{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Bridge Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":25.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10615066,"projectId":10674853,"letterContent":"I am so incredibly thankful for everyone who helped make this project possible! My first graders have been LOVING our new books, especially the Pigeon books and the Piggy and Elephant series. They have become some of the most requested books in our classroom! My students love sharing their favorite stories and giving each other little summaries of what they read. I have even had students ask me, \"Do we have another one?\" after finishing a book, which honestly makes my teacher heart so happy!\r\n\r\nDuring independent reading time, our classroom gets wonderfully quiet as students get lost in their books. Every now and then, I'll hear a little giggle coming from across the room when someone comes across a funny part. These new books are giving my students opportunities to practice retelling, making connections, talking about characters, and sharing their ideas with others, but more importantly, they are helping my students discover that reading can be FUN. Seeing them get excited about books, recommend them to their friends, and ask for more is such a special thing to watch.\r\n\r\nThank you again for helping fill our classroom library with books that my students are excited to pick up and read. Your generosity is helping create little readers, one book (and one giggle) at a time! ❤️","fullyFundedDate":1790807959170,"projectUrl":"project/turn-the-page-new-books-for-first-grade/10674853/","projectTitle":"Turn the Page: New Books for First Grade!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pedroza","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10615066_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1787280734669","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10615066"},{"teacherId":10615066,"projectId":10524707,"letterContent":"I am so thankful to everyone who donated to our classroom project! My first graders have been so excited about all of the new books. Our classroom library had a lot of hand-me-down books, so having new titles for students to choose from has made reading feel fresh and exciting. I love seeing them look through the books, find ones that catch their attention, and then recommend them to their friends. They have even started asking each other, \"What book are you reading?\" or \"Is that one good?\" It makes me so happy to see them genuinely excited about reading and sharing books with one another.\r\n\r\nThe laminator has also been such a huge help in our classroom. I use it for small-group activities and create reusable activities that my students can complete with Expo markers. It has made our lessons more hands-on and engaging, and we can reuse the activities over and over again. These resources may seem simple, but they have made a big difference in our everyday classroom.\r\n\r\nThank you again for supporting my first graders and helping me give them a classroom library filled with books they are excited to read. I truly appreciate your generosity, and I can't wait to see where their love of reading takes them!","fullyFundedDate":1789520818161,"projectUrl":"project/turning-pages-building-dreams-in-first/10524707/","projectTitle":"Turning Pages, Building Dreams in First Grade!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pedroza","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10615066_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1787280734669","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10615066"},{"teacherId":9570207,"projectId":10385156,"letterContent":"Thank you again for fully funding our new vertical whiteboards! Thanks to your generosity, our 5th-grade classroom has truly transformed into an active, buzzing hub of mathematical thinking.\r\n\r\nOur classroom operates as a Building Thinking Classroom, which relies on students standing and collaborating at vertical non-permanent surfaces. With our new whiteboards installed, our daily routine now begins with students moving immediately to vertical boards around the room in random groups. They stand together to tackle daily math challenges, brainstorm strategies, and visually display their thinking for the whole room to see.\r\n\r\nThe impact of having enough board space for everyone has been incredible:\r\n\r\nFull Participation: No one is sitting on the sidelines or waiting for a turn. Every student has space to hold a marker and actively contribute.\r\n\r\nLow-Stakes Risk Taking: Because whiteboards are temporary, students aren't afraid to make mistakes. If a strategy doesn't work, they simply wipe it away and try another approach together.\r\n \r\nVisible Learning & Collaboration: Students frequently look around the room to see how other groups are solving problems, spark new ideas, and give each other feedback. Math is now a shared experience rather than an isolating task.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, these whiteboards are helping students shift their mindsets. Kids who used to say \"I'm not a math person\" are now standing tall at their boards, leading discussions, and proudly explaining their reasoning to their peers. You didn't just give us whiteboards - you gave my students confidence and a joy for learning.\r\n\r\nThank you for making this possible!","fullyFundedDate":1784947521808,"projectUrl":"project/expanding-our-thinking-classroom/10385156/","projectTitle":"Expanding Our Thinking Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Galassini","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9570207_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x537,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718494420321","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9570207"},{"teacherId":9299842,"projectId":10254440,"letterContent":"Thank You for Supporting Our Classroom!\r\nThank you so much for funding our classroom printer ink campaign! Your generosity may seem like a small thing, but having access to ink makes a huge difference in our PreK classroom.\r\nAs teachers, we print countless resources that allow our students to practice, review, explore, and build confidence in their learning. From letter and name-writing practice to numbers, tracing activities, visual supports, games, and hands-on learning materials, printed resources give our young learners opportunities to practice important skills again and again.\r\nFor our PreK students, repetition and hands-on practice are so important. Being able to provide each child with materials they can touch, write on, color, trace, cut, and take home helps reinforce what we are learning in the classroom and allows students to practice at their own pace.\r\nYour support means we can continue creating and providing meaningful learning opportunities without worrying about running out of the ink we need to make them possible.\r\nThank you for investing in our students and helping us provide the resources they need to practice, grow, and succeed. We are incredibly grateful for your generosity and for believing that every child deserves access to the materials that help them learn!","fullyFundedDate":1777934916621,"projectUrl":"project/ink-to-provide-resources/10254440/","projectTitle":"Ink to Provide Resources","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Duran","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9299842_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1733398256904","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/rachel-duran"},{"teacherId":10102288,"projectId":10409408,"letterContent":"I am writing this one month into my second year of teaching. There are so many things I love about this job. Helping students to explore interests, reflect, make creative break throughs, and learn about the world of art is such a joy for me. I find this job so rewarding, but the rumors are true! Teaching is HARD WORK, made even harder by the general lack of funding. \r\n\r\nWhen I was preparing for this school year I asked how much of our school's budget was allocated for art supplies. $200. I see over 400 students throughout the year. $200 won't even cover the purchase of a single glue stick for each one of those students. This funding issue is no fault to my school, it is just the reality of the industry as a whole. But alas, I knew what I was getting into when I decided to become a teacher(kind of😅).\r\n\r\nAll that to say, when I say I could not do this without the support of all of you... I truly mean it! Your support means more than you know. The materials you have funded help me to bring exciting and new projects into the art room that would not be possibly otherwise. \r\n\r\nThank you thank you thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1785430534037,"projectUrl":"project/exploring-3d-art/10409408/","projectTitle":"Exploring 3D Art!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Charnota","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10102288_orig.jpg?crop=2232,2232,x941,y1499&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755907325586","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10102288"},{"teacherId":8589432,"projectId":10487368,"letterContent":"Your generosity is giving my students new opportunities to work together, share their thinking, and actively participate in their learning.\r\n\r\nThese whiteboards will be used every day for hands-on learning, problem-solving, literacy activities, math practice, and collaborative thinking. Instead of simply listening to a lesson, my kindergarten students will be able to think, write, solve, explain, and learn from one another.\r\n\r\nFor young learners, having the opportunity to work side-by-side and make their thinking visible is incredibly powerful. Your donation is helping create a classroom where students can take risks, make mistakes, try again, and grow together.\r\n\r\nWe thank you dearly.","fullyFundedDate":1788959340592,"projectUrl":"project/fun-with-whiteboards-for-collaborative-k/10487368/","projectTitle":"Fun With Whiteboards for Collaborative Kindergarten Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cruz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8589432_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1768625241545","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tiffany-cruz"},{"teacherId":8589432,"projectId":10195254,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in funding our new half-moon table!\r\nIn a kindergarten classroom, small-group time is where the magic really happens. This half-moon-shaped table allows me to sit right at the center of our group, giving each student close, direct support whether we are practicing phonics, working on early math concepts, or practicing letter tracing. It creates an inviting, focused space where my young learners feel confident, engaged, and ready to learn.\r\nYour support makes a real, daily difference in our classroom. Thank you for investing in our students and helping us create a warm, supportive learning environment!","fullyFundedDate":1779054464053,"projectUrl":"project/targeted-success-starts-with-a-table/10195254/","projectTitle":"Targeted Success Starts with a Table","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cruz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8589432_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1768625241545","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tiffany-cruz"},{"teacherId":10461597,"projectId":10144615,"letterContent":"I can't thank you enough for your generous contribuiton to my Fun Phonics Practice project. My students were giddy with excitement when they saw the new materials and were eager to begin using the dry-erase sleeves and erasers to practice sounding out words. They have also enjoyed playing with the Letter Rockets and Beginning Sounds Dominoes, which help strengthen their phonological awareness and understanding of beginning sounds.\r\n\r\nI didn't ask for much in my first DonorsChoose project, but this experience shows just how much of an impact even small additions can have in a classroom. My students are engaged in learning and, most importantly, having fun while they learn. Giving them the opportunity to choose their own colored sleeve and eraser helps them feel that their voices matter and that their preferences are valued. Playing games together also helps build a strong classroom community while teaching important social skills such as cooperation and turn-taking.\r\n\r\nIn a resource classroom like mine, these additions do more than support learning-they help students feel valued, supported, and excited to come to school each day. Thank you for helping make that possible.","fullyFundedDate":1777997546291,"projectUrl":"project/fun-phonics-practice/10144615/","projectTitle":"Fun Phonics Practice","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Foster","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10461597"},{"teacherId":487635,"projectId":10140564,"letterContent":"Students were thrilled to receive the new Hummingbird Bit kits! These kits allow students to design, build, and code animated scenes or robots. The possibilities are endless! Student groups collaborated to design projects that highlight their interests! One student group took a turtle made in Art Class and animated it to \"swim\" in the \"ocean.\" Another student group designed a player piano where the keys move, and lights flash to a tune! Students who love Minecraft designed a landscape where creepers move, and animals dance! These are just a few examples of the many projects that would not be possible without your generosity. \r\n\r\nIn addition to coding, students practiced many 21st-century learning skills! Students communicated expectations to each other. Students planned which parts of the design to animate, and which motors and lights would work best. All decisions required students to think critically, envision the final design, and take productive steps to achieve their project goals! \r\n\r\nStudents improved their coding skills, honed their 21st Century Learning Skills, and built not only amazing designs but memories that will last beyond middle school. I thank you so much for your donations to my classroom and school.","fullyFundedDate":1776451230228,"projectUrl":"project/creative-coding-with-hummingbird-kits/10140564/","projectTitle":"Creative Coding With Hummingbird Kits!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Iammartino","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp487635_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1504800444544","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-iammartino"},{"teacherId":8589432,"projectId":10180912,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your incredible generosity in funding our project, \"Engaging All Senses\". Your support means the world to me and, most importantly, to my wonderful students.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom we meet a diverse range of learning styles and needs every day. Traditional teaching methods don't always reach every child, but multi-sensory learning opens doors that standard worksheets cannot. \r\n\r\nBy integrating these multi-sensory items into our daily routine, you have provided my students with a powerful, interactive tool that engages their sight and touch all at once. For students who struggle with focus or need extra sensory support, this tool will provide the exact kind of engaging, immersive stimulation they need to thrive, stay motivated, and truly enjoy learning.\r\n\r\nWe cannot wait to share updates and pictures with you as we begin exploring all the wonderful sensory materials!","fullyFundedDate":1779055749190,"projectUrl":"project/engaging-all-senses-a-multi-sensory-app/10180912/","projectTitle":"Engaging All Senses: A Multi-Sensory Approach to Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cruz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8589432_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1768625241545","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tiffany-cruz"},{"teacherId":8589432,"projectId":10161795,"letterContent":"Your generosity is helping bring engaging, hands-on learning opportunities into our classroom.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, students will build essential reading skills such as phonics, decoding, fluency, and comprehension through interactive games and small group instruction. These experiences make learning meaningful, while also helping students grow in confidence and independence as readers.\r\n\r\nYour contribution is creating a classroom environment where students are excited to learn, take risks, and develop a strong foundation in reading.\r\n\r\nThank you for making a lasting impact on our students and their journey as readers.","fullyFundedDate":1777926527440,"projectUrl":"project/learning-to-read-through-play-small-gro/10161795/","projectTitle":"Learning to Read Through Play: Small Group Games & Activities","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cruz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8589432_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1768625241545","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tiffany-cruz"},{"teacherId":8589432,"projectId":10192009,"letterContent":"Your generosity is making a meaningful difference in the lives of our students.\r\nBecause of your support, our classroom will be filled with engaging, hands-on materials that allow students to explore math and science through movement, play, and discovery. These resources will help bring learning to life—giving students opportunities to build critical thinking skills, collaborate with peers, and develop confidence as young learners. \r\n\r\nFrom interactive games that strengthen math skills and science vocabulary to books and manipulatives that make abstract concepts more concrete, your contribution is helping create a rich and meaningful learning environment. Students will also have opportunities to explore real-world concepts like motion, forces, and living organisms in ways that are both exciting and memorable. ()\r\nYour kindness is not only supporting academic growth, but also fostering curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning in every child in our classroom.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our students and helping them learn, explore, and grow every day.","fullyFundedDate":1777651718742,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-math-science-for-curious-kind/10192009/","projectTitle":"Hands-On Math & Science for Curious Kindergarteners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cruz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8589432_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1768625241545","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tiffany-cruz"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5326","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1091,"numTeachers":56,"percentFrplEligible":57,"percentAsian":4,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":32,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":58,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":2,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"19.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":74.9,"schoolId":5326,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Bridge Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Bridge Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/bridge-elementary-school/5326"}