{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Ruben Salazar Bilingual Center","outOfStateSupporters":29.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8664786,"projectId":9576215,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of the television to our Special Education classroom. This gift is already making a profound difference by providing our students with the visual and auditory supports they need to engage more deeply with their daily lessons.\r\n\r\nFor many of our diverse learners, visual anchors are essential for understanding new concepts and managing transitions throughout the day. With this new technology, we can now display clear visual schedules, interactive learning videos, and social-emotional modeling tools that help our students feel more confident and successful. Your kindness has not only updated our classroom's resources but has also created a more inclusive and vibrant learning environment for every child here.","fullyFundedDate":1764728500207,"projectUrl":"project/learning-is-more-fun-with-technology-2/9576215/","projectTitle":"Learning is More Fun with Technology! (2)","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Fernandez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8664786_orig.jpg?crop=914,914,x0,y182&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724347513158","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8664786"},{"teacherId":8664786,"projectId":9751737,"letterContent":"I would like to express my deepest gratitude for your generous donation of noise-canceling headphones and audio headsets. It is rare to find a gift that provides such immediate and tangible relief to our learners, and your kindness is already making a profound difference in our daily classroom environment.\r\n\r\nFor our students with special needs, a standard classroom can often feel overwhelming. The \"hum\" of a busy room can be a significant source of overstimulation, but these headphones provide an essential \"quiet space\" that allows them to regulate their sensory input and remain calm. Beyond managing overstimulation, this equipment has become a vital tool for those who are easily distracted, helping them tune out background noise so they can focus entirely on their lessons.\r\n\r\nFurthermore, your donation has been a game-changer during testing. By using these headsets, our students can now engage with assessments in a way that minimizes anxiety and maximizes concentration. Whether they are listening to audio prompts or simply using the noise-canceling features to maintain focus, they now have a much fairer opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.\r\n\r\nYou have provided more than just technology; you have given our students the gift of a peaceful, inclusive learning environment where they can truly thrive. Thank you for being such a thoughtful champion for our school community. We look forward to seeing the continued positive impact of your generosity throughout the school year.","fullyFundedDate":1760658428007,"projectUrl":"project/put-your-headphones-on/9751737/","projectTitle":"Put Your Headphones On","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Fernandez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8664786_orig.jpg?crop=914,914,x0,y182&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724347513158","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8664786"},{"teacherId":7043914,"projectId":9877817,"letterContent":"We were beyond excited when we first used our screen in small groups! Now that time has past, we are still very eager and excited to use our screen for small groups. I have found that it engages students much more and they are eager to see the activities and skills on the screen as opposed to paper on the desk. I have found it very helpful when introudcing skills and using slide decks to preteach a skill. Students are able to view slide decks that are interactive and fun to learn from. Thank you again!","fullyFundedDate":1764717538304,"projectUrl":"project/this-screen-time-is-good-for-students/9877817/","projectTitle":"This Screen Time is Good For Students!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Echeverria","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7043914_orig.png?crop=467,467,x0,y9&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1676647438113","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7043914"},{"teacherId":9040354,"projectId":9959328,"letterContent":"The introduction of the new screen has had a positive impact on my preschool classroom. Students show increased engagement, as the large display supports visual learning and makes content accessible to all learners. This resource is especially beneficial for students learning English, as it allows them to see images and hear sounds that clearly support comprehension. Through stories, songs, and videos, the screen enhances language development and helps create a more inclusive and effective learning environment.","fullyFundedDate":1765824558136,"projectUrl":"project/learn-play-and-growtogether/9959328/","projectTitle":"Learn, Play, and Grow—Together!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. A. Grimaldo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9040354_orig.jpg?crop=3120,3120,x0,y322&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1685390785756","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-agrimaldo"},{"teacherId":8778646,"projectId":9468071,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of classroom supplies, including the headphone bags, stapler, and other materials. Your support makes a big difference for our class of third graders. These supplies help us stay organized, take care of our materials, and create a learning environment where students can focus and thrive. Your kindness shows our students that their learning matters and that they are supported by a caring community. We are incredibly grateful for your generosity and the positive impact you are helping to make in our classroom every day.","fullyFundedDate":1753909815596,"projectUrl":"project/supplied-for-success/9468071/","projectTitle":"Supplied for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Alvear","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8778646_orig.png?crop=398,398,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1665947533861","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-alvear"},{"teacherId":9124358,"projectId":9600723,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding our project, \"Setting the Stage: Flexible Seating for Our Aspiring Performers!\" The resources you provided have dramatically increased the organization and efficiency of our small, modular music classroom, allowing our students to focus entirely on their musical development.\r\n\r\nThe stools have become an indispensable part of our instructional setup. They are primarily used as flexible seating at the teacher's station, providing a comfortable and dedicated spot for students when I work with them in small groups, or during one-on-one assessments. We love that they are color-coded! I can quickly assign a student to a specific stool color, which helps with quick transitions and classroom management. The stools also double as a listening station where small groups can gather to listen to new pieces, complete listening maps, and review theory assignments. In a small space where furniture moves constantly, the ease of stacking and moving these stools is a true game-changer.\r\n\r\nThe gaffers tape has also proved invaluable for maintaining order and professionalism. We immediately used it to place lines on the floor that clearly mark where students need to line up, which is a helpful visual cue for our younger students. Next, we are going to use the tape to mark the precise placement of chairs for our guitar students during class. This will help them efficiently set up and manage their space, mimicking the professional markings used in event planning and concert production. The next step for my students is to use these professional tools to help \"stage\" our live shows, utilizing the tape for their performance positions.","fullyFundedDate":1755446289641,"projectUrl":"project/setting-the-stage-flexible-seating-for/9600723/","projectTitle":"Setting the Stage: Flexible Seating for Our Aspiring Performers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ortega","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9124358_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754859430434","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/bilingual-beats"},{"teacherId":9124358,"projectId":9056834,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in funding our project, \"Tablet Tub: Locking in Learning with our Tech Tub!\"\r\n\r\nThe impact of the Tech Tub has been immediate and transformative for our music classroom. When the tub first arrived, my students were instantly curious about the sleek, locking cart. Now, the tablets are always ready to go—fully charged and organized—eliminating the frustration that used to start our lessons. We no longer waste valuable instructional time troubleshooting batteries or hunting for chargers. This efficiency has allowed us to dive deeper into our musical studies. For example, we recently used the tablets, so that students could watch instrument instructional videos, a task that would've required me to teach one instrument at a time. This allowed students to choose the instrument they want to learn and continue to receive one on one support from me as I was free to assist whomever needed me. Our newcomer and immigrant students especially benefit, as the tablets provide visual and auditory tools that help bridge the language barrier, allowing them to participate fully and showcase their creativity with confidence.\r\n\r\nHaving a reliable charging and storage system has truly revolutionized how we integrate technology into our music education. Our next steps involve utilizing the consistently charged tablets for daily rhythmic reading practice. The Tech Tub ensures that every single student has equal, reliable access to the digital resources needed for this skill, empowering them to share their unique musical talents with the class.","fullyFundedDate":1746785604559,"projectUrl":"project/tablet-tub-locking-in-learning-with-our/9056834/","projectTitle":"Tablet Tub: Locking in Learning with our Tech Tub","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ortega","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9124358_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754859430434","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/bilingual-beats"},{"teacherId":8664786,"projectId":9627009,"letterContent":"I would like to extend my sincere gratitude for your generous donation of board games to our fourth and fifth-grade diverse learners. Your contribution will create a fantastic opportunity for our students to engage in fun learning and build essential social skills. The games will serve as a valuable tool for fostering community and creating a positive and inclusive environment in our classrooms.\r\n\r\nYour support helps us provide our students with engaging and enriching activities that go beyond traditional academics. The board games will not only be a source of entertainment but also a means to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your kindness and for helping to make a difference in the lives of our students.","fullyFundedDate":1758217825203,"projectUrl":"project/get-in-the-game/9627009/","projectTitle":"Get in the Game!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Fernandez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8664786_orig.jpg?crop=914,914,x0,y182&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724347513158","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8664786"},{"teacherId":8664786,"projectId":9333470,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donations to support diverse learners in our kindergarten program. Your donation has made a significant impact on our students' early literacy development, providing them with the tools they need to succeed in reading and writing in Spanish.\r\n\r\nWith your support, we have been able to implement a unique and effective learning model that combines focused workbook activities with engaging, toy-based learning. This approach caters to different learning styles and keeps our young students motivated and excited to learn.\r\n\r\nThe workbooks provide a structured foundation, helping students practice letter formation, phonics, and basic sentence structure. The toy-based learning, such as letter-matching games and storytelling puppets, brings these concepts to life, making learning a playful and memorable experience.\r\n\r\nWe are already seeing incredible progress in our students. They are building confidence in their abilities, and their enthusiasm for reading and writing is infectious. By investing in these young learners, you are not directly helping them, you are also empowering them to become confident and capable bilingual individuals.\r\n\r\nYour commitment to our diverse learners is truly appreciated. Thank you again for being a vital part of their educational journey.","fullyFundedDate":1750417294469,"projectUrl":"project/little-learners-big-discoveries/9333470/","projectTitle":"Little Learners, Big Discoveries!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Fernandez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8664786_orig.jpg?crop=914,914,x0,y182&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724347513158","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8664786"},{"teacherId":7043914,"projectId":9140017,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support of our \"Reading-March Madness Tournament!\" The tournament was a huge success, and it wouldn't have been possible without your contributions. The students were incredibly motivated by the prizes you helped provide, which included gold medals, small prizes, and snacks. Seeing their excitement as they earned these rewards for their reading accomplishments on Amira, our online reading platform, was truly inspiring. Your generosity directly impacted their enthusiasm for reading, and we are so grateful for your belief in our students' potential.","fullyFundedDate":1746698812891,"projectUrl":"project/reading-march-madness-tournament/9140017/","projectTitle":"Reading-March Madness Tournament!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Echeverria","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7043914_orig.png?crop=467,467,x0,y9&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1676647438113","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7043914"},{"teacherId":8778646,"projectId":9297119,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of headphones to our 3rd grade classroom! Your kindness is making a big difference in our students' learning experience.With these headphones, our students can focus better during lessons, enjoy educational videos, and participate in interactive activities with greater ease. Your support helps create a more engaging and inclusive environment where every child can thrive. We truly appreciate your generosity and belief in our class. Thank you for helping us make learning fun and effective!","fullyFundedDate":1746490989257,"projectUrl":"project/headphones-for-all/9297119/","projectTitle":"Headphones for All!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Alvear","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8778646_orig.png?crop=398,398,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1665947533861","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-alvear"},{"teacherId":9877123,"projectId":9293228,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, my students now have access to high-quality headphones with built-in microphones, and the impact has been truly incredible. In our classroom, this technology is helping students focus during independent reading and complete assignments without being distracted by the usual classroom noise. The microphones allow them to record themselves reading aloud, which gives them a chance to hear their own progress and track their fluency over time. It's been especially helpful in strengthening their decoding skills and reading comprehension, as they can listen, reflect, and improve with immediate feedback.\r\n\r\nWhat's most exciting for my students is the interactive nature of the programs they're using. These platforms adapt to each learner's needs, offering just the right balance of challenge and support. One student who used to be very hesitant to read aloud has completely transformed since we started using the headphones and microphones. Now, she eagerly records herself every day and listens back with pride, excited to hear how much better she sounds. These tools have done more than support academics they've helped my students build confidence, stay engaged, and develop a true love for reading.","fullyFundedDate":1745969761292,"projectUrl":"project/tune-in-to-reading-headphones-that-help/9293228/","projectTitle":"Tune In to Reading: Headphones That Help Us Shine!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Aviles","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9877123_orig.png?crop=1241,1241,x175,y344&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1734563693741","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9877123"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5474","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":366,"numTeachers":17,"percentFrplEligible":91,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":15,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":80,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"21.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":70.4,"schoolId":5474,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Ruben Salazar Bilingual Center on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Ruben Salazar Bilingual Center","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/ruben-salazar-bilingual-center/5474"}
Join the 876 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Ruben Salazar Bilingual Center is
an urban public school
in Chicago, Illinois that is part of Chicago Public School District 299.
It serves 366 students
in grades Pre-K - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 21.5:1.
Its teachers have had 383 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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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
96%
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.
Ruben Salazar Bilingual Center Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Feb 12, 2026
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in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.
Ruben Salazar Bilingual Center
$177,895
raised using DonorsChoose
383
projects
funded
48
teachers
funded
876
donors
27
projects
for
basic supplies
38
projects for
technology
72
projects for
books
8
projects
for
art supplies
Ruben Salazar Bilingual Center has received support from
617 individuals from Illinois and
259 individuals out-of-state.