{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Johnston Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":23.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9303572,"projectId":9787285,"letterContent":"In the speech and language classroom, motivation is a powerful catalyst for learning. When students are genuinely engaged, they are more willing to take risks, communicate, and persist through challenges. Incorporating a motivating STEM-based activity into therapy sessions can transform learning from a task into an experience, and the impact of such an activity has been profound across students with a wide range of abilities.\r\n\r\nThe STEM activity used in this classroom immediately captured student interest, drawing in learners with diverse strengths, needs, and communication profiles. For some students, the activity served as a reward for their hard work and effort during speech and language sessions. Knowing they would have access to this engaging experience increased motivation, focus, and perseverance throughout therapy tasks. The anticipation alone encouraged students to complete challenging work and remain actively involved.\r\n\r\nFor other students, the activity became the context for meaningful skill-building. Rather than practicing communication in isolation, students were able to work on turn taking, functional communication, and social skills within a shared, hands-on experience. The activity naturally requires cooperation, problem-solving, and interaction, providing authentic opportunities for students to communicate with peers and adults. These real-world communication demands makes learning more relevant and impactful.\r\n\r\nFor the most complex learners, the activity proved especially valuable as a tool for practicing core vocabulary. Using Air Toobz, students worked on essential words such as: want, like, make, put, on, in, out, go, stop, fast, slow, and turn. These words were embedded naturally into play, allowing students to see and feel the meaning behind each concept. The cause-and-effect nature of the activity supported comprehension and expressive communication, making abstract language more concrete and accessible.\r\n\r\nOne of the most powerful indicators of the activity's success has been student initiation. Some students have begun asking for the activity even when it is not visible, demonstrating increased motivation, memory, and spontaneous communication. This carryover reflects not only enjoyment, but meaningful engagement and learning.\r\n\r\nBy blending motivation, play, and purposeful communication, this activity has supported students in meaningful ways and reinforced the idea that learning can be both effective and fun. My students will continue to enjoy using this activity in future speech and language sessions!","fullyFundedDate":1762267752436,"projectUrl":"project/creating-language-and-fun/9787285/","projectTitle":"Creating Language and Fun!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cole","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9303572_orig.png?crop=555,555,x1,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1704480424010","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9303572"},{"teacherId":4920138,"projectId":9093509,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to my Early Childhood classroom. My student are now able to sit at our classroom tables feeling stable and supportive. Their feet touch the floor comfortably while their backs are supported. I was using kinder chairs with my previous tables and no longer need a \"special chair\" for certain students. These tables and chairs have done wonders for my entire class!! I look forward to my students in year to come being able to sit comfortably during table activities. You have made a true difference.","fullyFundedDate":1739455197800,"projectUrl":"project/sitting-in-style-while-supported-and-sta/9093509/","projectTitle":"Sitting in Style While Supported and Stable","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Roberts","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4920138_orig.jpg?crop=953,954,x0,y3&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1692708591547","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-roberts4k"},{"teacherId":4920138,"projectId":9093481,"letterContent":"This project that you have helped me fun as enabled my students to move in the classroom in ways like never before. Not only have these resources allowed my students to enhance their gross motor skills, through practicing coordination, strength, and stability, they have also allowed my students to seek out ways to help regulate their sensory systems through movement. \r\n\r\nMy students were so excited to see these new pieces of equipment, and were curious to try them out right away. My team has taught my student how to use the equipment safely and now they seek out using the equipment on their own. \r\n\r\nMy team as seen so much joy and excitement as student engage in our gross motor area. We appreciate all you have done to make this project possible.","fullyFundedDate":1739374262133,"projectUrl":"project/swing-slide-climb-and-crash-into-early/9093481/","projectTitle":"Swing, Slide, Climb and Crash into Early Childhood","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Roberts","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4920138_orig.jpg?crop=953,954,x0,y3&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1692708591547","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-roberts4k"},{"teacherId":9303572,"projectId":8799687,"letterContent":"Thank you for creating flexible, movement oriented seating options for our students with sensory input needs!!\r\n\r\n The 8 ball chairs are a favorite for many students—including students who didn't know they'd benefit from being able to gently move their bodies while learning. Students in grades kindergarten through 5th grade use the ball chairs daily during their speech and language sessions. \r\n\r\nSeveral students benefited greatly from the foot fidget bands that wrap around the bottom of a chair. These were so helpful in speech and language therapy, that we provided extra bands to those students' general and other special education classroom.\r\n\r\nOur little tikes in pre-k love the wobble cushions the most! These can be used on a regular chair, cube chair, or on the carpet itself!\r\n\r\nWe are so grateful to have these excellent tools for our amazing students this year and many years to come!!","fullyFundedDate":1737229815675,"projectUrl":"project/flexible-seating-to-facilitate-regulatio/8799687/","projectTitle":"Flexible Seating to Facilitate Regulation, Engagement, and Language Skills","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cole","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9303572_orig.png?crop=555,555,x1,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1704480424010","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9303572"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_37998","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":409,"numTeachers":34,"percentFrplEligible":76,"percentAsian":21,"percentBlack":7,"percentWhite":46,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":14,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"12.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":76.3,"schoolId":37998,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Johnston Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Johnston Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/wisconsin/appleton-area-school-district/johnston-elementary-school/37998"}
Join the 76 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Johnston Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Appleton, Wisconsin that is part of Appleton Area School District.
It serves 409 students
in grades Pre-K - 6 with a student/teacher ratio of 12.0:1.
Its teachers have had 25 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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
42%
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.
Johnston Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Feb 9, 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.
Johnston Elementary School
$13,258
raised using DonorsChoose
25
projects
funded
15
teachers
funded
76
donors
3
projects for
technology
2
projects
for
art supplies
Johnston Elementary School has received support from
58 individuals from Wisconsin and
18 individuals out-of-state.
