{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"H.R. McCall Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":17.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5711990,"projectId":10290440,"letterContent":"I know it's been a few months since your donations but our new school year is underway! Our books have arrived safe and sound, have been catalogued and are waiting to get into the hands of this years' Battle of the Books participants! The 4th graders who are new to the club this year, are so excited to get started! The 5th grades, our returning grade have been \"hyping\" it up and are already discussing their teams, strategies and recruiting the 4th graders to join! I anticipate that this will be our biggest year yet! The students are most excited for \"The Playmakers\" with its dynamic cover art featuring students playing a basketball game. I suspect that \"Ella Enchanted\" and \"Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library\" will also be crowd favorites given their fantasy themes. Thank you again for your more than generous donations, your are helping to build a true love of reading and literacy in the next generation of students.","fullyFundedDate":1779294676678,"projectUrl":"project/books-for-battle-of-the-books/10290440/","projectTitle":"Books for Battle of the Books","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Krzeszowski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5711990_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1534894324150","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mskrzeszowski"},{"teacherId":9804945,"projectId":10185016,"letterContent":"When our fourth and fifth graders saw the new garden edging fence arrive, their eyes lit up with excitement. Because most of our students live in shared housing without access to yards or outdoor spaces, our school garden is their primary sanctuary for connecting with nature. Last year, our 30 Garden Club members worked tirelessly to establish over 50 pollinator plants that brought our schoolyard to life with Monarch butterflies, buzzing insects, and hummingbirds. Seeing the sturdy border materials unboxed gave them an immediate sense of relief and ownership, knowing that their hard work would now be clearly defined and protected from accidental damage during routine lawn maintenance.\r\n\r\nWe seamlessly turned the installation of the fence into an engaging real-world math and science project. The highlight was watching the students grab tape measures to calculate the exact perimeter of the garden beds, applying their classroom math skills directly to the land. Working side-by-side with our Garden coaches, the students proudly set the fencing into the ground piece by piece. Putting that polished finishing touch on the garden perimeter gave our students a profound sense of pride, showing them that their contributions created a lasting, beautiful landmark for our entire school.\r\n\r\nWith the garden securely bordered to ensure its health for years to come, our students are stepping into their next phase of environmental learning. Moving forward, the club will use the protected space to log daily observations in science journals, tracking returning pollinators and measuring plant growth. Your generous support did so much more than buy physical materials—you provided young urban learners with a safe, thriving outdoor classroom where they can build real-world skills and take genuine pride in their community.","fullyFundedDate":1782769163584,"projectUrl":"project/keep-our-beauty-in-the-garden-gates/10185016/","projectTitle":"Keep our Beauty in the Garden Gates","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Boettcher","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9804945_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y332&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1773673331413","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/growgardenclub"},{"teacherId":9804945,"projectId":10150417,"letterContent":"When the boxes containing our new supplies arrived, my 30 students were bursting with excitement—unboxing brand-new materials created specifically for them brought an immediate sense of pride to our Equity Focus classroom. Their eyes lit up as we unpacked the Milestones Kids' Garden Tile kits, Garbuildman Birdbath, and Navaris Bee Watering Station. We put the tile kits to work right away, with each student personalizing their own stepping stone. Watching 30 unique tiles come together to form a permanent path through our garden gave everyone a deep, lasting sense of ownership over our school grounds.\r\n\r\nThese resources have seamlessly turned our garden into a hands-on outdoor laboratory. Students now take turns using the 175 ft Garden Hose Reel to hydrate the plants and carefully write plant names on our Natural Slate Garden Markers. One unforgettable moment happened during a science lesson when the entire class fell completely still, watching a honeybee stop for a drink at our bee watering station—a magical connection to local wildlife that brought our ecosystem lessons to life far beyond what a textbook could offer.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, our students are stepping into their roles as environmental stewards by keeping daily wildlife observation journals and preparing to lead guided garden tours for younger grade levels using their new plant markers. Your generosity did so much more than decorate our schoolyard; you provided 30 deserving students with a peaceful sanctuary to learn, take pride in, and enjoy for years to come. Thank you for believing in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1775760854728,"projectUrl":"project/garden-decorations/10150417/","projectTitle":"Garden Decorations","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Boettcher","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9804945_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y332&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1773673331413","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/growgardenclub"},{"teacherId":5711990,"projectId":10035721,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations to this project! We received our shirts, tie dye materials and transfer sheets from this project! The students had so much fun dying their shirts! Some students had never had this opportunity before and it was a such unique experience for them! Each student got to express themselves in their own way, choosing their own colors and dye design. At the same time, now each team looks cohesive and can be easily identified when they sit together on the day of our battle. The students also got to experience designing their own team logos. This was a first for all our students! They had the opportunity to learn how to utilize digital tools on Canva to create their own unique designs. None of this would have been possible without your support! Thank you for allowing me to bring all of these opportunities to my students!","fullyFundedDate":1770992279633,"projectUrl":"project/readers-in-uniform/10035721/","projectTitle":"Readers in Uniform","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Krzeszowski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5711990_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1534894324150","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mskrzeszowski"},{"teacherId":9017449,"projectId":9740103,"letterContent":"Thank you very much for your generous donation. The students were truly excited to be supported by you and were filled with ideas and enthusiasm. They were eager to begin using the materials immediately, though I explained that I needed to open and organize the boxes first.\r\n\r\nThe students have been collaboratively using the materials to complete their challenges every two weeks. We are also close to completing the thousand-piece puzzle you donated, which will become a meaningful keepsake. Once finished, the students will sign it, and it will be framed and displayed in the school office as a lasting symbol of their effort and teamwork.\r\n\r\nThese future engineers and creators are already dreaming big. Some have expressed a desire to visit Denmark to see the LEGO factory, while others were so inspired that they asked Santa for the LEGO sets you donated. This is only the beginning. We will continue encouraging these children to value their childhood, nurture their imagination, and work toward building a brighter future through creativity and innovation.","fullyFundedDate":1768511392370,"projectUrl":"project/future-creatorsengineers-in-need-of-sup/9740103/","projectTitle":"Future Creators/Engineers In Need of Supplies - Help!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Alicea Collazo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9017449_orig.jpg?crop=1835,1836,x0,y379&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758402608818","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9017449"},{"teacherId":5711990,"projectId":9836611,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating to this project! The impact on the students of my school has been remarkable! The 4th and 5th grade students were so excited that in my three years of running Battle of the Books, we have had the highest turn out ever! We have so much interest, that we ran out of copies of books for our teams and we will need to find a few more copies. A wonderful problem to have! You are helping build a true love of reading in students. Never before have I seen students so motivated to participate and read of their own volition! Not only that, but the medals and LCD writing tablets are going to make wonderful additions to the students gift baskets, of which they are very excited to receive after our battle! Thank you again for donating!","fullyFundedDate":1762148910606,"projectUrl":"project/books-for-battle-of-the-books/9836611/","projectTitle":"Books for Battle of the Books","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Krzeszowski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5711990_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1534894324150","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mskrzeszowski"},{"teacherId":10049349,"projectId":9683778,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for bringing Print for Peace to our classroom. Big emotions can quickly become overwhelming for my students, but your gift gave us the tools they need to stay calm and focused. With durable, laminated \"My Feelings\" charts and other visual supports, students can now show how they feel and communicate their needs instead of getting stuck or frustrated. This has made the classroom a much calmer place for everyone.\r\n\r\nFor many students, a clear visual schedule makes the difference between a successful morning and a meltdown. Your donation didn't just provide supplies, it gave students structure, confidence, and a sense of control over their day. We are so grateful for your support in making our classroom more peaceful and manageable.","fullyFundedDate":1758822773144,"projectUrl":"project/print-for-peace-visual-supports-for-soc/9683778/","projectTitle":"Print for Peace: Visual Supports for Social-Emotional Growth","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Angie/Ms. M","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10049349_orig.jpg?crop=1200,1200,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1749053120904","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10049349"},{"teacherId":9804945,"projectId":9792044,"letterContent":"Thank you for providing the materials to assist in beautifying our garden. The children used the mosaic patterns as stepping stones in the garden. In addition we created Kindness Rocks to decorate the garden plot. \r\nSome children in our group do not have a special spot in their living circumstances which they can take pride in. With the experience of taking care of, and enhancing a space that they can call their own brings a sense of pride and in turn boosts their self-concept which is essential to learning. \r\n\r\nThank you again for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1760022392667,"projectUrl":"project/creativity-counts-in-the-garden/9792044/","projectTitle":"Creativity Counts in the Garden","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Boettcher","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9804945_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y332&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1773673331413","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/growgardenclub"},{"teacherId":9804945,"projectId":9711507,"letterContent":"Your generous donation allowed us to create a winter garden using collected milk jugs and the donated seeds. We also use the tools that were provided including the garden gloves. \r\n\r\nThe children first were presented with how to prepare the milk jugs to be ready to support spring seeds. We cut them open, sowed the seeds, and then sealed them shut. We finally labeled them and place them out in the cold to start the germinating process. \r\n\r\nOnce spring, arrives we will distribute the establish seedlings into the garden plot started last year. This is located near the pollinator garden. The students are very eager to see how their planted vegetables and herbs are growing. I can't wait to experience the next garden project with them.","fullyFundedDate":1760022393675,"projectUrl":"project/winter-garden-wishes/9711507/","projectTitle":"Winter Garden Wishes","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Boettcher","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9804945_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y332&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1773673331413","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/growgardenclub"},{"teacherId":10054196,"projectId":9408025,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in providing our classroom with a small group reading table. Since its arrival, this table has become the heart of our reading time. My students and I gather there daily to work on fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary. Just this week, we used the table for a partner-reading activity where students practiced taking turns reading aloud and then discussed the main idea together. The table allows me to sit with students in a close, focused setting, making it easier to guide their learning and give them the support they need.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the new table, their faces lit up with excitement. They were eager to sit down, open their books, and begin. The table has created a sense of importance and belonging during our small group time—it feels special, and they know it's a place where they'll grow as readers.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, my students now have a dedicated space for collaboration and learning. As we continue our year together, we will be using the table to hold small group discussions and work on group reading journals. This will not only strengthen their reading skills but also encourage them to listen to each other and share ideas more confidently. Your gift has truly made a lasting difference in our classroom, and we are so grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1755446267607,"projectUrl":"project/together-table-big-conversations-small/9408025/","projectTitle":"Together Table: Big Conversations, Small Space","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Davis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10054196"},{"teacherId":9804945,"projectId":9471691,"letterContent":"We are absolutely thrilled to share the incredible impact your generosity had on our third, fourth, and fifth graders through the Garden \"GROW\" Club at McCall Elementary School! Thank you so much for helping us cultivate so much more than just a garden.\r\n\r\nOur core goal was to build a beautiful and functional pollinator garden, and thanks to your support, we achieved it. However, the true growth happened within the students themselves. Meeting twice a week, the children didn't just learn traditional gardening skills like planting seeds, caring for plants, and composting—they participated in a unique, integrated learning experience.\r\n\r\nWe used the specialized \"Grow Club - Social Emotional Gardening Program\" curriculum to connect the life cycle of a plant to their own emotional development and resilience. When they faced challenges in the garden, they discussed how to handle challenges in life. Through hands-on teamwork activities, such as building bug hotels, examining roots, and transplanting seedlings, they practiced teamwork and self-care. We were also fortunate to have expert consultation and support from the University of Illinois Extension Office Master Gardeners, who provided invaluable gardening knowledge.\r\n\r\nThe results were truly meaningful. Every child not only gained an understanding of the importance of the earth and pollinators, but they also left with valuable life lessons. To make the memory last, each student took home a plant they had nurtured and a new book as a keepsake.\r\n\r\nYour donation helped these young learners grow as individuals and as a community, encouraging them to care for the earth and for one another. From all of us at McCall School, thank you again for making this transformative experience possible.","fullyFundedDate":1754356857284,"projectUrl":"project/grow-club-essentials/9471691/","projectTitle":"Grow Club Essentials","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Boettcher","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9804945_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y332&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1773673331413","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/growgardenclub"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_27242","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":394,"numTeachers":29,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":15,"percentWhite":3,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":74,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":4,"gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"13.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":82.3,"schoolId":27242,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about H.R. McCall Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"H.R. McCall Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/waukegan-community-unit-school-district-60/h-r-mccall-elementary-school/27242"}