{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Helen B Stafford Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":15.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10249121,"projectId":9699333,"letterContent":"My 2nd grade students are diving into hands-on STEAM challenges that are transforming the way they learn. With the materials provided through DonorsChoose support, they are experimenting, building, problem‑solving, and discovering new ideas every day. These activities are helping them see themselves as scientists and engineers in real time—curious, creative, and excited to learn.\r\nWhen we opened the new STEM materials, the classroom absolutely lit up. Students were buzzing with excitement, asking questions, exploring every item, and imagining what they could build. Their enthusiasm was immediate and contagious. That moment set the tone for the learning happening now—joyful, energized, and full of possibility.\r\nIn our classroom, students are working together to test solutions, make adjustments, and try again. They are learning that mistakes are part of the process and that perseverance leads to breakthroughs. Each STEAM activity is giving them the chance to explore, question, and understand the world around them in meaningful, concrete ways.\r\nYour generosity is making an immediate difference. Because of you, students are gaining confidence, collaborating with their peers, and developing skills that will shape their future. You are helping them build, investigate, and imagine possibilities they never knew existed—and it's happening right now, every single day in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1766085196371,"projectUrl":"project/steam-activities/9699333/","projectTitle":"STEAM Activities","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hunter","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10249121"},{"teacherId":3845707,"projectId":9845330,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our Building 2nd Grade Math Thinkers With Hands-On Learning. Because of your generosity, my second graders now have access to materials that help them truly understand how numbers work, not just memorize steps. When the kit arrived, students were so excited to open it and explore the materials; touching, sorting, and immediately trying out the tools like real mathematicians.\r\nWe now use these resources during small-group instruction, where students get hands-on practice building, breaking apart, and regrouping numbers. Some children are learning how tens and ones fit together, while others are developing more efficient strategies for solving larger problems. The manipulatives make abstract ideas visible, and students are eager to share their thinking, explain their strategies, and learn from one another.\r\nYour generosity is helping my students build confidence and deep mathematical understanding. Because of you, they are not just finding answers—they are learning how to reason, model, and truly understand numbers. Thank you for making this powerful learning possible for our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1761100111725,"projectUrl":"project/building-2nd-grade-math-thinkers-with-ha/9845330/","projectTitle":"Building 2nd Grade Math Thinkers With Hands-On Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lyon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3845707_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1530376054353","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3845707"},{"teacherId":7331038,"projectId":9630603,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity. It took a while for the dresses to arrive because they were custom order. The dresses are beautiful and well worth the wait. \r\n\r\nMy students are absolutely excited about wearing them at the next performance on Cinco de Mayo. They absolutely love dance and when they saw the dresses they were excited to have the opportunity to wear these dresses. \r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity I am able to open up the opportunity to participate in dance performances to more students.","fullyFundedDate":1756387045569,"projectUrl":"project/supporting-the-art-of-folklorico-dancing/9630603/","projectTitle":"Supporting the Art of Folklorico Dancing","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Nixon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7331038_orig.jpg?crop=643,643,x0,y531&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1691623412784","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-nixon-stafford"},{"teacherId":7331038,"projectId":9431826,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity. It took a while for the dresses to arrive because they were custom order. The dresses are beautiful and well worth the wait. \r\n\r\nMy students are absolutely excited about wearing them at the next performance on Cinco de Mayo. They absolutely love dance and when they saw the dresses they were excited to have the opportunity to wear these dresses. \r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity I am able to open up the opportunity to participate in dance performances to more students.","fullyFundedDate":1756387064496,"projectUrl":"project/supporting-the-art-of-folklorico/9431826/","projectTitle":"Supporting the Art of Folklorico","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Nixon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7331038_orig.jpg?crop=643,643,x0,y531&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1691623412784","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-nixon-stafford"},{"teacherId":4249919,"projectId":9658008,"letterContent":"The kindergarten students LOVE these books! The books have tremendously impacted their understanding of the characteristics described in the curriculum. We could not have done it without your support! Students are learning social-emotional skills and are staying engaged in the lessons. These books are being shared across three kindergarten classrooms. The students have access to the books after they have been read aloud so they can practice retelling the story! The books also have diverse characters, so the students feel even more connected to the stories! \r\n\r\nThank you again!","fullyFundedDate":1756931817944,"projectUrl":"project/character-strong-book-library/9658008/","projectTitle":"Character Strong Book Library","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Beam","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4249919_orig.jpg?crop=827,827,x0,y162&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1648832732290","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4249919"},{"teacherId":1066587,"projectId":9149932,"letterContent":"Thank you for making reading accessible and engaging for my blooming readers! These decodable books help students practice decoding with a limited set of letters. This ensures that students are not having to try to read words that include letter sounds that they haven't yet learned. Without these book sets, we had to wait until much later in the year until students could start accessing engaging text. Now, students can start to apply reading skills with only the letters they've been taught. My emerging readers are exited to engage with the text - they LOVE these books!\r\n\r\nThank you!","fullyFundedDate":1751901169006,"projectUrl":"project/help-us-learn-to-read/9149932/","projectTitle":"Help Us Learn to Read!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Farley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1066587_orig.png?crop=981,982,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1662568289316","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-hoane"},{"teacherId":7975661,"projectId":9439770,"letterContent":"My students are loving their new reading area. During reading rotations, they've been using the new books, comfy pillows, and colorful rug to curl up and enjoy their stories. It has created a cozy and inviting space that helps them stay focused and excited about reading.\r\n\r\nThe students were so excited! As soon as they saw the new books and the cozy reading space, they were smiling, pointing things out to each other, and asking when they could start using everything. They couldn't wait to sit on the pillows and explore the books.\r\n\r\nNext, we'll continue to use the new reading space during literacy rotations to help build reading stamina, fluency, and comprehension. Students will also begin book talks, where they can share their favorite stories with classmates using the new books. This space will continue to support their growth as confident and enthusiastic readers.","fullyFundedDate":1756387069883,"projectUrl":"project/lifelong-readers/9439770/","projectTitle":"Lifelong Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Mendenhall","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7975661_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1650154407087","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7975661"},{"teacherId":1066587,"projectId":9149950,"letterContent":"Each month, our school highlights and celebrates a certain trait. My hope this year was to provide a better understanding for what each trait really means, so that students can develop these important skills and to make celebrating these traits much more meaningful. The books provided through this project help my students learn and understand our various traits through characters, actions, and discussion. Similarly, the books provided through this project showcase diverse cultures, celebrations, and families. These are so meaningful as we learn about and discuss various holidays and traditions. Thank you so much for your contributions to this project. It is making a world of difference in my students' social, emotional, cultural, and literacy development.","fullyFundedDate":1745000710973,"projectUrl":"project/powerful-lessons-through-literacy/9149950/","projectTitle":"Powerful Lessons Through Literacy","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Farley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1066587_orig.png?crop=981,982,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1662568289316","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-hoane"},{"teacherId":1066587,"projectId":9546576,"letterContent":"Thank you for filling our classroom with materials and activities that engage my young learners! My students use our mini whiteboards and dry erase markers daily. The special feature of the primary writing lines helps them as they learn to write new letters. My students LOVE to use the magnetic number and letter tracing, as well as the math key and locks. There are so many engaging and meaningful new activities that not only excite them about their learning, but allow them to develop such important skills. Another favorite item is our classroom vacuum. What a difference it makes to keep our classroom feeling like a beautiful and cared for space, and what a great way for students to develop responsibility! Thank you for all that you donated!","fullyFundedDate":1756387059130,"projectUrl":"project/materials-for-an-engaging-classroom/9546576/","projectTitle":"Materials for an Engaging Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Farley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1066587_orig.png?crop=981,982,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1662568289316","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-hoane"},{"teacherId":1066587,"projectId":9546438,"letterContent":"Thank you for this beautiful addition to our classroom space! This new classroom carpet is positively impacting my students more than you could imagine! Not only does it create a space that is bright and beautiful, but it also supports my students in classroom routines. The rainbow color structure of the carpet allows students to work in color \"teams\" to pass out and collect materials at the carpet, to earn points, and to celebrate other \"teams.\"\r\n\r\nWhat a difference this classroom carpet has made! Thank you so much for your positive impact!","fullyFundedDate":1756387063080,"projectUrl":"project/a-space-for-learning/9546438/","projectTitle":"A Space for Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Farley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1066587_orig.png?crop=981,982,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1662568289316","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-hoane"},{"teacherId":7331038,"projectId":9742286,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donations. My students have already been enjoying the supplies. They have already used the printing materials and had so much fun. The art rack has already been to use with all the printing we did this week. \r\n\r\nThey are extremely grateful that you helped provide them with these materials. The laminator has been a blessing. My other laminator decided to retire this year. Laminating our math games helps preserve them.\r\n\r\nThank you for all the support you have given my students.","fullyFundedDate":1759364085192,"projectUrl":"project/creative-minds/9742286/","projectTitle":"Creative Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Nixon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7331038_orig.jpg?crop=643,643,x0,y531&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1691623412784","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-nixon-stafford"},{"teacherId":3845707,"projectId":9502533,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contribution to my project! Because of your kindness, our classroom now has engaging math games, hands-on STEM tools, fresh whiteboard markers, and professional development books that are transforming the way we learn and grow together.\r\n\r\nThe math and STEM materials have sparked incredible excitement and curiosity. Students are exploring new ways to problem-solve, experiment, and think critically while collaborating with their classmates. The whiteboard markers keep our lessons interactive and creative, while the professional development books are helping me strengthen my teaching practice and bring fresh ideas to my students each day.\r\n\r\nYour support has truly elevated our classroom. These resources have made learning more joyful, hands-on, and meaningful for every child. The smiles, laughter, and \"I did it!\" moments we see daily are all possible because of your generosity.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our work and for helping create a space where students can explore, imagine, and achieve. Your impact will continue to inspire our learning all year long.","fullyFundedDate":1755705209031,"projectUrl":"project/stock-our-shelves-spark-our-smiles/9502533/","projectTitle":"Stock Our Shelves, Spark Our Smiles!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lyon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3845707_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1530376054353","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3845707"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_32278","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":453,"numTeachers":31,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":21,"percentBlack":15,"percentWhite":16,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":25,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"14.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":84.6,"schoolId":32278,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Helen B Stafford Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Helen B Stafford Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/washington/tacoma-public-schools/hellen-stafford-elementary-school/32278"}