{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Gerald R Ford Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":15.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":1761742,"projectId":9303235,"letterContent":"The Magna-Tiles are an incredible tool for helping my students visualize and build the world of their stories. Students work together to construct detailed settings—from dinosaurs in a forest to road construction—and then use these three-dimensional structures as inspiration. By building the environment first, they are able to think more deeply about the details, characters, and events of their narratives.\r\n\r\nAfter their settings are complete, they bring their stories to life by writing and drawing in their journals. The tactile experience of building with the Magna-Tiles helps them to connect with the setting on a deeper level, resulting in more detailed and more engaging stories. This process not only strengthens their writing skills but also fosters collaboration, problem-solving, and a sense of ownership over their work.\r\n\r\nYour donation has done so much more than provide a classroom with a new toy. It has given my students a tangible way to build their imaginations, develop their writing confidence, and cultivate their love for storytelling. Thank you for helping us bring our stories to life!","fullyFundedDate":1746465151621,"projectUrl":"project/building-stories/9303235/","projectTitle":"Building Stories","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hualde","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1761742_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1572614006325","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1761742"},{"teacherId":1761742,"projectId":8376068,"letterContent":"We want to extend our sincere gratitude for your generous contribution of new Magna-Tiles and other engaging materials to our kindergarten classroom. Your support made a remarkable difference in the learning environment and the development of our young students.\r\n\r\nIt has been truly wonderful to watch the children's faces light up as they explore these new resources. The Magna-Tiles, in particular, have become a hub of collaborative creativity. Witnessing them work together, sharing ideas, and constructing intricate structures is a joy. They are learning valuable skills in teamwork, communication, and spatial reasoning, all while having a fantastic time!\r\n\r\nThe new materials have also inspired new levels of creativity in their builds. We are seeing more complex designs, imaginative scenarios, and a deeper engagement with open-ended play. Furthermore, with the increased quantity of materials, more students can now participate simultaneously, fostering greater social interaction and shared learning experiences.\r\n\r\nThank you once again for your belief in our students and for your generous support. We are so grateful for your partnership in their educational journey.","fullyFundedDate":1715017000705,"projectUrl":"project/building-confidence/8376068/","projectTitle":"Building Confidence","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hualde","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1761742_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1572614006325","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1761742"},{"teacherId":1761742,"projectId":8342554,"letterContent":"Our kindergarten class has been on an exciting learning journey, exploring how we can be kind to our planet! Through our project, we discovered the importance of recycling and how our actions can reduce waste and help conserve valuable resources.\r\n\r\nThe new books we purchased for our classroom library helped to build their understanding of environmental stewardship and the joy of reading, These books feature stories about nature, conservation, and the wonders of our world, fostering a love for both reading and the environment. \r\n\r\nThe reusable bags served as a practical reminder to choose reusable alternatives over single-use plastics, helping to keep our community cleaner and greener. The children have taken pride in decorating and using these bags, knowing they will make a positive difference.\r\n\r\nOur kindergarteners are developing a sense of environmental awareness and understanding how even small actions can create a big impact.\r\n\r\nWe are so proud of their engagement and enthusiasm throughout this project. Thank you for your continued support in nurturing these important values in our young learners.","fullyFundedDate":1714523186216,"projectUrl":"project/reduce-reuse-recycle/8342554/","projectTitle":"Reduce, Reuse, Recycle","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hualde","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1761742_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1572614006325","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1761742"},{"teacherId":8385480,"projectId":8393985,"letterContent":"My students were so excited when I opened the boxes containing our new Coding Critter robots and magna tile kits! When we took them out of the boxes there were so many \"oohs\" and \"ahhs\"! They could not wait to get their hands on them! I could see the wheels in their minds turning as they thought about what they could do with them.\r\n\r\nI put them into small groups and gave them their robots and all the accessories. We talked about how to take care of them and how to share, but I gave them little direction - I wanted them to explore and discover for themselves! After investigating together then we came back together as a whole group for discussion. Students shared what they had discovered and the connections they had made to other coding activities we had done as a class. I then showed them a few more tricks that I had learned and sent them back to play with the information from their classmates to try out different things. Some students created obstacle courses and worked together to code directions to complete the course. Some kids really enjoyed making the robot do a dance party!\r\n\r\nLater in the week, we took out the magna tiles to explore and learn again from each other as they built the animal habitats or creative constructions with the magnets. They would have played with them all day with all the learning and fun they were having!","fullyFundedDate":1716559326480,"projectUrl":"project/stem-future-builders-and-coders-of-tomor/8393985/","projectTitle":"STEM Future Builders and Coders of Tomorrow","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kenmuir","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8385480_orig.jpg?crop=530,530,x535,y180&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1649297693058","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8385480"},{"teacherId":8385480,"projectId":8336127,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generosity to help fund our Earth Day is Everyday project. The new books will help teach the students to reduce, reuse and recycle important resources we use everyday! The art scratch sheets and dot art painters will be used in the art center. The white boards will be used daily to solve math problems and to write letters and cvc words. The sunglasses, beach balls and bags are reusable to help remind the students reuse items as we celebrate the end of this great school year! We couldn't have done this without your help.","fullyFundedDate":1714523366827,"projectUrl":"project/earth-day-is-everyday/8336127/","projectTitle":"Earth Day Is Everyday!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kenmuir","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8385480_orig.jpg?crop=530,530,x535,y180&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1649297693058","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8385480"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_56412","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":615,"numTeachers":32,"percentFrplEligible":45,"percentAsian":7,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":31,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":53,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"19.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":84.2,"schoolId":56412,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Gerald R Ford Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Gerald R Ford Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/desert-sands-unified-school-district/gerald-r-ford-elementary-school/56412"}
Join the 184 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Gerald R Ford Elementary School is
a suburban public school
in Indian Wells, California that is part of Desert Sands Unified School District.
It serves 615 students
in grades Pre-K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 19.2:1.
Its teachers have had 49 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. Each classroom request for funding was created by a classroom teacher and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
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
61%
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.
Gerald R Ford Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 5, 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.
Gerald R Ford Elementary School
$36,757
raised using DonorsChoose
49
projects
funded
14
teachers
funded
184
donors
1
project
for
basic supplies
5
projects for
technology
15
projects for
books
3
projects
for
art supplies
Gerald R Ford Elementary School has received support from
155 individuals from California and
29 individuals out-of-state.