{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"James W Smith Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":47.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":4733424,"projectId":9606770,"letterContent":"Technology in our classroom is used intentionally to support learning, engagement, and independence—not passive screen time. The Tonies Box has become a meaningful tool that helps students build early literacy skills, listening comprehension, and language development through stories, songs, and read-alouds. Because it is screen-free and hands-on, students can independently select stories, follow along, and stay focused without distractions. This supports routines like quiet time, transitions, and small-group learning while encouraging responsibility and self-confidence.\r\n\r\nWhat excites students most about the Tonies Box is how interactive and tangible it is. They love choosing a character, placing it on the box, and hearing the story begin instantly. This simple cause-and-effect interaction makes learning feel magical and empowering. The characters spark curiosity and imagination, and students often retell stories, sing songs together, or act out what they've heard—deepening comprehension and social interaction in a joyful way.\r\n\r\nSeveral students who typically struggle with attention, transitions, or expressive language have especially connected with this new technology. Some students who are quieter or hesitant to participate have become more engaged during story time, while others use the Tonies Box as a calming and regulating tool. Seeing students independently use the box, share it with peers, and feel proud of navigating learning on their own has been incredibly rewarding. This resource has truly enhanced our classroom environment and made learning more accessible and inclusive for all students.","fullyFundedDate":1762265322728,"projectUrl":"project/help-my-students-fall-in-love-with-stori/9606770/","projectTitle":"Help My Students Fall in Love With Stories!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Potter","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4733424_orig.jpg?crop=481,481,x0,y80&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597072181238","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4733424"},{"teacherId":4733424,"projectId":9453537,"letterContent":"The new toys in our class have made a big impact on our learning by encouraging creativity, teamwork, and hands-on exploration. Students are more engaged during activities, and the variety of materials helps them practice problem-solving, fine-motor skills, and communication with one another. These tools make learning feel fun and interactive, which helps everyone stay focused and excited to participate each day. I am so thankful to all the donors that made this possible! It has been so much fun using the new materials!","fullyFundedDate":1755255838152,"projectUrl":"project/playtime-with-a-purpose-support-our-you/9453537/","projectTitle":"Playtime with a Purpose: Support Our Youngest Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Potter","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4733424_orig.jpg?crop=481,481,x0,y80&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597072181238","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4733424"},{"teacherId":1028849,"projectId":8897262,"letterContent":"The excitement a student has when they are recognized for their great behavior and meeting expectations is palpable. Many times students do the right thing, but not often are they rewarded. Yes, we should do the right things because it's right, but helping teach students to do this sometimes takes a little extra motivation. Your donations allowed us to purchase items that we could turn around and provide our students when they meet our Positive Behavior expectations, follow our Blue Jay Behavior Matrix, show safety on the school bus, and so much more!\r\n Students love to show off their new found trinkets with each other and often cannot wait to see what is available next. Moving forward, we hope to let students vote on items they'd like to see and potentially have more rewards for behavior that exceeds the everyday expectations.\r\n Thank you again for funding our project and allowing us to continue to spotlight the amazing things our students do, especially focusing on their behavior!","fullyFundedDate":1733346038453,"projectUrl":"project/blue-jays-braggin-on-the-best-behavior/8897262/","projectTitle":"Blue Jays: Braggin' on the Best Behavior!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fillingame","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1028849_orig.jpg?crop=1884,1884,x74,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724814135827","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-fillingame"},{"teacherId":1028849,"projectId":8713381,"letterContent":"The ability to add books to the media center, as well as items to help with displays has made an immediate impact in the circulation statistics! Students have been eager to see whats new and are able to identify new books immediately by browsing the new, circular, display shelf. Likewise, students are able to find interesting books, on topic, using the shelf markers that are easy to read and find comparative to old systems we were using (index cards and tape)!\r\n Students enjoy coming to the media center, and they particularly enjoy coming first thing after they arrive at school. The time we get to spend chatting about new books, asking if new things are coming, and recommending what next to read is the best part of my day (and I secretly hope their day, too)!\r\n Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping make these changes in our media center happen, without your generosity, we wouldn't be able to do it!","fullyFundedDate":1726702147386,"projectUrl":"project/a-media-center-is-pivotal-for-growth/8713381/","projectTitle":"A Media Center Is Pivotal for Growth","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fillingame","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1028849_orig.jpg?crop=1884,1884,x74,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724814135827","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-fillingame"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_2564","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":289,"numTeachers":32,"percentFrplEligible":93,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":35,"percentWhite":38,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":16,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"9.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_DISTANT"},"inStateSupporters":52.8,"schoolId":2564,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about James W Smith Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"James W Smith Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/north-carolina/craven-county-school-district/james-w-smith-elementary-school/2564"}
Join the 640 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
James W Smith Elementary School is
a rural public school
in Cove City, North Carolina that is part of Craven County School District.
It serves 289 students
in grades K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 9.0:1.
Its teachers have had 205 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Share and help support James W Smith Elementary School
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of students receive free or reduced price lunch
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Source: the National Center for Education Statistics
51%
of students are Black, Latino, Native
American, or Asian
Data about school demographics comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. The numbers in this chart may not add up to 100% because of limitations in the available data.
James W Smith Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Feb 19, 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.
James W Smith Elementary School
$84,571
raised using DonorsChoose
205
projects
funded
66
teachers
funded
640
donors
19
projects
for
basic supplies
14
projects for
technology
39
projects for
books
6
projects
for
art supplies
James W Smith Elementary School has received support from
338 individuals from North Carolina and
302 individuals out-of-state.
