{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Durkin Park Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":22.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7877552,"projectId":9475374,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom library has been transformed into a warm, welcoming, and inclusive space that inspires a love for reading every day. The new, safe furniture allows my students to read comfortably and confidently, while the updated collection of high-interest, low-level books gives them access to stories that match both their reading abilities and personal interests. These texts have become tools for building fluency, comprehension, and confidence.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, students can now choose books that speak to them, whether it's a graphic novel, a sports story, or a mystery. We practice skills like making predictions, identifying main ideas, and connecting themes to real-life experiences. Each book provides a chance to build vocabulary, deepen comprehension, and strengthen the perseverance it takes to finish a story and talk about what it means.\r\n\r\nSeveral students who once hesitated to pick up a book are now asking, \"Can I read just one more chapter?\" One student, who rarely participated in class discussions before, now eagerly shares summaries of his favorite stories during morning meetings. Another has begun recommending books to her classmates, helping others discover what she loves about reading. The library you helped create has become a place where students feel safe, curious, and proud to call themselves readers.","fullyFundedDate":1755730639886,"projectUrl":"project/building-a-better-library-for-our-specia/9475374/","projectTitle":"Building a Better Library for Our Special Education Superstars","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Zdano-Smith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7877552_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1631468545367","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7877552"},{"teacherId":10025349,"projectId":9332033,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our classroom library project! Because of your kindness, my students now have access to a wider variety of books in both English and Spanish that match their interests, reading levels, and curiosity.\r\n\r\nThese new books have helped spark a love of reading, helped students build stronger skills, and has given them the chance to see themselves—and discover new worlds—through stories. \r\n\r\nWe are so grateful for your generosity and for believing in the power of books to change lives in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1747172045632,"projectUrl":"project/turning-pages-in-two-languages/9332033/","projectTitle":"Turning Pages in Two Languages","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Allen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10025349_orig.jpg?crop=240,240,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746718119633","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10025349"},{"teacherId":2869907,"projectId":7251232,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of books to our classroom! These novels have brought so much joy to numerous students over the years. They are very much well-loved books and are continuing to be used today. \r\nWe have used these books for independent reading, small literature circles and partner book studies. We have analyzed how the books are similar to one another in themes of inclusion and how we can show more inclusion in our classroom, school and life!\r\nAgain, we are so appreciative of the donations given to our classroom to help us continue to grow and learn!","fullyFundedDate":1680208140682,"projectUrl":"project/books-to-promote-inclusion/7251232/","projectTitle":"Books to Promote Inclusion","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Brendich","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2869907_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1565729212199","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2869907"},{"teacherId":9021099,"projectId":9301836,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in funding our math manipulatives project! I'm so excited to have these resources in hand and can't wait to share them with my students.\r\n\r\nWith these new tools, I'm already planning for fun, hands-on lessons and interactive learning centers that will make math more engaging and accessible for every learner in my classroom. These manipulatives will truly help bring math to life and support deeper understanding in a way that's both meaningful and fun.\r\n\r\nYour support means so much! Thank you for helping us build a stronger foundation in math for our students!","fullyFundedDate":1746785864067,"projectUrl":"project/math-exploration-through-interactive-man/9301836/","projectTitle":"Math Exploration Through Interactive Manipulatives","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Diaz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9021099_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y386&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731732983190","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/missdiaz-17"},{"teacherId":9021099,"projectId":9297362,"letterContent":"I'm thrilled to share that our project has been fully funded — and it's all thanks to your generosity and support!\r\n\r\nBecause of you, we now have access to an exciting new curriculum that we'll be rolling out this upcoming school year. My students and I are so grateful and can't wait to dive into this engaging, hands-on learning experience. It's going to make a real difference in our classroom.\r\n\r\nThank you again for believing in our project and helping to bring it to life. We truly couldn't have done this without you!","fullyFundedDate":1746786065850,"projectUrl":"project/lets-talk-feelingsone-spot-at-a-time/9297362/","projectTitle":"Let’s Talk Feelings—One Spot at a Time!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Diaz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9021099_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y386&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731732983190","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/missdiaz-17"},{"teacherId":542472,"projectId":9074058,"letterContent":"Thank you! Thank you for caring for my students and making a donation. Your generosity has positively impacted them. You have helped provide fun and engaging games and activities my students can use during indoor recess. These games and activities you helped provide are some of my student's favorites that they are not only enjoying, but are encouraging them to work on their communication skills, team skills, creativity, and strategical thinking.\r\n\r\nWhen I shared the news with students that our project was fully funded they were thrilled! When our package was delivered students used them right away. It is wonderful to see them working together having fun off the Chromebook. Hearing the laughter and seeing the smiles is absolutely wonderful.","fullyFundedDate":1739282337831,"projectUrl":"project/indoor-fun-without-screens/9074058/","projectTitle":"Indoor Fun Without Screens","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cruz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/542472"},{"teacherId":9021099,"projectId":8946318,"letterContent":"I wanted to take a moment to personally thank you for your incredibly generous donations to our classroom library. Your support has made a tremendous difference, and I'm so excited to share how it has positively impacted our students.\r\n\r\nThanks to your donations, our classroom now has a diverse range of books that cater to various reading levels. Every student can now find books that not only match their abilities but also reflect their unique identities and cultures. This has created an environment where they feel connected to the stories they read, fostering a deeper love for learning.\r\n\r\nThe excitement in our classroom is palpable. Students are eager to visit the library and choose books for themselves, and it warms my heart to see them so engaged and enthusiastic about reading.","fullyFundedDate":1732245083754,"projectUrl":"project/pages-of-possibility-inspiring-young-re/8946318/","projectTitle":"Pages of Possibility: Inspiring Young Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Diaz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9021099_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y386&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731732983190","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/missdiaz-17"},{"teacherId":632139,"projectId":9112269,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating library books to our multi-lingual classroom. Because we have newcomers from several different countries, our literacy resources are limited in Arabic and Spanish. Students who are new need access to high-interest texts, and your donation makes it possible for them to have access to novels in their native languages.\r\n\r\n Additionally, this grant allows for students who speak a different language to talk about the books with their English speaking peers using translating technology. They are not only building language and literacy skills but also social skills as they navigate coming to a new country and meeting new friends. Thank you again for your generosity and for thinking of our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1739809483367,"projectUrl":"project/equitable-high-interest-library-take-tw/9112269/","projectTitle":"Equitable High Interest Library: Take Two","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Clam","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp632139_orig.jpg?crop=432,432,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1713532797700","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/632139"},{"teacherId":8728861,"projectId":8777394,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation of headphones for our classroom. These headphones have been an invaluable tool in helping my students engage with the Amira reading program, a powerful resource that supports their reading fluency. Amira provides individualized reading support, listening to students as they read aloud and offering real-time feedback to improve accuracy, pacing, and expression. With the headphones, my students can fully immerse themselves in their reading practice without distractions, allowing them to focus and grow as confident readers.\r\n\r\nThe impact of this technology has been truly remarkable. My students are excited to use Amira, as it gives them immediate feedback and personalized coaching, helping them build fluency and comprehension skills at their own pace. Many students who once struggled with reading aloud have gained confidence, knowing that Amira guides them through challenges and celebrates their progress. The ability to practice independently while receiving instant support has transformed their reading experience, making learning more engaging and effective.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, we have seen measurable success. After completing our Middle of Year (MOY) testing, I am thrilled to share that 90% of my students demonstrated growth in reading. This incredible achievement is a direct reflection of the support you have provided. Your generosity has made a tangible difference in their learning, and I cannot thank you enough for investing in their future. Because of you, my students are not just improving their reading skills—they are developing a lifelong love of reading.","fullyFundedDate":1729643496880,"projectUrl":"project/fluency-brings-meaning/8777394/","projectTitle":"Fluency Brings Meaning!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ryan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8728861_orig.jpg?crop=1120,1120,x0,y48&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1664388528591","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8728861"},{"teacherId":9371501,"projectId":8749999,"letterContent":"I am so grateful for the supplies that I was able to get from this Donors Choose project. My second grade classroom was opened at the beginning of the school year in order to avoid having two second grade classrooms with over thirty students in each room. I did not have a classroom library and there were no funds in the school budget to create an adequate classroom library for my students to use. I was able to get comfortable seating for my students as well as various sets of graphic novels. I hope to expand our selection of graphic novels in the coming months, but the sets I was able to get with this project gave us a great advantage! Reading is a fundamental skill and being able to practice with books they choose is the best way for them to build fluency and comprehension!\r\n\r\nWe use our library as one of our Literacy Centers on a daily basis. Students get 15 minutes a day every morning to read to themselves or to read to a partner. They can also sit in the library when they finish work early. The graphic novels that we received were a great hit! When my students walked in and saw a fully functional library, they were very excited!","fullyFundedDate":1727026666034,"projectUrl":"project/help-us-grow-in-reading-and-math-this-ye/8749999/","projectTitle":"Help Us Grow in Reading and Math This Year!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Balcazar","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9371501"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5363","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":675,"numTeachers":38,"percentFrplEligible":81,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":10,"percentWhite":3,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":85,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"17.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":77.2,"schoolId":5363,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Durkin Park Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Durkin Park Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/durkin-park-elementary-school/5363"}