{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Costner Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":25.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7075497,"projectId":9741443,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and belief in our classroom. Because of you, our soft start mornings have been transformed into a calm, welcoming, and purposeful beginning to each school day.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the materials, their excitement was immediate. Their faces lit up, and several students said things like, \"Can we do this every morning?\" and \"This makes school feel fun already.\" Even students who typically need extra time to settle in were engaged right away, focused, and eager to participate.\r\n\r\nWe are using the new resources during our soft start time to help students ease into the school day through hands-on, student-centered activities. Each morning, students rotate through choices such as building and problem-solving tasks, and collaborative activities that encourage communication and teamwork. One special moment that stands out was watching a group of students work together to solve a challenge with Kanoodle that they did not solve the day before without being asked, they shared ideas, took turns, and celebrated their success together. It set a positive tone for the entire day.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, our next steps involve deepening these routines. Students are now using the materials to practice goal-setting, collaboration, and reflection as part of their morning routine. We are also connecting soft start activities to upcoming lessons by reinforcing problem-solving strategies, building stamina for independent work, and strengthening social-emotional skills that carry into core academic instruction throughout the day.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has created a space where students feel safe, confident, and ready to learn from the moment they walk through the door. Thank you for being a part of our classroom community and for helping our students start each day strong.","fullyFundedDate":1758651258823,"projectUrl":"project/building-bright-beginnings-soft-start-b/9741443/","projectTitle":"Building Bright Beginnings: Soft Start Bins for a Successful Day!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Costner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7075497_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1595991695246","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7075497"},{"teacherId":9936626,"projectId":9523661,"letterContent":"We are loving our Cozy Corner. I think it is my students' favorite part of our classroom. When my students get upset or are feeling overwhelmed or dis-regulated they go to the Cozy Corner and set the timer for 5 minutes. \r\n\r\nThey love cozying up to the soft pillows, sitting on the puffs, and hugging/loving the weighted dog as they spend time in there. The students draw all kinds of pictures and gift everyone with them using the scented markers. The stress balls and fidgets are fun items for them to hold and manipulate and they turn the rain sticks over to listen to the various weather sounds. \r\n\r\nWe are so grateful for your donation and support! We all appreciate the dimension of learning that this space and these activities add to our school family environment! This is all thanks to you and your generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1755703748720,"projectUrl":"project/cozy-corner/9523661/","projectTitle":"Cozy Corner","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Plonk","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9936626_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1762650607764","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9936626"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_2698","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":415,"numTeachers":26,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":16,"percentWhite":66,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":12,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"16.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"UNCLASSIFIED","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":75.0,"schoolId":2698,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Costner Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Costner Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/north-carolina/gaston-county-school-district/costner-elementary-school/2698"}
Join the 16 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Costner Elementary School is
a rural public school
in Dallas, North Carolina that is part of Gaston County School District.
It serves 415 students
in grades K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 16.0:1.
Its teachers have had 5 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Boost support for this school! Share this page with friends, family, alumni, and fellow supporters. Every connection helps teachers get the supplies they need and shows how much your community cares about its students.
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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
28%
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.
Costner Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 26, 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.
Costner Elementary School
$1,195
raised using DonorsChoose
5
projects
funded
5
teachers
funded
16
donors
1
project for
books
Costner Elementary School has received support from
12 individuals from North Carolina and
4 individuals out-of-state.
