{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Wilson Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":39.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2596540,"projectId":10503959,"letterContent":"When the boxes for 'Tranquil Spaces, Big Smiles' arrived, the kids were so curious to see what was inside. Unboxing everything together was such a great moment. For students who deal with complex sensory needs and non-verbal communication barriers, having dedicated, calming resources in our room makes a world of difference. Watching them explore the new textures and settle into our quiet area immediately set a calmer, more comfortable tone in our classroom.\r\n\r\nWe have integrated these materials directly into our daily routine, especially during busy transitions and mealtimes. Just this past week during lunch setup, one of my students started getting visibly overwhelmed by the noise. Instead of escalating, he walked over to the new quiet corner on his own, picked up a tactile sensory tool, and took a few minutes to reset. He then rejoined us at the table, calm and ready to eat. Seeing him independently recognize his needs and use those tools to self-regulate was huge for him.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, our goal is to build on this sense of predictability to focus on communication and self-help skills. Now that our space feels safe, my students can channel their energy into using their visual choice boards and interacting with peers. Thank you for giving my students the daily comfort and tools they need to feel calm, safe, and ready to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1788372585662,"projectUrl":"project/tranquil-spaces-big-smiles-help-young/10503959/","projectTitle":"Tranquil Spaces, Big Smiles: Help Young Special Needs Students Thrive","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Morwood","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2596540_orig.png?crop=317,317,x24,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1705780876016","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2596540"},{"teacherId":2596540,"projectId":10380602,"letterContent":"When the boxes for \"Roaring into Reading: Sensory Toys for Cooperative Play\" arrived, pure excitement filled our classroom. The moment my students saw the colorful, hands-on sensory toys, their eyes lit up with joy. For young learners with diverse learning needs, having tactile, interactive materials makes a world of difference. Seeing brand-new items tailored specifically to their sensory needs turned a regular morning into a celebration.\r\n\r\nWe now use these resources daily during our play and communication centers, and the improvement in their reciprocal play has been remarkable. Because these real-life toys are so highly engaging, my students are naturally motivated to practice requesting, turn-taking, and waiting for a friend. Just this week, two students who typically prefer solitary play sat together at a sensory station. Instead of reaching out to grab a toy, one student paused and used their communication tools to ask for a turn, while his friend smiled and patiently waited before passing it over. Watching them eagerly practice sharing and playing together has been an incredible breakthrough.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, our next step is to link these cooperative play routines directly to our literacy lessons. We will be using the sensory toys alongside interactive storybooks to act out scenes, practice story sequencing, and build vocabulary in small group settings. Your generosity gave my students more than just fun classroom items—you provided the spark they needed to connect, communicate, and thrive together.","fullyFundedDate":1785005199411,"projectUrl":"project/roaring-into-reading-sensory-toys-for-c/10380602/","projectTitle":"Roaring into Reading: Sensory Toys for Cooperative Play","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Morwood","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2596540_orig.png?crop=317,317,x24,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1705780876016","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2596540"},{"teacherId":2596540,"projectId":10336242,"letterContent":"The moment our new listening resources arrived, pure excitement filled the room. Unboxing the headphones and vibrant storybooks felt like opening presents on a birthday, and my students' eyes lit up the second they realized these materials were just for them. For many of our early learners, sitting through traditional read-alouds can be challenging, but having access to comfortable, student-friendly audio tech and captivating stories immediately transformed story time into the most anticipated part of the day.\r\n\r\nWe now use these resources daily during our literacy stations, and the growth in our students' pre-literacy skills has been explosive. Having the audio play directly into their headphones while they hold the matching physical book allows them to connect spoken words with printed text in a deeply personal, distraction-free way. Just last week, during an audio station, one of my students who typically struggles to focus for more than a minute sat completely spellbound for an entire book. He carefully turned every page at the audio chime, pointed to the characters as their names were spoken, and proudly turned to a friend to share his excitement. Watching their confidence flourish as they learn to track print from left to right, recognize key vocabulary, and engage independently with audio cues has been incredible.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, our next step is to use these beloved listening lessons to build stronger story-sequencing and communication skills. Students will begin using picture cards and visual choice boards to put events in order—identifying what happened first, next, and last—and practice using targeted vocabulary like \"want\" during interactive retells. Your generous support didn't just buy materials; it unlocked an accessible doorway to language, reading comprehension, and a genuine love for books that will impact these children for a lifetime.","fullyFundedDate":1782433730902,"projectUrl":"project/the-rhythm-of-reading-audio-stories-for/10336242/","projectTitle":"The Rhythm of Reading: Audio Stories for Autistic Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Morwood","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2596540_orig.png?crop=317,317,x24,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1705780876016","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2596540"},{"teacherId":2596540,"projectId":10354512,"letterContent":"Your generosity has transformed storytime in our classroom into a lively, hands-on learning adventure! In an autistic preschool classroom, reading looks a bit different than sitting quietly in a circle. For our young learners, reading is a sensory-rich, physical experience. Pages are meant to be touched, explored, and actively engaged with—and these seasonal pop-it books do exactly that.\r\n\r\nWhile traditional reading instruction often focuses on decoding letters, foundational literacy for our students starts with building sustained attention, visual tracking, and fine motor strength. When a student presses a pop-it bubble while following a line of text, they aren't just playing; they are actively training their eyes to move from left to right across a page and developing the finger isolation strength needed for pencil grips down the road. Integrating seasonal themes—like counting pumpkin pops in the fall or snowflake pops in the winter—allows us to weave early math and number concepts directly into our literacy routines.\r\n\r\nOne of our students who used to struggle to engage with traditional paper books now eagerly rushes to the library center the moment these new titles are brought out. The tactile feedback of pushing the bubbles gives his nervous system the input it needs to stay grounded, allowing him to stay focused on the story from start to finish. He loves proudly counting out each bubble, connecting the physical sensation of the \"pop\" to the numbers on the page.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, reading is no longer an overwhelming or abstract task—it is accessible, joyful, and deeply meaningful. You haven't just gifted us books; you've opened a doorway to learning for students who understand the world best through touch and play. Thank you for making this progress possible!","fullyFundedDate":1784122904245,"projectUrl":"project/push-pop-and-read-engaging-autistic-p/10354512/","projectTitle":"Push, Pop, and Read! Engaging Autistic Preschoolers With Tactile Stories","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Morwood","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2596540_orig.png?crop=317,317,x24,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1705780876016","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2596540"},{"teacherId":2596540,"projectId":10335982,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity toward our project, \"Different Minds, Designed to Shine: Support Special Ed!\" When the boxes arrived and our students first saw the new sensory tools and tailored learning resources, their faces lit up with pure joy. For many of my students, new materials mean fresh opportunities, and their immediate curiosity was contagious. They could not wait to explore the tactile items, flexible options, and adapted learning tools designed specifically to honor the unique ways their minds work.\r\n\r\nWe have already integrated these new resources into our daily routines, and the impact on emotional regulation and learning has been profound. Having dedicated, sensory-friendly items gives my students the precise input they need to feel safe, grounded, and ready to learn. During our table work time, students are using these tools to maintain focus and communicate their needs far more effectively. In one recent moment, a student who typically experiences high anxiety during task transitions was able to use our new visual tools and sensory regulating items to calmly navigate their assignment, proudly finishing their work and beaming with pride. These resources have turned potential moments of frustration into triumphs, creating a truly safe space where every child feels understood and supported.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, our next step is to expand how we use these materials during our collaborative group lessons and independent work stations. As my students continue to build confidence and self-regulation skills, we are diving deeper into interactive hands-on projects that build their functional communication and early academic skills. Your support hasn't just provided classroom supplies—it has fostered a genuine love for learning and empowered my students to shine brightly every single day. Thank you for believing in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1784818008854,"projectUrl":"project/different-minds-designed-to-shine-supp/10335982/","projectTitle":"Different Minds, Designed to Shine: Support Special Ed!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Morwood","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2596540_orig.png?crop=317,317,x24,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1705780876016","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2596540"},{"teacherId":2596540,"projectId":9842064,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for funding \"Tools for Tots Who Learn Differently!\" When the packages arrived, our classroom felt like it was Christmas morning. The children gathered around the boxes with wide eyes and absolute wonder, gasping with joy as we pulled out the specialized sensory tools, adapted materials, and hands-on learning resources. For my young students with diverse learning needs and unique developmental paths, these tools are game-changers. They aren't just toys; they are the exact bridges my students need to regulate their bodies, focus their minds, and confidently access their education.\r\n\r\nWe immediately integrated these incredible resources into our daily small-group instruction and independent center rotations, and the transformation has been beautiful to witness. Just recently, during a fine-motor and cognitive lesson, one of my students who typically experiences high anxiety and struggles to stay seated became completely grounded by using one of our new sensory seating options and tactile tools. Instead of becoming overwhelmed and shut down, he tuned right into the task, stayed engaged for the entire activity, and successfully completed a sorting milestone with a massive smile on his face. Having the right tools allowed him to bypass his sensory barriers and simply thrive as a learner.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, our next steps are to use these specialized materials to support our upcoming inclusion readiness and independent living units. We will be leveraging these resources to teach the children how to self-advocate for their sensory needs—learning which tool helps them calm down, which one helps them focus, and how to safely navigate their classroom environment. By giving these incredible tots the specific tools they need to learn their way, you have fostered an environment of ultimate acceptance, independence, and success. Thank you for your beautiful investment in our classroom family!","fullyFundedDate":1761933427377,"projectUrl":"project/tools-for-tots-who-learn-differently/9842064/","projectTitle":"Tools for Tots Who Learn Differently","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Morwood","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2596540_orig.png?crop=317,317,x24,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1705780876016","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2596540"},{"teacherId":2596540,"projectId":9870371,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your incredible generosity in bringing \"Circle Time Conversations: Growing Language Together\" to life! When the boxes arrived in our classroom, the children's excitement was absolutely palpable. They gathered around with wide eyes as we unboxed our new, colorful resources, eagerly reaching out to touch the multi-modal materials and interactive tools. For my young learners—many of whom are navigating diverse speech, language, and sensory needs—these resources are not just classroom supplies; they are the vital keys that unlock their ability to connect, express themselves, and engage with the world around them.\r\n\r\nWe have already put these fantastic materials to work during our daily group routines, and the impact has been immediate. Just this week, we used our new resources to facilitate a highly interactive story and song session. One of my students, who typically struggles to maintain focus and often relies on heavy prompting, was so captivated by the tactile and visual elements that he independently reached out, tuned in to the activity, and used our new tools to actively participate with his peers. Seeing the pure joy and pride on his face as he successfully communicated his choices to the group was a beautiful reminder of what your support makes possible.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, our next steps are to deeply embed these resources into our upcoming thematic learning units. We will be using them to strengthen early literacy, expand color and shape identification, and build foundational social skills like turn-taking and reciprocal play. By blending these materials into our hands-on, play-based activities, you have helped us create a safe, enriching environment where every child can meet their developmental milestones. Thank you for investing in our classroom community and for believing in the potential of these amazing young learners!","fullyFundedDate":1771008698390,"projectUrl":"project/circle-time-conversations-growing-langu/9870371/","projectTitle":"Circle Time Conversations: Growing Language Together","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Morwood","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2596540_orig.png?crop=317,317,x24,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1705780876016","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2596540"},{"teacherId":7857711,"projectId":7740719,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in bringing this collection of high-interest books to our 4th-grade classroom. In 4th grade, students are expected to move beyond simple decoding and begin analyzing complex characters and informational text structures. These books are the perfect tools for that leap. Whether they are diving into a gripping mystery or exploring a detailed biography, my students are actively practicing critical skills like making inferences, identifying themes, and expanding their academic vocabulary. Your gift has transformed our classroom into a vibrant 'literacy lounge' where reading is no longer a chore, but a gateway to new ideas and perspectives.\"\r\n\r\nThe impact on student engagement has been immediate and heartening. I have several students who previously struggled to find books that truly 'clicked' for them, often feeling discouraged by traditional curriculum texts. Now, those same students are the first ones at the bookshelf each morning, eager to continue a series or share a surprising fact they learned about the natural world. Seeing a student who once called themselves a 'non-reader' get lost in a book about extreme weather or a graphic novel is the ultimate reward. Your support is helping these 9- and 10-year-olds build the confidence they need to become lifelong readers, and for that, I am truly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1695141110760,"projectUrl":"project/a-book-a-day-keeps-illiteracy-away/7740719/","projectTitle":"A Book a Day Keeps Illiteracy Away!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Peterson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7857711_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1773017103379","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7857711"},{"teacherId":2596540,"projectId":9869522,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible kindness and generosity in funding our project, \"Unlocking Language with Laughter and Learning!\" When the big brown boxes were delivered to our classroom, the kids were absolutely bursting with curiosity. Their faces completely lit up as we opened them together to reveal a vibrant array of hands-on toys, interactive games, and language-building tools. For an early childhood classroom filled with busy, energetic, and beautifully diverse learners, these materials immediately turned our space into an oasis of discovery. There is truly no better sound than the giggles of young children realizing that learning can be an absolute blast.\r\n\r\nWe have seamlessly woven these new resources into our daily thematic play centers, and the impact on our students' communication and social skills has been profound. Just a few days ago, we used our new materials during a collaborative group activity. One of my students, who faces significant speech and sensory processing challenges and often struggles to stay regulated during transitions, was completely captivated by the new tactile learning tools. Inspired by the laughter of his peers, he independently approached the table, engaged in a joint attention moment with a classmate, and used the resources to communicate his choices with pure confidence. It was a huge breakthrough moment that showcased exactly why play-based learning is so vital for our kids.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, our next steps are to use these specialized resources to dive deep into our upcoming social-emotional and adaptive independence lessons. We will be leveraging these materials to practice crucial early childhood milestones like turn-taking, sharing common language, and learning how to cooperate during group games. By blending interactive play with targeted language interventions, you have given my students the tools they need to express their feelings, find their voices, and build meaningful friendships. Thank you for opening up a whole new world of laughter, learning, and growth for our classroom family!","fullyFundedDate":1763665184807,"projectUrl":"project/unlocking-language-with-laughter-and-lea/9869522/","projectTitle":"Unlocking Language with Laughter and Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Morwood","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2596540_orig.png?crop=317,317,x24,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1705780876016","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2596540"},{"teacherId":2480609,"projectId":9802419,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the give of Rekenrek's for our kindergarten through second grade students. They use this tool to learn about counting, adding and subtracting. Learning is much more meaningful when each student is able to use the tool the teacher is modeling instead of just observing the teacher. \r\nThis tool will also be used for years to come, so your give will benefit Wilson students for many, many years. Thank you again for your continued support of education and Wilson Elementary School. We are so lucky to have people who care about the future and our students. Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1760748832299,"projectUrl":"project/whats-a-rekenrek/9802419/","projectTitle":"What's a Rekenrek?!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fuelleman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2480609_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1472175947366","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2480609"},{"teacherId":439013,"projectId":9567130,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating supplies for the Wilson Elementary Music classroom. All of the materials have been put to good use and are so appreciated!\r\n\r\nWe have been using the drum sticks weekly in every class to work on rhythm skills and coordination. The spinners and blank playing cards have been made into games to help students learn and practice musical skills like rhythm values and time signatures. The pencils and lifesavers were given out as prizes for our music Bingo games that all the students LOVE to play. Your contribution is so valued and appreciated.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping to make a difference in the lives of these students!!!!!!","fullyFundedDate":1760693713957,"projectUrl":"project/rockin-to-the-rhythm/9567130/","projectTitle":"Rockin’ to the Rhythm","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Riley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp439013_orig.png?crop=368,368,x499,y77&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1662064470942","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/439013"},{"teacherId":5609826,"projectId":9661948,"letterContent":"Thank you for choosing to fund my project. Both of my libraries are now lit up with fun lights. We've used them already for Thanksgiving mood lighting and now will switch to Christmas mode! \r\nThe little kids really love the moving light. We didn't realize it, but some of our friends with special needs enjoy watching the lights move and it calms them.\r\nI can't wait to find some fun Teachers Pay Teachers activities for Christmas and the new year. We've completed a nonfiction scavenger hunt activity already. \r\n\r\nThank you again!","fullyFundedDate":1756687643076,"projectUrl":"project/light-up-our-books/9661948/","projectTitle":"Light Up Our Books!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kriefall","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5609826_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1533218330596","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kriefall"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_38229","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":258,"numTeachers":29,"percentFrplEligible":87,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":19,"percentWhite":30,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":30,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":15,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"8.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":60.8,"schoolId":38229,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Wilson Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Wilson Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/wisconsin/school-district-of-janesville/wilson-elementary-school/38229"}