{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Tahoe Valley Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":36.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5156119,"projectId":10058017,"letterContent":"Our students are using the steel tongue drums daily as part of rhythm practice, ensemble playing, and creative exploration. One especially memorable moment came when a group of 3rd graders worked together to perform a simple layered piece, each student responsible for a different repeating pattern. As they listened to one another and stayed in sync, you could see their confidence grow in real time. By the end, they were beaming with pride—not just because they played correctly, but because they created something beautiful together.\r\n\r\nThe excitement was immediate and contagious. As soon as the drums were revealed, students were wide-eyed and full of questions. Many had never seen or played an instrument like this before, and they were eager to try. Even students who are typically more hesitant jumped right in. There was a sense of curiosity, joy, and ownership from the very first day, and that enthusiasm has carried into every lesson since.\r\n\r\nOur next steps involve building more complex ensemble skills and connecting the drums to literacy in music. Students are beginning to read and notate simple rhythmic patterns, then transfer those patterns onto the instruments. We are also working toward small group performances where students will create and present their own compositions. This progression is helping them deepen their understanding of rhythm while continuing to build confidence, collaboration, and creativity.","fullyFundedDate":1769396353217,"projectUrl":"project/let-the-thunderbirds-drum-music-that-re/10058017/","projectTitle":"Let the Thunderbirds Drum! Music That Resonates","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Little","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5156119_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1564850395833","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5156119"},{"teacherId":10421057,"projectId":10066560,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my fourth-grade students now have headphones and individual whiteboards that are making a meaningful difference in our daily learning. The headphones allow students to fully engage with educational technology—whether they are listening to audiobooks to strengthen reading comprehension, practicing math skills through interactive programs, or using speech-to-text tools to support writing. For many of my students, especially English learners and those who benefit from extra focus, having their own headphones creates a distraction-free space where they can truly concentrate and work at their own pace.\r\n\r\nThe whiteboards have been just as powerful. Students are excited to quickly share their thinking, solve problems, and revise their work without fear of making mistakes. In math, they use them to model multi-step problems and explain their reasoning. In reading, they jot down inferences and evidence before sharing out. The ability to \"try, erase, and try again\" has built both confidence and participation—especially for students who are typically hesitant to raise their hands.\r\n\r\nWhat has been most heartwarming is seeing some of my quieter and more reluctant learners light up. A few students who struggle with writing feel more comfortable drafting ideas on their whiteboards first, and others who need additional language support benefit tremendously from listening to texts through headphones. Your donation didn't just provide supplies—it gave my students tools to feel capable, engaged, and excited about learning every single day. Thank you for investing in their growth and confidence.","fullyFundedDate":1769871680217,"projectUrl":"project/headphones-whiteboards-tools-for-focu/10066560/","projectTitle":"Headphones & Whiteboards: Tools for Focused Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Spees","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10421057"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_39618","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":402,"numTeachers":23,"percentFrplEligible":64,"percentAsian":3,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":42,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":45,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"17.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"TOWN_DISTANT"},"inStateSupporters":63.6,"schoolId":39618,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Tahoe Valley Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Tahoe Valley Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/lake-tahoe-unified-school-district/tahoe-valley-elementary-school/39618"}
Join the 110 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Tahoe Valley Elementary School is
a town public school
in S. Lake Tahoe, California that is part of Lake Tahoe Unified School District.
It serves 402 students
in grades Pre-K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 17.5:1.
Its teachers have had 18 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Share and help support Tahoe Valley 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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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
48%
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.
Tahoe Valley Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Apr 8, 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.
Tahoe Valley Elementary School
$8,730
raised using DonorsChoose
18
projects
funded
9
teachers
funded
110
donors
3
projects for
technology
3
projects for
books
1
project
for
art supplies
Tahoe Valley Elementary School has received support from
70 individuals from California and
40 individuals out-of-state.
