{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Wickersham Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":34.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8177311,"projectId":10023047,"letterContent":"Books make a world of difference in the lives of my kindergarten to fifth grade students who have identified learning disabilities. Graphic novels make children more equipped to understand words above their level and to conceptualize the story. Your gift of new books about different cultures, fantasy worlds, biographies, and more in the forms of books and graphic novels will truly transform the options for students during reading time in my classroom. After we complete phonics work, students get to free read and read at or above their level when it's a graphic novel to improve their general understanding and to build interest in reading. Since reading can be so hard for my students and graphic novels really open up the door for kids to better learn and read. \r\n\r\nYour gift will go so very far this school year and beyond. Thank you kindly!","fullyFundedDate":1768702309859,"projectUrl":"project/empower-special-needs-students-with-new/10023047/","projectTitle":"Empower Special Needs Students with New Graphic Novels in 2026","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Pfaff","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8177311_orig.png?crop=270,270,x287,y143&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1669135250823","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/pfaff"},{"teacherId":8177311,"projectId":9970012,"letterContent":"Students said three things when books started arriving from this project:\r\n\r\n1. \"OMG I love Bruce Lee! We read about him!\"\r\n2. \"I love Percy Jackson - I watch that!\r\n3. \"Who is this?\" (about a Bob Dylan book)\r\n\r\nAll of these amazing responses prompted student joy and questions to explore. The biographies you provided, action and fantasy books, and the amazing books about Lunar New Year and Asian cultures is prompting joy and intrigue in my student community. Students are thrilled to have these new books and to get to learn more through reading!\r\n\r\nThank you for jump starting our year with new books, graphic novels, and supplies! Thank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1766529495852,"projectUrl":"project/empower-reading-with-books-for-students/9970012/","projectTitle":"Empower Reading With Books for Students With Special Needs","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Pfaff","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8177311_orig.png?crop=270,270,x287,y143&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1669135250823","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/pfaff"},{"teacherId":8177311,"projectId":9909587,"letterContent":"This project was fulfilled by you at the perfect time! Our trout arrived on January 13th in a box - they have gone from eggs to trout frey (see the photos of our project)! The state sent out our trout and we are actively learning about their life cycles, writing about our trout, and using the aquarium supplies, school supplies, and books that you so graciously provided our classroom! \r\n\r\nThey say it takes a village to raise a child, and it is so true in the case of raising our trout in the classroom. Of the two tanks we are raising these 150+ trout these much needed items will get some great use! \r\n\r\nThanks for making STEM so much more understandable and exciting in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1765980906869,"projectUrl":"project/help-raise-150-trout-in-an-urban-specia/9909587/","projectTitle":"Help Raise 150+ Trout in an Urban Special Education Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Pfaff","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8177311_orig.png?crop=270,270,x287,y143&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1669135250823","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/pfaff"},{"teacherId":9566555,"projectId":9847979,"letterContent":"This funded project has helped my students grow their communication skills through sign, verbal language, and utilizing their AAC devices to communicate their wants/needs. So many of the toys were a big hit with my students and are things that are requested for daily in my classroom. \r\nWhen any new toy is brought into the classroom, the students are immediately blown away by any new materials, but with your additions to the room, there is so much creativity that is being created daily. A zoo, a robot, animals living in a desert, poisonous snakes made out of play-dough, etc. \r\nI look forward to making more projects like these to support my students in their communication skills.","fullyFundedDate":1763475377496,"projectUrl":"project/communication-through-play/9847979/","projectTitle":"Communication through Play","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Eyler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9566555_orig.jpg?crop=1108,1108,x0,y96&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718041790727","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9566555"},{"teacherId":8177311,"projectId":9904177,"letterContent":"Books and LEGOS can make a world of change in students' reading habits and in their STEM learning and thinking. Science and engineering are key skills that can be learned through LEGOS and collaborative building. This set that you provided and the books that pair with it match the interests of my students (fantasy books and other worldly adventures are well loved by my fourth and fifth graders). The STEM legos will provide great opportunities for tactile engineering and will be an on-ramp for students to work on their conceptual thinking and with structural learning. This will go so far for my students this spring as we log many hours building the LEGOs during recess, and the new books will open their minds' doors to stories of great heros and heroines. Thanks","fullyFundedDate":1765980915076,"projectUrl":"project/empower-special-education-students-to-de/9904177/","projectTitle":"Empower Special Education Students To Develop STEM Skills & Reading!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Pfaff","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8177311_orig.png?crop=270,270,x287,y143&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1669135250823","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/pfaff"},{"teacherId":8177311,"projectId":9963363,"letterContent":"You are amazing and so very generous. My students loved to unwrap the new books as they arrived this week.\r\n\r\nReading these new books will help third to fifth graders learn new words and understand ideas better. Books like Ratnip, Tokyo Night Parade, Drawn Together and others in this proejct can also help students imagine new worlds and think creatively. They also provide great teaching about Asian cultures and about Lunar New Year. \r\n\r\nWhen children read often, they usually become stronger writers and better problem solvers, plus with these books they'll become more inclusive and welcoming of others as they learn of other cultures.\r\n\r\nThank you so very much for your generosity!!","fullyFundedDate":1766240811509,"projectUrl":"project/transform-reading-for-special-needs-stud/9963363/","projectTitle":"Transform Reading for Special Needs Students with Brand New Books!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Pfaff","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8177311_orig.png?crop=270,270,x287,y143&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1669135250823","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/pfaff"},{"teacherId":5551126,"projectId":9587708,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the books and Legos that added to our units on knights and trout. The students were excited to learn about medieval times and work together to build the Lego castle. \r\n\r\nThe trout books have been helpful. They built background knowledge and soon we will have baby trout eggs in our school. This spring we will go and release the trout.\r\n\r\nThe materials you supplied through your donations were a great help in assisting the students in a furthering their understanding of these topics. Thank you again!","fullyFundedDate":1757683133210,"projectUrl":"project/trout-and-knight-units/9587708/","projectTitle":"Trout and Knight Units","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tadlock","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5551126_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1532105597144","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5551126"},{"teacherId":9550748,"projectId":9905244,"letterContent":"Thank you so incredibly much for gifting this long term experience to my students. When they learned they were getting a fish tank, they were beyond ecstatic. This current group, especially, has a special connection to fish as, in third grade, they got to experience raising and releasing trout! While our tank is set to arrive next week...the other items have been rolling in and the kids get more and more excited with every new item that arrives.\r\n\r\nReceiving a fish tank in our 4th grade urban classroom will have powerful and positive impact on my students. The aquarium will become a daily source of curiosity and excitement, sparking meaningful conversations about science, responsibility, and living things (as well as a way for students to help calm them down and connect to SEL). Students are eager to observe the fish, ask thoughtful questions, and make real-world connections to our lessons on ecosystems, habitats, and life cycles. They are also super excited to get to choose names once the fish are in their new home!\r\n\r\nBeyond academics, the fish tank will help create a calming and welcoming classroom environment. Caring for the fish will encourage teamwork, empathy, and responsibility as students take pride in helping with classroom routines. For many of my students, this will be a new and memorable experience that fosters a sense of ownership, community, and joy in their learning space.","fullyFundedDate":1765980916245,"projectUrl":"project/fin-tastic-learning-bringing-an-aquariu/9905244/","projectTitle":"Fin-tastic Learning: Bringing an Aquarium to Our Classroom!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Aronson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9550748_orig.jpg?crop=499,499,x119,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1716294804590","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9550748"},{"teacherId":9550748,"projectId":9903927,"letterContent":"Receiving new chapter books and Lego sets has had an incredible impact on my 4th grade urban students. The new books have sparked a renewed excitement for reading, motivating students to explore new genres, strengthen their reading stamina, and build confidence as independent readers. Many students who were once hesitant to pick up a book are now eagerly sharing recommendations and asking for more time to read. We have even started a classroom reading challenge of reading 100 books as a class and they are ALL IN on it! One student even said, \"This challenge is so easy with how many awesome books we have to read now.\"\r\n\r\nThe Lego sets have transformed our classroom into a space for collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving. As students work together to build and design, they practice communication, perseverance, and critical thinking skills in a hands-on way. They also get individual time rewards to them where they can focus on problem solving and different STEM abilities. Together, these resources have helped create a joyful, engaging learning environment where students feel inspired, supported, and excited to learn each day.","fullyFundedDate":1765980917051,"projectUrl":"project/bricks-books-creating-a-classroom-tha/9903927/","projectTitle":"Bricks & Books: Creating a Classroom That Inspires","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Aronson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9550748_orig.jpg?crop=499,499,x119,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1716294804590","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9550748"},{"teacherId":9550748,"projectId":9891206,"letterContent":"All I can say is WOW! When the box arrived for this set...my students were so excited to open it! The initial reaction was so fun to see! Thank you so much for your generous support in bringing a large Lord of the Rings Lego set to my classroom. Your kindness has already sparked excitement, curiosity, and big smiles among my students. For many of them, this is a hands-on experience they may not have had access to otherwise, and it has made our classroom feel even more special and inspiring.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, my students are developing teamwork, problem-solving, and perseverance as they work together to build, create, and imagine. This Lego set is more than a toy—it's a powerful learning tool that encourages collaboration and creativity while making school a joyful place. We are incredibly grateful for your support and belief in our students. Since getting the box, we are already through 2 bags and so excited to get through the entire set as a team!","fullyFundedDate":1765980917493,"projectUrl":"project/the-fellowship-of-the-brick-inspiring-u/9891206/","projectTitle":"The Fellowship of the Brick: Inspiring Urban Builders Through Stem","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Aronson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9550748_orig.jpg?crop=499,499,x119,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1716294804590","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9550748"},{"teacherId":8177311,"projectId":9904598,"letterContent":"New books change lives! AND YOUR GIFT IS DOING THAT! These new books provide more books for students with disabilities at their level! Giving these books also encourages them to fall into reading as these books specifically will connect with their level and push them. Graphic novels also make reading easier for students with learning disabilities and become great on-ramps to helping students become obsessed with reading.\r\n\r\nThe storage bins also will help us organize desks and the library. \r\n\r\nMy students are excited about books like Grandad's Camper and Moomin - cartoons are an excellent on ramp for students to read more! Thank you so very much!","fullyFundedDate":1765969887057,"projectUrl":"project/jumpstart-reading-for-special-needs-stud/9904598/","projectTitle":"Jumpstart Reading for Special Needs Students for the 2026 Semester","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Pfaff","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8177311_orig.png?crop=270,270,x287,y143&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1669135250823","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/pfaff"},{"teacherId":8177311,"projectId":9965918,"letterContent":"Your gift has arrived just in time for January 2026. Our baby trout arrive as eggs from the State Game Department next week (January 13th) and we will raise them for the rest of the school year. The supplies you provided for our aquarium, for reading associated with our trout program, and art and science supplies for parallel trout learning are going to make a splash in my classroom. The gift of empowering STEM education will radically empower our learning this spring. Thank you for investing in this trout program and for connecting us to a bigger community. We look forward to raising these trout in our elementary school classroom to improve our streams, rivers and watershed.","fullyFundedDate":1766412180066,"projectUrl":"project/help-raise-150-trout-in-an-urban-specia/9965918/","projectTitle":"Help Raise 150+ Trout in an Urban Special Education Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Pfaff","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8177311_orig.png?crop=270,270,x287,y143&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1669135250823","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/pfaff"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_90080","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":402,"numTeachers":28,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":8,"percentBlack":15,"percentWhite":10,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":58,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"14.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":65.9,"schoolId":90080,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Wickersham Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Wickersham Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/pennsylvania/school-district-of-lancaster/wickersham-elementary-school/90080"}