{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Southdale Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":17.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":1883897,"projectId":10214095,"letterContent":"The beat is just beginning! Our students have already begun getting excited about their new drum set! Although the school year has not yet started, many students caught a glimpse of the new instrument during our Open House, and their reactions made it clear just how much this resource will mean to them. Students were eager to see it, talk about it, and imagine themselves playing it. It was exciting to see their curiosity and enthusiasm before we have even had our first music class together.\r\n\r\n This year, the drum set will become an important part of our Orff Ensemble, giving our student musicians the opportunity to explore rhythm, groove, improvisation, and a variety of musical styles as they prepare for performances. But the impact will extend far beyond the ensemble. During their regular music classes, the remaining students at Southdale will also have opportunities to experience the drum set firsthand, using it as a tool for creating, performing, and understanding music.\r\n\r\n Our next step is to put this instrument into the hands of our students and let them explore what it can do. We will begin by building foundational skills and discovering the different sounds, patterns, and roles of the drum set within an ensemble. From there, students will use those skills to create and perform their own music. I am especially excited to see where their creativity takes them, because my students have a remarkable ability to take a new musical opportunity and turn it into something far beyond what I initially imagined.\r\n\r\n Thank you for giving our students this opportunity. You didn't simply provide an instrument. You provided a new avenue for nearly 500 students to create, explore, collaborate, and discover themselves through music. The beat is just beginning, and we cannot wait to see where it takes them!","fullyFundedDate":1779291233048,"projectUrl":"project/drumming-up-a-new-beat/10214095/","projectTitle":"Drumming Up a New Beat!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Depew","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1883897_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1778520545400","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/adam-depew"},{"teacherId":9482851,"projectId":10071971,"letterContent":"Your generous support will help my students build stronger reading and technology skills in our classroom. Uppercase and lowercase letter stamps will give students a hands-on way to practice building and recognizing high-frequency words, an essential step in becoming confident readers. Many of my students are still developing their understanding of letter sounds and word formation, and these stamps will allow them to physically construct words while reinforcing the connection between uppercase and lowercase letters. This interactive approach makes learning more engaging and helps students practice foundational literacy skills in a fun and meaningful way.\r\n\r\nIn addition, wireless mice and earbuds will greatly enhance students' ability to use our classroom computers effectively. The wireless mice will make navigation easier for small hands that are still developing fine motor control, allowing students to participate more independently in digital literacy activities. Earbuds will help students focus during individualized learning programs by reducing distractions and allowing them to clearly hear instructions, stories, and phonics practice. Together, these tools will create a more supportive learning environment where students can strengthen both their reading and technology skills while building confidence in their abilities.","fullyFundedDate":1770381189576,"projectUrl":"project/click-stamp-and-learn-supplies-for-li/10071971/","projectTitle":"Click, Stamp, and Learn! Supplies for Little Hands","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bowers","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9482851_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724426269961","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9482851"},{"teacherId":1883897,"projectId":9274297,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, another bass xylophone now anchors the sound of our classroom ensemble. This instrument has quickly become more than a new addition to our collection. It is the foundation that allows my students to truly experience how music fits together. In our Orff ensemble work, students build pieces in layers. They add speech, movement, barred instruments, and percussion one part at a time. The first time we added the bass line to a piece we had been practicing, several students stopped and said, \"Now this song feels complete.\" They could hear how the low tones supported everything else and gave the music depth and strength.\r\nMy students were immediately drawn to the instrument. They were curious about its size, its rich sound, and the important role it plays. Students who are often hesitant to take musical risks eagerly volunteered to try the bass part. They quickly realized that this role requires focus, steady rhythm, and careful listening to the entire group. It has become a powerful way for students to understand teamwork in music. They are learning that even when a part is simple, it is essential. The bass xylophone has helped them hear harmony, feel steady pulse, and understand how different musical layers depend on one another.\r\n\r\n This instrument is already shaping the way we learn and create. We are using it in composition activities, ensemble performances, and movement lessons where students connect sound to motion and expression. The bass xylophone allows us to perform pieces the way they were intended and gives students a more complete and authentic musical experience. Your gift is not sitting on a shelf. It is played every single day by children who are discovering how music works from the inside out.","fullyFundedDate":1746787420921,"projectUrl":"project/its-all-about-that-bassxylophone/9274297/","projectTitle":"It's All About That Bass...Xylophone!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Depew","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1883897_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1778520545400","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/adam-depew"},{"teacherId":9482851,"projectId":9246314,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations. The numbered spots are so helpful on the carpet. This helps my kindergartners know where to go. It makes carpet time a lot more organized. \r\n\r\nThe storage bin for my papers has helped me to stay organized. I am able to prepare my lessons ahead of time and be ready for the week! \r\n\r\nWe appreciate your donations so much! This is my first year in kindergarten and I am so thankful to be able to get the items I need for my new classroom. \r\n\r\nI just wanted to say thank you again!","fullyFundedDate":1746785854581,"projectUrl":"project/end-of-the-year-supplies/9246314/","projectTitle":"End of the Year Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bowers","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9482851_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724426269961","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9482851"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_85239","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":507,"numTeachers":24,"percentFrplEligible":44,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":7,"percentWhite":75,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":7,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":9,"gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"21.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"UNCLASSIFIED","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":83.0,"schoolId":85239,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Southdale Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Southdale Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/ohio/kettering-city-school-district/southdale-elementary-school/85239"}
Join the 159 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Southdale Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Kettering, Ohio that is part of Kettering City School District.
It serves 507 students
in grades K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 21.1:1.
Its teachers have had 22 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Public School
Title 1
Data about Title 1 status comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education.
Grades K - 5
507 Students
24 Teachers
1200 W Dorothy LnContact info is sourced from our partners at MDR Education, and DonorsChoose updates our site ahead of each school year.
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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
14%
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.
Southdale Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Aug 22, 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.
Southdale Elementary School
$22,833
raised using DonorsChoose
22
projects
funded
8
teachers
funded
159
donors
1
project
for
basic supplies
1
project for
technology
1
project
for
art supplies
Southdale Elementary School has received support from
132 individuals from Ohio and
27 individuals out-of-state.
