{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Sunnyside Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":31.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6963007,"projectId":10065230,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom through DonorsChoose. Because of your generosity, my students now have class sets of books that allow everyone to follow along, participate in discussions, and fully engage in our reading together.\r\n\r\nHaving their own copy in hand makes a huge difference. Students are able to annotate, reference the text during conversations, and feel more confident sharing their ideas. The excitement when the books arrived was incredible, and it has already sparked greater enthusiasm for reading in our classroom.\r\n\r\nYour support is helping create stronger readers and richer classroom discussions. Thank you for investing in my students and making such a meaningful impact on their learning.","fullyFundedDate":1769800410125,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-books-back/10065230/","projectTitle":"Bringing Books Back","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Shipman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6963007_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1574128392807","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6963007"},{"teacherId":6622281,"projectId":10061085,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the new books we were able to purchase with your generous donation. With your contribution, we could acquire several new books for our school library. Our school is a Title I school with 100% of students receiving free lunch and breakfast. Several students don't have the choice at home to choose books they enjoy. These books have expanded the options available to our students when selecting good-fit books for themselves. We will be able to continue using these books for years to come. Thank you again for taking our students on new reading journeys.","fullyFundedDate":1769468644493,"projectUrl":"project/a-reading-journey/10061085/","projectTitle":"A Reading Journey","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Munden","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6622281_orig.jpg?crop=442,442,x0,y39&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1679276325845","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6622281"},{"teacherId":5220807,"projectId":10057658,"letterContent":"The memoir Ugly by Robert Hoge has a powerful impact on sixth graders' development of empathy and self-confidence because it presents a real person's experience with appearance, bullying, and self-acceptance.\r\nFirst, the book helps students develop empathy. Robert Hoge was born with a facial tumor and other physical differences, and he shares honestly about how people reacted to his appearance and how those reactions affected him as a child. As sixth graders read about his experiences with teasing, staring, and feeling excluded, they begin to better understand how hurtful judgments about appearance can be. Because Robert tells his story in a very open and relatable way, students are able to imagine what it might feel like to be treated differently, which encourages kindness and compassion toward others.\r\nSecond, the memoir helps strengthen self-confidence in students. Throughout the book, Robert learns to accept himself and recognize that his value comes from who he is rather than how he looks. This message is especially important for sixth graders, who are at an age where self-image and peer approval often become more significant. Seeing how Robert grows into a confident and successful adult shows students that differences do not define a person's worth.\r\nFinally, the book encourages important classroom discussions about bullying, identity, and acceptance. Students reflect on how their actions and words affect others and consider how they can help create a more supportive and inclusive environment. Robert's story also reminds them that everyone has challenges, even if those challenges are not always visible.\r\nOverall, Ugly helps sixth graders build empathy for others while reinforcing the idea that confidence and character come from accepting oneself and treating others with kindness and respect. Thank you so much for helping make our world a kinder and more generous place.","fullyFundedDate":1769395661862,"projectUrl":"project/everyone-is-a-little-ugly/10057658/","projectTitle":"Everyone Is a Little \"Ugly\"","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kojetin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5220807"},{"teacherId":6963007,"projectId":9530670,"letterContent":"Thank you all so much for your incredible generosity! My students now have the supplies they need to stay organized and get their math skills back on track! They were beyond excited to see they each got their own binder with their own supplies. \r\n We are working on our multiplication facts as well as multi-digit multiplication and long division. Everyday students come in, grab their personal binder, and get started on the board work using their own personal whiteboard. Thank you so much for giving my students what they need to be successful!","fullyFundedDate":1754417344422,"projectUrl":"project/back-to-the-basics/9530670/","projectTitle":"Back to the Basics","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Shipman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6963007_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1574128392807","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6963007"},{"teacherId":6622281,"projectId":9618353,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generous donation. With your contribution to our classroom, I was able to purchase several book displays, an organizing file, and bookends. With these supplies, students can easily see books that are available for check-out, and the book ends help support books on the shelves, so students can easily read book titles on the spines. The students enjoy being able to easily access books for checkout. Thank you again. I appreciate your support in helping our younger generation grow and find a love for learning.","fullyFundedDate":1758800460453,"projectUrl":"project/displays-for-a-growing-library/9618353/","projectTitle":"Displays for a Growing Library!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Munden","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6622281_orig.jpg?crop=442,442,x0,y39&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1679276325845","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6622281"},{"teacherId":6963007,"projectId":9632811,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity! Your donation has helped my students by giving them an organized math binder to hold all their material while they improve their math skills. Students have been working hard to memorize their multiplication facts while using the cards donated. \r\n My students mentioned how honored they feel that a complete stranger believes in their education! You have given more than just a donation; you have given my students hope. And for that, I am eternally grateful! Thank you so much for all you do!","fullyFundedDate":1757423307967,"projectUrl":"project/multiplying-minds-one-student-at-a-time/9632811/","projectTitle":"Multiplying Minds, One Student at a Time","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Shipman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6963007_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1574128392807","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6963007"},{"teacherId":6963007,"projectId":9008407,"letterContent":"On behalf of my students and myself, I want to sincerely thank you for your generous support in helping provide standing desks for our classroom. Your contribution has created a more dynamic and engaging learning environment where students can move, focus, and participate more actively throughout the day. It's amazing to see how something as simple as a desk can make such a big difference in both energy and concentration levels.\r\n\r\nI have noticed a positive shift in my students' posture, focus, and enthusiasm for learning. These standing desks gave them the flexibility to choose how they learn best, which fosters independence and confidence. Your kindness and investment in their education will have a lasting impact, and we are so grateful for your belief in our students' potential. Thank you for making such a meaningful difference in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1739647522212,"projectUrl":"project/creative-standings/9008407/","projectTitle":"Creative Standings","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Shipman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6963007_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1574128392807","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6963007"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_39707","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":406,"numTeachers":27,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":60,"percentIndigenous":9,"percentLatinx":11,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"15.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":68.1,"schoolId":39707,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Sunnyside Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Sunnyside Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/montana/great-falls-school-district-1a/sunnyside-elementary-school/39707"}
Join the 260 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Sunnyside Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Great Falls, Montana that is part of Great Falls School District 1A.
It serves 406 students
in grades Pre-K - 6 with a student/teacher ratio of 15.0:1.
Its teachers have had 134 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Share and help support Sunnyside Elementary School
Boost support for this school! Share this page with friends, family, alumni, and fellow supporters. Every connection helps teachers get the supplies they need and shows how much your community cares about its students.
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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.
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
21%
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.
Sunnyside Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Mar 19, 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.
Sunnyside Elementary School
$60,529
raised using DonorsChoose
134
projects
funded
28
teachers
funded
260
donors
14
projects
for
basic supplies
15
projects for
technology
50
projects for
books
4
projects
for
art supplies
Sunnyside Elementary School has received support from
177 individuals from Montana and
83 individuals out-of-state.
