{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Esther Bennett Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":39.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10413814,"projectId":10045376,"letterContent":"Our students are excited to choose a reward for meeting behavior expectations. It's truly wonderful how 3d printed incentives can be individualized for each students interests. What a wonderful way to keep incentives interesting and engaging!\r\n\r\n I am honored to be given a better means to recognize improvements our students make. Gone are the days of a prize box filled with outdated items. A 3d printed reward keeps evolving as students preferences change rapidly. This helps our students be excited for their reward when behavior expectations are met.","fullyFundedDate":1769128404844,"projectUrl":"project/3d-printer-for-incentives-and-learning/10045376/","projectTitle":"3D Printer for Incentives and Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Phelps","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10413814"},{"teacherId":10403011,"projectId":10014003,"letterContent":"The arrival of these books has completely transformed our classroom library and daily routines. My fourth graders were absolutely thrilled the moment we opened the boxes!\r\n\r\nMany of you are avid readers yourselves, so you know the magic of a good book, but teaching with them brings a whole new layer of excitement. We use the Jory John \"Food\" books and the \"Little Spot\" series as anchor texts during our morning meetings. These stories give us a shared, safe vocabulary to discuss complex feelings. For example, after reading The Bad Seed, we practice identifying when we are having a tough day and use the \"Little Spot\" strategies to regulate our emotions before they escalate. On the literacy side, the Geronimo Stilton books are masterful at teaching context clues, descriptive language, and stamina. The unique, colorful typography in those books helps students understand tone and inflection, which directly improves their reading fluency out loud.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is a dynamic, celebrated time. During independent reading blocks, you'll see students cozied up in corners, completely absorbed in their stories. We also encourage \"buddy reading,\" where they can share funny moments or cool illustrations with a peer, fostering a true community of readers.\r\n\r\nThere are a few students who have been particularly impacted. I have one student who has historically been very reluctant to pick up a chapter book. Handing him a Geronimo Stilton adventure changed everything; the fast-paced plot and graphic elements hooked him instantly, and he is now on his third book in the series! Another student, who sometimes struggles with frustration when tackling hard math problems, has started referencing her \"Spot of Peace.\" Having that tangible connection to a book character has given her a concrete tool to manage her emotions beautifully.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in my students' hearts and minds. Your generosity is making a daily difference in our room!","fullyFundedDate":1768619427091,"projectUrl":"project/nurturing-emotional-intelligence-with-ne/10014003/","projectTitle":"Nurturing Emotional Intelligence With New Books","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kindness","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10403011"},{"teacherId":9397879,"projectId":10062349,"letterContent":"The class loves all the new games! They were so excited to first play with them. I used the games for Fun Friday and they are wanting to play with them all the time. \r\nThey were also very excited for the new cushions. We grab them when we are working and the kids sit spread around the room on their comfy cushions. I am so happy to have enough for the entire class. \r\nWe also got some new toys and snacks for the Dojo Store. The class loves the new items that they can buy using their Dojo points. I want kids to look forward to Fun Friday and use it as an incentive to finish their work throughout the week. Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1779929579992,"projectUrl":"project/comfy-seats-and-fun-games/10062349/","projectTitle":"Comfy Seats and Fun Games","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Good","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9397879_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1788669110035","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9397879"},{"teacherId":8119333,"projectId":10018358,"letterContent":"The donated supplies have made a tremendous impact in our classroom. My students absolutely love the new books and eagerly look forward to their quiet reading time each day. The books have helped foster a love of reading and increased student engagement. The saucer chairs have been a wonderful addition as well, providing a cozy and comfortable space for students to enjoy their books once they have completed their classwork. These resources have helped create a positive, inviting learning environment where students are excited to read, learn, and grow.","fullyFundedDate":1768575342837,"projectUrl":"project/book-wishlist-of-the-smiley-classroom/10018358/","projectTitle":"Book Wishlist of the Smiley Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lobato","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8119333_orig.jpg?crop=637,637,x45,y113&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1658013791019","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ruth-lobato"},{"teacherId":8141838,"projectId":10029861,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for you generous contribution to our schools Social Emotional Learning Project! Your support means the world to our students and to me as their school social worker. Because of donors like you, our students have access to calming tools and fidgets that help them regulate their emotions, stay focused and feel safe in our learning environment. \r\nThese resources make a real difference every day. Whether a student needs a moment with a stress ball before a test, a breathing exercise tool to reset after recess, or simply something to keep their hands busy during a lesson. \r\nYour kindness has shown our students that their community believes in them. We are so grateful for your investment in the future of our students.","fullyFundedDate":1768754402022,"projectUrl":"project/sel-for-academic-success/10029861/","projectTitle":"SEL for Academic Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jeakins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8141838"},{"teacherId":9884827,"projectId":9990815,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my gifted and talented students now have resources that are already making a meaningful impact in our classroom. When the students first saw the chess sets and the globe string lights, their reactions were immediate excitement and curiosity. Several students gathered around the chess boards right away, eager to begin playing and teaching one another strategies, while others commented on how calm, cozy, and welcoming the classroom felt with the lights added to our learning space. One student even said, \"It feels peaceful in here now,\" which meant so much to me because creating a safe and encouraging environment is a huge part of helping gifted learners thrive.\r\n\r\nWe have already begun using the chess sets during critical thinking stations and strategy challenges. The students are learning how to think ahead, analyze patterns, problem solve, and persevere through difficult situations. I've watched students slow down, reflect before making decisions, and encourage one another through both wins and losses. These moments are helping build not only academic thinking skills, but also confidence, patience, and emotional growth. For many of my students, especially those who sometimes doubt themselves, chess has become a powerful reminder that growth happens through practice, mistakes, and persistence.\r\n\r\nAs we continue through the school year, these resources will support deeper learning experiences connected to problem solving, collaboration, and strategic thinking projects in our gifted classroom. My students are currently working through lessons that encourage creativity, communication, and resilience, and these materials help strengthen those skills in authentic ways. Your kindness has helped create a classroom environment where students feel both challenged and supported, and I truly appreciate the investment you made in my students and their future. Thank you for believing in them and helping them see that their ideas, voices, and brilliance matter.","fullyFundedDate":1768443233472,"projectUrl":"project/smart-moves-start-here/9990815/","projectTitle":"Smart Moves Start Here","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Yates","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kimberleeyates"},{"teacherId":8135198,"projectId":9999676,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our kindergarten classroom! Because of your generosity, my students now have hands-on materials that make learning both fun and meaningful.\r\n\r\nWith the CVC word locks and magnetic letters, students are practicing building and reading simple words while strengthening their early literacy skills. The counting mats and counting objects allow students to explore numbers, practice counting, and build strong math foundations through interactive learning.\r\n\r\nIn kindergarten, hands-on experiences are so important, and these resources help my students stay engaged while building confidence in their abilities. Your support is truly making a difference in our classroom each day.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and investing in their learning!","fullyFundedDate":1768741015930,"projectUrl":"project/unlocking-words-numbers-through-play-a/9999676/","projectTitle":"Unlocking Words & Numbers Through Play and Exploration","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ralph","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8135198"},{"teacherId":8173097,"projectId":10035312,"letterContent":"I would like very much to thank all those who, through your generosity, are helping to give my students the best start they can have in their education. Your support is giving them the opportunity to find the fun and joy in learning through games, books, and creative thinking. I cannot begin to express how much I appreciate what I can now share with my students that we would not have had access to without the generosity of others. Sharing in the joy of learning with my students is one of my greatest loves. My students were so excited when they saw what arrived for them. Thank you, thank you, thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1768740993841,"projectUrl":"project/getting-a-great-start/10035312/","projectTitle":"Getting a Great Start","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kirk","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8173097"},{"teacherId":8847297,"projectId":10030203,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous help towards my students. My more active students use the percussion boxes as a creative outlet while still participating with the class.\r\nMy class has become more adaptive with ukulele straps to allow all students to play together. Guitar picks are also great with the ukulele strumming. The picks give students who are more advanced new challenges to find intricate sounds and repeat sound they find. \r\nThe letter dice are such a treat for my fourth graders on recorders. My students roll the die multiple times to make a spontaneous song or inspiration to write their own introductions for a song they know. Thank you so much for enriching my students music learning.","fullyFundedDate":1768696194161,"projectUrl":"project/think-outside-the-percussion-box/10030203/","projectTitle":"Think Outside the Percussion Box","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. HOLLINGWORTH","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8847297_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753121997980","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8847297"},{"teacherId":10411567,"projectId":10038567,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for bringing our \"Coloring Our Way to Reading Success\" project to life. In our Title 1 classroom, resources are often limited, but your incredible generosity has provided technological tools that are directly transforming how my 1st graders learn. While many of us use screens and printers every day at home, in our classroom, these devices serve a very specific educational purpose: they provide the vital visual context my 6-year-olds need to decode words. With our new Brother color printer, I can now create vibrant, color-coded phonics games and interactive literacy centers. These high-quality color materials are helping my visual learners and English Language Learners retain information far better than standard black-and-white copies ever could.\r\n\r\nThe excitement has been absolutely boundless since our new materials arrived. The students are most thrilled by the new Kindle Colorsoft. Unlike older e-readers, the vibrant display brings the illustrations to life, turning reading into a magical, engaging experience rather than a daunting task. They are also completely captivated by our new Geronimo Stilton and the Kingdom of Fantasy book. The creative, colorful fonts make what looks like an intimidating \"big kid\" chapter book feel incredibly fun and accessible. It has quickly become a favorite read-aloud and a tangible goal for their independent reading journey!\r\n\r\nWe have already seen students warm to these new resources in beautiful ways. One of my more reluctant readers, who often struggled to rely on text alone, completely lit up when using the Kindle for the first time. The bright pictures provided the exact context clues they needed to sound out the story, and the boost in their confidence was immediate. By supporting this project, you didn't just provide us with technology—you placed a vibrant digital library into the hands of children who might otherwise go home to an empty bookshelf. Thank you for helping us bridge the gap between school and bedtime stories, and for bringing a world of color to our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1769022779686,"projectUrl":"project/coloring-our-way-to-reading-success/10038567/","projectTitle":"Coloring Our Way to Reading Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Murillo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10411567"},{"teacherId":8169124,"projectId":10030725,"letterContent":"Thank you for donating to my project for my kindergarten students. The students are eager to engage with the new materials and greatly enjoy working with them alongside their peers. Every time I set out a new set of materials, there is audible excitement, such as \"What's that!\" and \"When do we get to use it?\" I have even heard their appreciation with comments like \"Thank you for this!\" The materials are of nice and durable quality, which is a must with hands-on materials.\r\n\r\nThe phonics activities have been used during independent work and in small group settings, both with success. The students are highly engaged and are practicing reading CVC words while building fluency. Some materials are being used in small group to focus on specific skills and to provide extra support. The students especially enjoy the keys and locks where they read the CVC words on the keys and find and unlock the matching picture lock. Another student favorite are the Magna doodles, where we have been practicing writing high frequency words, with an extra focus on nice handwriting.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your donation and helping build reading skills in my classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1768698365440,"projectUrl":"project/phonics-writing-and-creative-play/10030725/","projectTitle":"Phonics, Writing, and Creative Play","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Spidahl","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8169124_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1784785893529","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8169124"},{"teacherId":9368938,"projectId":10045762,"letterContent":"My students were very excited to have new games to play while working on their speech and language skills! They enjoyed playing bingo while working on answering \"who\" questions. We also practiced speech sounds to describe the different professionals who carry out various jobs and compared and contrasted the different careers. \r\n\r\nThey also enjoyed learning about different coping strategies and identifying and applying them while playing a game with their friends. The game had visual supports to help them to remember and choose from different coping mechanism strategies, and the game cards helped the students to apply learned skills to social scenarios. We are now working on applying the skills they have learned to real-life scenarios to help them navigate social situations in which they typically require adult support.","fullyFundedDate":1769184080390,"projectUrl":"project/everyone-deserves-a-voice-speech-time/10045762/","projectTitle":"Everyone Deserves a Voice - Speech Time!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. K","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9368938"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_67141","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":492,"numTeachers":35,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":20,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":72,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":1,"percentMultiracialImputed":2,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"14.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":60.7,"schoolId":67141,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Esther Bennett Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Esther Bennett Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/nevada/washoe-county-school-district/esther-bennett-elementary-school/67141"}