{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Manuel J Cortez Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":51.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9356595,"projectId":10023594,"letterContent":"First, I would like to thank you so much for all that you do to make a difference. These children are our future and unfortunately, they are not given the opportunities to shine or show improvement. My project Skill of the Month helps with that in the classrooms each teacher is given the skill like following instructions and the steps and they teach it to their kiddos and by the end of the month they would have observed in their class who demonstrated the skill the best and they get nominated to represent their class and get a certificate, school cash, stickers and a prize from the fidget/ toy box. They are very excited because I announce all the winners on the intercom for the school to hear and that encourages other students to want to get nominated as well especially when the winner's return back to class with their prizes. They are very remarkable individuals, and it melts my heart that you were able to help me help give them something more to motivate them to have positive behaviors. Thank you so much and they thank you as well.","fullyFundedDate":1769121105468,"projectUrl":"project/skill-of-the-month/10023594/","projectTitle":"Skill of the Month","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hill","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9356595_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x577,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1768943011671","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9356595"},{"teacherId":9037242,"projectId":10028017,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible support. In our school, we often talk about \"the whole child,\" and your donation has directly provided the tools needed to support my students' emotional well-being. These SEL games and books have transformed my counseling space into a sanctuary of discovery and growth.\r\n\r\nHealing Through Play: A Specific Moment\r\nWe've been using the resources daily in both small groups and individual sessions. Just last week, I was working with a small group of students struggling with conflict resolution.\r\n\r\nThe Breakthrough: We played one of the new SEL games that focuses on \"perspective taking.\" Instead of the usual defensive silence, the students were laughing while navigating the game's challenges. One student stopped mid-turn and said, \"Oh, I didn't realize that's how [Classmate] felt when I said that.\" That lightbulb moment—that spark of empathy—was made possible because your gift gave us a safe, structured way to have hard conversations.\r\n\r\nWhat's Next for Our Students?\r\nOur next step is a deep dive into emotional regulation. We are using the new library of books to create \"Cool Down Kits\" and \"Reflection Journals.\" The students will be identifying their personal \"emotional triggers\" and matching them with a strategy they learned from our new resources. We aren't just reading stories; we are building a roadmap for how they will handle stress and friendship for years to come.\r\n\r\nYour contribution didn't just buy games and books; it bought understanding and resilience. Thank you for being a part of our journey.","fullyFundedDate":1769129547530,"projectUrl":"project/social-emotional-learning-for-every-stud/10028017/","projectTitle":"Social Emotional Learning for Every Student","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Beegen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9037242_orig.jpg?crop=2026,2026,x241,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1751915747677","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/regulation-zone-room"},{"teacherId":9265622,"projectId":10044643,"letterContent":"Your donations have created an immense positive impact in our classroom. The headphones you donated to us replaced our old ones, which would hardly ever work. Now my students have reliable headphones they can use to access their favorite learning platforms. The headphones especially helped our students who are still learning to read by giving them access to the read-aloud books on Epic! The headphones will also come in handy in a few weeks, when the students take their MAP test. \r\n\r\nMy students were extra excited about all the prizes and snacks that were donated to reward their hard work. They love to open our class treasure box and see all the options they can choose from. This has helped keep motivation high in my class despite it being the end of the school year! They were super excited the first time I passed out snacks for them to enjoy after they earned a movie day. \r\n\r\nThe donated supplies have also been put to great use, especially during our enrichment Fridays. Students have created many crafts and models and played many educational games, which have enriched the learning experience of all students. The donated tissues and wipes have also helped keep our classroom clean and healthy amid all the viruses and germs we have encountered. Thank you so much for everything!","fullyFundedDate":1769004058981,"projectUrl":"project/first-grade-essentials/10044643/","projectTitle":"First Grade Essentials","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Martinez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9265622_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1699542851922","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9265622"},{"teacherId":9683212,"projectId":10028342,"letterContent":"Our class has been making great use of the generous supplies you provided, especially as we work through state testing. The snacks have been incredibly helpful in giving students the energy boost they need to stay focused and do their best during long testing sessions. We've also been using the headphones daily, both to support instruction and to help students block out distractions during testing, creating a calmer and more focused environment. The pencils you donated are in constant use as students complete their assignments and assessments, ensuring everyone is prepared and equipped.\r\n\r\nIn addition, the cleaning wipes have helped us maintain a clean and healthy classroom by allowing us to regularly sanitize our tables and shared spaces. Beyond testing, your contributions have enriched our classroom experiences in meaningful ways. Students have been using the paint and paintbrushes for seasonal crafts and for a collaborative art mural inspired by our reading module, where we explored different art styles and how they reflect diverse cultures and perspectives. After testing, students enjoy relaxing with Kanoodle puzzles, which provide a fun and engaging way to unwind while still exercising their brains.\r\n\r\nWe've also found the stress balls to be especially valuable during testing, helping students manage anxiety and stay calm under pressure. Every item you provided has played a role in supporting both the academic success and well-being of our students. We are truly grateful for your generosity and the positive impact it continues to have in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1768686398353,"projectUrl":"project/tool-for-learning-comfort-and-creativit/10028342/","projectTitle":"Tool for Learning, Comfort and Creativity","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Alvarado","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9683212"},{"teacherId":10390672,"projectId":10017019,"letterContent":"Our classroom has been transformed into a space that feels safer, cleaner, and far more organized. A well-organized classroom helps students stay focused and reduces unnecessary distractions, while a clean and orderly space promotes a sense of calm and respect for their surroundings. Most importantly, having the right materials readily available helps create an environment where students feel secure and supported, which is essential for learning and growth. Students are interacting with them, relying on them, and benefiting from them in ways that enhance both their academic progress and their overall classroom experience.\r\n\r\nThank you again for making such a meaningful difference in our classroom. Your generosity will continue to have a lasting impact on our students throughout the school year and beyond.","fullyFundedDate":1768520241344,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-essentials-and-wants/10017019/","projectTitle":"Classroom Essentials and Wants","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gonzalez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10390672"},{"teacherId":1169904,"projectId":9999238,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our kindergarten class. It can get very cluttered in our classroom with all the manipulatives we use daily. Thanks to your generous donations, we are able to start getting our clutter under control and put our manipulatives in the beautiful bins to help keep our learning environment organized and clutter free! Kindergarten students learn how to be responsible with the manipulatives and learn how to put away items when they are finished using them. These skills will help them in the future take better care of their things in school or at home. We appreciate you donating to Donors Choose and supporting all teachers and students.","fullyFundedDate":1768181935691,"projectUrl":"project/clutter-control-desperately-needed/9999238/","projectTitle":"Clutter Control Desperately Needed!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Allcock","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1169904_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1458878090164","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-allcock"},{"teacherId":9899680,"projectId":10000429,"letterContent":"I sincerely appreciate the support you provided for this project. You made a meaningful impact on my students' learning and emotional well-being! When first getting everything, the students were over the moon! Each item was put to use right away and integrated into our day-to-day at school. Once they saw everything, they lit up in awe and excitement. The weighted plushies and emotional support dumplings (sometimes used by individuals) are being used in the classroom calm-down zone. Because of your support, students dealing with large emotions have an opportunity to re-regulate with a comfortable, safe, and cuddly buddy. Since these tools were being used in sensitive moments, I did not capture pictures of students using the stuffies, but know they are being used constantly by every student in the class as they are needed. When a student comes in sad, they can hug a weighted friend for a couple min or when a student is dealing with a lot, they can hold a dumpling to help focus on their task still. Those tools helped build a better SEL support in my classroom! The phomeme mirror talk set has been used mostly in small groups or individualized settings during leveled centers or intervention. Students use the item individually with/without teacher support or with a partner to practice and grow their understanding of letter names/sounds and more. Students love to repeat back the sounds, press the buttons, and see their mouths in the mirror. The light table items are being used to support various diverse skills, but mostly in center time and independently by the students. The light table items helped me build a more hefty supply of those manipulatives in case some are broken or lost. The LEGO sets are used in a lot of different situations, but mostly encompass creative, collaborative play. Students love using the LEGO sets to create whatever they can imagine while also strengthening their ability to work in a group and communicate with others. Soon, students will be using Legos to better understand shapes in order to support our upcoming math unit. The hands-on tools have positively impacted my classroom in many ways! \r\n\r\n\r\nI genuinely could not have made this happen for my students without your support! Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to supply my classroom with the things they need to flourish in any skill! By donating, you gave my kids an impactful school year they won't forget!","fullyFundedDate":1768166630491,"projectUrl":"project/technology-for-kinders/10000429/","projectTitle":"Technology for Kinders","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Meyer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9899680_orig.png?crop=900,900,x127,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746548432914","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-meyerclassroom"},{"teacherId":9353566,"projectId":9993704,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom has become a cleaner, calmer, and more supportive place for students to learn and grow every day.\r\n\r\nWe've been using the cleaning supplies—disinfectant wipes, paper towels, and general wipes—throughout the school day to maintain a healthy environment. Students have taken an active role in keeping their space clean, wiping down desks after activities and helping care for shared materials. This has not only improved hygiene but also encouraged responsibility and pride in their classroom.\r\n\r\nThe sensory toys, especially the building blocks like Legos, have made a huge impact during both structured and unstructured times. One memorable moment was during a small-group activity where students worked together to build simple structures. It turned into a collaborative project where they practiced communication, problem-solving, and creativity. For some students, these materials have been especially helpful in staying focused and managing emotions.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new supplies, they were genuinely excited—especially about the sensory toys. There were smiles, curiosity, and lots of eager hands ready to explore. Even the cleaning supplies sparked enthusiasm, as students felt empowered to help keep their classroom safe and tidy.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we plan to continue incorporating the sensory materials into lessons that build fine motor skills, teamwork, and creative thinking. We're also reinforcing daily routines where students take part in maintaining a clean learning environment. These resources are helping us build not just academic skills, but life skills that our students will carry with them.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving our students tools that support both their learning and well-being!","fullyFundedDate":1768145456078,"projectUrl":"project/helping-hands-supplies-and-sensory-too/9993704/","projectTitle":"“Helping Hands: Supplies and Sensory Tools for Student Growth”","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Salarda","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9353566_orig.jpg?crop=1170,1170,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1699241419426","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9353566"},{"teacherId":2718954,"projectId":9988206,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom. Because of your contributions, our students now have access to essential supplies like markers, paper, and other materials that have already made a meaningful difference in our daily learning. We are using these new resources every day to build phonics and spelling skills, giving students hands-on opportunities to practice writing letters, sounding out words, and reinforcing important patterns. One moment that stood out was watching a normally quiet student eagerly participate in a phonics activity, confidently writing and reading words aloud; something they had previously been hesitant to do.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the excitement in the room was immediate and contagious. Students were thrilled to have fresh, high-quality supplies they could use themselves, and it sparked a renewed sense of pride and enthusiasm for their learning. Simple things like choosing their own marker colors or having enough paper to fully practice their skills made a big impact on their engagement and confidence.\r\n\r\nAs we continue building strong reading foundation skills, these materials are helping strengthen students' phonics, decoding, and spelling abilities through consistent, hands-on practice. This work is directly supporting our goal of sending students to the next grade level reading on level. Your generosity has not only provided supplies but has also empowered our students to grow as confident readers and learners. Thank you for being an important part of their success.","fullyFundedDate":1768110532197,"projectUrl":"project/reading-center-project/9988206/","projectTitle":"Reading Center Project","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Palacios","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2718954"},{"teacherId":7471521,"projectId":10017649,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom. Because of you, my students now have access to learn-to-type keyboards, flexible seating, and headphones that have truly transformed how they experience computer science. The technology is helping students build essential typing and coding skills in a way that feels accessible and engaging. With headphones, they can clearly follow along with instructional videos and interactive programs at their own pace, which increases independence and understanding. The specialized keyboards are especially helpful for learners as they develop proper typing habits, setting a strong foundation for future academic success.\r\n\r\nWhat excites students most is the combination of comfort and choice. Flexible seating has given them a sense of ownership over their learning environment, allowing them to focus in ways that work best for them. I've seen students who previously struggled to stay engaged become more motivated and confident, especially when using the headphones to immerse themselves in lessons without distractions. Some of my quieter or easily overwhelmed students have especially benefited, they are more willing to participate, take risks, and persist through challenges. Your support has made our classroom more inclusive, focused, and inspiring, and I am deeply grateful for the difference you've made.","fullyFundedDate":1768528396456,"projectUrl":"project/helping-students-get-comfortable-with-co/10017649/","projectTitle":"Helping Students Get Comfortable With Coding & Typing","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Adamson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7471521_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1694241567306","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7471521"},{"teacherId":7471521,"projectId":9929919,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and support of our classroom! Because of you, my students now have exciting coding games, STEM books, and creative prizes that have truly transformed our learning environment. We use these items as rewards during our weekly coding challenges and mini-hackathons, where students work hard to solve problems, debug programs, and collaborate with their peers. One of my favorite moments was during a recent coding contest when a student who usually hesitates to participate stayed fully engaged the entire time, determined to earn a prize. When students first saw the materials, their faces lit up with excitement, they immediately began asking questions, sharing ideas, and eagerly jumping into their work.\r\n\r\nThese prizes have had a powerful impact on student motivation and effort. I've seen students take more risks, persist through challenges, and put in extra effort to improve their coding skills. The rewards are not just about winning, they represent accomplishment, growth, and pride in their work. As we move forward, students will continue using these incentives during larger projects, including designing their own games and participating in collaborative coding showcases. Your support has helped create a positive, engaging classroom culture where every student feels encouraged to try their best and believe in their ability to succeed. Thank you for making such a meaningful difference in their learning journey!","fullyFundedDate":1766324324492,"projectUrl":"project/level-up-learning-coding-prizes-to-powe/9929919/","projectTitle":"Level Up Learning: Coding Prizes to Power Student Creativity!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Adamson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7471521_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1694241567306","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7471521"},{"teacherId":8576594,"projectId":9988142,"letterContent":"Here's a polished impact statement you can use or adapt:\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our classroom has been transformed in ways that truly matter for student learning. We've been using these new resources daily, and they've already become an essential part of our lessons. One standout moment was during a recent project where students worked collaboratively using the materials to solve real-world problems. I watched as they engaged more deeply, asked thoughtful questions, and supported one another in ways that weren't possible before.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new materials, their excitement was immediate and contagious. There were gasps, big smiles, and so many eager hands ready to jump in and explore. For many of them, having access to these kinds of resources made them feel valued and inspired—it showed them that others believe in their success.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, we're now able to take our learning even further. Our next steps include building on these skills through more advanced projects, where students will apply what they've learned in creative and meaningful ways. They're especially excited to continue exploring, experimenting, and growing with tools that make learning more engaging and accessible.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving our students opportunities they will carry with them far beyond the classroom. Your impact is seen every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1768150770835,"projectUrl":"project/comfy-comfort-that-helps-students-flour/9988142/","projectTitle":"Comfy: Comfort That Helps Students Flourish","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. REMEDIOS","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8576594_orig.jpg?crop=1290,1290,x0,y202&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1699400482919","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8576594"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_67091","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":661,"numTeachers":51,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":23,"percentWhite":3,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":68,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"13.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":48.1,"schoolId":67091,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Manuel J Cortez Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Manuel J Cortez Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/nevada/clark-county-school-district/manuel-j-cortez-elementary-school/67091"}