{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"PS 61 Francisco Oller","outOfStateSupporters":48.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8494557,"projectId":10085272,"letterContent":"Through these texts, students are building essential literacy skills like making inferences, identifying themes, analyzing characters, and understanding different perspectives. \r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is an active, engaging experience. You might see students gathered in small groups discussing their favorite characters, independently annotating passages, or excitedly recommending books to their classmates. We've created a reading environment where choice matters—students are empowered to select books that interest them, which has led to greater enthusiasm and longer, more focused reading time.\r\n\r\nSome students who were previously reluctant readers are now among the most eager participants. One student, who used to struggle to stay engaged, now asks daily if there's time to read just one more chapter. Another has found joy in stories that reflect their own background, giving them a sense of pride and belonging that wasn't there before.\r\n\r\nYour support has helped turn reading into something students genuinely look forward to. You've not only strengthened their academic skills but also nurtured a lifelong love of books.","fullyFundedDate":1773872652556,"projectUrl":"project/growing-readers-new-books-for-4th-grade/10085272/","projectTitle":"Growing Readers: New Books for 4th Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Forcello","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8494557"},{"teacherId":529294,"projectId":9687491,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of graphic novels to our classroom library. Your kindness has had an immediate and meaningful impact on my students, and we are truly grateful for your support.\r\n\r\nSince adding these graphic novels, I have seen a noticeable increase in student engagement and excitement around reading. Many students who were once reluctant readers are now eagerly picking up books, discussing characters and plots with their peers, and asking for more time to read. The visual storytelling and diverse topics of the graphic novels have helped students feel represented and confident in choosing books that match their interests and reading levels.\r\n\r\nThese new additions have enhanced our classroom library in a way that makes reading more accessible, enjoyable, and inclusive for all learners. Your support has not only expanded our collection but has also helped foster a love of reading and learning that will stay with our students beyond the classroom.\r\n\r\nThank you again for believing in our students and investing in their interests and growth. Your generosity has made a lasting difference, and we are incredibly thankful.","fullyFundedDate":1758899198691,"projectUrl":"project/graphic-novels-for-growing-minds-in-the/9687491/","projectTitle":"Graphic Novels for Growing Minds in the Bronx","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. DiMarinis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp529294_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y401&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1648747007854","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/529294"},{"teacherId":8416928,"projectId":9079372,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of my classroom through DonorsChoose. Thanks to your kindness, we now have an incredible selection of social-emotional learning books, brain-building puzzles, and social-emotional check-in tools that have already made a meaningful difference for my students. The books help us start conversations about emotions, empathy, and kindness, while the puzzles give students a way to challenge their thinking, work together, and build problem-solving skills in a fun and engaging way. The check-in tools have also become an essential part of our daily routine, helping students express how they're feeling and giving me valuable insight into how to support them emotionally.\r\n\r\nThese resources have truly transformed the way we build community and support each other in our classroom. Students are more engaged, more aware of their emotions, and more willing to communicate their needs. I am so incredibly grateful for your support—it has brought joy, calm, and connection into our classroom in ways that are hard to put into words. Thank you for believing in our mission and helping to create a space where every student feels seen, heard, and valued.","fullyFundedDate":1737830393032,"projectUrl":"project/sel-is-everywhere-part-2/9079372/","projectTitle":"SEL is Everywhere Part 2","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Singh","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8416928"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_432","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":182,"numTeachers":20,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":19,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":75,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"9.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":52.0,"schoolId":432,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about PS 61 Francisco Oller on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"PS 61 Francisco Oller","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-york/new-york-city-dept-of-ed/ps-61-francisco-oller/432"}
Join the 281 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
PS 61 Francisco Oller is
an urban public school
in Bronx, New York that is part of New York City Dept Of Ed.
It serves 182 students
in grades K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 9.1:1.
Its teachers have had 36 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Boost support for this school! Share this page with friends, family, alumni, and fellow supporters. Every connection helps teachers get the supplies they need and shows how much your community cares about its students.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for public school teachers.
Every donation funds real needs — pencils, books, lab equipment, art supplies, and more — helping students learn and thrive. We ship supplies directly to the school, and you'll see exactly where each dollar goes.
of students receive free or reduced price lunch
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Source: the National Center for Education Statistics
94%
of students are Black, Latino, Native
American, or Asian
Data about school demographics comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. The numbers in this chart may not add up to 100% because of limitations in the available data.
PS 61 Francisco Oller Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Apr 9, 2026
DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students
in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.
PS 61 Francisco Oller
$26,769
raised using DonorsChoose
36
projects
funded
15
teachers
funded
281
donors
1
project
for
basic supplies
2
projects for
technology
4
projects for
books
1
project
for
art supplies
PS 61 Francisco Oller has received support from
146 individuals from New York and
135 individuals out-of-state.
