student has been given the opportunity to join band, and begin learning how to play the clarinet. This clarinet allows students who might not otherwise have access to an instrument a chance to participate in our band program. It provides the opportunity to participate in band, develop musical skills, and experience the joy of making music without the financial burden of purchasing or renting an instrument. Participating in beginning band as an elementary school student can boost confidence, encourage perseverance, and open doors to future musical opportunities.\r\n\r\nFor the beginning band program as a whole, the donated clarinet strengthens the ensemble by ensuring that more students can participate. It helps create a more balanced sound and allows our school to offer more students the chance to explore music. Additionally, having extra instruments available can support students whose personal instruments need repairs, ensuring that learning isn't interrupted.","fullyFundedDate":1734656403493,"projectUrl":"project/gift-a-tune-sponsor-a-students-clarine/8730263/","projectTitle":"Gift a Tune: Sponsor a Student's Clarinet Journey","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Andrews","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9706668_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y947&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724621824938","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9706668"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_55623","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":677,"numTeachers":57,"percentFrplEligible":94,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":74,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":17,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"11.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":80.6,"schoolId":55623,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Old Mill Pond School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Old Mill Pond School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/massachusetts/palmer-public-school-district/old-mill-pond-school/55623"}