{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"George Shirakawa Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":20.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":188420,"projectId":9169807,"letterContent":"The blocks give students the confidence to try poses they might not have been able to do before. They provide extra stability, balance, and comfort so every child—no matter their size, strength, or flexibility—can participate fully.\r\n\r\nStudents tell us things like, \"The block helps me reach without falling.\" and \"I can balance better, so I don't give up.\" and \"It feels good to know I have something to help me.\" Beyond yoga, the blocks have become a tool for mindfulness and calming. Students use them during breathing exercises, as a support when sitting quietly, and even as a way to create personal space when they need to reset.\r\n\r\nWe will continue to use the blocks to learn new yoga poses, as well as how to use them throughout other breathing poses.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, our classroom is more inclusive, supportive, and focused on both physical and emotional well-being. These blocks remind our students that they can rise to challenges and find balance—on the mat and in life.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping us build strength, confidence, and calm in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1746811723109,"projectUrl":"project/helping-hands-yoga-blocks-for-mindfulne/9169807/","projectTitle":"Helping Hands: Yoga Blocks for Mindfulness and Movement","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Talarico","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp188420_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1512408585995","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-talarico"},{"teacherId":188420,"projectId":9162642,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom now has yoga mats that are used two days a week in meaningful ways. The impact has been powerful:\r\n\r\n- Creating Calm & Focus: Students now have a safe, personal space to practice breathing, stretching, and mindfulness. \r\n- Supporting Social-Emotional Growth: The mats give us a structured way to practice calming strategies, mindful movement, and self-regulation. Students are developing healthy coping tools they can use both in school and beyond.\r\n- Encouraging Physical Wellness: Mats provide comfort and safety for stretching, balance, and movement activities. \r\n- Fostering Equity & Inclusion: Every child now has access to their own mat. No one is left out, and all students can fully participate in yoga, mindfulness, and movement activities together.\r\n- Improving Classroom Culture: Having a defined, personal space for each student reduces conflicts and distractions. Students are calmer, more engaged, and more eager to participate in our mindfulness and movement routines.\r\n\r\nWhen I brought the mats out, the students were excited and wanted to know what we would be doing with them. We have used the mats for breath work that they would be able to use if they need some calming time. We have used the mat once to try out some yoga poses.\r\n\r\nNext up will be introducing more poses and how to use them to help us focus.\r\n\r\n\r\nYour gift has gone far beyond simply providing classroom supplies—it has created opportunities for students to grow physically, emotionally, and socially. The yoga mats are now part of our classroom culture, and students are excited to use them every day.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students and giving them the tools they need to thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1746811548744,"projectUrl":"project/stretch-breathe-focus-yoga-mats-for-m/9162642/","projectTitle":"Stretch, Breathe, Focus: Yoga Mats for Mindfulness & Movement","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Talarico","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp188420_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1512408585995","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-talarico"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_4792","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":519,"numTeachers":37,"percentFrplEligible":69,"percentAsian":35,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":4,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":51,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"14.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":79.6,"schoolId":4792,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about George Shirakawa Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"George Shirakawa Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/franklin-mckinley-school-district/george-shirakawa-elementary-school/4792"}
Join the 152 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
George Shirakawa Elementary School is
an urban public school
in San Jose, California that is part of Franklin-McKinley School District.
It serves 519 students
in grades K - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 14.0:1.
Its teachers have had 59 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Share and help support George Shirakawa Elementary School
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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
88%
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.
George Shirakawa Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 22, 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.
George Shirakawa Elementary School
$28,077
raised using DonorsChoose
59
projects
funded
25
teachers
funded
152
donors
5
projects
for
basic supplies
8
projects for
technology
5
projects for
books
3
projects
for
art supplies
George Shirakawa Elementary School has received support from
121 individuals from California and
31 individuals out-of-state.
