{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Sto - Rox Upper Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":43.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":1816293,"projectId":9916248,"letterContent":"Your support made it possible to provide individualized, interactive math lessons that helped students build strong mathematical frameworks and grow in specific skill areas. In a Title I classroom where students come with a wide range of academic needs and life experiences, your donation helped ensure that every student had access to instruction designed just for them.\r\n\r\nThe Teachers Pay Teachers resources funded through this project transformed how math looked and felt in our classroom. Instead of relying on one-size-fits-all lessons, students worked with engaging activities tailored to their individual learning needs. Lessons targeted specific skills such as fractions, place value, geometry, data analysis, and problem-solving, allowing students to strengthen gaps while building confidence.","fullyFundedDate":1768439337027,"projectUrl":"project/help-close-our-math-gap/9916248/","projectTitle":"Help Close Our Math Gap!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Shuhilo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1816293_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673305858845","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-shuhilo"},{"teacherId":1816293,"projectId":9711717,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, \"Time for Kids.\" \"Time to Learn.\" made a powerful and lasting impact on our classroom. The Time for Kids magazines you provided became a cornerstone of learning, sparking curiosity, strengthening literacy skills, and helping students connect what they learn in school to the world around them.\r\n\r\nThe impact on student engagement was immediate. Students who were once reluctant readers became eager participants, excited to read articles, analyze photographs, and discuss headlines with their peers. The content felt relevant and meaningful, which motivated students to read more carefully and think more deeply. They asked thoughtful questions, made connections to prior learning, and confidently shared their opinions during class discussions.\r\n\r\nThe magazines also helped build a strong sense of classroom community. Students collaborated during partner and small-group discussions, respectfully listening to each other.","fullyFundedDate":1758161119495,"projectUrl":"project/time-for-kids-time-to-learn/9711717/","projectTitle":"Time for Kids, Time to learn!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Shuhilo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1816293_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673305858845","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-shuhilo"},{"teacherId":1816293,"projectId":9663977,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, \"SRUE Needs Science Spin\" brought science to life in ways our students will never forget. The science magazine you helped provide became more than reading material—it became a powerful bridge between classroom learning and the real world. Through current, relevant science issues, students were able to see how science connects directly to their lives, their communities, and the world around them.\r\n\r\nFor many of our students, science can feel abstract or disconnected from everyday experiences. The magazine changed that. It introduced topics such as environmental challenges, technological innovations, health, space exploration, and sustainability in a format that was engaging, accessible, and student-friendly. \r\n\r\nStudents who were once reluctant readers became eager to dive into articles that reflected real problems and real solutions. The magazine empowered students to think critically, form opinions based on evidence, and communicate their ideas with confidence.","fullyFundedDate":1757517523250,"projectUrl":"project/srue-need-scholastic-science-spin/9663977/","projectTitle":"SRUE: Need Scholastic Science Spin!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Shuhilo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1816293_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673305858845","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-shuhilo"},{"teacherId":1816293,"projectId":9621967,"letterContent":"With the materials funded through this project, math instruction transformed. Students were no longer limited to one-size-fits-all lessons. Instead, they worked with targeted resources that met them exactly where they were. Some students used hands-on activities and visual supports to build foundational skills, while others engaged in enrichment tasks that pushed their thinking deeper. This differentiation was especially powerful during math centers, where students rotated through activities designed for their individual needs, learning styles, and pacing.\r\n\r\nThe impact was immediate and measurable. Students showed increased confidence, perseverance, and willingness to take academic risks. Many who previously struggled with math anxiety began raising their hands, explaining their thinking, and celebrating growth rather than fearing mistakes.","fullyFundedDate":1757421795701,"projectUrl":"project/math-for-every-mind/9621967/","projectTitle":"Math for Every Mind!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Shuhilo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1816293_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673305858845","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-shuhilo"},{"teacherId":1816293,"projectId":9599702,"letterContent":"Having reliable mice has made a huge impact on how students engage with math technology. They are able to work more efficiently, navigate digital math tools with confidence, and stay focused on problem-solving rather than struggling with trackpads. This small but essential resource has helped create a smoother, more inclusive learning experience for every student in the room.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, your support shows our students that their learning matters. They are grateful, excited, and proud to have the tools they need to succeed. Your generosity directly supports their growth, confidence, and enthusiasm for math.","fullyFundedDate":1757423276811,"projectUrl":"project/mice-for-math/9599702/","projectTitle":"Mice for Math!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Shuhilo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1816293_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673305858845","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-shuhilo"},{"teacherId":8883898,"projectId":10021654,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of snacks to our classroom. Your kindness and support truly made a difference for our students.\r\nBecause of you, our students were able to enjoy healthy and tasty snacks that helped keep them energized, focused, and ready to learn. It may seem like a small gesture, but it has a big impact on our daily classroom experience.\r\nWe are very grateful for your thoughtfulness and willingness to support our students. Thank you for helping make our classroom a more welcoming and caring place.","fullyFundedDate":1768674505871,"projectUrl":"project/full-bellies-fuel-the-mind/10021654/","projectTitle":"Full bellies Fuel the Mind!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. O'Hara","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8883898_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1670000369529","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/teacherohara"},{"teacherId":8883898,"projectId":9801509,"letterContent":"On behalf of our students, families, and staff, I would like to extend our deepest and most heartfelt thanks for your generous donation in support of our classroom's sensory needs. Your kindness and commitment to education have made a meaningful and lasting impact on our learning environment, and we are incredibly grateful for your support.\r\n\r\nSensory resources play a vital role in helping students feel safe, comfortable, and ready to learn. Many children experience the world in unique ways, and for some, the classroom can feel overwhelming due to noise, lighting, textures, or constant movement. Your donation has helped us address these challenges in thoughtful and effective ways. Because of your generosity, we are able to provide tools and materials that support self-regulation, focus, and emotional well-being, allowing our students to engage more fully in their learning.\r\n\r\nThanks to your contribution, our classroom now includes sensory items such as flexible seating options, tactile tools, calming visuals, and quiet spaces where students can reset when they feel overstimulated. These resources are not simply \"extras\"; they are essential supports that help students manage stress, build independence, and develop confidence. We have already seen positive changes—students are more settled, transitions are smoother, and learning time is more productive and joyful.\r\n\r\nBeyond the immediate benefits, your donation sends a powerful message to our students: that they are seen, valued, and worthy of care. Knowing that members of the community believe in them and are willing to invest in their success has a profound effect on their self-esteem. Your generosity helps create an inclusive classroom where differences are respected and every child has the opportunity to thrive.\r\n\r\nWe also want to recognize the broader impact of your support on our educators. Teachers work tirelessly to meet the diverse needs of their students, and having access to appropriate sensory materials allows them to do so more effectively. Your donation empowers our staff with the tools they need to create a nurturing, responsive learning environment where all students can reach their potential.\r\n\r\nIt is important for you to know that your contribution will continue to make a difference well into the future. Sensory resources are used daily and benefit many students over time, ensuring that your generosity has a lasting legacy. Each moment of calm focus, each successful transition, and each small step toward independence is made possible, in part, because of your support.\r\n\r\nThank you for your compassion, your generosity, and your belief in the importance of meeting students' sensory and emotional needs. Community partnerships like yours are essential to creating strong, supportive schools, and we are truly thankful to have you as part of our extended classroom family.\r\n\r\nPlease accept our sincere appreciation for making a difference in the lives of our students. We hope you take pride in knowing that your donation has helped create a more inclusive, supportive, and joyful place to learn. We would be honored to share updates with you as our students continue to grow and benefit from your generosity.\r\n\r\nWith deepest gratitude and warmest thanks,","fullyFundedDate":1765996700114,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-needs/9801509/","projectTitle":"Sensory Needs!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. O'Hara","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8883898_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1670000369529","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/teacherohara"},{"teacherId":5362011,"projectId":9726456,"letterContent":"Our students are incredibly grateful for the generous support behind \"Turning Down the Noise, Turning Up the Success.\" Thanks to the Smarties Candy Company's donation of headphones, our classroom has become a more focused, calm, and productive learning environment. For many of our students, excess noise can be a major distraction, and these headphones have made an immediate difference—helping them tune out interruptions and fully engage in their work.\r\n\r\nWith fewer distractions, students are now better able to concentrate during their Lexia assignments on their Chromebooks. Lexia is a pivotal tool in our literacy instruction, providing targeted, individualized practice that reinforces skills taught in Reading and ELA classes. The ability to work independently and with focus has boosted student confidence and persistence, especially for learners who benefit from a quieter setting.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, this project is directly supporting our students as they prepare for the PSSA assessments. By strengthening foundational reading skills and reinforcing classroom instruction, Lexia—paired with this simple but powerful resource—helps ensure our students feel prepared and capable. We are deeply thankful to DonorsChoose and the Smarties Candy Company for investing in our students' success and helping them turn down the noise so they can truly turn up their learning.","fullyFundedDate":1762267630598,"projectUrl":"project/turning-down-the-noise-turning-up-succe/9726456/","projectTitle":"Turning Down the Noise, Turning Up Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Scarnati","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5362011_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1759677045523","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5362011"},{"teacherId":10244410,"projectId":9689570,"letterContent":"Thank you for your donations to my classroom. I have not taught upper elementary in quite some time and I had gotten rid of a lot of my materials for this age.\r\n\r\n The items I requested helped my classroom grow organizationally and academically. \r\nWe use the headphones daily for things like individualized interventions to meet the students where they are and to help them get to grade level with their reading. The students also use them to listen to story selections before they take comprehension assessments and to practice vocabulary and spelling words. \r\n\r\nThe plastic display folders are great for daily objectives and other ever changing information that needs to be displayed. I use the dry erase markers to write that information on them. The kids and I love everything and we are so grateful for you.","fullyFundedDate":1758808102687,"projectUrl":"project/first-time-user/9689570/","projectTitle":"First-Time User","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cox","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10244410"},{"teacherId":1816293,"projectId":9291357,"letterContent":"With your help, I have seen calm lighting quietly transform our classroom. Since adding warm, adjustable lamps and softer overheads, students arrive more relaxed and ready to learn. They report feeling less anxious and less distracted; many say the room feels \"cozy\" and \"easier to think in.\" During independent work, students sustain focus longer and make fewer careless errors. In small groups, quieter lighting fosters respectful discussion and deeper collaboration.\r\n\r\nStudents use the calm-lit calming corner to self-regulate: they choose soft light when they need a brief break, read, or practice breathing exercises before rejoining activities. Others prefer gentle lamps during creative writing or focused math stations, saying it helps ideas come more easily. These small choices empower students to manage their learning and emotions, creating a kinder, more inclusive classroom where everyone can thrive.\r\n\r\nThank you for supporting environments that center students' well-being and success.\r\n\r\nSincerely,","fullyFundedDate":1755740593158,"projectUrl":"project/lighting-for-learning/9291357/","projectTitle":"Lighting For Learning!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Shuhilo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1816293_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673305858845","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-shuhilo"},{"teacherId":4672436,"projectId":8946104,"letterContent":"When my students saw the new headphones, their faces lit up with excitement! Many of them immediately asked if they could use them for their reading and language programs, and within minutes, our classroom was filled with quiet focus. These headphones have made such a positive difference—students can now listen to lessons, complete online activities, and work independently without distractions.\r\n\r\nWe're using the headphones daily during reading groups, listening comprehension practice, and ESL support time. They've helped my students build confidence and stay engaged, especially those who benefit from hearing directions and stories read aloud. The improvement in focus and participation has been incredible!\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our classroom is now a calmer, more productive space where every student can learn at their own pace. Your donation has truly made learning more accessible and enjoyable for my students, and I can't thank you enough for supporting their success!","fullyFundedDate":1741289249242,"projectUrl":"project/headphones-for-all/8946104/","projectTitle":"Headphones For All","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wanninger","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4672436_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1546483343428","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4672436"},{"teacherId":8883898,"projectId":9433349,"letterContent":"On behalf of my classroom, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for your generous support in helping feed our hungry middle schoolers. Your kindness and dedication have made a real difference in the lives of our students, many of whom face daily challenges that no child should have to endure.\r\n\r\nThanks to your efforts, our students were able to focus on learning with full stomachs and full hearts. A snack is more than just food — it's a source of comfort, energy, and the sense that someone out there cares. You've helped provide that, and for that, we are deeply grateful.\r\n\r\nYour support reminds us that it truly takes a village to raise and educate our youth. We are incredibly lucky to count you as part of ours.","fullyFundedDate":1760721978083,"projectUrl":"project/hungry-middle-schoolers/9433349/","projectTitle":"Hungry Middle Schoolers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. O'Hara","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8883898_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1670000369529","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/teacherohara"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_71480","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":193,"numTeachers":19,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":63,"percentWhite":15,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":4,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"4 - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"10.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":56.6,"schoolId":71480,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Sto - Rox Upper Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Sto - Rox Upper Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/pennsylvania/sto-rox-school-district/sto-rox-middle-school/71480"}