Washington Elementary School in Richmond, California on DonorsChoose

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When students see themselves, their cultures, and their languages reflected in books, their confidence and motivation grow.\r\n\r\nThe materials you funded allow my students to explore new concepts through meaningful stories, strengthen vocabulary, and build reading comprehension in Spanish. For many of them, especially our English learners, these books provide equitable access to literacy while honoring and preserving their linguistic identities.\r\n\r\nYour generosity supports not just reading skills, but pride, curiosity, and opportunity. 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These cushions have created a cozy, flexible seating area where students feel comfortable and calm, which has completely transformed the atmosphere of our classroom.\r\n\r\nThe chair bands have also made a big difference for my more active and fidgety students. They now have a safe and quiet way to release extra energy without disrupting lessons, helping them stay focused during learning time. The Jumbo Time Timer has been a wonderful visual tool to help my students better understand transitions and manage their time throughout the day.\r\n\r\nOne special moment that stands out was seeing a student who usually has trouble joining group activities come sit happily on a cushion, feeling secure and ready to participate. These resources have given my students the tools they need to regulate their emotions and take ownership of their learning.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we will continue to use these materials every day to build independence, focus, and a peaceful classroom community. 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I was able to use the new guitar myself to accompany the students, which helped them stay on pitch and feel more confident—even with the nerves of performing for all the families at our school for the very first time. The sound was clear and strong, and it made a huge difference in helping the students sing together with focus and joy.\r\n\r\nNow, we're preparing for two exciting events: a performance for our Board of Education and our end-of-year celebration for classmates and families. The guitar and amplifier are now key parts of our rehearsals, and the students are building musical confidence and teamwork with every practice.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we are working on gathering additional materials—our goal is to add microphones and speakers by the end of the school year to enhance our sound even more. Your support has been the spark behind this growth, and we are incredibly grateful that you chose to invest in our students and their voices. 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About this school

Washington Elementary School is a suburban public school in Richmond, California that is part of West Contra Costa Unified School District. It serves 361 students in grades Pre-K - 6 with a student/teacher ratio of 20.1:1. Its teachers have had 104 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades Pre-K - 6

361 Students

18 Teachers

565 Wine St

Richmond, CA 94801 View local requests

Direct, proactive support

Empower teachers at Washington 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

Washington Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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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.

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Washington Elementary School Demographics

64%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

85%

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.

Washington Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Feb 23, 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.