{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Barbara Vick Early Child Center","outOfStateSupporters":20.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":810390,"projectId":9820359,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support for our classroom. My students were sooo excited when our new sand table arrived. It has quickly become the most popular activity during choice time. Students are developing fine motor skills through scooping, pouring, digging and molding. Using tools like our new shovels, buckets and sieves refines hand - eye coordination. Students are learning mathematical concepts through measuring, comparing and counting. This is also a great way for students to practice language skills, social skills and emotional regulation.","fullyFundedDate":1761704230160,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-play/9820359/","projectTitle":"Sensory Play","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Murray","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp810390_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x241,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1668873627420","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/810390"},{"teacherId":5152854,"projectId":9828874,"letterContent":"Thanks to your support, our new outdoor construction space has become a vibrant and inclusive learning area for our entire early childhood center. When our students first discovered the large Tonka trucks, cones, construction vests, and play roads, they were immediately drawn to exploring and experimenting. Our entire school community quickly began digging, building, transporting materials, and creating their own construction sites. It has been wonderful to see how naturally they engage with the materials and how confidently they take ownership of the space.\r\n\r\nThis new environment has sparked meaningful creativity, cooperative play, and rich language development. Students work together to plan their \"work zones,\" share tools, and navigate the space with growing independence. The variety of vehicles and materials ensures that every child can be actively involved, helping them build relationships, practice problem-solving, and experience success through hands-on exploration. The open-ended nature of the construction area allows each child to participate at their own level while still feeling part of the larger group.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, we will continue supporting the children as they deepen their play by introducing new natural materials, encouraging collaborative building challenges, and expanding opportunities for communication and teamwork. They will use these materials year round through all the seasons, allowing them to experience how weather, nature, and the environment shape their play and their problem-solving. Your generosity has created a space where all of our students can learn, grow, and connect through meaningful outdoor play. We are truly grateful for the positive impact you have made on our community.","fullyFundedDate":1761793411102,"projectUrl":"project/where-imagination-takes-shape-our-outdo/9828874/","projectTitle":"Where Imagination Takes Shape: Our Outdoor Construction Lab","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Basinski-Long","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5152854_orig.jpg?crop=2217,2217,x614,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1600271840039","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5152854"},{"teacherId":9293912,"projectId":9251528,"letterContent":"We are so grateful for your donations! Our students have enjoyed laying on, playing on, and learning on our classroom rug! It is so nice to have a comfortable place for them to relax, learn and explore! We now have a place to come together as a classroom, play alone or play with a few friends. One space but so many options! \r\nOur budding artists have been taking full advantage of our new classroom easel! We've greatly enjoyed seeing the different types of art they create. It has also provided an invitation for our students to work together. \r\nThank you again for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1744894765283,"projectUrl":"project/places-to-play-and-create/9251528/","projectTitle":"Places to Play and Create!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Michelle","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9293912_orig.jpg?crop=1160,1160,x0,y11&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1696776026171","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-michelle-107"},{"teacherId":9132087,"projectId":9163740,"letterContent":"When our new light table materials and reflective play pieces arrived, the excitement in our classroom was immediate. The students were naturally drawn to the glowing surface, experimenting with shapes, colors, and shadows in ways that sparked curiosity and creativity. We've been using the light table as a space for both open-ended play and guided exploration—building towers with translucent blocks, arranging reflective pieces into patterns, and watching how light transforms everyday objects into something magical. It has quickly become a favorite center where students collaborate, share ideas, and extend their learning through hands-on discovery.\r\n\r\nThe first time my students saw the materials, their eyes lit up just as brightly as the table itself. They eagerly gathered around, touching and moving the pieces, and their faces showed pure wonder as they watched how light and reflection changed what they were holding. For many, this was their first experience with this kind of sensory and visual exploration, and their reactions ranged from gasps of surprise to giggles of joy. The materials invited them to explore right away, without much direction, which was powerful to witness as their natural curiosity took over.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, these new resources will continue to support our classroom studies and projects. Right now, we are exploring building and design, and the light table has become an extension of that work. Students are beginning to notice how light interacts with the structures they build and are experimenting with combining reflective and translucent pieces to create new effects. Our next step is encouraging them to document their designs with drawings and photographs, helping them see themselves as both artists and scientists. Thanks to your generosity, our classroom now has a space that inspires ongoing exploration and creativity every day.","fullyFundedDate":1752150245612,"projectUrl":"project/illuminating-young-minds-through-play/9163740/","projectTitle":"Illuminating Young Minds Through Play","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Corey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9132087_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1747580424625","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9132087"},{"teacherId":9132087,"projectId":9298664,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for bringing Building a World Where Everyone Belongs to life! Your generous support helped us add inclusive play figures and toys to our preschool classroom—resources that truly reflect the beautiful diversity of our students. These materials have become a meaningful part of our daily play, sparking conversations about identity, family, and community. One of the most powerful moments came during our \"All About Me\" unit, when students eagerly found figures that looked like themselves and their families, proudly incorporating them into their block buildings, homes, and dramatic play setups.\r\n\r\nThe excitement on their faces when we first unboxed the toys was unforgettable. Many of our students pointed out skin tones, hairstyles, and clothing that resembled their own or someone they love. It was clear that seeing themselves represented helped them feel valued and seen. These inclusive materials also created opportunities for peer-to-peer dialogue and empathy, as children explored different cultures, abilities, and family structures through imaginative play. They weren't just playing—they were building a world that felt welcoming and real.\r\n\r\nAs we look ahead, we plan to continue using these resources as part of our ongoing identity and community studies. We're integrating them into storytelling activities, social-emotional learning, and collaborative projects that center student voice and inclusion. Your donation didn't just buy toys—it created opportunities for our children to see themselves as important members of a diverse world. Thank you for helping us build a classroom where everyone belongs.","fullyFundedDate":1747488936984,"projectUrl":"project/building-a-world-where-everyone-belongs/9298664/","projectTitle":"Building a World Where Everyone Belongs","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Corey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9132087_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1747580424625","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9132087"},{"teacherId":6977627,"projectId":9147267,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for all your contributions to fund our project. Thank you for spreading the word and sharing our goal with all you know. We appreciate your support and have been thrilled to begin sharing these books with our students. The joy these books bring and the interaction it encourages has meant so much and we are grateful to give our students these opportunities. We utilize these books during large group as well as during independent reading and each time a new book is noticed, our students share their excitement with all who will listen. Thank you for providing us with additional books to support the all around growth of our students.\r\nThanks!","fullyFundedDate":1744227321173,"projectUrl":"project/connecting-with-books/9147267/","projectTitle":"Connecting With Books!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sarah","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6977627_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1603913916355","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6977627"},{"teacherId":6977627,"projectId":9197144,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for all the support you have shown us to get this project funded. We have already been hard at work cooking! The toaster oven provides us with the opportunity to cook intensive, multi step recipes in a timely manner and witness the entire process from start to finish. We have been able to practice a variety of skills pertaining to counting, measurement, and number identification while following recipes. We also practice following directions, taking turns, and understanding patience. The possibilities are endless with our new cooking supplies and we are so grateful for your help! \r\nThanks","fullyFundedDate":1746787143237,"projectUrl":"project/little-chefs/9197144/","projectTitle":"Little Chefs","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sarah","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6977627_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1603913916355","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6977627"},{"teacherId":9132087,"projectId":9200548,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our DonorsChoose project! Because of you, our preschoolers now have access to engaging STEM materials like the marble run and race track sets that have completely transformed our building area. From the moment the boxes arrived, their eyes lit up with excitement. They couldn't wait to explore, experiment, and collaborate as they figured out how to connect pieces, test motion, and problem-solve together. These materials have not only sparked curiosity but also encouraged teamwork, critical thinking, and hands-on learning in the most joyful way.\r\n\r\nOne of our favorite classroom moments was watching a group of students build a long marble track together, then cheer as the marble successfully made it from start to finish. They immediately began making changes—adding ramps and curves—to see how it would affect the marble's speed. This kind of experimentation is exactly what we hoped for: a safe, creative space where students feel empowered to explore and learn through play. As we continue our unit on motion and cause and effect, these tools will help deepen our understanding and give our students even more opportunities to build, test, and revise their ideas. Thank you for being a part of this exciting journey—we are so grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1745847004155,"projectUrl":"project/building-bright-minds-stem-fun-with-pi/9200548/","projectTitle":"“Building Bright Minds: STEM Fun with Picasso Magnatiles!”","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Corey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9132087_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1747580424625","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9132087"},{"teacherId":7749497,"projectId":9258241,"letterContent":"We wanted to reach out to thank you once again for your generous donation to my classroom library. My students have been enjoying the new books so much already, especially during our independent reading time at the beginning of the school day. During reading time, I listen to them talk to each other about these new books, and the excitement and wonder I hear is indication that they are making new connections and are strengthening their literacy skills. \r\n\r\nWe have also been enjoying these books as part of our large group meeting time every day. The kids get so excited to pick a book for me to read at meeting and it makes me so excited to see their engagement and love of books come to life. Thank you for being a part of this excitement and for contributing to the wonder in my classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1744906038576,"projectUrl":"project/learning-and-growing-with-books/9258241/","projectTitle":"Learning and Growing with Books","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Grace","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7749497_orig.jpg?crop=1927,1926,x0,y173&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1728055292211","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7749497"},{"teacherId":6977627,"projectId":9004753,"letterContent":"It has been such a joy to see our students enjoy the books you helped us acquire! We have witnessed increased engagement and comprehension when reading the stories and connecting them to our lives in the classroom and at home. Our social emotional curriculum is able to be implemented with the added benefit of having relevant literature complement the lesson. Our students enjoy the vivid illustrations the books provide and contribute meaningful questions and conversations while following along to the stories. Thanks so much for your support and allowing us to connect our students to high quality literature.","fullyFundedDate":1741116422155,"projectUrl":"project/books-matter/9004753/","projectTitle":"Books Matter!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sarah","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6977627_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1603913916355","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6977627"},{"teacherId":7749497,"projectId":8858557,"letterContent":"We wanted to thank you again for your generous donation to our classroom project, and to share how much having these materials have impacted our students and have added to their classroom experience. The materials that you donated to our project have rounded out the classroom and have created new and fun experiences in all areas of the room.\r\n\r\nThe colorful tape, the tape holder, and the drying rack have added so much to our art area. Our students have really enjoyed using the different colored tape to make cards for other students, to decorate our classroom gingerbread house, and to try and make the first letter of their name out of tape, as well as other shapes. This resource has also helped to strengthen their fine motor and scissor skills as well. \r\n\r\nThe light table blocks have added a new element to the light table and they have really enjoyed building colorful robots, houses, and rocket ships, as well as noticing how the blocks change based on the color of the light table.\r\n\r\nFinally, our students love the crib for the baby dolls so much! They have been taking such good care of the babies with this new addition to the dramatic play area.\r\n\r\nOur classroom feels so much more well-rounded with these resources and have already added so much to our student's learning and we couldn't have done it without your support. Thank you from all of us!","fullyFundedDate":1733241836109,"projectUrl":"project/learning-through-exploration-and-imagina/8858557/","projectTitle":"Learning through exploration and imagination with art, light, and color","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Grace","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7749497_orig.jpg?crop=1927,1926,x0,y173&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1728055292211","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7749497"},{"teacherId":9132087,"projectId":8954820,"letterContent":"Dear Donors,\r\n\r\nThank you so much for your generosity in helping me receive a digital picture frame for our preschool classroom. This wonderful addition has already begun transforming how we document and celebrate learning. Your support means the world to me, my students, and their families.\r\n\r\nWith this digital picture frame, I can now display photos of the children engaged in hands-on activities, exploring new concepts, and working together. It serves as a daily reminder for the students of their achievements and fosters a sense of pride and connection. Families have also shared how much they enjoy seeing their child's learning journey brought to life during drop-off and pick-up times.\r\n\r\nYour contribution has made a lasting impact on our classroom. It's more than just a picture frame—it's a tool that brings joy, builds community, and highlights the incredible growth that happens each day. Thank you for making this possible and for supporting early learning in such a meaningful way.","fullyFundedDate":1733267767891,"projectUrl":"project/documenting-growth-a-picture-perfect-j/8954820/","projectTitle":"“Documenting Growth: A Picture-Perfect Journey of Learning”","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Corey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9132087_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1747580424625","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9132087"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5269","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":408,"numTeachers":23,"percentFrplEligible":47,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":18,"percentWhite":38,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":37,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - Pre-K","studentTeacherRatio":"17.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":79.1,"schoolId":5269,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Barbara Vick Early Child Center on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Barbara Vick Early Child Center","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/barbara-vick-early-chld-center/5269"}