{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Wanda Meshack Smith Head Start Center","outOfStateSupporters":45.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9182141,"projectId":10180163,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and helping bring our calm down corner to life. Because of your generosity, my students now have a safe and comforting space where they can regulate their emotions and refocus when they feel overwhelmed. We've been using the Breathing Pal PLUS, Kyle the Koala, and the sensory fidget tools during our daily routines, especially during transitions and moments when emotions run high. One moment that truly stood out was when one of my students, who often struggles to self-regulate, independently chose to sit in the calm corner, hugged Kyle the Koala, and used the breathing pal to calm down. Watching him successfully soothe himself and return to learning was such a powerful and emotional moment for me as a teacher.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, they were beyond excited. Their faces lit up with curiosity and joy, especially when exploring the sensory fidget tubes and the solar system pop fidget. They immediately engaged with the tools in such a positive way, and it created a sense of comfort and ownership in our classroom environment. Reading It's Okay To Not Be Okay together also opened up meaningful conversations about feelings, helping my students understand that it's okay to express emotions and ask for help.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, we will continue incorporating these resources into our social-emotional learning activities. We are currently working on identifying emotions and practicing calming strategies, and these tools are making a huge difference in helping students apply what they are learning in real time. My goal is to continue building a classroom where every student feels safe, supported, and ready to learn—and thanks to you, we are well on our way.","fullyFundedDate":1776649249356,"projectUrl":"project/fidgets-feelings-and-focus/10180163/","projectTitle":"Fidgets, Feelings, and Focus","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. A. Williams","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9182141_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1691906291619","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9182141"},{"teacherId":5050441,"projectId":10061595,"letterContent":"We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our generous donors for providing a printer for our classroom. Your thoughtful gift has made a meaningful difference in our daily routines and has greatly enhanced the way we teach, organize, and support our preschool children.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, we are now able to create clear, colorful labels that help keep our classroom organized and easy for children to navigate. From labeling cubbies and supply bins to identifying learning centers, the printer has allowed us to build an environment where children can develop independence and confidence. They are better able to find, use, and return materials on their own, which supports important early life skills.","fullyFundedDate":1774963788229,"projectUrl":"project/printing-our-dreams-a-colorful-learning/10061595/","projectTitle":"Printing Our Dreams: A Colorful Learning Project!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Green","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5050441_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1523223230580","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-jjgreen"},{"teacherId":5050441,"projectId":10061527,"letterContent":"We would like to extend our sincere and heartfelt thanks to all of our generous donors for providing a virtual reality set for our preschool children. Your thoughtful contribution has opened the door to a whole new world of learning, exploration, and imagination for the young minds in our care.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, our children now have access to innovative technology that enhances their educational experience in exciting and meaningful ways. The virtual reality set allows them to explore places they may never otherwise see—from oceans and forests to outer space—all while remaining in a safe and guided environment. These immersive experiences spark curiosity, encourage questions, and inspire a love of learning that is truly priceless.","fullyFundedDate":1774963731063,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-the-world-to-our-classroom-thro/10061527/","projectTitle":"Bringing the World to Our Classroom Through Virtual Reality","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Green","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5050441_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1523223230580","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-jjgreen"},{"teacherId":5050441,"projectId":9944637,"letterContent":"We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every donor who generously contributed to providing a workout bench, weights, and outdoor toys such as scooters and jump ropes for our preschool children. Your kindness and support have made a meaningful and lasting impact on the daily lives of the children in our care.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, our preschoolers now have access to equipment and play items that promote not only physical activity, but also confidence, coordination, and overall well-being. The workout bench and weights—carefully and appropriately incorporated into supervised activities—help introduce young children to the importance of movement, strength, and healthy habits in a safe and engaging way. These tools allow us to create fun, structured opportunities that encourage children to explore their abilities and build foundational skills.","fullyFundedDate":1774963804315,"projectUrl":"project/building-strong-bodies-and-healthy-habit/9944637/","projectTitle":"Building Strong Bodies and Healthy Habits in Preschool","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Green","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5050441_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1523223230580","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-jjgreen"},{"teacherId":8418925,"projectId":10073907,"letterContent":"I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks for your generous donation of Lysol cans, Lysol wipes, dry erase markers, computer wipes, and an electronic pencil sharpener. Your thoughtful contributions play an important role in helping us maintain a clean, safe, and well-equipped classroom environment.\r\n\r\nWith these supplies, we are better able to sanitize surfaces, reduce the spread of germs, and ensure that students can focus on learning in a space that is clean and cared for. The dry erase markers support our daily instruction, and the electronic pencil sharpener is a wonderful addition that helps keep our classroom running smoothly and efficiently.\r\n\r\nYour support makes a meaningful difference, and we are truly grateful for your kindness and commitment to our students' well-being.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1774963799915,"projectUrl":"project/back-to-basics-supporting-our-classroom/10073907/","projectTitle":"Back-to-Basics: Supporting Our Classroom Needs","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8418925"},{"teacherId":7325816,"projectId":9941430,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation of caps, gloves, and scarves for our students. Your kindness and support mean so much to our classroom and the families we serve.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, our kiddos are better prepared to stay warm and comfortable during the colder days. Many of our students face challenges outside of school, and your thoughtful contribution helps remove one more barrier so they can focus on learning and simply being kids.\r\n\r\nIf you'd like, I can personalize it further with your school name, grade level, or a more casual tone.","fullyFundedDate":1764728209992,"projectUrl":"project/warm-hearts-for-warm-kids/9941430/","projectTitle":"Warm Hearts for Warm Kids","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Session","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7325816"},{"teacherId":7325816,"projectId":9901443,"letterContent":"Dear DonorsChoose Supporter,\r\n\r\nI am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation of an iPad to our classroom. Your support has made a meaningful difference in our students' learning experience.\r\n\r\nWith this new technology, our students now have greater access to interactive lessons, educational apps, and creative tools that enhance their understanding and engagement. The iPad allows us to bring learning to life in ways that were not previously possible, helping students build important skills for the future.","fullyFundedDate":1769177272685,"projectUrl":"project/tech-for-preschool/9901443/","projectTitle":"Tech for Preschool!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Session","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7325816"},{"teacherId":5050441,"projectId":10027026,"letterContent":"We would like to extend our sincere gratitude for your generous support in providing an all-in-one CD player for our preschool classroom. Your donation is truly appreciated and will have a lasting impact on the learning and development of our young students.\r\n\r\nWith your contribution, we are now able to enhance our literacy program in meaningful and engaging ways. The CD player has become a valuable resource in our classroom, allowing children to listen to recorded stories while following along in books. This experience helps foster a love for reading at an early age, which is essential for long-term academic success. By hearing stories read aloud with proper expression and tone, children are developing important language skills, including vocabulary, pronunciation, and comprehension.\r\n\r\nThank you once again for your thoughtful contribution and for investing in the future of our preschoolers. Your support truly makes a difference, and we are incredibly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1769185242145,"projectUrl":"project/building-early-readers-through-listening/10027026/","projectTitle":"Building Early Readers Through Listening and Learning!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Green","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5050441_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1523223230580","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-jjgreen"},{"teacherId":5050441,"projectId":9937134,"letterContent":"We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation of headphones to our preschool classroom. Your support has made a meaningful difference in the daily learning experiences of our young students, and we are truly appreciative of your kindness and commitment to early childhood education.\r\n\r\nWith the addition of these headphones, our classroom environment has become more engaging, focused, and inclusive for all learners. At the preschool level, children are developing critical listening and language skills, and having access to individual headphones allows them to fully immerse themselves in educational activities without unnecessary distractions. Whether they are listening to interactive stories, phonics programs, calming music, or instructional videos, the headphones help each child stay attentive and better understand the material being presented.\r\n\r\nYour donation also supports differentiated learning, which is essential in early childhood education. Every child learns at their own pace, and these headphones allow teachers to provide individualized instruction and support. Some children benefit from repeated listening, while others need a quieter space to concentrate. With your contribution, we are able to meet these diverse needs more effectively and ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed.\r\n\r\nIn addition, the headphones help foster independence and responsibility among our students. They are learning how to properly use and care for classroom materials, follow directions, and respect shared resources. These are important life skills that will benefit them far beyond the classroom.\r\n\r\nWe have also noticed that the use of headphones contributes positively to classroom management and overall noise levels. By reducing background noise, children are able to stay calm, focused, and engaged in their tasks. This creates a more productive and enjoyable learning environment for everyone.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, your generosity shows our students that there are people who care about their education and well-being. Even at a young age, they are beginning to understand the value of kindness and community support. Your donation is not just providing a resource—it is making a lasting impact on their growth, confidence, and love for learning.\r\n\r\nThank you once again for your thoughtful contribution. We are truly grateful for your support and for helping us create meaningful, high-quality learning experiences for our preschoolers.\r\n\r\nWith sincere appreciation,\r\n[Your Preschool Name]","fullyFundedDate":1769574197671,"projectUrl":"project/helping-students-learn-independently-he/9937134/","projectTitle":"Helping Students Learn Independently: Headphones Needed","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Green","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5050441_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1523223230580","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-jjgreen"},{"teacherId":8418925,"projectId":9925677,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generosity and for supporting our classroom through your donations. Your kindness has made a meaningful difference in our students' learning experiences.\r\n\r\nOur children have been especially excited to explore the new hands-on learning materials you helped provide. The Comparing Sizes Activity Box has quickly become a favorite. Students love sorting and matching the pieces while learning important math concepts like bigger, smaller, taller, and shorter. Watching them collaborate, talk through their thinking, and celebrate when they figure it out has been wonderful.\r\n\r\nThe Finding Letters Activity has brought so much energy to our literacy time. The children enjoy searching for letters and identifying them, almost like a treasure hunt. It keeps them engaged while strengthening their letter recognition and early reading skills.\r\n\r\nThe Double-Sided Magnetic Letter Tiles have also been a huge hit. Students love building words on the magnetic surface and experimenting with different letter combinations. The double-sided feature makes it easy for them to explore uppercase and lowercase letters while practicing spelling and phonics.\r\n\r\nAnother classroom favorite is the Magnetic Alphabet Maze. The children are fascinated by guiding the magnetic wand through the maze to match letters. It feels like a game to them, but at the same time they are building letter recognition, focus, and fine motor skills.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, our students are learning through play, discovery, and hands-on exploration every day. These materials are helping build a strong foundation in both math and literacy while keeping our young learners excited about school.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students and investing in their future. Your support truly makes a difference in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1769179488848,"projectUrl":"project/from-words-to-confidence-language-activ/9925677/","projectTitle":"From Words to Confidence: Language Activities for Early Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8418925"},{"teacherId":5050441,"projectId":9894792,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of a cutting machine for our preschool classroom. This wonderful resource has already made a meaningful impact on our students and teachers.\r\n\r\nThe cutting machine allows us to create high-quality learning materials, visual supports, games, and hands-on activities tailored specifically to our children's needs. From alphabet activities and shape practice to name cards and fine motor centers, the materials we can now prepare help make learning engaging, accessible, and fun for every child.\r\n\r\nFor our preschoolers, hands-on learning is essential. The items created with this machine support fine motor development, creativity, and early academic skills while encouraging curiosity and confidence. Teachers are also able to save valuable preparation time, allowing them to focus more on instruction and meaningful interactions with students.","fullyFundedDate":1764794658858,"projectUrl":"project/cutting-into-creativity-helping-prescho/9894792/","projectTitle":"Cutting Into Creativity: Helping Preschoolers Learn Through STEM and Design","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Green","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5050441_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1523223230580","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-jjgreen"},{"teacherId":5050441,"projectId":9802660,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of hats, gloves, and socks for our preschool students. Your kindness has made a meaningful difference in the lives of our children and their families, and we are deeply grateful for your thoughtfulness and support. For young children, staying warm is not just about comfort it directly impacts their ability to learn, play, and fully participate in their school day. \r\n\r\nThe hats, gloves, and socks you provided are used daily, especially during the colder months. Teachers help children practice independence by learning how to put on and take off their own winter clothing, turning these moments into valuable life-skills lessons. Your donation supports not only warmth, but also confidence, responsibility, and self-care as our preschoolers proudly manage their own belongings.\r\n\r\nMany of our families face challenges, and having access to basic necessities like warm clothing can relieve a significant burden. Your generosity ensures that every child feels included and cared for, regardless of their circumstances. When children know they are supported, they are better able to focus, engage with peers, and feel secure in their learning environment.\r\n\r\nWe have also seen the emotional impact of your gift. Children light up when they receive something just for them. Wearing their hats and gloves helps them feel special, valued, and prepared for the day. These small but essential items create a sense of belonging and help build a positive connection between home, school, and the community.\r\n\r\nYour support reflects a deep commitment to the well-being of our youngest learners. It sends a powerful message that our preschool students matter and that their comfort and success are important. Because of you, our classrooms are warmer in more ways than one.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your generosity, compassion, and investment in our children's futures. We truly appreciate your support and are thankful to have caring donors like you as part of our preschool community.","fullyFundedDate":1764801873419,"projectUrl":"project/warm-hearts-warm-hands-caring-for-our/9802660/","projectTitle":"Warm Hearts, Warm Hands: Caring for Our Students!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Green","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5050441_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1523223230580","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-jjgreen"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_113040","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":null,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":78,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":77,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":16,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"US Census Data for the surrounding geographic area","gradesServed":"Not specified","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"Census ZCTA","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":null},"inStateSupporters":55.0,"schoolId":113040,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Wanda Meshack Smith Head Start Center on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Wanda Meshack Smith Head Start Center","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/office-of-head-start/wanda-meshack-smith-head-start-center/113040"}