{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Ventura Park Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":35.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8628449,"projectId":9681174,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom. Because of you, my fourth grade students have been able to learn through hands-on STEM science kits that have made a meaningful and lasting impact on their learning experience. Your generosity has truly transformed the way my students engage with science and engineering.\r\n\r\nThe STEM science kits have made an incredible difference in how students understand and enjoy science. Instead of simply reading about concepts, students are actively building, experimenting, and problem-solving. I truly believe our science scores have directly increased because students are experiencing science in a fun, interactive, and meaningful way. These hands-on activities have helped students develop stronger critical-thinking skills, deepen their understanding of scientific concepts, and build confidence as young engineers.\r\n\r\nBecause of these materials, we have been able to conduct meaningful science experiments focused on energy and motion. Students explored how forces work, tested variables, and collaborated with peers to analyze results. These experiments encouraged curiosity, teamwork, and thoughtful discussion, allowing students to connect classroom learning to real-world applications.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and for making engaging, hands-on science possible in our classroom. Your support has helped create a learning environment where students are excited to explore, ask questions, and discover the joy of science.","fullyFundedDate":1763595713207,"projectUrl":"project/from-curiosity-to-creation-every-child/9681174/","projectTitle":"From Curiosity to Creation: Every Child Deserves Hands-On STEM Learning","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":8628449,"projectId":9839195,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom. Because of you, my fourth grade students have had access to engaging math games and meaningful civics books that have truly transformed our learning environment. Your kindness has given my students opportunities to learn in ways that are interactive, fun, and empowering.\r\n\r\nThe math games have made an incredible difference in how students approach math. Instead of feeling anxious or discouraged, students are excited to practice skills, collaborate with classmates, and challenge themselves. I truly believe our math test scores have directly increased because students are learning through play, discussion, and hands-on experiences. The games have helped build confidence, strengthen problem-solving skills, and create a positive attitude toward math that carries over into assessments and daily lessons.\r\n\r\nThe civics books have also had a powerful impact. They have sparked thoughtful conversations, helped students better understand their role as citizens, and encouraged them to think critically about their community and the world around them. My students are more engaged, curious, and eager to share their ideas because of these resources.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has made a lasting difference in my students' academic growth and confidence. Thank you for believing in my classroom and for helping create meaningful learning experiences that my students will carry with them far beyond fourth grade.","fullyFundedDate":1764122367879,"projectUrl":"project/future-leaders-in-the-making-hands-on-c/9839195/","projectTitle":"Future Leaders in the Making: Hands-On Civics Mathematics and Reading","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":8469082,"projectId":9949817,"letterContent":"Thank you for giving our school painting supplies that can make learning more hands on for all content areas. \r\nThese paint cups, water picture, and construction paper will be stored in our school supply room for all grades to use for hands on literacy activities such as paint the alphabet, or book reports. \r\nScience projects like weather diagrams or seasonal displays, and much more. \r\nArt supplies like these allow students to express their creative ideas while demonstrating their conceptual knowledge making learning more engaging overall.","fullyFundedDate":1765504159469,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-learning/9949817/","projectTitle":"Hands-on Learning","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":9714435,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping us to level up our craft skills in kindergarten. \r\nGlue sponges allow us to use liquid glue in a way that prevents spills, allows for a stronger hold, and avoids dried out glue sticks, glue sticks that have been screwed too tall, and missing caps. \r\nThese glue sponges can be reused all year and refreshed with new liquid glue as needed. The small containers with locking lids keeps the glue sponges secure and can be used year after year. \r\nMy students have loved getting to smoosh their small paper cut outs into the glue sponge and then put them on paper.","fullyFundedDate":1762214492599,"projectUrl":"project/glue-sponges/9714435/","projectTitle":"Glue Sponges","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":9816045,"letterContent":"Thank you for giving us hands on math tools to help support students fluency and tactile solving strategies. \r\nNumber lines are one of the most highly pushed tools for students to use on state testing and in upper grades when completing math problems. \r\nIntroducing this tool as a math slider in kindergarten and first grade will not only build their number recognition and addition and subtraction fluency but will also set them up for great success in the older grade levels. \r\nMy students have learned very quickly how to use these math tools to help their mathematical thinking rather than using them as toys or fidgets. \r\nThe sliders have also helped students move away from using solely their fingers to solve, because while this is a good strategy for within 10 is becomes hard to implement with larger sums.","fullyFundedDate":1760559124917,"projectUrl":"project/math-sliders/9816045/","projectTitle":"Math Sliders","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":9693458,"letterContent":"Unfortunately our district did not allow us to use the ramp for student accessibility due to liability. \r\nLuckily I was able to return the ramp and redeem the money for a teachers pay teachers gift card. This came just in time and my student are needing additional practice in math fluency concepts such as math talk, subtilizing, counting, shape and number recognition. \r\nI purchased slides to be used daily in math warm up to enhance these foundational skills in all state standard domains. \r\nAdditionally I got some smelly markers to spice up our small group dictation.","fullyFundedDate":1759331051495,"projectUrl":"project/accessibility-ramp/9693458/","projectTitle":"Accessibility Ramp","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":8330821,"projectId":9582508,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping provide our students snack. The impact has been tremendous. So many of my students are unable to bring snack from home every day, due to various financial or logistical reasons. Many families in our district work night shift and many live in financial uncertainty. \r\nMy students rely on me to provide snack, so your donation was the biggest help. Every day students are excited for snack and know that if they didn't bring a snack, one will always be provided for them. \r\nI can tell that with the addition of school provided snack, there is a big load off my students and they are happier and more regulated. Thank you so much for helping to address a big need of our classroom. Our students are thriving because of you.","fullyFundedDate":1759535190221,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-for-1st-grade/9582508/","projectTitle":"Snacks for 1st Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Quesada","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8330821_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y308&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1644632331604","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/marissa-quesada"},{"teacherId":8469082,"projectId":9870451,"letterContent":"Thank you for giving our classroom cozy lighting to help support students and staff during the cold, and dim winter months. \r\nThese cozy twinkle lights made an instant difference in the feeling of our classroom, they made the space feel more warm and homey as well as provided more light to help boost our moods from the gray skies. \r\nThese lights have helped support student and staff mental health and have also made it easier for us to have a calm, lower stimulation space for students with disabilities and other needs.","fullyFundedDate":1762266257277,"projectUrl":"project/cozy-lighting/9870451/","projectTitle":"Cozy Lighting","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":8330821,"projectId":9582579,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our students and fostering their creativity! The impact of this project has been so positive. The students were so excited to walk in in the morning and see new materials on the table! \r\nI printed off pictures of habitats for the animals from the project and students have been playing pretend with the animals in their habitats. I have noticed so many students working together to build shelter for their animals as well, which is definitely a first grade standard. \r\nStudents love all the new materials, but magnatiles are also a huge hit. My students are working together as a team to make extremely tall towers, and it's so fun to watch. \r\n\r\nThank you again for making such a positive impact on our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1758050219890,"projectUrl":"project/stem-creativity/9582579/","projectTitle":"STEM Creativity","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Quesada","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8330821_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y308&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1644632331604","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/marissa-quesada"},{"teacherId":8628449,"projectId":9642837,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation that brought our brand-new classroom rug to life. The moment it arrived, our students were filled with excitement and it has quickly become the heart of our room. The rug provides a cozy, inviting place for students to read, think, and learn, giving them a dedicated space where they feel safe, comfortable, and ready to engage.\r\n\r\nIt has also completely transformed our morning community circle. Gathering on the rug each day helps us start with connection, kindness, and focus. Students now have a comfortable area to play educational games, collaborate with partners, and build with STEM blocks. This single addition has enhanced the ambiance of our entire classroom, making it feel brighter, warmer, and more welcoming.\r\n\r\nYour support has made such a meaningful difference in our daily routines and in the way students interact, learn, and grow. We are truly grateful for your kindness and for believing in the power of a caring classroom environment. Thank you for investing in our students!","fullyFundedDate":1759535746115,"projectUrl":"project/from-concrete-to-cozy-a-rug-for-our-cla/9642837/","projectTitle":"From Concrete to Cozy: A Rug for Our Classroom","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":2507776,"projectId":9636126,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your wonderful donation! My students are thoroughly enjoying the new stools! When the boxes arrived the students were so excited to see what was inside! When they saw them open the next day they got so excited! They add more color and fun to our classroom. \r\n\r\nNow everyday students like to choose a stool to sit on during class. I even have one student who makes sure to stack them upside down on top of desks everyday so that the bottom of the stool does not make the desks dirty! Students treat them very carefully as they value them so much! \r\n\r\nThe stools add more fun to our classroom. In our classroom we really talk about how learning is fun. The more fun students have the more they enjoy school and above all else learning. I also love how safe they are. Students do not tip over as much because they are very sturdy. Thank you again for your generous donation to our future!","fullyFundedDate":1756048805781,"projectUrl":"project/help-brighten-our-classroom/9636126/","projectTitle":"Help Brighten Our Classroom!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kelly","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2507776_orig.jpg?crop=1567,1567,x532,y833&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1602816153459","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2507776"},{"teacherId":4832533,"projectId":9671789,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping me bring a little bit of nature to my classroom. I have 3 bird feeders of different kinds hanging in my window. The birds have been looking from across the way and keep investigating. The kids are so excited when a bird comes looking. :)\r\n\r\nI love watching the kids connect with nature and you helped make that happen. Thank you for your generous donation in making this happen.\r\n\r\nI have a calming area in my room and this is where my bird feeders are. It is a great way for the students to breathe and observe nature.\r\n\r\nThank you again,","fullyFundedDate":1759892492658,"projectUrl":"project/students-feeding-the-birds/9671789/","projectTitle":"Students Feeding the Birds","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"}],"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":64.5,"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"}