{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Strong Start Academy Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":55.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8800904,"projectId":9510133,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom! The new technology and items has made learning more engaging and exciting for my students. They love being able to practice skills in interactive ways and feel very motivated when using the new tools.\r\n\r\nWhat excites them most is having something new that makes learning feel fun and special. I've especially noticed some quieter students becoming more confident and eager to participate during lessons.\r\n\r\nYour generosity truly makes a difference in our classroom, and my students are so grateful for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1754253112565,"projectUrl":"project/a-fresh-start-full-of-joy/9510133/","projectTitle":"A Fresh Start Full of Joy!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Salazar","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8800904_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720471180969","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8800904"},{"teacherId":9370086,"projectId":10031278,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in providing color ink for our classroom printer. With access to color printing, I have been able to create vibrant vocabulary cards for our math word wall. \r\n\r\nIn addition, we are currently engaged in a plant science unit. My students are learning vocabulary in Spanish and are working hard to complete their science boards for an upcoming gallery walk. Your support has truly enriched our classroom environment and expanded what is possible for my students. Thank you for helping make learning more engaging, accessible, and inspiring.","fullyFundedDate":1768699741541,"projectUrl":"project/enhanced-learning-through-colors/10031278/","projectTitle":"Enhanced Learning Through Colors","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Flores","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9370086"},{"teacherId":9352318,"projectId":10025289,"letterContent":"Students spent several weeks reading fairy tales, folk tales, and fable; all involving animal characters. Students were fully engaged in the story elements. We had rich discussions about the characters, setting, problem and solution. Students recognized the lessons in the story and were able to make connections to lessons learned in their lives.\r\n\r\nStudents then went on a journey of writing a narrative story. They developed their own animal characters; giving them their own unique character traits. Once they put all of their story elements together they wrote their story.\r\n\r\nFinally, students worked in teams to create a \"group story\" and brought their stories to life by creating a diorama . Students were so engaged in developing this story using the items donated from project. As a teacher, you feel when students are truly experiencing love of learning. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to introduce this to my students. This will definitely be something I do with all future classes!","fullyFundedDate":1768672386369,"projectUrl":"project/animal-stories-come-to-life/10025289/","projectTitle":"Animal Stories Come to Life!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Smith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9352318"},{"teacherId":8152467,"projectId":10025800,"letterContent":"My third grade classroom was filled with excitement and gratitude when the donated items arrived. My students were immediately drawn to the new books, eagerly flipping through pages and sharing their first impressions with one another. It was inspiring to see their enthusiasm for reading grow so naturally, as they couldn't wait to dive into the stories and explore new ideas together.\r\n\r\nAs we began reading, the students were especially engaged in discussing common themes and sharing interesting facts they discovered. Their conversations became richer and more thoughtful, with many students making connections between texts and their own experiences. The donations not only provided new materials but also sparked meaningful learning opportunities that strengthened both comprehension and collaboration.\r\n\r\nThe buzzers were an absolute highlight in our classroom. They quickly became a favorite tool during games and review activities, adding an element of fun and friendly competition. Students were highly motivated to participate. These resources have truly made a positive impact, and we are deeply appreciative of the generosity that made this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1768675714990,"projectUrl":"project/reading-our-way-to-success/10025800/","projectTitle":"Reading Our Way to Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Reyes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8152467"},{"teacherId":8414619,"projectId":10030924,"letterContent":"When I think about what your generosity has done for my classroom, I keep coming back to one moment. One of my students was sitting in our book nook, curled up on a new pillow with a book in hand, completely lost in the story. This is a student who used to rush through reading just to be done. That day, they did not want to leave the space. That is the kind of impact you have made.\r\n\r\nBefore this project, so many of the things that bring learning to life felt just out of reach. Printing in color and laminating materials required special permission, which meant my students often missed out on the kind of vibrant, hands on resources that help ideas stick. Now, I can create what they need when they need it. The difference is immediate. Lessons feel more alive, and students are more focused, more excited, and more confident in what they are learning.\r\n\r\nWhat has meant the most is watching my students take ownership. They love using the highlighters and pens to go back into their work, to fix mistakes, and to make it better. It has shifted how they see themselves. They are not just completing assignments anymore. They are growing. They are thinking. They are proud.\r\n\r\nYou did more than provide supplies. You created a space where students feel comfortable, capable, and cared for. You gave them color, comfort, and a sense that their learning matters. I see it every single day, and I am so grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1768696818269,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-color-to-learning-and-comfort-t/10030924/","projectTitle":"Bringing Color to Learning and Comfort to Our Book Nook","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. McSwain","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8414619_orig.jpg?crop=1726,1726,x0,y575&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1701212596218","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mcswain4change"},{"teacherId":10165040,"projectId":9996883,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donation. I've utilized the donations to support our Bee Buck Student Store which is a way for students to purchase a prize with their Bee Bucks. Students earn Bee Bucks through demonstrating the Three B's: Be Safe, Be Kind, and Be Responsible. Along side with that, I've utilized other donated items for tutoring. This past year, we've received Professional Development on CGI (Cognitively Guided Instruction) to implement with our math instruction. One of the strategies/ tools that has been taught to us is utilizing little trinkets as a counting collection. Such an awesome way for students to have fun while learning! \r\n\r\nThank you again!!","fullyFundedDate":1768448953605,"projectUrl":"project/bee-buck-student-storetutoring/9996883/","projectTitle":"Bee Buck Student Store/Tutoring","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Christine","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10165040"},{"teacherId":9755014,"projectId":10033385,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom has transformed into a space where every child feels like a reader.\r\nThese new decodable books and phonics games have given my students access to reading in a way that truly meets them where they are. Instead of guessing or memorizing, students are now learning how to decode words using specific phonics patterns. With the short vowel books, they began by building foundational skills like sounding out simple CVC words (cat, dog, sun). As they grew more confident, we introduced digraphs (like sh and ch) and blends (like bl and st), helping them read longer and more complex words. Now, with the long vowel VCE books, students are practicing patterns like cake, bike, and home, which is a huge milestone in early reading development.\r\nReading in our classroom is active, joyful, and full of growth. You'll see students pointing under each word, stretching out sounds, and celebrating when they successfully read a sentence on their own. We read together, in small groups, and independently. The phonics games and flash cards have turned practice into something they genuinely look forward to, especially during literacy centers where they can play and learn at the same time.\r\nSome of my students who once felt unsure about reading are now the most excited to pick up a book. I have one student who used to avoid reading altogether, but now proudly shares decodable stories with me, sounding out each word with determination. Another student loves using the word games to \"teach\" their classmates, building both confidence and leadership skills. These moments are small but powerful, and they are happening every single day because of these resources.\r\nYour support has not just provided materials, it has built confidence, independence, and a love of reading in young learners. Thank you for helping my students see themselves as readers.","fullyFundedDate":1768708131285,"projectUrl":"project/give-the-power-to-read/10033385/","projectTitle":"Give the Power to Read","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Garces","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9755014"},{"teacherId":9755216,"projectId":10013082,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom. Your generosity has made an immediate and meaningful impact on my 3rd-grade bilingual students. One of the most impactful items has been the printer. Having a personal printer in my classroom has been a huge time saver—I am now able to prepare for lessons much more efficiently and make copies instantly when I need them. This allows me to be more responsive to my students and adjust lessons in real time. I especially love being able to print in color, which is essential for my bilingual classroom. My students rely on visual supports, and color-coded materials (red for Spanish and blue for English) help them clearly see connections between the two languages.\r\n\r\nThe laminating pouches have also been incredibly helpful because I can reuse materials over and over again, making our visuals more durable and consistent. My students are especially excited to use the new materials during lessons. The vocabulary flash cards have been a powerful tool for language development, supporting both Spanish speakers learning English and English speakers learning Spanish. My afterschool tutoring groups absolutely love using the whisper phones—they are engaged, motivated, and able to hear themselves read, which builds confidence and fluency. Privacy folders have made a big difference during tests and independent work, helping students stay focused and feel comfortable.\r\n\r\nAll of the additional supplies have been put to great use right away. The new pencil sharpener makes our daily routines smoother, and students love how easy it is to use. Supplies like dry erase markers, erasers, and organizational tools help keep learning running smoothly, while small incentives like slime and color-changing pencils have been wonderful motivators for positive behavior and effort. Every item has contributed to a more organized, engaging, and supportive learning environment for my students.","fullyFundedDate":1768494403711,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-color-to-bilingual-lessons/10013082/","projectTitle":"Bringing Color to Bilingual Lessons","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Smyth","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9755216_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727205865308","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9755216"},{"teacherId":5533464,"projectId":9998594,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our classroom has been transformed into an engaging, hands-on math community where students are excited to learn, explore, and grow every single day. Your support has allowed my 3rd grade students to experience math not just as numbers on a page, but as meaningful, joyful learning.\r\n\r\nWith the Math Folder Game Libraries, Pop to Win games, and Grab & Match math sets, students are building strong foundations in place value, fractions, and number sense through interactive play. These games have increased collaboration, mathematical conversations, and confidence—especially for students who previously felt unsure about math. I have watched reluctant learners become eager problem solvers.\r\nThe Math Blast game and index cards help students practice skills, explain their thinking, and strengthen mental math. Many of my students are bilingual learners, and these tools allow them to show understanding through models, discussion, and hands-on strategies—not just written work.\r\n\r\nYou also helped us create a positive and motivating classroom culture. The claw machine prize system, fidgets, plushies, pencil toppers, and fun pens are used as part of our math celebration and effort-based reward system. Students stay focused, persevere through challenging tasks, and take pride in their growth. The excitement when students earn a turn at the claw machine is priceless—it has become a symbol of hard work and determination.\r\n\r\nThe check registers are being used in our classroom economy, where students practice real-world math skills like tracking, saving, and managing numbers responsibly. This has strengthened both math understanding and life skills.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, math feels joyful, inclusive, and empowering. My students are more confident, more engaged, and more willing to take academic risks. You didn't just provide supplies—you created opportunities, motivation, and belief in what my students can achieve.\r\n\r\nFrom the bottom of our hearts, thank you for investing in our classroom and in our future mathematicians.","fullyFundedDate":1768162954141,"projectUrl":"project/building-confident-mathematicians-in-a-d/9998594/","projectTitle":"Building Confident Mathematicians in a Dual Language Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Abreu","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5533464_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1534302027982","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/m-abreu"},{"teacherId":9752611,"projectId":10007506,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous donations. Thanks to your kindness, we have received a printer, squishy fidgets, water, and Clorox wipes, each of which has made a meaningful difference in our daily environment.\r\n\r\nThe printer is an incredible resource that has supported learning, organization, and creativity. The squishies are already bringing comfort and joy, helping create a more positive and focused atmosphere. The water and cleaning supplies ensure that we can stay refreshed and maintain a clean, healthy space.\r\n\r\nYour support goes far beyond the items themselves, it shows that you care, and that encouragement means so much. We truly appreciate your generosity and thoughtfulness.\r\n\r\nThank you again for making a difference.","fullyFundedDate":1768188834399,"projectUrl":"project/mrs-balasquide-item-replenish/10007506/","projectTitle":"Mrs. Balasquide Item Replenish.","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Balasquide","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9752611_orig.png?crop=421,421,x7,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1778086570233","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9752611"},{"teacherId":8172898,"projectId":10007790,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our DonorsChoose project. Because of your kindness, my students and I have already made a meaningful difference in our classroom.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials arrived, my students were beyond excited. They couldn't wait to begin using them, and I immediately noticed an increase in their engagement and enthusiasm for learning. With these resources, students are now able to use the materials that support their growth and confidence.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students and investing in their future. We are incredibly grateful for your generosity and support.","fullyFundedDate":1768277692087,"projectUrl":"project/a-world-full-of-colors/10007790/","projectTitle":"A World Full of Colors","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Chavez-Duenas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8172898_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1768275881497","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8172898"},{"teacherId":10165040,"projectId":9566567,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting this project and helping provide SEL books, toolkits, and sight word materials for our students. These resources have been incredibly valuable in teaching students essential social-emotional skills such as identifying emotions, managing stress, building empathy, and practicing positive decision-making. Through stories and hands-on activities, students are learning how to communicate their feelings, solve problems, and build healthy relationships in ways that feel approachable and engaging.\r\n\r\nWhile I do not have a traditional classroom, I work closely with students in small-group SEL sessions and during after-school tutoring for ELA and math. Reading often looks like guided discussions, shared storytelling, and interactive activities where students can reflect, ask questions, and connect lessons to real-life situations. The sight word materials have been especially helpful during tutoring, allowing students to build confidence with foundational reading skills in a supportive, low-pressure environment. Some students are excited to recognize sight words they previously found challenging, while others are eager to share their thoughts during SEL group discussions. Seeing students feel more confident, supported, and engaged has been incredibly rewarding. Your generosity has helped create safe, meaningful learning experiences for students who need them most, and I am truly grateful for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1764603192520,"projectUrl":"project/social-emotional-learning/9566567/","projectTitle":"Social-Emotional Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Christine","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10165040"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_131007","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":80,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":19,"percentWhite":4,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":66,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":0,"gradesServed":"K - 2","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":44.4,"schoolId":131007,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Strong Start Academy Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Strong Start Academy Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/nevada/nevada-department-of-education/strong-start-academy/131007"}