{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Williams Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":26.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9221188,"projectId":8928034,"letterContent":"I am incredibly grateful for your support in funding our classroom's recent STEM kits. Your contributions have allowed us to incorporate hands-on, interactive learning into our lessons, and the impact on my first graders has been remarkable. For instance, we recently explored the solar system using the Lakeshore Solar System Science Viewer, which includes disks, photos, and a booklet. My students were captivated by the visuals, and many of them were so inspired that they asked to create their own solar system models using art supplies. These resources brought science to life in a way that was both engaging and accessible to all my students, especially our multilingual learners, who thrive when they can connect visual elements with new vocabulary.\r\n\r\nThe problem-solving STEM kits, such as the Three Billy Goats Gruff and Gingerbread Man sets, have also been a huge hit. The kits include exciting challenges that help my students develop critical thinking and teamwork skills. When they first saw the materials, their eyes lit up, and they immediately dove into the activities, discussing ideas, problem-solving, and collaborating. These kits have sparked creativity, and my students are now eager to create their own stories and problem-solving scenarios. The hands-on approach allows them to engage with the content and learn through doing—especially beneficial for my boys, who thrive in interactive settings.\r\n\r\nAs we move into our Fairy Tale and Folktale unit, I am excited to see how the Goldilocks & the Three Bears STEM kit will enhance our learning further. It will provide students with the opportunity to investigate cause and effect, size comparison, and basic engineering principles—all while immersing themselves in the world of fairy tales. I can't wait to see how these lessons evolve, and I'm confident that this hands-on approach will inspire even more creativity and critical thinking in my students.\r\n\r\nThank you again for making this learning experience possible. Your generosity is truly making a difference in our classroom, and I look forward to continuing to use these materials in ways that engage and inspire my students.","fullyFundedDate":1735657778337,"projectUrl":"project/stem-adventures-exploring-problem-solvi/8928034/","projectTitle":"STEM Adventures: Exploring Problem Solving with First Graders","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sinopoli","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9221188_orig.png?crop=589,589,x0,y11&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1692965015843","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9221188"},{"teacherId":9221188,"projectId":8593751,"letterContent":"The new resources, including colorful construction paper, Valentine's Day craft kits, and Play-Doh, have already made a big impact in our classroom. We recently used the Valentine's Day DIY Owl Craft Kits, where students created owls to represent the themes of kindness and friendship we discussed in our reading. The construction paper has been perfect for a variety of creative projects, such as making story-related posters and illustrating vocabulary words. Students loved using the bright colors to bring their ideas to life. The Play-Doh has also been a huge hit, allowing students to mold and shape vocabulary words we've been learning, which has helped reinforce their understanding in a hands-on way. When the students first saw the materials, they were thrilled and immediately eager to get started. Moving forward, we plan to continue using the construction paper, Play-Doh, and craft kits to create more interactive projects that bring our lessons to life and make learning even more fun and engaging. Thank you for helping make these projects possible!","fullyFundedDate":1733256187490,"projectUrl":"project/craft-extravaganza-creative-celebration/8593751/","projectTitle":"Craft Extravaganza: Creative Celebrations for Every Season!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sinopoli","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9221188_orig.png?crop=589,589,x0,y11&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1692965015843","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9221188"},{"teacherId":9221188,"projectId":8829324,"letterContent":"I wanted to take a moment to extend my heartfelt thanks for your generous support in helping me create a vibrant reading environment for my first-grade students. Your contribution has made an incredible difference, and I am beyond excited to share the positive impact it is having in our classroom.\r\n\r\nOne of the highlights so far has been the book Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story. My students absolutely loved it! It sparked such rich conversations, and they were thrilled to share stories of the foods they make at home with their families. It was a beautiful moment of connection as they celebrated their own cultural traditions and reflected on the ways food brings people together. As we continue to explore the book, I can already see the students developing a deeper appreciation for the diversity of experiences that exist in our world.\r\n\r\nWith my diverse group of first graders, we talk often about culture, heritage, and the traditions that make us who we are. The books you've helped bring into our classroom – including Ohana Means Family, Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest, and Jabari Jumps – are such wonderful resources for nurturing that dialogue. These stories not only allow my students to see themselves reflected in literature, but also invite them to share their own stories and celebrate each other's unique backgrounds.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, my students are building confidence as readers while cultivating a love for stories that connect us all. We are creating a classroom library that celebrates the beauty of diversity and encourages empathy, resilience, and hope. I am so grateful for your support in making this possible, and I look forward to watching my students continue to grow as thoughtful, curious, and confident readers and thinkers.","fullyFundedDate":1730855267602,"projectUrl":"project/diving-into-stories-building-a-bright-f/8829324/","projectTitle":"Diving Into Stories: Building a Bright Future in 1st Grade!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sinopoli","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9221188_orig.png?crop=589,589,x0,y11&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1692965015843","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9221188"},{"teacherId":9221188,"projectId":8456665,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous donations, our first graders now have an incredible new learning environment that fosters comfort, focus, and collaboration! The new flex seating options, including the exercise ball chairs, and the vibrant ABC rug have truly transformed our classroom. My students were thrilled when they first saw the materials—their eyes lit up with excitement, and they couldn't wait to try everything out. One student exclaimed, \"This is the best classroom ever!\"\r\n\r\nThe flexible seating is making a big difference. The exercise ball chairs are a favorite for wiggly learners, giving them a chance to move while staying focused during reading and writing activities. The new ABC rug has become a hub for learning—whether we're doing Morning Meeting, reading aloud as a class, or practicing phonics games, it brings us all together in a warm and inviting space.\r\n\r\nAs we continue learning and growing, these resources will help my students stay engaged and motivated. Next week, we'll be using our flexible seating during our \"Paws for a Cause\" kindness campaign projects. Students will work in small groups to design posters and write thank-you cards, and the new seating options will keep them comfortable and energized throughout. Thank you for giving my students a classroom where they feel supported, excited, and ready to learn every day!","fullyFundedDate":1728236052227,"projectUrl":"project/new-seating-needed-for-1st-graders/8456665/","projectTitle":"New Seating Needed for 1st Graders!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sinopoli","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9221188_orig.png?crop=589,589,x0,y11&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1692965015843","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9221188"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_39594","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":264,"numTeachers":22,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":4,"percentBlack":8,"percentWhite":66,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":13,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"12.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":73.9,"schoolId":39594,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Williams Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Williams Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/massachusetts/pittsfield-public-school-district/williams-elementary-school/39594"}