{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Ventura Park Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":35.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8469082,"projectId":10182967,"letterContent":"Thank you for providing students with reliable headphones for their online work. While we try to limit screen and Chromebook time as much as possible, diagnostic testing is required. Along with these requirements, students enjoy engaging with read-to-me books and personalized reading and math instruction based on their individual domain placements. However, their learning and engagement are frequently inhibited by poorly functioning headphones. These headphones are often not working, cut out, have ripped cords, or are missing ear pads. These durable and quality headphones will provide both comfort and longevity. \r\nThe tattle phone will provide us with a clear, consistent routine for tattling to the teacher.","fullyFundedDate":1783892052763,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-friendly-headphones-tattle-pho/10182967/","projectTitle":"Sensory Friendly Headphones + Tattle Phone","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Steele","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8469082_orig.jpg?crop=422,422,x345,y43&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1786572277976","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/g-steele"},{"teacherId":8469082,"projectId":10181228,"letterContent":"Thank you for giving my students new and engaging independent centers for first-grade-specific skills. \r\nActivities like math number bonds, teen numbers, and addition will help students build math fluency with errorless learning. \r\nCCVC words and digraphs will help students reinforce sound memorization and blending skills we have rehearsed in whole-group and small-group instruction. \r\nThese centers are used all year long and are something students look forward to as early finishers and independent activities.","fullyFundedDate":1783892052750,"projectUrl":"project/challenge-centers/10181228/","projectTitle":"Challenge Centers!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Steele","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8469082_orig.jpg?crop=422,422,x345,y43&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1786572277976","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/g-steele"},{"teacherId":9649238,"projectId":10059716,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our kindergarten classroom! Your kindness provided my students with number line manipulatives and activity folders that will make learning math more engaging, interactive, and fun. These hands-on materials will help our young learners build important number sense skills, practice counting and simple operations, and develop confidence as they explore mathematical concepts. The activity folders will provide opportunities for independent practice and reinforcement, allowing students to learn at their own pace while staying excited about learning.\r\n\r\nYour donation is making a meaningful difference in the daily experiences of our students. We are grateful for your investment in their education and for helping create a classroom where every child has access to quality learning tools. On behalf of our kindergarten class, thank you for your generosity, encouragement, and support. Your gift will have a lasting impact on our students' growth and success.","fullyFundedDate":1776105463022,"projectUrl":"project/making-numbers-accessible-for-all-learne/10059716/","projectTitle":"Making Numbers Accessible for All Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Simpson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9649238_orig.jpg?crop=974,974,x0,y577&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753920096580","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9649238"},{"teacherId":8469082,"projectId":10181235,"letterContent":"Thank you for giving us a clean stem station. Students are having a hard time taking turns with the marbles as it is everyone's FAVORITE choice center. \r\nThe vaccum keeps our carpet clean of mud, dirt and grime so that we can play and build without getting the knees of our pants all dirty and dusty. \r\nThe vaccum has also been great for scraps from cut and paste projects, sand, slime and general kindergarten messed that happen no matter how many times we play magic scrap throughout the day.\r\nThese tools will be used and loved for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1778224337927,"projectUrl":"project/clean-stem-station/10181235/","projectTitle":"Clean STEM Station","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Steele","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8469082_orig.jpg?crop=422,422,x345,y43&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1786572277976","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/g-steele"},{"teacherId":8469082,"projectId":10177657,"letterContent":"Thank you for providing my kindergarten class (and some second graders when our recess' overlap) with structured soccer during our very chaotic and over crowded recess. \r\nBefore soccer our recesses were more arguments and injuries than actual play and exercise. Now we have a structured and consistent soccer routine that students can lead and facilitate themselves or with teacher support. \r\nThe students look forward to playing with the soccer equipment all day they even take turns carrying the nexts and balls in and out of the buildings. \r\nThis equipment have been a game changer for recess and we are so thankful.","fullyFundedDate":1775609180159,"projectUrl":"project/spring-soccer/10177657/","projectTitle":"Spring Soccer!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Steele","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8469082_orig.jpg?crop=422,422,x345,y43&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1786572277976","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/g-steele"},{"teacherId":9923601,"projectId":9318776,"letterContent":"I am filled with gratitude as I share the incredible news that our project has been fully funded. Because of your generosity, our students will now have access to a wide range of social-emotional tools—including fidgets, thoughtfully selected books, and visual aids—that will support their growth both academically and personally.\r\n\r\nThese resources are more than just materials; they are bridges to confidence, self-regulation, and meaningful connection. For many of our students, having tools to help navigate emotions and stay engaged in learning can make a lasting difference in their daily experience at school.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has created a more inclusive, supportive environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive. Thank you for believing in our classroom and in the potential of every child within it.","fullyFundedDate":1746554468528,"projectUrl":"project/counseling-office/9318776/","projectTitle":"Counseling Office","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Alex","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9923601_orig.jpg?crop=2058,2058,x0,y109&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1739507794974","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msalex4vpvikings"},{"teacherId":4832533,"projectId":10068998,"letterContent":"This project has had a direct and meaningful impact on student learning across our school. By providing hundreds of individual healthy snacks, we are able to meet a basic need that greatly affects a child's ability to learn. When students are hungry, it is difficult for them to focus, regulate their emotions, or fully participate in academic tasks. Having consistent access to snacks has helped students stay attentive, engaged, and ready to learn throughout the day.\r\n\r\nIn addition, this project has supported a more equitable learning environment for all students. Instead of worrying about who has food and who does not, every child knows they can access a snack when needed. This has reduced distractions, minimized disruptions, and allowed teachers to spend more time on instruction rather than addressing hunger-related challenges. Students are better able to persevere through difficult tasks, collaborate with peers, and stay on track academically.\r\n\r\nOverall, this project has strengthened both the well-being and academic success of our students. It has created a more supportive and responsive school environment where basic needs are met, allowing students to focus on what matters most, learning, growing, and reaching their full potential.","fullyFundedDate":1772550389231,"projectUrl":"project/healthy-snack-for-hungry-students/10068998/","projectTitle":"Healthy Snack for Hungry Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. \"B\" or Bordine","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4832533_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y555&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1786385230772","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4832533"},{"teacherId":4832533,"projectId":9889936,"letterContent":"This project has had an exciting impact on my students' motivation and growth as readers. By adding Pokémon-themed books to our classroom library, I was able to tap into a strong, existing interest and turn it into a powerful learning tool. Students who already enjoy reading are now even more engaged, eager to pick up books, and motivated to spend more time practicing their skills. These books have created a sense of excitement around reading that carries over into other literacy activities throughout the day.\r\n\r\nEven though some of the chapter books are slightly above their current reading level, they have become an important source of inspiration. Students are more willing to challenge themselves, take risks, and build stamina because they are genuinely interested in the content. I've seen students asking for help decoding harder words, discussing stories with peers, and showing increased confidence in their reading abilities.\r\n\r\nOverall, this project has helped foster a love of reading by connecting literacy to student interests. It has allowed me to create a classroom environment where reading feels fun, meaningful, and personally relevant. These books are not just building skills, they are helping students see themselves as readers and developing a lifelong passion for learning.","fullyFundedDate":1766815615702,"projectUrl":"project/pokmon-chapter-books/9889936/","projectTitle":"Pokémon Chapter Books","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. \"B\" or Bordine","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4832533_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y555&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1786385230772","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4832533"},{"teacherId":4832533,"projectId":9833310,"letterContent":"This project has made a meaningful difference in helping my students access learning in ways that meet their individual needs. With adaptive tools for art and reading, students who often face physical barriers are now able to participate more independently and successfully. These materials have opened up opportunities for creativity, communication, and engagement that were previously difficult to access. Students are not only building academic skills, but also experiencing the joy and confidence that comes from being able to actively participate alongside their peers.\r\n\r\nThe addition of books and accessible materials has also strengthened our literacy instruction. Students are able to interact with texts in more meaningful ways, increasing their attention, comprehension, and overall enjoyment of reading. These tools allow us to tailor instruction to each student's abilities, making learning more inclusive and effective throughout the day.\r\n\r\nFinally, being able to observe and enjoy the birds outside our classroom windows has brought a unique and calming element to our environment. For my students, many of whom use wheelchairs and have limited mobility, this connection to the outside world is incredibly valuable. It provides moments of wonder, relaxation, and engagement that support both emotional regulation and learning. This project has truly been a blessing, helping create a classroom where all students can access, participate, and thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1761781751712,"projectUrl":"project/adaptive-sped-for-self-contained-classro/9833310/","projectTitle":"Adaptive SPED for Self Contained Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. \"B\" or Bordine","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4832533_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y555&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1786385230772","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4832533"},{"teacherId":4832533,"projectId":9732599,"letterContent":"This project has had a direct and meaningful impact on student learning across our school. By providing hundreds of individual healthy snacks, we are able to meet a basic need that greatly affects a child's ability to learn. When students are hungry, it is difficult for them to focus, regulate their emotions, or fully participate in academic tasks. Having consistent access to snacks has helped students stay attentive, engaged, and ready to learn throughout the day.\r\n\r\nIn addition, this project has supported a more equitable learning environment for all students. Instead of worrying about who has food and who does not, every child knows they can access a snack when needed. This has reduced distractions, minimized disruptions, and allowed teachers to spend more time on instruction rather than addressing hunger-related challenges. Students are better able to persevere through difficult tasks, collaborate with peers, and stay on track academically.\r\n\r\nOverall, this project has strengthened both the well-being and academic success of our students. It has created a more supportive and responsive school environment where basic needs are met, allowing students to focus on what matters most—learning, growing, and reaching their full potential.","fullyFundedDate":1771009801309,"projectUrl":"project/healthy-snack-for-hungry-students/9732599/","projectTitle":"Healthy Snack for Hungry Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. \"B\" or Bordine","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4832533_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y555&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1786385230772","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4832533"},{"teacherId":4832533,"projectId":9719417,"letterContent":"This project has made a powerful difference in how our classrooms support student regulation, independence, and engagement. With the addition of visual timers in every classroom, students now have a clear, concrete understanding of time expectations. This has reduced anxiety during transitions, increased task completion, and helped students feel more in control of their day. Teachers have noticed smoother routines and fewer disruptions, as students are better able to anticipate what comes next and manage their time more successfully.\r\n\r\nThe rechargeable batteries for our robotic cats have ensured that these highly motivating and comforting tools are consistently available for students who need them. Paired with the calming effect of the liquid motion bubblers and ooze tubes, we now have a wider range of sensory supports that meet diverse student needs. These tools have been especially impactful in helping students de-escalate, refocus, and return to learning more quickly. Students are not only using these supports appropriately, but are also learning to recognize when they need them.\r\n\r\nOverall, this project has strengthened our school's ability to create calm, predictable, and responsive learning environments. It has empowered both students and staff with practical tools that make a daily difference. The impact is seen in increased instructional time, improved self-regulation, and a more positive, supportive atmosphere throughout the building.","fullyFundedDate":1769177992002,"projectUrl":"project/special-education-classroom-needs/9719417/","projectTitle":"Special Education Classroom Needs","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. \"B\" or Bordine","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4832533_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y555&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1786385230772","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4832533"},{"teacherId":4832533,"projectId":9396095,"letterContent":"This project has had a meaningful and immediate impact on our entire school community. By providing a wide variety of fidgets, we were able to support not just one classroom, but every teacher and student in the building. Each classroom now has access to tools for their calming corners, giving students a structured and appropriate way to regulate their bodies and emotions throughout the day. Teachers have shared that students are more engaged, better able to focus during instruction, and increasingly independent in managing their needs.\r\n\r\nIn addition, having extra fidgets available for individual students has allowed us to be more responsive and proactive. Instead of waiting for challenges to escalate, we can provide the right support at the right time. Students who benefit from sensory input now have consistent access to tools that help them stay in the learning environment longer and more successfully. This has reduced disruptions, increased instructional time, and supported more positive interactions between students and staff.\r\n\r\nOverall, this project has been an incredible gift to our school. It has strengthened our ability to create inclusive, supportive classrooms where all students can thrive. The impact goes beyond the materials themselves, it has helped build a culture where self-regulation is taught, supported, and valued every day.","fullyFundedDate":1760221134881,"projectUrl":"project/fidgets-for-calming-corners-for-entire-s/9396095/","projectTitle":"Fidgets for Calming Corners for Entire School","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. \"B\" or Bordine","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4832533_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y555&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1786385230772","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4832533"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_88181","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":365,"numTeachers":25,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":10,"percentBlack":16,"percentWhite":31,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":27,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":3,"percentMultiracialImputed":9,"gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"14.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":64.5,"schoolId":88181,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Ventura Park Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Ventura Park Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/oregon/david-douglas-school-district-40/ventura-park-elementary-school/88181"}
Join the 462 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Ventura Park Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Portland, Oregon that is part of David Douglas School District 40.
It serves 365 students
in grades K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 14.6:1.
Its teachers have had 275 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Supporting this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.
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
365 Students
25 Teachers
145 SE 117th AveContact 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
53%
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.
Ventura Park Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Sep 2, 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.
Ventura Park Elementary School
$144,352
raised using DonorsChoose
275
projects
funded
45
teachers
funded
462
donors
17
projects
for
basic supplies
17
projects for
technology
33
projects for
books
5
projects
for
art supplies
Ventura Park Elementary School has received support from
298 individuals from Oregon and
164 individuals out-of-state.