{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Blair Early Childhood Center","outOfStateSupporters":27.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8846248,"projectId":9707754,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support in helping our special education preschool classroom receive a brand-new Magna-Tiles set. The excitement on my students' faces the moment they opened the box was unforgettable. For many of them, hands-on materials like these make learning feel approachable, fun, and safe, and your donation has given them a meaningful new way to explore the world around them.\r\n\r\nMagna-Tiles have already sparked significant growth—students are practicing turn-taking, communicating with peers, and experimenting with shapes, colors, and early STEM concepts through play. Several of my students who typically engage in short bursts of activity have been staying focused for extended periods, proudly building towers, houses, and imaginative creations they can share with the class. These small successes are giant steps toward developing their fine motor skills, problem-solving abilities, and confidence.\r\n\r\nYour kindness truly makes a difference in our classroom. Every day, my students are learning through joy, collaboration, and creativity because of you. Thank you for your confidence in them and for helping us create a space where all children can shine.","fullyFundedDate":1759195325957,"projectUrl":"project/building-bright-minds/9707754/","projectTitle":"Building Bright Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gabby","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8846248_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y161&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757001122062","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8846248"},{"teacherId":5153318,"projectId":9532669,"letterContent":"The new light table has added so much fun and learning to the students' daily learning. Everyday the students have the opportunity to explore different manipulatives such as beads, magnatiles, legos and shapes. They use them for building, counting, sorting and endless pretend opportunities. \r\nIt has been my pleasure watching them as they use their new light table. It brings a sense of calm for students needing a quiet activity. It also provides an area for student conversation and inquiry. Thank you donors for showing an interest in my students' learning!","fullyFundedDate":1757631544859,"projectUrl":"project/light-it-up/9532669/","projectTitle":"Light It Up!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. J","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5153318_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1517599668649","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5153318"},{"teacherId":5153305,"projectId":9497623,"letterContent":"Wow! The students in my preschool classroom are really enjoying the beautiful new dramatic play kitchen. So far it has been a pretend house complete with laundry, a pizza kitchen and a bakery. My students are playing and engaging with peers and have all the tools to do so. In preschool hearing children play and pretend may just sound \"fun\" or \"cute\" but it is so much more. Play is the primary way children learn and develop skills, including problem-solving, language, and creativity. They learn how to cooperate with others and manage their emotions. We need a society that has adults that can do all these things and preschool is the place to start. Thank you for helping my students grow in so many ways with your donations.","fullyFundedDate":1757085137255,"projectUrl":"project/now-were-cookin/9497623/","projectTitle":"Now We're Cookin'","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lyons","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5153305_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1517935349810","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5153305"},{"teacherId":8846248,"projectId":9637672,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in helping us bring a Toniebox to our special education preschool classroom! My students and I are beyond excited and grateful for this amazing addition to our learning environment.\r\n\r\nThe Toniebox has already brought so much joy, curiosity, and calmness to our days. My students light up when they see their favorite Tonie characters and love taking turns choosing a story or song. It has quickly become a comforting part of our routine. It has helped students build listening skills, follow directions, and engage in imaginative play.\r\n\r\nFor many of my students, especially those who are nonverbal or learning to communicate, the Toniebox provides an inclusive and magical way to connect with stories and music. Seeing their smiles and hearing their laughter reminds me just how powerful your support is.\r\n\r\nFrom the bottom of our hearts, thank you for believing in our classroom and for helping make learning a little more joyful, musical, and magical every day.","fullyFundedDate":1757062883414,"projectUrl":"project/tonie-time-building-a-magical-listening/9637672/","projectTitle":"Tonie Time! Building a Magical Listening Center!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gabby","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8846248_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y161&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757001122062","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8846248"},{"teacherId":243779,"projectId":9412751,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the generous donation you gave to my classroom. Because of your support, my project was fully funded! The students and staff in my classroom were thrilled when our new bookshelf arrived. The display bookshelf is located in our library area, and they love the fact that the books are new and different from the books they see throughout the day.\r\n We utilize the shelf to display books that go along with our thematic units as well as the authors we are studying during Language Arts. The students all visit the library multiple times a week during our Language Arts centers. Now that these books are on display, the students are able to choose one of the books and look at it or ask an adult to read to them during their library station. The students are also able to choose a book from our display shelf to read during our independent reading time. \r\nIt is so wonderful to see the excitement on the faces of the students when we change out the books on the shelf. They enjoy looking at the covers and choosing the book they want to read. Thank you so much for thinking of our classroom. Please know that you have made a positive impact on many young learners. Have a wonderful holiday season.","fullyFundedDate":1755806697899,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-books-to-life/9412751/","projectTitle":"Bringing Books To Life","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Brady","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp243779_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1527147912844","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mchoganbrady"},{"teacherId":5153246,"projectId":9633141,"letterContent":"Our school is beyond grateful for your contributions to our project. We asked for playdough tools and accessories to provide opportunities for our students to express themselves through creation. \r\n\r\nMy students were so excited for the variety of playdough and sand tools we have been able to use because of you. We have spent time using our new playdough creating so many different things. You will be able to see them engaged in these activities in the uploaded pictures. \r\n\r\nThese amazing tools have helped our students use their imagination and engage socially discussing with peers what they have created. I have seen so many more students engaged in our art projects and improvements in their communication skills. \r\n\r\nThank you for making our Art class so much fun! You have helped us tremendously by ensuring our students have the appropriate resources to display their unique artistic skills. Words cannot express how appreciative we are!!!","fullyFundedDate":1758181503001,"projectUrl":"project/delightful-dough/9633141/","projectTitle":"Delightful Dough!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lindsey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5153246_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1517847860425","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lindsey-darling"},{"teacherId":5153246,"projectId":9628332,"letterContent":"Our school is beyond grateful for your contributions to our project. We asked for amazing Art tools to provide opportunities for our students to express themselves through art. \r\n\r\nMy students were so excited for the variety of art projects we have been able to participate in because of you. We have spent time using our watercolor paint and watercolor paper making unique pumpkins. You will be able to see them working so hard while enjoying themselves in the uploaded pictures. \r\n\r\nThese amazing art resources have helped our students paint using their own choices and style. I have seen so many more students engaged in our art projects and improvements in their communication skills. \r\n\r\nThank you for making our Art class so much fun! You have helped us tremendously by ensuring our students have the appropriate resources to display their unique artistic skills. Words cannot express how appreciative we are!!!","fullyFundedDate":1756188351990,"projectUrl":"project/paint-it-yours/9628332/","projectTitle":"Paint It Yours!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lindsey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5153246_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1517847860425","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lindsey-darling"},{"teacherId":243779,"projectId":9238571,"letterContent":"Thank you so very much for the generous donation you made to our classroom. My students and I really appreciate your thoughtfulness, and it was extremely kind of you to assist the children in their learning endeavors. The students were so thrilled when the new books arrived, and I want you to know that you put big smiles on all of their faces!\r\n\r\nThe new books have been added to our classroom library, and the students have been checking out more and more library books each week. The leveled readers are perfect for matching a book to a child's instructional reading level. This ensures they are able to read the book they are choosing. \r\n\r\nWe are so lucky to now have a variety of mentor texts to enhance our focus on various literary genres. We really appreciate your kindness, and we cannot thank you enough for giving our classroom library the makeover it needed. The books have provided many learning opportunities, but more importantly they have instilled the love for reading and writing in many of the students. Most of the texts have become a \"favorite\" book for certain students, and it is wonderful to see their excitement when discussing the text with myself or their peers. Please know that you have made a positive impact on the education experience of many students. We are so thankful for your generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1750774636299,"projectUrl":"project/help-us-succeed-by-learning-to-read/9238571/","projectTitle":"Help Us Succeed By Learning To Read","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Brady","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp243779_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1527147912844","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mchoganbrady"},{"teacherId":8846248,"projectId":9353032,"letterContent":"We are incredibly grateful for your generous support in funding the dramatic play activities for our preschool special education classroom! Thanks to your kindness, we were able to receive a full collection of Melissa and Doug play sets, which have already begun making a meaningful impact on our students' daily learning experiences. These high-quality, engaging toys are not only fun for the children but also serve as essential tools in building their communication, social, and cognitive skills through imaginative play.\r\n\r\nWatching our students explore the new play sets, with big smiles and endless curiosity has been truly heartwarming! I am the luckiest teacher! From pretending to run a grocery store to role-playing in the kitchen or caring for dolls, these activities provide our students with opportunities to express themselves, collaborate with peers, and develop real-world skills in a safe and supportive environment. Your generosity has created moments of joy and growth that we will cherish every day. Thank you for making a lasting difference in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1752060865346,"projectUrl":"project/building-brains-with-play/9353032/","projectTitle":"Building Brains with Play!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gabby","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8846248_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y161&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757001122062","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8846248"},{"teacherId":5153305,"projectId":9191636,"letterContent":"The sensory materials that are now being used in our preschool classroom are not only fun, clean, exciting and new, they are beneficial to all my students who are just learning about the world. Sensory play benefits children by enhancing cognitive skills like problem-solving and memory, developing fine and gross motor skills through hands-on manipulation, and supporting social-emotional growth by fostering self-regulation, confidence, and social interaction. Thanks to these new materials donated by you, the sand and water table are the most popular spots to be in my preschool classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1750774708479,"projectUrl":"project/feeling-sensory/9191636/","projectTitle":"Feeling Sensory?","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lyons","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5153305_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1517935349810","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5153305"},{"teacherId":243779,"projectId":9121584,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the generous donation you made to our classroom. We were so excited to hear that our project had been fully funded. We really appreciate your kindness and your thoughtfulness. \r\n When the new puzzle shelves arrived, we immediately assembled them and began organizing. All of our puzzles now have a space, and the students can clearly see each puzzle they can choose from. Prior to having the shelves, the puzzles were stacked on top of one another. The students could not see all of the options, and we were constantly losing pieces and misplacing them. Thanks to you, our puzzle station is now organizing and much more convenient for the students to utilize independently. \r\n We really appreciate your support, and are so fortunate to have platforms such as Donors Choose. Please know that you have made a positive impact on the educational experience of many young learners.","fullyFundedDate":1746665907254,"projectUrl":"project/be-the-missing-piece-to-our-puzzle/9121584/","projectTitle":"Be the Missing Piece to Our Puzzle","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Brady","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp243779_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1527147912844","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mchoganbrady"},{"teacherId":8835562,"projectId":9288600,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the generous gift of Lego Duplo blocks! Our students absolutely love them and are filled with excitement each time they get to play and build. These blocks have quickly become a favorite in the classroom, sparking creativity, imagination, and joyful collaboration.\r\n\r\nThrough play and building, our young learners are exploring early STEM concepts like counting, patterns, shapes, and simple problem-solving. It's amazing to watch their imaginations take off as they experiment with constructing towers, houses, vehicles, and entire stories with their creations, all while strengthening their fine motor skills and learning how to work together.\r\n\r\nIt's wonderful to see our students so engaged! Your thoughtful donation is making a real difference in their learning and play.","fullyFundedDate":1746567143576,"projectUrl":"project/building-blocks-of-stem-fun/9288600/","projectTitle":"Building Blocks of STEM Fun!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Loch","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8835562_orig.jpg?crop=321,321,x0,y13&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1668035237477","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8835562"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5357","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":250,"numTeachers":21,"percentFrplEligible":59,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":16,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":80,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Not specified","studentTeacherRatio":"11.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":72.7,"schoolId":5357,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Blair Early Childhood Center on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Blair Early Childhood Center","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/blair-early-childhood-center/5357"}