{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Junipero Serra Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":14.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9875436,"projectId":9143130,"letterContent":"I hope this message finds you well. On behalf of my self and my amazing students, I want to extend a heartfelt gratitude for your generous support of our project focused on enhancing social and emotional learning for students facing emotional and behavioral challenges.\r\n\r\nYour contributions have been instrumental in allowing me to purchase essential materials that not only support our educational objectives but also foster a nurturing and inclusive environment for students. With your help, I have been able to acquire social and emotional games, amazing SEL books, interactive materials and musical instruments utilized in mindful and grounding interventions that will significantly impact the lives of my students.\r\n\r\nThe importance of social and emotional learning cannot be overstated, especially for those who struggle with emotional and behavioral challenges. Your investment in this initiative shows your commitment to empowering these students, giving them the tools they need to navigate their emotions, build relationships, and ultimately succeed in their educational journey.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, I have already witnessing positive changes in our classrooms. Students are more engaged, showing an increased willingness to participate and connect with their peers. It is a joy to see them thriving in a supportive environment created by your kindness and belief in our mission.\r\n\r\nOnce again, thank you for your invaluable support. Together, we are making a meaningful difference in the lives of the students.","fullyFundedDate":1746786419750,"projectUrl":"project/emotional-intelligence-toolkit-enhancin/9143130/","projectTitle":"Emotional Intelligence Toolkit: Enhancing Insight and Awareness","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gisler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9875436"},{"teacherId":2967369,"projectId":8848966,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations! The students and I are so appreciative. My students are fortunate enough to have 1:1 to technology and have been working throughout the year to grow as writers. With the help your donations, they now are able to see their writing through to the final publishing stage of printing. When they finish their essays, they get to use the printer themselves to print of their final draft. They feel an even greater sense of accomplishment versus just submitting it online. After their writing is printed, they hang it in the classroom to share. The students are definitely feeling a stronger sense of pride and confidence when it comes to their writing. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart, for providing my students with this wonderful gift.","fullyFundedDate":1733249369047,"projectUrl":"project/write-edit-print/8848966/","projectTitle":"Write, Edit, Print!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Schacherer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2967369_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1544219820355","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/schacherer"},{"teacherId":9800918,"projectId":9066604,"letterContent":"Words cannot express my gratitude for your continued support of my therapeutic program and my students. The flexible seating options your generous donation has provided to my students has worked wonders for their restlessness and sensory needs. Your support has made a significant and immediate impact on the learning environment for our class of students with emotional disabilities.\r\n\r\nThe arrival of the flexible seating options—kick bands, bounce enhancers for chairs, larger chairs, and soft seating materials—was met with excitement, curiosity, and even a few joyful shouts. One student walked in, paused, and said with wide eyes, \"Wait... this is for us?\" Others immediately started exploring the new options, finding their favorite seats and sharing their preferences with their classmates. It was clear from the very beginning that these changes made them feel seen, valued, and supported.\r\n\r\nSince incorporating these tools into our daily routine, we've noticed meaningful changes in student engagement and emotional regulation. The kick bands have helped some of our most active students stay focused during instruction, while the bounce enhancers provide subtle movement that calms anxiety and improves attention. The larger chairs and soft seating materials have created safe, comfortable spaces where students can participate in learning without the added stress of physical discomfort.\r\n\r\nOne particularly memorable moment came during our recent \"Feelings Journal\" project. Students were encouraged to reflect on their emotions each day and explore strategies for managing big feelings. With the new seating in place, students were more willing to open up. One child, who typically struggles with expressive language, chose a soft corner seat, hugged a plush cushion, and was able to share for the first time how he feels when things get overwhelming. These resources didn't just provide comfort—they provided a foundation for trust, self-awareness, and healing.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has directly contributed to creating a classroom where students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. Thank you for believing in the importance of inclusive and therapeutic education. We are so grateful for your kindness and support.","fullyFundedDate":1737848437999,"projectUrl":"project/flexible-seating-for-our-therapeutic-pro/9066604/","projectTitle":"Flexible Seating for Our Therapeutic Program","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Terranova","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9800918"},{"teacherId":9875436,"projectId":9008977,"letterContent":"These items have been an amazing addition to the interventions and items used within the counseling setting to help student's learn about self regulation, impulse control, emotional management, coping strategies and have utilized to assist students in increase personal insight and awareness. \r\n\r\nThe students have already benefited greatly from the donated items. Not only have they been given hands on experiences in which to grow, but have also had the opportunity to learn via some amazing social and emotional books on a variety of topics. \r\n\r\nKnow that your donations will have an enormous impact on the social emotional development of the awesome student's here.","fullyFundedDate":1734455413282,"projectUrl":"project/social-emotional-lesson-for-success/9008977/","projectTitle":"Social Emotional Lesson for Success!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gisler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9875436"},{"teacherId":9800918,"projectId":8871958,"letterContent":"I hope this letter finds you well. On behalf of J. Serra's Therapeutic Program for students with Emotional Disabilities, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude for your generous donation toward funding the creation of our student store for our students. Your commitment to supporting our students has made a profound impact on their educational experience and well-being.\r\n\r\nThis student store will provide an invaluable resource to students, helping them build important life skills, such as money management, responsibility, and social interaction. It is more than just a space to purchase goods—it is a space where students can grow in confidence, develop essential skills, and feel empowered within the school community.\r\n\r\nThanks to your kindness and vision, we now have a dedicated environment where students can experience a sense of independence and pride, while fostering positive interactions with their peers and staff. Your support truly changes lives and creates lasting memories.\r\n\r\nWe are incredibly fortunate to have donors like you who believe in the power of education and inclusion. The success of this project is a direct result of your generosity, and we are excited to see the positive effects it will continue to have on our students for years to come.\r\n\r\nOnce again, thank you for your thoughtful contribution. We look forward to sharing the ongoing success of this initiative with you, and we hope to continue our partnership in making a difference for our students.\r\n\r\nWith heartfelt appreciation,\r\nCandee Terranova & Kaylei Nott\r\nK-3 & 4-5 SPED Teachers\r\nJ. Serra Elementary","fullyFundedDate":1728771066752,"projectUrl":"project/help-us-stock-our-specialized-programs/8871958/","projectTitle":"Help us Stock Our Specialized Program's Student Store","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Terranova","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9800918"},{"teacherId":2967369,"projectId":8788991,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support to our classroom library! My students were so excited to receive books based upon their personal requests and recommendations. When the boxes arrived they were overjoyed. I have loved watching children discover new authors, continue beloved series, and make recommendations to each other. The abundance of graphic novels and high interest books at a wide range of reading levels has helped some of reluctant readers find books that excite them and encourage them to read. Students that were reading less than a book a week are now finishing two or more books weekly. They are excited about picking out their books and taking them home to read. Your donations to our classroom library have truly made a significant impact on my students' reading. We cannot thank you enough.","fullyFundedDate":1727970990549,"projectUrl":"project/freshing-it-up-in-our-5th-grade-library/8788991/","projectTitle":"Freshing It Up in Our 5th Grade Library","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Schacherer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2967369_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1544219820355","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/schacherer"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_40933","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":448,"numTeachers":23,"percentFrplEligible":51,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":39,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":51,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"19.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":85.6,"schoolId":40933,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Junipero Serra Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Junipero Serra Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/ventura-unified-school-district/junipero-serra-elementary-school/40933"}
Join the 90 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Junipero Serra Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Ventura, California that is part of Ventura Unified School District.
It serves 448 students
in grades Pre-K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 19.5:1.
Its teachers have had 53 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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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
55%
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.
Junipero Serra 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.
Junipero Serra Elementary School
$20,585
raised using DonorsChoose
53
projects
funded
12
teachers
funded
90
donors
4
projects
for
basic supplies
12
projects for
technology
8
projects for
books
4
projects
for
art supplies
Junipero Serra Elementary School has received support from
77 individuals from California and
13 individuals out-of-state.