{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Owen Scholastic Academy","outOfStateSupporters":30.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9807636,"projectId":9962869,"letterContent":"In a preschooler's world, everything is a sensory explosion, but your gift of Bluetooth headphones has allowed us to channel that energy into a focused, creative masterpiece. While many of us use headphones to tune out the world, our students are using them to tune in to their own artistic instincts. By creating a \"silent disco\" environment, the children aren't just listening to music; they are feeling it. This technology provides an immersive bubble that helps them block out classroom distractions, allowing them to translate the frantic energy of a violin or the soft grace of a piano directly onto their butcher paper \"canvas.\"","fullyFundedDate":1769520578425,"projectUrl":"project/the-symphony-of-colors/9962869/","projectTitle":"The Symphony of Colors","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. King","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9807636_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y504&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1729255536372","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9807636"},{"teacherId":6623629,"projectId":9361658,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible donation of paint supplies and snacks for our graduates. Your generosity has created a meaningful and memorable experience for our students as they celebrate this important milestone. Because of you, we were able to provide both creative opportunities and moments of joy during a time they will always remember.\r\nThe paint supplies gave our graduates a chance to express themselves in a unique and lasting way. Through art, they were able to reflect on their journey, showcase their creativity, and create keepsakes that represent their growth and accomplishments. These moments of expression are so valuable, especially as students transition to their next chapter.\r\nIn addition, the snacks you provided helped create a warm and celebratory atmosphere. Sharing food together allowed students to relax, connect, and truly enjoy the moment with their peers. It turned the event into more than just a ceremony—it became a joyful experience filled with laughter, community, and appreciation.","fullyFundedDate":1757564377796,"projectUrl":"project/paint-and-chips-celebrating-the-class/9361658/","projectTitle":"Paint and Chips – Celebrating the Class of 2025","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Zachary","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6623629"},{"teacherId":6623629,"projectId":9620407,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your thoughtful donation of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) materials to our school. Your support has made a powerful impact on how our students learn to understand themselves, relate to others, and navigate real-world situations. Because of your generosity, SEL is no longer just a concept we discuss—it is something our students actively experience and apply every day.\r\nOne of the most meaningful outcomes of your donation is how it has helped students connect SEL skills to real-world career roles. Through these materials, students are learning that careers are not just about academic knowledge, but also about communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and emotional management. They are beginning to see how professionals—such as doctors, engineers, teachers, and leaders—use SEL skills to succeed in their fields.","fullyFundedDate":1758202796349,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-spark-inspiring-student-leade/9620407/","projectTitle":"Classroom Spark: Inspiring Student Leaders with TPT Resources","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Zachary","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6623629"},{"teacherId":6623629,"projectId":9742637,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible donation of the Nex Playground System. Your support has brought a new level of excitement, innovation, and opportunity into our classroom. Because of you, our students now have access to a powerful tool that is transforming how they learn, collaborate, and connect with one another.\r\nThe Nex Playground system has greatly enhanced our esports program. Students are not only playing games, but they are also learning the foundations of coding, problem-solving, and digital design. This hands-on experience allows them to think critically and creatively as they explore how games are built and how systems work behind the scenes.\r\nOne of the most meaningful impacts has been the increase in collaboration. Students are working together in teams to strategize, solve challenges, and support one another during gameplay and coding activities. This has strengthened their communication skills and helped build a classroom culture centered around teamwork and respect.","fullyFundedDate":1758820473843,"projectUrl":"project/lets-connect-codecollaborate-and-cele/9742637/","projectTitle":"Let's Connect, Code,Collaborate and Celebrate with NEX in STEM Class","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Zachary","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6623629"},{"teacherId":6623629,"projectId":9627147,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your thoughtful donation of sweets for our classroom. Your kindness has truly made a meaningful impact on our students and their daily learning experience. What may seem like a small gesture has created moments of joy, motivation, and comfort for every child in our room.\r\nHaving sweets available during class has helped students stay alert and energized, especially during long academic blocks. A small treat can go a long way in boosting focus, improving mood, and helping students reset when they are feeling tired or overwhelmed. This has been especially valuable during challenging lessons, where maintaining attention is key to understanding new concepts.\r\nBeyond energy and focus, your donation has also supported our classroom community. We use these treats as positive reinforcement as well as to keep them alert and engaged.","fullyFundedDate":1758202758375,"projectUrl":"project/learning-is-sweet/9627147/","projectTitle":"Learning is Sweet!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Zachary","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6623629"},{"teacherId":6623629,"projectId":9821501,"letterContent":"Having a TV mount has made a big difference in keeping our esports environment safe and organized for students. By mounting the television securely on the wall, we've eliminated the need for bulky TV stands and reduced the number of loose cords running across the floor.\r\nThis helps prevent students from tripping or accidentally pulling on wires during gameplay or movement around the room. With cords neatly managed and often tucked behind the mounted TV, the gaming area is much cleaner and easier to navigate. Students can focus on teamwork, strategy, and skill-building without distractions or safety concerns.","fullyFundedDate":1762267694593,"projectUrl":"project/united-we-stand-safety-1st/9821501/","projectTitle":"United We Stand: Safety 1st","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Zachary","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6623629"},{"teacherId":6614751,"projectId":6347647,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in purchasing SEL games and materials for my elementary school students. Your kindness has made a meaningful difference in our classroom community.\r\n\r\nBecause of your donation, students now have engaging, hands-on opportunities to learn how to recognize, express, and manage their emotions in healthy ways. The games and activities have created a safe and welcoming space where students can practice important social-emotional skills such as communication, empathy, teamwork, and self-regulation.","fullyFundedDate":1650230416797,"projectUrl":"project/managing-meltdowns/6347647/","projectTitle":"Managing Meltdowns","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Watson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6614751"},{"teacherId":9571542,"projectId":9808000,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in providing fidgets and sensory items for my diverse learners. Your donation has breathed new life into our \"Treasure Box,\" which has become an invaluable cornerstone of our daily classroom management. By having these high-interest rewards available, my students are more motivated than ever to stay on task and follow our classroom expectations. It has truly transformed our environment into a place where positive behavior is celebrated and reinforced in a way that resonates with every child. My students love the clock rug for trying to learn time.\r\n\r\nI also wanted to share a specific success story: the stress balls have been a total game-changer for my first graders. We have been working hard on \"calm down\" strategies, and having a tactile tool to squeeze has given them a productive way to release physical tension and self-regulate during moments of frustration. Seeing a 6-year-old independently reach for a stress ball instead of having a meltdown is a huge win for their emotional growth. Your support isn't just giving them toys; it's giving them the tools they need to succeed and feel safe in their learning environment. We are so grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1761828515716,"projectUrl":"project/spinning-ideas-into-impact/9808000/","projectTitle":"Spinning Ideas into Impact","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Mixon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9571542_orig.jpg?crop=1284,1284,x0,y342&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755700220611","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-smixon"},{"teacherId":9571542,"projectId":9695576,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your incredibly generous donation of essential classroom supplies. In a first-grade classroom, our environment is our third teacher, and your gift of color printer ink, chart paper, and sentence strips has quite literally brought our lessons to life. We were in desperate need of these items to maintain our word walls and create the vibrant anchor charts that help my young readers and writers navigate their daily work. Having a steady supply of glue and other daily necessities allows us to focus entirely on learning and creativity rather than worrying about running out of basic tools. These supplies weren't just \"wants\"—they were vital components of our classroom infrastructure. We are so incredibly thankful for your support in keeping our room organized, colorful, and fully equipped for success!","fullyFundedDate":1761825550921,"projectUrl":"project/help-us-stick-to-learning/9695576/","projectTitle":"Help Us Stick to Learning!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Mixon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9571542_orig.jpg?crop=1284,1284,x0,y342&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755700220611","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-smixon"},{"teacherId":9807636,"projectId":9974799,"letterContent":"Our project, \"Seeing Through Others' Eyes,\" uses multicultural puppets and books like The Invisible Boy to teach empathy. Students act out diverse perspectives, building real-world social skills. To practice compassion, they're crafting comfort kits for classmates, cards for seniors, and no-sew blankets for shelter animals. By moving from role-play to tangible acts of service, these young learners are discovering that kindness is a powerful, daily choice that helps alleviate suffering. The students are grateful to help others.","fullyFundedDate":1767150545688,"projectUrl":"project/kindness-keepers-learning-compassion-to/9974799/","projectTitle":"Kindness Keepers: Learning Compassion Together","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. King","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9807636_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y504&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1729255536372","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9807636"},{"teacherId":1034681,"projectId":9899718,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in bringing a PAC-MAN machine into our STEM classroom! It's been a total \"power-up\" for our environment. While PAC-MAN is a nostalgic favorite for many of us at home, seeing it through the eyes of an esports and STEM student reveals just how much high-level learning is hidden behind those neon ghosts.\r\n\r\nThe generous donation of the PAC-MAN arcade has transformed our esports classroom into a high-energy lab for both technical mastery and team dynamics. While many see a retro classic, our students are using it as a primary text for coding logic and algorithmic analysis; they are fascinated by deciphering the unique \"personalities\" and movement patterns of the four ghosts, which has sparked deep discussions about pathfinding AI and game loops. Beyond the code, the physical presence of the cabinet has revolutionized how our students collaborate. \r\n\r\nUnlike isolated PC gaming, the arcade format encourages \"spectator coaching\" and face-to-face strategizing, allowing our more reserved students to step into leadership roles as they analyze gameplay data and mentor their peers on high-level maneuvers. You haven't just given us a game—you've given us a centerpiece for community and critical thinking.\r\n\r\nAll the Best,","fullyFundedDate":1765575518254,"projectUrl":"project/the-ultimate-throwback-boosting-esport/9899718/","projectTitle":"\"The Ultimate Throwback: Boosting Esports with an 81-Inch Pac-Man\"","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sims","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1034681_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1638159101896","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/science-sims"},{"teacherId":1034681,"projectId":9816767,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous purchase of the ice cream machine for our science classroom. Your support has already made a meaningful impact on my students' learning experiences by allowing them to explore chemistry concepts in a fun, hands-on way.\r\nWe recently used the machine during a lab focused on freezing point and boiling point. Students investigated how temperature changes affect states of matter by creating an ice cream mixture and observing how salt lowers the freezing point of ice, allowing the liquid ingredients to solidify into ice cream. \r\n\r\nThis real-world application helped students clearly understand how freezing point depression works. We also connected the activity to boiling point concepts by discussing how heat energy causes molecules to move faster and change from liquid to gas.\r\n\r\nThis was one of the best experiments and experiences I have been able to offer students !\r\n\r\nThank you,","fullyFundedDate":1761708744970,"projectUrl":"project/frozen-formulas-exploring-states-of-mat/9816767/","projectTitle":"Frozen Formulas: Exploring States of Matter with Ice Cream","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sims","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1034681_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1638159101896","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/science-sims"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5299","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":272,"numTeachers":14,"percentFrplEligible":57,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":95,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":4,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"19.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":69.7,"schoolId":5299,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Owen Scholastic Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Owen Scholastic Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/owen-schoololastic-academy/5299"}