{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Jackson Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":30.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9173699,"projectId":9335279,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our Starting Soft with STEM project has transformed the way my students begin each school day. The new STEAM/STEM activities, puzzles, games, and organizational tools have created the calm and engaging \"soft start\" I envisioned when writing this grant and the difference has been remarkable. ✨\r\n\r\nEach morning, my students walk in, choose a bin, and immediately settle into activities that warm up their brains and soothe their bodies. They've explored everything from mental puzzles to coloring tasks to hands-on STEM manipulatives. One morning, a group excitedly worked together to design a structure sturdy enough to hold a book using math links and foam blocks. When it finally stood on its own, they erupted into cheers a joyful reminder of how capable they feel when given the right tools 💡.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the excitement was contagious. Students kept asking, \"We get to use these every day?\" Many of them dove right into building with LEGOs or sorting through the construction set, completely absorbed. For some students who struggle with morning transitions, these soft start choices have truly been game-changers. I've watched anxious students come in, choose a puzzle, and visibly relax within minutes.\r\n\r\nYour support gave you a small peek into our classroom, and I want you to know what comes next: we'll continue expanding our morning soft start routines by introducing new engineering challenges, encouraging more collaborative builds, and giving students opportunities to \"invent\" using the materials you helped provide. These gentle but meaningful routines have already improved emotional regulation, independence, and social interaction exactly what early learners need to start their day with confidence 🌟.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in this project and for giving my students the tools to begin each morning feeling calm, curious, and ready to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1757801575160,"projectUrl":"project/starting-soft-with-stem/9335279/","projectTitle":"Starting Soft with STEM","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Sherman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9173699_orig.jpg?crop=1280,1280,x0,y98&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1691633500408","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9173699"},{"teacherId":8232873,"projectId":9279211,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for making my life easier to manage. I arrived later in the school year, due to having my son, but when I introduce all these independent resources students were curious and excited. Since I returned to the class, students are tracking their own growth and excited to beat their previous scores in reading and math. The corner binder shelf has been an amazing addition and promotes student independence. They are tracking the progress in individual binders and have access to these easily. Students are getting into the routine of getting their binder during small group times and have been inserting intervention work, tracking growth and filling their reading logs. I am now introducing flexible seating, since I just returned to the classroom. This surf desk organizer has been an amazing addition and students love using these desks. I have a classroom economy and one job is \"ROOMBA.\" These two students work together to clean centers and organize flexible seating. This organizer has DRASTICALLY improved how easy their job is and helps keep our room clean! I appreciate donors like you, who help","fullyFundedDate":1746786275599,"projectUrl":"project/independent-organization/9279211/","projectTitle":"Independent Organization","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Martin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8232873_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1678926067245","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8232873"},{"teacherId":8438054,"projectId":9462271,"letterContent":"We can't thank you enough for your generosity in funding our Desk Pet grant! Because of you, our classroom is now filled with excitement, motivation, and so many smiles. These tiny pets have brought big joy and a whole new level of engagement to our learning community.\r\n\r\nFrom the moment the students saw their desk pets for the first time, there was pure magic in the room. They were instantly hooked—naming their pets, building little homes, and brainstorming ways to take care of them. The sense of ownership and pride they feel is incredible to watch. Even the most reluctant learners light up when it's time to check on their desk pets or earn accessories for positive behavior and effort.\r\n\r\nThis project has transformed our classroom culture. The desk pets have become a creative and meaningful part of our classroom management system. Students earn \"pet food,\" habitats, and accessories for showing kindness, completing work, and making positive choices. It's amazing how something so small can have such a big impact! The pets motivate students to stay focused, take responsibility, and encourage one another.\r\n\r\nBeyond behavior and responsibility, these pets have also sparked creativity. Students write stories, create artwork, and design habitats inspired by their desk pets. It has connected beautifully to our writing and art lessons, giving students a chance to use their imagination in fun and meaningful ways.\r\n\r\nIt's been so rewarding to see how much joy, teamwork, and pride these little creatures have brought to our classroom. They've helped create a learning environment filled with laughter, motivation, and heart. Students look forward to earning time with their pets and sharing their creative ideas with friends.\r\n\r\nThank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping make this project possible. You've given my students more than just small toys—you've given them ownership, motivation, and a sense of belonging. Your kindness has made learning even more magical in our classroom, and we are so grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1754325571484,"projectUrl":"project/pawsitively-motivated-desk-pets-to-the/9462271/","projectTitle":"Pawsitively Motivated: Desk Pets to the Rescue!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Weaver","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8438054_orig.jpg?crop=2469,2469,x60,y685&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1651322277434","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8438054"},{"teacherId":8438054,"projectId":9114365,"letterContent":"We can't thank you enough for your generous support in funding our classroom gardening project! Because of your kindness, our students now have the opportunity to dig, plant, nurture, and grow right here at school. This project has already started to blossom into something truly special, and it's all thanks to you.\r\n\r\nFrom the moment the materials arrived, excitement filled the air. My students couldn't wait to get their hands in the soil and start planting. They took such pride in preparing our garden space—filling pots, labeling seeds, and planning what to grow. Every day, they eagerly check on their plants, water them carefully, and celebrate every new sprout and leaf. Watching their faces light up as they see their hard work come to life has been priceless.\r\n\r\nThis grant has provided more than just soil and seeds—it has provided hands-on learning experiences that connect science, responsibility, and teamwork in meaningful ways. The students are learning about plant life cycles, weather patterns, and the importance of caring for our Earth. They are also learning patience and perseverance as they see that good things take time and care to grow.\r\n\r\nOur little garden has become a space for discovery and calm. Students love visiting it during the day to observe changes, write in their journals, or simply enjoy a moment of peace surrounded by nature. It has helped create a sense of community and responsibility as they work together to tend and protect their plants.","fullyFundedDate":1749939844494,"projectUrl":"project/gardening-to-learn-learning-to-garden/9114365/","projectTitle":"Gardening to Learn! Learning to Garden!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Weaver","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8438054_orig.jpg?crop=2469,2469,x60,y685&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1651322277434","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8438054"},{"teacherId":8438054,"projectId":8991524,"letterContent":"We are beyond grateful for your generous support in funding our classroom art project! Because of you, my students now have the materials and creative opportunities they need to express themselves, explore new techniques, and see themselves as artists. Your generosity has truly brightened our classroom—and our hearts.\r\n\r\nArt time has quickly become one of the most joyful and meaningful parts of our week. The students light up when they see the supplies come out—paint, pastels, collage papers, clay, and more. They can't wait to get started, and their creativity overflows in ways that surprise me every single day. I love watching them experiment with color, texture, and design as they bring their imaginations to life.\r\n\r\nThis grant has provided so much more than just art materials—it has given my students a voice. Some of them who struggle to express themselves through writing or speaking are able to communicate beautifully through their artwork. They beam with pride when they share what they've made, and their confidence continues to grow with every project.\r\n\r\nIt has also helped us build a stronger classroom community. Art brings everyone together—students collaborate, share ideas, and encourage one another. Our art projects have inspired teamwork, patience, and problem-solving as we explore the creative process together. There's something special about seeing students help each other mix paint colors or give kind compliments about a classmate's design.","fullyFundedDate":1739372328083,"projectUrl":"project/grow-your-heart-through-art/8991524/","projectTitle":"Grow Your Heart Through Art!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Weaver","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8438054_orig.jpg?crop=2469,2469,x60,y685&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1651322277434","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8438054"},{"teacherId":8438054,"projectId":6602340,"letterContent":"We can't thank you enough for funding this project. Because of your generosity, our classroom has been transformed into a space where creativity, connection, and calm learning come together each morning. The students have absolutely loved beginning their day with a \"soft start.\" This gentle, engaging routine has helped our classroom community grow and thrive in ways that words can hardly describe.\r\n\r\nWhen students walk through the door each morning, they now have a chance to settle in, explore materials, and connect with their peers in meaningful ways. Rather than rushing into academics right away, they get to ease into the day with choice-based activities that inspire curiosity and imagination. It's a peaceful, happy start that truly sets the tone for the entire school day.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite things to watch is how the students create, share ideas, and then recreate something new and different with the same materials. A set of building blocks might become a castle one morning, a rocket ship the next, and a small town later in the week. Play dough turns into art, food, or fantasy creatures depending on the day's inspiration. These moments spark conversation, teamwork, and laughter—reminding all of us that learning begins with joy and imagination.\r\n\r\nThis project has also encouraged students to take creative risks and learn from one another. I often hear them sharing ideas, asking questions, or building off a classmate's design. They're not only developing fine motor skills and problem-solving abilities but also learning how to communicate, collaborate, and show empathy. It's incredible to see how something as simple as a few engaging materials can build such strong social-emotional skills.","fullyFundedDate":1666824749714,"projectUrl":"project/creation-stations-to-let-loose-your-crea/6602340/","projectTitle":"Creation Stations to Let Loose Your Creativity! STEM but more!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Weaver","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8438054_orig.jpg?crop=2469,2469,x60,y685&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1651322277434","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8438054"},{"teacherId":8988151,"projectId":9122315,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my students as they learn and grow! Our sensory bin is an engaging area of our classroom that my students love to visit. Sensory bin exploration is amazing for developing language and communication, conflict resolution skills, fine motor skills, and an understanding of concepts like cause and effect and volume. My students have loved the sensory bin so far this year and I am certain they will continue to love it as the year progresses. Currently, we have an apple pie sensory bin filled with oatmeal, pom pom apples, pie tins, and more! Thank you so much for allowing me to create these fun and engaging experiences for my students!","fullyFundedDate":1746785405364,"projectUrl":"project/sensational-sensory-bins/9122315/","projectTitle":"Sensational Sensory Bins","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ozment","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8988151_orig.png?crop=1092,1092,x0,y134&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1684795541322","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ozment"},{"teacherId":8232873,"projectId":9123301,"letterContent":"I am so excited to introduce more play into my classroom! I want school to be a fun environment for all kiddos and allowing play is one great way to do this. When I introduced these materials to my class, they were super excited and began engaging right away. It was interesting to see students play with peers they rarely interacted with and develop new friendships. By playing in the class, students become excited to come to school and are developing essential social skills. I am super excited to introduce play this new school year. It would not be possible without donors like you, supporting teachers like me. Thank you again.","fullyFundedDate":1740693243874,"projectUrl":"project/lets-play/9123301/","projectTitle":"Let's Play!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Martin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8232873_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1678926067245","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8232873"},{"teacherId":8232873,"projectId":9140328,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for contributing these essential resources to my second grade class. Being in a low-income district, many students are unable to provide the materials needed each school year. The supplies in this will benefit my students this year and many years to come. During our beginning of year testing, I was able to provide headphones to students who were able to focus better! I am using the notebooks for daily writing assignments. Students and parents love these because they can see their progression as the year goes on! I am organizing materials in a way that they can be preserved and used in future years. Thank you so much again.","fullyFundedDate":1746785707858,"projectUrl":"project/starting-fresh/9140328/","projectTitle":"Starting Fresh","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Martin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8232873_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1678926067245","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8232873"},{"teacherId":8988151,"projectId":9049111,"letterContent":"These resources have been so beneficial in supporting my students' learning and growth! Hands-on play is one of the most effective learning tools in early childhood and this has been clear in my classroom through the use of these materials. For example, the Gears STEM set has been one of the most popular items in my classroom and helps my students to understand concepts such as cause and effect and reasoning skills. The Learning Locks have also been an exciting addition to our classroom and help to support math concepts such as one-to-one correspondence and number recognition. \r\n\r\nThe next steps for these materials are continuing to find exciting new ways to incoroporate them into our classroom learning. For example, I plan to use the translucent pattern blocks on our light table to help support my students' understanding of composing and decomposing shapes. I also plan to use the Counting Cows as part of a whole class lesson on number recognition and matching numbers to dot patterns. These materials will continue to be an exciting part of our classroom! Thank you so much for supporting my students' growth!","fullyFundedDate":1739372326226,"projectUrl":"project/purposeful-play-in-pre-k/9049111/","projectTitle":"Purposeful Play in Pre-K","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ozment","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8988151_orig.png?crop=1092,1092,x0,y134&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1684795541322","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ozment"},{"teacherId":8436568,"projectId":8781826,"letterContent":"I asked for 2 big bean bag cushions and some different materials to help the increasing need for sensory and learning to manage emotions for four to five year olds. Not only was I so excited for the materials but the kids were so excited. They get to be with more friends in the reading area and are also learning to practice breathing using the stretchy balls, calm down stones, and sensory bottles. \r\n\r\nWe completed activities to do when we are worrying like Worrying (book) by using the clay to form their own calm down stone with their choice in colors. They rolled them like a snake, twisted them, and rolled them again. Then we baked them and they were so excited to hold the same stone (now hard) that now was their finished product. Also, they loved working on their reading buddy they made with the pom poms, googley eyes, and other materials. They made their friends, their family, a pet, and a monster which was the best part!\r\nThe most joyful part was seeing the kids having so much fun rolling and mixing colors and then rolling their calm down stone until they liked the colors pattern they made. They love using them to read or calm down with. I have seen many of them go get their pets or calm down stones on their own to read or use to calm down at learning times. \r\nI have continued to see how much kids enjoy little projects which involve a few more steps but the process is amazing part as they learn more about themselves and each other.","fullyFundedDate":1733248125701,"projectUrl":"project/inside-out-children-learning-to-embrace/8781826/","projectTitle":"Inside Out: Children Learning to Embrace Their Emotions","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Looper","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8436568"},{"teacherId":9626482,"projectId":8802461,"letterContent":"I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous donations of headphones, a rug, and floor pillows for flexible seating in our classroom. These materials have made a significant difference in our learning environment, providing students with the comfort and resources they need to thrive.\r\n\r\nThe addition of flexible seating options has fostered a more engaging and inclusive atmosphere. Students can choose their preferred seating, which has encouraged collaboration and increased participation in lessons. The headphones have also allowed for focused learning during independent activities, helping students to concentrate better on their tasks. These additions to our classroom have made small group times flow much smoother and students enjoy having flexibility in our space. My students were extremely excited to receive these items and we use all of them daily!\r\n\r\nThank you once again for your thoughtful contributions. Your support is invaluable in creating a positive and effective classroom experience for my students.","fullyFundedDate":1733248125911,"projectUrl":"project/choose-a-spot-and-focus-up/8802461/","projectTitle":"Choose a Spot and Focus Up!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Weaver - 5th Grade","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9626482_orig.jpg?crop=1522,1522,x1481,y836&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726710111203","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9626482"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_86405","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":444,"numTeachers":33,"percentFrplEligible":75,"percentAsian":3,"percentBlack":7,"percentWhite":41,"percentIndigenous":2,"percentLatinx":33,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"13.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":69.1,"schoolId":86405,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Jackson Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Jackson Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/oklahoma/norman-independent-school-district-29/jackson-elementary-school/86405"}