{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Washington Elementary STEM Magnet School","outOfStateSupporters":36.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6858012,"projectId":9768610,"letterContent":"I wanted to share a quick update and a heartfelt thank you. We have already received the materials, and the students are absolutely enjoying them!\r\n\r\nThe STEM kits, Legos, LED writing pads, and planter activities have brought so much excitement into our classroom. Students are more engaged, curious, and eager to participate as they build, experiment, and explore concepts hands-on. It has been wonderful to see their enthusiasm and confidence grow as learning truly comes alive.\r\n\r\nYour generosity is already making a meaningful difference each day. Thank you again for supporting our classroom and helping create joyful, engaging learning experiences for our students.","fullyFundedDate":1759377073826,"projectUrl":"project/inspiring-innovation-through-stem-legos/9768610/","projectTitle":"Inspiring Innovation Through STEM, Legos, and Creative Learning Tools","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kim","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6858012_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1612061204771","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6858012"},{"teacherId":3622595,"projectId":9803571,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donations! Your support means the world and helps create a brighter,cleaner, and healthier classroom for all our students. It is always important as an educator to think of ways to enhance my students' school experience. During free choice time my students are able to choose the center they want to participate in. This allows them to have fun and look forward towards this incentive. We deeply appreciate your kindness and the positive impact it has on our young learners.","fullyFundedDate":1761327282519,"projectUrl":"project/little-learners-big-imaginations/9803571/","projectTitle":"Little Learners, Big Imaginations!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Y. Trujillo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3622595"},{"teacherId":1033652,"projectId":9900273,"letterContent":"The claw machine has become an incredibly positive motivator in our 3rd-grade classroom. Students look forward to earning a chance to play, and it has transformed the way they approach class expectations, teamwork, and personal responsibility. To keep things exciting, we added a few \"chance balls\" with silly jokes inside—students love the suspense and the laughter they bring. On the flip side, we mixed in a few grand prize Post-its offering special rewards like a small LEGO set, extra recess, or popcorn for the whole class. The element of surprise has energized our classroom culture in ways I didn't expect!\r\n\r\nWhat I love most is how the claw machine has encouraged collaboration and kindness. Students cheer each other on, celebrate others' wins, and support their classmates when they don't grab a prize. It has also become a tool for helping students regulate and refocus—knowing they can work toward a turn keeps them motivated and engaged in their learning. This group is truly thriving with this system in place, and it has helped me tap into exactly what makes them excited about school. Their growth—academically, socially, and emotionally—has been incredible to watch.","fullyFundedDate":1763602160979,"projectUrl":"project/claw-machine-with-pokemon-balls/9900273/","projectTitle":"Claw Machine With Pokemon Balls","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mickelson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1033652_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y20&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1611008422473","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kmickelson"},{"teacherId":1033652,"projectId":9905958,"letterContent":"There's something magical about having hot cocoa on a chilly morning—especially in a 3rd grade classroom. Students walk in the door already smiling, knowing that Hot Cocoa Friday is waiting for them. The anticipation adds a spark to the start of their day, and the cozy smell of warm chocolate instantly brings comfort and joy. It's a simple tradition, but one that makes our classroom feel like a welcoming little community.\r\n\r\nWe set up our special cocoa bar with all the fixings: marshmallows, whipped cream, sprinkles, and a chocolate drizzle or two for fun. Students sip their cocoa while we settle into our morning routine, listening to The Lemonade War or coloring a chapter reference page. It's amazing how focused and calm they become—hands busy, minds engaged, and hearts full. It turns a regular cold Friday into something they look forward to all week.\r\n\r\nAnd the best part? Only one small spill on the floor—and it was no big deal! We cleaned it up quickly and kept enjoying our cozy morning together. These moments of warmth, fun, and togetherness help students start their day feeling cared for, connected, and ready to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1763616274836,"projectUrl":"project/hot-cocoa-for-the-holiday/9905958/","projectTitle":"Hot Cocoa for the Holiday","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mickelson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1033652_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y20&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1611008422473","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kmickelson"},{"teacherId":1033652,"projectId":9893473,"letterContent":"As we begin our new literacy module on Teamwork, I've been reflecting on how perfectly it aligns with the work we've been doing in PE using soccer balls and agility cones. My students have a huge interest in soccer, so introducing drills, movement patterns, and fair-play routines has been a natural way to connect physical activity with the themes we're exploring in reading and writing. It's been exciting to watch students realize that the same ideas we're discussing in class—working together, communicating, supporting one another, and pushing through challenges—are the exact skills they need on the field.\r\n\r\nUsing soccer equipment has helped students see teamwork in action. The agility cones have taught them how to move with control and awareness of others, while partner drills with the soccer balls have pushed them to talk, plan, and encourage one another. Even students who felt unsure at first quickly found a role to play, whether it was dribbling, defending, or helping a teammate improve. These moments have opened up powerful conversations about effort, practice, and how each person brings something valuable to the team.\r\n\r\nWhat makes this even more meaningful is how well it connects to the big ideas in our literacy work—skill-building, supporting each other, and beating the odds. When students see that everyone has strengths and everyone has something to learn, it deepens their understanding both on the field and in the classroom. This overlap between soccer and literacy has created a sense of shared purpose: we all have skills, we all can grow, and together we can accomplish so much more than we can alone.","fullyFundedDate":1763217707176,"projectUrl":"project/cones-for-outdoor-play/9893473/","projectTitle":"Cones for Outdoor Play","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mickelson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1033652_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y20&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1611008422473","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kmickelson"},{"teacherId":1033652,"projectId":9931481,"letterContent":"Our student wellness kits have been a wonderful addition to our classroom community. Each student selected their favorite chapstick, a pack of Kleenex, body wipes, and a small lotion to keep in their backpack. Giving students ownership of these items helps them feel prepared and cared for throughout the school day. Just like we keep hand sanitizer available as students return from recess, these wellness kits offer an added layer of comfort and support, especially during this dry winter season.\r\n\r\nWith the colder air, many of us—including myself—find our lips and hands becoming dry. I often catch myself licking my lips before remembering to use my chapstick and lotion, and our students experience the same thing. Having their own personal kit gives students immediate access to what they need, helping them learn healthy habits and preventing the cycle of dry skin or chapped lips from getting worse. These small tools make a big difference in how students feel in their learning environment.\r\n\r\nMore importantly, these wellness kits help students practice responsibility and self-care—skills that extend far beyond the classroom. They learn to recognize what their bodies need, care for themselves in appropriate ways, and support classmates who may need a tissue or reminder to take care of their skin. These habits build confidence, independence, and empathy. By creating a space where students can take care of themselves, we are also nurturing a community where they feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1764508526922,"projectUrl":"project/on-the-mend-personal-winter-kits/9931481/","projectTitle":"On the Mend, Personal Winter Kits","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mickelson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1033652_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y20&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1611008422473","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kmickelson"},{"teacherId":9193434,"projectId":9729135,"letterContent":"I would like to thank you so much for your generous donation. Our art supplies are perfect for all of our projects and art activities. Thanks to your support my students can enjoy making so many art creations. Our dot markers are such a fun tool to use when painting. \r\nHaving enough markers and paper supplies for different projects and for everyone brings many smiles to my students. Students feel inspired to show their creativity as they work in groups to make creations or work individually on a project or art piece. Thank you again for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1762270987158,"projectUrl":"project/art-supplies-for-our-classroom/9729135/","projectTitle":"Art Supplies for Our Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gonzalez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9193434"},{"teacherId":9193434,"projectId":9727054,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations. Our mobile easel is the perfect tool for our lessons and small group activities. I am able to have all my charts stored underneath for easy access. I can use both sides to write directly on our easel and move it around from one place to the other during lessons. \r\nMy students love to use it as they work on small groups to practice vocabulary as they play their favorite game, \"adivinanzas.\" The wheels allow students to move the easel to different parts of the classroom with ease so they can get started in activities right away.\r\nMy students and I would like to thank you again for your wonderful support.","fullyFundedDate":1762267630462,"projectUrl":"project/an-mobile-easel-for-world-language/9727054/","projectTitle":"An Mobile Easel for World Language","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gonzalez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9193434"},{"teacherId":3622595,"projectId":9753658,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donations! Your support means the world and helps create a brighter,cleaner, and healthier classroom for all our students. It is always important as an educator to think of ways to enhance my students' school experience. As the season is changing and it is getting colder, students are beginning to get sick. I make it a point to disinfect and clean up so that we are germ free! My class will be happier and healthier while having a great time while learning. We truly appreciate your kindness!","fullyFundedDate":1759692434210,"projectUrl":"project/help-us-shine/9753658/","projectTitle":"Help Us Shine!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Y. Trujillo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3622595"},{"teacherId":1033652,"projectId":9890916,"letterContent":"Using a Cricut in the classroom has been such a fun and meaningful way to bring creativity, personalization, and hands-on learning into our school community. As a teacher, I've loved designing and creating projects—like custom t-shirts—that students can enjoy and take pride in. These simple yet engaging projects help foster a sense of belonging, showing students that their teachers are invested in making the school a welcoming, joyful, and supportive place for everyone.\r\nThe impact goes beyond the projects themselves. When students see their teachers taking the time to create something special, it communicates love, care, and support in a tangible way. It reinforces the idea that our school is a place where everyone matters and where contributions—big or small—are valued. Even small projects like t-shirts spark excitement, conversation, and a shared sense of community in the classroom.\r\nLooking ahead, I'm especially excited for the students to become the creators and designers themselves. Giving them the opportunity to explore design, make choices, and bring their own ideas to life will deepen their engagement, creativity, and ownership of our classroom culture. Using the Cricut has been a wonderful way to model creativity, collaboration, and inclusion, and I can already see how it helps strengthen a culture of acceptance and belonging for every student.","fullyFundedDate":1763059630619,"projectUrl":"project/cricut-vinyl-for-classroom-projects-and/9890916/","projectTitle":"Cricut Vinyl for Classroom Projects and Spirit Wear","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mickelson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1033652_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y20&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1611008422473","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kmickelson"},{"teacherId":1033652,"projectId":9873549,"letterContent":"In our busy 3rd-grade classroom, having a few shelf-stable snacks on hand—like beef jerky and Pop-Tarts, two clear student favorites—has made a noticeable difference in keeping students focused and ready to learn. These snacks offer a quick boost during long stretches of instruction, especially for students who may need something extra between meals. They're easy to store, easy to distribute, and help ensure that every child has access to something comforting and filling when they need it most.\r\n\r\nOne thing I didn't anticipate, however, was the issue of trash. It quickly became clear that my students were not always remembering to throw away their wrappers, and the staff could tell exactly which class they came from. While this wasn't ideal, it turned into a full-circle lesson about responsibility, respect for shared spaces, and taking care of our school environment. We addressed it as a class, reset expectations, and students are now making much better choices.\r\n\r\nThank you for providing these shelf-stable foods for my students. Not only have they helped keep everyone energized, but they've also opened the door to meaningful conversations about community, stewardship, and growing into responsible learners.","fullyFundedDate":1762718569565,"projectUrl":"project/shelf-stable-food-items-for-the-classroo/9873549/","projectTitle":"Shelf Stable Food Items for the Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mickelson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1033652_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y20&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1611008422473","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kmickelson"},{"teacherId":1033652,"projectId":9861762,"letterContent":"As we begin our new literacy module on Teamwork, I've been reflecting on how perfectly it aligns with the work we've been doing in PE using soccer balls and agility cones. My students have a huge interest in soccer, so introducing drills, movement patterns, and fair-play routines has been a natural way to connect physical activity with the themes we're exploring in reading and writing. It's been exciting to watch students realize that the same ideas we're discussing in class—working together, communicating, supporting one another, and pushing through challenges—are the exact skills they need on the field.\r\n\r\nUsing soccer equipment has helped students see teamwork in action. The agility cones have taught them how to move with control and awareness of others, while partner drills with the soccer balls have pushed them to talk, plan, and encourage one another. Even students who felt unsure at first quickly found a role to play, whether it was dribbling, defending, or helping a teammate improve. These moments have opened up powerful conversations about effort, practice, and how each person brings something valuable to the team.\r\n\r\nWhat makes this even more meaningful is how well it connects to the big ideas in our literacy work—skill-building, supporting each other, and beating the odds. When students see that everyone has strengths and everyone has something to learn, it deepens their understanding both on the field and in the classroom. This overlap between soccer and literacy has created a sense of shared purpose: we all have skills, we all can grow, and together we can accomplish so much more than we can alone.","fullyFundedDate":1762186605779,"projectUrl":"project/cognition-agility-and-teamwork-through/9861762/","projectTitle":"Cognition, Agility, and Teamwork Through Soccer","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mickelson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1033652_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y20&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1611008422473","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kmickelson"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_30332","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":433,"numTeachers":26,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":10,"percentWhite":2,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":82,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"16.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":63.1,"schoolId":30332,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Washington Elementary STEM Magnet School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Washington Elementary STEM Magnet School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/pasadena-unified-school-district/washington-accelerated-school/30332"}
Join the 463 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Washington Elementary STEM Magnet School is
an urban public school
in Pasadena, California that is part of Pasadena Unified School District.
It serves 433 students
in grades Pre-K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 16.7:1.
Its teachers have had 458 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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Washington Elementary STEM Magnet School Demographics
95%
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
94%
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.
Washington Elementary STEM Magnet 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.
Washington Elementary STEM Magnet School
$213,705
raised using DonorsChoose
458
projects
funded
24
teachers
funded
463
donors
64
projects
for
basic supplies
105
projects for
technology
13
projects for
books
49
projects
for
art supplies
Washington Elementary STEM Magnet School has received support from
292 individuals from California and
171 individuals out-of-state.