{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Bensley Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":25.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9634489,"projectId":9104726,"letterContent":"When our new Kiddy Organized Learning Spaces arrived, my students were absolutely thrilled! Their eyes lit up the moment they saw the colorful back seat organizers neatly hanging on their chairs. They were excited to explore each pocket and quickly started placing their crayons, scissors, pencils, and glue sticks in their new spots. It was a wonderful moment to witness how something so simple could spark so much joy and curiosity in my kindergarten classroom.\r\nSince incorporating the organizers, our daily routines have become smoother and more efficient. Students no longer need to leave their seats or wait for me to hand out materials—they can now access their supplies independently. This has helped build their sense of responsibility and ownership over their learning space. The classroom feels more structured, and transitions between activities are faster and calmer.\r\nAs we move forward with our lessons and projects, my students will continue to use these organizers daily to support their growing independence. We are starting more hands-on learning activities, and having everything within reach allows us to spend more time exploring and creating together. Thanks to our generous donors, this small change has made a big difference in our classroom community.","fullyFundedDate":1749833225667,"projectUrl":"project/kiddy-organized-learning-spaces/9104726/","projectTitle":"Kiddy Organized Learning Spaces","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Garcia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9634489_orig.png?crop=536,536,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1736535352715","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9634489"},{"teacherId":9634489,"projectId":9125664,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our kindergarten students are loving the new \"Calm Minds, Happy Hearts\" materials! We are using a variety of tools—pop-its, coloring sheets, shake balls, and other calming activities—to help the children practice mindfulness and manage their emotions. One special moment was during a calm activity session: each student chose the materials they enjoyed most, and it was amazing to see how focused and peaceful they became. These resources have truly made a difference in helping them feel relaxed and happy.\r\n\r\nThe children were thrilled when they first saw all the new materials! Some immediately explored the pop-its and shake balls, while others spent time coloring or trying other activities. Their excitement was contagious, and it was wonderful to see them naturally gravitate toward calm, joyful experiences.\r\n\r\nNext, we plan to continue using these materials as part of our daily classroom routines and ongoing projects. Students will explore different calming strategies and reflect on which activities help them feel their best. Your support has given them a hands-on way to develop emotional awareness and calmness, and we are excited to see their continued growth and happiness.","fullyFundedDate":1742582779105,"projectUrl":"project/calm-minds-happy-hearts/9125664/","projectTitle":"Calm Minds, happy Hearts","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Garcia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9634489_orig.png?crop=536,536,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1736535352715","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9634489"},{"teacherId":9928301,"projectId":9206917,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom has become a brighter, more organized, and \r\ninspiring space for my multilingual learners. The motivational pencils, colored pencils, highlighters, and caddy organizers have already made a big impact in both small and meaningful ways.\r\n\r\nThe day my students first saw the materials, they were so excited to pick out pencils with encouraging messages like \"You've got this!\" and \"Mistakes are proof you are learning.\" One student smiled and said, \"It feels like the pencil is talking to me!\" It was a joyful moment that showed how something simple can truly lift their spirits and motivate them to keep trying.\r\n\r\nWe are currently working on a reading comprehension project where students highlight key vocabulary and main ideas in short texts. With their new highlighters, they are more engaged in identifying important words and phrases. During group work, the caddy organizers make it easy for them to quickly grab what they need, stay focused, and transition smoothly between activities.\r\n\r\nOur next step is to use the colored pencils for mind mapping and text annotation as we dive into a unit on cultural traditions. Students will be able to visually connect ideas, share personal experiences, and collaborate on creative projects that strengthen both their language and critical thinking skills.\r\n\r\nYour support has given my students not only tools for learning but also daily reminders that they are capable, creative, and resilient. Thank you for helping me create a classroom where they feel empowered and excited to grow.","fullyFundedDate":1742920874685,"projectUrl":"project/bright-minds-organized-spaces-enhancin/9206917/","projectTitle":"Bright Minds, Organized Spaces: Enhancing Learning with Color and Order","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Castro","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9928301"},{"teacherId":9928301,"projectId":9123669,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our Global Learning Hub has become a welcoming and flexible space where my ESL students feel comfortable, valued, and excited to learn. The rug and clipboards have transformed our small-group area into a true gathering place for collaboration and discovery.\r\n\r\nThe first day my students walked in and saw the rug, they immediately sat down together, smiling and calling it our \"English corner.\" It was heartwarming to see how quickly they took ownership of the space. With the clipboards in hand, they can now move around the classroom, participate in group discussions, and write wherever they feel most focused—whether on the rug, in pairs, or during peer interviews.\r\n\r\nOne powerful moment happened during a storytelling activity. Students sat on the rug in a circle, using their clipboards to jot down notes as they listened to a classmate share a personal story. Not only were they practicing their listening and speaking skills, but they were also showing empathy and respect for one another's voices.\r\n\r\nRight now, we are beginning a project where students will share cultural traditions from their home countries through both writing and oral presentations. The rug gives us a comfortable space for sharing, and the clipboards allow students to draft and edit their work anywhere in the room. Our next step will be connecting these stories to global themes like community and identity, helping students build confidence as global learners and storytellers.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has given my students more than just resources—you've given them a safe, flexible environment where they can grow as communicators, collaborators, and critical thinkers. We are so grateful for your kindness and belief in their potential.\r\n\r\nWith gratitude,\r\nJuanita Castro","fullyFundedDate":1742582578622,"projectUrl":"project/the-global-learning-hub-a-flexible-spac/9123669/","projectTitle":"The Global Learning Hub: A Flexible Space for ESL Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Castro","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9928301"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_33640","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":615,"numTeachers":52,"percentFrplEligible":76,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":13,"percentWhite":5,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":78,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"11.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":74.6,"schoolId":33640,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Bensley Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Bensley Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/virginia/chesterfield-county-public-schools/bensley-elementary-school/33640"}
Join the 142 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Bensley Elementary School is
a suburban public school
in Richmond, Virginia that is part of Chesterfield County Public Schools.
It serves 615 students
in grades K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 11.8:1.
Its teachers have had 33 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. Each classroom request for funding was created by a classroom teacher and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
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
91%
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.
Bensley Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 5, 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.
Bensley Elementary School
$15,496
raised using DonorsChoose
33
projects
funded
20
teachers
funded
142
donors
1
project
for
basic supplies
1
project for
books
2
projects
for
art supplies
Bensley Elementary School has received support from
106 individuals from Virginia and
36 individuals out-of-state.