{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Chase Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":32.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8171182,"projectId":10531564,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for bringing \"Literacy in Motion: Empowering Young Readers\" to life in our classroom! Your support has completely transformed how our energetic young learners practice sight words, turning reading time into an active, joyful experience every single day.\r\n\r\nHere is a peek into how your generosity has impacted our room:\r\n\r\nHow our students reacted when they first saw the materials:\r\nWhen the box arrived, the room was buzzing with curiosity! As we unboxed the vibrant new sight word cards, my students' eyes lit up at the bold colors and vivid pictures. When I explained that these weren't ordinary flashcards—that each word had its very own physical movement to go with it—the room erupted in cheers! They couldn't wait to try them out and kept asking, \"Can we do one right now?!\" It felt like we were opening a exciting game rather than a learning tool.\r\n\r\nHow we are using the new resources (and a special moment):\r\nWe now use these interactive cards every day during our morning circle time and small-group literacy centers. Instead of sitting quietly with traditional flashcards, our active learners get up, move their bodies, and connect the physical action to the visual word on the card.\r\n\r\nA specific moment that made my teacher heart soar happened last week with one of my students who often struggles to stay engaged during quiet desk work and found remembering sight words frustrating. When we introduced the word \"jump\" using the card's special movement, he jumped high into the air with a huge smile. Two days later, while exploring a book during quiet reading time, he suddenly leaped in his chair, pointed to the page, and excitedly shouted, \"Look! That's JUMP! I remembered because of my feet!\" By engaging his whole body, the word finally stuck, boosting his confidence immensely.\r\n\r\nOur next steps:\r\nNow that my students are quickly mastering individual sight words through movement, our next step is putting these words into action within complete sentences! We are starting a \"Sight Word Builder\" project where students will use the cards to construct short, action-packed sentences on our pocket chart (like \"I can jump\" or \"We play here\"). Students will practice reading the sentences aloud while performing the physical actions together, bridging the gap between word recognition and reading comprehension.\r\n\r\nThank you for recognizing that active children learn best through active play and movement. Your kindness has given my students the tools—and the confidence—to see themselves as proud, capable readers!","fullyFundedDate":1789230564298,"projectUrl":"project/literacy-in-motion-empowering-young-rea/10531564/","projectTitle":"Literacy in Motion: Empowering Young Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Alsheikh","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8171182_orig.jpg?crop=148,148,x11,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1787682268915","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/alsheikh"},{"teacherId":9988427,"projectId":10260785,"letterContent":"I am continuing to be extremely thankful for your donation to the Chase Garden Club! The seeds are ordered and on their way. The students are itching to get started and have given lots of input on where the systems will go and what we will grow. For now we are planning on creating a sensory garden out of our aeroponics garden and putting it in our main entryway. This way all students and staff can enjoy it. Then, in the 3rd and 5th grade classrooms we have hydroponics where we'll grow things we can harvest all winter long. \r\n\r\nWe have various types of growing mediums, a variety of plants, and different species of the same plants in which to take scientific data. We'll be able to journal and experience the cycles of indoor growing while taking specific data and graphing it across grades. Our hope is to inspire interdisciplinary thinking and multi-grade collaboration. \r\n\r\nThank you for making our classrooms, and our school a more inviting and inquisitive space. I am humbled by the outpouring of resources and will continue to keep you updated in all our gardening adventures.","fullyFundedDate":1778183840466,"projectUrl":"project/salsa-garden/10260785/","projectTitle":"Salsa Garden","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Cool","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9988427"},{"teacherId":4785313,"projectId":9574854,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity! Because of your support, each classroom now has a dedicated self-regulation space filled with materials that help students process big emotions, reset, and get back to learning.\r\n\r\nHow We Use the Resources\r\nThe new sensory tools have seamlessly integrated into our daily routine. Classrooms use them as a proactive \"check-in\" system: whenever a student feels overwhelmed, frustrated, or simply unfocused, they can use a visual timer to take a five-minute break in a quiet area. Just this past week, during a challenging math lesson, a teacher reported that a student noticed their frustration mounting. Instead of shutting down, they independently grabbed a tactile fidget and a guided breathing card, took five quiet minutes to decompress, and returned to their desk ready to tackle the rest of the work with confidence.\r\n\r\nThe Unboxing Reaction\r\nWhen the boxes first arrived, the atmosphere was electric. The students were bursting with excitement as we looked at each item together. Their eyes lit up seeing the vibrant sensory tools and knowing that caring community members invested directly in their well-being made them feel incredibly valued, safe, and seen.\r\n\r\nYour kindness did not just buy materials—it built a calmer, more compassionate space where every child can thrive academically and emotionally. Thank you for making this transformation possible!","fullyFundedDate":1756682250209,"projectUrl":"project/chase-ing-calm/9574854/","projectTitle":"Chase-ing Calm","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Doyle","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4785313_orig.jpg?crop=1143,1143,x0,y41&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754930147780","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-rosenfeld"},{"teacherId":1457739,"projectId":10221619,"letterContent":"For middle schoolers, reading success is rarely just about decoding words it is about finding the motivation to stay engaged. Thanks to your generous support, our new graphic novel collection has transformed our classroom library from a shelf of \"school tasks\" into a vibrant set of mirrors and windows. These books serve as mirrors when our diverse learners see their own families, traditions, and identities validated on the page, building a critical sense of belonging. They act as windows when they allow students to peer into the lives of others, fostering empathy and social-emotional growth during these crucial middle school years. By bridging the gap between home and school, your gift has turned reading into a personal meaningful experience rather than a chore.\r\nToday, reading time in our classroom looks completely transformed. Instead of watching the clock or treating silent reading as a mandatory assignment, students are genuinely engrossed in their books. On any given day, you can see classmates eagerly flipping through graphic novels, leaning over to show a neighbor a striking panel, or chuckling at relatable moments. The atmosphere has shifted from quiet compliance to active enthusiasm, turning our independent reading period into one of the most animated and enjoyed parts of the school day.","fullyFundedDate":1777918070203,"projectUrl":"project/visual-voices-bridging-literacy-gaps-th/10221619/","projectTitle":"Visual Voices: Bridging Literacy Gaps Through Graphic Novels","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Bruehl","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1457739_orig.jpg?crop=430,430,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1658182568280","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1457739"},{"teacherId":9215916,"projectId":9926082,"letterContent":"Thanks to your donation, our newly formed basketball team was able to hit the ground running with the correct equipment to train and compete. In our first season, both our girls and boys teams won half their games and have great momentum heading into their next season. The students were able to have enough basketballs for each of them to be able to individually work on their skills and we were able to do so much more as a whole with what we received. We appreciate your generosity greatly at Chase!\r\n\r\nThank you.","fullyFundedDate":1773002557708,"projectUrl":"project/panthers-shoot-for-the-stars/9926082/","projectTitle":"Panthers Shoot For The Stars!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Villanueva","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9215916_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1692980842608","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9215916"},{"teacherId":5992320,"projectId":10137597,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations of Bess Beetles, ants, ladybug larvae, ant farms and painted lady butterfly caterpillars to our classroom!\r\nBecause of your support, my students now have the incredible opportunity to observe the insects up close and to practice gentle handling of insects. Instead of just looking at textbook pictures, they are actively observing, recording observations and learning responsibility. Children have been saying how much they especially love the Bess Beetles and they say, \"They are soooo cute!\" By providing children with up close and personal experiences handling insects they have developed kindness and respect towards insects and their awareness of the vital roles insects play in our ecosystems has greatly enhanced. \r\nWe wouldn't be able to provide these engaging, hands-on STEM experiences without your partnership. We are so grateful for your belief and support of this project!","fullyFundedDate":1773424891640,"projectUrl":"project/for-love-of-insects/10137597/","projectTitle":"For Love of Insects","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Olsson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/m-olsson"},{"teacherId":1961423,"projectId":9933029,"letterContent":"This has been one of the coolest projects I have done in a very long time! The students were beyond excited to make art that actually lights up, and it was a great motivator for the last few weeks of school this year. \r\n\r\nWe were inspired by the artist Pine Bones whose artwork draws connections between animals, stars, and nature as living things. They each chose an animal or creature that inspired them. \r\n\r\nAdding the lights was tricky but definitely a good fine motor challenge as well. These materials really elevated our project and it was obvious in the student motivation and confidence.","fullyFundedDate":1771007902780,"projectUrl":"project/art-room-essentials/9933029/","projectTitle":"Art Room Essentials","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Preston","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1961423_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1471800271719","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1961423"},{"teacherId":6832085,"projectId":10068585,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations! The students loved the new books. Our small group time was greatly enriched by having access to these texts that go along with our small group curriculum. \r\n\r\nWith one of my groups I was able to explore the historical fiction genre through a fictional book about the Trail of Tears. Another group had the chance to explore the horror genre by reading one of R.L. Stine's Goosebumps books. We were able to analyze foreshadowing and making inferences during our small group time. \r\n\r\nAnother benefit of the books that I chose for this project is that many of the books are part of a series. Students that enjoyed a certain book during small group time also had access to similar titles for their independent reading! Reading multiple books within series is extremely beneficial in increasing reading fluency, speed and inspiring students to have a life long love of reading. \r\n\r\nI am grateful to have started using the books and looking forward to the continued impact they will have in the years to come!","fullyFundedDate":1770944604012,"projectUrl":"project/high-interest-guided-reading-books/10068585/","projectTitle":"High Interest Guided Reading Books","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lawson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6832085_orig.jpg?crop=432,432,x0,y18&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1568756578059","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6832085"},{"teacherId":1583960,"projectId":10126626,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our project, \"Snip, Snip, Glue: Providing Art Materials.\" Because of you, our classroom is now filled with the tools our young learners need to explore, create, and express themselves in meaningful ways. Your kindness has made a direct and lasting impact on our students, and we are truly grateful.\r\n\r\nSince receiving these new materials, my students have been eagerly using them during centers. One special moment that stood out was during a painting activity. Students used paintbrushes and canvas to create colorful art pieces depicting the colorful rays of the sun (mimicking the way light is produced when using a prism). Not only were they building fine motor skills, but they were also gaining confidence and finding their voices through art.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, our classroom has become a space where creativity thrives, and every child has the opportunity to create, explore, and grow. Thank you for believing in our students and for making a difference in their learning journey.","fullyFundedDate":1776114062105,"projectUrl":"project/snip-snip-glue-providing-art-material/10126626/","projectTitle":"Snip, Snip, Glue: Providing Art Materials for Little Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Quintana","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1583960_orig.png?crop=522,522,x83,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1611075138517","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msquintanaprek"},{"teacherId":225700,"projectId":9743976,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my Donor's Choose Project. My students were so excited to open up the boxes full of art supplies that we would be able to use for our STEAM projects throughout this year. \r\n\r\nMy students could not wait to get their hands on the clay after reading The Magic Tree House: Dinosaurs Before Dark, by Mary Pope Osborne. To complement the reading of this fiction book, my students completed a dinosaurs research project. Afterwards, they made beautiful clay models of their favorite dinosaurs and they proudly shared them with their parents. \r\n\r\nThe materials that my class received with your donations have become a great motivator for my students. At the beginning of each unit of study they are already anticipating the final STEAM project, which builds excitement for the learning process. Right now the excitement is building for the final story-telling project: cardboard puppets, which they will construct and decorate with the markers and paints purchased with your donations. We are also preparing for our Earth Day STEAM exhibition, and we will be using our special glow in the dark paint and button makers for those projects.\r\n\r\nWe are so very grateful for your support of our Donor's Choose project. My students are more engaged and excited to learn, knowing that they will be able to share their knowledge through art and creativity.","fullyFundedDate":1768244865807,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-steam-into-the-classroom/9743976/","projectTitle":"Bringing STEAM into the Classroom!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Espoz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp225700_orig.jpg?crop=1364,1364,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758476387107","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/225700"},{"teacherId":1457739,"projectId":10092449,"letterContent":"My students and I have fully integrated these notebooks into our daily ELA workshop. They have become the designated home for our \"Writer's Notebook\" routine, where students engage in daily \"Quick Writes\" to build writing stamina and explore complex themes in our current literature units. A specific moment that stands out occurred during our study of character motivation. Instead of just answering a prompt on a screen, students used their notebooks to create \"Character Maps,\" connecting quotes from the text to their own hand-drawn illustrations. Seeing the students physically flip back through previous pages to find evidence for their arguments has been a gamechanger for their organizational skills and critical thinking. They have a sense of ownership that has led to a noticeable increase in the care they put into their work; they aren't just completing an assignment they are building a portfolio of their own growth as writers.","fullyFundedDate":1772816305720,"projectUrl":"project/notebooks-that-help-us-finish-strong/10092449/","projectTitle":"Notebooks That Help Us Finish Strong","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Bruehl","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1457739_orig.jpg?crop=430,430,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1658182568280","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1457739"},{"teacherId":10174687,"projectId":9586896,"letterContent":"Thank you for turning our \"gray\" indoor days into something vibrant and full of life! When the delivery arrived, the atmosphere in the room was electric—you'd have thought it was a holiday morning. Seeing my students' eyes light up as they unboxed the new board games and colorful visuals was a genuine highlight of our year.\r\n\r\nWe've already put these resources to great use. Just last week, while it was far too cold to head to the playground, I watched a group of students who typically struggle with social cues huddled over a strategy game, laughing and negotiating rules with incredible patience. The new visuals have also been a game-changer; they've turned our transition times from chaotic to calm, as the students now have clear, bright cues to follow.","fullyFundedDate":1767236374898,"projectUrl":"project/a-recess-refresh-games-for-indoor-fun/9586896/","projectTitle":"A Recess Refresh: Games for Indoor Fun","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Sund","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10174687_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y702&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1767638375020","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-sund"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5691","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":412,"numTeachers":32,"percentFrplEligible":54,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":8,"percentWhite":22,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":62,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":4,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"12.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":67.7,"schoolId":5691,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Chase Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Chase Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/chase-elementary-school/5691"}