{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Port Allegany Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":22.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2095675,"projectId":10072164,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our PreK–6 STEM classroom. Your donation has made a meaningful difference for our students and has brought new excitement, opportunity, and confidence into our daily learning.\r\n\r\nMy students are energetic, curious, and full of imagination. Each day they walk into the classroom ready to explore, create, and discover. Many of our learners are strong believers in the idea that \"you can be anything you want to be when you grow up.\" It is a privilege to help nurture that belief through hands-on STEM learning.\r\n\r\nWith your support, students have been able to engage in meaningful coding and robotics experiences using our Sphero robot. Across grade levels, students have learned and applied a variety of coding skills, including block coding, draw code, and free drive exploration. They have also participated in structured coding courses that guide them through sequencing, direction, problem-solving, and creative design.\r\n\r\nOne of the most powerful parts of this experience has been watching students realize that they are capable of being real computer programmers. They send Sphero on adventures of their own creation, debugging, revising, and improving their code along the way. Through this process, they are not just learning technology, they are learning perseverance, critical thinking, and confidence in their own ideas.\r\n\r\nMy students learn best when they are actively engaged and in control of their learning. Hands-on STEM tools like Sphero allow them to explore complex concepts in a way that feels exciting, accessible, and meaningful. They begin to see that coding is not something distant or abstract, but something they can do, understand, and use to solve problems.\r\n\r\nYour donation has helped open the door to the world of computer science for young learners. You have helped turn curiosity into skill, play into learning, and ideas into action.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students and for helping us show them that they are capable of far more than they ever imagined.","fullyFundedDate":1772725847461,"projectUrl":"project/reading-writing-and-robots/10072164/","projectTitle":"Reading, Writing, and .. ROBOTS!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Barber","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2095675_orig.jpg?crop=1150,1150,x0,y46&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1697655116251","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsbarbersgrade5"},{"teacherId":2095675,"projectId":10123217,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our PreK–1 STEM classroom. Because of you, our young learners now have the opportunity to take their building and engineering play to a whole new level.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, magnetic tiles are more than just a toy, they are the foundation of imagination and discovery. Our students use them to design towering skyscrapers, cozy homes, castles for storybook characters, garages for classroom vehicles, and entire towns that come to life through play.\r\n\r\nWith your donation, we are now able to expand these experiences even further. The addition of specialized magnetic tile accessories, like wheels, doors, ramps, special tiles, and vehicle bases, has opened the door for even richer learning. Students are now moving beyond simple stacking into purposeful engineering, storytelling, and problem-solving.\r\n\r\nThese materials are used daily in our STEM centers and support essential early learning skills, including problem-solving and critical thinking, spatial awareness and early math concepts, creativity and imaginative play, collaboration and communication, and perseverance through trial and redesign.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, a falling tower is not a failure, it's an invitation to redesign! A collapsing garage becomes a new engineering challenge. Each build tells a story of curiosity, persistence, and growth.\r\n\r\n\r\nYour kindness and generosity will impact our students every single day. These materials will continue to inspire young engineers, builders, and storytellers for years to come.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our classroom and for helping us build the foundation for lifelong learning.\r\n\r\nWith heartfelt gratitude,","fullyFundedDate":1774633243667,"projectUrl":"project/building-big-with-magnetic-accessories/10123217/","projectTitle":"Building Big With Magnetic Accessories","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Barber","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2095675_orig.jpg?crop=1150,1150,x0,y46&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1697655116251","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsbarbersgrade5"},{"teacherId":5960862,"projectId":9909494,"letterContent":"Thank you for donating to my classroom to promote my students social and emotional learning! They have some strong emotions, that at this age they need to find positive and encouraging outlets for these strong emotions! \r\nIt's donors like you that help keep our classrooms regulated and on the right path to success daily! You have also shown my students what it looks like to show kindness and compassion by donating to our classrooms! For that- I am forever thankful! Thank you for your continued support in our classroom! You have made a positive impact on my students!","fullyFundedDate":1764870207406,"projectUrl":"project/social-and-emotional-outlet-central/9909494/","projectTitle":"Social and Emotional Outlet Central","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Priest","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5960862_orig.jpg?crop=1536,1536,x0,y256&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1763642451786","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5960862"},{"teacherId":5480461,"projectId":9748662,"letterContent":"My students were so excited when I opened the boxes with the magnetic boards and LCD writing tablets. They couldn't wait to start using them! Students who complete their artwork have the opportunity to have some free-choice time in my art room. Having these boards and writing tablets gives them an opportunity to use their fine motor skills, develop eye-hand coordination, and practice drawing. It also gives them an outlet to reduce stress and a place where they can feel safe to express their emotions and build self-confidence. Having the opportunity to connect with their friends during this time, plus manipulating magnetic pieces or drawing on tablets, provides a sense of security. \r\n\r\nOne moment, some students were competing to create designs on the magnetic boards. They were so engrossed in moving the pieces that when it was time to clean up, they were so bummed to have to destroy their creations! They had so much fun with it. \r\n\r\nThese items will be used for multiple classes during times when art is completed or when some students just need catch-up time to complete work from missed art days. These were a great item to donate to my art room. I am so appreciative of people like you who go beyond to help me purchase items for my classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1764745811911,"projectUrl":"project/creativity-starts-with-a-single-line/9748662/","projectTitle":"Creativity Starts with a Single Line","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Davis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5480461_orig.jpg?crop=1078,1078,x0,y554&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597005684547","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5480461"},{"teacherId":5480461,"projectId":8990981,"letterContent":"The clay tools you have donated have given students opportunities to create some fabulous textures in their clay pieces. When they saw these new texture tools, they were so excited to try them, including me! Students at different grade levels have used some of the tools to add texture to their gnomes and Christmas ornaments, including weaving clay llamas and bobbleheads. \r\n\r\nIn the pictures, you will see how a couple of students were smoothing the clay with a rib and then adding detailed texture by using the wooden pattern tools. Also, I have added pictures of how I have them organized on my clay cart. \r\n\r\nThe students have just completed their clay projects before Christmas break. I have been busy placing them in the kiln to bisque, so they will be ready for the students to glaze when they return from their holiday break. In addition, the extra kiln shelves and stilts have given me more space to load more clay pieces into the kiln, allowing me to fire more at once.","fullyFundedDate":1741452874573,"projectUrl":"project/clay-creations/8990981/","projectTitle":"Clay Creations","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Davis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5480461_orig.jpg?crop=1078,1078,x0,y554&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597005684547","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5480461"},{"teacherId":5960862,"projectId":9752479,"letterContent":"My first year in fourth grade has been so far an amazing experience with the best group of students I could have asked for! My students come from all different backgrounds, where they all have experienced different ways of life. I want them to feel welcome and equal when they walk into out classroom- you have made that possible! \r\n\r\nThank you for showing my students what kindness and being generous looks and feels like. It's too often that kids do not get to see such positive impacts everyday, you have provided them with that! Thank you again, from the bottoms of our years for donating to our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1763614971329,"projectUrl":"project/lets-get-flexible/9752479/","projectTitle":"Let's Get Flexible!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Priest","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5960862_orig.jpg?crop=1536,1536,x0,y256&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1763642451786","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5960862"},{"teacherId":9249356,"projectId":8963586,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, my students now have access to engaging, hands-on materials for practicing sight words! These resources have made a huge difference—students are more motivated, focused, and confident in their reading. They love using the games, letters, and interactive activities to build their word recognition skills in fun, meaningful ways. I'm already seeing growth in their fluency and excitement for reading each day. Your contribution has truly helped create a more dynamic and effective learning environment—thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1741285188347,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-high-frequency-words/8963586/","projectTitle":"Hands-On High Frequency Words","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9249356_orig.jpg?crop=1500,1500,x0,y235&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732317912303","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9249356"},{"teacherId":2095675,"projectId":9707343,"letterContent":"When the sticker puzzle books arrived, my third graders were thrilled! They couldn't wait to flip through the pages and choose which puzzle to start first. The room was filled with excitement as students carefully matched stickers, watched pictures come to life, and proudly shared their completed pages with friends. These books quickly became a favorite early finisher activity—quiet, focused, and full of \"aha!\" moments as students worked through each challenge.\r\n\r\nWhat made this project even more special was that students were able to take their sticker puzzle book page home once completed. They were so proud to show their families what they had accomplished, and many shared that they continued working on their puzzles after school. It's been wonderful to see their enthusiasm for problem-solving extend beyond the classroom walls.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, my students are practicing patience, focus, and perseverance in a fun, creative way. These puzzles have given them a sense of ownership and pride in their learning, while reinforcing the same critical-thinking skills we use in STEM. Your donation didn't just fill our classroom with excitement—it helped my students see themselves as capable, curious learners both in and out of school. Thank you for making that possible!","fullyFundedDate":1758208116570,"projectUrl":"project/puzzles-for-problem-solvers/9707343/","projectTitle":"Puzzles For Problem Solvers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Barber","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2095675_orig.jpg?crop=1150,1150,x0,y46&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1697655116251","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsbarbersgrade5"},{"teacherId":2095675,"projectId":9602150,"letterContent":"When our new materials arrived, the excitement in the room was immediate! My fifth and sixth grade STEM students couldn't wait to dive into creating their own cardboard arcade games. The addition of new tools and supplies gave them the freedom to design moving parts, create colorful details, and truly bring their ideas to life. Students were measuring, cutting, testing, and revising — fully immersed in the engineering design process while laughing and collaborating with their peers.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite moments came when a group proudly demonstrated a mini basketball arcade game they built using pulleys and levers. Their classmates lined up to play, cheering each other on and offering feedback for improvement. Moments like these showed just how powerful hands-on learning can be — students weren't just learning about forces and motion, they were experiencing them.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, my students are seeing themselves as real engineers and designers. They've learned that mistakes are part of the process and that teamwork makes innovation possible. Our next step is to host a \"Cardboard Arcade Showcase,\" where students will invite younger grades to play their games and see what's possible when creativity meets perseverance. Your donation made all of this happen — thank you for inspiring my students to dream big and build even bigger!","fullyFundedDate":1756487134521,"projectUrl":"project/stem-cardboard-arcade-creations-part-2/9602150/","projectTitle":"STEM Cardboard Arcade Creations Part 2","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Barber","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2095675_orig.jpg?crop=1150,1150,x0,y46&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1697655116251","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsbarbersgrade5"},{"teacherId":5960862,"projectId":9484947,"letterContent":"In fourth grade we are taking responsibility very seriously. As we continue to make this commitment to our classroom and how WE are responsible for our surroundings, having students clean up after themselves is the first step in this step towards responsibility. By providing students with the necessary supplies to keep our classroom clean- you are a vital stepping stone for students success in this lesson! \r\nThank you for your continued support, kindness and generosity you are showing my students. This truly is a life long lesson that my students will carry with them for years to come!","fullyFundedDate":1758636532220,"projectUrl":"project/keeping-4th-grade-clean/9484947/","projectTitle":"Keeping 4th Grade Clean!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Priest","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5960862_orig.jpg?crop=1536,1536,x0,y256&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1763642451786","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5960862"},{"teacherId":7995484,"projectId":9371515,"letterContent":"This project was able to improve my classroom in many ways. The original printer that I wrote this project for way unavailable on the Donors Choose websites. Because of this, I was able to use the funds donated to me in other ways. I found an old computer at my parent's home, and I was then able to purchase ink for it. Though the printer was old, it was still able to work with the new ink! I am now able to print many colorful signs for my classroom, which was my original goal. \r\nI have printed several signs for in my classroom. One of which is a figurative language chart. I downloaded this chart off of Teachers Pay Teachers, and it has every piece of figurative language that fifth grade studies. In recent years I have had a black and white version on my walls. Now that it is printed in color, it makes the walls much more colorful. I also printed a volume level chart. This too was printed in black and white in years past. \r\nAnother way I use the colored ink is to print achievement certificates for my students when they pass a level on our online program called \"Lexia.\" The first student to receive the colored certificate was overjoyed with the colorful certificate instead of just plain black and white. \r\nThank you again for your generous donation. It means a lot to me and my students.","fullyFundedDate":1754320828043,"projectUrl":"project/creative-colorful-classroom/9371515/","projectTitle":"Creative, Colorful Classroom!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Booth","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7995484"},{"teacherId":2095675,"projectId":9182125,"letterContent":"Thank you again for your generosity! My students were so excited to design their own cups last year and the resources you provided took my lesson and it's real world application to the next level! Students saw the bubble wrap and duct tape and immediately began discussing how each material might or might not work for insulating their cups. \r\n\r\nAfter running temperature control data on a popular brand of insulated tumbler, students set their goals high; vowing to outperform with their STEM lab creations! I am pleased to say that while our STEM lab cups did not outperform, we did have several groups that matched the control data keeping their water at a maintenance temperature just as well as the name brand tumbler! \r\n\r\nI am already looking forward to making small tweaks, and teaching this lesson again in the new school year. Students really thrive when they are involved in a creative design process while learning science, engineering, and mathematics concepts, thank you for ensuring I can give them that experience!","fullyFundedDate":1743091801462,"projectUrl":"project/creating-custom-cups-crafting-cooling/9182125/","projectTitle":"Creating Custom Cups: Crafting, Cooling, and Curiosity!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Barber","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2095675_orig.jpg?crop=1150,1150,x0,y46&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1697655116251","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsbarbersgrade5"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_48853","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":515,"numTeachers":37,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":94,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":1,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"13.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_REMOTE"},"inStateSupporters":77.9,"schoolId":48853,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Port Allegany Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Port Allegany Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/pennsylvania/port-allegany-school-district/port-allegany-elementary-school/48853"}