{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Richard Bowling Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":57.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10073595,"projectId":10000544,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our classroom has completely transformed into a more organized, calm, and focused learning space. We are using the new bins, storage containers, and supply organizers every single day to keep math manipulatives, reading center materials, small-group supplies, and student tools neatly arranged and easily accessible. One special moment that stands out was during small-group math rotations—students were able to independently grab exactly what they needed and transition smoothly without losing instructional time. Instead of searching for materials, they were ready to learn. That independence has built both confidence and responsibility in my third graders.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the new materials, they were genuinely excited. They couldn't believe the classroom looked so \"official\" and organized! Several students immediately began helping sort supplies and label bins, proudly taking ownership of our new system. For many of them, having clearly defined spaces for their work has reduced distractions and helped them stay focused. It may seem simple, but an organized environment has made a powerful difference in their ability to concentrate and feel successful.\r\n\r\nNext, we will continue building student responsibility by assigning classroom organization leaders who will help maintain our systems throughout upcoming reading and math projects. As we begin our next unit, students will rotate through structured centers using the labeled materials and supply stations you helped provide. Your support has created a foundation for smoother instruction, stronger independence, and more meaningful learning experiences. Thank you for investing in our classroom and making this growth possible!","fullyFundedDate":1768753258511,"projectUrl":"project/organized-classroom-successful-learners/10000544/","projectTitle":"Organized Classroom, Successful Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Solon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10073595_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752014134515","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10073595"},{"teacherId":7591375,"projectId":9892679,"letterContent":"Thank you for providing fun books for my students. I am working my way through them to make them accessible by adding braille. My students have really enjoyed the books I have added braille to so far. They are big fans of Pete the Cat and have loved reading to the Pete doll that came with the kit. \r\nExpanding our braille library has had a big impact on our students. They like to have new books and hear/read new stories. Now they are able to read some of the same books as their non-disabled peers. Thank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1767190429888,"projectUrl":"project/books-for-braille/9892679/","projectTitle":"Books for Braille","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lancaster","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7591375_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1662043673584","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7591375"},{"teacherId":9580321,"projectId":9805814,"letterContent":"I am writing with a heart full of gratitude to thank you for supporting our classroom by funding the purchase of headphones for our students. Your generosity has made a meaningful difference in our learning environment, and I am truly thankful for your kindness and belief in our students' success.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, each child now has access to their own set of headphones, which has already transformed our daily routines in so many positive ways. In a classroom full of curious and energetic learners, having headphones allows students to focus more deeply during independent learning time. Whether they are listening to stories, practicing phonics skills, engaging with interactive math activities, or using educational programs, they are able to concentrate without distractions and fully engage with the content.\r\n\r\nFor many of our students, these headphones provide opportunities that might not otherwise be possible. They help create a more inclusive environment where all learners can work at their own pace and build confidence in their abilities. Students who sometimes feel overwhelmed by noise now have a tool that helps them feel more comfortable and ready to learn. It has been wonderful to see their excitement when using technology in a way that feels personal and supportive.\r\n\r\nYour donation has also helped us maximize instructional time. Transitions are smoother, students are more independent, and small group instruction runs more effectively because others can remain meaningfully engaged. These may seem like small changes, but together they create a classroom atmosphere that is calmer, more productive, and filled with opportunities for growth.\r\n\r\nBeyond the practical benefits, your generosity sends a powerful message to our students — that there are people in the community who care about them and believe in their potential. That message is something they will carry with them far beyond our classroom walls. Knowing that others are invested in their learning helps build a sense of pride and motivation that is truly priceless.\r\n\r\nAs a teacher, it is incredibly encouraging to know that we have the support of people like you who understand the importance of providing students with the tools they need to succeed. Your kindness not only supports their academic growth but also helps create joyful and engaging learning experiences each day.\r\n\r\nThank you for making a direct and lasting impact on our classroom. Your generosity has opened doors for our students and helped create an environment where they can thrive. Please know that your support is appreciated more than words can fully","fullyFundedDate":1768753256560,"projectUrl":"project/listing-and-learning/9805814/","projectTitle":"Listing and Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Costen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9580321_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720486086844","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9580321"},{"teacherId":6746151,"projectId":10001862,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity in contributing to our learning space in our pre k 3 classroom. My students are thoroughly enjoying using the standing magnet board. They are discovering the different magnetic items that can stick to it. I am enjoying the versatility of the standing magnetic board. It has been in our science/discovery area for our Tubes and Tunnels unit where the students used tube connectors to create tunnels. This is where they also discovered magnet tiles could stick to the board. The magnetic standing board has since been relocated to our library area where the students are using it to explore letters. The possibilities are endless and we are truly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1768753256765,"projectUrl":"project/magnificent-magnets/10001862/","projectTitle":"Magnificent Magnets","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wilson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6746151"},{"teacherId":6746151,"projectId":10014844,"letterContent":"My pre k 3 students are throughly enjoying building and using their imagination at the new activity table. They have not stop playing with it. It has given them the space to design and create new structures. We are currently using it as a Lego table. I can not wait to continue to use this activity table in the spring. It will be perfect for our unit of study on sand and we can even convert it to a water table as well. The possibilities are endless. It is a fantastic addition that allows for collaborative hands on learning. We are so grateful for your generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1768753259846,"projectUrl":"project/unlimited-imagination/10014844/","projectTitle":"Unlimited Imagination","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wilson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6746151"},{"teacherId":3766256,"projectId":9929990,"letterContent":"I am thoroughly thankful for your generous donations that allowed us to purchase plastic tubs to organize our math centers. I had such a great time filling the colorful trays with engaging math stations like domino counting, pattern-making with shapes, puzzles, and counting cubes. The color-coordinated trays make it simple to grab a station and set it on a table for small-group learning. This has made our math time smoother, more efficient, and much more engaging for my students.\r\nWhen my students first saw the colorful trays, they were overjoyed and eager to explore what was inside. The organization has also made cleanup easy and empowering—students can now help put materials back where they belong. Having everything together in one place saves valuable classroom time and helps our day run more smoothly. It also encourages students to take responsibility for their learning space.\r\nLooking ahead, I will also be using the clear containers for reading stations where students can work with a partner or independently. They will practice important early literacy skills such as beginning sounds, rhyming, encoding and decoding CVC words, and letter recognition. Your support has made our kindergarten classroom more organized, colorful, and ready for meaningful learning. Thank you so much for making a difference in our students' daily experiences!","fullyFundedDate":1764423661665,"projectUrl":"project/tiny-tubs-for-tiny-learners/9929990/","projectTitle":"Tiny Tubs for Tiny Learners!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Novelly","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3766256_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1696678878486","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-novelly"},{"teacherId":7126367,"projectId":9682288,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom. Because of you, my students have been able to use these new hands-on resources to strengthen their fine motor skills, which directly supports their writing development. The materials give them meaningful, engaging ways to build the small muscle control they need for pencil grip, letter formation, and overall confidence as writers.\r\n\r\nOne special moment that stood out was when the students first explored the light box. They absolutely loved it. What surprised me most was how focused they were — many students stayed engaged for more than ten minutes at a time, which is huge for this age group. They were excited to touch, build, and experiment, and I could see both their curiosity and persistence grow as they worked.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, we'll continue using these materials in creative ways across lessons. Right now, students are building and exploring while also practicing spelling sight words using the nuts and bolts. This turns literacy practice into a hands-on experience that feels like play but builds essential skills. Your support has made our classroom more interactive, inclusive, and joyful, and we are so grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1764076060138,"projectUrl":"project/little-hands-big-writing-goals/9682288/","projectTitle":"Little Hands, Big Writing Goals","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Heather","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7126367"},{"teacherId":3650668,"projectId":9786833,"letterContent":"Thank you for funding \"Tools for Focus: Headphones & Chair Stabilizers.\" These tools have had an immediate impact on my classroom. Students can now work with fewer distractions during independent reading, centers, and online programs like Lexia/IXL. The chair stabilizers have also reduced noise and movement in the room, making our learning environment calmer and more focused. Because of you, my students are able to concentrate longer, learn more confidently, and make the most of every instructional minute. Thank you for supporting our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1767113669306,"projectUrl":"project/tools-for-focus-headphones-chair-stab/9786833/","projectTitle":"Tools for Focus: Headphones & Chair Stabilizers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Key","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3650668_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1748040155874","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3650668"},{"teacherId":10171282,"projectId":9944796,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our first-grade classroom has been able to strengthen the positive habits we work on every day being kind, trying our best, and making positive choices. We use a ClassDojo points system to encourage these behaviors, and the new incentives allow students to earn meaningful rewards based on the points they accumulate. Students earn points for showing responsibility, respect, helping others, and staying focused. One memorable moment was watching a student who usually struggles with behavior proudly reach their goal and earn a reward, it boosted their confidence and motivated others to work toward their own goals as well.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the rewards, they were beyond excited. They immediately began asking how many points they needed and reminding one another to make good choices. The excitement quickly turned into motivation, and students became more intentional about their behavior throughout the day. It created a positive, encouraging atmosphere where students felt proud of their accomplishments.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, our next steps include continuing to build strong classroom habits through goal-setting and reflection. Students are learning to track their ClassDojo points, set personal behavior goals, and celebrate their progress. These resources help us continue creating a classroom environment where every child feels valued, encouraged, and proud of the positive choices they make. Thank you for supporting our classroom and giving our students something to work toward each day.","fullyFundedDate":1765077604453,"projectUrl":"project/positive-behavior-positive-rewards/9944796/","projectTitle":"Positive Behavior, Positive Rewards","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Blount","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10171282_orig.jpg?crop=1317,1317,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755739695494","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10171282"},{"teacherId":3698177,"projectId":9964920,"letterContent":"I am so grateful to all of you for realizing the importance of the awesome instruments you provided.\r\nThe impact in our daily routine and in the way we utilize music in our classroom has been amazing! Part of our routine is keeping a steady beat, now we can add shakers and tambourines to our repertoire. We play a number/counting song and an alphabet or letter sound song. After a discussion about the skill or theme we are working on, we play a song to reinforce that. During Music Time, we choose from a variety of movement songs with the music to enhance listening, following directions and keeping the beat to the music and recognizing tones as signals.","fullyFundedDate":1766764536357,"projectUrl":"project/lets-move-to-the-music/9964920/","projectTitle":"Let's Move to the Music","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hogge","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3698177"},{"teacherId":3698177,"projectId":9839988,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generosity! These books will provide these young scholars with a great message to learn, as well as, the concepts of print. This book has an awesome message of kindness that we all need these days.\r\n\r\nMy students will be able to learn the parts of a book, while holding it in their hands. We will talk about the importance of words and how they convey meaning. We will discuss the parts of a book while being able to hold it in their hands and manipulate it on their own.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving them this opportunity!","fullyFundedDate":1768139192494,"projectUrl":"project/kindness-rules/9839988/","projectTitle":"Kindness Rules","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hogge","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3698177"},{"teacherId":3698177,"projectId":9927349,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous gift to these young minds. Providing high quality reading material to children that would go without, if it weren't for donors like you. This will be some of the first books that they will have at home.\r\n\r\nWe can now talk about the parts of the book, while they are holding their very own copy. The students can manipulate and handle it with care, while turning pages and deciphering words from pictures.\r\n\r\nWhat you have done is give them the boost during these trying times. Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1765409482684,"projectUrl":"project/a-snowy-day/9927349/","projectTitle":"A Snowy Day","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hogge","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3698177"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_34847","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":492,"numTeachers":40,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":88,"percentWhite":2,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":4,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"12.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":42.1,"schoolId":34847,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Richard Bowling Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Richard Bowling Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/virginia/norfolk-public-schools/richard-bowling-elementary-school/34847"}
Join the 972 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Richard Bowling Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Norfolk, Virginia that is part of Norfolk Public Schools.
It serves 492 students
in grades Pre-K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 12.3:1.
Its teachers have had 1,352 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Share and help support Richard Bowling 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
92%
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.
Richard Bowling Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Feb 20, 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.
Richard Bowling Elementary School
$388,524
raised using DonorsChoose
1,352
projects
funded
79
teachers
funded
972
donors
115
projects
for
basic supplies
146
projects for
technology
134
projects for
books
93
projects
for
art supplies
Richard Bowling Elementary School has received support from
409 individuals from Virginia and
563 individuals out-of-state.