{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"John E Steinbeck Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":16.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5784766,"projectId":10027659,"letterContent":"Thank you for donating to my project. I teach students with Autism in a special day class and we are aligned with the common core state standards and even though we learn slower or different we do everything that the general education students do in the \"regular\" classes. With these books we will do a novel study of the book. I play the audiobook while students follow along with their own books. Then we answer comprehension questions and do a project once done reading the whole book.\r\nAs a treat we watch the movie with popcorn after as a treat!","fullyFundedDate":1769177815283,"projectUrl":"project/novel-studies/10027659/","projectTitle":"Novel Studies","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fauver","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5784766"},{"teacherId":9700342,"projectId":9857001,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity. I was so aesthetic to tell my colleague that the project was fulfilled and she was still grateful she had shared with her students that they would be getting hardcover books and they all cheered with excitement. These books are such a wonderful way of allowing their culture to be represented or even introducing to other cultures. Thank you for taking the time to look at this project and thank you for selecting it. My colleagues and I and the students are beyond blessed by your generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1771895543607,"projectUrl":"project/gold-in-the-classroom-inspiring-5th-gra/9857001/","projectTitle":"Gold in the Classroom: Inspiring 5th Graders Through Novel Studies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sandoval","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9700342_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y256&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727938385718","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9700342"},{"teacherId":10052211,"projectId":9570964,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping bring The Circuit to life for my 5th grade students. Because of your generosity, my students are truly experiencing the power of reading in a deep and meaningful way.\r\n\r\nThe students are absolutely enjoying this book. In fact, they often get upset when we finish a chapter because they want to keep reading! They are deeply engaged in the story and are able to feel the sadness and emotions connected to the events the author describes. Many students have shared how powerful it is to read an autobiography and know that these events truly happened, which has helped them connect even more to the text.\r\n\r\nThe excitement doesn't stop there, students are eager to take their Accelerated Reader quiz after finishing the book, and they are already thrilled at the idea of comparing and contrasting The Circuit with Esperanza Rising once we complete our reading. Their enthusiasm, curiosity, and empathy have grown with every chapter.\r\n\r\nThank you for making this experience possible. Your support has helped foster a love of reading, deeper understanding, and meaningful conversations in our classroom. We are so grateful for you. With appreciation and gratitude from all of my students!","fullyFundedDate":1764623374295,"projectUrl":"project/help-bring-the-circuit-to-life-for-my/9570964/","projectTitle":"Help Bring “The Circuit” to Life for My 5thgrade Students!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gonzalez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10052211_orig.jpg?crop=1736,1737,x0,y196&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753801057761","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10052211"},{"teacherId":5784766,"projectId":9657207,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your kind generosity my students were so excited to see the new incentives I had to offer due to you funding my recent project.\r\nMy students come from low income farm working migrant families where they don't have extra funds to be able to purchase prizes such as these legos so my students were very happy to see they could not only use the Legos but take them home to keep.\r\nThe joy in their eyes brought tears to mine seeing them pick a Lego set of their own. Thank you again for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1758636641591,"projectUrl":"project/christmas-project/9657207/","projectTitle":"Christmas Project","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fauver","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5784766"},{"teacherId":10052874,"projectId":9404552,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my students now have brand new classroom sets of books to read and enjoy together. Having enough copies for everyone has completely transformed our reading time—students can follow along, engage in meaningful discussions, and truly feel part of a shared learning experience. \r\n\r\nYour support has not only provided us with the materials we needed but also inspired a stronger sense of community and love for reading in my classroom. These books are helping my students see themselves as capable readers and active participants in our learning journey. Thank you for believing in them and for making such a lasting difference in their education.","fullyFundedDate":1750437212350,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-books-to-our-classroom-a-reque/9404552/","projectTitle":"Bringing Books to Our Classroom: A Request for Support","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sawyer Ortwig","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10052874_orig.jpg?crop=1338,1338,x0,y272&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1750441539372","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10052874"},{"teacherId":9700342,"projectId":8787890,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous donation, our classroom is now bursting with color and creativity! My 5th graders were thrilled to unpack all the paint, brushes, palettes, and markers. We've been using the materials to blend art into our science lessons—painting ecosystems, illustrating life cycles, and bringing learning to life in exciting new ways.\r\n\r\nThese supplies have sparked confidence, joy, and deeper engagement in our projects. Students feel proud of their work and eager to participate. Your support has truly made a lasting impact, and we are so thankful you chose to invest in our learning journey!","fullyFundedDate":1733264917704,"projectUrl":"project/blending-art-and-science-creative-suppl/8787890/","projectTitle":"Blending Art and Science: Creative Supplies for Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sandoval","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9700342_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y256&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727938385718","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9700342"},{"teacherId":9700342,"projectId":8787934,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our students now have access to nutritious snacks that help them stay focused and ready to learn—especially during our mid-morning literacy block and afternoon math time when energy tends to dip. Instead of losing focus, students can quickly refuel and jump right back into learning.\r\n\r\nWhen the snacks first arrived, the excitement was immediate—big smiles, wide eyes, and lots of \"Are these really for us?\" Your gift made students feel cared for and supported.\r\n\r\nWe're already seeing the impact. Students are more engaged in lessons and building greater stamina during our current writing unit, where they're drafting opinion pieces and supporting their ideas with evidence. Thank you for helping create a classroom where students' needs are met so they can truly thrive!","fullyFundedDate":1733291410281,"projectUrl":"project/boosting-student-energy-with-snack-optio/8787934/","projectTitle":"Boosting Student Energy With Snack Options","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sandoval","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9700342_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y256&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727938385718","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9700342"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_55777","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":500,"numTeachers":26,"percentFrplEligible":83,"percentAsian":3,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":2,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":89,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"19.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":83.3,"schoolId":55777,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about John E Steinbeck Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"John E Steinbeck Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/alisal-union-school-district/john-e-steinbeck-elementary-school/55777"}
Join the 72 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
John E Steinbeck Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Salinas, California that is part of Alisal Union School District.
It serves 500 students
in grades Pre-K - 6 with a student/teacher ratio of 19.2:1.
Its teachers have had 34 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Share and help support John E Steinbeck Elementary School
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Every donation funds real needs — pencils, books, lab equipment, art supplies, and more — helping students learn and thrive. We ship supplies directly to the school, and you'll see exactly where each dollar goes.
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
92%
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.
John E Steinbeck Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Apr 10, 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.
John E Steinbeck Elementary School
$15,399
raised using DonorsChoose
34
projects
funded
13
teachers
funded
72
donors
2
projects
for
basic supplies
6
projects for
technology
9
projects for
books
2
projects
for
art supplies
John E Steinbeck Elementary School has received support from
60 individuals from California and
12 individuals out-of-state.
