Riverdale Elementary School in Port Byron, Illinois on DonorsChoose

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I've heard them using new vocabulary as they talk about recipes, ingredients, and pretend meals. Their play has led to meaningful social interactions, giving every child a chance to feel included and important.\r\n\r\nBecause of your kindness, my students have a space where learning feels like play and where friendships are built daily. Thank you for making such a positive impact in their school experience.","fullyFundedDate":1744043393451,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-young-learners-through-play/9106596/","projectTitle":"Empowering Young Learners Through Play: Kitchen Furniture for Hands-On Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Doering","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9919213_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y304&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1738976472462","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9919213"},{"teacherId":9919213,"projectId":9104644,"letterContent":"I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous support in helping us bring a play kitchen sink into our classroom. Thanks to you, my students will now have a wonderful space where their imaginations can flourish, their social skills can grow, and their creativity can shine.\r\n\r\nI know next year, in my new kindergarten classroom, this area in the classroom will be a favorite! I can't wait to see my students working together to \"cook\" meals, set up pretend restaurants, and engage in meaningful role-play. These moments may seem simple, but they are incredibly valuable. Through play, my students will develop important life skills like cooperation, communication, problem-solving, and empathy.\r\n\r\nFor some of my students, this is their only time to experience imaginative play in a structured environment. Watching them confidently take on roles, share responsibilities, and express themselves will be both heartwarming and inspiring. This is more than just a toy—it's a tool for learning, growth, and joy.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in the power of play and for making this experience possible for my students. Your kindness is making a lasting impact on their daily lives and their development.","fullyFundedDate":1740070075897,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-little-learners-imaginations-a/9104644/","projectTitle":"Fueling Little Learners' Imaginations: A Kitchen Sink for Kindergarten!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Doering","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9919213_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y304&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1738976472462","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9919213"},{"teacherId":2927490,"projectId":8921206,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous support in funding the play kitchen for my classroom. 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About this school

Riverdale Elementary School is a rural public school in Port Byron, Illinois that is part of Riverdale Community Unit School District 100. It serves 507 students in grades Pre-K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 14.9:1. Its teachers have had 22 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Public School

Grades Pre-K - 5

507 Students

34 Teachers

9424 256th St N

Port Byron, IL 61275 View local requests

Evidence-based impact

Inspire teachers to stay in the classroom and boost student achievement.¹

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

Riverdale Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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Riverdale Elementary School Demographics

16%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

of students are Black, Latino, Native American, or Asian

Schools in districts that mainly serve students of color receive substantially less state and local support than similar districts that serve primarily White students. Learn more about this gap, why it exists, and how you can help close it.

Riverdale Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 5, 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.