Creekside Early Learning Center in Phenix City, Alabama on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Creekside Early Learning Center","outOfStateSupporters":47.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":3043624,"projectId":8686001,"letterContent":"onie Boxes have been a hit for storytelling and read-aloud experiences, especially among younger children, and their impact has been quite positive. The Tonie Box is a screen-free audio system designed to engage kids with stories and music by placing figurines (called Tonies) on top of the box. Each Tonie figurine contains a story or song, and when placed on the box, it plays the audio associated with that character or theme.\r\n\r\nHere's how Tonie Boxes have impacted stories and read-alouds:\r\n\r\n1. Encourages Active Listening\r\nThe Tonie Box helps children engage with stories through active listening rather than passive screen time. They can't just watch or scroll, but rather need to engage physically with the Tonie figurine to start the experience, encouraging focus and attention.\r\n\r\n2. Promotes Independent Use\r\nSince children can control the Tonie Box themselves (e.g., by placing the figurine on the box to start a story), it fosters independence. This autonomy allows kids to choose which stories they want to hear and enjoy them at their own pace, enhancing their sense of control over their learning.\r\n\r\n3. Builds a Love for Stories\r\nTonie Boxes are designed to make storytelling interactive and fun, often blending traditional tales with modern creativity. Many children form emotional connections with the figurines and stories, helping them develop a lifelong love for books and narratives.\r\n\r\n4. Enhances Imagination\r\nWhile listening to the stories, children are prompted to use their imagination, visualizing characters, settings, and events, much like they would when reading a book. The figurines and the box design itself foster creative thinking and role-play opportunities.\r\n\r\n5. Educational Benefits\r\nThe Tonie Box includes a variety of educational content, from fairy tales to songs and themed lessons (like animals, numbers, and more). It can serve as a tool to expand children's knowledge in an enjoyable, accessible format. For example, certain Tonies focus on learning through rhyme, rhythm, and repetition, which can aid in language development.\r\n\r\n6. Screen-Free Alternative\r\nIn an era where children are often exposed to screens, the Tonie Box offers a healthy alternative by providing entertainment through audio alone. This encourages children to engage with content without the distractions of video or the need to interact with a device, which can be beneficial for their cognitive and emotional development.\r\n\r\n7. Shared Experience for Families\r\nTonie Boxes also make for an excellent shared activity. Families can listen together, creating opportunities for bonding, and they are easy enough for younger children to enjoy independently or with parents' help. Parents can even create custom Tonies with their own voices to record stories or read-alouds for a personal touch.\r\n\r\n8. Incorporates Music and Song\r\nThe Tonie Box isn't just about stories—it also has a significant musical component. Music and song can play a large role in storytelling, helping children with auditory discrimination, memory, and rhythm, and even setting the mood for the story.\r\n\r\n9. Portable and Convenient\r\nSince the Tonie Box is portable, it's a great option for traveling, long car rides, or quiet time at home. It's durable, and because it's designed for children, it's easy for them to take it with them and enjoy stories wherever they go.\r\n\r\nOverall, the Tonie Box has enhanced storytelling and read-aloud traditions, offering an interactive, imaginative, and screen-free way for kids to enjoy stories and music, while promoting literacy and cognitive development.","fullyFundedDate":1733564937994,"projectUrl":"project/ear-ye-ear-ye-get-in-tone-with-our-e/8686001/","projectTitle":"Ear ye, Ear ye: Get in \"Tone\" with our Ears","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jordan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3043624_orig.jpg?crop=660,660,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724169936551","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3043624"},{"teacherId":3043624,"projectId":8680434,"letterContent":"The impact of camping for preschool children can be both educational and developmental. While many preschool programs focus on indoor activities, incorporating outdoor experiences like camping can provide numerous benefits:\r\n\r\n1. Physical Development:\r\nGross Motor Skills: Activities like hiking, climbing, and playing outside help children develop strength, coordination, and balance.\r\nFine Motor Skills: Tasks like setting up tents, gathering natural materials, or playing with outdoor toys enhance hand-eye coordination and dexterity.\r\n2. Social Skills:\r\nTeamwork and Cooperation: Camping often involves group activities like setting up a tent or cooking, which teaches children to work together, share responsibilities, and communicate.\r\nBuilding Relationships: Spending time in nature encourages friendships, as children bond over shared experiences and teamwork.\r\n3. Cognitive Development:\r\nProblem-Solving: Children often face challenges in outdoor environments, such as figuring out how to navigate a trail or how to organize activities, fostering critical thinking.\r\nNature Exploration: Outdoor settings encourage curiosity. Children can learn about plants, animals, and ecosystems, enhancing their understanding of the world.\r\n4. Emotional Development:\r\nConfidence Building: Learning to navigate nature and face new challenges builds self-confidence and independence.\r\nStress Relief: Nature has been shown to have calming effects, which can help children manage stress and anxiety.\r\n5. Creativity:\r\nImaginative Play: The open space of camping encourages creativity, as children can pretend, create stories, and invent games based on their surroundings.\r\nOutdoor Exploration: The variety of natural objects in the environment, like sticks, rocks, and leaves, can inspire creative art projects and imaginative play.\r\n6. Environmental Awareness:\r\nRespect for Nature: Camping gives children a firsthand understanding of the importance of nature and environmental conservation.\r\nHands-On Learning: Exposure to natural elements helps preschoolers understand concepts like weather, seasons, and animal habitats in a more tangible way.\r\n7. Health Benefits:\r\nExposure to Fresh Air: Spending time outside allows children to benefit from fresh air and sunshine, which is good for their physical health and overall well-being.\r\nImproved Sleep: Being in nature and engaging in physical activity can improve sleep patterns for children, as the physical activity and natural surroundings promote better rest.\r\nChallenges to Consider:\r\nSafety: Supervision is crucial in an outdoor camping setting, especially with young children, to ensure they stay safe and healthy.\r\nWeather: Weather conditions may pose a challenge, so preparation and flexibility are important.\r\nResources and Facilities: Access to proper camping facilities or ensuring hygiene and comfort for young children might require more planning.\r\nOverall, integrating camping into preschool programs can provide valuable experiences that support a child's development in a fun and engaging way.","fullyFundedDate":1733348373907,"projectUrl":"project/pre-k-and-exploring-camp-life/8680434/","projectTitle":"Pre-k and Exploring Camp Life","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jordan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3043624_orig.jpg?crop=660,660,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724169936551","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3043624"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_128369","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":null,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":71,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":58,"percentWhite":23,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":10,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Not specified","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR District Record","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"UNCLASSIFIED","ncesMetroType":null},"inStateSupporters":52.2,"schoolId":128369,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Creekside Early Learning Center on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Creekside Early Learning Center","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/alabama/phenix-city-schools/creekside-early-learning-center/128369"}

About this school

Creekside Early Learning Center is a public school in Phenix City, Alabama that is part of Phenix City Schools. Its teachers have had 3 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Grades Not specified

# of students unavailable

# of teachers unavailable

2703 40th St

Phenix City, AL 36867 View local requests

Evidence-based impact

Inspire teachers to stay in the classroom and boost student achievement.¹

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

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

Creekside Early Learning Center Teachers on DonorsChoose

Ms. Dixon

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Creekside Early Learning Center Demographics

71%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

68%

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.

Creekside Early Learning Center Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 5, 2025

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