Claremont Elementary School in Franklin Park, New Jersey on DonorsChoose

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As we carefully unpacked the materials together, students gathered around, asking questions and eagerly sharing what they already knew about butterflies. Their curiosity was immediate and contagious. The arrival of the caterpillars sparked conversations, predictions, and excitement that continued throughout the entire project.\r\n\r\nEach day, our students eagerly checked on the caterpillars during morning meeting and throughout the day. They observed the caterpillars eating, growing larger, and moving around their habitat. The children quickly became little scientists, carefully watching for changes and discussing their observations with their classmates. They learned how to make predictions, compare sizes, describe what they saw, and ask questions about the life cycle process.\r\n\r\nOne of the most memorable moments occurred when the caterpillars began forming their chrysalides. The children were fascinated by the transformation. They observed closely and talked about how the caterpillars seemed to be preparing for something special. Every day, they would rush into the classroom asking, \"Did anything change?\" and \"When will the butterflies come out?\" Their excitement grew as they patiently waited for the next stage of the life cycle.\r\n\r\nWhen the butterflies finally emerged, the classroom erupted with joy. Students watched in amazement as the butterflies stretched their wings and began moving around the habitat. Many children spent time quietly observing the butterflies, while others excitedly shared their thoughts and questions. It was a powerful learning experience that helped students understand concepts of growth, change, patience, and the natural world in a way that no book or video could fully replicate.\r\n\r\nThe butterfly project extended far beyond science. Students created butterfly-themed artwork, practiced counting and graphing activities, learned new vocabulary words, and participated in discussions that strengthened their language and communication skills. They drew pictures of the different life cycle stages and sequenced events from egg to butterfly. Through these activities, students developed important observation, critical thinking, and early literacy skills.\r\n\r\nOne particularly special classroom moment occurred when students compared their first drawings of caterpillars to their later drawings of butterflies. They were proud to see how much they had learned and how much more detail they could include in their work. Their confidence as learners grew as they realized they could observe, record, and explain real scientific phenomena.\r\n\r\nThe butterfly release was the highlight of our project. Students gathered outside to release the butterflies into their natural environment. As the butterflies flew away, the children cheered and waved goodbye. Some students reflected on how the butterflies had changed since they first arrived, while others talked about hoping to see them again in nature. It was a beautiful culmination of weeks of learning, observation, and care.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we plan to build upon this experience by continuing our study of living things, habitats, and life cycles. Students will explore how plants and animals grow and change and will make connections between the butterfly life cycle and the life cycles of other living organisms. We will also continue incorporating science into literacy, math, and art activities, encouraging students to ask questions, make observations, and think critically about the world around them.\r\n\r\nYour support has provided our students with an unforgettable learning experience that fostered curiosity, excitement, and a love of discovery. More importantly, you helped create opportunities for our young learners to engage in authentic, hands-on exploration that will stay with them for years to come. Thank you for believing in our students and for helping us inspire the next generation of scientists, thinkers, and explorers.\r\n\r\n 🦋💚","fullyFundedDate":1774963608706,"projectUrl":"project/tiny-caterpillars-big-discoveries/10140556/","projectTitle":"Tiny Caterpillars, Big Discoveries!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. A.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4576835_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1527610422161","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4576835"},{"teacherId":10093252,"projectId":9499761,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the donations. These donations have helped the students in the classroom in so many ways. For instance, the bins have been used for the students mailboxes in their cubbies, they are able to each have their own color of choice and a place to put their folder. This gives them a sense of purpose and something of their own. They can learn to unpack and pack up with their designated materials in the bin, they are learning to be more independent with this. The magnet tiles were a great addition to the classroom as the students are creating and building all different things like bridges for their cars. These items are helping the students think outside the box and grow in their creative minds. \r\n\r\nThe items that I have received have been the best part of the classroom and giving my students the most I can to help them succeed and achieve the most. The dry erasers and markers are great for all types of materials. The students can trace laminated worksheets and be able to erase on their own giving them self purpose. I am forever grateful for the gifts to be able to help my students grow and learn.","fullyFundedDate":1755700627395,"projectUrl":"project/ms-sams-teaching-team/9499761/","projectTitle":"Ms. Sams teaching team","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Brain","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10093252"},{"teacherId":9424453,"projectId":9100480,"letterContent":"I cannot thank you enough for your generosity in supporting our CES Dance Company through this project! The materials you funded—garment racks, hangers, and laundry bins—have already made such a difference for our young dancers and our program as a whole.\r\n\r\nWe just had our first performance where students used the garment racks and hangers to organize their costumes by name, ensuring everything was wrinkle-free and easy to access. During a practice run of quick costume changes, the new changing tents gave them a space to switch outfits quickly and confidently, which added a layer of professionalism and pride to their preparation.\r\n\r\nThese resources have done more than just keep us organized—they've also given our students a real-world lesson in responsibility and teamwork. Seeing them work together to pack and transport costumes using the laundry bags reminded me of how much these young performers are growing both as dancers and as individuals.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, our next steps include continuing to rehearse for our upcoming spring performances. These materials will ensure every dancer feels prepared to shine under the spotlight, and we'll keep building on these organizational skills as our performances grow in complexity.\r\n\r\nThank you for making this possible. Your support has truly elevated our program and inspired our dancers to give their very best. 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About this school

Claremont Elementary School is a suburban public school in Franklin Park, New Jersey that is part of Franklin Township Public School District. It serves 672 students in grades Pre-K - 6. Its teachers have had 44 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Supporting this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Grades Pre-K - 6

672 Students

# of teachers unavailable

175 Claremont Rd

Franklin Park, NJ 08823 View local requests

Direct, proactive support

Empower teachers at Claremont Elementary School to request what their students need.

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Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

Claremont Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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Claremont Elementary School Demographics

48%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

87%

of students are Black, Latino, Native American, or Asian

Schools in districts that mainly serve students of color receive substantially less state and local support than similar districts that serve primarily White students. Learn more about this gap, why it exists, and how you can help close it.

Claremont Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Jun 13, 2026

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