{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"West County Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":33.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9818453,"projectId":10011686,"letterContent":"The \"Travel the World Through Reading\" project has had a meaningful impact on my students by helping them discover that reading can be an adventure. My students were given opportunities to travel beyond the walls of our classroom and explore different countries, cultures, communities, and experiences through books. For many of my students, books provided a window into places and experiences they may not otherwise have had the opportunity to encounter. Each story became an invitation to be curious, ask questions, and learn something new.\r\n\r\nOne of the most noticeable changes was the excitement my students developed around reading. Books were no longer simply something we read because it was part of our school day. They became a way to explore the world. Students looked forward to discovering where our next book would take us and were excited to learn about new places, people, traditions, foods, celebrations, animals, and ways of life. Their enthusiasm encouraged conversations and created opportunities for students to share their own experiences and connections.\r\n\r\nThe project also helped my students understand that people may live differently from one another while still sharing many of the same hopes, feelings, and experiences. As we explored stories from different parts of the world, students were able to notice similarities and differences between themselves and the characters they met in books. These conversations helped build empathy, understanding, and appreciation for diversity. Students learned that there are many different ways to live, learn, celebrate, communicate, and be part of a community.\r\n\r\nAnother important impact was the way the project encouraged students to ask questions. Reading about unfamiliar places naturally led students to wonder about what they were seeing and learning. They wanted to know where places were located, what homes looked like, what children ate, what games they played, what languages they spoke, and what made each community unique. These questions extended our learning beyond the pages of the books and encouraged students to become active participants in their own learning.\r\n\r\nThe project also supported literacy development. Students had opportunities to practice listening, comprehension, vocabulary, communication, and making connections while engaging with high-interest stories. Because the books were connected to an exciting theme, students were more motivated to participate in discussions and share their thinking. They practiced predicting what might happen next, recalling important details, identifying characters and settings, comparing stories, and explaining their ideas. The books gave students meaningful reasons to use new vocabulary and communicate their understanding.\r\n\r\nI especially loved seeing students make connections between reading and the world around them. A story about another country could lead to a conversation about something familiar in their own lives. A new tradition could remind them of a family tradition. A character facing a challenge could help students recognize that they, too, can overcome obstacles. These connections helped make reading more personal and meaningful.\r\n\r\n\"Travel the World Through Reading\" also reinforced the idea that learning does not have to be limited to a specific subject. Reading became a starting point for exploring geography, social studies, culture, science, art, and even mathematics. Students could explore maps, identify locations, compare environments, investigate animals, examine patterns and traditions, and create projects inspired by what they learned. The books helped bring these subjects to life in a way that was accessible and engaging for my students.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, this project helped my students see themselves as readers and explorers. It showed them that they can learn about the world through stories and that curiosity is something to celebrate. I watched students become more willing to choose books, talk about what they read, ask questions, and share their discoveries with others.\r\n\r\nI am incredibly grateful for the support that made this project possible. The impact went far beyond providing books. It provided my students with experiences, conversations, questions, connections, and opportunities to see a world that is bigger than their immediate surroundings. \"Travel the World Through Reading\" reminded my students that a book can be a passport to somewhere new, and every story can be the beginning of another adventure. Most importantly, it helped nurture curious, compassionate, confident, and lifelong learners who understand that there is always more of the world to discover.","fullyFundedDate":1776519946320,"projectUrl":"project/travel-the-world-through-reading/10011686/","projectTitle":"Travel the World Through Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hall","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9818453_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1761009451474","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9818453"},{"teacherId":3984211,"projectId":10137285,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping to provide so many needed materials for students to be able to provide things for others to show compassion. The students love getting to create so many fun things to leave in areas for others to find, or even to deliver throughout the week to cheer others up. We have enjoyed creating bracelets, rocks to put in paths, and little pictures we have placed around the school to help build a positive environment. The students have learned so many great things from this project and we are excited to see it continue.","fullyFundedDate":1778027736894,"projectUrl":"project/social-emotional-learning-in-horizons/10137285/","projectTitle":"Social Emotional Learning In Horizons","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dane","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3984211_orig.png?crop=827,827,x0,y201&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732210587024","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3984211"},{"teacherId":8664149,"projectId":10196947,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our Community Services Project! Because of your generosity, my students were able to create thoughtful gift baskets for individuals and families in our community who are experiencing difficult circumstances.\r\n\r\nThis project was about so much more than putting items into a basket. It gave my students the opportunity to experience what it means to serve others, show kindness, and make a difference in someone else's life. They worked together to plan, organize, prepare, and create baskets with care and compassion.","fullyFundedDate":1781188681442,"projectUrl":"project/kindness-for-our-community-counts/10196947/","projectTitle":"Kindness for our Community Counts","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kristin Holdman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8664149_orig.jpg?crop=1068,1068,x0,y185&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1664297671329","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8664149"},{"teacherId":8664149,"projectId":10187836,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for making our flexible seating project possible! Your generosity has made a meaningful difference in our special education classroom and has given my students more choices in how and where they learn.\r\n\r\nFor many of my students, being able to move, change positions, or choose a comfortable workspace helps them stay focused, engaged, and ready to learn. Flexible seating gives my students an opportunity to recognize what works best for their individual learning needs while also encouraging independence, responsibility, and self-advocacy.\r\n\r\nYour donation has helped create a classroom environment where students feel comfortable, supported, and valued. Instead of expecting every student to learn in exactly the same way, these seating options allow me to meet students where they are and provide the sensory and movement supports they need to be successful.\r\n\r\nThe impact goes far beyond furniture. You have helped create a classroom where students can feel more confident, participate more fully, and focus their energy on learning. Every time a student chooses a seat that helps them concentrate, collaborates comfortably with a classmate, or settles into a space where they feel ready to learn, your generosity is making a difference.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and for investing in their success. Your kindness helps me provide a classroom where every student has a place to learn, grow, and feel successful.","fullyFundedDate":1778334254886,"projectUrl":"project/flexible-seating-for-focused-comfortabl/10187836/","projectTitle":"Flexible Seating for Focused, Comfortable Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kristin Holdman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8664149_orig.jpg?crop=1068,1068,x0,y185&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1664297671329","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8664149"},{"teacherId":3984211,"projectId":10319861,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping to provide items needed to continue our yearly event of field day! Over the years things get torn up and worn out. This project has provided new materials for our events and the students are already putting so many things to use! The teachers and staff who work it have items to help bring things to our field, whistles to help things go smoothly, and all the equipment we need for our big events! Thank you for being a part of what makes our school so great and creating these fun filled day!","fullyFundedDate":1783688283554,"projectUrl":"project/field-day-fun/10319861/","projectTitle":"Field Day Fun","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dane","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3984211_orig.png?crop=827,827,x0,y201&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732210587024","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3984211"},{"teacherId":10114074,"projectId":10333647,"letterContent":"This project has already made such a positive impact on our after-school soccer club! For the first time, our students have soccer equipment that is specifically for our club, and they are so excited to use it. They look forward to practicing, playing, and learning new skills with equipment they can call their own.\r\nThe new equipment has made our practices more engaging and has given every student more opportunities to participate and improve. I have loved seeing their confidence grow as they learn new skills, work together as a team, encourage one another, and simply have fun playing soccer. What may seem like simple soccer equipment has given our students a new opportunity to be active, build friendships, and feel proud of being part of our soccer club. We are so grateful to the donors who made this experience possible!","fullyFundedDate":1785790857828,"projectUrl":"project/equipping-our-after-school-soccer-club-f/10333647/","projectTitle":"Equipping Our After-School Soccer Club for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. White","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10114074_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1788479491029","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10114074"},{"teacherId":10333727,"projectId":10266477,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for making this project possible! I am incredibly grateful for your generosity and for helping provide our students with important health and safety supplies.\r\n\r\nThe thermometer, pulse oximeters, stopwatch set, medication lock box, probe covers, and disposable cups are already making our nurse's office more prepared to care for our students. These supplies allow me to quickly assess students, safely manage medications, monitor vital signs, and provide the care they need throughout the school day.","fullyFundedDate":1783609813105,"projectUrl":"project/supporting-student-health-safety-dign/10266477/","projectTitle":"Supporting Student Health, Safety & Dignity","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tongay","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10333727_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1767295110912","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10333727"},{"teacherId":10333727,"projectId":10234096,"letterContent":"As a school nurse, having reliable equipment readily available can make a huge difference. Whether I am caring for a student who isn't feeling well, monitoring a health concern, or simply helping a child feel safe and cared for, these supplies help me do my job more effectively.\r\n\r\nYour support goes beyond donating supplies—you are investing in the health, safety, comfort, and success of our students. Thank you for helping me create a nurse's office where every child who walks through the door can receive the care and support they deserve.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students and supporting our school!","fullyFundedDate":1781017932037,"projectUrl":"project/a-safe-space-for-health-wellness-of-st/10234096/","projectTitle":"A Safe Space for Health & Wellness of Student Care","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tongay","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10333727_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1767295110912","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10333727"},{"teacherId":10114074,"projectId":10373194,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, \"Where Stories Come Alive Through the Arts!\" Your generosity will help bring books, creativity, imagination, and the arts together in meaningful ways for my students.\r\nBecause of you, my students will have opportunities to explore stories beyond the pages of a book and bring their learning to life through creativity and self-expression. These experiences will help make learning engaging, memorable, and fun!\r\nThank you for believing in my students and investing in our classroom. Your support truly makes a difference, and we are so grateful for your kindness and generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1785329551097,"projectUrl":"project/where-stories-come-alive-through-the-art/10373194/","projectTitle":"Where Stories Come Alive Through the Arts","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. White","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10114074_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1788479491029","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10114074"},{"teacherId":4171102,"projectId":10211253,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom through DonorsChoose! Your generosity has made a meaningful difference in the way my students learn, explore, and engage with technology.\r\nThe technology has given my students more opportunities to learn through hands-on experiences, interactive activities, and resources that make lessons more engaging and accessible. Instead of simply learning about a concept, students can now interact with it, practice their skills, and receive immediate feedback. This helps build both their confidence and their independence as learners.\r\n\r\nThe most exciting part for my students is having technology that makes learning feel interactive and fun. They are eager to explore new tools, try different activities, and see what they can create. I have especially noticed students who may be quieter or less confident during traditional lessons becoming more willing to participate when they can use the technology. It has given them another way to demonstrate what they know and has helped many of them become more excited about learning.\r\n\r\nYour support has provided much more than new technology—it has provided new opportunities. Thank you for investing in my students and helping create a classroom where they can learn, explore, and grow. We are truly grateful for your generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1778263957578,"projectUrl":"project/summer-stem-for-young-learners/10211253/","projectTitle":"Summer STEM for Young Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Heberlie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4171102_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1768673130736","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4171102"},{"teacherId":4171102,"projectId":10211244,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom through DonorsChoose! Your generosity has made a meaningful difference for my students and has given them access to resources that make learning more engaging, hands-on, and exciting.\r\n\r\nSince receiving these materials, my students have been eager to use them during our classroom activities and lessons. Their excitement was immediate when they first saw the new resources. They were curious, enthusiastic, and ready to explore. It was wonderful to see their faces light up and hear them ask questions about how they could use everything.\r\n\r\nWe are now putting these resources to work as part of our classroom learning. Students are able to collaborate, explore new ideas, and apply what they are learning in a more interactive way. These materials have helped create opportunities for students to take greater ownership of their learning while working together and building confidence.\r\n\r\nOur next steps are to continue using these resources in upcoming lessons and projects. Students will have opportunities to practice their skills, share what they have learned, and build on their previous experiences. Your support has helped make these learning opportunities possible.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in my students and believing in their potential. Because of you, our classroom is a more engaging place to learn, explore, and grow. We are truly grateful for your generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1778795326909,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-birds-to-life-exploring-owl-pe/10211244/","projectTitle":"Bringing Birds to Life: Exploring Owl Pellets & Building Birdhouses","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Heberlie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4171102_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1768673130736","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4171102"},{"teacherId":4171102,"projectId":10190592,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and investing in our students' learning! Because of your generosity, our students now have new resources that are helping make learning more engaging, hands-on, and meaningful.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, my students were excited to see and explore them. Their enthusiasm quickly turned into curiosity as they began using the resources during our lessons and classroom activities. These materials have given students more opportunities to work together, ask questions, practice new skills, and take an active role in their learning.\r\n\r\nOne especially meaningful moment was watching students work together on a classroom project using the new resources. They were eager to share ideas, solve problems, and encourage one another. Seeing their confidence grow as they used the materials was a wonderful reminder of the difference your support can make.\r\n\r\nOur students are continuing to build on what they have learned, and the resources you provided will remain an important part of our classroom. As we move forward with our current lessons and projects, students will have more opportunities to apply their skills, collaborate with classmates, and demonstrate what they know.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving our students these valuable learning experiences. Your generosity reaches far beyond the materials themselves—it helps create moments of excitement, discovery, and confidence that our students will carry with them throughout their education.\r\n\r\nWith sincere gratitude,","fullyFundedDate":1778795916989,"projectUrl":"project/building-bright-minds-stem-tools-for-ha/10190592/","projectTitle":"Building Bright Minds: STEM Tools for Hands-On Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Heberlie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4171102_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1768673130736","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4171102"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_45176","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":390,"numTeachers":38,"percentFrplEligible":62,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":95,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":1,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":2,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"10.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_DISTANT"},"inStateSupporters":66.3,"schoolId":45176,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about West County Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"West County Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/missouri/west-county-r4-school-district/west-county-elementary-school/45176"}