{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Youens Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":30.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5111451,"projectId":9360278,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our morning makerspace has been buzzing with excitement as students dive into hands-on engineering with the new magnetic STEM resources. The Magnetic Blocks and Brain Spark Pixel Cubes have become central to our \"Think Like an Engineer\" projects. Students are exploring balance, symmetry, and structural stability by building towers, bridges, and even simple machines. The Build Mine Magnets are giving them a chance to test concepts like attraction, repulsion, and force in a playful but scientific way. These tools turn abstract ideas into concrete experiences, helping students better understand engineering principles while sparking creativity.\r\nOn the very first day, the moment I opened the boxes, the library was filled with gasps and cheers. One group immediately began to experiment to see how to design a \"magnetic maze\" using the blocks. That sense of discovery was priceless. Our next lesson will challenge students to design and test magnetic vehicles that can move across a track. This project builds collaboration, persistence, and critical thinking--the very skills that will help them grow as future innovators.\r\nYour support has not only filled our library with materials but also with energy, joy, and curiosity. Thank you for giving our students the chance to truly \"think like engineers.\"","fullyFundedDate":1748891550259,"projectUrl":"project/think-like-an-engineer-stem/9360278/","projectTitle":"Think Like an Engineer S.T.E.M.","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. H.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5111451_orig.jpg?crop=219,219,x0,y1&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726192044484","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5111451"},{"teacherId":5111451,"projectId":9229232,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our library with new \"Level Up books. while many of us share a love for reading, what happens when students encounter these text in the classroom goes far beyond simply enjoying a good story.\r\n\r\nWith each new book, students are learning essential reading skills like making predictions, identifying main ideas, exploring vocabulary in context, and analyzing characters' choices. These texts also help us dive into lessons on empathy, perspective-taking, and cultural understanding, as students encounter voices and stories that are both familiar and new. In our library, reading is active and interactive. Sometimes you'll see students curled up with a book, deeply engaged on their own. Other times, we read together as a group, pausing to ask questions, discuss themes, and connect the story to their own lives.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has given our students not just level up books, but opportunities to grow as readers, thinkers, and individuals.","fullyFundedDate":1746882730530,"projectUrl":"project/level-up/9229232/","projectTitle":"Level Up","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. H.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5111451_orig.jpg?crop=219,219,x0,y1&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726192044484","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5111451"},{"teacherId":5111451,"projectId":9096716,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our library's, Makerspace. The addition of the button maker has been an incredible way to engage students with hands-on creativity and real-world design skills. Even though many students are comfortable with technology in their daily lives, they're now learning how to use it in purposeful, educational ways. Before creating a button, students brainstorm ideas, sketch, and sometimes even use design tools to bring their concepts to life. This process strengthens their planning, design, and fine-motor skills, while also connecting to lessons in art, writing and even social-emotional learning.\r\n\r\nWhat excites the students most is seeing their ideas become something tangible that they can hold, share, or wear. The button maker allows them to showcase their individuality-whether it's design for a favorite book, a positive message for classmates, or artwork that represents who they are. One student who was usually quiet and hesitant to participate in group activities has especially warmed to this technology. Once she realized she could design buttons with encouraging words for her friends, she lit up with confidence. Now, she not only creates her own buttons but also help her classmates learn the steps to make theirs. Watching her become a leader through this project has been one of the most rewarding parts of having the button maker in our space.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our students are building creativity, confidence, and collaboration skills all while having fun with a tool that makes learning feel exciting and meaningful.","fullyFundedDate":1746706737735,"projectUrl":"project/button-maker-makerspace/9096716/","projectTitle":"Button Maker Makerspace","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. H.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5111451_orig.jpg?crop=219,219,x0,y1&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726192044484","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5111451"},{"teacherId":7874915,"projectId":8932756,"letterContent":"We were so excited to receive the donated prizes for our special education students! Since introducing the rewards, we've seen a noticeable improvement in student behavior and motivation. Students are now eager to earn Class Dojo points, knowing they'll get to \"purchase\" items from our prize collection. The donations have truly created a positive ripple effect in our classroom.\r\n\r\nOne standout moment happened last week when a student who usually struggles with staying on task worked diligently all week just to save enough points for a magnetic drawing board. When he finally earned it, he proudly showed it off to everyone — it was a huge confidence boost and a great example for his peers.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the prize options, their eyes lit up. They couldn't believe these fun, exciting items were just for them. It helped them feel seen, valued, and motivated.\r\n\r\nRight now, we're working on a classroom kindness project, where students are rewarded not just for individual behavior, but for supporting one another. The next step is helping them set personal and group goals, reinforcing teamwork and empathy — and yes, more chances to earn points for prizes! Your support is helping us build not just better behavior, but a stronger classroom community.\r\n\r\nThank you again for making such a big difference!","fullyFundedDate":1736485996319,"projectUrl":"project/in-it-to-win-it/8932756/","projectTitle":"In It to Win It!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Carlos","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7874915_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1661979782618","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7874915"},{"teacherId":5111451,"projectId":8785107,"letterContent":"Reading is one of the most important skills that we focus on daily, both in the classroom and at home. Our reading program is built on five essential components: phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. These components work together to foster strong and reliable reading abilities among our students.\r\nI'm thrilled to share that our students are genuinely excited about the new books. In the library, they eagerly browse our diverse collection, always looking for the latest arrivals. We serve a vibrant community with many different cultures, and it's my responsibility to ensure that these voices are represented on our shelves. It has been heartwarming to see students engage with books that reflect their own experiences and identities.\r\nI would also like to express my sincere gratitude for the remarkable donation that has enriched our library. Your support for Diverse Books is making a profound impact and is greatly appreciated.\r\nThank you again for your generosity and for supporting our mission to foster a love of reading!","fullyFundedDate":1734281219903,"projectUrl":"project/diverse-books-for-the-library/8785107/","projectTitle":"Diverse Books for the Library!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. H.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5111451_orig.jpg?crop=219,219,x0,y1&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726192044484","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5111451"},{"teacherId":5111451,"projectId":8838788,"letterContent":"When I introduce a library book, I go over the following, author name, illustrator name, front and the back cover, spine of the book, table of content and the glossary. When I am teaching a lesson, I normally select the skills that I would like to introduce. There are many skills that are involved in reading a book such as critical thinking, problem-solving, text features, medial and digital literacy, empathy, cultural awareness, diverse perspectives, social responsibility, and emotional intelligence through stories that explore complex themes, different viewpoints, and a reflection of real-world issues/scenarios, all while developing vocabulary and reading comprehension abilities. I put great emphasis on vocabulary because vocabulary builds fluency.\r\n\r\nWhen the students visit the library, they are excited to see what new books has arrived. After they preview then they will select the book that they are interested in. We infer what the book will be about, and we also do book talks. My students have a love for reading and they all enjoy reading the books and they will share what they thought about the reading. Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1728024610494,"projectUrl":"project/take-a-look-donates-books/8838788/","projectTitle":"Take a Look! Donates Books!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. H.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5111451_orig.jpg?crop=219,219,x0,y1&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726192044484","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5111451"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_16227","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":652,"numTeachers":70,"percentFrplEligible":93,"percentAsian":8,"percentBlack":10,"percentWhite":2,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":78,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"9.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":69.9,"schoolId":16227,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Youens Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Youens Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/alief-independent-school-district/youens-elementary-school/16227"}