{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Washington Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":23.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8003706,"projectId":9763076,"letterContent":"Because of your incredible generosity, our classroom Halloween celebration was more than just a party — it became a meaningful learning experience that brought joy, creativity, and connection to our students.\r\n\r\nWith the Halloween supplies we received, students were able to participate in hands-on crafts, themed literacy activities, and collaborative games that made learning feel exciting and memorable. The decorations instantly transformed our classroom into a warm, festive environment. For many students, walking into a space that reflected the season made school feel magical and special.\r\n\r\nThe craft materials allowed students to express their creativity while strengthening fine motor skills and following multi-step directions. Whether they were designing pumpkins, creating spooky artwork, or building small themed projects, students were fully engaged. Even some of our quieter students found confidence sharing their creations with classmates.\r\n\r\nThe themed activities also supported academic learning. We incorporated Halloween into reading comprehension, descriptive writing, and math problem-solving tasks. Because students were already excited about the theme, they were more motivated to participate and push themselves academically.\r\n\r\nBeyond academics, these supplies helped us build classroom community. Students collaborated, shared materials, complimented each other's work, and celebrated together. For some of our students, this was one of the few opportunities they had to participate in a festive event in a structured, positive environment. The joy on their faces reminded us how important experiences like this are.\r\n\r\nYour donation did more than provide decorations and materials — it created belonging, excitement, and lasting memories. Our students felt seen, celebrated, and valued. Thank you for making our classroom a place where learning and joy go hand in hand.\r\n\r\nWe are so grateful for your support and for believing in our students!","fullyFundedDate":1760634345742,"projectUrl":"project/halloween-tricks-and-treats/9763076/","projectTitle":"Halloween Tricks and Treats","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":10046703,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our DonorsChoose project! Because of your kindness, our students now have new folders, mechanical pencils, and sketchbooks to use in class.\r\n\r\nThese supplies may seem simple, but they make a world of difference. The folders are helping students stay organized and take pride in their work. The mechanical pencils give them the tools they need to write, revise, and keep trying without frustration. The sketchbooks are already sparking creativity, giving students a space to brainstorm, design, and express their ideas freely.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has not only provided materials—it has given our students confidence, excitement, and the feeling that there are people beyond our classroom who believe in them. That means more than words can fully express.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our students' learning and creativity. We are so grateful for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1771612150325,"projectUrl":"project/tools-for-tomorrows-thinkers/10046703/","projectTitle":"Tools for Tomorrow’s Thinkers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Boye","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1019101"},{"teacherId":8629341,"projectId":10029483,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom with folders and school supplies! Your generosity means so much to our students and me. These supplies will help keep our classroom organized and provide students with the tools they need to succeed in their daily learning. With your help, we can create a more engaging and productive learning environment where every student can thrive.\r\n\r\nBecause of your donation, students now have the materials they need to stay focused, complete assignments, and take pride in their work. Your support shows them that people care about their education and inspires them to do their best. We are so grateful for your kindness and for making a positive impact on our classroom community. Thank you for helping our students shine!","fullyFundedDate":1770239063252,"projectUrl":"project/daily-folders-and-supplies/10029483/","projectTitle":"Daily Folders and Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Greig","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8629341"},{"teacherId":1019101,"projectId":9992264,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of sketchbooks and colored pencils for our students. Your support is already making a meaningful difference in our classrooms.\r\n\r\nBecause of your kindness, students now have the tools they need to express themselves, explore their creativity, and develop important artistic skills. For many of them, these supplies open the door to new possibilities and a deeper love for learning.\r\n\r\nWe are truly grateful for your investment in our students and their futures. Your generosity helps inspire confidence, imagination, and joy in their educational journey.","fullyFundedDate":1769177171845,"projectUrl":"project/being-creative/9992264/","projectTitle":"Being Creative","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Boye","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1019101"},{"teacherId":8629341,"projectId":9774610,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity in providing prizes for our school store. Your support has made a meaningful difference in our classroom by giving students positive incentives to stay focused, responsible, and motivated. They are always excited to work toward earning rewards, and it has truly strengthened our classroom community.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, students are learning the value of effort, goal-setting, and making good choices while enjoying the fun of earning something special. Your kindness has helped create an encouraging environment where students feel proud of their accomplishments and inspired to keep doing their best. We are incredibly grateful for your support and belief in our students' success.","fullyFundedDate":1769177180356,"projectUrl":"project/paw-store-supplies/9774610/","projectTitle":"Paw Store Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Greig","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8629341"},{"teacherId":8629341,"projectId":9776580,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom and for making our STEM prizes possible. Your kindness has created an exciting and motivating learning environment where students feel encouraged to explore, problem-solve, and challenge themselves. Seeing their faces light up when they earn these prizes has been truly rewarding.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, my students are more engaged in hands-on STEM activities. Your investment goes far beyond prizes — it inspires curiosity, perseverance, and a love for learning that will last well beyond this school year. We are incredibly grateful for your support and belief in our students.","fullyFundedDate":1769065285757,"projectUrl":"project/stem-prizes/9776580/","projectTitle":"STEM Prizes","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Greig","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8629341"},{"teacherId":1019101,"projectId":9838458,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom project! Because of you, my students now have access to beloved Dr. Seuss books like Green Eggs and Ham and One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish.\r\n\r\nThese books have already sparked so much excitement and laughter in our classroom. They are helping students build early reading skills, expand their vocabulary, and most importantly, discover the joy of reading. Seeing my students eagerly turn pages, chant rhymes, and ask to reread their favorite stories has been incredibly rewarding.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has made a real and lasting impact on my students' learning experience. Thank you for believing in our classroom and for helping make reading fun and engaging for every child.","fullyFundedDate":1768505780803,"projectUrl":"project/learning-to-read/9838458/","projectTitle":"Learning to Read","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":9838991,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom through DonorsChoose and for providing folders for our students. These folders may seem simple, but they play an important role in helping students stay organized and take ownership of their work. Having their own folders allows students to keep track of assignments, notes, and projects, which helps reduce stress and builds responsibility and confidence.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, our classroom runs more smoothly and students are better prepared for success each day. The folders help create structure and consistency, allowing students to focus more on learning and less on managing loose papers. Your support truly makes a difference in our daily routines, and we are so grateful for your kindness and commitment to helping our students thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1767051504413,"projectUrl":"project/learning-in-school/9838991/","projectTitle":"Learning in School","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":9841815,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and for providing slime and other STEM materials for our students! These hands-on resources have already sparked excitement and curiosity, making learning feel fun, engaging, and meaningful. The slime activities help students explore important concepts like properties of matter, problem-solving, and experimentation in a way that truly captures their attention.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, my students are able to learn by doing—asking questions, making predictions, and discovering through exploration. These STEM materials encourage creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking, helping students build skills they will use far beyond the classroom. Your support has made a lasting impact on our learning environment, and we are incredibly grateful for your kindness and investment in our students' futures.","fullyFundedDate":1766867820805,"projectUrl":"project/stem-is-so-fun/9841815/","projectTitle":"STEM Is So Fun","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":9846913,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and for helping us receive these wonderful stickers! Something as simple as stickers makes a big difference for my students—they love earning them, and they instantly bring smiles, motivation, and a sense of accomplishment to our daily learning. Your generosity helps create a positive and encouraging environment where students feel proud of their hard work.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, I'm able to celebrate student effort in meaningful ways and build a classroom culture that values kindness, persistence, and growth. Your support goes far beyond stickers—it shows my students that there are people who care about their success and believe in their potential. Thank you again for your kindness and for being part of our classroom community.","fullyFundedDate":1766007694173,"projectUrl":"project/we-love-stickers/9846913/","projectTitle":"We Love Stickers!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Boye","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1019101"},{"teacherId":8180551,"projectId":9850780,"letterContent":"I want to extend my deepest gratitude for your generous contribution to my DonorsChoose project. Your support is more than a financial donation — it is an act of compassion, understanding, and belief in the potential of children who do not always receive the same opportunities as students in more resourced communities.\r\n\r\nI teach in a Title I school serving families who work incredibly hard but face significant economic challenges. Many of our students come to school without basic supplies, and teachers often fill the gaps themselves. While I am committed to doing everything I can to create a safe, welcoming, and engaging classroom, the reality is that much of what my students need simply isn't provided by the school budget. This makes supporters like you invaluable partners in our work each day.\r\n\r\nYour generosity ensures that my students have access to tools that enrich their learning, build their confidence, and allow them to experience the joy and dignity of having materials that truly meet their needs. Whether your support came from a personal connection, a belief in educational equity, or simply a desire to make a difference, please know that you have had a direct and meaningful impact on the lives of children who deserve every opportunity to succeed.\r\n\r\nOne of the items funded through this project is a much-needed color printer. Although it may seem like a simple tool, its impact in a classroom like mine is enormous. Visual learning is essential for many of my students, particularly those with learning disabilities, language barriers, executive functioning needs, or limited exposure to print-rich environments at home. With a color printer, I can create individualized visual supports, behavior charts, reading tools, vocabulary cards, and graphic organizers that help students access the curriculum in ways that make sense for them. For some students, color coding is what finally helps them understand how to break down a reading passage. For others, visually differentiated steps allow them to complete math problems that previously felt impossible. Having this resource on hand will transform the way I can support them.\r\n\r\nBeyond the printer, you have also helped bring in learning materials that brighten our classroom and spark curiosity. When a child who has struggled finally experiences success because a new tool or support made something \"click,\" that moment is priceless. You have helped create those moments. You have helped build confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging. My students notice when someone invests in them. They notice when their classroom feels a little more colorful, a little more comfortable, and a little more like a place designed with them in mind. And they notice the love and care behind these materials, even when they don't know exactly where the support came from.\r\n\r\nI want you to know that your donation doesn't just buy supplies — it strengthens relationships. It deepens trust between teacher and student. It allows children to walk into a room that feels safe, supportive, and built for them. It helps me meet students where they are and guide them toward where they can go. You have helped me create an environment that says to each child, \"You matter. Your learning matters. Your growth matters.\"\r\n\r\nMany of my students live daily with stressors and uncertainties beyond their control. School becomes their predictable place, the one environment where their needs are noticed and cared for consistently. Your contribution plays a part in building that stability. When students see that someone outside of their immediate community cares about their education, it expands their sense of what is possible. It reminds them that the world is full of people who believe in them, even if they have never met them.\r\n\r\nFor my students who are developing readers, struggling mathematicians, emerging English speakers, or children with disabilities, your support has made learning feel more achievable. When a student holds a beautifully printed reading passage, uses a bright visual schedule, or interacts with a material that was created just for them, it reinforces that learning can be joyful rather than overwhelming. I work with students who often feel like school is too hard or that they are not \"good at\" certain subjects. Your support gives me more tools to help them feel capable and confident.\r\n\r\nI also want to share a little about what my students are like, because they are the heart of this work. They are curious, funny, resilient, and full of potential. Many of them love reading but struggle with decoding or fluency. Some love math but need visuals and hands-on manipulatives to understand multi-step problems. Others are bilingual learners developing academic vocabulary in English while still learning foundational skills in their first language. Many of my students juggle academic needs, emotional needs, and social challenges, yet they arrive each day ready to try again. Their determination inspires me every single day.\r\n\r\nYour generosity honors their effort. You are investing in students who want to succeed and who are incredibly grateful for every opportunity placed in front of them. Although they may not always have the words to express it, they feel the difference. They sense that someone cares, someone believes in their future, and someone is willing to stand beside them in their educational journey.\r\n\r\nAs a teacher, your support also fills my cup. Teaching in a low-income community can be deeply meaningful, but it can also be heavy. The emotional, academic, and material needs are high. Many teachers quietly spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year supplementing their classroom materials. It can be exhausting and discouraging when you cannot provide everything your students deserve. Your donation lifts some of that weight. It reminds me that I am not doing this work alone. It reminds me that there are people who care about what happens inside our classroom and who are willing to invest in teachers and children.\r\n\r\nI hope you know how genuinely thankful I am. Your contribution strengthens not only our classroom but our entire school community. It sends a message that education matters — that equity matters — and that every child deserves access to high-quality learning experiences, regardless of their zip code.\r\n\r\nOver the coming months, I will be sharing updates, photos, and stories about how your generosity has come to life in our learning environment. I want you to see the smiles, the moments of understanding, and the progress that your support makes possible. You are truly part of our classroom now.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your kindness, your generosity, and your belief in the power of education. Thank you for giving my students the chance to shine a little brighter. Thank you for helping me create a classroom that reflects dignity, curiosity, and possibility.\r\n\r\nYour gift will continue to make a difference far beyond this moment, and I hope you know how appreciated you are.\r\n\r\nWith heartfelt gratitude,\r\n\r\nRenee\r\nSpecial Education Teacher\r\nWaukegan, IL","fullyFundedDate":1765990959864,"projectUrl":"project/color-makes-learning-clearer-for-every-s/9850780/","projectTitle":"Color Makes Learning Clearer for Every Student","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":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"}],"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":76.1,"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"}