{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Russell Elementary Language Academy","outOfStateSupporters":16.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10000477,"projectId":9258515,"letterContent":"Our Mental Health Awareness Week was a transformative experience for our students and school community. Thanks to your generous support, we were able to provide hands-on, student-led activities that made mental wellness approachable, fun, and meaningful. Each day of the week focused on a different mental health theme like emotional expression, self-talk, and calming strategies through engaging, creative stations during recess. For example, students used scratch art to express their feelings through color and design, and made breathing sticks with beads and pipe cleaners to practice calming strategies. These tools became not only tangible reminders of coping strategies, but also opportunities for peer-to-peer support and open conversation.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the materials laid out, colorful markers, bubbles, pocket hugs, and art supplies, their excitement was immediate and heartfelt. After the first day of activities, they would run over as soon as that recess bell rang with excitement to participate in the activity of the day. They were proudly sharing their creations with their teachers, friends, and other school support staff. Several students were also seen guiding others through the exercises and coping strategies they were learning. I witnessed one student share their positive self-talk pocket hug with a friend who was having a hard day. \r\n\r\nOne of the most touching moments of the week took place on Thursday, when we invited families into our wellness room to participate in a rock-painting activity with their students. This special event was designed to bring parents and students together in a calming, creative space where they could connect, reflect, and learn more about mental health and self-care. The room was filled with joy and meaningful conversations. Parents shared how relaxing and therapeutic the activity felt, with many saying, \"I love this,\" and \"I wish I had this when I was in school.\" Together, families painted vibrant, encouraging messages on the rocks, which will be lasting symbols of hope and unity. This shared experience not only deepened family bonds but also helped reduce stigma and opened the door to important discussions about emotional well-being across generations.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, our students, staff, and administration are eager to build on the momentum by leading more wellness-focused events throughout the school year. Your contribution has sparked not just a one-time event, but a growing student-led movement centered on empathy, emotional regulation, and mental wellness. Thank you for helping us plant these seeds of kindness, resilience, and wellness.","fullyFundedDate":1745524307929,"projectUrl":"project/promoting-mental-health-awareness-throug/9258515/","projectTitle":"Promoting Mental Health Awareness Through Art, Action, and Student Voice","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Heidy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10000477_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x391,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744772529065","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10000477"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_91714","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":472,"numTeachers":21,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":95,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"22.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":83.3,"schoolId":91714,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Russell Elementary Language Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Russell Elementary Language Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/garden-grove-unified-school-district/dr-edward-russell-elementary-school/91714"}
Join the 84 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Russell Elementary Language Academy is
an urban public school
in Santa Ana, California that is part of Garden Grove Unified School District.
It serves 472 students
in grades Pre-K - 6 with a student/teacher ratio of 22.5:1.
Its teachers have had 36 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Share and help support Russell Elementary Language Academy
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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
97%
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.
Russell Elementary Language Academy Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 16, 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.
Russell Elementary Language Academy
$23,898
raised using DonorsChoose
36
projects
funded
15
teachers
funded
84
donors
1
project
for
basic supplies
1
project for
technology
7
projects for
books
4
projects
for
art supplies
Russell Elementary Language Academy has received support from
70 individuals from California and
14 individuals out-of-state.
