{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Carlson Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":35.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":3003021,"projectId":9876027,"letterContent":"Because of our community's generosity in collaboration with The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation, $1,600 was raised to purchase a Gaga Ball pit at Carlson Elementary School — and we cannot thank you enough!\r\n\r\nFrom the very first day the pit was installed, it has been filled with laughter, movement, and excitement. When students first saw it, they literally gasped and began cheering and running towards it. We had previously played Gaga Ball using folding tables to make a pit, but we had never had the chance to play in a real pit. Within minutes, students were asking, \"When can we start?\" and \"Can we play again tomorrow?\" Their enthusiasm was immediate and contagious.\r\n\r\nWe are using the Gaga Ball pit daily during both Physical Education classes and recess. One of my favorite moments happened during our first structured PE lesson using the pit. We focused on teamwork, strategy, and sportsmanship. I watched as students encouraged one another, helped explain rules to classmates who were new to the game, and even celebrated good plays made by their opponents. One student who is often hesitant to participate in team sports confidently jumped into the pit and ended up winning a round — the smile on their face said everything. It was a powerful reminder that inclusive games like Gaga Ball truly give every child a chance to shine.\r\n\r\nBeyond the physical skills — striking, dodging, agility, and hand-eye coordination — we are intentionally connecting Gaga Ball to social-emotional learning. Students are practicing self-regulation, resilience, and positive communication. We've even had classroom discussions about strategy and problem-solving, helping students reflect on how planning and quick thinking in the pit connects to perseverance in academics.\r\nNext, we are expanding our focus to student leadership. Older students will begin helping referee games, teach rules to younger grades, and model sportsmanship. The Gaga Ball pit is not just a recess activity — it is becoming a cornerstone of community-building and character development at our school.\r\n\r\nYour support has created far more than a play space. You have provided a safe, inclusive environment where students build confidence, strengthen friendships, and develop lifelong skills — all while having an incredible amount of fun.\r\nThank you for giving our students this opportunity. Your generosity is felt every single day in the cheers echoing from the Gaga Ball pit.\r\nWith heartfelt appreciation,","fullyFundedDate":1762829426753,"projectUrl":"project/gagaball-pit/9876027/","projectTitle":"Gagaball Pit","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Rusin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3003021_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1505250693619","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/climbingshoes"},{"teacherId":9632427,"projectId":8574348,"letterContent":"I cannot express enough gratitude for your incredible support of my technology classroom through your donation to my DonorsChoose project. THanks to your generosity, my students in grades three through five had the opportunity to explore robotics in a hands-on, creative, and deeply engaging way using our new set of Cubelets.\r\n\r\nOne particularly memorable moment came when my fourth graders were so excited that they collaborated together without me asking them to remember to make sure everyone felt included in the project. I head \"I have an idea!\" frequently and each group would make sure each person got to implement their idea. I really enjoyed watching them take turns and talk each other up, which I haven't really seen in my classroom before like that. For that moment alone, this entire project was worthwhile to me. \r\n\r\nBecause of your support, my students are developing critical thinking and collaboration skills that will serve them well in the future. Your generosity has truly mad a difference in their education. Thank you so much for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1727462615755,"projectUrl":"project/technology-kick-start/8574348/","projectTitle":"Technology Kick Start","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pauley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9632427_orig.jpg?crop=955,954,x0,y111&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1730948617688","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9632427"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_41463","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":144,"numTeachers":18,"percentFrplEligible":34,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":73,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":15,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"8.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_DISTANT"},"inStateSupporters":64.4,"schoolId":41463,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Carlson Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Carlson Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/colorado/clear-creek-sch-dist-re-1/carlson-elementary-school/41463"}
Join the 73 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Carlson Elementary School is
a rural public school
in Idaho Springs, Colorado that is part of Clear Creek Sch Dist Re-1.
It serves 144 students
in grades K - 6 with a student/teacher ratio of 8.0:1.
Its teachers have had 11 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Boost support for this school! Share this page with friends, family, alumni, and fellow supporters. Every connection helps teachers get the supplies they need and shows how much your community cares about its students.
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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.
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
15%
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.
Carlson Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Feb 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.
Carlson Elementary School
$9,979
raised using DonorsChoose
11
projects
funded
9
teachers
funded
73
donors
1
project
for
basic supplies
4
projects for
books
2
projects
for
art supplies
Carlson Elementary School has received support from
47 individuals from Colorado and
26 individuals out-of-state.
