{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Tarkington School of Excellence","outOfStateSupporters":36.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6560662,"projectId":9457472,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, my students now receive a **weekly Scholastic News magazine** for the entire school year. These engaging resources bring current events, science, and social studies topics to life in ways that are both age-appropriate and exciting. Each issue sparks meaningful discussions, builds background knowledge, and connects directly to our reading standards. Even more, students are able to take their copies home every friday, allowing them to **grow their personal libraries** and share what they've learned with their families.\r\n\r\nThis project has made a real difference in growing both a love of reading and an awareness of the world beyond our classroom. Many of my students do not have access to magazines or nonfiction texts at home, so this opportunity opens doors to new learning and perspectives. The articles challenge their thinking, encourage them to ask questions, and give them the tools to better understand the world around them.\r\n\r\nYour support has not only provided high-quality reading material but has also inspired a sense of curiosity and excitement for learning. On behalf of my students and myself, thank you for investing in their growth and helping to feed young minds with knowledge and joy.","fullyFundedDate":1753541196374,"projectUrl":"project/reading-pleasing-and-feeding-young-mind/9457472/","projectTitle":"Reading: Pleasing and Feeding Young Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Klaassen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6560662_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x510,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1589321092300","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6560662"},{"teacherId":9916617,"projectId":9099355,"letterContent":"I wish I could show you the gleaming faces of excitement from the little ones! They were so excited to see so many boxes. These donations revolutionized their STEM experiences, as we were lucky to receive magnet tiles and a marble run. They have made many amazing things -- apartments, space ships, etc.\r\n\r\nMore so, their literacy center times have improved so much! Kindergarten-aged children learn through play! We had so many CVC and CVCC-based center items -- they loved them! \r\n\r\nA new batch of children will experience them once we get to those units. \r\n\r\nFrom the bottom of my heart, \r\n\r\nThank you. \r\n\r\nThank you for showing them there is a village behind them. Thank you for showing them they are worth all the cool learning stuff. Thank you for showing them that learning is fun!","fullyFundedDate":1745970165828,"projectUrl":"project/chicago-proud-little-ones/9099355/","projectTitle":"Chicago Proud Little Ones","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Alejandra","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9916617"},{"teacherId":3232661,"projectId":9579210,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your generous support of our classroom project. Because of you, our students now have noise-canceling headphones for personalized learning and cozy floor cushions for group work. This project has truly transformed our learning environment, and I can't wait to share the impact with you.\r\n\r\nMany of our donors use technology at home but are not as knowledgeable as we are about how it's used in schools. Our new headphones have been a game-changer for personalized learning and assessments. Technology helps me provide each student with a learning path tailored to their needs. The headphones allow them to focus on their individual tasks without distractions, whether they're working on a reading comprehension program or completing a math assessment. \r\n\r\nThe most exciting part of this new equipment for the students is definitely the freedom and comfort it provides. While the headphones help them focus, the cushions are an instant source of joy. They love being able to choose a comfortable spot on the floor for reading time, group projects, or simply to get a new perspective. The students affectionately call the cushions \"comfy spots,\" and the ability to get up and move around while still being engaged is a huge motivator.\r\n\r\nWhile all the students have warmed to the new technology and cushions, there is one student in particular who has especially benefited from the cushions. I have a student who sometimes struggles with focusing in a traditional desk setting. He was one of the first to grab a cushion, and I've seen a noticeable improvement in his ability to stay engaged and participate in group work. The cushions provide a sense of personal space and comfort that helps him feel secure and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nThank you again for making this possible. You have given our students the tools they need to succeed and a tangible reminder that people believe in them. Your support means the world to us.\r\n\r\nWith immense gratitude,","fullyFundedDate":1755736370483,"projectUrl":"project/headphone-haul-and-comfy-cushions/9579210/","projectTitle":"Headphone Haul and Comfy Cushions","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Otto","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3232661_orig.jpg?crop=1500,1500,x0,y300&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1721695800605","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3232661"},{"teacherId":9310306,"projectId":9076734,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom with this project! The snacks and cleaning supplies you provided are meeting some of our students' most basic needs and creating a more positive, focused learning environment. Students were thrilled to see the Goldfish, Cheez-Its, and fruit snacks—these small treats go a long way in helping them stay energized and ready to learn. The disinfecting wipes, sprays, and cloths are helping us keep the room clean and healthy, especially during cold and flu season. Your support helps our students feel cared for and ready to do their best each day.","fullyFundedDate":1741426490127,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-and-sparkle-keeping-minds-fueled/9076734/","projectTitle":"Snacks and Sparkle: Keeping Minds Fueled and Our Classroom Fresh!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Perez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9310306_orig.png?crop=662,662,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1734380712587","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9310306"},{"teacherId":9310306,"projectId":9011194,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our classroom with sensory tools and essential supplies. The Play-Doh, therapy putty, and metallic slime give students calming, hands-on ways to manage emotions and develop fine motor skills. These materials have become a favorite during sensory breaks and small group time. The electric sharpener, tissues, paper towels, wipes, and fruit snacks help keep our space clean, organized, and student-ready. Your generosity makes a real difference every day.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAsk ChatGPT\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAsk ChatGPT\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAsk ChatGPT","fullyFundedDate":1740691856790,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-learning-building-bright-futur/9011194/","projectTitle":"Hands-On Learning: Building Bright Futures One Dough at a Time!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Perez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9310306_orig.png?crop=662,662,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1734380712587","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9310306"},{"teacherId":9310306,"projectId":9011118,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our K–2 classroom is now equipped with a wide range of high-quality, developmentally appropriate materials that support social-emotional learning in meaningful ways. The diverse collection of books, including Just Ask, Change Sings, Where Are You From?, The Name Jar, and the bilingual Lil' Libros titles, has given our students the opportunity to see themselves and others reflected in powerful stories. These texts introduce important skills like identifying emotions, understanding differences, using our voices, and showing empathy. Students are learning how to name what they are feeling, celebrate their unique identities, and understand the experiences of others.","fullyFundedDate":1734712122900,"projectUrl":"project/feelings-in-focus-tools-for-emotional-g/9011118/","projectTitle":"Feelings in Focus: Tools for Emotional Growth and SEL Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Perez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9310306_orig.png?crop=662,662,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1734380712587","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9310306"},{"teacherId":9310306,"projectId":9008831,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom! The new materials have made a huge difference in how our students engage with reading and writing. They were so excited to explore the tactile letters, decodable books, and hands-on phonics tools. We use the Mat Man books during whole group lessons and the Touch & Read and Snap & Build Phonics sets during small groups to build decoding skills.\r\n\r\nThese resources help students connect sounds to letters, form words, and build reading confidence. The Bob Books, I Can Read! books, and Decodable Readers are perfect for independent practice. Next, we'll continue using these materials in literacy centers to support growing readers every day. Your support means everything—thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1737485044596,"projectUrl":"project/building-bookworms-tools-for-growing-re/9008831/","projectTitle":"Building Bookworms: Tools for Growing Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Perez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9310306_orig.png?crop=662,662,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1734380712587","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9310306"},{"teacherId":9310306,"projectId":8943708,"letterContent":"The Little Spot SEL books have become a valuable part of our K–2 classroom. These books introduce important skills like recognizing emotions, managing big feelings, showing kindness, and solving problems peacefully. Each book focuses on one social-emotional topic, using simple language and engaging visuals that help young learners make connections. We use the books during morning meetings and small group time to spark discussions and reflect on how we can apply these lessons in our classroom community.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is interactive and supportive. Students listen to read-alouds, participate in guided conversations, and often revisit the books on their own during quiet reading time. The Little Spot characters make abstract emotions more concrete, and we've started using the language from the books throughout the day—whether it's identifying a \"little spot of anger\" or celebrating a \"spot of kindness.\" The books are helping students build emotional awareness and practice using positive strategies in real-life situations.","fullyFundedDate":1734099441853,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-little-spot-sel-magic-to-our-st/8943708/","projectTitle":"Bringing Little Spot SEL Magic to Our Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Perez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9310306_orig.png?crop=662,662,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1734380712587","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9310306"},{"teacherId":9170748,"projectId":9101386,"letterContent":"Thank you for bringing books to life in our classroom. Because of your generosity, our students have been introduced to powerful stories that have sparked their imagination, deepened their understanding of the world, and strengthened their reading skills. These books have helped our classroom grow not only as readers but also as thoughtful, empathetic, and curious individuals.\r\n\r\nThrough these books, students have begun to understand important moments in history, and we have had meaningful conversations about justice, resilience, and courage. Other titles have helped students identify their emotions and express themselves in healthy, compassionate ways. After reading, we discussed what it means to try something new, to be brave, and to believe in yourself. These conversations support the development of comprehension strategies such as making connections, asking questions, and making inferences, all while building a lifelong love of reading.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom has become one of the most joyful parts of the day. Students look forward to gathering for read-alouds, eagerly volunteer to share their thoughts, and rush to the classroom library to choose their next book. Independent reading is now something they celebrate, and many have discovered their favorite stories thanks to your donation.","fullyFundedDate":1744232337806,"projectUrl":"project/boosting-reading-engagement/9101386/","projectTitle":"Boosting Reading Engagement","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bonistalli","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9170748_orig.jpg?crop=1500,1500,x0,y200&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1697425542826","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9170748"},{"teacherId":9310306,"projectId":8669228,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in funding the headphones for our classroom! Your donation has made an incredible difference in the daily learning experience of our students, and I wanted to take the time to share just how impactful this gift has been throughout the school year.\r\n\r\nBy this point in the school year, the headphones have been in constant use, and I am happy to share that they have held up beautifully. They've been both durable and reliable, even with the daily wear and tear that comes from young learners using them regularly. This durability has been critical because it means every student continues to have access to the tools they need without interruptions or technical difficulties. We often hear students reminding one another to treat the headphones carefully, and it's become a point of pride in our classroom to take care of the materials that help us learn.\r\n\r\nOn behalf of myself, my students, and our entire classroom community, thank you again for your generosity and kindness. You have truly made a lasting impact that will continue to benefit students for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1726156358570,"projectUrl":"project/headphones-for-the-year/8669228/","projectTitle":"Headphones for the Year","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Perez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9310306_orig.png?crop=662,662,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1734380712587","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9310306"},{"teacherId":2402878,"projectId":8055821,"letterContent":"We wanted to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for your incredible generosity in funding our project and bringing a vibrant collection of multicultural books into our primary classroom! Your support has already made a significant difference in the lives and learning of our young students.\r\n\r\nYou mentioned that many of you love to read, and we do too! You might be curious about how we use these wonderful new books to teach. Here are some of the key skills and lessons these texts are helping us introduce and reinforce:\r\n\r\nBuilding Empathy and Understanding: These books offer windows into different cultures, traditions, and experiences. We can discuss how characters from diverse backgrounds feel, think, and interact with the world, fostering empathy and helping students understand perspectives different from their own.\r\nExpanding Vocabulary and Language: Exposure to a variety of authors and cultural contexts introduces new words and phrases, enriching our students' vocabulary and language comprehension skills. We discuss unfamiliar terms and explore how language can reflect different cultures.\r\n\r\nDeveloping Comprehension Skills: Like any good book, these multicultural texts help us practice essential comprehension strategies. We work on identifying the main idea, understanding character motivations, sequencing events, and making connections to our own lives and the world around us.\r\n\r\nPromoting Critical Thinking: We can discuss cultural nuances, compare and contrast different ways of life, and encourage students to think critically about the stories and the messages they convey.\r\n\r\nFostering a Love of Reading: Seeing themselves and others reflected in the books we read is incredibly powerful. These books help all students feel seen and valued, which can ignite a stronger passion for reading and a more positive association with books.\r\nIntroducing Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Concepts: Many of these stories touch upon themes of identity, belonging, family, friendship, and overcoming challenges within diverse cultural contexts. This allows us to have rich discussions about important SEL skills.\r\n\r\nSo, what does reading look like in our classroom now?\r\n\r\nThanks to your generous support, reading is a much more engaging and inclusive experience!\r\n\r\nIndependent Reading Time is Richer: Students now have a wider selection of books that resonate with their backgrounds and introduce them to new ones. We see more students eagerly choosing books and staying engaged for longer periods.\r\nRead-Alouds are More Meaningful: When we read aloud, the discussions are deeper and more nuanced. Students are making connections to their own lives and asking thoughtful questions about the different cultures and experiences presented.\r\nSmall Group Instruction is Targeted: We can now group students based on their interests and reading levels with books that specifically address cultural themes or vocabulary related to different backgrounds.\r\n\r\nClassroom Library is a Hub of Discovery: Our bookshelf has become a vibrant display of different faces, traditions, and stories. Students browse with curiosity and excitement, often sharing their discoveries with their classmates.\r\nAre there particular students who are especially enjoying the new books? Absolutely!\r\n\r\nWe've seen some wonderful moments:\r\n\r\nStudents from diverse backgrounds light up when they see characters or hear stories that reflect their own families, traditions, or languages. It's incredibly validating for them to see their experiences represented in a positive way. One student, whose family recently immigrated, was beaming when we read a book about a child navigating a new school in a different country.\r\n\r\nStudents who may not have had much exposure to different cultures before are showing genuine curiosity and asking insightful questions. They are eager to learn about new foods, celebrations, and ways of life. We've had some fantastic discussions sparked by their newfound understanding.\r\n\r\nEven our most reluctant readers are finding books that capture their attention. The vibrant illustrations and engaging stories from different cultures have broadened their interests and made reading feel more relevant and exciting.\r\n\r\nYour contribution has gone far beyond just providing books. You have helped us create a more inclusive, understanding, and engaging learning environment for all our students. Thank you for helping us open their minds and hearts to the beautiful diversity of our world through the power of literature. We are so grateful for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1710613796999,"projectUrl":"project/color-my-world-through-books/8055821/","projectTitle":"Color My World Through Books!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Berman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2402878_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1474282125011","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2402878"},{"teacherId":9310306,"projectId":9076720,"letterContent":"We are so grateful for your generosity in helping us receive our new rolling mobile library cart! It has made such a difference in organizing our reading materials and keeping them within reach for our students. For many of them, having easy access to books and intervention tools has made reading time more engaging and enjoyable. The cart has also helped me smoothly transition between reading centers, making it easier to provide differentiated instruction.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite moments was seeing a student who usually struggles with transitions independently pick a book from the cart and settle into a reading station without hesitation. Moments like these remind me how small changes in organization can have a huge impact on student engagement and independence.\r\n\r\nRight now, we are working on building foundational reading skills, including letter sounds, CVC words, and fluency. The cart has allowed us to keep our intervention materials and books at our fingertips, making our small-group reading sessions more effective. Our next steps include expanding our library with more decodable texts and incorporating student-choice book bins to foster a love of reading.\r\n\r\nThank you for supporting our classroom and helping us create an organized, engaging, and literacy-rich environment!","fullyFundedDate":1738795948096,"projectUrl":"project/rolling-into-reading-success-a-mobile-l/9076720/","projectTitle":"Rolling Into Reading Success: a Mobile Library for Young Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Perez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9310306_orig.png?crop=662,662,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1734380712587","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9310306"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5960","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":858,"numTeachers":49,"percentFrplEligible":93,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":17,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":80,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"17.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":63.8,"schoolId":5960,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Tarkington School of Excellence on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Tarkington School of Excellence","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/tarkington-school-of-excellence/5960"}