{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"McKinley Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":40.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":1631189,"projectId":9206987,"letterContent":"T-shirt book reports have had a wonderful impact on student engagement and literacy in the library. This creative project allowed students to design and decorate a T-shirt that represents key elements of a book they've read—such as the title, author, characters, setting, and theme.\r\n\r\nBy combining art and reading, students were able to demonstrate comprehension in a fun, hands-on way that goes beyond traditional written reports. The activity encouraged deeper thinking, creativity, and pride in their work, while also sparking curiosity among peers as they shared and discussed their designs. Displaying the shirts in the library helped build a sense of community and excitement around reading, inspiring others to pick up new books and celebrate stories together.\r\n\r\nThank you again for this generous donation as it has made a huge impact and would not have been possible without your help.","fullyFundedDate":1746732195786,"projectUrl":"project/t-shirt-book-reports/9206987/","projectTitle":"T Shirt Book Reports","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. DeWitt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1631189_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1454726282479","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/melissadewitt"},{"teacherId":7380130,"projectId":9637836,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for providing hands on materials for my students. We were so excited to get new things to help us learn. My KinderREADy class is dependent on learning with materials in their hands.\r\n\r\nWe used our ABC boards for the first time in small group this week, the students loved having colorful, magnetic boards to help them identify letters. We were also able to use the boards for name practice. \r\n\r\nThe Number Blocks activities were exciting for us to use in working with numbers and counting. Many of the students enjoyed putting the trains together and finding differ ent ways to use the blocks.","fullyFundedDate":1757545627965,"projectUrl":"project/abc-is-where-it-all-begins/9637836/","projectTitle":"ABC is Where it All Begins","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Byram","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7380130_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1668652450057","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-superbyram"},{"teacherId":1631189,"projectId":9536122,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contribution! Your support makes it possible for us to offer meaningful rewards that help reinforce positive expectations and motivate students to make good choices.\r\n\r\nConsistent recognition encourages responsibility—whether it's returning library books on time or completing assignments—and tangible or verbal rewards boost engagement and effort, especially among reluctant learners. These incentives foster participation, collaboration, and growth in both academic and social areas.\r\n\r\nYour generosity truly helps us make a difference. Thank you for helping us build a culture of responsibility, motivation, and kindness.","fullyFundedDate":1758807717978,"projectUrl":"project/argh-matey/9536122/","projectTitle":"Argh Matey","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. DeWitt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1631189_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1454726282479","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/melissadewitt"},{"teacherId":1631189,"projectId":9536599,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous gift to our library! Your support helps make our vision a reality—creating a space that is fun, exciting, and full of opportunities for learning. We have begun to introduce engaging and educational games into our library centers to spark curiosity, foster creativity, and encourage collaboration among students and they are overcome with excitement.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, our library will continue to be a vibrant and welcoming place where students can develop a lifelong love of learning. Thank you for helping us make the library a place students can't wait to visit!","fullyFundedDate":1758807718401,"projectUrl":"project/the-games-people-play/9536599/","projectTitle":"The Games People Play","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. DeWitt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1631189_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1454726282479","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/melissadewitt"},{"teacherId":1631189,"projectId":9076442,"letterContent":"This project has been a tremendous success! Students have loved using Canva to design visually appealing bookmarks that double as book recommendations for their peers. It's become one of our most popular activities, sparking creativity while also encouraging more reading—students are eager to finish books for the chance to create their own bookmark.\r\n\r\nYour generosity made this possible. Because of your support, our students are exploring technology in a fun, meaningful way and sharing their love of reading with others.\r\n\r\nThank you so much for your kindness and commitment to our library community.","fullyFundedDate":1741614586445,"projectUrl":"project/dont-lose-the-page/9076442/","projectTitle":"Don't Lose The Page","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. DeWitt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1631189_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1454726282479","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/melissadewitt"},{"teacherId":1631189,"projectId":9291323,"letterContent":"These books have been a huge hit! Our students have been incredibly excited to explore these new additions to the library, and they've been flying off the shelves. It has been wonderful to introduce our students to new and exciting books.\r\n\r\nYour generous donation has allowed us to provide a diverse selection of interesting and visually appealing books that truly capture our students' curiosity. Without your support, this purchase would not have been possible.\r\n\r\nThank you so much for your kindness and generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1756317332924,"projectUrl":"project/picture-this/9291323/","projectTitle":"Picture This","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. DeWitt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1631189_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1454726282479","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/melissadewitt"},{"teacherId":1631189,"projectId":8753371,"letterContent":"These books have been a huge hit! Our students have been incredibly excited to explore these new additions to the library, and they've been flying off the shelves. It has been wonderful to introduce our students to the beauty of the park that's practically in their own backyard—many of them had never seen it before.\r\n\r\nSince sharing these books, students have shown great curiosity about the park's wildlife and unique places. Your generous donation has allowed us to provide a diverse selection of interesting and visually appealing books that truly capture our students' curiosity. Without your support, this purchase would not have been possible.\r\n\r\nThank you so much for your kindness and generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1728003811904,"projectUrl":"project/love-where-you-live/8753371/","projectTitle":"Love Where You Live","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. DeWitt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1631189_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1454726282479","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/melissadewitt"},{"teacherId":9697020,"projectId":9148022,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our project, *Yoga and Movement: Creating a Calm and Focused Space.* Your kindness has made a meaningful impact in my resource classroom, where students now have access to tools that help them regulate their emotions, refocus their energy, and feel safe and supported throughout the school day.\r\n\r\nWith flexible seating options and calming techniques now available, my students are better equipped to manage stress, stay engaged, and experience success in their learning. The environment has truly transformed into a peaceful, student-centered space where every child—regardless of their needs—can thrive. On behalf of myself and my amazing students, thank you for helping us build a classroom where calm, focus, and growth are possible every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1747153586475,"projectUrl":"project/yoga-and-movement-creating-a-calm-and-f/9148022/","projectTitle":"Yoga and Movement: Creating a Calm and Focused Space","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Fletcher","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9697020"},{"teacherId":9697020,"projectId":8928310,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, my resource room classroom has been transformed into a vibrant space for hands-on STEM learning! The new math and science activities have given my students the opportunity to explore complex concepts through engaging, interactive experiences. Watching them light up as they experiment, build, and problem-solve has been truly rewarding. These tools have allowed students with diverse learning needs to access the curriculum in ways that are meaningful and tailored to their strengths.\r\n\r\nYour donation has made a real difference in how my students view math and science—not as difficult subjects, but as exciting challenges they can conquer. It's been incredible to see their confidence grow as they work collaboratively, make discoveries, and take pride in their progress. On behalf of myself and all of my students, thank you for believing in the power of hands-on learning and for helping create a classroom where every student has the chance to thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1731507788468,"projectUrl":"project/stem-hands-on-learning/8928310/","projectTitle":"Stem: Hands On Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Fletcher","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9697020"},{"teacherId":1631189,"projectId":9208355,"letterContent":"This project far exceeded our expectations. Our students were genuinely excited to learn about various disabilities and, even more meaningfully, to share that knowledge with their peers. The younger students were equally enthusiastic and receptive to learning from the older students, creating a powerful peer-to-peer learning experience rooted in empathy and understanding.\r\n\r\nThis is a project I plan to continue for as long as I serve as the librarian. The impact it had on our school community was truly inspiring—and it would not have been possible without your generous support.\r\n\r\nThank you again for believing in our mission and making this meaningful experience a reality. Your donation helped foster awareness, inclusion, and leadership in ways that will leave a lasting impression on our students.","fullyFundedDate":1742909977552,"projectUrl":"project/everyones-included/9208355/","projectTitle":"Everyone's Included","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. DeWitt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1631189_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1454726282479","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/melissadewitt"},{"teacherId":1631189,"projectId":9207012,"letterContent":"These nonfiction books have been a huge hit! Our students have been incredibly excited to explore these new additions to the library, and they've been flying off the shelves. Finding the right book can be a challenge, especially for reluctant readers, but these engaging and high-quality books have made a tremendous difference.\r\n\r\nYour generous donation has allowed us to provide a diverse selection of interesting and visually appealing books that truly capture our students' curiosity. Without your support, this purchase would not have been possible.\r\n\r\nThank you so much for your kindness and generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1742909977714,"projectUrl":"project/its-all-about-the-facts/9207012/","projectTitle":"It's All About the Facts","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. DeWitt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1631189_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1454726282479","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/melissadewitt"},{"teacherId":2130988,"projectId":8986589,"letterContent":"I want to give a huge thank you for your generous donation to fund our class set of noise cancelling headphones. They have been a game changer in helping my students feel less overstimulated by the noise of other kids in the classroom as they read and work. As you can probably imagine, 19 kids in the classroom at the same time can get a little noisy at times and finding ways to help my students comfortably be able to focus to work has always been a goal of mine.\r\n\r\nOver the years I have taught, I have always had 3-4 pairs of noise cancelling headphones for students, but when they run out, the kids who don't have that option available end up being disappointed and then struggle to complete work. Being able to have a class set for the kids to use has been so nice because now they can all use them whenever and not have to worry about a pair not being available, plus they can use their pair and they aren't having to share which helps confine germs to their own. \r\n\r\nSo again I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. I appreciate your kindness and your support for education.","fullyFundedDate":1735153721953,"projectUrl":"project/a-quiet-workplace-for-all/8986589/","projectTitle":"A Quiet Workplace for All","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Althof","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2130988_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1657133191440","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/chelsea-althof"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_78789","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":299,"numTeachers":20,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":55,"percentIndigenous":20,"percentLatinx":10,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"15.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":59.9,"schoolId":78789,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about McKinley Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"McKinley Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/montana/billings-school-district-2/mckinley-elementary-school/78789"}