{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Monte Bella Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":28.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":123393,"projectId":9789224,"letterContent":"We are deeply grateful for your generous support of our Winter Coat Project. Thanks to your kindness and compassion, we have been able to provide warm, quality winter coats to students who might otherwise face the harsh winter months without adequate protection from the cold. Your donation has made a tangible difference in the lives of children in our community, and we cannot thank you enough for standing with us in this important mission.\r\nThe impact of your generosity extends far beyond simply providing warmth. Students who received coats through this project have shown improved school attendance, as they no longer have to miss days due to illness or fear of walking to school in freezing temperatures. Teachers have reported that these children are more focused and engaged in their learning, no longer distracted by the discomfort of being cold. For many families, the coat you provided has lifted a significant financial burden, allowing parents to redirect limited resources toward other essential needs like food and utilities.\r\nYour investment in these children's well-being has given them more than physical warmth. It has provided dignity, confidence, and the message that their community cares about them. Many students have shared how proud they feel wearing their new coats, and parents have expressed tearful gratitude for your support during a challenging time. Thank you for being a vital part of our mission to ensure every child has what they need to thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1761930570362,"projectUrl":"project/staying-warm/9789224/","projectTitle":"Staying Warm!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Jones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp123393_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1651719258022","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrjones"},{"teacherId":9915471,"projectId":9646381,"letterContent":"Receiving this project has made a wonderful difference in our classroom! My students are so excited each time we bring out the new art and craft materials. The supplies have allowed them to express their creativity in ways we weren't able to before. They take great pride in their work and love showing off their finished projects to classmates and families.\r\n\r\nThese hands-on activities have also strengthened important learning skills. I've noticed that my students are more focused and patient during projects that require careful attention to detail. They're following multi-step directions more independently and building stronger fine motor control as they cut, glue, and design.\r\n\r\nBeyond academics, this project has helped foster a stronger classroom community. Students collaborate more, share ideas, and encourage one another. The joy and confidence they feel when completing a project has carried over into other subjects as well—they're more willing to take risks, try new things, and believe in their abilities.\r\n\r\nThanks to this project, art has become a meaningful and joyful part of our weekly routine, and my students are thriving both creatively and emotionally.","fullyFundedDate":1758636767462,"projectUrl":"project/little-hands-big-creations-monthly-art/9646381/","projectTitle":"Little Hands, Big Creations: Monthly Art Projects","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gonzalez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9915471_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755392656723","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9915471"},{"teacherId":8790351,"projectId":9101421,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support through DonorsChoose!\r\n\r\nBecause of your donations, we've been able to create a positive and motivating environment where students are recognized and celebrated for their achievements and special occasions—like birthdays and personal milestones.\r\n\r\nThe rewards and prizes you helped fund are being used in many exciting ways. Students earn them for showing growth, demonstrating kindness, reaching academic goals, and participating actively in class. Whether it's a small toy, a fun school supply, or a treat on their birthday, each prize brings a big smile and encourages continued effort and enthusiasm for learning.\r\n\r\nYour generosity is not just providing physical items—it's helping to build a classroom culture of encouragement, recognition, and joy. The impact you're making is felt every day, and we are truly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1746785565041,"projectUrl":"project/small-rewards-big-impact/9101421/","projectTitle":"Small Rewards, Big Impact","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gomez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8790351_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732821368070","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8790351"},{"teacherId":9915471,"projectId":9586629,"letterContent":"When my students first received their new pencil boxes and folders, their faces lit up with excitement. Many of them immediately began organizing their supplies and proudly showing each other how neat their things looked. It was such a joyful moment to see how something as simple as sturdy folders and boxes could make them feel responsible and \"grown up.\"\r\n\r\nWe've been using the folders daily to keep homework organized and to help students take ownership of bringing materials back and forth between home and school. The pencil boxes have also been a big help—students know exactly where their tools are, which keeps transitions quick and our focus on learning.\r\n\r\nOne of the most memorable moments was our first art activity of the year. With their rock kits, students created all sorts of animals to keep as \"pet rocks\". They were so proud to share their work on our window sill facing the hallway for everyone to see! It also sparked wonderful conversations that helped us build classroom community right from the start.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we'll continue to use these materials to support organization and creativity. Our next step is diving into writing projects where students will use their folders to keep drafts and finished work safe, while also having art materials on hand to illustrate and present their stories.\r\n\r\nThis project truly gave us the perfect foundation for a strong start. Thank you for believing in my students and making our classroom a place where they feel prepared, responsible, and excited to learn!","fullyFundedDate":1755999085311,"projectUrl":"project/starting-the-school-year-with-supplies-a/9586629/","projectTitle":"Starting the School Year with Supplies and Smiles!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gonzalez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9915471_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755392656723","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9915471"},{"teacherId":123393,"projectId":9385518,"letterContent":"Our students were so excited when the Fuse Bead art kits and design booklets arrived. The moment they saw the bright colors and patterns, the room filled with energy and creativity. Many of our students had never worked with Fuse Beads before, so it was both a brand-new challenge and a fun way to bring their ideas to life. We immediately dove into exploring the design booklets, and students began experimenting with patterns ranging from simple shapes to more detailed images.\r\n\r\nOne of the highlights was seeing groups of students collaborate on larger designs, trading colors, and helping each other line up the beads with care. The project became not just about art, but also about patience, teamwork, and problem-solving. The sense of pride on their faces when they ironed and revealed their finished pieces was unforgettable. Students who are usually quiet or hesitant to share in class were excited to show off their artwork, which gave them a new way to express themselves and connect with their peers.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we are incorporating these materials into our current lessons by tying them into themes of math and symmetry, as well as social-emotional learning through self-expression. The design booklets give students a strong starting point, but many are already branching out to create their own unique patterns. Your generosity has opened the door to ongoing creativity in our classroom, and our students can't wait to see how far their imaginations can take them.","fullyFundedDate":1757547416545,"projectUrl":"project/pixel-perfect-creating-art-one-bead-at/9385518/","projectTitle":"Pixel Perfect: Creating Art One Bead at a Time!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Jones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp123393_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1651719258022","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrjones"},{"teacherId":9865160,"projectId":9198828,"letterContent":"We are incredibly grateful to our generous donors for making these resources possible. Your support has truly energized our classroom and opened up new opportunities for creativity and learning. Thank you for investing in our students' education and artistic growth!\r\n\r\nWe're planning to use the new materials as part of creative projects that align with the end of our study units. Currently, we're studying biomes, and in a couple of weeks, students will be painting butterflies as a culminating activity. We also plan to create seasonal art pieces, such as fall trees and pumpkins, which will give students more opportunities to explore the materials and express what they've learned.\r\n\r\nThe students were thrilled to receive these art supplies! There was a lot of excitement, especially about getting to wear aprons and dive into painting. Several students were particularly enthusiastic about trying out the oil pastels—they're very eager to get creative.\r\n\r\nRight now, we're focusing on how to properly care for our art supplies. Students are learning how to clean and store paintbrushes to help them last longer, and how to handle and preserve our paints and oil pastels. These lessons are helping them develop responsibility and respect for the tools they're using.","fullyFundedDate":1746656799677,"projectUrl":"project/art-in-third-grade/9198828/","projectTitle":"Art in Third Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Otero","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9865160"},{"teacherId":123393,"projectId":9546470,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding our Kleenex project. With flu season in full effect, these tissues arrived at the perfect time for our classroom. Your generosity helps us keep our students healthy, comfortable, and ready to learn each day. Small things like tissues make a big difference in maintaining a clean, safe environment where students can focus on their studies instead of worrying about runny noses and germs spreading.\r\n\r\nOur students feel supported knowing that there are people like you who care about their well-being. These supplies not only prevent interruptions in learning but also show our students that their education matters to others outside of the classroom. Your kindness truly helps us make our classroom a better place for everyone, and we are deeply grateful for your thoughtful support.","fullyFundedDate":1755529621102,"projectUrl":"project/achoo-we-need-you/9546470/","projectTitle":"Achoo! We Need You!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Jones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp123393_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1651719258022","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrjones"},{"teacherId":123393,"projectId":9332815,"letterContent":"Our students were absolutely thrilled when they first saw the colorful paints and goofy googly eyes arrive in our classroom. Their excitement was contagious, and it was clear right away that these materials would spark their creativity. We wasted no time putting them to use. During our most recent art and storytelling project, students were challenged to design their own imaginative creatures using the paints and googly eyes. From multi-eyed monsters to rainbow-colored animals, each student brought their own personality and humor into their work. It was incredible to see even our most reserved scholars fully engaged, laughing and proudly showing off their creations.\r\n\r\nThese supplies have gone far beyond just arts and crafts. We've integrated them into cross-curricular activities, including creating historical figures in Social Studies and visualizing characters from the novels we read in class. This hands-on approach has helped students better connect to the content and feel ownership of their learning. The googly eyes, in particular, have become a favorite feature in class — students ask to add them to nearly everything!\r\n\r\nNext, we'll be using the remaining paint and supplies for a kindness rock garden project. Each student will design a rock with a positive message or image, which we'll place around campus to spread joy to others. Your generosity helped bring imagination and joy to our classroom, and now it will ripple out into the school community. Thank you for helping make our students feel seen, supported, and inspired.","fullyFundedDate":1748539219679,"projectUrl":"project/shades-of-self/9332815/","projectTitle":"Shades of Self","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Jones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp123393_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1651719258022","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrjones"},{"teacherId":123393,"projectId":9160557,"letterContent":"Thank you so very much for getting these Eerie-on-Sea class sets funded for our classroom! We loved the first book in the series and now, because of your generosity, we can continue the journey with three more mysteries. This project would never have become a reality if it was not for you and we are truly appreciative that you chose our class to support! Reading opens so many doors and possibilities and reading mysteries allows our students to problem solve and try to figure out how the characters and story will unfold. These are critical skills for every reader and you have made it all possible.","fullyFundedDate":1744240410596,"projectUrl":"project/exploring-the-mysteries-of-eerie-on-sea/9160557/","projectTitle":"Exploring the Mysteries of Eerie-on-Sea","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Jones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp123393_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1651719258022","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrjones"},{"teacherId":123393,"projectId":9235145,"letterContent":"Thanks to your support, our class now has a full set of Hidden Figures. Our students have really enjoyed diving into this inspiring story and learning about the brilliant women who broke barriers at NASA. It has sparked meaningful discussions about perseverance, equality, and the importance of representation in science and math. Watching our students connect with the story and feel empowered by it has been a joy. Your gift has brought history to life in our classroom and helped our students see what's possible when determination meets opportunity.","fullyFundedDate":1744258808602,"projectUrl":"project/unlocking-historys-heroes-the-hidden-f/9235145/","projectTitle":"Unlocking History’s Heroes: The Hidden Figures of STEM","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Jones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp123393_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1651719258022","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrjones"},{"teacherId":123393,"projectId":9234904,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity!\r\nHaving a full class set of Fish in a Tree made a meaningful impact on our students' learning. Every student was able to follow along with their own book, which allowed for deeper engagement through annotation, discussion, and reflection. The story sparked important conversations about learning differences, inclusion, and self worth topics that truly resonated with our students. With these materials, we were able to teach the novel as a whole class, supporting key literacy skills like citing evidence, analyzing characters, and making personal connections. Most importantly, it created a shared reading experience where every student felt seen, supported, and excited to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1744238082739,"projectUrl":"project/different-is-brilliant-unlocking-streng/9234904/","projectTitle":"Different is Brilliant: Unlocking Strengths with Fish in a Tree","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Jones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp123393_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1651719258022","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrjones"},{"teacherId":123393,"projectId":9234993,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to ensure our classroom has a full class set of your book. It's incredibly powerful for our students to know that the author of the story they're about to read personally supported their learning. Your gift has brought a new level of excitement and engagement into our room. Students are already asking questions, making predictions, and looking forward to diving into the story together. Because of you, every student will have the chance to hold their own copy, follow along closely, annotate, and experience the book fully. This not only supports their academic growth, but also builds a personal connection to reading that we hope will last far beyond our classroom walls. Thank you for believing in the power of books and in the potential of our students.","fullyFundedDate":1744456113823,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-young-heroes-with-amari-and-t/9234993/","projectTitle":"Empowering Young Heroes with Amari and the Night Brothers”","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Jones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp123393_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1651719258022","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrjones"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_105243","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":807,"numTeachers":30,"percentFrplEligible":85,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":95,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"26.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":71.9,"schoolId":105243,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Monte Bella Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Monte Bella Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/alisal-union-school-district/tiburcio-vasquez-elementary-school/105243"}
Join the 203 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Monte Bella Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Salinas, California that is part of Alisal Union School District.
It serves 807 students
in grades Pre-K - 6 with a student/teacher ratio of 26.9:1.
Its teachers have had 139 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Boost support for our school's classrooms. Share this page with friends and family who want to make a difference. If you're a teacher, sign up to get started!
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. Each classroom request for funding was created by a classroom teacher and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
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
96%
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.
Monte Bella Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 5, 2025
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.
Monte Bella Elementary School
$94,236
raised using DonorsChoose
139
projects
funded
26
teachers
funded
203
donors
14
projects
for
basic supplies
23
projects for
technology
22
projects for
books
10
projects
for
art supplies
Monte Bella Elementary School has received support from
146 individuals from California and
57 individuals out-of-state.