{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Union Primary School","outOfStateSupporters":42.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":1535202,"projectId":10694679,"letterContent":"These books give my first graders so much more than reading practice. They will give them confidence, encouragement, and the opportunity to discover that they are capable of amazing things. My students are at such an important stage in their education. They are learning letters and sounds, blending words, building sentences, and beginning to understand that they have the power to read the words on a page. For some children, this comes naturally. For others, every new word is a challenge that takes patience, practice, and someone cheering them on.\r\n\r\nThese books help my students strengthen essential skills like phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension while learning to make predictions, retell stories, and connect what they read to the world around them. In our classroom, reading happens during whole-group read-alouds, small-group lessons, and literacy centers. I want my students to experience the excitement of getting lost in a story, laughing at a funny character, asking questions, and proudly recognizing words they once thought were too difficult.\r\n\r\nSome of my students need extra encouragement to believe in themselves as readers. I want those children to have books that spark their curiosity and remind them that learning is a journey, not a race. I want to see the child who hesitates when asked to read become the child who eagerly raises a hand to try. I want to hear, \"Look, I read it all by myself!\" and see the pride on a little face when a skill finally clicks. Those are the moments that make teaching so special.\r\n\r\nFor my first graders, a book can be the beginning of something life-changing. It can help a struggling reader discover confidence, give a curious child a new adventure, or help a student realize that the world is full of possibilities waiting to be explored. Every child deserves the chance to fall in love with reading, no matter where they begin.\r\n\r\nYour generosity helped me create a classroom where books are treasured, mistakes are part of learning, and every child is encouraged to believe, \"I can do this!\" Thank you for investing in my students, helping them build a strong foundation for their future, and giving them the opportunity to become not just better readers, but confident learners who believe in themselves.","fullyFundedDate":1790786739666,"projectUrl":"project/little-readers-big-dreams/10694679/","projectTitle":"Little Readers, BIG Dreams","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Aistrop","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1535202_orig.png?crop=550,550,x329,y554&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1787922173315","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1535202"},{"teacherId":1535202,"projectId":10596842,"letterContent":"My first graders are naturally curious learners who love exploring how the world works. With these new STEM resources, students are discovering the exciting world of magnets, motion, forces, and engineering through hands-on experiments and building challenges.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the materials, their excitement and curiosity were contagious! They eagerly began exploring, asking questions, and testing their ideas. From discovering which objects magnets attract to building structures and redesigning creations, students are learning that mistakes are opportunities to try again and discover new solutions.\r\n\r\nThese resources have allowed me to make science more engaging and meaningful. Students are developing problem-solving, teamwork, and critical-thinking skills while making predictions, recording observations, and sharing their discoveries.\r\n\r\nOur next step is to continue exploring engineering challenges that encourage students to design, test, and improve their creations. I am so grateful to The DonorsChoose Community for providing these opportunities. Your generosity is helping my students see themselves as scientists, engineers, and confident problem-solvers!","fullyFundedDate":1789572924117,"projectUrl":"project/magnetic-minds-hands-on-stem-exploratio/10596842/","projectTitle":"Magnetic Minds: Hands-On STEM Exploration for First Graders","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Aistrop","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1535202_orig.png?crop=550,550,x329,y554&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1787922173315","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1535202"},{"teacherId":1030873,"projectId":10689282,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation! Our class loves all the new books. They are so excited to choose books for us to read daily.\r\nI am most excited about the decodable readers that we received. So far our Title I teacher, student teacher and I have all used them in small groups. The students love them and love the fact that they can actually read these books. I plan to put in another project for the rest of the Bob Books. I think my class would really benefit from having them in the classroom.\r\nThank you for being such a blessing to my class and the other classes in my school. We are lucky to have you!","fullyFundedDate":1790786434216,"projectUrl":"project/we-love-new-books/10689282/","projectTitle":"We LOVE New Books!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Beverly Hurley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1030873_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y386&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1678290965361","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsbeverlyhurley"},{"teacherId":1421149,"projectId":10688637,"letterContent":"Thank you for all the lovely books with some of our favorite characters. The kids have loved hearing new tales of storybook friends. We put a basket of good books on each table so that when any student finished their work and had free time they could explore these new books. Access to good books helps our students get excited about learning to read. The children will also be able to take these books home to share with their families. The right book read at the right time can absolutely change a life. Thank you for your generosity in giving to our kindergarten kids.","fullyFundedDate":1790786883084,"projectUrl":"project/all-the-books/10688637/","projectTitle":"All The Books","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bolling","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1421149_orig.jpg?crop=1702,1702,x814,y36&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1627486603511","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1421149"},{"teacherId":8567362,"projectId":10685284,"letterContent":"Access to books for literacy achievement is one of the most powerful ways to help children succeed in school and beyond. It may sound simple, but access to books at home can help shape a child's future. \r\n\r\nRight now, the need is urgent. In the United States, 25 million children cannot read proficiently. According to the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results, approximately 70% of fourth and eighth graders read below grade level, making school achievement more difficult and increasing the risk of dropping out. For many children, the challenge begins early: 1 in 3 children enter kindergarten without the basic skills they need to learn how to read. \r\n\r\nOne key factor behind these numbers is something we can change: access to books. \r\nWhen children have consistent access to books, they read more often. And when they read more often, their literacy skills grow stronger. \r\n\r\nBooks help children: \r\n\r\nBuild vocabulary \r\nImprove comprehension \r\nStrengthen critical thinking \r\nDevelop imagination and empathy \r\nBut the benefits go even deeper. Reading regularly helps children feel more confident as learners. It turns reading from a school task into something enjoyable and meaningful. \r\n\r\nResearch continues to confirm what educators and families have long understood: access matters. New research builds on decades of findings around the significance of book access to drive reading outcomes for students. This most recent study found that children's access to books alone can improve children's reading achievement. We have long known that children with 100 or more books at home have about a 90% chance of completing ninth grade. For children with no books at home, that number drops to just 30%. \r\n\r\nNow we know that when children are given 34 books to own, the effects are significant. In Dr. Geoffrey Borman and Dr. Hyunwoo Yang's 2026 study, students in high-poverty schools received seven high-quality books each year for five years to build their home libraries. Over time, these students scored higher on state literacy assessments than their peers who did not receive books. Students who had the most consistent access to books saw even greater gains. \r\n\r\nJust as important, the study showed that access alone, independent of income or other factors, can make a meaningful difference. \r\n\r\nAccess to books for literacy isn't just helpful, it's transformative.","fullyFundedDate":1790786957395,"projectUrl":"project/books-books-books/10685284/","projectTitle":"Books! Books! Books!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Coomer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8567362_orig.jpg?crop=288,288,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683289962871","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/c-coomer"},{"teacherId":1535202,"projectId":10596899,"letterContent":"I would like to sincerely thank you for providing me with a laptop that will make such a difference in my classroom and in my ability to support my students. Having a reliable laptop allows me to create meaningful lessons, prepare materials, and continue working from home when needed.\r\n\r\nOur district provided teachers with laptops during COVID, and after several years of use, they have become outdated and no longer work as well as they once did. Unfortunately, our district is not currently replacing them, so your generosity has provided something I truly needed but would not have been able to provide on my own.\r\n\r\nYour kindness and generosity have made me incredibly grateful. As a teacher, so much of what I do happens outside of the classroom, and having the flexibility of a new, reliable laptop will allow me to spend more time creating engaging lessons and preparing the best learning experiences possible for my students.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing not only in me as a teacher, but also in the students who will benefit from your generosity every single day. Your support truly means more than you know!","fullyFundedDate":1789573017549,"projectUrl":"project/a-new-macbook-to-power-learning-in-first/10596899/","projectTitle":"A New MacBook to Power Learning in First Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Aistrop","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1535202_orig.png?crop=550,550,x329,y554&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1787922173315","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1535202"},{"teacherId":10482655,"projectId":10551778,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for donating this amazing laptop to my class and me. This is going to be so useful each day. Technology is such a big part of education now, and I truly needed a dependable laptop to create fun and engaging activities for my sweet students.\r\n In the pictures I have attached, I created a tens and ones INTERACTIVE lesson for my students. They LOVED that lesson and it made me so happy. I will continue creating lessons that my students will benefit from each week. I also created a beautiful snow day sheet to send home to my students' parents. We tend to get quite a few snow days here and we usually have virtual days. These consist of me teaching from home (in which I will use this laptop). Some students login on and I will review skills with them and read a book with them LIVE! It is fantastic!\r\n Again, words can not express how grateful I am for your kindness and generosity. I pray the Lord blesses you abundantly!","fullyFundedDate":1789573167491,"projectUrl":"project/a-laptop-to-power-first-grade-learning/10551778/","projectTitle":"A Laptop to Power First-Grade Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ratliff","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10482655_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1788656932867","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10482655"},{"teacherId":9510785,"projectId":10313888,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our Pre-K classroom with our STEM gears and magnetic STEM center! These hands-on materials have already given my students exciting opportunities to explore, build, create, and problem-solve while developing important early STEM skills. My students have had so much fun learning through hands-on play, and I am truly grateful for your generosity and for helping make these learning experiences possible! They have used the gears to explore cause and effect, patterns, movement, and engineering concepts. Your generosity means so much to our students this year and years to come!","fullyFundedDate":1787145996467,"projectUrl":"project/big-learning-for-little-students/10313888/","projectTitle":"Big Learning for Little Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Roberts","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9510785_orig.jpg?crop=950,950,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1712942827391","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9510785"},{"teacherId":9478332,"projectId":10598854,"letterContent":"Our new classroom resources have helped make our ECSE resource room a more welcoming, comfortable, and organized place for learning. My students were especially excited to see the new rainbow smiley rug, beanbag chairs, and floor cushions. These seating choices give students a comfortable place to sit during small-group lessons, read books, complete activities, or take a short break when they need one. Having a classroom space that feels inviting helps my young students feel comfortable coming into the resource room and ready to participate.\r\n\r\nThe new resources have also helped me keep our classroom organized and ready for learning. The clock helps students begin learning about daily routines, time, and transitions, while the storage shelves give us a place to organize and display materials so students can more easily find what they need. The pencil sharpener and cleaning supplies help us keep our classroom prepared and safe for daily activities. Even the string lights have helped create a calm and inviting learning environment. These may seem like small changes, but together they have made a big difference in our classroom.\r\n\r\nAs we continue using these resources, my students will keep building independence, following classroom routines, practicing communication and social skills, and participating in hands-on learning activities. I am so thankful to the DonorsChoose Community for helping create a resource room where my students can learn, explore, and feel comfortable being themselves. Your support has helped make our classroom a place where every student feels welcome and ready to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1789588383572,"projectUrl":"project/creating-a-space-to-learn-grow-shine/10598854/","projectTitle":"Creating a Space to Learn, Grow Shine","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Morgan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9478332"},{"teacherId":8567362,"projectId":10265976,"letterContent":"The way students interact and learn together has changed dramatically in recent years, yet many classrooms still rely on outdated furniture arrangements that hinder collaborative learning. Traditional rows of desks might have worked for lecture-based teaching, but today's educational approach emphasizes teamwork, discussion, and hands-on problem-solving.\r\n\r\nModern educational research consistently shows that the physical learning environment directly impacts student engagement, participation, and academic outcomes. When students can move freely, face each other during discussions, and reconfigure their workspace quickly, they become more invested in group activities and develop stronger communication skills.\r\nThe transformation from traditional to collaborative classroom layouts represents more than a furniture upgrade. It signals a commitment to student-centered learning approaches that prepare learners for success in increasingly collaborative professional environments. Quality school furniture investments create learning spaces where students develop essential 21st-century skills while experiencing the joy of shared discovery and problem-solving.\r\n\r\nWhen educational institutions prioritize flexible, well-designed classroom furniture, they create environments where collaborative learning flourishes naturally, supporting both immediate educational goals and long-term student development outcomes.","fullyFundedDate":1787143869623,"projectUrl":"project/learning-tables-for-small-groups/10265976/","projectTitle":"Learning Tables for Small Groups","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Coomer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8567362_orig.jpg?crop=288,288,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683289962871","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/c-coomer"},{"teacherId":8567362,"projectId":10522128,"letterContent":"As an educator dedicated to driving student engagement and operational excellence, a high-functioning device is not just an administrative luxury—it is the foundational core of my daily instructional delivery and student support system. My work was limited by an obsolete personal device, or relying entirely on a stationary desktop. Upgrading to a dedicated, modern laptop will directly improve our classroom environment in three distinct categories:\r\n1. Modernizing Instructional Delivery & Differentiation\r\n• Dynamic Lessons: A modern laptop will allow me to seamlessly run memory-intensive, engaging multimedia, Google Slides presentations, educational software, and interactive video resources without tech-induced downtime.\r\n• Targeted Differentiation: With a mobile device, I can actively track data and differentiate lesson plans in real-time while moving around the room or working with small, targeted student groups.\r\n2. Administrative Efficiency & Compliance\r\n• Secure and Timely Documentation: A vast portion of my professional duties—including managing grade books, logging attendance, tracking student data, and authoring compliance documents like IEPs or 504 plans—demands efficient, secure processing speeds.\r\n• Seamless Stakeholder Communication: This device will serve as my primary hub for answering parent emails promptly, coordinating with support staff, and participating in virtual professional development webinars.\r\n3. Student-Facing Impact\r\nUltimately, the primary beneficiaries of this technology are my 20 students. When a teacher has a highly functional device, instruction flows smoothly, transitions are faster, and the digital safety and privacy standards of student files are tightly maintained. Removing technology barriers directly translates to saved instructional minutes every single day.\r\nThank you very much for your time, your consideration, and your ongoing commitment to equipping our classrooms with the tools necessary to foster student success.","fullyFundedDate":1787200237647,"projectUrl":"project/new-laptop-needed/10522128/","projectTitle":"New Laptop Needed","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Coomer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8567362_orig.jpg?crop=288,288,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683289962871","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/c-coomer"},{"teacherId":8567362,"projectId":10646013,"letterContent":"A structured, dedicated floor covering is one of the most critical elements of an early childhood and elementary learning environment, directly impacting literacy development, classroom management, and student well-being.\r\nLack of dedicated seating space results in unstructured transitions, lost instructional time, and difficulties with student focus during whole-group instruction. Acquiring a dedicated classroom rug has transformed our daily routines by providing:\r\n• Enhanced Literacy and Cognitive Skills: A rug featuring letters and visual discrimination patterns acts as a permanent, passive learning tool. We will use it daily for letter recognition, phonics games, and interactive storytelling.\r\n• Optimized Classroom Management: Providing children with an explicit, physically bounded personal space (such as an individual letter or block) drastically reduces fidgeting and behavioral disruptions. It eliminates confusion during transitions, allowing us to maximize active teaching time.\r\n• Inclusive and Sensory-Friendly Seating: For our neurodivergent students or those with sensory processing needs, having a predictable, designated spot provides stability and minimizes overstimulation.\r\n• Safety and Health Compliance: The specific models under consideration are built with institutional-grade nylon, slip-resistant backings to prevent falls, and Class I fire-safety ratings compliant with local building codes.","fullyFundedDate":1789587476370,"projectUrl":"project/lets-sit-and-learn/10646013/","projectTitle":"Let's Sit and Learn","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Coomer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8567362_orig.jpg?crop=288,288,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683289962871","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/c-coomer"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_34616","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":835,"numTeachers":46,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":3,"percentWhite":89,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":1,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":5,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 4","studentTeacherRatio":"18.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"TOWN_DISTANT"},"inStateSupporters":57.3,"schoolId":34616,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Union Primary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Union Primary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/virginia/wise-county-school-district/powell-valley-primary-school/34616"}