{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Illini West High School","outOfStateSupporters":23.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6551954,"projectId":10667772,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, From Ideas to Impact: Creating With Color, Print & Sublimation! Your generosity has provided my students with exciting opportunities to explore their creativity, experiment with new materials, and bring their ideas to life in ways they may never have experienced before. These supplies allow students to go beyond traditional art projects and discover how technology, design, and hands-on creativity can work together.\r\n\r\nMy students are especially excited about exploring new possibilities with sublimation, colorful designs, specialty art supplies, and creative printing. They are learning that art is about more than simply making something beautiful; it involves brainstorming, problem-solving, planning, experimenting, and developing skills they can use in future careers. It is exciting to watch students gain confidence as they turn an idea in their minds into something tangible they can hold, use, display, or share with others. These experiences also give students who may not always feel successful in a traditional classroom setting an opportunity to shine and express themselves in their own unique ways.\r\n\r\nBecause of your kindness, our classroom is a place where creativity has fewer limits and students have more opportunities to discover their talents. You are helping us create memories, build confidence, develop real-world skills, and inspire the next generation of creative thinkers and makers. Thank you for investing in our students, believing in the importance of art education, and making these opportunities possible. Your generosity truly makes an impact!","fullyFundedDate":1793283690310,"projectUrl":"project/from-ideas-to-impact-creating-with-colo/10667772/","projectTitle":"From Ideas to Impact: Creating With Color, Print & Sublimation","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Buxman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6551954_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y772&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758642786353","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/illiniwestart"},{"teacherId":9793991,"projectId":10188395,"letterContent":"These items had a positive impact on students by providing additional resources, improving classroom organization, and creating more engaging, hands-on learning opportunities. The soil horizons kit and vegetable and herb seeds allowed students to have more interactive, hands-on experiences while learning about soil science, plant growth, and horticulture. The classroom supplies, including graph paper, cardstock, cork boards, magnets, labels, and ink, supported daily instruction, student projects, classroom displays, and organization. These materials helped create a more productive learning environment and allowed students to complete assignments and showcase their work.\r\n\r\nThe snacks provided incentives and refreshments during classroom activities, FFA events, and longer instructional days, helping encourage student participation and build a positive classroom atmosphere. The Monopoly game also provided an additional opportunity for students to practice communication, critical thinking, teamwork, and decision-making in a fun, screen-free environment. Overall, these purchases helped enhance student engagement, support hands-on agricultural education, and provide students with the materials and resources needed to be successful both inside and outside the classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1778770781891,"projectUrl":"project/back-to-the-basics-help-restock-the-ess/10188395/","projectTitle":"Back to the Basics: Help Restock the Essentials!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Merritt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9793991_orig.jpg?crop=1500,1500,x0,y300&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1730050771981","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9793991"},{"teacherId":6551954,"projectId":10508119,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, Creating, Designing, and Innovating with 3D Printing! Your generosity is helping bring new opportunities for creativity, innovation, and hands-on learning to our students at Illini West High School. As an art teacher, one of the most rewarding parts of my job is watching students become excited when they realize they can take an idea from their imagination and turn it into something real. These 3D printers will make those moments possible in ways that were once out of reach for many of our students.\r\n\r\nWith these printers, students will be able to explore 3D design, experiment with new technology, create models and prototypes, and solve problems through hands-on experiences. They will learn that creating something involves more than just having a great idea; it also requires planning, patience, creativity, critical thinking, and sometimes learning from mistakes. The excitement of watching a design take shape layer by layer will help make learning more engaging and meaningful. These skills also connect directly to future opportunities in art, engineering, manufacturing, technology, and other career fields.\r\n\r\nHaving additional 3D printers will allow more students to participate in the creative process while opening the door for teachers across classrooms to incorporate this technology into a variety of subjects. This means the impact will reach beyond the art room and provide students with opportunities to collaborate, explore new possibilities, and discover talents they may not have known they possessed. I especially look forward to seeing students who enjoy hands-on learning discover the pride and confidence that come from designing and creating something of their own.\r\n\r\nYour support means so much because you are investing in more than equipment. You are investing in our students' imaginations, their education, and their futures. Thank you for helping us create an environment where curiosity is encouraged, creativity is celebrated, and students are empowered to turn their ideas into reality. We are incredibly grateful for your generosity and for believing in the potential of our students!\r\n\r\nWith heartfelt gratitude,","fullyFundedDate":1789596823733,"projectUrl":"project/creating-designing-and-innovating-with/10508119/","projectTitle":"Creating, Designing, and Innovating with 3D Printing","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Buxman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6551954_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y772&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758642786353","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/illiniwestart"},{"teacherId":9886431,"projectId":10263537,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating these supplies to our club! We are not using most of our supplies yet, as it is still the beginning of the school year, but we are so excited to start! Our students are so excited to have supplies such as deodorant and body wipes for during the show, shoes that they do not have to purchase themselves, and hair and makeup tools that they do not have to provide. As sponsors, we are more excited for the storage cart and dolly so that we can transport items all around the school and to the theater.\r\n\r\nOur club is always changing and growing, and with your help, we will be able to provide for more students than last year. Thank you so much for all of your help and support for our club!","fullyFundedDate":1778770781714,"projectUrl":"project/drama-club-supplies/10263537/","projectTitle":"Drama Club Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Luzadder","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9886431"},{"teacherId":9360090,"projectId":10303916,"letterContent":"Training in weight lifting provides heavy work and discipline that helps special education students regulate their nervous systems which helps to lower anxiety and reduce in-class disruptions. When students build physical strength and confidence during PE, this translates to greater academic independence. \r\n\r\nAs students develop functional strength and body control in the gym, they experience improved fine/gross motor skills and posture in the classroom, thereby reducing physical fatigue during daily classroom tasks like writing, sitting at a desk, or moving between activities.\r\n\r\nEven more importantly, when students are able to reach personal goals in strength training, they return to the classroom with greater confidence, making them more willing to persevere through challenging academic tasks and group interactions.","fullyFundedDate":1789596823046,"projectUrl":"project/strength-training-for-every-student/10303916/","projectTitle":"Strength Training for Every Student","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Sturlic","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9360090_orig.jpg?crop=397,397,x0,y3&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1699561167846","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9360090"},{"teacherId":5331210,"projectId":10186351,"letterContent":"I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your donations to our school library have helped it grow by 92 novels. Ninety-two novels by award-winning authors help grow reading comprehension, fluency, and imagination across our high school. I am a firm believer that having a physical book in your hands will increase reading comprehension and investment in the storyline. Growing the love for reading is one of my passions for my students. I hear too often, 'I hate reading.' I want to change that to 'I love to read'.","fullyFundedDate":1778770781359,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-library/10186351/","projectTitle":"Classroom Library","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Campbell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5331210_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1524063232161","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/victoria-campbell"},{"teacherId":10073522,"projectId":10152418,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my classroom and helping provide my students with copies of Of Mice and Men and The Turn of the Screw. Your generosity has given my students more than just new books; it has given them the opportunity to engage more deeply with literature and develop skills they will carry beyond the classroom.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, students are able to have their own copies of these novels in their hands as we read, discuss, and analyze them together. They can annotate important passages, track themes and characters, ask questions, and return to the text as they develop their own interpretations. These are important skills that help prepare them for future academic work while also encouraging them to become more thoughtful and independent readers.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in my students and their education. Your generosity will impact not only the students reading these novels this year, but also future classes who will continue to learn from and enjoy these books. I am incredibly grateful for your support and for helping me create a classroom where students can read, question, discuss, and grow.","fullyFundedDate":1778770781557,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-novels/10152418/","projectTitle":"Classroom Novels","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. G","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10073522_orig.jpg?crop=4000,4000,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752016772314","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/miss-gindlesberger"},{"teacherId":9556134,"projectId":9994499,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, \"Safe Seating That Lets Students Lean, Focus, and Learn!\" Your generosity has made a noticeable difference in the comfort and functionality of our classroom.\r\n\r\nMy students were excited to see the new seating options and immediately wanted to try them out. These resources allow students to choose seating that helps them feel comfortable while still remaining engaged in class. For many students, being able to move, lean, or adjust their position helps them focus without distracting themselves or others. The seating has been especially helpful during independent work, partner activities, and small-group instruction.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, students are frequently communicating and collaborating rather than sitting in one place for an entire class period. Whether they are practicing a conversation, working with a partner, reading, or completing a group activity, the new seating gives them a comfortable and safe place to work. It has helped make our classroom feel more flexible and student-centered.\r\n\r\nAs we continue through the school year, students will use these resources during a variety of lessons and projects that require collaboration, communication, and independent learning. Having flexible seating available gives students another tool to help them take ownership of how they learn best.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in my students and helping create a classroom environment where they can feel comfortable, focused, and ready to learn. We are incredibly grateful for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1773864735366,"projectUrl":"project/safe-seating-that-lets-students-lean-fo/9994499/","projectTitle":"Safe Seating That Lets Students Lean, Focus, and Learn","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Miller","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9556134"},{"teacherId":6551954,"projectId":10209440,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, From Clay to Community: Creating, Learning, and Giving Through Art! Because of your generosity, my students have access to ceramics supplies, glazes, paint pens, art magazines, printing ink, sublimation materials, and supplies that help keep our classroom clean and organized. These resources are giving students more opportunities to explore different forms of art, learn new techniques, and experience the pride that comes from creating something meaningful with their own hands.\r\n\r\nMy students were so excited to see the new materials arrive! The ceramics supplies and glazes immediately inspired conversations about future clay projects, while the paint pens, printing materials, and sublimation supplies opened the door to new creative possibilities. Students love having the opportunity to experiment with different materials, and these resources allow them to explore art in ways that would not be possible without the support of donors like you. Having a clean and organized classroom also makes a tremendous difference by giving students a welcoming space where they can focus, create, and take care of the materials we share.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, students will continue using these supplies to create artwork that connects learning with our community. From clay projects and colorful painted creations to printed and sublimated designs, students will have the opportunity to develop their artistic skills while also creating meaningful pieces that can be shared with and given back to others. The art magazines will help students discover new artists, ideas, and inspiration, encouraging them to see the many possibilities that art can bring to their lives.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and for helping make our classroom a place where creativity, learning, and giving come together. Your generosity is providing much more than art supplies—it is giving students the tools to build confidence, express themselves, learn new skills, and use their creativity to make a positive impact on others. We are incredibly grateful for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1778078957398,"projectUrl":"project/from-clay-to-community-creating-learni/10209440/","projectTitle":"From Clay to Community: Creating, Learning, and Giving Through Art","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Buxman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6551954_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y772&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758642786353","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/illiniwestart"},{"teacherId":6551954,"projectId":10270017,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, Creating, Learning, and Growing Through Art! Your generosity has provided my students with the everyday art supplies they need to create, learn, and grow. The paint markers, alcohol markers, pencils, glue, tape, erasers, wipes, soap, and baggies have made an immediate difference in our classroom. These may seem like simple supplies, but they are essential tools that allow students to focus on their creativity instead of worrying about whether we have enough materials to complete a project.\r\n\r\nMy students were excited to see all of the new supplies arrive! They immediately began talking about how they could use the markers and other materials in their artwork. Having quality supplies available gives students the confidence to experiment, try new techniques, and take pride in what they create. I have already seen students become more engaged as they use the paint markers and alcohol markers to add detail, color, and personality to their projects. The organization supplies and cleaning materials have also helped us keep our busy art room clean, organized, and ready for the next group of creative minds.\r\n\r\nOur next steps are to continue using these materials throughout a variety of projects that encourage students to draw, design, experiment, and express themselves. We will be using the supplies for detailed drawings, mixed-media artwork, painting projects, and creative classroom activities throughout the year. Your donation is not just providing art supplies—it is giving students the opportunity to explore their creativity, build confidence, solve problems, and discover the joy of making something with their own hands. Thank you for believing in my students and helping make our art classroom a place where creativity can grow every day!","fullyFundedDate":1778770782396,"projectUrl":"project/creating-learning-and-growing-through/10270017/","projectTitle":"Creating, Learning, and Growing Through Art","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Buxman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6551954_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y772&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758642786353","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/illiniwestart"},{"teacherId":9362827,"projectId":9905143,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support of my classroom. The students were very excited to get the table which allowed for more students to be involved in the activities. The students are all very excited this year to compete in the activities and learn by doing something they are very interested in. The students enjoy the games where they can work together and collaborate just as much as they enjoy the games where they compete against one another. They are constantly asking for more games and more opportunities to learn in an exciting and interactive way.","fullyFundedDate":1773864735141,"projectUrl":"project/strategizing-critical-thinking-and-pro/9905143/","projectTitle":"Strategizing, Critical Thinking, and Problem Solving: Part 2","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Rodeffer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9362827"},{"teacherId":8988509,"projectId":10198229,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in providing exercise bands, laminating paper, an iPad, and a football kicking screen for our program. Your donation has made an immediate impact on both our classroom learning and athletic development.\r\n\r\nThe exercise bands have added a new level of versatility to our workouts, allowing students of all ability levels to safely build strength, improve mobility, and stay engaged. The laminating paper has helped us create durable instructional materials that we can use daily, keeping lessons organized and consistent for students. The iPad has been a powerful tool for teaching, giving us the ability to show technique, analyze movement, and enhance instruction in real time. The football kicking screen has also been a huge addition for our athletes, providing more opportunities for skill development and repetition during training.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, we are able to offer a more engaging, efficient, and well-rounded experience for our students and athletes. We truly appreciate your support and the difference you have made in our program.","fullyFundedDate":1778770782088,"projectUrl":"project/recovery-organization-and-performance/10198229/","projectTitle":"Recovery, Organization, and Performance—All in One Project","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Lafferty","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8988509"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_25545","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":345,"numTeachers":25,"percentFrplEligible":54,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":91,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":4,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":2,"gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"13.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_REMOTE"},"inStateSupporters":76.1,"schoolId":25545,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Illini West High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Illini West High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/illini-west-high-school-district-307/illini-west-high-school/25545"}