{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Daniel Ramirez Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":44.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":3290042,"projectId":10102368,"letterContent":"Our Science Through Waves Project has made a meaningful impact in our Pre-K classroom, especially since nearly all of my students come from low-income households and have limited access to hands-on science experiences and technology outside of school. The addition of a microwave to our classroom has allowed us to bring simple but powerful science experiments to life in a safe and engaging way. While many donors use microwaves at home for cooking or reheating food, in our classroom it has become a valuable learning tool that helps students see and understand scientific concepts in real time.\r\n\r\nYoung children learn best through observation and hands-on experiences. With the microwave, I can demonstrate how heat changes materials and introduce basic science ideas such as melting, transformation, and cause-and-effect. For example, we melted chocolate and watched it change from a solid into a liquid. The students were fascinated as they saw the chocolate slowly soften and change shape. We talked about how heat caused the change and what might happen when the chocolate cooled again. In another activity, we made popcorn. The students were amazed by the popping sound and loved watching the kernels transform into fluffy popcorn. These simple activities sparked so many questions and conversations, which is exactly what science learning should do.\r\n\r\n\r\nWhat excites my students most about the microwave is the sense of discovery it brings. Every time we use it for an experiment, they gather around with curiosity and anticipation. They love predicting what will happen before we start and then watching closely to see if their predictions are correct. The moment when something changes—like butter melting or popcorn popping—always brings wide eyes, laughter, and excited reactions. For many of my students, this is their first time seeing science experiments happen in front of them, and it makes learning feel like an adventure.\r\n\r\nSeveral students in particular have really connected with these experiences. I have one student who is usually very quiet during group activities, but during our experiments he becomes much more engaged. He eagerly watches every step and often raises his hand to share what he thinks will happen next. Another student who sometimes struggles to stay focused becomes completely absorbed when we are doing science activities. The visual and sensory elements help capture her attention, and she loves explaining to her classmates what she notices during the experiment.\r\n\r\nFor students who may not always feel confident in other academic areas, these hands-on STEM activities give them an opportunity to shine. They can observe, predict, and participate in ways that build confidence and curiosity. The microwave may seem like a simple tool, but in our classroom it has opened the door to meaningful learning experiences that inspire exploration and wonder.\r\n\r\nThanks to this project, my students are discovering that science is all around them and that learning can be exciting, interactive, and fun. These early experiences help lay the foundation for a lifelong love of learning and discovery.","fullyFundedDate":1771890417072,"projectUrl":"project/science-through-waves/10102368/","projectTitle":"Science Through Waves","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Garza","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3290042_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1771383123333","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3290042"},{"teacherId":10071341,"projectId":10004916,"letterContent":"When my students first saw the snacks and celebration materials, their reactions were unforgettable. Many of my upper-grade special education students come to school carrying more than just backpacks — some arrive tired, dysregulated, or without having eaten at home. When they realized the snacks were for them, I saw relief on their faces. A few quietly asked, \"Is this for us?\" while others smiled in a way that told me they felt seen and cared for. For students who struggle with focus, emotional regulation, and energy levels, having something as simple as a snack made a powerful difference. It wasn't just food — it was comfort, stability, and a reminder that their classroom is a safe place where their needs matter. The celebration items brought excitement and pride. My students, who often work twice as hard to manage behaviors and learning challenges, felt recognized and valued for their effort.\r\nRight now, we are working on strengthening reading comprehension, math fluency, and independent work habits. Because many of my students need additional structure and repetition, we are setting small, achievable academic goals and celebrating progress along the way. The snacks help fuel their bodies so they can focus during small-group instruction and intervention lessons, especially in the afternoon when energy tends to drop. The celebrations reinforce that growth matters — not perfection. For my special education students, success isn't just academic; it's learning to persevere, regulate emotions, and believe they are capable. Thanks to this project, my students are not only learning — they are feeling supported, nourished, and motivated to keep going. 💙","fullyFundedDate":1769191976908,"projectUrl":"project/snack-celebrate-learn-fueling-upper-g/10004916/","projectTitle":"Snack, Celebrate, Learn: Fueling Upper-Grade Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10071341_orig.jpg?crop=768,768,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1767997915876","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10071341"},{"teacherId":10071341,"projectId":10004660,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous donation, my students and I are already using the new resources every day. The pencils, colored paper, highlighters, and erasers have helped my students participate confidently in lessons and activities. The sensory materials like Play-Doh and kinetic sand are also making a big impact by helping students stay calm, focused, and ready to learn. These supplies are truly supporting both academic growth and emotional well-being in our classroom.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, they were thrilled and grateful. Their excitement was contagious as they explored everything that arrived. Many students immediately reached for the sensory tools and couldn't stop smiling. One student asked, \"These are really for us?\" Moments like that showed how special and valued they felt knowing people cared about their success.\r\n\r\nWith these new resources, the next steps for my students are to continue growing and learning in meaningful ways. We are using the materials to strengthen reading, writing, and organizational skills while also supporting focus and self-regulation. Because of your kindness, my students now have the tools they need to feel confident, capable, and excited about learning each day.","fullyFundedDate":1769192018727,"projectUrl":"project/learning-through-the-lunar-new-year-han/10004660/","projectTitle":"Learning Through the Lunar New Year: Hands-On Supplies for Creativity","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10071341_orig.jpg?crop=768,768,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1767997915876","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10071341"},{"teacherId":10071341,"projectId":10004776,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and for funding this project. Because of your generosity, my students now have the tools they need to create, organize, and engage in personalized learning activities every day.\r\n\r\nSupplies like glue sticks, scissors, binders, and folders have helped students take ownership of their work and keep their learning materials organized. Literacy tools such as magnetic letters, letter puzzles, matching games, letter books, and LED writing boards have made learning hands-on, interactive, and fun.\r\n\r\nHere's what my students had to say:\r\n\t•\t\"I like making words with the letters.\"\r\n\t•\t\"This helps me practice writing.\"\r\n\t•\t\"Learning feels like a game now.\"\r\n\r\nThese materials are especially meaningful for my students who benefit from structured, multi-sensory instruction. Thank you for helping create a classroom where students feel confident, supported, and excited to learn.\r\n\r\nWith heartfelt thanks,\r\nJovanna Rodriguez\r\nSpecial Education Teacher","fullyFundedDate":1769192024744,"projectUrl":"project/building-strong-foundations-hands-on-li/10004776/","projectTitle":"Building Strong Foundations: Hands-On Literacy Tools for Special Education Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10071341_orig.jpg?crop=768,768,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1767997915876","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10071341"},{"teacherId":4683573,"projectId":9972200,"letterContent":"Students used the headphones during reading centers to follow along with digital stories, record themselves reading aloud, and reflect on their learning through writing and discussion. Having access to this resource created a calm, focused environment where every student could fully participate and feel successful.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping my students connect literacy with culture, confidence, and curiosity. Your support truly helped bring this learning experience to life, and my students are incredibly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1767241163660,"projectUrl":"project/celebrating-lunar-new-year-through-art-a/9972200/","projectTitle":"Celebrating Lunar New Year Through Art and Literacy","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Covarrubia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4683573_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1504388605275","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4683573"},{"teacherId":4683573,"projectId":9744075,"letterContent":"Thank you for making this possible. Your generosity provided our students with meaningful, engaging learning experiences and helped them see themselves as confident creators and problem-solvers. We are truly grateful for your support and the lasting impact it has made on our learners.These iPads made STEM learning accessible to more students, especially those who did not have consistent access to devices.\r\n\r\nThrough interactive tools such as Scratch Jr., robotics programs, and multimedia creation apps, students moved beyond passive learning and became active creators. They didn't just read about science and technology, they experimented, designed, coded, and explained their thinking. This project helped students see themselves as innovators and build confidence in skills they will continue to use throughout their academic journey and beyond.","fullyFundedDate":1761340751693,"projectUrl":"project/ipads-for-stem-exploration-and-learning/9744075/","projectTitle":"iPads for STEM Exploration and Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Covarrubia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4683573_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1504388605275","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4683573"},{"teacherId":4683573,"projectId":9744164,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our library and our young innovators. My students are curious, creative problem solvers who light up when they get to explore STEM through hands-on learning. Because of your generosity, they now have tools that encourage experimentation, creativity, and confidence.\r\n\r\nUsing LCD writing pads in our library STEM station and maker challenges, students freely test ideas, design solutions, and collaborate with peers. The ability to instantly erase and start fresh encourages trial and error, persistence, and risk-taking without fear of making mistakes. This is especially meaningful for my bilingual learners, who gain confidence sharing their thinking visually while developing problem-solving skills.\r\n\r\nThese tools have transformed our library into a space where students feel empowered to explore, build, and learn from their ideas. Thank you for helping create an environment where every student feels capable, confident, and excited to think like an engineer.","fullyFundedDate":1762265218183,"projectUrl":"project/ideas-that-glow/9744164/","projectTitle":"Ideas That Glow","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Covarrubia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4683573_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1504388605275","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4683573"},{"teacherId":4683573,"projectId":9885563,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our classroom! Because of your generosity, our students now have iPads that are transforming the way they learn and explore STEM.\r\n\r\nStudents are coding interactive stories, designing digital projects, and recording videos to explain their science experiments. They collaborate with classmates, document their learning from start to finish, and create digital portfolios that showcase their growth. The iPads also support reading and math by helping students write reflections and visualize ideas.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, these iPads have boosted student confidence and curiosity. Our students are thinking critically, working together, and discovering that they are capable creators and problem-solvers. Thank you for making these powerful learning experiences possible.","fullyFundedDate":1764737035074,"projectUrl":"project/ipads-for-innovators/9885563/","projectTitle":"iPads for Innovators","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Covarrubia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4683573_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1504388605275","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4683573"},{"teacherId":9817386,"projectId":9050951,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support! The supplies you helped provide have made a huge difference in our classroom. From the moment the materials arrived, my students were excited and eager to learn.\r\n\r\nThe erasable pens, pencils, and sticky notes have become everyday essentials, helping students stay focused and organized. We recently used the dry-erase markers and glue sticks for a group reading project, and the students loved sharing their ideas and creating posters together.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, your support helped us build a clean, safe, and well-equipped learning space where students can thrive. Thank you for investing in their success!","fullyFundedDate":1740693682553,"projectUrl":"project/helping-students-thrive-with-classroom-b/9050951/","projectTitle":"Helping Students Thrive with Classroom Basics","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Garcia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/carlosgarcia-ramirezelem"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_11512","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":480,"numTeachers":33,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":99,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"14.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":55.6,"schoolId":11512,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Daniel Ramirez Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Daniel Ramirez Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/pharr-san-juan-alamo-independent-school-district/ramirez-elementary-school/11512"}