{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Ruiz Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":26.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2215817,"projectId":10274334,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity in funding our project, \"Learning to Read to Loving to Read!\" Because of your support, our classroom has been transformed into a place where reading is no longer just a daily task and it is now an adventure our students look forward to every day.\r\n\r\nWith the new books and reading materials, my students have been able to explore stories that truly hold their interest and meet them at their specific reading levels. Seeing their faces light up when they open a brand-new book has been incredible. Children who were once hesitant readers are now eagerly choosing books during independent reading time, sharing their favorite parts with classmates, and building their reading confidence step-by-step.\r\n\r\nYour kindness did more than just supply our classroom with resources; you gave my students the gift of literacy and helped spark a lifelong love for reading. Thank you for investing in our classroom and believing in our young readers!","fullyFundedDate":1778273447799,"projectUrl":"project/learning-to-read-to-loving-to-read/10274334/","projectTitle":"Learning to Read to Loving to Read","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Escoto","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2215817_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1507865884157","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-escoto"},{"teacherId":2215817,"projectId":10175672,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in supporting our project, \"The Path to Focus: A School-Wide Sensory Path.\" Installing these vibrant, interactive sensory elements in our hallway has completely transformed our school environment into an engaging space that supports our students' emotional and physical well-being throughout the school day.\r\n\r\nOur students have been actively engaging with the sensory path from morning until dismissal. It has brought so much joy to our building, while serving as a powerful tool to help students self-regulate, burn off extra energy, and refocus before returning to their classrooms. It is truly an inclusive and interactive space that meets the needs of our entire school community. We see bright smiles across all age groups, from our youngest 3-year-olds to our 13-year-old middle schoolers. Seeing students of all ages use the path to take a brain break and reset has been wonderful. Thank you for making our school a happier, more focused place to learn!","fullyFundedDate":1776357609017,"projectUrl":"project/the-path-to-focus-a-school-wide-sensory/10175672/","projectTitle":"The Path to Focus: a School-Wide Sensory Reset","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Escoto","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2215817_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1507865884157","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-escoto"},{"teacherId":2215817,"projectId":10190327,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support of our project, \"Empowering Every Voice: Spanish Literacy.\" Having these specialized resources available has made a transformational difference in how we evaluate and support our Spanish-speaking students. Rather than relying on translated or non-standardized tools, we now have access to accurate assessment materials designed specifically to evaluate Spanish literacy and cognitive development.\r\n\r\nThe impact of these materials has been immediately noticeable in our collaborative work. Our school psychologist and special education teacher have been using the resources side by side; learning how to administer the assessments, analyze the diagnostic scores, and deeply understand each student's unique profile. By reviewing these results together, they are able to pinpoint specific learning strengths and areas for growth. This shared data allows them to design highly targeted, individualized instruction and support plans tailored directly to each student's needs. Thank you for giving us the tools to empower our bilingual learners and ensure their voices are heard and supported!","fullyFundedDate":1777926830911,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-every-voice-spanish-literacy/10190327/","projectTitle":"Empowering Every Voice: Spanish Literacy for Special Education","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Escoto","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2215817_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1507865884157","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-escoto"},{"teacherId":2215817,"projectId":10139980,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity in supporting our project, \"Hands-On Reading Sensory Success.\" Having these new hands-on reading resources in our classroom has completely transformed the way my students engage with foundational reading concepts. Throughout the week, we focus heavily on explicit phonics instruction, learning specific sound patterns and decoding strategies. The new materials have provided the perfect bridge to reinforce these concepts in an interactive, multisensory way.\r\n\r\nMy students look forward to Fridays all week long because they know it is time to put their learning into action with our new phonics games. Friday learning has turned into a highlight of our week. The students gather with their classmates, laughing and encouraging one another while actively practicing the phonics rules they learned over the past four days. Watching them collaborate, problem-solve, and build reading fluency through play has been incredible. These hands-on resources have made reading practice both meaningful and fun, giving my students the confidence they need to succeed. Thank you again for making this possible!","fullyFundedDate":1777649259618,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-reading-sensory-success/10139980/","projectTitle":"Hands-On Reading: Sensory Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Escoto","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2215817_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1507865884157","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-escoto"},{"teacherId":8627765,"projectId":10130773,"letterContent":"Thank you so much in funding this project. Students were very excited to end the year with a fossil activity. It might be messy, but seeing their smiles and laughter is making great memories. They had fun identifying the different fossils they found and were trying to match it with the booklet. They looked through the booklet to read more about them, which is a fun way to learn. We had so many fossil kits enough for eight groups to make sure every student had enough fossils to take home and turn to \"dig.\"","fullyFundedDate":1776429350995,"projectUrl":"project/we-are-paleontologists/10130773/","projectTitle":"We Are Paleontologists!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ballesteros","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8627765_orig.jpg?crop=554,554,x725,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660950539293","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8627765"},{"teacherId":8627765,"projectId":10018347,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for these amazing new books for our classroom library! Students were excited the moment they saw them and couldn't wait to start reading. Some of the most popular choices right now are Bounce Back 3: Sew Totally Nala, the Pokémon battle matchup book, The Awakening Storm, FGTeeV: Out of Time!, and The Pocket Peaches.\r\n\r\nThese books have really sparked interest and conversation, and students are constantly asking to read them or share them with friends. It's wonderful to see how engaged they are and how much they enjoy reading together. Your support is helping build confidence, excitement, and a strong reading culture in our classroom. We truly appreciate your generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1773875226954,"projectUrl":"project/reading-is-fun-part-10/10018347/","projectTitle":"Reading Is Fun! (part 10)","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ballesteros","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8627765_orig.jpg?crop=554,554,x725,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660950539293","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8627765"},{"teacherId":8627765,"projectId":10158327,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for adding such wonderful new books to our classroom library! The students were incredibly excited to explore the new titles and were eager to check them out right away.\r\n\r\nThey especially love the Rowley books and the new graphic novels. Some other favorites include Diary of a Roblox Avatar, The Academy series, and Squished. These books have truly captured their interest and enthusiasm.\r\n\r\nAt this point in the school year, students have built impressive reading stamina and are choosing to read simply because they enjoy it. It's been amazing to see how much they genuinely believe that reading is fun.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has made a meaningful impact on their learning and love of reading. Thank you again for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1773836453995,"projectUrl":"project/reading-is-fun-part-9/10158327/","projectTitle":"Reading is FUN (part 9)","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ballesteros","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8627765_orig.jpg?crop=554,554,x725,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660950539293","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8627765"},{"teacherId":3225982,"projectId":9417484,"letterContent":"Thank you again for your generous donation to our classroom! It took me longer than I'd like to admit to hang up these Secret Stories posters, but as soon as I did so, my students were immediately asking me questions about them.\r\n\r\nAfter reading the first few secret stories to them, my students expressed that they felt the stories were a fun way to remember some of the phonics rules. I hope adding Secret Stories to our current phonics program will help all my students succeed and demonstrate mastery even faster.","fullyFundedDate":1758813111710,"projectUrl":"project/unlocking-the-secrets-of-phonics/9417484/","projectTitle":"Unlocking the Secrets of Phonics","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. K.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3225982_orig.jpg?crop=1216,1216,x103,y139&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1690413690171","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/dkamerling"},{"teacherId":3225982,"projectId":9232443,"letterContent":"Thank you again for your generous donation to our classroom! These books have been such an excellent addition to our classroom library. They are so popular that I cannot keep them on the shelves, and students eagerly wait for their classmates to finish the next book in the series.\r\n\r\nWhile it previously felt like a struggle to get some of my students to read, now, nearly every student in my class is found reading whenever they get a chance. When students finish their work before others, they take out their books and read. When students need to take a short break from instruction, they take out their books and read. When students go home at the end of the day, they take out their books and read. These books have made such a positive change in our classroom, and it would not have happened without your help.","fullyFundedDate":1752939525301,"projectUrl":"project/begging-for-books-part-20-reading-bu/9232443/","projectTitle":"Begging for Books (Part 20) + Reading Buddies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. K.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3225982_orig.jpg?crop=1216,1216,x103,y139&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1690413690171","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/dkamerling"},{"teacherId":8627765,"projectId":9592423,"letterContent":"Thank you so much in helping us add new books to our classroom library and other supplies. The small anchor chart paper is great to add many visuals to our classroom. The erasable poster markers allows for fixing mistakes and for students to create their own posters and correcting mistakes. The Academy book was an interesting addition. Many students love soccer and were thrilled when we read the summary together. Many students have checked it out since we received it. The baby sitter series is always a student favorite.","fullyFundedDate":1764725805493,"projectUrl":"project/reading-is-fun-part-8/9592423/","projectTitle":"Reading is Fun (Part 8)","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ballesteros","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8627765_orig.jpg?crop=554,554,x725,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660950539293","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8627765"},{"teacherId":8627765,"projectId":9628504,"letterContent":"YAY! That was the very first reaction from my fourth graders when they saw the two wobble chairs arrive in our classroom. Their excitement said it all.\r\nThese wobble chairs have already made a meaningful impact during our small group sessions. Many of my students focus best when they are able to move, and the gentle motion of the wobble chairs allows them to stay active while remaining engaged in learning. Instead of becoming distracted or disruptive, students are now able to channel their energy into productive movement.\r\nThe chairs have quickly become a favorite flexible seating option. Students look forward to their turn to use them and often say how much they help them concentrate.\r\nBecause of your generosity, our classroom environment is more supportive, more comfortable, and more conducive to learning. You have helped create a space where students can meet their individual needs while staying focused and confident.\r\nThank you for investing in our fourth graders. Your kindness truly makes a difference every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1764598875375,"projectUrl":"project/flexible-seating-for-fantastic-fourth-gr/9628504/","projectTitle":"Flexible Seating for Fantastic Fourth Graders","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ballesteros","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8627765_orig.jpg?crop=554,554,x725,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660950539293","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8627765"},{"teacherId":3772722,"projectId":9738932,"letterContent":"I wanted to send a quick note of gratitude to everyone who contributed to our classroom snack stash.\r\n\r\nThese snacks have become a vital safety net. We use them to ensure that no student has to sit through a lesson feeling 'hangry' or left out if they forgot their snack at home. It has created a more equitable environment where everyone starts the lesson on a level playing field.\r\n\r\nHaving these snacks on hand ensures that every student has the energy they need to focus on their learning, especially during those long morning stretches. The kids were so excited to see the variety, and your generosity truly helps our classroom run more smoothly.\r\n\r\nThank you for supporting our students!","fullyFundedDate":1760717822926,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-to-fight-the-grumbles/9738932/","projectTitle":"Snacks to Fight the Grumbles","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Zaragoza","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3772722_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1517866173552","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3772722"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5653","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":468,"numTeachers":42,"percentFrplEligible":87,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":3,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":93,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":0,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"11.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":74.0,"schoolId":5653,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Ruiz Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Ruiz Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/ruiz-elementary-school/5653"}