{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Paul & Sheila Wellstone Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":33.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2915450,"projectId":9691172,"letterContent":"My students are loving the sensory tools that were gifted. We use them to talk about ways to keep our hands and bodies busy in an appropriate way (instead of poking our peers during lesson time). We discuss how our bodies look and feel when we may want to use a sensory tool to help us regulate our emotions that play into our words nad actions in class. \r\n\r\nStudents love when we introduce a new tool and it is fun to see which students gravitate towards which tools. \r\n\r\nI will continue to use these tools with my highest needs students as they tend to be the most dysregulated and not totally ready to learn. We do mini lessons daily to discuss strategies for regulation and how to get into our learning brains.","fullyFundedDate":1757508409549,"projectUrl":"project/creative-sensory-exploration/9691172/","projectTitle":"Creative Sensory Exploration","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Van Patten","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2915450"},{"teacherId":9311445,"projectId":9674135,"letterContent":"Thank you for making our project \"Green Hands: Creating and Sowing in First Grade\" possible! The impact on my young students has been immediate and profoundly meaningful. From the day the materials arrived, the classroom was filled with palpable excitement. As we opened the boxes, their eyes lit up with wonder. Seeing the little terracotta pots, the vibrant watercolor sets, and the colorful modeling clay sparked an irresistible curiosity. It was like unboxing treasures, and every child wanted to touch, observe, and ask what each thing was for. That initial spark of enthusiasm was the greatest gift they could have received.\r\n\r\nWe are using these incredible resources for an integrated project we've called \"From Seed to Work of Art.\" On one hand, the hydroponics system and seeds have allowed us to create our very first indoor classroom garden. The children are responsible for observing the daily growth of the herbs, recording the changes in their notebooks, and learning what plants need to live. On the other hand, the creative process is flourishing in our \"Artist's Corner.\" The children paint the different growth stages of their plants on their canvases and have used the clay to model fruits, vegetables, and the pots they grow in. They have fused science and art in the most beautiful way.\r\n\r\nThe next steps for us are thrilling. Our lettuce and basil in the hydroponic system are almost ready for our first \"class harvest,\" where we will prepare a small salad to celebrate. In parallel, the children are working on their final canvases, which will be a representation of their favorite plant in all its splendor. With these works of art, we will organize a gallery to invite other classes and show them the fruits of their learning and creativity. This project has not only taught them about nature and art but also about patience, responsibility, and the pride of creating something with their own hands. You have planted a seed of curiosity and creativity in these little ones that I am sure will continue to grow for a long time to come.\r\n\r\nWith endless gratitude,","fullyFundedDate":1758636539511,"projectUrl":"project/green-hands-creating-and-sowing-in-firs/9674135/","projectTitle":"Green Hands: Creating and Sowing in First Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Villalobos","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9311445_orig.jpg?crop=708,708,x229,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1696282266310","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9311445"},{"teacherId":8570302,"projectId":9707695,"letterContent":"We are tremendously grateful for your generous donation that has provided our classroom with essential technology solutions! The new charging stations for our iPads are a game-changer, ensuring all devices are organized, secure, and charged, maximizing instructional time. \r\n\r\nFurthermore, the Lightning adaptors are invaluable, allowing us to seamlessly integrate and continue using our existing accessories, which saves us significant funding. Your support demonstrates a commitment to both efficiency and maximizing the resources available to our students. Thank you for this thoughtful contribution that directly enhances our technology integration and student learning every day!","fullyFundedDate":1762265318714,"projectUrl":"project/equity-in-technology/9707695/","projectTitle":"Equity in Technology","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Yang","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8570302_orig.jpg?crop=1280,1280,x0,y251&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1760668214049","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/zyang"},{"teacherId":8570302,"projectId":9429706,"letterContent":"We extend our sincere thanks for your wonderful generosity in supporting our elementary classroom! Your donation of charging cables for our iPads means that technology is consistently available and ready, greatly enhancing our students' digital learning experiences. The new visual timer is a fantastic addition, helping our students manage transitions, stay focused on tasks, and develop crucial time awareness skills. \r\n\r\nThese tools are immediately impacting our daily routines, creating a smoother and more effective learning environment for every child. Thank you for investing in the resources that directly improve engagement and academic success in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1757604245955,"projectUrl":"project/need-energy-to-work/9429706/","projectTitle":"Need Energy to Work","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Yang","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8570302_orig.jpg?crop=1280,1280,x0,y251&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1760668214049","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/zyang"},{"teacherId":9237388,"projectId":8952303,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our STEM for Bilingual 3rd Graders: Grow Our Brains project. Your generous contribution has brought excitement, curiosity, and hands-on learning opportunities directly into our classroom. The moment the materials arrived, our students' faces lit up with anticipation. They couldn't wait to explore, experiment, and dive into real STEM challenges that help them think like scientists, engineers, and problem solvers.\r\n\r\nAs bilingual learners, many of our students thrive when they can use visuals, activities, and real-world experiences to connect new vocabulary and concepts. Your support has made that possible. With these materials, students can build, test, question, and discover in meaningful ways that strengthen both their academic language and their confidence. They are not just learning facts—they are learning how to think, communicate, and collaborate.\r\n\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in the potential of bilingual students and for investing in their futures. We are truly grateful for your support and for the opportunities you have brought to our classroom. Because of you, our 3rd graders can dream bigger, explore deeper, and grow stronger in both their STEM skills and their language abilities.","fullyFundedDate":1735669691512,"projectUrl":"project/stem-for-bilingual-3rd-graders-grow-our/8952303/","projectTitle":"STEM for Bilingual 3rd Graders: Grow Our Brains","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Garza","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9237388_orig.jpg?crop=1244,1244,x0,y481&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1694724791095","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9237388"},{"teacherId":9237388,"projectId":9048453,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contribution to our classroom through the Amazing Books for Amazing 3rd Grade Readers! project. Your support has brought an incredible burst of excitement, curiosity, and joy to our students. The moment the books arrived, the room was filled with eager hands, bright eyes, and countless smiles. It was truly heartwarming to see how quickly our students connected with the new stories and how proud they felt to explore books chosen especially for them.\r\n\r\nThese books are doing more than filling our shelves—they are opening doors. Each story gives my students a new opportunity to imagine, dream, and learn. Many of our readers are finding characters they relate to, topics that spark their interests, and books that make reading feel fun and magical. Your kindness is helping to build confidence, strengthen literacy skills, and shape a positive relationship with reading that will follow them for years to come.\r\n\r\n\r\nThank you once again for supporting our students and investing in their love for reading. We appreciate you more than words can express.","fullyFundedDate":1738776274605,"projectUrl":"project/amazing-books-for-amazing-3rd-grade-read/9048453/","projectTitle":"Amazing Books for Amazing 3rd Grade Readers!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Garza","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9237388_orig.jpg?crop=1244,1244,x0,y481&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1694724791095","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9237388"},{"teacherId":9237388,"projectId":9048522,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the These Books Are Poppin': Pop-Up Books for Excited 3rd Graders donation. My students were absolutely thrilled! The pop-up books instantly grabbed their attention and made reading feel fun, engaging, and magical. They love pop-up book Fridays!\r\n\r\nYour generosity is helping our classroom grow a love for reading, curiosity, and creativity. We truly appreciate your support and the joy you've brought to our 3rd graders.\r\n\r\nThank you again for thinking of our students and investing in their learning.","fullyFundedDate":1739211368338,"projectUrl":"project/these-books-are-poppin-pop-up-books-fo/9048522/","projectTitle":"These Books Are Poppin': Pop-Up Books for Excited 3rd Graders!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Garza","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9237388_orig.jpg?crop=1244,1244,x0,y481&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1694724791095","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9237388"},{"teacherId":3197349,"projectId":9208904,"letterContent":"Our daily read aloud is so essential to our classroom community. It grounds us and inspires us for the day ahead. Thank you for providing us with the resources we need to maintain this essential element and to make it vibrant, and surprising and meaningful and fun. There is such a balance between contemporary and timeless in the books we received--they fulfill so many different needs--windows and mirrors to the experiences of my students, full-on belly laughs on Friday mornings and exciting, scientific thinking. These last couple of months we have needed a lot of funny and inspiring books--and the books in this project fulfilled that need. We particularly enjoyed \"Don't Trust Fish\" and \"Fail-a-bration\"--so many new classics in this bunch of books. Thank you for making this happen!\r\n\r\nThank you for your generosity. Thank you for believing in my students.","fullyFundedDate":1750862070271,"projectUrl":"project/picture-books-to-build-strong-resilient/9208904/","projectTitle":"Picture Books to Build Strong, Resilient Classroom Community","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Solis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3197349_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1449115591957","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3197349"},{"teacherId":9343505,"projectId":7968876,"letterContent":"My students are fully engaged with the new materials, especially the interactive games and activities. One particular moment that stands out was when we used the resources in a group project. The students worked together, and it was amazing to see how the activities sparked their collaboration and excitement.\r\n\r\nThe moment the students saw the new materials, their faces lit up. They loved the games and activities, and you could hear the excitement in their voices as they smiled and asked, \"How did we get these?\" I explained that kind-hearted donors, who believe in both education and in them, made it possible. Their response was filled with gratitude and enthusiasm.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, I plan to weave these new materials into our daily routines, using them to enhance language acquisition and foster social-emotional development. The goal is to make these resources an integral part of our classroom environment, supporting both academic growth and personal connections.","fullyFundedDate":1707949654031,"projectUrl":"project/fun-english-learning-developing-various/7968876/","projectTitle":"Fun English Learning Developing Various Individual and Group Skills","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mariucci","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9343505_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y504&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756257241179","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9343505"},{"teacherId":3197349,"projectId":9434196,"letterContent":"We've been in school for a mere two months and I need to tell you, it's been a great two days. My students are so creative and inquisitive and bright and friendly. \r\n\r\nI also know that part of what has made our welcome-back-to-school so joyful and intentional has been because of all the wonderful materials you sent us. Because of this generous community, we have had (and will continue to have) engaging and thoughtful activities that bring us together as a class. One activity in particular deserves a special mention: sun catchers. We tried this activity the other day and my students were enraptured: \"Can we do this instead of recess?\" \"This is definitely the best part of the day.\" \"Where did you get these?\" It was a big hit. And they will decorate our classroom until the end of the year--we love it!\r\n\r\nThank you for helping us start our school year off on the right foot. Thank you for your generosity and thoughtfulness.","fullyFundedDate":1754156185059,"projectUrl":"project/inspiring-a-strong-classroom-community-t/9434196/","projectTitle":"Inspiring a Strong Classroom Community to Start Our School Year","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Solis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3197349_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1449115591957","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3197349"},{"teacherId":3197349,"projectId":9361518,"letterContent":"We've been in school for two months and I need to tell you, it's been a great two months. My students are so creative and inquisitive and bright and friendly. I am such a lucky teacher!\r\n\r\nI also know that part of what has made our welcome-back-to-school so joyful and intentional has been because of all the wonderful materials you sent us. Because of this generous community, we have had (and will continue to have) engaging and thoughtful activities that bring us together as a class. One activity in particular deserves a special mention: we opened a class store with our new materials (my students earn money as a part of a classroom economy). It was a big hit.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping us start our school year off on the right foot. Thank you for your generosity and thoughtfulness.","fullyFundedDate":1755521802025,"projectUrl":"project/starting-our-school-year-bright-and-prep/9361518/","projectTitle":"Starting Our School Year Bright and Prepared","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Solis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3197349_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1449115591957","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3197349"},{"teacherId":3197349,"projectId":9434279,"letterContent":"My students work so hard in school. They love the challenges and joys that come with all our hard work. And they really love their snacks. Popcorn, applesauce, fruit leathers and Pirate's Booty--snacks are a part of their daily routines and expectations. I'm so grateful to be able to provide my students with this food--it fills their bellies, focuses their minds and brings them joy. Thank you for making this possible and thank you for your incredible generosity--without you this would not be possible.","fullyFundedDate":1757958062610,"projectUrl":"project/healthy-snacks-for-healthy-4th-grade-sci/9434279/","projectTitle":"Healthy Snacks for Healthy 4th Grade Scientists and Engineers!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Solis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3197349_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1449115591957","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3197349"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_54728","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":492,"numTeachers":39,"percentFrplEligible":92,"percentAsian":13,"percentBlack":23,"percentWhite":9,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":48,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"12.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":66.1,"schoolId":54728,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Paul & Sheila Wellstone Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Paul & Sheila Wellstone Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/minnesota/saint-paul-public-schools/paul-sheila-wellstone-elementary-school/54728"}