{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Murray Language Academy","outOfStateSupporters":40.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9014766,"projectId":10246177,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donation to our school and most importantly, to our young scholars. We are off to a great start this school year thanks to the fact that we had the materials we needed from Day 1. The students were excited to get their own notebooks and to decorate them with stickers to make each own uniquely theirs. The notebooks are neatly organized in small bins so the students know exactly where to get and store their notebooks. The organization and routines allow our class to run efficiently which thereby maximizes learning time. We have also been using other supplies like the index cards and glue sticks to make flashcards so students have resources to study at home with their families. \r\n\r\nThank you for helping us get the most out of our learning time together.","fullyFundedDate":1779465399214,"projectUrl":"project/the-tools-for-success/10246177/","projectTitle":"The Tools For Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Korpalski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9014766_orig.jpg?crop=2208,2208,x0,y338&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689023047122","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/madamekorpalski"},{"teacherId":3856160,"projectId":10319389,"letterContent":"Thank you. Because of your generosity, our students are reading From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks, and they love it.\r\n\r\nMany of our donors love to read (we do, too!), but teaching a book is different from simply enjoying one. This book has given our students so many skills and lessons. They track Zoe's inner conflict as she learns that Marcus, the father she has never met, may be innocent. They use context clues to understand words like wrongful conviction and exoneration. They write constructed responses, analyze character development, and write their own letters inspired by Zoe's letters to Marcus. They also create character maps and playlists, using music to think about how a character shows who they are.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom looks like read-alouds where students beg for one more chapter. It looks like small groups with a copy in every hand. It looks like book-club conversations that spill into lunch because students cannot stop talking about Zoe, Marcus, and what justice really means. We display their letters, character maps, and responses on our achievement board in the hallway.\r\n\r\nOne student especially has been changed by this book. [Student name] has a parent who is incarcerated and rarely talked about it. After we read the scene where Zoe visits Marcus in prison, she stayed after class and said quietly, \"That's what it's like when I visit my dad.\" Another student, [student name], had never finished a chapter book on his own. He asked to borrow our copy over break—and came back having read it twice. \"Zoe is like me,\" he said. \"She doesn't give up.\"\r\n\r\nThank you for putting this book in our students' hands. It is teaching them to read closely and speak up for what is right.","fullyFundedDate":1781467618148,"projectUrl":"project/cupcakes-and-critical-thinking-desk-of/10319389/","projectTitle":"Cupcakes and Critical Thinking: Desk of Zoe Washington","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Karim","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3856160_orig.jpg?crop=623,623,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1769568216355","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/karimdreamteam"},{"teacherId":3856160,"projectId":10410216,"letterContent":"Thank you so very much for providing our classroom with copies of Neil Gaiman's Coraline. We will begin reading it in October, and I am excited to share how your gift will impact my students.\r\n\r\nThis captivating tale is a perfect fit for our literacy block. Through read-alouds, students will experience the playfully spooky atmosphere of the story together, building listening comprehension and a shared love of storytelling. Through literature circles, they will dig deeper into character motivation and arc...discussing why Coraline makes the choices she does, how she changes from a bored and neglected child into a brave and resourceful heroine, and what drives the antagonist, the Other Mother, to control and possess. These discussions will push students to think critically, support their ideas with evidence from the text, and consider themes of gratitude, courage, and appreciating what we already have.\r\n\r\nYour donation puts real books in students' hands and makes this kind of rich, discussion-based reading possible. Thank you for investing in our classroom and in our students as readers and thinkers.","fullyFundedDate":1787158761359,"projectUrl":"project/a-spooky-tale-for-a-spooky-season/10410216/","projectTitle":"A Spooky Tale for a Spooky Season!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Karim","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3856160_orig.jpg?crop=623,623,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1769568216355","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/karimdreamteam"},{"teacherId":10487299,"projectId":10234109,"letterContent":"This donation has made a meaningful difference in my World Language Spanish classroom. At the beginning of the year, our classroom had very few of the basic supplies students use every day. My students were especially grateful to see new crayons, pencils, glue, and other materials ready for them. These may seem like simple supplies, but in our classroom they mean that students can participate in hands-on activities and projects without worrying about whether we have enough materials. Because these are consumable items that need to be replaced throughout the year, this donation also gives me peace of mind knowing that many of our everyday classroom needs are now covered.\r\n\r\nOne of the most exciting additions has been our new wobbly stool and chair bands. The wobbly stool has quickly become a favorite, but its value goes far beyond being a special seat. For students who benefit from movement during a lesson, it provides a way to release energy while remaining at their workspace and engaged in learning. Flexible seating like this can be expensive and is not something I would normally have available in my classroom without personally purchasing it.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, my students now have both the everyday supplies they need to create and learn and additional seating options that help make our classroom more responsive to different learners. We will continue using these materials throughout the school year in our Spanish lessons, art activities, and classroom projects. Thank you for helping me create a classroom where students have the materials—and the support—they need to participate fully.","fullyFundedDate":1778269001337,"projectUrl":"project/building-an-engaging-classroom/10234109/","projectTitle":"Building an Engaging Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. del Campo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10487299_orig.jpg?crop=1854,1854,x2177,y537&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1789837787150","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10487299"},{"teacherId":9321934,"projectId":10450899,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our project, \"Creating a Classroom Ready for Learning.\" Because of your generosity, my students now have access to learning materials that make our lessons more engaging, accessible, and meaningful. These resources have helped students strengthen their reading, writing, and math skills while allowing them to learn through practice, collaboration, and hands-on activities.\r\n\r\nThe materials have also helped me provide targeted instruction based on each student's individual strengths and learning needs. My students are becoming more confident, independent, and willing to participate in classroom activities. Our next step is to continue using these resources during small-group instruction and skill practice so students can build on their progress and work toward their academic and IEP goals. Thank you for helping us create an inclusive classroom where every student feels supported and ready to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1787664948417,"projectUrl":"project/creating-a-classroom-ready-for-learning/10450899/","projectTitle":"Creating a Classroom Ready for Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Julian","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9321934_orig.jpg?crop=1534,1534,x0,y10&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1710522356231","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9321934"},{"teacherId":843331,"projectId":10244699,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donation to our classroom project! Because of your support, my students now have copies of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor. Your contribution has given them more than a novel—it has provided an opportunity to explore history, courage, family, justice, and the power of using one's voice.\r\n\r\nFrom the moment we began reading, students were drawn into the story of Cassie Logan and her family. They have been eager to discuss the characters, make predictions, ask thoughtful questions, and examine the difficult choices the Logan family must make. Having access to individual copies of the novel allows students to follow the story closely, annotate important passages, identify evidence, and participate confidently in classroom conversations.\r\n\r\nThrough this novel study, students are strengthening essential fifth-grade reading skills. They are analyzing characters, identifying themes, comparing internal and external conflicts, determining the meaning of unfamiliar words, and supporting their ideas with evidence from the text. The novel has also helped students understand how setting and historical context influence a character's experiences and decisions.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry has opened the door to meaningful conversations about racism, inequality, resilience, land ownership, and the importance of family and community. Students are learning about life in Mississippi during the Great Depression while examining the courage required to stand up against injustice. These discussions encourage them to connect events from the novel to history, the world around them, and their own experiences.\r\n\r\nYour donation has helped ensure that every student can fully participate in this learning experience. Students no longer have to share a limited number of books or wait for a copy to become available. Each child can read along, revisit important sections, and take responsibility for their own learning. This access has increased engagement and helped students feel included, prepared, and excited about reading.\r\n\r\nI have already witnessed students becoming more thoughtful readers and confident speakers. They are listening to different perspectives, building upon one another's ideas, and using evidence to explain their thinking. Even students who are sometimes hesitant to participate have found connections to the characters and themes that inspire them to share.\r\n\r\nThe impact of your generosity will continue long after we finish the final chapter. The lessons students are learning about bravery, empathy, perseverance, and justice will remain with them. These books will also become a lasting part of our classroom library, allowing future groups of students to experience this powerful story.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and helping us bring this important novel to life. Because of you, my students are not simply reading about courage in the cotton fields—they are learning to recognize courage within themselves and understand how their own voices can help create change. We are deeply grateful for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1778551505672,"projectUrl":"project/courage-in-the-cotton-fields-help-us-he/10244699/","projectTitle":"Courage in the Cotton Fields: Help Us Hear the Cry","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. PJ","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp843331_orig.jpg?crop=511,511,x0,y228&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1759460984568","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrspj825"},{"teacherId":843331,"projectId":10284708,"letterContent":"We have only just begun but our bright minds are already at work. Thank you for your generous donation!!! My students will benefit tremendously from the writing tools you helped provide, including journals, pencils, markers, and other essential classroom supplies. Because of your kindness, my students now have the materials they need to express their ideas, strengthen their writing skills, and confidently participate in daily learning activities.\r\n\r\nThese supplies may seem simple, but they have already made a meaningful difference in our classroom. Our new journals provide each student with a special place to record ideas, respond to reading, practice new vocabulary, complete bell ringers, and reflect on their learning. Students are excited to open their journals each day and see their thoughts and skills develop over time. Having dependable pencils and colorful markers also allows them to focus on learning without worrying about whether they have the necessary materials.\r\n\r\nYour donation has helped create a classroom environment where students feel prepared, supported, and ready to learn. When students have access to their own writing tools, they are more willing to take academic risks and share their thinking. They can draft stories, organize information, cite evidence from texts, revise their work, and add creative touches that make their learning personal and meaningful. The markers are especially helpful when students create graphic organizers, annotate texts, design projects, and work collaboratively with their classmates.\r\n\r\nAs a teacher, I have already noticed the excitement these materials bring to our classroom. Students take pride in their work because they have the tools needed to make it their best. They are becoming more organized, independent, and confident as writers. Instead of spending valuable instructional time searching for supplies or borrowing from others, students can begin their assignments immediately and remain engaged throughout the lesson.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has also helped ensure that every student has equitable access to high-quality materials, regardless of what they may or may not be able to bring from home. Each child deserves to enter the classroom feeling ready and capable. Because of your support, my students can concentrate on developing their voices, exploring their creativity, and growing into stronger readers, writers, and thinkers.\r\n\r\n\r\nWe are still at the beginning of our journey, but the impact of your donation is already visible in the enthusiasm, creativity, and confidence my students bring to their work. Throughout the school year, these supplies will support countless writing assignments, journal entries, reflections, reading responses, and classroom projects. They will become part of the daily experiences that help my students grow academically and personally.\r\n\r\nThank you again for believing in my students and investing in their education. Your generosity reminds them that people outside of our classroom care about their success and believe in their potential. We are sincerely grateful for your support and cannot wait to show how much our bright minds will accomplish with the tools you helped place in their hands!","fullyFundedDate":1785196675387,"projectUrl":"project/the-write-tools-for-bright-minds/10284708/","projectTitle":"The \"Write\" Tools for Bright Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. PJ","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp843331_orig.jpg?crop=511,511,x0,y228&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1759460984568","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrspj825"},{"teacherId":10299675,"projectId":10513372,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity in funding our new Classroom Library Bench. Your support has transformed our reading corner into a warm, inviting space that my students are excited to visit every single day.\r\n\r\nBefore your gift arrived, students would read at their hard plastic desks or sit directly on the cold tile floor. Now, our library bench serves as the focal point of our classroom, a cozy \"reading nook\" where students can settle in with a good book. It has given our classroom a sense of comfort and home, making reading feel like a privilege and a joy rather than just a daily task.\r\n\r\nThe impact has been immediate and remarkable:\r\n\r\nIncreased Reading Engagement: Students are actively eager to finish their assignments early just to earn time on the bench with a book of their choice.\r\n\r\nFostering Collaboration: The bench naturally accommodates two to three readers at a time, encouraging quiet paired reading, book discussions, and shared learning among peers.\r\n\r\nBuilding a Community of Readers: Having a designated, comfortable reading space has elevated the overall literacy culture in our room, helping build reading stamina and confidence, especially for reluctant readers.\r\n\r\nSeeing my students' eyes light up when the bench was assembled and placed in our library is a moment I won't forget. You didn't just donate a piece of furniture—you created a sanctuary where my students can explore new worlds, build critical literacy skills, and develop a lifelong love for reading.\r\n\r\nOn behalf of all my students and myself, thank you for investing in our classroom and believing in our young readers.","fullyFundedDate":1787664996336,"projectUrl":"project/take-a-seat-flexible-seating-for-focuse/10513372/","projectTitle":"Take a Seat: Flexible Seating for Focused Learning!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Guilmette","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10299675_orig.jpg?crop=2053,2053,x0,y212&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1765209060584","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10299675"},{"teacherId":10299675,"projectId":10244672,"letterContent":"Dear Donors,\r\n\r\nThank you so much for your generosity! Because of your support, our classroom has officially transformed into a more dynamic, comfortable, and engaging learning space with our new standing desk and library bench.\r\n\r\nHow We're Using the New Resources\r\nMovement and flexible seating options make a massive difference in how students focus.\r\n\r\nThe Standing Desk: Our standing desk has quickly become a favorite station for students who thrive on movement. During a recent collaborative science inquiry project, two students who usually struggle to sit still for long stretches spent 45 uninterrupted minutes standing together, comparing data, and sketching out their hypotheses. Having the option to stand allowed them to channel their energy directly into their work rather than fighting the urge to squirm.\r\n\r\nThe Library Bench: Our new library bench created a cozy, inviting reading nook that instantly elevated our independent reading time. It has turned our class library into a true community hub where students gather to dive into books side-by-side.\r\n\r\nYour generosity didn't just give us furniture, it gave my students agency, comfort, and a daily reminder that a whole community believes in their education. Thank you for making this possible!","fullyFundedDate":1785196675166,"projectUrl":"project/sitting-standing-and-storing-a-flexib/10244672/","projectTitle":"Sitting, Standing, and Storing: A Flexible Classroom Upgrade!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Guilmette","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10299675_orig.jpg?crop=2053,2053,x0,y212&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1765209060584","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10299675"},{"teacherId":3856160,"projectId":10174982,"letterContent":"In a world where students constantly swipe, scroll, and skim, we often lose the deep focus required for critical thinking. Our new printer changed that dynamic by bringing their work into the physical world at the end of last school year.\r\n\r\nEditing a Google Doc on a screen is passive. When they have printed documents to edit and work with, they become active editors. The tactile experience of holding their own words forces them to slow down and read critically. They catch run-on sentences they missed on-screen and they notice spelling errors their spell-check ignored.\r\n\r\nFor subjects like ELA and history, we are printing primary-source documents and interdependent reading tasks. Students can now annotate directly on the paper, drawing arrows, circling data points, and writing questions in the margins. This physical interaction embeds the information more deeply into their memory than a quick glance at a monitor ever could. It levels the playing field for students who suffer from eye strain or digital fatigue, giving them a much-needed respite from the blue light of their screens.","fullyFundedDate":1774993692276,"projectUrl":"project/sixth-grade-needs-a-printer/10174982/","projectTitle":"Sixth Grade Needs A Printer!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Karim","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3856160_orig.jpg?crop=623,623,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1769568216355","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/karimdreamteam"},{"teacherId":9520032,"projectId":9965009,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, \"Celebrating Lunar New Year: Bringing Chinese Traditions Into Our Classroom.\" Your generosity and kindness helped create a meaningful cultural learning experience for our students.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, our students had the opportunity to explore and celebrate Lunar New Year traditions through hands-on activities, stories, crafts, food, and cultural learning experiences. These moments not only brought joy and excitement into our classroom, but also helped students develop a deeper appreciation for Chinese culture and traditions.\r\n\r\nYour contribution made our classroom more engaging, inclusive, and memorable. Thank you for believing in the importance of cultural education and for helping our students connect with the world in meaningful ways.","fullyFundedDate":1769973735993,"projectUrl":"project/celebrating-lunar-new-year-bringing-chi/9965009/","projectTitle":"Celebrating Lunar New Year: Bringing Chinese Traditions Into Our Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ma","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9520032_orig.jpg?crop=1158,1158,x0,y165&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1762381314598","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9520032"},{"teacherId":9014766,"projectId":9864051,"letterContent":"You have made an ENTIRE school of children incredibly excited and happy! Students planted seeds in class. They were able to choose what they wanted to grow from a variety of herbs and vegetables. The seeds have begun to sprout and the proud \"mamas and papas\" get so excited to see their \"babies\" and watch them grow. We have learned vocabulary for different vegetables in French and have already begun to look at traditional French dishes and the vegetables they made with. Soon students will be taking their baby plants oustide to transplant into the raised garden beds. I wish you could hear their excited chatter how they talk about their plants and their plans for the future. This is only the beginning of the project and the students have already learned so much and enjoyed their experiences as novice gardeners.\r\n\r\nThank you for bringing so much joy and purpose to our school community.","fullyFundedDate":1772807489754,"projectUrl":"project/growing-a-global-garden/9864051/","projectTitle":"Growing a Global Garden","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Korpalski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9014766_orig.jpg?crop=2208,2208,x0,y338&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689023047122","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/madamekorpalski"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5271","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":477,"numTeachers":29,"percentFrplEligible":61,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":88,"percentWhite":2,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":4,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":4,"gradesServed":"K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"16.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":59.8,"schoolId":5271,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Murray Language Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Murray Language Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/murray-language-academy/5271"}