{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Ricardo Salinas Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":30.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6028512,"projectId":9470132,"letterContent":"What Your Gift Made Possible\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our classroom feels more alive with curiosity, collaboration, and creativity. The new resources you provided have given my students the tools to dive deeper into their learning and connect what we study to the real world.\r\n\r\nHow We're Using the New Resources\r\nWe recently launched a project called Voices That Matter, where students research people who have made a positive impact in their communities and then create multimedia presentations to share their stories. With the new materials, students are able to research, plan, and design their projects more independently. They use the resources to find reliable information, create visuals, and write scripts that bring their subjects to life. The classroom buzzes with energy as small groups gather around, discussing quotes, practicing presentations, and encouraging each other's ideas.\r\n\r\nTheir First Reaction\r\nWhen the boxes arrived, the excitement was instant. You could hear the chorus of \"Whoa!\" and \"Can we open them now?\" across the room. Students crowded around as we unpacked everything together, and several volunteered to help set up and organize the new materials. It felt like a celebration—a moment that reminded all of us that learning can be something to look forward to, not just something to get through.\r\n\r\nWhat's Next\r\nNow that students have mastered the basics of using the new tools, we're moving into the next phase of the project: creating their own original presentations to teach younger grades about leadership, kindness, and courage. The goal is to take what they've learned and pay it forward. Watching them brainstorm ideas and take ownership of their work has been powerful. You can see their pride when they realize, \"I'm the teacher now.\"\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, these moments are possible. You didn't just fund classroom materials—you gave my students the opportunity to see themselves as capable, creative, and connected learners. Thank you for believing in them.","fullyFundedDate":1755687331185,"projectUrl":"project/indoor-recess/9470132/","projectTitle":"Indoor Recess","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Matthew Short","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6028512_orig.png?crop=1024,1024,x0,y102&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752657403745","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6028512"},{"teacherId":6028512,"projectId":9469998,"letterContent":"What Your Gift Made Possible\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, our classroom has become more interactive, engaging, and student-centered than ever before. The new technology you helped fund has transformed how my students learn, collaborate, and create.\r\n\r\nHow Technology Is Helping Students Learn\r\nIn our classroom, technology is not just a tool—it's a bridge. Students use the new devices to conduct research, collaborate on writing projects, create digital presentations, and explore lessons through interactive platforms. It allows for immediate feedback and personalized learning, helping every student grow at their own pace. Whether they're reviewing math concepts, analyzing a story, or building a multimedia project, the technology gives them opportunities to think critically, problem-solve, and express ideas in creative ways.\r\n\r\nWhat Excites Students Most\r\nWhat excites students the most is the ownership they now feel over their learning. They love being able to use interactive apps and digital tools to demonstrate understanding in ways that feel authentic to them—through slideshows, digital posters, and even short videos. You can see their faces light up when they present their work on the screen or share a project they designed with classmates. It has turned lessons into shared experiences rather than one-way instruction.\r\n\r\nStudents Who Have Especially Benefited\r\nOne student, Tyler, who used to hesitate to participate in discussions, now takes the lead when we use technology. He loves showing others how to navigate apps, format slides, and troubleshoot problems. Another student, Serenity, who struggles with reading fluency, has been using the text-to-speech feature to follow along with stories, and her confidence has noticeably improved. For many students, these tools have opened doors to learning that paper and pencil alone could not.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, our classroom feels more alive with curiosity and creativity. You didn't just fund technology—you gave students access to new ways of learning, connecting, and believing in their own potential.","fullyFundedDate":1755687331509,"projectUrl":"project/we-ready-for-2025-26/9469998/","projectTitle":"We Ready for 2025-26","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Matthew Short","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6028512_orig.png?crop=1024,1024,x0,y102&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752657403745","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6028512"},{"teacherId":6028512,"projectId":9489239,"letterContent":"What Your Gift Made Possible\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, reading in our classroom has transformed from a task into a shared experience that students truly look forward to. The new books you helped provide have opened doors for my students—doors to imagination, empathy, and deeper thinking.\r\n\r\nSkills and Lessons Introduced\r\nThese new texts are more than stories; they are springboards for critical conversations. Students are learning how to analyze characters' motivations, identify themes that connect to their own lives, and discuss how authors use language to create mood and tone. We've practiced making inferences, citing evidence, and engaging in respectful debate about characters' choices. Most importantly, students are learning that reading is not about getting the \"right\" answer—it's about asking meaningful questions.\r\n\r\nWhat Reading Looks Like Now\r\nOur classroom has become a small community of readers. Mornings often begin with students scattered across the room—some curled up on the carpet, others leaning against bookshelves or sitting in pairs, whispering about what might happen next in their story. You can hear the soft rustle of pages and the occasional gasp when a plot twist lands. During discussion circles, students reference lines they underlined, compare character arcs, and even recommend books to each other with the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for video games.\r\n\r\nStudents Who Are Especially Impacted\r\nOne of my students, Tyler, used to groan whenever it was time for independent reading. Now he rushes to grab his copy of The Crossover before the bell rings. He told me last week, \"This book feels like me.\" That connection—seeing yourself in words on a page—is exactly what great literature does. Another student, Serenity, has started bringing her book to lunch because she \"just can't stop thinking about it.\" Several others are keeping reading journals for the first time, jotting down thoughts, quotes, and predictions on their own.\r\n\r\nThanks to you, these moments are happening every day. The books you helped put in our hands are not only building literacy skills—they are building identity, curiosity, and confidence. You didn't just fund a project; you helped a classroom full of kids fall in love with reading.","fullyFundedDate":1753824954215,"projectUrl":"project/increasing-literature/9489239/","projectTitle":"Increasing Literature","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Matthew Short","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6028512_orig.png?crop=1024,1024,x0,y102&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752657403745","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6028512"},{"teacherId":9220486,"projectId":8862727,"letterContent":"The visuals of the resources have been great for meeting the needs of students who prefer visuals. The students have been able to see the time they have when using the large visual timers.\r\n\r\nStudents have also enjoyed the behavior buckets and the opportunity to have a hands-on experience.\r\n\r\nThe Hot Dots Feelings & Friendships have also been a great tool for students to work individually on their feelings. They are able to use their critical thinking and connect the dots regarding how their own feelings reflect the visuals.","fullyFundedDate":1731528726894,"projectUrl":"project/social-and-emotional-well-being/8862727/","projectTitle":"Social and Emotional Well-Being","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Buchanan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9220486_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1695161779648","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/schoolsocialworker"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_34070","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":699,"numTeachers":44,"percentFrplEligible":68,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":20,"percentWhite":18,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":53,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"15.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":69.2,"schoolId":34070,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Ricardo Salinas Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Ricardo Salinas Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/judson-independent-school-district/ricardo-salinas-elementary-school/34070"}