{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"PS 770 New American Academy","outOfStateSupporters":34.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7526429,"projectId":9035999,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations. Because of your contributions we were able to provide our students with so many games and activities that they didn't have before. We've seen children have discussions about counting while playing Connect 4. One of our students who suffers from emotional trauma came alive while playing Jenga and had fun in a way we hadn't seen before. The straw connector sets have made it easy for children to get to know each other as they talk and build as a group. These games are making the year a success for all of us, and we thank you.","fullyFundedDate":1746487929071,"projectUrl":"project/game-on-help-our-kindergarteners-play/9035999/","projectTitle":"Game On! Help Our Kindergarteners Play!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Graham","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7526429_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1648928157321","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7526429"},{"teacherId":9785640,"projectId":9770827,"letterContent":"During this season of giving, your support has made a great impact on our community. We have been able to support families who are experiencing insecurities from the current state of affairs. We appreciate the ability to give as much as we possibly can for everyone in need. \r\n\r\nThe students have loved being able to be a part of giving and knowing that their hard work creating care packages has made a difference for many families. It has allowed them to see how far a little kindness and effort can go. We appreciate all of the support.","fullyFundedDate":1759869527170,"projectUrl":"project/family-care-packages/9770827/","projectTitle":"Family Care Packages","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sylvester","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9785640"},{"teacherId":9738240,"projectId":9725313,"letterContent":"I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous support of our classroom snacks project. Your contribution has made a meaningful and immediate difference in my students' daily lives, especially for those who rely on school as their primary environment for both nourishment and learning. Because of your kindness, my students now have access to healthy snacks that help them stay focused, energized, and ready to learn throughout the school day.\r\n\r\nSince the arrival of these snacks, I have seen a noticeable shift in my students' engagement and ability to participate meaningfully in lessons. Many of my learners come to school with inconsistent breakfast routines or long periods of time between meals. For young students—especially those with language, attention, or sensory needs—hunger can quickly become a major barrier to learning. It can show up as frustration, fatigue, difficulty focusing, or a reluctance to participate. The snacks you provided have helped bridge that gap in the most impactful and supportive way.\r\n\r\nHaving quick, healthy options available has allowed students to refuel when their bodies need it, without disrupting instruction. Instead of hunger interfering with their ability to listen, attend, and communicate, they now have the boost they need to stay engaged. I've seen students who previously struggled during mid-morning activities become more attentive and responsive once they were able to have a simple snack. Others who often became irritable or overwhelmed during lessons now have an easy, comforting option that helps them reset and return to learning with a calmer mindset.\r\nThese snacks have also supported our social-emotional goals within the classroom. Snack time has become a wonderful moment for practicing communication skills, sharing, turn-taking, and expressing preferences. Students are learning to request their snack using words, pictures, AAC devices, or gestures—whichever method best fits their needs. For many of my students with limited verbal communication, snack time is one of the most motivating opportunities to practice language. The materials you provided have given them consistent, predictable chances to communicate, which builds confidence and independence.\r\n\r\nBeyond communication, snack time has also become a moment of connection and community-building. Students enjoy sitting together, chatting, and bonding over a shared routine. It gives them a sense of comfort, predictability, and belonging—things that are essential for young learners as they develop trust and emotional stability within school.\r\nYour support has also helped me as a teacher in so many meaningful ways. Having snacks readily available allows me to structure the day more effectively and respond to students' needs immediately. Instead of losing instructional time due to hunger-related distractions or emotional moments, I'm able to offer a quick solution that helps students self-regulate and return to learning. It has allowed me to maintain smoother transitions, stronger engagement, and more positive classroom dynamics.\r\n\r\nI can also use snack times intentionally as part of my speech and language instruction. With these snacks, I create natural opportunities to model vocabulary, request functions, descriptive language, social exchanges, sequencing steps, and more. This has become especially valuable for my students who benefit from hands-on, functional learning experiences. The snacks become more than just food—they become tools for communication, connection, and confidence.\r\nYour generosity has also eased the financial pressure on families who may struggle to send snacks from home. Knowing that every child has access to something to eat, regardless of circumstances, has helped create a more equitable and supportive learning environment. No child feels left out, and every child feels cared for.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in my students' well-being and supporting their ability to learn at their best. Your kindness has brought comfort, stability, and joy into our classroom. You have made a real and lasting impact, and we are deeply grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1762266301533,"projectUrl":"project/full-bellies-focused-brains/9725313/","projectTitle":"\"Full Bellies, Focused Brains\"","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ellisa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9738240_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1725885136754","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msellisa"},{"teacherId":9738240,"projectId":9389213,"letterContent":"I want to extend my deepest gratitude for your generous support of our project, \"Unlocking Communication: Giving Nonverbal Students a Way to Speak.\" Your contribution has made a profound and lasting difference in the lives of my students, especially those who rely on alternative methods to communicate. Because of you, my classroom now has tools that truly give students a voice—something every child deserves, yet not every child begins school with.\r\n\r\nSince receiving the materials, I have witnessed remarkable growth in my students' ability to express themselves, participate in learning, and connect with others. Many of my students come in with limited or no verbal communication, which often leads to frustration or moments of being misunderstood. With the addition of new AAC supports, visual communication tools, and core vocabulary materials, I've seen a dramatic shift in their engagement and confidence.\r\n\r\nStudents who once struggled to communicate their basic needs are now able to point to visuals, gesture to icons, or use core boards to share what they want or need. One student who typically withdrew during group lessons has begun initiating communication by tapping symbols on his core board to comment or request. Another child who often became overwhelmed during transitions now uses visuals to express \"finished,\" \"help,\" or \"wait,\" transforming difficult moments into opportunities for calm communication.\r\n\r\nSeeing my students realize, sometimes for the very first time, that they have a way to express themselves has been incredibly powerful. Their faces light up when they successfully communicate a need or choice. Their peers are also learning to interact with them more meaningfully, creating a more inclusive and supportive classroom community. These small yet monumental communication victories have reduced challenging behaviors, increased independence, and opened doors to deeper learning.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has also allowed me to enhance my teaching in transformative ways. The materials have made it possible to model language more consistently throughout the day, across routines, activities, and play. With multiple communication tools now available, I can embed vocabulary learning into every corner of the classroom—during morning meeting, snack time, centers, play-based sessions, and academic lessons. This consistency is essential for students learning to use AAC.\r\nThe resources have also strengthened collaboration among staff. Paraprofessionals and teachers can now follow the visuals and model language alongside me, ensuring students experience communication support throughout the entire school day, not just during speech sessions. This has helped build a shared understanding of how AAC works and how to encourage it, creating a unified, child-centered approach.\r\nI am now able to prepare individualized communication boards, adaptive visuals, and differentiated materials for each student much more efficiently. The tools you provided allow me to guide students in building core vocabulary, expanding their expressive language, and using words in meaningful, functional ways. I can teach them to greet others, request turns, describe what they see, comment during lessons, ask for help, and participate in shared play—skills that have an enormous impact on their independence and quality of life.\r\n\r\nThese materials have enriched not only academic learning but also social-emotional growth. My students are connecting with peers more often, engaging more willingly, and showing pride when they successfully communicate. They are developing foundational skills that will support them throughout their lives.\r\nBecause of your support, my students now have access to communication opportunities that many of them have never had before. You have given them the tools to express their needs, their personalities, and their ideas. Most importantly, you have given them a voice.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and for helping create a classroom where every child—verbal or not—has the chance to be heard. Your generosity has made a lasting impact, and we are endlessly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1758202684345,"projectUrl":"project/unlocking-communication-giving-nonverba/9389213/","projectTitle":"Unlocking Communication: Giving Nonverbal Students a Way to Speak","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ellisa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9738240_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1725885136754","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msellisa"},{"teacherId":8704320,"projectId":9774319,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your contributions towards our classroom supplies project. We received our rug for our intervention space, headphones for students, new dry erase markers, a mailbox for sorting craft paper, and a huge supply of ziploc bags (we use these for so many little centers and activities). \r\n\r\nYour donations allowed us to get things that had been cut out of our supply order last year due to restricted budgets and it has made a big difference in our classroom. The kids are loving their new carpet and headphones. \r\n\r\nThank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1759527116812,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-needs-for-2nd-grade/9774319/","projectTitle":"Classroom Needs for 2nd Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Brown","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8704320"},{"teacherId":8704320,"projectId":9660516,"letterContent":"We are so grateful for your support in funding our resource binders project. We have gotten really positive reviews from parents who love having physical resources for practice work at home. Previously we would post everything online and we found that it was hard for some parents to find, sort through, print and use the many available resources. We are thrilled that we have been able to give access to physical resources in one predictable place. \r\n\r\nAdditionally, students like having ownership of their binders. They get to practice keeping them organized and develop executive functioning skills as we teach into sorting resources into labeled sections. \r\n\r\nThe start up cost of buying binders, labels and dividers had felt like too much. Thank you for making this project possible!","fullyFundedDate":1756594998504,"projectUrl":"project/resource-binders-for-sam-battle-2nd-grad/9660516/","projectTitle":"Resource Binders for Sam Battle 2nd Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Brown","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8704320"},{"teacherId":9922761,"projectId":9111587,"letterContent":"I am writing to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your generous support in funding my classroom project. Because of your kindness, our second-grade Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) class now has ten brand-new flip charts to enhance our daily reading and writing instruction. Your donation has already made a meaningful difference in the way my students learn, engage, and grow as thinkers and writers.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, visuals play a vital role in helping students make connections between what they learn during mini lessons on the carpet and the independent work they complete afterward. The flip charts you helped fund allow me to display clear, colorful, and lasting anchor charts that stay up throughout each unit. Each chart becomes a living reference tool—a place students can look back to when they need a reminder about a reading strategy or writing skill.\r\n\r\nOur ICT classroom serves a diverse group of 56 second graders with a wide range of learning styles and needs. Having accessible visual supports has been especially powerful for students who benefit from multiple ways of processing information. Whether it's a chart showing how to find the main idea in a story, or one that breaks down the steps of revising a paragraph, these visual reminders help all students feel confident and capable. I've noticed students becoming more self-reliant, using the charts to guide their next steps without needing as much teacher prompting.\r\n\r\nThank you again for believing in our classroom and in the potential of each of my students. Your support has truly made a difference, and we are deeply grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1746785536484,"projectUrl":"project/reading-writing-flip-charts/9111587/","projectTitle":"Reading & Writing Flip Charts!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Grosek","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9922761_orig.jpg?crop=200,200,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1739407206272","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9922761"},{"teacherId":9785640,"projectId":9207264,"letterContent":"A donation of menstrual supplies to a school can have a profound impact on students' well-being, education, and dignity. By providing access to essential hygiene products, the donation helps ensure that students who menstruate do not have to miss class or feel anxious about managing their periods during the school day. This promotes consistent attendance, boosts concentration, and fosters a sense of inclusion and equality among students. For many, especially those from low-income households, access to free menstrual supplies can relieve a significant financial burden and reduce stigma associated with menstruation.\r\n\r\nBeyond the immediate practical benefits, the presence of menstrual supplies in schools sends a powerful message about health, respect, and support. It helps normalize conversations around menstruation, contributing to a more informed and compassionate school environment. Staff and students alike become more aware of the importance of menstrual equity, and the school becomes a safer and more supportive space for all. Over time, this seemingly small act of generosity can contribute to broader cultural change, helping to dismantle taboos and promote gender equality.","fullyFundedDate":1746786241661,"projectUrl":"project/providing-menstrual-supplies-for-element/9207264/","projectTitle":"Providing Menstrual Supplies for Elementary Students in Need","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sylvester","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9785640"},{"teacherId":9785640,"projectId":9211339,"letterContent":"Thank you for generously funding the community garden at our elementary school. Your support has planted more than just seeds in the soil — it has planted inspiration, learning, and joy in the hearts of our students. The garden has become a vibrant, hands-on classroom where children explore science, nature, and nutrition in meaningful and engaging ways. Watching their excitement as they care for the plants and witness their growth has been truly rewarding.\r\n\r\nYour contribution has also helped create a stronger connection between our school and the community. Families, teachers, and neighbors have come together to support and enjoy the garden, turning it into a shared space of learning and togetherness. We are deeply grateful for your investment in our students' education and well-being — your generosity will continue to make a difference for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1746786120319,"projectUrl":"project/growing-together-a-community-garden-of/9211339/","projectTitle":"Growing Together: a Community Garden of Kindness","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sylvester","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9785640"},{"teacherId":2063217,"projectId":9699992,"letterContent":"The materials you donated have truly transformed our therapy room into a vibrant, personalized learning space that my students are excited to enter each day. The film and frames have been especially meaningful—my K-5 students absolutely love seeing their work and pictures displayed throughout the room! My students with autism particularly appreciate the visual structure this creates, while all my learners beam with pride when they spot their own photos or completed activities framed and honored.\r\n\r\nThe Jenga blocks have become an instant favorite, turning speech practice into an exciting game! Children who previously needed coaxing to participate now eagerly practice their target sounds with each block they remove, completely absorbed in the fun and challenge. The organizational supplies and disinfecting wipes ensure I can quickly prepare individualized activities and keep our shared materials safe and clean. Your generous donations have given these resilient communicators not just supplies, but engaging tools that build confidence, celebrate their identities, and help them find their voices. Thank you for investing in their futures!","fullyFundedDate":1758899171187,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-learning-handled-with-care/9699992/","projectTitle":"Hands-On Learning, Handled with Care","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Elhalim","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2063217_orig.jpg?crop=465,465,x188,y183&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1697563647023","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2063217"},{"teacherId":9785640,"projectId":9209494,"letterContent":"My students are beyond grateful for the opportunity to have access to mindfulness and yoga everyday. We use breathing techniques to come together collectively and be present in the movement, even just for a moment to hear announcements. \r\n\r\nThey have implemented mindfulness into everyday activities. The goal of being more mindful and listening to our bodies is only just beginning, but thank you for helping get this started. It is a joy to see how the students have seamlessly incorporated this into their lives. \r\n\r\nBe well. Be kind. Be happy.","fullyFundedDate":1746786448531,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-students-with-yoga-mindfulne/9209494/","projectTitle":"Empowering Students with Yoga, Mindfulness, and SEL Skills","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sylvester","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9785640"},{"teacherId":9738240,"projectId":9349666,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, Unlocking Communication Through Speech Resources! Because of your generosity, my students now have access to specialized tools that make speech therapy sessions more engaging, targeted, and effective. These resources are helping students work on articulation, expressive language, and overall communication skills in fun, interactive ways that keep them motivated to learn.\r\n\r\nSince receiving the materials, I've already seen progress. Students are using mirrors to self-monitor their sound production, engaging with articulation cards and games, and showing more confidence when speaking in class. What once felt like a challenge is now an exciting opportunity to grow and be heard. Your support is helping students find their voices—literally—and it's making a real difference in their daily lives.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in the importance of communication and giving my students the tools they need to succeed. Your kindness is helping unlock potential and empowering every student to express themselves with pride.","fullyFundedDate":1757612328746,"projectUrl":"project/unlocking-communication-through-speech-r/9349666/","projectTitle":"Unlocking Communication Through Speech Resources","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ellisa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9738240_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1725885136754","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msellisa"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_99217","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":269,"numTeachers":21,"percentFrplEligible":56,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":48,"percentWhite":23,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":16,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"12.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":65.8,"schoolId":99217,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about PS 770 New American Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"PS 770 New American Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-york/new-york-city-dept-of-ed/the-new-american-academy-at-lincoln-terrace-park/99217"}