{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Alain Locke Charter Academy","outOfStateSupporters":46.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8631111,"projectId":10289705,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, all of my beginning woodwind students have been able to benefit from these high-quality reeds as we kicked off our band program this year! Each student was overjoyed to open their fresh reeds and make their first sounds on their instruments. These beginner-friendly reeds made it much easier for students to produce a clear, beautiful sound right away, allowing us to focus on developing their tone instead of struggling to find a reed that worked. It has been wonderful to see their excitement grow as they discover what they can accomplish as musicians. Just as importantly, every student has been able to participate fully in band without the financial burden of purchasing reeds on their own. Your support has helped create a more equitable learning environment where every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and experience the joy of making music!\r\n\r\nWe are now using these reeds as we prepare for our upcoming holiday performance. Students are working hard to develop a consistent, beautiful tone, strengthen their instrumental technique, and learn how to perform together as an ensemble. Having reliable reeds from the start has allowed us to build a strong musical foundation and make meaningful progress in our rehearsals. Our next steps are to continue refining our sound, building confidence, and bringing our holiday music to life so students can proudly share their hard work with others. Thank you for investing in our young musicians and giving them the tools they need to succeed. Because of your generosity, our students are stepping into the world of music with confidence and excitement. Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1786541629419,"projectUrl":"project/beginning-musicians-need-great-reeds/10289705/","projectTitle":"Beginning Musicians Need Great Reeds!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Belluomini","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8631111_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1765671286397","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msbelluomini"},{"teacherId":8631111,"projectId":10285561,"letterContent":"Our students were so thrilled to receive their new recorders! Since receiving these instruments, our students have been more engaged and motivated to learn in music class. We are currently learning the notes B, A, and G, and, in the spirit of spooky season, we are practicing a fun song called \"Old Tom White.\" Students are having a blast learning new notes and rhythms while practicing proper recorder technique, good playing posture, hand position, articulation, and using gentle air to produce a clear sound.\r\n\r\nStudents have also had opportunities to work together in small groups, helping one another learn the song, practice their parts, and build confidence as young musicians. This week, they will put their hard work into action by performing \"Old Tom White\" in small groups for the class! These experiences allow students to develop their music-reading skills, coordination, focus, and teamwork while discovering the joy of making music together.\r\n\r\nThank you to our generous donors for making these musical experiences possible! Having recorders in our classroom has made learning music more hands-on, exciting, and rewarding for our students. We look forward to continuing to build on these skills as students learn additional notes, explore new songs, and grow in confidence as musicians. Your support is making a meaningful difference in our classroom, and we are so grateful for the opportunity to help our students discover their love of music!","fullyFundedDate":1786541689746,"projectUrl":"project/kicking-off-the-school-year-with-recorde/10285561/","projectTitle":"Kicking Off the School Year With Recorders!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Belluomini","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8631111_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1765671286397","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msbelluomini"},{"teacherId":8631111,"projectId":10283447,"letterContent":"Our students were so thrilled to receive their new recorders! Since receiving these instruments, our students have been more engaged and motivated to learn in music class. We are currently learning the notes B, A, and G, and, in the spirit of spooky season, we are practicing a fun song called \"Old Tom White.\" Students are having a blast learning new notes and rhythms while practicing proper recorder technique, good playing posture, hand position, articulation, and using gentle air to produce a clear sound.\r\n\r\nStudents have also had opportunities to work together in small groups, helping one another learn the song, practice their parts, and build confidence as young musicians. This week, they will put their hard work into action by performing \"Old Tom White\" in small groups for the class! These experiences allow students to develop their music-reading skills, coordination, focus, and teamwork while discovering the joy of making music together.\r\n\r\nThank you to our generous donors for making these musical experiences possible! Having recorders in our classroom has made learning music more hands-on, exciting, and rewarding for our students. We look forward to continuing to build on these skills as students learn additional notes, explore new songs, and grow in confidence as musicians. Your support is making a meaningful difference in our classroom, and we are so grateful for the opportunity to help our students discover their love of music!","fullyFundedDate":1786483213717,"projectUrl":"project/recorders-ready-for-the-new-school-year/10283447/","projectTitle":"Recorders Ready for the New School Year!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Belluomini","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8631111_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1765671286397","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msbelluomini"},{"teacherId":8095120,"projectId":10376637,"letterContent":"Thank you so very much for your donation to our project A little bit of everything. These items help the children focus. It encourages them to do better when they receive the incentives needed for them to keep trying and work a little harder. My children are enjoying the healthy snacks because they sometimes come in hungry and the snacks help them to make it so lunchtime. So they are not focused on their stomach while trying to learn. They cleaning products give them jobs in the classroom as well as help keep our environment clean. Thank you, thank you thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1787704588002,"projectUrl":"project/starting-our-year-off-right-/10376637/","projectTitle":"Starting Our Year Off Right !","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Little","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8095120"},{"teacherId":8631111,"projectId":10428925,"letterContent":"We are so excited to have fresh new markers and whiteboard cleaning supplies for our classroom! Even though we are just at the beginning of the school year, our students have already gotten so much use out of these supplies.\r\n\r\nDuring a recent lesson focused on learning notes on the treble clef staff, students used the new markers to identify notes by writing their answers on their lapboards during an interactive game. This activity has quickly become one of their favorites, and they have been begging to play it in every class! Any opportunity for hands-on learning is always a win with my students because it keeps them engaged, excited, and actively involved in their learning.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our students can continue using their lapboards and whiteboards to practice, create, and demonstrate their musical understanding. We are also able to keep our whiteboards fresh and clean between classes, ensuring they are ready for the next group of young musicians. Thank you for making these engaging learning experiences possible for my students!","fullyFundedDate":1786459648963,"projectUrl":"project/markers-for-music-makers/10428925/","projectTitle":"Markers for Music Makers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Belluomini","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8631111_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1765671286397","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msbelluomini"},{"teacherId":8631111,"projectId":10291363,"letterContent":"I am happy to report that our music classroom is now FULLY stocked on pencils and pencil cap erasers for the school year! Since our school meets year-round, our students have already been able to utilize these new supplies. So far, we've used the pencil and pencil cap erasers for our beginning-of-the-year music class survey. Rest assured, we will use these essentials for many more musical activities, such as annotating music, completing worksheets, composing, and taking written assessments as the school year progresses! \r\n\r\nOur new pencil sharpener is also a huge hit! Our automatic pencil sharpener sharpens pencils perfectly within seconds, which helps to minimize disruption and maximize learning time. It's also able to sharpen colored pencils with ease. Our old sharpener did not work as well for this task. It led to student frustration when they took out their colored pencil from our old sharpener only to find that it wasn't sharpened at all, even after multiple attempts. This new upgraded sharpener ejects perfectly sharpened colored pencils nearly 100% of the time after the first attempt. Those student frowns have now turned into smiles. It has been a game changer for our classroom. \r\n\r\nFrom the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for helping us stock on these essential supplies for the year. These resources help create an organized, prepared, and engaging learning environment where every student can thrive. This is possible because of you. We are forever grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1785460338679,"projectUrl":"project/sharp-notes-sharp-pencils/10291363/","projectTitle":"Sharp Notes & Sharp Pencils","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Belluomini","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8631111_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1765671286397","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msbelluomini"},{"teacherId":8631111,"projectId":10257318,"letterContent":"Our students were so thrilled to receive their new recorders! Since receiving these instruments, our students have been more engaged and motivated to learn in music class. We are currently learning the notes B, A, and G, and, in the spirit of spooky season, we are practicing a fun song called \"Old Tom White.\" Students are having a blast learning new notes and rhythms while practicing proper recorder technique, good playing posture, hand position, articulation, and using gentle air to produce a clear sound.\r\n\r\nStudents have also had opportunities to work together in small groups, helping one another learn the song, practice their parts, and build confidence as young musicians. This week, they will put their hard work into action by performing \"Old Tom White\" in small groups for the class! These experiences allow students to develop their music-reading skills, coordination, focus, and teamwork while discovering the joy of making music together.\r\n\r\nThank you to our generous donors for making these musical experiences possible! Having recorders in our classroom has made learning music more hands-on, exciting, and rewarding for our students. We look forward to continuing to build on these skills as students learn additional notes, explore new songs, and grow in confidence as musicians. Your support is making a meaningful difference in our classroom, and we are so grateful for the opportunity to help our students discover their love of music!","fullyFundedDate":1779227765485,"projectUrl":"project/new-year-new-recorders/10257318/","projectTitle":"New Year, New Recorders!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Belluomini","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8631111_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1765671286397","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msbelluomini"},{"teacherId":8631111,"projectId":10289623,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our woodwind students. While we haven't had the chance to use the new reeds yet, having them on hand means our students will be ready to start the upcoming school year with the supplies they need to be successful. Many of our students are eager to continue growing as musicians, and your donation helps ensure they have access to quality materials from the very beginning.\r\n\r\nOne of the biggest challenges in a school music program is making sure every student has the equipment they need to participate fully. Thanks to your generosity, our clarinet and saxophone players will have reliable reeds available for lessons, rehearsals, and performances. This takes away a financial burden for many families and allows students to focus on learning and enjoying music. \r\n\r\nAs we prepare for next year, students will be working on developing a strong tone, improving their technique, and learning new music together. Having quality reeds available will help them get the most out of those experiences. We are excited to see the growth that will come from having these resources in place. Thank you for investing in our students and helping set them up for a successful year of music-making!","fullyFundedDate":1779296592126,"projectUrl":"project/reeds-to-succeed/10289623/","projectTitle":"Reeds to Succeed!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Belluomini","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8631111_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1765671286397","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msbelluomini"},{"teacherId":8631111,"projectId":9958652,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my students have been able to experience music in a whole new way through creativity, color, and hands-on learning. The crayons, colored pencils, and markers have become an important part of our music classroom, helping students connect visual art with musical concepts like rhythm, melody, and expression. Instead of only hearing music, my students are now able to see it, create it, and express their understanding in colorful and meaningful ways. When the students first saw the new supplies, their faces immediately lit up with excitement. Many could not wait to begin creating, drawing musical patterns, and using colors to represent sounds and emotions. The materials instantly made lessons feel more interactive and engaging, and students were eager to participate and share their creativity with one another.\r\n\r\nOne especially memorable moment was when my 1st graders learned about Bob Marley while preparing to sing the song Three Little Birds. We explored the background of Bob Marley, discussed the type of musician he was, and talked about the positive messages in his music. Afterward, students used the new coloring materials to complete a coloring worksheet of Bob Marley. They were so excited to combine music history with art, and many proudly shared their colorful work with classmates. This activity helped students make deeper connections to the music while expressing their individuality and creativity in a meaningful way.\r\n\r\nThese resources continue to support our daily music lessons and projects as students use colors and visual designs to identify rhythms, map melodic patterns, and illustrate songs we are learning together. Moving forward, my students will continue exploring how music and art connect by creating visual representations of instruments, composers, musicians, and musical elements. Your support has helped create a classroom environment where sound and color come together to inspire imagination, confidence, collaboration, and a lifelong love of music. Thank you for making these meaningful learning experiences possible for my students every day.","fullyFundedDate":1768505781552,"projectUrl":"project/colorful-tools-for-musical-minds/9958652/","projectTitle":"Colorful Tools for Musical Minds!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Belluomini","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8631111_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1765671286397","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msbelluomini"},{"teacherId":8631111,"projectId":9958129,"letterContent":"This project has had a tremendous impact on our music classroom by giving students a hands-on and engaging way to learn both their very first instrument and the fundamentals of music. Through learning the recorder, students have developed skills such as reading music, recognizing rhythms, and understanding basic musical concepts in a fun and approachable way. Many students who were initially hesitant about music class have grown more confident as they experience success playing songs on their own and with their classmates.\r\n\r\nThe excitement surrounding playing the recorder has brought new energy into the\r\nclassroom. Students look forward to music class each week, eager to learn new songs, practice their skills, and challenge themselves musically. Along the way, they have also strengthened important skills like focus, listening, coordination, perseverance, and teamwork.\r\n\r\nOne of the biggest highlights of the year was our music showcase, where students had the opportunity to perform on their recorders for an audience. Their hard work and dedication were evident as they played together with confidence and enthusiasm. Seeing the smiles on their faces and throughout the audience made it clear how meaningful the experience was for everyone involved. The showcase gave students a true sense of pride and accomplishment, while also creating a joyful and supportive environment where they felt creative, successful, and connected through music.","fullyFundedDate":1765993936801,"projectUrl":"project/reading-music-with-recorders/9958129/","projectTitle":"Reading Music With Recorders!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Belluomini","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8631111_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1765671286397","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msbelluomini"},{"teacherId":8631111,"projectId":9958079,"letterContent":"This project has had a tremendous impact on our music classroom by giving students a hands-on and engaging way to learn both their very first instrument and the fundamentals of music. Through learning the recorder, students have developed skills such as reading music, recognizing rhythms, and understanding basic musical concepts in a fun and approachable way. Many students who were initially hesitant about music class have grown more confident as they experience success playing songs on their own and with their classmates.\r\n\r\nThe excitement surrounding playing the recorder has brought new energy into the classroom. Students look forward to music class each week, eager to learn new songs, practice their skills, and challenge themselves musically. Along the way, they have also strengthened important skills like focus, listening, coordination, perseverance, and teamwork.\r\n \r\nOne of the biggest highlights of the year was our music showcase, where students had the opportunity to perform on their recorders for an audience. Their hard work and dedication were evident as they played together with confidence and enthusiasm. Seeing the smiles on their faces and throughout the audience made it clear how meaningful the experience was for everyone involved. The showcase gave students a true sense of pride and accomplishment, while also creating a joyful and supportive environment where they felt creative, successful, and connected through music.","fullyFundedDate":1766185393153,"projectUrl":"project/every-child-deserves-a-first-instrument/9958079/","projectTitle":"Every Child Deserves a First Instrument","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Belluomini","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8631111_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1765671286397","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msbelluomini"},{"teacherId":8631111,"projectId":9958126,"letterContent":"This project has had a tremendous impact on our music classroom by giving students a hands-on and engaging way to learn both their very first instrument and the fundamentals of music. Through learning the recorder, students have developed skills such as reading music, recognizing rhythms, and understanding basic musical concepts in a fun and approachable way. Many students who were initially hesitant about music class have grown more confident as they experience success playing songs on their own and with their classmates.\r\n\r\nThe excitement surrounding playing the recorder has brought new energy into the classroom. Students look forward to music class each week, eager to learn new songs, practice their skills, and challenge themselves musically. Along the way, they have also strengthened important skills like focus, listening, coordination, perseverance, and teamwork.\r\n \r\nOne of the biggest highlights of the year was our music showcase, where students had the opportunity to perform on their recorders for an audience. Their hard work and dedication were evident as they played together with confidence and enthusiasm. Seeing the smiles on their faces and throughout the audience made it clear how meaningful the experience was for everyone involved. The showcase gave students a true sense of pride and accomplishment, while also creating a joyful and supportive environment where they felt creative, successful, and connected through music.","fullyFundedDate":1765827592865,"projectUrl":"project/sound-beginnings-on-recorder/9958126/","projectTitle":"Sound Beginnings on Recorder","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Belluomini","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8631111_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1765671286397","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msbelluomini"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5494","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":346,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":87,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":98,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":0,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":0,"gradesServed":"K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":53.4,"schoolId":5494,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Alain Locke Charter Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Alain Locke Charter Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/alain-locke-charter-academy/5494"}