{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"H.W. Smith Pre-Kindergarten - 8 School","outOfStateSupporters":17.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10407536,"projectId":10064724,"letterContent":"When I opened the box of brand-new Elephant and Piggie books by Mo Willems, my first graders immediately gathered around with excitement. These books have transformed our classroom into a vibrant community of readers. Thanks to your generosity, every child now has access to engaging, high-quality texts that invite them to see themselves as readers, thinkers, and storytellers.\r\n\r\nWhile many people simply enjoy reading books, these particular stories offer powerful teaching opportunities. The Elephant and Piggie series introduces essential early literacy skills in a way that feels playful and accessible. Students practice foundational reading strategies such as recognizing high-frequency words, tracking print, and using punctuation cues to guide expression. The speech bubbles and simple, repetitive text structures help students build confidence with dialogue and fluency. Just as importantly, these books open the door to deeper comprehension work—students explore character emotions, make predictions, and learn how to retell stories with clear beginning, middle, and end. Through Gerald and Piggie's friendship, we also discuss themes like empathy, problem-solving, and cooperation.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom has become an active, joyful experience. Instead of passively listening, students are engaged in partner reading, taking turns voicing characters and bringing the stories to life. You might see pairs of students sitting knee-to-knee, giggling as they dramatically read Piggie's excited lines or carefully sounding out Gerald's worried thoughts. We use these books during small group instruction, whole-class lessons, and independent reading time, allowing for differentiation while maintaining a shared sense of community around beloved characters.\r\n\r\nSeveral students in particular have blossomed with these new books. One student who was previously hesitant to take risks in reading now eagerly volunteers to read aloud, using expression and confidence I hadn't seen before. Another student, who struggled with fluency, has found success in the predictable text patterns and now reads with improved pace and accuracy. Perhaps most heartwarming are the moments when students who once said \"I can't read\" are now proudly declaring, \"I love reading Elephant and Piggie!\"\r\n\r\nYour support has done more than provide books—it has built confidence, sparked joy, and created meaningful learning experiences that will stay with these students long after first grade.","fullyFundedDate":1773892243812,"projectUrl":"project/high-interest-book-sets-to-spark-a-love/10064724/","projectTitle":"High Interest Book Sets to Spark a Love of Reading!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Parmer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10407536_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1768443795871","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jourdanparmer"},{"teacherId":10407536,"projectId":10030778,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom has gained more than just a new rug—we've created a welcoming space where meaningful learning happens every day. For our first graders, having a comfortable and clearly defined area to gather has made a powerful difference in how they engage with lessons, collaborate with peers, and build a sense of community.\r\n\r\nWith this new rug and its additional learning space, students are better able to focus, participate, and feel included. Students also are able use it as a play space and are so enjoying this area. \r\n\r\nFirst graders thrive in environments where they feel safe, connected, and valued, and this space allows them to sit together, learn from one another, and grow both academically and socially.\r\n\r\nYour donation has truly transformed our classroom environment and enhanced the daily learning experience for every child. Thank you for helping us create a space where students can come together, feel inspired, and succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1769192021179,"projectUrl":"project/new-classroom-rug-for-extra-learning-spa/10030778/","projectTitle":"New Classroom Rug for Extra Learning Space","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Parmer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10407536_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1768443795871","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jourdanparmer"},{"teacherId":10407536,"projectId":10050014,"letterContent":"This project, which allowed us to purchase durable winter snow gear, made a meaningful difference for our first grade classroom in Syracuse City School District during one of our snowiest winters in recent years. The funding allowed us to provide students with essential items such as gloves, boots, coats, and snow pants—gear that many of our families are unable to easily replace or afford during the long winter months.\r\n\r\nBecause of this support, our students were able to participate in outdoor recess consistently throughout the winter. Instead of staying indoors due to missing gear, children were able to safely play in the snow, move their bodies, and enjoy the fresh air alongside their classmates.\r\n\r\nAccess to proper winter clothing not only kept students warm and safe, but it also helped improve focus and classroom behavior. After having the opportunity to run, play, and explore outside, students returned to the classroom more regulated, energized, and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, this grant ensured that every child had an equal opportunity to experience the joy of winter play. For many of our students, building snowmen, making snow angels, and playing with friends in the snow became highlights of the school day. Your generosity helped make winter recess possible for our entire class, and we are deeply grateful for the impact it had on our students' well-being and learning.","fullyFundedDate":1769271838746,"projectUrl":"project/winter-weather-gear-for-students-in-syra/10050014/","projectTitle":"Winter Weather Gear for Students in Syracuse City","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Parmer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10407536_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1768443795871","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jourdanparmer"},{"teacherId":10103415,"projectId":9520708,"letterContent":"My students have been enjoying the new classroom resources in meaningful and engaging ways. The decorative paper helped transform our classroom environment, and students especially love how inviting and comfortable the space feels. One of our favorite moments has been during reading time in the classroom library, where students are able to use flexible seating. This has made reading time more enjoyable and has helped students feel relaxed and focused.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the new materials, they were excited and curious. They immediately noticed the decorations and commented on how colorful and welcoming the classroom looked. The flexible seating was a big hit, and students were eager to try different seating options while reading and learning.\r\n\r\nAs we continue our lessons, these materials will remain an important part of our daily routine. I use the chalk markers to clearly write our daily learning objectives on the board so students know what we are focusing on each day. Moving forward, students will continue using the flexible seating during reading and small-group activities, which supports comfort, engagement, and independence as we build strong reading habits.\r\n\r\nThank you again for giving us a learning environment where students feel comfortable, excited, and ready to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1756173529849,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-environment/9520708/","projectTitle":"Classroom Environment","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tuyet","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10103415"},{"teacherId":9579408,"projectId":8476066,"letterContent":"I sincerely apologize for the delay in sharing the impact of your generous contributions due to new health issues that have arisen this school year.\r\n\r\nYour support has made a significant difference in our classroom, particularly in creating a healthy learning environment. The disinfectant wipes, tissues, and hand sanitizer you provided help us maintain cleanliness and reduce the spread of illness, allowing students to focus on their learning without the worry of getting sick. This commitment to health ensures that every child feels safe and cared for, which is essential for their overall well-being.\r\n\r\nThe large standing whiteboard has transformed our small group instruction, allowing for more interactive lessons where students can engage with the material directly. It has become a central tool during math and reading activities, enabling us to visualize concepts and work collaboratively. Students are more involved and excited when they can see their ideas brought to life on that board.\r\n\r\nThe bridge builders play set has sparked their creativity as they design and construct various structures. Watching them work together, share ideas, and problem-solve has been heartwarming. They've created everything from simple bridges to elaborate towers, and the pride they feel in their creations is palpable. The pixel art blocks have also been a hit, allowing students to engage in imaginative play and develop spatial awareness as they create their own designs.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, the donated snacks have made a big impact, especially for students who arrive at school hungry. Having these snacks available ensures that everyone can focus on their learning without the distraction of hunger, helping to create a more attentive and engaged classroom atmosphere.\r\n\r\nAs we look ahead, our next steps will include using these resources to enhance our lessons with more collaborative activities that encourage teamwork and creativity. Your contributions have not only enriched our classroom but also fostered a sense of community among the students.\r\n\r\nThank you once again for your invaluable support. Your generosity has truly transformed our learning environment and made a positive impact on our students' experiences!","fullyFundedDate":1728246665959,"projectUrl":"project/ensuring-all-feel-at-home-always/8476066/","projectTitle":"Ensuring All Feel at Home, Always","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Noel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9579408_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y208&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755783330884","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9579408"},{"teacherId":8557256,"projectId":6599426,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our classroom! Your support has had a truly meaningful impact on both my students and our daily learning environment. With your help, we've been able to add much needed materials and resources that not only support academic growth but also create a more welcoming and engaging space for everyone.\r\n\r\nThe difference has been felt immediately. Students are more excited to learn, more confident in their abilities, and more invested in their work. Whether it's through hands on activities, access to better supplies, or simply having tools that meet their individual needs, your generosity has made our classroom feel like a place where they belong and can thrive.\r\n\r\nThank you again for believing in our students and helping us build a classroom where learning feels joyful and full of possibility. We're so grateful for your","fullyFundedDate":1667835805566,"projectUrl":"project/flexibility-and-supplies-for-students-to/6599426/","projectTitle":"Flexibility and Supplies for Students to Soar!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wiacek","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8557256_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1659312541755","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mswiacek"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_109767","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":767,"numTeachers":57,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":7,"percentBlack":61,"percentWhite":13,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":11,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"13.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":82.4,"schoolId":109767,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about H.W. Smith Pre-Kindergarten - 8 School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"H.W. Smith Pre-Kindergarten - 8 School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-york/syracuse-city-school-district/hurlbut-w-smith-k-8-school/109767"}