Williams Elementary School in Pittsfield, Massachusetts on DonorsChoose

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When children get to pick books they're excited about, they read more, reread often, and begin to see themselves as real readers.\r\n\r\nThis collection supports:\r\n\r\nDaily independent reading\r\n\r\nScience & social studies learning through text\r\n\r\nOral language development and discussion\r\n\r\nSocial-emotional growth and empathy\r\n\r\nThese books are used during independent reading, small groups, partner reading, and calm moments throughout the day. They aren't just \"extras\"—they're part of how we learn every single day.\r\n\r\nYour donation didn't just buy books.\r\nIt built confidence, curiosity, and a love of reading that will last far beyond first grade.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our classroom readers.","fullyFundedDate":1753982279820,"projectUrl":"project/helping-first-graders-explore-learn-an/9231875/","projectTitle":"Helping First Graders Explore, Learn, and Grow Through Books!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sinopoli","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9221188_orig.png?crop=589,589,x0,y11&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1692965015843","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9221188"},{"teacherId":9221188,"projectId":8928034,"letterContent":"I am incredibly grateful for your support in funding our classroom's recent STEM kits. Your contributions have allowed us to incorporate hands-on, interactive learning into our lessons, and the impact on my first graders has been remarkable. For instance, we recently explored the solar system using the Lakeshore Solar System Science Viewer, which includes disks, photos, and a booklet. My students were captivated by the visuals, and many of them were so inspired that they asked to create their own solar system models using art supplies. These resources brought science to life in a way that was both engaging and accessible to all my students, especially our multilingual learners, who thrive when they can connect visual elements with new vocabulary.\r\n\r\nThe problem-solving STEM kits, such as the Three Billy Goats Gruff and Gingerbread Man sets, have also been a huge hit. The kits include exciting challenges that help my students develop critical thinking and teamwork skills. When they first saw the materials, their eyes lit up, and they immediately dove into the activities, discussing ideas, problem-solving, and collaborating. These kits have sparked creativity, and my students are now eager to create their own stories and problem-solving scenarios. The hands-on approach allows them to engage with the content and learn through doing—especially beneficial for my boys, who thrive in interactive settings.\r\n\r\nAs we move into our Fairy Tale and Folktale unit, I am excited to see how the Goldilocks & the Three Bears STEM kit will enhance our learning further. It will provide students with the opportunity to investigate cause and effect, size comparison, and basic engineering principles—all while immersing themselves in the world of fairy tales. I can't wait to see how these lessons evolve, and I'm confident that this hands-on approach will inspire even more creativity and critical thinking in my students.\r\n\r\nThank you again for making this learning experience possible. Your generosity is truly making a difference in our classroom, and I look forward to continuing to use these materials in ways that engage and inspire my students.","fullyFundedDate":1735657778337,"projectUrl":"project/stem-adventures-exploring-problem-solvi/8928034/","projectTitle":"STEM Adventures: Exploring Problem Solving with First Graders","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sinopoli","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9221188_orig.png?crop=589,589,x0,y11&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1692965015843","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9221188"},{"teacherId":9221188,"projectId":8593751,"letterContent":"The new resources, including colorful construction paper, Valentine's Day craft kits, and Play-Doh, have already made a big impact in our classroom. We recently used the Valentine's Day DIY Owl Craft Kits, where students created owls to represent the themes of kindness and friendship we discussed in our reading. The construction paper has been perfect for a variety of creative projects, such as making story-related posters and illustrating vocabulary words. Students loved using the bright colors to bring their ideas to life. The Play-Doh has also been a huge hit, allowing students to mold and shape vocabulary words we've been learning, which has helped reinforce their understanding in a hands-on way. When the students first saw the materials, they were thrilled and immediately eager to get started. Moving forward, we plan to continue using the construction paper, Play-Doh, and craft kits to create more interactive projects that bring our lessons to life and make learning even more fun and engaging. Thank you for helping make these projects possible!","fullyFundedDate":1733256187490,"projectUrl":"project/craft-extravaganza-creative-celebration/8593751/","projectTitle":"Craft Extravaganza: Creative Celebrations for Every Season!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sinopoli","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9221188_orig.png?crop=589,589,x0,y11&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1692965015843","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9221188"},{"teacherId":9221188,"projectId":8829324,"letterContent":"I wanted to take a moment to extend my heartfelt thanks for your generous support in helping me create a vibrant reading environment for my first-grade students. Your contribution has made an incredible difference, and I am beyond excited to share the positive impact it is having in our classroom.\r\n\r\nOne of the highlights so far has been the book Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story. My students absolutely loved it! It sparked such rich conversations, and they were thrilled to share stories of the foods they make at home with their families. It was a beautiful moment of connection as they celebrated their own cultural traditions and reflected on the ways food brings people together. As we continue to explore the book, I can already see the students developing a deeper appreciation for the diversity of experiences that exist in our world.\r\n\r\nWith my diverse group of first graders, we talk often about culture, heritage, and the traditions that make us who we are. The books you've helped bring into our classroom – including Ohana Means Family, Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest, and Jabari Jumps – are such wonderful resources for nurturing that dialogue. These stories not only allow my students to see themselves reflected in literature, but also invite them to share their own stories and celebrate each other's unique backgrounds.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, my students are building confidence as readers while cultivating a love for stories that connect us all. We are creating a classroom library that celebrates the beauty of diversity and encourages empathy, resilience, and hope. 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About this school

Williams Elementary School is an urban public school in Pittsfield, Massachusetts that is part of Pittsfield Public School District. It serves 264 students in grades Pre-K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 12.0:1. Its teachers have had 16 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Grades Pre-K - 5

264 Students

22 Teachers

50 Bushey Rd

Pittsfield, MA 01201 View local requests

http://williams.pittsfield.net

Direct, proactive support

Empower teachers at Williams Elementary School to request what their students need.

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

Williams Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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Williams Elementary School Demographics

95%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

25%

of students are Black, Latino, Native American, or Asian

Schools in districts that mainly serve students of color receive substantially less state and local support than similar districts that serve primarily White students. Learn more about this gap, why it exists, and how you can help close it.

Williams Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Jan 11, 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.