{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Downing Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":16.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10248005,"projectId":9696796,"letterContent":"We are absolutely thrilled to share the incredible impact your generous donations have had on our students and the creation of our \"Dive into Art: A Glowing Undersea Experience\" project! Thanks to your support, we received the fantastic Model Magic and rainbow dot markers, resources that are truly making our Under the Sea Glow Room come alive.\r\n\r\nThe Model Magic was immediately put to spectacular use in a major collaborative project between our STEAM Club and Special Art students. These groups teamed up to create a large-scale, immersive cardboard model of a shark for display in the Glow Room. The STEAM Club engineered and constructed the massive cardboard body using low-temperature glue and various cutting tools, establishing the framework for our sea creature. Once the structure was complete, the Special Art students took over. They were so excited to use the Model Magic you provided to cover the cardboard framework, creating the shark's \"skin\"! Seeing the materials for the first time—a fresh new supply ready for creation—ignited a visible spark of anticipation and teamwork. Students who participate in both groups were able to see the project through, from engineering its structure to sculpting its surface. The finished, textured shark is already a magnificent sight!\r\n\r\nOur students are now moving into the final and most exciting phase of this shark project: adding the glow paint and intricate finishing details. Once complete, this magnificent shark will be carefully hung from the ceiling of the Glow Room, appearing as if it is truly swimming above our heads under the black lights. The rest of the Model Magic and the new rainbow dot markers will continue to be used in various large-scale cardboard projects throughout the year, with our student-created artwork displayed throughout the room under the black lights, completing our immersive underwater experience. Your contribution did more than just provide supplies; it allowed our students to successfully collaborate across different disciplines and bring a massive, ambitious vision to glowing life. Thank you again for being a part of this amazing journey!","fullyFundedDate":1758207069356,"projectUrl":"project/dive-into-art-a-glowing-undersea-experi/9696796/","projectTitle":"Dive Into Art: A Glowing Undersea Experience","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Monico","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10248005_orig.jpg?crop=583,583,x829,y460&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757515520964","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10248005"},{"teacherId":3026601,"projectId":9692436,"letterContent":"You made \"Bright Futures: STEAM Lab Adventures\" come alive in the best way possible! The moment we unpacked the new LEGOs, kid-safe electric drill STEM kits, straw connector sets, wooden blocks, and colorful plum-shaped blocks, and Pixel Art kits over 300 kindergarten through third-grade students across two schools and 16 classes dove in excitedly with pure joy. The STEAM labs instantly filled with focused energy as kids grabbed pieces and started building together.\r\n\r\nThese materials are used every single week and have completely transformed how my students create. The LEGOs and wooden blocks let them prototype ideas quickly, the drill kits help them add moving parts with confidence, and the straw connectors inspire giant collaborative structures that one child alone could never manage. Because there are now enough pieces for everyone, students naturally team up—sharing ideas, trading parts, and helping each other solve problems when a tower wobbles or a design needs reinforcement. I've watched students erupt into cheers when a group creation comes together and finally works.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has sparked creativity that lights up both STEAM labs every day. Students who may have once hesitated to try, now dive in fearless, proud to show off the inventions they built alongside their classmates. Thank you for giving over 300 young minds the tools and the space to collaborate, imagine, and discover just how capable they truly are!","fullyFundedDate":1757514177989,"projectUrl":"project/building-bright-futures-steam-lab-adven/9692436/","projectTitle":"Building Bright Futures: Steam Lab Adventures","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Michell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3026601_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y248&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1736788305035","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrmichell"},{"teacherId":3026601,"projectId":9053552,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting Building BattleBots: Crafting Creativity and Competition! The excitement in my classroom was unbelievable when my students first saw the new supplies. Their faces lit up at the metallic sharpies, googly eyes, sticker gems, and especially the Worx cardboard cutter—tools they had never had the chance to use before. Many immediately began brainstorming creative designs for their \"battle shells,\" eager to put both their engineering and artistic skills into action.\r\n\r\nWith your support, each student was able to design and build their own unique BattleBot shell for our class competition. They explored important engineering concepts like weight distribution, balance, and top-heaviness as they tested their designs on SPHERO robots. The decorative supplies allowed them to bring personality and flair to their builds, showing off both creativity and problem-solving. Watching them test, revise, and proudly show off their bots was a powerful moment that truly blended the \"A\" in STEAM with science and engineering.\r\n\r\nIn June, we held our official BattleBots 2025 competition, and it was the highlight of the school year. Students battled their creations to see who had the \"Best Bot,\" cheering each other on with incredible energy and pride. Thanks to your generosity, they not only competed with well-crafted and imaginative designs but also walked away with lasting lessons in creativity, engineering, and perseverance. This project sparked joy and confidence in my students—an impact they will carry with them well beyond the classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1742918421880,"projectUrl":"project/building-battlebots-crafting-creativity/9053552/","projectTitle":"Building BattleBots: Crafting Creativity and Competition!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Michell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3026601_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y248&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1736788305035","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrmichell"},{"teacherId":5478345,"projectId":9019858,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support of our project \"Empower Creativity & Inspire Minds,\" my students were able to dive into learning in ways that truly excited and inspired them. The new materials brought a fresh energy into our classroom—suddenly, everyday lessons became creative experiences. The white boards gave every student a voice during math, reading, and spelling practice, and they loved being able to quickly share answers, revise mistakes, and collaborate during small-group activities. It made participation feel fun and low-pressure, especially for students who are sometimes shy to speak up.\r\n\r\nThe craft supplies were a huge hit! When students first saw the bins filled with colorful paper, glue, markers, and decorations, their eyes lit up with excitement. One of the most memorable projects we did was a \"Holiday Around the World\" showcase. Each student researched a different winter tradition and created a visual display using the supplies you helped provide. They proudly shared their work with classmates and even wrote reflections on what they learned. It was a beautiful mix of creativity, culture, and critical thinking.\r\n\r\nYour donation did so much more than provide supplies—it created opportunities for hands-on learning, boosted classroom engagement, and helped my students feel proud of their work. We're now using what we learned to launch a new writing project, where students will design storybooks using both their writing and artistic skills. Thank you for believing in my students and helping them grow into confident, creative thinkers!","fullyFundedDate":1742918422000,"projectUrl":"project/empower-creativity-inspire-minds/9019858/","projectTitle":"Empower Creativity & Inspire Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Michell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5478345_orig.jpg?crop=954,954,x93,y266&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718932865291","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-michell"},{"teacherId":5478345,"projectId":8965418,"letterContent":"am thrilled to share the profound impact your generous contributions have had on our classroom through the \"Creative Minds, Endless Possibilities: A Donation Project to Inspire Innovation.\" The resources you've provided have transformed our learning environment, fostering creativity and critical thinking among my students.\r\n\r\nUpon receiving the new materials, my students were immediately engaged. One memorable moment was when we introduced a hands-on science project utilizing the lab kits you funded. Students eagerly collaborated, designing experiments and presenting their findings with newfound confidence. The interactive nature of the kits allowed them to apply theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios, deepening their understanding and enthusiasm for science.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we are embarking on a cross-curricular project that integrates art, technology, and storytelling. With the digital cameras and art supplies you've provided, students will create short films that narrate original stories, blending visual arts with digital media. This project not only enhances their technical skills but also encourages teamwork and innovative thinking. We are excited to continue this journey of exploration and learning, all made possible by your support.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our potential and investing in our future.","fullyFundedDate":1733256533045,"projectUrl":"project/creative-minds-endless-possibilities-a/8965418/","projectTitle":"Creative Minds, Endless Possibilities: A Donation Project to Inspire Innovation","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Michell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5478345_orig.jpg?crop=954,954,x93,y266&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718932865291","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-michell"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_80957","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":156,"numTeachers":11,"percentFrplEligible":35,"percentAsian":7,"percentBlack":11,"percentWhite":62,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":12,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 3","studentTeacherRatio":"14.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":84.0,"schoolId":80957,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Downing Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Downing Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-jersey/runnemede-public-school-district/downing-elementary-school/80957"}