{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Gilkey Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":17.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2842127,"projectId":9328896,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, Chairs That Care: Supporting Focus and Comfort During Interventions. Your generosity has already made such a meaningful difference for our students here at Gilkey Elementary.\r\n\r\nOur students use these chairs daily during their small group reading and math intervention time, also known as our Gecko Groups. Many of the students I work with spend extra time each day building foundational skills, and having comfortable, supportive seating has completely changed the feel of our learning environment. Instead of constantly shifting, getting distracted, or struggling to get comfortable, students are now able to focus more on learning and participating in lessons.\r\n\r\nOne moment that really stood out happened during one of our reading intervention groups. A student who often struggles to stay engaged during instruction sat down in one of the new chairs and immediately said, \"These chairs make me feel calm.\" Throughout the lesson, he stayed focused, participated in discussion, and was able to complete his reading activity without needing constant redirection. It may seem like a small thing, but creating a space where students feel comfortable and supported truly impacts their confidence and ability to learn.\r\n\r\nWhen the chairs first arrived, the students were beyond excited. They noticed them immediately and could not wait to try them out. Many students commented on how \"cozy\" and \"special\" the space felt. For some of our students, school is where they spend the majority of their day, and having a welcoming learning environment helps them feel valued and cared for.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, we will continue using these resources during targeted intervention lessons focused on reading fluency, phonics, comprehension, and math support. Our next steps include continuing to build student confidence and stamina during small group instruction while creating a calm environment where students feel safe taking risks and growing as learners.\r\n\r\nThank you again for investing in our students and helping create a learning space that supports both focus and comfort. Your kindness is making a lasting impact each and every day.","fullyFundedDate":1746787294022,"projectUrl":"project/chairs-that-care-supporting-focus-and-c/9328896/","projectTitle":"Chairs That Care: Supporting Focus and Comfort During Interventions","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Boender","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2842127_orig.jpg?crop=3000,3000,x0,y390&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1651926932135","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/malekindergartenteacher"},{"teacherId":2842127,"projectId":8133554,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, Empowering Student Voices: Live Morning Announcements! Your generosity is helping us create meaningful opportunities for our students to grow in confidence, communication, leadership, and teamwork.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, our students will have access to broadcasting equipment that will allow them to produce and share live morning announcements with our entire school community. This experience goes far beyond simply reading announcements—it gives students the chance to develop real-world skills in public speaking, scriptwriting, collaboration, and technology while building connections within our school.\r\n\r\nOur students are incredibly excited to take ownership of this project and use their voices to inform, encourage, and celebrate others each day. You are helping create a space where students feel empowered, valued, and heard.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students and investing in their future. Your kindness and support will make a lasting impact on our school community.","fullyFundedDate":1705503314869,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-student-voices-live-morning/8133554/","projectTitle":"Empowering Student Voices: Live Morning Announcements","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Boender","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2842127_orig.jpg?crop=3000,3000,x0,y390&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1651926932135","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/malekindergartenteacher"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_66443","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":439,"numTeachers":25,"percentFrplEligible":67,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":88,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":4,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"17.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"TOWN_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":82.5,"schoolId":66443,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Gilkey Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Gilkey Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/michigan/plainwell-community-schools/gilkey-elementary-school/66443"}
Join the 252 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Gilkey Elementary School is
a town public school
in Plainwell, Michigan that is part of Plainwell Community Schools.
It serves 439 students
in grades K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 17.6:1.
Its teachers have had 93 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Supporting this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.
Public School
Grades K - 5
439 Students
25 Teachers
707 S Woodhams StContact info is sourced from our partners at MDR Education, and DonorsChoose updates our site ahead of each school year.
Boost support for this school! Share this page with friends, family, alumni, and fellow supporters. Every connection helps teachers get the supplies they need and shows how much your community cares about its students.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for public school teachers.
Every donation funds real needs — pencils, books, lab equipment, art supplies, and more — helping students learn and thrive. We ship supplies directly to the school, and you'll see exactly where each dollar goes.
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
4%
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.
Gilkey Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated May 13, 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.
Gilkey Elementary School
$37,520
raised using DonorsChoose
93
projects
funded
13
teachers
funded
252
donors
8
projects
for
basic supplies
12
projects for
technology
7
projects for
books
2
projects
for
art supplies
Gilkey Elementary School has received support from
208 individuals from Michigan and
44 individuals out-of-state.
