{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Westside Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":66.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10101533,"projectId":9847456,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom project! Your generosity reached students in Frayser, a part of Memphis where many children face challenges far beyond the classroom. Because of you, my students now have the chance to experience something joyful, creative, and meaningful during their school day.\r\n\r\nYour donation provided watercolor supplies that my students have been *so* eager to use. Many of them have never worked with real watercolor materials before, and watching their faces light up as they learned to blend colors, experiment with technique, and bring endangered species to life on paper has been incredible. These supplies gave them the confidence to see themselves as real artists—something that means a lot in a community where opportunities can feel limited.\r\n\r\nOne of their absolute favorite surprises was our new \"class pet\"—a light-up jellyfish model that gently floats in its tank. For many of my students, this is the closest they've ever been to seeing a creature like this up close. It has sparked so many questions and so much wonder, and it's become the heart of our room. The kids love observing it while they paint, and it reminds them daily of the beauty and fragility of the animals they're studying.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and for giving them the tools to create, explore, and imagine. Your support has brought color, calm, and inspiration into a classroom that truly needed it. You've made a lasting difference here in Frayser, and we are so grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1761066052656,"projectUrl":"project/painting-to-protect-art-for-endangered/9847456/","projectTitle":"Painting to Protect: Art for Endangered Species","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Aris","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10101533_orig.jpg?crop=665,665,x119,y387&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753911662235","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10101533"},{"teacherId":10101533,"projectId":9796803,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom project! Your generosity means more than you know. Because of you, my students will now have the tools they need to bring their ideas to life. Our new USB microphone will help them record clear audio for their animations and creative projects—something they've been so excited to try. The classroom pencil sharpener (a much-needed replacement after ours broke in the first week!) will keep us running smoothly day-to-day, and the fresh art paper ensures that students can continue creating without limits.\r\n\r\nYour gift does more than supply materials—it shows my students that their creativity matters and that people believe in their potential. We are deeply grateful for your kindness and support.","fullyFundedDate":1760922048210,"projectUrl":"project/sharpening-skills-and-stories-art-ani/9796803/","projectTitle":"Sharpening Skills and Stories: Art & Animation for Young Creators","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Aris","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10101533_orig.jpg?crop=665,665,x119,y387&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753911662235","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10101533"},{"teacherId":8516855,"projectId":9734725,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom with laundry supplies! These resources have made a big difference in keeping our hands-on learning clean and organized. During our STEM lemonade projects, we occasionally had spills, and the laundry supplies arrived just in time to wash aprons, towels, and seat sacks so everything stayed clean and ready for our next circuit-making lessons.\r\n\r\nStudents were excited to see how the supplies helped maintain a safe, tidy learning environment. They even helped sort and organize clothing for cleaning, learning responsibility and care for our classroom community. We also collect coats and clothing to clean and give to students in need, which has taught compassion and sharing.\r\n\r\nYour support gave donors a peek into our classroom, where students are actively exploring, experimenting, and learning. Next, we plan to continue hands-on STEM projects, outdoor experiments, and community service activities, all while keeping our learning spaces clean and safe.","fullyFundedDate":1762266390300,"projectUrl":"project/keeping-hands-on-learning-clean/9734725/","projectTitle":"Keeping Hands-On Learning Clean","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jenkins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8516855_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1657130624416","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jenkins-smores"},{"teacherId":8516855,"projectId":9858481,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our Supporting Hands-On Learning project! Your generosity has brought both motivation and safety to our classroom. On test days, students receive a card or a whole punch for doing their best. When their cards are full, they can redeem them for a prize—giving them a fun and tangible way to celebrate effort and achievement.\r\n\r\nThe goggles have been a huge hit during our hands-on circuit-making lessons. Students were excited to put them on and dive into experiments safely, exploring electricity, circuits, and teamwork with confidence. Seeing their curiosity and enthusiasm grow as they tested and built circuits was inspiring.\r\n\r\nYour support has given donors a peek into our classroom, where students are engaged, motivated, and learning through hands-on experiences. Next, we plan to continue using these materials for more STEM projects, encouraging creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration while rewarding hard work and curiosity.","fullyFundedDate":1762266269392,"projectUrl":"project/supporting-hands-on-learning-and-student/9858481/","projectTitle":"Supporting Hands-On Learning and Student Rewards","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jenkins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8516855_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1657130624416","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jenkins-smores"},{"teacherId":8516855,"projectId":9734616,"letterContent":"We are so grateful for your support of our Classroom Care Kit project! Each student received a drawstring backpack filled with snacks and helpful items for our Memphis Zoo field trip. The excitement on their faces when they first saw the backpacks was priceless—many eagerly checked out all the goodies and couldn't wait to use them.\r\n\r\nThese kits have also been a lifeline beyond field trips. During school shutdowns, students could grab snacks when they needed them, helping them stay focused and energized. Some students even asked if they could prepare extra bags to take home over the weekend, showing how meaningful these resources are in their daily lives.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, my students feel supported, cared for, and ready to learn. These backpacks allow us to dive into lessons, explore, and enjoy hands-on activities without worry. Your gift has truly made a lasting impact in our classroom and on our students' lives.","fullyFundedDate":1760906261783,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-care-kits-for-growing-minds/9734616/","projectTitle":"Classroom Care Kits for Growing Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jenkins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8516855_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1657130624416","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jenkins-smores"},{"teacherId":8516855,"projectId":9812439,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our Science of Giving project! This experience brought so much joy to our school. My students worked together to prepare kindness bags—making sure each one had equal items—and they even hand-drew cute characters, designs, and encouraging notes on every bag. Some students were so excited they decorated two! Their pride and creativity truly shined.\r\n\r\nDelivering the bags was the best part. The 4th graders visited classrooms across the building, sharing kindness face-to-face. When they reached Pre-K, the littles were just waking up from nap time, and my students gently helped them clean up and get ready for snack. It was a beautiful moment of leadership and compassion.\r\n\r\nYour support gave my students the chance to experience the joy of giving and serving others. Our next steps include continuing these kindness projects throughout the year and finding new ways to build a positive, supportive school community.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping my students grow as learners and as kindhearted leaders.","fullyFundedDate":1761161850812,"projectUrl":"project/science-of-giving-healthy-snacks-for-ou/9812439/","projectTitle":"Science of Giving: Healthy Snacks for Our Community","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jenkins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8516855_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1657130624416","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jenkins-smores"},{"teacherId":8516855,"projectId":9859448,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our Wrapped in Warmth project! Because of your generosity, every 4th-grade student received warm winter gear to help them stay comfortable during the cold months. We've already put these resources to great use! Students are wearing their hats, gloves, and scarves during recess, on the playground, and while traveling to and from school.\r\n\r\nThe moment they saw the new winter gear, their faces lit up with excitement. Many students immediately tried everything on and proudly showed their friends. It was a joyful moment knowing they felt cared for and prepared for the weather.\r\n\r\nYour support gave donors a window into our classroom community, and the next steps for our students include continuing our outdoor science observations, recess activities, and safe travels to school now without worrying about the cold. You truly helped keep our students warm, confident, and ready to learn each day.\r\n\r\nThank you for making such an important difference!","fullyFundedDate":1762885623786,"projectUrl":"project/wrapped-in-warmth-supporting-students-th/9859448/","projectTitle":"Wrapped in Warmth Supporting Students This Winter","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jenkins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8516855_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1657130624416","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jenkins-smores"},{"teacherId":8516855,"projectId":9714108,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom has been buzzing with excitement and discovery! My students were thrilled when they saw the new STEM supplies arrive. Their eyes lit up as I explained that we'd be turning something as simple as lemonade into a hands-on science experiment.\r\n\r\nUsing the materials, my students explored measurements, chemical reactions, and the states of matter—all while making and testing lemonade! They hypothesized how sugar, temperature, and stirring affect taste and solubility, then recorded their data using timers and measuring tools. Watching them make real-world connections while enjoying a refreshing treat was such a special moment.\r\n\r\nOne of the highlights was hearing students say, \"Science is actually fun!\"—a reminder of how powerful hands-on learning can be. The activity sparked so many questions and ideas that we're now planning more \"STEM in a Cup\" challenges, exploring new recipes and experiments that mix creativity with science.\r\n\r\nYour support turned an everyday drink into a meaningful, memorable learning experience. Thank you for helping my students see that science isn't just something we read about—it's something we can taste, test, and truly enjoy!","fullyFundedDate":1758202692770,"projectUrl":"project/stem-in-a-cup-exploring-chemistry-throu/9714108/","projectTitle":"STEM in a Cup: Exploring Chemistry Through Lemonade","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jenkins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8516855_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1657130624416","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jenkins-smores"},{"teacherId":8516855,"projectId":9812322,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, my students are energized, focused, and ready to learn each day! With the breakfast items, healthy snacks, and reusable water bottles you helped provide, our classroom has become a place of comfort, care, and motivation.\r\n\r\nMany students come to school hungry or without access to nutritious snacks, which can make it hard to concentrate. Now, they start the day with energy and confidence, knowing they have what they need to succeed. The reusable water bottles also encourage healthy habits and hydration throughout the day.\r\n\r\nIt's been heartwarming to see their smiles when they receive these items—they truly feel seen and supported. Your generosity has made a daily difference in their learning and well-being. Thank you for helping my students stay nourished, focused, and full of enthusiasm for learning!","fullyFundedDate":1760996481437,"projectUrl":"project/energizing-students-for-success/9812322/","projectTitle":"Energizing Students for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jenkins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8516855_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1657130624416","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jenkins-smores"},{"teacherId":8516855,"projectId":9725100,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom has been transformed by the addition of tablets! These devices have opened up new opportunities for my students to explore coding, STEM activities, and interactive learning in ways that weren't possible before.\r\n\r\nMany of our donors may use technology daily, but in the classroom, these tablets serve as powerful learning tools. Students use them to code simple programs, design digital projects, and participate in science and math simulations that bring lessons to life. They're no longer just learning from a textbook—they're creating, testing, and solving real-world problems through technology.\r\n\r\nThe most exciting part for my students is the hands-on coding and interactive STEM challenges. They love experimenting with coding apps, building digital stories, and collaborating on projects that showcase their creativity. One student who was once shy and hesitant to participate now confidently leads small group projects using the tablets—helping others troubleshoot and discover new skills. It's inspiring to watch their confidence grow with every activity.\r\n\r\nYour donation has truly empowered my students to think like innovators and problem-solvers. Thank you for giving them the tools to explore, create, and dream big through technology. We're so grateful for your generosity and for making this incredible learning experience possible!","fullyFundedDate":1760708783856,"projectUrl":"project/stem-in-their-hands-tablets-for-young-s/9725100/","projectTitle":"STEM in Their Hands: Tablets for Young Scientists","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jenkins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8516855_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1657130624416","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jenkins-smores"},{"teacherId":8516855,"projectId":9568842,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, my students explored the world of plants in an engaging, hands-on way! Using the new technology and Teachers Pay Teachers resources, they completed observation worksheets that helped them understand plant growth and care. The students were so excited to document what they saw—especially as their seeds began to sprout! The interactive lessons made learning feel like a real science lab, and even my most hesitant learners were eager to participate. With these resources, my students are not only observing nature but also developing curiosity, confidence, and a love for science.","fullyFundedDate":1758202576199,"projectUrl":"project/creative-resources-to-spark-student-succ/9568842/","projectTitle":"Creative Resources to Spark Student Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jenkins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8516855_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1657130624416","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jenkins-smores"},{"teacherId":8516855,"projectId":9568913,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, my students have transformed their classroom into an organized and creative learning space! The new binders have helped them take ownership of their social studies work—keeping notes, maps, and vocabulary neatly in place. The colorful supplies like markers and crayons have inspired creativity as they drew detailed maps of our community, connecting what they learn to where they live. The excitement on their faces when they first saw the bright new materials was unforgettable—they immediately began brainstorming new ways to show what they know. These resources have boosted both their confidence and pride in their work. Our next step is to use these same tools to create illustrated timelines and community projects that they'll proudly share with younger grades.","fullyFundedDate":1758202632727,"projectUrl":"project/organized-learning-colorful-creativity/9568913/","projectTitle":"Organized Learning, Colorful Creativity, Confident Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jenkins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8516855_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1657130624416","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jenkins-smores"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_93170","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":346,"numTeachers":25,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":87,"percentWhite":4,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":5,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"13.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":33.1,"schoolId":93170,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Westside Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Westside Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/tennessee/memphis-shelby-county-schools/westside-elementary-school/93170"}