{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Robert Nathaniel Dett Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":39.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9746534,"projectId":10506133,"letterContent":"When it comes to instructional guides, I am a sticky-note, tabbed-margin, and highlighter kind of reader. My desk usually has a teacher manual open with color-coded tabs marking daily scope-and-sequence charts, assessment guides, and lesson plans. Teaching middle school students who are still learning basic reading skills requires structured, high-precision instruction. For my Black neurodivergent learners, many of whom are non-readers or far below grade level due to complex learning disabilities and trauma, traditional middle school English curricula simply aren't accessible. Receiving the UFLI Foundations teacher manual provided me with the exact, research-backed framework needed to deliver direct, explicit phonics instruction every day without patronizing my older students.\r\n\r\nThe UFLI manual introduces a clear, systematic scope and sequence covering phonemic awareness, explicit sound-spelling correspondences, blending, and orthographic mapping. Having this manual on my desk allows me to lead predictable 30-minute small-group routines that break reading down into logical, manageable steps. During a recent small-group lesson, we used the UFLI step-by-step routine to practice decoding closed-syllable words. One of my middle schoolers, who usually shuts down or uses humor to avoid reading in front of peers, followed the teacher-led prompt on the whiteboard and read the target words correctly. He paused, looked at the board, and quietly said, \"I actually get how to break that down now.\" It was a simple, grounded moment of real progress and growing self-trust.\r\n\r\nHaving this manual has elevated my daily practice by giving me a clear roadmap so I never have to guess what skill to target next. It allows me to afford my middle schoolers the dignity of direct, age-appropriate instruction that meets them right where they are. Moving forward, my students and I will continue working through the UFLI scope and sequence to close foundational reading gaps and build decoding skills step-by-step. Thank you for investing in the professional teacher tools that make this targeted, essential work possible!","fullyFundedDate":1787664925003,"projectUrl":"project/ready-to-ufli-into-reading/10506133/","projectTitle":"Ready to UFLI Into Reading!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kay","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9746534_orig.png?crop=1181,1181,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726187131302","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ke-ans"},{"teacherId":9746534,"projectId":10506468,"letterContent":"When the boxes containing our new classroom sharpeners, high-quality pencils, and writing tools arrived, my students were absolutely overjoyed. For children living with trauma and neurodivergent disabilities like ADHD and Autism, lacking basic supplies or dealing with constantly broken pencil leads can instantly trigger feelings of frustration and emotional shutdown. Watching them open the packages was a moment of pure relief and pride; they immediately marveled at having crisp, sharp pencils and reliable tools waiting at their desks. One of my students smiled, held up a perfectly sharpened pencil, and whispered, \"We don't have to worry about stopping our work anymore!\" Having an abundant supply of reliable writing tools eliminated an invisible barrier to learning and gave my students a profound sense of dignity and security.\r\n\r\nWe have seamlessly woven these new resources into our daily writing and math routines. During a recent small-group writing workshop where students were drafting personal narratives, the new high-efficiency pencil sharpeners and comfortable writing grips completely transformed the energy in our room. In the past, a snapped lead or a dull pencil meant a long interruption, anxiety, or lost momentum. Now, students quietly and independently step up to sharpen their tools, quickly returning to their seats with renewed focus. During our story-mapping session, my students wrote with confidence and enthusiasm, filling page after page without the underlying fear of running out of supplies or falling behind their peers.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, my students are no longer held back by a lack of essential resources, allowing them to throw their full energy into academic growth. Next up, my students are using these reliable writing tools to draft, edit, and publish their own multi-chapter \"All About Me\" books, where they will share their unique stories, strengths, and dreams. Your support ensured that every single child in my room has the exact tools necessary to write their own success story, stay sharp, and take pride in their work every single day!","fullyFundedDate":1787664978424,"projectUrl":"project/stay-sharp-write-on-hands-on-tools-fo/10506468/","projectTitle":"Stay Sharp & Write On: Hands-On Tools for Daily Success!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kay","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9746534_orig.png?crop=1181,1181,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726187131302","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ke-ans"},{"teacherId":9746534,"projectId":10506892,"letterContent":"When the box of reward punch cards, colorful single-hole punchers, and incentives arrived, my students' faces lit up with pure excitement. For neurodivergent children who often experience the school day as an overwhelming series of demands, seeing a system designed specifically to celebrate their strengths and effort was deeply empowering. They eagerly gathered around to unpack the materials, fascinated by the crisp click of the punchers and picking out their individual cards. For my students, having a physical token that visually tracks their progress turned daily routines from stressful hurdles into motivating personal achievements.\r\n\r\nWe have integrated these punch cards and rewards directly into our daily trauma-informed routines to support emotional self-regulation, smooth transitions, and academic focus. Each student carries a card and earns punches for utilizing coping strategies during moments of frustration, staying on task, or supporting a classmate. During a recent small-group math lesson—a time that previously triggered intense anxiety and emotional shutdown—my students remained engaged and determined, eager to earn a punch for showing perseverance through tough multi-step problems. One of my students beamed with pride as he clicked a hole into his card after finishing a page, holding it up and exclaiming, \"I managed my feelings, and I did it all by myself!\" The satisfying tactile and auditory feedback of the puncher gives them immediate, dignity-affirming proof of their success.\r\n\r\nWith our classroom routines now anchored in positive reinforcement, my students are moving into an ambitious social-emotional learning unit where they are authoring and illustrating their own \"Cool-Down Comic Books.\" As they identify their emotional triggers and map out healthy coping strategies, they continue to earn punches toward special rewards for reaching their personal goals. Your generosity has transformed our classroom into a predictable, joyful, and encouraging sanctuary where my students feel motivated to conquer big feelings and celebrate their growth every step of the way!","fullyFundedDate":1787664966774,"projectUrl":"project/punching-up-positivity-rewards-smooth/10506892/","projectTitle":"Punching Up Positivity: Rewards & Smooth Routines!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kay","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9746534_orig.png?crop=1181,1181,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726187131302","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ke-ans"},{"teacherId":9746534,"projectId":10545792,"letterContent":"When the big boxes of Lysol wipes and air sanitizers arrived, my students' eyes lit up like it was Christmas morning. For kids who are usually hyper-aware of germs and sensitive to air quality, seeing a massive supply of protection dedicated specifically to keeping them safe was deeply comforting. One of my students with severe asthma cheered and said, \"We finally have our own clean-air shield!\" They loved helping unpack the cans, taking turns smelling the fresh scents, and feeling instantly reassured that our classroom was going to be a safe place for them every day.\r\n\r\nWe have integrated these resources into an empowering daily routine that gives my immunocompromised learners complete peace of mind. Every morning and after group transitions, our student \"Safety Captains\" wipe down shared work tables, door handles, and learning materials with the disinfecting wipes. Before small-group reading centers, we use the air sanitizer spray to refresh the room. During a recent hands-on math project where students worked in close groups using shared manipulatives, having freshly sanitized stations meant my medically vulnerable students could sit right alongside their peers, collaborate freely, and focus entirely on solving problems without the constant fear of picking up a bug that could send them to the hospital.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, my students are staying healthy and, most importantly, staying in class where they belong. Attendance is steady, anxiety is down, and our room feels like a true sanctuary. Next up, my students are embarking on a collaborative, small-group science unit on ecosystems. Thanks to you, they can share lab materials, gather closely around group tables, and dive headfirst into hands-on learning with clean air and healthy smiles. Thank you for making our safe classroom possible!","fullyFundedDate":1788207179636,"projectUrl":"project/breathe-easy-learn-big-protecting-immu/10545792/","projectTitle":"Breathe Easy, Learn Big: Protecting Immunocompromised & Asthmatic Students!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kay","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9746534_orig.png?crop=1181,1181,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726187131302","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ke-ans"},{"teacherId":10467483,"projectId":10290893,"letterContent":"In today's active classroom, learning is dynamic and interactive, but it can also get noisy. While headphones at home are often used for entertainment, in our classroom, they serve as an essential learning tool. The \"Tune Into Learning\" noise-reducing headphones give my students a personalized.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, my students are learning how to take ownership of their focus and build stamina for learning. The improvements in their reading fluency and assignment completion have been remarkable, but the boost in their confidence is priceless. Thank you for investing in our classroom and giving my students the quiet space they need to thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1787664950194,"projectUrl":"project/tune-into-learning-noise-reducing-headp/10290893/","projectTitle":"Tune Into Learning: Noise-Reducing Headphones for Focused Success!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cooper","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10467483_orig.jpg?crop=180,180,x0,y70&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1787789145847","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10467483"},{"teacherId":9786603,"projectId":10266629,"letterContent":"On behalf of every smiling face in our classroom, thank you so much for equipping our students with these incredible daily supplies! When the delivery boxes arrived, my primary scholars were over the moon—especially when they saw the huge stacks of fresh Crayola dry-erase markers and colorful gel pens. Having hundreds of pre-sharpened pencils prepped and ready to go has completely transformed our daily routines. Instead of wasting precious instructional minutes sharpening broken pencils or searching for working markers during our literacy and math blocks, my students can immediately jump into their work with confidence and enthusiasm.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our hands-on lessons have reached a whole new level of engagement! During math, my students use the vibrant dry-erase markers to draw place value blocks, write out number sentences, and solve quick problem sets on their individual whiteboards. The markers have been equally transformative for our phonics and handwriting practice; my young learners love using the smooth, bold ink to trace letter formations, sound out decodable words, and mark up vowel patterns. Writing on whiteboards makes making mistakes feel risk-free—they can simply erase and try again until their handwriting shines! Plus, having an abundance of hand sanitizer and tissues has kept our space clean and healthy. Your support removed major daily disruptions, giving my West Side Chicago scholars the exact tools they need to thrive!","fullyFundedDate":1787664986203,"projectUrl":"project/ready-to-write-fresh-supplies-and-healt/10266629/","projectTitle":"Ready to Write: Fresh Supplies and Healthy Hands!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tomlinson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9786603_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727836964109","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9786603"},{"teacherId":9786603,"projectId":10307334,"letterContent":"We are deeply grateful for your incredible kindness in funding our essential classroom supplies! When the delivery boxes arrived, my primary students were completely fascinated—especially by the AFMAT cordless automatic pencil sharpeners. They had never seen a hands-free sharpener that automatically grabs the pencil, pulls it down, and pops it back up perfectly sharpened. It felt like magic to them! They gathered around in complete awe, clapping and taking turns watching it work. Beyond the excitement, these sharpeners, along with the huge supply of pre-sharpened pencils, have completely eliminated lines, preserved our precious instructional minutes, and kept our daily writing and math routines running smoothly without interruption.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our hands-on learning centers and daily review games are more vibrant, durable, and organized than ever. Using the Scotch laminating pouches and fresh Expo dry-erase markers, I was able to create reusable, color-coded math practice mats that my students use every single day to build foundational problem-solving skills. They love writing on their laminated mats, erasing their work, and trying again with confidence. Having clean-hand essentials like tissues and sanitizer directly in our room also ensures our classroom remains a healthy, safe space where every child can thrive. Your support removed a massive daily hurdle, giving my West Side Chicago scholars the exact tools they need to stay focused, engaged, and excited about learning!","fullyFundedDate":1787664994903,"projectUrl":"project/sharpened-sealed-and-ready-to-succeed/10307334/","projectTitle":"Sharpened, Sealed, and Ready to Succeed: Replenishing Our Everyday Essentials!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tomlinson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9786603_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727836964109","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9786603"},{"teacherId":9786603,"projectId":10322887,"letterContent":"We are deeply grateful for your incredible kindness in funding our paper supply! The impact of your gift is felt every single hour of the school day. When the delivery boxes first arrived, my primary students' curiosity was through the roof, and when we opened them together to reveal the huge stacks of white copy paper and bright, glowing piles of Astrobrights paper, they literally clapped and cheered! Knowing that generous supporters cared enough about their learning to send these essential supplies made them feel deeply valued. Having a reliable, abundant paper supply has completely restored our daily momentum, allowing us to print decodable reading passages, daily math practice sheets, and color-coded center activities without ever pausing due to supply shortages.\r\n\r\nThanks to you, our literacy and math blocks are more vibrant, organized, and engaging than ever. During a recent math center lesson, I used the bright blue and yellow paper to create color-coded addition mats. One of my students, who often struggles to stay focused during independent work, immediately locked onto the high-contrast yellow activity sheets, proudly finished his problem set, and held it up saying, 'Look how awesome my math looks today!' Your generosity removed a massive burden from our classroom, giving my West Side Chicago scholars the exact tools they need to write, create, and thrive every single day!","fullyFundedDate":1787664998792,"projectUrl":"project/blank-pages-bright-futures-beating-bud/10322887/","projectTitle":"Blank Pages, Bright Futures: Beating Budget Cuts Together!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tomlinson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9786603_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727836964109","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9786603"},{"teacherId":9746534,"projectId":10503892,"letterContent":"When the materials for our math project arrived, my students were overjoyed to unbox our new supplies. For neurodivergent learners navigating daily trauma, math can often feel like an intimidating subject where mistakes feel overwhelming. Having brand-new, reliable writing supplies and math tools waiting for them sent an immediate message of value and dignity. Watching their eyes light up as they unpacked fresh pencils, grips, and math materials was a powerful moment—one of my students held up a sharp pencil and proudly announced, \"Now I'm ready to tackle the hard problems!\" Removing the constant hurdle of missing or broken supplies instantly lowered their anxiety and created an atmosphere of excitement for math time.\r\n\r\nWe have integrated these resources directly into our daily guided math stations and problem-solving workshops. During a recent multi-step math lesson that previously would have triggered frustration or emotional shutdown, the difference was night and day. Students sat focused at their desks, using their new grips and sharp pencils to carefully map out place values and solve word problems step-by-step. When a student made a mistake, instead of crumpling up their paper out of distress, they simply erased and tried again without losing momentum. Having reliable tools gave them the physical and emotional stamina needed to persevere through challenging math concepts without fear of falling behind.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, my students no longer view math as a source of stress, but as a place where they can show off their brilliance and problem-solving skills. Next up, my students are putting their new tools to work in a collaborative \"Math in Our World\" data and graphing project, where they will collect classroom data, organize it on grid charts, and present their findings to their peers. Thank you for investing in my incredible Black neurodivergent learners, boosting their mathematical confidence, and helping us \"pencil in\" daily academic success!","fullyFundedDate":1787664914050,"projectUrl":"project/pencil-us-in-for-math-success/10503892/","projectTitle":"Pencil Us In for Math Success!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kay","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9746534_orig.png?crop=1181,1181,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726187131302","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ke-ans"},{"teacherId":9786603,"projectId":10191342,"letterContent":"Your generosity has completely transformed our daily routine! On the West Side of Chicago, unpredictable weather means we spend a lot of time indoors, but thanks to you, indoor recess and choice time have quickly become the absolute highlights of our day instead of a rainy-day compromise.\r\n\r\nHow We're Using the Resources & Student Reactions\r\nWhen the large boxes first arrived in our classroom, my primary students were practically bouncing off the floor with excitement! They gasped as we unpacked the colorful Magnetic Wonder Tiles, microMAGS, and the vibrant Sportime Recess Pack. One student shouted, \"We get to build our own castle now?!\" while another immediately asked if we could roll the Covelico Exercise Dice right then and there.\r\n\r\nWe hit the ground running with our new materials. Recently, during a rainy afternoon indoor recess, our room turned into a full-fledged engineering lab and movement studio. A group of four students collaborated to build a massive, multi-tiered \"futuristic city\" using the magnetic tiles, negotiating who would build the bridges and how to keep the towers balanced on the play mat. Across the room, another group was using the exercise dice to run their own mini \"fitness bootcamp\"—giggling uncontrollably as they landed on jumping jacks and balance poses. The \"Spot It!\" games have also become a daily staple during center time; it has been incredible to watch students practice patience, quick visual processing, and genuine sportsmanship as they cheer each other on.\r\n\r\nNext Steps for Our Students\r\nThese resources aren't just for free play—we are actively integrating them into our academic curriculum! For our next STEM unit in math, students will be using the magnetic tiles and microMAGS to explore 3D shapes, area, and spatial awareness by designing structures that match specific geometric criteria. In physical education and our daily movement breaks, we are using the recess pack and exercise dice to create student-led obstacle courses, helping them build leadership skills as they take turns directing their peers through gross motor challenges.\r\n\r\nYour support has given my students the gift of active play, creative exploration, and joy. You didn't just fund a project; you built a brighter, happier classroom environment where my kids can move, build, and grow together every single day. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!","fullyFundedDate":1777997629093,"projectUrl":"project/ready-set-play-building-active-bodies/10191342/","projectTitle":"Ready, Set, Play! Building Active Bodies and Creative Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tomlinson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9786603_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727836964109","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9786603"},{"teacherId":10467483,"projectId":10163532,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for bringing \"Turning the Page on Literacy\" to life in our classroom! When the boxes first arrived, the room filled with instantaneous cheers and gasps of pure excitement. My students could hardly contain their enthusiasm as we unboxed the brand-new books together, immediate excitement sparkling in their eyes as they passed the crisp copies around and pointed out the vibrant covers. Seeing their faces light up over reading materials made the entire setup feel like a celebration, instantly setting a high-energy tone for our reading block.","fullyFundedDate":1778252056991,"projectUrl":"project/turning-the-page-on-literacy/10163532/","projectTitle":"Turning the Page on Literacy","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cooper","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10467483_orig.jpg?crop=180,180,x0,y70&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1787789145847","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10467483"},{"teacherId":10467483,"projectId":10194468,"letterContent":"The boxes have officially arrived, and our classroom was buzzing with excitement! I wish you could have seen my students' faces as we unpacked the supplies for \"Clean Spaces, Bright Faces: Healthy Habits for West Side Scholars.\"\r\n\r\nThanks to your incredible generosity, our scholars now have direct access to the daily hygiene essentials and wellness tools they need to stay healthy, confident, and ready to learn. Having these resources right here in our room eliminates daily distractions and creates a dignified, supportive environment where every child feels cared for.\r\n\r\nYour support goes far beyond the physical items in these boxes—you have shown my West Side scholars that there is a whole community standing behind them, rooting for their success and well-being every day.\r\n\r\nThank you for making our vision a reality and for bringing light, health, and bright smiles into our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1777936410253,"projectUrl":"project/clean-spaces-bright-faces-healthy-habi/10194468/","projectTitle":"Clean Spaces, Bright Faces: Healthy Habits for West Side Scholars","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cooper","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10467483_orig.jpg?crop=180,180,x0,y70&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1787789145847","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10467483"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5774","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":320,"numTeachers":21,"percentFrplEligible":83,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":87,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":7,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":4,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"15.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":60.6,"schoolId":5774,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Robert Nathaniel Dett Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Robert Nathaniel Dett Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/dett-elementary-school/5774"}