{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Grayling Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":25.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8927394,"projectId":10379939,"letterContent":"Learning Through Creativity, Play, and Connection\r\n\r\nThank you for providing these materials for our classroom! These simple supplies have created many opportunities for our students to learn, connect with others, and experience success.\r\n\r\nThe crayons give students an outlet for creativity while also supporting fine-motor skills and allowing them to express themselves through art. The Colors of Kindness crayons also provide a natural opportunity to talk about kindness, individuality, and how everyone is different.\r\n\r\nThe playing cards have become a valuable tool for learning and social interaction. Card games give students opportunities to practice taking turns, following directions, counting, recognizing numbers and patterns, problem-solving, and handling both winning and losing appropriately. Just as importantly, they provide a fun way for students to practice interacting with one another.\r\n\r\nThe star and happy-face stickers allow us to recognize effort, progress, kindness, and positive choices throughout the school day. For some students, receiving a small visual reminder that an adult noticed their effort can be incredibly motivating.\r\n\r\nTogether, these materials help us create opportunities for students to create, play, communicate, practice social skills, and experience success. Thank you for helping make our classroom a place where learning can happen in many different ways!","fullyFundedDate":1787150517187,"projectUrl":"project/coloring-confidence/10379939/","projectTitle":"Coloring Confidence","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gurzynski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8927394_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673882449919","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8927394"},{"teacherId":8927394,"projectId":10272236,"letterContent":"Creating a Classroom That Supports Every Learner\r\n\r\nThank you for helping provide these materials for our classroom! Each item has a specific purpose in helping our students learn, regulate, and participate successfully throughout the school day.\r\n\r\nThe large Post-it easel pads give us a flexible way to create visual lessons, anchor charts, and reminders that students can refer back to throughout the day. The dry-erase pockets allow us to reuse activities and provide students with opportunities to practice skills without constantly needing new worksheets.\r\n\r\nOur sensory materials, including the jellyfish lamp, sorting activities, and marble maze fidgets, provide students with appropriate ways to calm their bodies, focus their attention, and practice self-regulation. These tools are especially valuable when students need a short sensory break so they can return to learning ready to participate.\r\n\r\nThe extension cables allow us to set up technology and classroom equipment where it is most accessible to students rather than being limited by the location of an outlet or computer. The headphone extension also gives students more flexibility when using technology around the classroom.\r\n\r\nTogether, these materials help us create a classroom where students have multiple ways to learn, regulate, practice, and succeed. Thank you for helping us build an environment that recognizes that every student learns differently and deserves the tools to be successful.","fullyFundedDate":1778513325551,"projectUrl":"project/focused-minds-flexible-learning/10272236/","projectTitle":"Focused Minds, Flexible Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gurzynski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8927394_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673882449919","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8927394"},{"teacherId":8927394,"projectId":10192530,"letterContent":"The Impact of Wireless Headphones\r\n\r\nThank you for providing wireless headphones for our classroom! These headphones have made a meaningful difference in our students' ability to focus and work independently.\r\n\r\nOur students often work on different academic activities at the same time. The headphones allow each student to listen to individualized lessons, reading programs, videos, and directions without adding extra noise to the classroom. For students who are easily distracted by sounds around them, this can make a significant difference in their ability to stay engaged.\r\n\r\nThe wireless design also gives students greater independence without cords getting tangled or in the way.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping us create a classroom where students have the tools they need to **focus, learn, and succeed in ways that work best for them!**","fullyFundedDate":1777060828365,"projectUrl":"project/headphones-for-focused-futures/10192530/","projectTitle":"Headphones for Focused Futures","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gurzynski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8927394_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673882449919","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8927394"},{"teacherId":8927394,"projectId":10224668,"letterContent":"Supporting Learning, Regulation, and Independence\r\n\r\nThank you for helping provide these materials for our classroom! Each item has helped us create an environment where our students can feel comfortable, stay engaged, and access learning in ways that work for them.\r\n\r\nWiggle Seats and Flexible Seating\r\n\r\nOur students have different sensory and learning needs, and sitting still for long periods of time can be challenging for some of them. The wiggle seats have given students another option for staying comfortably engaged while participating in instruction.\r\n\r\nThe ability to move gently while listening, working, or participating in a lesson can help some students keep their bodies regulated without disrupting the learning of others. Instead of viewing movement as something that must always be stopped, we can provide an appropriate way for students to move while continuing to learn.\r\n\r\nThese flexible seating options have also given students an opportunity to recognize what helps their own bodies stay ready for learning. That is an important step toward developing self-awareness, self-regulation, and independence.\r\n\r\nHistory and Social Studies Visuals\r\n\r\nThe U.S. History, government, and Michigan history materials have helped us bring social studies concepts to life in our classroom.\r\n\r\nBecause our students are at different grade levels, having visual references displayed in the classroom gives us opportunities to introduce concepts in a way that students can revisit throughout the day. Students can look at the information independently, ask questions about what they see, and connect classroom discussions to the visuals around them.\r\n\r\nThe **Michigan Big Timeline** has been particularly helpful for giving students a visual understanding of history and helping them see how events fit together over time.\r\n\r\nWriting Strategy Posters\r\n\r\nWriting can be a difficult task for many of our students, especially when they are expected to remember multiple steps at once. The writing strategy posters provide students with visual reminders they can refer to while working.\r\n\r\nThe RACES and writing-process materials give students concrete steps to follow rather than requiring them to remember everything independently. Having these strategies displayed allows us to point students back to the visual support instead of immediately providing the answer.\r\n\r\nThis encourages students to become more independent writers and helps build confidence when a writing task initially feels overwhelming.\r\n\r\nMath Reference Posters\r\n\r\nThe addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and multiplication-chart posters provide students with visual references they can use while practicing math skills.\r\n\r\nOur classroom includes students working at different academic levels, so having reference materials readily available allows students to access support without having to wait for an adult. Students can look at the charts, check their work, and use the information as a tool while developing their math skills.\r\n\r\nThis helps shift the focus from simply getting an answer to learning how to use resources to solve a problem.\r\n\r\nThe Bigger Impact\r\n\r\nTogether, these materials help us create a classroom where students have **tools instead of obstacles**.\r\n\r\nA student who needs to move can use a wiggle seat. A student who forgets a writing strategy can look at the wall. A student who needs help with multiplication can use a chart. A student who is curious about Michigan history can explore the timeline.\r\n\r\nThese resources give our students opportunities to become more independent learners while also supporting their academic, social-emotional, and sensory needs.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping us create a classroom where students can learn in different ways, use the supports available to them, and experience success. What may look like classroom decorations or simple learning tools are actually becoming everyday resources that help our students say, \"I have a way to figure this out.\"","fullyFundedDate":1778087221675,"projectUrl":"project/wiggle-wonder-learn-flexible-seating/10224668/","projectTitle":"Wiggle, Wonder, Learn: Flexible Seating & Visual Magic","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gurzynski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8927394_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673882449919","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8927394"},{"teacherId":8927394,"projectId":10192560,"letterContent":"# Fueling Bright Minds\r\n\r\nThank you for helping us with our **Fueling Bright Minds** project!\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, something as simple as having a familiar snack available can make a tremendous difference for a student. One of our students has an extremely limited range of foods that they are comfortable eating, and **Goldfish crackers are one of the few foods they will reliably eat**.\r\n\r\nHaving Goldfish available at school means that this student has access to something familiar and comforting during the school day. For a student who may already be navigating a busy classroom environment, new routines, academic demands, and social situations, knowing that there is a familiar food available can provide an important sense of security.\r\n\r\nWe also know that students have a much harder time learning when they are hungry. Having a snack they will actually eat allows us to help meet that basic need without creating additional stress around food.\r\n\r\nThe impact goes beyond the snack itself. When a student is comfortable, has their basic needs met, and knows that their classroom is a safe place, they are better able to participate in learning, engage with adults and peers, and practice the skills they are working so hard to develop.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has helped us provide something that may look like a simple bag of crackers, but to one of our students, it means **having something familiar, feeling cared for, and being ready to learn**.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping us fuel bright minds, one little Goldfish at a time! 🐠❤️","fullyFundedDate":1778087221296,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-bright-minds/10192560/","projectTitle":"Fueling Bright Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gurzynski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8927394_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673882449919","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8927394"},{"teacherId":8927394,"projectId":10135217,"letterContent":"# The Impact of Your Generosity\r\n\r\nThank you for providing wireless mice for our classroom! These may seem like a small addition to our technology, but they have made a meaningful difference for our students.\r\n\r\nOur classroom serves students with a variety of academic, social-emotional, and learning needs. Technology is an important part of how we provide instruction, practice skills, and give students opportunities to demonstrate what they know. Having wireless mice gives students greater independence when working on computers and other technology-based activities.\r\n\r\nThe wireless design is especially helpful in our classroom because students are often working in different areas of the room and at different stations. Without cords getting in the way, students have more freedom to use technology comfortably and safely without having to worry about pulling, tangling, or accidentally disconnecting equipment.\r\n\r\nThe mice also provide students with additional opportunities to practice fine-motor skills, coordination, following directions, and completing tasks independently. For students who may become frustrated when technology is difficult to navigate, having a mouse that is easy to use can remove one more barrier between them and the learning task.\r\n\r\nWe are using the wireless mice during academic practice, educational games, research, and other technology-based activities. They allow students to interact directly with their learning rather than relying as heavily on an adult to navigate the computer for them.\r\n\r\nFor our students, independence is a big goal. Something as simple as being able to move the cursor, click an answer, open an activity, or navigate a program independently can be a meaningful accomplishment.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping us provide our students with the tools they need to participate more independently, build confidence, and experience success. Your generosity is helping us create a classroom where students have more opportunities to say, \"I can do it myself!\"","fullyFundedDate":1776127686594,"projectUrl":"project/help-our-learning-click/10135217/","projectTitle":"Help Our Learning Click","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gurzynski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8927394_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673882449919","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8927394"},{"teacherId":8927394,"projectId":10135167,"letterContent":"Yes, that makes the impact much more specific and meaningful. I'd revise that section to highlight the **daily schedule, predictability, independence, and transitions**.\r\n\r\nThe Impact of Your Generosity\r\n\r\nThank you for helping provide these materials for our classroom! Each of these items has made a meaningful difference in how we organize our learning environment, deliver instruction, and support our students throughout the school day.\r\n\r\nMagnetic Book Shelves\r\n\r\nThe magnetic book shelves have helped us make better use of our limited classroom space while keeping frequently used books and materials visible and accessible to students. Having materials displayed at student level encourages students to independently choose books and take greater ownership of their learning.\r\n\r\nThe shelves also help us keep our whiteboard area organized and functional, allowing students to easily see and access materials without interrupting instruction.\r\nIndividual Student Whiteboards\r\n\r\nThe individual whiteboards have been especially valuable during small-group instruction. Because our students are working at different academic levels, having an individual whiteboard gives each student their own workspace for practicing skills and showing what they know.\r\n\r\nStudents use the boards for writing, math practice, letter and word work, responding to questions, and demonstrating their thinking. They provide an easy way for students to practice, erase, and try again without the worry of making a permanent mistake.\r\n\r\nThis has made learning more interactive and hands-on and has encouraged students to participate more readily during instruction.\r\n\r\nMagnetic Easel Pad Holder\r\n\r\nThe magnetic easel pad holder has become an important part of our daily classroom routine. **It is currently being used to display our daily schedule**, giving students a clear visual representation of what their day will look like and what activity is coming next.\r\n\r\nFor our students, knowing what to expect can make a significant difference. The schedule provides a consistent visual reference that students and staff can use throughout the day, particularly during transitions between activities.\r\n\r\nStudents can look at the schedule to see where we are in our day and what comes next. This supports independence, reduces uncertainty, and helps students become more comfortable with the structure and routines of our classroom.\r\n\r\nThe Bigger Impact\r\n\r\nWhile these may seem like simple classroom supplies, together they have helped us create a more organized, interactive, and student-centered learning environment.\r\n\r\nOur classroom serves students with a wide range of academic and social-emotional needs. Having the right tools allows us to meet students where they are, provide hands-on learning opportunities, and give them multiple ways to participate and demonstrate what they know.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, these materials help us create a classroom where students can **learn, practice, make mistakes, try again, work together, and experience success**.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our students and helping us build a classroom where those opportunities are possible. Your generosity is making a meaningful difference in our everyday classroom experience.","fullyFundedDate":1777060828082,"projectUrl":"project/big-learning-with-simple-tools/10135167/","projectTitle":"Big Learning With Simple Tools","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gurzynski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8927394_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673882449919","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8927394"},{"teacherId":8927394,"projectId":10030287,"letterContent":"Our classroom book clubs have come to life with the addition of engaging titles like The Enormous Egg, How to Eat Fried Worms, and Fantastic Mr. Fox. These stories have sparked lively discussions, laughter, and deeper thinking among my students. \r\nEach group takes ownership of their reading, sharing predictions, debating character choices, and making connections to their own lives. I've watched even my quieter students find their voice as they participate in meaningful conversations with their peers. These books have not only strengthened reading comprehension but also built a strong sense of community and collaboration within our classroom.\r\n\r\nWhen the books first arrived, the excitement was immediate and contagious. Students eagerly flipped through the pages, making guesses about the stories and characters before we even began reading. Many were especially drawn to the humor and adventure within the texts, which helped hook even reluctant readers right away. Seeing their enthusiasm reminded me how powerful the right books can be in shaping a love of reading.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, our next steps include deepening our book club routines by assigning student roles and encouraging more thoughtful discussions and written responses. Students will begin working on small projects connected to their books, such as character diaries, alternate endings, and creative presentations. Thanks to your generosity, these book clubs are not just improving literacy skills—they are helping students grow as confident readers, thinkers, and collaborators.","fullyFundedDate":1772832372621,"projectUrl":"project/book-clubs-are-fun/10030287/","projectTitle":"Book Clubs are Fun!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gurzynski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8927394_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673882449919","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8927394"},{"teacherId":8927394,"projectId":9658308,"letterContent":"Our new snowshoes have completely transformed how we experience learning, especially during the winter months. Instead of staying indoors, we've been able to take our lessons outside and explore nature in a hands-on way. One of our favorite moments was using the snowshoes during a science lesson on animal tracks. Students walked through fresh snow, observing and comparing footprints, then created their own \"track trails\" for classmates to investigate. It turned into a fun, interactive mystery that blended science, movement, and teamwork.\r\n\r\nWhen the snowshoes first arrived, the excitement in the room was electric. Students were full of questions and could hardly wait to try them on. For many, it was their first time seeing or using snowshoes, and they were amazed at how they could walk across deep snow without sinking. Their curiosity quickly turned into confidence as they practiced and encouraged one another outside.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we plan to incorporate the snowshoes into more cross-curricular lessons. Students will begin a writing project where they document their outdoor experiences, combining descriptive writing with scientific observations. We also hope to explore mapping and measurement by tracking distances and creating simple trail maps. Thanks to this generous donation, learning has become an adventure that extends far beyond the classroom walls.","fullyFundedDate":1772558028857,"projectUrl":"project/snow-much-fun/9658308/","projectTitle":"Snow Much Fun!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gurzynski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8927394_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673882449919","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8927394"},{"teacherId":10245552,"projectId":9691915,"letterContent":"The addition of new books has had a meaningful impact on our classroom. Students have been able to use these books for many purposes and have become invested in them. In our English unit on famous Americans, students were able to make connections with other famous individuals, such as Coretta Scott King, not covered in the unit. Similarly, during our unit on fearless women, the new book on Rosa Parks aided students in making connections between texts. They also used these books for research during our informative writing unit on powerful people. These resources also supported my informational small groups. It gave students a wider variety of texts to explore topics such as Civil Rights and the American Revolution. Through this, they were able to work collaboratively and independently to gather important facts and information.\r\n\r\nStudents now enjoy daily free choice reading time, which has become a highlight of the day. They were especially excited to organize and fill their new book bins, where they can keep up to four self-selected books at a time. This sense of ownership has encouraged them to take pride in their reading choices and stay actively engaged. They frequently ask if they can get new books from the library to trade out the others they'd chosen. Popular series like \"The Bad Guys\" have been in high demand, with many students quickly reading through the entire collection. Others have become deeply invested in the \"Harry Potter\" series, often asking to take the books home so they can continue reading beyond the school day.\r\n\r\nOverall, the new books have fostered a stronger reading culture in the classroom. Before, my students really weren't overly interested readers. However, with the enthusiasm and independence of the new books, I can see a genuine love of reading developing.","fullyFundedDate":1767621898857,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-library/9691915/","projectTitle":"Classroom Library","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tedford","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10245552"},{"teacherId":8927394,"projectId":9873336,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our classroom STEM kits. Because of you, my students now have hands-on learning tools that are making a meaningful impact not only in our classroom, but also in their home lives. Your support has truly opened doors for my students to explore, create, and learn in ways that many of them have never experienced before. \r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, my students are developing important skills like teamwork, critical thinking, creativity, and perseverance. They are learning that it's okay to make mistakes, because mistakes lead to new ideas and better solutions.","fullyFundedDate":1762740000272,"projectUrl":"project/christmas-stem-at-home/9873336/","projectTitle":"Christmas, STEM at Home!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gurzynski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8927394_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673882449919","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8927394"},{"teacherId":8927394,"projectId":9864156,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity in supporting our classroom by providing prizes for students who make good choices. Your support has had a meaningful impact on both student behavior and the overall learning environment in our classroom.\r\n\r\nBecause of these prizes, students are highly motivated to demonstrate positive behaviors such as kindness, responsibility, teamwork, and perseverance. They are excited to work toward goals, follow classroom expectations, and make thoughtful choices throughout the school day. Recognizing their efforts in this way has helped reinforce positive habits and build confidence in their ability to succeed.\r\n\r\nThese incentives have allowed me to encourage positive behavior proactively, rather than focusing on corrections. As a result, I am able to spend more instructional time teaching and engaging with students, while fostering a classroom culture built on respect and encouragement. Students take pride in earning rewards and celebrate one another's successes, which has strengthened our sense of community.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our students and helping create a positive, motivating learning environment. Your kindness and support truly make a difference every day, and we are incredibly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1762266367539,"projectUrl":"project/good-choice-prizes/9864156/","projectTitle":"Good Choice Prizes","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gurzynski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8927394_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673882449919","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8927394"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_67489","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":579,"numTeachers":44,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":92,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":2,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":3,"gradesServed":"K - 4","studentTeacherRatio":"13.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_REMOTE"},"inStateSupporters":74.5,"schoolId":67489,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Grayling Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Grayling Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/michigan/crawford-ausable-school-district/grayling-elementary-school/67489"}