{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"PS 197 Ocean School","outOfStateSupporters":46.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9653308,"projectId":9716956,"letterContent":"Thanks to the new color printer, our classroom has been able to bring learning to life in ways that truly engage students. Colorful worksheets, visuals, and anchor charts help students better understand and stay focused on new concepts, while high-quality master copies ensure that everything we send to the copier is clear and effective for instruction. This technology has also allowed me to create vibrant materials for families—calendars, food bank reminders, and important notices that are easier for parents to spot and keep track of. Even something as simple as a brightly printed schedule or reading log helps families stay connected to what their children are learning each week.\r\n\r\nWhat excites students most is how color transforms their work and memories. With this printer, I'm able to create a special end-of-year memory book for every child—filled with photos, writing samples, and moments from the school year printed beautifully in color. These keepsakes mean so much to students and their families, and they become treasures that last a lifetime. Some students who don't often see their work displayed have especially warmed to this technology; seeing their projects printed in color boosts their confidence and pride. This printer has truly brought joy, clarity, and connection to our classroom and our community","fullyFundedDate":1758898882567,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-printer-needed/9716956/","projectTitle":"Classroom Printer Needed!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Barone","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9653308_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754135623005","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9653308"},{"teacherId":9653308,"projectId":9717171,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our students have been introduced to rich new texts that build essential early-literacy skills—identifying key details, making connections, understanding characters, and learning how to talk about books with confidence. Reading in our classroom is active and joyful: students gather for interactive read-alouds, ask questions, share predictions, and practice sounding out words. Some of our students, especially those who don't have regular access to books, have been especially excited to explore these stories and discover new characters they love.\r\n\r\nThis holiday season, each child will be taking books home—something truly meaningful for many of our families. As a teacher, I can see which students are able to read at home and which are not, especially when libraries are far and transportation is limited. Sending these books home gives families a chance to spend precious time together, engage with a story, and nurture a love for reading through fun read-alouds. For our Thanksgiving book, I also wrote personal messages to each student about why I'm grateful for them, helping build their confidence and reminding them how valued they are. Your support makes moments like these possible.","fullyFundedDate":1758898974333,"projectUrl":"project/special-holiday-books-set/9717171/","projectTitle":"Special Holiday Books Set!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Barone","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9653308_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754135623005","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9653308"},{"teacherId":10315865,"projectId":9838164,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our classroom project! Because of your support, my students now have the headphones they need to focus, learn, and engage in meaningful lessons. These headphones will allow each child to dive into interactive learning, practice important skills, and explore educational resources without distractions. Headphones make a big difference for my students with special needs. They help create a calm, focused classroom by reducing background noise and distractions. This allows students to concentrate better and fully engage in their learning. Your kindness has made a real difference in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1760826030014,"projectUrl":"project/an-ear-resistable-way-to-learn/9838164/","projectTitle":"An Ear-Resistable Way to Learn!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Harrison","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10315865_orig.jpg?crop=547,548,x0,y29&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1760635083827","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/sofia-harrison"},{"teacherId":9653308,"projectId":9459769,"letterContent":"We are so grateful for your generosity in providing individual pencil cases for our kindergarteners. Your gift is already making a difference every single day.\r\n\r\nNow, each child has their own supplies—crayons, pencils, and tools to use proudly and responsibly. They are learning independence by caring for their materials, choosing the colors they love, and labeling their cases with their own names. This simple but powerful act has helped them feel a true sense of ownership and pride.\r\n\r\nThanks to you, our classroom is filled with excitement, confidence, and joy. These small supplies are helping build big skills and even bigger smiles.","fullyFundedDate":1757423961448,"projectUrl":"project/individualized-supply-cases/9459769/","projectTitle":"Individualized Supply Cases!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Barone","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9653308_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754135623005","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9653308"},{"teacherId":6026242,"projectId":9436708,"letterContent":"I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation of take-home folders, laminating pouches, tape, dry erase pocket sleeves, and googly eyes to my classroom. Your thoughtful contribution provides us with essential tools to stay organized, keep track of their assignments, display student work, and strengthen the connection between school and home.\r\n\r\nThese items may seem like small items , but they make a big difference in helping my students and I develop responsibility and pride in classwork. With your support, my students are better equipped to succeed academically and we feel encouraged knowing that our community cares about education.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in the future of my preschool classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1752694003837,"projectUrl":"project/parentteacher-correspondence-made-easy/9436708/","projectTitle":"Parent/Teacher Correspondence Made Easy","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Griffith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6026242_orig.jpg?crop=461,461,x0,y176&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753447212871","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/n-griffith"},{"teacherId":9653308,"projectId":9051024,"letterContent":"I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for your generous donation of portable desks for our classroom. Your kindness and support have made a lasting impact on our learning environment, and I am truly grateful for the difference it has already made in the daily lives of my students.\r\n\r\nThe new portable desks have transformed the way we learn. Because they are lightweight and easy to move, students are now able to work in a variety of spaces around the classroom—whether that's at the carpet, in our cozy library corner, near a window for natural light, or alongside peers in flexible groupings. Having the freedom to choose a comfortable learning spot helps students feel more in control of their learning, which is so important at this early stage in their development.\r\n\r\nFlexible seating options, like these portable desks, are incredibly valuable in supporting social-emotional learning. Students are learning to listen to their bodies, recognize what type of environment helps them focus, and take ownership of their choices. Some students feel more at ease sitting away from the larger group, while others thrive working beside a buddy or in a small group—and your donation gives them that opportunity. It also supports students with varying needs, including those who benefit from movement, sensory breaks, or non-traditional learning positions.\r\n\r\nThese desks have also improved the way I am able to teach. Small group instruction has become much easier and more fluid. We are no longer tied to fixed tables—we can gather wherever the learning takes us. Whether it's spreading out to work on a writing project, meeting for reading groups, or collaborating during math centers, we now have the flexibility to move and adapt quickly. This freedom encourages collaboration, creativity, and more personalized learning opportunities.\r\n\r\nI've already seen the impact these desks have had on my students' focus, independence, and overall excitement for learning. Even something as simple as choosing their own space has sparked joy in the classroom. Students feel trusted and empowered, and that sense of ownership builds confidence and motivation.\r\n\r\nYour support has created a more inclusive, comfortable, and engaging classroom—one that meets the needs of all learners and allows us to be responsive in the moment. I cannot thank you enough for helping to create a learning space where every student can feel safe, capable, and inspired.","fullyFundedDate":1746785472408,"projectUrl":"project/learning-anywhere-with-portable-desk-tra/9051024/","projectTitle":"Learning Anywhere With Portable Desk Trays!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Barone","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9653308_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754135623005","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9653308"},{"teacherId":9653308,"projectId":9051003,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation of colored ink for our classroom printer. Your thoughtful contribution made an incredible impact on both the day-to-day activities in our classroom and a very special year-end project that holds deep emotional meaning for our students and their families.\r\n\r\nThanks to your donation, I was able to print vibrant, engaging materials throughout the school year. Color truly brings learning to life for young students. From colorful worksheets that support visual learning, to differentiated center activities that engage students in hands-on tasks, the presence of color helped make our classroom more stimulating, accessible, and exciting. Students responded with more enthusiasm and focus when they could interact with materials that were printed in color, and I saw a direct benefit in their engagement and comprehension. Something as simple as a bright heading or a colored image helped students better understand new concepts and made learning feel fun and special.\r\n\r\nEven more meaningful, however, was the impact your donation had on our end-of-year kindergarten memory books. Each year, I create a personalized yearbook for every student filled with photos, quotes, and special moments from our time together. It's more than just a scrapbook—it's a powerful tool for supporting social-emotional growth and reflection. These books help students understand how they've grown throughout the year and give them something concrete to hold onto as they move on to the next chapter of their educational journey.\r\n\r\nBecause of your kindness, we were able to print each page of the yearbooks in full color. The students' faces lit up as they flipped through their books, seeing their classroom experiences come to life in vivid detail. From our first day of school to our field trips, class celebrations, and even silly dress-up days, every memory was captured in color. This made the yearbooks feel extra special and allowed each child to truly see themselves and their journey throughout the year.\r\n\r\nMany of my students will treasure these books for years to come. For some, it may be the first or only printed photo album they have of themselves. For all of them, it is a source of pride and joy. The books also provide an opportunity for students to reflect, recognize their friendships and achievements, and feel a sense of closure at the end of the year.\r\n\r\nYour generosity helped make this possible. You gave us more than just ink—you gave us joy, pride, and lasting memories. Thank you for supporting our classroom and helping to enrich our students' kindergarten experience in such a meaningful way. Your kindness has truly made a difference","fullyFundedDate":1746785437121,"projectUrl":"project/colored-papers-in-the-classroom/9051003/","projectTitle":"Colored Papers in the Classroom!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Barone","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9653308_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754135623005","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9653308"},{"teacherId":9892669,"projectId":9051006,"letterContent":"Unfortunately with days off and testing , our plan of \"a special moment in life\" narrative essay was postponed and probably won't be done until the year is over. However, your wonderful donation has helped in so many other ways. I have been able to print out so many color coordinated and differentiated materials and anchor charts and graphic organizers that my students use to help become successful. I was also able to use your donation for an amazing science project that we did on \"exercise's effects on heart rate.\" The k you so much. You have enriched our little community in so many ways .We would like to personally thank the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation for their generous support. Let's go Mets!!!","fullyFundedDate":1740767640206,"projectUrl":"project/a-special-moment-in-life/9051006/","projectTitle":"A Special Moment in Life","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Lauro","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9892669"},{"teacherId":1650495,"projectId":8760938,"letterContent":"Thank you so much. My class was able to express themselves through art with your generous donations. They used Posca markers which they knew about through Tiktok and other social media outlets when they may have not gotten that chance. We were able to create mini journals for ourselves and spruce up our work on many projects. The mini journals were used to express themselves by writing, doodle and drawing.\r\n\r\nThe Arts are often overlooked during a busy day of learning but are vital to so many students. Drawing and coloring can be extremely therapeutic and helpful to their social emotional needs. Once again, thank you for you donations .","fullyFundedDate":1733837052020,"projectUrl":"project/express-yourself/8760938/","projectTitle":"Express Yourself!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kaplan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kaplanteach"},{"teacherId":6026242,"projectId":8948982,"letterContent":"My Pre-k class and I thank you so much for your donation of binoculars to our classroom. It was supposed to be a Holiday gift last year December but it will make a great summer gift. They have been using them to observe so many different signs of Spring. From the birds nest that is being built on the third floor of their school, to the flowers at the nearby park, the fascination is a joy to see. You have given them a gift of discovery that they will cherish forever. I can imagine the smiles on their faces when they finally get to take them home in June to continue their adventures. I hope they take it everywhere they go in the summer. I will encourage parents to send pictures to me. People like you give students a reason to come to school everyday. Thank you again.","fullyFundedDate":1735689493935,"projectUrl":"project/a-gift-of-exploration/8948982/","projectTitle":"A Gift of Exploration!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Griffith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6026242_orig.jpg?crop=461,461,x0,y176&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753447212871","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/n-griffith"},{"teacherId":2630045,"projectId":6048282,"letterContent":"This project helped my students work on their sorting and fine motor skills. \r\nThey enjoyed counting with the numbers puzzles and trying to write letters on the wooden letter mold.\r\nThank you to all who donated to this project. Every items has been put to use.\r\nWe truly appreciate it.\r\nThe community in which my school is located is considered a high risk community for crime and most of the students attending the school come from low income homes. Your donations helped me make a better classroom to serve the needs of my students. \r\nThank you so much.!","fullyFundedDate":1639600509492,"projectUrl":"project/lets-soar-into-kindergarten/6048282/","projectTitle":"Let's Soar Into Kindergarten!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Quijano","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2630045"},{"teacherId":6026242,"projectId":8500773,"letterContent":"Thank you for your donation. My students are always eager to use their books. I was switched from kindergarten to pre-k and was still able to create an excitement for young writers. They are learning to write their name and the progress they are making from the beginning of school to now is amazing. Soon, some of them will start writing very simple sentences and drawing pictures to match their sentences. They will be able to take these books home at the end of the year. A memory they can keep forever. \r\n As a donor, you are helping to inspire these wonderful students and for this, I am very grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1728039641195,"projectUrl":"project/inspiring-young-authors/8500773/","projectTitle":"Inspiring Young Authors","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Griffith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6026242_orig.jpg?crop=461,461,x0,y176&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753447212871","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/n-griffith"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_2147","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":427,"numTeachers":45,"percentFrplEligible":90,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":42,"percentWhite":2,"percentIndigenous":2,"percentLatinx":50,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"9.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":53.5,"schoolId":2147,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about PS 197 Ocean School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"PS 197 Ocean School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-york/new-york-city-dept-of-ed/ps-197-ocean-school/2147"}