{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"John M Smyth Magnet School","outOfStateSupporters":28.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9100822,"projectId":10495382,"letterContent":"Our ipad cart is now full of brand new chargers that are able to charge up our tablets for learning! We are so grateful! We promise to be gentle with them! We have also been enjoying our new wireless HDMI cord, our teacher is able to move around the room and we are still able to see our work up on the promethean board in our room! It has made learning a lot easier for us especially when we are short staffed, and it has made teaching easier for our teacher because she gets to help us while she teaches! Thank you so much for providing us with a much needed tech update!","fullyFundedDate":1787664829821,"projectUrl":"project/tech-renovation/10495382/","projectTitle":"Tech Renovation!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. D","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9100822_orig.jpg?crop=1243,1243,x618,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1693324319640","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9100822"},{"teacherId":9100822,"projectId":10317182,"letterContent":"We are so excited to have these wonderful new cooking tools to start our classroom cooking classes! We will soon be making eggs and pancakes on our brand new skillet! We are so excited to have the opportunity to learn how to measure! This is a skill we want to focus a lot on this year because it will help us a lot in the future! \r\nWe want to make sure that are students are set up for success and have the ability to make foods that they like in the future! Our new skillet and electric pan will allow us to do just that while we get to learn our measuring skills! Thank you for allowing us to have fun learning experiences!","fullyFundedDate":1787664855401,"projectUrl":"project/cooking-with-sped/10317182/","projectTitle":"Cooking with SPED!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. D","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9100822_orig.jpg?crop=1243,1243,x618,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1693324319640","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9100822"},{"teacherId":9100822,"projectId":10264816,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and our sensory needs! We have been enjoying our sensory items very much within our classroom! Our new trampoline has been helping one of our new students very much, he is able to get the movement he needs to work hard! \r\nOur new weighted blanket has been helping another one of our students who has a lot of sensory needs and requires A LOT of deep pressure, he loves being wrapped up in his weighted blanket for support. We have also been able to use the bands under our chair legs so we don't have to feel like we have to sit still while we are learning. Thank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1787664937638,"projectUrl":"project/regulation-station-update/10264816/","projectTitle":"Regulation Station Update","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. D","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9100822_orig.jpg?crop=1243,1243,x618,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1693324319640","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9100822"},{"teacherId":9100822,"projectId":10275923,"letterContent":"Although this project was meant to be for last year, I am sooo excited that we will already be set up for success for the end of the year! We will have to wait to play with our new toys but we are going to be able to have the best End of the year party ever thanks to you! We cannot wait to learn about how light reflects over bubbles and pop all of the bubbles we can so that we can fulfil our sensory needs! \r\nWe thank you so much for making our End of the Year special this year! We will be sure to take lots of pictures.","fullyFundedDate":1787664856624,"projectUrl":"project/eoy-bubble-palooza/10275923/","projectTitle":"EOY Bubble Palooza!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. D","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9100822_orig.jpg?crop=1243,1243,x618,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1693324319640","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9100822"},{"teacherId":8423164,"projectId":10280941,"letterContent":"When the boxes arrived, my students were practically jumping out of their seats with excitement. Opening packages meant specifically for them made them feel so valued, and as soon as we unboxed the bright Lewtemi donut chairs, the yoga ball, and the Cuddly Puppy weighted lap pad, their eyes lit up. They couldn't wait to test out the different seating options and immediately started taking turns figuring out which support felt best for their bodies.\r\n\r\nWe hit the ground running with our new resources during our daily reading and math rotations. The donut chairs and yoga ball have become instant favorites for our \"active sitters,\" allowing them to micro-move and engage their core while staying completely focused on their work. During a recent guided reading project—where students worked in small groups on multi-step research and graphic organizers—the impact was undeniable. One student, who normally struggles to sit still for more than five minutes, placed the weighted puppy lap pad across their lap, settled into a donut chair, and calmly worked through the entire 20-minute station without a single distraction. They take immense pride in choosing the sensory tools they need to manage their own focus now.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we are diving into an upcoming unit where students will be managing independent research projects across multiple days. Having these flexible seating options anchored in our classroom gives them the physical comfort and sensory input they need to tackle complex, self-paced tasks. Thank you for giving my students the gift of sensory regulation and true learning independence!","fullyFundedDate":1787664872379,"projectUrl":"project/wiggle-while-you-work/10280941/","projectTitle":"Wiggle While You Work!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. ORN","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8423164_orig.jpg?crop=1310,1310,x191,y853&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1748746434273","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/missorn"},{"teacherId":8423164,"projectId":10542460,"letterContent":"When the box arrived, my 4th and 5th graders were practically jumping out of their seats. Opening a package meant specifically for them made them feel so valued, and as soon as I set up the oversized visual timer and bright, color-coded clock, their eyes lit up. They couldn't wait to see how the colored disk worked and immediately started testing out how to read the detailed clock face.\r\n\r\nWe hit the ground running with our new tools during our daily reading and math rotations. During a recent guided reading project—where students work in stations on multi-step research and collaborative graphic organizers—the visual timer was a complete game-changer. Instead of interrupting their work to ask how much time was left, students simply glanced up at the giant red disk, paced themselves, and kept working. They take immense pride in managing their own transitions now, smoothly wrapping up their thought process before moving to the next station.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we are diving into our next big inquiry project, where students will be managing independent research deadlines across multiple days. Having these visual resources anchored in our classroom gives them the confidence and structural scaffolding they need to tackle complex, self-paced tasks. Thank you for giving my students the gift of time management and true learning independence!","fullyFundedDate":1788197358465,"projectUrl":"project/tick-tock-small-group-success-on-the-cl/10542460/","projectTitle":"Tick-Tock, Small Group Success on the Clock!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. ORN","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8423164_orig.jpg?crop=1310,1310,x191,y853&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1748746434273","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/missorn"},{"teacherId":8569426,"projectId":10478408,"letterContent":"Thank you so much again for your support! Its truly warms my heart to share how these new resources have transformed my kindergarten classroom! Right now, we are using the play dough and the new tools as a core part of our literacy station. In my class, many of my students are still developing the fine motor skills necessary for holding a pencil, and these tools are absolute game-changers. Just yesterday, I watched a student who usually struggles with focus spend twenty minutes carefully rolling \"snakes\" of play dough to form letters. It wasn't just play; it was intense, focused, multi-sensory learning that made the shape of the letter stick in his mind in a way a worksheet never could.\r\n\r\nWhen I showed them our new play dough and tools, their reaction was priceless. For many of my students, new, high-quality supplies are a rarity. When I opened the packages and they saw the different colors and molds, especially the stamps and cutting tools, there were literal gasps and cheers. Seeing them treat these materials with such genuine awe and excitement was a moment I won't soon forget. It made them feel special, and it made our classroom feel like a place where they are truly invested in. Thank you again for believing in my students. You haven't just donated \"supplies\"; you've given us the tools to build confidence, fine motor strength, and a love for learning.","fullyFundedDate":1787664847202,"projectUrl":"project/little-hands-big-imaginations/10478408/","projectTitle":"Little Hands, Big Imaginations!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Winston","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8569426_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1672532441417","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8569426"},{"teacherId":7955101,"projectId":10339780,"letterContent":"My students are using our new classroom carpet during morning meetings, story time, whole-group lessons, and hands-on activities. They were so excited when they first saw it and couldn't wait to sit on it! The carpet has created a comfortable and welcoming space where my students can learn, communicate, and interact with one another. Our next step is to continue using this space to build social, communication, and academic skills while making learning fun, engaging, and meaningful. Thanks you so much","fullyFundedDate":1787664956500,"projectUrl":"project/soft-and-cozy/10339780/","projectTitle":"Soft and Cozy","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Robinson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7955101"},{"teacherId":7955101,"projectId":10450832,"letterContent":"My students are already using our new printer to create visual supports, picture cards, writing activities, and individualized learning materials. They were so excited when they first saw the materials and loved knowing that the resources were created especially for them. \r\nThe printer allows me to quickly create materials that meet each student's unique learning needs and make learning more engaging, hands-on accessible. I am grateful to you for helping make this possible! It's a dream come true","fullyFundedDate":1787664981213,"projectUrl":"project/learning-connections/10450832/","projectTitle":"Learning Connections","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Robinson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7955101"},{"teacherId":10414970,"projectId":10048348,"letterContent":"Your generosity has officially transformed our classroom into a vibrant, joyful space of sensory exploration and connection. When the package first arrived, the excitement was immediate—eyes widened, hands clapped, and smiles spread across the room as the students watched the new instruments emerge from their boxes. For many of our kids, introducing new items can bring hesitation, but the predictable, welcoming nature of these musical tools invited immediate curiosity. Hands instantly reached out to test the smooth surfaces of the xylophones and feel the tactile feedback of the drums, turning initial curiosity into a moment of pure, spontaneous delight.\r\n\r\nWe have already integrated these resources into our daily morning circle to set a calm, grounded tone for the day. In one recent moment, a student who often experiences deep sensory overload during transitions was struggling to enter the room. Instead of relying on spoken instructions, we began a simple, steady rhythm on the floor drum. Hearing and feeling the predictable beat, he slowly moved closer, picked up a mallet, and matched the rhythm on the xylophone. Engaging both hemispheres of his brain through this shared rhythm helped his nervous system regulate, moving him from distress to focused, calm connection.\r\n\r\nNext, we will create a collaborative \"storytelling through sound\" project. The students will use their instruments to represent different emotions, weather patterns, and character movements in the books we read together. This will help them deepen their social-emotional vocabulary and practice taking turns in a group setting. Your support didn't just buy instruments—it gave our remarkable students a safe, expressive voice, and we are endlessly grateful for your investment in their potential.","fullyFundedDate":1777947128658,"projectUrl":"project/the-pre-k-pulse-project/10048348/","projectTitle":"The Pre-K Pulse Project","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. York","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10414970"},{"teacherId":10360272,"projectId":10160331,"letterContent":"I am sincerely grateful to our generous donors for helping us create a comfortable and inviting space where my students can develop a love for reading. The new resources have transformed our classroom reading area into a cozy space where students can independently explore books, practice their reading skills, and enjoy time with a good book in a comfortable setting.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, my students were excited to see the new reading space and eager to begin using it. One of the most rewarding moments has been watching students choose a book, find a comfortable spot, and become completely engaged in their reading. These resources have helped make reading feel like an enjoyable experience rather than simply another classroom task.\r\n\r\nAs we continue our reading lessons, students will work on building fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, and confidence as readers. They will continue using the reading space for independent reading while also sharing their thinking about the books they read. Thank you for investing in my students and helping me create a classroom environment where they can feel comfortable, build confidence, and truly fall in love with reading.","fullyFundedDate":1777914056316,"projectUrl":"project/creating-a-comfortable-space-to-fall-in/10160331/","projectTitle":"Creating a Comfortable Space to Fall in Love With Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gutierrez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10360272_orig.jpg?crop=1124,1124,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1763857375131","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10360272"},{"teacherId":10360272,"projectId":10176260,"letterContent":"I am incredibly grateful for this generous donation, especially as a new teacher in a school with limited resources. These materials have made such a meaningful difference in our classroom and have helped create a space where students feel comfortable, supported, and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nMy students are using the new resources in many different ways throughout the day. They have been especially helpful with social-emotional learning, organization, flexible seating, and creating cozy areas where students can read independently in a comfortable and inviting space. One of my favorite moments was watching students choose their own comfortable spot to read and seeing how quickly they became engaged with their books. Having these options has helped students recognize what they need to feel focused and successful.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the new materials, they were so excited! They immediately wanted to explore everything and were eager to use the new seating and cozy reading areas. Their excitement showed me how much these seemingly simple resources can impact a child's sense of belonging and comfort in the classroom.\r\n\r\nAs we begin the school year, my students will keep building their independence, strengthening their social-emotional skills, and developing a love of reading. We are working toward becoming confident, organized learners who can make positive choices about how they learn best. These resources have helped me create an environment that supports those goals, and I am so thankful to our donors for making this possible. Your generosity is directly impacting my students and helping make our classroom a welcoming place where every child can learn and grow.","fullyFundedDate":1777947944143,"projectUrl":"project/tiny-hands-big-ideas-kindergarten-stea/10176260/","projectTitle":"Tiny Hands, Big Ideas: Kindergarten STEAM Explorers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gutierrez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10360272_orig.jpg?crop=1124,1124,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1763857375131","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10360272"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5828","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":343,"numTeachers":27,"percentFrplEligible":80,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":93,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":5,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":0,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"12.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":71.5,"schoolId":5828,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about John M Smyth Magnet School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"John M Smyth Magnet School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/john-n-smyth-magnet-school/5828"}