{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Central Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":31.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":4118972,"projectId":9118432,"letterContent":"Our glow party materials have brought so much excitement and joy to our classroom as we celebrated the many \"glows\" of the year. We used the lights, glow sticks, and neon decorations to transform our room into a bright, energetic celebration space where students could rotate through different stations highlighting their achievements—glowing writing pieces, glowing math goals, and glowing acts of kindness. One of the most memorable moments was watching students proudly show one another their work under the black lights, amazed at how their accomplishments truly \"lit up.\"\r\n\r\nWhen students first walked in and saw the room glowing, their reactions were priceless. They gasped, cheered, and immediately started pointing out all the colorful lights and glowing decorations. Many said it felt like stepping into a celebration made just for them. The excitement created a perfect atmosphere to honor their hard work and growth.\r\n\r\nAs we continue with our end-of-year projects, the glow party has set a positive tone for reflection and celebration. Our next steps include creating student \"Glow Portfolios,\" where they will highlight strengths, set goals, and celebrate the bright spots of their learning journey. The glow materials helped us kick off this process in a fun, meaningful way, and the students are already looking forward to adding more accomplishments to their portfolios in the weeks to come.","fullyFundedDate":1740652448250,"projectUrl":"project/room-transformation-to-celebrate-this-ye/9118432/","projectTitle":"Room Transformation to Celebrate This Year’s “Glows”","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Barry","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4118972"},{"teacherId":4118972,"projectId":9145699,"letterContent":"Our new Power Pens have quickly become one of the most loved tools in our classroom. We use them daily during our math and literacy stations, and they've been especially helpful during our review of area, perimeter, and multi-step problem solving. One of my favorite moments was watching a small group work through a challenging set of task cards together—each student took turns using the pen to check their work, and the instant feedback sparked great discussion about strategies and mistakes. The pens have truly made independent practice more engaging, interactive, and confidence-building.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new materials, they were absolutely thrilled. The room filled with excitement, and several students even gasped when they realized the pens \"talked\" and would tell them if their answers were correct. A few students said it felt like having \"a mini teacher\" helping them at their table. It was one of those moments where you could see how something small can make learning feel magical.\r\n\r\nRight now, we're working on strengthening our problem-solving and reading comprehension skills across subjects, and the Power Pens are becoming a key part of that process. They allow students to self-check their work and get immediate feedback, which frees me to work more closely with small groups. Our next steps include creating rotating station activities where students can choose Power Pen tasks that match their learning goals—whether that's multi-digit multiplication, nonfiction text features, or vocabulary practice. The pens are helping students take more ownership of their learning as we move into more challenging units.","fullyFundedDate":1742166611637,"projectUrl":"project/power-pen-interactive-activities/9145699/","projectTitle":"Power Pen Interactive Activities","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Barry","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4118972"},{"teacherId":8974536,"projectId":9747659,"letterContent":"My students were so excited when they saw the brand-new Bouncy Bands attached to their desks! The Bouncy Bands are used daily and have become a valued part of our classroom environment. We plan to continue incorporating movement and mindfulness strategies in the classroom. Because of you, this project was made possible. Thank you for helping create a learning space that truly supports every child's needs and allows them to thrive both academically and emotionally. Your generosity is so appreciated. Thank you again for your kindness and support!","fullyFundedDate":1760108908945,"projectUrl":"project/focused-and-flexible-supporting-student/9747659/","projectTitle":"Focused and Flexible: Supporting Student Success with Fidget Bands","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hildebrand","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8974536"},{"teacherId":8988551,"projectId":8949921,"letterContent":"Our students were so excited to receive the new supplies! We introduced them during our beginning-of-the-year activities, especially while sorting students into their houses. Having items in their specific house colors made the experience feel even more special, and the excitement in the room was contagious. The materials gave students a sense of pride and belonging right from the start.\r\n\r\nOne of the most memorable moments was when students compared their house items and began cheering each other on. It created an instant connection within their groups and set the stage for teamwork and school spirit. The resources didn't just provide supplies—they helped us build a positive culture that students can carry through the year.\r\n\r\nNext, we'll continue using these materials to strengthen our house system and incorporate them into ongoing lessons and activities. Thank you so much for supporting our project and giving our students such a meaningful way to start their year!","fullyFundedDate":1732108745403,"projectUrl":"project/we-are-family/8949921/","projectTitle":"We Are FAMILY!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ingalls","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8988551_orig.jpg?crop=175,175,x0,y17&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731436864303","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8988551"},{"teacherId":10006580,"projectId":9285904,"letterContent":"Your generous donation to our school project has meant so much to us these past few months! Our order arrived in May just before summer break, and when I saw the boxes in the office it felt as if Christmas came early! \r\n\r\nShortly after taking a much needed break, another teacher and I spent some time in the summer putting the wheels together. We are implementing the RCA House System in our school this year, and we were able to add House names to our spinners using a Cricut.\r\n\r\nThe excitement continued in August! Thanks to your contribution, we are able to give each classroom a spinner! We also were able to have books in hand for staff members to read to students when teaching the House System.\r\n\r\nStaff members were happy to be given this spinner to use as a tool for enhancing student collaboration, celebrate successes, and build a strong sense of belonging. Students were thrilled to learn about how to use the spinner in their classrooms and have a blast spinning them (and hoping it lands on their House)!\r\n\r\nYour generosity truly makes a difference in the lives of our students and staff members! We deeply appreciate your commitment to education and to the success of our school community. It is through the support of individuals like you that we can continue to grow and thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1746886051869,"projectUrl":"project/spinning-success-empowering-teamwork-th/9285904/","projectTitle":"Spinning Success: Empowering Teamwork Through the House System","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cornwell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10006580_orig.jpg?crop=829,829,x81,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746564017581","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10006580"},{"teacherId":1071001,"projectId":9144386,"letterContent":"Thank you very much for your donations to my classroom. I was able to purchase 3 book sets along with the SPOT characters to use with our Social Emotional Learning curriculum. The kids are enjoying the stories.\r\n The books I received focus on feelings and emotions. They are helping kids recognize their feelings and the emotions in others. Having empathy is very important in a classroom, and these books do a wonderful job of explaining the ways to identify how someone is feeling. \r\n So far, after I read one of these books to the kids, I put it in a special section of our room so the kids can look through and read them too. They definitely enjoy the SPOT characters too. Thanks again for your generous donation. I truly appreciate the help in getting materials for my classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1745515904262,"projectUrl":"project/wed-love-to-spot-these-books-in-our-cla/9144386/","projectTitle":"We'd Love to Spot These Books in Our Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gille","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1071001_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y115&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1714448486419","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1071001"},{"teacherId":2232500,"projectId":9144114,"letterContent":"When the boxes arrived, my students' faces lit up with curiosity and excitement. We opened each package together, and the joy was contagious—hands were reaching, smiles were beaming, and the room was buzzing with anticipation. The sensory items immediately became a part of our daily routine.\r\n\r\nStudents are now using the tactile tools during calming breaks, fidget items during lessons to help them focus, and sensory bins for hands-on learning and exploration. One student who usually struggles to stay engaged during group time has been able to participate for much longer because of the sensory supports. Another found comfort in a weighted lap pad, allowing them to stay calm during transitions.\r\n\r\nThese materials have not only supported regulation and focus, but they've also built confidence and independence. The next step for our class is to integrate these sensory tools into collaborative projects—like group reading circles and turn-taking games—so students can build social skills while feeling comfortable and supported.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has created a space where all students can learn, connect, and thrive. Thank you for helping us make our classroom a place where every child feels understood and valued.","fullyFundedDate":1744039224734,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-sparks-a-grant-for-interactive/9144114/","projectTitle":"Sensory Sparks: A Grant for Interactive Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rhea","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2232500_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1449000213004","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2232500"},{"teacherId":2232500,"projectId":8946463,"letterContent":"We want to extend our deepest and most heartfelt thanks to you for your generous contributions to our Ron Clark House System initiative. Your support made such an incredible difference throughout our entire school year, and we are beyond grateful for the positive impact it had on our students, staff, and the overall school climate.\r\n\r\nWhen we first introduced the Ron Clark House System to our school, we knew it had the potential to foster connection, motivation, and a sense of belonging—but what we experienced went far beyond our expectations. Thanks to your generosity, we were able to purchase essential materials, decorations, and items that brought the house system to life in the most exciting and engaging ways.\r\n\r\nFrom the very beginning of the school year, the house system became a source of pride and unity across the building. Every student and staff member was placed in a house, and the energy and enthusiasm that filled the halls were electric. Whether it was wearing house colors, cheering during monthly challenges, or earning points for positive behavior and academic achievements, everyone had a reason to feel seen, valued, and connected.\r\n\r\nOne of the most memorable highlights of the year was our themed Christmas tree decorating competition. Thanks to the items we were able to purchase with your help, each house had the opportunity to decorate their own tree in a way that reflected their unique spirit and identity. The creativity was off the charts—students and staff collaborated, planned, and proudly presented their trees, which were displayed for all to see throughout the holiday season. It created a sense of excitement and community that we hadn't experienced before. The whole school participated in voting for their favorite tree, and it was such a fun, inclusive event that sparked joy and celebration during a time when connection matters most.\r\n\r\nBut the impact didn't stop at the holidays. The items funded through your donation allowed us to keep the house system active and engaging all year long. We were able to host events, recognize achievements, decorate house spaces, and create interactive experiences that celebrated teamwork, leadership, kindness, and perseverance. The house system was no longer just a program—it became a vital part of our school culture.\r\n\r\nTeachers and staff were equally engaged, participating in friendly competitions and supporting their houses alongside students. It gave us an opportunity to model community values and build stronger relationships with our students in a way that was joyful and impactful.\r\n\r\nWe witnessed students who previously struggled with engagement begin to light up with enthusiasm when their house earned points or when they had the chance to lead their peers in a challenge. We saw quieter students find their voices, leaders emerge from unexpected places, and friendships blossom across grade levels. All of this was made possible by the tools, resources, and inspiration that your donation provided.\r\n\r\nAs we look ahead, we're excited to continue building on the success of this year's house system. Your generosity didn't just help for a day, a week, or a season—it helped shape an entire year of growth, joy, and school pride. Your belief in our mission and your willingness to invest in our students and staff means more than words can express.\r\n\r\nFrom the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of our journey. You've helped us create lasting memories and a strong foundation for years to come. We truly couldn't have done it without you.","fullyFundedDate":1731882234358,"projectUrl":"project/igniting-excellence-engaging-supplies-f/8946463/","projectTitle":"Igniting Excellence: Engaging Supplies for Our House System!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rhea","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2232500_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1449000213004","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2232500"},{"teacherId":9395209,"projectId":9058981,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our learning environment for students be creating a black light, glow, cosmic bowling experience. \r\n\r\nStudents came into the gym in complete awe at their transformed gym. This equipment was also utilized at our end of year field day last year and will be used for this years Halloween glow party. \r\n\r\nThe black light equipment has been so multifunctional and is serving the needs of more and more students every year. \r\n\r\nThank you for contributing to create a magical place for our students to be.","fullyFundedDate":1737342374266,"projectUrl":"project/cosmic-bowling-in-pe/9058981/","projectTitle":"Cosmic Bowling in PE","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tzenevrakis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9395209"},{"teacherId":4118972,"projectId":8954034,"letterContent":"I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the generous donors who contributed to my DonorsChoose project. Your support has made a significant difference in the lives of my students, and I cannot thank you enough for your kindness. The independent reading books that you've helped provide are truly transforming our classroom. Thanks to your donations, my students now have access to a wide variety of books that cater to their individual interests and reading levels. This has ignited a love for reading among them, and it's incredible to see how much their enthusiasm has grown.\r\n\r\nThese books are not just providing entertainment; they are enhancing my students' literacy skills, expanding their vocabulary, and improving their comprehension. The diverse selection of genres and topics allows students to explore new worlds and perspectives, and they are more engaged than ever before. Many of my students, who previously struggled to find books that resonated with them, now have titles they can connect with, which has made a noticeable difference in their motivation to read. Your support has truly empowered them to become more confident readers, and I'm excited to watch their growth continue. Thank you again for your invaluable contribution!","fullyFundedDate":1732404978420,"projectUrl":"project/independent-reading-is-fun/8954034/","projectTitle":"Independent Reading Is Fun!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Barry","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4118972"},{"teacherId":1071001,"projectId":8510782,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donation to my classroom. The students have really enjoyed the products we received. One of their favorites are the clip-on microphones. They love reading stories during their free time. With the microphones, they can record themselves onto our classroom app and the background noise doesn't pick up. Other classmates listen to their stories later. This has become a favorite activity for many kids in the class.\r\n All of us are loving the cozier atmosphere of our classroom too. Some of the money donated was used to purchase special lights. We love using the patio lights hanging from our ceiling. The \"student of the day\" gets to choose the color for our LED rope lights, and the kids love this. Using these lights instead of our fluorescent ones have led to a quieter working environment too. This has been beneficial to all of the kids in the class.","fullyFundedDate":1728699504291,"projectUrl":"project/can-you-hear-us-now/8510782/","projectTitle":"Can You Hear Us Now?","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gille","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1071001_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y115&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1714448486419","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1071001"},{"teacherId":8988551,"projectId":8920095,"letterContent":"The students were absolutely thrilled to receive the new supplies for independent learning. The excitement in the room was palpable as they explored the fresh materials, especially the STEM binders, which were an instant hit. These materials allowed students to dive deeper into hands-on activities and problem-solving tasks, giving them a sense of ownership over their learning. They couldn't wait to get started and were eager to experiment and create using their new resources.\r\n\r\nThe building blocks quickly became a favorite among the entire class, with students collaborating and building structures together. The blocks encouraged teamwork and creativity, making learning both fun and interactive. Each item that was purchased captured the attention of all the students, offering them various ways to explore and engage with the curriculum. From problem-solving challenges to creative building projects, the new supplies made a significant impact, allowing students to learn in exciting and innovative ways.","fullyFundedDate":1731551072884,"projectUrl":"project/no-lost-time/8920095/","projectTitle":"No Lost Time","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ingalls","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8988551_orig.jpg?crop=175,175,x0,y17&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731436864303","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8988551"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_25614","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":164,"numTeachers":19,"percentFrplEligible":45,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":91,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":2,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 2","studentTeacherRatio":"8.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_REMOTE"},"inStateSupporters":69.0,"schoolId":25614,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Central Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Central Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/central-cusd-3/central-elementary-school/25614"}