{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Thomas Balliet Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":31.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8972334,"projectId":9342839,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our classroom project! Your generosity has helped transform our learning environment into a more organized, welcoming, and engaging space for my students.\r\n\r\nThe new loveseat has created a comfortable reading and learning area where students can relax with a good book, collaborate with classmates, and feel at home in our classroom. The rotating display rack allows us to showcase books, student work, and important resources in a way that is accessible and inviting. The rolling file cabinet and mobile workstation have improved our classroom organization, making materials easier to manage and ensuring that valuable instructional time is spent learning rather than searching for supplies.\r\n\r\nOne of the most exciting additions has been the claw machine. It has become a powerful tool for celebrating student achievements, encouraging positive behavior, and motivating students to reach their academic goals. The excitement and joy it brings have helped strengthen our classroom community and create memorable learning experiences.\r\n\r\nBecause of your kindness, our students benefit from a classroom that is organized, comfortable, and filled with opportunities to grow and succeed. Thank you for investing in our learners and helping us create a positive environment where every student feels valued and inspired.","fullyFundedDate":1757548778606,"projectUrl":"project/lets-get-organized/9342839/","projectTitle":"Let's get organized!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rolón Alvarez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8972334_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1749050822643","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsrolonalvarez"},{"teacherId":8972334,"projectId":9328176,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our DonorsChoose project and helping us celebrate an incredible school year!\r\n\r\nThroughout the year, my students worked hard to grow academically, build positive relationships, and create a safe and respectful classroom community. Together, we learned new skills, overcame challenges, and made lasting memories. By the end of the year, our classroom truly felt like a family.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, we were able to provide special goodies to celebrate our students' accomplishments, classroom supplies that supported learning, a message-recording phone that brought joy and engagement to our classroom activities, and a bookshelf that helped us organize and showcase our growing collection of books.\r\n\r\nThe excitement on students' faces as they participated in our end-of-year activities was priceless. Your support helped make our final projects and celebrations meaningful and memorable, while recognizing the hard work and dedication each student showed throughout the year.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our students and helping us end the school year on a positive note. Your kindness reminded our students that there are people beyond our classroom who believe in them and care about their success.","fullyFundedDate":1747243358086,"projectUrl":"project/lets-finish-strong/9328176/","projectTitle":"Let's finish STRONG!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rolón Alvarez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8972334_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1749050822643","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsrolonalvarez"},{"teacherId":8972334,"projectId":9325671,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our classroom library through DonorsChoose! Because of your generosity, my students now have access to engaging books that inspire curiosity, build knowledge, and foster a love of reading.\r\n\r\nThese books provide opportunities for students to explore new ideas, connect with diverse characters and experiences, and strengthen their reading skills. Seeing students excited to pick up a book and share their learning with others has been truly rewarding.\r\n\r\nYour kindness is making a lasting difference in the lives of young readers. Thank you for investing in their education and helping create meaningful learning experiences in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1746786051223,"projectUrl":"project/books-to-enrich-our-learning/9325671/","projectTitle":"\"Books to Enrich our Learning!\"","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rolón Alvarez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8972334_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1749050822643","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsrolonalvarez"},{"teacherId":8702005,"projectId":10027184,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, my students are learning in new and exciting ways with technology. The new device helps make lessons more engaging, interactive, and fun. Students are more motivated to participate, practice important skills, and work independently.\r\n\r\nThey are especially excited to use the technology during lessons and centers. It has increased their confidence and enthusiasm for learning. My students look forward to using these tools every day, and they are making great progress.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping my students learn, grow, and build important skills for the future.","fullyFundedDate":1778029036224,"projectUrl":"project/helping-my-students-learn-and-grow-with/10027184/","projectTitle":"Helping My Students Learn and Grow With Technology","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Koseoglu","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8702005"},{"teacherId":9691375,"projectId":10012933,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your contribution to not only our classroom, but also to our school. By donating these headphones to our school, you have helped not only my classroom but many students throughout the building. We also still have some left over for next school year which is an added bonus. \r\n\r\nBy having access to these headphones, the students have been able to learn and grow within their computer learning programs. It was also very helpful throughout state and district testing this past quarter. We are very pleased with the new additions to our classroom. \r\n\r\nThank you again!\r\n-Ms. Hickson","fullyFundedDate":1770838995489,"projectUrl":"project/the-sound-of-success/10012933/","projectTitle":"The Sound of Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hickson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9691375"},{"teacherId":8702005,"projectId":10180850,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, my students now have a fun prize box that helps celebrate their hard work, good choices, and learning growth every day. The goodies arrived super quickly, and my class was so excited the moment I opened the box and showed them all the new prizes. There were lots of smiles, cheers, and happy faces as they looked at each item and talked about which prizes they hoped to earn.\r\n\r\nWe are already using the prize box as part of our classroom reward system. Students earn prizes for showing kindness, following directions, staying focused, and trying their best during lessons. This has made them even more motivated to participate and make positive choices throughout the day. Even small accomplishments now feel extra special to them.\r\n\r\nAs we continue through the school year, the prize box will help us celebrate academic growth, strong behavior, and classroom teamwork. Thank you for helping make our classroom a happier and more encouraging place for my first graders!","fullyFundedDate":1778004449198,"projectUrl":"project/celebrating-success-prize-box-for-first/10180850/","projectTitle":"Celebrating Success: Prize Box for First Graders","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Koseoglu","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8702005"},{"teacherId":4927136,"projectId":9904406,"letterContent":"The students are so grateful for your donations. They love the yoga donuts to sit on while on the rug or reading in the classroom library. The wobble cushions allow them to move their bodies while working independently or in a small group. The movement helps them focus while still being able to wiggle. The chair bands are also very useful for their wiggly bodies. They use them often to move their feet while working at their seats. \r\nAs the classroom teacher, I use the doorbell to gain the attention of the class for transitions or to attain their attention. All the other materials for the class had been very useful for the class to run smoothly this year. I thank you immensely!","fullyFundedDate":1769645371041,"projectUrl":"project/my-senses-are-calling-i-need-tools-to-a/9904406/","projectTitle":"My Senses are Calling- I Need Tools to Answer!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Leveille","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4927136_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1510160690307","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4927136"},{"teacherId":8702005,"projectId":9923398,"letterContent":"This project has made a meaningful impact on my students by giving them access to engaging books through our Kindle devices. Many of my students are excited to use technology, and the Kindles have made reading feel fun, special, and something they look forward to each day.\r\n\r\nThe Kindles allow students to easily access a variety of books at their level, which helps build their confidence and independence as readers. Features like adjustable text size and built-in support tools make it easier for all students to participate and stay engaged.\r\n\r\nWhat has been most exciting is seeing students who were once hesitant about reading become eager to pick up a Kindle and explore new stories. Some of my more reluctant readers especially enjoy using the devices—they feel more motivated and proud of themselves when they are able to read successfully.\r\n\r\nOverall, this project has helped create a positive reading environment where students are engaged, supported, and growing as readers every day.","fullyFundedDate":1774312440187,"projectUrl":"project/kindles-for-curious-readers/9923398/","projectTitle":"Kindles for Curious Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Koseoglu","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8702005"},{"teacherId":8652184,"projectId":9960627,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating to my first grade classroom. My students are making great use of their materials every day in their small group reading and math centers. Because of this project, I am able to create new materials for my students to help them as they grow and learn in their reading and math careers. I have used the legiliner almost every day when instructing students at my kidney table and the tabletop pocket chart has been a huge help to our writing and peer to peer word work centers.","fullyFundedDate":1768006326086,"projectUrl":"project/centers-for-success/9960627/","projectTitle":"Centers for Success!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Caldwell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/caldwellballiet"},{"teacherId":3990715,"projectId":9847023,"letterContent":"Students have had fun with each hands-on story kit, while they learned story elements. They have named characters and told what happened first, next, and last and have identified the setting and sequenced the story to the end. \r\n\r\nSome students chose to work with a partner, while others chose to do it on their own. They liked the variety of felt boards, the ones for the rug and the larger magnetic one. \r\nStudents repeated the lines in the story and checked the book while they placed the props in sequence. They were excited and told their partners or the teachers in the room when they were done and to come see it! Once they finished, students did another one! Each story was enjoyed and kept them engaged to finish. \r\n\r\nThe story kits have already built fluency and self-confidence in their reading. We are all so grateful! It is wonderful to be thought of and supported on our educational journey to build a solid foundation in reading. Thank you so much for your time and generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1765908224035,"projectUrl":"project/tell-me-a-story/9847023/","projectTitle":"Tell Me a Story!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Graham","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3990715_orig.jpg?crop=567,567,x0,y25&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1679976914276","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3990715"},{"teacherId":8652184,"projectId":9112630,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating to my classroom! My students and I are really enjoying our new cleaning materials, especially the yummy coconut and floral scent of the cleaning wipes. My student were extra excited for this delivery to arrive as I allowed them to choose the scent for our classroom. It is a small detail that everyone loves, and we even get compliments from visiting teachers, staff, and students on how clean and nice our room smells! My students are now excited every day to take on classroom jobs of cleaning up and this shared responsibility is one of the many reasons we are a strong community. Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1746699641510,"projectUrl":"project/keep-it-clean/9112630/","projectTitle":"Keep It Clean","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Caldwell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/caldwellballiet"},{"teacherId":8886837,"projectId":9871862,"letterContent":"The look on my students faces when they first heard that they were receiving materials from Donors Choose, was purely magical! I saw the excitement in them from their ear-to-ear grins, and that their eyes lit up as if they were getting presents!\r\n\r\nDuring the writing block, students are enjoying their new comfort chairs on the rug because they are soft with a backrest. The new headphones are wonderful because students are able to focus and concentrate. It is such an enjoyment for students to have a snack during the writing block! Weekly prizes are distributed as an incentive for completing assignments and following school core values. \r\n\r\nOur next project is called Books on Reading Comprehension, Hooked on Us! Having new resources would be valuable to increase students' academic reading and writing skills throughout the year!","fullyFundedDate":1771789366856,"projectUrl":"project/comfortable-in-the-classroom/9871862/","projectTitle":"Comfortable in the Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hooks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8886837"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_60903","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":291,"numTeachers":20,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":3,"percentBlack":19,"percentWhite":8,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":62,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":6,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"14.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":68.9,"schoolId":60903,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Thomas Balliet Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Thomas Balliet Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/massachusetts/springfield-public-school-district/thomas-balliet-elementary-school/60903"}