{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"PS/IS 268","outOfStateSupporters":37.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":4368244,"projectId":9871744,"letterContent":"My kindergarteners want you to know how grateful they are to be warm. On the morning the new hoodies arrived, the classroom filled with the kind of excitement only five-year-olds can create—happy gasps, bouncing shoes, and wide curious eyes. Many of our children come to school on cold days with light jackets or sweaters that are too small. Because of you, they now have something soft, clean, and just their size.\r\n\r\nWhen I handed out the hoodies, we asked the children how they felt. Their reactions were short but powerful. \"It feels like a hug,\" one little boy said, pulling the zipper all the way to his chin. A girl in pink twirled and told her friends, \"I'm not shivering anymore.\" Another child whispered, \"I can play outside longer.\" They noticed the bright colors, the warm pockets, and most of all the feeling of being cared for by people they have never met.\r\n Please accept this note as their collective thank-you. Your gift did more than provide clothing; it delivered comfort, health, and a sense of belonging. Families have shared how relieved they feel seeing their children dressed for winter. We see the impact in steady attendance and brighter spirits.","fullyFundedDate":1767227421302,"projectUrl":"project/spread-warmth-donate-a-hoodie-for-a-lit/9871744/","projectTitle":"Spread Warmth: Donate a Hoodie for a Little Learner","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bajaj","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4368244_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1515845390361","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4368244"},{"teacherId":4368244,"projectId":9876507,"letterContent":"Thank you for the wonderful gifts you shared with our students this season. The Christmas Santa lollipop, Christmas tree lollipop, Christmas tree ornament, Christmas scratch paper, and the Hanukkah menorah brought bright moments into our kindergarten classroom. Your kindness helped my children feel noticed, included, and excited about learning.\r\n\r\nI wish you could have seen their faces when the box arrived. One little boy held up the Santa lollipop and said it looked like a smiling snow friend. A girl gently compared the Christmas tree lollipop to the tree in her living room and told us about decorating with her family. The children passed the Hanukkah menorah carefully from hand to hand, counting the candles and asking thoughtful questions about why light is important in winter. Their reactions were honest and full of wonder, and it reminded me how small treasures can open big conversations.\r\n\r\nKindergarten is a place where excitement lives beside learning. I watched a shy child find courage to speak as she explained the pattern on her ornament. I saw another student react with empathy by saving his lollipop until his twin sister could see it after school. During center time the children pretended the menorah was a lighthouse guiding boats, and at story circle they connected the idea of light to both Christmas and Hanukkah traditions. Your gifts gave me a peek into their hearts, and they gave the children a peek into cultures beyond their own.\r\n\r\nLet me share a small scene from last Friday. The room smelled like crayons and oranges from snack. Five students sat around the table using the scratch paper while two others practiced reading near the window. A child wearing reindeer ears placed his ornament on the shelf and told me he felt like a real decorator. Another student reacted with laughter as the Santa lollipop rolled across the desk like a tiny wheel.","fullyFundedDate":1765753213929,"projectUrl":"project/celebrating-diversity-with-holidays/9876507/","projectTitle":"Celebrating Diversity with Holidays","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bajaj","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4368244_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1515845390361","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4368244"},{"teacherId":7064536,"projectId":9618495,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and support of our classroom. Because of you, my students feel valued, prepared, and excited to learn. When they first received the book baggies and folders, their faces lit up with pride and joy. They immediately understood that these materials were something special just for them, and it made them feel ready to take on new learning.\r\n\r\nThe book baggies allow students to safely bring books home, encouraging consistent reading and meaningful moments with their families. The sturdy folders have helped students stay organized and confident when carrying important papers between home and school. As we continue building strong reading habits and independence in the classroom, your kindness is making a lasting difference in my students' daily lives. I am truly grateful for your support and belief in our learners.","fullyFundedDate":1758899242645,"projectUrl":"project/packed-for-success/9618495/","projectTitle":"Packed for Success: Book Baggies and Sturdy Folders","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Harding","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7064536"},{"teacherId":7648168,"projectId":9648220,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding our project and making this an exciting year for such deserving students. The items gave my students a wonderful experience and appreciation for books. The world snacks and decorations will add to the theme and provide cultural equity for all my students and families that participate.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving us a taste of world treats that are nourishing and fun to try. Every international treat is a wonderful experience for my young learners. The items in this project takes my students around the world without ever leaving the classroom. We appreciate your generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1764727652530,"projectUrl":"project/celebrating-multicultural-day/9648220/","projectTitle":"Celebrating Multicultural Day!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Morning","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7648168_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1644015095343","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/happyday-2020"},{"teacherId":7064536,"projectId":9618477,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, my students now have the pencils, colored paper, and laminating pouches they need to fully engage in classroom activities. Pencils allow them to complete work across all subjects, while colorful paper makes worksheets, centers, and activities more visually engaging and fun, boosting participation and excitement. Laminating pouches let me create durable, reusable materials that students can use again and again, which keeps them practicing skills and reduces waste. These supplies have made our classroom more organized, interactive, and supportive, helping students stay focused, take pride in their work, and approach each lesson with curiosity and enthusiasm. Your generosity has truly shown my students that they are valued and supported in their learning every day. Thank you so much!!","fullyFundedDate":1758899234714,"projectUrl":"project/equipped-to-succeed/9618477/","projectTitle":"Equipped to Succeed!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Harding","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7064536"},{"teacherId":4368244,"projectId":9789725,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my deep gratitude for your generous support and to share the meaningful impact that Mo Willems' Pigeon books have had on my kindergarten class. Our classroom is a vibrant community of learners that includes students with SPED needs, English language learners (ELLs), and children who are just beginning their educational journeys. Thanks to your contribution, these joyful and engaging books have helped nurture a true love of reading in every corner of our classroom.\r\n\r\nFrom the moment we opened Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! the room filled with laughter, curiosity, and connection. Mo Willems' humor, expressive illustrations, and repetitive language patterns have provided an accessible and inviting entry point into literacy for all of my students—especially those who often need extra support to feel confident with reading. The simplicity and predictability of the text allow emerging readers to participate fully, anticipating what the Pigeon might say next, joining in the repeated phrases, and recognizing familiar words with pride.\r\n\r\nFor my SPED students, the Pigeon books offer a safe and engaging way to practice communication, comprehension, and social-emotional skills. The exaggerated expressions and relatable feelings of the Pigeon help us talk about emotions, self-control, and problem-solving in a playful and meaningful way. Several students who typically struggle to stay focused during stories now eagerly volunteer to \"read\" the Pigeon's lines, using their voices expressively and confidently. Moments like these highlight not just academic growth, but personal growth as well.\r\n\r\nFor my ELL students, Mo Willems' storytelling has become a bridge between language barriers and joyful participation. The visual storytelling supports comprehension, while the repeated structures build vocabulary naturally. It has been heartwarming to hear students who once watched quietly now eagerly shout, \"No, Pigeon!\" along with their classmates. These shared experiences help strengthen language acquisition, social belonging, and enthusiasm for learning.\r\n\r\nAcross the entire classroom, the Pigeon has become a beloved character whose books students ask for every single day. The excitement around these stories has transformed our reading block. Children now crowd around the carpet with anticipation, make predictions about what trouble the Pigeon may get into next, and beg to read the books independently during quiet time. Some students have even begun creating their own Pigeon-inspired drawings and writing their own versions of the story—proof that inspiration is taking root.\r\n\r\nYour support brought more than books into our classroom; you brought joy, laughter, confidence, and opportunity. You helped create a space where every child—regardless of background, learning style, or language—can feel successful and connected through reading. That spark of joy matters. It is the foundation of lifelong learning.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students and for investing in their growth. Because of you, reading has become one of the happiest parts of our day, and the Pigeon has become a treasured companion on our learning journey.","fullyFundedDate":1763388486203,"projectUrl":"project/readers-take-flight/9789725/","projectTitle":"Readers Take Flight","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bajaj","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4368244_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1515845390361","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4368244"},{"teacherId":7648168,"projectId":9817522,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity to our class. My students love to read. Each day we engage in a read aloud and shared reading with the class. At the end of the story we share and talk about the problem and solution as well as the characters. The pigeon series is a great addition to our Mo Williams author study. This excitement of each pigeon give my student added enthusiasm in reading. This particular story of the pigeon needing a bath is a funny and enjoyable story as each kindergarten student shares in discussion on the importance of good hygiene.","fullyFundedDate":1763388489131,"projectUrl":"project/encourage-emergent-readers-with-a-fun-pi/9817522/","projectTitle":"Encourage Emergent Readers With A Fun Pigeon Book","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Morning","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7648168_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1644015095343","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/happyday-2020"},{"teacherId":7648168,"projectId":9889538,"letterContent":"Thank you for funding this project. The book bins are perfect for my students personal libraries at home. My students are so excited about having their own library. Each day a book is read aloud and given to a student. It is great to see their eyes light up as they receive the books for their bin. \r\n\r\nMy students not only love the beautiful colors but love the idea of taking ownership of such a fun and enjoyable artifact. These at home book bins will keep my students interested in reading and encourage their families to participate on their road to reading fluency.","fullyFundedDate":1763168314596,"projectUrl":"project/bin-my-home-library/9889538/","projectTitle":"Bin My Home Library","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Morning","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7648168_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1644015095343","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/happyday-2020"},{"teacherId":4368244,"projectId":9876332,"letterContent":"On behalf of my entire class, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks for your generous gift of Mo Willems' Piggie and Gerald books. Your contribution has made a remarkable difference in our classroom, and I want to take a moment to share the joy, growth, and excitement your donation has sparked.\r\n\r\nFrom the moment the box arrived, my students could hardly contain their excitement. Many recognized the familiar characters right away—Piggie with her boundless enthusiasm and Gerald with his thoughtful, cautious nature. These books have a unique way of drawing children in, and your donation allowed each student to engage with stories that are not only fun but also deeply meaningful.\r\n\r\nWhat makes Mo Willems' work so impactful is its perfect balance of humor, emotion, and simplicity. The expressive illustrations help emerging readers decode feelings and actions, while the clear text empowers them to read independently. For many of my students, these books have become their first \"I can read this by myself!\" accomplishment. The confidence they gain from turning page after page with success is immeasurable.\r\n\r\nBeyond improving literacy skills, these stories have also become springboards for rich classroom conversations. Piggie and Gerald model empathy, problem-solving, communication, and the ups and downs of friendship—all themes that resonate strongly with children. After reading together, my students eagerly discuss how the characters helped each other, how they handled misunderstandings, and what it means to be a good friend. These conversations build social-emotional skills that are just as important as academic growth.\r\n\r\nYour gift has also given us new opportunities for collaborative learning. Students frequently pair up to read Piggie and Gerald stories aloud to one another, laughing over familiar jokes and practicing expressive reading. Some have even begun writing their own mini-stories inspired by Willems' style, creating their own characters, speech bubbles, and humorous plot twists. Watching their creativity bloom has been one of my favorite parts of this experience.\r\n\r\nPerhaps the most meaningful impact is the sense of ownership and pride my students now feel. Having access to a collection of beloved, high-interest books transforms reading from a task into a joy. Many students who were previously reluctant readers now rush to our classroom library during free time, excited to revisit their favorite story or discover a new one starring Piggie and Gerald. That shift—toward enthusiasm, curiosity, and confidence—will benefit them long after they leave my room.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has created moments of laughter, learning, and connection that my students will remember. Thank you for believing in the power of books and for investing in our young readers. Your kindness has made our classroom a happier, more vibrant place, and we are truly grateful for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1763307989983,"projectUrl":"project/make-reading-fun/9876332/","projectTitle":"Make Reading Fun!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bajaj","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4368244_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1515845390361","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4368244"},{"teacherId":10234628,"projectId":9667885,"letterContent":"I wanted to give you a large thank you for the new resources for my occupational therapy students. I work in a K-8 public school, where I work with minimal resources. I only receive a very small stipend each year to buy new materials for my students, and often spend money out of pocket to purchase these items. \r\n\r\nWhen my students saw the new items we received, they were so excited! They felt so loved to know that others are thinking about them and want them to succeed! The new items have allowed my students to work on their fine motor skills and executive functioning skills, which are 2 large components of occupational therapy. They use the number link set to work on their bilateral coordination, by using both hands to push together the pieces to create a chain. They are working on their letter identification and distal control when using the fishing puzzle. Additionally, they work on their bilateral coordination when stacking the small \"people\" to build a large tower. The school supplies help us to be able to complete writing tasks, and other crafts for many of the holidays we celebrate.","fullyFundedDate":1756745072823,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-and-fine-motor-fun-in-ot/9667885/","projectTitle":"Sensory and Fine Motor Fun in OT!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Debra","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10234628_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756653407940","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10234628"},{"teacherId":7648168,"projectId":9846664,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating to our kindergarten class. Your donation makes it possible for our class to run with excitement responsibility. The stylus pens are a wonder to my students. Learning their purpose was essential to every student, who now keeps it safe until it's time to use it. The organization boxes makes it easy for every student to learn how to be responsible for their own supplies. \r\n\r\nWe are learning how to reduce germs on our iPad screens with the stylus pens. The wipes help us give our iPads freshness between uses. Keeping our technology clean and organizes keeps germs to a minimum and keeps us healthy and safe in school.","fullyFundedDate":1762267652563,"projectUrl":"project/keeping-our-technology-clean-and-organiz/9846664/","projectTitle":"Keeping Our Technology Clean and Organized","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Morning","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7648168_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1644015095343","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/happyday-2020"},{"teacherId":7648168,"projectId":9792378,"letterContent":"Thank you do much for your support of our kindergarteners. Your donation has added so much to our learning environment both socially and physically. My students love the idea of having their own materials organized and ready for daily use. The color coded boxes for each group of students adds a wonderful social bond while working in cooperative groups. Each students is proud to exhibit their responsibility in taking care of their own supplies. \r\n\r\nThe small glue bottles work well with each child learning how to use fine motor skills and precision when putting crafts together. Unlike a glue stick the small tip of the glue bottle gives my kindergarteners practice in developing this important skill. Thank you for building my kindergarteners social and physical development skills.","fullyFundedDate":1761964972329,"projectUrl":"project/building-organized-fine-motor-skills/9792378/","projectTitle":"Building Organized Fine Motor Skills","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Morning","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7648168_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1644015095343","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/happyday-2020"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_2021","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":697,"numTeachers":45,"percentFrplEligible":82,"percentAsian":25,"percentBlack":12,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":8,"percentLatinx":50,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"15.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":62.2,"schoolId":2021,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about PS/IS 268 on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"PS/IS 268","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-york/new-york-city-dept-of-ed/ps-268/2021"}