Joe Nightingale Elementary School in Santa Maria, California on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Joe Nightingale Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":47.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10309786,"projectId":10014109,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our \"Every Student Voice Heard\" project. The cordless microphones have already made a meaningful difference in our physical education classes by ensuring that every student can hear instructions clearly, safely, and consistently, no matter where they are on the field or in the gym. With improved sound clarity, transitions are smoother, learning time is maximized, and students are more focused and engaged during activities.\r\nWhat excites students most is that they can now hear directions, feedback, and encouragement in real time without confusion or repetition. This has been especially impactful during outdoor lessons, large-group activities, and fitness units where background noise and distance used to be a challenge. Students feel more confident knowing they won't miss important instructions, which helps them participate more fully and safely.\r\nThese microphones have been particularly beneficial for students who need extra support with attention, auditory processing, or language development. Clear, consistent audio helps level the playing field so all students can succeed. Because of your generosity, every student truly has a voice—and can hear one, too. Thank you for investing in our students and in an environment where learning, movement, and inclusion go hand in hand.","fullyFundedDate":1768491633981,"projectUrl":"project/every-student-voice-heard/10014109/","projectTitle":"Every Student Voice Heard","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Brown","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10309786"},{"teacherId":10309786,"projectId":9821243,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generosity in supporting our PE program. The new speakers and speaker stands have immediately improved how students experience learning during physical education. Because our classes are held outdoors and often involve large groups spread across the play area, clear and consistent sound is essential. These speakers allow students to clearly hear instructions, cues, and music, which helps lessons run more smoothly and keeps students focused and safe during activities.\r\nWhat excites students most is how the speakers change the overall energy of class. Music and clear audio cues make activities more engaging and help students stay motivated and on task. Transitions between activities are faster and more organized, and students feel more confident participating when they know they can hear directions no matter where they are standing. The speaker stands also allow sound to project evenly across the space so all students have equal access.\r\nThese speakers have been especially beneficial for students who struggle with attention, auditory processing, or confidence in large-group settings. Being able to clearly hear expectations reduces frustration and allows more students to feel successful and included. Thank you for providing equipment that supports learning, inclusion, and positive movement experiences for every student.","fullyFundedDate":1767202218678,"projectUrl":"project/every-student-deserves-to-hear-the-beat/9821243/","projectTitle":"Every Student Deserves to Hear the Beat in PE","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Brown","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10309786"},{"teacherId":771919,"projectId":7671853,"letterContent":"Fine motor skills are so essential for young children. They must develop these skills before writing. The items selected for this project were all materials to help strengthen fine sills. Grasping, pinching, threading and lacing with these tools helps them learn while they play. In addition, it is helping to develop important early learning skills. \r\nThe students were very excited to use their new materials in our learning centers. They were used during center time as well as independent time. \r\nThank you for supporting our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1692126110064,"projectUrl":"project/fine-motor-fun/7671853/","projectTitle":"Fine Motor Fun","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Beal","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp771919_orig.jpg?crop=584,584,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1594263733190","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/dbeal"},{"teacherId":771919,"projectId":7341372,"letterContent":"The materials provided to our classroom were very beneficial . The double-sided magmatic board was used for word building . Students used magnetic letters to build simple CVC words. In addition , it was used with magnetic characters ,such as dinosaurs , during developmental time.\r\nFeed the animals was used to help promote fine motor skills. They lived this center and would repeatedly re-visit. The social emotional capes were a great addition to help promote social skills. It was also used to recognize children who exhibited this skill. \r\nThank you again gor your support !","fullyFundedDate":1691541584973,"projectUrl":"project/tk-playing-to-learn/7341372/","projectTitle":"TK Playing to Learn","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Beal","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp771919_orig.jpg?crop=584,584,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1594263733190","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/dbeal"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_39994","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":684,"numTeachers":29,"percentFrplEligible":53,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":22,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":63,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"23.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":52.9,"schoolId":39994,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Joe Nightingale Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Joe Nightingale Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/orcutt-union-school-district/joe-nightingale-elementary-school/39994"}

About this school

Joe Nightingale Elementary School is a suburban public school in Santa Maria, California that is part of Orcutt Union School District. It serves 684 students in grades Pre-K - 6 with a student/teacher ratio of 23.6:1. Its teachers have had 54 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Grades Pre-K - 6

684 Students

29 Teachers

255 Winter Rd

Santa Maria, CA 93455 View local requests

Direct, proactive support

Empower teachers at Joe Nightingale Elementary School to request what their students need.

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

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

Joe Nightingale Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for public school teachers.

Every donation funds real needs — pencils, books, lab equipment, art supplies, and more — helping students learn and thrive. We ship supplies directly to the school, and you'll see exactly where each dollar goes.

See how DonorsChoose works

Joe Nightingale Elementary School Demographics

53%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

66%

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.

Joe Nightingale Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Feb 9, 2026

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.