{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Christa McAuliffe Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":23.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":3741926,"projectId":5902410,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generosity in helping to fund my project. Because of donors like you, my students never have to go without. I create these projects and hope that someone will see its importance and how it will support my students. Donors like you see the vision and for that, I am forever grateful. Thank you, thank you, thank you! My students & I deeply appreciate it. With this project, for the past few years my students have been taken to the magical world of Hogwarts. They leave this class lifelong Harry Potter fans, knowing their Hogwarts houses and never forgetting that there IS magic in this world -- you just have to be brave enough to see it. :-)","fullyFundedDate":1636061655823,"projectUrl":"project/the-magic-spell-to-raise-our-reading/5902410/","projectTitle":"The Magic Spell to Raise Our Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Balink","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3741926_orig.jpg?crop=899,900,x0,y56&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1572993562562","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsbalink"},{"teacherId":3741926,"projectId":8741776,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generosity in helping to fund my project. Because of donors like you, my students never have to go without. I create these projects and hope that someone will see its importance and how it will support my students. Donors like you see the vision and for that, I am forever grateful. Thank you, thank you, thank you! My students & I deeply appreciate it. \r\n\r\nFor this project, my students had mittens, beanies, blankets, and other things to keep them warm this past winter. Seeing their hands and heads warm & covered as they ran out to enjoy recess (or walking home!) this winter made me feel so much better. With the colors that were provided, I took some extra time in pairing students with their favorite colors -- whether it be their favorite football team's colors, their Hogwarts house colors, or simply colors that they love. This was a huge hit!\r\n\r\nAgain, thank you -- from the bottom of my heart.","fullyFundedDate":1731940430719,"projectUrl":"project/warm-for-the-holidays/8741776/","projectTitle":"Warm for the Holidays","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Balink","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3741926_orig.jpg?crop=899,900,x0,y56&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1572993562562","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsbalink"},{"teacherId":2645502,"projectId":8970812,"letterContent":"I am deeply grateful for your generous support in funding our classroom's social and emotional learning (SEL) resources. Your contribution has provided my students with essential tools to navigate their emotions and build meaningful connections with others.\r\n\r\nSince receiving the supplies, we've incorporated them into our daily routines. The emotion plush toys and conversation cards have become integral during our morning meetings, allowing students to express their feelings and engage in thoughtful discussions. The sensory fidget tubes and calm strips have proven invaluable during moments of heightened emotions, offering students a way to self-regulate and refocus. Additionally, the modeling compound and magnetic building blocks have facilitated creative expression and collaborative play, fostering teamwork and problem-solving skills.\r\n\r\nOne particularly memorable moment occurred when a student, who often struggles to articulate their emotions, used the emotion plush toys to demonstrate how they were feeling. This breakthrough not only helped the student communicate more effectively but also encouraged peers to share their feelings openly, creating a supportive classroom environment.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we plan to integrate these resources into our upcoming SEL lessons, focusing on topics such as empathy, conflict resolution, and self-awareness. The hands-on materials will continue to serve as a bridge between instruction and real-life application, ensuring that students not only learn about emotions but also practice managing them in a safe and nurturing space.\r\n\r\nYour support has made a lasting impact on our classroom, and I cannot thank you enough for helping us create a space where every student feels seen, heard, and valued.\r\n\r\nWith heartfelt appreciation,","fullyFundedDate":1739366808428,"projectUrl":"project/social-emotional-needs-can-be-met-with/8970812/","projectTitle":"Social & Emotional Needs Can Be Met With Your Help!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Barbosa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2645502_orig.jpg?crop=538,538,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1695011491162","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/sterlingbarbosa"},{"teacherId":9822179,"projectId":8983096,"letterContent":"I would like to extend our deepest gratitude for your generous donation of sensory supplies. Your support means so much to us and makes a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve.\r\n\r\nThese sensory tools are more than just materials—they are essential resources that help individuals engage, focus, and thrive in their environments. Thanks to your contribution, we are better equipped to create inclusive, supportive spaces where everyone can feel comfortable and empowered to grow.\r\n\r\nWe sincerely appreciate your kindness and commitment to our mission. Your generosity is truly inspiring, and we are honored to have your support.","fullyFundedDate":1739366815983,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-items-to-help-students-with-spec/8983096/","projectTitle":"Sensory Items to help Students with Special Needs","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Walton","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9822179_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y302&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1730406903854","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9822179"},{"teacherId":8522094,"projectId":9042636,"letterContent":"I am thrilled to share the incredible impact your generous contributions have had on my students. With the new resources, including easy grip finger crayons, writing claws, and liquid glue, our classroom has been transformed into a vibrant and engaging learning environment. These tools have been particularly beneficial for my TK-1st special education students, who often struggle with fine motor skills. The easy grip finger crayons and writing claws have made it easier for them to hold writing instruments, allowing them to participate more fully in drawing and writing activities. \r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new materials, their faces lit up with excitement and curiosity. They were eager to explore and use the crayons and writing claws, and it was heartwarming to see their enthusiasm. The liquid glue has also been a hit, as it has enabled us to undertake more complex art and craft projects, such as creating collages and 3D models. These hands-on activities have not only enhanced their fine motor skills but also fostered a sense of accomplishment and pride in their work.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, the next steps for my students involve integrating these resources into our ongoing lessons and projects. For example, in our upcoming unit on shapes and colors, the students will use the crayons and writing claws to draw and label different shapes, reinforcing their understanding in a fun and interactive way. The liquid glue will be used for a collaborative project where students will create a large mural, combining their individual pieces into a collective masterpiece. Your contributions have truly made a difference, and I am excited to see how these resources will continue to support my students' growth and learning.\r\n\r\nThank you once again for your generosity and support.","fullyFundedDate":1739366806573,"projectUrl":"project/enhancing-creativity-and-motor-skills-in/9042636/","projectTitle":"Enhancing Creativity and Motor Skills in Special Education","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Munoz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8522094_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y484&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1694981985363","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8522094"},{"teacherId":9822179,"projectId":8913574,"letterContent":"I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to you for your generous donation of sensory supplies for our special needs students. Your thoughtful contribution is truly appreciated and will make a world of difference in the lives of our students.\r\n\r\nThe sensory supplies you provided will greatly enhance the learning environment for our students, helping them engage more effectively in their educational journey. These tools will support them in developing essential skills, improving focus, and fostering greater independence and comfort in their daily routines. Thanks to your kindness, our students will have the opportunity to thrive in a setting that is both stimulating and accommodating to their unique needs.\r\n\r\nWe are deeply grateful for your commitment to supporting our mission of providing an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all. Your generosity is a reminder of the incredible impact that caring individuals like you can have on the lives of others. Please know that your contribution will be used wisely and with great care to further the success and well-being of the children we serve.\r\n\r\nOnce again, thank you for your support and for making a difference in the lives of our students. We are privileged to have you as a partner in our work","fullyFundedDate":1731940516280,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-room-for-students-with-special-n/8913574/","projectTitle":"Sensory Room for Students With Special Needs","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Walton","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9822179_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y302&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1730406903854","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9822179"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_55694","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":522,"numTeachers":23,"percentFrplEligible":76,"percentAsian":4,"percentBlack":7,"percentWhite":23,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":55,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"22.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":76.2,"schoolId":55694,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Christa McAuliffe Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Christa McAuliffe Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/panama-buena-vista-union-school-district/christa-mcauliffe-elementary-school/55694"}
Join the 181 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Christa McAuliffe Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Bakersfield, California that is part of Panama - Buena Vista Union School District.
It serves 522 students
in grades Pre-K - 6 with a student/teacher ratio of 22.7:1.
Its teachers have had 100 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
66%
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.
Christa McAuliffe 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.
Christa McAuliffe Elementary School
$63,803
raised using DonorsChoose
100
projects
funded
27
teachers
funded
181
donors
5
projects
for
basic supplies
6
projects for
technology
17
projects for
books
5
projects
for
art supplies
Christa McAuliffe Elementary School has received support from
138 individuals from California and
43 individuals out-of-state.