{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Thomas J Kenny Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":31.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":4082704,"projectId":6823657,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous donation, our speech and language students now have access to colorful, engaging visuals that bring communication to life! The color printer has allowed me to create vibrant visual schedules, personalized core communication boards, and picture supports that make daily routines and lessons more accessible for all of my students. Many of my students rely on visuals to understand directions, express their wants and needs, and participate fully in classroom discussions — and having high-quality, clear images has made an immediate difference in their confidence and engagement.\r\n\r\nThe students are especially excited by how their communication materials now look \"just like the teachers'\" — colorful, laminated, and easy to use! They love choosing their own icons for feelings, classroom activities, or stories we read together. The bright visuals capture their attention and help them stay focused during speech sessions, small groups, and classroom lessons. For students who are learning to use AAC (augmentative and alternative communication), these printed visuals are a bridge to help them communicate more independently and confidently.\r\n\r\nOne student, who used to rely on gestures and single words, now proudly uses his personalized core board to make full sentences like, \"I want to play outside.\" Another student who struggles with transitions has made huge progress using her visual schedule — she now points to each step and says, \"I'm ready!\" Your gift has made these moments possible. Thank you for helping my students find their voices and build the communication skills they need to succeed both in school and beyond.","fullyFundedDate":1663279755187,"projectUrl":"project/create-print-communicate/6823657/","projectTitle":"Create, Print, Communicate!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Colleary","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4082704"},{"teacherId":448599,"projectId":9371980,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations. Thanks to you, we are well supplied for the upcoming school year. Our students will have all of the tools that they need to do their best learning this year.\r\nIt is sad that we even have to ask for donations for essentials like scissors, tape, and glue, but unfortunately it is necessary. It is so kind of you to take the burden of purchasing these supplies off of the shoulders of teachers. You truly make us feel appreciated and loved. Thank you so very much!","fullyFundedDate":1754332199084,"projectUrl":"project/super-supplies/9371980/","projectTitle":"Super Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Czaja","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp448599_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1454525394318","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-czaja"},{"teacherId":448599,"projectId":9371857,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations. Everything looks great! Our classroom space is so cheerful this year! We've been able to create a cozy, comfortable, welcoming learning nook for our students, in what was a bare, ugly hallway area. Students feel happy and comfortable in our space now, and we love working in it. Thanks to you, our students (and teachers!) feel valued. We know that our learning matters. Thank you again for thinking of us, and for helping us make our space as wonderful as possible.","fullyFundedDate":1753975274610,"projectUrl":"project/beautify-our-space/9371857/","projectTitle":"Beautify Our Space","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Czaja","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp448599_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1454525394318","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-czaja"},{"teacherId":448599,"projectId":9101910,"letterContent":"Thank you so very much for your generous donations. My kindergarten and first graders are already getting a great deal of use out of the alphabet tools you've provided for them. The hands-on materials are helping them to build their skills with letter identification and letter sounds. They especially love the alphabet tubs that contain miniatures that begin with each letter of the alphabet. In addition to building their alphabet skills, these tubs are also increasing their vocabulary. What a great tool! Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1746787016475,"projectUrl":"project/awesome-alphabet/9101910/","projectTitle":"Awesome Alphabet","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Czaja","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp448599_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1454525394318","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-czaja"},{"teacherId":448599,"projectId":9091647,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations! My students are so excited to get to play all of these wonderful games. Not only are they having fun, they are practicing valuable skills. Taking turns and sharing doesn't come naturally to some kids and they are now able to work on these skills. In addition, they are developing their language skills. Games like \"Guess Who?\" are excellent for practicing detailed vocabulary and asking precise questions. They are learning and they don't even know it! Thank you again!","fullyFundedDate":1746620583253,"projectUrl":"project/great-games/9091647/","projectTitle":"Great Games","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Czaja","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp448599_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1454525394318","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-czaja"},{"teacherId":3078561,"projectId":8228986,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the hall passes and snacks! These resources are already making a big difference in my classroom. The hall passes help our routines run more smoothly and teach students responsibility and accountability. The snacks have been a wonderful way to support students who might otherwise struggle to focus, especially during long lessons. One moment that stood out was when a student who often comes to class hungry was able to grab a snack before a math activity—suddenly, they were fully engaged and contributing to the group project. They were thrilled! The hall passes felt \"official\" to them, and they loved the independence of using them. The snacks were an instant hit—students were so grateful and even commented, \"Now I don't have to be distracted by being hungry in class.\" It's been such a boost to their morale. The next step is to continue integrating these resources into our daily learning. The passes help keep order while giving students responsibility, and the snacks ensure they have the energy to fully participate in lessons. As we move into our next unit, I plan to connect these routines to lessons about responsibility and self-care, giving students a deeper understanding of why structure and support are important in both school and life.","fullyFundedDate":1711469689996,"projectUrl":"project/school-passes-and-snacks/8228986/","projectTitle":"School Passes and Snacks","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wellington","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3078561_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1450239308562","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-tsolomon"},{"teacherId":9073625,"projectId":9358517,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our project, \"Integrating Climate and Environmental Education through Organizational Tools.\" Your contribution has made an immediate and meaningful difference in our classroom!\r\n\r\nWhen the materials arrived, my students were overjoyed. The file organizers, visual timers, and new books instantly became part of our daily routines. One of our favorite moments was kicking off our climate and environment unit using \"Rosie's Walk\" and \"The True Story of the Three Little Pigs\" to explore the impact of nature and human choices through storytelling. The visual aids helped students understand time management during science stations, and the organization tools made our research materials more accessible and manageable for young learners.\r\n\r\nThanks to your support, my students are more engaged in environmental literacy, asking thoughtful questions about pollution, weather, and conservation. They've begun journaling their observations about changes in the weather and are starting to plan a small classroom project around recycling and reusing materials. These organizational tools have empowered them to work more independently and take pride in their learning space.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, we'll continue to integrate climate-focused read-alouds and hands-on investigations. Your generosity has not only provided materials—it has sparked curiosity, responsibility, and a love of learning about the world around us. Thank you for being part of our journey!","fullyFundedDate":1747669533397,"projectUrl":"project/integrating-climate-and-environmental-ed/9358517/","projectTitle":"Integrating Climate and Environmental Education through Organizational Tools","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tavarez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9073625_orig.png?crop=600,600,x93,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757519430656","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9073625"},{"teacherId":9073625,"projectId":9130803,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom has transformed into a more organized, focused, and joyful learning space! The materials you funded everything from bins and timers to flexible seating tools and visual aids are helping my students build responsibility, stay engaged, and take ownership of their learning.\r\n\r\nOne unforgettable moment was when the new materials arrived. My students' eyes lit up as we unboxed everything together they gasped, clapped, and immediately began suggesting where things should go and how we could use them. One student even said, \"Now our classroom looks like a real learning lab!\"\r\n\r\nWe recently launched a project where students rotate through \"Mindful Stations.\" These stations include sensory-friendly spaces, task card centers, and self-check-in routines made possible by the organizational tools you provided. The impact has been immediate: transitions are smoother, focus time has increased, and even our most distracted learners are feeling more confident and in control.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we're diving into a student-led classroom jobs initiative where students will apply what they've learned about mindfulness and organization to manage different responsibilities from keeping our materials in order to leading daily calm-down activities.\r\n\r\nYour donation has done more than supply tools; it's nurtured a culture of independence, creativity, and emotional growth. We couldn't have done this without you!","fullyFundedDate":1745847041848,"projectUrl":"project/the-art-of-classroom-chaos-a-mindful-or/9130803/","projectTitle":"The Art of Classroom Chaos: A Mindful Organizational Adventure!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tavarez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9073625_orig.png?crop=600,600,x93,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757519430656","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9073625"},{"teacherId":9073625,"projectId":9130565,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contribution to our \"Office and Classroom Supplies Bundle for Learning and Organization\" project! The excitement on my students' faces when they walked in and saw the colorful bins, fresh supplies, and neatly labeled tools was truly unforgettable. One student even said, \"This feels like a brand-new classroom!\" These resources have brought structure, clarity, and a sense of pride to our learning environment.\r\n\r\nWe've already put the materials to great use! During our current writing unit, students are using the new whiteboards and markers for brainstorming sessions, while the organization tools have made it easier for them to locate and manage their writing folders independently. Our classroom library has also been revamped with the new bins, making it easier for students to choose \"just right\" books for independent reading. This level of organization has increased student responsibility and engagement especially for some of our more hesitant learners who now feel empowered to make confident choices in their learning routines.\r\n\r\nThanks to your support, we're building a classroom culture where students feel capable, confident, and ready to learn. As we move into our next science unit on plant life cycles, the storage supplies will help us organize tools for hands-on experiments and data collection. Your kindness and investment in our classroom have created a ripple effect that goes far beyond supplies—you've helped create a learning space where every child feels seen, supported, and excited to grow. Thank you again for making a real difference!","fullyFundedDate":1746786118612,"projectUrl":"project/office-and-classroom-supplies-bundle-for/9130565/","projectTitle":"Office and Classroom Supplies Bundle for Learning and Organization","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tavarez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9073625_orig.png?crop=600,600,x93,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757519430656","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9073625"},{"teacherId":9073625,"projectId":8899599,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom project, Bright Minds, Organized Spaces: Tools to Inspire Learning and Creativity! The arrival of these new materials brought such joy and excitement to my students. When they first saw the colorful bins, labeled shelves, and fresh learning tools, their faces lit up with curiosity and enthusiasm. One student exclaimed, \"This looks like a real learning lab!\" These resources have transformed our space into a more organized, welcoming environment that fosters focus, independence, and creativity.\r\n\r\nWe're already seeing a huge impact. For example, during our recent writing workshop, students were able to easily access story organizers, sensory tools, and reference materials from our newly labeled storage bins. This made transitions smoother and allowed students to spend more time engaged in actual learning. One student who often struggled to find materials independently is now confidently navigating the space and even helping peers locate what they need.","fullyFundedDate":1734015372350,"projectUrl":"project/bright-minds-organized-spaces-tools-to/8899599/","projectTitle":"Bright Minds, Organized Spaces: Tools to Inspire Learning and Creativity!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tavarez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9073625_orig.png?crop=600,600,x93,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757519430656","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9073625"},{"teacherId":9073625,"projectId":8885737,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom project, \"Cool Classroom Supplies for First Graders: Organize, Protect, and Shine!\" The arrival of these supplies brought an instant spark of excitement and joy to my first graders!\r\n\r\nThe moment the materials were unboxed, my students were bursting with curiosity. They eagerly helped me sort and organize everything, and their eyes lit up when they saw the new bins, folders, and protective sleeves that now help keep their work safe and our space tidy. One student exclaimed, \"Now our classroom looks like a real learning lab!\"\r\n\r\nWe immediately put the materials to work during our small group literacy rotations. Each station is now clearly labeled and well-organized, allowing students to transition independently and confidently. The protective sleeves have become a classroom favorite—they're being used for reusable writing practice sheets, vocabulary matching games, and math fluency cards, saving paper and making learning more interactive.\r\n\r\nThanks to you, our classroom runs more smoothly and efficiently. Students are learning responsibility as they take ownership of organizing and caring for our supplies. It's a simple but powerful lesson in respect and pride for their learning environment.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, we're diving into a unit on nonfiction texts and informational writing. Students will use their newly organized folders to collect facts, draft reports, and share what they've learned about animals and habitats. Having a clean, organized space with the right tools has made a world of difference in how they engage with their work.\r\n\r\nWe are so grateful for your kindness. Your support has brightened our classroom and made a lasting impact on our learning journey.","fullyFundedDate":1729536675343,"projectUrl":"project/cool-classroom-supplies-for-first-grader/8885737/","projectTitle":"Cool Classroom Supplies for First Graders: Organize, Protect, and Shine!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tavarez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9073625_orig.png?crop=600,600,x93,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757519430656","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9073625"},{"teacherId":9073625,"projectId":8826544,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our project, \"First Grade Classroom Essentials for Engaging Learning and Organization.\" Your kindness has directly and meaningfully impacted my first-grade students, and I'm excited to share how!\r\n\r\nThe materials you funded, including interactive tools, storage systems, and hands-on learning aids, have completely transformed our classroom. For many of my students, this was their first time using specific educational technology in a school setting. Tools like digital whiteboards and interactive learning games have opened up new ways for them to explore reading, math, and science. These tools make learning more engaging and provide opportunities for differentiated instruction so that every student can work at their own pace.\r\n\r\nOne of the most exciting things for the students has been the addition of the colorful organizational tools and learning centers. They love rotating through stations that feel like \"adventures\" instead of lessons. You can hear the excitement in their voices as they say, \"I can't wait to go to the word game center!\" or \"This bin is for my books, I can find everything now!\"\r\n\r\nA few students who usually struggle to focus have thrived with the new setup. One student, who has difficulty with transitions and attention, now shows greater independence thanks to the clear organization of materials and visual supports. Another student on the autism spectrum has responded incredibly well to the sensory tools and visual schedules we added; they're now participating more actively in group work.\r\n\r\nYour support didn't just bring new supplies, it brought joy, confidence, and a renewed love of learning into our classroom. Thank you for believing in my students and the power of education.","fullyFundedDate":1730340765347,"projectUrl":"project/first-grade-classroom-essentials-for-eng/8826544/","projectTitle":"First Grade Classroom Essentials for Engaging Learning and Organization","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tavarez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9073625_orig.png?crop=600,600,x93,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757519430656","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9073625"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_62935","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":329,"numTeachers":27,"percentFrplEligible":58,"percentAsian":11,"percentBlack":31,"percentWhite":21,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":27,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"12.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":68.1,"schoolId":62935,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Thomas J Kenny Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Thomas J Kenny Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/massachusetts/boston-public-schools/thomas-j-kenny-elementary-school/62935"}
Join the 599 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Thomas J Kenny Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Dorchester, Massachusetts that is part of Boston Public Schools.
It serves 329 students
in grades Pre-K - 6 with a student/teacher ratio of 12.2:1.
Its teachers have had 213 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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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
69%
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.
Thomas J Kenny 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.
Thomas J Kenny Elementary School
$139,775
raised using DonorsChoose
213
projects
funded
39
teachers
funded
599
donors
21
projects
for
basic supplies
43
projects for
technology
29
projects for
books
10
projects
for
art supplies
Thomas J Kenny Elementary School has received support from
408 individuals from Massachusetts and
191 individuals out-of-state.