Westhaven Elementary School in Portsmouth, Virginia on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Westhaven Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":39.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9668449,"projectId":8657523,"letterContent":"I hope this letter finds you well. I want to extend my deepest gratitude for your generous donations of sensory toys, puzzles, play dough and the variety of fidget toys. These materials have a had an incredibly positive impact on my students. \r\nThe sensory toys, play dough and fidgets have been a game-changer. The students I work with face challenges related to focus, sensory processing and emotional regulation. These tools have given them ways to engage their senses, calm their minds and enhance their focus during instructional time. \r\n\r\nMy students who have sensory processing needs, the sensory toys have helped them better manage being overstimulated and anxiety. By using the items such as the squishy toys and textured balls, they are able to self regulate and also stay calm. And with the small fidgets, the students are able to channel their energy in a positive way without becoming distracted. By the students using the puzzles and play dough, they are able to practice patience, improve cognitive abilities and most importantly enjoy how creative they can be. \r\n\r\nThe kids faces lit up when they saw the new items I received from you all. I had some fidgets but not in the magnitude I have now from all the gracious donors. The students have a plethora of items at their disposal to utilize to calm them down and reset in order to go back to class in a calm and positive manner. Thank you once again for your kindness and commitment to my students.","fullyFundedDate":1733239728998,"projectUrl":"project/ms-smiths-cozy-calming-corner/8657523/","projectTitle":"Ms. Smith’s Cozy Calming Corner","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Smith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9668449_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723671520663","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9668449"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_34921","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":402,"numTeachers":35,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":66,"percentWhite":17,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":6,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"11.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":60.2,"schoolId":34921,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Westhaven Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Westhaven Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/virginia/portsmouth-public-schools/westhaven-elementary-school/34921"}

About this school

Westhaven Elementary School is an urban public school in Portsmouth, Virginia that is part of Portsmouth Public Schools. It serves 402 students in grades K - 6 with a student/teacher ratio of 11.5:1. Its teachers have had 27 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades K - 6

402 Students

35 Teachers

3701 Clifford St

Portsmouth, VA 23707 View local requests

Evidence-based impact

Inspire teachers to stay in the classroom and boost student achievement.¹

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

Westhaven Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

Ms. San Diego

Ms. Smith

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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.

See how DonorsChoose works

Westhaven Elementary School Demographics

95%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

72%

of students are Black, Latino, Native American, or Asian

Schools in districts that mainly serve students of color receive substantially less state and local support than similar districts that serve primarily White students. Learn more about this gap, why it exists, and how you can help close it.

Westhaven 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.