{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Dorothea Lange Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":14.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6448483,"projectId":9810944,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our 6th grade ELA board games. Because of you, my students now have engaging, hands-on tools that make learning exciting, meaningful, and accessible for every learner in our classroom.\r\n\r\nFrom the moment we opened the games, the excitement was immediate. Students were eager to play, quick to learn the rules, and fully invested in the challenges each game presented. What amazed me most was how naturally academic conversations emerged—students discussing vocabulary, debating answers, explaining their reasoning, and encouraging one another. Learning felt fun, but it was also rigorous and purposeful.\r\n\r\nThese board games have become a versatile resource in our classroom. I use them during whole-class activities to reinforce skills such as reading comprehension, vocabulary development, grammar, and critical thinking. They are equally valuable in small-group instruction, where I can target specific skills and provide more individualized support. The games allow students to practice ELA concepts in a low-pressure environment, which has been especially beneficial for reluctant readers and learners who struggle with traditional worksheets.\r\n\r\nOne of the greatest outcomes has been student confidence. I've seen students who are usually hesitant to participate become leaders during game play—explaining rules, modeling strategies, and celebrating their peers' successes. Collaboration and teamwork have flourished, and students are practicing important social skills alongside academic ones.\r\n\r\nBecause of your kindness, my classroom is a place where learning feels joyful and inclusive. These games will continue to be used throughout the year and for many classes to come, making your impact long-lasting. You didn't just provide materials—you provided opportunities for engagement, connection, and growth.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and investing in their learning. Your generosity has made a real difference in our classroom, and we are truly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1760996753189,"projectUrl":"project/tech-free-fun/9810944/","projectTitle":"Tech Free Fun","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6448483_orig.png?crop=369,369,x0,y19&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1716229333748","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6448483"},{"teacherId":6448483,"projectId":9419568,"letterContent":"I want to extend my deepest gratitude for your generous support of our classroom project, \"Tidy Desks, Focused Minds: Supplies for Success.\" Your kindness has made a remarkable difference for my 6th graders, and I am so thankful that you chose to invest in their learning experience.\r\n\r\nBefore this project was funded, staying organized was a daily challenge for many students. As they transition into upper elementary, the expectations grow—more materials, more responsibilities, and a greater need for independence. Many students were doing their best, but cluttered desks, lost supplies, and shared, worn-down tools were creating unnecessary frustration and distraction. Thanks to you, our classroom feels transformed.\r\n\r\nThe desk baskets have been the biggest game-changer. Students now have a clear, consistent place to store notebooks, independent reading books, and daily supplies. It might seem small, but this simple tool has helped them develop routines that make our day run more smoothly. I've noticed students taking pride in keeping their baskets neat—some even straighten everything before they leave each afternoon. A few students who typically struggle with organization have told me, \"This helps so much,\" and it truly does. Because of you, they start class settled and ready to learn, not digging through piles for what they need.\r\n\r\nThe pencil baskets and dry erase markers have also made a meaningful impact. Having fresh, reliable writing tools has allowed us to dive straight into math practice, vocabulary work, and small-group activities without the constant scramble for materials. My students love using their new microfiber erasers during whiteboard practice. They joke that they feel \"fancy,\" but the truth is that these simple tools help them stay focused and engaged. Clean, effective erasers ensure they aren't distracted by smudgy boards or lost tissue scraps—just clear thinking and confident problem-solving.\r\n\r\nBeyond the physical supplies, your gift has provided something even more powerful: a sense of being supported and seen. My students know that people beyond our school believe in them and want to help them succeed. They were amazed when I told them our project had been fully funded and that complete strangers cared enough to help. Their reactions were priceless—smiles, excitement, and pride. You reminded them that their education matters and that kindness can come from anywhere.\r\n\r\nAs a teacher, having the right tools means I can spend more time teaching and less time managing missing supplies. Because of you, our lessons start smoothly, transitions are calmer, and students feel more capable and confident. Every day I see the difference these materials make, not just in their organization but in their mindset.\r\n\r\nThank you again for choosing to support our classroom. Your generosity created real, daily, meaningful change for my students. We are grateful for your kindness, and we will make the most of the opportunities you helped provide.","fullyFundedDate":1757423381166,"projectUrl":"project/tidy-desks-focused-minds-supplies-for/9419568/","projectTitle":"Tidy Desks, Focused Minds: Supplies for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6448483_orig.png?crop=369,369,x0,y19&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1716229333748","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6448483"},{"teacherId":4797872,"projectId":9456300,"letterContent":"Thank you for your donation to my classroom. Your generosity has helped to supply my students with everything they need for a successful start to the year.\r\n\r\nEvery year I get a very limited budget for school essentials. Most my students come without any supplies, so it is up to me to provide all the basics. My small budget doesn't cover it all. Thank you again for your willingness to support my students. I am so grateful for the supplies and the joy it brings to my classrooms. My students will put them to good use.","fullyFundedDate":1753978676225,"projectUrl":"project/back-to-school/9456300/","projectTitle":"Back to School","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Anselm","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4797872_orig.jpg?crop=390,390,x8,y89&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1661109243363","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4797872"},{"teacherId":6448483,"projectId":9181606,"letterContent":"I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for your generous support in funding our fidget project \"Fidgeting Fun\". Because of your kindness, my students now have access to a variety of fidgets that help them stay focused, engaged, and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nThese tools have made a significant difference in our classroom. Every day, I see students reaching for a fidget to help them regulate, focus, and check into lessons—especially during transitions or challenging moments. Whether it's easing anxiety, improving concentration, or just helping students feel grounded, the fidgets have become a vital part of our learning environment.\r\n\r\nYour donation did more than just provide supplies—it gave my students the opportunity to succeed in ways that support their individual needs. I am incredibly grateful for your support and for believing in the importance of meeting students where they are.\r\n\r\nThank you again for making a lasting impact on our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1746785666519,"projectUrl":"project/fidgeting-fun/9181606/","projectTitle":"Fidgeting Fun","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6448483_orig.png?crop=369,369,x0,y19&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1716229333748","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6448483"},{"teacherId":4797872,"projectId":9286831,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting reading in my classroom. Having new and exciting books my students want to read means more of them will choose to read this year! \r\n\r\nAs a teacher I have a very small budget that only covers some of the essential supplies I need each year. This doesn't leave any funds to purchase books for my class library. Without access to new books—many students lose motivation to read. I am excited to offer my students more choices and continue to encourage them to read. Your gift allows me to do this!","fullyFundedDate":1746785774890,"projectUrl":"project/bring-on-the-book-clubs/9286831/","projectTitle":"Bring on the Book Clubs","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Anselm","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4797872_orig.jpg?crop=390,390,x8,y89&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1661109243363","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4797872"},{"teacherId":4797872,"projectId":9205227,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting reading in my classroom. Having new and exciting books my students want to read means more of them will choose to read this year! \r\n\r\nAs a teacher I have a very small budget that only covers some of the essential supplies I need each year. This doesn't leave any funds to purchase books for my class library. Without access to new books—many students lose motivation to read. I am excited to offer my students more choices and continue to encourage them to read. Your gift allows me to do this!","fullyFundedDate":1744230724931,"projectUrl":"project/lets-get-reading/9205227/","projectTitle":"Let's Get Reading!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Anselm","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4797872_orig.jpg?crop=390,390,x8,y89&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1661109243363","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4797872"},{"teacherId":6503579,"projectId":7565418,"letterContent":"We've been using the new materials to offer choice-based morning work, and it has completely transformed how we start our day. Each morning, students enter the classroom and choose from a variety of activities that target key skills—such as alphabet practice, number recognition, pattern building, fine motor tasks, and simple puzzles. One specific moment that stood out was when a student who usually feels anxious during arrival confidently chose a hands-on counting activity and got straight to work with a smile. These choices are helping my kindergartners take ownership of their learning and feel successful right from the start of the day.\r\n\r\n\r\nTheir reaction was priceless! When I introduced the new morning work choices, their eyes lit up and the room was buzzing with excitement. \"We get to choose?!\" was the question I heard the most. Many of them immediately gravitated toward the hands-on options—like snap cubes for math or tracing boards for letters. Others enjoyed quietly flipping through alphabet books or building with play-based learning tools. It was clear that having options made them feel both excited and empowered.\r\n\r\n\r\nRight now, we're working on building independent learning routines and reinforcing core academic skills through these choice-based stations. The next step is helping students reflect on their choices—guiding them to select activities that support areas where they need more practice, and gradually introducing more open-ended tasks like journal prompts or STEM bins. These morning choices will continue to evolve with our curriculum, giving students meaningful ways to practice and grow while building confidence and independence. We're excited to keep exploring and learning, one morning choice at a time!","fullyFundedDate":1692167315185,"projectUrl":"project/choices-in-morning-work/7565418/","projectTitle":"Choices In Morning Work!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Silva","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6503579_orig.jpg?crop=697,697,x46,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1561217693426","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kinderkiddos"},{"teacherId":4797872,"projectId":8761804,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generosity and support for our classroom. Your support has meant more opportunities for students to choose books they love to read! It means that students do not have to wait two weeks to go to library to choose another novel. It means that I can give out prizes weekly for positive behavior in our classroom as well. Finally, it means that I do not have to spend my own money to have the items in our classroom that make it more fun and engaging. Thank you for supporting me and my students this year!","fullyFundedDate":1733228976156,"projectUrl":"project/happy-readinghappy-students/8761804/","projectTitle":"Happy Reading/Happy Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Anselm","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4797872_orig.jpg?crop=390,390,x8,y89&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1661109243363","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4797872"},{"teacherId":9877322,"projectId":9011721,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your contribution to our classroom. The students are beyond excited for these new art tools to use. They have already begun creating new and exiting art pieces for our Native American unit and can't wait to create their Mother's Day cards with the colored pencils. Although we have only cracked into the use of our watercolor colored pencils, the kiddos are begging for art every day now and that is because of you! Your kindness does not go unnoticed. I appreciate your generosity and want you to know you helped make a huge difference in my classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1738257126662,"projectUrl":"project/watercolor-fun/9011721/","projectTitle":"Watercolor Fun!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Madrid","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9877322"},{"teacherId":6448483,"projectId":9015311,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation to our classroom library. Thanks to your support, we were able to purchase some amazing books that have already had a wonderful impact on my students.\r\n\r\nThey were absolutely thrilled to receive the new books, especially since many of them are continuing series they've already been reading. The excitement in the classroom is contagious as they eagerly dive into each new installment, and it has been truly rewarding to see their enthusiasm for reading grow.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, many of my students are enjoying the experience of hearing these books read aloud, and it has become a special part of our day as we get lost in the fictional worlds together. Your contribution is making a real difference in fostering a love for reading and learning in our classroom, and I can't thank you enough for making this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1739905005928,"projectUrl":"project/books-books-books/9015311/","projectTitle":"Books, Books, Books!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6448483_orig.png?crop=369,369,x0,y19&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1716229333748","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6448483"},{"teacherId":8940587,"projectId":9053577,"letterContent":"Thank you very much for supporting my students love for graphic novels! The students in my class were so excited about the new books. You could see students sharing the books by sitting next to each other to read them at the same time! The class was so silent and begging to read for a longer amount of time. I love when kids get a chance to really get into a series. Your donors choose donation has helped this group of kids foster a love for reading. I am pleased to be able to use these books for years to come. THANK YOU!","fullyFundedDate":1738074021408,"projectUrl":"project/chapter-books-and-graphic-novels-for-3rd/9053577/","projectTitle":"Chapter Books and Graphic Novels for 3rd Graders","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tremper","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8940587_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1674702037140","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8940587"},{"teacherId":8940587,"projectId":8784821,"letterContent":"Thank you so very much for donating to my Hands on word work donors choose project. Students have immediately and independently started to use the manipulative to create spelling words during our \"word work\" daily 5 rotation. Once receiving the materials students wanted to explore using the magnets to spell out their words. Students were excited when they saw the material one student even stated \"wait that's actually really cool.\" I also look forward to being able to use these materials with phonics lessons and small groups. Thank you for contributing and making this possible for this class and my future classes to come.","fullyFundedDate":1733526306400,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-word-work/8784821/","projectTitle":"Hands-On Word Work","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tremper","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8940587_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1674702037140","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8940587"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_32012","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":566,"numTeachers":22,"percentFrplEligible":64,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":40,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":54,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"25.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"TOWN_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":85.4,"schoolId":32012,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Dorothea Lange Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Dorothea Lange Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/lucia-mar-unified-school-district/dorothea-lange-elementary-school/32012"}
Join the 185 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Dorothea Lange Elementary School is
a town public school
in Nipomo, California that is part of Lucia Mar Unified School District.
It serves 566 students
in grades Pre-K - 6 with a student/teacher ratio of 25.7:1.
Its teachers have had 66 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Share and help support Dorothea Lange Elementary School
Boost support for this school! Share this page with friends, family, alumni, and fellow supporters. Every connection helps teachers get the supplies they need and shows how much your community cares about its students.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for public school teachers.
Every donation funds real needs — pencils, books, lab equipment, art supplies, and more — helping students learn and thrive. We ship supplies directly to the school, and you'll see exactly where each dollar goes.
of students receive free or reduced price lunch
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Source: the National Center for Education Statistics
54%
of students are Black, Latino, Native
American, or Asian
Data about school demographics comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. The numbers in this chart may not add up to 100% because of limitations in the available data.
Dorothea Lange Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 27, 2025
DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students
in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.
Dorothea Lange Elementary School
$23,441
raised using DonorsChoose
66
projects
funded
18
teachers
funded
185
donors
14
projects
for
basic supplies
2
projects for
technology
21
projects for
books
5
projects
for
art supplies
Dorothea Lange Elementary School has received support from
158 individuals from California and
27 individuals out-of-state.