{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"John M Sexton Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":31.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10090545,"projectId":9493900,"letterContent":"Thank you for your support of my project, \"Occupational Therapy: Putting FUN in Functional.\" Because of your donations, I was able to purchase switch-activated cause-and-effect toys for my students who receive Occupational Therapy, including a walking, barking dog and a frog bubble blower. These toys are powerful tools for building foundational cognitive and motor skills in educational settings. They are not only fun, but they also teach essential concepts and support important developmental goals.\r\n\r\nThrough these toys, students learn that their actions have predictable outcomes—for example, pressing a switch causes a toy to light up or move. This understanding builds early reasoning skills and lays the foundation for problem-solving and scientific thinking. Students can also indicate preferences by choosing to activate a toy, an early step toward expressive communication. For non-verbal students, cause-and-effect toys paired with switches or communication devices support intentional actions that can later translate to the use of speech-generating devices.\r\n\r\nStudents also have opportunities to develop fine and gross motor skills. Pressing small buttons or manipulating levers strengthens fingers and improves dexterity, while larger switches and adapted toys encourage arm movement and coordination for students with physical challenges.\r\n\r\nCause-and-effect toys promote engagement and motivation by providing immediate feedback through lights, sounds, and movement. This instant reinforcement helps students stay focused and motivated while building confidence. Experiencing success with these toys allows students to feel capable and in control—an especially important outcome for learners who often face barriers.\r\n\r\nThese toys are particularly beneficial for students with developmental delays, physical disabilities, or communication challenges. When used during Occupational Therapy sessions, they support the development of hand-eye coordination, grip strength, and motor planning.\r\n\r\nMy students have truly enjoyed using the new switch-activated toys. Their laughter and smiles highlight the joy and meaningful impact these materials have brought to their learning experiences. Thank you, again, for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1758829284040,"projectUrl":"project/occupational-therapy-putting-fun-in-fun/9493900/","projectTitle":"Occupational Therapy: Putting FUN in Functional","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tiffany","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10090545"},{"teacherId":1891740,"projectId":7371754,"letterContent":"I want to thank you so much for you donation to this project! We started implementing a new phonics curriculum this year and the magnet letters are perfect! Each day the students get to use the letter to build words that fit with our phonics skill. They were so excited for the center activities! \r\nMy next steps include trying to get more decodable books into the hands of my students, so they are able to practice the phonics skills they are learning. My entire classroom library has been purchased by myself from yard sales and thrift stores. While my kids enjoy all of the fun books I have for them, the books just do not fit within the scope and sequence of the phonics curriculum. I have seen great growth in my students and cannot wait to see how much more they will improve by end of this year!","fullyFundedDate":1690494904957,"projectUrl":"project/phenomenonal-phonemic-awareness/7371754/","projectTitle":"Phenomenonal Phonemic Awareness!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Erickson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1891740"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_46910","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":355,"numTeachers":49,"percentFrplEligible":92,"percentAsian":7,"percentBlack":22,"percentWhite":40,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":21,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"7.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":68.2,"schoolId":46910,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about John M Sexton Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"John M Sexton Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/florida/pinellas-county-schools/john-m-sexton-elementary-school/46910"}
Join the 176 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
John M Sexton Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Saint Petersburg, Florida that is part of Pinellas County Schools.
It serves 355 students
in grades Pre-K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 7.2:1.
Its teachers have had 46 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Share and help support John M Sexton Elementary School
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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
50%
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.
John M Sexton Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 22, 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.
John M Sexton Elementary School
$24,642
raised using DonorsChoose
46
projects
funded
16
teachers
funded
176
donors
1
project
for
basic supplies
3
projects for
technology
2
projects for
books
John M Sexton Elementary School has received support from
120 individuals from Florida and
56 individuals out-of-state.
