{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Smyser Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":68.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":1419092,"projectId":9440127,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping bring interactive learning to our classroom! When the Power Pens and learning cards arrived, my second graders could not wait to try them. The excitement was immediate as students realized they could check their own answers and receive instant feedback. Workshop time quickly became more engaging, independent, and fun.\r\n\r\nStudents use the Power Pens during literacy and math centers to practice skills such as computation, money, reading comprehension, and problem solving. One of my favorite moments was watching students cheer when they correctly answered a challenging question and the pen confirmed their success. The instant feedback encouraged students to take risks, stay focused, and build confidence in their learning. The batteries ensured these tools were ready to use every day, helping create a seamless learning experience.\r\n\r\nAs we continue our workshop model, students will use the Power Pens to review skills, strengthen independence, and challenge themselves with new learning cards. These resources have helped create a classroom where students are excited to learn, eager to practice, and proud of their growth. Thank you for making learning more interactive and engaging for every child!","fullyFundedDate":1755727543307,"projectUrl":"project/powering-up-our-workshop-time/9440127/","projectTitle":"Powering Up Our Workshop Time!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Binyon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1419092_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1657585309385","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/agikas"},{"teacherId":1419092,"projectId":9938472,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our classroom and helping make STEM learning exciting and memorable! When the materials arrived, my second graders were thrilled. The magnet wands quickly became a favorite as students explored which objects were magnetic and tested their predictions like real scientists. Their excitement and curiosity were evident as they worked together, asked questions, and shared discoveries with their classmates.\r\n\r\nOne of the highlights of this project was our tie-dye STEM activity. Students investigated color mixing and patterns while creating their own unique T-shirts. They loved seeing how different colors blended together and were so proud to wear their finished shirts. The shirts became even more special because students wore them for both Field Day and our school Opera performance, helping build a sense of community and pride while celebrating important end-of-year events. The engineering materials, including heart cutouts, gems, doilies, and glue dots, were used during design challenges where students planned, built, tested, and improved their creations. These activities encouraged teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving while making learning fun.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, students will continue using the magnet wands during science investigations and STEM centers throughout the year. We will build on these experiences with additional engineering challenges that encourage students to think critically and persevere through the design process. Thank you for helping create hands-on learning opportunities that inspire confidence, curiosity, and a love of discovery in our young learners.","fullyFundedDate":1767393150368,"projectUrl":"project/stem-science-and-a-splash-of-color/9938472/","projectTitle":"STEM, Science, and a Splash of Color!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Binyon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1419092_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1657585309385","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/agikas"},{"teacherId":1419092,"projectId":10159562,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our classroom and helping bring science to life for our students! When the butterfly kits, planting materials, and books arrived, my second graders were filled with excitement. They could not wait to get their hands in the soil, plant seeds, and begin observing the caterpillars. One of the most memorable moments was watching students carefully examine the tiny caterpillars and make predictions about what they would look like as butterflies. Their curiosity and wonder were on full display.\r\n\r\nStudents have been using the seed starting soil, planting kits, and garden markers to grow their own plants while keeping observation journals to track changes over time. They have measured growth, labeled plant parts, and recorded scientific observations just like real scientists. The butterfly habitats gave students a firsthand look at the life cycle process, helping them make meaningful connections between our reading, science lessons, and the living things they were caring for in the classroom. The books and visual resources helped students build vocabulary and deepen their understanding of plants and butterflies.\r\n\r\nAs we continue our \"Amazing Plant Powers\" unit, students will use what they have learned to create life cycle models, share their observations with classmates, and reflect on how plants and animals depend on one another. Beyond science content, these experiences have helped students develop responsibility, patience, teamwork, and confidence. Thank you for providing hands-on learning opportunities that inspired curiosity and helped our young scientists grow.","fullyFundedDate":1776100974425,"projectUrl":"project/from-seed-to-butterfly-exploring-life-c/10159562/","projectTitle":"From Seed to Butterfly: Exploring Life Cycles in 2nd Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Binyon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1419092_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1657585309385","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/agikas"},{"teacherId":1419092,"projectId":10008413,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom has been transformed into a community of young scientists and researchers. When the penguin books arrived, students immediately gathered around them, eager to explore the photographs, diagrams, and fascinating facts. Their excitement was contagious as they flipped through the pages, sharing discoveries with classmates and asking thoughtful questions about penguin habitats, life cycles, and adaptations.\r\n\r\nThese books have become an important part of our daily learning. During guided reading, students practice identifying main ideas, key details, text features, and new vocabulary. In science and literacy centers, they compare information across texts, record facts, and answer inquiry questions just like real researchers. The variety of reading levels and formats has allowed all students to access the content successfully. Our bilingual learners especially enjoyed seeing Spanish texts included in our collection, helping them feel represented and confident as readers.\r\n\r\nOne of the most rewarding moments has been watching students independently choose penguin books during reading time and excitedly share new facts with their classmates. Their curiosity has grown into deeper scientific thinking as they ask questions, make observations, and support their ideas with evidence from the texts. As we continue our animal research projects, these books will remain valuable resources that help students strengthen literacy skills while developing a lifelong love of learning. Thank you for making scientific discovery, reading, and inquiry accessible to every child in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1768259313590,"projectUrl":"project/penguin-research-for-curious-learners/10008413/","projectTitle":"Penguin Research for Curious Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Binyon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1419092_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1657585309385","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/agikas"},{"teacherId":1419092,"projectId":9975882,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom was able to celebrate and learn about Lunar New Year in a meaningful and memorable way. When students first saw the red envelopes, Chinese coins, fortune cookies, and colorful paper yoyos, they were filled with excitement and curiosity. They eagerly asked questions about the traditions, symbols, and customs associated with Lunar New Year. Through hands-on activities, students explored the meanings of good luck, prosperity, family, and community while making connections to their own cultural traditions and celebrations.\r\n\r\nStudents used the tagboard and sentence strips to create crafts, write reflections, and share what they learned about Lunar New Year symbols and traditions. One of the highlights was creating red envelopes and writing wishes for health, happiness, and success. Students enjoyed discussing how celebrations bring people together and learning how families around the world honor important traditions. These activities strengthened reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills while fostering cultural understanding and respect.\r\n\r\nAs we continue our learning journey, students will build on these experiences by exploring additional cultures and traditions from around the world. They are becoming more thoughtful global citizens who appreciate diversity and enjoy learning from one another. Thank you for helping create an inclusive, joyful classroom where every child has the opportunity to learn through meaningful, hands-on experiences. Your support made a lasting impact on our students.","fullyFundedDate":1767402621560,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-lunar-new-year-traditions-into/9975882/","projectTitle":"Bringing Lunar New Year Traditions Into Our Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Binyon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1419092_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1657585309385","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/agikas"},{"teacherId":1431690,"projectId":9507619,"letterContent":"Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for your generous donation to my 5th grade classroom. My students were so excited to have the chair pockets, which really helped them with organization. The students switch classes, therefore, they need to have extra storage space for their personal materials. It is a very quick and easy way for them organize and transition to the next teacher. \r\n\r\nThe big neon colored dice are such a great way to engage my students during math class. The dice is very durable to roll on the table and on the floor to have whole class participation. We are in the multiplication and division unit. I pick students to come up and roll the dice to make up numbers to multiply a three digit number by a two digit number. This is a fun way to create movement in the classroom and they are really loving it. The mini dry erasers are also a hit when we work in math with whiteboards. Students love to use the whiteboards and dry erase for practice problems. They love it even more when I make a game out of it. Having these materials makes it very easy for clean up time. \r\n\r\nIn science class, we are in the Ecosystem Restoration unit and we have assembled terrariums to observe and collect data on how plants thrive and grow. We have used the magnifying glasses to make observations and take notes on what we see when objects are enlarged. The students have done a great job so far growing their plants. They have taken the job of ecologists very seriously by watering the terrariums and making sure it gets enough daily sunlight. I am very grateful for all the new supplies we have received and am excited to keep my students' engaged in their daily education.","fullyFundedDate":1762265364444,"projectUrl":"project/organize-and-shine/9507619/","projectTitle":"Organize and Shine","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Chan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1431690_orig.jpg?crop=240,240,x0,y40&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753729419511","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/sandy-chan"},{"teacherId":31725,"projectId":9507933,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of classroom supplies. Your kindness and support truly mean more than words can express.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, our classroom is now stocked with essential items like tape dispensers, white out, tape, scissors, staplers, and so much more. We have many group projects that we work on and these are the most used supplies that students go through the most. These supplies keep our classroom running smoothly and allow my students to focus on creating their very best work. \r\n\r\nYour thoughtfulness has made a direct and positive impact on my students. They feel supported and excited to create, knowing that there are people who care about their education and success. Thank you again for your generosity and for making a difference in our classroom. We are truly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1763606413249,"projectUrl":"project/how-basic-supplies-make-a-big-difference/9507933/","projectTitle":"How Basic Supplies Make a Big Difference!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Griesenauer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp31725_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1503859967343","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/griesenauer"},{"teacherId":1419092,"projectId":9420608,"letterContent":"To build a classroom filled with engagement, safety, and love, my students need the right tools to succeed and thanks to you, they now have them. Having essential supplies readily available removes barriers to learning and ensures that every child, regardless of circumstance, can fully participate in our day.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, our classroom is stocked with the basics students rely on every day pencils, glue sticks, scissors, and paper along with colorful materials that spark creativity and excitement during hands-on learning. Even more importantly, students now have access to sensory and social-emotional supports like Play-Doh, bracelet-making supplies, and desk pets. These tools help children regulate emotions, stay focused, and feel safe and valued in our classroom community.\r\n\r\nThis project has made a meaningful difference for my students. They walk into the classroom knowing they have what they need to learn, create, and express themselves. Your support has helped create a more inclusive, equitable learning environment where all students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and for helping make our classroom a place where learning feels joyful and every child feels loved.","fullyFundedDate":1757559061438,"projectUrl":"project/helping-build-an-impactful-school-year/9420608/","projectTitle":"Helping Build an Impactful School Year!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Binyon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1419092_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1657585309385","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/agikas"},{"teacherId":1419092,"projectId":9440020,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our entire 2nd grade team and helping bring hands-on STEM learning to all of our students. Because of your generosity, our classrooms were filled with excitement, creativity, and collaboration as students explored holiday-themed science stations using the building blocks.\r\n\r\nThese materials allowed every child across the grade level to build, design, problem-solve, and create—ensuring that no student missed out on the joy of hands-on learning. The best part was that students were able to take their holiday building blocks home, extending STEM learning beyond the classroom and sparking creativity with their families over Thanksgiving break.\r\n\r\nThe tie-dye kits helped us create a special end-of-year 2nd grade team shirt, strengthening our sense of belonging and celebration. Your support made it possible to offer equitable, joyful learning experiences for all students. Thank you for helping our students' imagination, confidence, and love for STEM grow. We truly are better together!","fullyFundedDate":1757540703032,"projectUrl":"project/stem-ing-away-in-second-grade/9440020/","projectTitle":"Stem-ing Away in Second Grade!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Binyon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1419092_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1657585309385","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/agikas"},{"teacherId":1419092,"projectId":9759256,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom plant unit and helping bring hands-on science learning to life for my students. Because of your generosity, our class now has the soil, seeds, containers, spoons, and books needed to fully experience the joy of planting, growing, and caring for living things.\r\n\r\nWith these materials, students were able to plant lima beans and alfalfa seeds, observe changes over time, and record their learning like real scientists. They took ownership of their plants, practiced responsibility through daily care, and made meaningful connections to science standards by seeing plant life cycles firsthand instead of just watching a demonstration.\r\n\r\nThis project sparked curiosity, confidence, and excitement—not just in the classroom, but at home as students shared their observations and discoveries with their families. Thank you for making it possible for every child to actively participate, feel included, and see themselves as capable scientists. Your support has made a lasting impact on our learning community, and we are truly grateful. 🌱💛","fullyFundedDate":1759522938715,"projectUrl":"project/replenishing-our-hands-on-plant-unit/9759256/","projectTitle":"Replenishing Our Hands-On Plant unit","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Binyon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1419092_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1657585309385","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/agikas"},{"teacherId":1419092,"projectId":9820407,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and believing in my students. Your generosity has made a meaningful difference in our daily learning and well-being. Because of you, my students now have essential supplies like pencils, glue sticks, and colored pencils, along with vibrant art materials that make learning hands-on and joyful.\r\n\r\nThe Play-Doh, bracelet beads, and Squishmallow desk pets you helped provide offer comfort and sensory support, helping students stay calm, focused, and emotionally supported throughout the day. These materials allow every child to participate fully, without worrying about what they may be missing.\r\n\r\nMy students and I are incredibly grateful for your kindness. Thank you for helping us create a classroom where children feel loved, included, and excited to learn every day","fullyFundedDate":1763606414761,"projectUrl":"project/sleighing-the-season-with-squishmallows/9820407/","projectTitle":"Sleighing the Season with Squishmallows and Crafts!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Binyon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1419092_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1657585309385","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/agikas"},{"teacherId":2053896,"projectId":9451644,"letterContent":"I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support of my students. I am blessed to have taught middle school students for over a decade, and it is truly a privilege. It also comes with great responsibility as this can be a very challenging time in their development. It is hard for them to ask for help, and they are often embarrassed when they do not have necessary supplies. \r\n\r\nThrough your donation, I was able to discreetly give these backpacks to a few of my students who were most in need. It was done in a manner of utmost respect, and I know they sincerely appreciated the help. Sometimes it is the little things that can give my students more hope about kindness in the world. \r\n\r\nI hope you know that you have made a difference and I am profoundly grateful. Best wishes to you always!","fullyFundedDate":1756611133812,"projectUrl":"project/help-us-start-the-year-off-with-fully-su/9451644/","projectTitle":"Help Us Start the Year Off with Fully Supplied Backpacks!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kristin Reina","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2053896_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1487363094628","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-reina"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5321","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":758,"numTeachers":48,"percentFrplEligible":66,"percentAsian":5,"percentBlack":3,"percentWhite":25,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":63,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":1,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"15.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":31.8,"schoolId":5321,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Smyser Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Smyser Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/smyser-elementary-school/5321"}