{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Jess Harben Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":63.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":1455436,"projectId":9602344,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting creativity in my Pre-K classroom. Young children love to create and imagine and so many of the materials you provided encourage self expression.\r\n\r\nPlay-doh is always out and the play-doh center is by far one of the most popular in the classroom. Each week the colors change and we add all types of loose parts, like beads, feathers and the gemstones your provided. Back in November, we loved using markers to color the tissue paper leaves. As we sprayed each leaf with water, we saw the colors bleed into each other, making beautiful fall leaves that we hung from the ceiling to bring the season inside.\r\n\r\nThe students love using the colored pencils to write and illustrate. The craft sticks are used in multiple craft projects as well as for building and counting. By far, my favorite project is when the children paint self portraits, using the water color sets. Thanks to your generosity we are definitely celebrating art each and every day in Pre-K.","fullyFundedDate":1764622678984,"projectUrl":"project/celebrate-art/9602344/","projectTitle":"Celebrate Art!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Weatherford","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1455436_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1472602049636","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1455436"},{"teacherId":1449158,"projectId":10056120,"letterContent":"Thank you for donating to this project to provide some basic materials needed in my Pre-K class to help create lessons for small groups and class books. My students love revisiting the class books we have made when they go to our class library center. We made one book where you clap the syllables in each students' name. One book compares the number of letters in each student's name, and another class book focuses on the beginning sound of each student's name. Thank you for making these experiences possible.","fullyFundedDate":1769907919434,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-basics/10056120/","projectTitle":"Classroom Basics","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dunsworth","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1449158"},{"teacherId":1449158,"projectId":9641132,"letterContent":"Thank you for funding this project to provide materials for the pet theme in my Pre-K classroom. My students love the little people vet set, and it has been a wonderful way for my students to practice their language skills and develop new vocabulary as they use the people to talk to each other. They have used the toy pets to design pet homes and even obstacle courses. It has been so fun to see their creativity in action. Thank you for your generosity and care for my students. You are very appreciated!","fullyFundedDate":1764628362723,"projectUrl":"project/pets-in-dramatic-play/9641132/","projectTitle":"Pets in Dramatic Play","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dunsworth","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1449158"},{"teacherId":1449158,"projectId":9964107,"letterContent":"Thank you for funding this project to provide my students' their own book to take home and share with their families. You are helping me develop a love of reading in my young students, which will hopefully last their whole lives! My students are also enjoying having their own writing journal in our classroom, and it has been a wonderful way to see the growth in their writing skills as we compare the changes from the beginning of their journal until now. Thank you for your generosity. It is very appreciated!","fullyFundedDate":1766090820834,"projectUrl":"project/loving-reading-and-writing/9964107/","projectTitle":"Loving Reading and Writing","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dunsworth","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1449158"},{"teacherId":1449158,"projectId":9936407,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding this project to get some hands on materials into my pre-k classroom. The TPT gift card has helped me to plan some engaging lessons for our small group learning centers. The LEGO transportation set has been a great way for my students to practice following multistep directions as they built different types of cars. Many of my students had never built with LEGOS, so it was very exciting for them. Thank you for making this experience possible for them. Your generosity is very appreciated.","fullyFundedDate":1764792857347,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-learning/9936407/","projectTitle":"Hands-On Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dunsworth","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1449158"},{"teacherId":1449158,"projectId":9993673,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding this project to make our unit on transportation so fun and engaging. My students are loving flying their gliders outside. They experimented with moving the tail fin and seeing how the it flew in different ways. They also loved painting and designing their own wooden cars. It was a great opportunity for my students to show their creativity.\r\n My students will be able to take their glider and wooden car home at the end of our unit, so they can continue their learning and experiences at home. Thank you for making these experiences possible for my students.","fullyFundedDate":1769177261267,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-transportation/9993673/","projectTitle":"Hands on Transportation","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dunsworth","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1449158"},{"teacherId":8035053,"projectId":9618784,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in providing books for our art room. These books have quickly become an essential part of our creative space, inspiring students before, during, and after artmaking. Through stories about artists, techniques, cultures, and creative problem-solving, students are building background knowledge, expanding vocabulary, and learning that art is more than just making something—it's a way to tell stories, express emotions, and see the world differently.\r\n\r\nReading in the art room looks joyful and purposeful. Students often gather around a book before starting a project to spark ideas, connect visuals to themes, or learn about artists who worked through challenges just like they do. Some students choose to revisit these books during early finish time or quiet moments, using them as inspiration for sketching or planning future artwork. I have seen students who may struggle with traditional reading feel confident and engaged when exploring art books filled with rich visuals and relatable stories.\r\n\r\nThese books have been especially meaningful for students who thrive with visual learning or need extra encouragement to engage with reading. Seeing themselves reflected in artists, cultures, and creative journeys has helped students feel validated and excited to learn. Your generosity has truly enriched our art room, nurturing creativity, curiosity, and confidence. Thank you for believing in our students and helping us create a space where imagination and learning go hand in hand.","fullyFundedDate":1756153406404,"projectUrl":"project/books-are-art-too/9618784/","projectTitle":"Books Are Art Too!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sparks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8035053_orig.jpg?crop=490,490,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1630971325701","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8035053"},{"teacherId":6725828,"projectId":9802656,"letterContent":"Books are an integral part of our day in the PreK classroom. I have 3 structured read alouds with my students everyday. These read alouds are thematic and are tied to our unit of study. \r\n\r\nI like to read books that excite, engage and encourage my students to want to pick the book back up once I place it in our class library. I may place the book in the library with props to encourage a greater understanding of the content or plot of the book. My students might not all be able to read yet, but they remember the story being read and they will mimic reading which is a first step in instilling a love of learning. \r\n\r\nBooks excite, encourage and engage out little learners. Thank you for helping me provide my students with a book to take home and ready with their families.","fullyFundedDate":1764603731019,"projectUrl":"project/chicka-chicka-books-to-read-with-familie/9802656/","projectTitle":"Chicka Chicka Books to Read with Families","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hirsch","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6725828_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x244,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1596858652933","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6725828"},{"teacherId":1449158,"projectId":9548683,"letterContent":"Thank you for generously funding this project to provide some essential materials for my pre-k classroom. My students have been so excited to use the sidewalk chalk to practice writing their names, shapes, numbers, and letters when we are outdoors. The bubbles have also been a fun addition to our outdoor learning time. \r\nWe are using the dry erase markers on a daily basis to practice writing and drawing. We write a morning message on our classroom board, and students come up to help me circle letters or write missing letters","fullyFundedDate":1762267728840,"projectUrl":"project/pre-k-essentials/9548683/","projectTitle":"Pre-K Essentials","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dunsworth","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1449158"},{"teacherId":1449158,"projectId":9531376,"letterContent":"Thank you for funding this project to provide books that my students can take home to enjoy with their families. My students are so excited each week to choose a book to take home in their reading bags. Having quality books to share with my students helps me instill a love of books and reading in my students that will hopefully last their whole lives. The book Jabari Jumps that is in this project promotes the message of being brave and trying new things, even when it might seem scary. Thank you for your generosity and for caring about my students.","fullyFundedDate":1756174305337,"projectUrl":"project/reading-at-home/9531376/","projectTitle":"Reading at Home","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dunsworth","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1449158"},{"teacherId":1455436,"projectId":9595252,"letterContent":"Thank you very much for making the gift of reading a reality for my students. The boys and girls are so excited about taking one of their favorite books home and being able to keep it as their own. Books are important for a child's development because they build literacy and language skills, boost cognitive skills like critical thinking and creativity, and foster emotional intelligence and social awareness. Reading together also strengthens the bond between a child and caregiver. \r\n\r\nThe joyful expressions of each of my students as they carried their books home was a beautiful sight and so rewarding for me as the teacher. Reading to my class is, by far, one of may favorite times of the day. We reaad at least 3 books aloud each day to introduce and teach new vocabulary as well as to instill a passion for reading and learning that can last a lifetime. \r\n\r\nThank you for your support and generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1756059186622,"projectUrl":"project/the-gift-of-reading/9595252/","projectTitle":"The Gift of Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Weatherford","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1455436_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1472602049636","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1455436"},{"teacherId":1449158,"projectId":9284403,"letterContent":"Thank you for funding this project to provide Magna-Tile cars and road pieces. I love to see my students' creativity as they design roads with straight and curvy pieces. The conversations they have with other students as they problem solve how to create the roads is not only building their collaboration skills, but also their vocabulary skills which is key in my Pre-K classroom. The reptile book is a great addition to our classroom library, and it is a great way to help my students practice learning rhyming words. Thank you for the tremendous support you have shown my class!","fullyFundedDate":1755740255688,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-transportation-learning/9284403/","projectTitle":"Hands-On Transportation Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dunsworth","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1449158"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_10620","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":365,"numTeachers":24,"percentFrplEligible":65,"percentAsian":15,"percentBlack":32,"percentWhite":23,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":22,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"15.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":36.4,"schoolId":10620,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Jess Harben Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Jess Harben Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/richardson-independent-school-district/jess-harben-elementary-school/10620"}
Join the 1,172 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Jess Harben Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Richardson, Texas that is part of Richardson Independent School District.
It serves 365 students
in grades Pre-K - 6 with a student/teacher ratio of 15.2:1.
Its teachers have had 398 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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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
70%
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.
Jess Harben Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Feb 26, 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.
Jess Harben Elementary School
$130,874
raised using DonorsChoose
398
projects
funded
35
teachers
funded
1,172
donors
28
projects
for
basic supplies
30
projects for
technology
55
projects for
books
45
projects
for
art supplies
Jess Harben Elementary School has received support from
427 individuals from Texas and
745 individuals out-of-state.