Kenly Elementary School in Tampa, Florida on DonorsChoose

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A few of our more reserved readers lingered at the display long after their classmates had moved on, carefully turning pages and then returning during their next class book checkout to check those same books out. Others have asked if I had another copy because they wanted to read the same book that their friend is reading.\r\n\r\nOur school population is approximately 60% Black American, yet historically nearly 90% of our picture book collection did not reflect their everyday lives. These new books have changed the visual and emotional landscape of our library. Students have been choosing them eagerly. Several titles have already rotated through multiple checkouts. Teachers have begun requesting them for classroom read-alouds. Long-time staff members have commented that they have never seen so many Black voices so visibly and intentionally featured in our media center.\r\n\r\nInstructionally, these books are doing important work. During read-alouds, students are practicing core literacy skills such as vocabulary development, comprehension, identifying theme, and making text-to-self and text-to-world connections. Books like The Day You Begin and Eyes That Speak to the Stars support social-emotional learning by encouraging confidence and empathy. The Undefeated and Change Sings expose students to poetic language, rhythm, and historical awareness. Bilingual titles like My Town – Mi Pueblo validate multilingual learners while strengthening language development for all students. Students are not just listening. They are connecting, predicting, analyzing illustrations, and discussing character emotions.\r\n\r\nWhat reading looks like in our library is joyful and interactive. Students browse independently, recommend books to friends, and proudly bring their selections to the circulation desk. I have watched students hold these books close to their chests as they walk back to class. That small gesture says more than any data point could.\r\n\r\nThese books are mirrors that reflect our students' identities and windows that help all children better understand one another. You have helped create a space where students feel seen, valued, and inspired to read. That sense of belonging fuels motivation, and motivation fuels literacy growth.\r\n\r\nYour support did not just add books to shelves. It affirmed students' lives and experiences in a very real way. For that, I am deeply thankful!","fullyFundedDate":1767126558685,"projectUrl":"project/books-that-look-like-us/9873884/","projectTitle":"Books That Look Like Us","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. M","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10341152_orig.jpg?crop=1170,1170,x1167,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1762355498894","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10341152"},{"teacherId":3337422,"projectId":9786593,"letterContent":"Our classroom received two digital clock-and-timer units along with a paging system, and these tools have transformed how small-group math instruction runs each day. The clock-and-timer units provide students with a clear visual of both the time of day and the remaining work time, helping them stay focused and manage learning rotations independently. The paging system allows me to quietly call small groups for instruction without interrupting the rest of the class.\r\n\r\nDuring math small groups, one clock-and-timer unit is positioned near the teacher table while the second is placed where the rest of the class can easily see it. Students rely on the timers to pace themselves during independent practice and collaborative work. The paging system supports smooth transitions by signaling when it is time for a group to meet with the teacher, keeping learning calm, organized, and uninterrupted.\r\nWhen students first saw the new resources, they were excited and eager to use them. Many students shared that the visual timers helped them feel more confident because they always knew how much time they had. The paging system also helped reduce noise and distractions, making small-group instruction feel more focused and important.\r\n\r\nNext, students will continue using the clock-and-timer units and paging system during math rotations to support differentiated instruction and targeted skill practice. These tools allow me to maximize instructional time with small groups while other students work independently. 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About this school

Kenly Elementary School is a suburban public school in Tampa, Florida that is part of Hillsborough County Public School District. It serves 404 students in grades Pre-K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 10.4:1. Its teachers have had 79 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

404 Students

39 Teachers

2909 N 66th St

Tampa, FL 33619 View local requests

Direct, proactive support

Empower teachers at Kenly 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

Kenly Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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Kenly Elementary School Demographics

86%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

87%

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.

Kenly Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Feb 19, 2026

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