{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Perrin Early Childhood Center","outOfStateSupporters":28.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2051853,"projectId":10503641,"letterContent":"Thank you for making our Hands-On Sensory Learning for Growing Minds project possible! When my students first saw the new materials, their eyes grew big and I immediately heard, \"I want to play with those!\" They were so eager to explore everything. The rainbow rice and Pluffle sensory fillers quickly became classroom favorites. Students loved filling cups, scooping, pouring, and using tweezers to move the materials from one container to another. These simple activities provided so many opportunities for sensory exploration while also strengthening fine-motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and early math concepts. Before receiving these materials, I often relied on the same sand and playdough because those were the resources I had available. Having new, exciting materials has made our sensory experiences much more captivating, and my students now look forward to seeing what will be waiting for them in our sensory bins and trays.\r\n\r\nThe new resources have also allowed us to make our sensory learning more purposeful and connected to our classroom lessons. We have been incorporating different themes into our sensory bins, including treasure hunts, dinosaurs, and color exploration. Students can dig, search, sort, scoop, and discover while naturally using math vocabulary such as **more, less, full, empty, and capacity**. The A Little SPOT of Emotion plush toys have also given us another hands-on way to talk about feelings and emotions, while the animal figures and fidget toys provide opportunities for imaginative play, storytelling, and sensory regulation.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, our sensory activities are no longer simply something to keep little hands busy—they have become meaningful learning experiences filled with curiosity, creativity, conversation, and discovery. My students are learning through play, and they are excited to come to the sensory table and see what adventure awaits them. Thank you for helping us create a classroom where growing minds can explore, wonder, and learn with their hands!","fullyFundedDate":1787162331468,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-sensory-learning-for-growing-mi/10503641/","projectTitle":"Hands-On Sensory Learning for Growing Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Woody","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2051853_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1483392526218","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-woody"},{"teacherId":2051853,"projectId":10242565,"letterContent":"Our new fans have already made a wonderful difference in our PE gym! Our preschool students are able to enjoy movement, games, and active play in a much more comfortable environment when the gym gets warm. When the students first saw the fans, they were so excited to feel the cool air and watch their hair blow in the breeze. Their smiles and laughter made it clear how much they appreciated this simple but meaningful addition to our PE time. Instead of focusing on how hot they were, they could focus on having fun, moving their bodies, and participating in activities with their friends.\r\n\r\nWe are also excited to use the fans as part of our future learning experiences. We plan to turn this everyday classroom resource into a fun science exploration by talking with students about air, wind, and how we can see the effects of moving air even though we can't see the air itself. We may even connect the fans to one of our favorite stories, *The Three Little Pigs*, and let the students pretend to be the Big Bad Wolf huffing and puffing! Experiences like these allow our preschoolers to learn through play, exploration, movement, and lots of laughter.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping make our PE time cooler, more comfortable, and more enjoyable! Your generosity has provided our little learners with a resource that not only helps keep them cool but also gives us another opportunity to turn an everyday experience into meaningful learning.","fullyFundedDate":1778227170225,"projectUrl":"project/its-getting-hot-in-here/10242565/","projectTitle":"It's Getting Hot in Here!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Woody","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2051853_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1483392526218","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-woody"},{"teacherId":10056521,"projectId":10347616,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my \"Little Hands, Big Masterpieces\" project! Your generosity has brought so much excitement, creativity, and joy into our Pre-K classroom. Because of you, my students now have access to a wonderful variety of art and craft materials that allow their imaginations to truly come to life.\r\n\r\nOur new supplies include tempera paint cakes, washable paints, high-quality mixed-media paper, colorful gemstones, beads, chenille stems, Play-Doh, and an amazing assortment of craft supplies. We also received storage boxes and classroom caddies that help us keep everything organized and make it easy for our little artists to independently choose the materials they want to use.\r\n\r\nFor my Pre-K students, art is so much more than simply making a picture. It gives them opportunities to practice fine-motor skills, make choices, express their ideas, explore colors and textures, and build confidence. There is something incredibly special about watching a child proudly hold up a creation and say, \"I made this!\"\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite things about this project is seeing how differently each child uses the same materials. One student may carefully create a colorful masterpiece with paint and gemstones, while another may use beads and chenille stems to invent something completely new. With Play-Doh, our students can mold, squish, roll, and create while strengthening the little muscles in their hands that will eventually help them become successful writers.\r\n\r\nYour donation has helped create a classroom where creativity is encouraged, curiosity is celebrated, and every child's ideas matter. These materials will continue to be used throughout the school year, giving my students countless opportunities to create, explore, and learn through hands-on experiences.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and for investing in their learning. Your generosity has given my little learners the chance to make big masterpieces with their little hands, and I am so grateful that you are a part of our classroom story!","fullyFundedDate":1782837990546,"projectUrl":"project/little-hands-big-masterpieces/10347616/","projectTitle":"Little Hands, Big Masterpieces","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lewis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10056521_orig.jpg?crop=1525,1525,x5,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1782622214918","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-lewis19"},{"teacherId":9793951,"projectId":9926652,"letterContent":"My students were beyond excited when they first saw the new literacy materials in our classroom. Their faces lit up with curiosity as they explored the magnetic letters, the Go Fish letter game, and the lock-and-key matching sets. Since receiving these resources, we have been using them daily during our small group and center time. For example, during our literacy centers, students use the magnetic letters to build their names and simple CVC words on cookie sheets. The Go Fish game has become a favorite activity, helping students practice letter recognition and matching in a fun, social way. The lock-and-key sets are especially engaging, as students match uppercase letters to lowercase letters or pictures, strengthening both their letter knowledge and fine motor skills.\r\n\r\nOne special moment that stood out was when a student who had been struggling with letter recognition successfully matched several letters independently using the lock-and-key activity. The sense of pride and confidence on their face was incredible, and it motivated other students to keep trying. These hands-on resources have made learning more interactive and meaningful, allowing all students to participate at their own level while building important early literacy skills.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, we plan to continue incorporating these materials into our phonics lessons, focusing on letter sounds and early word building. Students will begin using the magnetic letters to create simple words connected to our classroom themes, while also practicing identifying beginning sounds with the games. Thanks to your generosity, my students now have engaging tools that support their growth, confidence, and love for learning every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1769178145617,"projectUrl":"project/learning-kit/9926652/","projectTitle":"Learning Kit","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Putsche","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9793951_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1728076286615","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9793951"},{"teacherId":2051853,"projectId":9879270,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our preschool classroom has been transformed into an engaging, hands-on STEM learning environment. We have been using these materials during our Practice Stations rotations, allowing students to explore important science and math concepts through active learning. During these rotations, students investigate with the Sink or Float, Motion, and Magnet stations, as well as use tools like eyedroppers and magnetic wands to experiment and discover. One memorable moment was watching students test different objects in water, make predictions, and excitedly react to the results—truly thinking like young scientists.\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the excitement was immediate. Students were eager to explore each item and couldn't wait for their turn during stations. Many of our learners, especially those who benefit from hands-on experiences, became more engaged and confident as they interacted with the materials. We look forward to using The Germ-Sleuthing Kit as a review to remind us to wash our hands often to prevent illness. \r\nAs we continue using these resources, students will build on their curiosity through more structured investigations and collaborative activities. Our Practice Stations rotations will keep encouraging teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills as students explore new concepts. These materials are helping lay a strong foundation for future learning, and we are so grateful for the opportunities they provide. Thank you for making such a meaningful difference in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1769178146008,"projectUrl":"project/stem-in-preschool/9879270/","projectTitle":"STEM in Preschool","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Woody","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2051853_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1483392526218","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-woody"},{"teacherId":9591137,"projectId":9555922,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for contributing to our classroom. My students were so excited to see the new materials. They couldn't wait to try them out. They are still some of the most popular items in centers right now for the students to play with. \r\n\r\nWhile they may seem like just toys to the students but are really ways to build the students fine motor skills. Doing things like turning the key on the pirate chest, turning the knob on a gumball machine, and screwing screws into holes allows them to build their finger muscles. Those same muscle are essential for writing. \r\n\r\nThey also love the small pencils I was able to buy. They have erasers which most small pencils don't have. The small pencils forces them to hold the pencil by the end that you use to write. Helping them develop a correct pencil grip. \r\n\r\nI have already seen an improvement in their fine motor skills and their writing skills. Continuing to play with these toys and build their muscles will only increase their writing skills for years to come. Thank you so much for helping my students and classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1758900063707,"projectUrl":"project/fine-motor-toys-for-pre-writing/9555922/","projectTitle":"Fine Motor Toys for Pre Writing","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. B","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9591137_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1760801216158","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9591137"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_96027","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":98,"numTeachers":7,"percentFrplEligible":83,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":10,"percentWhite":27,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":45,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":5,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - Pre-K","studentTeacherRatio":"14.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR District Record","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":71.1,"schoolId":96027,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Perrin Early Childhood Center on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Perrin Early Childhood Center","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/sherman-independent-school-district/perrin-alternative-learning-center/96027"}