{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"West Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":21.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9966516,"projectId":10171393,"letterContent":"Every school year, we hold three grade-level music programs. Thanks in large-part to the Donors Choose community in providing this elementary music program's needed instruments, equipment, and musical supplies, students' love and knowledge of music education has grown tremendously this year. Therefore, our music programs are including anywhere from 140 - 160 students (in years' past, many students have not attended music programs, due to lack of interest, involvement, etc). \r\n\r\nWith this many students on stage at one time, this also means we have a large turn-out of family and community members - a turn-out that we previously, in years' past, hadn't experienced. We held our first music program (in over ten years) in our nearby school gym. After utilizing all bleacher seating, as well as any folding chair seating we previously owned in the gym (around 30 chairs), we still had a large portion of audience members without a seat. To say the gym was \"packed\" would be accurate; in fact, teachers were seated cross-legged in the floor, which allowed parents to have a seat.\r\n\r\nAny musical equipment is expensive at this time, and furniture (specifically folding chairs) are no different. With an allotment of only $150 annual budget, I wouldn't have been able to afford three additional folding chairs for our audience, let alone the 46 folding chairs provided in this grant. The 46 new chairs arrived within four days of shipment. Upon arrival, the excitement and gratitude expressed by students and staff both was unmatched. We have located a chair rack, unboxed them, and have them now covered, stored, and locked away in the gym until our next school music program, to be held in November (these chairs are like gold right now!). \r\n\r\nWe have big musical plans for next school year, when it comes to music programs. Fifth graders will present a \"decades\" themed music program, third grade, a 1980's-inspired Christmas music program, and fourth grade will present a patriotic program. All grade levels will eventually benefit form the use of these chairs, as well as their parents, for years to come. \r\n\r\nThank you all for once again supporting my classroom and students. It's nice to know that when I get into a bind, needing something to make my students successful, that I can count on the love and support of donors around the country to pull through for our students.","fullyFundedDate":1776088022937,"projectUrl":"project/concert-seating-needed/10171393/","projectTitle":"Concert Seating Needed!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Parks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9966516_orig.jpg?crop=563,563,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1741713872428","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9966516"},{"teacherId":10016324,"projectId":10032564,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my 4th grade students now have access to a Lenovo laptop and a color printer, and these tools are already making a meaningful difference in our classroom. While many donors use technology at home, in our classroom it serves as a powerful instructional tool that enhances learning in ways traditional materials alone cannot. The laptop allows students to engage with interactive math programs that adapt to their individual skill levels, providing immediate feedback and targeted practice. This personalized approach helps students build confidence, strengthen problem-solving skills, and deepen their understanding of key math concepts.\r\n\r\nThe addition of the color printer has been just as impactful. Being able to print materials instantly means students can transition seamlessly from digital learning to hands-on practice. Colorful charts, graphic organizers, math games, and assessments make lessons more engaging and easier to understand, especially for visual learners. Students take great pride in having their work printed, which boosts motivation and encourages them to put forth their best effort.\r\n\r\nWhat excites students most about this new technology is the opportunity to take ownership of their learning. They love using the laptop for small-group instruction and independent practice, and the vibrant printed materials make math feel more accessible and fun. The immediacy of printing also allows for quick feedback and celebration of student success.\r\n\r\nSeveral students, particularly those who previously struggled with math, have especially warmed to this technology. For example, students who benefit from additional support are now able to work at their own pace using adaptive programs, reducing frustration and increasing confidence. Visual learners and students who need extra practice have shown noticeable growth, and even some of my more hesitant learners are now eager to participate when technology is involved. Seeing their progress reflected in both digital activities and printed work has been incredibly empowering for them.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has provided more than just classroom tools, you have created opportunities for engagement, confidence, and academic growth. Thank you for investing in my students and for making a lasting impact on their educational journey","fullyFundedDate":1774314308291,"projectUrl":"project/from-screen-to-paper-boosting-4th-grade/10032564/","projectTitle":"From Screen to Paper: Boosting 4th Grade Math Success!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jenkins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10016324_orig.jpg?crop=1153,1153,x894,y273&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1768511545294","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10016324"},{"teacherId":10016324,"projectId":10168483,"letterContent":"The new resources from our \"Game Changers: Student Led Wellness Initiative\" project have transformed our classroom into a space where collaboration, kindness, and emotional well-being thrive. My students are actively using the games during indoor recess, morning meetings, and designated wellness breaks to build social skills, practice teamwork, and develop problem-solving strategies. One particularly meaningful moment occurred during our student-led Wellness Game Day, when my students confidently facilitated game stations for younger peers. Watching them patiently teach the rules of games like Connect 4 and UNO, while encouraging teamwork and sportsmanship, showcased their growth as leaders and compassionate community members.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the excitement was immediate and contagious. Students eagerly explored each game, expressing gratitude and a strong sense of responsibility for using the resources to benefit others. Many students shared that they felt \"special\" knowing that donors believed in their ability to make a positive impact. This enthusiasm set the tone for meaningful engagement and ownership of the project.\r\n\r\nThanks to our generous donors, the learning continues. The next steps for our students include integrating the games into ongoing social-emotional learning lessons and organizing additional service opportunities, such as hosting another wellness event and creating \"Kindness Kits\" with stress-relief tools for peers who may need extra support. Students are also reflecting on their experiences through writing activities, where they connect the importance of wellness, empathy, and community service to their everyday lives.\r\n\r\nThis project has not only enriched our classroom environment but has also empowered students to recognize that their actions can create lasting, positive change. Their leadership and compassion continue to inspire our entire school community.","fullyFundedDate":1775054186062,"projectUrl":"project/game-changers-student-led-wellness-init/10168483/","projectTitle":"Game Changers: Student-Led Wellness Initiative","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jenkins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10016324_orig.jpg?crop=1153,1153,x894,y273&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1768511545294","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10016324"},{"teacherId":2333211,"projectId":9836680,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donations! These helped to make learning a little more fun for our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students. \r\nWe used the items during Read Across America Week. We had a contest between all classes in each grade level. They all had to write Persuasive Letters to our Title teachers about why their class should receive a Flashlight Reading time. The teachers assisted their classes in writing these letters, and then turned them in to the Title teachers. The title teachers then judged the letters, and chose a winning class from each grade level. \r\nDuring the winning awarded Flashlight Reading time, the winning classes also each got blankets and journals as prizes. Many students curled up to read with their blankets, or made blanket forts for the Flashlight Reading time. It was so fun! \r\nThank you again for your generous donation, we appreciate you and our students appreciate you!!","fullyFundedDate":1765991487201,"projectUrl":"project/cozy-writing-fun/9836680/","projectTitle":"\"Cozy Writing Fun\"","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bess","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2333211_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1458669437157","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/bess"},{"teacherId":6319488,"projectId":10160408,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donation to our project. This is my first year giving the state MAP test as well as my students first year taking it. It was very important to me that they are prepared for this test. Having these snacks and sweet treats will do just that. \r\nThank you for believing in my vision for my classroom environment and the needs I see for my students. Your compassion is greatly appreciated. \r\nThank you for supporting my classroom, my students and my ideas. The generosity is unmatched and truly appreciated","fullyFundedDate":1775446078294,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-for-state-testing/10160408/","projectTitle":"Snacks for State Testing","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Smith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6319488_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1688752854150","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6319488"},{"teacherId":6319488,"projectId":10102858,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support in this project. I can not wait to read the Lemonade War with my two classes. These kids love book studies and this time they will get to have their own book in their hands and get to follow along with me. As much as this does not seem like a big deal to some, it is huge in the literature world. Students having books in hands and reading along is so critical to their reading abilities, fluency and comprehension. Thank you so much for helping make this project come to life. I can not wait for the class to get to not only read this book but then take it to life and have their own lemonade war. \r\nThis will be a memory of their education that last a lifetime.","fullyFundedDate":1772578752607,"projectUrl":"project/the-lemonade-war/10102858/","projectTitle":"The Lemonade War","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Smith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6319488_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1688752854150","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6319488"},{"teacherId":6319488,"projectId":10101244,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support and contribution to my classroom. Having a green house is one of my favorite things to have in my classroom. Myself and my students love it so much. With being at a new district this year I was not able to bring my previous green houses over from my last district with me. So this allowed me to have one in my room and give my third graders a chance to learn and grow plants.\r\nWe have so many plans for the rest of this year to do with our green house. First marigolds and then hopefully some veggies. \r\nMy students faces just lit up when they came into class and they seen the green house sitting there.\r\nThank you always for believing in me, my students and my classroom goals.","fullyFundedDate":1775051614735,"projectUrl":"project/growing-knowledge-curiosity/10101244/","projectTitle":"Growing Knowledge & Curiosity","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Smith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6319488_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1688752854150","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6319488"},{"teacherId":10036800,"projectId":9538096,"letterContent":"My students have been using the new supplies daily, especially during our reading and writing time. One special moment was watching them use sticky notes to annotate their books—highlighting important details and sharing their thinking with excitement. The markers and Play-Doh have also brought creativity into our lessons, helping students express their ideas in hands-on ways.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the materials, their faces lit up with excitement. They were so grateful and eager to use everything right away—it made them feel valued and motivated to learn.\r\n\r\nNext, we are continuing to build our annotation skills while diving deeper into comprehension strategies. Students will be working on small group projects where they analyze texts and share their thinking using the supplies you generously provided. Your support is truly making a lasting impact on their learning experience.","fullyFundedDate":1755727267289,"projectUrl":"project/help-to-brighten-my-students-days/9538096/","projectTitle":"Help to Brighten my Students’ Days!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Norris","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10036800_orig.jpg?crop=272,272,x40,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1747320879035","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10036800"},{"teacherId":2073090,"projectId":9838046,"letterContent":"The kids were so excited to see all the snacks that you provided for them! After a day of learning during regular school hours, they are hungry! When coming into the room for Tech Club they get so excited seeing the variety of snacks they get to choose from. This makes their time here even more enjoyable while learning how to build and operate the VEX feild.\r\nI appreciate your donation also as I know and see first hand how it impacts these students. To see the smile on their face while they visit with their peers and spend time doing the things they love after their school day.","fullyFundedDate":1770782203680,"projectUrl":"project/tech-club-snack-bin/9838046/","projectTitle":"Tech Club Snack Bin","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dreier","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2073090_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1761579532463","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2073090"},{"teacherId":6319488,"projectId":9953635,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donation to give my classroom basic school supplies. Even though it may seem small to purchase pencils and crayons to some, it is a big deal to many of my students families. Because of your donation my students are able to finish the year strong with all the basic supplies they need.\r\nStudents have loved being able to use the mechanical pencils already for their final drafts in their essays. The littlest things like this make them enjoy their time at school and writing so much more. \r\nThank you for supporting me and my classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1771010709750,"projectUrl":"project/school-supplies-restock/9953635/","projectTitle":"School Supplies Restock","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Smith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6319488_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1688752854150","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6319488"},{"teacherId":6319488,"projectId":9874136,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for you donation to this project. Because of you students were able to not only make cookies in our classroom for our holiday celebration, they were also able to build memories with their peers. And learn skills that will help them in real life situations. \r\nThe amount of kids who told me they had never baked cookies from scratch, stil shocks me. But because of your donation they were able to do that. These skills that help wrap up a unit our so meaningful to students and something they cherish for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1763646873490,"projectUrl":"project/cookies-around-the-world/9874136/","projectTitle":"Cookies Around the World","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Smith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6319488_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1688752854150","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6319488"},{"teacherId":6319488,"projectId":9780361,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donation to our project. This project helped four classes of third graders have book bins to help keep their items they use everyday for switching classes more easy on them. As students sometimes it is hard to keep things organized, during your first year of switching. So this was so helpful for these students. Thank you for helping them have a more successful and less stressful classroom experience. \r\nBecause of donors like you our students succeed and grow in so many ways. Donations from you and the donor choose organization will help benefit not only this group of students but years of students to come.","fullyFundedDate":1760726421277,"projectUrl":"project/book-bins-for-busy-kids/9780361/","projectTitle":"Book Bins for Busy Kids","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Smith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6319488_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1688752854150","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6319488"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_77750","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":464,"numTeachers":35,"percentFrplEligible":60,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":91,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":2,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"3 - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"13.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"TOWN_DISTANT"},"inStateSupporters":78.7,"schoolId":77750,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about West Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"West Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/missouri/central-school-district-r3/west-elementary-school/77750"}