{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"McCutcheon Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":40.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9568414,"projectId":9262530,"letterContent":"Even though, we were not able to get the original item(a plant growth cart), we were delighted with the chance to request for additional gardening supplies, tools, seeds, plants and even pets for our classroom and school. \r\n\r\nWe received several tropical plants that were added to beautify the school and classroom. Not only they provide beauty to our school but they also bring fresh air and make the students feel more connected with nature. \r\nOn the other hand, Students were very excited to see new pets in the classroom. They were not expecting to see crawfish. Many of them didn't even know what animal it was so it was very cool to educate students. The students received additional jobs by helping with feeding the crayfish and changing the tank water. You would be surprised to hear that the dirty water was reused in our garden bringing many rich nutrients to our plants. In our school we don't waste anything. The earthworms you guys bought, are alive and multiplying in their hut. They of course help us by eating all the organic scraps from the cafeteria and producing waste that will later be used for our plants. \r\n\r\nThe seeds and pots will be used once we come back in January. The micro greens will provide an indoor gardening experience to the students and the other seeds will be used for the hydroponic systems and also to start the seedlings for outdoors in Spring. With that said gardening has the chance to continue throughout all year and not just during the warm months.\r\n\r\nI want to thank you all again for your contributions. Without your support our students would not be able to experience the joy of gardening. Skills that hopefully they will continue to to use for many years thanks to you. Thank you !!!","fullyFundedDate":1754324477958,"projectUrl":"project/support-our-humble-school-indoor-gardeni/9262530/","projectTitle":"Support Our Humble School Indoor Gardening Lab","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Jonathan M","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9568414_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720496015619","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9568414"},{"teacherId":8529061,"projectId":9443903,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our third-grade classroom has truly been transformed. My students come in each morning full of energy, curiosity, and love for learning—but now, with our new classroom rug and essential supplies, their excitement has grown even stronger.\r\n\r\nThe very first moment they walked in and saw the rug rolled out, they cheered. Several students immediately sat down, running their hands across the soft surface, and one said, \"This will be a great place to read books!\" It has quickly become the heart of our room. We now begin our day gathered together on the rug for morning meeting and whole-group lessons. It has also become a favorite spot for partner reading, community-building activities, and small-group discussions. The sense of togetherness it has created is noticeable every single day.\r\n\r\nThe classroom supplies you provided have already made a tremendous impact as well. Students are using the new materials to stay organized, express their creativity, and move smoothly through our daily routines. The classroom feels brighter, more efficient, and more welcoming—exactly the environment they deserve.\r\n\r\nThank you again for helping us create a classroom where every child feels safe, valued, and inspired. Your generosity didn't just provide materials—it helped build a learning space where my students truly feel they belong.","fullyFundedDate":1755719832721,"projectUrl":"project/a-cozy-organized-classroom-for-curious/9443903/","projectTitle":"A Cozy, Organized Classroom for Curious Learners!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kelly","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8529061_orig.jpg?crop=576,576,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1722292311230","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8529061"},{"teacherId":420665,"projectId":9482341,"letterContent":"We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation of headphones to our students. Your thoughtful contribution has made a tremendous difference in our classroom. The headphones have become an essential tool for supporting students with diverse learning needs, allowing each child to engage more deeply with their lessons and focus on their individual goals.\r\n\r\nFor many of our students who struggle with reading, the headphones have been transformative. They use text-to-speech programs that read passages aloud, helping them follow along and improve their decoding and comprehension skills. Additionally, our English language learners benefit greatly from the translation features that allow them to access academic content in their native language while continuing to build English proficiency. This has increased their confidence and participation in class discussions.\r\n\r\nThe use of headphones has also created a quieter and more productive classroom environment. Students are now able to work independently without distraction, which has improved concentration and overall classroom management. Because of your generosity, every student has the opportunity to learn at their own pace and in their own way. Thank you for investing in our students' success and helping us create a more inclusive and focused learning environment.","fullyFundedDate":1756395874096,"projectUrl":"project/oh-the-places-youll-go/9482341/","projectTitle":"Oh, the Places You'll Go!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kritikos","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/vbakis"},{"teacherId":4732893,"projectId":9139944,"letterContent":"We are so grateful for your generous donation of sensory tools to support our occupational therapy program for students from Pre-K through 8th grade. Items such as oral chews, vibrating pillows, and weighted lap pads will make an incredible difference for our students, helping them regulate their emotions, manage sensory needs, and engage more fully in their learning. These tools provide calming input and comfort, allowing students to feel more grounded and ready to participate in classroom activities. Your support is giving us the opportunity to create a more inclusive, supportive environment where every child can thrive.\r\n\r\nAs we begin a new school year, these resources could not have come at a better time. The start of school can be exciting but also overwhelming for many students, and these sensory tools will help set them up for success from day one. Whether it's a weighted lap pad helping a child stay focused during a reading lesson, a vibrating pillow offering comfort during moments of dysregulation, or an oral chew providing a safe oral outlet for sensory needs, each tool you've provided will have a meaningful impact on a student's daily life. Thank you for investing in their well-being, confidence, and ability to learn. Your generosity will be felt in countless ways throughout the year.","fullyFundedDate":1742823852756,"projectUrl":"project/soothing-sensory-tools/9139944/","projectTitle":"Soothing Sensory Tools","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Fry","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4732893"},{"teacherId":9689893,"projectId":8677267,"letterContent":"I wanted to extend my deepest gratitude for your incredible generosity in fulfilling our classroom wishlist. Your support brought so much joy to our students, especially through the books that reflect their cultures, stories, and identities.\r\n\r\nRepresentation matters, and thanks to you, our students now have the opportunity to see themselves in the pages they read. These books are already sparking powerful conversations, building confidence, and helping students feel valued and seen.\r\n\r\nYour gift is more than just books- it's a step toward equity, inclusion, and inspiration in the classroom. Thank you for investing in our learners and in a more inclusive future.","fullyFundedDate":1733172177305,"projectUrl":"project/building-classroom-community/8677267/","projectTitle":"Building Classroom Community","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Benz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9689893"},{"teacherId":8298320,"projectId":8452334,"letterContent":"Thank you so. much for your support in helping my class receive a listening center! Classroom dividers have helped us section off the area, making it feel special, and headphones give each student their own pair to use to listen to reading.\r\n\r\nA listening center helps bring books to life, and helps my students who are early readers get access to engaging stories read by fluent readers.\r\n\r\nSince we started using the listening center as part of our daily Language Arts centers, I have seen my students begin to develop their listening and reading fluency skills.\r\n\r\nWe are so grateful for your contribution. Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1725908576178,"projectUrl":"project/learning-through-listening-listening-ce/8452334/","projectTitle":"Learning Through Listening: Listening Center for Special Education","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jankowski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8298320_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1643228155142","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-jankowski-mustangs"},{"teacherId":8298320,"projectId":8360651,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contribution to our classroom! With your donation, we were able to receive the items we needed to give the students in my classroom a calming area to relax, regulate their emotions, or help meet their sensory needs. Due to the unique needs of each of my students, they needed an area that was versatile and served as an escape when they needed a break.\r\n\r\nClassroom dividers help give them a bit of privacy. Noise-cancelling headphones help reduce distracting sounds for students who are sensitive to noise. A small rug makes the area cozy and comfortable. Storage materials will help us organize our existing calming tools and sensory objects.\r\n\r\nThese materials are well-loved in our classroom, and they get used every single day!\r\n\r\nThank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1719577143146,"projectUrl":"project/calm-and-cozy-zone/8360651/","projectTitle":"Calm and Cozy Zone","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jankowski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8298320_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1643228155142","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-jankowski-mustangs"},{"teacherId":8706219,"projectId":7688077,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donations which have allowed us to create the first ever instrumental band program at our school. Since receiving all these materials, we have had many incredible concerts, events, and community collaborations within our program. \r\n\r\nStudents have developed quickly on their instruments, and began to cultivate a positive and fun music making community within our school. Being in the 2nd year of our program, I have seen some students become section leaders and progress greatly on their instruments, as well as seen the program expand and grow in numbers and influence around the school.\r\n\r\nI cannot wait to see how this program continues to develop, and how band will grow and continue to thrive at our school for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1692970796118,"projectUrl":"project/supplying-and-facilitating-a-complete-be/7688077/","projectTitle":"Supplying and Facilitating a Complete Beginning Band Program","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Tearse","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8706219_orig.jpg?crop=4000,4000,x1360,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683614783676","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8706219"},{"teacherId":8706219,"projectId":8677011,"letterContent":"I am so delighted to update you about our funded project 'New Year, New Rugs'. From the first day I laid them out on the floor, students came into the classroom with an excited and curious energy. Everyone's jaws dropped as they walked into the room for the first time!! \r\n\r\nThe rugs are not only comfortable and beautiful, but they contain lots of music content symbols and information which we have used multiple times throughout different lessons. Specifically, students love the piano keyboard edges on my largest rug, and when critically listening to music I will invite them to play-along and pretend that they are the performers in the recording! \r\n\r\nThese rugs have completely transformed the look, feel, and environment of my room and I am so grateful to have them. Now, student has a comfortable spot to sit in my classroom, and I am better able to organize seating charts and how to space out instruments during performances.","fullyFundedDate":1733244809790,"projectUrl":"project/new-year-new-rugs/8677011/","projectTitle":"New Year, New Rugs!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Tearse","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8706219_orig.jpg?crop=4000,4000,x1360,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683614783676","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8706219"},{"teacherId":8298320,"projectId":8403504,"letterContent":"Thank you SO much for your generosity in donating to our project. This year, our third year of being a competitive robotics team, we were able to have our best season EVER!\r\n\r\nThe students LOVED the expansion pack and used it to design a more complex robot that was able to have more complex attachments for completing missions. We also used the book to practice more complex builds and complete challenges\r\n\r\nAfter all of their hard work and practice, our team had the top score after 3 rounds of the robot game at our qualifier competition. They were so excited to bring home a trophy!","fullyFundedDate":1716298223423,"projectUrl":"project/full-steam-ahead-competition-ready-firs/8403504/","projectTitle":"Full STEAM Ahead: Competition Ready FIRST Lego League Robotics Team","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jankowski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8298320_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1643228155142","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-jankowski-mustangs"},{"teacherId":3721309,"projectId":8452736,"letterContent":"Thank you so so much for helping make this Donor's Choose project possible. The laminating pouches, velcro, printer ink and paper all arrived and I couldn't be more excited. Having these materials allow for me to make modified materials to meet children at their present levels of knowledge. I am able to create fun, functional, and developmentally appropriate activities for both small group and free choice activities. The students love being able to practice skills and be successful in their learning. \r\n\r\nThank you for being part of our world in pre-K.","fullyFundedDate":1727807172705,"projectUrl":"project/modified-activities-help-me-grow/8452736/","projectTitle":"Modified Activities Help me Grow!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. BrokenRope","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3721309_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1473634849149","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-brokenrope"},{"teacherId":3721309,"projectId":8452893,"letterContent":"Thank you so so much for your generous donations and helping make this project possible. All of the cleaning supplies have arrived and we are so incredibly grateful to be able to make sure our classroom is healthy and clean for all the students. Cold season is here in full swing, which means we are constantly cleaning learning materials, surfaces, and toys. Thankfully, having this project funded will help continue to make our classroom a thriving learning space! \r\n\r\nThank you for being part of our world!","fullyFundedDate":1726667595792,"projectUrl":"project/a-clean-classroom-is-a-happy-classroom/8452893/","projectTitle":"A Clean Classroom is a Happy Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. BrokenRope","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3721309_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1473634849149","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-brokenrope"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5742","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":344,"numTeachers":31,"percentFrplEligible":91,"percentAsian":15,"percentBlack":47,"percentWhite":4,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":26,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"11.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":59.5,"schoolId":5742,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about McCutcheon Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"McCutcheon Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/mccutcheon-elementary-school/5742"}