{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Prickly Pear Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":14.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9776043,"projectId":8817129,"letterContent":"I want to thank you so much for funding my classroom project of using hands-on manipulatives to bring math and reading to life. My students actually jumped up and down when they saw all the new learning tools. \r\nWe have been using the word mapping paddles twice a week when practicing word building and chaining with our phonics focus of the week. The paddles have been so engaging for students, as they break the sounds in words apart by first moving counters and then work on penmanship as they spell each of the corresponding sounds. They love them!\r\nThe magnetic number bond, magnetic ten frames and number lines have been such a game changer for independent math practice. I keep the large number bond on my teacher whiteboard to help model story problems for students, while they use the number lines and ten frames to independently solve problems at their desks. These manipulatives have made math so much more concrete for my students. \r\nWe are so grateful that you funded our classroom project. Thank you for helping bring reading and math to life for us!","fullyFundedDate":1727210241406,"projectUrl":"project/reading-and-math-come-to-life-with-hands/8817129/","projectTitle":"Reading and Math Come to Life with Hands-On Manipulatives!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Phelps","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9776043"},{"teacherId":9768893,"projectId":8811452,"letterContent":"My students were so excited when our new materials arrived. They could not wait to start building words with the magnetic letters. It was exciting for each student to have their own whiteboard trays that were color coordinated to their stations. \r\n\r\nThe visuals make learning to read fun have given my students an extra resource that they can utilize during their reading group.\r\n\r\nStudents with learning difficulties show a higher success rate when they are able to reinforce what they are learning through hands on visual tools. \r\n\r\nOur classroom is encouraged by exploration with literacy activities that are both fun and engaging. We plan to expand our learning activities throughout the year working into building sentences.","fullyFundedDate":1727068071360,"projectUrl":"project/visuals-make-learning-to-read-fun/8811452/","projectTitle":"Visuals Make Learning to Read Fun","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gallups","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9768893"},{"teacherId":9767604,"projectId":8831438,"letterContent":"Due to your generous donation, first graders have been enjoying the opportunity to engage in chapter books. Each student having a copy of the book allows for carefully designed lessons that help them to successfully read a longer text and build skills. They are excited to find out what happens next and proud that they are reading a book longer than many have read before. Students are excited to tackle more chapter books with grown-ups at home or even independently!\r\n\r\nThank you for helping develop both skills and a love of books!","fullyFundedDate":1727639965766,"projectUrl":"project/literacy-fun-in-first/8831438/","projectTitle":"Literacy Fun in First!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dachs","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9767604"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_122591","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":285,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":45,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":83,"percentIndigenous":2,"percentLatinx":7,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"1 - 2","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":85.7,"schoolId":122591,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Prickly Pear Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Prickly Pear Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/montana/east-helena-school-district-9/prickly-pear-elementary-school/122591"}
Prickly Pear Elementary School is
a rural public school
in East Helena, Montana that is part of East Helena School District 9.
It serves 285 students
in grades 1 - 2.
Its teachers have had 21 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Boost support for our school's classrooms. Share this page with friends and family who want to make a difference. If you're a teacher, sign up to get started!
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.
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
9%
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.
Prickly Pear 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.
Prickly Pear Elementary School
$9,741
raised using DonorsChoose
21
projects
funded
17
teachers
funded
7
donors
5
projects
for
basic supplies
6
projects for
books
Prickly Pear Elementary School has received support from
6 individuals from Montana and
1 individual out-of-state.