{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Whittier International School","outOfStateSupporters":34.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2606203,"projectId":10006101,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our Pencil Sharpeners and Notebooks project. Your kindness has already made a meaningful difference in our fourth- and fifth-grade classrooms.\r\n\r\nThe new pencil sharpeners have been a game changer. With working sharpeners in each classroom, students are able to take care of simple needs independently and stay focused on learning. Instead of stopping instruction or waiting for help, they can quickly sharpen a pencil and get right back to their work. This small tool has reduced interruptions, strengthened students' sense of responsibility, and helped our classrooms run more smoothly.\r\n\r\nThe notebooks have been just as impactful. Students now have a dedicated space for small-group learning where they can plan, practice new skills, reflect, and track their growth over time. These notebooks support organization and encourage thoughtful discussion and collaboration. Many students feel more confident sharing their ideas because they have a safe place to think things through first, which has helped them take academic risks and grow as learners.\r\n\r\nYour support has helped create a calmer, more focused learning environment where students can be independent, engaged, and proud of their work. Thank you for investing in our students and helping us build classrooms where learning can truly thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1768503003906,"projectUrl":"project/pencil-sharpeners-and-notebooks/10006101/","projectTitle":"Pencil Sharpeners and Notebooks","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rudolph","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2606203_orig.jpg?crop=833,833,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1649820541890","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ashleyrudolph"},{"teacherId":2606203,"projectId":10006007,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our Snacks for Success project. Your generosity has made an immediate and meaningful difference in our classroom.\r\n\r\nWe are using the snacks throughout the week, especially during reading, writing, and small-group instruction. One moment that stands out happened during independent reading time: a student who was tired and struggling to focus grabbed a snack, settled in, and was able to stay engaged for the rest of the lesson. Having food available removes a barrier that often gets in the way of learning.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the snacks, their reactions were filled with relief and gratitude. Smiles, quiet \"thank yous,\" and excitement showed how much it meant to them, especially for students who come to school late and miss breakfast.\r\n\r\nRight now, students are using this extra energy to fully participate in lessons and build stamina for longer learning blocks. Our next steps include strengthening focus during extended reading and writing time and helping students recognize how caring for their bodies supports their success as learners.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping our students learn with full bellies, stronger focus, and a sense of care and support each day.","fullyFundedDate":1768583236706,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-for-success/10006007/","projectTitle":"Snacks for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rudolph","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2606203_orig.jpg?crop=833,833,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1649820541890","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ashleyrudolph"},{"teacherId":2606203,"projectId":10006063,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our Pocket Chart for English Language Learners project. Your generosity is already making a meaningful difference in our classroom.\r\n\r\nWe are using the pocket chart during whole-group and small-group lessons to build vocabulary and sentences in both English and Spanish. One powerful moment happened during a sentence-building lesson when students rearranged word strips, compared languages, and confidently read aloud. The chart turned language learning into an interactive and collaborative experience.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the pocket chart, they were excited and curious, especially when they recognized words from their home language. Several students immediately said, \"I know this word!\" Seeing their language represented helped them feel confident and included.\r\n\r\nNext, students use the pocket chart to support reading and writing lessons by practicing academic vocabulary, sentence frames, and oral language. As their confidence grows, students will begin creating their own sentence strips and leading activities themselves.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping our multilingual learners feel supported, capable, and valued every day.","fullyFundedDate":1768355359372,"projectUrl":"project/we-need-a-pocket-chart-to-help-us-learn/10006063/","projectTitle":"We Need a Pocket Chart to Help Us Learn English","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rudolph","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2606203_orig.jpg?crop=833,833,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1649820541890","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ashleyrudolph"},{"teacherId":2606203,"projectId":9928887,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our Stools for Small Groups project. Your generosity has made a noticeable difference in how our students learn and collaborate each day.\r\n\r\nWe are using the stools daily at the teacher table during small-group reading and math instruction. Now students are able to sit comfortably, lean in, and stay focused for the entire lesson without distractions from broken or uncomfortable seating. The stools helped create a calm, welcoming space for meaningful learning conversations.\r\n\r\nStudents will continue using the stools during small-group conferences, intervention lessons, and flexible seating options around the room. Having reliable seating allows us to focus on learning rather than logistics, and it supports longer, more productive lessons as students build skills and confidence.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping create a comfortable, organized, and student-centered learning environment. Your support truly helps our students succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1767230715521,"projectUrl":"project/stools-for-small-groups/9928887/","projectTitle":"Stools for Small Groups","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rudolph","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2606203_orig.jpg?crop=833,833,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1649820541890","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ashleyrudolph"},{"teacherId":2606203,"projectId":9826713,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and support of our classroom. Because of you, my first graders now have headphones that work seamlessly with our new iPads, and the difference has been incredible.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, technology is more than a screen. It's a learning tool that helps students practice skills at their own level. Programs like DreamBox and Lexia adjust to each child's needs, giving them personalized directions and feedback as they work. With working headphones, students can finally hear instructions clearly, think independently, and stay focused on their learning without distracting others.\r\n\r\nWhat excites students most is feeling independent. They love being able to put on their headphones, log in, and confidently follow directions on their own. For many of them, this is empowering as they feel trusted, capable, and proud of themselves. Centers time is now calmer, smoother, and more joyful.\r\n\r\nThese headphones have been especially meaningful for students who need a quieter environment to focus. Some of our youngest learners are easily distracted or feel overwhelmed by classroom noise. With headphones, they are calmer, more engaged, and able to stick with challenging tasks longer than before. I've seen students who once struggled to stay on task now working with confidence and persistence.\r\n\r\nYour donation didn't just provide a piece of equipment. It created a more focused, inclusive learning environment for our students. Thank you for believing in them and for helping our classroom become a place where every child can learn and succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1760795704476,"projectUrl":"project/headphones-for-ipads/9826713/","projectTitle":"Headphones for iPads","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rudolph","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2606203_orig.jpg?crop=833,833,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1649820541890","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ashleyrudolph"},{"teacherId":3689110,"projectId":9565468,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our first grade classroom. Your contributions made it possible for us to add crayon boxes and caddies that keep our materials organized and easy for students to access. This small change has already made a big difference in helping the kids stay focused and take pride in their workspaces.\r\n\r\nYour donation of headphones has been equally valuable. With so much of our learning tied to technology, having reliable headphones allows each student to engage with lessons without distraction. The sanitizing wipes you provided have also been a huge help—especially as the cold season approaches—keeping our classroom cleaner, safer, and more comfortable for everyone.\r\n\r\nFinally, the lamps you funded have transformed our room into a calm, welcoming environment. The softer light helps students settle in, concentrate, and feel at ease throughout the day. Thank you for investing in our students and creating a space where they can learn and thrive. Your generosity truly matters.","fullyFundedDate":1755883097943,"projectUrl":"project/bright-beginnings-in-minneapolis/9565468/","projectTitle":"Bright Beginnings in Minneapolis","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. White","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/blaire-white"},{"teacherId":7857717,"projectId":9021468,"letterContent":"Thank you so very much for your kind, generous, and thoughtful donation to my classroom. Teaching kids how to read is one of my favorite things to do and these books have allowed me to expand that love for reading.\r\n\r\nWe unboxed our Bob Books and my students were so excited to open them up. They love the characters in the stories, the simple sentences, and the simple pictures. They love coming to group and reading a new story. Having multiple copies of the same stories has allowed them to read the same story, all at the same time! They love sharing all about what they read.","fullyFundedDate":1735654790838,"projectUrl":"project/reading-independence/9021468/","projectTitle":"Reading Independence","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lydia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7857717_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1685332244585","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7857717"},{"teacherId":7857717,"projectId":8857251,"letterContent":"Thank you so very much for your kind and generous donation to my classroom. I received the tabletop writing center, immediately set it up, and the kids fell in love! They loved how organized their writing supplies were and were able to find everything they needed. Thank you for helping my students experience this joy.\r\n\r\nOur class favorite though, has to be the dough! We make letters with the dough, we work on our fine motor using the dough, and use our imaginations. It brings the kindergarteners so much joy.","fullyFundedDate":1733274808814,"projectUrl":"project/center-materials/8857251/","projectTitle":"Center Materials","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lydia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7857717_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1685332244585","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7857717"},{"teacherId":7857717,"projectId":8957362,"letterContent":"Thank you once again for your kind and generous donation to my classroom. My students were so excited to unbox our new clipboards and whiteboards. The loved the fun colors and the wonderful quality of the supplies.\r\n\r\nWe use the whiteboards every single day during our phonics block. Passing whiteboards out used to be a hassle, but with everything connected to the board, we are no longer spending time passing everything out. The handles on the boards also make it so user friendly when I ask them to show their work to me.\r\n\r\nWe will continue to use our new clipboards and whiteboards as we learn on the carpet! We have so much fun with them.","fullyFundedDate":1733150156374,"projectUrl":"project/carpet-time/8957362/","projectTitle":"Carpet Time","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lydia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7857717_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1685332244585","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7857717"},{"teacherId":4286960,"projectId":2916640,"letterContent":"A belated thank you for your generous donation of headphones with microphones. My students were so excited to be able to record themselves speaking, answering questions out loud and telling stories. This use of technology to record themselves narrating stories on StoryBird or a Powerpoint presentation increased their movtivation to speak and use English immensely. Even some of my quietest students were excited for their turn to record themselves speaking. They giggled to hear their very own voice played back to them!\r\n\r\nI can't thank you enough for making the use of microphones to record students possible in my classroom. It really brought a lot of fun and motivation to our ESL classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1510950245886,"projectUrl":"project/speak-away-well-record-what-you-say/2916640/","projectTitle":"Speak Away! We'll Record What You Say!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Daub","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4286960_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1509563168379","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4286960"},{"teacherId":9074808,"projectId":7439916,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for fully funding our project, \"Bringing the Calm: LED Strip Lighting for SEL Success!\"\r\n\r\nBecause of your incredible generosity, our special education classroom now has beautiful, calming LED strip lighting. This wasn't just an aesthetic upgrade; it was an investment in the emotional regulation and well-being of every student who walks through our door.\r\n\r\nFor my students, fluorescent lights can be incredibly harsh and overwhelming, often leading to sensory overload and anxiety. The LED lights allow us to choose soft, adjustable colors that create an immediate, calming effect. This simple change has completely transformed our classroom atmosphere, providing a much-needed supportive environment where my students feel safe, regulated, and ready to engage in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL).\r\n\r\nWe are already seeing a dramatic reduction in sensory seeking behaviors and an increase in focus and participation. Your gift directly translates into more successful learning days for students who need that sensory support the most.\r\n\r\nThank you for being part of our team and helping us shine a little brighter!\r\n\r\nWith deepest gratitude,","fullyFundedDate":1694066404278,"projectUrl":"project/sel-learning-is-so-essential-for-student/7439916/","projectTitle":"Sel Learning is So Essential for Students Right Now!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Katie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9074808_orig.png?crop=1024,1024,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689371752139","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9074808"},{"teacherId":2606203,"projectId":9434453,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donation to Whittier Elementary School! I moved into a new office this year with no whiteboards. I am also taking on the role as Advanced Learner teacher. I am working with small groups of third through fifth graders. We love to use these boards so show our math thinking and write stories. They have been very handy for me to write vocabulary words so I do not have to spell them out over and over. Students love to write on them, and make lessons so much more engaging when we use them. Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1754692803248,"projectUrl":"project/big-whiteboards/9434453/","projectTitle":"Big Whiteboards","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rudolph","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2606203_orig.jpg?crop=833,833,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1649820541890","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ashleyrudolph"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_66390","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":491,"numTeachers":43,"percentFrplEligible":90,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":38,"percentWhite":10,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":38,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"11.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":65.9,"schoolId":66390,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Whittier International School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Whittier International School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/minnesota/minneapolis-public-schools/whittier-international-school/66390"}