{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Enrico Fermi School Perf Arts","outOfStateSupporters":44.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"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"},{"teacherId":2643480,"projectId":9844985,"letterContent":"When our Cricut heat press, holographic iron-on, and infusible ink markers arrived, my sixth graders were buzzing. We opened the boxes together, and students immediately started sketching ideas for \"team identities\" for their science lab groups and book clubs. One student said, \"Wait... we get to wear our ideas?\" That pretty much captured the excitement in the room.\r\nWe started with science: each lab group designed a logo and safety slogan for their \"data team.\" Students drafted their designs on paper, gave each other feedback, and then turned them into real shirts using the heat press and holographic vinyl. Watching a quiet student's face when her group's design came out crisp and shiny on a shirt was a moment I won't forget—her classmates actually clapped for her work. It was a powerful way to build confidence, ownership, and a sense of belonging for kids who don't always feel seen.","fullyFundedDate":1762267672097,"projectUrl":"project/cricut-heat-press-magic-for-classroom-pr/9844985/","projectTitle":"Cricut Heat-Press Magic for Classroom Projects","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":9800897,"letterContent":"Because of you (and a special thanks to The Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation), our classroom can print what matters—right when students need it. Fresh ink means lab sheets, safety contracts, data tables, and primary-source packets are in kids' hands daily for science and social studies. We're using printed graphic organizers to teach claim-evidence-reasoning, color diagrams to model variables and systems, and annotated documents to practice sourcing and bias. Quick turnarounds—exit tickets today, feedback tomorrow—have lifted the quality of student work and kept momentum high.","fullyFundedDate":1761683585045,"projectUrl":"project/please-help-us-have-ink-for-our-classroo/9800897/","projectTitle":"Please Help Us Have Ink For Our Classroom Printer!","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":9834206,"letterContent":"Thanks to you, reading in our classroom now looks like joyful choice paired with real skill-building. Students use these new texts during independent reading, book clubs, and short whole-class studies where we practice annotating for theme and point of view, tracking character change, and writing claim-evidence-reasoning responses. With Stamped, we introduced lenses for reading bias and author's purpose; with We Are Not Free, we paired historical fiction with primary sources to study how setting and time shape decisions; with The Downstairs Girl, students examined voice and how perspective affects what a narrator notices and values. Your gift turned abstract standards into living, relevant practice.\r\n\r\nThe room feels different now: students settle in, set page goals on sticky notes, and jump into book talks and quick \"turn and teach\" shares. One reluctant reader lit up with A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow, saying, \"This feels like my life—just in a book.\" A quiet sixth grader who chose I Will Always Write Back asked if we could write to a class abroad because \"letters make people real.\" During a Socratic Seminar on Stamped, several students respectfully challenged each other with text-based evidence—something they were hesitant to do before these books invited them in.","fullyFundedDate":1760924394531,"projectUrl":"project/unleashing-imagination-give-the-gift-of/9834206/","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":8328965,"projectId":9836734,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and helping provide essential supplies for every student! With your generosity, my middle school readers now have paper trays, pencil sharpeners, and Sharpie chart markers that help them stay organized, focused, and ready to learn. These tools may seem small, but they make a huge difference in helping students manage their work, participate in lessons, and contribute to collaborative projects.\r\nReading in our classroom is active and hands-on. Students use the new supplies to organize reading packets, take notes, and create anchor charts that support comprehension and critical thinking. They are practicing skills like summarizing, identifying main ideas, and tracking vocabulary, all while using the materials you provided to make their learning visible and creative. Some students who were previously overwhelmed by clutter are now proud of their organized workspaces and more confident in their ability to focus and complete assignments.\r\nYour support has removed barriers that can distract students from learning and has created a classroom environment where every student can engage fully, think creatively, and feel proud of their work. Because of you, my students have the tools they need to stay organized, stay on task, and continue growing as independent, confident readers. Thank you for making a real difference in our classroom every day!","fullyFundedDate":1761218233267,"projectUrl":"project/organized-and-engaged-supplies-for-ever/9836734/","projectTitle":"Organized and Engaged: Supplies for Every Student","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":9837472,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and helping bring \"Civics in Action\" to life! With your generosity, my students now have engaging books and civic-themed games that make government, community, and citizenship feel real and meaningful. These resources have sparked thoughtful discussions about fairness, rights, responsibility, and the power young people have to make a difference. Students are learning how communities work, how decisions are made, and how they can participate—skills that help them grow not only as learners, but as thoughtful future citizens.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is active, hands-on, and collaborative. Students read in small groups, rotate through learning stations, and use graphic organizers and discussion prompts to support comprehension. The books you provided have allowed students to explore civic ideas through characters, real-world examples, and problem-solving scenarios. They are practicing essential skills like identifying main ideas, evaluating choices, understanding point of view, and making text-to-world connections. The games you funded have become a favorite station—students work together, debate friendly questions, and use new vocabulary in fun, meaningful ways.\r\n\r\nIt has been incredible to watch students who are often quiet during whole-group lessons become leaders during civics activities. One student who is new to English proudly explained how a character stood up for fairness in her community, and another happily shared that the voting game helped him \"understand how grown-ups decide things.\" These joyful moments remind us that when students feel empowered, they engage deeply and believe in their voices. Thank you for giving my learners the chance to explore civics with confidence, curiosity, and excitement.","fullyFundedDate":1761307777600,"projectUrl":"project/civics-in-action-books-and-games-for-en/9837472/","projectTitle":"Civics in Action: Books and Games for Engaged Citizens","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":9793133,"letterContent":"When my students first saw the new book bins and Sharpie markers, their faces lit up with excitement. They couldn't wait to dig in and start organizing our classroom library. I handed out the colorful, sturdy bins, and small groups immediately began sorting our books by genre and reading level. Some students took on the role of \"librarians,\" carefully labeling each bin with categories like \"Realistic Fiction,\" \"Mystery,\" \"Graphic Novels,\" and \"Nonfiction.\" Others used the Sharpie markers to decorate and color-code the labels, adding small drawings or designs that made each section uniquely theirs. It was such a joy to watch them work together, talking about books they had already read and recommending titles to their classmates as they organized.\r\nBefore we had these materials, keeping our classroom library tidy was a constant challenge. Books were often misplaced, and students sometimes struggled to find the texts they wanted. Now, the system is student-created and student-managed. Every reader knows exactly where to find and return books, and they take pride in keeping the area neat. The new organization has encouraged more independent reading because the library feels inviting and easy to navigate. Students have told me they love how \"official\" and \"cool\" it looks now, and they often gather in the library area during reading time without needing reminders.\r\nThe Sharpie markers have quickly become one of our most-used classroom tools. My students use them not just for labeling but also for creative projects that bring their learning to life. During our writing unit, students designed personalized covers for their writing notebooks using the markers to draw symbols and images that represent their stories or poems. In reading, they've used Sharpies to create character webs, plot diagrams, and visual story maps on poster paper — bright, bold visuals that help deepen comprehension. They've also used them for labeling folders, group materials, and classroom supplies, which helps everything stay organized and easy to find.\r\nHaving an organized classroom and reliable materials has made transitions smoother and learning time more focused. Instead of wasting time looking for a missing book or sharing worn-out supplies, students can quickly grab what they need and get started. The sense of order and readiness in our classroom helps them stay calm and confident, especially for those who need extra structure to feel successful. For my bilingual students, the visual organization and clear labeling system make it easier to find materials independently, which supports their language development and fosters self-reliance.\r\nNext, my students will be using the Sharpie markers for a motivational poster project. Each student will create a poster featuring a meaningful quote about kindness, perseverance, or learning. These posters will be displayed around the classroom to inspire and encourage everyone, creating a positive, student-led environment. The markers will allow students to make the posters bright, colorful, and visually engaging, while also giving them ownership of the classroom atmosphere.\r\nThanks to these new resources, our classroom feels more like a community — organized, creative, and filled with pride. My students are reading more, collaborating better, and taking greater ownership of their learning environment. These simple but powerful materials have helped build habits of responsibility, independence, and creativity that will carry far beyond this school year.","fullyFundedDate":1760621920693,"projectUrl":"project/organized-learning-book-bins-sharpie/9793133/","projectTitle":"Organized Learning: Book Bins & Sharpie Markers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hutter","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8328965"}],"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":55.5,"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"}