{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Grimes Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":31.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":3454823,"projectId":9651461,"letterContent":"The students were so excited when we opened the new materials. When they saw the stools, they couldn't wait to try them out. On the very first day, the difference was noticeable—students were able to move straight to their groups and begin working right away. In the past, we often lost 5–7 minutes just moving chairs around and then putting them back. Now we spend more time learning and less time rearranging furniture.\r\n\r\nThe books and materials have also supported students' social-emotional learning. They give students a chance to read inspirational quotes and take a moment to relax after a whole morning of instruction. This helps them reset and continue learning throughout the day without feeling overwhelmed.\r\n\r\nYour support has made a tremendous impact on our classroom. Thank you for helping create a more efficient and supportive learning environment for our students.","fullyFundedDate":1757553267995,"projectUrl":"project/flexible-seating-for-scientific-minds-an/9651461/","projectTitle":"Flexible Seating for Scientific Minds and Caring Hearts","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Romo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3454823_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1454901600520","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/yazmin-romo"},{"teacherId":1586483,"projectId":9661390,"letterContent":"Thanks to your incredible generosity, our classroom has blossomed into a vibrant, welcoming space where every student feels seen, valued, and inspired. The diverse collection of books you helped provide, along with crayons representing many skin tones and flexible seating options, has made a profound difference in how our students experience learning and each other.\r\n\r\nThe books, like The Year We Learned to Fly, The Proudest Blue, and Fry Bread, open windows into different cultures, histories, and experiences, helping our students develop empathy, respect, and pride in their own identities. These stories spark meaningful conversations about diversity, kindness, and belonging, lessons that go far beyond reading time.\r\n\r\nThe Colors of the World crayon sets allow our students to express their creativity in ways that reflect their own skin tones and those of their classmates, fostering a deeper appreciation for diversity through art. Meanwhile, the Surf Portable Lap Desks and flexible seating give students comfortable, adaptable learning spaces that meet their individual needs, making it easier for them to focus and engage.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, I've been able to create lessons that celebrate all cultures and backgrounds while nurturing literacy and social-emotional growth. Students who once struggled to see themselves in books are now eager to read and share their own stories. This project has truly enriched our classroom community, building bridges of understanding and belonging.\r\n\r\nTo the entire DonorsChoose Community, thank you for investing in our students' futures and for helping us create a classroom where everyone can thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1758816410752,"projectUrl":"project/colors-of-us-books-crayons-seating-t/9661390/","projectTitle":"Colors of Us: Books, Crayons & Seating That Celebrate Diversity","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Galbraith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1586483_orig.jpg?crop=894,894,x0,y143&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1749818318940","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1586483"},{"teacherId":1586483,"projectId":9411535,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom has become a calmer, more focused, and engaging space for students with diverse learning needs. The tools you funded, fidget bands, timers, headphones, and sensory fidgets, are now essential parts of our daily routines, helping students regulate their emotions, maintain attention, and feel more confident in their learning.\r\n\r\nMany people are familiar with these tools in home or office settings, but in our classroom, they've become transformative teaching supports.","fullyFundedDate":1755711642003,"projectUrl":"project/start-the-year-with-supplies/9411535/","projectTitle":"Start the Year with Supplies!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Galbraith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1586483_orig.jpg?crop=894,894,x0,y143&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1749818318940","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1586483"},{"teacherId":1586483,"projectId":9393888,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom has been completely transformed! The new resources you helped provide are being used daily, and the difference they've made is truly inspiring.\r\n\r\nThe students were ecstatic when they first saw the materials. I'll never forget the moment they walked in and saw the new supplies! One student whispered, \"Is this all for us?\" with wide eyes. That moment alone reminded me why these resources matter so much.\r\n\r\nSince receiving the materials, we've launched a hands on project that has captivated the entire class. For example, in our recent science unit, students worked in small groups to create interactive presentations on ecosystems using the new supplies we received! \r\n\r\nRight now, we're moving into a unit focused on problem solving and critical thinking. With these new materials, students will soon be working on collaborative projects where they identify a real world issue and propose a solution, using a mix of writing, visuals, and presentations to share their ideas. The confidence they've gained from having the right tools is already shining through.\r\n\r\nYour donation didn't just give us supplies, it gave my students the message that their education matters, and that people believe in them. Thank you for being part of our classroom journey!","fullyFundedDate":1749751912566,"projectUrl":"project/start-the-year-strong/9393888/","projectTitle":"Start the Year Strong!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Galbraith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1586483_orig.jpg?crop=894,894,x0,y143&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1749818318940","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1586483"},{"teacherId":1892521,"projectId":8486209,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for all of the supplies you gifted us. We received tri fold privacy folders, magnetic tape, packaging tape, and other necessary materials to create a project I had been wanting to make for a very long time. I have noticed my students get very distracted and want to get up or speak to other students. My project was to create small offices with grade level or individualized anchor chart to support instruction. The \"offices\" have number lines, hundreds charts, word walls, alphabet charts, anchor charts on money and time as well as sentence frames to support my students in all academic areas. For example, if they are given a writing prompt, the sentence frames, alphabet chart and word wall are able to support how to spell, write and express their ideas. They are also able to use their phonemic awareness skills along with the anchor charts and maintain engagement on their assignment rather than keep getting distracted by other peers. Thank you as well for the headphones they received so they are able to block out all the noise around them and really focus on their work. We appreciate all the prizes, toys and stickers which are always encouraging and motivating.","fullyFundedDate":1731033052195,"projectUrl":"project/ill-see-you-in-my-office/8486209/","projectTitle":"I'll See You in My Office","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1892521_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1453468672108","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1892521"},{"teacherId":4743166,"projectId":8605895,"letterContent":"My students were so happy to receive all of the materials as they were arriving. They couldn't wait to open the boxes and see what new games they were getting. They said things like, \" I like to match the letters and think,\" when they played with the CVC word building wooden blocks. They enjoy learning new vocabulary words and collaborating with peers as they ask one another for support. These games are used daily during our language arts center time. These games are preferred tasks for my students as well as encouraging my students to build words, develop language and phonemic awareness.\r\nDuring our guided reading time, I am able to pull a small group of students to teach reading behaviors and skills such as decoding and sight words. The table, makes it much easier for me to have the students sit in a semi circle and reach over to prompt them when they need support. My class also loved all the squishies, stickers, fidgets and toys they can earn on Friday after having a great week of learning. Thank you for making this all possible.","fullyFundedDate":1724214640417,"projectUrl":"project/together-is-better/8605895/","projectTitle":"Together is Better","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Guzman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4743166_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1504191921050","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/g-guzman"},{"teacherId":1496081,"projectId":3671733,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping the Grimes Elementary School develop our first ever Concert Band program after school. Low brass instruments can be especially expensive and difficult to provide for students interested in trombone and euphonium, especially in areas where families need additional support from school. This trombone will help not only a student be able to join this year but also for many students to join down the line and continue a new legacy for Grimes School and student families. Thank you again!","fullyFundedDate":1544758134210,"projectUrl":"project/all-about-that-bass-no-treble/3671733/","projectTitle":"All About That Bass... No Treble!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Horn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1496081_orig.jpg?crop=1512,1512,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1695602316787","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jennifer-dennis"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5356","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":369,"numTeachers":25,"percentFrplEligible":76,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":7,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":90,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"14.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":68.1,"schoolId":5356,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Grimes Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Grimes Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/grimes-school/5356"}