Thomas Richards ECC in Atco, New Jersey on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Thomas Richards ECC","outOfStateSupporters":20.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10074359,"projectId":9454026,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, I was able to purchase and create an inclusive classroom that allows my students to explore daily lessons in developmentally appropriate ways. Students not only have access to the curriculum, but they also have the tools they need to build self-regulation. By utilizing sensory tools, reading books about emotions, and following visuals to calm, students are better able to manage their emotions, allowing them to feel safe at school while learning. \r\n\r\nA current favorite place in the classroom is the 'Sensory' area. While in this center students can wiggle, jump around, wear headphones, complete a calming sensory activity and re-center throughout the school day. This not only support self-regulation within the students but allows them the opportunity to get out their energy safely before transitioning to another activity. \r\n\r\nEach day my students have the opportunity to gain academic, social emotional, physical and cognitive skills; just like their typically developing peers. The children have access to these abilities by exploring content in multisensory centers and during student centered activities. Through playful exploration our classroom family members are building regulation, friendships, and a love of learning. \r\n\r\nThank you for making this all possible.","fullyFundedDate":1753472789856,"projectUrl":"project/inclusive-adventures-celebrating-abilit/9454026/","projectTitle":"Inclusive Adventures: Celebrating Abilities and Learning Through Play","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Phillips","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10074359"},{"teacherId":4410530,"projectId":8591041,"letterContent":"The students here at Thomas Richard's ECE have been working on learning and demonstrating respect, kindness, being safe, and accepting of those within our school and community. \r\n\r\nStudents receive a ticket for our weekly drawings when they are demonstrating respect, kindness, acceptance, and being safe. At the end of the marking period, we draw from all the tickets collected so far this year for larger prizes, such as the Lego set that your donation provided.\r\n\r\nWe thank you for all of your support and helping us create an environment that fosters a positive school community.","fullyFundedDate":1723640022412,"projectUrl":"project/a-culture-of-acceptance-and-respect-pbs/8591041/","projectTitle":"A Culture of Acceptance and Respect: PBSIS @ Thomas Richards","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Borda","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4410530_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1491612461418","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-borda"},{"teacherId":4410530,"projectId":8398254,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping in supporting the mental health and social emotional learning skills of each student that comes through our classroom door and other peers within our school. Each day we continue to developed and learn how to self regulate their emotion and what they need to support their sensory needs. We continuously enjoy lots of different sensory activities throughout the day from shaving cream, disco dance party, use of balance board and spinner chair to our crash pad. The different sensory activities and materials have been very helpful this year during our cold weather when we are unable to get outside. Not only has your donation helped students' sensory needs, SEL/mental health; additionally, you your donation continue to support their language development. Thank you for your generous support!","fullyFundedDate":1715950006076,"projectUrl":"project/my-sensory-activitiesresources-support/8398254/","projectTitle":"My Sensory Activities/Resources Support SEL and Mental Health","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Borda","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4410530_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1491612461418","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-borda"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_47347","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":256,"numTeachers":23,"percentFrplEligible":21,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":8,"percentWhite":74,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":11,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - K","studentTeacherRatio":"11.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":80.0,"schoolId":47347,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Thomas Richards ECC on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Thomas Richards ECC","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-jersey/waterford-township-school-district/thomas-richards-school/47347"}

About this school

Thomas Richards ECC is a suburban public school in Atco, New Jersey that is part of Waterford Township School District. It serves 256 students in grades Pre-K - K with a student/teacher ratio of 11.1:1. Its teachers have had 12 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Public School

Grades Pre-K - K

256 Students

23 Teachers

934 Lincoln Ave

Atco, NJ 08004 View local requests

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

Thomas Richards ECC Teachers on DonorsChoose

Mrs. Pagano

Mrs. Phillips

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

Thomas Richards ECC Demographics

21%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

19%

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.

Thomas Richards ECC 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.