{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"PS 69 Daniel D Tompkins","outOfStateSupporters":26.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":365710,"projectId":9780180,"letterContent":"On behalf of our 4th and 5th-grade students and the entire physical education department, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude for your generous donation of tennis and pickleball equipment.\r\nYour support will transform our recess and PE blocks into a vibrant hub of activity. Before this contribution, many of our students had never held a paddle or a racquet. This Spring they will learn the fundamentals of hand-eye coordination, teamwork, and sportsmanship through two of the fastest-growing sports in the country.\r\nThe impact on our students has been remarkable:\r\nIncreased Engagement: Our 4th and 5th graders are more eager than ever to get moving. The addition of pickleball, in particular, has leveled the playing field, allowing students of all athletic abilities to participate and succeed together.\r\nSkill Development: Beyond the physical benefits, these sports are teaching our students strategic thinking and patience. Watching a student master their first serve or engage in a long rally has been a highlight of our school year.\r\nBuilding Community: This equipment has encouraged positive social interaction. We have seen new friendships form across classrooms as students organize their own matches and cheer one another on.\r\nYour investment in our school does more than just provide gear; it provides our children with the opportunity to discover new passions and develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime.\r\nThank you for your commitment to our students' health and happiness. We look forward to seeing our young athletes continue to grow, thanks to your kindness.\r\nWith sincere appreciation,\r\nMr.D","fullyFundedDate":1764719166932,"projectUrl":"project/racquet-sports-where-legends-are-born/9780180/","projectTitle":"Racquet Sports: Where Legends Are Born","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Dictenberg","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/365710"},{"teacherId":8649430,"projectId":9841343,"letterContent":"I wanted to share a heartfelt update on how your generosity is transforming our classroom. Because of your support, we've introduced Bee-Bots—bright, bee-shaped robots—into our daily routines. While these may look like toys, they have become one of the most powerful teaching tools I've ever used.\r\n\r\nHere is a glimpse into the incredible impact this project has had on our students:\r\n\r\nHow Technology is Helping Our Students Learn\r\nFor a young child, \"coding\" isn't about sitting at a laptop; it's about computational thinking. The Bee-Bot allows students to take abstract concepts—like sequencing, logic, and directional language—and turn them into something physical.\r\n\r\nProblem-Solving: If a student wants the Bee-Bot to reach a specific \"flower\" on a map, they must plan a series of steps (forward, forward, turn, forward). When the Bee-Bot ends up in the wrong spot, they don't see it as a failure; they see it as a \"bug\" to be fixed, which builds incredible resilience.\r\n\r\nCross-Curricular Skills: We use the bots to practice everything from math (counting out steps) to literacy (navigating to specific letters to spell words).\r\n\r\nWhat Excites the Students Most\r\nThe most exciting part for the students is the immediate feedback. When they press the \"GO\" button, there is a hush of anticipation. When the Bee-Bot beeps and blinks upon reaching its destination, the room erupts in cheers. They love the \"See & Say\" features—the way the bot responds to their commands makes it feel like a teammate rather than just a machine. It turns a standard lesson into a high-stakes, joyful mission.\r\n\r\nStudents Who Have Specially Warmed to the Technology\r\nWe've seen some remarkable breakthroughs, particularly with two groups of students:\r\n\r\nThe \"Reluctant\" Learners: Students who often struggle with traditional worksheets have completely opened up. The hands-on nature of the Bee-Bot removes the \"fear of the blank page.\" One student, who usually hesitates to speak in class, has become a \"Lead Engineer,\" confidently explaining to peers how many 90-degree turns are needed to navigate a maze.\r\n\r\nCollaborative Groups: Because the Bee-Bot lives on the floor, it naturally encourages teamwork. Students who previously preferred to work alone are now huddled together, negotiating paths and sharing the responsibility of \"programming\" the buttons.\r\n\r\nYour contribution hasn't just given us \"gadgets\"—it has given my students a sense of agency over technology. They are no longer just passive observers of screens; they are the creators and the problem-solvers.\r\n\r\nThank you for making this possible!","fullyFundedDate":1764783068112,"projectUrl":"project/bee-bots-for-elementary-students/9841343/","projectTitle":"Bee Bots for Elementary Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lindsay Piñeiro","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8649430"},{"teacherId":10187912,"projectId":9932607,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my students are using these new resources every single day during Writing Workshop. They use them to plan their stories, organize their ideas, and revise their work with more independence and confidence. Recently, while working on persuasive writing pieces, I watched students use the materials to outline their opinions and support them with strong reasons. One student excitedly said, \"This helps me know what to write next!\" When the boxes first arrived, their eyes lit up and they immediately asked, \"Are these really for us?\" The excitement in the room was unforgettable!\r\n\r\nNext, we're using these tools to deepen our writing by focusing on adding details, strengthening introductions, and giving thoughtful peer feedback while they utilize their writing station. Students are beginning to publish their pieces and share them with authentic audiences, which has been such a powerful motivator. Because of you, they're not just writing more; they're writing with purpose, pride, and growing confidence as authors.","fullyFundedDate":1764621605579,"projectUrl":"project/little-learners-big-needs-storage-that/9932607/","projectTitle":"Little Learners, Big Needs: Storage That Supports","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pietrunti","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10187912"},{"teacherId":10259216,"projectId":9785282,"letterContent":"I hope this message finds you well! I wanted to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for your generous donations to our first-grade special education classroom. Your contributions of sensory items and comfort furniture have truly made a significant impact on our students' learning environment.\r\nThe sensory items you provided have been a wonderful addition to our classroom. They offer our students the opportunity to engage in hands-on activities that help them focus and regulate their emotions. It's incredible to see how these tools can transform their learning experiences. Additionally, the comfort furniture has created a warm and inviting space where our students feel safe and supported. Having a cozy area to relax and regroup has proven invaluable for our little ones, allowing them to thrive both academically and emotionally.\r\nYour kindness and support mean the world to us. Thank you for believing in our mission and for helping us create a nurturing and stimulating environment for our students. We truly appreciate your generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1768512537652,"projectUrl":"project/first-grade-rocks/9785282/","projectTitle":"First Grade Rocks!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Downing","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10259216"},{"teacherId":10213309,"projectId":9718571,"letterContent":"I am incredibly grateful for your generous donation and the meaningful impact it has had on my classroom. Because of your kindness, we were able to purchase a laptop that has truly transformed the way my students learn and engage each day.\r\n\r\nThe laptop has allowed me to create more engaging, interactive lessons and has opened the door for students to participate in research-based projects that strengthen their curiosity, critical thinking, and independence as learners. My students are now able to explore topics more deeply, collaborate more effectively, and access resources that enrich their understanding far beyond traditional instruction. \r\n\r\nYour support has made a lasting difference, and I see the results of your generosity in my students' excitement, growth and enthusiasm for learning. Thank you for believing in education and for investing in the success of our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1758845856238,"projectUrl":"project/help-ms-coles-class-log-in-to-learning/9718571/","projectTitle":"Help Ms. Cole's Class Log in to Learning!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cole","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10213309"},{"teacherId":6157004,"projectId":9634842,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, Dollars and Sense: Building Financial Foundations Through Play has made financial literacy engaging and accessible for my K–3 students. Using magnetic play money, cash kits, and role-play sets with bills, credit cards, and checkbooks, students actively count, exchange, and make simple money decisions through play. These hands-on tools have helped turn abstract money concepts into meaningful, confidence-building experiences.\r\n\r\nStudents were thrilled when the materials arrived and were eager to explore immediately. The entrepreneur game board has encouraged collaboration and problem-solving as students work together to make thoughtful choices, while storybooks and picture books allow them to see themselves in real-life scenarios about saving, earning, and spending money. These resources naturally support both academic learning and social-emotional growth at an age-appropriate level.\r\n\r\nNext, students will apply their learning by creating their own simple financial scenarios, practicing counting money, and reflecting on their choices through guided discussion and play. The creative teaching kits allow instruction to be differentiated so all learners can participate successfully throughout the year. Your support has given our youngest learners an engaging introduction to financial responsibility and a strong foundation for future learning.","fullyFundedDate":1758050382903,"projectUrl":"project/dollars-and-sense-building-financial-fo/9634842/","projectTitle":"Dollars and Sense: Building Financial Foundations Through Play","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Knight","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6157004_orig.jpg?crop=2076,2076,x239,y308&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1679604410097","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6157004"},{"teacherId":10288976,"projectId":9765439,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations to our classroom. Because of your kindness, our room has truly become a warm, welcoming, and exciting learning environment where my third grade students feel inspired and valued every day. Your support has made a meaningful difference in how many students experience school, and it has helped create a space that encourages curiosity, comfort, and a love of learning. \r\n\r\nThe students are especially excited about the new books, and the Clark the Shark series has already become a favorite. They can not wait to dive into each story, share laughs, and build their reading skills along the way. Your generosity has sparked joy and enthusiasm for reading, and I am incredibly grateful for the positive impact you have made on my students and our classroom community.","fullyFundedDate":1763388506278,"projectUrl":"project/readers-today-leaders-tomorrow/9765439/","projectTitle":"\"Readers Today, Leaders Tomorrow\"","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Addeo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10288976"},{"teacherId":8649430,"projectId":9723836,"letterContent":"To our wonderful donors, the Bee-Bot robots have transformed our classroom by turning abstract concepts into a hands-on, \"screen-free\" coding experience. While many people think of technology as tablets or computers, these robots allow students to learn computational thinking by physically pressing buttons to program a sequence of moves. The most exciting part for the students is the immediate feedback; they aren't just filling out a worksheet, they are watching their logic come to life. If the Bee-Bot doesn't reach its destination, they don't see it as a failure, but as a \"bug\" to be solved, which builds incredible persistence and spatial reasoning skills.\r\n\r\nThe impact has been especially profound for our kinesthetic learners and students who sometimes struggle with social communication. For several of my more reserved students, the Bee-Bot has acted as a \"social bridge,\" encouraging them to collaborate and negotiate with their peers to navigate complex floor mats. Because the robot is friendly and non-judgmental, it has lowered the anxiety of students who are often afraid to make mistakes, allowing them to gain confidence in their problem-solving abilities. Your generosity has provided a gateway for these children to master the foundations of technology through play, teamwork, and critical thinking.","fullyFundedDate":1763605636810,"projectUrl":"project/bee-bot-robots/9723836/","projectTitle":"Bee Bot Robots","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lindsay Piñeiro","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8649430"},{"teacherId":10263651,"projectId":9765835,"letterContent":"On behalf of our students, staff, and families, thank you for your generous contribution toward the creation of our elementary school wellness space. Your support has made a meaningful difference in the lives of our children.\r\n\r\nThis wellness space provides a safe, calming environment where students can regulate their emotions, build coping skills, and take the breaks they need to be successful learners. Because of your generosity, our students now have access to tools and resources that support their mental, emotional, and physical well-being during the school day.\r\n\r\nWe see the impact of your kindness every day—in students who feel calmer, more confident, and better prepared to learn and grow. Your investment goes far beyond the space itself; it helps foster a nurturing school community where every child feels supported and valued.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students and for helping us create a healthier, more compassionate learning environment. We are deeply grateful for your partnership and generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1764719812610,"projectUrl":"project/wellness-spaces/9765835/","projectTitle":"Wellness Spaces","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. E.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10263651"},{"teacherId":10263651,"projectId":9747978,"letterContent":"On behalf of our students, staff, and families, thank you for your generous donation in support of our school's sensory space. Your kindness and commitment to our community make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students.\r\n\r\nThanks to your support, we are able to create a safe, calming, and inclusive environment where students can regulate their emotions, reduce stress, and develop essential self-regulation skills. This sensory space will be especially impactful for students who benefit from additional sensory support, helping them feel more comfortable, focused, and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nWe are deeply grateful for your generosity and belief in our mission. Your donation is not just an investment in a space, but in the well-being, growth, and success of our students.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your support and partnership. We truly appreciate your contribution to our school community.","fullyFundedDate":1758850481234,"projectUrl":"project/wellness-room/9747978/","projectTitle":"Wellness Room","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. E.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10263651"},{"teacherId":3880538,"projectId":9701610,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping us create a cozy reading corner in our third grade classroom! Because of your generosity, our students now have access to exciting new books and comfortable bean bags that have made reading time extra special.\r\n\r\nWe are using the new books and bean bags every day during independent reading and our daily reading rotations. The students are more excited to read with a new space like this one. The cozy space has encouraged even our most reluctant readers to pick up a book and give it a try, and students are excited to share their favorite stories with classmates.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials arrived, the students were so excited! They couldn't wait to explore the new books. The bean bags were an instant hit, and students loved having a comfortable, welcoming space that made reading feel fun and relaxing.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving our students a space where they feel comfortable, confident, and excited to read. We are so grateful for your kindness and support.","fullyFundedDate":1758850481039,"projectUrl":"project/reading-relaxation-a-cozy-corner-for/9701610/","projectTitle":"\"Reading & Relaxation: A Cozy Corner for Every Story\"","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Aloisio","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3880538"},{"teacherId":8649430,"projectId":9711758,"letterContent":"The arrival of the \"Exploring Science Library\" has completely transformed our classroom environment into a hub of active inquiry. When the boxes first arrived, the students' reactions were nothing short of electric; there were audible gasps and cheers as they unpacked vibrant books on everything from astrophysics to marine biology. One student, who previously struggled to stay engaged during reading periods, immediately grabbed a book on tectonic plates and hasn't put it down since. We are currently using these resources to bridge the gap between abstract concepts and real-world application. Moving forward, these resources will serve as the backbone for our upcoming Capstone Research Project. Now that the students have a foundational understanding of scientific literacy thanks to your gift, their next step is to choose a \"Global Challenge\"—such as water scarcity or plastic pollution—and use the library to conduct deep-dive literature reviews. This week, we are transitioning from guided reading to independent investigation, where students will learn how to cross-reference information between multiple texts to form a scientific hypothesis. Your contribution didn't just provide books; it provided the tools for my students to see themselves as future scientists capable of solving complex problems.","fullyFundedDate":1758157733902,"projectUrl":"project/exploring-science-library/9711758/","projectTitle":"Exploring Science Library","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lindsay Piñeiro","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8649430"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_1184","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":673,"numTeachers":101,"percentFrplEligible":70,"percentAsian":37,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":36,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":21,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"6.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":73.1,"schoolId":1184,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about PS 69 Daniel D Tompkins on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"PS 69 Daniel D Tompkins","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-york/new-york-city-dept-of-ed/ps-69-daniel-tompkins/1184"}