{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Robert Nathaniel Dett Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":40.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10111226,"projectId":9939202,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and for believing in my students. Since receiving the new resources, they have become an essential part of our daily learning. We use them during small-group instruction, hands-on activities, and individualized lessons to support each student's unique learning needs. One particularly meaningful moment occurred during a math intervention lesson, when students were able to use the materials to model problems instead of relying solely on paper and pencil. Students who often struggle with engagement were excited to participate, explain their thinking, and complete tasks successfully.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new materials, their excitement was immediate. Several asked if the resources were really for them, and many couldn't wait to begin using them. Knowing that people outside of their classroom cared enough to support their learning made them feel valued and motivated. The pride and confidence they showed were truly heartwarming.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, these resources will continue to support skill-building in reading comprehension, math problem-solving, and social-emotional development. Students are actively working toward their individual IEP goals through structured lessons, independent practice, and collaborative activities. With continued use, they will apply these skills across subjects and real-world situations, helping them grow into more confident and independent learners.\r\n\r\nYour support has helped create a classroom environment where students feel encouraged, capable, and excited to learn. Thank you for making such a meaningful difference in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1765205081601,"projectUrl":"project/rebuild-our-classroom/9939202/","projectTitle":"Rebuild our Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sandifer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10111226_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1764649484306","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10111226"},{"teacherId":9800101,"projectId":9920300,"letterContent":"This technology is helping my students learn because they can now dive into reading websites like Amira, Google Read Along, Epic, iReady, and Lexia without distraction. They are giving 200% effort, working hard on their fluency, decoding skills, and comprehension. Students have a quiet space when wearing their headphones, so they can build their confidence and truly grow as readers. The students know that when it is reading time, they can grab headphones to focus on their reading. This new technology is truly helping my students fall in love with reading again. \r\n\r\nMy students find the headphones exciting because they can escape into a book or an audio lesson and play educational games. The students listen to audiobooks and write book reports on their modified graphic organizers. The students are also excited to select their favorite colored headphones. When it comes to reading time, I only see excitement on my students' faces. \r\n\r\nI can say with confidence that all my students have warmed up to the new technology. They take care of the headphones and hang them up when they are finished using them. Also, some students use headphones for noise cancellation when the class is working on group projects. One student was opposed to wearing headphones due to sensory issues, but she is warming up. Last week, she voluntarily put on headphones and went to education.com. We didn't make a big deal of it, and she was just so happy playing her educational game. I am so happy for this donation, and the positive impact it has had on the student. It takes a village, and you are part of this community.","fullyFundedDate":1764270772034,"projectUrl":"project/headphones-needed-for-special-education/9920300/","projectTitle":"Headphones needed for Special Education Urban Classrooms for Reading Websites!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Patterson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9800101_orig.png?crop=190,190,x38,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757203068846","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9800101"},{"teacherId":9800101,"projectId":9845762,"letterContent":"My students are loving the new resources (the plethora of games donated) in the classrooms. Students are playing games like UNO, Chess, Checkers, Operation, Battleship, Charades, Connect Four, Scrabble, origami puzzle fit, and many more during SEL time (recess days). There are students playing Operation and seeing who can collect the most pieces. Also, there are groups of students playing Charades and bringing out their inner child. The joy and smiles on the faces are amazing. \r\n\r\nMy students were overwhelmed when they first saw the games. I had the students help me unbox the games and organize them in the classroom closet. The student asked me if I brought the games, and I proudly told them that a generous donor through DonorsChoose had donated them to our class. In fact, students from other classes are also using the games and playing with students they usually don't communicate with. I knew my students would love the games because they have been asking me for games for a while. Now, I know we have materials to keep the socializing growing and deepen the friendships. \r\n\r\nA current project I am planning is a Friday fun day in which students circulate to different classrooms to play games. It will be collaborated with the rest of the middle school teachers, and the students can then write short reflections on their experience. \r\nThe students were told about the Fun Game Day, and they are ecstatic. I am very happy with these games and the positivity that they are bringing to the middle school team. The third floor is ready for in-class recess.","fullyFundedDate":1763757556668,"projectUrl":"project/games-needed-for-middle-school-for-in-da/9845762/","projectTitle":"Games Needed for Middle School for In-day Recess and Social skills.","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Patterson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9800101_orig.png?crop=190,190,x38,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757203068846","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9800101"},{"teacherId":9800101,"projectId":9693706,"letterContent":"This technology is helping my students learn because I can create supplemental differentiated worksheets tailored to students' needs and print lesson plans, activities, homework, tests, and quizzes. My students can now access instant resources in the classroom. Also, the students now have a printer that they can access in the classroom when I print up something. My students are very appreciative of the new printer in the classroom. They love getting papers from the printer that will help their learning. \r\n\r\nMy middle school students find the printer to be a resourceful tool that they know will help them learn. When we are doing a group project, my students use my computer to print up images and text they need. The printer is a tool/resource that all my students can use with supervision. Everyone in the classroom knows the printer is here to create learning materials they will use. \r\n\r\nAll of my students have warmed up to this new technology and understand its purpose. I have students grab papers from the printers. They know when the printer goes off that I am making work they must complete, creating graphic organizers, or printing up teacher plans to help with their learning. Thank you again for this printer. You are a part of this community, part of this village.","fullyFundedDate":1760704666141,"projectUrl":"project/printer-needed-for-diverse-learners-clas/9693706/","projectTitle":"Printer Needed for Diverse Learners Classroom Teacher","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Patterson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9800101_orig.png?crop=190,190,x38,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757203068846","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9800101"},{"teacherId":9746534,"projectId":9799868,"letterContent":"A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Supporters\r\nThe impact of your generosity was felt the moment these boxes arrived in our classroom. When my students saw the stacks of colorful folders, the massive supply of pre-sharpened pencils, and—most importantly—the brand-new headphones, their faces lit up with excitement. One student even cheered, \"Wait, we all get our own pair that actually works?\" For many of my students, having high-quality, reliable tools is a luxury they don't often experience, and seeing the room stocked with everything they need made them feel valued and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nWe have already put these resources to work in a very practical way. The Eduvy headphones have been a total game-changer for our literacy centers; students can now focus on their individual phonics and reading software without the distraction of background noise, allowing for a much more peaceful and productive \"quiet study\" hour. Meanwhile, the cordless vacuum and cleaning supplies have turned our classroom into a space of shared responsibility. During our \"Friday Reset,\" a few students volunteered to use the new vacuum and Lysol wipes to tidy their stations, showing a new sense of pride in keeping our learning environment sparkling clean and healthy.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we are diving into a major cross-curricular research project. Each student has been assigned a heavy-duty colorful folder to organize their drafts and source materials, and with our new bulk paper and Expo markers, we are building large-scale \"brainstorming maps\" on our whiteboards. These supplies ensure that we never have to pause a lesson because a marker is dry or a pencil is dull. Your contribution hasn't just provided \"stuff\"—it has provided the momentum and organization we need to finish the semester strong. Thank you for investing in our success!","fullyFundedDate":1762048284169,"projectUrl":"project/supplies-for-success-helping-middle-sch/9799868/","projectTitle":"Supplies for Success: Helping Middle School Minds Thrive","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kay","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9746534_orig.png?crop=1181,1181,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726187131302","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ke-ans"},{"teacherId":9800101,"projectId":9693633,"letterContent":"There are so many skills and lessons we have learned using these books. We are working on identifying key details in a text to determine the main idea, identify the theme, annotate using sticky notes, summarize the chapters, etc. We are reading aloud as a class and having wonderful, deep, and engaging class discussions. For example, students are pair reading and filling out graphic organizers. Students are also acting out scenes from the book as part of our drama projects. We are loving these book sets. \r\n\r\nIn our classroom, reading looks like students pair reading, silent reading, and reading aloud as a class. You will see student reading and annotating on sticky notes that they stick into their books. My students also listen to the audio version of the books via YouTube. Reading takes so many forms in my classroom. \r\n\r\nYes, my 6th graders enjoyed \"The Unteachables\", 7th grade enjoyed \"The Hunger Games\", and 8th grade enjoyed \"The Hate U Give\". One student felt a connection to \"The Hate U Give\" and connected it to the violence they see in their own neighborhood. Another student in 6th grade connected with the students from \"The Unteachables\" because they feel kind of different being pulled out of their general education classes and not with their peers. I remind them that all students learn \r\ndifferently all the time differently. However, these students value having books to expand their world and improve their reading.","fullyFundedDate":1760729610534,"projectUrl":"project/middle-school-reading-book-sets-needed/9693633/","projectTitle":"Middle School Reading Book Sets Needed!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Patterson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9800101_orig.png?crop=190,190,x38,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757203068846","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9800101"},{"teacherId":9786603,"projectId":9595579,"letterContent":"I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your generosity in bringing three beautiful rugs and a rug sweep broom into our classroom. These new additions have already made a remarkable difference in the way my students learn and interact in our space. Even though rugs might seem like simple classroom items, the impact they have had on the atmosphere and the students' daily experience has been truly meaningful.\r\n\r\nWhen I first rolled the rugs out, my students were absolutely wowed. Their eyes grew wide, and they watched every movement with excitement and curiosity. Several of them literally froze in place because they didn't want to step on the rugs and \"mess them up.\" It was a moment filled with so much joy and appreciation. They could feel immediately that these rugs were something special—something meant to make our classroom feel more comfortable, welcoming, and calming.\r\n\r\nOnce they got over the initial hesitation, it didn't take long before the rugs became the place everyone wanted to be. From the very first day, the most common question I heard was, \"Can I lay on the rug to do my work?\" Students have been eager to read there, write there, solve math problems there, and even just take a quiet moment to reset. The coziness of the space seems to help them settle their minds and bodies, especially during busy parts of the day.\r\n\r\nOne of the rugs now serves as our calm, quiet corner, and the students absolutely love the peacefulness it brings to the room. They often describe it as feeling \"calm,\" \"soft,\" and \"cozy,\" and many choose this spot when they need a moment to breathe or refocus. Having a dedicated area that truly feels soothing has helped students regroup without feeling singled out or overwhelmed. It has become a gentle tool for supporting emotional regulation and independence.\r\n\r\nAnother rug naturally evolved into a shared workspace where students gather for group activities, partner work, and class discussions. Something about sitting together in a comfortable space brings out more conversation, more collaboration, and more confidence. Students who normally stay quiet at their desks are suddenly willing to share their thinking in this relaxed environment. It has become a place that encourages connection and community.\r\n\r\nThe third rug often becomes a flexible space during lessons—a spot where students can choose to sit, stretch out, or work at their own pace. Some students who struggle to focus at traditional desks find that being on the rug helps them stay more engaged and motivated. It has offered a different kind of workspace that meets students where they are and supports how they learn best.\r\n\r\nThe rug sweep broom has also been a helpful and practical addition. It allows us to keep these spaces clean and inviting, and the students take great pride in helping care for the rugs. Giving them the responsibility of maintaining the cleanliness of an area they love has created a sense of ownership and respect.\r\n\r\nAs we continue with our current lessons and upcoming units, these rugs will remain central parts of our daily routines. Whether students are reading, collaborating, practicing math, calming their bodies, or simply finding a comfortable place to learn, the impact of your kindness is felt every single day. Your support has made our classroom feel more like a home—a calm and welcoming space where students feel safe, supported, and excited to learn.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our classroom and giving my students something they truly cherish. Your generosity has made more of a difference than you know.","fullyFundedDate":1760705523790,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-rugs-learning-together-in-a-b/9595579/","projectTitle":"Classroom Rugs: Learning Together in a Bright, Welcoming Space","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tomlinson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9786603_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727836964109","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9786603"},{"teacherId":10173970,"projectId":9585123,"letterContent":"My sincerest thank you for contributing to my classroom this year! Because of your kindness and generosity, my students now have access to materials that make speech and language therapy meaningful and fun. \r\n\r\nAll of my students are learning to find their voices - whether that means producing new sounds, building vocabulary, forming sentences, accessing augmentative and alternative communication methods, or gaining the confidence to communicate with others. The resources you helped fund are already making a clear difference: I've seen smiles, heard laughter, and witnessed incredible moments as my students use these tools to express themselves in new ways.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and in the power of communication. Your contribution goes far beyond the classroom, helping my students interact with the world around them.","fullyFundedDate":1755545262641,"projectUrl":"project/read-talk-play-repeat-integrating-la/9585123/","projectTitle":"Read, Talk, Play, Repeat: Integrating Language, Literacy, and Fun","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Shultz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10173970_orig.jpg?crop=1984,1984,x0,y410&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755490252782","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10173970"},{"teacherId":9860199,"projectId":9589045,"letterContent":"Our new clay supplies and tools have brought an exciting, hands-on learning experience into our classroom. One of our first projects was creating small clay sugar skulls for the Day of the Dead, and it was wonderful to see students who are often hesitant with new tasks become fully engaged with pressing, rolling, and shaping the clay with confidence.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, my students were immediately drawn to them. They eagerly wanted to work with clay and new tools. The diverse learner students were able to fully participate, sculpting their own sugar skull designs.\r\n\r\nThese clay tools will continue to support our students' fine-motor development, sensory exploration, and creative expression. Our next steps are to create superhero masks using supplies from your donations. Your generosity has made these meaningful hands-on experiences possible, and I am truly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1755710898083,"projectUrl":"project/shaping-dreams-equipping-students-for-c/9589045/","projectTitle":"Shaping Dreams: Equipping Students for Clay Masterpieces","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hansen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9860199_orig.jpg?crop=502,502,x0,y16&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1737994157057","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9860199"},{"teacherId":10173970,"projectId":9621102,"letterContent":"My sincerest thank you for contributing to my classroom this year! Because of your kindness and generosity, my students now have access to materials that make speech and language therapy meaningful and fun. \r\n\r\nAll of my students are learning to find their voices - whether that means producing new sounds, building vocabulary, forming sentences, accessing augmentative and alternative communication methods, or gaining the confidence to communicate with others. The resources you helped fund are already making a clear difference: I've seen smiles, heard laughter, and witnessed incredible moments as my students use these tools to express themselves in new ways.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and in the power of communication. Your contribution goes far beyond the classroom, helping my students interact with the world around them.","fullyFundedDate":1755712627367,"projectUrl":"project/creating-an-engaging-learning-environmen/9621102/","projectTitle":"Creating An Engaging Learning Environment","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Shultz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10173970_orig.jpg?crop=1984,1984,x0,y410&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755490252782","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10173970"},{"teacherId":10177077,"projectId":9595473,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your heartfelt donations of your hard earned money to my students. Every year, teachers and therapists reach out to people like you to help supply our offices and every year you guys show up! We appreciate it so much - and the kids do too. \r\n\r\nI am an Occupational Therapist and I provide my kids at school the opportunity to learn skills that are more challenging for them to grasp compared to their peers. Through your donation, you have supported me in being able to keep these kids on a path of success. They have been able to try new things, be challenged, and have fun while doing so. \r\n\r\nThank you for your help!","fullyFundedDate":1755384680759,"projectUrl":"project/ready-set-grow/9595473/","projectTitle":"Ready, Set, Grow!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Abby","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10177077_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755198031334","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ot-ms-abby"},{"teacherId":9869617,"projectId":9199324,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous donations, our students have been thriving with the new outdoor play equipment and resources. Many of our children don't have safe or accessible places to play when they leave school, so having these materials has opened up a whole new world for them. They now have the opportunity to run, jump, climb, and explore in a safe and engaging environment that encourages physical activity. \r\n\r\nAs a result, we were able to get more outside time since we only had gym once a week. \r\nWe've seen noticeable improvement in their gross motor skills, coordination, and overall confidence. Playtime has become a cherished part of their day, where they not only move their bodies but also learn how to work together, share, and problem-solve.\r\n\r\nOne especially memorable moment was when the students first saw the new outdoor materials—pure joy lit up their faces. They immediately formed games together, helping one another and communicating more than ever before. We've noticed how their conversations during play have become richer and more thoughtful, building social and intellectual skills naturally through movement and fun. \r\n\r\nA recent class project involved creating obstacle courses together, where students took turns designing challenges for their peers and giving feedback. This encouraged teamwork, creativity, and language development. Looking ahead, we're incorporating these experiences into a unit on teamwork and community, where students will explore the value of cooperation in and out of the classroom. Your support has truly helped us create a space where play becomes powerful learning—thank you.","fullyFundedDate":1746787022398,"projectUrl":"project/overcoming-resource-gaps-outdoor-toys-a/9199324/","projectTitle":"Overcoming Resource Gaps: Outdoor Toys Are Essential for Kindergarten Play","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Willaby","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9869617"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5774","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":281,"numTeachers":21,"percentFrplEligible":94,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":88,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":9,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"13.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":60.0,"schoolId":5774,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Robert Nathaniel Dett Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Robert Nathaniel Dett Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/dett-elementary-school/5774"}