Southside Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Southside Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":8.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8700410,"projectId":9098695,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for contributing the supplies for my energy, stem stations! In the Science Lab, we tried to explore things with a hands-on approach. My students were thrilled to have more circuit kits and especially the arcade kit! \r\n I put the activities at different tables in the students rotate through the stations and experience energy in all different ways. They love this self exploration! One student even said , \"This is the best day ever!\"\r\n On behalf of me and my school, thank you for making these learning tools available to over 700 science students!\r\n\r\nSincerely,\r\nMs. Daughtry and the Southside Scientists","fullyFundedDate":1738785925950,"projectUrl":"project/energy-stem-stations/9098695/","projectTitle":"Energy STEM Stations","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Daughtry","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8700410"},{"teacherId":8700410,"projectId":9070702,"letterContent":"There is nothing more exciting than rockets! I used these with my Science Lab at every grade level. This project impacted the whole school! As I opened the new boxes of Stomp Rockets there were ohhhs! and ahhs! kindergarten through fifth grade.\r\n We had beautiful weather here in Sarasota and we went to the upper field. Students were in pairs. One would stomp and the other would try to catch the rocket. Students launched at 90° and 45°. A few rockets got caught in the trees by the time they blew down everyone knew that they were from the Science Lab.\r\n The impact of this hands-on project was so impressive! Students can describe the pull of gravity and compare distances and talk about what made their stomp rocket go further or higher. Some students called it the best day ever!","fullyFundedDate":1737639053718,"projectUrl":"project/stomp-rocket-science/9070702/","projectTitle":"Stomp Rocket Science","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Daughtry","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8700410"},{"teacherId":8700410,"projectId":8932856,"letterContent":"Thanks to the materials that were purchased through Donors Choose, my students were able to engage in this exciting STEM activity! My fifth graders came to the Science Lab with a background of circuits and then were able to create their own circuit using the LED light and a 32c battery. \r\n Some students were able to align the probes of the light with the sides of the battery right away. Others struggled and had to use trial and error. We have a motto in the Science Lab that we never give up. We had to encourage each other because some of the batteries slipped out of the electrical tape.\r\n In the end, we turned off the lights and all students were able to shine their simple circuit light sabers. They were very happy to take them home. Thank you!!","fullyFundedDate":1735684377626,"projectUrl":"project/stem-lights-with-circuits/8932856/","projectTitle":"STEM Lights with Circuits!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Daughtry","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8700410"},{"teacherId":6765904,"projectId":8810975,"letterContent":"I am writing to share how the PowerPens have been an incredible success in our classroom, thanks to your generous support. The students absolutely love them and look forward to using them every day. Their excitement for learning grows when they know PowerPens are involved, and it has truly transformed their approach to both math and reading.\r\n\r\nThe PowerPens activities are designed to cover a wide range of concepts. In math, they engage students with activities like number bonds, word problems, and measurements. In English Language Arts (ELA), the students work on reading comprehension and phonics tasks tailored to their individual reading levels. This makes the activities both engaging and challenging, ensuring that each student can work at their own pace while building important skills.\r\n\r\nOne of the greatest benefits of the PowerPens is that they provide an excellent opportunity for independent practice. While one student works with the PowerPens, I can focus on providing one-on-one instruction to another. This dual approach allows me to monitor progress, gather data, and give personalized support. For example, I can assess a student's reading comprehension level and provide feedback on correct and incorrect answers, all while the other student remains engaged with the activities.\r\n\r\nThe PowerPens have been an essential tool in my classroom, benefiting both me and my students. The data gathered through these activities has been invaluable in tracking progress and adjusting instruction. Most importantly, the PowerPens have helped to foster a positive and motivating learning environment where students are eager to participate and succeed.\r\n\r\nThank you again for making this possible. 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About this school

Southside Elementary School is an urban public school in Sarasota, Florida that is part of Sarasota County School District. It serves 696 students in grades K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 12.7:1. Its teachers have had 11 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Public School

Grades K - 5

696 Students

55 Teachers

1901 Webber St

Sarasota, FL 34239 View local requests

http://www.sarasotacountyschools.net/southside

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

Southside Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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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.

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Southside Elementary School Demographics

27%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

17%

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.

Southside 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.