{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Gillespie Technology Magnet Cluster School","outOfStateSupporters":38.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":1714390,"projectId":9972971,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation. These jumbo crayons and pencils have been in use every day since they were delivered! Crayons and pencils are used by our primary students often. They enjoy coloring, but it was becoming frustrating for students and adults alike to have to constantly be picking up broken crayons off the floor. Sometimes, the kids didn't mean to break them: the skinny (standard) sized crayons were just too small to grip for our preschool and kindergarten scholars. We have a high percentage of students with special needs. These jumbo crayons and pencils were just what our students needed. Thanks again for the help.","fullyFundedDate":1767647059807,"projectUrl":"project/jumbo-crayons-just-for-me/9972971/","projectTitle":"Jumbo Crayons, Just for Me","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Patton","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-cale"},{"teacherId":1714390,"projectId":9862247,"letterContent":"I can't thank you enough for your generous gift. The Teachers Pay Teachers gift card and calming stim toys have already had a positive impact with our students. Just yesterday, a special needs classroom arrived to the music room for inclusion. Two of the students were having trouble settling into the classroom, and were running around and shouting. This is distracting for all the learners in the room. Thankfully, I was able to offer each of those students a stim toy, the rubber band, to hold. This made a huge difference immediately. The students sat down and began to listen. The students, myself, and the teacher aide was very thankful we now have toys and tools for when those situations occur. The TPT gift card has also been extremely helpful. I have been able to purchase and run off high quality, differentiated materials for music learning. Thanks again.","fullyFundedDate":1767647061051,"projectUrl":"project/inclusive-and-supportive-music-class/9862247/","projectTitle":"Inclusive and Supportive Music Class","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Patton","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-cale"},{"teacherId":1714390,"projectId":9952743,"letterContent":"I can't thank you enough for your generous support of our youngest students. The Play Doh and cardstock you donated to our classroom has already been put to good use. The kids have loved crafting musical symbols and shapes with Play Doh. This activity has reinforced concepts we have been learning in music class in a fun and highly accessible way.\r\n\r\nThe cardstock has been a welcome addition to our art activities. The kids are more excited to try their best, and to take a project home to show a family member, when they completed it on a special piece of paper like this.\r\n\r\nThanks so much for providing art supplies and materials to our preschool and kindergarten students.","fullyFundedDate":1767647057949,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-creative-creations-in-prek-and/9952743/","projectTitle":"Hands-On Creative Creations in PreK and K","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Patton","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-cale"},{"teacherId":1714390,"projectId":9967563,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous gift of clarinet and saxophone reeds and two neck straps to our classroom. Your gift is greatly appreciated. This year, we have started a band at the school for the first time in likely decades. All of the instruments are used, obtained by myself from stores like Goodwill and the Salvation Army, and repaired over the summer at the VanderCook College instrument repair lab. We have worked so hard to get these instruments in playable condition for the students. Your gift of reeds has ensured our band members the chance to continue playing this spring. The neck straps are greatly appreciated by our two saxophone players. They had been playing on low-quality, thinner neck straps. Anyone who has played woodwinds knows what that feels like. Thanks for bringing much needed supplies to our beginning band members.","fullyFundedDate":1767479742689,"projectUrl":"project/read-this-we-need-reeds/9967563/","projectTitle":"Read This: We Need Reeds","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Patton","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-cale"},{"teacherId":4930919,"projectId":9585878,"letterContent":"Thank you to the incredible donors who made our classroom project a reality! Please accept this message as a giant THANK YOU from my students. The bean bags and rug has transformed a corner of our room into a safe haven- our new Calm Corner with our giant bean bags perfect for middle schoolers and an inviting rug. The smiles this corner has put on my students' faces are infectious. The impact is evident every day when students choose the calm corner to de-escalate rather than escalate the situation that triggered it. It's a very heart-warming act to see on a weekly, sometimes daily basis. Everyday, as I observe them utilize the space with calm and care. I am reminded that there are kind people in this world who donated to my project.Thank you for impacting my students in a positive way.","fullyFundedDate":1757959684041,"projectUrl":"project/bean-bags-and-big-calm/9585878/","projectTitle":"Bean Bags and Big Calm","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Neal","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4930919_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1533492422691","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/alicia-neal"},{"teacherId":5004568,"projectId":9762172,"letterContent":"When our new Nintendo Switch 2 arrived, the excitement in our classroom was immediate and unforgettable. For many of my students with disabilities, this was the first time they had access to gaming equipment that truly met their needs. The adaptive features, accessible controls, and collaborative gameplay have opened doors that traditional classroom tools simply couldn't.\r\nThis technology is doing far more than providing entertainment—it's helping students learn essential skills in a way that feels natural and joyful. Through eSports activities, students are practicing communication, teamwork, strategic thinking, and emotional regulation. They're learning how to take turns, support one another, and celebrate both wins and attempts. For some students, this is the first time they've been able to participate fully in a group activity without feeling left out or overwhelmed.\r\nWhat excites them most is the sense of belonging. They love being part of a team, choosing games that match their abilities, and discovering that they can compete, collaborate, and succeed. The Switch's intuitive design and accessible controllers have made it possible for students with limited mobility or processing challenges to join in without barriers.\r\nOne student in particular—who often hesitates to participate in group activities—has completely blossomed. With the Switch 2's adaptive settings, he can play at his own pace and still feel like a valued member of the team. He now asks daily when our next eSports session will be and proudly teaches his classmates new strategies he's learned. Watching his confidence grow has been one of the most meaningful outcomes of this project.\r\nThanks to your generosity, my students are not just playing games—they're gaining confidence, building friendships, and experiencing inclusion in a way that truly matters. You've helped create a space where every student can participate, succeed, and feel seen. Thank you for believing in them and for helping us make eSports accessible to all.","fullyFundedDate":1759624946303,"projectUrl":"project/game-on-for-all-esports-that-include-ev/9762172/","projectTitle":"Game On for All: eSports that Include Every Student","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ferguson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5004568_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1511897340275","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5004568"},{"teacherId":1714390,"projectId":9965770,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for providing our learners with paper and a pencil sharpener. These donations came in the nick of time! The items arrived today. Tomorrow, our students will return from winter break, eager to learn. Sharp pencils and plenty of paper provide the means to create so many assignments, in which the completion make sense to students. Bell ringers and music theory work packets have been keeping our middle school students afloat this year. They are learning about music theory and also how to act in a middle school setting. Students with plenty of work don't have time to become bored and distracted. This paper and pencil sharpener will contribute to a calm, focused, and safe spring season in our music classroom. Thank you again for your generous and practical gift. These items are GREATLY appreciated.","fullyFundedDate":1767243587432,"projectUrl":"project/simply-the-basics-the-write-stuff/9965770/","projectTitle":"Simply the Basics: The Write Stuff","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Patton","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-cale"},{"teacherId":5004568,"projectId":9390937,"letterContent":"When our LEGO Robotics materials arrived, my students lit up in a way I'll never forget. Several of them gasped, a few cheered, and one student whispered, \"We get to build real robots?\" That moment alone showed me how much this project would mean to them.\r\nWe've already begun using the new resources during our STEM block, and the transformation has been incredible. Students who are usually quiet have become problem‑solvers and team leaders, confidently snapping pieces together, testing sensors, and troubleshooting their code. One group proudly programmed their robot to navigate a small obstacle course—when it finally worked, the entire table erupted in celebration. That sense of accomplishment is exactly what your generosity made possible.\r\nYour support didn't just provide materials; it opened a door to engineering, creativity, and perseverance. These tools are helping students think like designers, collaborate like engineers, and believe in their own ability to build something meaningful.\r\nAs for what's next, students are beginning a mini‑challenge where they'll design robots that can complete a real‑world task. They're already sketching ideas, debating solutions, and imagining what their robots might achieve. Thanks to you, they now have the resources to bring those ideas to life.\r\nThank you for investing in our young engineers. You've given them not just materials, but inspiration—and that will stay with them far beyond this project.","fullyFundedDate":1758810642741,"projectUrl":"project/building-future-engineers-one-brick-at/9390937/","projectTitle":"Building Future Engineers, One Brick at a Time!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ferguson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5004568_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1511897340275","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5004568"},{"teacherId":1714390,"projectId":9856069,"letterContent":"Dance Dance Revolution has 'revolutionized' our music classroom! DDR has reinforced musical skills and concepts, such as steady beat, tempo and notation-tracking, in a fun and hands-on way. We are a technology focused magnet cluster school. These dance pads and software have brought our school's mission to life. In the week leading up to winter break, our students were hyper. This game was a perfect way to expel some of their energy in a healthy, musical, and safely competitive way. They loved working together to learn to play. Thanks again for funding this project, which has brought active musical fun into our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1762108831712,"projectUrl":"project/dancing-away-with-plug-and-play/9856069/","projectTitle":"Dancing Away With Plug and Play","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Patton","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-cale"},{"teacherId":1714390,"projectId":9756402,"letterContent":"Dance Dance Revolution has 'revolutionized' our music classroom! DDR has reinforced musical skills and concepts, such as steady beat, tempo and notation-tracking, in a fun and hands-on way. We are a technology focused magnet cluster school. These dance pads and software have brought our school's mission to life. In the week leading up to winter break, our students were hyper. This game was a perfect way to expel some of their energy in a healthy, musical, and safely competitive way. They loved working together to learn to play. Thanks again for funding this project, which has brought active musical fun into our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1760693516657,"projectUrl":"project/dance-dance-revolution/9756402/","projectTitle":"Dance Dance Revolution","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Patton","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-cale"},{"teacherId":1714390,"projectId":9856247,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support. These snacks were greatly appreciated by our after school music club. The club has been rehearsing twice a week to put on a fantastic production of a Disney musical. The snacks have been a huge motivator to increase attendance and participation during the club. Having a snack to offer has been a great incentive, and has solidified the music room as a place for fun, creativity and delight. Thanks for providing these snacks, which have motivated our students more than you will ever know.","fullyFundedDate":1762874901178,"projectUrl":"project/munchies-for-musicians/9856247/","projectTitle":"Munchies for Musicians","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Patton","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-cale"},{"teacherId":1714390,"projectId":9639198,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donation of four ukuleles to our music students. Thanks to you, more students are getting the chance to play the ukulele. We have been breaking the class into groups for more individualized instruction, and also due to not having enough instruments for the entire class. Adding four more instruments has helped immensely, allowing each child in the group to have an instrument in their hands. This eliminates the need for sharing instruments, and helps the students stay on task and make musical achievement. Thanks again for your help!","fullyFundedDate":1760693604816,"projectUrl":"project/four-ukuleles-for-success/9639198/","projectTitle":"Four Ukuleles for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Patton","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-cale"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5576","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":339,"numTeachers":27,"percentFrplEligible":85,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":95,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":3,"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":62.0,"schoolId":5576,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Gillespie Technology Magnet Cluster School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Gillespie Technology Magnet Cluster School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/gillespie-elementary-school/5576"}