{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Lavaland Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":41.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9749922,"projectId":10282305,"letterContent":"Our project, Learning Responsibility Through Classroom Pets, is still a work in progress, but we are excited about the opportunities it will bring to our school library and students.\r\n\r\nWe experienced some unexpected setbacks that delayed the project. The habitats arrived damaged during shipping, and it took several months to receive the replacement pieces. I also needed to save money to purchase the remaining supplies necessary to create safe, healthy, and balanced habitats for each of our leopard geckos, Toothless and Cloud Jumper. Although these challenges slowed our progress, I wanted to make sure both geckos would have appropriate environments before becoming permanent residents of our library.\r\n\r\nI brought Toothless and Cloud Jumper to school for one week in their current habitats, giving students a chance to meet them. The excitement was wonderful! Students were curious, enthusiastic, and eager to learn about our new library mascots. They are already looking forward to having Toothless and Cloud Jumper join our library community.\r\n\r\nI believe this project will provide learning opportunities that extend beyond caring for classroom pets. Students will have opportunities to develop responsibility, empathy, patience, and respect for living things. They will learn that caring for an animal requires consistency, attention, and an understanding of its needs.\r\n\r\nI am particularly hopeful about the positive impact Toothless and Cloud Jumper may have on students who struggle with behavior and self-regulation. Having living creatures in our library can provide meaningful opportunities to practice gentle interactions, follow routines, and develop a sense of responsibility. I hope the geckos will also help create a welcoming, calming environment where students feel connected and valued.\r\n\r\nWhile we are not yet at the point of fully implementing the project, the students' initial response has reinforced my belief in its potential. I look forward to completing the habitats and creating opportunities for students to learn about and care for our library mascots.\r\n\r\nI am grateful for the support that has helped make this project possible. Despite the delays, I am committed to seeing it through and creating an experience that will benefit our students for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1785428198423,"projectUrl":"project/learning-responsibility-through-classroo/10282305/","projectTitle":"Learning Responsibility Through Classroom Pets","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rosa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9749922_orig.jpg?crop=1080,1080,x0,y151&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1775441002988","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9749922"},{"teacherId":6610080,"projectId":10128746,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my kindergarten students! I love seeing their little faces light up when they learn something new, and Scholastic's \"Let's Find Out\" and \"Science Spin\" magazines give us so many opportunities to make those special moments happen.\r\n\r\nMy students are naturally curious and full of questions about the world around them. These magazines help us explore topics they might not otherwise get to learn about in such an exciting way. We read together, look at the colorful photographs, talk about what we notice, and make predictions about what we might discover. I love hearing their ideas and watching them make connections to things they have seen or experienced in their own lives.\r\n\r\nThese magazines also help my students grow as readers and learners. Even though many are just beginning their reading journey, they can participate, learn new vocabulary, practice listening and comprehension skills, and feel proud when they share something they have learned. Seeing their confidence grow and their excitement for learning is one of the best parts of teaching kindergarten!\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, my students have engaging resources that make learning fun, meaningful, and memorable. Thank you for investing in my students and helping me nurture their curiosity, build their confidence, and create a classroom where asking questions and discovering new things are celebrated. Your kindness truly makes a difference in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1773850736936,"projectUrl":"project/lets-find-out/10128746/","projectTitle":"Let's Find Out","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Angie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6610080_orig.jpg?crop=612,612,x28,y186&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1676934840592","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6610080"},{"teacherId":2422227,"projectId":10167093,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our students transformed into active field researchers during our Schoolyard Biologists Genius Hour. The funded bird feeder camera and game camera brought our schoolyard ecosystem to life, capturing real-time visits from local wildlife right outside our windows. Students used these high-tech observation tools to collect raw data, track animal behaviors, and upload their findings directly to iNaturalist. \r\n\r\nCollaborating with the broader scientific community, they verified species identifications and analyzed local biodiversity. You can explore the exact data and species logs captured by our class on our iNaturalist Observations Page (lavaland-288). To date we've made 63 observations of 42 different species. \r\n\r\nTo culminate this project, students synthesized their digital field data into a formal scientific poster. They combined photographic evidence, identification metrics, and ecological insights into a peer-reviewed style display. This project turned abstract biology concepts into authentic, hands-on scientific inquiry, sparking a genuine passion for conservation and technology in our young scientists.","fullyFundedDate":1776287333446,"projectUrl":"project/schoolyard-biologists-exploring-wildlif/10167093/","projectTitle":"Schoolyard Biologists: Exploring Wildlife in Our Urban Ecosystem","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bird","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2422227_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y45&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1564439095446","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2422227"},{"teacherId":10461244,"projectId":10140608,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our DonorsChoose project! Your kindness provided our classroom with wonderful picture books, and my students and I are incredibly grateful.\r\n\r\nWe have already been enjoying the books in so many ways. I have loved reading them aloud to my students, and they especially enjoy choosing the books they want to read during independent reading time. Having a variety of new books has helped make reading even more exciting and gives my students more opportunities to explore stories, characters, and new ideas.\r\n\r\nYour donation has helped create a classroom where my students can discover the joy of reading and find books that make them excited to learn. Thank you for helping make our classroom library a more inviting and engaging place for my students!","fullyFundedDate":1773850737179,"projectUrl":"project/new-books-new-adventures-for-young-lear/10140608/","projectTitle":"New Books, New Adventures for Young Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Char","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10461244_orig.jpg?crop=1401,1401,x967,y1139&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1773802751638","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10461244"},{"teacherId":9749922,"projectId":9363777,"letterContent":"The Windows and Mirrors: Building Identity Through Books in Kindergarten project has had a meaningful impact on my students. Through these books, students have been able to see themselves, their families, languages, cultures, and experiences reflected in literature while also learning about the lives and experiences of others. The stories sparked thoughtful conversations about kindness, identity, family, and community.\r\n\r\nMy students were highly engaged during our read-alouds and were excited to make personal connections to the characters and themes in the books. In addition to reading the stories together, students created art projects connected to the books, allowing them to express their ideas, creativity, and understanding in meaningful ways. These activities helped strengthen comprehension, oral language, confidence, and classroom community.\r\n\r\nThis project helped create a more inclusive and joyful literacy environment where students felt seen, valued, and excited about reading and learning.","fullyFundedDate":1756597583224,"projectUrl":"project/windows-and-mirrors-building-identity-t/9363777/","projectTitle":"Windows and Mirrors: Building Identity Through Books in Kindergarten","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rosa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9749922_orig.jpg?crop=1080,1080,x0,y151&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1775441002988","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9749922"},{"teacherId":9749922,"projectId":9985330,"letterContent":"Happy Lunar New Year! Thank you for your generous support of our classroom. Although the materials arrived after the Lunar New Year celebration, we have already begun enjoying some of the stories together, and they have sparked meaningful conversations and curiosity among my students.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, my students are beginning to explore the rich culture and traditions connected to the Lunar New Year. Even with just a few stories, they are building new vocabulary, making connections, and developing an appreciation for traditions that may be different from their own. For many of my multilingual learners, this representation is especially meaningful.\r\n\r\nI am especially excited to fully implement these materials during the 2026–2027 school year. They will play an important role in creating engaging, culturally responsive lessons that integrate literacy with real-world learning and celebration.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in my students and helping create opportunities that honor culture, build understanding, and inspire a love of learning.","fullyFundedDate":1773850737365,"projectUrl":"project/discovering-lunar-new-year-stories-sym/9985330/","projectTitle":"Discovering Lunar New Year: Stories, Symbols, and Traditions","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rosa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9749922_orig.jpg?crop=1080,1080,x0,y151&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1775441002988","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9749922"},{"teacherId":9002992,"projectId":10076358,"letterContent":"I am incredibly grateful for your generous support in bringing this project to life for my students. Because of your kindness, our classroom now has access to cameras that have truly transformed the way students learn, communicate, and collaborate.\r\n\r\nMany of you may already use technology at home, but in the classroom, these tools take on a powerful role in building essential academic and life skills. With these cameras, students are not just consuming content—they are creating it. They are learning how to plan, organize ideas, speak clearly, and present information in meaningful ways. This kind of hands-on experience strengthens their communication skills, boosts confidence, and prepares them for real-world situations where expressing ideas effectively is key.\r\n\r\nWhat excites students most about these cameras is the opportunity to be seen and heard. They love taking on the role of broadcasters, especially as they prepare and deliver our morning announcements. The ability to record themselves and watch their progress has been incredibly motivating and fun, making learning feel authentic and engaging.\r\n\r\nI have seen especially powerful growth in some of my more reserved students. At the beginning, a few were shy and hesitant to speak in front of the camera. Now, those same students stand confidently, project their voices, and take pride in sharing their ideas. They have grown not only as speakers but also as collaborators, working closely with their peers to plan and produce announcements as a team.\r\n\r\nThese cameras have made a lasting impact by helping students develop lifelong skills such as communication, teamwork, and confidence. Your support has opened doors for them to find their voices and believe in their abilities.\r\n\r\nThank you for making this possible and for investing in my students' futures.","fullyFundedDate":1771004734709,"projectUrl":"project/lbs-news-if-it-matters-to-you-it-matte/10076358/","projectTitle":"LBS News: If It Matters To You It Matters To Us","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Ramos","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9002992_orig.jpg?crop=733,733,x426,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1700927745046","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9002992"},{"teacherId":2191419,"projectId":9906871,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our classroom has truly been transformed. Many of my students do not have access to computers or advanced technology at home, so having the opportunity to work with Sphero robots has opened a door to a world they rarely get to experience. The excitement and curiosity these robots have sparked is incredible. Students who may not always feel confident in traditional academic settings are suddenly fully engaged, asking questions, experimenting, and thinking critically as they learn to code and problem-solve.\r\n\r\nOne of the most exciting things for students has been using the Sphero robots to simulate the Mars Rover Perseverance mission. Students designed obstacle courses to represent the rough terrain of Mars and programmed their robots to navigate the landscape. Soon they will take on the challenge of collecting \"rock\" samples and delivering them back to a docking station—just like real engineers and scientists. Watching students collaborate in teams to troubleshoot their code, adjust their strategies, and celebrate small successes has been inspiring. The level of engagement has been so high that students often choose to spend their lunch and recess breaks running their Spheros through the obstacle courses, simply because they want to keep learning.\r\n\r\nThis opportunity has deeply impacted one student in particular. He is a special education student who struggles with reading and math and sometimes has difficulty managing his behavior in class. The Sphero robots have become a powerful motivator for him. Completing his work gives him time to code and experiment with the robots, and when he does, you can truly see him come alive. He spends hours each week using trial and error to solve coding challenges and accomplish his goals. Moments like this remind me why access to STEM opportunities matters so much.\r\n\r\nYour generous support has helped my students see possibilities for their futures that they may not have imagined before. You have helped spark curiosity, build confidence, and introduce them to the exciting world of STEM and computer science. Thank you for helping to level the playing field and empower the innovators of tomorrow.","fullyFundedDate":1768440632671,"projectUrl":"project/rolling-into-robotics-empowering-future/9906871/","projectTitle":"Rolling Into Robotics: Empowering Future Innovators with Sphero Robots","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ryan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2191419_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y80&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1579569840252","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-ryan-steam"},{"teacherId":6610080,"projectId":9755406,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our Donors Choose project, *From Beads to Windows: Art That Pops*. Because of you, my students now have the materials they need to explore art in exciting, hands-on ways that truly bring creativity to life.\r\n\r\nWith the beads, tie dye, and other art supplies you provided, students are able to experiment with color and design while developing fine motor skills, problem-solving abilities, and confidence in their artistic choices. Seeing their artwork \"pop\" through their creations has been both inspiring and empowering for them.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has made a meaningful difference in our classroom. You didn't just donate supplies—you gave my students the opportunity to express themselves, collaborate, and discover the joy of creating art that they are proud of. Their excitement and engagement are a direct result of your generosity.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students and for supporting creative learning. We are truly grateful for you.","fullyFundedDate":1758854030341,"projectUrl":"project/from-beads-to-windows-art-that-pops/9755406/","projectTitle":"From Beads to Windows: Art That Pops!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Angie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6610080_orig.jpg?crop=612,612,x28,y186&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1676934840592","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6610080"},{"teacherId":9749922,"projectId":9334672,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity in supporting Little Sprouts: First Grade Organic Garden for Climate and Community. My students and I are filled with excitement about the opportunities this project will bring. Your contributions are helping us create a space where children can learn about science, sustainability, and the importance of caring for our planet—all while connecting with their community through the joy of gardening.\r\n\r\nCurrently, we are awaiting the arrival of some of our materials. In the meantime, we will begin our gardening journey with seeds to get the process started. As we head into the fall season, we anticipate facing challenges in achieving immediate success. However, we are optimistic that by spring our efforts will flourish, and our students will be able to see the full cycle of growth and enjoy the fruits (and vegetables!) of their labor.\r\n\r\nEven as we wait, the project is already sparking curiosity and anticipation in our classroom. My students are discussing what it means to grow their own food, how gardens benefit the earth, and the ways they can share what they learn with their families. This early excitement is a decisive step toward building lifelong awareness and responsibility for the environment.\r\n\r\nWe are so grateful for your support. You are not only helping us plant seeds in our garden but also planting seeds of knowledge, care, and community in the hearts of our students.","fullyFundedDate":1747342249013,"projectUrl":"project/little-sprouts-first-grade-organic-gard/9334672/","projectTitle":"Little Sprouts: First Grade Organic Garden for Climate and Community","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rosa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9749922_orig.jpg?crop=1080,1080,x0,y151&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1775441002988","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9749922"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_82480","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":369,"numTeachers":38,"percentFrplEligible":71,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":5,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":89,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":1,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"9.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":59.0,"schoolId":82480,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Lavaland Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Lavaland Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-mexico/albuquerque-public-schools/lavaland-elementary-school/82480"}