Thunder Valley K-8 School in Frederick, Colorado on DonorsChoose

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There are so many different games to play they can play by themselves or with a partner.\r\nThank you again for supporting my students.","fullyFundedDate":1758469763290,"projectUrl":"project/hand-on-exploration-stations/9384090/","projectTitle":"Hand-On Exploration Stations","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ladd","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5665769_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1679192017103","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5665769"},{"teacherId":8662287,"projectId":9232897,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my students now have access to a vibrant new collection of dystopian novels that are already sparking curiosity and conversation in our classroom. These books have transformed our independent reading time. Students are eagerly discussing themes of equity, power, and resilience, making thoughtful connections between the fictional worlds they're reading about and the real-world issues they see around them. Your support has helped me create a space where reading feels relevant, empowering, and exciting.\r\n\r\nThe new titles have also taken our Book Trailer Tuesdays to a whole new level! Students can't wait to see which book will be featured next, and the raffle to check out a featured copy has become a highlight of the week. Many students who previously struggled to find books that interested them are now more engaged.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, my classroom library is a place of choice, engagement, and discovery. Your gift has not only provided books, it has also opened doors for students to explore big ideas, find their voices in discussions, and see themselves as readers. Thank you for believing in the power of stories and helping me bring that power to my students every day.","fullyFundedDate":1745422943549,"projectUrl":"project/books-they-cant-put-down-engaging-read/9232897/","projectTitle":"Books They Can't Put Down: Engaging Reads for 8th Graders","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ahlberg","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8662287_orig.jpg?crop=2048,2048,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1661724195597","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8662287"},{"teacherId":9626565,"projectId":9457434,"letterContent":"This has been such an amazing year so far, and already I'm seeing the impact of your donation in their handwriting as the handwriting books have helped. \r\n\r\nWhat's hard about being a middle schooler with poor handwriting is that it impacts their self confidence. They see their handwriting and think that something is wrong with them when really they just need more practice. I've seen their confidence and their retention of knowledge improve so much over these last few weeks using these books. They love them and seek out every available opportunity to use them. So thank you for donating the materials to make this happen. \r\n\r\nYou have helped them as they have entered what is often a difficult time in life. Middle school is hard enough, but you've taken one thing off their plate so thank you so so much!","fullyFundedDate":1753467248659,"projectUrl":"project/making-writing-readable-with-handwriting/9457434/","projectTitle":"Making Writing Readable with Handwriting Practice","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lewis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9626565"},{"teacherId":9251139,"projectId":9295188,"letterContent":"When my students first saw the new Snap Circuit kits, their excitement was clear. Many of them rushed to open the boxes, eager to explore the colorful pieces and figure out how the circuits worked. Some students immediately started pointing out familiar parts, like batteries and switches, while others were curious about the pieces they had never seen before. The hands-on nature of the kits quickly captured their attention, and even students who are usually hesitant about science were engaged and enthusiastic.\r\n\r\nAs they began working with the kits, students collaborated in small groups to build different types of circuits. They snapped pieces together to light up bulbs, make fans spin, and even create sound effects. Through trial and error, they practiced problem-solving and teamwork, often cheering when their circuits finally worked. The kits gave them a chance to connect abstract science concepts, like energy flow and electrical current, to real, tangible outcomes. This hands-on experience allowed them to see science in action and build confidence in their learning.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, there are many potential next steps to expand on what students have learned with Snap Circuits. They could design their own circuit challenges, apply their knowledge to more complex projects like building alarms or radios, or even connect the concepts to coding and robotics. Another next step could be for students to reflect on their designs and explain how energy moves through their circuits, reinforcing science vocabulary and understanding. The kits have sparked curiosity and creativity, opening the door for deeper exploration of energy, electricity, and engineering.","fullyFundedDate":1746785610232,"projectUrl":"project/lighting-up-learning-with-snap-circuits/9295188/","projectTitle":"Lighting Up Learning With Snap Circuits!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tutkowski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9251139"},{"teacherId":7288885,"projectId":5777205,"letterContent":"This allowed my previous school an ability and opportunity to connect and communicate regarding student safety! This also allowed for future staff members to have more consistent communication even after I moved onto a new school. I am so thankful I was able to create and fund this opportunity to keep current and future students safe. \r\n\r\nIt was a huge ordeal to get these funded, and they are still be actively used by the Special Education Team at Thunder Valley K8! I know it positively impacted my work there and allowed for a safer environment.","fullyFundedDate":1636979476360,"projectUrl":"project/walkie-talkies-for-the-sped-team/5777205/","projectTitle":"Walkie Talkies for the SPED Team","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Duncan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7288885_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1593383682085","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7288885"},{"teacherId":7288885,"projectId":5390388,"letterContent":"We were able to grow in our collaborative game play and play alongside our peers in their classrooms! We also used the supplies to create a sensory hallway for our students to have during the Field Day event! This allowed for those students who needed a moment away to quietly sit and play games, puzzles, participate in art, and other sensory bins. It was very popular!\r\nMy students were incredibly excited to have new activities to learn with, and grow their skills! I cannot wait for my future students to continue playing, exploring and more!","fullyFundedDate":1614051590102,"projectUrl":"project/collaborations-and-fun/5390388/","projectTitle":"Collaborations And Fun","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Duncan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7288885_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1593383682085","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7288885"},{"teacherId":7778038,"projectId":8562759,"letterContent":"Even now, months after the books you so generously helped fund arrived, my students are still excited about them. It has help boost a community of readers that are talking about the books they currently reading or the ones they just finished\r\nThrough this project, I was able to expand the Spanish section in my library and have been able to connect with students who I hadn't been able to reach. Even students in earlier graders I haven't met yet are coming to ask to read from my Spanish section which is so heartwarming. \r\nThank you for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1723156384476,"projectUrl":"project/keep-colorado-reading/8562759/","projectTitle":"Keep Colorado Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Orozco","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7778038_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1614612265504","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7778038"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_41430","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":880,"numTeachers":53,"percentFrplEligible":57,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":33,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":59,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"16.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":55.8,"schoolId":41430,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Thunder Valley K-8 School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Thunder Valley K-8 School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/colorado/st-vrain-valley-school-district-re-1j/frederick-elementary-school/41430"}

About this school

Thunder Valley K-8 School is a rural public school in Frederick, Colorado that is part of St Vrain Valley School District RE 1J. It serves 880 students in grades K - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 16.6:1. Its teachers have had 128 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Grades K - 8

880 Students

53 Teachers

600 5th St

Frederick, CO 80530 View local requests

http://fes.svvsd.org

Direct, proactive support

Empower teachers at Thunder Valley K-8 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

Thunder Valley K-8 School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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Thunder Valley K-8 School Demographics

57%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

61%

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.

Thunder Valley K-8 School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Apr 8, 2026

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