Morello Park Elementary School in Martinez, California on DonorsChoose

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My students focus on musical concepts rather than struggling with the instrument itself.\r\nBeyond its physical accessibility, the ukulele provides a powerful foundation for a wide range of musical skills. Its four strings and simple chord shapes allow students to quickly learn to accompany songs, sing in tune, and play in harmony with their peers. This hands-on experience with chords is a crucial step in understanding music theory and unlocks the ability to play a vast library of songs.\r\nAdditionally, the ukulele is an excellent instrument for teaching rhythm and listening skills. As my students learn to strum and play together, they develop a strong sense of timing and learn to listen to others in a group setting. This not only builds their musicality but also fosters collaboration and a sense of community within the classroom. The ukulele's cheerful, bright sound naturally encourages a positive and joyful learning environment.\r\nBy introducing ukuleles, my students now have a foundational music education that is both effective and enjoyable. Students have gained confidence to perform, the skills to play in an ensemble, and a lifelong appreciation for music. Thank you for your amazing generosity to my students at Morello Park Elementary. Kind regards. Marilyn Brouette, Morello Park Music","fullyFundedDate":1756510181638,"projectUrl":"project/ukeleles-for-music-education-singing-a/9464638/","projectTitle":"Ukeleles for Music Education - Singing and Strumming with Heart!","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Brouette","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10076688_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755454808673","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10076688"},{"teacherId":10076688,"projectId":9458255,"letterContent":"I am writing to thank you for your generous donation of melodicas to our school's music curriculum. The melodica is a versatile and affordable instrument that has significantly enhanced my students' musical development by bridging the gap between wind and keyboard instruments.\r\nThe melodica is a handheld wind instrument with a piano-style keyboard. This unique combination offers a number of key advantages for music education. The impact on my fifth grade music classroom has been immense. Students experience a hands-on introduction to keyboard skills, which is fundamental to understanding music theory, harmony, and composition. For students who may not have access to a piano, the melodica gives my students a means to develop proper fingering and spatial awareness of the keyboard.\r\nSecondly, the melodica requires proper breath control, a skill that is essential for playing brass and woodwind instruments. By using the melodica, my students learn to manage their air pressure to control dynamics and articulation. This simultaneous development of both keyboard and breath techniques prepares students to transition to a band instrument at the middle school level. Through the use of a melodica, my students have gained a solid foundation to transition to more complex instruments like the piano, trumpet, or saxophone.\r\nFinally, the melodica is a powerful tool for collaborative and improvisational music. Its expressive, reedy tone allows for a wide range of musical styles, from classical to jazz. The instrument's polyphonic capability means students can play multiple notes at once, enabling them to practice chords and harmonies. This makes it a great instrument for ensemble work and for encouraging creativity in a group setting.\r\nThe melodica's low cost, durability, and educational benefits make it a valuable addition to our program. Your generous donation of Melodicas to the music program at Morello Park Elementary has expanded my students' musical knowledge and inspired a new level of engagement and creativity in the classroom. Thank you for your incredible generosity.\r\nKind regards. Marilyn Brouette, Morello Park Music","fullyFundedDate":1752586591466,"projectUrl":"project/melodicas-for-morello/9458255/","projectTitle":"Melodicas for Morello","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Brouette","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10076688_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755454808673","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10076688"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_4107","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":500,"numTeachers":22,"percentFrplEligible":20,"percentAsian":13,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":52,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":16,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"22.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":95.2,"schoolId":4107,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Morello Park Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Morello Park Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/martinez-unified-school-district/morello-park-elementary-school/4107"}

About this school

Morello Park Elementary School is a suburban public school in Martinez, California that is part of Martinez Unified School District. It serves 500 students in grades Pre-K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 22.7:1. Its teachers have had 49 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Public School

Grades Pre-K - 5

500 Students

22 Teachers

1200 Morello Park Dr

Martinez, CA 94553 View local requests

Evidence-based impact

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Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

Morello Park Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

Dr. Brouette

Mr. Matsumoto

Ms. Winder

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Morello Park Elementary School Demographics

20%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

30%

of students are Black, Latino, Native American, or Asian

Schools in districts that mainly serve students of color receive substantially less state and local support than similar districts that serve primarily White students. Learn more about this gap, why it exists, and how you can help close it.

Morello Park Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 5, 2025

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