{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Bennie Cole Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":28.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":1688659,"projectId":9632663,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support in funding the ChompSaw for our elementary STEM lab. Your contribution has made a remarkable difference in our students' learning and the experiences we can provide. What may seem like a single tool becomes, in the hands of our students, a doorway to creativity, engineering, and problem-solving—experiences that go far beyond textbooks or digital simulations. Thanks to your generosity, our students can now design, build, prototype, and test their ideas in authentic ways. The ChompSaw has quickly become a highlight of our makerspace: students approach it with curiosity and confidence, learning to use it safely while gaining real-world skills. Your gift has fostered deeper inquiry, collaborative project-based learning, and independence, empowering even our youngest learners to think and act like engineers.","fullyFundedDate":1757681619138,"projectUrl":"project/design-build-imagine-the-power-of-cho/9632663/","projectTitle":"Design. Build. Imagine. The Power of ChompSaw! Part 2","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Zamora","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1688659_orig.png?crop=351,351,x16,y84&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1609620354022","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-zamora"},{"teacherId":1688659,"projectId":9632249,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your extraordinary generosity in funding a ChompSaw for our elementary STEM lab! Your support has sparked a genuine wave of excitement and possibility across our entire campus, and we are already seeing how this single piece of equipment is opening doors for students in ways that feel both transformative and deeply meaningful. In an age where hands-on learning is essential for building confidence, curiosity, and critical thinking, your donation has given our students access to a powerful tool that empowers them to design, build, experiment, and create with real purpose. The ChompSaw is allowing our learners—from our tiniest kindergarten engineers all the way through our confident and ever-curious fifth graders—to bring their ideas to life safely and independently. They are discovering that they can measure, cut, construct, and solve problems like true makers, and they are rising to that challenge with pride, creativity, and an enthusiasm that fills the entire room. The moment our students learned it was fully funded, the energy was electric; they immediately began dreaming up projects, imagining the inventions they could build, and mapping out ways to use it across robotics, engineering challenges, and real-world design tasks. Your gift has done more than simply place a tool in our lab—you've ignited imagination, boosted STEM identity, and shown our students that their ideas and futures are worth investing in. Families, too, are already noticing the shift as their children come home talking excitedly about the structures they're planning, the prototypes they want to test, and the collaborative problem-solving happening in the lab. Teachers across the building are thrilled as well, because the ChompSaw expands what's possible across grade levels and aligns beautifully with our vision for hands-on, student-driven learning. This donation also strengthens our commitment to ensuring that all students—including those who might not always see themselves as \"STEM kids\"—have access to the types of tools and experiences that build real-world skills and open career pathways. Your generosity is making our STEM space more equitable, more dynamic, and more inspiring than ever. On behalf of our students, our staff, and our entire school community, thank you for believing in the power of early STEM education and for investing so generously in the next generation of creators, tinkerers, builders, and problem-solvers. We are deeply grateful for your support, and we cannot wait to share the incredible learning, joy, and innovation that will grow from this gift for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1755910511386,"projectUrl":"project/design-build-imagine-the-power-of-cho/9632249/","projectTitle":"Design. Build. Imagine. The Power of ChompSaw","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Zamora","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1688659_orig.png?crop=351,351,x16,y84&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1609620354022","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-zamora"},{"teacherId":10182344,"projectId":9611701,"letterContent":"We are writing to express our heartfelt gratitude for fulfilling our project request for the new supplies. The bilingual red and blue pencils and markers, along with the organization cart and accessories, have already made a big difference in our classroom.\r\n\r\nThese tools are helpful and have significantly enhanced our students' engagement and overall academic growth, especially in supporting our dual-language learning.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your support and for investing in our students' success..","fullyFundedDate":1756836472131,"projectUrl":"project/dual-language-color/9611701/","projectTitle":"Dual Language Color","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Ramos","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10182344"},{"teacherId":10171126,"projectId":9579395,"letterContent":"\nOur Emergent Bilingual (EB) students are making the most of the donated headphones. With individual headphones now available, students engage more confidently in listening centers, digital language lessons, and pronunciation practice without background noise or interruptions. They use interactive language apps to build vocabulary and grammar skills, follow along with leveled audiobooks to improve fluency, and record themselves speaking for teacher feedback. Small-group rotations incorporate audio-based activities where students listen to model conversations, repeat phrases, and practice comprehension tasks at their own pace, increasing engagement and allowing teachers to differentiate instruction more effectively.\nWe are deeply grateful to the donors whose generosity made these headphones possible.","fullyFundedDate":1755733349250,"projectUrl":"project/emergent-bilingual-explorers-charting-o/9579395/","projectTitle":"Emergent Bilingual Explorers: Charting Our Course to English Language Development","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Guerrero","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10171126"},{"teacherId":4667972,"projectId":9632608,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my students were thrilled to receive another ChompSaw cardboard cutting tool! They couldn't wait to get creative and put it to use. With two tools now available, more students can safely design, cut, and build together—transforming our classroom into a true makerspace full of energy and collaboration.\r\n\r\nStudents recently studied structures created by animals and used the ChompSaw to build models of bird nests, termite mounds, and beaver lodges. They applied what they learned about how structure and function work together in nature to design sturdy, purposeful creations. Your support helped them think like engineers, problem-solve, and bring their ideas to life. Thank you for empowering our young creators to learn through innovation and hands-on exploration!","fullyFundedDate":1757529296409,"projectUrl":"project/cardboard-constructors-creativity-in-mo/9632608/","projectTitle":"Cardboard Constructors: Creativity in Motion! Part 2","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Abing","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4667972_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1503116464995","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-abing"},{"teacherId":4667972,"projectId":9632253,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating to our \"Cardboard Constructors: Creativity in Motion!\" project! My students were thrilled when our new ChompSaw tools arrived and couldn't wait to start creating.\r\n\r\nWe recently used the tools to design and build animals that showcased our learning about endoskeletons and exoskeletons. Students explored how structure and function connect in living things and applied that knowledge to construct their own animal structures.\r\n\r\nYour donation has truly empowered my students to think like engineers and bring their ideas to life. Thank you for helping make creativity, curiosity, and hands-on learning possible in our GT classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1755910414067,"projectUrl":"project/cardboard-constructors-creativity-in-mo/9632253/","projectTitle":"Cardboard Constructors: Creativity in Motion!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Abing","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4667972_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1503116464995","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-abing"},{"teacherId":4667972,"projectId":9706526,"letterContent":"Our students were captivated by the addition of the two live ant farms and ant books you helped fund for our \"STEM in the Wild: Discovering Nature's Builders\" project. Watching the ants dig intricate tunnels and create chambers beneath the surface brought our unit on \"Structures\" to life in a way that no picture or video ever could. Students were fascinated to see teamwork in action as each ant played a role in building, carrying, and maintaining their underground home.\r\n\r\nThe accompanying books deepened their understanding by connecting what they observed in real time to the science behind animal structures. Students compared the ants' colonies to beaver dams, bird nests, and termite mounds—analyzing patterns, purposes, and materials. These hands-on experiences sparked meaningful discussions about how nature inspires human engineering and design.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, our learners became true scientists and engineers—observing, questioning, documenting, and connecting ideas across disciplines. Your support transformed curiosity into discovery, and our classroom into a living laboratory of exploration. Thank you for helping our young explorers experience the wonder of nature's builders firsthand!","fullyFundedDate":1758648804624,"projectUrl":"project/stem-in-the-wild-discovering-natures-b/9706526/","projectTitle":"STEM in the Wild: Discovering Nature’s Builders","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Abing","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4667972_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1503116464995","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-abing"},{"teacherId":312185,"projectId":9561096,"letterContent":"Teachers are experts at adapting their ideas to what is needed. That is exactly what happened when the idea for a Chromebook charging cart did not work. So a new idea was born. Instead of trying to add the Chromebooks to the cart, it because a reading and math intervention cart. The students who come to the teacher table can now have all their needed supplies in one area. This helps the students with time, so they do not have to look for specific folders in their desk. It helps the teacher out because everything is organized in one area when intervention groups are being held! \r\n\r\nThe binders have been a great help in making sure the students have all their supplies in one area. They are able to have their number tiles on hand when they are working on math.","fullyFundedDate":1755686983245,"projectUrl":"project/learning-and-growing/9561096/","projectTitle":"Learning and Growing","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sanchez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp312185_orig.jpg?crop=1200,1200,x0,y52&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1659792429209","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/issanchez"},{"teacherId":312185,"projectId":9659670,"letterContent":"WOW! The students were so excited for the STEM challenge made possible by most of the materials donated with this project. They had to build a habitat that resembled those from early American Indians. We then tested out those designs by simulating natural elements like rain and wind. The students had a blast testing out their designs and learning how to improve them. \r\nThe sort and grow window was a huge help in showing the students how roots and stem structures help a plant. They were also able to plant their own bean and pea seed to see its growth. \r\nThank you for making our Science/SS curriculum engaging!","fullyFundedDate":1758035187656,"projectUrl":"project/science-fun/9659670/","projectTitle":"Science Fun","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sanchez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp312185_orig.jpg?crop=1200,1200,x0,y52&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1659792429209","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/issanchez"},{"teacherId":312185,"projectId":9525555,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support with this project. The stools have been a great addition to our reading group table. Students do not have to move chairs around when they move to read at the table. I also love how they are easily stackable, so students can easily pick up at the end of the day. The magnetic pocket folders have been amigo help in keeping work organized and available. Students can easily go to the folder they need and get the work required. This is also helpful when a student is absent. They know precisely where to go to get any missing work. Having them magnetic of the board gives the students an easy view of what is in the pocket and what they need to get. The reading books have helped my students increase their reading comprehension and fluency. Thank you.","fullyFundedDate":1758806342849,"projectUrl":"project/flexible-seating-while-reading/9525555/","projectTitle":"Flexible Seating While Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sanchez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp312185_orig.jpg?crop=1200,1200,x0,y52&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1659792429209","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/issanchez"},{"teacherId":312185,"projectId":9387178,"letterContent":"Thank you for your support! The literacy centers which consists of the rug and bean bags, has been a huge hit! Students are able to go while they read independently, work on assignments, or have a soft start in the morning. They love this area. The stools have helped when students need to go to a small group. This helps with not wasting a lot of time moving chars as well, since they already have stools waiting for them. \r\nThe mental health posters have also helped students motivated to try their best and make sure they have a calming area when needed. \r\n\r\nThank you once again.","fullyFundedDate":1754139585486,"projectUrl":"project/literacy-corner/9387178/","projectTitle":"Literacy Corner","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sanchez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp312185_orig.jpg?crop=1200,1200,x0,y52&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1659792429209","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/issanchez"},{"teacherId":312185,"projectId":9510721,"letterContent":"thank you so much for the wiggle seats and tennis balls. The students are able to move around the room without making so much noise. They are able to sit on the floor but on a soft seat. The headphones have also been a huge addition to our classroom. We are using a new online program that requires microphones, and these headphones are perfect for the job. \r\nThe playing cards have also helped us with our place value charts and multiplication facts. The zipper binder has made it easier to transfer students information to meetings, while keeping it confidential and secure as well.","fullyFundedDate":1754875410951,"projectUrl":"project/flexible-seating-and-headphones/9510721/","projectTitle":"Flexible Seating and Headphones","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sanchez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp312185_orig.jpg?crop=1200,1200,x0,y52&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1659792429209","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/issanchez"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_109362","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1182,"numTeachers":52,"percentFrplEligible":33,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":8,"percentWhite":16,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":66,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"22.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":72.0,"schoolId":109362,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Bennie Cole Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Bennie Cole Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/northside-independent-school-district/bennie-l-cole-elementary-opening-fall-2016-/109362"}