Sunshine Elementary School in Springfield, Missouri on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Sunshine Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":19.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8440082,"projectId":9681263,"letterContent":"Because of your generous support, our classroom has become a more welcoming and connected learning space. The new rug now serves as the heart of our room—a place where students gather for morning meetings, share ideas, and build a sense of community. It's where we celebrate successes, work through challenges together, and begin each day grounded and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nThe addition of our calm corner has made a remarkable difference. Students now have a safe, quiet space to take a break, regulate their emotions, and return to learning with focus and confidence. The sensory tools and materials help them manage stress and feel empowered to take care of their own needs.\r\n\r\nThese resources have transformed not just the physical space, but the emotional tone of our classroom. My students feel seen, supported, and valued every single day—and that's all thanks to you.","fullyFundedDate":1758636798049,"projectUrl":"project/a-safe-and-calm-space-for-every-learner/9681263/","projectTitle":"A Safe and Calm Space for Every Learner","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Moore","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8440082_orig.jpg?crop=996,996,x170,y88&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757001113015","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-moore-sgf"},{"teacherId":8440082,"projectId":8362957,"letterContent":"When this project was funded, my students gained access to a wide selection of new, high-interest chapter books. Fifth grade was such an important year for them, as it was their last before middle school. Having fresh titles, including the Mark Twain Award Nominee books and a popular series, gave them opportunities to discover stories that matched their interests and abilities. These new books immediately caught their attention and encouraged them to explore reading more deeply.\r\n\r\nI saw a noticeable difference in the way students approached independent reading time. With more choices available, they were eager to check out books, share recommendations with one another, and even form small reading groups around the new titles. Students who had previously been hesitant readers began picking up books with excitement, and those who already loved to read now had fresh material to keep them engaged. The library update created a real buzz in the classroom, and students were proud to have access to books that felt current and relevant to their lives.\r\n\r\nThis project did more than just refresh our classroom library—it fostered a stronger culture of reading and community. The availability of engaging, high-quality books helped students build stamina, confidence, and joy in reading. Research shows that reading for fun supports academic growth and mental well-being, and I witnessed that in my classroom as students became more enthusiastic and invested readers. Thanks to your generosity, my students were able to end their elementary years with a renewed love of reading and the tools to carry that passion into middle school and beyond.","fullyFundedDate":1719318815727,"projectUrl":"project/high-interest-chapter-books/8362957/","projectTitle":"High-Interest Chapter Books","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Moore","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8440082_orig.jpg?crop=996,996,x170,y88&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757001113015","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-moore-sgf"},{"teacherId":8440082,"projectId":8496806,"letterContent":"Many of my students faced daily challenges that went far beyond academics. At our Title I school, most students received free or reduced-price lunch, and some struggled to access even the most basic necessities. When students came to school worried about things like snacks, deodorant, or a toothbrush, it was much harder for them to focus on learning.\r\n\r\nThis project provided a student care cart—a \"no questions asked\" place where students could get what they needed quickly, privately, and without embarrassment. By meeting these basic needs, we removed barriers that kept students from being fully present in the classroom.\r\n\r\nYour support gave my students the dignity of taking care of themselves and the confidence to focus on their education. With your help, they were able to walk into our classroom ready to learn, grow, and thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1721861527316,"projectUrl":"project/maslow-before-bloom-meeting-student-hea/8496806/","projectTitle":"Maslow Before Bloom: Meeting Student Health & Hygiene Needs","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Moore","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8440082_orig.jpg?crop=996,996,x170,y88&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757001113015","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-moore-sgf"},{"teacherId":8440082,"projectId":6443606,"letterContent":"When this project was funded, my 2nd graders were thrilled to have so many new books to choose from. Before, our library had limited options, and many of the books no longer matched their interests. With the new titles, they were excited to find books that spoke to them and fit their growing reading levels.\r\n\r\nI saw students eagerly pulling books from the bins each day, sharing them with friends, and talking about the stories they discovered. For many, this was the first time they truly felt excited to read on their own. The updated and reorganized library made it easy for every child to find something they wanted to read, and it gave them confidence as readers.\r\n\r\nThis project helped turn reading into something joyful, not just an assignment. Thanks to your generosity, my 2nd graders were able to see themselves as readers, explore new adventures, and begin building a love for books that will carry with them as they continue their learning journey.","fullyFundedDate":1656604656063,"projectUrl":"project/library-makeover/6443606/","projectTitle":"Library Makeover","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Moore","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8440082_orig.jpg?crop=996,996,x170,y88&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757001113015","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-moore-sgf"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_76936","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":356,"numTeachers":12,"percentFrplEligible":76,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":8,"percentWhite":70,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":11,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"29.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":80.5,"schoolId":76936,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Sunshine Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Sunshine Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/missouri/springfield-school-district-r12/sunshine-elementary-school/76936"}

About this school

Sunshine Elementary School is an urban public school in Springfield, Missouri that is part of Springfield School District R12. It serves 356 students in grades K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 29.7:1. Its teachers have had 10 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades K - 5

356 Students

12 Teachers

421 E Sunshine St

Springfield, MO 65807 View local requests

http://sunshine.spsk12.org

Evidence-based impact

Inspire teachers to stay in the classroom and boost student achievement.¹

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

Sunshine Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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.

See how DonorsChoose works

Sunshine Elementary School Demographics

76%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

20%

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.

Sunshine 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.