{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Barton Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":38.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9865092,"projectId":10501754,"letterContent":"Our first project was bookmarks. Every class from PreK to 8 made bookmarks to be laminated so they could keep them longer. They are not big readers yet, but these are reminders people believe in them and want them to have the best.\r\n\r\nI've laminated some signage for the classroom, and have the good markers for upcoming units on design, costumes, and for the productions this fall and spring. As the year is progressing, I am listening for quotes to post -- making sure the students' voices surround us. From our kindergarten class on gestures, we were sharing how to create an animal with a gesture, one student thought my thinking pause was me being a slug. Still trying to figure out how to put that on a poster. Since I laughed at that, he now says slug for every question. He is learning his comic timing and patterns.\r\n\r\nThank you for the permanence of their visual communication, and thank you for the momentary breaths of beauty they give as we explore. You have given us the tools to create tomorrow.","fullyFundedDate":1787590534757,"projectUrl":"project/production-materials-for-student-design/10501754/","projectTitle":"Production Materials for Student Design","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Killian","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9865092_orig.jpg?crop=480,480,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754332132314","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9865092"},{"teacherId":9865092,"projectId":10376628,"letterContent":"Just when I thought there was no way to have the entire class engaged and lit up excited, i pulled out the first needle and thread. Suddenly they were all gazing at the tools like they were magic. I showed them just threading the needle and pulling it through fabric. They were amazed and when i put a knot in the end to show them how the thread stays, even waving around the fabric on the end of the string, they made noises reserved for big Vegas magic shows.\r\n\r\nOf course they are dying for the machines, but understand they need to learn basics first, so we are making pin cushions by hand so each student has their own tool for the class and beyond. The lesson will included cutting a simple circle pattern, then pinning it to their choice of fabric, and when it's done they will be making puppets for another grade.\r\n\r\nAs i said in the start of this letter, they treat it like magic. That feeling is infectious. You gave all of us magic and dreams with your donation. Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1786863391997,"projectUrl":"project/sewing-and-storytelling-costuming-for-t/10376628/","projectTitle":"Sewing and Storytelling: Costuming for the Drama Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Killian","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9865092_orig.jpg?crop=480,480,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754332132314","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9865092"},{"teacherId":9865092,"projectId":10362968,"letterContent":"Students walk into the room and immediately want to play with the kitchen set. It's perfect because it opens the conversation between play and purposeful play, allowing to engage with drama for self and drama for others. I was not fully prepared for all the conversations but it's better every day. These donations have helped me learn how to help them learn.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has brough such joy to the students. Even the sixth graders are super excited to use the props and set. They love the costumes and i have to admit, it's remarkably inspiring to see a student taller than me squeezed into an adventurer vest intended for kindergarten. Best part is, he wore it unironically.\r\n\r\nWe still do work without props and costumes, but now they have a better context for choices they can make. This is providing them more chances to broaden imagination. All thanks to you.","fullyFundedDate":1785439620269,"projectUrl":"project/curtain-up-on-the-stars-of-tomorrow/10362968/","projectTitle":"Curtain Up on the Stars of Tomorrow","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Killian","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9865092_orig.jpg?crop=480,480,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754332132314","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9865092"},{"teacherId":3467211,"projectId":9703239,"letterContent":"Since receiving our Wiggle While We Work flexible seating, students are using the new resources every day during reading, writing, and small-group instruction. One powerful moment occurred during independent reading time: students who previously struggled to remain seated were able to focus for longer stretches while using wobble stools and flexible floor seating. During a recent writing block, several students chose movement-friendly seating and completed an entire paragraph independently—something that had been challenging for them before. The seating has become a tool students use intentionally to help themselves learn.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the new materials, their reaction was immediate excitement and curiosity. They eagerly asked questions about how each seat worked and which activities they could use them for. After the initial excitement, students quickly shifted into responsibility and ownership. They practiced choosing seating that matched the task, learned expectations for use, and demonstrated pride in caring for the materials. The room felt energized, but also more focused.\r\n\r\nThanks to our donors, students are now better prepared for the next steps in our current learning goals. As we move deeper into reading comprehension, collaborative discussions, and extended writing tasks, flexible seating will support stamina, attention, and productive peer collaboration. Students will continue to reflect on which seating helps them do their best thinking and learning. Your generosity has helped create a classroom environment where movement supports learning, and every student has the tools they need to succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1760705523548,"projectUrl":"project/wiggle-while-we-work-flexible-seating-f/9703239/","projectTitle":"Wiggle While We Work: Flexible Seating for Focused Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Winston","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3467211_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1680714566323","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3467211"},{"teacherId":9865092,"projectId":9567875,"letterContent":"Thank you very much for your support. The unit starts in January so my apologies for not having action photos, but please know we will be using some of the make up for our first play here at school. \r\n\r\nThank you for helping us bring the world of make-believe to life. Your kindness and support make a huge difference in enriching our students' educational experience and ensuring our drama program thrives.\r\n\r\nThank you for being there for us. You are a vital pert of the new generations of artists in many ways.","fullyFundedDate":1755820264061,"projectUrl":"project/drama-makeup-unit-regular-and-genre-for/9567875/","projectTitle":"Drama Makeup Unit: Regular and Genre for Elementary Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Killian","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9865092_orig.jpg?crop=480,480,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754332132314","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9865092"},{"teacherId":3467211,"projectId":9472687,"letterContent":"Receiving StoryWorks Magazine has truly brought a spark of excitement into our 4th-grade classroom. My students absolutely light up when new issues arrive—they rush to choose articles, share surprising facts, and dive into stories that stretch their imaginations. It's been such a gift to see even my hesitant readers grow more confident and eager to read. StoryWorks gives them rich, accessible texts that make them feel successful, and that feeling is priceless.\r\n\r\nI am so deeply grateful for this resource and the impact it's already having on my students. These magazines have opened up meaningful conversations, inspired thoughtful writing, and created moments where my scholars proudly say, \"I get it!\" or \"Can we read more?\" Thank you for supporting our classroom and helping my students fall in love with reading in a way that feels joyful, empowering, and lasting. Your generosity is making a real difference for each of them—and for me as their teacher.","fullyFundedDate":1758814935938,"projectUrl":"project/storyworks-for-growing-readers/9472687/","projectTitle":"StoryWorks for Growing Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Winston","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3467211_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1680714566323","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3467211"},{"teacherId":9865092,"projectId":9533896,"letterContent":"Thank you for the daily journal notebooks. This support created a thoughtful learning environment for the students, a consistent space for self-reflection and expression. While they may not all enjoy doing the journals, they are all required to take a moment and reflect on the question and the impact of the lesson. \r\n\r\nThe journal notebooks have fostered a deeper sense of personal connection and ownership over the learning process within our classroom community. I have gained valuable insight into my students' individual interests, background knowledge, and any learning obstacles they may be encountering. As I get to know them better, I am able to meet them where they are more effectively and build the scaffolds they need to achieve all the goals.\r\n\r\nThe notebook essentially becomes a living portfolio of their growth, motivation, and unique voice, empowering students to see themselves not just as recipients of knowledge, but as active, reflective participants in their own educational journey.","fullyFundedDate":1754447533523,"projectUrl":"project/reflecting-on-experience/9533896/","projectTitle":"Reflecting on Experience","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Killian","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9865092_orig.jpg?crop=480,480,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754332132314","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9865092"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5552","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":411,"numTeachers":25,"percentFrplEligible":90,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":77,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":21,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":0,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"16.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":61.9,"schoolId":5552,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Barton Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Barton Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/barton-elementary-school/5552"}