{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Alessandro Volta Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":28.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":1979050,"projectId":9436407,"letterContent":"Thanks to your support for \"Building Bridges to Bilingualism,\" our primary students now have the Rosetta Stone Spanish Picture Dictionary—a colorful book with over 500 words and phrases, each paired with clear pictures. This has made a huge difference! Kids eagerly explore the pages daily, naming objects and trying new words. Our English learners beam with pride seeing Spanish celebrated, while everyone joins in with excitement. Your gift has turned curiosity about Spanish into confident, joyful practice.\r\n\r\nYou might wonder how a picture dictionary teaches so much. The bright photos next to each word help kids grasp meanings instantly—no translations needed. They quickly learn everyday terms for animals, foods, colors, family, and actions. Simple phrases let them build short sentences, like pointing to a picture and saying \"El perro corre.\" It all sticks because it's visual and fun, boosting vocabulary and sparking real conversations.\r\n\r\nIn library class, the book is always open! During choice time, kids cluster around it, quizzing each other and acting out words. In lessons, we play games—I say a Spanish word, and they find the picture or mimic the action. One shy English learner now confidently teaches peers numbers and greetings, while several native English speakers sprinkle Spanish phrases into play. The room buzzes with more connection and \"¡Hola!\" every day.\r\n\r\nThis project grew vocabulary, listening skills, and cultural pride across the class. With this dictionary, I've woven natural Spanish moments into our routine, making language learning feel easy and exciting.","fullyFundedDate":1753193759611,"projectUrl":"project/building-bridges-to-bilingualism/9436407/","projectTitle":"Building Bridges to Bilingualism","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Fernandez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1979050_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1506787607591","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-jfernandez"},{"teacherId":1979050,"projectId":9436449,"letterContent":"Thanks to your support for \"Igniting a Love for Reading: Mo Willems Books,\" our library students now have a great collection of Mo Willems stories in our classroom—like the Pigeon books, Elephant and Piggie adventures, and the Knuffle Bunny tales. These have made a big difference! Kids who used to pick books only when they had to now head straight for these during choice time. They love rereading them and sharing the funny parts with friends. Your gift has helped so many children feel excited about opening a book every day.\r\n\r\nLots of you love reading too, but you might not know how these short, silly books with simple drawings build real reading skills. The speech bubbles show exactly who's talking, so kids practice reading with different voices and expressions—like yelling excitedly when there's an exclamation point! The big faces on characters help them spot feelings and guess what's next in the story. Short sentences with repeated words make sounding out easier, and the humor keeps them turning pages while learning about things like friendship and handling big emotions.\r\n\r\nIn our library, reading these books feels like playtime. I read one aloud and we all act out the Pigeon's wild pleas or Gerald's worried looks, getting lots of laughs. Then kids grab partners to take turns reading the dialogue, using funny voices and pointing to who's speaking. Some students have really taken off—one bouncy boy who got frustrated with longer books now reads full Elephant and Piggie stories without stopping, and a quiet kid who hardly joined in now jumps up to perform the Pigeon's dramatic parts for everyone. These stories have sparked confidence, chatter, and tons of happy reading moments. Thank you for helping light that spark!","fullyFundedDate":1755706835054,"projectUrl":"project/igniting-a-love-for-reading-mo-willems/9436449/","projectTitle":"Igniting a Love for Reading: Mo Willems Books","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Fernandez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1979050_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1506787607591","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-jfernandez"},{"teacherId":1979050,"projectId":9436460,"letterContent":"Thanks to your support for \"Unleashing Laughter and Literacy: Dav Pilkey Books for Our Library,\" our students now have a bunch of Dog Man and Captain Underpants books right in our library. These books have made a huge difference! Kids who used to avoid the library corner now race to grab one, and they're always asking for more time to read. It's so fun to see them light up over these stories. You've helped turn kids who didn't love reading into kids who can't put a book down. \r\n\r\nA lot of you love books yourselves, but you might wonder how these goofy, picture-packed stories actually help kids learn. It's pretty cool—the big, colorful illustrations help kids figure out what's happening with the characters, the setting, and the action. The pictures give clues for harder words and help them guess what comes next. The comic-style pages teach them how stories flow from one part to the next. Plus, because the books are so funny, kids stay interested the whole time. Some are even starting to draw their own little comics now! \r\n\r\nReading time in our library is full of energy these days. We kick off with me reading aloud. Then they pair up or read in small groups, pointing at the pictures and telling the story in their own words. A few kids have really come out of their shells—one super-wiggly boy who never sat still for a book now finishes whole chapters on his own and grins ear to ear. A quieter girl who barely spoke up now loves telling the class her favorite funny parts. These books have brought so much laughter and real reading progress. Thank you for giving our kids this gift!","fullyFundedDate":1752165163584,"projectUrl":"project/unleashing-laughter-and-literacy-dav-pi/9436460/","projectTitle":"Unleashing Laughter and Literacy: Dav Pilkey Books for Our Library","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Fernandez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1979050_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1506787607591","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-jfernandez"},{"teacherId":10239955,"projectId":9678504,"letterContent":"It has been a joy getting started with my sand tray set! Students have been really drawn to the uniqueness of the materials and the tactile nature of the sand. In my practice I've found that kids seldom grow out of benefiting from sensory materials like sand and other small manipulatives; with their hands in the sand, they have new opportunities to explore hopes, fears, strengths and challenges. \r\n\r\nI have had students use sand tray to help them tell difficult or unexplored parts of their personal story, and it's really opened up new avenues of reflection and communication. \r\n\r\nIn future months, I plan to continue using sand tray therapeutically in sessions, as well as in an icebreaker activity with new students. I'd also like to explore using the sand tray materials during the evaluation process when I complete a social history and invite students to share about their lives, needs and wants. \r\n\r\nThank you so much for your contribution to help me strengthen and diversify my social work practice with Chicago students!","fullyFundedDate":1757540698407,"projectUrl":"project/sand-tray-creative-therapy-at-school/9678504/","projectTitle":"Sand Tray & Creative Therapy at School","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Miller","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10239955"},{"teacherId":10181385,"projectId":9608192,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating to this project! As a first year teacher I am still figuring out what I need in terms of materials and setting up this project definitely helped me figure that out. AFter receiving all these amterials, instruction is going a lot smoother and they now have visual aids for both social science and ELA instrcution. For example, now I am able to use my mini chart papers to write our weekly spelling words for them to see. It is much easier to teach them the particular phonics lessons when they have a reference to look at that ill be there until the test. Now, they do not have to worry about losing their spelling words list because I can use my chart paper to their advantage!\r\n\r\nI was so excited to chose what I needed to make my ideal classroom and my students were excited to see it as well! As soon as I received my alphabet strips, world map, and motivational posters I put them up! The kids were happy that they had new decoration in the classroom and it mad ethem feel more at home. They were also extremely excited to see that I gained a plethora of new books for our library, especially ones that they have been asking me about since the ebginning of the year. Now, I hear less chatter during silent reading due to their excitement to read these books!","fullyFundedDate":1758839652204,"projectUrl":"project/making-social-science-fun-and-interactiv/9608192/","projectTitle":"Making Social Science Fun and Interactive!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mouroukos","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10181385"},{"teacherId":10068685,"projectId":9691255,"letterContent":"Wow, thank you is not enough to show how grateful we are that we can use the cushions and fidgets in our classroom to support and nurture the learning of all students.\r\nWith your donations the children are intentionally learning and growing, knowing they have what they need to focus. Because of your generosity their learning has been optimized by using the cushions and fidgets. Many students recognize that distractions have decreased, and they are able to focus for longer periods at a time. Thank you so much it is truly special to know that your giving is making a difference in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1758578194476,"projectUrl":"project/cushions-and-fidgets-to-keep-you-engaged/9691255/","projectTitle":"Cushions and Fidgets to Keep You Engaged!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Anaguano","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10068685"},{"teacherId":130681,"projectId":9335260,"letterContent":"The students at Volta had seen basic robots before in class, but they were so excited to see something as advanced as this. They are learning how to code the robot so they can compete in a robotic competition in December. \r\n\r\nWhen we opened up the boxes with the robots, the students got so excited. They opened up the Spike website and followed the tutorial on how to build a basic robot and did an amazing job. The very first day they used the robots, they created their own competition to see which team could make it do something unique. One team made it draw a circle and the other team taught it how to use the distance sensor. \r\n\r\nEveryone was engaged and excited about the work. Thank you so much for helping bring this amazing experience to life.","fullyFundedDate":1753896728302,"projectUrl":"project/robotics-team/9335260/","projectTitle":"Robotics Team","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bolek","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp130681_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1559246508371","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/130681"},{"teacherId":10034008,"projectId":9452498,"letterContent":"Our flexible seatings chair arrived just in time for the 1st day of school. Many walked in the classroom in awe of the cool chairs they get to use in the classroom. We spent the first couple of weeks exploring how flexible seating works, why it supports our brains and bodies, and how it helps us learn in different ways. \r\n\r\nStudents who usually struggled to stay seated during independent work were able to settle in, focus, and stay engaged for longer periods of time. Now, as students rotate through reading, writing, and math stations, they are able to take ownership over their learning by choosing a space that works for their bodies and brains.\r\n\r\nThank you again for bringing this vision to life. Your generosity changed the way learning feels in our classroom. You have made our space calmer, cozier, and more inclusive, and my students are growing because of it. We are truly grateful for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1754365935270,"projectUrl":"project/flexible-seating/9452498/","projectTitle":"Flexible Seating","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Parajado","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10034008"},{"teacherId":2444103,"projectId":8328008,"letterContent":"As students prepared to celebrate the end of a wonderful Kindergarten year 2024 they also celebrated exceptional teamwork and learning throughout the year. With your support we were able to finish off the year full of great surprises. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for all your contributions and support to be able to celebrate my Kindergarten students. Your generosity brought many smiles as students enjoyed snacks and great company by their fellow classmates. They also worked very hard on family gifts by capturing their best learning using a picture frame. Thank you again for your continuous support.","fullyFundedDate":1714718162318,"projectUrl":"project/kindergarten-celebration-part-2/8328008/","projectTitle":"Kindergarten Celebration Part 2","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Salgado","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2444103_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1485322137326","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/marisol"},{"teacherId":10247805,"projectId":9696401,"letterContent":"We just finished our unit on Microbiome and will be focusing on Metabolism next. To help my students with different modalities and ELLs/DLs master concepts explored and help connect to the next unit they had opportunities to engage in stations where they reviews and extended concepts. \r\nWhen I introduced materials and presented them with explaining how they will engage in using and exploring them through stations they were delighted and jumping up and down. They spent three days visiting all stations and interacting with the material and completing packet focused on questions to be answered using materials and their knowledge and concepts obtained so far in our unit. Also, they will have lots of background knowledge to apply in the next upcoming unit. \r\nMy students are so grateful for your kindness and contribution in making their learning and experience in a science class more interesting, interactive, and enjoyable.","fullyFundedDate":1757539884945,"projectUrl":"project/scientists-in-action/9696401/","projectTitle":"Scientists in Action","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Duheric","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10247805"},{"teacherId":10068685,"projectId":9442337,"letterContent":"My heart is so full from your donation.\r\nThe students are so focused using the rubber bands on the bottom of the chairs. The tennis balls is a great noise cancellation when some chairs have to get moved. \r\nOur favorite is the Bubble fish lamp. It cancels noise and allows the students to stay focused for longer periods of time on their tasks. The Buble fish lamp is the most exciting product to my students. It encourages students to complete their tasks my helping stay focused on the task in front of them. We are so grateful. Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts.","fullyFundedDate":1755702909549,"projectUrl":"project/first-year-teacher/9442337/","projectTitle":"First Year Teacher","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Anaguano","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10068685"},{"teacherId":2444103,"projectId":7971834,"letterContent":"Students using these STEM materials has really sparked their curiosity and motivation to continue to expand their learning. For example, recreating the different structures for the 3 little pigs, not only does it refine students fine motor skills, but also provides opportunities for problem solving with other peers, promotes language/discussion and critical thinking. Puzzles and art materials have also played an integral role for students in creating their own art and working with other peers as they solve puzzles. Thank you so much for providing these and many more opportunities for Kindergartners each year with the use of a variety of STEM materials.","fullyFundedDate":1703445561291,"projectUrl":"project/stem-for-kindergarten/7971834/","projectTitle":"STEM For Kindergarten","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Salgado","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2444103_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1485322137326","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/marisol"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5467","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":738,"numTeachers":43,"percentFrplEligible":89,"percentAsian":24,"percentBlack":3,"percentWhite":6,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":64,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"17.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":71.9,"schoolId":5467,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Alessandro Volta Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Alessandro Volta Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/alessandro-volta-elementary-school/5467"}