{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Gray Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":32.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":3530704,"projectId":9944103,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the alphabet sound puzzles! My students have been enjoying them during free choice time as well as during small groups. I am able to use them to differentiate instruction by choosing the letter sound puzzles that the students are having trouble with, it has made my small group time more targeted and meaningful. \r\n\r\nI am also loving the puzzle storage rack. It has made clean up a breeze and organized. No more stacking the puzzles on top of one another, the rack has helped the students take ownership in clean up instead of having to rely on us to put the puzzles away.\r\n\r\nThanks again!","fullyFundedDate":1765176398185,"projectUrl":"project/for-the-love-of-literacy/9944103/","projectTitle":"For the Love of Literacy!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Toledo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3530704"},{"teacherId":7496657,"projectId":9935621,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity. My students have been using the Lakeshore Alphabet Sounds Teaching Tubs when learning new letters. I introduce the letter and give them clues about what is in the tub. The students take turns guessing what the items are. This has been helping them with their literacy skills and has been helping them to wait for their turn and not shout out their ideas. We also use them during small groups. I mix them items for several letters and the students help sort the items according to their initial sounds. This helps them focus and listen. We have used the Alphabet mystery box in small groups as well. The students take turns reaching in grabbing an item, trying to describe it, identify the initial sound and match it to the corresponding letter on the letter mat. There are many skills that they use and learn while just using the mystery box. The students are enjoying the chairs as well. They use them in the library to read books. They also use them in the dramatic play area. They use them to rock their babies or pretend that they are on the bus or driving somewhere. They have added a great element to their creative play and desire to go read in the library. \r\n\r\nThe students were so excited to see the items and be able to use them. It's great to see the joy in their eyes as they learn and play. \r\n\r\nWe will continue to use these items in different ways to help the students further their literacy skills. The English Language Learners will continue to use these items to increase their vocabulary. We are excited for all of the learning that will take place this spring as we study insects gardening and get ready for Kindergarten.","fullyFundedDate":1764598235556,"projectUrl":"project/lots-of-letters-for-literacy/9935621/","projectTitle":"Lots of Letters for Literacy!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7496657_orig.jpg?crop=1605,1605,x0,y5&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1606177825323","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7496657"},{"teacherId":10181613,"projectId":9609131,"letterContent":"This project has made the students in my classroom so happy!! They have loved to be able to use the chairs to read independently during reading time! They are able to read their books in a fun space and discuss with each other their books and get other students interested in reading as well! When the students saw all the new things for the library they were so excited snd couldn't wait to sit in the chairs! \r\n\r\nStudents have been also loving the independent aspect of the classroom library corner! They now have assigned jobs to make sure the library stays clean and that other students in years to come can use the library! \r\nThank you so much again for everything you have done for your classroom we truly are so grateful!!","fullyFundedDate":1764728747706,"projectUrl":"project/cushions-for-curiosity-building-a-welco/9609131/","projectTitle":"Cushions for Curiosity: Building a Welcoming Library for Lifelong Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Norte","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10181613_orig.jpg?crop=391,391,x359,y302&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755312634555","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10181613"},{"teacherId":10437390,"projectId":10101629,"letterContent":"The arrival of this printer and cardstock has been an incredible weight off my shoulders and a total game-changer for my daily teaching! In an inclusion setting, timing is everything, and having this technology right in my workspace means I can stay organized and responsive to my students' needs. I no longer have to cross my fingers that the shared school copier is working or wait in long lines to get a quick page printed. This printer has also become my ultimate backup! On those days when the main school equipment is down, I can still print my progress monitoring data or a regular worksheet in seconds, ensuring my students never miss a beat. It has removed so much stress from my daily routine, allowing me to focus entirely on my kids rather than on troubleshooting machinery.\r\n\r\nWhile the students don't operate the printer themselves, the impact of what it produces has made them so excited to learn. There is a huge difference in a child's engagement when they receive a crisp, vibrant, color-printed resource rather than a grainy black-and-white photocopy. For my 5th graders, this has been a total lifesaver for complex math. I am now able to create color-coded visuals that break down multi-step problems, like dividing fractions or multiplying multi-digit numbers. By color-coding each step of the process, my students can finally \"see\" the sequence and follow along without getting overwhelmed by the numbers. In kindergarten, I wish you could see how big one of my kiddo's smiles was! They were so excited to use their new communication folder. Seeing their own personalized icons in bright colors gives them a sense of ownership and confidence, making them much more likely to use their supports to navigate the school day independently.\r\n\r\nI have already seen a beautiful shift in students who previously struggled to find their \"voice\" or stay regulated during busy transitions. My 5th graders are starting to take charge of their own learning, using these durable math visuals to solve problems that used to cause them so much frustration. One kinder student in particular, who often felt overwhelmed in the general education classroom, has completely warmed to his new durable, laminated communication cards and now has a reliable way to \"show\" me what he needs instead of having a breakdown. This technology has truly provided the foundation for a more inclusive and accessible environment where my students, from kindergarten to 5th grade, feel seen, heard, and ready to succeed. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!","fullyFundedDate":1771594435494,"projectUrl":"project/printing-the-path-to-communication-calm/10101629/","projectTitle":"Printing the Path to Communication, Calm, and Curriculum Confidence","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Groth","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10437390_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1771424036895","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/sophia-groth"},{"teacherId":9839247,"projectId":9686979,"letterContent":"I would like to take a moment to Thank you for donating to our classroom! I teach at a title 1 school and most of our students don't come to school with all of there supplies if they even bring any at all. Some children also come to school late which means they do not eat breakfast. Your donations will help me refresh my classroom supplies to the end of the school year. \r\n\r\nYou have also made a difference with the children. They really cant believe that there are so many caring people who are willing to donate to classroom in need. So once again I say thank you from the bottom of my heart.","fullyFundedDate":1767232966696,"projectUrl":"project/starting-off-the-year/9686979/","projectTitle":"Starting Off the Year!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Donnawell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9839247"},{"teacherId":5813157,"projectId":9856167,"letterContent":"My students and I are thrilled to have received the subscription to Super Teacher Worksheets as well as the handheld vacuum/duster. Children love activites that are fun, moreso when they don't realize they are practicing essential skills! In our Math class, they have had the opportunity to have assignments, activities, homework, and crafts from Super Teacher Worksheets that directly align with the topic they learned in school that day. They are able to use colored pencils, scissors, and glue for many of these activites; something that is often not used in their daily curriculum.\r\nThe vacuum/duster has been amazing for all of us. Our school building is over 100 years old and our heating system carries a lot of dust in it. I am not the only one affected by it and we appreciate the ease of use to tidy up around our classroom, especially the pesky crevises.\r\nThank you again for supporting us, we all appreciate you taking the time to enhance our daily lives!","fullyFundedDate":1764598837651,"projectUrl":"project/super-students-with-superteacher-workshe/9856167/","projectTitle":"Super Students With SuperTeacher Worksheets and a Technology Vacuum!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Reyes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5813157_orig.jpg?crop=342,341,x0,y42&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597171690714","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5813157"},{"teacherId":6988661,"projectId":9787857,"letterContent":"My students have been able to share their worries and hopes for our futures using the supplies I purchased with the funds you so generously donated. All students selected topics that were extremely important to them and created speeches that they shared with their classmates, school, and some even continued to the citywide competition. Topics varied from school lunches and bullying to immigration reform. Students were able to record podcasts about their speeches using the microphones. They were also able to create buttons and print their templates in color. Once they were finished, they could trade their buttons with other students. \r\n\r\nI have newcomer English Language Learners who are working to practice their English every day. It is of utmost importance because they will be continuing to high school in a few months, where English fluency is expected. Every day, my newcomers get to use their new headphones with attached microphones to practice their English fluency. This is a significant improvement over the flimsy headphones that were constantly breaking and needed to be taped back together. \r\n\r\nThank you again for your generosity; it has helped my students to flourish in so many ways.","fullyFundedDate":1761763654975,"projectUrl":"project/help-my-8th-grade-mll-classroom/9787857/","projectTitle":"Help my 8th Grade MLL Classroom!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Arifi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6988661_orig.png?crop=1290,1290,x0,y120&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1761093381301","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6988661"},{"teacherId":7831077,"projectId":9590143,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our second graders are diving headfirst into hands‑on STEM learning every single day! The tools you provided have completely transformed our classroom into a buzzing hub of creativity, collaboration, and problem‑solving.\r\n\r\nThe moment the boxes were opened, the room erupted into gasps, claps, and little voices shouting, \"Can we start today?!\" Several students immediately recognized the Snap Circuits kit and began excitedly telling their classmates all the things they hoped to build including fans, lights, spinning motors, anything they could imagine. Others were fascinated by the colorful gears and disc‑shaped building pieces, turning them over in their hands as they guessed what they might become. \r\n\r\nWe've launched a weekly \"STEM Lab\" time where students rotate through centers using the different materials you helped fund. One of our favorite recent projects was a challenge called \"Build a Bridge That Can Hold the Elephant!\" Using the STEM Explorers Bridge Builders set alongside the interlocking building pieces, students worked in teams to design bridges strong enough to support a small toy elephant. I watched them draw plans, test weight limits, cheer each other on, and revise their designs using trial and error. \r\n\r\nRight now our class is beginning a unit on \"Electricity\" and your donated STEM materials will play a huge role. Students will use our Snap Circuits to build working circuits and discover how energy can travel through a pathway. Along with a LEGO DISCOVER set students will be able to explore where we get energy from and how it's used, the impact of our energy choices, as well as create a better energy journey for our community. \r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our classroom and for helping spark a love of engineering and invention in these young learners. You've made an incredible difference, and we are so grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1760706415245,"projectUrl":"project/stem-tastic-explorers-hands-on-learning/9590143/","projectTitle":"STEM-tastic Explorers: Hands-On Learning for Young Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lily","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7831077_orig.jpg?crop=2311,2311,x860,y188&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1682879748441","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-rosales-209"},{"teacherId":8657873,"projectId":9750839,"letterContent":"I am writing to share the incredible impact your generosity has had on my teaching. While many think of classroom technology as devices for student use, this color printer has become a vital behind-the-scenes tool that allows me to support my students in real time. One of the greatest changes has been the ability to print \"on the fly.\" In a special education setting, a student's needs can change in an instant; having this printer right in my office means I no longer have to leave my students to trek down the hall to a shared copier. Whether it's a quick set of practice problems or a black-and-white assessment, I can provide my students with exactly what they need the moment they need it.\r\n\r\nThe most exciting benefit for the students, however, is finally having access to resources that were meant to be seen in color. In the past, I had to print everything in grayscale, which often made complex charts confusing or unreadable. Now, I can print vibrant number charts, color-coded multiplication tables, and visual schedules where the colors actually serve as meaningful cues. The students have been so appreciative to have these high-quality resources; they no longer have to struggle to decipher a muddy, black-and-white version of a tool that was designed to be clear and colorful.\r\n\r\nWith the extra ink included in this project, I have the peace of mind to print these essential resources consistently throughout the school year. Your gift has streamlined my teaching and, more importantly, has given my students the clear, professional-grade materials they deserve to help them master difficult academic concepts. You have truly made my teaching more efficient and effective. Thank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1759282632979,"projectUrl":"project/color-me-happy/9750839/","projectTitle":"Color Me Happy","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. LaCerba","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8657873_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1759268074047","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8657873"},{"teacherId":137563,"projectId":9434370,"letterContent":"We have done so much with the Upfront New Magazines you have brought to our classroom! Thank you for supporting \"The Media Literacy Project: Discerning Fact From Fiction\" and helping me kick off the school year with these excellent resources. Using the magazines and digital resources, my students read and researched current events. They wrote speeches asking classmates to taken action on a chosen issue. \r\n Reading in my classroom is a social act; allowing students to choose an issue that they are passionate about helped me introduce media literacy and civics in a meaningful, student-centered way. This simply would not have been possible without your support.\r\n In the coming weeks, we will learn how bias impacts how information is perceived and how propaganda, word choice, and imagery shape meaning. We have begun learning about the role journalism plays in a democracy. In the next quarter, students will become journalists themselves by creating a classroom newspaper.\r\n These lessons would simply not have the impact they had because of the awesome gift you have shared with us. We thank you and are truly excited to see how the year unfolds! Thanks again for supporting our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1755720294952,"projectUrl":"project/the-media-literacy-project-discerning-f/9434370/","projectTitle":"The Media Literacy Project: Discerning Fact from Fiction","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rocuant","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp137563_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1491844451560","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/137563"},{"teacherId":7985410,"projectId":9507806,"letterContent":"We just wanted to send a huge, heartfelt thank you for your gift. Your support is the reason we're doing cool stuff with STEM! You made the LEGO BricQ Motion boxes happen for our students. You didn't just give us building blocks; you gave our kids the chance to actually become hands-on engineers and awesome problem-solvers.\r\n\r\nWe're putting the boxes to work right away, making those tricky concepts like force, motion, and energy feel real and fun instead of just textbook stuff!\r\n\r\nThe students were totally pumped when they saw the LEGOs. Their first reaction was pure excitement, and then they got super focused. But the coolest part? Watching them realize that failing is okay! When a gear slipped or their design messed up, they didn't get bummed out. They immediately grabbed the manuals, checked their builds, and started figuring out the fix. Your materials are teaching them that the best engineers are the ones who try, mess up, and try again!","fullyFundedDate":1757423248526,"projectUrl":"project/building-future-innovators-with-lego-bri/9507806/","projectTitle":"Building Future Innovators with Lego BricQ Motion","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Clemens","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7985410"},{"teacherId":3530704,"projectId":9501713,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and donation to my PreK classroom. Your donation made it possible for me to be fully prepared for the beginning of the school year. I was able to purchase back to school supplies to help me welcome my students before they even walked in the door. \r\n\r\nMy students have been using the journals weekly to draw and write in for our small groups. They also are still using the lanyards to facilitate our time in the lunch line. Having these supplies have made our day run smoother and more efficiently. \r\n\r\nOnce again I appreciate your support!","fullyFundedDate":1755282986102,"projectUrl":"project/back-to-school-essentials/9501713/","projectTitle":"Back to School Essentials!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Toledo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3530704"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5382","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":988,"numTeachers":67,"percentFrplEligible":81,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":9,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":83,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"14.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":67.6,"schoolId":5382,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Gray Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Gray Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/gray-elementary-school/5382"}