{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"De Diego Community Academy","outOfStateSupporters":34.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5520886,"projectId":9813048,"letterContent":"The iPads are making a big difference in how my students learn. They allow first graders to explore STEM concepts through interactive apps, create simple designs, test ideas instantly, and get immediate feedback—all of which help build problem-solving skills and confidence. Technology turns abstract ideas into hands-on experiences they can see and manipulate.\r\n\r\nWhat excites students most is the ability to create—whether it's building digital models, recording their thinking, or using drawing tools to plan solutions. The iPads make learning feel like play, and that motivates them to take risks and try new things.\r\n\r\nSeveral students who were hesitant during traditional lessons have especially warmed to the iPads. Some of my quieter learners are now eagerly sharing their digital creations, and a few students who struggle with fine-motor tasks love being able to show their ideas more easily on a screen. The technology gives every child a way to shine.","fullyFundedDate":1764598845265,"projectUrl":"project/from-ideas-to-innovation-igniting-stem/9813048/","projectTitle":"From Ideas to Innovation: Igniting STEM Learning with iPads","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ortiz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5520886_orig.jpg?crop=480,480,x32,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1708408056361","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5520886"},{"teacherId":5520886,"projectId":9813145,"letterContent":"The classroom charging stations and iPad stylus pens have made a big difference in student learning. Students can now collaborate seamlessly on digital design projects, stay engaged without worrying about battery life, and focus fully on creating, experimenting, and innovating. Lessons run more smoothly, and students are able to explore STEM concepts more deeply and independently.\r\n\r\nWhat excites students most is the ability to bring their ideas to life with the stylus pens—they love designing, drawing, and refining their projects digitally. Several students who were hesitant to participate in group projects have especially warmed to this technology. The tools give them confidence to contribute ideas, collaborate with peers, and see their designs come to life in real time.","fullyFundedDate":1762267665393,"projectUrl":"project/charged-up-for-stem-adventures/9813145/","projectTitle":"Charged Up for STEM Adventures!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ortiz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5520886_orig.jpg?crop=480,480,x32,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1708408056361","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5520886"},{"teacherId":5520886,"projectId":9750508,"letterContent":"This project will make a significant difference in my students' social-emotional growth and daily classroom experience. By providing calming corner supplies, sensory tools, visual emotion charts, fidgets, mindfulness activities, books, a beanbag chair, light covers, and headphones, students will have access to the tools they need to regulate their emotions and refocus their minds. These resources help children feel safe, supported, and understood—especially those who struggle with anxiety, sensory needs, or emotional regulation.\r\n\r\nWith these materials in place, the classroom becomes more inclusive and responsive. Students will be able to take healthy breaks, express their emotions more clearly, and return to learning with a calmer, more focused mindset. This encourages independence, builds confidence, and supports the whole child. Ultimately, these resources help create a classroom environment where all students—regardless of their needs or challenges—can thrive and reach their full potential.","fullyFundedDate":1758851477426,"projectUrl":"project/calming-minds-caring-hearts-socio-emot/9750508/","projectTitle":"Calming Minds, Caring Hearts: Socio-Emotional Support for Every Learner","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ortiz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5520886_orig.jpg?crop=480,480,x32,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1708408056361","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5520886"},{"teacherId":5520886,"projectId":9741395,"letterContent":"This project will have a strong and immediate impact on student learning. By providing essential supplies like headphones, copy paper, folders, tissues, and disinfecting wipes, students will have what they need to stay organized, focused, and ready to learn each day. These basic materials help create a clean, calm, and efficient classroom environment where students can do their best work.\r\n\r\nEven though these supplies may seem small, they make a big difference in students' confidence and readiness. With their own headphones and folders, students feel more independent and responsible. With a well-stocked, tidy classroom, they can concentrate better and engage more fully in lessons. These resources help remove everyday obstacles and allow students to focus on what truly matters—learning.","fullyFundedDate":1758851372550,"projectUrl":"project/tools-for-learning-equipping-every-stud/9741395/","projectTitle":"Tools for Learning: Equipping Every Student for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ortiz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5520886_orig.jpg?crop=480,480,x32,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1708408056361","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5520886"},{"teacherId":5520886,"projectId":9740421,"letterContent":"This hands-on STEM project had a powerful impact on my first graders. By becoming \"Defense Designers,\" students explored how animals and plants protect themselves, turning science concepts into meaningful, concrete experiences. Through building, testing, and revising their own defense-inspired creations, students strengthen problem-solving skills, creativity, and most of all teamwork.\r\n\r\nThe project also developed a deeper understanding of the natural world, and my students gained confidence as young scientists who asked questions, investigated ideas, and designed solutions. This project encouraged curiosity and empowered students to see themselves as capable thinkers, builders, and innovators.","fullyFundedDate":1758842498114,"projectUrl":"project/stem-safari-defense-designers-how-anim/9740421/","projectTitle":"STEM Safari: Defense Designers! How Animals and Plants Stay Safe","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ortiz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5520886_orig.jpg?crop=480,480,x32,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1708408056361","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5520886"},{"teacherId":1020026,"projectId":9166108,"letterContent":"The school year has started wonderfully. My students are doing great, following our daily routine and adhering to the listening rules. The Cricut machine has been incredibly helpful in reducing the time needed to create projects that would usually require extensive preparation. Recently, my students made apple window suncatchers using the Cricut machine. They had a fantastic time finger painting on the apple cutouts and displaying their creations for everyone to see.\r\nI created bulletin board display letters to showcase student work, designed a personalized door hanger featuring teachers' names, personalized names for each of my students' portfolios, and mailboxes. Most recently, I made t-shirts for my students to wear at our Hispanic Heritage Assembly. They were thrilled to see all their classmates and teachers wearing the same t-shirt design. We appreciate your generous donation and General Motors for supporting this project.","fullyFundedDate":1746828215392,"projectUrl":"project/lets-get-crafty/9166108/","projectTitle":"Let's Get Crafty!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bago","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1020026_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1530832374217","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/reina-bago-prek"},{"teacherId":6322795,"projectId":9529874,"letterContent":"I want to sincerely thank you for your generous support of my DonorsChoose project, Creating a Safe and Inclusive Preschool for Exceptional Learners. Your kindness, belief in inclusive education, and support for diverse families and early childhood development have made lasting impact on our classroom. Because of you, our preschoolers now have access to tools and materials that are helping them build emotional awareness, social skills, and confidence each and every day. \r\nWe are currently in the middle of an exciting and meaningful unit all about feelings. This is such a vital area of learning, especially for young children who are just beginning to understand their emotions and how to express them in healthy and respectful ways.\r\n Thanks to your support, we've been able to introduce a variety of sensory tools, book, visual supports, and social-emotional learning materials that are already making a noticeable difference.\r\nThank you for helping us create a space where every child is supported, included, and empowered. Your generosity mean the world to us- and we're so grateful to have you on this journey.","fullyFundedDate":1758854825534,"projectUrl":"project/creating-a-safe-and-inclusive-preschool/9529874/","projectTitle":"Creating a Safe and Inclusive Preschool for Exceptional Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bucio","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6322795_orig.jpg?crop=1840,1840,x648,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1553320430063","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6322795"},{"teacherId":1020026,"projectId":9171826,"letterContent":"The beginning of the school year can bring strong emotions for preschoolers, which is why I created a project specifically designed to provide calming tools to help my students during those challenging moments of separation from their families. All of the resources I requested have been essential in helping my students manage their emotions throughout the day.\r\nThe weighted butterfly has been particularly helpful for my diverse learners, allowing them to remain calm during our group time on the rug. It functions as a lap pad, keeping them calm and engaged with its soothing textures. The children love role-playing with the soft sensory friends that represent different emotions, such as sad, happy, mad, and scared. They also enjoy exploring the sensory book filled with Velcro pieces they can manipulate, and the peanut is a favorite item in our Gross Motor room. \r\n\r\nThank you once again for providing all these wonderful tools through our donation.","fullyFundedDate":1746808115522,"projectUrl":"project/just-take-a-deep-breath/9171826/","projectTitle":"Just Take a Deep Breath!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bago","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1020026_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1530832374217","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/reina-bago-prek"},{"teacherId":3664834,"projectId":9073926,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous gift. My students absolutely LOVE the lemonade stand and all the play food. Their language and math has soared with the use of the play items. Finally, the excitement to go to this play center is sky high. They see it as play, where I see it as language development, social interactions, working together, and math development. This is a natural and powerful way for children to learn. \r\n\r\nHere is an example of an exchange that was so cute.\r\n\"Welcome, what would you like to order?\" (The student hands the menu to the ordering student.)\r\n\"I want a cone with chocolate and the bits on the top. (points to the picture)\"\r\n\"Here you go. One dollar. Come again.\" She turns to the other worker and says \"We are rich.\"","fullyFundedDate":1746627285048,"projectUrl":"project/shopping-for-language-and-math/9073926/","projectTitle":"Shopping for Language and Math","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Both","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3664834_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1491663513218","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3664834"},{"teacherId":5520886,"projectId":9384660,"letterContent":"Your generous support will impact my students by giving them the tools and freedom to express who they are through art. With access to vibrant paints, and other creative materials, each child will be able to share their unique story, culture, and identity in a way that words alone cannot capture.\r\n\r\nBeyond just making art, this project creates a safe and joyful space for meaningful conversations about cultural symbols, traditions, and histories. It fosters empathy and respect as students learn about each other's backgrounds and see the beauty in diversity firsthand.\r\n\r\nYou're helping build a classroom community where every student feels seen, valued, and celebrated. Your generosity empowers them to develop creativity, confidence, and a deeper appreciation for the rich tapestry of cultures that make our world vibrant and strong. Simply put, you're planting seeds of inclusion and understanding that will grow far beyond the classroom walls.","fullyFundedDate":1758129683303,"projectUrl":"project/creative-connections-celebrating-divers/9384660/","projectTitle":"Creative Connections: Celebrating Diversity Through Art","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ortiz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5520886_orig.jpg?crop=480,480,x32,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1708408056361","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5520886"},{"teacherId":3664834,"projectId":8950271,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations. It could not have been better timing for my students. We have worked really hard to be kind and how to handle uncomfortable or anxious times. \r\nStudents loved the play dough, play dough cookie cutters and the calming ball which provided many visual examples on how to calm down. I noticed an increase in wanting to go to the cool down area and using the materials that actually helped them to calm down. They would then rejoin the class ready to learn. \r\nStudents began explaining how they were upset and what they needed to calm down, a vast improvement of not talking at all and just being upset. Our classroom became a happier place with these tools.","fullyFundedDate":1734540088337,"projectUrl":"project/calming-down-with-manipulative-play/8950271/","projectTitle":"Calming Down With Manipulative Play","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Both","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3664834_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1491663513218","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3664834"},{"teacherId":9596158,"projectId":8502086,"letterContent":"We've been using the new resources to help students explore both creativity and self-confidence through hands-on cosmetology activities. Recently, we started a \"Self-Care & Kindness Week\" project where students practiced basic hairstyling techniques on mannequin heads while also discussing how positive words and actions can build confidence in themselves and others. It was powerful to see them not only learning a new skill, but also encouraging and uplifting each other along the way.\r\n\r\nTheir eyes lit up with excitement! Many couldn't believe they would be able to use real cosmetology tools and mannequin heads just like professionals. The room instantly filled with chatter and ideas about what styles they wanted to try first. For some, it was their very first time holding a comb designed for styling, and they were eager to get started.\r\n\r\nOur next step is guiding students through a \"Confidence Showcase,\" where they'll present their cosmetology creations while sharing a positive affirmation they've written about themselves. This ties directly into our social emotional learning goals—helping students practice public speaking, self-expression, and supporting their peers. It's an exciting way for them to apply their skills while growing in self-awareness and kindness.","fullyFundedDate":1722449083634,"projectUrl":"project/cosmetology-middle-school-ost/8502086/","projectTitle":"Cosmetology Middle School OST","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dilworth","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9596158_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754633822281","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9596158"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5470","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":517,"numTeachers":41,"percentFrplEligible":84,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":19,"percentWhite":4,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":72,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"12.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":65.7,"schoolId":5470,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about De Diego Community Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"De Diego Community Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/de-diego-community-academy/5470"}