Pershing Elementary School in Saint Louis, Missouri on DonorsChoose

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That confidence is beginning to transfer into their independent reading and writing.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, students will continue using the kits to strengthen more advanced phonics patterns, practice word chaining with increasing complexity, and apply these skills directly to connected text. Because of your support, my students are not just practicing reading. 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We are incredibly grateful for your belief in our students and for investing in their success.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your generosity and support.","fullyFundedDate":1760735620043,"projectUrl":"project/please-help-my-students-rock-roll-this/9442548/","projectTitle":"Please Help My Students Rock & Roll This New Year!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Engel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9194726_orig.jpg?crop=749,750,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726789778473","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrslengel"},{"teacherId":2512042,"projectId":9829199,"letterContent":"I recently had the opportunity to participate in the Wilson Reading System Advanced Strategies for Small-Group Instruction course, and it was an incredibly valuable experience. This professional development provided deep insight into delivering high-impact, multisensory instruction in small-group settings. I learned strategies to make lessons more structured, engaging, and responsive to each student's individual needs within a group.\r\n\r\nThe highlight of the course was learning how to plan and deliver WRS lessons in a way that allows me to adjust instruction within the same group. Now, when students are working together, I can meet each child at their own level while keeping lessons structured and multisensory. This targeted approach helps students experience success more quickly, which builds confidence and motivates them to keep trying, even when reading feels challenging.\r\n\r\nI am especially excited to use word-conscious lessons that connect phonics, spelling, vocabulary, and writing. My students are beginning to make clear connections between the sounds they read, the words they spell, and the meaning of what they read. This has helped them tackle more challenging texts, read with greater fluency, and understand what they are reading. Watching their confidence grow as they see themselves becoming capable readers has been the most rewarding part of this work.","fullyFundedDate":1760892445987,"projectUrl":"project/leveling-up-literacy-advanced-strategie/9829199/","projectTitle":"Leveling Up Literacy: Advanced Strategies for Small-Group Instruction","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. McBride","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2512042_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y386&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1630793937212","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mcbridej"},{"teacherId":2512042,"projectId":9393400,"letterContent":"My students come to reading group every day curious, determined, and ready to try, even when reading seems challenging. Many of them are still developing foundational literacy skills, but what stands out most is their persistence. 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Students are excited to read real world topics while practicing their phonics skills, which increases engagement and helps them see reading as a meaningful and powerful tool for learning about the world.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and investing in their growth as readers. Because of your support, they are experiencing success, building confidence, and beginning to see themselves as capable readers. These resources are not just tools, they are opening doors, strengthening skills, and helping students realize that reading is something they can do. 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About this school

Pershing Elementary School is a suburban public school in Saint Louis, Missouri that is part of The School District of University City. It serves 289 students in grades K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 12.0:1. Its teachers have had 71 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades K - 5

289 Students

24 Teachers

6761 Bartmer Ave

Saint Louis, MO 63130 View local requests

http://www.ucityschools.org/domain/11

Direct, proactive support

Empower teachers at Pershing Elementary School to request what their students need.

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

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

Pershing Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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Pershing Elementary School Demographics

95%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

92%

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.

Pershing Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Apr 29, 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.