{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Helen M Smith Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":55.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":4091030,"projectId":7981101,"letterContent":"Thank you to our generous donors for providing MAGNA-TILES that have made such a positive impact in our classroom. Because of your support, my students are building more than structures—they are building communication skills, creativity, and confidence. The open-ended nature of these materials encourages rich conversations, collaboration, and imaginative play as students share ideas and work together. Your kindness has given students the freedom to explore, create, and learn in meaningful ways, and we are truly grateful for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1699131458032,"projectUrl":"project/make-learning-fun/7981101/","projectTitle":"Make Learning Fun","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Manbeck","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4091030_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1479968609132","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4091030"},{"teacherId":5944093,"projectId":5919028,"letterContent":"The gifted books have made a meaningful impact in our classroom by deepening both our reading skills and our love of stories. Through these new texts, students are practicing essential literacy skills such as making inferences, identifying themes, expanding vocabulary, and analyzing characters' choices and motivations. Many of the books also introduce rich discussions around empathy, perseverance, and diverse perspectives, helping students connect reading to their own lives and the world around them.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is an active and joyful experience. Students engage with books during read-alouds, small-group discussions, and independent reading time. We pause to ask questions, make predictions, and share reactions, allowing students to think critically and learn from one another. The availability of these new books has increased student enthusiasm, as they are eager to explore fresh titles and recommend favorites to classmates.\r\n\r\nSeveral students who were previously reluctant readers have shown particular excitement about the new books. Having access to texts that match their interests and reading levels has boosted their confidence and motivation. Other students who already loved reading are diving even deeper, choosing longer or more challenging books and initiating thoughtful conversations about them. Overall, these gifted books have helped create a classroom environment where reading feels accessible, engaging, and meaningful for every student.","fullyFundedDate":1634928399546,"projectUrl":"project/reading-boosts-our-shelf-esteem/5919028/","projectTitle":"Reading Boosts Our \"Shelf\"-Esteem!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Toomer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5944093_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1538540028490","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/melissa-balconi"},{"teacherId":7123801,"projectId":9265758,"letterContent":"These headphones will help my students enhance their learning by allowing them to interact with their education online. Many students do not have access to headphones and with your donations, I will now be able to provide a brand new pair to each of my students.\r\nThe students will be able to start the school year with access to brand new headphones. They will be given the responsibility of taking care of this new technology and being able to use it all year long. I cannot wait to introduce this new technology to my students during the first week of school and tell them about your generous donations that helped provide them.","fullyFundedDate":1751657265228,"projectUrl":"project/the-sound-of-learning/9265758/","projectTitle":"The Sound of Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kiel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7123801_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1638268030135","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7123801"},{"teacherId":3930599,"projectId":8701096,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting my efforts to help my students receive engaging instructional hands-on activities.\r\n\r\nTh use of the Teachers Pay Teachers' gift card has allowed me to purchase and print games to reinforce skills being taught in class. The game \"The Clumsy Thief\" is helping many of my stories understand money.\r\n\r\nLastly, the animal erasers are great incentives for students to really give their best with homework and classroom assignments. My students enjoy receiving them when they are engaged and successful in their activities.\r\n\r\nAgain, \"Thank You!\" for your kindness!","fullyFundedDate":1728433151055,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-active-learning/8701096/","projectTitle":"Hands-On Active Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ellis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3930599_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1499796991990","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/pamela-ellis"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_40732","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":452,"numTeachers":35,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":9,"percentWhite":18,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":61,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"12.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":45.0,"schoolId":40732,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Helen M Smith Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Helen M Smith Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/nevada/clark-county-school-district/helen-m-smith-elementary-school/40732"}
Join the 389 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Helen M Smith Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Las Vegas, Nevada that is part of Clark County School District.
It serves 452 students
in grades Pre-K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 12.9:1.
Its teachers have had 148 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Share and help support Helen M Smith Elementary School
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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
72%
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.
Helen M Smith Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Jan 16, 2026
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.
Helen M Smith Elementary School
$79,986
raised using DonorsChoose
148
projects
funded
54
teachers
funded
389
donors
7
projects
for
basic supplies
27
projects for
technology
30
projects for
books
1
project
for
art supplies
Helen M Smith Elementary School has received support from
175 individuals from Nevada and
214 individuals out-of-state.
