{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Beard Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":26.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":639153,"projectId":9563923,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donation to this project! Adding the mirror to our library area was the final touch needed to make this spot feel homey. For students, it is important to make the classroom feel like home especially because they spend so much of their day in the classroom. Studies have shown that classrooms that are able to create a homelike atmosphere in the classroom have indicated that they feel safe and happy when coming to school.\r\n\r\nSince the addition of the mirror to the area, I have noticed more students are gravitating to this area of the classroom. They are looking at books mirror, talking with one another, and enjoying this little corner within our classroom. Thank you again for supporting the work we are doing in the classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1758806925423,"projectUrl":"project/mirror-for-that-homey-touch/9563923/","projectTitle":"Mirror for that Homey Touch","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Van Pelt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp639153_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1625430697270","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/michele-vanpelt"},{"teacherId":639153,"projectId":9410560,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating to this project! It is so nice to have furniture for our classroom dollhouse. The students have really enjoyed utilizing the dollhouse and the furniture. This is such a nice thing to have in the classroom as it encourages so many different social/emotional skills. We get to practice sharing, taking turns, and dramatic playing. Such great skills for preschool and beyond!\r\n\r\nWe truly appreciate your donations and your committment to supporting the work we are doing in the classroom to help encourage the learning of our students!","fullyFundedDate":1758809909489,"projectUrl":"project/time-for-remodeling/9410560/","projectTitle":"Time for Remodeling","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Van Pelt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp639153_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1625430697270","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/michele-vanpelt"},{"teacherId":639153,"projectId":8484057,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating to this project! It is so nice to have a wide range of puzzle options within the classroom in which we can match student abilities. It has been great to see that many of the students are starting with the peg puzzles and are now able to complete one of the free-form puzzles. We have shown growth in their problem solving abilties and analytical skills. \r\n\r\nWe truly appreciate your donations and your committment to supporting the work we are doing in the classroom to help encourage the learning of our students!","fullyFundedDate":1730333821416,"projectUrl":"project/puzzles-and-letters/8484057/","projectTitle":"Puzzles and Letters","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Van Pelt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp639153_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1625430697270","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/michele-vanpelt"},{"teacherId":349804,"projectId":9697805,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to my Kindness Rocks project. This project is truly special to me because it brings joy not only to my students but to everyone who happens to see their creations. The rocks you provided were perfect, and the paint markers were the ideal size for our students' small hands.\r\n\r\nMy students were absolutely thrilled when they found out they'd be taking part in the Kindness Rocks project. Through this activity, they learned that even the smallest act of kindness can brighten someone's day — especially since we never know what others may be going through. Spreading kindness and cheer is something everyone can do, whether in big ways or small.\r\n\r\nI cannot thank you enough for your generosity. It made a meaningful difference, and we are so grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1760814902697,"projectUrl":"project/kindness-rocks-part-2/9697805/","projectTitle":"Kindness Rocks Part 2!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Andrea","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp349804_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1646158587988","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/349804"},{"teacherId":1419965,"projectId":9734025,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for generously donating to our new classroom carpet project. The carpet is absolutely beautiful and fits perfectly in our learning space.\r\n\r\nThe children have already fallen in love with it! They enjoy gathering on it not only for circle time, but also for working, reading, and playing with all sorts of different toys. It has truly made our classroom feel even more inviting and comfortable.\r\n\r\nWe are so grateful for your support and for helping create a warm, welcoming environment for our students to learn and grow. Thank you again for your kindness and generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1760902987786,"projectUrl":"project/new-classroom-carpet/9734025/","projectTitle":"New Classroom Carpet!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Pamela Gaeding","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1419965_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1484759920999","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/gaeding"},{"teacherId":1256962,"projectId":9800523,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom project! My preschoolers are active, curious learners who thrive when they can touch, build, explore, and create. Your contribution is providing them with hands-on materials—like wooden trees, the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom letter tree, tree cross-sections, and stacking blocks—that make learning come alive.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, our classroom has rich, play-based learning centers where children can explore early science, math, language arts, and social-emotional skills in meaningful, joyful ways. These materials will strengthen fine-motor development, spark creativity, and build foundational skills that will support them for years to come.\r\n\r\nHands-on play is powerful, and your generosity makes it possible. Thank you for helping me create an environment where curiosity is encouraged, exploration is celebrated, and every child can learn through play.","fullyFundedDate":1760735082193,"projectUrl":"project/little-hands-big-discoveries-hands-on/9800523/","projectTitle":"Little Hands, Big Discoveries: Hands-On Learning for Curious Preschoolers!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Halina","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1256962_orig.jpg?crop=3318,3318,x0,y110&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1646071463160","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1256962"},{"teacherId":9027332,"projectId":9627299,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom now has a vibrant and welcoming space where students can proudly showcase their hard work. My students are bright, creative, and full of personality, and having a designated \"Gallery of Growing Minds\" has given them a place to truly shine.\r\n\r\n\r\nWe recently used the new space to display our first set of \"All About Me\" portraits. Watching the students walk by, point to their work, and cheer on their classmates was a powerful reminder of how much recognition strengthens confidence and motivation. The desk lamps added a warm glow that made the gallery feel extra special—like a true spotlight on their growing minds.\r\n\r\nAs we continue exploring new lessons in writing, art, and hands-on projects, this display area will become a central part of our classroom community. Students will have ongoing opportunities to showcase their progress, celebrate each other's achievements, and develop a deeper sense of belonging and pride in their learning.\r\n\r\nThank you for making this creative, confidence-building space possible. Your support has helped our classroom become a place where students feel seen, valued, and inspired every day.","fullyFundedDate":1756148351525,"projectUrl":"project/gallery-of-growing-minds/9627299/","projectTitle":"Gallery of Growing Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kacie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9027332_orig.jpg?crop=781,781,x0,y7&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1684095729232","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-kbemis"},{"teacherId":9027332,"projectId":9433933,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom has transformed into a warm and welcoming space where young learners feel right at home. The new rug has quickly become the heart of our room, a cozy gathering place where students come together for morning meetings, stories, and shared lessons. It's amazing to see how simply having a soft, inviting space helps them settle in, focus, and build a sense of community.\r\n\r\nThe wagon has already made an incredible difference in keeping our materials organized and accessible. Students now take pride in helping set up and clean up their learning centers, and the smooth transitions have made our routines more independent and joyful. The wagon has become a little \"helper\" that keeps our day flowing with ease.\r\n\r\nAs we move into our upcoming lessons on early literacy, number sense, and collaborative learning, these additions will continue to support engagement, comfort, and readiness. The rug will anchor our group discussions, and the wagon will help ensure students have everything they need at their fingertips.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping build a classroom environment where curiosity flourishes and young minds feel supported every single day. Your kindness is already making an impact that will last all year long.","fullyFundedDate":1756127657877,"projectUrl":"project/rugs-wagons-and-ready-minds/9433933/","projectTitle":"Rugs, Wagons, and Ready Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kacie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9027332_orig.jpg?crop=781,781,x0,y7&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1684095729232","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-kbemis"},{"teacherId":9027332,"projectId":9433641,"letterContent":"Starting a new classroom is exciting, and thanks to your generous support, my students and I were able to jump right in with everything we needed. The journals, timers, batteries, sensory tools, and art supplies have already become a natural part of our daily routines.\r\n\r\nOne of our first projects using the new materials was a hands-on \"All About Me\" activity. Students used their journals to draw and write about their families, favorite activities, and more! The sensory tools helped students stay focused and comfortable during this project, especially those who benefit from movement or calming textures while they work.\r\n\r\nTheir reactions when they first walked into the classroom were filled with wide smiles and so many \"Can I use that?\" questions. The manipulatives and art materials sparked instant curiosity, and it was clear they felt welcomed and ready to explore.\r\n\r\nWith these resources, we're now preparing to dive into our next unit on numbers, patterns, and early writing. Students will be using their journals to track progress, timers to build independence during centers, and manipulatives to strengthen hands-on learning. Your support has allowed us to build a strong foundation, and we're just getting started.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping create a warm, inspiring, and well-prepared learning environment. Your generosity truly set us up for a joyful and successful school year.","fullyFundedDate":1755744693266,"projectUrl":"project/stocking-up-for-success/9433641/","projectTitle":"Stocking Up for Success!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kacie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9027332_orig.jpg?crop=781,781,x0,y7&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1684095729232","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-kbemis"},{"teacherId":569560,"projectId":9162081,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for generously providing the Air Toobz Classroom Set for our students! I was disappointed when I saw that the squishy circuits that I had originally requested were no longer available, but in the end - it really worked out! The Air Toobz are a big hit!\r\nWith this vibrant hands-on material, my young learners are engaged in powerful investigations of airflow, volume, pressure, and motion as they insert, stack, blow, and explore. Because of your support, I've been able to design more dynamic, inclusive STEM centers where every child—especially those who need sensory and motor-rich experiences—can participate, explore, and thrive. Your gift has already sparked curiosity, confidence, and joyful discovery in our classroom. We are deeply grateful for your commitment to our students' learning and growth!","fullyFundedDate":1745847073809,"projectUrl":"project/squishy-circuits-for-electric-fun/9162081/","projectTitle":"Squishy Circuits for Electric Fun!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bhansali","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp569560_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1449107518819","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msdoshi"},{"teacherId":569560,"projectId":8296411,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping bring our project to life in our classroom. Because of your kindness, my Pre-K students get to explore the power of air, experiment with drag and force, and see science in action as they test parachute men, play silks, coffee filters, and more in the wind tunnel I requested. \r\n\r\nYour support doesn't just provide a tool; it opens doors to inquiry, teamwork, and joyful discovery. It sends a message to every child in the room that their questions matter and that we believe they are capable of doing real science and engineering. Watching them lean in, hypothesize, adjust the wind speed and direction, and cheer when they see the results will be a highlight of our year.\r\n\r\nThank you for making this hands-on, meaningful experience possible. You've helped equip our young learners with curiosity, momentum, and the confidence to ask \"What if?\" and \"Why?\" in ways that engage their minds, build their vocabulary, strengthen their fine-motor and reasoning skills, and foster a lifelong love of STEM.\r\n\r\nWith tremendous gratitude and excitement for what's ahead,","fullyFundedDate":1712239393655,"projectUrl":"project/whirlwind-of-fun-a-wind-tunnel/8296411/","projectTitle":"Whirlwind of Fun - a Wind Tunnel!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bhansali","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp569560_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1449107518819","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msdoshi"},{"teacherId":2617431,"projectId":9743222,"letterContent":"Thank you again so much! The students were so excited to use the table. They've been using it to build towers and explore colors, letters, and numbers.\r\nWe're looking forward to continuing to use the table to explore new concepts and create more hands-on learning opportunities.\r\nThis table also gives me, as a teacher, new and exciting ways to engage students in learning. It's helping me create more opportunities for hands-on exploration and design lessons that support all children's learning styles.","fullyFundedDate":1758829792287,"projectUrl":"project/glow-and-grow-sensory-light-table-for-y/9743222/","projectTitle":"Glow and Grow: Sensory Light Table for Young Learners Needed!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mathews","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2617431_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1704758623289","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2617431"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5311","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":351,"numTeachers":17,"percentFrplEligible":39,"percentAsian":11,"percentBlack":4,"percentWhite":34,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":43,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Not specified","studentTeacherRatio":"20.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":73.6,"schoolId":5311,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Beard Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Beard Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/beard-school/5311"}