{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Gillespie Technology Magnet Cluster School","outOfStateSupporters":38.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5779085,"projectId":9331350,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of durable wireless Sony headphones for our classroom. The girls are excited; these pink headphones are finally something special, just for them! The headphones look cool, and have motivated our special needs learners to complete work on the computer. The headphones shut out outside distractions, so they can focus on their science lessons in Skyline. These headphones have boosted the confidence of our girls. Having a special piece of equipment like this to call their own in the classroom has given them ownership over their learning. Thanks again.","fullyFundedDate":1748465683737,"projectUrl":"project/stem-for-girls/9331350/","projectTitle":"STEM for Girls","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Armstrong","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5779085"},{"teacherId":5779085,"projectId":9391718,"letterContent":"Thank you for providing our students with this useful and practical Eco Tank printer. This Epson printer is durable and dependable. Printing in the classroom has been a total gamechanger. Being able to print out essential materials the moment they are needed is so helpful. Students have also enjoyed using the color printer to print out photos and graphics for posters. Middle school lessons often involve lots of group work. Poster projects and presentations allow our special needs students to digest the information, as well as present it. Using a color printer to create these projects has instilled pride and confidence, and a newfound motivation. Thanks again.","fullyFundedDate":1749144477242,"projectUrl":"project/printer-please/9391718/","projectTitle":"Printer Please","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Armstrong","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5779085"},{"teacherId":5779085,"projectId":9331429,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for providing our students with these high-quality headphones, which are built to last. The students were delighted to use the new headphones, and it helped them take their learning more seriously. Using a headset with a computer has allowed our students to progress through the Skyline science curriculum without the distraction of others in the room. These headphones have been a total gamechanger, and a huge motivator. Thank you for helping our students to learn more about science in a technology-forward way.","fullyFundedDate":1748053480503,"projectUrl":"project/making-stem-special/9331429/","projectTitle":"Making STEM Special","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Armstrong","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5779085"},{"teacherId":5779085,"projectId":9331241,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our learners with special needs with your generous donation. This mobile whiteboard has offered our students a localized place for STEM information. This STEM center can easily display the standards and learning targets in a place that is easy to find. The students felt cared about and motivated when they saw the new white board arrive in the classroom. Knowing that you believed in them enough to provide this resource was inspiring to them. Thanks again for your support, and for providing us with a STEM center.","fullyFundedDate":1747952339110,"projectUrl":"project/stem-center-for-visual-learners/9331241/","projectTitle":"STEM Center for Visual Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Armstrong","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5779085"},{"teacherId":10266918,"projectId":9857305,"letterContent":"To our wonderful donors, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for bringing \"Sit, Stay, and Snuggle\" to life. Your generosity has transformed our classroom into a true sanctuary of comfort and care. When the materials first arrived, the students' eyes widened with pure joy, and one even whispered, \"It feels like the classroom is giving us a hug.\" We are now using these cozy resources daily to help students self-regulate for example, during a particularly challenging reading session this week, I watched a frustrated student instinctively head to our new snuggle corner, reset with a weighted plushie, and return to their desk with a newfound sense of calm and focus. This project has provided more than just physical items, it has given my students the emotional tools they need to succeed. As a next step, we are integrating these resources into our \"Mindful Moments\" curriculum, where students will practice peer-led empathy exercises and use their new reading nook to dive into a series of books on social-emotional growth. Your kindness has made our classroom a place where every student feels safe enough to soar.","fullyFundedDate":1763434393840,"projectUrl":"project/sit-stay-and-snuggle-a-project-for-co/9857305/","projectTitle":"Sit, Stay, and Snuggle: A Project for Comfort and Care","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Chris Jimenez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10266918_orig.jpg?crop=1536,1536,x0,y512&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1761313894077","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10266918"},{"teacherId":1714390,"projectId":9972971,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation. These jumbo crayons and pencils have been in use every day since they were delivered! Crayons and pencils are used by our primary students often. They enjoy coloring, but it was becoming frustrating for students and adults alike to have to constantly be picking up broken crayons off the floor. Sometimes, the kids didn't mean to break them: the skinny (standard) sized crayons were just too small to grip for our preschool and kindergarten scholars. We have a high percentage of students with special needs. These jumbo crayons and pencils were just what our students needed. Thanks again for the help.","fullyFundedDate":1767647059807,"projectUrl":"project/jumbo-crayons-just-for-me/9972971/","projectTitle":"Jumbo Crayons, Just for Me","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Patton","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-cale"},{"teacherId":1714390,"projectId":9862247,"letterContent":"I can't thank you enough for your generous gift. The Teachers Pay Teachers gift card and calming stim toys have already had a positive impact with our students. Just yesterday, a special needs classroom arrived to the music room for inclusion. Two of the students were having trouble settling into the classroom, and were running around and shouting. This is distracting for all the learners in the room. Thankfully, I was able to offer each of those students a stim toy, the rubber band, to hold. This made a huge difference immediately. The students sat down and began to listen. The students, myself, and the teacher aide was very thankful we now have toys and tools for when those situations occur. The TPT gift card has also been extremely helpful. I have been able to purchase and run off high quality, differentiated materials for music learning. Thanks again.","fullyFundedDate":1767647061051,"projectUrl":"project/inclusive-and-supportive-music-class/9862247/","projectTitle":"Inclusive and Supportive Music Class","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Patton","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-cale"},{"teacherId":1714390,"projectId":9952743,"letterContent":"I can't thank you enough for your generous support of our youngest students. The Play Doh and cardstock you donated to our classroom has already been put to good use. The kids have loved crafting musical symbols and shapes with Play Doh. This activity has reinforced concepts we have been learning in music class in a fun and highly accessible way.\r\n\r\nThe cardstock has been a welcome addition to our art activities. The kids are more excited to try their best, and to take a project home to show a family member, when they completed it on a special piece of paper like this.\r\n\r\nThanks so much for providing art supplies and materials to our preschool and kindergarten students.","fullyFundedDate":1767647057949,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-creative-creations-in-prek-and/9952743/","projectTitle":"Hands-On Creative Creations in PreK and K","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Patton","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-cale"},{"teacherId":1714390,"projectId":9967563,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous gift of clarinet and saxophone reeds and two neck straps to our classroom. Your gift is greatly appreciated. This year, we have started a band at the school for the first time in likely decades. All of the instruments are used, obtained by myself from stores like Goodwill and the Salvation Army, and repaired over the summer at the VanderCook College instrument repair lab. We have worked so hard to get these instruments in playable condition for the students. Your gift of reeds has ensured our band members the chance to continue playing this spring. The neck straps are greatly appreciated by our two saxophone players. They had been playing on low-quality, thinner neck straps. Anyone who has played woodwinds knows what that feels like. Thanks for bringing much needed supplies to our beginning band members.","fullyFundedDate":1767479742689,"projectUrl":"project/read-this-we-need-reeds/9967563/","projectTitle":"Read This: We Need Reeds","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Patton","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-cale"},{"teacherId":4930919,"projectId":9585878,"letterContent":"Thank you to the incredible donors who made our classroom project a reality! Please accept this message as a giant THANK YOU from my students. The bean bags and rug has transformed a corner of our room into a safe haven- our new Calm Corner with our giant bean bags perfect for middle schoolers and an inviting rug. The smiles this corner has put on my students' faces are infectious. The impact is evident every day when students choose the calm corner to de-escalate rather than escalate the situation that triggered it. It's a very heart-warming act to see on a weekly, sometimes daily basis. Everyday, as I observe them utilize the space with calm and care. I am reminded that there are kind people in this world who donated to my project.Thank you for impacting my students in a positive way.","fullyFundedDate":1757959684041,"projectUrl":"project/bean-bags-and-big-calm/9585878/","projectTitle":"Bean Bags and Big Calm","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Neal","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4930919_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1533492422691","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/alicia-neal"},{"teacherId":5004568,"projectId":9762172,"letterContent":"When our new Nintendo Switch 2 arrived, the excitement in our classroom was immediate and unforgettable. For many of my students with disabilities, this was the first time they had access to gaming equipment that truly met their needs. The adaptive features, accessible controls, and collaborative gameplay have opened doors that traditional classroom tools simply couldn't.\r\nThis technology is doing far more than providing entertainment—it's helping students learn essential skills in a way that feels natural and joyful. Through eSports activities, students are practicing communication, teamwork, strategic thinking, and emotional regulation. They're learning how to take turns, support one another, and celebrate both wins and attempts. For some students, this is the first time they've been able to participate fully in a group activity without feeling left out or overwhelmed.\r\nWhat excites them most is the sense of belonging. They love being part of a team, choosing games that match their abilities, and discovering that they can compete, collaborate, and succeed. The Switch's intuitive design and accessible controllers have made it possible for students with limited mobility or processing challenges to join in without barriers.\r\nOne student in particular—who often hesitates to participate in group activities—has completely blossomed. With the Switch 2's adaptive settings, he can play at his own pace and still feel like a valued member of the team. He now asks daily when our next eSports session will be and proudly teaches his classmates new strategies he's learned. Watching his confidence grow has been one of the most meaningful outcomes of this project.\r\nThanks to your generosity, my students are not just playing games—they're gaining confidence, building friendships, and experiencing inclusion in a way that truly matters. You've helped create a space where every student can participate, succeed, and feel seen. Thank you for believing in them and for helping us make eSports accessible to all.","fullyFundedDate":1759624946303,"projectUrl":"project/game-on-for-all-esports-that-include-ev/9762172/","projectTitle":"Game On for All: eSports that Include Every Student","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ferguson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5004568_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1511897340275","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5004568"},{"teacherId":1714390,"projectId":9965770,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for providing our learners with paper and a pencil sharpener. These donations came in the nick of time! The items arrived today. Tomorrow, our students will return from winter break, eager to learn. Sharp pencils and plenty of paper provide the means to create so many assignments, in which the completion make sense to students. Bell ringers and music theory work packets have been keeping our middle school students afloat this year. They are learning about music theory and also how to act in a middle school setting. Students with plenty of work don't have time to become bored and distracted. This paper and pencil sharpener will contribute to a calm, focused, and safe spring season in our music classroom. Thank you again for your generous and practical gift. These items are GREATLY appreciated.","fullyFundedDate":1767243587432,"projectUrl":"project/simply-the-basics-the-write-stuff/9965770/","projectTitle":"Simply the Basics: The Write Stuff","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Patton","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-cale"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5576","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":339,"numTeachers":27,"percentFrplEligible":85,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":95,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":3,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"12.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":61.6,"schoolId":5576,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Gillespie Technology Magnet Cluster School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Gillespie Technology Magnet Cluster School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/gillespie-elementary-school/5576"}
Join the 836 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Gillespie Technology Magnet Cluster School is
an urban public school
in Chicago, Illinois that is part of Chicago Public School District 299.
It serves 339 students
in grades Pre-K - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 12.6:1.
Its teachers have had 498 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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Gillespie Technology Magnet Cluster School Demographics
85%
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
98%
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.
Gillespie Technology Magnet Cluster School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Feb 24, 2026
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Gillespie Technology Magnet Cluster School
$183,388
raised using DonorsChoose
498
projects
funded
57
teachers
funded
836
donors
59
projects
for
basic supplies
92
projects for
technology
64
projects for
books
26
projects
for
art supplies
Gillespie Technology Magnet Cluster School has received support from
515 individuals from Illinois and
321 individuals out-of-state.