CICS - West Belden in Chicago, Illinois on DonorsChoose

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It has created more independence, responsibility, and joy in our classroom. One student even shared that it \"feels like we have a real mailboxes, like grown-ups.\" Moments like these remind us how even small upgrades can make a big impact.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we will continue to use these mailboxes as part of our classroom systems for distributing and collecting student work, and for celebrating milestones and notes of encouragement. Thanks to your support, this resource will serve students for many years to come. 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The timers are used for learning, play time, and other tasks. The visual timer has been a great way to keep students on task while also keeping them accountable.","fullyFundedDate":1733262288230,"projectUrl":"project/more-accessibility-keeping-up-with-kin/8943779/","projectTitle":"More Accessibility - Keeping up with Kindergarten","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ponce","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9140332_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y256&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723491030048","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/m-ponce"},{"teacherId":9169260,"projectId":9384040,"letterContent":"I am thrilled to share an update on our \"Sorting Success: Mailboxes for a Thriving Classroom\" project at CICS West Belden. Due to your generous support, our project is fully funded! With your donations, our classroom was able to purchase 36-compartment literature organizers, that we use as our mailboxes.\r\n\r\nOur new classroom mailboxes have been an ultimate game-changer! My homeroom students use them every day to turn in work, keep important papers organized, and manage their materials. They were so excited when they first saw the mailboxes, and it's been amazing to watch them take ownership of their space.\r\n\r\nThese mailboxes are helping our classroom run more smoothly and giving students a boost of independence. Throughout the year, our new mailboxes will continue to help with my student's executive functioning skills, which is so important to their lifelong success. \r\n\r\n\r\nThank you so much for helping make our classroom a calmer, more confident place to learn. 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About this school

CICS - West Belden is an urban public school in Chicago, Illinois that is part of Chicago Public School District 299. It serves 521 students in grades K - 8. Its teachers have had 210 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Grades K - 8

521 Students

# of teachers unavailable

2245 N McVicker Ave Ste 1

Chicago, IL 60639 View local requests

Evidence-based impact

Inspire teachers to stay in the classroom and boost student achievement.¹

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Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

CICS - West Belden Teachers on DonorsChoose

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CICS - West Belden Demographics

87%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

97%

of students are Black, Latino, Native American, or Asian

Schools in districts that mainly serve students of color receive substantially less state and local support than similar districts that serve primarily White students. Learn more about this gap, why it exists, and how you can help close it.

CICS - West Belden Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 5, 2025

DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.

CICS - West Belden

$107,073

raised using DonorsChoose

210

projects funded

teachers funded

814

donors

projects for basic supplies

projects for technology

projects for books

project for art supplies

CICS - West Belden has received support from 557 individuals from Illinois and 257 individuals out-of-state.

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season! Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

CICS - West Belden

About this school

Equity Focus School

CICS - West Belden Teachers on DonorsChoose

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DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

CICS - West Belden Demographics

CICS - West Belden Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 5, 2025

CICS - West Belden

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.