{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"West County Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":27.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8664149,"projectId":9778944,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our DonorsChoose project and providing a gift card to Teachers Pay Teachers. Your generosity gives me access to high-quality, engaging, and standards-aligned resources that will directly benefit my students. With this gift card, I can purchase differentiated materials, interactive lessons, and enrichment activities tailored to my students' individual needs and learning styles.\r\n\r\nHaving access to ready-made, teacher-created resources saves valuable planning time and allows me to focus more on meaningful instruction and one-on-one support. It also helps ensure that my classroom materials remain current, creative, and engaging throughout the year.\r\n\r\nYour contribution goes far beyond a gift card—it empowers me to bring fresh ideas into the classroom and provide enriching learning experiences for every student. Thank you for investing in our classroom and believing in the potential of my students. Your support truly makes a lasting difference!","fullyFundedDate":1763612025498,"projectUrl":"project/fresh-creative-resources-for-every-lear/9778944/","projectTitle":"Fresh, Creative Resources for Every Learner","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kristin Holdman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8664149_orig.jpg?crop=1068,1068,x0,y185&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1664297671329","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8664149"},{"teacherId":5599623,"projectId":9895545,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom with a TPT gift card! Because of your generosity, we were able to purchase high-quality mystery reading resources that truly brought our third grade learning to life.\r\nUsing engaging mystery units, passages, and interactive activities, my students became detectives—carefully examining clues, making inferences, analyzing characters, and predicting outcomes. The resources we purchased allowed us to dive deeper into key third grade standards such as reading comprehension, critical thinking, and using text evidence to support our answers.\r\nThe mystery-themed materials made learning exciting and purposeful. Students were eager to read closely, discuss their theories, and justify their thinking. They strengthened their problem-solving skills while also building collaboration and communication skills during group investigations. Even reluctant readers were motivated to participate because they wanted to \"solve the case!\"\r\nYour support enhanced our classroom instruction by providing structured, engaging, and differentiated materials that met the needs of all learners. Because of you, my students didn't just learn about mystery as a genre—they experienced it, analyzed it, and grew as confident readers and thinkers.\r\nWe are so grateful for your investment in our learning. Thank you for helping us unlock the power of curiosity and critical thinking in third grade!","fullyFundedDate":1763609930434,"projectUrl":"project/csi-classroom-science-investigationfor/9895545/","projectTitle":"CSI: Classroom Science Investigation—Forensic Materials via TPT","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kearns","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5599623_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1745877675233","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5599623"},{"teacherId":10114074,"projectId":9759789,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom library has been completely transformed into a space my students are proud to call their own. For the first time ever, we have a large, beautiful rug that brings our reading area together. The excitement was immediate! My students feel true ownership of this space. They kindly remind visitors to remove their shoes before stepping onto the rug and even ask for opportunities to help clean and care for it. It has become more than just a rug—it's something they protect and value.\r\nThe new bookcases have made our library more organized and accessible. Students can easily see and reach books that interest them, which has encouraged more independent reading and exploration. Our Apple Pencil has also been a huge hit, giving students a chance to take turns engaging with digital learning in a hands-on, exciting way.\r\nBecause of you, our classroom is not only more functional, but it feels welcoming, empowering, and truly student-centered.","fullyFundedDate":1768584896178,"projectUrl":"project/creating-a-cozy-inclusive-classroom-lib/9759789/","projectTitle":"Creating a Cozy, Inclusive Classroom Library for Lifelong Readers!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. White","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10114074"},{"teacherId":10114074,"projectId":10037530,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my students now have access to beautiful, high-interest books both at school and at home. For many of them, this is the first time they've been able to truly choose books that reflect their interests and reading levels. The excitement in our classroom was unforgettable—students were beyond thrilled to put their hands on brand-new hardback and paperback books that felt special and truly theirs.\r\nHaving books available in both environments has strengthened the home-to-school connection. Students are reading more consistently, building stamina, and talking about books with confidence. The variety of formats has also made reading feel important and meaningful. Hardback books feel \"official\" and treasured, while paperbacks are easy to take home and enjoy anywhere.\r\nMost importantly, this project has sparked a renewed love of reading. Students are asking for more reading time, sharing recommendations with classmates, and seeing themselves as readers. Your support didn't just provide books—it created joy, ownership, and a lasting excitement for literacy","fullyFundedDate":1769226539468,"projectUrl":"project/books-to-read-anywhere-building-home-/10037530/","projectTitle":"Books to Read Anywhere: Building Home & School Reading Habits","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. White","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10114074"},{"teacherId":10278521,"projectId":9852077,"letterContent":"Your generosity towards my classroom and students has made an impact greater than you could realize. My students went from a distracted, chaotic group to a focused, engaged group. My students are able to use their noise canceling headphones during their independent work; including their tests, homework, and while practicing math work. They are also using them when they feel overwhelmed or upset. These headphones should be a common sight in elementary schools! \r\nWhen my students opened the boxes, they were equally excited for the playdoh for their free time and the noise canceling headphones. I truly believe that the playdoh has motivated them to complete their assignments so they can reward themselves with free time and play with the playdoh. I have seen a creative side bloom in all of my students with the playdoh and it also seems to relax them.\r\n\r\nI plan to allow my student to use the playdoh as a \"brain break\" after the complete each section of our state testing as this is a stressful time for them all. Thank you again for your kindness shown to my students and my classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1761592400911,"projectUrl":"project/focused-and-flexible-5th-grade-classroom/9852077/","projectTitle":"Focused and Flexible 5th Grade Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Nettles","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10278521_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1761593985237","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10278521"},{"teacherId":5599623,"projectId":9869737,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our Kindness Club with the craft supplies that are already making a meaningful difference in our classroom and school community. One special moment that stood out was when students carefully packaged their first set of handmade \"You Matter\" gifts and personally delivered them to our cafeteria staff. The smiles on both the students' and staff members' faces were unforgettable.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the materials, their excitement was immediate and contagious. They were amazed by the variety of colors, textures, and possibilities. Many of them began brainstorming right away about who they could encourage—teachers, bus drivers, classmates, family members, and even local community helpers. It was powerful to watch them realize that these supplies were not just for crafting, but for spreading kindness.\r\n\r\nNext, our Kindness Club is working on a larger outreach project. Students are designing themed \"Kindness Kits\" to distribute throughout our school and eventually into the broader community. They are also learning how to plan, organize, and lead this initiative themselves—developing leadership, teamwork, and empathy along the way. Your support has given them the tools not only to create, but to serve with purpose.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving our students the opportunity to brighten someone's day and to see themselves as leaders of kindness. Your generosity is helping us build a culture of compassion that reaches far beyond our classroom walls.","fullyFundedDate":1762983640881,"projectUrl":"project/crafting-kindness-supplies-to-help-our/9869737/","projectTitle":"Crafting Kindness: Supplies to Help Our Club Spread Smiles","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kearns","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5599623_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1745877675233","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5599623"},{"teacherId":9467398,"projectId":9758265,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of supplies that helped make our \"Holidays Around the World\" experience so special for our students.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, our students spent two exciting weeks learning how people in different parts of the world celebrate the holiday season. Each day, they explored a new place, learned about its traditions, tried foods connected to that culture, and created a hands-on craft to match. The experience brought learning to life and helped students build curiosity, appreciation, and respect for cultures beyond their own.\r\n\r\nYour kindness made it possible for our classroom to be filled with meaningful learning, creativity, and joyful memories. We are truly grateful for your generosity and for investing in our students' education.\r\n\r\nThank you again for helping make this unforgettable experience possible.","fullyFundedDate":1761238648984,"projectUrl":"project/holidays-around-the-world/9758265/","projectTitle":"Holidays Around the World","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Heberlie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9467398_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1748276708251","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-heberlie"},{"teacherId":10114074,"projectId":9950255,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my students were able to transform simple materials into meaningful acts of kindness. Using pipe cleaners, puff balls, glitter, glue, and colorful paper, students designed cheerful decorations, cards, and handmade surprises intended to brighten someone else's day. These materials gave them the freedom to explore their creativity while learning that even small, thoughtful gifts can have a big emotional impact.\r\nSome projects required additional planning and problem-solving. With access to a small tool set, students safely worked together to assemble more detailed crafts and sturdy pieces that could be shared with others. This hands-on experience strengthened their teamwork skills, patience, and confidence as creators. Using the ladder to display their finished work in our school hallways allowed students to proudly share their message of kindness with the entire school community, inspiring others as well.\r\n\r\nColored ink made it possible to add vibrant images and personalized notes to each project. These printed touches helped students reflect on the recipients of their gifts and think carefully about how words and images can make someone feel valued and seen.\r\n\r\nThrough this project, students practiced empathy, collaboration, and creative expression in a real and meaningful way. They didn't just make crafts — they learned how their actions can positively affect others. Thank you for believing in our students and helping us spread kindness, creativity, and connection throughout our school and beyond. 💛","fullyFundedDate":1765899230458,"projectUrl":"project/hands-that-help-crafting-up-community-s/9950255/","projectTitle":"Hands That Help: Crafting Up Community Service","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. White","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10114074"},{"teacherId":3984211,"projectId":9730053,"letterContent":"Our classroom has experienced great love with your donations. We have been able to create such fun areas of learning. We have expanded our light table to be able to use the sorting trays in many activities. The manipulatives have been a great addition to helping them make deeper connections with math skills within those trays.\r\n\r\n We are also grateful for the different reading materials we received with this project. Our books will help to shape many minds and give us an outlet to create so many more fun crafting projects to show our knowledge of social emotional learning.","fullyFundedDate":1764602421649,"projectUrl":"project/stem-reading-in-horizons/9730053/","projectTitle":"STEM Reading in Horizons","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dane","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3984211_orig.png?crop=827,827,x0,y201&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732210587024","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3984211"},{"teacherId":10278521,"projectId":9758837,"letterContent":"My students were so excited and grateful for the new supplies that you made possible. I wouldn't have had the opportunity to purchase these classroom supplies for my students to utilize without your generosity and caring about students in my classroom. My students struggle with sitting during math lessons and the stools have given them the opportunity to sit in their seat with the option to wiggle around a little without being a distraction to those around them. They are also using the stools all around the classroom as well as during our small group instruction time. The hole punch allowed me to create new binders filled with of beneficial worksheets, templates, and charts to use around the classroom as well. This takes their learning to an individualized space to create an area to work one on one, in small groups, or in the whole group setting. Thank you for your generosity and for caring for my students!","fullyFundedDate":1760726422905,"projectUrl":"project/focused-and-engaged-5th-grade-math-sci/9758837/","projectTitle":"Focused and Engaged 5th Grade Math & Science Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Nettles","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10278521_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1761593985237","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10278521"},{"teacherId":5599623,"projectId":9871053,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our DonorsChoose project and for providing our third grade classroom with a new small group reading table. This table has quickly become one of the most important spaces in our room.\r\n\r\nAround this table, countless reading lessons have taken place—guided reading, skill practice, and meaningful conversations about books. It has also become a place where students learn essential social skills like taking turns, listening to others, sharing ideas, and building confidence in a small, supportive setting.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, this table has created a safe and welcoming place to learn. Students feel comfortable asking questions, taking risks, and growing as readers and classmates. Your generosity has had a lasting impact on both our academic learning and our classroom community. \r\n\r\nThank you for helping make our classroom a place where students feel supported, valued, and excited to learn every day.","fullyFundedDate":1762970782775,"projectUrl":"project/pull-up-a-chair-supporting-emotional-gr/9871053/","projectTitle":"Pull Up a Chair: Supporting Emotional Growth Through Small Groups","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kearns","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5599623_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1745877675233","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5599623"},{"teacherId":5599623,"projectId":9640518,"letterContent":"The new softballs, volleyballs, soccer balls, soccer nets, and other equipment transformed how my third graders prepared for Field Day. When the students first saw the equipment, their excitement was immediate—cheers, smiles, and eager questions filled the space. Students quickly organized themselves into teams, practiced skills, and encouraged one another as they learned the rules of each activity. The high-quality equipment allowed every child to participate confidently, build teamwork, and develop sportsmanship. \r\n\r\nThrough practice and play, students strengthened their physical skills while also learning cooperation, perseverance, and school pride as they prepared together for Field Day.","fullyFundedDate":1760726422188,"projectUrl":"project/gear-up-for-field-day-success/9640518/","projectTitle":"Gear Up for Field Day Success!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kearns","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5599623_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1745877675233","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5599623"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_45176","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":364,"numTeachers":38,"percentFrplEligible":62,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":97,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":0,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"9.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_DISTANT"},"inStateSupporters":72.2,"schoolId":45176,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about West County Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"West County Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/missouri/west-county-r4-school-district/west-county-elementary-school/45176"}