{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Van Winkle Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":49.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9827192,"projectId":8921896,"letterContent":"I wanted to start the year off with modeling and guiding students to explore the library and having a TV that I can utilize with my laptop has definitely helped students locate where the apps and features are on their iPads. We have completed Student Needs Surveys utilizing the TV screen as a \"large iPad\" and students were able to identify books they would like me to order this year. We have also used the TV as a guiding tool to help students locate MAGNOLIA which is an educational database that PreK-12th grade students have access, to incorporate skills they learn in the classroom and in the library. We have created \"Thank You\" notes using the Britanica Fundamentals data base which is designed for PreK students to \"Read\" digital books, \"Explore\" parts of the world, \"Play\" literacy and mathematical games as well as \"Create\" different messages using the paint canvas section. Using the TV screen, I was able to model how to draw different letters and students were able to write their names. \r\nNow that the seasons are changing and the weather is getting cooler, we are going to explore seasons and learn about the different parts of the world that have similar seasonal and weather patterns. The Fall time of the year is also when we participate in the school and district Reading Fair. I was able to use the TV to model how to find great examples of story elements, and identify the difference between fiction and nonfiction books. \r\nI am forever grateful for your contribution to my school. Words really cannot explain how your kindness and generosity have impacted my library. I have taught my students about kindness, and we have read books about treating people they way you want to be treated... with love, kindness, and being fair to each other...and now you have truly shown us the true meaning of those attributes. Every year, when I use the TV in the library, I will share the story of your kindness and how I received this wonderful gift.","fullyFundedDate":1742905342352,"projectUrl":"project/the-wonders-of-curiosity-and-research/8921896/","projectTitle":"The Wonders of Curiosity and Research!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jenkins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9827192_orig.jpg?crop=434,434,x0,y10&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1734050005501","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9827192"},{"teacherId":7728555,"projectId":8998804,"letterContent":"I can't thank you enough for your generous support of our classroom! Your donation has truly made a difference in the lives of my Pre-K scholars.\r\n\r\nWhen the new literacy games and activities arrived, the excitement was real. One student shouted, \"Is this for us?!\" as they eagerly helped unpack the materials. Their eyes lit up with curiosity, and they couldn't wait to dive in. We began using the letter recognition games during small group time, and it's been amazing to watch how engaged and motivated the students are.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite moments so far was watching a student who previously struggled with identifying letters confidently point out \"M\" and say, \"That's the first letter in my name!\" It was a small victory, but for that child, it was a huge leap forward—and it wouldn't have been possible without your support.\r\n\r\nThese resources allow me to meet students where they are. They're building not just literacy skills, but also confidence, teamwork, and fine motor coordination. The games have quickly become a classroom favorite and are now a daily part of our routine.\r\n\r\nNext up, we'll be using the materials to create \"Alphabet Expert\" journals, where students will document letters they've mastered using drawings, stickers, and stamps. It's a hands-on way to celebrate progress and reinforce skills in a meaningful way.\r\n\r\nThank you again for being a part of our learning journey. Your generosity is planting seeds of confidence, joy, and a lifelong love of learning.","fullyFundedDate":1734572497801,"projectUrl":"project/little-learners-building-alphabet-found/8998804/","projectTitle":"Little Learners: Building Alphabet Foundations","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. White","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7728555_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1612050563978","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7728555"},{"teacherId":7728555,"projectId":8672032,"letterContent":"I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for your generous support of our \"Alphabet Explores: Journey to Literacy\" project. Your contributions have provided my students with the essential materials they need to master the alphabet and begin building a strong foundation for reading and literacy skills.\r\n\r\nSince receiving the new materials, my Pre-K scholars have been excited to explore the world of letters! We've used the alphabet charts, flashcards, and tactile learning tools in so many ways to make learning interactive and fun. One of our favorite activities has been our \"Alphabet Adventure,\" where each week we focus on a different letter and engage in hands-on activities like letter matching games, sensory letter tracing, and creating letter art with different materials. The children are not only learning letter recognition, but also developing fine motor skills, improving their hand-eye coordination, and building confidence as they see themselves making progress.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new materials, their faces lit up with excitement! They were eager to dive into the letter games and use the hands-on tools. One of the most heartwarming moments was when a student excitedly shouted, \"I know this letter!\" as they picked up the letter flashcards. It was such a rewarding experience to witness their enthusiasm for learning and their growing recognition of letters.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we'll be continuing our \"Alphabet Exploration\" with a special project where the children will create their own \"Alphabet Books.\" Each child will choose their favorite letter, explore words that start with that letter, and illustrate it using the new materials. This project will give them the opportunity to practice letter formation, reinforce letter-sound associations, and express their creativity in a fun, personal way.\r\n\r\nYour support is giving my students the building blocks they need to become strong readers. Thank you for helping them start their literacy journey with excitement and confidence. I am incredibly grateful for your generosity and commitment to making a difference in their lives.","fullyFundedDate":1727376170218,"projectUrl":"project/alphabet-explores-journey-to-literacy/8672032/","projectTitle":"Alphabet Explores: Journey to Literacy","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. White","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7728555_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1612050563978","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7728555"},{"teacherId":7728555,"projectId":8478354,"letterContent":"I want to express my deepest gratitude for your generous support of our \"Puzzle Power: Building Math Skills Piece by Piece\" project. Your contribution has brought exciting new resources into our classroom, and the impact on my students has been remarkable.\r\n\r\nSince receiving the puzzles and materials, we've been using them in a variety of creative ways to build math skills in fun and engaging ways. The students have been working with shape puzzles, number puzzles, and even puzzles that require them to solve simple math problems to complete the image. These activities have not only reinforced important math concepts like counting, patterns, and geometry but also helped develop their problem-solving and fine motor skills.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new puzzles, their eyes lit up with excitement! They couldn't wait to dive in and start putting the pieces together. Many of them were immediately drawn to the colorful pieces, and I could see their curiosity and determination grow as they figured out how to match numbers or solve puzzles that required counting or identifying shapes. It was a moment of pure joy, and it was clear that these puzzles were not only helping them practice math but also sparking their love for learning.\r\n\r\nAs we continue with our math lessons, the next step for my students is a \"Puzzle Challenge Week\" where they will work in small groups to solve math puzzles and create their own puzzles for each other. They'll be practicing teamwork, communication, and critical thinking as they solve the puzzles together and develop their math skills in a collaborative setting.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, these young learners are gaining confidence in their math abilities while developing skills that will set them up for success in the years to come. I cannot thank you enough for your support of this project—it has truly made a difference in their learning journey.","fullyFundedDate":1722384456856,"projectUrl":"project/puzzle-power-building-math-skills-piece/8478354/","projectTitle":"Puzzle Power: Building Math Skills Piece by Piece","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. White","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7728555_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1612050563978","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7728555"},{"teacherId":7728555,"projectId":8478985,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our \"Snack Attack Adventure: Healthy Bites for Bright Minds\" project. Your generous contributions have made a world of difference in the lives of my Pre-K scholars, and I'm excited to share the wonderful impact these new resources have had on our classroom.\r\n\r\nSince we received the healthy snacks and materials, my students have been absolutely delighted! We've been using the snacks as part of our daily routines, incorporating them into snack time, circle time discussions, and even a few fun learning activities. For example, during our \"Healthy Snack Sorting\" activity, the children learned to sort fruits, vegetables, and other snacks into categories based on color and shape. They had a blast engaging in this hands-on activity, practicing important skills like fine motor coordination, categorization, and vocabulary, all while enjoying the healthy treats.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new snacks and resources, their faces lit up with excitement! They couldn't wait to explore the colorful fruit cups and veggie snacks, eagerly asking questions about what they were and how they could use them. It was such a special moment, and it showed me how much they value and look forward to healthy choices. They even began making connections between the snacks and the stories we read about eating healthy.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, the next step in our classroom journey is a \"Snack Exploration\" project where we'll continue learning about where our food comes from and how it helps us grow strong and healthy. We'll be using the snacks you've helped provide as part of a sensory exploration activity, where students will touch, taste, and describe the foods to help develop their language skills. This project will allow them to build even more awareness of healthy eating habits while fostering social skills as they share and discuss their favorite snacks with one another.\r\n\r\nThanks to you, my Pre-K scholars are not only learning important academic concepts, but they're also developing healthy habits that will benefit them for years to come. Your support has truly made a difference in their lives, and we are so grateful for your kindness.\r\n\r\nWith heartfelt thanks,","fullyFundedDate":1723726334728,"projectUrl":"project/snack-attack-adventure-healthy-bites-fo/8478985/","projectTitle":"Snack Attack Adventure: Healthy Bites for Bright Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. White","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7728555_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1612050563978","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7728555"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_16996","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":230,"numTeachers":20,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":97,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":2,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - Pre-K","studentTeacherRatio":"11.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":50.3,"schoolId":16996,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Van Winkle Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Van Winkle Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/mississippi/jackson-public-school-district/van-winkle-elementary-school/16996"}
Join the 165 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Van Winkle Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Jackson, Mississippi that is part of Jackson Public School District.
It serves 230 students
in grades Pre-K - Pre-K with a student/teacher ratio of 11.5:1.
Its teachers have had 96 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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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
99%
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.
Van Winkle 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.
Van Winkle Elementary School
$34,673
raised using DonorsChoose
96
projects
funded
12
teachers
funded
165
donors
12
projects
for
basic supplies
10
projects for
technology
11
projects for
books
8
projects
for
art supplies
Van Winkle Elementary School has received support from
83 individuals from Mississippi and
82 individuals out-of-state.