Sequoia Elementary School in Manteca, California on DonorsChoose

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They eagerly join in repeating phrases, making predictions about what will happen next, and retelling parts of the story. I have seen tremendous growth in their comprehension skills as they identify characters, setting, and key events. The laughter that fills our room during a Pigeon story or the confidence they show when chanting along with Pete the Cat is a reminder of how powerful engaging literature can be at this age. These books are not just stories — they are building foundational literacy skills and a love for reading that will stay with them for years to come.\r\n\r\nThe math tools and fidget resources have also transformed our daily routines. During small-group instruction and self-directed play, students are using the manipulatives to count, sort, build patterns, and practice number recognition. Hands-on learning is essential in TK, and these tools allow my students to explore math concepts in a way that feels like play while building critical early number sense skills. I've watched students proudly demonstrate one-to-one correspondence using the counters and explain their thinking to classmates.\r\n\r\nThe fidget tools have been especially impactful in supporting focus and self-regulation. Some of my students are still learning how to manage their energy and emotions in a school setting. Having access to appropriate fidget tools has helped them remain engaged during lessons and carpet time. I've noticed a calmer classroom environment and increased independence as students learn to use these tools responsibly. It has created a more inclusive space where every child feels supported and successful.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, we will continue incorporating these resources into literacy centers, guided reading groups, and math exploration stations. Students will begin retelling stories using sequencing cards and engaging in drawing and early writing activities inspired by the books. In math, we will build on our number sense skills by introducing simple addition concepts through hands-on exploration. Your generosity has provided more than materials — it has created joyful learning experiences, strengthened our classroom community, and supported each child's growth. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for investing in my students and helping us build a classroom filled with curiosity, confidence, and joy.","fullyFundedDate":1762266270331,"projectUrl":"project/exploration-sensory-bin-hands-on-learnin/9640384/","projectTitle":"Exploration Sensory Bin Hands-on Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Coelho","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10022902_orig.jpg?crop=827,827,x0,y38&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746668113618","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10022902"},{"teacherId":10022902,"projectId":9513015,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous donations, our classroom has been filled with excitement and curiosity for reading! The new books you helped provide have opened up a world of imagination, learning, and growth for my students. With these new texts, my students are building essential reading skills such as fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary development. They are also learning to make connections, ask questions, and express their thoughts and feelings about what they read — skills that help them become confident, lifelong readers.\r\n\r\nReading time has become one of the most joyful parts of our day. Students love gathering together, choosing their favorite books, and sharing what they've discovered. We use these moments to practice reading aloud, discuss story elements, and even act out scenes to deepen understanding. The classroom now buzzes with energy and laughter as students eagerly turn the pages of their new books.\r\n\r\nA few students, in particular, have truly blossomed since receiving these materials. One student who used to be hesitant about reading now proudly volunteers to read to the class every day. Another student who struggled with comprehension has found confidence through stories that reflect their own life experiences. These moments remind me just how powerful books can be — they inspire, connect, and empower young learners in ways that reach far beyond the classroom.\r\n\r\nThank you once again for your kindness and generosity. 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About this school

Sequoia Elementary School is a suburban public school in Manteca, California that is part of Manteca Unified School District. It serves 845 students in grades K - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 30.2:1. Its teachers have had 36 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades K - 8

845 Students

28 Teachers

745 Wawona St

Manteca, CA 95337 View local requests

http://www.mantecausd.net

Direct, proactive support

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

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Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

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

Sequoia Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

Ms. Coelho

Mrs. Curtright

Mr. Perez

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Sequoia Elementary School Demographics

81%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

83%

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.

Sequoia Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Mar 13, 2026

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