Shannon Elementary School in Pinole, California on DonorsChoose

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This often limited students' independence and sometimes resulted in missed meals or food that wasn't safe or appealing. Now, students are independently managing their food needs as part of their daily routine, building important life skills and confidence along the way.\r\n\r\nYour support has had an immediate and meaningful impact on our classroom. You didn't just provide appliances—you helped create a more inclusive, supportive environment where students can focus on learning and taking care of themselves. Thank you for believing in our students and investing in their well-being.","fullyFundedDate":1759531265494,"projectUrl":"project/helping-our-students-eat-safely-and-lear/9763223/","projectTitle":"Helping Our Students Eat Safely and Learn Life Skills","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Varela Valdes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8611035_orig.jpg?crop=3166,3166,x0,y116&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727062041571","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8611035"},{"teacherId":4433018,"projectId":8816751,"letterContent":"The new air conditioning unit has greatly improved the learning environment in our self-contained special day class. It allows both staff and students to stay comfortable and focused throughout the day, especially during warm afternoons when attention and regulation used to decline. With a stable and cool classroom, students can fully participate in lessons, sensory activities, and group projects without distraction or discomfort. When the unit was first installed, the students immediately noticed the change. Several smiled and commented on how \"nice and cool\" the room felt, and the paraprofessionals remarked on how much calmer and more engaged the class became. This improvement has supported longer periods of on-task learning and smoother transitions between activities. Our next steps include expanding small-group academic and life skills rotations now that the classroom environment can remain consistent and conducive to focused learning for all ten students.","fullyFundedDate":1728415330179,"projectUrl":"project/just-chillin/8816751/","projectTitle":"Just Chillin'","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kit","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4433018_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1657659937618","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/m-aguila"},{"teacherId":4433018,"projectId":9179368,"letterContent":"Our new refrigerator has quickly become an important part of our classroom routine. My 4th–6th grade students, most of whom are developing foundational life skills, are using it to learn about food safety, independence, and teamwork. Each day, students help store snacks and lunch items, practice opening and closing the doors gently, and check that everything is in its right place. These small routines are helping them build responsibility and confidence.\r\n\r\nWhen the refrigerator first arrived, the students were thrilled. Several gathered around to watch it being plugged in, and a few cheered when the light came on inside. For many, it was their first time connecting something they use at home to a school project. They immediately wanted to help organize it—lining up yogurt cups, fruit, and water bottles with pride and excitement.\r\n\r\nOur next step is to use the refrigerator as part of our cooking and nutrition lessons. Students will learn to follow simple recipes, store leftovers safely, and talk about which foods need to be kept cold. These experiences are helping them strengthen both practical and social skills, while also giving them a sense of belonging and accomplishment in our classroom community.","fullyFundedDate":1746649338603,"projectUrl":"project/cooler-than-a-cucumber/9179368/","projectTitle":"Cooler Than a Cucumber","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kit","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4433018_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1657659937618","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/m-aguila"},{"teacherId":605293,"projectId":9201350,"letterContent":"Thank you very much for the headphones that you donated to my class. The use of headphones is very beneficial in my classrooms where multiple students are working on different activities at the same time, as it creates a more personalized and quiet learning environment for them. My students were able to focus on their individual tasks without being disturbed by surrounding noise. With these materials, it lessens the distractions in the classroom. \r\n\r\nMy students enjoy using the headphones because they perfectly fit in their heads. They are very comfortable to use because of the foam that protects their ears. In addition, the headphones are colorful and durable.","fullyFundedDate":1747064568283,"projectUrl":"project/headphones-for-learning-enhancing-focus/9201350/","projectTitle":"Headphones for Learning: Enhancing Focus and Engagement","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. S","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp605293_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1472971643820","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/605293"},{"teacherId":608215,"projectId":9077952,"letterContent":"This project has made a tremendous difference for my students. It has given them the ability to clearly hear instructions, enjoy stories, and fully participate in online activities. This clarity has empowered them to make meaningful progress in their learning.\r\n\r\n What excites me the most is seeing how my students are now able to extend their attention during digital activities, thanks to the improved audio experience provided by the headphones.\r\n\r\n The durability of the headphones means that not only are they helping my current students, but they will also benefit many future students in our extensive needs class. I am deeply grateful for your support and confident that this project will continue to make a lasting impact on students with exceptional needs.","fullyFundedDate":1742494220803,"projectUrl":"project/sound-tools-for-creative-minds/9077952/","projectTitle":"Sound Tools for Creative Minds”","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. A","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp608215_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1538249074793","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/maria-aguila"},{"teacherId":608215,"projectId":8853136,"letterContent":"My students are now more focused to work in a comfortable temperature learning environment. Many of them are participating more and engaging in classwork feeling refreshed and light in our now, cool classroom. They are able to move around more comfortably and move by themselves. It has changed our students day to day learning experience. \r\n I am very grateful for all your support. It really takes a village to uplift each other up and we are very fortunate to have such kind-hearted people as you supporting us and most importantly the well-being of our students.","fullyFundedDate":1737138724388,"projectUrl":"project/not-too-cool-for-school/8853136/","projectTitle":"\"Not Too Cool\" for School","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. A","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp608215_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1538249074793","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/maria-aguila"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_4224","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":343,"numTeachers":15,"percentFrplEligible":65,"percentAsian":28,"percentBlack":7,"percentWhite":7,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":47,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"22.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":59.7,"schoolId":4224,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Shannon Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Shannon Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/west-contra-costa-unified-school-district/shannon-elementary-school/4224"}

About this school

Shannon Elementary School is a suburban public school in Pinole, California that is part of West Contra Costa Unified School District. It serves 343 students in grades Pre-K - 6 with a student/teacher ratio of 22.9:1. Its teachers have had 71 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades Pre-K - 6

343 Students

15 Teachers

685 Marlesta Rd

Pinole, CA 94564 View local requests

Direct, proactive support

Empower teachers at Shannon 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

Shannon Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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Every donation funds real needs — pencils, books, lab equipment, art supplies, and more — helping students learn and thrive. We ship supplies directly to the school, and you'll see exactly where each dollar goes.

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Shannon Elementary School Demographics

65%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

82%

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.

Shannon Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Jan 14, 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.