{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"John Kelley Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":26.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9938372,"projectId":9238204,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom through your generous donation. Because of you, my students now have access to engaging STEM activities that bring learning to life. As a Title I school serving students with autism in a moderate to severe setting, resources like these are often out of reach. Your gift has truly opened doors for them to explore new skills, discover possibilities, and experience success in ways that matter.\r\n\r\nSince receiving these materials, my students have been eagerly participating in hands-on lessons that make concepts more concrete and meaningful. Activities that once felt overwhelming are now exciting challenges they look forward to. The new tools have not only deepened their understanding but also sparked joy and curiosity in the classroom. Watching their excitement as they build, explore, and problem-solve has been such a gift—and it wouldn't have been possible without you.","fullyFundedDate":1746314891783,"projectUrl":"project/stem-activities/9238204/","projectTitle":"Stem Activities","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Saquil","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9938372_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1742935908516","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9938372"},{"teacherId":9938372,"projectId":9225716,"letterContent":"I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for supporting our sensory needs project through DonorsChoose. Because of your generosity, our classroom received sensory boxes, fidget toys, puzzles, and other engaging activities that truly meet the needs of my students. These resources have provided them with tools to regulate their emotions, stay engaged, and feel more comfortable in the classroom environment.\r\n\r\nFor my autistic students in our moderate to severe program, having access to sensory supports is essential. The fidgets help them calm their hands and minds, while puzzles and activities give them opportunities to practice problem-solving and focus in a way that feels fun and meaningful. The sensory boxes have quickly become a favorite part of our day, providing both comfort and learning at the same time.\r\n\r\nBeing in a Title I school, every donation we receive is a gift that directly impacts my students' growth and success. Your support has helped us create a classroom where students feel safe, supported, and excited to learn. Thank you for making such a difference in their daily lives.","fullyFundedDate":1746665849987,"projectUrl":"project/meeting-sensory-needs/9225716/","projectTitle":"Meeting Sensory Needs","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Saquil","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9938372_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1742935908516","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9938372"},{"teacherId":9938372,"projectId":9149934,"letterContent":"I am so thankful for your generosity in providing snacks for my students through this DonorsChoose project. The variety of nutritious snacks, including fruit, fruit cups, juices, and even some chips that my students enjoy, has made a real difference in our classroom. For many of my students, snacks are not always available from home, and projects like this help ensure that no child goes hungry during the school day.\r\n\r\nAs a Title I school serving students with autism, meeting basic needs is just as important as academics. Having access to snacks keeps my students fueled, focused, and ready to learn. It gives them comfort and stability, and helps them stay engaged throughout the day. This project has provided more than food—it has given my students the energy they need to learn, play, and grow.\r\n\r\nThank you for caring about their well-being and for helping us meet such an essential need. Your kindness has filled not only little bellies but also little hearts.","fullyFundedDate":1742582778784,"projectUrl":"project/snack-time-support-for-growing-learners/9149934/","projectTitle":"Snack Time Support for Growing Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Saquil","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9938372_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1742935908516","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9938372"},{"teacherId":9938372,"projectId":9209323,"letterContent":"I want to thank you for your generous support of our classroom organization project. With your help, we were able to bring in organizers for paper, construction paper, and cardstock, all sorted and divided by color. We also received storage boxes to keep supplies secure and a rug for our sink area. These items may seem simple, but they have had a huge impact on keeping our classroom running smoothly and creating an environment where my students can focus and succeed.\r\n\r\nFor my autistic students in our moderate to severe program, structure and organization make a tremendous difference. Having materials neatly stored and accessible reduces distractions and allows them to find what they need with ease. It also helps me maintain a classroom that feels calm, safe, and welcoming for everyone. Being in a Title I school, every resource is deeply appreciated, and your donations have truly helped us stay organized and provide a better learning space for our students.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our classroom and for making a lasting impact on the way we learn and grow each day.","fullyFundedDate":1746785417745,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-organization/9209323/","projectTitle":"Classroom Organization","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Saquil","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9938372_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1742935908516","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9938372"},{"teacherId":9938372,"projectId":9205312,"letterContent":"I want to sincerely thank you for supporting our STEM project and providing my students with such engaging hands-on learning opportunities. The sink and float activities, along with the Goldilocks and the Three Bears chair-building activity, were an absolute hit in our classroom. My students loved exploring, experimenting, and problem-solving as they worked to create little chairs strong enough for the characters to sit on. These activities gave them the chance to learn through play, which is one of the most powerful ways for children to grow.\r\n\r\nFor my autistic students, these projects were especially meaningful. They were able to practice fine motor skills, teamwork, and creative thinking while fully engaging in the learning process. The activities sparked curiosity and excitement, turning lessons into memorable experiences that my students continue to talk about. It's not just about science and engineering—it's about helping them discover confidence, joy, and new ways to express their ideas.\r\n\r\nBeing in a Title I school, we are so grateful for every donation received. Your generosity has truly made an impact on our classroom by bringing fun and purposeful learning into our daily routine. Thank you for believing in my students and giving them the chance to experience hands-on activities that make learning come alive.","fullyFundedDate":1743790296859,"projectUrl":"project/steam-activities/9205312/","projectTitle":"Steam Activities","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Saquil","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9938372_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1742935908516","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9938372"},{"teacherId":9938372,"projectId":9238227,"letterContent":"I am so grateful for your generosity in helping bring the trampoline and balance board into our classroom. These additions to our sensory area have made a tremendous difference for my students. The trampoline provides them with a safe way to release extra energy when they are overstimulated, while the balance board helps them regain focus and stability when they are feeling anxious, nervous, or overwhelmed.\r\n\r\nThis space has become both a break area and a reinforcer for my students, giving them opportunities to regulate their bodies and emotions in a healthy and positive way. The students truly enjoy using the trampoline, and it has quickly become one of their favorite tools for calming and self-regulation. The balance board has also been powerful in helping them find balance—both physically and emotionally—so they can return to learning ready and engaged.\r\n\r\nBeing in a Title I school, every donation we receive is deeply valued and has a direct impact on the daily lives of our students. Your support has given them more than just equipment—it has given them tools to thrive, feel safe, and find joy in learning. Thank you for believing in our classroom and for making such a meaningful difference.","fullyFundedDate":1746504864295,"projectUrl":"project/getting-those-wiggles-out/9238227/","projectTitle":"Getting Those Wiggles Out","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Saquil","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9938372_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1742935908516","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9938372"},{"teacherId":9938372,"projectId":9149861,"letterContent":"I want to take a moment to thank you for supporting my DonorsChoose project and making our cozy reading corner a reality. The rug and rocking seats have transformed a small part of our classroom into a warm and inviting space where my students feel comfortable and excited to learn. Your generosity has given them a place where reading feels less like work and more like an adventure.\r\n\r\nMy students attend a Title I school and all of them are autistic, so having a space that meets both their academic and sensory needs is incredibly meaningful. The rocking seats provide gentle movement that helps students regulate their bodies while they engage with books, and the rug creates a soft, welcoming area that encourages them to sit, explore, and learn. This has already helped them focus, build independence, and develop a positive relationship with reading.\r\n\r\nBecause of your kindness, my students now have a place that supports both their growth and their joy in learning. Thank you for investing in their success and for reminding them that people believe in their potential. Your support has truly made a lasting impact","fullyFundedDate":1742948982413,"projectUrl":"project/cozy-reading-corner/9149861/","projectTitle":"Cozy Reading Corner","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Saquil","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9938372_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1742935908516","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9938372"},{"teacherId":9251372,"projectId":9040727,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for making our dramatic play project a reality! As soon as the materials arrived, my students' eyes lit up with excitement. They couldn't wait to explore everything. The first day we set up the dramatic play center, it instantly became the most popular spot in the classroom.\r\n\r\nOne memorable moment was watching students use the puppets and vet kit to help animals in need. They created little clinics, took turns being veterinarians and pet owners, and showed so much care and empathy during play. It was a beautiful way to see their creativity and compassion come to life.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our classroom now has a space that encourages imagination, collaboration, and meaningful learning. Next, we plan to connect our dramatic play area to our social-emotional learning. It will help students practice conflict resolution in a fun, supportive environment. We'll also begin using the puppets as characters during story time to spark a love of reading.","fullyFundedDate":1745847052698,"projectUrl":"project/imaginations-at-work-inspire-creativity/9040727/","projectTitle":"Imaginations at Work: Inspire Creativity and Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Granillo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9251372_orig.jpg?crop=2100,2100,x0,y168&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758317231193","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsgranillo"},{"teacherId":9704002,"projectId":8797380,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding our project, \"See the WORLD in COLOR!\" I am beyond grateful for your support in helping us bring a color printer into our TK–2 classroom for students with moderate to severe autism.\r\n\r\nIn special education, especially for young learners with autism, visual supports are not just helpful, they are essential. Many of my students are nonverbal or have limited expressive language, and they rely heavily on visual cues for communication, understanding routines, behavior support, and accessing the curriculum. Having these visuals in color makes a significant difference in their ability to recognize, retain, and respond to the material.\r\n\r\nWith this color printer, we will now be able to create full-color communication boards and AAC visuals tailored to each student's needs, Visual schedules that clearly illustrate daily routines using familiar, vibrant images, Color-coded academic supports for tasks like sorting, matching, counting, and letter/number recognition. Students also enjoy Social stories and behavior visuals that are more engaging and easier for students to understand, and Celebration certificates and student work displays that boost confidence and pride in learning.\r\n\r\nThese resources will increase student independence, comprehension, and engagement, all while making learning more accessible and individualized. Thanks to your generosity, our students will now get to see their world and their work in full color, making their school experience more meaningful and joyful.","fullyFundedDate":1736903243234,"projectUrl":"project/see-the-world-in-color/8797380/","projectTitle":"See the WORLD in COLOR!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nino","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9704002"},{"teacherId":9251372,"projectId":8725872,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping bring new books into our kindergarten classroom! At this age, reading is full of wonder and every page is a chance to build new skills and spark a love of learning.\r\n\r\nWith these new stories, my students are practicing foundational reading skills like letter recognition, rhyming, sight word identification, and understanding story structure. Many of the books also support social-emotional learning by introducing themes like kindness, sharing, and celebrating our differences.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, reading time is interactive and full of smiles. Students love gathering on the carpet to listen to read-alouds, talk about the pictures, and guess what will happen next. One student, Maybeli, has become especially excited about books with animals—she can now independently read and shore her love with other classmates!\r\n\r\nYour generosity is helping to create joyful, confident early readers. Thank you for being part of their first steps on a lifelong reading journey.","fullyFundedDate":1734099397704,"projectUrl":"project/help-me-instill-a-love-of-reading-in-kin/8725872/","projectTitle":"Help Me Instill a Love Of Reading in Kindergarteners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Granillo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9251372_orig.jpg?crop=2100,2100,x0,y168&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758317231193","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsgranillo"},{"teacherId":9704002,"projectId":8775528,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous contributions, our students have experienced a significant boost in their daily learning environment. The healthy snacks you've provided have made a world of difference, not only in keeping our students nourished but also in creating a more focused and engaging classroom atmosphere.\r\n\r\nOne of the first moments I witnessed was when the students saw the new snacks. Their faces lit up! For many of them, having a consistent, healthy snack routine was something they hadn't experienced before, and it was a simple way to show them we care about their well-being. Some students who usually have difficulty sitting still and concentrating were able to focus more during lessons after having a snack, leading to better participation in activities. The structure of offering these snacks also gave them a moment of calm, a ritual that helped ease transitions throughout the day.\r\n\r\nOne classroom project that benefited greatly from the healthy snacks was our sensory garden activity. We paired the snacks with a garden-based lesson, where students learned about the importance of nutrition and how plants grow. Having a snack break helped them stay energized and engaged while they worked on planting seeds and learning about the environment. It also allowed me to model how to take care of ourselves and our surroundings in a fun, hands-on way.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we plan to expand our learning by connecting our healthy snacks to a unit on self-care and building routines. The next steps involve incorporating even more interactive lessons about the benefits of healthy eating, connecting those lessons to real-world activities, and encouraging students to make mindful food choices. With your continued support, we're excited to build on the strong foundation you've helped us create.\r\n\r\nYour impact goes beyond just snacks. You're helping us foster independence, healthy habits, and engagement in the classroom. Thank you for making this possible!","fullyFundedDate":1732310043207,"projectUrl":"project/fuel-creative-little-minds/8775528/","projectTitle":"Fuel creative little minds!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nino","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9704002"},{"teacherId":8525369,"projectId":8850223,"letterContent":"I want to extend my deepest gratitude for your generous donation of books to my special education classroom. Since receiving the books, my students have been filled with excitement as they explore our little class library. It's been such a joy to see them go through the shelves, picking out books that captivate their interests.\r\n\r\nTheir eagerness to read is truly amazing, and it's inspiring to witness their enthusiasm each day. The books you provided have opened up new opportunities for learning and growth, and they've sparked a genuine love for reading in all of them.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping make this possible. Your kindness and support have made a meaningful impact on my students, and for that, we are all incredibly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1730733511789,"projectUrl":"project/decodable-books/8850223/","projectTitle":"Decodable Books","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Brooke Shapter","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8525369_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727820128494","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8525369"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_32579","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":496,"numTeachers":31,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":97,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"16.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":73.4,"schoolId":32579,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about John Kelley Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"John Kelley Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/coachella-valley-unified-school-district/john-kelley-elementary-school/32579"}
Join the 64 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
John Kelley Elementary School is
a suburban public school
in Thermal, California that is part of Coachella Valley Unified School District.
It serves 496 students
in grades Pre-K - 6 with a student/teacher ratio of 16.0:1.
Its teachers have had 31 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
97%
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 Kelley 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.
John Kelley Elementary School
$14,948
raised using DonorsChoose
31
projects
funded
15
teachers
funded
64
donors
5
projects
for
basic supplies
2
projects for
technology
6
projects for
books
John Kelley Elementary School has received support from
47 individuals from California and
17 individuals out-of-state.