{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Eisenhower Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":54.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10421159,"projectId":10066855,"letterContent":"This balanced reader project has transformed our 2nd grade classroom into a welcoming, student-centered learning environment where children can engage with literacy in ways that honor their individual needs and learning styles.\r\n\r\n The flexible seating options—floor cushions, rocker chairs, elastic seat bands, and bounce seats—allow students to choose seating that helps them regulate their bodies and maintain attention during independent reading, guided reading groups, and literacy centers. Students who need movement can use the bounce seats or elastic bands, while those who prefer a cozy, calm space can settle into floor cushions or rockers.\r\n\r\n By creating a comfortable, inviting atmosphere, students associate reading time with comfort and choice rather than restriction. This positive connection builds intrinsic motivation to read and helps develop lifelong reading habits during these critical early literacy years.\r\n\r\n The variety of seating accommodates different sensory and physical needs without singling out any student. Children with attention challenges, sensory processing differences, or high energy levels can access the movement-based seating, while all students benefit from the autonomy to select what works best for them each day.\r\n\r\n The informal, flexible arrangement encourages collaboration during partner reading and creates a more relaxed, joyful learning culture where students feel valued and trusted to make good choices about their learning environment.","fullyFundedDate":1777481967637,"projectUrl":"project/a-balanced-reader/10066855/","projectTitle":"A Balanced Reader","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gannon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10421159_orig.jpg?crop=849,849,x117,y248&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1769548462077","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10421159"},{"teacherId":5637092,"projectId":10332444,"letterContent":"Impact Statement: Soccer Supplies for Elementary Youth Program\r\n\r\nThe addition of new soccer supplies to our 4th and 5th grade youth program has created a transformative shift in student engagement, physical development, and community building at our elementary school. What began as a simple equipment upgrade has evolved into a catalyst for positive change across multiple dimensions of student growth and school culture.\r\n\r\nIncreased Participation and Inclusivity\r\n\r\nPrior to receiving the soccer supplies, our recess and physical education options were limited, often excluding students who lacked experience with traditional sports or who felt intimidated by competitive play. The new equipment—including age-appropriate soccer balls, cones, goals, and practice gear—has opened doors for students of all skill levels to participate. We've seen a notable increase in the number of students choosing soccer during free play time, with participation rising from approximately 30% to over 65% of our 4th and 5th grade population. Students who previously stood on the sidelines now actively engage, developing confidence as they learn alongside their peers in a supportive environment.\r\n\r\nPhysical Health and Motor Skill Development\r\n\r\nThe soccer supplies have directly contributed to improved physical fitness among our upper elementary students during a critical developmental period. Students are building cardiovascular endurance, coordination, balance, and agility through regular soccer play. The equipment has enabled our PE teachers to implement structured skill-building activities—dribbling courses using cones, shooting practice with proper goals, and small-sided games that maximize touches on the ball. Teachers report visible improvements in students' gross motor skills, spatial awareness, and overall physical confidence. In an era when childhood obesity and sedentary behavior are growing concerns, these supplies have made daily physical activity genuinely appealing to our students.\r\n\r\nSocial-Emotional Growth and Teamwork\r\n\r\nBeyond the physical benefits, soccer has become a vehicle for teaching essential life skills. Through team play, our 4th and 5th graders are learning cooperation, communication, and conflict resolution in real-time. The shared experience of working toward common goals on the field has strengthened peer relationships and created natural opportunities for leadership development. Students are learning to celebrate teammates' successes, support each other through mistakes, and demonstrate good sportsmanship—lessons that extend far beyond the soccer field into classroom interactions and academic group work.\r\n\r\nBuilding School Community and Breaking Down Barriers\r\n\r\nThe soccer program has become a unifying force within our school community. Students from diverse backgrounds, varying academic abilities, and different social groups come together on the field with a common purpose. Soccer's universal appeal has helped break down social barriers and created new friendships that might not have formed otherwise. The visibility of the program during recess and PE has generated excitement throughout the school, with younger students eagerly anticipating their opportunity to participate when they reach 4th grade.\r\n\r\nFostering Lifelong Wellness Habits\r\n\r\nPerhaps most importantly, these soccer supplies are helping instill a love of physical activity that we hope will last a lifetime. Students are discovering that exercise can be joyful, that teamwork is rewarding, and that persistence leads to improvement. By providing quality equipment and structured opportunities to play, we're investing not just in today's recess period, but in our students' long-term health, confidence, and character development.","fullyFundedDate":1781218201694,"projectUrl":"project/teamwork-through-soccer-and-collaborativ/10332444/","projectTitle":"Teamwork Through Soccer and Collaborative Sports","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Christina Leija","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5637092_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1715999527072","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5637092"},{"teacherId":9184773,"projectId":10063271,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting phonics and reading fluency through the \"Climbing the Ladder of Confidence\" project.\r\n\r\nFrom beginning readers to those reading well above the third-grade level, all of the students love manipulating the magnets to solve the new word. They are increasing their reading skills and vocabulary.\r\n\r\nWithout your generous gift, these students would not have had the hands-on opportunity. I've used word ladders with pencil and paper before, but it took me a lot of time finding free downloads. Engagement was lacking since students viewed it as another worksheet. Having access to so many levels of word ladders along with the magnets has been a huge blessing.","fullyFundedDate":1779736073834,"projectUrl":"project/climbing-the-ladder-of-confidence/10063271/","projectTitle":"Climbing the Ladder of Confidence","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Phillips","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9184773_orig.jpg?crop=2761,2761,x131,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1782220089574","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9184773"},{"teacherId":7818117,"projectId":9801285,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for your generous donations of art supplies to our classroom. Your contribution of modeling clay, paint, paint brushes, crayons and markers has made a meaningful impact on our students.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, our classroom had been transformed into a vibrant space where creativity can truly flourish. These materials have not only enhanced out art activities but have also supported our learning across subjects by encouraging creativity, problem-solving, and fine motor skill development.\r\n\r\nMany of our students may not have access to these types or materials at home, so your donation has provided them with experiences they might not have otherwise have had. The excitement and pride they feel when creating their own artwork has been incredible to witness. Thank you so much.","fullyFundedDate":1769178309930,"projectUrl":"project/paint-create-imagine/9801285/","projectTitle":"Paint, Create, Imagine!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Riddick","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7818117_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1706614211356","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7818117"},{"teacherId":8314674,"projectId":10063848,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of musical supplies to our classroom. Your support has made a meaningful difference for my students and the way we learn together each day. We have been using the instruments regularly to explore rhythm, creativity, and teamwork. One special moment was when students worked in small groups to create their own music patterns. They experimented with different sounds, took turns leading, and felt proud sharing their work with the class. It was great to see students build confidence and connect with each other through music.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the instruments, they were incredibly excited. Their faces lit up, and they could not wait to start playing. That excitement has continued every time we use them. They love when I bring out the instrument bin, the classroom quickly fills with energy and joy. My students enjoy the sounds of music and while we cannot yet make a band, they are doing great working!\r\n\r\nNext, we are beginning a project where students will use the instruments to add sound to stories we read in class. This will help them connect music with emotions and ideas while continuing to build their creativity and collaboration skills. Thank you again for bringing music, joy, and new opportunities into our classroom. We truly appreciate your generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1769729504789,"projectUrl":"project/strengthening-student-success-with-music/10063848/","projectTitle":"Strengthening Student Success with Music Education","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Overby","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8314674"},{"teacherId":8307044,"projectId":9891750,"letterContent":"I am so excited to share how your generosity is already making a difference in our library!\r\n\r\nAs soon as the clear bins were set up, students immediately noticed the change. They were eager to explore and kept saying how much easier it was to see the books. Some of my more hesitant readers, who usually struggle to choose a book, were able to independently browse and find something that interested them. It has truly changed the way students interact with our library space.\r\n\r\nWe are using the bins every day during checkout time. Students are able to quickly scan covers, discover new topics, and make thoughtful choices about what they want to read. I have already seen students trying books they might not have picked before simply because they could see them clearly and access them easily.\r\n\r\nOne special moment that stood out was watching a student who often feels overwhelmed in the library confidently choose a book without help. That sense of independence and excitement is exactly what I hoped these bins would bring.\r\n\r\nNext, we will continue building on this by encouraging students to explore new genres and set personal reading goals. The improved organization is helping us focus more on meaningful reading experiences, book talks, and helping students grow as readers.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving our students a more accessible, inviting, and engaging library. Your support is making a lasting impact.","fullyFundedDate":1769178309576,"projectUrl":"project/clear-bins-bright-futures-organizing-o/9891750/","projectTitle":"Clear Bins, Bright Futures: Organizing Our Library for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. West","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8307044_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y504&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1762959665500","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8307044"},{"teacherId":5637092,"projectId":9822176,"letterContent":"Building blocks and tiles are simple, versatile materials that support a wide range of developmental goals. For early childhood professionals and staff, understanding how these materials promote learning and play helps you design richer environments, scaffold skill development, and communicate value to families and administrators.\r\n\r\nCognitive Development Blocks and tiles encourage spatial reasoning, problem solving, and early mathematics. When children stack, balance, and fit pieces together they practice concepts such as size, shape, symmetry, and number (counting pieces, estimating height). Open-ended construction tasks require planning and iterative testing, strengthening executive functions like planning, working memory, and cognitive flexibility.\r\n\r\nLanguage and Communication Construction play creates natural opportunities for vocabulary growth and conversational exchange. Children label colors, shapes, and actions (e.g., \"stack,\" \"balance,\" \"bridge\"), tell stories about their structures, and negotiate roles during collaborative builds. Adult-guided prompts—open questions such as \"What will happen if we put a big block on top?\"—expand descriptive language and reasoning.\r\n\r\nSocial-Emotional Skills Blocks and tiles naturally foster cooperation, turn-taking, and conflict resolution. Children practicing collaborative building share materials, negotiate design choices, and manage frustrations when structures collapse. Success and rebuilding experiences build resilience and a sense of competence. Adults can scaffold emotional skills by modeling constructive feedback and praising effort and persistence.\r\n\r\nFine and Gross Motor Development Manipulating blocks and tiles refines fine-motor control—pincer grasp, bilateral coordination, and hand-eye coordination—even when pieces are large. Transporting and arranging heavier or larger tiles also supports gross-motor strength and spatial awareness. These motor experiences are foundational for later writing and self-care skills.\r\n\r\nCreative and Symbolic Play Blocks and tiles invite symbolic representation: a tower becomes a castle, a line of tiles becomes a road. This symbolic play supports imagination and pretense, which are linked to perspective-taking and theory of mind. Providing diverse shapes, textures, and colors broadens possibilities for creative expression and narrative play.","fullyFundedDate":1769178309695,"projectUrl":"project/tiles-and-blocks-to-build-imagination-an/9822176/","projectTitle":"Tiles and Blocks to Build Imagination and Creativity","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Christina Leija","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5637092_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1715999527072","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5637092"},{"teacherId":3846412,"projectId":10073040,"letterContent":"I want to personally thank you for investing in my students. It has been such a wonderful experience to watch their eyes light up as they search for new books to read in the classroom. Because of you, they now have a variety of awesome books to read at their fingertips. Your thoughtful donation has helped my students expand their love of reading, and for that we are all very thankful! \r\n\r\nMy students have benefited greatly from your donation. We have several reading areas in the classroom and they love digging through the shelves to find their next read, or search for books that have their favorite book characters! I love that they are so excited about reading and working hard to reach their AR goals. \r\n\r\nI want to thank you again for caring about my students as much as I do! Thank you for believing in them and adding to their classroom library, putting wonderful books into their hands!","fullyFundedDate":1773840272141,"projectUrl":"project/help-expand-our-library-with-new-books-f/10073040/","projectTitle":"Help Expand Our Library With New Books for Eager Readers!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3846412_orig.jpg?crop=1440,1440,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1788884066060","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3846412"},{"teacherId":7803305,"projectId":10063423,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and providing us with menus, money, and dry erase supplies. Your generosity has made a meaningful impact on our students' learning.\r\n\r\nMy students were so happy and excited when they first saw the materials. They could not wait to start using them! Seeing real menus and classroom money made the activities feel authentic and important. The dry erase supplies were also a huge hit because students love being able to write, solve, and try again with ease.\r\n\r\nWe are using these materials every day to practice real-world math skills in real-world situations. Students use the menus and money to practice addition, subtraction, making change, and budgeting. They work through scenarios such as ordering meals within a budget or calculating totals and change. The dry erase boards allow them to solve problems, show their work, and correct mistakes without fear. One special moment was watching students confidently explain how they calculated their totals and why their change was correct. They were so proud of themselves!\r\n\r\nNext, students will create their own \"restaurant\" scenarios. They will design menus, set prices, and challenge classmates to solve ordering and budgeting problems. This project will help them strengthen their math skills, critical thinking, and communication.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping make learning hands-on, engaging, and meaningful. Your support truly makes a difference in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1769713046842,"projectUrl":"project/meaningful-math-with-menus/10063423/","projectTitle":"Meaningful Math with Menus","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Herell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7803305_orig.jpg?crop=702,702,x0,y109&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1616515445724","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7803305"},{"teacherId":10419902,"projectId":10063834,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity through DonorsChoose, our music classroom at Eisenhower Elementary in Lawton, Oklahoma now has 10 new keyboards that are transforming how our students learn and create music.\r\n\r\nIn music class, we are using the keyboards to help students practice rhythm, melody, and basic music theory in a hands-on way. Students are learning to identify notes on the keyboard, practice simple scales, and play short melodies that connect to the songs we are studying in class. Having access to these keyboards allows students to actively participate instead of only listening or watching demonstrations.\r\n\r\nWhen the keyboards first arrived, the excitement in the room was unforgettable. Students' eyes lit up as they realized they would each have the opportunity to play and explore. Many of them immediately wanted to try different sounds and began carefully pressing the keys to figure out familiar tunes. For some students, this was their very first time touching a real keyboard instrument.\r\n\r\nCurrently, students are working on a project where they compose a short original melody using the notes we have studied. They practice on the keyboards, write their notes on staff paper, and then perform their piece for the class. The keyboards give them the confidence to experiment, make mistakes, and improve their musical skills.\r\n\r\nOur next steps include expanding into small group performances and introducing basic chord progressions so students can accompany simple songs. We are also beginning to explore how melody and harmony work together, and these keyboards make that learning interactive and meaningful.\r\n\r\nYour support has given our students the opportunity to experience music in a deeper, more personal way. Thank you for helping bring creativity, confidence, and joy into our music classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1769724143748,"projectUrl":"project/keyboards-for-creative-music-learning/10063834/","projectTitle":"Keyboards for Creative Music Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Yasmin Turner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10419902_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y191&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1769459613608","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10419902"},{"teacherId":9184773,"projectId":10057299,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom through your generous grant. Because of you, my third-grade students now have access to incredible hands-on STEM materials, including magnetic marble runs, magnetic gears, a magnetic board, and traditional marble runs. These resources have quickly become some of the most loved learning tools in our classroom.\r\n\r\nStudents use these materials every chance they get. During STEM centers, small-group learning, and enrichment time, they eagerly build, test, and redesign their marble runs. It has been wonderful to watch them experiment with different designs, solve problems together, and adjust their plans when something doesn't work the first time. There has been plenty of trial and error, but each \"failure\" becomes a learning opportunity as students discuss what went wrong and try a new approach.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite classroom moments using these materials has been during a literacy activity with the magnetic board. I write sight words on notecards, and when a student reads their word correctly, they get to attach it to the magnetic board using a piece of the marble run. The next student must read all of the previous words before adding their own. This simple activity has been incredibly engaging, especially for my English language learners and struggling readers. Students are excited to participate, and their confidence has grown as they successfully read and build together.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has created a rich, hands-on learning environment that encourages curiosity, creativity, and confidence. Thank you for giving my students the opportunity to explore, build, and believe in their abilities as problem solvers.\r\n\r\nWith gratitude,","fullyFundedDate":1769393944492,"projectUrl":"project/making-learning-magical-with-marbles-and/10057299/","projectTitle":"Making Learning Magical with Marbles and Magnets","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Phillips","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9184773_orig.jpg?crop=2761,2761,x131,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1782220089574","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9184773"},{"teacherId":9203254,"projectId":7704585,"letterContent":"My students love using these bean bags. They make a wonderful addition to our alternative seating. Sitting in a desk all day working can be uncomfortable for some students. Adding alternative seating is something that I like to offer so that students can focus on what they are working on.\r\n\r\nMy students were elated when they first saw the giant bean bags that had arrived for the classroom. They are so big, that 2 to 3 students can sit or lean on them at the same time. \r\n\r\nI plan to try to add more alternative seating in the future because these wer such a sucess in my classroom.\r\n\r\nThank you so much for funding my project.","fullyFundedDate":1702605694726,"projectUrl":"project/big-bean-bag-seats-for-mrs-ropers-4th/7704585/","projectTitle":"Big Bean Bag Seats for Mrs. Roper's 4th Graders","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Roper","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9203254_orig.jpg?crop=2322,2322,x0,y673&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1769789405440","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9203254"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_86447","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":350,"numTeachers":18,"percentFrplEligible":92,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":24,"percentWhite":23,"percentIndigenous":4,"percentLatinx":24,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":21,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"19.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":45.1,"schoolId":86447,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Eisenhower Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Eisenhower Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/oklahoma/lawton-public-schools/eisenhower-elementary-school/86447"}