{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Powell Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":56.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9752778,"projectId":8791019,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support at the beginning of the year with our school library's book bins project. As a result, our PreK-2 students are now able to more successfully access books on high interest topics independently during trips to the library -- even quick trips! While students continue to learn to use the more traditionally organized sections of the library, having a section with bins at eye-level for our youngest students empowers them to confidently and joyfully access literature. These bins can be easily identified by topic, taken off the shelf and rummaged through, and even taken to classrooms when I visit them in their space.\r\n\r\nEach bin has an English and a Spanish language label to promote language bridging in our Dual Language school, and each is stocked with both English and Spanish language books, as well as fiction and nonfiction, to encourage budding bilingualism and broadening reading interests. Some of the most popular bin topics so far have included: Pets, Sports, Construction, Dinosaurs, Magical Creatures, Insects, Funny Stories, and Princesses/Royalty. Located next to our storytime carpet, the bin section is the most popular starting point for many of our primary students during their biweekly book browsing, and each week I need to restock! The high turnover allows me to introduce students to books they may not otherwise easily find on their own. During browsing time, many of the PreK and K students like to point out to me the bin where their \"favorite books\" are. Seeing their excitement, joy, and most importantly, sense of agency and ownership in their school library, has been a real treat.","fullyFundedDate":1727475023037,"projectUrl":"project/literacy-bins-to-help-students-use-their/8791019/","projectTitle":"Literacy Bins to Help Students Use Their Library","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Woody","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9752778"},{"teacherId":9752778,"projectId":8834625,"letterContent":"Now that the school year has closed out and the next one is right around the corner, I wanted to reach out to you to thank you deeply for your contribution to the joyful reading culture of our school this past school year! Because of your generous contribution to a collection of Three Stars Book Award-nominated titles, students were able to share read-aloud experiences and discuss quality, diverse, current, and exciting literature throughout the entire Spring semester. From a fractured fairy tale set in China, to a cumulative tale illuminating Ethiopian culture and Amharic language, to a heartwarming and funny family tale of a Mexican American family of entrepreneurs, to a hilarious romp of a school story that asks the very important question, \"Can a sandwich be a teacher?\", Powell students were enthusiastically engaged in the books you added to their school library.\r\n\r\nStudents across grade levels were able to share common reading experiences, which allowed for cross-grade discussion between siblings and friends based around books! Nearly all students from Kindergarten to 5th grade participated in voting in both a school-wide, bracketed-style tournament based around this new collection of titles, and voted to select the winner of the DC citywide 2025 Three Stars Book Award. After many close head-to-head matches, Mr. S won the tournament as Powell's favorite, and students were able to extend their learning and joy with a custom activity book and summer reading list celebrating this winner. DC students across all DC schools including Powell chose Like Lava in My Veins as the Three Stars Book Award winner. \r\n\r\nThese voting-based activities spurred animated class discussions about what makes a \"good\" book, and gave students the opportunity to evaluate their own reading tastes. Throughout the spring, as tournament match winners appeared in the library's front window display, students often excitedly discussed their thoughts about the outcomes, both with me and their classmates and friends. Several students even reported to me that they now have a new favorite book.\r\n\r\nNone of this excitement around reading and participation in a larger, citywide student reading culture would have been possible without your generous contribution to this project. \r\n\r\nThank you, thank you, thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1729381015501,"projectUrl":"project/books-to-build-our-joyful-reading-cultur/8834625/","projectTitle":"Books to Build Our Joyful Reading Culture!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Woody","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9752778"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_24137","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":497,"numTeachers":47,"percentFrplEligible":34,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":12,"percentWhite":11,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":72,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"10.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":43.5,"schoolId":24137,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Powell Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Powell Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/district-of-columbia/dc-public-schools/powell-education-center/24137"}

Powell Elementary School

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About this school

Powell Elementary School is an urban public school in Washington, District of Columbia that is part of DC Public Schools. It serves 497 students in grades Pre-K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 10.6:1. Its teachers have had 161 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades Pre-K - 5

497 Students

47 Teachers

1350 Upshur St NW

Washington, DC 20011 View local requests

http://www.dcps.dc.gov

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Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

Powell Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

Teacher Rodriguezseoane

Ms. Rosenberg

Ms. Woody

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Powell Elementary School Demographics

34%

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.

Powell 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.

Powell Elementary School

$98,924

raised using DonorsChoose

161

projects funded

teachers funded

765

donors

projects for basic supplies

projects for technology

projects for books

projects for art supplies

Powell Elementary School has received support from 333 individuals from District of Columbia and 432 individuals out-of-state.

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Powell Elementary School

About this school

Equity Focus School

Powell Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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Powell Elementary School Demographics

Powell Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 5, 2025

Powell Elementary School

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.