{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Washington Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":38.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8374081,"projectId":9716457,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in providing shirts and socks for my students. Your kindness has made a meaningful difference in their daily comfort and confidence.\r\n\r\nFor many of my students, having clean, well-fitting clothing helps them feel more secure and ready to learn. These items may seem simple, but they play a big role in helping students focus, participate, and feel at ease throughout the school day.\r\n\r\nBeyond meeting a basic need, these shirts and socks have helped boost self-esteem and a sense of belonging. Students feel more confident standing alongside their peers and are able to engage more fully in classroom activities.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has supported both the physical and emotional well-being of my students. We are truly grateful for the care and compassion you've shown.","fullyFundedDate":1767823028735,"projectUrl":"project/new-clothes/9716457/","projectTitle":"New Clothes","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Lewis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8374081"},{"teacherId":8374081,"projectId":9716826,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in providing shoes for my students. This simple but essential resource has made a meaningful difference in their daily lives.\r\n\r\nMany of my students face challenges that go beyond the classroom, and having proper shoes helps them feel comfortable, confident, and ready to participate. Whether in physical activities or throughout the school day, they are now better able to move, engage, and focus on learning.\r\n\r\nBeyond the physical benefits, these shoes have boosted students' confidence and sense of belonging. They take pride in what they have and feel more included alongside their peers.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has supported not only their physical needs but also their emotional well-being. We are truly grateful for your generosity and the positive impact you've made.","fullyFundedDate":1767820327615,"projectUrl":"project/shoes-made-for-walking/9716826/","projectTitle":"Shoes Made For Walking","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Lewis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8374081"},{"teacherId":8374081,"projectId":9716936,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in providing our inflatable obstacle course. This resource has made a meaningful impact on my special education students by helping them build coordination, balance, and confidence in a fun and engaging way.\r\n\r\nBeyond physical growth, the obstacle course has encouraged teamwork, communication, and positive peer interactions. Students are cheering each other on, taking turns, and celebrating success together.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, I've seen a boost in confidence. Students who are often hesitant are now excited to participate and challenge themselves. Your generosity has created a joyful space for growth, and we are truly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1767202999324,"projectUrl":"project/bouncy-room/9716936/","projectTitle":"Bouncy Room","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Lewis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8374081"},{"teacherId":10428708,"projectId":10083311,"letterContent":"Sensory input plays a crucial role in the development, learning, and daily functioning of children with special needs, as it directly affects how they process information, regulate emotions, and interact with their environment, making it an essential consideration in both classroom and therapeutic settings. Many children with special needs, including those with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and sensory processing challenges, experience the world in ways that can be either overwhelming or under-stimulating, and appropriate sensory input helps create balance, allowing them to focus, engage, and feel secure. For example, tactile experiences, visual cues, and proprioceptive feedback can all support a child's ability to complete tasks, transition between activities, and build independence. In the classroom, thoughtfully designed materials and tools can provide this necessary sensory input in subtle but highly effective ways, one of which is the use of purple glue sticks. While they may seem like a simple supply, purple glue sticks offer a powerful combination of visual and tactile feedback that can significantly benefit students, particularly those who struggle with fine motor skills, attention, or self-monitoring. The purple color allows students to clearly see where glue has been applied, reducing uncertainty and helping them avoid using too much or too little, which can otherwise lead to frustration or messy outcomes. This visual feedback is especially important for children who rely heavily on concrete, immediate cues rather than abstract instructions, as it turns an invisible process into a visible one they can understand and control. As the glue dries clear, it also reinforces the concept of transformation, helping students recognize that their work will have a neat final appearance even if it looks different during the process. Additionally, the act of applying glue provides tactile input that can help regulate sensory needs, offering a calming and grounding effect for some children. The twist mechanism and pressure required to apply the glue can also strengthen fine motor coordination and hand muscles, supporting broader developmental goals such as writing and self-care tasks. Beyond the physical benefits, tools like purple glue sticks can also foster independence and confidence, as students are better able to monitor their own work without constant adult intervention, leading to a greater sense of accomplishment. When children feel successful in small tasks, they are more likely to remain engaged and motivated, which contributes to a positive learning environment overall. Incorporating sensory-friendly tools into everyday classroom routines demonstrates an understanding of diverse learning needs and creates a more inclusive space where all students can thrive. In this way, something as simple as a purple glue stick becomes more than just a supply—it becomes a strategic support that bridges sensory needs with academic tasks, helping special needs children access learning in a way that is both meaningful and effective.","fullyFundedDate":1771440769577,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-output-for-special-education-cla/10083311/","projectTitle":"Sensory Output for Special Education Class","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Duncan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10428708_orig.jpg?crop=980,980,x0,y78&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1770231096666","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10428708"},{"teacherId":8374081,"projectId":9718590,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my students now have access to Boomwhackers, which have become an incredibly valuable tool for supporting learners with sensory needs. We use them during structured music and movement activities to help students explore sound in a predictable, engaging way. One especially meaningful moment was watching a student who often struggles with sensory overload remain calm and focused while tapping out a simple rhythm, smiling as they realized they were successfully participating alongside their peers.\r\n\r\nWhen the Boomwhackers were first introduced, students were curious and excited, but also comforted by how easy they were to use. The lightweight design and clear, distinct tones allowed students to explore music without feeling overwhelmed. For many of my students, these instruments provided a safe and positive sensory experience that encouraged participation, self-regulation, and confidence.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, we are using the Boomwhackers to support rhythm patterns, cooperative play, and emotional regulation during lessons and transitions. These materials have allowed me to better meet the needs of all learners by incorporating music as a calming and inclusive learning strategy. I am deeply thankful to The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation and all of our supporters for helping create an environment where every student can feel successful, supported, and included.","fullyFundedDate":1760693822678,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-music/9718590/","projectTitle":"Sensory Music","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Lewis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8374081"},{"teacherId":8374081,"projectId":9718658,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our classroom is now filled with music, rhythm, and excitement! We are using the new drums and xylophones during music and movement lessons to help students explore rhythm, tempo, and pitch in a hands-on way. One of our favorite moments so far was watching students work together to create simple rhythmic patterns—listening carefully to one another, taking turns, and proudly performing their rhythms for the class. These instruments have become powerful tools for building focus, cooperation, and creativity.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the drums and xylophones, their faces lit up with pure joy. They were eager to touch the instruments, experiment with different sounds, and ask thoughtful questions about how music works. Many students who are usually quiet found confidence through music, while others showed leadership by helping their classmates keep a steady beat or follow a melody. The excitement was immediate and meaningful.\r\n\r\nNext, we will be using these instruments to connect music with other learning goals, such as counting beats in math, identifying patterns, and expressing emotions through sound. Students will continue building musical skills while strengthening teamwork, listening, and self-expression. Thank you for giving my students the opportunity to learn, grow, and make music together. Your support has truly made a lasting impact in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1760693822421,"projectUrl":"project/drummer-boys-and-girls/9718658/","projectTitle":"Drummer Boys and Girls","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Lewis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8374081"},{"teacherId":8374081,"projectId":8382875,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom project! Because of you, our students now have brand new giant mesh soccer balls and tetherballs to enjoy.\r\n\r\nThese resources may seem simple, but they create big opportunities for our students with special needs. The large size and lighter weight of the soccer balls make it easier for everyone to participate, regardless of physical ability, and the tetherballs provide a fun, engaging way to build coordination, teamwork, and confidence. Already, we've seen smiles, laughter, and a sense of accomplishment as students try new games and discover what they can do.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has helped create a more inclusive, active, and joyful learning environment. Thank you for believing in our students and giving them the chance to learn, grow, and play together.\r\n\r\nWith gratitude,","fullyFundedDate":1715954599872,"projectUrl":"project/round-2/8382875/","projectTitle":"Round 2","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Lewis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8374081"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_60532","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":714,"numTeachers":55,"percentFrplEligible":74,"percentAsian":4,"percentBlack":17,"percentWhite":10,"percentIndigenous":3,"percentLatinx":61,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"13.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":61.6,"schoolId":60532,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Washington Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Washington Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/arizona/washington-elementary-school-district/washington-elementary-school/60532"}
Join the 289 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Washington Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Phoenix, Arizona that is part of Washington Elementary School District.
It serves 714 students
in grades Pre-K - 6 with a student/teacher ratio of 13.0:1.
Its teachers have had 110 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
85%
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.
Washington Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Apr 9, 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.
Washington Elementary School
$62,313
raised using DonorsChoose
110
projects
funded
45
teachers
funded
289
donors
6
projects
for
basic supplies
15
projects for
technology
15
projects for
books
1
project
for
art supplies
Washington Elementary School has received support from
178 individuals from Arizona and
111 individuals out-of-state.