{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Fernwood Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":36.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10395978,"projectId":9980604,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for bringing flexible seating to our second grade classroom! When the wobble chairs and stretchy chair bands arrived, my students' faces absolutely lit up. They couldn't wait to try them out, and several students asked if the chairs were really \"ours to keep.\" Watching them realize that people they've never met cared enough to give them these tools was a truly special moment.\r\nThese resources have made a real difference for my learners, many of whom have IEPs and benefit from extra support with focus and self-regulation. The wobble chairs let students move their bodies while keeping their minds on learning, and the rubber bands on chair legs give restless feet a quiet outlet during lessons. During our reading block, I've noticed students who used to get up and wander are now staying engaged with their books for the full time. One of my students who struggles most with sitting still recently finished an entire writing assignment in one sitting—something that was a daily battle before. The seating has also become part of our social-emotional learning: students are practicing making choices about what their bodies need, and taking turns and sharing the seats has built community in our room.\r\nLooking ahead, we're using our new seating during our upcoming author study unit, where students will rotate through reading and writing stations. The flexible seating lets every child find a spot where they can do their best thinking. Thank you for believing in my students—your generosity is helping them learn, grow, and feel proud of their classroom every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1777650808750,"projectUrl":"project/flexible-seating/9980604/","projectTitle":"Flexible Seating","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wang","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10395978"},{"teacherId":10395978,"projectId":9980649,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, \"Headphones for Little Readers.\" Your generosity has made a meaningful difference in our classroom every single day. Because of your donations, my students now have access to high-quality headphones that allow them to fully engage in our reading and technology-based learning programs without distractions.\r\n\r\nThe headphones have especially improved students' learning time on Amira and iReady. Students are able to clearly hear directions, stories, and feedback, which helps them stay focused and independent during their learning sessions. Since receiving these headphones, all of my students' iReady scores have increased, and I have seen tremendous growth in both their confidence and reading stamina. The ability to concentrate during individualized instruction has helped students make stronger progress toward their learning goals.\r\n\r\nMy students are so excited to use the headphones each day. They feel proud using tools that help them learn like \"big kids,\" and many students who previously struggled to stay engaged during online reading activities are now eager to participate. Watching them become more confident readers and learners has been incredibly rewarding. Thank you for investing in my students and helping provide them with the tools they need to succeed. Your kindness and support truly impact our classroom community.","fullyFundedDate":1771820438726,"projectUrl":"project/headphones-for-little-readers/9980649/","projectTitle":"Headphones for Little Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wang","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10395978"},{"teacherId":10251066,"projectId":9702815,"letterContent":"The impact of the generous donation of headphone headsets to my third-grade classroom has been nothing short of transformative. Prior to this, differentiated learning and small-group work often faced the challenge of noise pollution, making it difficult for students to focus on individual tasks, especially those requiring auditory engagement like educational apps, reading fluency programs, or virtual field trips. Now, with a dedicated set of high-quality headsets for every student, the level of concentration and engagement has dramatically increased. Students who previously struggled to filter out classroom distractions can now immerse themselves fully in their learning activities. It's truly created a quieter, more focused learning environment that benefits every child.\r\n\r\nFrom my perspective, the headsets have become an essential tool for effective and rigorous instruction. The headsets have empowered me to utilize digital resources more robustly, knowing that every student can clearly hear the instructions or content, regardless of their seating arrangement or the general buzz of the classroom. This flexibility not only saves valuable instructional time but also ensures that I can cater to the diverse needs and learning paces of all students more efficiently than ever before. This donation is more than just technology, but an investment in personalized learning and a quieter, more productive future for my students.","fullyFundedDate":1757954134968,"projectUrl":"project/hear-my-voice-hear-my-progress-headset/9702815/","projectTitle":"Hear My Voice, Hear My Progress: Headsets for Amira Readers!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Szykowny","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10251066_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y23&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757469624126","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10251066"},{"teacherId":9319854,"projectId":9714630,"letterContent":"On behalf of my students and myself I want to extend our deepest gratitude for the wonderful donation of headphones for our kindergarten classroom. As you know, technology is an integral part of our learning and having enough quality headphones allows each student to engage fully with lessons without distraction. Your support is deeply appreciated and has already made a significant positive impact.\r\n\r\nBefore, only a handful of students had their own headphones, which made computer time noisy and sometimes unfocused. Now, each child can have their own pair and stay deeply involved in their work, leading to more independent and meaningful learning. It's truly a gift that truly benefits every single student in our class.\r\n\r\nI am so grateful for your support in helping me minimize distractions, create a quiet space for learning, and providing students with the opportunity to learn at their own pace. Your kindness and support have had a huge impact on our classroom. Thank you again for investing in their education and helping to make learning a more enjoyable experience for everyone.","fullyFundedDate":1758202818136,"projectUrl":"project/headphones-for-kindergarten/9714630/","projectTitle":"Headphones for Kindergarten!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. M","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9319854_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757529616340","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/thecrayonroom123"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5730","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":259,"numTeachers":14,"percentFrplEligible":88,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":88,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":1,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":10,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"18.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":64.0,"schoolId":5730,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Fernwood Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Fernwood Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/fernwood-elementary-school/5730"}
Join the 225 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Fernwood Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Chicago, Illinois that is part of Chicago Public School District 299.
It serves 259 students
in grades Pre-K - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 18.5:1.
Its teachers have had 70 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Supporting this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.
Public School
Title 1
Data about Title 1 status comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education.
Grades Pre-K - 8
259 Students
14 Teachers
10041 S Union AveContact info is sourced from our partners at MDR Education, and DonorsChoose updates our site ahead of each school year.
Boost support for this school! Share this page with friends, family, alumni, and fellow supporters. Every connection helps teachers get the supplies they need and shows how much your community cares about its students.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for public school teachers.
Every donation funds real needs — pencils, books, lab equipment, art supplies, and more — helping students learn and thrive. We ship supplies directly to the school, and you'll see exactly where each dollar goes.
of students receive free or reduced price lunch
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Source: the National Center for Education Statistics
89%
of students are Black, Latino, Native
American, or Asian
Data about school demographics comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. The numbers in this chart may not add up to 100% because of limitations in the available data.
Fernwood Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Jul 21, 2026
DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students
in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.
Fernwood Elementary School
$34,704
raised using DonorsChoose
70
projects
funded
28
teachers
funded
225
donors
1
project
for
basic supplies
5
projects for
technology
10
projects for
books
1
project
for
art supplies
Fernwood Elementary School has received support from
144 individuals from Illinois and
81 individuals out-of-state.
