Alisal Elementary School in Pleasanton, California on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Alisal Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":6.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":3312166,"projectId":9755680,"letterContent":"Thank you for making Battle of the Books at Alisal possible this year. Because of your support, students across multiple grade levels now have access to the full set of books they need in order to participate fully in this reading competition. Battle of the Books is a multi-month experience in which each team reads the same seven titles and then competes in a week-long series of trivia battles in April. The excitement builds as students try to read every book closely enough to recall small details, discuss plots and characters with their teammates, and prepare for the final competitions.\r\n\r\nTo run Battle of the Books well, we need several copies of each title so that interested students can check them out at the same time. In past years, our limited number of copies meant that students who were eager to join in sometimes never had the chance to read the books at all. They would come to the library ready to participate, only to find that every copy had already been checked out for weeks. Many of our students cannot easily purchase their own copies or visit the public library regularly, so school access truly determines whether they can participate.\r\n\r\nThis year, because of your donation, we finally had enough books for everyone who wanted one. When the Battle titles were placed on the shelves, students immediately rushed over to grab them—some even cheered when they realized they didn't have to wait. Multiple students told me, \"I've never gotten a Battle book on the first day before!\" The availability changed the tone of the whole event. Instead of worrying about whether they would get a copy, students focused on reading, discussing the stories with classmates, and \"training\" together for the battles. It has transformed Battle of the Books from something only some students could fully participate in into something truly inclusive and school-wide.\r\n\r\nYour support also allowed us to purchase sequels for several titles that are part of a longer series. This has made an enormous difference. Often, when a student finishes a Battle book and discovers it continues into a second or third installment, their enthusiasm spikes—they want to keep reading right away. Being able to hand them the next book while the excitement is fresh helps us capture that momentum and nurture long-term reading habits.\r\n\r\nAnother meaningful addition this year was the set of poster boards funded through the project. Each Battle team will use them to design their own Team Sign, which they proudly display during the competitions. Last year I purchased poster boards out of pocket, and the cost added up quickly—but the activity was so valuable that I knew I needed to find a way to keep it. Students absolutely love creating their signs. It gives them a chance to express their personality, bond as a team, and set the tone for their \"team vibe.\" \r\n\r\nThank you for removing the barriers that used to hold students back and for giving them the resources they need to participate fully, confidently, and joyfully. Your support didn't just provide materials—it created the conditions for students to see themselves as readers, teammates, and creators. We are deeply grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1759351154302,"projectUrl":"project/battle-of-the-books-let-the-reading-be/9755680/","projectTitle":"Battle of the Books - Let the Reading Begin!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Shackelford","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3312166_orig.jpg?crop=1260,1260,x826,y1239&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758690834014","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3312166"},{"teacherId":8486461,"projectId":9241244,"letterContent":"I wanted to take a moment to thank you — not just for your generosity, but for the joy, curiosity, and confidence you've helped spark in our classroom this year.\r\n\r\nThanks to your support, our students have been diving into new books that are expanding their minds and their hearts. The biographies you helped provide, like Who Is Albert Einstein?, have inspired deep curiosity about science, perseverance, and what it means to think differently.\r\n\r\nAlongside those inspiring stories, the Dog Man graphic novel series has brought laughter and a love of reading to students who didn't always see themselves as \"readers.\" These books are packed with humor and adventure, and they've been a game-changer, especially for some of our more reluctant readers. One student who rarely finished a book before is now racing through the series — and proudly recommending them to classmates.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, reading looks like heads bent over books, spirited discussions about characters and choices, and yes, even some giggles during independent reading time. But most of all, it looks like growth — in confidence, comprehension, and love for learning.\r\n\r\nYou've helped make that possible. Because of you, students are discovering that books aren't just assignments — they're opportunities to imagine, to understand, and to believe in themselves.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our readers and in their futures. We are deeply grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1746785554635,"projectUrl":"project/ignite-a-love-of-reading-new-books-for/9241244/","projectTitle":"Ignite a Love of Reading: New Books for Our Students!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Payne","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8486461_orig.jpg?crop=586,586,x0,y72&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1657033601934","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8486461"},{"teacherId":8486461,"projectId":8786670,"letterContent":"I wanted to take a moment to extend my heartfelt thanks for your generous contribution to my classroom. Your donation has made a tremendous difference, allowing us to purchase flexible seating options and accommodations that support the diverse learning styles of all my students. These new tools are not only enhancing their comfort and engagement but also fostering an environment where every student can thrive at their own pace. The positive impact has already been evident in the classroom, and I am truly grateful for your support in making this possible.\r\n\r\nBecause of your kindness, I can now offer more seating choices, noise canceling headsets, light diffusers, timers and chair bands that empower students to take ownership of their learning and create a space where they feel more confident and capable. Your investment in their education is an investment in their future, and for that, I am sincerely thankful. I look forward to seeing how these new opportunities will help each student unlock their full potential. 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About this school

Alisal Elementary School is an urban public school in Pleasanton, California that is part of Pleasanton Unified School District. It serves 553 students in grades Pre-K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 21.3:1. Its teachers have had 72 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Public School

Grades Pre-K - 5

553 Students

26 Teachers

1454 Santa Rita Rd

Pleasanton, CA 94566 View local requests

http://alisal.pleasantonusd.net/

Direct, proactive support

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Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

Alisal Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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Alisal Elementary School Demographics

11%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

61%

of students are Black, Latino, Native American, or Asian

Schools in districts that mainly serve students of color receive substantially less state and local support than similar districts that serve primarily White students. Learn more about this gap, why it exists, and how you can help close it.

Alisal Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 21, 2025

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