{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Sterling Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":25.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9570774,"projectId":10201350,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support and donations to our project. The dry-erase markers and magnetic erasers are used every day across all subjects, allowing students to actively show their learning in phonics, math, and more. They are also an important resource during small-group instruction and math centers, helping students stay engaged and participate in hands-on learning.\r\n\r\nThe magnetic erasers make it easy for students to correct mistakes and try again, encouraging confidence and perseverance. Because our markers get so much use throughout the day, we were grateful to have enough supplies when others ran out. Thanks to your generosity, all four second-grade classrooms have the materials needed to support every student. \r\n\r\nWe truly appreciate your kindness and investment in our students' success — your donations have helped make learning stronger, more interactive, and more meaningful each day.💛","fullyFundedDate":1776880408172,"projectUrl":"project/marker-magic-in-the-classroom/10201350/","projectTitle":"Marker Magic in the Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gortayo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9570774_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1776391882201","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msgortayo"},{"teacherId":9570774,"projectId":10255740,"letterContent":"The privacy folders were used immediately in our classrooms and quickly made a big difference in student learning. They have been a valuable tool for supporting focus, independence, and test-taking, helping students stay on task and minimize distractions during work time. The folders have also contributed to a calmer classroom environment, allowing students to work more confidently and successfully.\r\n\r\nWe are especially grateful that we received enough privacy folders for all four second-grade classrooms, ensuring every student has access to one. Students were excited to receive their new folders and promised to take good care of them. The quality is excellent, and we know they will last well beyond this school year. \r\n\r\nThank you for your generosity and for providing resources that support our students' daily learning and success. We are so thankful for your support! 💛","fullyFundedDate":1777993671162,"projectUrl":"project/privacy-folders-for-powerful-focus/10255740/","projectTitle":"Privacy Folders for Powerful Focus","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gortayo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9570774_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1776391882201","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msgortayo"},{"teacherId":9570774,"projectId":10072707,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous donation, our students were able to enjoy the entire Ordinary People Change the World collection, and it quickly became one of the most popular sets of books in our classroom. After reading the book about Sacagawea, students were instantly hooked and couldn't wait to read more. They learned so much about important people from both the past and present and the positive impacts these individuals made on the world. These books sparked curiosity, meaningful discussions, and a genuine excitement for learning about history and leadership.\r\n\r\nThe collection made a huge impact on our social studies instruction and was used regularly to support our units. Students loved finishing a book and then trading with a classmate to read another one, and they talked about the stories and historical figures throughout the day. These books have become a valuable addition to our classroom library and will continue to benefit students for years to come. \r\n\r\nThank you for helping put these amazing books into the hands of my students and for supporting their love of reading and learning.💜","fullyFundedDate":1770664936367,"projectUrl":"project/ordinary-people-extraordinary-lessons/10072707/","projectTitle":"Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lessons","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gortayo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9570774_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1776391882201","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msgortayo"},{"teacherId":10479233,"projectId":10248640,"letterContent":"The sensory light table has had a significant impact on student engagement, learning, and overall classroom participation. By combining hands-on exploration with visual stimulation, the light table creates a unique learning environment where students are excited to investigate, create, and discover. The addition of translucent blocks, colorful letters, and sparkling gems has transformed the space into a highly motivating center that encourages curiosity and active learning.\r\n\r\nStudents have strengthened foundational science skills as they explore concepts such as light, color mixing, transparency, and patterns. The hands-on nature of the materials has also supported the development of fine motor skills as students manipulate, stack, sort, and arrange objects. These activities provide meaningful opportunities for students to practice coordination and precision while remaining fully engaged in the learning process.\r\n\r\nThe light table has also fostered language development and social interaction. Students naturally describe their observations, ask questions, share ideas, and collaborate with peers as they explore together. These conversations help build vocabulary, communication skills, and confidence in expressing their thinking.\r\n\r\nIn addition, the materials have supported the development of early math skills through sorting, counting, classifying, sequencing, and pattern creation. Students are able to visualize mathematical concepts in a concrete and engaging way, helping deepen their understanding.\r\n\r\nPerhaps most importantly, the calming glow of the light table has created a welcoming space that promotes focus, self-regulation, and sustained attention. Many students, particularly those who benefit from sensory supports, are able to remain engaged for longer periods of time and approach learning with increased confidence. The light table has become a favorite classroom resource, inspiring creativity, independent exploration, and a genuine enthusiasm for learning.","fullyFundedDate":1777993670666,"projectUrl":"project/transformative-sensory-light-learning-fo/10248640/","projectTitle":"Transformative Sensory Light Learning for Early Childhood Special Education","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Zydallis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10479233"},{"teacherId":2830348,"projectId":10242071,"letterContent":"On behalf of our entire community, I want to thank you for your donation dedicated to the purchase of high-quality crafting vinyl. Your thoughtful gift has allowed us to design and cut custom lettering to clearly label and beautifully decorate various areas throughout our campus.\r\n\r\nWith the vinyl materials you provided, our team has been able to add cheer and warmth to spaces around our school that are sending a powerful daily message to our students: you are welcome here, you are safe, and this space was designed intentionally for you.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has given us the exact tools we needed to bridge the gap between a functional building and a truly inspiring school home. We are incredibly fortunate to have partners like you who recognize that every detail—down to the lettering on the walls—contributes to a child's educational experience.\r\n\r\nThank you once again for your kindness, vision, and enduring support of our young learners.","fullyFundedDate":1777917128260,"projectUrl":"project/kids-have-the-vinyl-word/10242071/","projectTitle":"Kids have the \"Vinyl Word\"","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Daniel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2830348_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1478256774308","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/funin1st"},{"teacherId":2830348,"projectId":10094144,"letterContent":"On behalf of our students and staff, I am writing to express our deepest gratitude for your generous grant, which allowed us to purchase our new school paper shredder. While a shredder might seem like a standard piece of office equipment, your funding has transformed it into a catalyst for creativity, sustainability, and hands-on learning across multiple grade levels. Here are just a few ways we have utilized it since its arrival!\r\n\r\nThanks to your grant, our Pre-K teachers can now instantly create mountains of clean, fluffy paper crinkles. This provides our youngest learners with a completely sanitary, fresh, and engaging sensory bin option that stimulates their tactile development while keeping health and safety a top priority!\r\n\r\nOur yearly chick embryotic program was in full spring! When our baby chicks finally hatched, the new shredder produced clean, dust-free, and entirely free bedding for the chick brooder. This not only kept our fluffy new additions warm and healthy, but it also taught our students a valuable lesson in real-world upcycling.\r\n\r\nOur kindergarten students handmade gifts for their families. Instead of relying on costly store-bought plastic fillers, the shredder crinkles were used to add a beautiful final touch for gift wrapping. \r\n\r\nThank you for making these opportunities possible for our students!","fullyFundedDate":1776099049896,"projectUrl":"project/the-paper-azzi-making-sensitive-documen/10094144/","projectTitle":"The Paper-azzi: Making Sensitive Documents Disappear!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Daniel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2830348_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1478256774308","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/funin1st"},{"teacherId":9212161,"projectId":7718259,"letterContent":"The new carpet has completely transformed our 'gathering' time. Before, students were squeezed onto a cold, hard floor or scattered at their desks, which made it difficult to maintain focus during group lessons. Now, our carpet serves as the heart of our classroom. We use it every single morning for our 'Morning Meeting,' where we share our goals for the day, and it has become our go to spot for read-alouds and collaborative floor work.\r\n\r\nThis rug isn't just a place to sit; it's becoming a stage where they build confidence and a sense of belonging. We are so grateful for your support in making our room feel like a true community.","fullyFundedDate":1695664602501,"projectUrl":"project/cozy-carpet-that-feels-like-home/7718259/","projectTitle":"Cozy Carpet That Feels Like Home","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hancock","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9212161"},{"teacherId":10479233,"projectId":10193095,"letterContent":"This sensory-rich learning environment has had a meaningful impact on students by providing hands-on opportunities to explore, create, and learn through multiple senses. Many of my students come from diverse backgrounds, and some have limited opportunities to engage in these types of exploratory experiences outside of school. The addition of sensory materials has helped create an inclusive space where every child can participate, discover, and build confidence.\r\n\r\n\r\nBy incorporating sensory bins into our morning literacy and math centers, students are able to connect academic concepts with tactile, visual, and kinesthetic experiences. Special education students, in particular, benefit from using multiple senses during learning activities, as research shows that multisensory experiences can strengthen memory, increase engagement, and improve information retention. Students are more focused, willing to take risks, and excited to participate when learning feels like play.\r\n\r\nThe transformation of our classroom environment has also encouraged creativity, communication, and social interaction. Students eagerly collaborate as they scoop, sort, build, and explore. Construction vehicles dig through vibrant neon Pluffle, sequin walls invite children to create patterns and observe cause and effect, and liquid floor tiles inspire movement and curiosity. These materials provide opportunities to develop fine motor skills, problem-solving abilities, descriptive language, and emotional regulation.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, students view the classroom as a place of wonder and discovery. Every texture, color, and movement invites them to engage more deeply with their learning. The sensory experiences not only support academic growth but also foster joy, confidence, and a sense of belonging for all learners.","fullyFundedDate":1776880408131,"projectUrl":"project/pre-k-sensory-play-for-special-education/10193095/","projectTitle":"Pre-K Sensory Play for Special Education Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Zydallis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10479233"},{"teacherId":2830348,"projectId":9966389,"letterContent":"On behalf of the staff and students at my school, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude for your generous contribution toward our new storage and organization system. Your support has allowed us to transform our donation area from a simple collection of items into a streamlined \"boutique\" of essentials for our elementary students.\r\n\r\nBefore these bins arrived, managing our supply of clothing and hygiene products was a significant challenge. Items were difficult to sort, and finding the right size or specific need for a student in a hurry was often stressful. Now students can now browse organized, clean bins to find exactly what they need, making the experience feel like a choice rather than a handout. Our staff and volunteers can now quickly identify when we are low on specific sizes or items (like socks or toothbrushes), ensuring no student goes without. By moving items into sealed, labeled containers, we are protecting the integrity of the clothing and personal care products from dust and damage.\r\n\r\nThe impact of your donation goes far beyond plastic and labels. When a student comes to us needing a fresh shirt or a hygiene kit, we can now serve them with speed and care. This organization allows our educators to spend less time digging through boxes and more time focusing on the well-being of the children.\r\n\r\nYour generosity ensures that our students can walk into their classrooms feeling confident, prepared, and supported by their school. When we can provide a student with a clean pair of shoes or a basic hygiene kit in a matter of seconds, we aren't just meeting a physical need—we are telling that child they are seen and valued.\r\n\r\nThank you for being such an integral part of our school's mission - every child, every day, whatever it takes!","fullyFundedDate":1767126939776,"projectUrl":"project/beautiful-bins-for-basics/9966389/","projectTitle":"Beautiful Bins for Basics","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Daniel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2830348_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1478256774308","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/funin1st"},{"teacherId":10348324,"projectId":9890282,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous purchase of recess equipment for our 5th grade students. Your kindness has made a meaningful difference in our day-to-day school experience.\r\n\r\nThe students are absolutely loving the opportunity to interact with the new items. Recess is a time they already look forward to, and having access to this equipment has brought even more joy, laughter, and positive energy to that part of the day. For many of my students, these items are not something they have access to at home, so being able to use them at school has been especially exciting and impactful.\r\n\r\nBeyond the fun, the equipment has encouraged teamwork, creativity, and positive social interactions among the students. It's wonderful to see them so engaged, active, and happy during recess.\r\n\r\nThank you again for supporting our classroom and helping to create meaningful moments for my students. Your generosity is truly appreciated.","fullyFundedDate":1762972250121,"projectUrl":"project/recess-equipment/9890282/","projectTitle":"Recess Equipment","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Goode","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10348324_orig.jpg?crop=1221,1221,x305,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1763125094574","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10348324"},{"teacherId":9685885,"projectId":9329942,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contribution to our \"Stay Connected, Stay On Track -With a MacBook Pro\" project! Your support has truly made a difference, and I'm excited to share how this new technology is benefiting our students.\r\n\r\nWhile our small group reading activities were already a great part of our classroom, the addition of the MacBook Pro has made them even more engaging and effective. The MacBook allows students to access interactive reading programs, videos, and resources that help them better understand the material. It's giving them more opportunities to connect with the content and practice skills they're learning. The technology also allows us to tailor lessons to each student's needs, whether they're working on vocabulary, comprehension, or fluency.\r\n\r\nThe most exciting part is how the MacBook has helped students work together in small groups. They can use it to listen to stories, track their reading progress, and even take part in guided activities. Some students, especially those who may have struggled before, have really warmed up to using the MacBook. \r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our students now have an additional resource that is making a real difference in their reading skills. Your support is helping them stay on track and stay connected to their learning, and we are so grateful.\r\n\r\nWith sincere thanks,","fullyFundedDate":1755712353431,"projectUrl":"project/stay-connected-stay-on-track-with-a-m/9329942/","projectTitle":"Stay Connected, Stay On Track — With a MacBook Ppro","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gultiano","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9685885_orig.jpg?crop=600,600,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723920939905","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9685885"},{"teacherId":5523962,"projectId":9478419,"letterContent":"Thank you so very much for your donation to our Birthday Book cart. Due to your generosity, we have been able to keep this program running for another year. \r\n\r\nOn their birthday each year (or at the end of the school year for our summer birthdays) students are able to choose a Birthday Book to keep \"forever and ever.\" Students come to the library, choose their book from the cart, and then have a special sticker placed inside with their name and a birthday message. My favorite part of this project is introducing the tradition to our kindergarten students, or students who are new to the school. Normally, the library is a place to borrow books, so the idea of coming to the library to choose a book to *keep* always gets a smile.\r\n\r\nSome of our student favorites this year are Dogman, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Diary of a Pug, Pete the Cat, and Pokemon. \r\n\r\nThank you for supporting our Sterling Elementary readers!","fullyFundedDate":1760718460311,"projectUrl":"project/birthday-books-for-all/9478419/","projectTitle":"Birthday Books for All!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Burel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5523962_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1531438446541","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5523962"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_34297","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":422,"numTeachers":41,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":13,"percentBlack":6,"percentWhite":10,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":64,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":3,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"10.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":74.1,"schoolId":34297,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Sterling Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Sterling Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/virginia/loudoun-county-public-schools/sterling-elementary-school/34297"}