{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Cardenas Elementary School - Center Campus","outOfStateSupporters":20.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6772372,"projectId":9326541,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity! My students were so excited to hear that someone cared about their education and wanted to get them materials so they could learn about light. They could not wait to use the flashlights and mirrors! They are so grateful! \r\n\r\nWe have used the flashlights almost daily in science and I wish you could see their level of excitement and engagement! Students have been able to individually explore what items are opaque, translucent and transparent. Students have been able to explore with shadows and have noticed that shadows get bigger when the light is closer and the shadows are smaller when the flashlight is further away from the item. Students have learned about reflection with the mirrors and how light bounces off of mirrors. I also have been able to share these flashlights with the other two first grade classes so you have positively impacted 60 students here at our school just in a few months- thank you so much! \r\n\r\nStudents have been captivated while reading the books about light and darkness. Understanding informational texts is an essential skill and these books have been perfect alongside their exploration of light. They have especially loved learning about animals that create their own light. These books also introduced concepts about patterns with the sun, earth and moon that we will be learning about in a few months. \r\nThank you again for choosing to invest in my current students and students to come. We are so grateful! We wish you the best.","fullyFundedDate":1749045567703,"projectUrl":"project/let-there-be-light/9326541/","projectTitle":"Let There Be Light!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bird","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6772372_orig.jpg?crop=1651,1651,x67,y257&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1580959126855","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6772372"},{"teacherId":478013,"projectId":9310111,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support in bringing new instruments—ukuleles, drums, and a xylophones—into our classroom. The difference they've made in our children's learning, joy, and sense of community has been extraordinary.\r\n\r\nThe ukuleles have opened a doorway to music-making that feels approachable and fun. One child who was often hesitant to join group activities now strums along confidently during circle time. Music gave him a new way to belong and shine.\r\n\r\nThe drums have become a favorite for helping children release energy in positive ways. We've used them not only for rhythm and music, but also as a tool for teamwork. Recently, the class created a \"rainstorm\" together by layering soft drumming, tapping, and rolling sounds—an exercise that ended with the children looking around in awe at what they had created together.\r\n\r\nThe xylophone has been a bridge between play and early academics. Children delight in exploring high and low notes, and we've used it to introduce simple patterns and counting. One group even created a song that matched the syllables in their names, turning literacy into music.\r\n\r\nInstruments do more than make sound—they help children express feelings, work together, and discover new ways to learn. Because of your gift, our classroom is filled with rhythm, song, and creativity that will continue to echo for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1752586478958,"projectUrl":"project/little-hands-big-sounds-exploring-musi/9310111/","projectTitle":"Little Hands, Big Sounds: Exploring Music in Our Preschool Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Jeff","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp478013_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746360515112","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/478013"},{"teacherId":9333786,"projectId":9295144,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom has been transformed into an even more empowering, student-centered learning environment. When the materials first arrived, my students were immediately curious—wide-eyed and eager to explore. The vibrant visuals, new learning tools, and beautifully organized spaces sparked so much excitement. \"Is this for us?\" one student asked with disbelief. It was such a special moment to witness their joy and pride in knowing that people beyond our classroom care about their success.\r\n\r\nWith these new materials, we've created a classroom environment where students can easily access and manage their learning tools. This has greatly increased their independence and responsibility. For many of my students, especially those who are still developing their English language skills, having clearly labeled and visually accessible materials makes all the difference in navigating the classroom confidently. They know exactly where to find what they need and where to return it, which reduces distractions and increases time spent engaged in learning.","fullyFundedDate":1746785926630,"projectUrl":"project/organize-our-learning-space-for-success/9295144/","projectTitle":"Organize Our Learning Space for Success!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Morales","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9333786_orig.jpg?crop=750,750,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1697518106316","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9333786"},{"teacherId":9333786,"projectId":9297436,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and support of our classroom! Because of you, our learning space is more vibrant, engaging, and inclusive than ever before.\r\n\r\nThanks to your donation, students now have more access to high-quality, visually rich, and bilingual resources. This has helped them feel seen, supported, and confident in their abilities. The materials we've been able to create and print are not only colorful and fun—they're tailored to my students' specific learning needs.\r\n\r\nThe laminated visuals and interactive tools have quickly become classroom favorites. From vocabulary cards to hands-on literacy games, students are using these materials daily to build English skills while still making meaningful connections to their home language. Thanks to the durability of lamination, our students can use these tools over and over again, whether in small groups, centers, or independent work.\r\n\r\nWhat excites my students most is being able to interact with their learning. They love using dry-erase markers on laminated materials, sorting and matching activities with colorful images, and seeing their cultures reflected in the resources we've purchased from Teachers Pay Teachers. These tools give them ownership over their education—and for many, that's a brand new and empowering feeling.","fullyFundedDate":1746785600035,"projectUrl":"project/making-learning-vibrant-and-durable/9297436/","projectTitle":"Making Learning Vibrant and Durable","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Morales","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9333786_orig.jpg?crop=750,750,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1697518106316","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9333786"},{"teacherId":478013,"projectId":8933422,"letterContent":"Every day in our preschool classroom, I witness something truly special—thanks to your generous support. One of the most powerful tools we've introduced to our young learners is a simple yet magical item: wordless picture books.\r\n\r\nAt first glance, they may seem quiet and ordinary. But the moment a child picks one up, the room comes alive. These books have no words, and that's exactly what makes them so valuable. Without text, the children become the storytellers. They look at the pictures, make connections, and begin to narrate what they see—in their own words, using their own voice.\r\n\r\nIt's incredible practice. I've seen shy children come out of their shells, excited to share what's happening on the next page. I've watched their vocabulary grow as they describe expressions, actions, and settings. Some take turns telling their versions of the same story, and others build on each other's ideas. It sparks conversation, creativity, and joy.","fullyFundedDate":1739369089510,"projectUrl":"project/doorways-to-other-worlds/8933422/","projectTitle":"Doorways to Other Worlds","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Jeff","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp478013_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746360515112","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/478013"},{"teacherId":9333786,"projectId":9149034,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contribution that brought exciting new dress-up materials to our prekindergarten classroom! The moment the boxes arrived, the children were buzzing with curiosity. They eagerly gathered around, each wanting a turn to peek inside and help open the bags. Their faces lit up with pure joy as they discovered the treasures within.\r\n\r\nIt was wonderful to witness their immediate engagement. As soon as the materials were unpacked, they dove right in, transforming into firefighters, doctors, princesses, and superheroes. The dramatic play corner has become a hub of imagination and collaboration, fostering creativity and social skills in such a fun and engaging way.\r\n\r\nOur next step is to further integrate these materials into our learning centers. We plan to use them to act out stories we read, explore different community roles, and even create our own imaginative narratives. These dress-up clothes are not just for fun; they are powerful tools for learning and development.","fullyFundedDate":1745347180186,"projectUrl":"project/imagination-in-action-building-creative/9149034/","projectTitle":"Imagination in Action: Building Creative Minds with Dramatic Play Clothes","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Morales","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9333786_orig.jpg?crop=750,750,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1697518106316","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9333786"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_25490","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":130,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":75,"percentAsian":4,"percentBlack":34,"percentWhite":10,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":46,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Not specified","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR District Record","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":null},"inStateSupporters":79.7,"schoolId":25490,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Cardenas Elementary School - Center Campus on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Cardenas Elementary School - Center Campus","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/cardenas-branch-school/25490"}