{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Washington Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":23.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9128037,"projectId":9502611,"letterContent":"My students have been so engaged during math center time with the number puzzles and connecting straws. When I presented our new bin of connecting straws, my students said \"Wow!\" and looked so excited to start playing with them. They worked together in partners to build 3-D shapes, houses, and castles. They also used their imagination and creativity to create other designs with the connecting straws. \r\n\r\nOn a math lesson for classification, I explained that they would be using sticker shapes to classify by color, shape or size. They loved choosing from the variety shapes and peeling the paper off to stick them on, which also strengthened their fine motor skills! I love seeing my students excited to learn and play with materials that allow them to be creative. \r\n\r\nWe are so grateful for your generosity in providing these materials. Have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!","fullyFundedDate":1756226689412,"projectUrl":"project/back-to-school-materials/9502611/","projectTitle":"Back to School Materials!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cruz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9128037_orig.jpg?crop=314,314,x0,y43&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1690774162499","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9128037"},{"teacherId":8003706,"projectId":9762496,"letterContent":"Since introducing the microphone and speaker into my classroom, the impact on student engagement, confidence, and learning has been remarkable. Almost immediately, I noticed students who were typically quiet or hesitant to participate began raising their hands and volunteering answers more frequently. The simple act of knowing their voice could be amplified and clearly heard by everyone in the room gave them a sense of importance and ownership over their contributions. Students began to take more risks in sharing their ideas, practicing new vocabulary, and reading aloud without the usual anxiety or hesitation. During group discussions, students became more willing to share their thinking, ask questions, and respond to their peers, creating a lively, interactive environment where ideas flowed freely. This sense of being heard has also fostered a more inclusive classroom community, as students who might have felt overlooked in the past are now fully engaged and active participants.\r\n\r\nBeyond academics, the microphone and speaker have had a profound effect on students' social-emotional growth. Shy students who often avoided speaking in front of the class now approach discussions with confidence, and those with strong voices have learned to listen more carefully and respectfully to others. Students frequently remark on how exciting it feels to know their thoughts and answers matter, and I see the pride in their expressions when their peers respond positively or applaud their efforts. This tool has also supported peer-to-peer learning. Students can present projects, read writing assignments, or explain math strategies to the whole class, allowing classmates to hear multiple perspectives and learning styles. The clarity of sound ensures that no one misses out, which reduces frustration and helps maintain focus for all learners.\r\n\r\nAnother notable impact has been in classroom management and participation. When using the microphone during transitions or announcements, students respond quickly and attentively, improving the overall flow of lessons. Even during small-group activities, having a speaker available has allowed for recorded instructions or group presentations, giving every student equal access to the information being shared. Students with speech or language challenges, as well as English learners, have benefited particularly from hearing themselves amplified and from being able to hear peers clearly, which reinforces pronunciation, comprehension, and communication skills.\r\n\r\nPerhaps most importantly, the microphone and speaker have helped nurture a classroom culture where every student feels that their voice matters. I see more collaboration, better teamwork, and increased motivation across subjects because students are more willing to participate when they know they can be heard. The sense of pride and accomplishment from sharing their ideas openly has carried over into independent work, reading, writing, and problem-solving tasks. Overall, this simple technology has transformed my classroom into a space where students feel confident, empowered, and supported—not just academically, but socially and emotionally as well. By giving students a platform to express themselves, we are building lifelong skills in communication, self-confidence, and respect for others, which will serve them far beyond the classroom walls.","fullyFundedDate":1758905742030,"projectUrl":"project/everyone-has-a-voice/9762496/","projectTitle":"Everyone Has A Voice","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Kazanow","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8003706_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x147,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1649779243912","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8003706"},{"teacherId":8003706,"projectId":9763117,"letterContent":"When my students first saw the Halloween snacks, decorations, and craft materials, their excitement was contagious! They immediately started planning which activities they wanted to do first—some went straight to making spooky art projects, while others gathered for the themed snacks. One memorable moment was when a group of students worked together to design paper pumpkins; they were so proud to show off their creations to the class.\r\n\r\nThe students loved having a chance to celebrate together while exploring their creativity. Many of them were smiling, laughing, and helping each other during the activities. It was wonderful to see how a festive, hands-on experience can lift their spirits, encourage teamwork, and give them a break from the usual classroom routine.\r\n\r\nOur next step is to build on this energy for upcoming projects and lessons. The students are excited to bring the same creativity and teamwork into reading, writing, and art projects for the season. Your support made this Halloween celebration possible and showed my students that learning can be fun, engaging, and full of joy!","fullyFundedDate":1759606482763,"projectUrl":"project/halloween-snacks/9763117/","projectTitle":"Halloween Snacks","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Kazanow","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8003706_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x147,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1649779243912","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8003706"},{"teacherId":1019101,"projectId":9653010,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of art supplies to our classroom! Your thoughtfulness has brought so much excitement and creativity to our students. Having new markers and crayons gives our young artists the chance to express themselves, explore their imaginations, and take pride in their work.\r\n\r\nBecause of your kindness, our classroom feels even more vibrant and inspiring. The students are already eager to start new projects and share their creations with one another. It's amazing to see how the right materials can spark confidence and joy in learning.","fullyFundedDate":1760693551828,"projectUrl":"project/it-is-fun-to-draw/9653010/","projectTitle":"It Is Fun to Draw","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Boye","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1019101"},{"teacherId":1019101,"projectId":9763734,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of pencils, erasers and Magna-tiles to our classroom! It is so nice to have new materials to share with the students. Your kindness helps make sure every student has the tools they need to learn, write, and do their best work each day. \r\n\r\nThe students were so excited to receive the new supplies, and we've already been putting them to great use. Your thoughtfulness truly makes a difference in our classroom and helps create a positive learning environment for everyone.","fullyFundedDate":1760713236956,"projectUrl":"project/we-are-learning/9763734/","projectTitle":"We are Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Boye","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1019101"},{"teacherId":1019101,"projectId":9657763,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of art supplies! Your support means the world to our students and helps create a more engaging, well-equipped learning environment. Because of your kindness, our students have the tools they need to explore, create, and succeed each day.\r\n\r\nWe truly appreciate your thoughtfulness and commitment to education. Your generosity makes a real difference in our classroom and in the lives of our students. It is always so nice to be able to add a little extra into the classroom and you did that.","fullyFundedDate":1760693554046,"projectUrl":"project/colorful-creations/9657763/","projectTitle":"Colorful Creations","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Boye","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1019101"},{"teacherId":10247320,"projectId":9695544,"letterContent":"Our students were overjoyed when they received the new \"Colorful Tools for Growing Minds\" materials. The bright supplies immediately inspired creativity and opened up new ways for them to express themselves during our social work activities. One student shared, \"These colors help me show how I feel inside,\" capturing exactly how powerful these tools have been in helping students explore their emotions and connect with one another.\r\n\r\nWe've been using the materials to encourage teamwork, empathy, and communication through art-based social learning projects. As we move forward, our next step is to continue integrating these tools into activities that promote emotional growth, confidence, and a stronger sense of community in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1758636555121,"projectUrl":"project/colorful-tools-for-growing-minds/9695544/","projectTitle":"Colorful Tools for Growing Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Guzman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10247320"},{"teacherId":8180551,"projectId":8794335,"letterContent":"Since these math and phonics manipulatives arrived, my classroom has been filled with excitement and hands-on learning! My students were so eager to explore the new materials and immediately began using them to strengthen their understanding of key concepts. These manipulatives have turned abstract ideas into something they can touch, see, and truly understand.\r\n\r\nDuring math, students now use the manipulatives to solve problems, build models, and explain their thinking to classmates. In phonics, they use letter tiles and sound cards to build words and practice decoding skills in fun, engaging ways. These tools have not only deepened their understanding but also boosted their confidence and collaboration.\r\n\r\nIt's incredible to see how such simple materials can make such a big difference. Thank you for helping create a classroom where every student—regardless of background—can learn through meaningful, hands-on experiences that inspire curiosity and success every day.","fullyFundedDate":1733263412110,"projectUrl":"project/learning-for-life/8794335/","projectTitle":"Learning for Life","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Coleman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8180551_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1637679506857","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-coleman22"},{"teacherId":8180551,"projectId":8780475,"letterContent":"Since these supplies arrived, my classroom has been buzzing with excitement and creativity! My students were thrilled to see the new scissors, Play-Doh, expo markers, and pens—and couldn't wait to start using them. Having access to these basic materials has already transformed our lessons into more engaging, hands-on learning experiences.\r\n\r\nWe use the new expo markers daily to practice reading and writing CVC words, and students love being able to show their work on individual whiteboards. The Play-Doh has become a favorite tool for building letters, words, and even math models—making learning tactile and fun. The new scissors and pens have also helped students take ownership of their work, giving them confidence and pride in what they create.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has made a real difference in our classroom. Thank you for giving my students the tools they need to learn, create, and thrive each day.","fullyFundedDate":1726688665755,"projectUrl":"project/supplies-for-learning/8780475/","projectTitle":"Supplies for Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Coleman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8180551_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1637679506857","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-coleman22"},{"teacherId":8180551,"projectId":8333833,"letterContent":"Since these new materials arrived, my classroom has completely transformed! My students are so proud of their organized and welcoming space. The new desk has become a favorite reward—students can't wait to earn their turn to sit there during independent work time. Having a safe, sturdy space to write and learn has made that incentive even more meaningful.\r\n\r\nThe filing cabinet and hanging folders have helped students take real ownership of their work. They now love filing their finished assignments and seeing their progress build over time. The rotating supply holder has also been a huge success—it keeps our pencils, pens, and colored pencils easily accessible and encourages students to use materials responsibly.\r\n\r\nIt's incredible how something as simple as better organization can make students feel respected, independent, and motivated. Thanks to your generosity, our classroom feels brighter, safer, and more like a place where learning truly belongs to everyone.","fullyFundedDate":1724268139103,"projectUrl":"project/safe-and-organized-classrom/8333833/","projectTitle":"Safe and Organized Classrom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Coleman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8180551_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1637679506857","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-coleman22"},{"teacherId":8180551,"projectId":8327226,"letterContent":"When our new rewards arrived, my students were absolutely thrilled! They couldn't wait to earn stickers, small toys, and slime for demonstrating respect and responsibility. The excitement and joy in their faces reminded me why positive reinforcement is so powerful.\r\n\r\nSince introducing these rewards, I've seen a noticeable shift in classroom behavior. Students are more eager to participate, help one another, and follow expectations. Even small acts of kindness—like sharing supplies or helping clean up—are now celebrated moments. These simple rewards have built a stronger sense of community and accountability in our room.\r\n\r\nIn a classroom of 40 students, it's not always easy to recognize every effort, but these materials have allowed me to do just that. Every sticker or small prize is a reminder that effort matters and kindness counts.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has brought smiles, motivation, and pride to my students each day. Thank you for helping me create a classroom where positive behavior is celebrated and every child feels valued and inspired to do their best.","fullyFundedDate":1715114610850,"projectUrl":"project/student-rewards-for-demonstrating-respec/8327226/","projectTitle":"Student Rewards for Demonstrating Respect and Responsibility","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Coleman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8180551_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1637679506857","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-coleman22"},{"teacherId":8180551,"projectId":8263395,"letterContent":"When our new Twistable Crayons arrived, my students could hardly contain their excitement! They immediately began coloring, sketching, and decorating their work with bright, bold colors. For many of my special education students, these crayons make a big difference—no more broken crayons or lost wrappers, just smooth, vibrant coloring that keeps their focus on learning instead of frustration.\r\n\r\nWe've used them for math visuals, vocabulary illustrations, and social-emotional art projects that help students express their feelings. One favorite moment was when a student said, \"These make my work look beautiful!\" It was such a joy to see their pride and creativity shine.\r\n\r\nNext, we'll use the crayons to create illustrated storybooks and anchor charts for our classroom. Thanks to your support, learning feels more joyful, expressive, and accessible for every child in our room!","fullyFundedDate":1720491889646,"projectUrl":"project/supplies-needed/8263395/","projectTitle":"Supplies Needed","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Coleman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8180551_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1637679506857","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-coleman22"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_30360","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":368,"numTeachers":36,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":7,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":89,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"10.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":76.4,"schoolId":30360,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Washington Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Washington Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/waukegan-community-unit-school-district-60/washington-elementary-school/30360"}