{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Prussing Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":25.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8341556,"projectId":9996659,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my heartfelt thanks for your recent contribution toward our new set of fraction cubes and essential cleaning supplies. In a fourth-grade inclusion classroom, these items serve two very different but equally vital roles in ensuring my students can learn in a focused, hands-on, and healthy environment.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has provided us with both the building blocks for mathematical success and the foundation for a well-run classroom. Thank you for investing in these practical but powerful tools that help my students thrive every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1772291982119,"projectUrl":"project/slice-and-shine/9996659/","projectTitle":"Slice and Shine","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Williams","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lizwilliams"},{"teacherId":8341556,"projectId":9872410,"letterContent":"I am writing with a full heart to thank you for your incredibly generous donation of a class set of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. In our fourth-grade inclusion classroom, finding a story that resonates with every student—regardless of their reading level or learning style—is a rare and beautiful thing, and this book is exactly that.\r\n\r\nHaving a dedicated copy for every student is a complete game-changer for our literacy block. In an inclusion setting, it is vital that every child feels part of the collective experience. Because of your kindness, no one has to share or look over a shoulder; every student can now hold their own book, follow along with the text, and develop a personal connection to Edward's journey. This story, which explores themes of love, loss, and redemption, provides a wonderful emotional bridge for my students, allowing them to practice empathy while strengthening their comprehension and vocabulary skills.\r\n\r\nWatching the excitement in the room as I handed out these brand-new books was a moment I won't soon forget. For some of my students, having a fresh, beautiful book of their own to navigate during our shared reading time is a huge boost to their confidence and engagement. Your support has turned our reading hour into the highlight of the day, fostering a sense of community as we discuss Edward's adventures together as one cohesive group.\r\n\r\nThank you for providing the \"magic\" in our curriculum this term. You haven't just donated books; you have gifted my students a shared experience that will stay with them long after we turn the final page. We are so grateful for your investment in our classroom and our love of reading.","fullyFundedDate":1765562977572,"projectUrl":"project/the-miraculous-journey-of-fourth-grade/9872410/","projectTitle":"The Miraculous Journey of Fourth Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Williams","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lizwilliams"},{"teacherId":8341556,"projectId":9916420,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your incredibly thoughtful donation to our fourth-grade inclusion classroom. Your gift of a new pencil sharpener, colored pencils, markers, and regular pencils has made an immediate and meaningful difference in our daily learning environment.\r\n\r\nIn an inclusion setting, our room is a beautiful mix of students with diverse learning styles and abilities working side-by-side. Having these high-quality supplies ensures that every child, regardless of their specific needs or IEP goals, has the exact tools they need to participate fully and feel successful. The markers and colored pencils are especially vital for my visual learners, helping them color-code their math steps and bring their creative writing to life. Even the new sharpener has been a game-changer, turning a potentially frustrating and loud sensory distraction into a quick, seamless part of our routine.\r\n\r\nBeyond the physical supplies, your generosity sends a powerful message to my students: that their education is valued and that their community is rooting for them. You have removed the small barriers that can often derail a lesson, allowing us to focus entirely on growth, collaboration, and friendship. It is truly heartening to see my students dive into their work with such renewed excitement and the confidence of being fully prepared.\r\n\r\nThank you for your kindness and for investing in the potential of every student in our room. Your support helps make our inclusive community a place where everyone can truly shine.","fullyFundedDate":1766529690291,"projectUrl":"project/sharp-minds/9916420/","projectTitle":"Sharp Minds!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Williams","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lizwilliams"},{"teacherId":4421593,"projectId":9856376,"letterContent":"On behalf of our Robotics Team, I would like to express our deepest gratitude for your generous support. Your donation allowed us to purchase a professional-grade LEGO robotics table, a piece of equipment that fundamentally changed the trajectory of our season.\r\n\r\nBefore receiving this grant, our students were practicing on the classroom floor. While they were enthusiastic, the lack of boundaries meant their code often failed when translated to a competitive environment. The new table provided:\r\n1. Environmental Accuracy: Students could finally recreate the exact dimensions and \r\n friction levels found in official qualifiers.\r\n2. Precision Coding: The team learned to program sensors for wall-detection and \r\n precise turns that are only possible with official table borders.\r\n3. Professionalism: Having a dedicated space boosted team morale and helped the \r\n students take their engineering roles more seriously.\r\n\r\nThe impact was immediate. With the ability to fine-tune their runs on a regulation surface, our team successfully navigated the Qualifiers and advanced to Sectionals. We finished the season with our most competitive scores to date, but more importantly, the students walked away with a profound sense of accomplishment and a \"can-do\" attitude for the future.\r\n\r\n\"Without this donation, we wouldn't have had the team energy needed to make it past the first round. Seeing the robot perform exactly as programmed on a real table was the highlight of our year and our success was evident as a result.\" — [Ashley H.]\r\n\r\nWe are already looking forward to next year's challenge, and we have you to thank for providing the foundation—literally—for our success.","fullyFundedDate":1764356217759,"projectUrl":"project/constructing-curiosity-lego-robotics-fo/9856376/","projectTitle":"Constructing Curiosity: LEGO Robotics for Young Engineers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sanchez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4421593_orig.jpg?crop=278,278,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660400605919","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/teachersanchez208"},{"teacherId":9732231,"projectId":9791966,"letterContent":"My students feel that the calming corner is a safe place to go to be alone with their feelings and thoughts. Some days are too much for them and they come in feeling overwhelmed. I am grateful that you have made it possible for them to have this special place to reset. They have the chairs to recline and relax in. The soothing light is put on first thing in the morning. The stackable cubes are something they reach for when sit in the calm area. They are always excited when a new package comes. They try to guess what is inside. You have made them feel important and let them know that they matter!","fullyFundedDate":1760799225629,"projectUrl":"project/a-calm-corner-for-focus-comfort-and-gr/9791966/","projectTitle":"A Calm Corner for Focus, Comfort, and Growth","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. K.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9732231_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753192782463","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9732231"},{"teacherId":10054397,"projectId":9836546,"letterContent":"My students and I were beyond excited when we started to receive our packages in the mail! The kids were so joyful, especially when I said that someone sent the items just for them. I know they felt special. Because I know you could have donated to any projects out there, I felt very special too!\r\n\r\nI have been able to make different sensory bins for the kiddos each month. They always love the reveal of what new thing is in the sensory bin. Because I have so many great materials now, I have made a sensory center that the students can go to each week. I also received various learning materials which have made learning much more accessible for my hands on learners! \r\n\r\nWe greatly appreciate donors like you who care so much about every kid having the opportunity to learn in a way that works best for them. It makes my job as a teacher that much more enjoyable and easier as well. Thank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1761938076602,"projectUrl":"project/help-my-sped-k-2-classroom-get-sensory-b/9836546/","projectTitle":"Help My SPED K-2 Classroom Get Sensory Bins and Supplies!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kastler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10054397"},{"teacherId":8341556,"projectId":9845320,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your generous support of the Raz-Kids (Raz-Plus) program for our classroom. Your contribution has provided our students with a vibrant digital library that is transforming the way they approach reading.\r\n\r\nImpact on Progress Monitoring\r\nFrom an instructional standpoint, the impact has been tremendous. The program's robust progress monitoring tools allow me to track individual reading levels, quiz scores, and specific areas where a child might need extra support in real-time. This data-driven insight ensures that none of my student falls through the cracks and allows me to tailor my teaching to meet every child exactly where they are.\r\n\r\nStudent Engagement and Enthusiasm\r\nThe most rewarding part of this experience, however, is seeing the children's excitement. They truly love the program! Students frequently requesting extra time to explore new books.\r\n\r\nPerhaps the greatest testament to the program's success is its reach beyond the classroom. We have seen a significant surge in students logging on from home, choosing to read on their own time. This bridge between school and home is vital for building lifelong literacy habits.\r\n\r\nA Note of Appreciation\r\nBecause of your kindness, our students are not just learning to read—they are learning to love reading. Your investment is making a tangible difference in their academic growth and their confidence.\r\n\r\nThank you for being such a vital part of our learning community.","fullyFundedDate":1761938039888,"projectUrl":"project/short-but-sweet/9845320/","projectTitle":"Short But Sweet!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Williams","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lizwilliams"},{"teacherId":598025,"projectId":9960867,"letterContent":"I am writing to share my deepest gratitude for your incredible support in funding our new color printer and ink cartridges.\r\n\r\nBecause of your kindness, our classroom is about to become a much more vibrant place. Having the ability to print high-quality visuals, colorful diagrams, and student work will make a world of difference for my students. For many of them, seeing their own projects come to life in full color builds a sense of pride and engagement that is truly priceless.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our students and for believing in the power of a creative, well-resourced classroom. We can't wait to show you what we create!","fullyFundedDate":1767881232921,"projectUrl":"project/colorful-printing/9960867/","projectTitle":"Colorful Printing","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tagtmeier","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp598025_orig.jpg?crop=716,716,x477,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1615775735678","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/598025"},{"teacherId":9732231,"projectId":9351297,"letterContent":"My special needs students loved working with the sand. We used it in our projects, especially to practice forming letters and words. We also incorporated it into our math lessons to help students practice their multiplication facts.\r\n The drum is used as a relaxing tool in the calming area. Taking turns is always a struggle as everyone wants a turn right away. We turn our standing-colored light on every morning along with our breathing bear, and our singing bowl machine. They will ask for blue or green to be turned on and ask for half of the lights to be turned off so that it is more comfortable and relaxing for them to start their day. \r\n The GlowBlocks were an instant success. We came up with a game for Math to use it, and there are pictures where you can see they are really enjoying themselves. The Magnet Blocks are appealing especially for my students on the spectrum. They enjoy creating different shapes and playing with it by themselves even when another student asks to join them!\r\n The Washi Tape and the Genius Patterned Duct Tape are pulled out regularly when they type their final paper sometimes draw a picture and use it as a border. They cannot wait to take it home to show their guardians. \r\n The Theramin has been an interesting experience. Although I do not teach Science, once I built it, we took it out and sat around the table. They each took a turn, and we talked about how it worked. They were completely fascinated that it could make sounds without touching it. We discussed how the eerie sounds were used specially in scary movies after its invention in 1920. It is so delicate, so we have to be in a calm frame of mind in order to spend time playing with it. \r\n The Smelly Pencils are used as Birthday Treats along with a choice from Ms. K's closet when they have had an awesome day or achieved greatness on a task, and we want to celebrate them. I have used the Dynamic Movement Bag once. It was difficult to get my student out of it once he was inside it! \r\n We cannot thank you enough for your generosity. Even students who are not in my classroom ask to come in because it is such a quiet and calming space.","fullyFundedDate":1757553269030,"projectUrl":"project/create-projects-and-relax-in-the-calming/9351297/","projectTitle":"Create Projects and Relax in the Calming Corner","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. K.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9732231_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753192782463","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9732231"},{"teacherId":4421593,"projectId":9556053,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous contribution to my fifth-grade classroom. Because of your support, I was able to purchase high-quality, Common Core–aligned math and reading workbooks that are making a meaningful difference in my students' learning.\r\n\r\n These resources have allowed me to implement small-group instruction more effectively—providing targeted support for students who need additional practice as well as enrichment opportunities for those ready to deepen their understanding. At the beginning of the school year, students completed a benchmark assessment to help identify their individual strengths and areas for growth. Using the workbooks you helped provide, I am now able to meet students where they are and tailor instruction to better support their academic needs. I am hopeful that when students take their end-of-year assessment in May, they will demonstrate significant growth as a result of the consistent, focused practice made possible by these materials. \r\n\r\nThank you for investing in my students and in their academic success. Your generosity has had a direct and lasting impact on our classroom, and I am deeply grateful for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1757597315848,"projectUrl":"project/help-keep-us-on-the-benchmark/9556053/","projectTitle":"Help Keep Us on the BENCHmark","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sanchez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4421593_orig.jpg?crop=278,278,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660400605919","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/teachersanchez208"},{"teacherId":7062812,"projectId":9580226,"letterContent":"This is a letter to reiterate my gratitude for the donations received for the Prussing art program at the beginning of the year. \r\nThese supplies have already served many students this year. We've used these supplies for various printing and painting projects this fall for k-3rd grade, clay projects for 5th and 6th grade and drawing projects in middle school. My goal is for every student from 3rd-8th grade this year be able to participate in a sculpture/clay project as well as mixed media and paint. \r\n\r\nYour donation does not go unnoticed and I appreciate your continued support!","fullyFundedDate":1755709964283,"projectUrl":"project/support-the-diverse-art-program/9580226/","projectTitle":"Support the Diverse Art Program","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kim","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7062812_orig.jpg?crop=2244,2244,x53,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724808051620","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7062812"},{"teacherId":4662572,"projectId":9783672,"letterContent":"Because of you my classroom has come alive with new stories, new conversations, and a new excitement for reading. Simply put, thank you for your generosity. These books have helped my students build important skills such as, making inferences, noticing an author's craft, and having deeper discussions about characters' choices. Having access to high-interest texts has also made it easier for us to practice reading stamina and learn how to choose books that truly speak to us.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is now something students look forward to, especially now that English Language learners can read in the comfort of their native language. We start our periods with quiet reading time, and the room settles into this calm, focused energy as everyone dives into their books. Afterward, students pair up to talk about what they read, ask each other questions, and share connections they're making. It feels less like an assignment and more like a community of readers growing together.\r\n\r\nThere are already standout moments that wouldn't have happened without these books. One student who rarely checked out anything from our library has now finished two novels and is asking for recommendations. Another student told me she finally found a book where the main character \"feels like someone I know.\" Moments like these remind us how powerful it is when kids see themselves in stories. Your support made that possible, and we are truly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1761938228900,"projectUrl":"project/pages-without-borders-building-a-multil/9783672/","projectTitle":"Pages Without Borders: Building a Multilingual Classroom Library","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gollogly","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4662572_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1502987451338","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4662572"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5310","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":663,"numTeachers":36,"percentFrplEligible":67,"percentAsian":5,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":39,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":48,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"18.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":74.2,"schoolId":5310,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Prussing Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Prussing Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/prussing-elementary-school/5310"}