{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"McPherson Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":25.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":445192,"projectId":9797668,"letterContent":"The bookshelf has been a huge hit! We recently received a collection of biographies and this shelf is the perfect way to display them. We are able to highlight famous men and women from many different backgrounds that students may not have otherwise heard about in an eye-catching way and accessible way. Because there are so many slots on the front and such a large opening for books on the top, so many books are in view at once!\r\n\r\nAdditionally, because of the height of the shelf and the way that the books are positioned, the books are incredibly accessible for all students. Our student who is in a wheelchair is easily able to view and select the books. \r\n\r\nThe library has only been open for three weeks and it is already a big success. The students have been writing down book titles in a Book Wish List and our next step is to raise money to buy those books! There are so many authors and topics that our students would love to explore and we hope to make that happen for them! Thank you for your generosity! Happy reading to you!","fullyFundedDate":1760752317961,"projectUrl":"project/accessibility-in-the-library/9797668/","projectTitle":"Accessibility in the Library","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. D","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp445192_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1469988655294","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/445192"},{"teacherId":1074228,"projectId":9806630,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation. Your kindness is much appreciated by my students and me! My students range from Kindergarten to third grade and with these Math activities my students that struggle with counting and number recognition will be able to learn to count and be able to recognize their numbers. \r\n\r\nMy students work better when they are in groups and they learn more when they have hands on activities to help them understand. These kiddos are so sweet and kind. They want to learn and with your help they will!!","fullyFundedDate":1760637422179,"projectUrl":"project/math-math-math/9806630/","projectTitle":"Math, Math, Math","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Martinucci","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1074228_orig.jpg?crop=809,809,x118,y307&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1601775417258","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1074228"},{"teacherId":1074228,"projectId":9677531,"letterContent":"Once again I want to thank you so much for your generosity on my classroom furniture! You guys are truly amazing. My students absolutely love the couch and chair. They love to take breaks, put their feet up and read a book independently or to each other. It is just so much fun for them.\r\n\r\n They enjoy making connections with each other. The pieces also look great in my classroom and make a nice little cozy nook for the children to enjoy each others company. You guys are amazing and both my students and me thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1758806159584,"projectUrl":"project/a-warm-and-fuzzy-classroom/9677531/","projectTitle":"A Warm and Fuzzy Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Martinucci","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1074228_orig.jpg?crop=809,809,x118,y307&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1601775417258","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1074228"},{"teacherId":9200675,"projectId":9333937,"letterContent":"On behalf of Room 111, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks for your generous support in helping us fund a sensory bin in our preschool classroom. The bin is not only BEAUTIFUL, but it has already become a beloved part of our daily routine. Our students absolutely love engaging in sensory play—it's been a joy to watch their curiosity and creativity blossom through hands-on exploration!\r\n\r\nWe're especially excited to use the sensory bin during our upcoming Recycling Unit, where we'll be learning about how to care for our oceans. The sea animals you helped provide will help our young learners make real-world connections in a meaningful way.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has truly made a difference. The materials you've funded will be used and appreciated for years to come, helping many children learn, grow, and imagine. Thank you again for supporting our classroom and for investing in early childhood education!","fullyFundedDate":1748883945592,"projectUrl":"project/help-our-preschoolers-clean-the-oceans/9333937/","projectTitle":"Help Our Preschoolers Clean the Oceans!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Eason","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9200675_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y386&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1748787764899","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9200675"},{"teacherId":1074228,"projectId":9516895,"letterContent":"Thank you very much for your donation. You guys always come through for my students and me. This is so appreciated and kind of you, especially in this current economic climate. \r\n\r\nI have always participated in Donors Choose and have always been super successful with my projects. My students always benefit and are very excited to see what they get. They love new the new activities they receive. This time I focused on heath so we got Clorox wipes, air fresheners and a few other \"healthy items\" for the school year!!\r\n\r\nThanks again for your generosity!!","fullyFundedDate":1755880193120,"projectUrl":"project/school-supplies/9516895/","projectTitle":"School Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Martinucci","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1074228_orig.jpg?crop=809,809,x118,y307&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1601775417258","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1074228"},{"teacherId":1074228,"projectId":9234776,"letterContent":"I would like to send my hear felt thanks to every one of my donors. You are all absolutely wonderful and amazing! Your donations will impact my students positively. They will be able to engage with each other and learn more about Math and Reading which is key in the early elementary levels of school. What they learn now will help them develop later in their learning careers at school. My students are kind, loving, BIG learners and curious about the world around them. This donation to my project will help them achieve all these goals!","fullyFundedDate":1746282224201,"projectUrl":"project/reading-activities/9234776/","projectTitle":"Reading Activities","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Martinucci","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1074228_orig.jpg?crop=809,809,x118,y307&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1601775417258","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1074228"},{"teacherId":7152436,"projectId":8052241,"letterContent":"As students wonder about the matter in front of them whether it was rocks or slides with microorganisms they gathered evidence from their observations and learned from their experiences. Students were excited about the technology based microscope. Many of our current tools have scratches and damages that make using them challenging or impossible. This year I am teaching 6th grade again. I plan to use the microscope as parts of units that reflect something I learned at a NASA presentation recently, that certain algae and specific cell parts from fungi can be used to build structures, filter for oxygen, and keep resources ever recyclable. The uses of microorganisms and cells as building tools are only as endless as the creativity of the scientist.","fullyFundedDate":1701226284724,"projectUrl":"project/magnify-their-learning/8052241/","projectTitle":"Magnify Their Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hollister","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7152436_orig.png?crop=398,398,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1627832970925","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-hollister"},{"teacherId":7027563,"projectId":7538624,"letterContent":"I am absolutely thrilled and deeply grateful for your generous donation, which allowed us to purchase brand new tables for our kindergarten classroom! This might seem like a simple classroom update, but for our youngest learners, it's a profound transformation.\r\n\r\nIn kindergarten, the environment truly is another teacher. When children enter a classroom that feels calm, organized, and specifically designed for their needs, it creates a sense of psychological safety. This allows them to relax, focus, and most importantly, feel welcomed and ready to learn. These tables provide a stable, comfortable, and appropriately-sized workspace for every single child, reducing wiggles, promoting better posture, and minimizing distractions.\r\n\r\nThe impact of a calm, safe environment on our incoming kindergarten students cannot be overstated:\r\n- Enhanced Focus: Proper seating means fewer distractions and more attention on learning tasks.\r\n- Increased Independence: Appropriately sized tables allow children to easily access their materials and manage their own space, fostering a sense of capability.\r\n- Improved Collaboration: A well-arranged table invites positive peer interactions, encouraging teamwork and shared discovery during activities.\r\n- Emotional Well-being: Knowing they have a designated, comfortable spot contributes to a child's sense of belonging and overall emotional security in their new school environment.\r\n\r\nYour generosity directly contributes to a classroom where every child can feel secure enough to take risks, ask questions, and joyfully engage in their learning journey. You didn't just provide tables; you provided a foundation for success, well-being, and a love of learning.\r\n\r\nFrom the bottom of my heart, thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1690906540091,"projectUrl":"project/terrific-tables-for-terrific-kiddos/7538624/","projectTitle":"Terrific Tables for Terrific Kiddos!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Engelke","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7027563_orig.jpg?crop=1124,1125,x0,y157&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1654359193034","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7027563"},{"teacherId":7152436,"projectId":8874791,"letterContent":"Thanks to donors students this year had access to beautiful colored paper and printer inc. The colors helped increase organization, engagement, as well inspired creative thinking. The colored paper was used for everything from assessments to reflections. Having the printer in the classroom continues to strengthen my success as a teacher as well by reducing travel and wait time for the 3rd floor printer, increasing my ability to differentiate more effectively. Donors Choose and the donors are life savers.","fullyFundedDate":1730512626981,"projectUrl":"project/print-it-out-loud-and-bright/8874791/","projectTitle":"Print It Out Loud and Bright","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hollister","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7152436_orig.png?crop=398,398,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1627832970925","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-hollister"},{"teacherId":9698483,"projectId":8882772,"letterContent":"What an amazing addition this has been for our classroom.\r\nWe started with introducing our light table during quiet time as an activity to allow students to rest without sleeping. They had access to pattern blocks, clear bugs, and many other manipulatives. This was a great way for them to learn how to work quietly.\r\nWhen we started our Insect Unit, we put the light table in our dramatic play center so we could look at insect xrays and different insects in resin. The students were able to operate this on their own which promoted so much independence!\r\nThis has been so great to have placed in our classroom and I cannot thank you enough for donating and making this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1738710951697,"projectUrl":"project/light-table-adventure/8882772/","projectTitle":"Light Table Adventure","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ross","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9698483_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y937&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724332891942","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9698483"},{"teacherId":9246790,"projectId":8780507,"letterContent":"Our classroom has truly blossomed with the tools we received thanks to your generosity. The sensory swing has become a favorite among our students—not only does it help them self-regulate, but it also creates a warm, welcoming environment where they feel safe and supported. The swing gives our students the opportunity to calm their bodies while still staying engaged in learning. In fact, one of our students has begun using both verbal and nonverbal communication to request the swing, helping build stronger connections with staff and classmates alike.\r\n\r\nWe also use the sensory blankets, weighted stuffed animals, and fidgets as part of our daily social-emotional learning routine. These items help our students practice breathing exercises, focus during group instruction, and manage their emotions in more appropriate, productive ways. The punching bag has been an amazing outlet for releasing excess energy and redirecting frustration in a safe manner.\r\n\r\nOne especially memorable moment was during a literacy center rotation. A student who typically struggles with transitions and focus was able to remain engaged throughout the entire lesson while in the swing. As he gently rocked, he participated in matching picture symbols, responded to questions using his device, and even smiled while interacting with a peer. This level of engagement was a big step for him—and it wouldn't have been possible without these sensory supports.\r\n\r\nWith these tools now embedded in our routines, the next steps for our students involve deepening their self-awareness and self-regulation skills. We're working on helping them identify their emotions and choose strategies (like using the swing, fidgets, or weighted items) to manage those feelings. These sensory resources are now key components of our emotional check-in stations and are helping us build a classroom where every student can access learning in a way that works for them.","fullyFundedDate":1731028438952,"projectUrl":"project/help-us-feel-good/8780507/","projectTitle":"Help Us Feel Good","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Imperial","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9246790_orig.jpg?crop=1655,1655,x0,y226&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1694021126312","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9246790"},{"teacherId":8065277,"projectId":9098058,"letterContent":"Thank you again for your generous donations. Our students have thoroughly enjoyed learning more about recycling and water through the wonderful books you provided. We use these books during our whole group read-aloud sessions, which have become a favorite part of the day. The students are engaged and excited to explore the stories, and we use them as a way to help build important literacy skills such as making predictions and drawing conclusions from pictures and context clues.\r\n\r\nThe water unit, in particular, has been a big hit since it is a new topic we've never explored before. The students are curious and eager to learn more, and the books have sparked many thoughtful discussions. They also loved the recycling books and were especially motivated by the idea of helping to save the Earth. Your support has made a meaningful impact in our classroom, and we are truly grateful for your kindness and generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1739282336908,"projectUrl":"project/new-read-alouds-for-upcoming-units/9098058/","projectTitle":"New Read Alouds for Upcoming Units","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nariss","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8065277_orig.jpg?crop=1975,1975,x241,y2056&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1674594480209","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8065277"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5464","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":734,"numTeachers":48,"percentFrplEligible":50,"percentAsian":5,"percentBlack":8,"percentWhite":28,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":51,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"15.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":74.5,"schoolId":5464,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about McPherson Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"McPherson Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/mcpherson-elementary-school/5464"}