{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Larkin High School","outOfStateSupporters":27.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7059695,"projectId":10205158,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project and helping us start the school year strong! Because of your generosity, my student teachers now have hands-on math and counting materials they can use to plan meaningful lessons for the preschool children in our lab. Students were excited to see all the new resources and immediately began thinking about creative ways to incorporate them into their lesson plans.\r\n\r\nThese materials will allow my high school students to practice being real educators while helping our little learners strengthen important skills such as counting, number recognition, sorting, patterns, and one-to-one correspondence. As the year continues, my students will design and teach their own developmentally appropriate math activities, observe how preschoolers respond, and reflect on their teaching.\r\n\r\nYour donation impacts two groups of learners at once—my future educators and the preschool children they teach. Thank you for giving my students the tools and confidence to learn by doing and make a difference in the lives of our youngest learners! 💙","fullyFundedDate":1778522996897,"projectUrl":"project/little-learners-big-skills-math-coun/10205158/","projectTitle":"Little Learners, Big Skills: Math & Counting Tools Preschool Teaching","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hernandez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7059695_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1773705882201","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7059695"},{"teacherId":7059695,"projectId":10039726,"letterContent":"Thank you for making our \"Capturing Care in Action\" project possible! The camera has become a valuable tool for documenting the authentic learning experiences happening in our Child Development and Childhood Education program. My students can capture their work with the infant simulators as well as meaningful moments from their teaching experiences in our preschool lab.\r\n\r\nThese images give students an opportunity to look back at their experiences, reflect on their caregiving and teaching practices, and document their growth throughout the course. They can also use selected documentation as evidence of their work in their professional portfolios, making their learning visible instead of simply describing what they accomplished.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has given us a way to capture moments of learning, responsibility, and growth that might otherwise be lost. Thank you for helping my students see themselves not simply as high school students, but as future educators and caregivers gaining real-world experience! 💙","fullyFundedDate":1773419740031,"projectUrl":"project/capturing-care-in-action-documenting-ch/10039726/","projectTitle":"Capturing Care in Action: Documenting Child Development Through Real-World Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hernandez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7059695_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1773705882201","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7059695"},{"teacherId":7059695,"projectId":10049768,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our fingerplay and music project! These resources have given my student teachers another exciting way to make their preschool lessons interactive, engaging, and developmentally appropriate. Students have been able to explore songs, movement, rhythm, and fingerplays and think intentionally about how they can use them during circle time, transitions, and other parts of the preschool day.\r\n\r\nWhat makes this project especially meaningful is that my high school students are learning that music is much more than entertainment. They are seeing how songs and fingerplays can reinforce language, memory, coordination, social skills, and classroom routines for young children. Watching my student teachers become more confident and creative in their lesson planning has been wonderful.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping our future educators create joyful learning experiences for our little learners! Your generosity continues to make our preschool lab a place where both high school students and preschoolers can learn and grow together.","fullyFundedDate":1773350652164,"projectUrl":"project/learning-through-songs-and-fingerplay-s/10049768/","projectTitle":"Learning Through Songs and FingerPlay: Supporting Teaching with Classroom CD-Players","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hernandez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7059695_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1773705882201","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7059695"},{"teacherId":7059695,"projectId":9863591,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my students now have the organization tools they need to truly step into their roles as future educators. As soon as the materials arrived, the excitement was immediate. Students eagerly sorted their new folders, placed sheet protectors into their binders, and began setting up their child education portfolios. One of my favorite moments was watching them carefully label sections for observation notes, lesson plans, and reflection entries. They kept saying how \"professional\" everything felt. That sense of ownership instantly elevated their mindset from \"student\" to \"teacher in training.\"\r\n\r\nWe are using the clipboards daily during preschool lab sessions to document developmental milestones, classroom interactions, and teaching strategies in real time. The lamination sheets have allowed students to create durable visual aids and activity cards for the preschoolers, while the hanging folders and organizers keep research materials and lesson drafts structured and accessible. Recently, students completed a structured observation project where they tracked social-emotional behaviors during free play. Having organized portfolios allowed them to compare notes, reflect more deeply, and present their findings confidently using presentation boards.\r\n\r\nNext, students are beginning a unit where they will design and implement small-group literacy and math activities in the preschool lab. They will continue building their professional portfolios as evidence of growth and readiness for future coursework or careers in education. Your support has made our classroom more organized, intentional, and authentic. Thank you for helping my students experience what it truly means to prepare for a career in early childhood education.","fullyFundedDate":1764627794997,"projectUrl":"project/future-educators-in-action-organizing-c/9863591/","projectTitle":"Future Educators in Action: Organizing Child Development Lab Portfolios","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hernandez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7059695_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1773705882201","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7059695"},{"teacherId":7059695,"projectId":9346520,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my students are now experiencing what it truly means to step into the role of caregivers and early childhood educators. As soon as the materials arrived, the excitement filled the room. Students eagerly opened the folders, organized their portfolios with the sheet protectors, and practiced wearing their name tags as they prepared for their preschool lab visits. One of my favorite moments was watching them carefully set up their portfolio binders, labeling sections for observations, lesson plans, and reflections. They kept saying how \"official\" and \"real\" everything felt. That sense of pride was priceless.\r\n\r\nWe are now using the clipboards daily during our preschool lab sessions to document children's behavior, track developmental milestones, and jot down teaching reflections while moving around the classroom. The lamination sheets have allowed students to create durable learning materials for the preschoolers, such as name cards, routine charts, and activity visuals. Having proper organizers and folders has made a huge difference in helping them manage their growing collection of research notes and lesson plans, just like real teachers do.\r\n\r\nNext, students are beginning a unit where they design and teach small-group activities focused on social-emotional development. They will continue building their professional portfolios to showcase their growth throughout the year and prepare for future coursework and internships in education and childcare. None of this would be possible without your kindness. You didn't just provide supplies, you gave my students confidence, purpose, and a glimpse into their future careers. Thank you for believing in them and helping shape the next generation of caregivers.","fullyFundedDate":1760848007366,"projectUrl":"project/caring-for-little-ones-tools-for-future/9346520/","projectTitle":"Caring for Little Ones: Tools for Future Caregivers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hernandez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7059695_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1773705882201","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7059695"},{"teacherId":7059695,"projectId":9686359,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my Child Development students now have access to Mind in the Making, a powerful book that introduces them to the seven essential life skills children need to succeed, such as focus and self-control, perspective taking, communication, critical thinking, and self-directed learning. These are not just concepts students read about, they are skills they learn to recognize and nurture in real children through our preschool lab. The book helps bridge theory and practice, giving students concrete strategies they can use as future caregivers, teachers, and parents.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, reading is active and reflective. Students discuss real-life scenarios from the book, and connect each chapter to what they observe in preschoolers during lab sessions. We use small-group discussions, journaling, and case studies to explore how children develop emotionally, socially, and cognitively. Instead of passive reading, students are analyzing behaviors, identifying developmental milestones, and designing supportive responses, just like professionals in early childhood education.\r\n\r\nSeveral students who were initially quiet or unsure about their career paths have especially connected with this book. One student shared that it helped her understand her younger siblings in a completely new way, while another now talks about becoming a preschool teacher after seeing how impactful early guidance can be. Watching students gain confidence, empathy, and purpose through these pages has been incredibly meaningful. Your support didn't just provide books, it helped shape future caregivers who will make a difference in children's lives. Thank you for believing in them and in the power of learning.","fullyFundedDate":1760455694659,"projectUrl":"project/growing-minds-inspiring-future-caregive/9686359/","projectTitle":"Growing Minds: Inspiring Future Caregivers with Mind in the Making","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hernandez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7059695_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1773705882201","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7059695"},{"teacherId":10065427,"projectId":9436624,"letterContent":"Thank you for the donations to my classroom. As I may have said, even though I have been teaching for 27 years, every year I have to put out my own money to provide my students with what they need. This year, things were slightly different, thanks to your donations. \r\n\r\nMy students were very happy to hear that they could keep their materials in the classroom in a safe space. They also love that I provide a calendar for them with all the important events and even birthdays to celebrate. They are using the magnetic shelves to showcase the books they are reading for our book clubs.\r\n\r\nEven though I teach high school students, getting \"gifts\" is appreciated no matter how big or small. I think they were somewhat shocked that people would care enough to donate to them, since most things in life aren't free. I think it also helped alleviate some of the worry about keeping materials safe because some have used backpacks that aren't the best.","fullyFundedDate":1760059006707,"projectUrl":"project/only-the-necessities/9436624/","projectTitle":"Only the Necessities","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Campagna","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10065427"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_27760","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":2029,"numTeachers":124,"percentFrplEligible":80,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":8,"percentWhite":10,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":74,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":3,"gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"16.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":72.8,"schoolId":27760,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Larkin High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Larkin High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/elgin-school-district-u-46/larkin-high-school/27760"}