{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Augustin Lara Elementary Academy","outOfStateSupporters":36.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":29507,"projectId":10179519,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for giving money to our school Field Day. The day went great, in part, because of your donation. Field Day can be such a challenge because many times we do not have the money for anything extra in our budget. You donation made the Field Day so much better. \r\nField Day at my school is a great time for the kids. They get to have so much fun with their friends in an unstructured way and still behave well which means a lot. When you work with students in Physical Education and the the habits transfer over it is rewarding. Thank you again and please continue to support Physical Education.","fullyFundedDate":1777650809476,"projectUrl":"project/school-field-day/10179519/","projectTitle":"School Field Day","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. M.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp29507_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1489263475796","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/29507"},{"teacherId":29507,"projectId":9968197,"letterContent":"It was so awesome to give the shin guards to the soccer team. They were so excited. I think it got them excited for the season. I think before your donation there was only two players with shin guards. The donation got them so excited for the first game. They tied so the outcome was not what they wanted but your donation, as one student told me, made them feel like a more complete team. He said it was cool how they all matched up. Thank you again and please continue to support Physical Education and Athletics.","fullyFundedDate":1773852488282,"projectUrl":"project/soccer-is-back/9968197/","projectTitle":"Soccer is Back!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. M.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp29507_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1489263475796","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/29507"},{"teacherId":29507,"projectId":10134410,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating to my school. Health class and lessons can be very tricky. Many times we create are own lessons because there are no lesson set in stone for us. We create our own plan and some of the materials can be tough to come by. That is why it was so great that you could donate to us. \r\nMy students are great kids who deserve every type of help to succeed in life. Your generous donation helped with quite a few lessons for the kids. It is important they know all aspects of a Healthy Lifestyle.","fullyFundedDate":1773844355917,"projectUrl":"project/healthpe-materials/10134410/","projectTitle":"Health/PE Materials","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. M.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp29507_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1489263475796","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/29507"},{"teacherId":10439351,"projectId":10112683,"letterContent":"The use of the \"survival guide\" is for students to have their coping skills, do's and don'ts, journals, and many other things at their leisure. The survival guides give students time to review things they have learned in individual instruction and group instruction. This is a project that they can keep beyond their elementary school days. I encourage students to keep their guides throughout life as a token to learning to be better each and every day. Students are the Captain of their own ship and with the creation of their guides they began to realize it more. So thank you all very much for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1773841923262,"projectUrl":"project/my-own-survival-guide/10112683/","projectTitle":"My Own Survival Guide","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Townsend","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10439351"},{"teacherId":9241237,"projectId":9933656,"letterContent":"I want to start off by saying thank you for your support. These resources have been very helpful in discussing topics related to self-esteem and confidence. One of the most popular materials from the project was the puppets. My students have been able to use these puppets when engaged in various conversations during sessions or when reading some of the books that were part of this project. The puppets have been a good resource with expressing thoughts, feelings, as well as with modeling positive self-talk and affirmations. \r\n\r\nAdditionally, I have been incorporating the use of the books that were a part of this project to encourage students to reflect on making mistakes, demonstrating perseverance and seeking help when they need it. I have seen students practice positive self-talk through the use of these books and other resources. It has been great to see how engaging all the materials have been. Once again, thank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1773841420474,"projectUrl":"project/building-self-esteem-through-books/9933656/","projectTitle":"Building Self-Esteem Through Books","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Navarrete","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9241237_orig.jpg?crop=1399,1399,x583,y412&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1695228555393","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/osbeyda"},{"teacherId":29507,"projectId":10134555,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping my volleyball players get some new equipment to improve at their favorite sport. It means so much to me when someone can take money out of their pocket to help my kids. My student-athletes have such a big love for volleyball and your donation helped them continue their success. \r\nI think sports are more important than they have ever been in my life. Many of our students lack social skills and sports help them with this. There are so many students that are less active than any time I can remember. Sports is a great outlet for those kids to get active. So, please continue to support Physical Education.","fullyFundedDate":1773859110000,"projectUrl":"project/new-volleyball-nets/10134555/","projectTitle":"New Volleyball Nets","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. M.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp29507_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1489263475796","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/29507"},{"teacherId":5805051,"projectId":9960870,"letterContent":"On behalf of the students and staff at Lara Academy, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude for your generous donation to our school gardening & school beautification project. Your support has officially turned our heavily trampled dirt patches into the beginnings of a thriving garden!\r\n\r\nWith your contributions we have been able to purchase essential supplies including heirloom seed mixes, live boxwood bushes and FOUR large, raised garden beds that are metal, sturdy and not prone to rusting.\r\n\r\nBecause we are in Chicago and the weather is not conducive to gardening just yet, we are doing some of the prep work behind the scenes. Our school officially has a GARDENING CLUB! It has truly been inspiring to see the students' faces light up when they saw the size of the garden beds. They enjoyed picking out the spots where we will place them. I am certain the first sprouts breaking through the soil will bring the even more joy. Your investment is doing more than just growing plants; it is cultivating a sense of responsibility and a love for nature at our school. \r\n\r\nI am uncertain if I will be able to add more photographs to this letter in the future but I will definitely try, when our first blooms appear! Thank you again for your incredible generosity and for believing in our vision.","fullyFundedDate":1766507561977,"projectUrl":"project/our-school-is-blooming/9960870/","projectTitle":"Our School Is Blooming","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. E","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5805051_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1662572235409","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-alvarez-talavera"},{"teacherId":29507,"projectId":9913065,"letterContent":"You can begin to understand the impact your donation has had to my school. The biggest impact has been with my cluster programs at school. Physical Education class can be tough to do with a group of students who all have some kind of difficulty in learning. They present challenges the other classes do not present. One of them is what equipment can be safe for them.\r\nThis is where your equipment came into perfect use. The kids were not able to break the equipment so easily. They also loved playing with it. They are great students who deserve everything that general education students get. Your donation helped make this happen.","fullyFundedDate":1772656987583,"projectUrl":"project/beginning-our-sports-journey/9913065/","projectTitle":"Beginning Our Sports Journey","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. M.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp29507_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1489263475796","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/29507"},{"teacherId":29507,"projectId":9567133,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating. The balls are a big hit with the little kids. They love them. It is so great to teach them a sport and not have to worry about the ball hurting them. You don't know how many times a basketball has hit a kid in the head or jammed a finger. The balls you helped purchase are great. There have been no injuries, knock on wood, and the balls are so soft that the special education classes love them also. Please continue to donate to Physical Education programs because exercise and sports are so important to a child's growth.","fullyFundedDate":1763695229360,"projectUrl":"project/introduction-to-sports/9567133/","projectTitle":"Introduction to Sports","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. M.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp29507_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1489263475796","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/29507"},{"teacherId":4022146,"projectId":9189109,"letterContent":"Thank you for the generous donations. Thanks to you my middle school students have hygiene products to help them stay clean and healthy so they can focus on learning. Students have access to all materials you donated in our highway bins so they can take what they need when they need it. The toothbrushes and deodorant have been especially helpful in helping increase our attendance. Female students appreciate the variety of sizes and strength of all pads and have been in charging of restocking our supply when necessary. My students are extremely grateful and hope you continue to support us in the future.","fullyFundedDate":1745807244286,"projectUrl":"project/hygiene-helping-our-mental-health/9189109/","projectTitle":"Hygiene Helping Our Mental Health","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hanney","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4022146_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1582253002461","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-piggy"},{"teacherId":12316,"projectId":9298810,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous gift of the beautiful book A Letter from Our Teachers. Your kindness and thoughtfulness have brought so much warmth and inspiration to our classroom. From the moment we opened the book, my students were captivated by its colorful illustrations and the powerful message of encouragement that runs through every page.\r\n\r\nThis story has quickly become one of our class favorites. Each time we read it together, we pause to talk about the lessons it teaches—about kindness, perseverance, and the power of believing in yourself. My students love hearing the words of encouragement from the teachers in the story, and many of them have said, \"That sounds like you, Ms. Chin!\" It has opened up so many meaningful conversations about what it means to learn, to grow, and to care for one another.\r\n\r\nFor many of my young learners, books like this help them see themselves as part of a loving and supportive classroom family. The message of A Letter from Our Teachers reminds them that their teachers believe in them, even when learning feels hard. It helps them understand that mistakes are part of growing, and that they are capable of amazing things when they try their best.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has not only given us a wonderful book—it has given us a daily reminder of the importance of love, encouragement, and community. Thank you for helping us fill our classroom with stories that inspire confidence and hope. We are so grateful for your support and for believing in the power of reading to shape young hearts and minds.","fullyFundedDate":1755700237838,"projectUrl":"project/a-letter-from-your-teacher/9298810/","projectTitle":"A Letter From Your Teacher!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Chin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp12316_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1452989399373","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jeannechin1"},{"teacherId":12316,"projectId":9298566,"letterContent":"Words cannot fully express the gratitude my students and I feel for your incredible support of our classroom project, \"Help Us Create Letters Without Tears.\" Thanks to your generosity, our classroom has been transformed into a space filled with excitement, creativity, and confidence in learning to write. Every contribution you made—no matter the size—has directly touched the lives of my students and brought a sense of joy and pride to their daily work.\r\n\r\nBefore your donation, many of my young learners struggled to hold pencils correctly, form letters, and express their ideas on paper. Writing often felt frustrating and discouraging for them. But now, with the new materials and tools that your donations have made possible, writing has become something they look forward to every single day. From letter tracing boards to fine motor manipulatives, from sensory writing trays to dry-erase name practice sheets, each item has given my students the opportunity to learn in ways that meet their developmental needs and spark their curiosity.\r\n\r\nIt has been truly heartwarming to watch the transformation unfold in our classroom. Students who once hesitated to write their names are now proudly showing off their progress, saying, \"Look, I can do it by myself!\" The smiles on their faces say it all. Your kindness has empowered them to believe in themselves. Even the simple act of holding a pencil or forming a letter correctly is a victory worth celebrating—and it's all thanks to you.\r\n\r\nThe learning environment feels different now—more alive, more encouraging, and more inclusive. The resources you provided help me differentiate instruction and meet the unique needs of each child. Some students learn best through tactile exploration, tracing letters in sand or shaving cream, while others benefit from magnetic letters, letter-building blocks, or guided writing boards. Because of your donations, I am able to offer each of them the tools and experiences that make learning accessible and joyful.\r\n\r\nYour support has also given me, as a teacher, the reassurance that I am not alone in this mission. Teaching young learners how to write is not just about forming letters; it's about helping them find their voice. Thanks to you, my students are beginning that journey with confidence and enthusiasm. I see new independence growing every day—the pride that comes when a child writes their name for the first time, or when they trace a letter perfectly after many tries. These small moments are monumental in their eyes—and in mine.\r\n\r\nBeyond the classroom, your impact reaches their families too. Parents have shared how their children come home eager to show off what they've learned, proudly writing their names on drawings and crafts. These are moments that strengthen the bridge between home and school and help families see how much their children are growing.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in the importance of early literacy and for understanding that every child deserves the chance to experience success without tears or frustration. Your generosity has created a foundation of joy, confidence, and curiosity that will continue to grow throughout the school year and beyond. You've shown my students that there are people in the world who care deeply about their education and believe in their potential.\r\n\r\nOn behalf of every child in our classroom, I want to sincerely thank you for giving us the tools, encouragement, and hope to make learning letters a fun and meaningful adventure. Your kindness will not be forgotten—you've made a lasting difference in the lives of our students, and for that, we are endlessly grateful.\r\n\r\nWith heartfelt appreciation,","fullyFundedDate":1747952339143,"projectUrl":"project/help-us-create-letters-without-tears/9298566/","projectTitle":"Help Us Create Letters Without Tears","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Chin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp12316_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1452989399373","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jeannechin1"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5604","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":360,"numTeachers":23,"percentFrplEligible":91,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":4,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":92,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":1,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"15.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":63.4,"schoolId":5604,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Augustin Lara Elementary Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Augustin Lara Elementary Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/agustin-lara-elementary-academy/5604"}