{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Early Childhood Education Center","outOfStateSupporters":36.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8995274,"projectId":9784578,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our recent DonorsChoose project and helping us bring a new laminator along with laminate sheets into our classroom!\r\n\r\nThese materials have already made a meaningful difference in the way our students access learning every single day. With our laminator, we are now able to protect important visuals, communication supports, center materials, early literacy tools, and hands-on math and science activities so they can be used again and again. This is especially impactful for our young learners who thrive on engaging, durable, interactive resources—many of which we create ourselves to meet their developmental and academic needs.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, our students will have access to laminated materials that support:\r\n\r\nclear and lasting learning tools for small-group and whole-group instruction\r\n\r\nprotected center activities that encourage independence and creativity\r\n\r\nvisuals that help build language, social skills, and early academic concepts\r\n\r\nclassroom-created resources that stay intact throughout months of daily use\r\n\r\nYou have helped us build a more organized, accessible, and sustainable learning environment. In a preschool classroom, where materials are explored, handled, and loved every day, durability truly transforms access.\r\n\r\nThank you again for believing in our children, our classroom, and the power of prepared learning tools. We are so grateful for partners like you who help make big things possible for our students.","fullyFundedDate":1762266290442,"projectUrl":"project/from-flimsy-to-fantastic-protecting-pre/9784578/","projectTitle":"From Flimsy to Fantastic: Protecting Preschool Learning Tools","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jenn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8995274"},{"teacherId":8995274,"projectId":9485028,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for bringing science to life in our Pre-K classroom! The materials you helped provide have turned our curious Cubs into little scientists ready to explore, experiment, and discover every day.\r\n\r\nOur students absolutely loved using the mason jars and food coloring to create a \"walking rainbow\" experiment—eyes lit up as they watched the colors mix and move on their own! The measuring cups and plastic trays have become classroom favorites for hands-on exploration with sand, playdough, and water, helping children practice math and fine-motor skills while learning important science concepts like measurement and cause and effect.\r\n\r\nThe Can Do Discovery Science Kits have encouraged so much excitement and wonder. \r\n\r\nYour generosity has allowed our students to engage in real-world science experiences that spark curiosity and build foundational STEM skills. Thank you for inspiring our youngest learners to ask questions, make discoveries, and see themselves as future scientists!","fullyFundedDate":1757509112953,"projectUrl":"project/exploring-science-through-hands-on-presc/9485028/","projectTitle":"Exploring Science Through Hands-On Preschool Investigations","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jenn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8995274"},{"teacherId":5292914,"projectId":9341373,"letterContent":"Thank you again for supporting this organizational project. As an Instructional Leadership Specialist, I have many supplies related to curriculum development, teacher resources, and student-centered learning materials to keep in my office space. \r\nWith these organizational supplies funded by this project, I have been able to organize my office space cabinets, as well as share the leftover storage containers and Ziplock bags with the educators that I work with so they can organize their classroom environments. \r\nI appreciate your generosity in donations for this project.","fullyFundedDate":1754436078456,"projectUrl":"project/organization-101/9341373/","projectTitle":"Organization 101","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ouellette","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5292914_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1522960007923","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/www-donorschoose-org-ms-becky"},{"teacherId":8995274,"projectId":9757615,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom prize box! Your generosity has brought so much excitement and joy to my Pre-K students. Because of you, our Cubs are now able to choose from fun and motivating incentives like fidget spinners, sticky hands, dinosaur toys, zipper bracelets, scented kinetic sand, and stickers.\r\n\r\nThese small treasures mean so much to my students. They work hard each week to earn \"Cubs Cash\" and beam with pride when they get to shop for their very own prize. It's incredible to see their faces light up as they carefully make their choices—it turns learning, responsibility, and positive behavior into a celebration.\r\n\r\nThanks to your kindness, my students are learning not only the value of working toward goals but also the joy of being recognized and rewarded for their efforts. You've made our classroom a happier, more engaging, and more motivating place to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1758942303402,"projectUrl":"project/a-prize-box-to-motivate-and-inspire-our/9757615/","projectTitle":"A Prize Box to Motivate and Inspire Our Cubs!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jenn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8995274"},{"teacherId":4661682,"projectId":9361937,"letterContent":"When our new sensory table arrived, my preschoolers could hardly contain their excitement. They crowded around, wide-eyed, and asked, \"Can we play right now?\" The very first day, we filled it with colored rice and small scoops. The students worked together to pour, measure, and scoop, turning a simple activity into a lesson on sharing, cooperation, and problem-solving.\r\n\r\nSince then, the sensory table has become a daily hub of discovery. We've explored water play with floating toys, hidden letters in sand for literacy practice, and even created a fall-themed bin with leaves, pinecones, and acorns. One special moment was watching a child who usually has difficulty engaging with peers join a group at the table, laughing and talking while sifting through the materials. This resource is not only sparking creativity but also building social skills, fine motor strength, and hands-on learning in ways that our students truly need.\r\n\r\nOur next steps are to tie the sensory table into our classroom themes and lessons. For example, during our upcoming unit on families and community, we plan to add play people, houses, and vehicles for pretend play. Your support has given us a tool that grows with our curriculum and adapts to the children's needs. Thank you for giving our young learners the opportunity to learn, explore, and connect through play every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1754078333965,"projectUrl":"project/scoop-pour-discover-a-sensory-table-f/9361937/","projectTitle":"Scoop, Pour, Discover: a Sensory Table for Curious Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mary","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4661682_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1722278126611","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-foley15"},{"teacherId":4661682,"projectId":9269413,"letterContent":"When our new rest time mats arrived, the excitement was contagious! My preschoolers immediately noticed how bright, soft, and inviting they looked compared to our old worn-out mats. Many of them exclaimed, \"These are just for us?!\" as they eagerly found their own spot to roll out and settle in.\r\n\r\nWe now use the mats every single day during our rest period, and it has completely transformed the routine. The children are calmer and more comfortable, which makes it easier for them to relax and recharge in the middle of a busy school day. One special moment was when a student who usually struggles with quiet time said, \"This mat makes me feel cozy—I can rest now.\" That small change has had a huge impact on our classroom community.\r\n\r\nThese mats are more than just a place to rest—they support our lessons on self-care, healthy habits, and building independence. Students take pride in setting up their own mats, practicing responsibility and ownership of their space.\r\n\r\nThe next step for our class is to connect rest time with our social-emotional lessons. We've been talking about calming strategies like deep breathing and listening to soft music, and the mats give students a dedicated place to try those skills. Thanks to you, our classroom is not only more comfortable but also more peaceful.\r\n\r\nYour generosity made this possible, and we are so grateful. You gave us more than mats—you gave us a chance to teach our youngest learners the importance of rest, responsibility, and self-care in a safe, nurturing environment.","fullyFundedDate":1754077416979,"projectUrl":"project/recharge-refresh-rest-time-mats-for-g/9269413/","projectTitle":"Recharge & Refresh: Rest Time Mats for Growing Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mary","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4661682_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1722278126611","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-foley15"},{"teacherId":9695819,"projectId":9409522,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations to our classroom! Your support made it possible for our preschoolers to have access to beautiful new art supplies, including paint. These materials have brought so much joy, creativity, and learning to our classroom.\r\n\r\nOne of our favorite recent projects was painting pumpkins! The children used the new paints to create pumpkins with different facial expressions—happy, sad, surprised, and even silly. Through this art activity, they practiced identifying and expressing emotions in a fun, hands-on way. It was wonderful to see them so proud of their creations and eager to talk about how their pumpkins were \"feeling.\"\r\n\r\nYour kindness has helped our young learners explore art, emotions, and self-expression. Every brushstroke and giggle was made possible because of you. Thank you for helping us make learning colorful, meaningful, and full of heart!","fullyFundedDate":1753999513899,"projectUrl":"project/tiny-hands-big-dreams-creating-through/9409522/","projectTitle":"Tiny Hands, Big Dreams: Creating Through Art","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jess","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9695819_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1725409741742","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9695819"},{"teacherId":8995274,"projectId":9632057,"letterContent":"From the very bottom of our hearts, thank you for supporting our classroom with this incredible collection of math manipulatives! My preschool students' excitement when these boxes arrived was contagious—there was a buzz of curiosity as they peeked inside, eager to explore the wild animal, ocean animal, farm animal, and vehicle counters, the felt board, busy board, bolts stacking toys, popsicle number matching set, and geometric 3D wooden blocks.\r\n\r\nIn a Pre-K classroom, math learning begins with hands-on discovery, and your gift could not have been more perfect. These tools allow my students to see, touch, and experiment with math concepts that would otherwise feel too abstract at their age. For example, when we use the animal counters, children can sort by type, color, or size, and then we extend that into conversations about patterns, quantities, and even habitats. What starts as a playful sorting activity quickly becomes a meaningful math lesson connected to science and the real world.\r\n\r\nThe popsicle number matching set has already sparked conversations about number recognition and counting skills. Students cheer when they find the correct \"popsicle stick\" to match a numeral—they are literally \"hungry\" for learning! The bolts stacking toys bring fine motor practice together with problem solving, as little hands twist, turn, and build while strengthening the muscles they'll need for writing. The geometric wooden blocks have inspired towers, bridges, and castles while helping children identify shapes, explore symmetry, and experiment with balance and measurement.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, I am able to differentiate my teaching more effectively. Some children thrive with counters, while others prefer to build with blocks or match popsicles. These manipulatives give me multiple entry points to engage all learners—whether they are just beginning to recognize numbers or are ready to compare quantities and solve more complex problems.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, these materials foster confidence. Math can sometimes feel intimidating, even for young children. But with these inviting, colorful, and hands-on tools, math feels like play. Students light up when they succeed, and they cheer each other on. They don't even realize that while they're laughing, stacking, and sorting, they are laying the groundwork for future success in school.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and giving them the tools they need to thrive. Your kindness is not only filling our classroom with manipulatives—it's filling it with joy, curiosity, and the belief that every child is capable of being a mathematician.","fullyFundedDate":1757971239593,"projectUrl":"project/learning-through-play-math-manipulative/9632057/","projectTitle":"Learning Through Play: Math Manipulatives for Preschool","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jenn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8995274"},{"teacherId":8995274,"projectId":9357333,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for bringing joy, excitement, and imagination into our classroom! Because of your generosity, our students now have access to dramatic play materials like a pet vet set, a wooden grocery stand, a camping set, a baking set, an ice cream shop, and a cash register. The children are absolutely thrilled—they ask me every day to set up the ice cream shop, and they dive right into creative play with endless enthusiasm.\r\n\r\nThese materials have truly taken our creativity to the next level. The students are collaborating, role-playing, problem-solving, and using their imaginations in ways that enrich their learning while having so much fun. Their excitement is contagious, and it's such a gift to watch them grow through play.\r\n\r\nWe are deeply thankful for your kindness and support. You've given our classroom more than just toys—you've given us opportunities to learn, imagine, and dream together.","fullyFundedDate":1753999513325,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-imagination-to-life-a-dramatic/9357333/","projectTitle":"Bringing Imagination to Life: A Dramatic Play World for Preschoolers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jenn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8995274"},{"teacherId":8696253,"projectId":9195254,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my DonorsChoose project and helping to provide summertime learning materials for my Pre-K students! Because of your generosity, my young learners will be able to continue growing, exploring, and discovering even when school is out. Your kindness is truly making a lasting difference in their lives—and in their learning journey.\r\n\r\nFor many families in our community, summer can be a challenging time. Without the structure of school, some children experience a \"summer slide,\" where important academic and developmental progress can slow down or even regress. But thanks to your donation, my students will have access to engaging, hands-on resources that will help them retain what they've learned and stay excited about learning through the summer months.","fullyFundedDate":1746450808504,"projectUrl":"project/summer-time-fun-learning/9195254/","projectTitle":"Summer Time Fun & Learning!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Brenner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8696253_orig.jpg?crop=1870,1870,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1664210278156","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8696253"},{"teacherId":8696253,"projectId":9305972,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for allowing my students to receive new puzzles for our classroom! We now have all new puzzles that match the themes of what we are learning. Puzzles are a great way for kids to build fine motor skills, engage in tactile play, and build language by talking about the puzzle itself while we complete it. We use puzzles everyday throughout multiple centers in my classroom and the wear and tear on our old ones was taking a toll on our learning. Now with our new materials we are ready to have an amazing school year full of fun learning! :)","fullyFundedDate":1746785855695,"projectUrl":"project/puzzles-in-pre-k/9305972/","projectTitle":"Puzzles in Pre-K!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Brenner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8696253_orig.jpg?crop=1870,1870,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1664210278156","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8696253"},{"teacherId":8995274,"projectId":9398918,"letterContent":"I cannot thank you enough for your generosity in helping us restock our classroom art supplies. Because of your kindness, our preschoolers now have Sharpies, paints, plastic bins to organize our materials, gems, feathers, googly eyes, pom-poms, colored masking tape, and pony beads to create with. Each of these items may seem small on its own, but together they open up a world of imagination, creativity, and joyful learning.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, art is more than just making something pretty—it is a way for children to express themselves, build fine motor skills, and explore problem-solving in a hands-on way. When they choose beads to string, feathers to glue, or colors to paint with, they are not only making art but also making choices, practicing independence, and building confidence in themselves. These opportunities are priceless.\r\n\r\nYour support ensures that every child, no matter their background, has access to quality materials that bring learning to life. Watching their faces light up as they dig through the bins and excitedly plan their next masterpiece reminds me why projects like this matter so much. You have given my students the gift of possibilities—the chance to imagine, to experiment, to collaborate, and to proudly share their creations with their classmates and families.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in the power of creativity and in the importance of early childhood education. Your kindness will ripple far beyond this year, as the lessons and joy my students experience stay with them long after preschool. We are deeply grateful for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1753999514376,"projectUrl":"project/restocking-art-supplies-to-spark-prescho/9398918/","projectTitle":"Restocking Art Supplies to Spark Preschool Creativity","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jenn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8995274"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_109222","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":260,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":19,"percentWhite":2,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":70,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - Pre-K","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":63.2,"schoolId":109222,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Early Childhood Education Center on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Early Childhood Education Center","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/massachusetts/springfield-public-school-district/early-childhood-education-center/109222"}