{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Alta Brown Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":77.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10516065,"projectId":10300025,"letterContent":"This is my third year as a school librarian, and I have grown and been stretched in these last few years in so many different ways compared to all of my other years in education. Being a school librarian is so much more than just reading books to kids and helping them check out books of their own. I basically have five jobs rolled into one: library administrator, curriculum leader, instructor, learner, and clerk.\r\n\r\n -\t library administrator: work within a budget to grow, maintain, and discard\r\n books and other materials so that the library can stay current and accurate.\r\n -\t curriculum leader: collaborate with other staff members.\r\n -\t instructor: teach literacy skills in the library lessons.\r\n -\t learner: stay up to date with the current practices, materials, and technology, \r\n inform students and staff of copyright laws, fair use, and intellectual freedom.\r\n -\t clerk: checking books in and out, reshelving books that are returned, repair \r\n books that have minor damage, maintain a welcoming environment that is \r\n clean and organized, and inventory the whole library collection once a year to \r\n make sure everything has been returned or paid for before the school year \r\n ends.\r\n\r\nIt is my intention to make the library a place where everyone can easily find their just right book(s) with little to no help from anyone else. This means that the students will have to know how to use the digital catalog, become familiar with the layout of the library, and be able to find the correct book when it is on the library shelf. I have learned in my library media specialist classes that I took the last two years, that many school libraries are switching over to dynamic shelving instead of strictly using the Dewey Decimal system. Books are being combined with like topics and subjects, they are being shelved together within books bins, and sometimes even being laid horizontal on the shelf in stacks rather than everything being vertical with the spines facing out. This is where you come into the picture. I asked for a starter kit of 21 plastic books bins and materials needed for labeling of the bins to be sent. Through your generosity, this is exactly what I have now, and I am in the process of rearranging the books to begin the dynamic shelving process. This project will not be completed in one setting, but little by little it will begin to take shape. The pictures I am including are what my shelves looked like before I began my new library project and what they are transforming into after a little bit of hard work and dedication.\r\n\r\n Thank you once again for your generous donations to our library project. Your donation means a lot to us. Because of your kindness, we will have more opportunities to read, learn, and grow. I am excited to use the new resources and see if my students can continue learning through our books, explore new topics, and maybe even become better readers.","fullyFundedDate":1779580054046,"projectUrl":"project/ditching-dewey-for-dynamic-shelving-in-t/10300025/","projectTitle":"Ditching Dewey for Dynamic Shelving in the School Library","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Harris","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10516065_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1779317397200","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10516065"},{"teacherId":6704636,"projectId":10240251,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping our little Dragons become confident readers! 🐉📚\r\n\r\nOur first graders were so excited to choose their colors and create their very own sight word booklets! They loved cutting, assembling, and personalizing their books. Having a learning tool they helped create made sight word practice feel special, hands-on, and fun.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, students are taking greater ownership and pride in their learning while building sight word recognition and reading confidence. They now have a special booklet they can use again and again as they grow into stronger, more fluent readers.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping our students practice, grow, and believe in themselves as readers! 💙⭐","fullyFundedDate":1787805593380,"projectUrl":"project/bright-pages-bright-minds-sight-word-b/10240251/","projectTitle":"Bright Pages, Bright Minds: Sight Word Books for First Graders","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Calvin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6704636_orig.jpg?crop=375,375,x963,y336&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1764549268605","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6704636"},{"teacherId":6704636,"projectId":10393950,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping our young authors find their voice! ✏️📚\r\n\r\nOur first graders are so excited to use their new writing supplies! The primary-lined journals have helped them organize their ideas and practice their handwriting, while the erasable pens and fun scented markers make writing feel exciting and encourage students to take risks without being afraid of mistakes.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, our students are becoming more confident, creative, and excited writers. They are learning that writing is a way to share their ideas, express themselves, and celebrate their growth.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping our little Dragons discover the joy of becoming authors! 🐉","fullyFundedDate":1785618850047,"projectUrl":"project/write-right-every-adventure-begins-on-a/10393950/","projectTitle":"Write Right--Every Adventure Begins on a Blank Page","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Calvin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6704636_orig.jpg?crop=375,375,x963,y336&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1764549268605","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6704636"},{"teacherId":6704636,"projectId":10240026,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping our classroom become a reader-friendly space! 📚💙\r\n\r\nOur first grade students were super excited to see our new book organization! They loved being able to easily find and choose books on their own. We have also been learning how to carefully return books to the correct bin and put them back with love and care. ❤️📚\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, our students can spend less time searching and more time doing what matters most—reading! Your support is helping our little Dragons become more independent, confident readers while learning to take pride in and care for our classroom library.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping us put the right book in the right hands and grow a lifelong love of reading! 🐉📖⭐","fullyFundedDate":1778262224390,"projectUrl":"project/turning-pages-not-piles-organizing-our/10240026/","projectTitle":"Turning Pages, Not Piles: Organizing Our First Grade Library","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Calvin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6704636_orig.jpg?crop=375,375,x963,y336&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1764549268605","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6704636"},{"teacherId":6704636,"projectId":10088015,"letterContent":"Thank you for making a difference in our classroom!\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, my first grade students now have access to even more engaging, hands-on learning opportunities designed to meet their individual needs. Your support allows me to supplement our curriculum with high-quality resources that make learning meaningful, exciting, and accessible for every student.\r\n\r\nThe Teachers Pay Teachers gift cards have already given me the flexibility to choose materials that fit the specific needs of my students—from reading and phonics practice to math activities, intervention, enrichment, and social-emotional learning. Having the right resources at the right time helps me provide extra support for students who need it while also challenging students who are ready to take their learning further.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, your donation helps me create a classroom where students can learn in different ways, stay engaged, and feel successful. Thank you for investing in my students and helping our little Dragons learn, grow, and shine! 🐉💙","fullyFundedDate":1778262223777,"projectUrl":"project/bright-minds-need-bright-lessons/10088015/","projectTitle":"Bright Minds Need Bright Lessons","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Calvin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6704636_orig.jpg?crop=375,375,x963,y336&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1764549268605","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6704636"},{"teacherId":6704636,"projectId":10087923,"letterContent":"My students are incredibly excited about earning their colored tags, and it has quickly become one of the most motivating parts of our classroom. Each time a student masters a new sight word list or completes a section of our math challenges, they proudly earn a tag to add to their collection. You can see the sense of accomplishment on their faces as they clip on a new tag and show their progress to classmates and teachers. The tags have turned practice into something students look forward to, creating a positive energy around learning that carries throughout the day.\r\n\r\nThis system has had a meaningful impact on how students approach both reading and math. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, students are eager to practice because they know their effort leads to visible success. They are working at their own pace, building strong foundations in sight words and basic math facts while gaining confidence along the way. The dog tags serve as a tangible reminder of their growth, reinforcing that hard work pays off and encouraging them to keep going even when learning feels challenging. I couldn't do any of this without your support and generosity. Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1776972866784,"projectUrl":"project/read-it-solve-it-tag-it/10087923/","projectTitle":"Read It! Solve It! Tag IT","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Calvin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6704636_orig.jpg?crop=375,375,x963,y336&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1764549268605","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6704636"},{"teacherId":6704636,"projectId":9934643,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom. Because of you, my students now have access to fidget spinners, other calming fidget tools, and emotion spots that help them manage their feelings and stay focused throughout the school day.\r\n\r\nThese tools have made a meaningful difference for my first graders. The fidget toys provide students with a safe and appropriate way to release excess energy, which helps them concentrate during lessons, reading time, and independent work. Many students are now able to stay engaged longer and feel more successful in the classroom.\r\n\r\nThe Spot of Emotion materials have been especially powerful in supporting social-emotional learning. Students use them to identify how they are feeling, take a moment to calm their bodies, and choose strategies to regulate their emotions. This has helped create a more supportive classroom environment where students feel safe, understood, and ready to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1764852642031,"projectUrl":"project/fidgets-feelings-focus-tools-for-cal/9934643/","projectTitle":"Fidgets, Feelings & Focus: Tools for Calmer Classrooms","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Calvin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6704636_orig.jpg?crop=375,375,x963,y336&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1764549268605","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6704636"},{"teacherId":6704636,"projectId":9934754,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and support of our classroom! Because of you, my students now have markers, crayons, and colored pencils that they use every day during reading and writing time.\r\n\r\nThese materials help make learning more engaging and accessible for my first graders. Students use them to illustrate their writing, highlight important details in their reading, practice letter formation, and organize their thoughts. Having quality supplies available allows all students to fully participate and take pride in their work.\r\n\r\nFor young learners, being able to add color and creativity makes reading and writing feel exciting rather than overwhelming. Your donation supports not only academic growth, but also confidence, motivation, and a love of learning. Thank you for investing in my students and helping them grow as readers and writers—we are truly grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1764723814781,"projectUrl":"project/refill-our-rainbow-markers-crayons-an/9934754/","projectTitle":"Refill Our Rainbow: Markers, Crayons, and Creativity","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Calvin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6704636_orig.jpg?crop=375,375,x963,y336&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1764549268605","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6704636"},{"teacherId":6704636,"projectId":9345294,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project and helping bring more hands-on learning into our first grade classroom! Because of your generosity, my students now have themed pencils, colorful writing tablets, and sturdy pouches that keep all their materials organized and ready to use. You should see their faces when they grab their special pencils that match our school theme—they are so excited to write!\r\n\r\nThese materials have made a huge impact on their learning. Having tangible tools in their hands has boosted both motivation and confidence, especially for students who thrive with a more tactile approach. The fun writing tablets have turned practicing letters and words into an activity they genuinely look forward to, and the organization pouches have helped them take more responsibility for their materials. Thanks to you, we've been able to shift away from screens and back toward the feeling of real paper and pencils, which truly helps students retain what they read and write.\r\n\r\nThank you again for putting such meaningful tools directly into the hands of my young learners. Your kindness is felt every single day in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1758065077952,"projectUrl":"project/way-out-writing/9345294/","projectTitle":"Way Out Writing","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Calvin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6704636_orig.jpg?crop=375,375,x963,y336&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1764549268605","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6704636"},{"teacherId":6704636,"projectId":9152461,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom reading project! Because of your donation, I was able to print and laminate bright, durable decodable books that my first graders absolutely love. The colorful pages and kid-friendly stories immediately caught their attention, and the reusable activity sheets have quickly become a favorite part of our reading routine.\r\n\r\nThe impact on their learning has been incredible. Students who were once hesitant readers now feel confident picking up these books again and again, knowing they can explore them without fear of tearing or wearing them out. The hands-on activity sheets have also helped strengthen their reading skills in a fun, low-pressure way. Your kindness has truly made reading feel exciting and accessible for every child in our classroom.\r\n\r\nThank you again for helping create such a joyful and supportive learning environment. We appreciate you more than you know!","fullyFundedDate":1751131453561,"projectUrl":"project/ready-set-read-read-read/9152461/","projectTitle":"Ready, Set, READ! READ! READ!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Calvin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6704636_orig.jpg?crop=375,375,x963,y336&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1764549268605","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6704636"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_56750","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":337,"numTeachers":32,"percentFrplEligible":87,"percentAsian":3,"percentBlack":5,"percentWhite":10,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":80,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":0,"gradesServed":"K - 4","studentTeacherRatio":"10.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"TOWN_REMOTE"},"inStateSupporters":22.6,"schoolId":56750,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Alta Brown Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Alta Brown Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/kansas/garden-city-unified-school-district-457/alta-brown-elementary-school/56750"}
Join the 133 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Alta Brown Elementary School is
a town public school
in Garden City, Kansas that is part of Garden City Unified School District 457.
It serves 337 students
in grades K - 4 with a student/teacher ratio of 10.5:1.
Its teachers have had 49 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Supporting this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.
Public School
Title 1
Data about Title 1 status comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education.
Grades K - 4
337 Students
32 Teachers
1110 E Pine StContact info is sourced from our partners at MDR Education, and DonorsChoose updates our site ahead of each school year.
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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
88%
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.
Alta Brown Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Sep 20, 2026
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.
Alta Brown Elementary School
$22,366
raised using DonorsChoose
49
projects
funded
16
teachers
funded
133
donors
8
projects
for
basic supplies
11
projects for
technology
3
projects for
books
5
projects
for
art supplies
Alta Brown Elementary School has received support from
30 individuals from Kansas and
103 individuals out-of-state.