{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Willis A Jenkins Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":34.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10007049,"projectId":9577459,"letterContent":"Our new classroom rug has quickly become the heart of our art room. Students use it daily as a gathering space for mini-lessons, artist talks, and reflection time. One of my favorite moments was during a recent lesson when students sat together on the rug to share their artwork and explain their ideas. It allowed them to have a comfortable, clearly defined space to focus, listen respectfully, and feel confident speaking in front of their peers. It's also become a calming space where students know it's time to reset, refocus, and prepare their creative minds.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the rug, their reactions were immediate and joyful. There were lots of smiles, excited comments, and even a few students teaching others how to correctly pronounce the colors listed in Spanish! They noticed right away how inviting it was, and many were eager to sit together on it. The rug instantly helped create a sense of belonging and pride in our classroom making the art room feel more welcoming and special.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, students will continue using the rug as we begin new art projects and explore artists and techniques together. Our next steps include collaborative discussions, planning sketches, and peer feedback sessions, all of which start on the rug before students move into hands on creation. Thanks to our donors, students now have a space that supports not just their artwork, but also their conversations, confidence, and creativity.","fullyFundedDate":1755821871986,"projectUrl":"project/the-art-reflection-rug/9577459/","projectTitle":"The Art Reflection Rug","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Erhard","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10007049_orig.jpg?crop=472,472,x89,y8&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1749496836750","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10007049"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_34842","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":509,"numTeachers":26,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":50,"percentWhite":18,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":19,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"19.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":65.2,"schoolId":34842,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Willis A Jenkins Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Willis A Jenkins Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/virginia/newport-news-public-schools/willis-a-jenkins-elementary-school/34842"}
Join the 132 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Willis A Jenkins Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Newport News, Virginia that is part of Newport News Public Schools.
It serves 509 students
in grades K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 19.6:1.
Its teachers have had 38 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Share and help support Willis A Jenkins Elementary School
Boost support for this school! Share this page with friends, family, alumni, and fellow supporters. Every connection helps teachers get the supplies they need and shows how much your community cares about its students.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for public school teachers.
Every donation funds real needs — pencils, books, lab equipment, art supplies, and more — helping students learn and thrive. We ship supplies directly to the school, and you'll see exactly where each dollar goes.
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
71%
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.
Willis A Jenkins Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Jan 15, 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.
Willis A Jenkins Elementary School
$15,426
raised using DonorsChoose
38
projects
funded
22
teachers
funded
132
donors
2
projects
for
basic supplies
1
project for
technology
8
projects for
books
2
projects
for
art supplies
Willis A Jenkins Elementary School has received support from
86 individuals from Virginia and
46 individuals out-of-state.
