{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Paul & Sheila Wellstone Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":37.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9311445,"projectId":10161560,"letterContent":"Since receiving these materials, my students and I have been using them to create a truly hands-on and meaningful science learning experience. Each child was able to create their own volcano eruption using the kits, excitedly observing what happened while we discussed cause and effect, observation, and scientific curiosity. One of the most special moments was hearing students explain what was happening in their own words, feeling proud and confident as real scientists.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, their reaction was pure amazement and excitement. Their eyes lit up when they saw the volcano kits, the red balloons that represented lava, and the large 3D volcano model, which became the centerpiece of our classroom Science Fair. The colorful lamp transformed our classroom into a magical space, making science come alive in a visual and engaging way. For many students, this was their first time working with real science materials.\r\n\r\nThanks to this project, the next step for my students is to continue deepening their learning through exploration and academic language. We are connecting these experiments to reading, writing, and discussion activities by using the volcano book and other resources to strengthen comprehension and vocabulary. This experience not only sparked a love of science, but also built confidence in my students as learners. Thanks to our donors' support, my students experienced something truly unforgettable.","fullyFundedDate":1776203274339,"projectUrl":"project/my-first-volcano-science-for-curious-li/10161560/","projectTitle":"My First Volcano: Science for Curious Little Hands","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":9311445,"projectId":10169919,"letterContent":"Since the robotics kits and interactive robots arrived, my students have had learning opportunities that were previously out of reach. While many donors use technology at home, in our classroom technology becomes an active learning tool. My students are not just watching—they are building, programming, testing, and revising. Through these materials, they are developing critical‑thinking, problem‑solving, and collaboration skills while exploring engineering and science concepts in a hands‑on and meaningful way.\r\n\r\nWhat excites my students the most is that the robots respond to their actions. Seeing a robot move, show emotions, or react to their decisions motivates them to keep trying, even when something does not work the first time. The robot craft kits have also been very popular, allowing students to combine creativity with STEM while strengthening fine motor skills and imagination. The nonfiction books and graphic organizers help students explain their ideas, build vocabulary, and connect playful exploration with academic learning.\r\n\r\nI have seen a special impact on students who are typically quieter or have difficulty expressing themselves. When working with the robots, these students have gained confidence, participate more, and feel proud of their creations. Working in teams has strengthened empathy and communication, creating an inclusive classroom environment where every student can feel successful. Thanks to this project, my students are not only learning about technology—they are beginning to see themselves as young engineers and capable thinkers.","fullyFundedDate":1776182195552,"projectUrl":"project/little-engineers-big-robot-dreams/10169919/","projectTitle":"Little Engineers, Big Robot Dreams","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":9335388,"projectId":9891760,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support. Students love the updated sensory tools, equipment and STEM building materials for their regulation breaks. They frequently build with the magnetic tiles and the new additions to the LEGO table. It is fun to see how they use their imaginations when building with the brain blocks and plus plus blocks. One of our students who is non-verbal has really been able to explore and demonstrate his creativity with building intricate structures. The emotional behavior room (9 students) is currently working to earn a slime party and a science experiment with the materials the funding provided!","fullyFundedDate":1770647778266,"projectUrl":"project/stem-and-sensory-explorers/9891760/","projectTitle":"STEM and Sensory Explorers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kate","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9335388_orig.png?crop=444,444,x0,y68&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1697649726516","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9335388"},{"teacherId":8105477,"projectId":10066783,"letterContent":"There isn't a day that goes by where I don't use these new story-telling resources. The students love the visuals, and I really love the complex language that the pictures and follow-up questions elicit. They get excited to work with these pictures because they are engaging and include interesting problems. \r\n\r\nSomething I specifically have been enjoying about the pictures are the detailed settings. Often, the pictures will show a particular season of the year. Many of my students have goals related to answering WHEN questions, and these stories perfectly set up my students for questions like these. They have been having so much fun learning about the seasons and sharing fun things they like to do in each season of the year. \r\n\r\nI am so grateful for your contribution to this project and know that these story cards will be a central part of my speech therapy practice going forward.","fullyFundedDate":1770399798359,"projectUrl":"project/bilingual-storytelling-cards-to-develop/10066783/","projectTitle":"Bilingual Storytelling Cards to Develop Communication","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Annie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8105477_orig.jpg?crop=2080,2080,x239,y332&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1695729720407","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8105477"},{"teacherId":3197349,"projectId":10115791,"letterContent":"Wow! This is so amazing! Thank you so much for your incredible generosity. One of the units in our Spanish language curriculum is about rocks, gems, volcanoes and earthquakes. The unit is very interesting and very rigorous. I enjoyed teaching the non-fiction unit with my students, but it felt like something was missing--something for the students to hold and touch when it came to talking about specific rocks and minerals. \r\n\r\nWhen we opened the boxes, there were so many ooooh's and aaaah's. I love that kind of reaction--it's very satisfying as an educator. \r\n\r\nI also thought it would be fun to give them an opportunity to do hands-on experiments around volcanoes and earthquakes. I am thrilled to give them this opportunity. Thank you for making this possible.\r\n\r\nThank you so much for making this happen. I am so grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1776260868569,"projectUrl":"project/rock-on-studying-rocks-and-minerals-and/10115791/","projectTitle":"Rock On! Studying Rocks and Minerals and Our Changing World","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":8570302,"projectId":10139888,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support of our classroom materials. The robot mouse has helped students learn basic programming as they design and build a forest habitat, sparking conversations about protecting the Earth by cutting fewer trees and planting more. Your donation of the fabric projector screen has made a big difference, allowing students to see projections clearly during lessons. Additionally, the speakers have greatly improved sound quality, making instructional videos and student presentations easier to hear and enjoy. Your contributions have enhanced both engagement and learning in meaningful ways.","fullyFundedDate":1773778509795,"projectUrl":"project/bots-books-and-big-ideas/10139888/","projectTitle":"Bots, Books, and Big Ideas","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":10154638,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support in providing sound bath equipment for our elementary technology classroom. These instruments have become an important part of how we transition into learning each day. The calming tones of singing bowls and chimes help students settle, focus, and prepare for creative work. Students also have the opportunity to explore the instruments themselves, building mindfulness and self-regulation skills. Some students shared how peaceful the experience feels—some even say it makes them want to fall asleep. Your support has truly created a more calm, focused, and welcoming learning environment.","fullyFundedDate":1774336004968,"projectUrl":"project/code-after-calm/10154638/","projectTitle":"Code After Calm","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":9784791,"projectId":10091324,"letterContent":"Students were excited to get new painting supplies. The first project that was made was Eric Carle-inspired animals. Students loved the project and had access to paint materials. Currently working with another group to create Eric Carle-inspired animals, along with other painting projects like abstract art, or using it to paint houses that students make from cardboard\r\n\r\nAnother group of students got to use the printmaking supplies; they were excited to learn about a new art medium. Once students were shown different ways to print make, they were the most eager to make a print with the foam shapes. They caught on quickly and were teaching and helping one another during the process.","fullyFundedDate":1772553902721,"projectUrl":"project/small-hands-big-ideas/10091324/","projectTitle":"Small Hands, Big Ideas.","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Karpinski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9784791_orig.jpg?crop=2208,2208,x0,y390&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1770687118994","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/molly-karpinski"},{"teacherId":3197349,"projectId":10180363,"letterContent":"Thank you for this incredible gift of books and pictures and experiences for my students. My students love reading, and above all they love reading graphic novels. It takes a lot of books to fan the flames of excitement for books and I am so grateful that my students have these new books to stay excited for reading.\r\n\r\nWhen we opened our boxes of new books, you could hear gasps amongst my students. \"Whoa!\" \"Teacher, can I read that one?\" \"That's the one I want to read.\" It was a thrill as much for me as it was for them. I love that my students love to read, and it's because of having access to amazing books like the ones you sent us.\r\n\r\nThank you so much for making this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1776190233003,"projectUrl":"project/stem-books-to-engage-our-brains/10180363/","projectTitle":"STEM Books to Engage Our Brains","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":10178088,"letterContent":"Thank you for this incredible gift of books and pictures and experiences for my students. My students love reading, and above all they love reading graphic novels. It takes a lot of books to fan the flames of excitement for books and I am so grateful that my students have these new books to stay excited for reading.\r\n\r\nWhen we opened our boxes of new books, you could hear gasps amongst my students. \"Whoa!\" \"Teacher, can I read that one?\" \"That's the one I want to read.\" It was a thrill as much for me as it was for them. I love that my students love to read, and it's because of having access to amazing books like the ones you sent us.\r\n\r\nThank you so much for making this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1775241760831,"projectUrl":"project/stem-books-and-activities-to-grow-our-br/10178088/","projectTitle":"STEM Books and Activities to Grow Our Brains!","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":10151442,"letterContent":"Thank you for this incredible gift of books and pictures and experiences for my students. My students love reading, and above all they love reading graphic novels. It takes a lot of books to fan the flames of excitement for books and I am so grateful that my students have these new books to stay excited for reading.\r\n\r\nWhen we opened our boxes of new books, you could hear gasps amongst my students. \"Whoa!\" \"Teacher, can I read that one?\" \"That's the one I want to read.\" It was a thrill as much for me as it was for them. I love that my students love to read, and it's because of having access to amazing books like the ones you sent us.\r\n\r\nThank you so much for making this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1773854205751,"projectUrl":"project/new-books-to-light-up-our-classroom-libr/10151442/","projectTitle":"New Books to Light Up Our Classroom Library!","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":9311445,"projectId":10124731,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, this project has significantly transformed the way my students learn and experience science. We have incorporated the new resources into our daily activities: we use globes and solar system models to help visualize complex concepts, microscopes and science kits to observe and explore the natural world, and terrariums to learn about life cycles and the care of living things. One of the most special moments was when students began building their own small ecosystems and making observations like real scientists, recording their ideas in Spanish.\r\n\r\nAs part of our exciting learning journey, our classroom has been fully immersed in exploring space, Earth, and science through hands-on and meaningful experiences. We also enriched our unit with a special field trip to the planetarium, where students deepened their understanding of space in an engaging and memorable way. Back in the classroom, we created constellations using marshmallows and explored dinosaur fossils, connecting science with creativity and inquiry. Students also expressed their learning artistically by painting their favorite parts of the universe on canvases, combining imagination with scientific concepts. In addition, we studied NASA's Artemis Program, following the mission step by step in our classroom; we read about it, discussed its importance, and students wrote and illustrated their ideas in Spanish, strengthening both their scientific knowledge and language skills.\r\n\r\nThe students' reaction when they first saw the materials was truly wonderful: their faces lit up with excitement and curiosity, which was evident in every question and exploration. These experiences have allowed them to think, explore, and learn like true young scientists. As next steps, we will continue developing inquiry-based projects where students ask questions, investigate, and communicate their discoveries, integrating reading, writing, and art in Spanish. Thanks to you, we are building a classroom where curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning grow every day.\r\n\r\nThank you so much for making these meaningful learning experiences possible for our students.","fullyFundedDate":1773778513626,"projectUrl":"project/exploring-space-earth-and-science-thro/10124731/","projectTitle":"Exploring Space, Earth, and Science Through Young Eyes","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"}],"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":62.3,"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"}