Gaston Elementary School in Gaston, Oregon on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Gaston Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":46.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2534363,"projectId":7147565,"letterContent":"I am sorry for the delay in following up with your generous donation. These books became part of the classroom library and had an immediate impact on our struggling readers. Students were excited about the new tiles, which inspired them. The students in my program who are identified as having dyslexia were motivated by reading about people who are successful and have had the same struggles. The books have continued to have a lasting impact on the students, including inspiring one student to begin writing their own book. The power of unlocking reading with material that helps students understand themselves better makes a lasting impression on children. Your contribution provided this gift for students with dyslexia, and the books will continue to influence future students.","fullyFundedDate":1674572968022,"projectUrl":"project/books-about-dyslexia-for-fragile-learner/7147565/","projectTitle":"Books about Dyslexia for Fragile Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Finch","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2534363_orig.jpg?crop=481,481,x0,y158&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1591844549559","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2534363"},{"teacherId":4414222,"projectId":9783794,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping us bring books about kindness and compassion into our school library! These picture books are such a great way to help students understand what it means to be kind, thoughtful, and empathetic.\r\n\r\nWe'll be using them in the library during read-alouds and lessons to spark conversations about how we treat others—both in and out of school. The stories really help kids connect with these big ideas in a way they can understand. Teachers are also checking them out to use in their classrooms as part of social-emotional lessons.\r\n\r\nYour support helped us put meaningful, engaging books into students' hands—and that's something we're truly grateful for. These books will make a lasting impact. Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1759509988752,"projectUrl":"project/spreading-kindness-one-page-at-a-time/9783794/","projectTitle":"Spreading Kindness, One Page at a Time","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Paola","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4414222_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1500480561878","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-paola"},{"teacherId":4414222,"projectId":9688374,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping us add Halloween-themed picture books to our library! These are perfect for this time of year, and they're already getting a lot of attention. We'll be using them for read-alouds, lessons, and displays and teachers have already started asking to borrow them for their classrooms too.\r\n\r\nIt's so helpful to have fun, seasonal books like these that still support learning. The kids love the spooky (but not too spooky!) stories, and it's such a great way to keep them engaged with reading.\r\n\r\nWe really appreciate your support. Your donation helped bring some extra excitement into the library and helped us build a collection we'll use year after year. Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1759176121548,"projectUrl":"project/spooktacular-stories-to-spark-a-love-for/9688374/","projectTitle":"Spooktacular Stories to Spark a Love for Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Paola","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4414222_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1500480561878","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-paola"},{"teacherId":4414222,"projectId":9710626,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping our library! Because of your donation, we were able to get some awesome new adventure chapter books for our middle grade students. These are the kinds of books our kids want to read fun, exciting, and hard to put down.\r\n\r\nWe're a small school, and our library doesn't always have the budget for very many new books. Getting these made a big difference. It's been great seeing students get excited to check them out and talk about what they're reading. Some even asked if there were more books like the new ones this is a huge win!\r\n\r\nYour support helped us bring in books that are actually getting kids reading, and that means a lot. Thank you for being part of that!","fullyFundedDate":1759176120841,"projectUrl":"project/journey-through-pages-adventure-books-f/9710626/","projectTitle":"Journey Through Pages: Adventure Books for Growing Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Paola","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4414222_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1500480561878","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-paola"},{"teacherId":4414222,"projectId":9659591,"letterContent":"Our books have already arrived and I am so excited. It is always great to get new books for the library and these are wonderful. I had time this morning to get the cataloged and covered so they are going on the shelf to be ready for check out. \r\n\r\nI know that students are going to love these fun, engaging picture books and thanks to you they will bring joy for years to come. We will be reading the Memoirs of a... books in the library for the next few weeks. I have activities I have created that will go along with them giving students practice in reading comprehension.\r\n\r\nI am so grateful for your support and can't thank you enough for helping our library.","fullyFundedDate":1758834733063,"projectUrl":"project/picture-books-for-young-readers/9659591/","projectTitle":"Picture Books for Young Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Paola","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4414222_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1500480561878","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-paola"},{"teacherId":4414222,"projectId":9688481,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous gift to our library. The STEM books are amazing, and we are so excited to have them! Students have already started using them in the library, and our teachers are planning to use them in their lessons too.\r\n\r\nSTEM books are important because they help students learn about science, technology, engineering, and math in fun and interesting ways. These books get kids thinking, asking questions, and solving problems. They help build skills our students will need in the future.\r\n\r\nWe are very grateful for your support. These books will help our kids explore, learn, and grow. We look forward to using them for many years.\r\n\r\nThank you again!","fullyFundedDate":1757635700711,"projectUrl":"project/stem-tales-for-growing-minds/9688481/","projectTitle":"STEM Tales for Growing Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Paola","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4414222_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1500480561878","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-paola"},{"teacherId":4414222,"projectId":9530412,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping us add new middle grade chapter books to our library! These books are full of adventure, everyday life, and characters our students can really relate to. It's so important to have something for everyone, and this project helps make our library a place where all readers can find a story that speaks to them.\r\n\r\nMiddle grade readers are at a turning point—they're ready for longer books, but still need stories that keep them hooked. These books help them build confidence, grow as readers, and stay excited about reading. Your support means a lot to our students and to me. Thank you for helping us grow a library that welcomes all readers!","fullyFundedDate":1757635697928,"projectUrl":"project/books-theyll-love-stories-theyll-reme/9530412/","projectTitle":"Books They’ll Love, Stories They’ll Remember","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Paola","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4414222_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1500480561878","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-paola"},{"teacherId":4414222,"projectId":9688368,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting this project! Because of your generosity, our library now has a great collection of STEM biographies. These books tell the stories of scientists, inventors, and mathematicians in a way that helps students see them as real people.\r\n\r\nBiographies help students understand how curiosity, creativity, and hard work can lead to new discoveries. They show that anyone can make a difference.\r\n\r\nThese books will be checked out by students, but also used in lessons with teachers and myself to encourage conversations about science, inventions, and problem-solving. \r\n\r\nThank you for helping us grow curious minds.","fullyFundedDate":1757517687900,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-curiosity-with-stem-stories/9688368/","projectTitle":"Fueling Curiosity with STEM Stories","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Paola","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4414222_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1500480561878","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-paola"},{"teacherId":4414222,"projectId":9530402,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for giving to my Halloween book project for our small school library! I'm beyond grateful for your support. These books are going to make such a big difference.\r\n\r\nI'm really excited to use them in our read alouds and to have them available for the kids to check out. I have created some fun activities to use with Room on the Broom and Bonaparte Falls Apart that help students dig into character traits and story elements while having a great time. It's amazing to see how much more excited they get about reading when the books are fun and engaging.\r\n\r\nHaving a good mix of books makes the library feel like a place they want to be, and you helped make that happen. Thank you again for supporting our school and helping grow a love for reading!","fullyFundedDate":1757270936714,"projectUrl":"project/frightfully-fun-books-for-our-library/9530402/","projectTitle":"Frightfully Fun Books for Our Library!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Paola","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4414222_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1500480561878","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-paola"},{"teacherId":4414222,"projectId":9337367,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping us add nature books to our school library! Books like Kate Messner's Over and Under series have really opened our students' eyes to the amazing world around (and beneath!) them.\r\n\r\nThey're learning how everything in nature is connected plants, animals, even the soil, and it's helping them think more deeply about how we care for the earth. These books are inspiring so many great questions and conversations. Some students have even started pointing out little ecosystems on our playground and talking about protecting nature.\r\n\r\nThanks again for helping us grow a love for the outdoors in our readers!","fullyFundedDate":1752758432896,"projectUrl":"project/nature-in-every-page-inspiring-young-ea/9337367/","projectTitle":"Nature in Every Page: Inspiring Young Earth Lovers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Paola","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4414222_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1500480561878","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-paola"},{"teacherId":4414222,"projectId":9475021,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of kindness-themed picture books to our small school library. These books are a beautiful addition, and they're already helping us build a culture of compassion and empathy among our students.\r\n\r\nThe simple, powerful messages in these stories are helping our students see that kindness doesn't have to be a big act—it can be something small, like including someone at recess, offering a helping hand, or using kind words when someone is having a hard day.\r\n\r\nThese books spark great conversations and real action. We've already seen students writing notes of encouragement to classmates, sharing more willingly, and even just being more aware of how their actions affect others.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping us grow hearts as well as minds. Your gift is making a real difference!","fullyFundedDate":1754192665869,"projectUrl":"project/spreading-kindness-one-page-at-a-time/9475021/","projectTitle":"Spreading Kindness, One Page at a Time","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Paola","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4414222_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1500480561878","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-paola"},{"teacherId":4414222,"projectId":9474319,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project and helping us get more diverse books into our small school library. Your donation means the world to us.\r\n\r\nSome of these books are already being checked out and talked about by students. It's amazing to see them connect with characters who reflect their own lives, and just as amazing to see them learn about people who are different from them. That's really the goal—to give them both mirrors and windows through the books they read.\r\n\r\nI'm working to keep adding more diverse titles little by little, and your support gave us a huge boost. Thank you for helping us grow a library that helps students feel seen and also opens their hearts and minds to new perspectives.\r\n\r\nWe're truly grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1755711502606,"projectUrl":"project/diversity-thrives-in-the-library/9474319/","projectTitle":"Diversity Thrives in the Library","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Paola","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4414222_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1500480561878","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-paola"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_88434","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":228,"numTeachers":15,"percentFrplEligible":43,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":87,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":10,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"15.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_DISTANT"},"inStateSupporters":53.3,"schoolId":88434,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Gaston Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Gaston Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/oregon/gaston-school-district-511j/gaston-elementary-school/88434"}

About this school

Gaston Elementary School is a rural public school in Gaston, Oregon that is part of Gaston School District 511j. It serves 228 students in grades K - 6 with a student/teacher ratio of 15.2:1. Its teachers have had 148 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades K - 6

228 Students

15 Teachers

300 Park St

Gaston, OR 97119 View local requests

http://www.gastonk12.org

Evidence-based impact

Inspire teachers to stay in the classroom and boost student achievement.¹

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

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

Gaston Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

Mrs. Finch

Mrs. Paola

Ms. Shaw

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Gaston Elementary School Demographics

43%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

10%

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.

Gaston Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 15, 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.