{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Kenneth Murphy Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":36.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":4469877,"projectId":9169475,"letterContent":"Thank you for the kindest donation to help kick our school year off right! These materials have helped my students feel welcome and comfortable in a timorous time of transition. They were excited to have their dolphin pop-it to use to focus, and can't stop talking about how cool their tumbler/water bottle locker tags are. They are so grateful for the marker and pencil holders to keep their most used materials just an arm's length away. Without you, the smiles and confidence we see every day wouldn't be possible. Your gifts are grately appreciated.","fullyFundedDate":1746787015008,"projectUrl":"project/new-year-new-us/9169475/","projectTitle":"New Year, New Us","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. T","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4469877_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1561177294819","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4469877"},{"teacherId":4497808,"projectId":9314998,"letterContent":"Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude for your generosity in funding our classroom headphones project. Thanks to you, each one of my kindergarten students now has access to their very own set of high-quality headphones to use during computer time.\r\n\r\nFor many of our young learners at our Title I school, this is their first experience with structured computer-based learning. Having their own headphones not only helps them focus without distractions, but also allows them to work at their own pace and truly engage with reading, math, and phonics programs.\r\n\r\nYou've given my students the gift of quiet concentration, clearer instruction, and a sense of ownership over their learning tools. I've already seen the excitement in their eyes when they put on \"their\" headphones and dive into activities with confidence.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has made a direct and lasting difference in our classroom, and I want you to know how much we appreciate you believing in our kids and in me as their teacher.","fullyFundedDate":1746411342981,"projectUrl":"project/kindergarten-needs-headphones-to-hear-an/9314998/","projectTitle":"Kindergarten Needs Headphones to Hear and Learn","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Abrahams","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4497808_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746290370919","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4497808"},{"teacherId":529279,"projectId":9315671,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous donation, our 1st grade classroom has been transformed in the best way! The new technology has brought learning to life for our young students, making lessons more interactive, exciting, and meaningful.\r\n\r\nWhile many of our donors are familiar with using technology at home, seeing how it's used in a classroom setting is something special. In 1st grade, we use technology to support foundational skills like reading, writing, math, and even problem-solving. With our new tools, students can listen to books read aloud while following along, practice math facts with interactive games, and draw or write stories using digital tools. It supports different learning styles and helps each child grow at their own pace.\r\n\r\nWhat excites our students the most is how fun learning has become. They especially love the hands-on apps and learning games that feel like play—but are actually teaching important skills. Every day, they ask, \"Do we get to use the [product name] today?\" and their faces light up when the answer is yes!\r\n\r\nOne student who was especially shy at the beginning of the year has really come out of their shell thanks to this new technology. With activities that let them work independently and build confidence, they've become more eager to share their work with classmates and participate in group activities. It's amazing to see how the right tools can unlock a child's potential.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, our 1st graders are building skills that will help them not just this year, but for years to come. Thank you for making a lasting impact on their education!","fullyFundedDate":1746786937558,"projectUrl":"project/headphones-focused-first-graders/9315671/","projectTitle":"Headphones = Focused First Graders!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Solita","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-solita"},{"teacherId":357798,"projectId":9314859,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, my students now have high-quality headphones that have made a huge difference in our classroom. Before, many of our old headphones were broken, and students often told me they couldn't hear their lessons clearly. Now, they can fully engage with our reading and math programs on their computers without any frustration. The room is filled with focused learners, and it's wonderful to see their excitement as they work independently with the new equipment.\r\n\r\nIn addition to the headphones, the sturdy take-home bags have been a game-changer. Previously, homework books were frequently misplaced or damaged, but now students have a safe and organized way to transport them. One student even said, \"I feel like a real big kid bringing my book bag home like this!\" It's little moments like that which show how much these materials mean to them. Our next big step is using these tools to support our new reading program—we'll be sending home fluency practice and book bags to build skills and confidence. Thank you again for giving us the tools to succeed!","fullyFundedDate":1746762009175,"projectUrl":"project/get-headphones-and-books-into-the-hands/9314859/","projectTitle":"Get Headphones and Books Into the Hands of Little Ones!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Schroetter","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/357798"},{"teacherId":8914282,"projectId":9257394,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our DonorsChoose project! Because of you, our Reading Buddy event was an incredible success and a truly memorable experience for our students.\r\n\r\nOur students were thrilled to receive brand-new books—many of them couldn't believe they were allowed to take them home! They eagerly read to their kindergarten buddies, and it was heartwarming to see the joy, confidence, and connection that blossomed between the older and younger students.\r\n\r\nThe event was more than just about reading—it was about building friendships, sharing knowledge, and creating special moments that our students will remember for a long time. The goodie bags with bookmarks, pencils, and stickers were the perfect touch, and added so much excitement to the day.\r\n\r\nFrom all of us in the classroom, thank you again for making this experience possible. Your kindness and generosity truly made a difference.","fullyFundedDate":1744844015356,"projectUrl":"project/leaders-who-read-building-little-reader/9257394/","projectTitle":"Leaders Who Read: Building Little Readers Through Big Buddies","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ayers","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8914282_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y504&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1679504653593","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8914282"},{"teacherId":8914282,"projectId":9048179,"letterContent":"From the bottom of our hearts, thank you so much for your incredible support of our classroom project! Because of your kindness and generosity, we received a beautiful classroom mailbox system and essential organizational tools that have already made a tremendous difference in our daily routines and classroom community.\r\n\r\nThe moment we unpacked the materials, the excitement in the room was contagious. My students couldn't wait to see how these new additions would become part of their learning environment. The classroom mailbox, in particular, has quickly become a cornerstone of our daily operations. Each student now has their own designated space where they can receive graded work, notes from me, classroom newsletters, and even special messages of encouragement from their peers. This simple, structured addition has instilled a sense of pride and responsibility in my students. They now check their mailboxes independently, keep their spaces tidy, and have become more organized with their schoolwork.\r\n\r\nThe impact of your support goes beyond keeping things neat—it's helped create a more peaceful, productive, and connected classroom culture. These improvements have made our learning environment feel more like a home, and that sense of comfort and belonging is something I strive for every day.\r\n\r\nThank you again for making such a meaningful difference in our classroom. You've helped create a space where learning, creativity, and kindness can thrive, and we will carry that gift with us all year long.","fullyFundedDate":1737577790539,"projectUrl":"project/organized-space-prepared-students/9048179/","projectTitle":"Organized Space, Prepared Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ayers","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8914282_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y504&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1679504653593","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8914282"},{"teacherId":8914282,"projectId":8978902,"letterContent":"When this project was delivered to our classroom it was one of my favorite days of the school year! I think my students would agree! I'm so grateful I was able to add new texts to our classroom library. They flew off our \"new books\" shelf. Students were so excited and engaged when reading these new additions! \r\n\r\nThank you so much for donating to this project. The light in my students eyes when unboxing each new book was something amazing to see. I am very appreciative for your generosity in supporting our classroom. \r\n\r\nYou have supported so maybe students become voracious readers! Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1736529256814,"projectUrl":"project/book-refresh-in-fifth/8978902/","projectTitle":"Book Refresh in Fifth","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ayers","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8914282_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y504&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1679504653593","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8914282"},{"teacherId":4469877,"projectId":8982478,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation! We have been having so much success at our small group back table and finding additional space in our room to work with our new sturdy stools. Students are now able to move around the room to read and work with their peers with ease all thanks to you. \r\n\r\nWe love starting our day with a new read-aloud. Each morning my students ask if we are going to enjoy a book before we begin our day. They love learning about how they can relate to people around the world as well as learning about how others celebrate the times of the year they cherish most.\r\n\r\nWe are beyond grateful that you could help make learning more fun and enjoyable.","fullyFundedDate":1733439637180,"projectUrl":"project/readers-are-leaders/8982478/","projectTitle":"Readers are Leaders","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. T","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4469877_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1561177294819","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4469877"},{"teacherId":4563654,"projectId":8726653,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and thinking about my students when donating to our class project. The books have been a huge success in the classroom. Not only am I able to read the books to teach critical skills that my students are needing, but the students really love having more books in our classroom library.\r\n\r\nWhen the books arrived and the students got to open them from the boxes they were so excited. I had never seen my students want to start reading a book right away. The John Jory (Good Egg, Bad Seed, etc.) were a huge hit. Now I have noticed every time I read a book during our social skills lesson my students practically argue over who gets to read it during independent reading. \r\n\r\nThank you again for thinking of my students social/emotional education in donating to our class project. It really means a lot and I have a seen a lot of success in their reading independence, eagerness for independent reading time, and self-regulation. Please enjoy the letters from my students to find out their names, as well as the pictures of when we received the books as well as them reading!","fullyFundedDate":1727983623071,"projectUrl":"project/building-social-emotional-skills-through/8726653/","projectTitle":"Building Social-Emotional Skills Through Reading!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Schneider","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4563654_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1500658277402","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4563654"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_27641","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":357,"numTeachers":25,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":25,"percentWhite":15,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":50,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"14.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":64.0,"schoolId":27641,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Kenneth Murphy Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Kenneth Murphy Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/beach-park-community-consolidated-school-district-3/kenneth-murphy-elementary-school/27641"}
Join the 125 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Kenneth Murphy Elementary School is
a suburban public school
in Beach Park, Illinois that is part of Beach Park Community Consolidated School District 3.
It serves 357 students
in grades K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 14.3:1.
Its teachers have had 53 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. Each classroom request for funding was created by a classroom teacher and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
of students receive free or reduced price lunch
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Source: the National Center for Education Statistics
77%
of students are Black, Latino, Native
American, or Asian
Data about school demographics comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. The numbers in this chart may not add up to 100% because of limitations in the available data.
Kenneth Murphy Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 7, 2025
DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students
in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.
Kenneth Murphy Elementary School
$18,783
raised using DonorsChoose
53
projects
funded
16
teachers
funded
125
donors
4
projects
for
basic supplies
4
projects for
technology
10
projects for
books
Kenneth Murphy Elementary School has received support from
80 individuals from Illinois and
45 individuals out-of-state.