{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Pine River Area Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":29.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10054038,"projectId":9536642,"letterContent":"I am so very thankful. I want to extend my sincere gratitude for the generous donation of snacks for our classroom. Your kindness made a meaningful difference in our daily routine, and I want you to know how much it was appreciated by both me and my students. Thank you so much for funding this project. I was able to have a variety of snack choices that will last most of the school year. \r\n\r\nSnacks may seem like a small detail in a busy school day, but they have a powerful impact. Students can not focus with a hungry tummy. These snacks will lift up a students' day completely. Your thoughtful donation ensures that everyone will have access to something nourishing when they need it most. It will help students stay engaged, attentive, and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nThank you for supporting not only our classroom, but also the well-being and success of each student this school year. We really appreciate it.","fullyFundedDate":1758636832164,"projectUrl":"project/snack-attack/9536642/","projectTitle":"Snack Attack","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. D. Wanstead","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10054038_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1750206101395","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10054038"},{"teacherId":10054038,"projectId":9407636,"letterContent":"The kinetic sand has been a huge success! They were so excited, as many had never touched kinetic sand before. The Students engaged successfully in exploration play using the sand. The students enjoy the sensory and creative properties. The sand's unique texture encourages tactile exploration, promoting fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. \r\n\r\nThe students love to mold, shape, and build. They enjoyed writing their name in the sand. They also enjoyed building a set of molds based on a number to incorporate some math skills in a fun way. These practices are fostering imagination and problem-solving abilities. In collaborative settings, students share tools and ideas, enhancing communication and social interaction. \r\n\r\nThe Kinetic sand also supports emotional regulation, offering a calming effect through repetitive motion. . Overall, kinetic sand provides a versatile, mess-free medium that enriches play-based learning while nurturing developmental and cognitive growth in a fun, hands-on way.\r\n\r\nWe thank you so much for this opportunity!","fullyFundedDate":1750202515315,"projectUrl":"project/exploring-with-play/9407636/","projectTitle":"Exploring with Play","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. D. Wanstead","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10054038_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1750206101395","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10054038"},{"teacherId":9064257,"projectId":9261342,"letterContent":"When the market project supplies arrived, my students' excitement was contagious! They dove into the paints, beads, and fabric, eager to design products for our classroom marketplace. From beaded jewelry to pipe cleaner animals, their creativity has been inspiring. Along the way, they've learned about supply and demand, budgeting, pricing, and teamwork—skills that will serve them far beyond the classroom. Soon, they'll proudly showcase their creations to peers. Thank you for making this experience possible!","fullyFundedDate":1750170020983,"projectUrl":"project/from-classroom-to-market-peer-driven-st/9261342/","projectTitle":"From Classroom to Market: Peer-Driven Student Creations for Sale","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. HASKEL","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9064257_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744950919564","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9064257"},{"teacherId":9403357,"projectId":9355537,"letterContent":"When the new school supplies arrived, my students' eyes lit up with excitement. They couldn't believe the bins full of fresh crayons, markers, pencils, and notebooks were for them to use every day. We took a little \"supply tour\" around the room, and the kids immediately began brainstorming what they could create. One student told me, \"Now I don't have to worry about my pencil breaking, because we have extras!\" That simple moment showed me just how much these resources mean to them.\r\n\r\nWe've already put the supplies to great use during our writing workshop and art-integrated projects. Students are able to focus more on expressing their ideas instead of worrying about not having what they need. For example, during a recent science lesson on habitats, students used their new markers and construction paper to design colorful posters showing what animals need to survive. Their work was more detailed and creative than ever before, because they had the right tools at their fingertips.\r\n\r\nThe next step for us is to continue using these supplies to build independence and pride in our work. Students now have the confidence to dive into projects knowing they have everything necessary to be successful learners. Thank you so much for your generosity—you've provided not just supplies, but the opportunity for my students to create, explore, and grow each day in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1757418052314,"projectUrl":"project/next-year-starts-now-supplies-for-stude/9355537/","projectTitle":"Next Year Starts Now: Supplies for Student Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Marks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9403357_orig.jpg?crop=1620,1620,x0,y205&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724617335147","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9403357"},{"teacherId":9403357,"projectId":9261330,"letterContent":"When our new wobble stools arrived, my students could hardly contain their excitement! They were immediately drawn to the bright colors and couldn't wait to try them out. We gathered as a class to talk about how these stools could help us stay focused while still moving our bodies, and it was amazing to see their eagerness to learn in this new way. One student even said, \"It feels like my brain works faster when I can wiggle!\" Moments like that show how much these resources matter.\r\n\r\nWe've already started using the wobble stools during small-group reading and math lessons. The stools give students a choice in how they learn, which has created a calmer and more focused classroom environment. I've noticed that students who often struggled to sit still during longer lessons are now more engaged and able to complete their work with greater confidence. The wobble stools have quickly become a favorite spot for many children during independent reading time.\r\n\r\nThe next step for us is to rotate the wobble stools through different areas of the classroom so all students can experience the benefit of flexible seating. We'll continue to use them as tools for focus and comfort while we dive deeper into our current units of study. Thank you so much for supporting my classroom—you've given my students more than just chairs; you've given them a chance to learn in a way that fits them best.","fullyFundedDate":1746785667818,"projectUrl":"project/wobble-while-you-work-enhancing-classro/9261330/","projectTitle":"Wobble While You Work: Enhancing Classroom Engagement","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Marks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9403357_orig.jpg?crop=1620,1620,x0,y205&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724617335147","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9403357"},{"teacherId":9403357,"projectId":9224644,"letterContent":"When our Market Day materials arrived, my students could hardly contain their excitement! They immediately started brainstorming what they would \"sell\" at their booths and how they would set up their shops. Having the supplies made the project feel real and meaningful, and the students were eager to dive into the work of creating signs, products, and price lists. The energy in the room was contagious as they realized they were about to bring their own marketplace to life.\r\n\r\nOne of the most memorable moments came during our first practice run of Market Day. Students used the materials to design creative displays and products—from handmade crafts to pretend food items. They proudly showed off their booths, practiced using play money, and worked on their sales pitches with their classmates. It was incredible to watch them apply math skills like addition, subtraction, and making change in such an authentic way.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, Market Day has gone from being just an idea to a hands-on learning experience that connects math, writing, and teamwork. Next, my students will continue refining their products, advertisements, and business plans before our big Market Day event. Your support has made it possible for them to learn not only academic skills but also problem-solving, communication, and creativity in a real-world context.","fullyFundedDate":1744925755868,"projectUrl":"project/peer-powered-marketplace-crafting-and-s/9224644/","projectTitle":"Peer-Powered Marketplace: Crafting and Selling Your Own Creations","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Marks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9403357_orig.jpg?crop=1620,1620,x0,y205&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724617335147","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9403357"},{"teacherId":9403357,"projectId":9064802,"letterContent":"When our new classroom rug and floor cushions arrived, the students' faces lit up with excitement! They immediately wanted to sit together on the rug and test out the cushions. Having a comfortable, inviting space has made a huge difference during our whole-group lessons, read-alouds, and morning meetings. Students now look forward to gathering as a class, and the rug has quickly become the heart of our room.\r\n\r\nOne of our favorite moments came during reading workshop when students used the floor cushions to spread out with their books. They were so eager to find a cozy spot, and many commented on how much more fun and comfortable reading felt. The rug also helped create a sense of community—we've used it for class discussions, partner talks, and even celebrating student work. It's given us a shared space that truly supports learning and togetherness.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our classroom feels more welcoming, student-centered, and engaging. The rug and cushions are used daily, and they've transformed how students interact and collaborate. Moving forward, we'll continue to use this space for small-group learning, partner activities, and building our classroom community. Your support has made a lasting impact on both our learning environment and the joy my students feel in being part of it.","fullyFundedDate":1742918324727,"projectUrl":"project/home-away-from-home-cozy-classroom/9064802/","projectTitle":"Home Away From Home - Cozy Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Marks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9403357_orig.jpg?crop=1620,1620,x0,y205&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724617335147","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9403357"},{"teacherId":9403357,"projectId":9223688,"letterContent":"When our new stools and chart paper arrived, the excitement in our classroom was immediate! The students were thrilled to have flexible seating options that made group work more comfortable and collaborative. The stools have quickly become a favorite choice for writing time, partner reading, and small group discussions. Having chart paper readily available has also opened up new opportunities for brainstorming, anchor charts, and interactive lessons where students can share their thinking.\r\n\r\nOne of the most memorable moments came when students used the new chart paper to create a giant class \"idea web\" for their habitat research project. They eagerly gathered around, adding their facts and questions, and it became a living resource that guided their writing and exploration. Seeing their work displayed so visibly gave them a sense of ownership and pride in their learning.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our classroom feels more engaging, student-centered, and creative. The stools and chart paper are used daily and have already made a big difference in how students collaborate and express their ideas. As we move forward, my students will continue using these resources to support their writing projects, group problem-solving activities, and presentations. Your support has truly helped create an environment where their voices and ideas can shine.","fullyFundedDate":1743635292093,"projectUrl":"project/interactive-learning-stools-and-chart-p/9223688/","projectTitle":"Interactive Learning: Stools and Chart Paper for Comprehension","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Marks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9403357_orig.jpg?crop=1620,1620,x0,y205&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724617335147","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9403357"},{"teacherId":9403357,"projectId":9018650,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in bringing STEM kits into our classroom! The moment the materials arrived, the excitement was contagious. Students gathered around with wide eyes and eager hands as we unpacked the magnetic roller coaster set and the LEGO pulley system. They were filled with curiosity and couldn't wait to dive in and start building.\r\n\r\nSince then, these kits have become a favorite part of our classroom. With the magnetic roller coaster activity, students explored concepts like force, motion, and magnetism. They experimented with different track designs and angles, observing how magnets influenced the coaster's speed and direction. The LEGO pulley system allowed us to explore simple machines and mechanical advantage in a fun, hands-on way. Students worked in teams to lift objects, adjust pulley configurations, and discover how the setup changed the effort needed to move weight. These activities have deepened their understanding of STEM concepts and inspired so many \"aha!\" moments.\r\n\r\nWe're now building on this foundation by integrating these tools into our unit on problem-solving and invention. Students will soon design their own challenges using the kits—like creating a device to move an object across the room without touching it. Your support has given them the tools to think like engineers and scientists. Thank you for helping to bring these powerful learning opportunities into our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1736981934992,"projectUrl":"project/stem-in-second-grade/9018650/","projectTitle":"STEM in Second Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Marks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9403357_orig.jpg?crop=1620,1620,x0,y205&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724617335147","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9403357"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_71950","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":270,"numTeachers":17,"percentFrplEligible":75,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":90,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":2,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 3","studentTeacherRatio":"15.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_REMOTE"},"inStateSupporters":70.6,"schoolId":71950,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Pine River Area Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Pine River Area Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/michigan/pine-river-area-school-district/leroy-elementary-school/71950"}
Join the 17 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Pine River Area Elementary School is
a rural public school
in Leroy, Michigan that is part of Pine River Area School District.
It serves 270 students
in grades K - 3 with a student/teacher ratio of 15.9:1.
Its teachers have had 13 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
3%
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.
Pine River Area 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.
Pine River Area Elementary School
$3,775
raised using DonorsChoose
13
projects
funded
5
teachers
funded
17
donors
2
projects
for
basic supplies
1
project for
technology
4
projects
for
art supplies
Pine River Area Elementary School has received support from
12 individuals from Michigan and
5 individuals out-of-state.