O.D. Speer Primary School in Deer Lodge, Montana on DonorsChoose

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I have integrated color identification as well when we have playdough time. Building with magnets help accomplish the goals of color identification and fine motor skills as well. \r\n\r\nAt times, my students need a change of scenery from the standard paper and pencil techniques. The window markers have proved to be very motivational when writing letters and numbers on our classroom windows. My students thought it was great fun exploring this new idea. \r\n\r\nWhen we do shift back to working on paper, the Handwriting without Tears workbooks paired with the smelly markers have made learning correct letter formation more exciting! My students love to write with rainbow colors (each letter of the alphabet gets its own color and smell). \r\n\r\nThe bubbles have been a life saver! At times, some of my students have difficulty regulating their emotions, especially the ones who are nonverbal. When they can't communicate their emotions, frustrations, wants, and needs, occasionally they have an emotional meltdown. Typically blowing bubbles for them to pop helps bring them out of their meltdown and back to the point where they are willing to focus on learning again. I don't know how we would survive without bubbles!\r\n\r\nOnce again, I am so grateful for all of your donations and help with the education of my students! You have made a difference in my preschool and I greatly appreciate you!","fullyFundedDate":1734547953556,"projectUrl":"project/preschool-preparedness-for-the-future/8710586/","projectTitle":"Preschool Preparedness for the Future","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Badgero","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9711262"},{"teacherId":9707026,"projectId":8704129,"letterContent":"Thank you for your donation! My class has really enjoyed having flexible seating while they were working at reading and math centers. They use the blue chairs when they are reading or math games at the carpet. They use the flower pillows, square pillows, round pillows, and donut seating to sit or lay on while they doing reading and math activities. It is fun to see the many learners get so many uses out of them.\r\n\r\nThe flexible seating options have brought a lot of joy to my student's. 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We walked the halls of our building and had our very own parade which all the other students loved. \r\nThank you for your kindness and generosity to help me create a fun learning environment. 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About this school

O.D. Speer Primary School is a rural public school in Deer Lodge, Montana that is part of Deer Lodge Elementary School District 1. It serves 314 students in grades K - 2 with a student/teacher ratio of 13.1:1. Its teachers have had 14 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades K - 2

314 Students

24 Teachers

444 Montana Ave

Deer Lodge, MT 59722 View local requests

https://www.deerlodgeschools.org/page/od-speer

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

O.D. Speer Primary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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O.D. Speer Primary School Demographics

62%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

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.

O.D. Speer Primary School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 6, 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.