{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"George Washington Battles Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":27.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8336261,"projectId":9831735,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our Compassion, Food, and Service project! Our students were genuinely excited to plan, collect, sort, and share food with neighbors in need! They took great pride in leading every step, from organizing pantry shelves to greeting families and talking about why kindness and service matter. \r\n\r\nWatching them embrace compassion in action was inspiring; they learned not just about hunger but about empathy, responsibility, and the power of community. Thank you for encouraging their hearts and helping them grow into caring, thoughtful leaders!","fullyFundedDate":1761168437619,"projectUrl":"project/compassion-food-and-service/9831735/","projectTitle":"Compassion, Food, and Service","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Van Sant (Butler)","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8336261_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1650219303942","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/miss-butlers-learners"},{"teacherId":8336261,"projectId":9750708,"letterContent":"Our students were thrilled to dive into these new stories with their little buddies! They looked forward to each week's reading time, excited to choose books they knew would delight their partners and spark conversation. Many of our students who are still building confidence in reading found great joy and pride in sharing these stories and helping their kindergarten friends engage with the text. \r\n\r\nYour generosity helped create joyful, memorable experiences that nurture both friendship and literacy — thank you for believing in our students and the power of reading together!","fullyFundedDate":1758837886459,"projectUrl":"project/books-for-buddies/9750708/","projectTitle":"Books for Buddies","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Van Sant (Butler)","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8336261_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1650219303942","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/miss-butlers-learners"},{"teacherId":8336261,"projectId":9740712,"letterContent":"Our students were absolutely thrilled when they received their dictionaries! Many couldn't wait to flip through the pages, find new words, and practice definitions, synonyms, and spelling. Their excitement has been contagious — students proudly showed off their new dictionaries to classmates and even helped each other find words during writing time. \r\n\r\nYou've not only given them a book but a sense of pride in their learning and a tool that will support their confidence all year long. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for investing in their growth and love of language!","fullyFundedDate":1758838079122,"projectUrl":"project/personal-dictionaries-for-growing-confid/9740712/","projectTitle":"Personal Dictionaries for Growing Confidence in Reading and Writing","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Van Sant (Butler)","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8336261_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1650219303942","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/miss-butlers-learners"},{"teacherId":8336261,"projectId":9418984,"letterContent":"Our students were absolutely thrilled as they mixed colors, tied patterns, and watched their shirts come to life! Their excitement was contagious — they couldn't wait to show off their unique designs and share stories about what their colors and patterns meant to them. \r\n\r\nSeeing their smiles and hearing their laughter reminded us all how powerful art and collaboration can be in strengthening friendships and building a positive classroom environment. Thank you for helping us create an unforgettable experience that celebrates individuality while bringing us together as a community.","fullyFundedDate":1753998984647,"projectUrl":"project/dye-namic-starts-building-community-one/9418984/","projectTitle":"Dye-namic Starts: Building Community One Shirt at a Time","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Van Sant (Butler)","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8336261_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1650219303942","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/miss-butlers-learners"},{"teacherId":8336261,"projectId":9418655,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our *Tech Tools for Success* classroom project! Because of your kindness and support, we were able to provide essential tech tools that our students truly needed. Your contribution has helped us fully fund this project, giving our learners access to digital resources like timers, chargers, headphones, and computer mice that will allow them to stay focused, productive, and engaged in their learning every day. We are deeply grateful that you chose to invest in our classroom and make these opportunities possible.\r\n\r\nYour support will make a meaningful difference in the educational experience of our 5th graders. With these new technology tools, students can better navigate online learning activities, participate more fully in interactive math and science lessons, and build important digital skills that are essential for their future success. These resources help minimize distractions, strengthen independence, and foster confidence in each learner as they tackle challenging tasks. Thank you for believing in our students and helping to create an environment where every child has the tools they need to thrive!","fullyFundedDate":1757526113607,"projectUrl":"project/tech-tools-for-success/9418655/","projectTitle":"Tech Tools for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Van Sant (Butler)","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8336261_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1650219303942","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/miss-butlers-learners"},{"teacherId":9458427,"projectId":9317567,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation! My third graders were so excited to receive our new highlighters and colored pencils. These simple supplies have quickly become part of our daily learning. We use our highlighters daily in reading, writing, math, and science. This helps students to focus on key details and better organize their thinking. Colored pencils add creativity and clarity to our lessons, whether we're documenting our observations during science or adding color to our multiplication arrays.\r\n\r\nToday, my students even used their colored pencils during a lesson on the distributive property, making their work both colorful and meaningful. Your support has made learning more engaging, hands-on, and fun for everyone. Thank you for helping make our classroom a brighter, more inspired place to learn!","fullyFundedDate":1755203425090,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-essentials-for-learning-highl/9317567/","projectTitle":"Classroom Essentials for Learning: Highlighters, Colored Pencils, and Pencil Boxes","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Benitez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9458427_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1707124247673","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/battlesbenitez"},{"teacherId":8336261,"projectId":9418644,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our project, Exercise for Mental Agility! Because of you, my students will have the equipment they need to get moving, work together, and build both their physical health and mental well-being.\r\n\r\nExercise is such an important outlet for my students. It helps them release stress, boost their confidence, and return to the classroom ready to focus and learn. With the new supplies, they'll have the chance to stay active in positive, structured ways that also strengthen teamwork and perseverance.","fullyFundedDate":1750256228648,"projectUrl":"project/exercise-for-mental-agility/9418644/","projectTitle":"Exercise for Mental Agility","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Van Sant (Butler)","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8336261_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1650219303942","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/miss-butlers-learners"},{"teacherId":9458427,"projectId":9317521,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in funding our classroom set of whiteboard markers, student whiteboards, and erasers. These simple but important tools have already made a huge difference.\r\n\r\nMy students use the whiteboards in many ways daily: practicing math facts, spelling words during word work, and responding to questions in reading groups. Looking ahead, we'll continue using the whiteboards in small reading groups, especially as we strengthen phonics and decoding skills through UFLI. In math, the boards have become a quick way to build fact fluency, and students love how interactive and engaging practicing together is. \r\n\r\nYour generosity has given my students a resource that makes learning more engaging, interactive, and fun every single day. Thank you for making such a positive impact on their education.","fullyFundedDate":1747032903248,"projectUrl":"project/tools-for-learning-whiteboards-markers/9317521/","projectTitle":"Tools for Learning: Whiteboards, Markers, and Erasers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Benitez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9458427_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1707124247673","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/battlesbenitez"},{"teacherId":8336261,"projectId":9324621,"letterContent":"The moment the classroom rug arrived, my students' excitement was palpable—they gathered around it with wide eyes and beaming smiles. Since then, this simple addition has completely transformed our classroom. The colorful, soft surface has become a welcoming hub for our learning community. It's where we gather for morning meetings, share stories, collaborate on projects, and even take a moment to catch our breath when things feel overwhelming. More than just a rug, it has helped define our space, creating a sense of coziness and belonging—making our classroom feel more like a safe, inviting home. \r\nDonorsChoose\r\n\r\nThis renewed sense of comfort and connection has had a visible, positive effect on student behavior and engagement. Students are more eager to participate, express their ideas, and take academic risks, knowing they are supported in a nurturing environment. The rug has fostered a cozy atmosphere that promotes collaboration, calm, and respectful interaction—essential foundations for both social-emotional growth and academic success. You've given my students a place to feel centered, valued, and ready to learn—and for that, I am deeply thankful.","fullyFundedDate":1747516417179,"projectUrl":"project/improved-classroom-climate-through-carpe/9324621/","projectTitle":"Improved Classroom Climate through Carpet","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Van Sant (Butler)","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8336261_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1650219303942","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/miss-butlers-learners"},{"teacherId":8336261,"projectId":9256108,"letterContent":"I am writing to extend my deepest gratitude for your generous support of our \"Interactive Notebooks\" project. Your contribution has made a significant impact on our classroom and has enriched the educational experience of my students.\r\n\r\nThanks to your kindness, we received composition notebooks, colored paper, glue sticks, and other essential materials to facilitate engaged and deep learning through interactive notebooks. The moment the materials arrived, the excitement among the students was palpable. They eagerly began customizing their notebooks, and it was heartwarming to see their eyes light up with curiosity and enthusiasm.\r\n\r\nThank you once again for your generosity and for believing in the importance of education. Your support has made a tangible difference in our classroom, and we are truly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1746785762313,"projectUrl":"project/interactive-notebooks/9256108/","projectTitle":"Interactive Notebooks","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Van Sant (Butler)","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8336261_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1650219303942","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/miss-butlers-learners"},{"teacherId":8336261,"projectId":9270800,"letterContent":"I am writing to extend my deepest gratitude for your generous support of our \"Water Balloons for Community Building\" project. Your contribution has made a significant impact on our classroom and has enriched the educational experience of my students.\r\n\r\nThanks to your kindness, we received the resources needed to organize engaging water balloon activities that served as a joyful culmination to our school year. The moment the materials arrived, the excitement among the students was palpable. They eagerly anticipated the upcoming events, and it was heartwarming to see their eyes light up with anticipation and enthusiasm.\r\n\r\nThank you once again for your generosity and for believing in the importance of education and community building. Your support has made a tangible difference in our classroom, and we are truly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1746785543482,"projectUrl":"project/water-balloons-for-community-building/9270800/","projectTitle":"Water Balloons for Community Building","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Van Sant (Butler)","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8336261_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1650219303942","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/miss-butlers-learners"},{"teacherId":8336261,"projectId":9263198,"letterContent":"I am writing to extend my deepest gratitude for your generous support of our \"Fighting Against Food Insecurity: One Snack at a Time\" project. Your contribution has made a significant impact on our classroom and has enriched the educational experience of my students.\r\n\r\nThanks to your kindness, we received the necessary resources to begin addressing food insecurity within our community. The moment the materials arrived, the excitement among the students was palpable. They eagerly engaged in organizing and preparing snack packs, and it was heartwarming to see their eyes light up with purpose and enthusiasm.\r\n\r\nYour support goes beyond just providing materials; it has ignited a passion for social justice and community engagement that will have a lasting impact on my students' lives. They now approach challenges with increased compassion and determination, and I have no doubt that this will translate into continued efforts to make a positive difference in the world around them.\r\n\r\nThank you once again for your generosity and for believing in the importance of education and community building. Your support has made a tangible difference in our classroom, and we are truly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1745509498946,"projectUrl":"project/fighting-against-food-insecurity-one-sn/9263198/","projectTitle":"Fighting Against Food Insecurity: One Snack at a Time","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Van Sant (Butler)","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8336261_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1650219303942","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/miss-butlers-learners"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_53871","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":756,"numTeachers":37,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":97,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"20.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":72.5,"schoolId":53871,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about George Washington Battles Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"George Washington Battles Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/santa-maria-bonita-school-dist/george-washington-battles-elementary-school/53871"}
Join the 120 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
George Washington Battles Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Santa Maria, California that is part of Santa Maria-bonita School Dist.
It serves 756 students
in grades Pre-K - 6 with a student/teacher ratio of 20.4:1.
Its teachers have had 79 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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George Washington Battles Elementary 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
98%
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 Washington Battles Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Jan 19, 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.
George Washington Battles Elementary School
$36,396
raised using DonorsChoose
79
projects
funded
19
teachers
funded
120
donors
14
projects
for
basic supplies
5
projects for
technology
14
projects for
books
3
projects
for
art supplies
George Washington Battles Elementary School has received support from
87 individuals from California and
33 individuals out-of-state.