{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Enrico Fermi School Perf Arts","outOfStateSupporters":44.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8328965,"projectId":9953382,"letterContent":"Your generosity has helped transform our classroom into a space where students feel more settled, supported, and ready to learn. When the materials were introduced, students leaned in with excitement and curiosity. Some immediately began running their fingers across the sensory strips, while others proudly selected affirmation stickers that spoke to who they are and who they want to become. In one memorable moment, a student who often struggles to stay focused used a fidget tool to calm their energy and was able to remain engaged for the entire lesson.\r\n\r\nStudents are using the friendship zipper bracelets and community coloring posters to build trust and strengthen peer relationships. These shared activities have encouraged cooperation, sparked friendly conversations, and helped students feel more comfortable supporting one another. The positive messages displayed around the room serve as daily encouragement, reminding students to stay resilient and believe in their abilities.\r\n\r\nIn the coming weeks, students will continue practicing self-calming strategies and participating in structured community-building routines. We are also creating a classroom display that highlights affirmations and collaborative artwork to celebrate kindness and belonging. Because of your support, students are gaining the emotional tools and confidence they need to feel connected, motivated, and successful each day.","fullyFundedDate":1768333726415,"projectUrl":"project/calm-confidence-and-community-sel-too/9953382/","projectTitle":"Calm, Confidence, and Community: SEL Tools for My Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hutter","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8328965"},{"teacherId":8328965,"projectId":9837463,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our Art Therapy Club has become a calm and welcoming space where students can slow down, reflect, and express themselves creatively. When the supplies arrived, the room filled with excitement. Students' faces lit up as they received their own sketchbooks — many gently turning the blank pages with huge smiles, already imagining what they would create. Others eagerly chose rocks and tested the vibrant paint markers, amazed by the bold colors and smooth coverage. What began as simple materials quickly became tools for expression, confidence, and connection.\r\n\r\nDuring our first sessions, students painted affirmation rocks with words like \"strong,\" \"calm,\" and \"hope,\" while others created symbols of peace and kindness to share around the school. Several typically quiet students found comfort in sketching their feelings, using color and design to communicate emotions they struggle to put into words. The sheet protectors help them preserve their artwork and reflection pages, reinforcing that their thoughts and creations are valuable and worth keeping. The pride students feel when completing a piece and sharing it with peers has strengthened self-esteem and built a sense of belonging.\r\n\r\nNext, students will continue building mindfulness and coping skills through guided sketch journaling, emotion-based color studies, and collaborative projects that promote positivity throughout our school community. We plan to create a display of kindness rocks and student artwork to spread encouragement to classmates and staff. Your support has provided more than art supplies — it has created opportunities for healing, self-discovery, and emotional growth. Thank you for helping our students find joy, confidence, and a healthy outlet for their voices through art.","fullyFundedDate":1767802960506,"projectUrl":"project/art-therapy-club-supplies-for-creative/9837463/","projectTitle":"Art Therapy Club: Supplies for Creative Expression and Healing","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hutter","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8328965"},{"teacherId":2607734,"projectId":10061046,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in providing $1,000 worth of snacks for my students. Your donation has made an immediate and meaningful impact in our classroom. Many of my students come to school hungry or without enough food to get them through the day. Because of you, they now have access to snacks that help them stay focused, energized, and ready to learn. Something as simple as a snack has removed a major barrier to learning for so many of them.\r\n\r\nWhen the snacks arrived, my students were genuinely excited and grateful. Seeing their faces light up when they realized the food was for them was a powerful moment. More importantly, it created a sense of comfort and security in our classroom. They know that if they are hungry, they don't have to struggle silently—they are supported and cared for.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, these snacks will continue to help us maintain a positive and productive learning environment. When students' basic needs are met, they can fully engage in lessons, participate confidently, and do their best work. Your kindness is not only filling stomachs—it is fueling minds and reminding my students that there are people who believe in them. We are truly thankful for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1769474055209,"projectUrl":"project/the-importance-of-fueling-student-succes/10061046/","projectTitle":"The Importance of Fueling Student Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cabrera","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2607734"},{"teacherId":1683022,"projectId":10051978,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in providing fruit snacks for our kids. Because of your kindness, we are able to give them tasty, nutritious snacks that they truly enjoy.\r\n\r\nThese fruit snacks may seem small, but they make a big difference. They bring smiles to the kids' faces and help keep them energized and happy throughout the day. Your support shows how much you care about their well-being, and it means more than words can express.\r\n\r\nWe are deeply grateful for your generosity and your commitment to helping our children thrive. Thank you for making a positive impact in their lives.\r\n\r\nOur Testing dates will begin 3/9/26 and because of your donation we have enough fruit snacks for grades 3,4,5,6,7 and 8th! We will hand out the snack for all children taking the NYSELA and Math test.","fullyFundedDate":1769298620074,"projectUrl":"project/pick-up-snacks-for-state-testing-please/10051978/","projectTitle":"Pick Up Snacks for State Testing! Please!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Silva","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1683022_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1453565172074","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1683022"},{"teacherId":9429445,"projectId":9837747,"letterContent":"My students and I are using the snacks daily to support learning and focus throughout the school day. Many of my 6th grade learners arrive to class feeling hungry, especially during long instructional blocks. Now, students are able to grab a snack during independent work time, small group instruction, or after assessments, which has helped them stay focused, calm, and ready to learn. A moment that truly stood out was seeing students immediately settle into their work after having a snack, with fewer distractions and more engagement.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the snacks, their reactions were priceless. They were excited, grateful, and kept asking who made this possible. Several students shared that the snacks helped them feel cared for and supported, and many proudly thanked our donors out loud. It was a powerful reminder for them that people beyond our classroom believe in them and want to see them succeed.\r\n\r\nThanks to this project, students are now better prepared to fully participate in lessons, discussions, and collaborative activities. As we continue our current lessons in reading, writing, math, and content-area learning, students are able to focus on building skills, practicing academic language, and growing their confidence without the barrier of hunger. These snacks have made a lasting impact on both our classroom environment and our students' well-being.","fullyFundedDate":1762266340227,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-young-minds-snacks-for-our-6th/9837747/","projectTitle":"Fueling Young Minds: Snacks for Our 6th Grade Learners!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Villanueva","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9429445_orig.png?crop=398,398,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1704811654784","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9429445"},{"teacherId":2643480,"projectId":10023140,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity (and the support of The Tepper Foundation), our classroom now has a reliable snack pantry with individually packaged snacks and Capri Sun juice pouches that students can access when they need them. The impact was immediate: students were genuinely excited and relieved when they first saw the boxes arrive, and several said things like, \"Wait... we can have one if we didn't eat?\" Having something small to eat and drink has helped students settle in, stay calm, and push through long academic blocks—especially in the afternoon—without hunger distracting them from learning.\r\nOne moment that really stuck with me happened during a lesson when a student who often shuts down during independent work quietly grabbed a snack and came right back to the table. He finished the task, participated in our discussion, and even volunteered to share his thinking. Little moments like that add up. Snacks don't just support focus—they support dignity. Because everything is individually packaged, it's easy to distribute fairly and keep things sanitary, and students can get what they need without feeling singled out.\r\nAs we move into our next units and projects—where students are reading, researching, writing, and completing hands-on science activities—this pantry will keep supporting their stamina and participation day after day. Thank you for helping remove a barrier that so many of our students face. Your donation is helping my students show up, stay engaged, and make the most of every class period.","fullyFundedDate":1768623979198,"projectUrl":"project/fuel-for-learning-snacks-juice-for-my/10023140/","projectTitle":"Fuel for Learning: Snacks + Juice for My Class","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Sylaj","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/marksylaj"},{"teacherId":9213000,"projectId":9868118,"letterContent":"Because of your generous support, our hands-on DonorsChoose project with scissors, paper, and glue sticks made a meaningful difference in my English Language Learners' schooling experience. These simple but powerful tools allowed students to actively engage in reading and writing lessons through cutting, sorting, and assembling ideas. Instead of only listening or writing, students were able to physically manipulate language, which helped make new vocabulary and concepts more concrete and accessible. This approach reduced anxiety, built confidence, and encouraged participation from students who are still developing their English skills.","fullyFundedDate":1762267554019,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-learning-tools-for-english-lang/9868118/","projectTitle":"Hands on Learning Tools for English Language Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Skozlas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9213000"},{"teacherId":8328965,"projectId":9867697,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my classroom is now filled with color, creativity, and excitement. The supplies from Colorful Creations for Growing Minds—construction paper, looseleaf paper, oil pastels, and markers—are already being used daily and have made an immediate impact on my students' learning.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials arrived, my students' reactions said it all. Their eyes lit up as they opened the boxes, and several students said things like, \"These are brand new!\" and \"We get to use the oil pastels?\" For many of my energetic, creative middle schoolers, having fresh, high-quality supplies felt special and empowering. It sent a powerful message: their ideas, voices, and work matter.\r\n\r\nWe are using these resources across reading, writing, and art-integrated lessons. Students are creating colorful anchor charts, illustrating vocabulary words, designing posters to show their understanding of texts, and drafting stories and reflections on looseleaf paper. Oil pastels have become a favorite tool for visual responses to reading, allowing students to add emotion, detail, and personal expression to their work—especially meaningful for students from bilingual homes who may express ideas more confidently through art alongside writing.\r\n\r\nNext, students will continue using these materials for collaborative projects, visual note-taking, STEAM club activities, and creative responses to literature. These supplies will support them throughout the year as they brainstorm, design, revise, and proudly display their learning.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping create a colorful, engaging classroom where students have the tools they need to think, create, and express themselves with confidence. Your support brings energy, joy, and opportunity into our Title I classroom, and it helps my students feel supported, valued, and inspired every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1765650039542,"projectUrl":"project/colorful-creations-for-growing-minds/9867697/","projectTitle":"Colorful Creations for Growing Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hutter","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8328965"},{"teacherId":2643480,"projectId":9802614,"letterContent":"Thank you for fully funding \"Unleashing Imagination: Give the Gift of Literacy to Our Students.\" Because of you, my students now have powerful, high-interest books that feel relevant to their lives—and that is exactly what helps middle school readers grow.\r\n\r\nThe impact these books are having in our classroom\r\n\r\nThese new sets—especially the graphic novels by underrepresented authors—have helped students connect to reading in a deeper way. When students see themselves, their families, their cultures, and real-life challenges reflected in texts, reading stops feeling like \"school work\" and starts feeling meaningful.\r\n\r\nThese books are helping students build important skills such as:\r\n\r\nReading comprehension & analysis: Students are practicing summarizing, identifying theme, and explaining character motivation in a text they understand and care about.\r\n\r\nText evidence: Students are getting better at citing specific moments from the story to support their thinking.\r\n\r\nInference and critical thinking: Many of these texts require students to read between the lines, notice visual details, and interpret what characters are feeling—even when it isn't directly stated.\r\n\r\nEmpathy and perspective: Students are learning how stories can help us understand experiences beyond our own, and how identity and background shape a person's journey.\r\n\r\nWhat reading looks like in our classroom now\r\n\r\nReading time has become more active, more social, and more student-driven. We use these books for:\r\n\r\nIndependent reading (students choose what they're ready for and what interests them)\r\n\r\nSmall-group discussions and book circles where students share reactions, ask questions, and respectfully disagree\r\n\r\nShort written responses where students practice making a claim and supporting it with evidence\r\n\r\nAuthor study work with Erin Entrada Kelly, where students compare themes and characters across multiple books\r\n\r\nGraphic novels have also been a huge support for students who struggle with confidence. The visuals help them access the story, build vocabulary, and stay engaged—without feeling overwhelmed.\r\n\r\nStudents who are especially enjoying the new books\r\n\r\nI've seen some of my most reluctant readers become the most excited readers. Students who used to avoid books are now asking to borrow them, recommending titles to friends, and getting invested in the characters. The sets focused on underrepresented authors have been especially meaningful—students are having real conversations about identity, fairness, and belonging in ways that feel natural and age-appropriate.","fullyFundedDate":1766863429237,"projectUrl":"project/unleashing-imagination-give-the-gift-of/9802614/","projectTitle":"Unleashing Imagination: Give the Gift of Literacy to Our Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Sylaj","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/marksylaj"},{"teacherId":2643480,"projectId":9809719,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for fully funding \"Help Us Have Snacks in the Classroom for Those Days!\" Your support is making an immediate, real difference for my students every single day—because it's hard to learn when you're hungry.\r\n\r\nThe impact these snacks are having on students\r\n\r\nSince these snacks arrived, I've seen a clear change in students' ability to stay focused and engaged. When a student hasn't eaten, you can tell—low energy, trouble concentrating, irritability, and sometimes headaches or stomach discomfort. Now, instead of losing learning time, we can quickly support them and get them back on track.\r\n\r\nThese snacks are helping students:\r\n\r\nMaintain focus and stamina during lessons, independent work, and assessments\r\n\r\nRegulate emotions and behavior when hunger leads to frustration or distractions\r\n\r\nFeel cared for and safe in the classroom, which improves participation and trust\r\n\r\nStay present in learning instead of worrying about when they'll eat next\r\n\r\nWhat it looks like in our classroom\r\n\r\nIn my room, snacks are not a \"treat\"—they're a support. When I notice a student struggling, or a student quietly lets me know they didn't eat, they can discreetly grab a snack and water. It keeps things respectful, normal, and calm.\r\n\r\nIt also helps on:\r\n\r\nLong instructional blocks\r\n\r\nDays with testing or heavier workloads\r\n\r\nDays when students come in late or miss breakfast\r\n\r\nDays when students simply need a boost to stay successful\r\n\r\nStudents who are benefiting the most\r\n\r\nThis project especially helps students who come to school without breakfast, students who rely heavily on school meals, and students who are having a tough day and need something small to reset and refocus. I've had students tell me, \"Thank you—I didn't eat today,\" and after a snack, they're able to participate, complete work, and feel more confident.","fullyFundedDate":1763494140207,"projectUrl":"project/help-us-have-snacks-in-the-classroom-for/9809719/","projectTitle":"Help Us Have Snacks in the Classroom for Those Days!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Sylaj","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/marksylaj"},{"teacherId":2643480,"projectId":9834279,"letterContent":"Thank you for fully funding \"Unleashing Imagination: Give the Gift of Literacy to Our Students.\" Because of you, my students now have a classroom library that feels fun, current, and welcoming—the kind of collection that makes kids want to pick up a book.\r\n\r\nWhat these new books are teaching my students\r\n\r\nThese titles are doing much more than \"keeping students busy.\" They're helping us build key reading skills every day, including:\r\n\r\nReading stamina & fluency: Students are reading longer, with better pace and expression—especially with high-interest series that keep them hooked.\r\n\r\nComprehension strategies: We practice summarizing, making inferences, and identifying theme using texts that students actually enjoy.\r\n\r\nText evidence & discussion: Students are learning to support their thinking with details from the book and explain why a character acted a certain way.\r\n\r\nVocabulary in context: Graphic novels and engaging chapter books make it easier for students to pause, decode, and learn new words naturally.\r\n\r\nWhat reading looks like in our classroom\r\n\r\nReading time has become something students look forward to. In our room, reading includes:\r\n\r\nDaily independent reading with students choosing books that match their interests and comfort level\r\n\r\nQuick book talks where students recommend titles to classmates (this has been a game-changer!)\r\n\r\nSmall-group conversations where we discuss characters, lessons learned, and \"what would you do?\" moments\r\n\r\nTeacher check-ins and conferences to help students set goals and grow as readers\r\n\r\nThe biggest shift is this: students don't feel like reading is a \"test.\" They're starting to see it as something they can do—and something that belongs to them.\r\n\r\nStudents who are especially enjoying these books\r\n\r\nA lot of my reluctant readers have been drawn in immediately by Dog Man and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Some students who used to avoid reading are now asking, \"Do we have the next one?\" and swapping books with friends. The humor, visuals, and relatable characters help students who struggle with confidence finally feel successful—and once that happens, they're willing to try more.\r\n\r\nStudents who love science have also been excited to read the Magic School Bus chapter books, and it's been a great bridge between our science learning and literacy. They're noticing nonfiction vocabulary, asking questions, and connecting what they read to what we learn in class.\r\n\r\nThank you\r\n\r\nYou gave my students more than books—you gave them access, choice, and confidence. In a classroom where nearly all students come from low-income households, having a library they can proudly use every day matters. Your generosity is helping students build lifelong reading habits, one book at a time.","fullyFundedDate":1767238423452,"projectUrl":"project/unleashing-imagination-give-the-gift-of/9834279/","projectTitle":"Unleashing Imagination: Give the Gift of Literacy to Our Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Sylaj","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/marksylaj"},{"teacherId":6165218,"projectId":9266373,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in funding the document camera and printer ink for my classroom! These tools have truly transformed the way my bilingual students engage with math, making lessons more interactive, hands-on, and accessible for everyone.With the document camera, I've been able to model math problems live right in front of the class, projecting physical manipulatives like fraction tiles and geometric shapes onto the screen. This has made abstract concepts come alive—students can see exactly how pieces fit together or how equations balance in real time. It's especially exciting for my English Language Learners (ELLs), who often struggle with verbal explanations alone. Now, they participate more confidently, pointing out patterns or sharing ideas during peer discussions when I display their own work for the whole class to see. One particular student, who was previously shy about speaking up in math, has really warmed to this technology; he now volunteers to demonstrate problems under the camera, beaming with pride as his classmates applaud his clear explanations.The printer ink has been a game-changer too, allowing me to create and distribute colorful, bilingual resources like vocabulary cards with English-Spanish translations, practice worksheets, and take-home guides for parents. These materials bridge language gaps at home, where many families speak primarily Spanish, strengthening our school-community connections. Students are thrilled by the vibrant visuals—they eagerly grab their personalized packets and often share how they're using them to practice with siblings or parents. Overall, these tools have boosted academic growth; I've already seen improvements in grasping challenging concepts, higher participation from all students, and growing excitement around math that wasn't there before.Your gift may seem small, but it's making a lasting impact every single day—sparking curiosity, building essential skills, and empowering my students for future success in STEM. Thank you for believing in them and helping make math inclusive and fun!With deepest gratitude,","fullyFundedDate":1755910816562,"projectUrl":"project/enhancing-math-learning-with-visual-tool/9266373/","projectTitle":"Enhancing Math Learning with Visual Tools in Our Bilingual Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ledesma","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp6165218_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1545445678722","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6165218"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_23336","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":858,"numTeachers":50,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":4,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":91,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"17.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":55.3,"schoolId":23336,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Enrico Fermi School Perf Arts on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Enrico Fermi School Perf Arts","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-york/yonkers-public-schools/enrico-fermi-school-performing-arts/23336"}