{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Pittsburgh Phillips Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":37.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":3191527,"projectId":9746830,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our students! Because of your generosity, our indoor recess time has become more engaging and organized. The ball cart/bench helps keep equipment organized so students can easily access materials. Students love using the bingo, matching, and tic-tac-toe games to play with friends while practicing teamwork and taking turns.\r\n\r\nThe Magna-Tiles and interlocking blocks have quickly become favorites, allowing students to build, create, and problem-solve together. The mini basketball shooting games have also added some fun movement and friendly competition during indoor recess.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, students were immediately excited and eager to try everything. It was wonderful to see them working together, building creative structures, and enjoying active play.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, we will continue rotating the activities so all students can enjoy them while building social skills, creativity, and cooperation. Your support has truly made indoor recess a fun and positive experience for our students!","fullyFundedDate":1769019493589,"projectUrl":"project/move-groove-active-fun-indoors/9746830/","projectTitle":"Move & Groove: Active Fun Indoors","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bichler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3191527_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1477510687179","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3191527"},{"teacherId":1471810,"projectId":9788223,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom now has a Ninja Slushi machine, and it has made a huge impact on our students! We've used it as a special incentive for completing homework, and already, we've held two Slushi celebrations—one for February and one for March. When the students first saw the Slushi machine, their excitement was contagious—they couldn't wait to earn their first Slushi!\r\n\r\nSince introducing this reward system, our homework completion rate has increased by an incredible 36%! Students are now more motivated than ever to work toward their goals, not just for the Slushies, but because they feel proud of their progress. The machine has turned completing tasks into something fun and rewarding, sparking energy and focus in the classroom.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we plan to use the Slushi machine to celebrate students mastering IEP goals, moving up levels in XtraMath, and achieving other academic milestones. Your donation has transformed our classroom into a place where hard work is recognized, celebrated, and inspiring. Thank you for helping us make learning exciting and motivating for every student!","fullyFundedDate":1765999272310,"projectUrl":"project/slushie-success-refreshing-rewards-for/9788223/","projectTitle":"Slushie Success: Refreshing Rewards for Hard Work!","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":9399444,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my students were thrilled to see the Cricut and supplies arrive in our classroom. Many had never seen a cutting machine before, and they were amazed to watch their digital designs come to life right in front of them.\r\n\r\nWe began by learning how to design simple images and words that represent who we are. Students created personal logos, symbols, and positive affirmations using the design software. One of our favorite projects so far has been decorating pencil pouches with encouraging phrases such as \"I Can Do Hard Things\" and \"Keep Trying.\" The students carefully weeded the vinyl and applied their designs to their pouches. It required patience, fine motor control, and teamwork, and they were incredibly proud of the finished products. Many students immediately wanted to show their friends and teachers what they had created.\r\n\r\nThe Cricut has given my students a hands-on way to express themselves while building confidence and independence. Up next, students will design custom decals and personal crests that reflect their interests, strengths, and goals.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping my students see themselves as creators and giving them tools that make learning meaningful and empowering.","fullyFundedDate":1758243248401,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-young-creators-with-cricut/9399444/","projectTitle":"Empowering Young Creators With Cricut!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Salzmann","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-salzmann"},{"teacherId":1973119,"projectId":9889808,"letterContent":"The nonfiction STEAM career books helped my students strengthen important informational reading skills such as identifying main ideas, using text features, and building academic vocabulary. Through these texts, students explored a wide range of science, technology, engineering, art, and math careers, many of which were completely new to them.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom included interactive read-alouds, partner discussions, and independent exploration, allowing students to engage deeply with topics connected to real-world careers. Students were especially excited to learn how their interests in creativity, problem-solving, and technology could translate into future opportunities.\r\n\r\nFor many students, these books expanded their understanding of what is possible for their futures. The texts increased engagement, sparked meaningful conversations, and helped students see themselves reflected as future innovators, creators, and leaders in STEAM fields.","fullyFundedDate":1764601115546,"projectUrl":"project/young-innovators-in-action-hands-on-st/9889808/","projectTitle":"“Young Innovators in Action: Hands-On STEM Learning”","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Riggle-El Sabbagh","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1973119_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1486935036403","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1973119"},{"teacherId":1471810,"projectId":9928816,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity through DonorsChoose, my students now have individualized data binders that hold their progress monitoring samples, IEP conference sheets, and their personal tracking pages for Xtra Math. We store the binders neatly on our new pizza rack, and students independently retrieve them during our goal-setting time. The clipboards and storage rack have made it easy for us to collect data in real time during lessons instead of waiting until later. What used to feel like paperwork now feels organized, accessible, and meaningful.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials arrived, my students were so excited to see binders labeled with their own names. For many of them, this was the first time they had something that clearly showed their growth. One of my fourth graders flipped through his progress samples and said, \"I didn't know I got better at this.\" That moment alone showed me the power of making learning visible. Instead of goals feeling abstract, students can now physically see their improvement in reading, math, behavior, and independence skills.\r\n\r\nOur next step is continuing to build student ownership. We are using the binders during student conferences so learners can explain their goals and reflect on their progress. They track their Xtra Math growth, review new IEP objectives, and set small weekly targets. Because of your support, my students are not just working on goals — they are understanding them. You have helped create a classroom where growth is celebrated, organized, and student-driven. Thank you for investing in their confidence and their future.","fullyFundedDate":1764864104979,"projectUrl":"project/data-on-deck-binders-clipboards-to-tr/9928816/","projectTitle":"Data on Deck: Binders & Clipboards to Track Student Success!","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":9930331,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations that awarded us all the amazing games! Board games in our classroom have offered a wide range of educational, social, and emotional benefits. These games have reinforced curriculum content. Math games, word games, and trivia have strengthened concepts in a fun way. We received games like Candy Land, Guess Who, Operation, and various balancing games. These games have also promoted critical thinking. Strategy games have helped students plan ahead, make decisions, and solve problems. With so many indoor recess days because of the weather, we have needed these games to keep recess fun and engaging! Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1764714445603,"projectUrl":"project/game-time/9930331/","projectTitle":"Game Time","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":3519227,"projectId":9780163,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of reading games to our kindergarten classroom. Your kindness and support are truly appreciated.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, my students are able to practice important reading skills in a way that is fun, interactive, and engaging. The games have made reading exciting for them, and they are eager to learn and participate. It is wonderful to see their confidence grow as they play, learn, and develop a love for reading.\r\n\r\nYour generosity is making a meaningful difference in our classroom and in the lives of my students. Thank you for helping make reading fun and inspiring young learners.","fullyFundedDate":1764697412289,"projectUrl":"project/reading-readiness-in-kindergarten/9780163/","projectTitle":"Reading Readiness in Kindergarten","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":9869765,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my students now have consistent access to healthy classroom snacks when they need them most. When the SNAP disruption affected several of our families, it created uncertainty and stress that students carried with them into the classroom. Having applesauce pouches and granola bars readily available has made an immediate and meaningful difference. Now, instead of struggling through a lesson distracted by hunger, students quietly grab a snack and return to learning. It has become a simple but powerful routine that protects both their dignity and their ability to focus.\r\n\r\nI will never forget the first day I showed students where the snack bin would live. Their eyes widened, and one student softly asked, \"Is this for us?\" When I said yes—whenever you need it—the relief on their faces said everything. One afternoon during math, a student who often becomes frustrated and shuts down asked for a snack, took a few minutes, and then successfully completed the assignment. That moment reminded me how closely basic needs are tied to academic success and emotional regulation.\r\n\r\nBeyond meeting physical needs, the snacks have strengthened our classroom community. Students understand that our room is a place where they are cared for and supported. This stability allows us to continue focusing on our literacy and math goals with greater stamina and fewer hunger-related disruptions. As we move forward with collaborative problem-solving in math, students are better able to engage fully and persist through challenges because their basic needs are being met first.\r\n\r\nYour support did more than provide food—it provided comfort, dignity, and readiness to learn. Thank you for helping ensure that hunger does not stand in the way of my students' growth and success.","fullyFundedDate":1762526600775,"projectUrl":"project/fuel-for-focus-helping-hungry-learners/9869765/","projectTitle":"Fuel for Focus: Helping Hungry Learners Stay Nourished","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":9881407,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our project, Hands on Math Materials to Build Strong Foundations. From the moment the materials arrived, my students were immediately drawn to them. Their faces lit up as they explored the small bead frame, fraction circles, and equation cards—tools that make math feel real, approachable, and exciting. Many of my students learn best by touching, moving, and seeing concepts in action, and these Montessori materials have given them exactly that. One of our favorite new routines has been Flashcard Friday, where students work in small groups reviewing math facts. With the structure and predictability of the flashcards, students are gaining confidence, improving accuracy, and celebrating their progress together.\r\n\r\nThe small bead frame has quickly become a classroom favorite. Students are learning how to build numbers on the frame, carefully sliding beads into place as they strengthen their understanding of place value and prepare to use it as a strategy for multi-digit addition and subtraction. The fraction circles have also sparked meaningful conversations as students compare parts of a whole, visually seeing relationships that worksheets simply cannot capture.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, my students now have access to math materials that are structured and engaging—especially important for learners with autism, ADHD, and other learning differences. Your support has truly opened doors for my students, helping them build strong, confident foundations in math. Thank you for giving them the tools they need to succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1764819060263,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-math-materials-to-build-strong/9881407/","projectTitle":"Hands-On Math Materials to Build Strong Foundations!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Salzmann","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-salzmann"},{"teacherId":3191527,"projectId":9864646,"letterContent":"The DonorsChoose project \"Shop, Soar, and Shine: PBIS Rewards for Our Falcons\" has had a meaningful and positive impact on our school community. Thanks to the generous support of donors, we were able to fully stock our Falcon Store with engaging and motivating items that students are excited to earn. These materials have strengthened our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program by providing tangible rewards that reinforce positive choices and schoolwide expectations.\r\n\r\nStudents earn Falcon Tickets by consistently demonstrating respectful, responsible, and safe behavior throughout the school day. These tickets serve as both recognition and encouragement, helping students see a clear connection between their actions and positive outcomes. At the end of each month, students use their earned tickets to shop at the Falcon Store, which has quickly become a highly anticipated event and a powerful motivator for continued positive behavior.\r\n\r\nOverall, this project has helped create a more positive school climate by celebrating good choices, increasing student engagement, and fostering a sense of pride in being a Falcon. The Falcon Store has not only rewarded individual students but has also reinforced shared values across our school, helping our Falcons truly shop, soar, and shine.","fullyFundedDate":1762797993841,"projectUrl":"project/shop-soar-and-shine-pbis-rewards-for/9864646/","projectTitle":"Shop, Soar, and Shine: PBIS Rewards for Our Falcons","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bichler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3191527_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1477510687179","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3191527"},{"teacherId":1973119,"projectId":9485050,"letterContent":"This project has made an immediate and joyful impact on our classroom. When the materials arrived, students were literally squealing with delight as they saw the new cushion chairs and brand-new wobbly chair. Their excitement quickly turned into purpose as they learned how to use the new seating and desk caddies responsibly. The desk caddies now keep supplies organized and within reach, helping students stay focused and calm during lessons, while the flexible seating options give students choice in how they learn best. These resources have supported independence, reduced distractions, and created a learning space where students feel comfortable and empowered.\r\n\r\nThe postcards have added an exciting, real-world connection to our writing instruction. Students are actively using them during our Social Studies class to practice sentence structure, descriptive language, and clear communication, knowing their words will travel beyond our classroom walls. One particularly meaningful moment was watching students carefully revise their writing before mailing postcards, excitedly asking questions about who might receive them and what life is like in other parts of the country. Receiving postcards in return has sparked rich discussions, comparisons, and genuine curiosity about different places and people across our nation.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, students will continue this postcard exchange as part of our ongoing writing and social studies lessons. Next steps include researching states we connect with, responding with thoughtful follow-up postcards, and using what we learn to build maps, mini-reports, and reflection journals. With an organized, flexible classroom and authentic learning experiences, students are developing confidence, empathy, and a love of learning that extends far beyond our classroom walls.","fullyFundedDate":1761917887600,"projectUrl":"project/flexible-organized-and-connected/9485050/","projectTitle":"Flexible, Organized, and Connected!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Riggle-El Sabbagh","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1973119_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1486935036403","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1973119"},{"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"}],"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":63.0,"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"}