{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Lorna J Kesterson Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":28.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":3286882,"projectId":10232964,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting my classroom! The new markers, colored pencils, slates, and dry-erase sleeves are a big hit! Our colored pencils needed a refresh, and my students were excited to color their end-of-the-year book with the new ones. The dry-erase sleeves have already been used in small and whole group lessons. I love that they can be used for math, ELA, and handwriting practice. \r\n\r\nTo my surprise, the shining star was the slates. I used the \"wet it, dry it, try it\" to review correct letter formation, and the students LOVED it! I had a steady stream of students to my small group table who wanted to try it. Even though most students can already form all the letters correctly, I made sure that everyone had a turn. I can't wait to use them next year at the beginning of kindergarten!","fullyFundedDate":1777995047393,"projectUrl":"project/new-year-new-writers/10232964/","projectTitle":"New Year, New Writers!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Casey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3286882_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1463600883162","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kinder"},{"teacherId":3286882,"projectId":10227345,"letterContent":"The new writing supplies are already a HUGE hit! I loved that I was able to use different types of pencils and grips for students who are still struggling to form a correct pencil grasp. My students love the owl training grips and were so excited to pick their favorite color. Having so many different types of writing tools has been a game-changer. Although it's the end of the school year, my students still benefited from using these new supplies. We are working on our end-of-year books, and they loved writing with the new pencils and coloring with the jumbo crayons. Since I received 12 of the Baumgartens \"Twist'n Write\" pencils, I was able to share them with other kindergarten and first-grade classes. I can't wait to see how these make a difference when I start them on day one with next year's kindergarten class!","fullyFundedDate":1777995047997,"projectUrl":"project/little-hands-big-supplies/10227345/","projectTitle":"Little Hands, Big Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Casey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3286882_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1463600883162","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kinder"},{"teacherId":3286882,"projectId":10207003,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our Cozy Couch project! Our new couch has officially found its home in our classroom library center, and the students were beyond excited when they saw it. Having a comfortable, welcoming place to sit has already made our reading area feel even more special and inviting.\r\n\r\nThe couch is giving students a cozy spot to relax with a book, practice partner reading, and enjoy quiet moments throughout the day. In kindergarten, creating spaces where students feel safe, comfortable, and excited to learn is so important, and this couch is helping us do exactly that. Your generosity is making a difference in our classroom every single day, and we are so grateful for your kindness and support!","fullyFundedDate":1778095999221,"projectUrl":"project/cozy-couch-in-kinder/10207003/","projectTitle":"Cozy Couch in Kinder","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Casey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3286882_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1463600883162","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kinder"},{"teacherId":3286882,"projectId":10272807,"letterContent":"Even though we've only had these new calming tools for a few days, I've already noticed the huge difference they are making. For the past couple of days, we've been testing them out, and I've been making sure every student gets a turn using the sloth, cuddle ball, and breathing bear. One of my students was \"scheduled\" to try them after lunch, and he wanted to make sure I didn't forget, so he wrote me a note that said, \"Me and (student's name) get the sloth or the cudle ball.\" That was the highlight of my day! Some of the students already owned a breathing bear at home, so they were able to explain to others how to use it. Needless to say, everything was a hit, and I'm so happy I have these resources on hand!","fullyFundedDate":1778281967411,"projectUrl":"project/big-feelings-calm-heart/10272807/","projectTitle":"Big Feelings, Calm Heart","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Casey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3286882_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1463600883162","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kinder"},{"teacherId":307060,"projectId":10010775,"letterContent":"On behalf of our budding artists, thank you for your incredibly generous donation of paint supplies, brushes, paper, and acrylic markers. It is rare to see a box of supplies spark as much joy as a treasure chest, but that is exactly what happened when these materials arrived in our classroom. The atmosphere in the room was electric. To an elementary student, a fresh set of acrylic markers or a crisp stack of heavy-weight paper isn't just \"stuff\"—it's an invitation to explore. Having high-quality tools makes students feel like \"real\" artists, which significantly increases their willingness to take creative risks.\r\n\r\nSome of the many projects students created were watercolor painting a vase of flowers inspired by Van Gogh's Sunflower paintings. The old paint brushes were getting old, the replacement brushes made it easier for the students to create. The acrylic markers added details to paintings such as the patterns on the butterfly paintings and on the Mexican Alebrijes animals. \r\n\r\nArt is more than just a break from the books; it's where these children learn problem-solving, fine motor skills, and emotional expression. Because of you, our students' \"everyday life\" is now a lot more colorful. You haven't just provided supplies; you've provided a medium for their imaginations to take flight.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in their creativity!","fullyFundedDate":1768399882747,"projectUrl":"project/every-child-is-an-artist-as-quoted-by/10010775/","projectTitle":"\"Every Child Is an Artist,\" as Quoted by Pablo Picasso","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Denney","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/gogh-art"},{"teacherId":3286882,"projectId":10086269,"letterContent":"This center refresh is just what our classroom needed! We opened the boxes as soon as they were delivered, and my students were so excited! Every single center was used right away. Some gravitated towards the liquid sensory viewers, and others couldn't wait to use the tweezer tongs with their favorite center, whose tongs broke long ago. A few students put the puzzle together, and I loved seeing how they worked cooperatively. Lastly, the Feed-The-Monkey fine motor game is a new favorite and completes our \"Feed the animal\" set of three! Thank you again for helping my classroom grow and thrive!","fullyFundedDate":1777989201518,"projectUrl":"project/center-refresh/10086269/","projectTitle":"Center Refresh!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Casey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3286882_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1463600883162","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kinder"},{"teacherId":3286882,"projectId":10190928,"letterContent":"Thank you for funding this project for our school community. Our 5th graders have already gotten a start on making calm-down kits to hand out to classrooms or students who need a break or help calming down. My students were also eager to test out the new flexible seating going in the calm-down corner, and they 100% approved of the new options!\r\n\r\nIt has been so fun watching students take ownership of this student-led initiative and work together to create a space that helps others feel safe, supported, and cared for. The calm-down tools, sensory seating, and wellness kits will make a positive impact by encouraging emotional regulation, empathy, and kindness throughout our school community. Thank you for supporting not only our students' learning, but also their emotional well-being and leadership skills.","fullyFundedDate":1777492229718,"projectUrl":"project/mission-promote-wellness/10190928/","projectTitle":"Mission: Promote Wellness","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Casey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3286882_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1463600883162","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kinder"},{"teacherId":5350077,"projectId":9991193,"letterContent":"On behalf of my entire class, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude for your generous contribution. Your support has made a meaningful difference in our learning environment, providing us with valuable resources and opportunities that enhance our educational experience.\r\nBecause of your kindness, we are better equipped to explore, grow, and succeed. \r\nWe can't thank you enough for investing in our classroom and for believing in the importance of education. We truly appreciate your support so much.","fullyFundedDate":1768076728667,"projectUrl":"project/pencils-to-possibilities/9991193/","projectTitle":"Pencils To Possibilities","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ross","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5350077"},{"teacherId":3286882,"projectId":10072853,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding this project! These crayons and pencils were originally meant for next year, but once my students saw them, they were excited and wanted to use them! After reviewing our expectations for using supplies, each student got to choose their own set of colors, which they absolutely loved!\r\n\r\nThat same day, we were working on thank-you notes for our office staff. Students took such care with their new supplies, and their pride really showed in their work. We'll be delivering the notes today for Office Staff Appreciation Day, and I know they'll be so excited to share them.\r\n\r\nThe pencils are perfect for little hands, and I especially appreciate that even at their smaller size, they still have erasers. Our dry-erase markers were just about worn out, so these new ones have both my students and me excited to write and learn together again. Thank you for supporting our classroom this year and for helping us get a head start on next year as well!","fullyFundedDate":1776087129993,"projectUrl":"project/colorful-in-kinder/10072853/","projectTitle":"Colorful in Kinder","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Casey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3286882_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1463600883162","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kinder"},{"teacherId":3286882,"projectId":10156310,"letterContent":"We are so grateful for your generosity in supporting our classroom with these wonderful SEL books. Your kindness has given my students many opportunities to learn about emotions, relationships, and how to care for one another in thoughtful ways. Books are such a powerful tool in kindergarten, and these will be used again and again during lessons, and discussions. Buffalo Fluffalo has already been discussed many times. Its a new favorite!\r\n\r\nThe timing of these books could not have been more perfect—especially the butterfly-themed stories! Our class just experienced the excitement of watching our butterflies emerge from their chrysalis, and being able to connect that real-life moment to the stories made the learning even more special. If you look closely, you'll see the butterfly net behind the students holding the butterfly books. The students were completely engaged and able to make deeper emotional and scientific connections. Thank you for helping create moments like this that my students will remember long after kindergarten.","fullyFundedDate":1773850060806,"projectUrl":"project/sel-book-library/10156310/","projectTitle":"SEL Book Library!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Casey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3286882_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1463600883162","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kinder"},{"teacherId":8175608,"projectId":10015847,"letterContent":"Your funding has directly enhanced student learning by supporting a classroom environment that is now increasingly responsive to diverse physical, sensory, and attentional needs. The treadmill and standing desk allows my students to engage in light movement while working, which has improved my students' focus, self-regulation, and on-task behavior, particularly my students who struggle with attention or anxiety. The Jelly lamps and an exercise mat have provided much needed calming sensory input and flexible seating options that have helped my students regulate emotions and remain engaged in instruction. The easy-to-use staplers and additional exercise equipment have effectively removed fine-motor barriers and promote independence, ensuring that all of my students can fully participate in academic tasks.\r\n\r\nTogether, these resources have created an inclusive, brain-friendly learning space that supports both academic growth and overall student well-being. I as well as my students appreciate the difference you have made in their quality of education.","fullyFundedDate":1768753396193,"projectUrl":"project/active-learning/10015847/","projectTitle":"Active Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kaufman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8175608_orig.jpg?crop=1592,1592,x0,y137&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732736465960","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8175608"},{"teacherId":3286882,"projectId":10076190,"letterContent":"I could have easily submitted 30 thank-you photos for this project! All of these supplies were needed and will truly make our classroom even better. The privacy folders are essential for test-taking. Now students don't have to spread out around the room, and they can stay at their own desks. The quality is great, and they will be used for years to come! The storage bins are the perfect size for math manipulatives and fit right in student drawers for easy access during lessons. The two-color counters and dry-erase sleeves will also be used daily during math.\r\n\r\nThe mesh zipper pouches are already in use, holding pieces for centers. They are the perfect size, and students can open and close them easily. The 10-pocket file folders hold our \"Secret Stories\" (phonics mini lessons) even better than I expected! I need quick access to them, so when a new word pattern is introduced, I can grab the right card without searching. Our \"Secret Stories\" wall will be so much easier to maintain with this new system.\r\n\r\nThe hand sanitizer was a HUGE hit! Students immediately wanted to know the new scents. After I read the names and we tried them out, we added them to our drawer, where the \"helper of the day\" gets to choose the scent. We make sure to use hand sanitizer daily, before entering the classroom. Lastly, the coat rack is a major upgrade from the plastic ones I had before. Those broke multiple times a year, and I'm so excited not to have to replace them anymore.","fullyFundedDate":1776087130948,"projectUrl":"project/privacy-folders-classroom-organization/10076190/","projectTitle":"Privacy Folders & Classroom Organization","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Casey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3286882_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1463600883162","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kinder"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_68351","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":535,"numTeachers":39,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":6,"percentBlack":13,"percentWhite":24,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":37,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":4,"percentMultiracialImputed":12,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"13.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":71.5,"schoolId":68351,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Lorna J Kesterson Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Lorna J Kesterson Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/nevada/clark-county-school-district/lorna-kesterson-elementary-school/68351"}