{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Ventura Park Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":35.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":4832533,"projectId":10068998,"letterContent":"This project has had a direct and meaningful impact on student learning across our school. By providing hundreds of individual healthy snacks, we are able to meet a basic need that greatly affects a child's ability to learn. When students are hungry, it is difficult for them to focus, regulate their emotions, or fully participate in academic tasks. Having consistent access to snacks has helped students stay attentive, engaged, and ready to learn throughout the day.\r\n\r\nIn addition, this project has supported a more equitable learning environment for all students. Instead of worrying about who has food and who does not, every child knows they can access a snack when needed. This has reduced distractions, minimized disruptions, and allowed teachers to spend more time on instruction rather than addressing hunger-related challenges. Students are better able to persevere through difficult tasks, collaborate with peers, and stay on track academically.\r\n\r\nOverall, this project has strengthened both the well-being and academic success of our students. It has created a more supportive and responsive school environment where basic needs are met, allowing students to focus on what matters most, learning, growing, and reaching their full potential.","fullyFundedDate":1772550389231,"projectUrl":"project/healthy-snack-for-hungry-students/10068998/","projectTitle":"Healthy Snack for Hungry Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bordine","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4832533_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1659648566265","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4832533"},{"teacherId":4832533,"projectId":9889936,"letterContent":"This project has had an exciting impact on my students' motivation and growth as readers. By adding Pokémon-themed books to our classroom library, I was able to tap into a strong, existing interest and turn it into a powerful learning tool. Students who already enjoy reading are now even more engaged, eager to pick up books, and motivated to spend more time practicing their skills. These books have created a sense of excitement around reading that carries over into other literacy activities throughout the day.\r\n\r\nEven though some of the chapter books are slightly above their current reading level, they have become an important source of inspiration. Students are more willing to challenge themselves, take risks, and build stamina because they are genuinely interested in the content. I've seen students asking for help decoding harder words, discussing stories with peers, and showing increased confidence in their reading abilities.\r\n\r\nOverall, this project has helped foster a love of reading by connecting literacy to student interests. It has allowed me to create a classroom environment where reading feels fun, meaningful, and personally relevant. These books are not just building skills, they are helping students see themselves as readers and developing a lifelong passion for learning.","fullyFundedDate":1766815615702,"projectUrl":"project/pokmon-chapter-books/9889936/","projectTitle":"Pokémon Chapter Books","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bordine","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4832533_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1659648566265","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4832533"},{"teacherId":4832533,"projectId":9833310,"letterContent":"This project has made a meaningful difference in helping my students access learning in ways that meet their individual needs. With adaptive tools for art and reading, students who often face physical barriers are now able to participate more independently and successfully. These materials have opened up opportunities for creativity, communication, and engagement that were previously difficult to access. Students are not only building academic skills, but also experiencing the joy and confidence that comes from being able to actively participate alongside their peers.\r\n\r\nThe addition of books and accessible materials has also strengthened our literacy instruction. Students are able to interact with texts in more meaningful ways, increasing their attention, comprehension, and overall enjoyment of reading. These tools allow us to tailor instruction to each student's abilities, making learning more inclusive and effective throughout the day.\r\n\r\nFinally, being able to observe and enjoy the birds outside our classroom windows has brought a unique and calming element to our environment. For my students, many of whom use wheelchairs and have limited mobility, this connection to the outside world is incredibly valuable. It provides moments of wonder, relaxation, and engagement that support both emotional regulation and learning. This project has truly been a blessing, helping create a classroom where all students can access, participate, and thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1761781751712,"projectUrl":"project/adaptive-sped-for-self-contained-classro/9833310/","projectTitle":"Adaptive SPED for Self Contained Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bordine","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4832533_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1659648566265","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4832533"},{"teacherId":4832533,"projectId":9732599,"letterContent":"This project has had a direct and meaningful impact on student learning across our school. By providing hundreds of individual healthy snacks, we are able to meet a basic need that greatly affects a child's ability to learn. When students are hungry, it is difficult for them to focus, regulate their emotions, or fully participate in academic tasks. Having consistent access to snacks has helped students stay attentive, engaged, and ready to learn throughout the day.\r\n\r\nIn addition, this project has supported a more equitable learning environment for all students. Instead of worrying about who has food and who does not, every child knows they can access a snack when needed. This has reduced distractions, minimized disruptions, and allowed teachers to spend more time on instruction rather than addressing hunger-related challenges. Students are better able to persevere through difficult tasks, collaborate with peers, and stay on track academically.\r\n\r\nOverall, this project has strengthened both the well-being and academic success of our students. It has created a more supportive and responsive school environment where basic needs are met, allowing students to focus on what matters most—learning, growing, and reaching their full potential.","fullyFundedDate":1771009801309,"projectUrl":"project/healthy-snack-for-hungry-students/9732599/","projectTitle":"Healthy Snack for Hungry Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bordine","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4832533_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1659648566265","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4832533"},{"teacherId":4832533,"projectId":9719417,"letterContent":"This project has made a powerful difference in how our classrooms support student regulation, independence, and engagement. With the addition of visual timers in every classroom, students now have a clear, concrete understanding of time expectations. This has reduced anxiety during transitions, increased task completion, and helped students feel more in control of their day. Teachers have noticed smoother routines and fewer disruptions, as students are better able to anticipate what comes next and manage their time more successfully.\r\n\r\nThe rechargeable batteries for our robotic cats have ensured that these highly motivating and comforting tools are consistently available for students who need them. Paired with the calming effect of the liquid motion bubblers and ooze tubes, we now have a wider range of sensory supports that meet diverse student needs. These tools have been especially impactful in helping students de-escalate, refocus, and return to learning more quickly. Students are not only using these supports appropriately, but are also learning to recognize when they need them.\r\n\r\nOverall, this project has strengthened our school's ability to create calm, predictable, and responsive learning environments. It has empowered both students and staff with practical tools that make a daily difference. The impact is seen in increased instructional time, improved self-regulation, and a more positive, supportive atmosphere throughout the building.","fullyFundedDate":1769177992002,"projectUrl":"project/special-education-classroom-needs/9719417/","projectTitle":"Special Education Classroom Needs","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bordine","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4832533_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1659648566265","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4832533"},{"teacherId":4832533,"projectId":9396095,"letterContent":"This project has had a meaningful and immediate impact on our entire school community. By providing a wide variety of fidgets, we were able to support not just one classroom, but every teacher and student in the building. Each classroom now has access to tools for their calming corners, giving students a structured and appropriate way to regulate their bodies and emotions throughout the day. Teachers have shared that students are more engaged, better able to focus during instruction, and increasingly independent in managing their needs.\r\n\r\nIn addition, having extra fidgets available for individual students has allowed us to be more responsive and proactive. Instead of waiting for challenges to escalate, we can provide the right support at the right time. Students who benefit from sensory input now have consistent access to tools that help them stay in the learning environment longer and more successfully. This has reduced disruptions, increased instructional time, and supported more positive interactions between students and staff.\r\n\r\nOverall, this project has been an incredible gift to our school. It has strengthened our ability to create inclusive, supportive classrooms where all students can thrive. The impact goes beyond the materials themselves, it has helped build a culture where self-regulation is taught, supported, and valued every day.","fullyFundedDate":1760221134881,"projectUrl":"project/fidgets-for-calming-corners-for-entire-s/9396095/","projectTitle":"Fidgets for Calming Corners for Entire School","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bordine","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4832533_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1659648566265","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4832533"},{"teacherId":4345583,"projectId":10045636,"letterContent":"On behalf of the students and staff at Ventura Park, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for your recent contribution toward our Focus Folders. Your generosity has provided our students with more than just a classroom tool; you've provided them with a sense of calm and confidence during one of the most stressful times of the school year.\r\n\r\nHere is a look at the direct impact your gift has made:\r\n\r\nThe Challenge: Testing Anxiety\r\nFor many of our students, standardized testing can feel overwhelming. The pressure to perform, combined with the distractions of a busy classroom, often leads to \"testing fatigue\" or heightened anxiety. Before the arrival of the Focus Folders, teachers noted that students struggled to maintain their concentration, often becoming distracted by the movement of their peers or the visual \"noise\" of the room.\r\n\r\nThe Solution: A Personal Sanctuary\r\nThe Focus Folders have completely transformed the testing environment. These simple yet effective barriers serve several vital purposes:\r\n\r\nVisual Privacy: They create a \"cubicle\" effect that helps students stay locked into their own work.\r\n\r\nReduced Anxiety: By defining a clear, personal workspace, students feel more secure and less exposed.\r\n\r\nThe Impact: Success in Action\r\nSince implementing the folders, the atmosphere in our classrooms during testing has shifted from frantic to focused. \r\n\r\nTeachers have observed:\r\n\r\nIncreased Stamina: Students are staying engaged with their tasks for longer intervals.\r\n\r\nPride in Ownership: Students enjoy setting up their \"office,\" which gives them a sense of agency over their learning environment.\r\n\r\nBetter Outcomes: When a child feels safe and focused, their true academic potential can finally shine through without the fog of distraction.\r\n\r\n\"When I put up my folder, it's like the rest of the room disappears and it's just me and my brain. It helps me stay calm.\"\r\n— 4th Grade Student, Ventura Park\r\n\r\nLooking Ahead\r\nYour support ensures that every child at Ventura Park, regardless of their learning style or needs, has an equitable shot at success. You aren't just funding folders; you are funding the quiet moments of concentration that lead to big breakthroughs.\r\n\r\nThank you for being a champion for our students. We are so grateful to have you as part of the Ventura Park community.","fullyFundedDate":1769123558988,"projectUrl":"project/focus-folders-for-students/10045636/","projectTitle":"Focus Folders for Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Roosevelt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4345583"},{"teacherId":8628449,"projectId":9840934,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom. Because of your kindness, my students now have access to hands on math games and daily math practice journals that are truly transforming the way they experience math.\r\n\r\nMany of my students began the year feeling overwhelmed and discouraged, as they are working two to three years below grade level. With the addition of these resources, I've already seen a powerful shift. Math is no longer something they shy away from. Instead, it has become interactive, engaging, and something they look forward to each day. The journals provide consistent structure and allow students at all levels to practice essential skills like number sense, problem-solving, and reasoning in a way that builds confidence over time.\r\n\r\nThe materials have also strengthened our small group instruction. I am now able to better differentiate learning and provide targeted support where it's needed most. During these small group sessions, students are not only improving academically, but they are also developing important life skills. They are learning to communicate their thinking, collaborate with peers, and respect different approaches to solving problems. It has been incredible to watch their confidence grow as they begin to see themselves as capable mathematicians.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, these resources are helping to close learning gaps and create a classroom culture rooted in persistence, curiosity, and teamwork. My students are hardworking and determined, and thanks to your support, they now have the tools they need to succeed. They are beginning to believe in themselves one journal page and one math game at a time.\r\n\r\nThank you again for making such a meaningful impact on my students' learning and confidence.","fullyFundedDate":1769177992463,"projectUrl":"project/level-up-our-learning-inspiring-civic-e/9840934/","projectTitle":"Level Up Our Learning: Inspiring Civic Engagement Through Math!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Freeman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8628449_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755839778010","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/bfree"},{"teacherId":9649238,"projectId":9957780,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our kindergarten classroom! Because of your kindness, our students now have access to much-needed craft and construction paper to imagine, create, and learn.\r\n\r\nMy kindergarteners are eager and curious learners who thrive with hands-on activities, and art plays such an important role in their learning. With these materials, students are able to build fine motor skills, express their ideas, and gain confidence while learning. For many of my students, our classroom is their primary opportunity to explore creativity, making your donation even more meaningful.\r\n\r\nThis construction paper is used weekly during art projects, centers, and cross-curricular activities. Whether they are creating stories, building shapes, or expressing their feelings through art, your support is helping make learning engaging and accessible for every child.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping our kindergarteners learn through creativity, exploration, and play. Your generosity is truly making a difference in their educational journey.","fullyFundedDate":1769177987105,"projectUrl":"project/construction-paper-fun/9957780/","projectTitle":"Construction Paper Fun!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Simpson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9649238_orig.jpg?crop=974,974,x0,y577&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753920096580","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9649238"},{"teacherId":9649238,"projectId":9636346,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom through DonorsChoose. Because of your kindness, our kindergarten students now have access to hands-on reading games, engaging activities, and a Teachers Pay Teachers gift card that allows me to tailor resources specifically to their needs.\r\n\r\nThese materials are especially meaningful for our diverse group of learners. The letter and sound recognition games provide interactive, playful ways for students to build foundational literacy skills, helping each child grow in confidence as they begin their reading journey. With these new tools, I can better support different learning styles, language backgrounds, and ability levels in our classroom.\r\n\r\nYour generosity is making a real difference! Every time a student excitedly matches a letter to its sound or completes an activity with pride, it's because of your support. You are helping create a joyful, inclusive learning environment where all students can succeed.\r\n\r\nThank you again for investing in our students and their futures!","fullyFundedDate":1768418527421,"projectUrl":"project/building-readers-one-sound-at-a-time/9636346/","projectTitle":"Building Readers One Sound at a Time!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Simpson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9649238_orig.jpg?crop=974,974,x0,y577&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753920096580","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9649238"},{"teacherId":8469082,"projectId":9899429,"letterContent":"Thank you for providing our class with more essentials to help us function smoothly from day to day. \r\nOur prize box has been refilled with new and exciting goodies that are helping motivate students to stay focused engaged and persistent. \r\nThe new shelf helps us keep our materials organized and clean so they are easy to model and teach with during each lesson and content block time. \r\nThe new chair has made it easier for us to conduct restorative conversations and conferences about student work and areas for growth.","fullyFundedDate":1772511678222,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-tools-learning-centers-librar/9899429/","projectTitle":"Sensory Tools, Learning Centers & Library Cart","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Steele","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8469082_orig.png?crop=828,827,x0,y632&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1659982499223","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/g-steele"},{"teacherId":8469082,"projectId":9973377,"letterContent":"Thank you for giving us sturdy stools to help literally support our small and whole group learning on a daily basis. \r\nThese stools are being used at my table as well as the kidney table of my instructional assistant we use them to help support flexible seating, individualized instruction and small reading and writing groups. \r\nAll of these groups help develop students skills at their level in addition to our effective whole group instruction. \r\nWe will be using these stools for years to come they were easy to put together and are nice and sturdy!","fullyFundedDate":1771029011413,"projectUrl":"project/sturdy-stools/9973377/","projectTitle":"Sturdy Stools","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Steele","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8469082_orig.png?crop=828,827,x0,y632&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1659982499223","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/g-steele"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_88181","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":361,"numTeachers":25,"percentFrplEligible":76,"percentAsian":8,"percentBlack":20,"percentWhite":31,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":27,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"14.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":64.3,"schoolId":88181,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Ventura Park Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Ventura Park Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/oregon/david-douglas-school-district-40/ventura-park-elementary-school/88181"}