{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Smith-Wade-El Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":20.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9443560,"projectId":9102625,"letterContent":"In truly unprecedented times, my gratitude for the generous donations for my student Peer Mentoring program is beyond measure. My district relies heavily on state funding as a Title 1, urban school district. As you probably know and understand, that funding has not been made available and we are facing detrimental losses to resources for a student population that is truly deserving of them. \r\n\r\nI consider it a truly hidden blessing that I was able to get this project funded through the generosity of your donations. This is my third year at Smith-Wade-El Elementary School and my short term goal upon starting was to implement a peer mentoring program, something that had not previously existed. At the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year, I began training new mentors through fabulous free resources I found. Then, when they completed their training, the frequent question was asked...\"what next?\" I had a vision of what I wanted mentorship to look like but knew that I didn't exactly have the resources to make that happen, which is why I turned to Donors Choose for support. \r\n\r\nThrough the generosity of donors, I was able to answer a question of \"what's next\", by teaching my mentors how to use and teach others how to effectively utilize various tools and resources to promote success. At the end of last year, my trained peer mentors were given a task to pour their hopes, dreams, ambitions, and positive influence into the creation of a sensory bottle. The experience was inspiring. Mentors shared with one another about their future goals and how leadership motivates them to be the best version of themselves. Mentors chose colors that matched their own energy. I only wish I had taken photos, but was immersed in the experience at the time. At the start of this year, when a mentor met with a mentee having a challenging moment, they asked if they could help the mentee make a sensory bottle, stating that it truly helped them when they needed it the most. \r\n\r\nIn addition to sensory tools that can be shared between mentors and mentees, we were able to add to our existing bank of resources to support small group mentoring. The biggest challenge mentors face is not knowing if they are supporting their mentee in the right way. I've encouraged that there is no true right or wrong as long as connection is at the root of their work. It has been heartwarming, to say the least, to watch mentors and mentees engage in meaningful games and activities to support a reduction in anger or improved emotional regulation. \r\n\r\nWhile our program continues to be refined and developed, the tools and resources donated to the Peer Mentoring program at Smith-Wade-El Elementary have been a catalyst for confident and inspired work by a new generation of student leaders. I am eager to continue this work and to instill a passion for leadership and positivity in students for years to come. \r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSincerest Gratitude,\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tJanet Henninger, the \"Red Panda Counselor\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tElementary School Counselor (Pre-K to 5th Grade)\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSmith-Wade-El Elementary School","fullyFundedDate":1746786407228,"projectUrl":"project/mindful-moment-mentor-resources/9102625/","projectTitle":"Mindful Moment Mentor Resources","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Henninger","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9443560_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1705898356594","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9443560"},{"teacherId":5345729,"projectId":9223006,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generousity! I was able to purchase a comprehensive multi-syllabic phonics program to use with my multilingual learners. Last year, I learned some great strategies for teaching rules for different types of syllable, and the best way to teach students these rules. I was trying to create slides and resources on my own, which was time-consuming and inefficient.\r\nNow, with this new comprehensive resource, I have great slides, activities, decodable stories, and more. They are research based, and excellent science of reading lessons for my students. Often, my students are older elementary students, but they need detailed phonics and reading lessons to help them read in English.\r\nSo, thank you again for your help for my students. They will really benefit from these lessons as they are learning to decode longer words.","fullyFundedDate":1746621541195,"projectUrl":"project/reading-resources-for-multilingual-learn/9223006/","projectTitle":"Reading Resources for Multilingual Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Whetstone","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5345729_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1533730644273","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-whetstone"},{"teacherId":9747069,"projectId":9254192,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and for choosing my project to fund! What may seem like something small to you is a huge impact for our students. When students have urinary and stool incontinence accidents most do not have clothes that they can change into. We do our best to keep extra clothing stocked for the kids, it is a huge financial endeavor to continually give to.\r\n\r\n You may not realize it, but you are a difference-maker in the eyes of our students. Letting them not have to be embarrassed with not having clean clothing is so big in their world! Thank you again!!","fullyFundedDate":1746786142427,"projectUrl":"project/clothing-for-students-in-the-health-room/9254192/","projectTitle":"Clothing for Students in the Health Room","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Grow","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9747069_orig.jpg?crop=1284,1284,x0,y522&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726507242848","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9747069"},{"teacherId":4068723,"projectId":9116575,"letterContent":"The addition of a classroom easel has made a powerful difference in our daily learning environment. It has quickly become a central hub for instruction and collaboration. \r\n\r\nFor whole group lessons, the easel provides a clear and accessible space for modeling key concepts, whether we're breaking down word problems in math or working through writing strategies. Students are now more engaged because they can easily see visual cues and examples during lessons.\r\n\r\nThis easel has become a platform for student voices. During interactive writing, students take turns coming up to share their thinking and contribute ideas, helping build confidence and a sense of ownership over their learning. It's also helped encourage teamwork, as students often collaborate during shared reading or group brainstorming sessions at the easel.\r\n\r\nHaving a physical, movable space at eye level has made abstract concepts more concrete. Thanks to this donation, we've been able to make learning more visible, engaging, and interactive. It's amazing how one simple tool can transform the dynamics of a classroom by encouraging participation and deepening understanding!","fullyFundedDate":1740515444835,"projectUrl":"project/easely-accessible-information-for-stud/9116575/","projectTitle":"\"Easel\"y Accessible Information for Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Boylan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4068723_orig.jpg?crop=818,818,x671,y347&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1739721072005","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4068723"},{"teacherId":9258103,"projectId":8967424,"letterContent":"Thanks to your thoughtful donation, we've been able to create an exciting, rewarding experience for my students through our school store. The items you helped provide have become a powerful tool for motivating my students, making their learning experience even more engaging.\r\n\r\nWe're using the store as a way to encourage positive behavior, hard work, and academic achievement. For instance, in our current math unit, students earn \"store credits\" by completing assignments, participating in class, and showing perseverance in their work. It's been amazing to see how the new store prizes have really spurred them on. I had a student, typically quiet in class, excitedly declare that they were going to \"earn enough to buy that awesome notebook!\" It's been a great way to tie rewards to their efforts and boost their sense of accomplishment.\r\n\r\nThe first time my students saw the items in the store, there was an immediate buzz! Their eyes lit up as they browsed the selection of colorful pencils, notepads, and fun trinkets. Many of them said things like, \"I've never been able to get cool stuff like this before,\" and it made them eager to do their best. It was so heartwarming to see them excited—not just about the items themselves, but about the hard work they knew they'd have to put in to earn them.","fullyFundedDate":1733407427261,"projectUrl":"project/building-a-positive-future-with-our-scho/8967424/","projectTitle":"Building a Positive Future With Our School Store","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Henry","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9258103"},{"teacherId":9752608,"projectId":8925815,"letterContent":"Having this project fully funded has meant so much to the students here at Smith Wade-El elementary. With the winter weather upon us, and outdoor recess time limited, it has been a tremendous gift to have games, building materials, and crafting supplies available for students, In addition to the fun they are having, they are engaging with their peers instead of spending recess time on their devices.\r\n Receiving all the boxes was exciting. Some students helped log items as they arrived and assisted with the distribution of items for each grade level container. In total there are 19 separate grade level bins which include age appropriate games and activities. Within each grade level, we have created different versions so classrooms can switch bins and activities if weather requires recess to be held indoors for extended amounts of time.\r\n From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU! The materials have helped add to the engagement from students. They have provided opportunities for new social interactions and and possibilities for new friendships. In the future I hope to create new projects for additional resources which can be added to the bins, including additional games, more Legos and new crafting supplies. My hope is that our students will continue to enjoy time collaborating with each other while staying indoors for recess.","fullyFundedDate":1733407608619,"projectUrl":"project/indoor-recess-activities-for-all-element/8925815/","projectTitle":"Indoor Recess Activities for All Elementary Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bleacher","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9752608_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1733282174278","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9752608"},{"teacherId":9782723,"projectId":8835766,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donations towards our first school wide mural. We are currently working on our mural and from the pictures you received you can see we are off to a great start! We have almost completed the blue backgrounds for our mural and are beginning to work on black outlines for the boxes and drawing the images for our mural, we are hoping to be painting images by mid-February! \r\n\r\nThis project has been a bright spot in our school year here at SWE. Both staff and students are excited about this project and have been eager to continue working on this large scale project. Although the mural won't be fully complete until the spring (we are shooting for late April) students have already begun asking when \"we will make the next one\"! Similar to our students, I and the staff here at SWE feel the same way, excited, engaged and thankful for such an exciting opportunity. \r\n\r\nWe are eager to finish this project in the coming months and look forward to enjoying the final mural and using our donations for years to come to spread the joy of painting throughout the rest of our school building.","fullyFundedDate":1730127057778,"projectUrl":"project/swe-mural-makers/8835766/","projectTitle":"SWE \"Mural Makers\"","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Grozier","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9782723_orig.png?crop=398,398,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1764622655263","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9782723"},{"teacherId":9747205,"projectId":8776493,"letterContent":"We cannot thank you enough for your donations to our class. Each item that arrived was such a special surprise and the students loved them all. We unrolled the rug and immediately students were sitting and laying on it, feeling the soft texture and picking out their spots. We use it now for all group activities, morning meeting, and for reinforcing positive behavior. Students enjoy laying on the comfortable rug and request it when they have completed work and need a break. \r\n\r\nThe food items we received were a favorite among everyone! The students eat a snack each day and the Cheez-it package is a daily popular choice. The candy serves as reinforcements for when students complete tasks and do what is asked and expected. \r\n\r\nWe also greatly appreciate the markers and school supplies, as it is always a need in this classroom and we use these items daily. Thank you for what you have done for our class. We can never meet and thank you all, but please know that each of us would give you a great big hug and say thank you! We are blessed to have you as our Autistic classroom support donors!","fullyFundedDate":1727629620177,"projectUrl":"project/help-fund-ms-mandys-autistic-support-cl/8776493/","projectTitle":"Help fund Ms Mandy’s Autistic Support Class!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mandy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9747205_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746374852137","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9747205"},{"teacherId":9747069,"projectId":8858397,"letterContent":"I just want to thank you so much for using your resources to fund our health room with supplies! Things that so many of us take for granted are sometimes the things that my students do not have. Things like deodorant, body scrubbers, body wash, lotion, menstrual pads, and clean clothes to change into, are items that we use day to day, but many of my students come to me in need. \r\n\r\nThrough your generosity, I am able to give these items to my students! You have made such a difference and have impacted more children than you can possibly imagine! Thank you so much!!!","fullyFundedDate":1731939726100,"projectUrl":"project/help-students-with-hygiene-and-basic-nee/8858397/","projectTitle":"Help Students With Hygiene and Basic Needs!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Grow","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9747069_orig.jpg?crop=1284,1284,x0,y522&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726507242848","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9747069"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_90071","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":397,"numTeachers":24,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":4,"percentBlack":14,"percentWhite":27,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":43,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"16.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":79.3,"schoolId":90071,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Smith-Wade-El Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Smith-Wade-El Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/pennsylvania/school-district-of-lancaster/james-buchanan-elementary-school/90071"}