McAlpine Elementary School in Charlotte, North Carolina on DonorsChoose

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These resources are already making a meaningful difference in both academic engagement and emotional regulation.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the new materials, their faces lit up with excitement and curiosity. Several of them immediately gravitated toward the spinner and fidgets, exploring how each item felt and moved. For many of my students, having sensory tools that meet their specific needs makes them feel seen, supported, and safe. The reinforcer candies have also been a motivating addition, helping students stay focused and celebrate small victories throughout the day.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, these sensory tools will continue to support our ongoing lessons as students work on building self management, independence, and communication skills. We are incorporating the swing and spinner into structured sensory breaks, teaching students when and how to use them to regulate their emotions. Thank you for giving my students the tools they need to succeed, not just academically but emotionally and socially as well. Your contribution has truly made our classroom a more joyful and accessible place for every learner.","fullyFundedDate":1761920331123,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-haven/9785575/","projectTitle":"Sensory Haven","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Recy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10075541_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752282566533","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10075541"},{"teacherId":10075541,"projectId":9456122,"letterContent":"When my project was funded, I was excited to introduce so many new tools and resources into my classroom. The play dough and magnet blocks quickly became favorites, and I now use them to reinforce concepts in literacy and math while giving students an outlet for creativity. The sight word and sentence-building cards, along with the CVC activities and math drills, have turned practice into something interactive and fun. The safety locks have been just as important, giving me peace of mind and keeping the classroom safe and organized so that my students can focus on learning.\r\n\r\nMy students' reactions when they first saw the materials were unforgettable. They were drawn to the play dough and magnet blocks immediately, and it was amazing to watch them collaborate, build, and share ideas with one another. The laminated visuals I created using the sheets and binders have also made our lessons more engaging, as students love using these durable, colorful tools again and again. Even small details like DumDums, which I give as reinforcers at the end of the day, have kept motivation high. My students work hard during lessons knowing they'll earn a sweet reward.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, I plan to keep blending these resources into both literacy and math instruction. The play dough and magnet blocks will continue to support hands-on learning, while the laminated visuals will help students review and retain concepts over time. The safety locks ensure that the learning environment stays secure, while the reinforcers keep spirits high. What makes this even more meaningful is knowing the donors behind this project are strong advocates for special education, with personal connections in their own families. Your generosity has not only provided my students with the tools they need, but also reminded us all that we are supported by people who truly care. Because of you, my students are safer, more motivated, and more excited to learn each day.","fullyFundedDate":1756908695069,"projectUrl":"project/ability-beyond-disability-empowering-ou/9456122/","projectTitle":"Ability beyond Disability: Empowering our students in Special Education","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Recy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10075541_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752282566533","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10075541"},{"teacherId":2628571,"projectId":8555289,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donation to my project. The donated material meet the sensory needs of my students. \r\nThey especially love to climb into the tent with their favorite book or personal blanket. My classroom is calmer and a better environment for learning.\r\nThe occupational therapists highly recommend meeting the sensory needs of children with autism several times throughout the day. The materials are available for all students at all times. The students are becoming more aware of their needs and self serve as needed.\r\nThank you very much!","fullyFundedDate":1733281784816,"projectUrl":"project/safe-calming-places/8555289/","projectTitle":"Safe Calming Places","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cole","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2628571_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1510454906739","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2628571"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_1635","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":502,"numTeachers":32,"percentFrplEligible":35,"percentAsian":6,"percentBlack":14,"percentWhite":52,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":22,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"15.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":69.2,"schoolId":1635,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about McAlpine Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"McAlpine Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/north-carolina/charlotte-mecklenburg-school-district/mcalpine-elementary-school/1635"}

About this school

McAlpine Elementary School is an urban public school in Charlotte, North Carolina that is part of Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District. It serves 502 students in grades K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 15.7:1. Its teachers have had 117 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Public School

Grades K - 5

502 Students

32 Teachers

9100 Carswell Ln

Charlotte, NC 28277 View local requests

http://schools.cms.k12.nc.us/mcalpinees

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

McAlpine Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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McAlpine Elementary School Demographics

35%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

42%

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.

McAlpine 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.