{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Dona Merced Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":38.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9805456,"projectId":8886188,"letterContent":"Wow! A huge THANK YOU for your amazing donation of classroom supplies! Your generosity has truly made a difference in our classroom, and my students are loving every bit of it. Thanks to you, reading has become even more fun—new supplies have helped bring stories to life, making reading time something my students look forward to every day. Art projects have also become extra exciting, with fresh materials sparking creativity and turning our classroom into a mini art gallery. And social studies? Let's just say maps, activities, and hands-on projects have made learning about the world way more engaging than just reading from a textbook!\r\n\r\nYour donation has completely transformed our learning experience, and I can't thank you enough. Watching my students dive into their work with excitement and enthusiasm has been the best gift. Knowing that organizations like Panda Cares believe in supporting education makes such a difference, and we are so lucky to have your support. From all of us in Room 123, THANK YOU for making learning more fun, creative, and meaningful!","fullyFundedDate":1739368341939,"projectUrl":"project/diverse-classroom-in-need-of-supplies/8886188/","projectTitle":"Diverse Classroom In Need of Supplies!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Salazar","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9805456"},{"teacherId":9772889,"projectId":8812342,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation to my classroom library. As a first-year teacher, I started the year with the necessary materials to create a positive learning environment, but there was one vital piece missing— a library full of books to fuel my students' imaginations and foster a love of reading. Understanding the importance of reading in developing young minds, I spent several days during the summer scouring second-hand stores and online marketplaces to gather as many books as I could. However, finding the right books that would capture the interest of my students proved to be a challenge. The books I found did not always match the diverse reading levels and interests in my classroom, and I quickly realized that I needed a more targeted approach to ensure every student could find something they were excited to read. That's where your support has made an immeasurable difference.\r\n\r\nWith the funds and books you provided, I was able to handpick a variety of books that met the unique needs of each of my students. My classroom is made up of young readers with varying abilities, ranging from those who are just starting their reading journey to those who are already advanced. I specifically sought out books that catered to these diverse needs— from captivating early readers to more challenging chapter books and graphic novels. A large portion of the collection includes the popular InvestiGators graphic novel series, which has quickly become a classroom favorite. These books have been in such high demand that I had to create a sign-out sheet just to manage the circulation! The engaging characters, humorous plots, and dynamic illustrations have captured the attention of my students in a way that words alone cannot. It has been inspiring to see how a single genre, like graphic novels, can ignite so much excitement and foster a love for reading across varying grade levels.\r\n\r\nOne of the most profound impacts has been on a student who is an aspiring graphic novelist. He has found a source of inspiration in books like InvestiGators, which help fuel his own creativity as he works on his own comics in his free time. He's often come to me excited to share the latest storylines or character designs he's been developing, and I truly believe that with the right support, he will one day publish his own graphic novels. This is a perfect example of how exposure to a variety of books—across genres, formats, and themes—can inspire students to pursue their dreams and believe in their potential. The literature in our classroom isn't just encouraging academic growth, but is also helping students develop a sense of who they are, what they enjoy, and what they aspire to achieve. Since receiving the donations, my students have been more motivated than ever to read. They've started forming mini \"book clubs\" within the classroom, eagerly discussing the characters and plot twists of the books they are reading together. They share recommendations, cheer each other on, and inspire one another to read more. This has sparked a shift in our classroom culture, from reluctant readers to eager participants, and I couldn't be more excited to see their passion for reading grow.\r\n\r\nYour donation has not only helped to fill the shelves of our classroom library, but it has created a ripple effect—empowering my students to explore new ideas, develop their creativity, and strengthen their reading skills. I've seen firsthand how access to diverse books can transform students' engagement with literature and with each other. From students who are excited to read independently to those who are now discussing books as a group, the impact of your generosity is truly priceless. 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Join the 67 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Dona Merced Elementary School is
a suburban public school
in Rancho Cucamonga, California that is part of Central School District.
It serves 549 students
in grades K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 23.9:1.
Its teachers have had 16 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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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
71%
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.
Dona Merced 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.
Dona Merced Elementary School
$9,129
raised using DonorsChoose
16
projects
funded
9
teachers
funded
67
donors
2
projects
for
basic supplies
1
project for
technology
1
project for
books
1
project
for
art supplies
Dona Merced Elementary School has received support from
41 individuals from California and
26 individuals out-of-state.