{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"James E Stephens Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":44.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7874061,"projectId":8778969,"letterContent":"The donation of sturdy sensory bins, magic sand, and small animal play figures has greatly enhanced our self-contained special education classroom by giving students safe, structured, and engaging sensory learning experiences. These materials have created meaningful opportunities for students to explore, regulate their emotions, build fine motor strength, and engage in purposeful play—all essential foundations for learning.\r\n\r\nThe sensory bins provide durability and consistency for daily use, allowing students to scoop, pour, sort, create, and communicate while strengthening hand muscles, bilateral coordination, and focus. Magic sand and animal figures have also supported calming sensory input, imaginative language development, sequencing skills, and social interaction through shared play routines. We have observed increased student engagement, longer periods of on-task behavior, reduced sensory-related distress, and stronger peer collaboration when these materials are incorporated.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, these resources help our learners feel grounded, capable, and confident, creating a classroom environment that supports both emotional well-being and academic readiness. We are truly grateful for this donation and the lasting impact it has made in fostering growth, regulation, creativity, and connection for our exceptional learners.","fullyFundedDate":1733245329680,"projectUrl":"project/feel-play-learn-sensory-boxes-for-eve/8778969/","projectTitle":"Feel, Play, Learn: Sensory Boxes for Every Ability","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Armistead","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7874061_orig.jpg?crop=2392,2392,x430,y403&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718653480668","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-armistead"},{"teacherId":7874061,"projectId":8805902,"letterContent":"Through the generous support that made it possible for our classroom to receive money manipulatives, a toy ice cream counter, burger shop, and other play-based learning sets, our students now have meaningful, hands-on opportunities to build essential life skills in an engaging and natural way. These resources have transformed our classroom by creating real-world learning experiences where students practice counting money, ordering items, making purchases, taking turns, using appropriate social communication, and developing independence.\r\n\r\nFor many students in our self-contained special education program, authentic practice with community-based skills is key to increasing confidence and functional ability. These play sets have fostered growth in areas including number sense, currency recognition, vocabulary, social interaction, and decision-making. We have seen students enthusiastically stepping into roles—cashier, customer, server—while practicing greetings, making choices, problem solving, and understanding the value and exchange of money. Most importantly, they are learning these critical skills in a way that feels purposeful, motivating, and connected to real life.\r\n\r\nThis contribution has helped remove barriers, increase student engagement, and bridge academic learning with everyday functional skills that will support our learners long beyond the classroom. We are deeply grateful for the investment in our students and for helping us create a learning environment where they can grow with confidence, dignity and joy.","fullyFundedDate":1727300221822,"projectUrl":"project/special-education-students-building-ski/8805902/","projectTitle":"Special Education Students: Building Skills for Life","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Armistead","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7874061_orig.jpg?crop=2392,2392,x430,y403&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718653480668","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-armistead"},{"teacherId":7874061,"projectId":8804578,"letterContent":"The generous donation of snacks and hygiene items has made a meaningful and lasting impact in our self-contained special education classroom. For many of our students, access to consistent nutrition and essential self-care supplies can be a daily challenge. Because of this support, we are now able to meet basic needs immediately—without interruption to learning—allowing our students to feel safe, regulated, and prepared to fully engage in their school day.\r\n\r\nProviding snacks throughout the day has helped improve focus, reduce anxiety, and support emotional regulation, particularly for students who rely on structured routines or are sensitive to hunger cues. We have seen fewer behavioral escalations, increased task engagement, and improved participation during both academic instruction and functional life-skills activities. When students know food is readily available, they are able to shift their attention from unmet needs to learning, connection, and growth.\r\n\r\nThe donation of hygiene items has also had a powerful impact on student well-being and dignity. These supplies allow us to teach and reinforce essential daily living skills—including handwashing, personal care, and self-advocacy—while ensuring students feel confident and supported. Having access to these resources at school has fostered independence, strengthened classroom routines, and promoted a more inclusive environment where every student feels valued and cared for.\r\n\r\nThis support goes far beyond meeting immediate needs—it removes barriers, builds trust, and gives our students consistent opportunities to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. We are deeply grateful for the generosity that makes this possible and for the tangible difference it continues to make in the lives of our learners and our classroom community.","fullyFundedDate":1727979625884,"projectUrl":"project/caring-classroom-snacks-and-hygiene/8804578/","projectTitle":"Caring Classroom: Snacks and Hygiene","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Armistead","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7874061_orig.jpg?crop=2392,2392,x430,y403&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718653480668","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-armistead"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_42175","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":336,"numTeachers":25,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":44,"percentWhite":17,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":32,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"13.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"TOWN_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":55.6,"schoolId":42175,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about James E Stephens Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"James E Stephens Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/florida/polk-county-school-district/james-e-stephens-elementary-school/42175"}

James E Stephens Elementary School

Join the 133 supporters who believe in this school.

About this school

James E Stephens Elementary School is a town public school in Bartow, Florida that is part of Polk County School District. It serves 336 students in grades Pre-K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 13.4:1. Its teachers have had 56 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades Pre-K - 5

336 Students

25 Teachers

1350 N Maple Ave

Bartow, FL 33830 View local requests

http://schools.polk-fl.net/stephens

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

James E Stephens Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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.

See how DonorsChoose works

James E Stephens Elementary School Demographics

95%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

77%

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.

James E Stephens Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 9, 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.

James E Stephens Elementary School

$19,188

raised using DonorsChoose

projects funded

teachers funded

133

donors

projects for basic supplies

projects for technology

projects for books

projects for art supplies

James E Stephens Elementary School has received support from 74 individuals from Florida and 59 individuals out-of-state.

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season! Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

James E Stephens Elementary School

About this school

Equity Focus School

James E Stephens Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

Share & help us grow support

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

James E Stephens Elementary School Demographics

James E Stephens Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 9, 2025

James E Stephens Elementary School

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.