{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Ralph Witters Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":54.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9834177,"projectId":8940417,"letterContent":"The ukuleles are just beginning to make their mark in our classroom. As they're being unboxed and tuned, the anticipation is building. Our first project will be learning simple chords and strumming patterns so students can play together as an ensemble. One of the songs we're most excited to explore are traditional sea shanties—music meant for voices joined in rhythm, full of energy and teamwork. These instruments will give my students the chance to experience what it feels like to create music as a community, rather than as individuals.\r\n\r\nThe excitement was immediate and electric. When the boxes arrived, students leaned in with wide eyes, whispering to each other, \"Are those really for us?\" As the ukuleles emerged from their cases, the room filled with smiles, laughter, and the nervous energy of children realizing something big was about to happen. Even before a single chord was taught, the sense of possibility had already taken hold.\r\n\r\nThe journey is just beginning. Our next steps are to learn the first foundational chords and practice strumming together, setting the stage for singing songs that depend on teamwork and steady rhythm. Once those skills take root, students will dive into sea shanties and folk songs—music that connects history, storytelling, and collaboration. This is only the beginning of a long voyage with these instruments, one that will continue to grow as the students gain confidence and creativity.","fullyFundedDate":1735046401796,"projectUrl":"project/ukuleles-in-the-classroom/8940417/","projectTitle":"Ukuleles in the Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Gurtler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9834177_orig.jpg?crop=3370,3370,x314,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731616433146","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9834177"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_39428","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":214,"numTeachers":21,"percentFrplEligible":45,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":85,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":7,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 4","studentTeacherRatio":"10.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_REMOTE"},"inStateSupporters":45.5,"schoolId":39428,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Ralph Witters Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Ralph Witters Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/wyoming/hot-springs-county-school-district-1/ralph-witters-elementary-school/39428"}
Join the 77 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Ralph Witters Elementary School is
a rural public school
in Thermopolis, Wyoming that is part of Hot Springs County School District 1.
It serves 214 students
in grades K - 4 with a student/teacher ratio of 10.2:1.
Its teachers have had 33 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Share and help support Ralph Witters Elementary School
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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
7%
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.
Ralph Witters Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 25, 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.
Ralph Witters Elementary School
$15,613
raised using DonorsChoose
33
projects
funded
14
teachers
funded
77
donors
2
projects
for
basic supplies
2
projects for
technology
4
projects for
books
2
projects
for
art supplies
Ralph Witters Elementary School has received support from
35 individuals from Wyoming and
42 individuals out-of-state.
