{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Afton Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":52.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8305575,"projectId":10016616,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your contribution to my listening center. Early literacy is so important, and sadly most kindergarteners are coming to school with very little time spent in books. By combining both technology and literacy my students are more engaged with their books. My young kindergarteners cannot read independently yet, so having these audio books on the YOTO have helped them dive into books that they cannot read yet. It is so fun to watch them stay busily engaged in the text for over 10 minutes. Thank you for your contribution.","fullyFundedDate":1778021053451,"projectUrl":"project/listening-today-reading-tomorrow/10016616/","projectTitle":"Listening Today, Reading Tomorrow","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Call","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8305575_orig.jpg?crop=2294,2294,x7,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1769036886221","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8305575"},{"teacherId":4340785,"projectId":10256547,"letterContent":"These new books have already made such a difference in our kindergarten classroom! At this age, reading is about so much more than learning the words on a page. We are working on important early literacy skills like identifying letters and sounds, building vocabulary, making predictions, retelling a story, identifying characters and settings, and making connections between books and our own lives. These books have given us new and engaging ways to practice those skills every day.\r\n\r\nReading is a huge part of our classroom. We read together during whole-group lessons, use books during small groups, and make time for students to explore books independently. One of my favorite things is watching students choose a book we have already read together and then \"read\" it on their own. Those moments are such an important part of becoming a reader.\r\n\r\nThe new books have been especially exciting for students who are still learning to see themselves as readers. Having fresh, interesting books to choose from has made our classroom library a place they genuinely want to spend time. I have students who immediately ask if a new book can go in our classroom library after we finish reading it together. Thank you for helping us build a classroom where books are exciting, accessible, and a part of our everyday learning!","fullyFundedDate":1778021049681,"projectUrl":"project/science-and-love-of-reading/10256547/","projectTitle":"Science and Love of Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Putnam","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4340785_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1515514772113","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/erickaputnam"},{"teacherId":10386228,"projectId":9995653,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation!! Your decision to support my project allowed me to organize my classroom supplies. I was able to organize my reading curriculum and my math manipulatives in a way that allows me to locate the correct supplies with ease. It ensures that my students get to enjoy an organized and calm environment-- this is vital for students with sensory processing needs. \r\n\r\nMy reading curriculum is organized by month- I can grab a bin and be ready to go for the whole month! The math manipulatives are organized by material type and will be easier to find now that they are all in their own containers. My favorite substitute teacher even commented on how much better it looks! Thank you, thank you!!","fullyFundedDate":1778021054117,"projectUrl":"project/searching-for-peace-and-storage/9995653/","projectTitle":"Searching for Peace and Storage!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Nichols","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10386228"},{"teacherId":10403472,"projectId":10042386,"letterContent":"It has been so much fun having a Yoto player in our classroom. It is so easy to use, even for incoming Kindergarten students who don't have much independence yet. So far, our favorite book to listen to is The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The kids have figured out how to change the book and listen to all of their favorites during center time. \r\nNot everything is as easy to learn as the Yoto player. I am very grateful to take out the CD player that required a lot of adult assistance! We look forward to adding to our Yoto book collection to keep the learning going! Thank you for supporting early literacy in my Kindergarten classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1778021053596,"projectUrl":"project/accessible-audio-learning-for-young-read/10042386/","projectTitle":"Accessible Audio Learning for Young Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bagley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10403472"},{"teacherId":10386228,"projectId":9963519,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity! Because of your donations, my students are able to effectively use chrome books to engage in a computer learning program. While some of my students are independently engaged on the computers, it frees up my time and attention to work with other students in small groups and better meet their individual learning needs.\r\n\r\nOur old headphones were starting to break and were being held together by tape and we were struggling to find enough functional headphones for each student to be assigned their own set. Thus leading to some hygiene concerns. Now each student has their own set of headphones!","fullyFundedDate":1767208559302,"projectUrl":"project/old-worn-out-overworked-headphones-rea/9963519/","projectTitle":"Old, Worn-out, Overworked Headphones Ready for Retirement","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Nichols","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10386228"},{"teacherId":10386228,"projectId":9962374,"letterContent":"Your generosity has improved the ability that my students have to focus by providing a positive outlet for their wiggles. Students are able to move in a more appropriate and controlled way, thus allowing them to use their attention and energy on their work and not on controlling their movements.\r\n\r\nMy students have also had the opportunity to employ responsibility and integrity as they worked together to write up a contract for the wiggle seats. Each student had the opportunity to share a rule/expectation for the wiggle seats. When they were satisfied with their contract terms, they each signed their name at the bottom. Students are given a reminder when they are not meeting the terms. If they continue misusing the wiggle seats they are given a normal chair to use for the rest of the day. Students are then allowed to try again the next day with a wiggle seat.","fullyFundedDate":1767208559329,"projectUrl":"project/we-wiggle-while-we-work/9962374/","projectTitle":"We Wiggle While We Work!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Nichols","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10386228"},{"teacherId":8305575,"projectId":10050542,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your contribution to my listening center. Early literacy is so important, and sadly most kindergarteners are coming to school with very little time spent in books. By combining both technology and literacy my students are more engaged with their books. My young kindergarteners cannot read independently yet, so having these audio books on the YOTO have helped them dive into books that they cannot read yet. It is so fun to watch them stay busily engaged in the text for over 10 minutes. Thank you for your contribution.","fullyFundedDate":1774041080291,"projectUrl":"project/a-small-player-with-a-big-impact/10050542/","projectTitle":"A Small Player with a Big Impact","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Call","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8305575_orig.jpg?crop=2294,2294,x7,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1769036886221","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8305575"},{"teacherId":4340785,"projectId":9614788,"letterContent":"These new books have made a meaningful difference in our first grade classroom by giving students engaging, high-interest opportunities to strengthen critical early literacy skills. Through these texts, students are building foundational reading abilities such as phonics, decoding, fluency, comprehension, vocabulary development, and reading stamina. The variety of books allows us to meet students where they are while also encouraging growth, confidence, and a genuine love of reading.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is an active, hands-on experience. Students participate in small group instruction, partner reading, independent reading, and whole-group lessons where they practice important skills using the Science of Reading approach. These new books provide fresh opportunities for students to apply decoding strategies, improve comprehension, and make meaningful connections with what they read. They also help create excitement around literacy, making reading something students look forward to each day.\r\n\r\nSeveral students, particularly those who have struggled with reading confidence, have shown tremendous enthusiasm with these new texts. Reluctant readers are more willing to engage when they have appealing, accessible books in their hands, while stronger readers are eager to challenge themselves with new topics and stories. Watching students light up as they successfully read, discuss, and enjoy books is one of the most rewarding parts of teaching. These resources are not only improving academic skills but also helping foster lifelong readers.","fullyFundedDate":1764781142894,"projectUrl":"project/maker-space-for-learning-and-fun/9614788/","projectTitle":"Maker Space For Learning and Fun!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Putnam","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4340785_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1515514772113","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/erickaputnam"},{"teacherId":4340785,"projectId":9191675,"letterContent":"Since receiving these decodable books, my students are finally learning to read the way strong readers do, by sounding out words instead of guessing.\r\nThese books are written to match the phonics skills my first graders are learning, so students can successfully read on their own. That success has been huge for their confidence. They light up when they realize they can read an entire book without help, and they often ask to take them home just to show their families.\r\nThe most exciting part for my students is feeling capable. Instead of feeling frustrated or stuck, they can decode the words using the skills we practice every day. I have especially seen growth in students who struggled earlier in the year. Children who once avoided reading are now eager to pick up the books, sound out words, and proudly say, \"I read it all by myself!\"\r\nThese decodable books didn't just improve reading skills; they changed how my students see themselves. They no longer think of reading as something too hard. They see themselves as readers, and that is the greatest gift of all!","fullyFundedDate":1748933684910,"projectUrl":"project/decoding-and-the-basics-of-reading/9191675/","projectTitle":"Decoding and the Basics of Reading!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Putnam","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4340785_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1515514772113","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/erickaputnam"},{"teacherId":9580306,"projectId":9697851,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous and thoughtful donation. My students love having the flexibility to choose where they were and can move around throughout the day. Getting some comfortable pillows and a fun work space has made our room a calming, productive work space.\r\n\r\nThe students saw the packages arrive, and they were so excited they wanted to unbox them immediately. The table and chairs and cushions are such a hot commodity in our room that I have had to come up with a system so that everyone has a chance to use them.\r\n\r\nYour donation, has not only impacted my own class but all five third grade classes in our school, because we share students throughout the day. Thank you again for providing alternative work spaces for the many students here at Afton Elementary. They are loved and truly appreciated.","fullyFundedDate":1758127088826,"projectUrl":"project/flexible-learning-spaces/9697851/","projectTitle":"Flexible Learning Spaces","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lancaster","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9580306"},{"teacherId":7829557,"projectId":9338683,"letterContent":"My students are so thrilled to learn where their food comes from! They are excited to share with each other their knowledge of growing. The cold winter months are setting in and they are seeing the growing process take place.\r\nSome students are able to grow gardens of their own, but many are not able to. With your generous donation, these students are able to learn how food is grown and watch it each day. These students are meeting science and reading standards through inquiry and watching the fruits of their labors!","fullyFundedDate":1755534576651,"projectUrl":"project/i-can-learn-where-my-food-comes-from/9338683/","projectTitle":"I Can Learn Where My Food Comes From","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. FROME","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7829557_orig.png?crop=1076,1076,x0,y86&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724164845550","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7829557"},{"teacherId":8260843,"projectId":9426241,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating our beautiful new classroom rugs! We are truly grateful, and I want to share just how much these rugs have already meant to our kindergarten classroom. From the moment we unrolled them, my students' faces lit up with excitement.\r\n\r\nOne of the biggest changes we've noticed is how the rugs help make our classroom feel more like a warm, welcoming home. Kindergarteners spend a lot of time sitting on the floor—during morning meeting, story time, centers, partner work, and quiet reading. Having soft, colorful rugs gives them a comfortable place to sit, stretch out, and feel calm. Instead of hard floors, the kids now have a space that feels safe and inviting, and that makes a big difference in how ready they are to learn each day.\r\n\r\nThe rugs also help our classroom stay organized and peaceful. In kindergarten, clear spaces and defined areas are so important. Our new rugs create natural spots for group activities, helping students know exactly where to sit, how to gather with friends, and how to stay focused. \r\n\r\nAnother wonderful benefit is how the rugs support our social-emotional learning. A cozy rug becomes a shared space where friendships grow, conversations happen, and teamwork thrives. I've already watched students sit side-by-side reading books together, helping each other with puzzles, building with blocks, and laughing together during games. Having a soft, comfortable place to gather encourages kindness, cooperation, and community—things we value so much in kindergarten.\r\n\r\nYour donation didn't just give us something to put on the floor. You gave my students a place where they feel comfortable, cared for, and ready to learn. You helped create a classroom where joy, connection, and curiosity can grow even stronger. Your kindness has made a real difference in our daily routines and in the hearts of my little learners.\r\n\r\nThank you so much for supporting our classroom and for giving us something we will enjoy and appreciate every single day. Your generosity means more than you know, and we are so grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1760464225403,"projectUrl":"project/warming-the-classroom/9426241/","projectTitle":"Warming the Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hemmert","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8260843_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1751424171495","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8260843"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_39468","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":392,"numTeachers":31,"percentFrplEligible":36,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":94,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":3,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":1,"gradesServed":"K - 3","studentTeacherRatio":"12.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_REMOTE"},"inStateSupporters":47.4,"schoolId":39468,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Afton Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Afton Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/wyoming/lincoln-county-school-district-2/afton-elementary-school/39468"}