{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Garden of Learning & Discovery Pre-K - 3rd Ave","outOfStateSupporters":50.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8826329,"projectId":9052166,"letterContent":"The students absolutely love using the science Magna-Tiles on the light table! The colorful, translucent tiles capture their attention as they build towers, shapes, and patterns that glow beautifully under the light. They often combine the Magna-Tiles with other manipulatives, such as letters, numbers, and small animal figures, to create imaginative scenes and stories with their friends. This type of play encourages collaboration, communication, and problem-solving as they share ideas, take turns, and work together to bring their creations to life. The social studies materials area has become a social and learning hub where students explore science and engineering concepts through hands-on discovery, creativity, and teamwork.","fullyFundedDate":1746786168904,"projectUrl":"project/social-studies-through-play/9052166/","projectTitle":"Social Studies Through Play","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Aponte","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8826329"},{"teacherId":8826329,"projectId":9238022,"letterContent":"The light table has been a wonderful addition to our classroom! It has quickly become a favorite learning center where students explore letters, numbers, colors, and textures in a hands-on, sensory-rich way. The gentle glow of the light table creates a calming, inviting space that encourages curiosity and creativity. My students love using translucent letters and shapes to build words, count, sort, and make patterns, turning abstract concepts into engaging, visual experiences.\r\n\r\nFor my students with diverse learning needs, including those who are nonverbal or benefit from sensory input, the light table provides meaningful opportunities for communication, collaboration, and focused attention. It has supported fine motor skills, language development, and imaginative play while fostering teamwork and joyful learning.\r\n\r\nThanks to this generous donation, our classroom environment feels brighter, both literally and figuratively. Your support has made a lasting difference in helping my students learn through discovery and play.","fullyFundedDate":1746786384093,"projectUrl":"project/discovering-light-through-multi-sensory/9238022/","projectTitle":"Discovering Light Through Multi-Sensory Play","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Aponte","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8826329"},{"teacherId":9312515,"projectId":9782229,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this project possible. You've made such a difference for my students with autism. Because of your kindness, our classroom is cleaner, calmer, and feels so much more peaceful.\r\n\r\nBefore this project, cleaning up after my students took a lot of time. Their sensory needs often lead to big messes. Now, our space stays fresh and organized, giving us more time to learn, play, and connect. The rugs have never looked this good, and the air even feels lighter.\r\n\r\nThe best part was seeing my students' faces when they first walked in. One of my nonverbal students smiled from ear to ear and touched the clean carpet in amazement. It was such a beautiful moment that truly showed how much your support means.\r\n\r\nWe've attached pictures of our \"thank you\" art straight from my students' hearts. If you'd like to continue helping us keep our classroom clean and thriving, please take a moment to view our next project:\r\n👉 Clean Classrooms, Thriving Autistic Minds","fullyFundedDate":1760738724150,"projectUrl":"project/clean-rugs-clear-minds-helping-autisti/9782229/","projectTitle":"Clean Rugs, Clear Minds: Helping Autistic Students Thrive","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jasmin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9312515"},{"teacherId":8826329,"projectId":9284891,"letterContent":"The multi-sensory objects donated to our special education classroom have had a profound and transformative impact on our students' learning, engagement, and overall classroom experience. In a classroom where students have diverse learning needs, including challenges with attention, sensory processing, and communication, these tools have provided critical support in ways that traditional teaching materials alone cannot. Each item has contributed to creating a learning environment that is more inclusive, responsive, and engaging for every student. One of the most significant impacts of these multi-sensory objects has been their ability to enhance engagement and participation. Many of our students, particularly those with autism spectrum disorder or sensory processing differences, learn best when lessons involve tactile, visual, and auditory experiences. Items such as textured manipulatives, sensory balls, fidget tools, and visual timers have allowed students to stay focused and attentive during lessons, which directly supports their ability to absorb new information and practice skills. For example, when using textured letters or number manipulatives during literacy and math activities, students are able to physically trace, touch, and feel the shapes, which strengthens their understanding and memory of abstract concepts. These objects turn learning into an active, hands-on experience rather than a passive one. Multi-sensory tools have also fostered independence and confidence among our students. By having access to tools that meet their sensory needs, students are able to self-regulate and participate more fully in classroom activities without becoming overwhelmed or frustrated. For instance, a student who might otherwise struggle to sit through circle time can use a fidget object or weighted lap pad to maintain focus while still engaging with peers. This allows them to complete tasks more independently and feel a sense of accomplishment, which builds self-esteem and encourages further participation. Another key impact has been the promotion of social interaction and cooperative learning. Many multi-sensory objects, such as group sensory bins, shared textured materials, or interactive learning boards, create opportunities for students to work together, share materials, and communicate with each other in meaningful ways. For students with communication difficulties, these objects provide alternative ways to express ideas, make choices, and interact with peers, supporting both social-emotional development and language growth. Additionally, these tools have supported individualized instruction and differentiated learning. Because our classroom includes students with a wide range of abilities, having a variety of multi-sensory objects allows us to tailor lessons to meet each student's specific needs. Visual schedules, tactile learning aids, and auditory supports enable us to present information in multiple formats, ensuring that every student can access the curriculum and demonstrate their knowledge in ways that work best for them. Overall, the donation of multi-sensory objects has created a classroom environment that is more engaging, inclusive, and responsive to the unique needs of our students. These resources have improved focus, independence, social interaction, and learning outcomes while fostering a sense of pride and accomplishment. The impact is evident not only in the academic progress of our students but also in their increased confidence, joy, and enthusiasm for learning each day. These tools have truly transformed our classroom into a space where every student can thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1746786363904,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-letters-to-life-hands-on-liter/9284891/","projectTitle":"Bringing Letters to Life: Hands-On Literacy in Action!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Aponte","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8826329"},{"teacherId":9312515,"projectId":9713640,"letterContent":"Thanks to your incredible generosity, our classroom has been completely transformed! The printers you funded have made such a difference for my students, especially my amazing autistic learners. From the moment they walked into our newly labeled classroom, their faces lit up with excitement. Every corner now has colorful visuals and vocabulary labels, helping my students feel confident and independent as they learn where everything belongs.\r\n\r\nFor many of my students, visual learning is essential. Being able to print high-quality labels, schedules, and vocabulary words has given them the structure and comfort they need to thrive. It's heartwarming to see their pride when they recognize words or find items independently — those small victories mean everything.\r\n\r\nOne of the most exciting moments was printing our Student of the Month pictures. The children were overjoyed to see their smiling faces displayed so beautifully. Their parents were equally proud and touched, sharing how much their children talked about it at home. These moments build confidence and a deep sense of belonging for each student.\r\n\r\nThe printers have also allowed us to create personalized visuals and supports quickly — helping my students communicate, transition, and stay engaged throughout the day. Parents have shared how impressed they are with the classroom's organization and warmth, all thanks to your generosity.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has given my students more than a tool — you've given them a voice, independence, and pride in their learning space. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for believing in them and in our classroom.\r\n\r\nIf you'd like to continue supporting our journey, please check out and share our new projects:\r\n🧩 Clean Classrooms, Thriving Autistic Minds\r\n🌈 Clean Rugs, Clear Minds: Helping Autistic Kids Thrive\r\n\r\nWith gratitude,\r\nMs. Jasmin & Our Wonderful Students 💙","fullyFundedDate":1758899300872,"projectUrl":"project/printing-hope-and-possibilities-for-my-a/9713640/","projectTitle":"Printing Hope and Possibilities for My Autistic Visual Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jasmin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9312515"},{"teacherId":8826329,"projectId":9304418,"letterContent":"Emergent literacy is about so much more than simply learning letters and sounds; it's about building the foundation for a lifelong relationship with language and communication. With your support, my students are exploring books with curiosity, developing persistence as they engage with new challenges, and expressing their creativity through storytelling and pretend play. These are essential skills that will help them in every area of their development, from communication to problem-solving to social interactions with peers.\r\n\r\nThank you, from the bottom of my heart, for making this possible. Your kindness has created an environment where my students feel excited to learn and confident to explore. Because of you, our classroom has become a place where emergent literacy blooms every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1746785511459,"projectUrl":"project/abc-we-can-read/9304418/","projectTitle":"ABC, We Can Read!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Aponte","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8826329"},{"teacherId":8826329,"projectId":9284853,"letterContent":"I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your incredible generosity in providing our classroom with art materials through this project. In our preschool special education setting, art is so much more than just a creative outlet, it is a powerful tool for communication, self-expression, and skill-building. Many of my students have unique learning needs, including those who are non-speaking or still developing their expressive language, and art gives them the opportunity to share their ideas and feelings in a way that words cannot. Your gift has truly opened up new avenues for exploration, creativity, and growth in our classroom\r\n\r\nArt activities have also provided opportunities to integrate important literacy and academic skills. For example, we've used the new materials to create story-based projects where students illustrate characters and events from books we've read together. This hands-on approach has deepened their comprehension while making learning more engaging and accessible. It has been especially meaningful to see my students make connections between stories and their own experiences, using art to bridge their understanding and imagination\r\n\r\nThank you for making this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1746785913144,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-creativity-to-life-with-fresh-a/9284853/","projectTitle":"Bringing Creativity to Life with Fresh Art Supplies!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Aponte","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8826329"},{"teacherId":8826329,"projectId":9312629,"letterContent":"Thanks to your kindness, we were able to transform our classroom into a warm, festive space that truly honored the hard work and accomplishments of our students. The decorations made the day feel so special, bringing smiles to our children's faces the moment they walked into the room. Many of our families shared how touched they were to see their children celebrated in such a beautiful way, especially knowing the challenges their little ones have overcome. For some families, this was their first experience of seeing their child walk across a stage and be recognized for their achievements, and your support made that possible.\r\n\r\nThank you for making this graduation so special and memorable. Your gift turned a simple ceremony into a truly magical day, one that honored the incredible growth and achievements of every child. We are so grateful for your kindness and for the joy you brought to our students and their families during such an important milestone.","fullyFundedDate":1746786305764,"projectUrl":"project/little-grads-big-dreams-support-our-gr/9312629/","projectTitle":"Little Grads, Big Dreams: Support Our Graduation!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Aponte","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8826329"},{"teacherId":8826329,"projectId":9075802,"letterContent":"I want to extend my deepest gratitude for your generous gift of soap, napkins, Clorox wipes, and hand sanitizer for our classroom. In a preschool special education setting, keeping our space clean and our students safe is always a top priority. Young children are still learning important self-help skills, like washing their hands and taking care of their bodies, and these materials have made it possible for us to teach these routines in a meaningful, consistent way while keeping everyone healthy.\r\n\r\nThank you for making it possible for us to model and teach healthy habits while keeping our classroom clean and safe. Your kindness has had a direct impact on my students' daily routines and overall health. Because of you, we are able to focus on what matters most: learning, growing, and playing together in a space where every child feels protected and cared for. Your generosity has truly made a difference, and we are so grateful to have you as part of our classroom family.","fullyFundedDate":1746785853895,"projectUrl":"project/keeping-our-bodies-safe/9075802/","projectTitle":"Keeping Our Bodies Safe!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Aponte","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8826329"},{"teacherId":8826329,"projectId":9238009,"letterContent":"Emergent literacy is about so much more than simply learning letters and sounds; it's about building the foundation for a lifelong relationship with language and communication. With your support, my students are exploring books with curiosity, developing persistence as they engage with new challenges, and expressing their creativity through storytelling and pretend play. These are essential skills that will help them in every area of their development, from communication to problem-solving to social interactions with peers.\r\n\r\nThank you, from the bottom of my heart, for making this possible. Your kindness has created an environment where my students feel excited to learn and confident to explore. Because of you, our classroom has become a place where emergent literacy blooms every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1746786441563,"projectUrl":"project/help-our-library-bloom/9238009/","projectTitle":"Help Our Library Bloom!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Aponte","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8826329"},{"teacherId":8826329,"projectId":9052129,"letterContent":"I want to take a moment to share just how much your generous gift through DonorsChoose has impacted my students and our classroom community. As a preschool special education teacher, I work with young children who are just beginning their journey into the world of literacy. Many of my students have unique learning needs, including those with autism spectrum disorder and speech or language delays. Because of this, fostering emergent literacy skills is not only about learning to read and write, but also about creating meaningful, joyful, and accessible experiences that allow each child to engage with language in their own way.\r\n\r\nThank you, from the bottom of my heart, for making this possible. Your kindness has created an environment where my students feel excited to learn and confident to explore. Because of you, our classroom has become a place where emergent literacy blooms every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1746785977026,"projectUrl":"project/exposure-to-literacy/9052129/","projectTitle":"Exposure to Literacy!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Aponte","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8826329"},{"teacherId":8826329,"projectId":8887557,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for fully funding our DonorsChoose project! Because of your support, our class now has access to a Starfall membership, and we are already diving into the interactive stories, songs, and learning games with so much excitement.\r\n\r\nStarfall is a wonderful resource that makes learning fun and accessible, especially for young learners who thrive with engaging visuals and sounds. Your generosity is helping my students build foundational literacy and math skills while fostering a love of learning every day.\r\n\r\nWe are so grateful for your kindness and for investing in our classroom. Thank you for making a meaningful difference!","fullyFundedDate":1736778594347,"projectUrl":"project/ed-tech-support/8887557/","projectTitle":"Ed Tech Support","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Aponte","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8826329"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_132009","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":null,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":74,"percentAsian":14,"percentBlack":16,"percentWhite":12,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":34,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Not specified","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR District Record","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"UNCLASSIFIED","ncesMetroType":null},"inStateSupporters":50.0,"schoolId":132009,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Garden of Learning & Discovery Pre-K - 3rd Ave on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Garden of Learning & Discovery Pre-K - 3rd Ave","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-york/new-york-city-dept-of-ed/garden-of-learning-discovery-pre-k-3rd-ave/132009"}