{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"LaSalle - Backus Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":68.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7905577,"projectId":9561700,"letterContent":"Thank you Ripple and Donor so much for your generous donations to our classroom. The laminating sheets, magnifying glasses, tweezers, Play-Doh, hands-on science and math activities, Lysol spray, Johnson & Johnson wipes, and the fruit roll-ups have truly made a difference for my students.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, my students are able to explore, create, and learn in ways that make them excited to come to class each day. The science tools inspire curiosity, the hands-on materials help them understand new concepts, and the Play-Doh gives them a fun sensory break when they need it. The cleaning supplies and wipes help keep our room safe and comfortable, and the fruit roll-ups always bring big smiles.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and for helping make our classroom a brighter, happier place.","fullyFundedDate":1757542860417,"projectUrl":"project/beautiful-pictures/9561700/","projectTitle":"Beautiful Pictures","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Harriett Byrd","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7905577_orig.jpg?crop=480,480,x0,y60&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1639331204745","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7905577"},{"teacherId":7905577,"projectId":9453180,"letterContent":"I want to share how much these classroom items have meant to my students and to me. Each one has made a real difference in our daily routine and in the way my students learn, focus, and feel supported.\r\n\r\nThe leaf floor seats and rocker chairs give my students the freedom to choose where they learn best. Some of my most active students focus better simply because they can move a little while working.\r\n\r\nThe Play-Doh and sensory squishy toys have been lifesavers during stressful moments. They help students calm down, reset, and come back ready to learn. \r\n\r\nOur kid's microscope has brought so much excitement into science lessons. Watching my students explore tiny details up close has sparked curiosity I love to see.\r\n\r\nThe laminating sheets help me create materials my students can use again and again, keeping our activities organized and engaging.\r\n\r\nAnd finally, the soap, antibacterial supplies, wipes, and microfiber cloths help us keep our classroom clean and healthy. \r\n\r\nEach of these items supports my students in a meaningful way, and I am truly grateful for the difference they make in our classroom every day.","fullyFundedDate":1757423302627,"projectUrl":"project/lets-read-together/9453180/","projectTitle":"Let’s Read Together!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Harriett Byrd","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7905577_orig.jpg?crop=480,480,x0,y60&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1639331204745","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7905577"},{"teacherId":8555602,"projectId":9026825,"letterContent":"Thank you so much everyone who donated! I told my students all about this project. I told my students that my friends donated, and they asked who you all were! I told them your names, and then realized they were counting. Apparently they were actually interested in the number friends Ms. Lipps has. \r\n\r\nOf course we've been using the paper for all sorts of homework and writing assignments. I also love that I have the freedom to hand it out to our class artists and print coloring sheets. Our school budget is definitely not allowing for \"wants,\" only \"needs\" these days (funnily enough, what we're currently learning about in first grade), but having the extra paper makes it possible.\r\n\r\nWe continue to make use of all the headphones as well. I was able to replace the headphones of kids whose headphones only worked on one side or were otherwise not very good. And we continue to get new students this late in the year! \r\n\r\nAgain, thank you so much for helping us with these supplies we need!","fullyFundedDate":1737156621594,"projectUrl":"project/a-mid-year-headphones-and-paper-supply-r/9026825/","projectTitle":"A Mid-year Headphones and Paper Supply Refresh for First Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lipps","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8555602_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1736446362614","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8555602"},{"teacherId":7623754,"projectId":8912695,"letterContent":"If words could truly express my gratitude, I would write you in length. So, \"thank you\" just doesn't seem like enough. \r\n\r\nI have watched my students take ownership of their materials, because they enjoy having comfortable headphones. They are taking better care of them. I see them focused more when they are working on educational computer programs. I hear them asking for a small fidget to hold to help them concentrate. I see them offering a classmate a fidget who seems distracted. \r\n\r\nThank you so much for providing these helpful materials!!!","fullyFundedDate":1730829828355,"projectUrl":"project/testing-without-limits/8912695/","projectTitle":"Testing without limits!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Madra","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7623754_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1662123315862","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7623754"},{"teacherId":8667306,"projectId":8785431,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your help in supporting literacy at LaSalle-Backus Elementary School, a Title 1 school in Washington, DC.\r\n\r\nOur students love their new reading buddies! This year I am working on building a culture of reading. This includes creating new habits like silent reading for 20 minutes; going on field trips to the public library; and getting library cards. Reading with a buddy in the school library is a new tradition and the students ask for reading buddies when they have time to sit and read.","fullyFundedDate":1731522584876,"projectUrl":"project/book-buddies-to-support-emerging-readers/8785431/","projectTitle":"Book Buddies to Support Emerging Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Heckscher","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8667306_orig.jpg?crop=2244,2244,x0,y97&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1721945441389","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lbes"},{"teacherId":7905577,"projectId":8597743,"letterContent":"My awesome students enjoy exploring the sand and water table while engaging in conversations together. They are excited to play and touch the sand, and the table affords them the opportunity to learn through hands on tactile play. \r\n As an educator, its great that the sand and water table helps students to minimize spilling the sand on the floor and clean ups easy, due to its durability. The coverage tops helps to keep the sand free from dirt and germs which benefits students health and safety.","fullyFundedDate":1727204707218,"projectUrl":"project/exploratory-learning-with-sand-and-water/8597743/","projectTitle":"Exploratory Learning With Sand and Water!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Harriett Byrd","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7905577_orig.jpg?crop=480,480,x0,y60&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1639331204745","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7905577"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_24170","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":261,"numTeachers":38,"percentFrplEligible":58,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":49,"percentWhite":4,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":44,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"6.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":31.2,"schoolId":24170,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about LaSalle - Backus Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"LaSalle - Backus Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/district-of-columbia/dc-public-schools/lasalle-backus-elementary-school/24170"}
Join the 599 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
LaSalle - Backus Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Washington, District of Columbia that is part of DC Public Schools.
It serves 261 students
in grades Pre-K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 6.9:1.
Its teachers have had 198 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Boost support for our school's classrooms. Share this page with friends and family who want to make a difference. If you're a teacher, sign up to get started!
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. Each classroom request for funding was created by a classroom teacher and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
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
93%
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.
LaSalle - Backus Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 5, 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.
LaSalle - Backus Elementary School
$260,382
raised using DonorsChoose
198
projects
funded
47
teachers
funded
599
donors
26
projects
for
basic supplies
33
projects for
technology
20
projects for
books
7
projects
for
art supplies
LaSalle - Backus Elementary School has received support from
187 individuals from District of Columbia and
412 individuals out-of-state.