ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Veterans Memorial Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":14.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10282952,"projectId":9761588,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the bucket chairs and seat sacks! The students were so excited to see the new editions to the classroom. Every student received a seat sack and we have 6 bucket chairs. The seat sacks allow for so much work space on their tables. This is so important because we do a lot of Team work activities. This allows for large charts, displays and even cooperative puzzles. We do Teamwork Tuesday where a new puzzle appears and the students work on it throughout the day when they have time. The goal is to finish as a classroom and they love to try and get it done in one day. The bucket chairs allow for flexible seating during reading time as well as math. Sometimes we use them as a reward other times they just like to sit in them around the room for a quiet comfy spot. Thanks so much for the key editions to our room!!","fullyFundedDate":1758846800363,"projectUrl":"project/smart-seats-smart-spaces/9761588/","projectTitle":"Smart Seats, Smart Spaces","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hudson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10282952"},{"teacherId":10187669,"projectId":9689203,"letterContent":"Receiving the flexible seating grant has made a meaningful and immediate difference in our classroom community. Students are already reaping the benefits of having seating options that support their individual learning needs. With the addition of wobble stools, floor seats, and other flexible choices, students are more engaged, more comfortable, and more eager to participate in daily learning activities.\r\n\r\nThe excitement in the room is noticeable—students take pride in selecting the seating that helps them focus best, and many have expressed how much they enjoy the new options. These tools have not only boosted motivation but have also created a more inclusive environment where every learner feels empowered to take ownership of their learning.\r\n\r\nThis grant has truly transformed our classroom, and we are grateful for the opportunity to provide students with a space that supports their success both academically and emotionally.","fullyFundedDate":1762363919361,"projectUrl":"project/seats-for-success/9689203/","projectTitle":"Seats for Success!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Schaps","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10187669"},{"teacherId":10189310,"projectId":9623844,"letterContent":"Our new flexible seating has already transformed the way my students learn each day. The portable lap desk have given them the freedom to choose spaces where they feel most focused and comfortable. One of my favorite moments happened during writing time: a student who often struggles to stay engaged settled into a portable lap desk, gently moving as she wrote, and she stayed focused for the entire block—something that rarely happened before. Moments like this have shown me just how powerful the right environment can be for a child's confidence and independence.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first walked in and saw all the new seating options, they gasped. Several of them whispered, \"Wow, this is for us?\" They immediately wanted to try every seat, switching between stools and cushions with big smiles. Their excitement quickly turned into purposeful learning—students naturally gravitated toward the seating that helped them do their best work.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has created a classroom where students feel comfortable, supported, and eager to learn. As we move into our next reading and math units, these flexible seats will play a huge role in helping students stay focused during small-group lessons, independent reading, and hands-on math centers. We are beginning more challenging literacy tasks that require sustained attention, and the new seating is already helping students stay calm and engaged.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving my students a learning environment that meets their needs and makes them feel valued. Your support is making a meaningful difference every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1755638211745,"projectUrl":"project/sitting-for-all/9623844/","projectTitle":"Sitting for All!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Padilla","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10189310"},{"teacherId":10187669,"projectId":9621474,"letterContent":"Receiving the flexible seating grant has made a meaningful and immediate difference in our classroom community. Students are already reaping the benefits of having seating options that support their individual learning needs. With the addition of wobble stools, floor seats, and other flexible choices, students are more engaged, more comfortable, and more eager to participate in daily learning activities.\r\n\r\nThe excitement in the room is noticeable—students take pride in selecting the seating that helps them focus best, and many have expressed how much they enjoy the new options. These tools have not only boosted motivation but have also created a more inclusive environment where every learner feels empowered to take ownership of their learning.\r\n\r\nThis grant has truly transformed our classroom, and we are grateful for the opportunity to provide students with a space that supports their success both academically and emotionally.","fullyFundedDate":1755563305254,"projectUrl":"project/seats-for-success/9621474/","projectTitle":"Seats for Success!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Schaps","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10187669"},{"teacherId":1118301,"projectId":9624587,"letterContent":"Thank you for donating to my project \"Fostering Stem and Social Skills with Legos\". My school Veterans Memorial Elementary is a Leader in Me school. One aspect of being such a school is that we believe that the students have a voice and get to show their voice through many avenues. One avenue is the creation of clubs. Each year the students get a voice to create a club and then vote for the clubs that should be created the following school year. These clubs are various- stemming from sports related, to photography, debate, and then there is my LEGO club. \r\nDuring the regular school day, there is the focus on academics. Students do collaborate with each other, but it is academic related with the exception of recess and lunch, which is more or less an unstructured collaboration. With your grant funding my project, students were able to collaborate in a structured environment, but not needing to focus on the worry of an academic grade. In this Lego club, students learned to focus on the social skills of sharing, getting along, taking turns, listening to each other's ideas, using each other's ideas, giving input to plans, among many other social skills. Students used their creativity to immerse themselves in following directions to create projects following a specific set of directions, or they used their creativity to create a project of their own imagination.\r\nThe students in this club range from the third grade to the fifth grade. They enjoy coming to the club each scheduled time and one can see the excitement as they try building something new. I appreciate your generosity in funding my project and so do the students present, as well as the students in future years.","fullyFundedDate":1755642540975,"projectUrl":"project/fostering-social-and-stem-skills-with-le/9624587/","projectTitle":"Fostering Social and Stem Skills With Legos","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Van Osten","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1118301"},{"teacherId":10177776,"projectId":9684773,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for generously funding our flexible seating project! Your support has transformed our classroom in ways that are already changing how students learn, collaborate, and feel about coming to school each day.\r\n\r\nSince introducing the new seating options—such as wobble stools, floor cushions, soft seating, and standing spaces—students have shown noticeable improvements in focus, comfort, and ownership of their learning environment. Many of my students who often struggled to stay engaged now feel empowered to choose the space that helps them do their best work. Others who once felt anxious or restless are finding it easier to settle into tasks because they have the freedom to move, stretch, or sit in a way that meets their needs.\r\n\r\nThe classroom atmosphere feels more calm, welcoming, and student-centered. Group activities run more smoothly, discussions feel more energized, and students take pride in caring for and organizing the new seating options. Most importantly, they feel seen—your contribution tells them that their learning experience matters.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our classroom and investing in the well-being and success of my students. Your generosity has created a daily impact that will continue to support learners for years to come. We are truly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1757715683136,"projectUrl":"project/flexible-learning/9684773/","projectTitle":"Flexible Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cecil","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10177776_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757021838786","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10177776"},{"teacherId":10177776,"projectId":9597046,"letterContent":"On behalf of my students, the animals in our local shelters, and myself, I want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generous support of our Humane Helpers project. Your funding made this project not only possible, but deeply meaningful for everyone involved.\r\n\r\nThanks to your contribution, students were able to create dozens of vibrant, expressive portraits of shelter animals—artwork that has already made a visible difference in adoption interest. Shelter staff report that the painted portraits have helped potential adopters pause, connect, and see each animal's personality in a new way. Several pets featured in student artwork have already been adopted, and many more have received increased attention both in person and on social media.\r\n\r\nYour support also created powerful learning experiences for our students. They gained hands-on artistic practice, but even more importantly, they discovered how their creativity can be used for compassion and community impact. Many students shared that this project helped them feel empowered, proud, and connected to a purpose larger than themselves. Some even came into the classroom before school to finish artwork. \r\n\r\nBecause of your funding, I was able to provide high-quality art supplies, and protective materials that helped elevate the final pieces and ensure they could be displayed beautifully in the shelters. Your investment directly translated into a project that was both educational and life-changing—and in some cases, life-saving—for the animals who benefitted.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in this work. Your generosity has strengthened our community, uplifted our students, and opened the door to new beginnings for animals in need. We are truly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1755364479836,"projectUrl":"project/humane-helpers/9597046/","projectTitle":"Humane Helpers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cecil","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10177776_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757021838786","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10177776"},{"teacherId":10185206,"projectId":9616873,"letterContent":"I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for your generous contribution of the BrainPop subscription, books and beanbags to our fourth-grade classroom. Your support has made a tremendous difference—especially for my boys, many of whom have discovered an excitement for reading because of the environment you helped create.\r\nOur classroom serves 70 students throughout the day, and the beanbags have quickly become one of the most exciting parts of independent reading time. To make sure everyone gets a turn, I keep a checklist so each student—especially those eager boys who sprint to them first—can enjoy a cozy reading spot. Turning reading time into something comfortable and inviting has truly changed the atmosphere in our room.\r\nThe books you provided have opened so many doors for them. The LeBron James books are especially popular, sparking conversations, friendly recommendations, and a lot of renewed motivation from students who connect with his story. I'm seeing boys who were once reluctant readers settle into a beanbag, open a book, and stay completely absorbed—something every teacher loves to witness.\r\nYour kindness has not only enriched our classroom but has inspired these students to read with joy, comfort, and purpose. Thank you for believing in them and contributing to a space where they can grow, imagine, and feel successful.","fullyFundedDate":1755712546869,"projectUrl":"project/engage-away-and-dont-sit-still/9616873/","projectTitle":"Engage Away and Don't Sit Still","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sorensen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10185206"},{"teacherId":10177129,"projectId":9595581,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support! Our classroom now has a mini trampoline, and it has already made a meaningful difference for our students with special needs. We recently used it during a sensory movement activity designed to help students regulate their energy, improve balance, and strengthen core muscles. The moment the students first saw the trampoline, their faces lit up with excitement and curiosity. Some couldn't wait to try it, and others were eager to cheer on their classmates.\r\n\r\nThe trampoline has quickly become a favorite tool for helping students focus and engage more fully in learning activities afterward. Our next steps include incorporating it into structured motor skills lessons and daily sensory breaks, giving each student the opportunity to build coordination, confidence, and self-regulation skills. Your contribution is helping create a classroom environment where all students can thrive both physically and academically, and we are incredibly grateful for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1755785800636,"projectUrl":"project/motivational-movement/9595581/","projectTitle":"Motivational Movement","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Robison","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10177129"},{"teacherId":10191616,"projectId":9627501,"letterContent":"We've been using the new math games during small-group instruction and centers to reinforce skills like multiplication, division, and number sense, and they've quickly become a favorite tool for my special education students. One standout moment was when a typically hesitant student confidently solved a subtraction problem during a game and explained his strategy to the group a big boost for his confidence. When the materials first arrived, the students were immediately excited and kept asking, \"Can we play today?\" because the games made math feel fun and approachable. Our next steps are to integrate the games into our weekly practice rotations so students can continue building mastery, independence, and a deeper understanding of grade-level skills.\r\n\r\nWe've also been using the math games during our before-school support time, and they've made a big difference for my struggling learners. The games give students a low-pressure way to practice foundational skills while keeping them engaged and motivated early in the morning. These activities are helping build confidence, strengthen basic skills, and set a positive tone for the rest of their school day.","fullyFundedDate":1755658025053,"projectUrl":"project/multiply-the-fun-learning-through-fun-a/9627501/","projectTitle":"Multiply the Fun: Learning Through Fun and Games","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rynsburger","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10191616"},{"teacherId":10204171,"projectId":9633811,"letterContent":"On behalf of my 5th-grade science classes, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks for your generous contributions to our classroom. This is my first-year teaching 5th grade science and these items will help make science come alive and allow them to be more engaged. \r\nWe already had a class set of 12\" torsos so the full-size torso with organs is more of a gift for me. This interactive model allows me to demonstrate and explore the organs and their functions in a hands-on way with full size organs, while the students use their own smaller models. This made our learning more engaging since they're able to see them up close and understand how they all work together to keep us alive and healthy. \r\nThe students willingly took on the task of blowing up all the planets then patiently waited until after their science benchmark for me to hang them. I wish I took a picture when the students first saw the inflatable planets hanging from the ceiling. Their excitement and curiosity were fabulous! They loved being able to visualize the relative sizes of the planets and their positions in space. My classroom is not big enough for actual ratio distances, but kids were still shocked at the placement. They even asked why I hung Pluto if it's not a planet anymore. We don't teach solar systems until later in the year, however the inflatable planets and the solar system model with rotating planets will be highly beneficial when the time comes. It's one thing to read about the planets in a book, but it's another to be able to physically see and manipulate models of them in 3D and see how the planets move in relation to one another to gain a deeper understanding of how the solar system works. \r\nWe also have not used the microscope and slides yet, as that subject is taught at the end of the year. However, I am looking forward to giving my students an invaluable hands-on experience to examine tiny specimens up close, from plant cells to microorganisms. The ability to study things like pond water, plant roots, and other microscopic organisms will spark curiosity and wonder in each of them. I can't wait to see students' faces light up when they first look through the microscope and make their own discoveries. Your donation has truly made the world of science come alive for them in a way that is both exciting and educational.\r\nFinally, the science skills game has been a wonderful addition to our classroom. My students play the games when they finish work early and it has been a wonderful resource for reviewing key content before a test. This game makes learning about scientific concepts fun and interactive, and it has encouraged teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking among my students. They eagerly look forward to science game days, where they can test their knowledge in a competitive and enjoyable environment. \r\nThe impact of your generosity goes far beyond the materials you've provided. You've inspired my students to think critically, explore boldly, and approach science with a sense of wonder and curiosity that will stay with them for years to come. Thank you for investing in their future and helping to make science a fun and enriching experience in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1757423352169,"projectUrl":"project/sparking-curiosity-brings-science-to-lif/9633811/","projectTitle":"Sparking Curiosity Brings Science to Life","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Eisenberg","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10204171_orig.jpg?crop=919,919,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757378465227","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10204171"},{"teacherId":10189528,"projectId":9624220,"letterContent":"Fidgets have been a great tool in helping the students I work with stay focused and engaged throughout the school day. As a school counselor, I've seen firsthand how having something small to hold or manipulate allows students to release extra energy in a positive way, helping them better regulate their emotions and attention. Many of my students who struggle with focus or anxiety are now able to participate more effectively during class and in our check-ins. The use of fidgets has created a calmer and more supportive learning environment, allowing students to build self-regulation skills that carry over into their academic and social success.\r\n\r\nIn addition, I've been able to use fidgets and other small prizes as positive reinforcement for the students I check in with regularly. When students show growth, demonstrate kindness, or meet personal goals, I can reward them with something fun and meaningful that also supports their focus and well-being. This system has helped strengthen relationships and motivate students to continue making positive choices. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for making this possible through the grant funding—because of it, my students are not only learning important coping and self-management skills but are also feeling seen, supported, and celebrated.","fullyFundedDate":1755643701308,"projectUrl":"project/tools-to-help-you-thrive/9624220/","projectTitle":"Tools to Help You Thrive","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Delgado","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10189528"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_94689","usesÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":729,"numTeachers":52,"percentFrplEligible":94,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":3,"percentWhite":67,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":22,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"14.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":85.7,"schoolId":94689,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Veterans Memorial Elementary School on @ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½:","schoolName":"Veterans Memorial Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/florida/collier-county-public-schools/veterans-memorial-elementary-school/94689"}