{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Pittsburgh Phillips Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":36.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":3273051,"projectId":9909804,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom now has a class set of Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun, and it has already made a big difference for our students. These books introduce important skills such as comprehension, making inferences, summarizing, and analyzing characters and plot, all while connecting to the exciting theme of celebrating world communities. Reading in our classroom is now more interactive and engaging—students read independently, discuss ideas in small groups, and share their thoughts during class conversations.\r\n\r\nSeveral students who are normally hesitant readers have especially enjoyed the new books. They are excited to follow Onyeka's adventures, explore the unique powers and challenges of the characters, and discuss the story's themes of friendship, diversity, and community. Because every student has access to their own copy, they can practice skills at their own pace, feel confident contributing to discussions, and develop a genuine love for reading. Your support has made reading more meaningful, engaging, and fun for our students!","fullyFundedDate":1764693192407,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-readers-exploring-culture-wi/9909804/","projectTitle":"Empowering Readers: Exploring Culture with Onyeka","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fisher","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3273051_orig.png?crop=367,367,x10,y30&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1677522120711","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3273051"},{"teacherId":3273051,"projectId":7208094,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, the new headphones have made a tremendous difference in our classroom. Many students use technology at home for entertainment, but having quality headphones at school helps them focus on learning—whether they are completing reading lessons, listening to audio texts, practicing math skills, or working through individualized programs. The headphones allow students to stay engaged without distractions and help create a calm, productive learning environment.\r\nStudents are most excited about being able to hear their lessons clearly without background noise. They love having their own pair to use, and it has given them a sense of responsibility and independence during their work time. Several students who struggle with attention have especially benefited; with headphones, they are able to concentrate much longer and make noticeable progress in their skills.\r\nYour support has made our classroom more focused, more efficient, and more student-centered. Thank you for giving our learners the tools they need to succeed every day.","fullyFundedDate":1687793978126,"projectUrl":"project/can-you-hear-what-we-can/7208094/","projectTitle":"Can You Hear What We Can?","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fisher","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3273051_orig.png?crop=367,367,x10,y30&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1677522120711","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3273051"},{"teacherId":9234148,"projectId":9341481,"letterContent":"New chairs can transform a K–5 Pittsburgh public school library into a more inviting and functional learning space. Bright, comfortable seating encourages young students to view the library as a welcoming environment where they can relax, explore books, and engage with stories. By creating a warm atmosphere, the library becomes not only a place for reading but also a hub for curiosity and imagination, supporting early literacy habits that last well beyond elementary school.\r\n\r\nFlexible, kid-friendly chairs also support a variety of learning styles and activities. Younger students often benefit from seating that allows movement, supports shorter attention spans, and enables quick transitions from group lessons to independent reading. With durable, lightweight chairs, librarians and teachers can easily rearrange the space to accommodate whole-class read-alouds, small-group projects, or quiet individual study, making the library more adaptable to daily instructional needs.","fullyFundedDate":1752846687917,"projectUrl":"project/help-complete-the-set/9341481/","projectTitle":"Help Complete the Set!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Fertal","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9234148_orig.jpg?crop=2808,2808,x100,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1701138403988","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9234148"},{"teacherId":6750814,"projectId":9538868,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contributions to our classroom. Because of your support, our first graders received brand-new seat sacks, magnetic tiles, and white boards, they could not have been more excited! Their faces lit up as we opened the boxes, and it was truly a special moment for all of us.\r\n\r\nThese supplies have already made a meaningful impact in our daily learning. The seat sacks help students stay organized and independent, the white boards make lessons interactive and engaging, and the magnetic tiles have quickly become a favorite tool for building, problem-solving, and exploring creativity.\r\n\r\nYour kindness and dedication to helping our young learners shine is deeply appreciated. Thank you for investing in our classroom and supporting the success and joy of our students each day.","fullyFundedDate":1755203224363,"projectUrl":"project/keeping-our-classroom-organized-and-enga/9538868/","projectTitle":"Keeping Our Classroom Organized and Engaged","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kesich","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6750814_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754391685390","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-kesich"},{"teacherId":1471810,"projectId":9699340,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom now has a full set of Montessori math materials, and my students are thriving! The moment we unpacked the Golden Beads, Strip Boards, and Snake Games, the students were immediately curious and excited. They couldn't wait to explore the materials, touching, building, and moving the beads as they practiced addition and subtraction. It was amazing to see students who usually struggle with abstract numbers begin to make connections, building tens, and seeing regrouping happen right in their hands. One student, who often becomes frustrated with worksheets, spent over 15 minutes independently solving multi-digit problems with the Stamp Game, smiling each time they successfully completed a row.\r\n\r\nWe have been using the materials daily, both in small groups and during independent work. Students practice addition and subtraction facts with the Strip Boards, play Snake Games to strengthen their understanding of fact families, and use the Golden Bead Bank Game to explore exchanging tens and hundreds. These hands-on tools are helping students develop confidence in their math skills, and I've noticed a significant increase in both accuracy and perseverance. The students are proud to see their own progress, and their excitement is contagious—they even cheer for each other when someone discovers a new strategy or correctly solves a problem.\r\n\r\nNext, we will continue building on this foundation by introducing more complex multi-digit problems and gradually transitioning students from the concrete materials to abstract paper-and-pencil work. We will also use the Bead Chains and Squares to strengthen multiplication readiness and reinforce repeated addition, helping students develop fluency and independence. Your support has not only provided materials but also opened doors for students to truly engage with math in a way that makes sense to them. Thank you for helping our learners succeed and enjoy math!","fullyFundedDate":1757863374405,"projectUrl":"project/building-fact-fluency-with-montessori-ma/9699340/","projectTitle":"Building Fact Fluency with Montessori Math Tools","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Salzmann","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-salzmann"},{"teacherId":1471810,"projectId":9747616,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom is now more organized, functional, and student-centered than ever before! The new mobile shelf has completely transformed how we use our space. Because our classroom is small, flexibility is essential—and this rolling cabinet allows us to move materials wherever they're needed for small groups or independent work. It has helped reduce clutter and make transitions smoother, creating a calmer, more focused environment.\r\n\r\nThis shelf also allowed me to organize our Montessori math materials correctly—from top to bottom and left to right by complexity. Now, students can clearly see the progression of skills and independently choose work that matches their readiness level. When they first saw the shelf set up this way, they were so excited to explore! Several students even helped arrange the materials, taking pride in setting up \"their math shelves.\"\r\n\r\nHaving everything accessible and beautifully displayed has supported both independence and engagement. My students are taking more ownership of their learning, selecting materials purposefully, and returning them neatly when finished. For learners with IEP goals related to independence and organization, this has been an especially meaningful success. Having this mobile shelf has allowed me to create a true \"prepared environment,\" where every student knows where things belong and feels confident accessing what they need. Thank you for helping us create a classroom that is not only organized and inviting, but also truly supports the Montessori-inspired hands-on learning my students thrive on.","fullyFundedDate":1760826185282,"projectUrl":"project/organized-learning-a-mobile-shelf-for-g/9747616/","projectTitle":"Organized Learning: A Mobile Shelf for Growing Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Salzmann","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-salzmann"},{"teacherId":1471810,"projectId":9740924,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom is now more organized, inviting, and student-centered than ever before! The new wooden trays, boxes, and shelf have transformed the way my students access and use our Montessori math materials. Instead of waiting for me to set up or find pieces, they can now independently choose their work, take it to their workspace, and return it neatly—just like in a true Montessori environment. This independence has been so empowering for my students, especially those working on IEP goals for task initiation and attention.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the trays and organization system, their faces lit up. They were excited to explore the materials that were now clearly displayed and accessible. One of my students proudly said, \"It's like our math has its own home now!\" The color-coded pencils have also been a huge success. My students love using red, blue, and green to represent hundreds, tens, and ones, which has made place value much more concrete and meaningful for them.\r\n\r\nWith this project complete, our next step is to continue building independence and confidence in math. Students are beginning to choose more complex work—like multiplication bead board tasks and subtraction snake games—and are able to stay engaged longer because everything they need is right within reach. Thank you for helping create an organized and joyful learning environment where my students can truly thrive as mathematicians.","fullyFundedDate":1758584113616,"projectUrl":"project/making-math-clear-colorful-and-accessi/9740924/","projectTitle":"Making Math Clear, Colorful, and Accessible for All Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Salzmann","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-salzmann"},{"teacherId":1471810,"projectId":9715173,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom has begun transforming into a true Math Thinking Classroom! The books and resources you funded—Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics, Routines for Reasoning, Well Played, and more—have given me the tools to create engaging, hands-on math experiences that meet the diverse needs of my students.\r\n\r\nWe've launched \"Thinking Thursdays\", where students work in random groups on open-ended math tasks. Instead of sitting passively at their desks, they're standing, talking, and reasoning together at the whiteboard—sharing strategies, testing ideas, and learning from one another. It's been incredible to watch students who once hesitated to participate now excitedly explain their thinking and take pride in solving challenging problems.\r\n\r\nThese resources have also helped me weave in mindfulness and positive affirmations that support self-regulation and perseverance. For students who often feel anxious or defeated by math, this combination of structured problem-solving and emotional support has been powerful. One student recently told me, \"I actually like math now—it makes me think!\"\r\n\r\nYour generosity has helped create a classroom where every learner feels valued as a math thinker. Thank you for believing in my students and helping us build confidence, curiosity, and joy in learning mathematics.","fullyFundedDate":1758115860224,"projectUrl":"project/growing-math-minds-through-thinking-clas/9715173/","projectTitle":"Growing Math Minds Through Thinking Classrooms","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Salzmann","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-salzmann"},{"teacherId":6662367,"projectId":9290143,"letterContent":"The materials in this project have allowed my students to experience Science and STEM in ways they never have before! This project included independent center activities centered around science and math and other growing materials to support our science curriculum. My students will are having an amazing time using their hands and brains and feeding their curiosity! These learning centers, games, and planting materials are a great addition to our morning center time and science class!\r\nMy students love science and centers, but we were lacking the materials needed to include STEM in our daily center rotations and discovery learning.\r\nThese materials allow us to include more science and centers that are based around STEM. My students love science, math, and building. With these materials, my students are given more opportunities to explore science!","fullyFundedDate":1756077676377,"projectUrl":"project/curious-kindergarten-stem-materials/9290143/","projectTitle":"Curious Kindergarten STEM Materials","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Castillo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6662367_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724344724972","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6662367"},{"teacherId":1471810,"projectId":9283299,"letterContent":"When our new cardboard cutting tools arrived, my students could hardly contain their excitement. We opened the box together, and immediately their creative minds started buzzing with ideas of what they could build. The safe, kid-friendly saws gave them independence and confidence—they no longer had to wait for an adult to help cut out shapes or designs. Suddenly, math became hands-on, collaborative, and full of imagination.\r\n\r\nWe are currently using the tools to build our own \"Math Factories\" where students design cardboard input/output machines that follow a rule—such as adding or subtracting two-digit numbers. Another group has been using the tools to create math story scenes, illustrating word problems with characters and settings made entirely out of cardboard. The students are so proud to be math engineers!\r\n\r\nThese tools have completely changed the energy in our classroom. Students are problem-solving, measuring, calculating, and designing—all while reinforcing their math skills in meaningful, creative ways. The room hums with collaboration and excitement every time the \"maker\" bins come out.\r\n\r\nI cannot wait to see how their creations and skills expand throughout the school year. This project has given my students the opportunity to see that math and engineering can be both fun and empowering. Thank you for making that possible!","fullyFundedDate":1756077675650,"projectUrl":"project/cut-create-construct-engineering-with/9283299/","projectTitle":"Cut, Create, Construct: Engineering with Cardboard!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Salzmann","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-salzmann"},{"teacherId":3519227,"projectId":9654321,"letterContent":"The new rainbow table has made such a huge impact on learning in my kindergarten classroom! The table allows a group of six students to sit together while still being able to see and learn from me. It has made getting the kids into groups so easy and provides the much-needed space for students to work collaboratively. The bright colors instantly make our classroom feel more cheerful, and the students are so excited every time it's their turn to sit at the \"rainbow table.\"\r\n\r\nThank you so much for your generous donation — it has truly made a difference in our classroom. Because of your kindness, my students have a comfortable and engaging place to learn, share ideas, and grow together. Thank you for thinking of our kindergarten class; your thoughtfulness is truly appreciated!\r\n\r\nKindergarten Room 107","fullyFundedDate":1759250638927,"projectUrl":"project/we-are-a-rainbow-of-possibilities/9654321/","projectTitle":"We Are a Rainbow of Possibilities","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Whittingham","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3519227_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1457715715229","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3519227"},{"teacherId":1471810,"projectId":9177021,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom has welcomed some very special new friends into our calm corner. With the addition of the Slumberkins Hammerhead and Narwhal kins and their companion board books, as well as our new weighted sloth and storage basket, we now have a safe and engaging space where students can learn about emotions, teamwork, and self-regulation. These stories give us concrete ways to talk about \"big feelings\" and the strategies we can use to work through them together.\r\n\r\nWhen we read Recess Challenge, Mads Not Bad, and Narwhal Uses Teamwork, my students are not only listening to a story—they are learning important SEL lessons like problem-solving, expressing frustration in healthy ways, and leaning on friends for support. Reading in our classroom is interactive: students take turns holding the kin while we discuss the feelings of the characters, connect them to our own experiences, and practice strategies like breathing or using kind words. For many of my students, the plush characters make the lessons \"come alive\" in a way that traditional books alone do not.\r\n\r\nOne of the most exciting changes has been watching students who normally struggle with regulation naturally gravitate to the calm corner. They hug the weighted sloth or sit with a kin as they quietly look through a book. A few students who were hesitant to share their feelings have started using the characters to \"speak\" for them, making it easier to talk through what they are experiencing. Already, these tools are helping our learners build both confidence and empathy.\r\n\r\nWe are so grateful for your support in helping us create a nurturing, literacy-rich environment where social-emotional learning can thrive. Thank you for giving my students the chance to learn big lessons from these big-hearted friends.","fullyFundedDate":1746642511594,"projectUrl":"project/big-feelings-big-hearts-slumberkins-st/9177021/","projectTitle":"Big Feelings, Big Hearts: Slumberkins Stories Plush Friends for SEL","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Salzmann","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-salzmann"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_88705","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":233,"numTeachers":19,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":42,"percentWhite":34,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":5,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"12.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":63.9,"schoolId":88705,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Pittsburgh Phillips Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Pittsburgh Phillips Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/pennsylvania/pittsburgh-public-schools/pittsburgh-phillips-elementary-school/88705"}