{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Budlong Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":31.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2517403,"projectId":10044036,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and support of our project. Because of your contribution, our class now has access to thousands of leveled books right at their fingertips. This resource allows every student to read at their individual level while being challenged and engaged with topics that truly interest them.\r\n\r\nThe kids absolutely love Raz. They read every single day, and their reading levels have soared. It has been incredible to watch their confidence and excitement for reading grow.\r\n\r\nThank you again for making such a meaningful difference in our classroom. Your support has opened doors for our young readers and helped them build skills that will last a lifetime.","fullyFundedDate":1770177986156,"projectUrl":"project/differentiated-reading/10044036/","projectTitle":"Differentiated Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Savakis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2517403_orig.jpg?crop=450,450,x76,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1695314637715","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-savakis"},{"teacherId":3052987,"projectId":10181283,"letterContent":"The students love Raz-Kids and I can already see their fluency and confidence increasing! Every morning during center time, there is a race to get the iPads so they can log in. They absolutely love earning \"stars\" for reading books and customizing their little robot avatars. It has turned reading from a task they have to do into a game they want to play. Your generosity has truly sparked a love for literacy in these young learners. The buzz of excitement in our room during reading time is entirely thanks to your support. We are so incredibly grateful for your kindness and investment in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1775576823962,"projectUrl":"project/raz-kids-where-reading-is-fun/10181283/","projectTitle":"Raz Kids: Where Reading Is Fun!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kemerling","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3052987_orig.png?crop=272,272,x9,y11&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1655462591318","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-kemerling"},{"teacherId":9245118,"projectId":9674664,"letterContent":"When word got out across the building that our Donors Choose project was fully funded, the excitement wasn't just contained to one room, it spread through every single grade from Kindergarten to Fifth! Teachers and students alike were thrilled to know that high-quality, engaging science investigations were headed their way. \r\n\r\nBringing Mystery Science to our entire K–5 community has completely transformed how our school approaches STEM. Because the lessons are beautifully tailored to every developmental stage, the impact is visible in every single hallway. In Kindergarten and 1st Grade our youngest learners are using the hands-on mysteries to spark their natural curiosity, learning how to observe the world around them like real scientists. In 2nd and 3rd Grade students are collaborating in teams, using the physical materials to test hypotheses and figure out the \"why\" behind how things work. Our upper elementary students are digging into deeper critical thinking, tracking data, and connecting their hands-on experiments to real-world phenomena.\r\n\r\nInstead of science being a subject they just read about, it has become a vibrant, shared experience across all six grade levels. You didn't just fund a lesson plan, you sparked a massive culture of curiosity, inquiry, and discovery for hundreds of students. Thank you for investing in our entire school community!","fullyFundedDate":1758143722062,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-young-scientists-with-mystery/9674664/","projectTitle":"Empowering Young Scientists With Mystery Science","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dobbins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9245118_orig.png?crop=363,363,x0,y4&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1693962134951","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9245118"},{"teacherId":9245118,"projectId":10157302,"letterContent":"When the boxes finally arrived and we set up the new stools around our small group table, my students' faces completely lit up. They were incredibly excited to have a dedicated small group area.\r\n\r\nThese stools have completely changed the dynamic of our small group time. Before they arrived, we were constantly dragging mismatched chairs over, which was noisy and disrupted the flow of our lessons. Now, transitioning to the small group table is seamless and fast. The stools create a cozy, defined, and focused environment where my students feel comfortable taking risks with their learning. During a recent intensive literacy and decoding lesson, I noticed that the physical setup allowed everyone to easily see the shared materials, collaborate on word-building, and stay locked into the activity without the usual background distractions.\r\n\r\nThese stools will continue to be the epicenter of our daily targeted instruction, giving students a comfortable, structured space to practice reading and math strategies and receive the immediate feedback they need. Thank you so much for investing in our classroom comfort and focus, your generosity has truly elevated our daily learning routine!","fullyFundedDate":1775785535399,"projectUrl":"project/pull-up-a-stool-for-success/10157302/","projectTitle":"Pull Up a Stool for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dobbins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9245118_orig.png?crop=363,363,x0,y4&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1693962134951","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9245118"},{"teacherId":9007143,"projectId":9993500,"letterContent":"The arrival of our \"Gumball Goals\" machine was met with pure, unadulterated joy! When I first unveiled the machine and the colorful collection of miniature toys, the room filled with gasps and \"whoas.\" This resource has completely transformed the energy around our daily objectives; instead of seeing goals as \"work,\" my first graders now see them as a thrilling challenge. The physical presence of the gumball machine serves as a constant, colorful reminder of what they are working toward, making our classroom feel like a place where hard work is celebrated in the most fun way possible.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we are using this momentum to transition into our \"Kindness Counts\" initiative. Our next step is to use the Gumball Goals machine to reward collective classroom behavior, such as helping a peer without being asked or keeping our classroom library tidy. Your generosity has provided more than just rewards; you've given us a powerful tool for motivation that teaches these young learners that setting a goal and sticking to it leads to wonderful results. Thank you for making our classroom successes so much sweeter!","fullyFundedDate":1769447149081,"projectUrl":"project/gumball-goal-rewards-for-hard-workers/9993500/","projectTitle":"Gumball Goal Rewards for Hard Workers!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Peterlin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9007143_orig.jpg?crop=2036,2036,x443,y554&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1686692184578","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9007143"},{"teacherId":10004275,"projectId":10036936,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating earlier this year to enhance the play in our block area with new exciting toys! The children have loved playing with the new cars, buildings, and simple machines! The block area continues to be a favorite spot in our classroom, and these new additions have only increased the interest! These materials have allowed students to dig deeper into their play, and we couldn't have gotten them without your support. Thank you so much for supporting our youngest students, and for recognizing the benefits our block area provides for their learning!","fullyFundedDate":1768751587928,"projectUrl":"project/enhancing-play-in-our-block-area/10036936/","projectTitle":"Enhancing Play in Our Block Area","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Matty","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10004275"},{"teacherId":7762038,"projectId":9637157,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your incredible generosity in funding the \"Chargers for Modern Classroom\" project. Your support is more than just a donation; it is an investment in the independence and future success of my students.\r\n\r\nWith your generous support, we are able to build a Modern Classroom environment where students shift from passive listeners to active leaders of their own education. We are able to spend quality time learning without wasting time hunting for outlets or sitting near walls, tethered by short cords.\r\n\r\nThank you for being the \"spark\" that keeps our learning powered up. We are so grateful for your kindness!","fullyFundedDate":1765982968440,"projectUrl":"project/charger-for-modern-classroom-project/9637157/","projectTitle":"Charger for Modern Classroom Project","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cosentino","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7762038_orig.jpg?crop=480,480,x0,y22&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1613150711079","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7762038"},{"teacherId":7762038,"projectId":10045379,"letterContent":"I am beyond grateful for your generous support of our \"Fun to Learn Chinese Language and Culture\" project. Because of you, our classroom was transformed into a space of celebration and discovery.\r\n\r\nThe panda bear figure sets were a massive hit! Beyond being adorable, they served as a tangible connection to the values of peace and harmony that are so central to the Lunar New Year. Watching my students engage with these symbols while learning about traditions celebrated by billions of people worldwide was truly moving. You didn't just buy supplies; you provided a window into a different culture and helped foster a sense of global citizenship in my students.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in the importance of inclusive, hands-on learning.","fullyFundedDate":1773417792487,"projectUrl":"project/fun-to-learn-chinese-language-and-cultur/10045379/","projectTitle":"Fun to Learn Chinese Language and Culture","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cosentino","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7762038_orig.jpg?crop=480,480,x0,y22&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1613150711079","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7762038"},{"teacherId":7762038,"projectId":9939969,"letterContent":"I wish you could see the excitement in my students' eyes when they received the panda figure sets founded by your generosity.\r\n\r\nThanks to your contribution, my students will have a hands-on way to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Using the panda figures to explore themes of friendship and harmony allows them to connect with a major global holiday in a way that is both educational and deeply personal.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our classroom and for helping my students grow into globally-minded citizens.","fullyFundedDate":1765735456745,"projectUrl":"project/lunar-new-year-celebrations/9939969/","projectTitle":"Lunar New Year Celebrations","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cosentino","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7762038_orig.jpg?crop=480,480,x0,y22&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1613150711079","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7762038"},{"teacherId":8571882,"projectId":9604454,"letterContent":"I am continually surprised by how many students gravitate towards our modular seating option in the counseling office. It has really changed the space! Thank you so much for making this possible! Some younger students choose to use the pieces to build a fort, while our middle schoolers love to lounge on it in its couch form. This new seating option has made the space much more inviting, especially for new students. I am amazed by how many different configurations kids have come up with! The counseling department is so thankful you chose to support this little project!","fullyFundedDate":1755714919493,"projectUrl":"project/seating-for-the-counseling-office/9604454/","projectTitle":"Seating for the Counseling Office","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8571882"},{"teacherId":8571882,"projectId":9595502,"letterContent":"What a vibrant year it has been with our new color printer! Thank you so much for contributing to this project. Aside from creating fun and eye-catching bulletin boards and SEL resources, our Behavioral Health Team can now print social stories and resources in color for our students who need them. \r\n\r\nOn behalf of our entire clinician team, I thank you for supporting Budlong students and their social emotional growth. Public educators so often talk about the things they dream of providing for their students, and a community like this one makes those dreams come to life!","fullyFundedDate":1755727965927,"projectUrl":"project/social-emotional-learning-in-color/9595502/","projectTitle":"Social Emotional Learning in Color","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8571882"},{"teacherId":495428,"projectId":9711341,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generosity and donations. These materials allowed our middle school students to demonstrate their knowledge through the use of the white boards and graphing white boards. Plotting coordinate points is a priority standard in 6th grade. Students often have trouble and need many opportunities to practice. Rather than plotting and erasing (oftentimes ripping) on graphing paper, the graphing white boards allow the students flexibility in their practice. \r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the materials they were surprised and curious. They appreciated being able to erase with ease. \r\n\r\nThe next steps with these materials is for students to take them back to the classroom and lead small groups on how to use them. Seeing that they used these in small group-pull out sessions, students are able to bring them back into the classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1764598876396,"projectUrl":"project/making-math-matter-manipulatives-for-mi/9711341/","projectTitle":"Making Math Matter: Manipulatives for Middle School Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sugrue","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp495428_orig.png?crop=288,288,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755204709430","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/495428"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5420","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":733,"numTeachers":38,"percentFrplEligible":66,"percentAsian":16,"percentBlack":5,"percentWhite":34,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":38,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":4,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"19.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":68.9,"schoolId":5420,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Budlong Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Budlong Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/budlong-elementary-school/5420"}