{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Webster Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":27.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6379122,"projectId":10193949,"letterContent":"Our outdoor play project has already made a tremendous impact on our preschool classroom. The new materials have brought excitement, energy, and meaningful learning opportunities to our students each day. The students were immediately excited when they saw the new outdoor materials. Their faces lit up with joy as they explored the different games, balls, chalk, and movement activities available to them. Many of our students live in apartments or busy city environments where access to safe, open outdoor play spaces can be limited. Because of this, opportunities for active outdoor play at school are especially valuable. \r\n\r\nEach day, we are using the materials to encourage cooperative play, teamwork, and communication. The children are practicing taking turns, solving problems together, and learning how to join group activities appropriately. \r\n\r\nOne especially memorable moment happened during outdoor play when a small group of students decided to play catch together. At the beginning, some children struggled with waiting for their turn and became frustrated when the ball did not go where they expected. With teacher support and encouragement, the students began cheering one another on, using kind words, and practicing patience. Another wonderful moment occurred when a group of students worked together to create a sidewalk chalk game. The children collaborated to draw colorful paths, shapes, and directions for the game. It was inspiring to watch their creativity, communication, and problem-solving skills grow through such a joyful experience.\r\n\r\nThese outdoor materials are also helping students strengthen large motor skills that are critical during early childhood development. Running, balancing, tossing balls, hopping, and climbing all help children develop coordination, body awareness, and physical confidence. As we move forward, we are excited to continue expanding how we use these materials throughout the school year. Our next steps include creating rotating outdoor activity stations.\r\n\r\nThis project has truly brought joy, movement, and connection to our classroom community. We are incredibly grateful for the support that made these meaningful experiences possible for our students.","fullyFundedDate":1777671756153,"projectUrl":"project/spring-into-play-outdoor-play-for-growi/10193949/","projectTitle":"Spring into play: Outdoor play for growing minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Katy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6379122_orig.jpg?crop=3120,3120,x0,y291&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724527401527","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6379122"},{"teacherId":10382808,"projectId":9956486,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom through our recent DonorsChoose project. Your kindness and commitment to education have made a meaningful difference in the lives of my students, and I am truly grateful.\r\n\r\nEvery day, my preschool and elementary students work incredibly hard to do something many of us take for granted—use their words to communicate their needs, ideas, and feelings. For many of them, speech therapy is their very first step toward being understood by peers, teachers, and family members. Because of your support, they now have access to engaging, play-based materials that make this challenging work feel safe, joyful, and achievable.\r\n\r\nThe impact of your donation is already evident. These hands-on tools have allowed therapy sessions to become more individualized, meaningful, and responsive to each child's unique needs. Students are more motivated to participate, more willing to take risks, and more confident in using their voices. What once felt difficult or frustrating is now something they look forward to—because learning is happening through play.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, your generosity is helping my students find their voices. With each playful interaction, they are building the skills they need to express themselves, connect with others, and feel proud of their progress. You are turning small, everyday moments into life-changing opportunities for communication and confidence.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and for helping them discover that their voices truly matter.","fullyFundedDate":1767127280466,"projectUrl":"project/speech-therapy-for-little-learners-findi/9956486/","projectTitle":"Speech Therapy for Little Learners Finding Their Voice Through Play","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Emma","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10382808_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x180,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1767033010135","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10382808"},{"teacherId":6379122,"projectId":10120562,"letterContent":"Thanks to the generosity of our donors, our preschool classroom now has new resources that support social-emotional learning and help children develop self-calming skills. These materials have already made a meaningful difference in our daily routines and in the way students learn to recognize and manage their emotions.\r\n\r\nWhen the supplies first arrived, the students were immediately curious and excited. As we opened the boxes together, many children eagerly asked questions and wanted to explore the new items right away. They were especially drawn to the calming tools and sensory materials. Several students commented on how soft and colorful the materials were, and they were eager to try them during our quiet moments and choice time. The excitement in the room was contagious, and it created a wonderful opportunity to talk about feelings, calming our bodies, and taking care of ourselves and our friends.\r\n\r\nThe students now use these resources throughout the day in a variety of ways. During rest time, some children choose calming sensory items that help them relax their bodies and settle into a quiet state. These tools provide gentle, comforting input that helps students who may otherwise struggle to slow down after a busy morning of learning and play.\r\n\r\nWe have also incorporated the materials into our calm-down space in the classroom. When students experience big feelings such as frustration, sadness, or anger, they are learning that they can take a break and use these tools to help regulate their emotions. Teachers guide them in choosing a strategy—such as squeezing a sensory item, taking deep breaths, or sitting quietly with a calming object. Over time, students are beginning to independently select these tools and use them appropriately when they need support.\r\n\r\nIn addition, the materials are used during our social-emotional learning lessons and discussions. We practice naming feelings, talking about what happens in our bodies when we feel different emotions, and choosing strategies that help us feel calm and ready to learn again. The hands-on nature of these supplies helps make these abstract ideas more concrete for young children. They are able to physically experience what it feels like to calm their bodies, which strengthens their understanding of self-regulation.\r\n\r\nThe impact has already been noticeable. Students are becoming more aware of their emotions and are beginning to use language and strategies to cope with challenging moments. Instead of becoming overwhelmed, many children are learning that they have tools and choices that can help them regain control and return to learning and play.\r\n\r\nThe next steps for this project include continuing to model and practice how to use these resources effectively. As the year continues, we will deepen students' understanding of emotions and coping strategies through stories, role-playing, and guided practice. We will also rotate and introduce different calming tools so that students can discover which strategies work best for them.\r\n\r\nWe are incredibly grateful to the donors who made this project possible. Your generosity is helping our youngest learners build the emotional skills they need to thrive in school and beyond.","fullyFundedDate":1772551023428,"projectUrl":"project/peaceful-moments-for-growing-minds/10120562/","projectTitle":"Peaceful Moments for Growing Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Katy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6379122_orig.jpg?crop=3120,3120,x0,y291&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724527401527","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6379122"},{"teacherId":6379122,"projectId":9539287,"letterContent":"When the paint and fun-shaped sponges arrived, our preschoolers were eager to get started. We set up the easel, which has space for four children at a time, and it quickly became the most popular spot during choice time. The children loved experimenting with the different sponge shapes, creating colorful patterns and pictures while sharing ideas with their classmates.\r\n\r\nTheir excitement was clear the very first day—every easel spot was full, and children lined up waiting for their turn. What looks like simple fun is actually very important work: painting gives them practice with the fine motor skills needed for writing. For many preschoolers, tasks like gripping a brush or controlling their hand movements can feel challenging, but with paint and sponges, they are motivated to keep trying.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we will continue to use these materials not only for creative art projects but also to support lessons in math and literacy. For example, children will use the sponges to make repeating patterns, count shapes, and illustrate parts of stories we are reading. Thanks to your generosity, our students now have engaging, joyful tools that make learning both meaningful and fun.","fullyFundedDate":1755051937119,"projectUrl":"project/paint-to-learn/9539287/","projectTitle":"Paint to Learn","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Katy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6379122_orig.jpg?crop=3120,3120,x0,y291&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724527401527","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6379122"},{"teacherId":6379122,"projectId":9585291,"letterContent":"When the new musical instruments arrived, our preschoolers could hardly contain their excitement. They explored the drums, tambourines, and castanets with wide eyes, but the cymbals were an instant favorite! The joy on their faces as they discovered how to make music together was truly special, and our classroom quickly turned into a lively little band.\r\n\r\nThese instruments will be the perfect addition to our upcoming Hat Parade. The children are already practicing marching, shaking, and playing in rhythm, and they can't wait to share their music with families and friends. The instruments not only bring joy but also help our students build important skills like listening, cooperation, and self-expression.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our classroom has a whole new way to celebrate, learn, and create together. We are so grateful that you gave our students this opportunity to shine.","fullyFundedDate":1755768747618,"projectUrl":"project/tiny-hands-big-sounds-explore-music-in/9585291/","projectTitle":"Tiny Hands Big Sounds: Explore Music in PreK","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Katy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6379122_orig.jpg?crop=3120,3120,x0,y291&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724527401527","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6379122"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_108469","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":276,"numTeachers":18,"percentFrplEligible":68,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":40,"percentWhite":30,"percentIndigenous":3,"percentLatinx":13,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":9,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"15.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":72.8,"schoolId":108469,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Webster Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Webster Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/minnesota/minneapolis-public-schools/webster-elementary-school-opens-aug-2015/108469"}