{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Beard Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":25.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":639153,"projectId":10356303,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating to this project! These games have been a great addition to our classroom materials. Having new games within the classroom helps to encourage social/emotional learning which is such an important component of preschool learning. \r\n\r\nSo far, in using the games, we have noticed they are now taking turns and understand the concept of taking turns. They are asking other friends if they would like to play. They are following the rules of the game so it is fair play for everyone. Such important learning skills!","fullyFundedDate":1787179064989,"projectUrl":"project/games-for-pk/10356303/","projectTitle":"Games for PK","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Van Pelt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp639153_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1625430697270","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/michele-vanpelt"},{"teacherId":3270243,"projectId":10443242,"letterContent":"These materials have already started to make a difference in our classroom. The chair rounds are great for our wiggly students. They are able to sit at the table and move without distracting peers.\r\n\r\nThe blue peanut has been helpful not only for our wiggly friends, but for our sensory seeking friends. It is light enough that they can carry it, bounce on it, roll on it or just feel the bumps. \r\n\r\nThe additional sensory items have been helpful for all the students in the classroom. They know they can grab what they need when they need them.","fullyFundedDate":1787176189897,"projectUrl":"project/equipping-our-pre-k-classroom-for-sensor/10443242/","projectTitle":"Equipping Our Pre-K Classroom for Sensory Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tanya Boyle","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3270243_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1677543016474","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrstboyle98"},{"teacherId":1419965,"projectId":10032083,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our classroom learning table project! Because of your generosity, our preschool students now have access to engaging literacy and math materials that make learning hands-on, meaningful, and fun.\r\nThe variety of materials has allowed us to meet the needs of all learners and provide opportunities for practice, discovery, and growth every day. Thank you for helping create an inviting space where our young learners can develop confidence, curiosity, and a love of learning. Your support has made a lasting impact on our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1778278482361,"projectUrl":"project/learning-table-for-math-and-literacy/10032083/","projectTitle":"Learning Table for Math and Literacy!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Pamela Gaeding","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1419965_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1484759920999","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/gaeding"},{"teacherId":1419965,"projectId":10256046,"letterContent":"I would like to send a heartfelt thank you for supporting our Bead-utiful Bracelets project! Because of your generosity, our classroom received a wonderful variety of beads and beading materials that inspired creativity, learning, and joy every day.\r\n\r\nYour donation provided meaningful hands-on learning experiences while helping our young learners build confidence, creativity, and independence. Thank you for making such a positive impact on our classroom and for helping bring smiles to our students' faces every day!","fullyFundedDate":1778012759567,"projectUrl":"project/bead-utiful-bracelets/10256046/","projectTitle":"Bead-utiful Bracelets","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Pamela Gaeding","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1419965_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1484759920999","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/gaeding"},{"teacherId":1256962,"projectId":10328021,"letterContent":"This new classroom rug will have a meaningful impact on my preschool students by providing a comfortable and inviting space for learning, circle time, storytelling, and collaborative play. It will help create a welcoming classroom environment where children can feel safe, connected, and ready to learn. The rug will also give students a designated space to practice listening, communication, social skills, and participation as a group. Thank you for helping make our classroom a warm and engaging place for our young learners!","fullyFundedDate":1787255988603,"projectUrl":"project/a-gathering-place-for-learning/10328021/","projectTitle":"A Gathering Place for Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Halina","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1256962_orig.jpg?crop=3318,3318,x0,y110&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1646071463160","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1256962"},{"teacherId":8000501,"projectId":10328036,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donation. The new rugs have absolutely transformed my classroom. The library area is super cozy and inviting now. My students love sitting on the floor together looking at books. The other rug is near building area with blocks, animals, trucks and so much more. The students enough sitting there as well as they work and play together. \r\n\r\nI am so excited to have these rugs that my students can use as they learn throughout the classroom. These rugs are such high quality and I know they will be used for many years as more child learn and grow in my classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1787187692958,"projectUrl":"project/soft-spots-for-smart-starts-new-rugs/10328036/","projectTitle":"Soft Spots for Smart Starts: New Rugs","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Angela","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8000501_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1629432665257","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/angela111"},{"teacherId":3270243,"projectId":10261686,"letterContent":"My students are young and inquisitive. They love playing with light. I showed them the materials as they came in and were so excited. They were coming up with different ways to use some of the items. We used the light pad to show xrays of animals we were studying. The light blocks were a huge hit as well. When the school year starts back up, the new students will be so excited because we will do a full study on light and shadows and these materials will be crucial to a wonderful and engaging learning opportunity!","fullyFundedDate":1778162876298,"projectUrl":"project/help-light-up-learning-in-prek/10261686/","projectTitle":"Help Light Up Learning in PreK!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tanya Boyle","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3270243_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1677543016474","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrstboyle98"},{"teacherId":4284937,"projectId":10183692,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting this project. As we ended the preschool year, the children used the materials to celebrate what they had learned and set goals for themselves as incoming kindergarten students.\r\n\r\nWe tie-dyed shirts, created superhero capes, and talked about the \"superpowers\" the children had gained that would help them make new friends and succeed in kindergarten. They left the classroom excited and ready to zoom into new learning experiences as they moved on to new schools.\r\n\r\nTo conclude the project, we created a class book to share with families on the last day of school. In it, we thanked them for a wonderful year and wished everyone well. All of this was made possible through the support of Donors Choose.","fullyFundedDate":1775617395947,"projectUrl":"project/superhero-showcase/10183692/","projectTitle":"Superhero Showcase","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kathleen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4284937_orig.png?crop=1650,1650,x0,y60&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1646799208573","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kathleen-kelly"},{"teacherId":8000501,"projectId":10120207,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support. My students were very excited to receive their gifts. They started off the day decorating their canvas bags. They drew rainbows, flowers, animals, hearts, dinosaurs, and more. They kept asking what they were for and I replied it was a surprise and they had to wait for after lunch. When they returned later from lunch they were amazed to see all the bags now full of goodies. They have worked very hard this year and I am incredibly grateful that I can give them a farewell gift that they can use during the summer that allows them to continue their learning. Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1773177732911,"projectUrl":"project/the-summer-before-kindergarten/10120207/","projectTitle":"The Summer Before Kindergarten","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Angela","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8000501_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1629432665257","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/angela111"},{"teacherId":1256962,"projectId":10182333,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our \"Kindergarten, Here We Come!\" project! Your generosity brought so much excitement to our classroom. \r\nBecause of you, our students will receive special goodie bags filled with fun and meaningful items like beach balls, wooden painting craft kits, building blocks, wristbands, and pans. We have already been very busy decorating our very own canvas bags, which was so much fun. These materials are more than just gifts-they will help celebrate an important milestone as our preschoolers prepare to take their next step into kindergarten.\r\nYour kindness is helping us feel proud, celebrated, and ready for what's ahead. We are so grateful for your support and for making this moment so memorable for our class.","fullyFundedDate":1776089687729,"projectUrl":"project/kindergarten-here-we-come/10182333/","projectTitle":"Kindergarten Here We Come!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Halina","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1256962_orig.jpg?crop=3318,3318,x0,y110&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1646071463160","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1256962"},{"teacherId":349804,"projectId":9987228,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the wonderful books about telling the truth! Your kindness has brought so much excitement to our Pre-K through 3rd-grade counseling lessons.\r\n\r\nHow Your Donation Helped\r\nTeaching young children the value of honesty can be tricky, but these stories make it easy and fun. Here is how your gift is making a difference:\r\n\r\nBetter Choices: The stories show kids that even if the truth is hard to say, it's always the right choice.\r\n\r\nBuilding Trust: Students are learning that being honest helps them keep their friendships strong.\r\n\r\nRelatable Lessons: The colorful characters help our youngest learners understand what \"integrity\" looks like in real life.\r\n\r\nA Big Impact\r\nIt has been wonderful to see the kids connect with these books. After our readings, many students have felt more comfortable opening up and being brave enough to share the truth about their mistakes.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our classroom and helping our students grow into honest, kind individuals!","fullyFundedDate":1769104378191,"projectUrl":"project/telling-the-truth/9987228/","projectTitle":"Telling the Truth","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Andrea","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp349804_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1646158587988","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/349804"},{"teacherId":7681698,"projectId":9873932,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my DonorsChoose project, Calm Bodies, Bright Minds: Sensory Needs. Your generosity is already making a meaningful difference in the daily lives of my students.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, many of my students have diverse learning needs, including autism and sensory processing challenges. For them, learning doesn't begin with a worksheet or a lesson—it begins with feeling safe, regulated, and ready to engage. Sensory tools like flexible seating, tactile materials, and calming supports help students organize their bodies so their minds can focus. As educators often say, students must be regulated before they can be ready to learn—and your donation directly supports that critical first step. \r\n\r\nBecause of you, my students now have access to materials that provide the sensory input they need to stay engaged, reduce overwhelm, and participate more fully in instruction. These tools help minimize time spent dysregulated and increase time spent learning, communicating, and building independence. \r\n\r\nI have already seen students using these supports to remain seated longer, transition more smoothly, and engage in activities that were previously difficult for them. What may seem like a small resource can have a huge impact—helping a child go from frustration to focus, from disengagement to participation.\r\n\r\nYour support goes beyond supplies—you are helping create a classroom where all students have equitable access to learning. You are showing my students that they are valued, supported, and capable.\r\n\r\nThank you again for believing in my students and investing in their success.","fullyFundedDate":1764706005426,"projectUrl":"project/calm-bodies-bright-minds-sensory-needs/9873932/","projectTitle":"Calm Bodies, Bright Minds: Sensory Needs Matter","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wurst","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7681698"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5311","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":391,"numTeachers":17,"percentFrplEligible":36,"percentAsian":14,"percentBlack":5,"percentWhite":34,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":37,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":5,"gradesServed":"Not specified","studentTeacherRatio":"23.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":74.4,"schoolId":5311,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Beard Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Beard Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/beard-school/5311"}