{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Willa Cather Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":45.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8293154,"projectId":9662447,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contribution! The sensory tools you've helped provide—especially the weighted vest, noise-canceling headphones, textured desk strips, and fidget toys—are already making a huge impact in our classroom. My 4th and 5th grade students often struggle with focus and regulation, especially in the classroom setting. These resources are giving them the support they need to function and stay engaged.\r\n\r\nThe weighted vest helps students feel grounded and calm during lessons, which allows them to stay focused on their work. The noise-canceling headphones are a lifesaver for students who need to block out distractions in order to concentrate. The textured desk strips provide tactile support, helping students stay focused and manage sensory overload, while the fidget toys give students a way to release excess energy and regulate their attention.\r\n\r\nOne of the most rewarding moments was seeing the students' reactions when they first tried these tools. They immediately began using them to help stay calm and focused, especially during math and reading time. These resources are making a real difference in their ability to stay on task, manage big emotions, and fully participate in lessons.\r\n\r\nThanks to you, my students now have the tools they need to regulate themselves and thrive in a sometimes overwhelming classroom environment. We are so grateful for your support and belief in their potential!","fullyFundedDate":1756842931332,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-tools-for-calm-and-focus/9662447/","projectTitle":"Hands-On Tools for Calm and Focus","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Werner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8293154_orig.jpg?crop=704,704,x469,y58&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660676856673","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8293154"},{"teacherId":5030063,"projectId":2970559,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom feels brand new! My students and I have been using the flexible seating every day, and it's changed the way we learn together.\r\n\r\nOne moment that stood out was during reading groups. Instead of being stuck at desks, students grabbed beanbags, stools, and cushions, then settled in with their books. The room was full of energy, but also focused. They kept saying how it felt easier to concentrate when they were comfortable.\r\n\r\nWhen the furniture first arrived, the kids' reactions were priceless. I heard things like:\r\n\r\n\"Oh, this is dope—we don't gotta sit in those hard chairs all the time!\"\r\n\r\n\"I feel like this class is chill but still learning for real.\"\r\n\r\n\"I can focus better when I pick where I sit.\"\r\n\r\nThat joy and ownership has carried into our lessons. Students are more engaged, more motivated, and proud of their classroom space.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we'll continue using the flexible seating to support independent work, group projects, and even restorative circles. With your support, students now have a classroom environment that feels comfortable, welcoming, and truly theirs.\r\n\r\nWe couldn't have done this without you. Thank you for giving my students a space where they feel seen, respected, and excited to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1514353808571,"projectUrl":"project/time-to-stimulate-our-minds-and-bodies/2970559/","projectTitle":"Time to Stimulate Our Minds and Bodies!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Austin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5030063_orig.jpg?crop=835,835,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758418485998","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5030063"},{"teacherId":5317846,"projectId":9106632,"letterContent":"The gratitude that I have for your generosity is something that I struggle to express in words! From the tennis balls that keep our chairs from making noises on our classroom floor to the Amazon Fire Tablets where our students can access our learning sites with ease, your gift has been a blessing for our class! \r\n Our special needs students have such a variety of needs. Yes, we are 3,4 and 5 graders but cognitively and academically our abilities shine in a variety of ways. Many of our students struggle with fine motor skills such and writing, cutting or fastening our clothing. Where our school provides Chromebooks for each student in our class, they are not touch screen. This makes technology difficult for some of us. Seeing student with these struggles begin to flourish because they can now access our learning sites such as IXL for math and reading and Raz-kids Reading is truly exciting! \r\n The unexpected surprise of the sight word practice boards is the added bonus that we didn't know that we needed! Our students who refuse to use a pencil as it is an exhausting and frustrating task, had become so excited with these boards. I was able to witness 2 students become excited and flip the the stack of CVC cards and write them on the lines of those boards. The past few months, I was able to see skills in my students that were frustrated with reading and writing skills with excitement and purpose! Again! Thank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1742918055980,"projectUrl":"project/reading-and-writing-in-a-sensory-sensiti/9106632/","projectTitle":"Reading and Writing in a Sensory Sensitive Environment","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Marzec","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5317846_orig.jpg?crop=1643,1643,x1239,y302&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1743194459509","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5317846"},{"teacherId":9746534,"projectId":8774822,"letterContent":"The impact of our new tech station has been incredible! With the addition of organized charging docks and designated device areas, my students can now access their Chromebooks quickly and efficiently. No more wasted time searching for missing devices or dealing with tangled cords! One of the best moments was when my students saw the neatly arranged tech station for the first time—they gasped in excitement and immediately started discussing how much easier their daily work would be. Now, during independent learning time, they confidently grab their devices, complete assignments, and even collaborate on projects without disruptions.\r\n\r\nOne of our favorite activities has been a research-based group project where students explore different ecosystems. With their Chromebooks fully charged and ready to go, they've been diving into interactive websites, watching educational videos, and creating digital presentations. This level of independence and engagement wouldn't have been possible without the support of our donors. Moving forward, my students will continue using these resources for everything from creative writing assignments to math fluency games, making learning more accessible and exciting every day. Thank you for helping us create a more productive and tech-savvy classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1735681975273,"projectUrl":"project/tech-station-transformation-organizing/8774822/","projectTitle":"Tech Station Transformation: Organizing Devices for a Productive Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kay","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9746534_orig.png?crop=1181,1181,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726187131302","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ke-ans"},{"teacherId":7737947,"projectId":8929687,"letterContent":"Our space has been completely transformed! It feels the way we wanted it to feel: comfortable, inviting, warm and cozy. Everyone who comes into our space comments on how nice it feels and what a transformation we made.\r\n\r\nThe rugs helped not only warm up the cold tile floors, but even muffle the sound in the room. The couch is a cozy space and a big upgrade from the hard plastic chairs we're used to! \r\n\r\nThe lamps also help make the space more homey and give us a break from the harsh fluorescent lighting. Every plant helps add color to the room.\r\n\r\nOur teachers and students truly enjoy this space and we could not have made this transformation without your generosity. Thank you!!","fullyFundedDate":1731356936178,"projectUrl":"project/home-away-from-home/8929687/","projectTitle":"Home Away from Home!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Comer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7737947"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5780","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":324,"numTeachers":25,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":94,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":4,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"13.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":54.5,"schoolId":5780,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Willa Cather Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Willa Cather Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/willa-cather-elementary-school/5780"}