Kennedy Elementary School in South Bend, Indiana on DonorsChoose

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The Pop Fidget Toys are also a big hit, helping students stay focused while offering a healthy outlet for stress and sensory needs.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, the Comfy Bean Bag Chairs have been a big comfort for the kids during independent reading time and group work, providing them with cozy spots to settle in and think. The Staples Block Erasers and Post-it Easel Pads will help us stay organized as we work on projects and collaborate with one another.\r\n\r\nThe Flash Furniture Bailey Plastic Nesting Stack Stools will make it easy for our students to move around and engage in group work, and the Crayola Kid's Markers will ensure that every student has the tools they need to express themselves creatively.\r\n\r\nYour thoughtful contribution means the world to us. It is not just the materials that you've provided; it's the support, belief, and care you've shown in making sure our classroom is equipped to inspire and empower students. The difference you're making is immeasurable, and your generosity will be felt every day by my students.\r\n\r\nThank you once again for being a vital part of our learning journey. We are incredibly grateful for your kindness!","fullyFundedDate":1755698344105,"projectUrl":"project/movers-thinkers-and-sticky-note-dreame/9556542/","projectTitle":"Movers, Thinkers, and Sticky Note Dreamers!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9023273_orig.jpg?crop=2056,2056,x10,y292&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683138979751","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9023273"},{"teacherId":1801705,"projectId":9299036,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our music classroom has been transformed into a space that's brighter, more organized, and full of meaningful learning tools. The first time my students saw the colorful new visuals posted around the room—note name charts, recorder fingering guides, and ukulele chord displays—they immediately began pointing, reading, and using them in their playing. It was such a simple but powerful moment to watch their faces light up as they connected what they saw on the wall to what they were playing in their hands.\r\n\r\nHaving a reliable color printer, laminating supplies, and organized storage has made a world of difference. Instead of racing between home and school to prepare materials, I can now create vibrant, durable learning visuals right in the classroom. These resources are used daily in every grade level, supporting everything from early rhythm reading in kindergarten to recorder and ukulele work in the upper grades. The new hooks and carts help keep instruments and supplies neatly organized, which has made transitions smoother and allowed us to spend more time making music together.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, I can keep creating new charts, guides, and resources to grow with my students as their skills develop. Your support has given them the tools to feel confident and capable as young musicians, and that confidence shines through every time they sing, play, or create something new. Thank you for believing in our program and helping turn a simple idea—moving from paper to performance—into a daily reality for my students.","fullyFundedDate":1752586539868,"projectUrl":"project/from-paper-to-performance/9299036/","projectTitle":"From Paper to Performance","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Artusi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1801705_orig.jpg?crop=261,261,x0,y29&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1745975622252","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lartusi"},{"teacherId":1801705,"projectId":9298749,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our music classroom has been infused with new energy and possibility. When my students saw the boomwhackers and shiny new storage carts for the first time, their faces absolutely lit up. They were eager to explore the instruments right away, creating playful rhythms, matching pitches, and laughing together as they learned. It was one of those joyful moments where their excitement filled the room and reminded me how powerful hands-on learning can be.\r\n\r\nThese new resources have already transformed how we make music every day. The boomwhackers have become a favorite tool across grade levels—they get students moving, listening carefully, and working together to create melodies and rhythms as a team. The storage carts have helped us keep our instruments organized and easy to access, making transitions smoother and giving students a sense of ownership over our shared classroom space. Because everything is now well cared for and within reach, we can spend more time making music and less time setting up.\r\n\r\nThe next step for my students is to use these instruments as part of larger ensemble pieces, layering rhythms and melodies to create full, exciting performances. Your support has helped us move beyond old, taped-up instruments and into a classroom that reflects the pride, creativity, and joy my students bring to music each day. I'm so grateful for the difference you've made for them.","fullyFundedDate":1752586547847,"projectUrl":"project/from-duct-tape-to-dream-notes/9298749/","projectTitle":"From Duct Tape to Dream Notes","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Artusi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1801705_orig.jpg?crop=261,261,x0,y29&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1745975622252","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lartusi"},{"teacherId":1801705,"projectId":9294826,"letterContent":"Thanks to your incredible generosity, our music room has been filled with energy, laughter, and lots of joyful noise! When my students first saw the new instruments, their eyes lit up with excitement. They couldn't wait to try them out, and the room quickly came alive with the sound of rhythm sticks, hand drums, and xylophones. It was such a special moment to watch each child pick up their own instrument and begin to explore melodies and rhythms without having to wait for a turn.\r\n\r\nNow, every class period feels like a true hands-on musical adventure. With a full set of instruments, every single student is actively involved from start to finish, whether they're playing on the treble clef, keeping the beat with rhythm sticks, or adding layers of sound with hand drums and Boomwhackers. These tools have opened up new opportunities for students to learn about rhythm, melody, and musical expression while playing both old favorites and brand-new songs. 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About this school

Kennedy Elementary School is an urban public school in South Bend, Indiana that is part of South Bend Community School Corporation. It serves 443 students in grades K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 15.8:1. Its teachers have had 35 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades K - 5

443 Students

28 Teachers

609 N Olive St

South Bend, IN 46628 View local requests

Direct, proactive support

Empower teachers at Kennedy Elementary School to request what their students need.

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

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

Kennedy Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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Kennedy Elementary School Demographics

55%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

55%

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.

Kennedy Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Jan 7, 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.