{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Overby - Sheppard Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":28.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9337379,"projectId":9969254,"letterContent":"Students are using the new resources to strengthen both their literacy and problem-solving skills through engaging, cross-curricular activities that integrate reading, STEM, and computer science concepts. In reading, students summarized Peter Pan, analyzed the development of the story, and identified figurative language while explaining how it contributed to the plot and characters. They also wrote book reviews of Peter Pan and applied computational thinking to organize and expand their ideas in a logical way.\r\n\r\nStudents also integrated computer science and STEM through activities connected to A Tale of Despereaux. Using the Scratch program, students created a \"Despereaux Escape\" project where they designed algorithms for escaping the dungeon, finding the princess, and navigating the castle. These activities helped students understand sequencing, problem-solving, and logical thinking while making literature more interactive and engaging.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the materials, they were extremely excited because many of the resources and concepts were completely new to them. Although STEM and computer science were unfamiliar at first, students were eager and enthusiastic to learn. They especially enjoyed exploring hands-on materials such as the Wooden Hexagon Puzzle, Wacky Tacky Links, and Wooden Tangram Puzzle. Students were also fascinated by the book How To Be A Coder, which helped them begin thinking like coders and introduced them to fun and creative coding activities they could build on the computer themselves.\r\n\r\nThe next steps students will continue to connect literacy with computer science concepts. Students will explain Peter Pan while making historical connections supported with evidence from the text. They will also practice debugging and refining algorithms by revising and improving their written work. Students will strengthen their book reviews by treating their writing like computer code—checking for errors, identifying weaknesses, and revising their paragraphs to better achieve their purpose of convincing the reader. As part of this activity, students will write Peter Pan's step-by-step plan to escape Captain Hook as an algorithm, identify mistakes Peter Pan made that reflect the process of debugging, and incorporate computer science vocabulary throughout their writing.","fullyFundedDate":1766544737160,"projectUrl":"project/level-up-stem-learning/9969254/","projectTitle":"Level Up STEM Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Godley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9337379_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720631026923","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9337379"},{"teacherId":10274816,"projectId":9890024,"letterContent":"The calming items that were received have had a positive impact on students by helping them better manage their emotions and behaviors throughout the school day. Students have been able to use items such as fidget tools, stress balls, and sensory materials to calm themselves when feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, or anxious. These resources have provided students with healthy coping strategies and opportunities to self-regulate in a safe and supportive way. As a result, many students have shown improvement in their ability to refocus and return to classroom activities with less disruption.\r\n\r\nIn addition, the calming items have helped create a more supportive and comforting learning environment for students. Students are becoming more aware of their emotions and are beginning to independently choose calming strategies when needed. Teachers and staff have also noticed increased engagement, improved peer interactions, and fewer behavioral concerns during challenging moments. Overall, these calming resources have been beneficial in supporting students' social-emotional growth and promoting a more positive school experience.","fullyFundedDate":1766155870224,"projectUrl":"project/give-the-gift-of-calm/9890024/","projectTitle":"Give the Gift of Calm","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Canada","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10274816"},{"teacherId":8653397,"projectId":10102741,"letterContent":"We are so thankful to the parents and donors who helped us meet our end-of-year goal and complete our final restock for the school year. Because of your generosity, our classroom feels even more peaceful, colorful, and full of love, play, and support. The students were so excited when the boxes arrived—there were smiles, cheers, and lots of curiosity as we unpacked the snacks and activity materials together.\r\n\r\nThe snacks have made a meaningful difference in our daily routine. Many of my students rely on having a quick snack to help them stay focused, regulated, and ready to learn throughout the day. Being able to offer a variety of choices has helped students remain engaged during lessons and better manage their energy during long academic periods and testing practice. The games and activity materials have also been a wonderful addition, giving students positive opportunities to build teamwork, practice social skills, and enjoy structured play during breaks and reward times.\r\n\r\nThanks to your support, our classroom continues to be a welcoming space where students feel cared for and prepared to succeed. As we move toward the end of the school year, we will continue using these materials to support learning, encourage positive behavior, and celebrate student growth. Your generosity has truly helped create an environment where students can feel safe, supported, and excited to come to school each day.","fullyFundedDate":1772563758848,"projectUrl":"project/nourish-to-flourish/10102741/","projectTitle":"Nourish to Flourish","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Foster","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8653397_orig.jpg?crop=1024,1024,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1672844644247","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8653397"},{"teacherId":6762421,"projectId":9788222,"letterContent":"Thank you, thank you, thank you for our gift! The students have thoroughly enjoyed designing, collaborating, and playing together with our 'Ultimate Marble Game.' We have had many wet and cold days this winter, so the 'marble game' has become a recess staple. \r\nI have seen increasingly complex designs from the class. One way this has been possible is because we have so many pieces to use. Regularly, students share their 'maze' with their classmates and communicate about taking turns while playing together. \r\nThe Marble Maze has been a great contribution to our classroom. Even when many choices are available, students continue to choose the 'marble game.' It is a consistent favorite. Thank you again for your generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1766545032088,"projectUrl":"project/marble-maze-game/9788222/","projectTitle":"Marble Maze Game","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Henley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6762421"},{"teacherId":10274816,"projectId":9748294,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our Calming Corner. Because of your kindness, our students now have fidget tools and comfortable bean bag chairs that create a safe, welcoming space where they can relax, refocus, and manage their emotions.\r\n\r\nThese resources are already making a meaningful difference by helping students practice self-regulation, reduce stress, and return to learning feeling calm and confident. Your generosity shows our students that their well-being truly matters.\r\n\r\nWe are incredibly grateful for your support and for helping us create a nurturing environment where every child can succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1764733056045,"projectUrl":"project/calming-corner/9748294/","projectTitle":"Calming Corner","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Canada","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10274816"},{"teacherId":2833415,"projectId":9851349,"letterContent":"My students are enjoying the healthy snacks later in the day. We start school early and have lunch rather early in the morning, so the snacks in the afternoon are wonderful. There is a variety of snacks for them to choose from.\r\n\r\nStudents are becoming very responsible by keeping their spaces clean and sanitized. They are being careful not to spill things, but acknowledging when it happens and get help to clean it up. The wipes are used for daily cleaning after area play to get rid of germs. \r\n\r\nThe playdough is a game changer. Some students want nothing more than to play with it everyday. The sensory stimulation and fine motor movements are great for the little hands.","fullyFundedDate":1764782043391,"projectUrl":"project/healthy-and-wise/9851349/","projectTitle":"Healthy and Wise","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Isaac-Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2833415_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x221,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1638813075876","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2833415"},{"teacherId":2377395,"projectId":9718271,"letterContent":"Saying thank you doesn't seem like enough. Your generosity has brighten my students days. My students love the snacks. The snacks helped them get through long days. When my students first saw the snacks, they were so excited. They had options to choose from each day.\r\n\r\nIt's something so small but mean so much to them. I have contact with so many students throughout the day. I was able to give snacks to other students.\r\n\r\nI want you to know that we appreciate you. Thank you for donating to this project and helping to get food into the hands of students.","fullyFundedDate":1761019051503,"projectUrl":"project/snack-restock/9718271/","projectTitle":"Snack Restock","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ware","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2377395_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1533280332344","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/sware"},{"teacherId":2377395,"projectId":9860630,"letterContent":"There are no words to fully express my gratitude to you. Thank you doesn't seem to be enough. Your donation has provided resources and activities for our students. We are grateful to have people like you in the world who care about children. Our world is a better place because of you.\r\n\r\nI am excited to have the paper I need to make copies throughout the year. To be able to start the year with copy paper makes my life easier as a teacher. I can't thank you enough for your generosity. Thank you, thank you, thank you....","fullyFundedDate":1762267450649,"projectUrl":"project/paper-paper-paper-we-need-copy-paper/9860630/","projectTitle":"Paper, Paper, Paper! We Need Copy Paper!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ware","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2377395_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1533280332344","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/sware"},{"teacherId":10264624,"projectId":9718763,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for choosing to support my project and for being the one donor who made it possible. Your generosity has had an immediate and meaningful impact on my multilingual learners.\r\nBecause of you, my students are incredibly motivated and excited to participate in class. They look forward to \"Treasure Box Days\" with so much joy, and the daily rewards—stickers and friendship bracelets—have become powerful motivators that make learning fun and encouraging. These incentives have continued to help build confidence, promote participation, and create a positive learning environment where my students are feeling proud of their efforts.\r\nIt truly means so much to my students and to me that you believed in this project and chose to fund it. Your support has helped make learning engaging and joyful, and I am deeply grateful for your kindness and generosity. I truly mean this with sincere appreciation and admiration for donors such as you! Thank you again for making such a difference in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1760183108618,"projectUrl":"project/prizes-for-progress-incentives-for-acad/9718763/","projectTitle":"Prizes for Progress: Incentives for Academic Growth of Multilingual Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Williams","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10264624_orig.jpg?crop=429,429,x24,y127&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1759503094768","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10264624"},{"teacherId":8653397,"projectId":9692158,"letterContent":"Thank you so much! When our students saw the LEGO Concorde Airbus kit and the fresh supply of classroom snacks, their faces lit up. The excitement was immediate—they couldn't believe they were going to build something connected to our recent field trip to the NASA museum in Williamsburg. During that visit, they stood just inches away from the Discovery and Concorde models, asking endless questions and imagining what it would be like to create one themselves. Now, thanks to you, they actually can.\r\n\r\nWe've already begun using the LEGO set to support teamwork, problem-solving, and fine motor skills. Students enjoy working in small groups while taking SEL breaks and time to do something outside of ELA and Math. It's incredible to see them draw real-world connections—linking engineering, history, and hands-on creativity with our wonderful LEGO sets.\r\n\r\nThe renewed supply of snacks has made an equally meaningful impact. Many of our learners struggle with focus or come to school hungry, and having consistent, reliable snacks has helped them stay engaged and motivated throughout the day. It's a small thing that truly changes the rhythm of our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1761923311661,"projectUrl":"project/lego-legends-and-learning-fuel/9692158/","projectTitle":"LEGO Legends and Learning Fuel!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Foster","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8653397_orig.jpg?crop=1024,1024,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1672844644247","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8653397"},{"teacherId":2377395,"projectId":9731404,"letterContent":"There are no words to fully express my gratitude to you. Thank you doesn't seem to be enough. Your donation is helping our students stay warm as it gets colder. We are grateful to have people like you in the world who care about children. Our world is a better place because of you.\r\n\r\nYou have put a smile on the face of many children so far this year. When students come to school inappropriately dressed for the weather, I am able to give them something warm to wear. I can't thank you enough for your generosity. Thank you, thank you and thank you!!!","fullyFundedDate":1758823092071,"projectUrl":"project/warm-clothes-restock/9731404/","projectTitle":"Warm Clothes Restock","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ware","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2377395_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1533280332344","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/sware"},{"teacherId":8653397,"projectId":9655869,"letterContent":"I can't thank you enough for supporting my project! Your generosity has truly transformed our classroom. My exceptional education students were over the moon when the new resources arrived — their faces lit up with excitement as we unpacked everything together.\r\n\r\nWe've already been putting these materials to great use. The snacks have been a game changer, helping my students stay energized and focused throughout the day. The secure storage trunk has made it easy to keep our classroom neat and organized, and I finally have a safe place to store our yummy snacks. The paper and envelopes have been so helpful for daily assignments and sending updates and notes home to families — something that really strengthens our home-school connection.\r\n\r\nThe biggest hit, though, has been the LEGO sets. My students light up during our STEM and social-emotional learning blocks, where they use the LEGOs to build stories, problem-solve, and collaborate. One of my favorite moments was watching a small group work together to design a \"calm down corner model\" — they said it reminded them of how we all work together to stay calm and help each other learn. It was such a perfect reflection of their growth and creativity!\r\n\r\nBecause of your kindness, my students have the tools they need to thrive — academically, socially, and emotionally. You've helped create a learning environment that truly supports every child's potential, and I'm so grateful for that.","fullyFundedDate":1757102321720,"projectUrl":"project/from-snacks-to-stem-helping-students-th/9655869/","projectTitle":"From Snacks to STEM: Helping Students Thrive","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Foster","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8653397_orig.jpg?crop=1024,1024,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1672844644247","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8653397"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_45009","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":256,"numTeachers":24,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":87,"percentWhite":4,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":3,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":0,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"10.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":71.2,"schoolId":45009,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Overby - Sheppard Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Overby - Sheppard Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/virginia/richmond-public-school-dist/overby-sheppard-elementary-school/45009"}