{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"East Ward Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":31.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9062417,"projectId":9460387,"letterContent":"I want to extend my deepest gratitude for your generosity in funding our classroom iPads. Your donation has truly transformed learning for my nonverbal and severely learning-disabled students in ways that are hard to put into words.\r\n\r\nBefore these iPads, communication and engagement were daily challenges. Many of my students struggled to express their needs, wants, and ideas — leading to frustration and missed opportunities to learn. Now, with the help of communication and learning apps, my students can finally have a voice. We've seen students who once remained silent begin using picture icons and speech-generating tools to communicate for the very first time.\r\n\r\nThe iPads have also made individualized learning possible. Students are practicing literacy, fine motor skills, and cognitive tasks through interactive activities designed for their unique abilities. What's most inspiring is seeing their confidence grow each day — smiles, eye contact, and excitement that fill our classroom because they're finally being heard and understood.\r\n\r\nYour kindness didn't just provide technology — it provided connection, independence, and inclusion. From the bottom of my heart and on behalf of all my students and families: thank you for believing in them and giving them this incredible opportunity to learn in a way that truly meets their needs.","fullyFundedDate":1753235528419,"projectUrl":"project/technology-that-speaks-ipads-for-commun/9460387/","projectTitle":"Technology That Speaks: iPads for Communication and Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Grzankowski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9062417_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y563&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1721151560066","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9062417"},{"teacherId":9310679,"projectId":9228057,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of the East Ward Elementary School Band! Because of your kindness, our students now have access to the Sound Innovations Beginning and Intermediate Band books.\r\n\r\nThese resources are already making a meaningful impact in our classroom. The structured lessons and engaging content are helping our young musicians build strong fundamentals and grow in confidence with every rehearsal. When the students first received the books, their excitement was undeniable—they were eager to dive in and start playing!\r\n\r\nThanks to you, our band program is on a strong path forward. We're currently working through new pieces and building ensemble skills, and I can't wait to see how much our students continue to grow.","fullyFundedDate":1746786347596,"projectUrl":"project/band-books/9228057/","projectTitle":"Band Books","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. G","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9310679_orig.jpg?crop=4480,4480,x0,y403&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727837862241","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9310679"},{"teacherId":9310679,"projectId":9139046,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous donations, our East Ward Elementary band students received much-needed reeds and mouthpieces—and the impact was immediate! These materials are essential for young musicians to play successfully, and having quality equipment has greatly improved their sound, comfort, and confidence.\r\n\r\nI'll never forget the moment students opened the boxes and found their new gear. Many of them had been struggling with worn or ill-fitting mouthpieces and reeds, and their excitement was genuine. One student even said, \"It feels like I'm playing a whole new instrument!\"\r\n\r\nWe've been using the new equipment during full-band rehearsals and small group lessons. The improved tone and response have allowed us to focus more on musicality and ensemble playing. Currently, we're preparing for our fall performance, and with these upgrades, the students are more motivated than ever to sound their best.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in their musical journey—you've truly helped these young performers shine!","fullyFundedDate":1746582648267,"projectUrl":"project/reeds-and-mouth-pieces/9139046/","projectTitle":"Reeds and Mouth Pieces","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. G","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9310679_orig.jpg?crop=4480,4480,x0,y403&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727837862241","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9310679"},{"teacherId":8958423,"projectId":9054393,"letterContent":"This project allowed for me to add more costume materials to our costume closet. As this is still a new program and in an urban area the funding for my program is not always promised year to year. Through your donations I was able to add 3 new costumes to our closet. Not only was it a big hit for the students in my program but the audience was in awe as well. \r\n\r\nIn dance costumes, music and lightening adds to the overall performance. Being able to purchase new costumes added to my student's performance tremendously. We were able to perform at our district wide event in brand new costumes along with our annual spring concert. \r\n\r\nMy students and I are very fortunate that you chose this project to donate to!","fullyFundedDate":1740590514580,"projectUrl":"project/arts-in-action-costume-closet/9054393/","projectTitle":"Arts In Action: Costume Closet","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Munford","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8958423_orig.jpg?crop=510,510,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1676040372794","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8958423"},{"teacherId":9310679,"projectId":9026170,"letterContent":"Your incredible donations have given my underprivileged students the chance to participate in what would otherwise have been a far off dream. We are practicing recorder every week learning new songs and creating new memories along the way! \r\n\r\nThey will now be able to head to NJPAC where they will perform on recorder with the rest of our district. A feat I had little hope in being able to do as the supplies I was given was not enough for even 2 of the 7 full classes I and my co teacher need to teach recorder to! \r\n\r\nThe moment my students laid eyes on the recorder they wanted nothing else but to learn how to play it! They OWN the recorder! They have songs memorized ALREADY! It's amazing, and none of this would have been possible without you. Your donation will be heard in every note These fantastic wonderful students play! Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1740404464486,"projectUrl":"project/ramp-recorder-arts-for-musical-path/9026170/","projectTitle":"R.A.M.P. (Recorder Arts for Musical Pathways)","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. G","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9310679_orig.jpg?crop=4480,4480,x0,y403&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727837862241","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9310679"},{"teacherId":9310679,"projectId":8999390,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for choosing my classroom at East Ward Elementary School to donate too. The white board, markers, erasers, and marker holders you provided for my students has created a more accessible learning environment for all of my students. My students were awestruck to see such \"cool, (and) fancy(!)\" white boards! They were and still are very excited to use them! \r\n\r\nCurrently my students are using the materials in the white board project to work in small groups, copy work from the smart board, and discuss ideas they jot down. Like I said before, we normally would be using paper and pencil but these new materials have streamlined my classroom learning environment. \r\n\r\nOur next goal as a class is to learn how to compose our own piano piece!","fullyFundedDate":1734712086858,"projectUrl":"project/white-board/8999390/","projectTitle":"White board","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. G","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9310679_orig.jpg?crop=4480,4480,x0,y403&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727837862241","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9310679"},{"teacherId":7760532,"projectId":8515775,"letterContent":"1. How are your students using the new resources?\r\n\r\nMy students have been actively engaging with the new resources, incorporating them into their daily lessons and projects. They have been using them to enhance their understanding of key concepts, collaborate with peers, and apply their learning in creative ways. The interactive elements, in particular, have been helpful in reinforcing difficult topics and encouraging deeper exploration.\r\n\r\n2. How did your students react when they first saw the materials?\r\n\r\nMy students were excited and curious when they first saw the new materials. Many of them were eager to explore and experiment with the resources right away. Some students were particularly drawn to the hands-on and visual aspects, while others appreciated the additional support they provided in clarifying complex ideas. Overall, their enthusiasm has translated into increased engagement in class activities.\r\n\r\n3. What are the next steps for your students on a current classroom lesson or project?\r\n\r\nThe next steps for my students involve applying what they have learned to a real-world scenario. They will be working on a collaborative project where they analyze and present their findings using the new resources. Additionally, students will engage in peer discussions to deepen their understanding and refine their work based on feedback. These next steps will help them solidify their knowledge and develop critical thinking skills.","fullyFundedDate":1723681854881,"projectUrl":"project/our-gymnasium-has-burned-and-we-lost-our/8515775/","projectTitle":"Our Gymnasium has Burned and We Lost our Equipment","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Rivera","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7760532_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y112&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1613090982091","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7760532"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_125594","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":700,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":85,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":4,"percentWhite":33,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":60,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":68.8,"schoolId":125594,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about East Ward Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"East Ward Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-jersey/newark-public-schools/east-ward-elementary-school/125594"}