{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Sherman Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":35.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6218560,"projectId":9536171,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your contribution to my classroom project \"Learning is an Adventure\". Because of your kindness, my kindergarten students now have access to engaging and hands-on reading materials that make learning to read both exciting and meaningful. \r\n\r\nMy students have had the opportunity to work independently on identifying letters, letter sounds and beginning and ending sounds. Your donation has made a real difference in our classroom. You didn't just give us materials—you gave my students the opportunity to develop essential literacy skills that will support them for years to come. I am truly grateful for your generosity and for believing in the power of education.","fullyFundedDate":1756420968833,"projectUrl":"project/learning-is-an-adventure/9536171/","projectTitle":"Learning is an Adventure","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Joyner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6218560_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597112555061","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ljoyner"},{"teacherId":8044343,"projectId":9574521,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your incredible support of our Donors Choose campaign, \"Nourish to Flourish.\" Because of your generosity, our project was fully funded, and we've been able to bring a significant positive change to our classroom.\r\nThe Impact of Your Gift\r\nThe funds you contributed allowed us to purchase a variety of healthy, accessible snacks/breakfast items. This might sound like a small change, but its impact on our students has been profound.\r\nBefore, many students were arriving at school with empty stomachs, or experiencing an energy slump mid-morning. It was difficult for them to focus, and it directly affected their ability to learn and engage.\r\nNow, with the \"Nourish to Flourish\" supplies in place, our students have access to the fuel they need to succeed. We've seen a noticeable difference:\r\n * Improved Focus and Engagement: Students are more alert, focused, and ready to tackle challenging lessons.\r\n * A Calmer Classroom Environment: Fewer disruptions due to hunger mean more quality learning time for everyone.\r\n * Increased Sense of Belonging: Having this resource available removes a barrier to learning and helps all students feel supported and cared for.\r\nYour donation has done more than just purchase supplies—it has provided our students with comfort, security, and the physical and mental nourishment required to truly flourish in the classroom. You've helped ensure that basic needs are met so that our students can concentrate on what matters most: learning.","fullyFundedDate":1756921337854,"projectUrl":"project/nourish-to-flourish/9574521/","projectTitle":"Nourish to Flourish!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jenny Turner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8044343_orig.jpg?crop=1080,1080,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1669080733824","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsjennyturner-nta"},{"teacherId":8001297,"projectId":9360738,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom has been transformed into a more engaging and organized space where all learners can thrive. The pencils, paper, laminating sheets, and colorful seat covers have made small group instruction and personalized learning smoother and more exciting for my students. With these materials, we've been able to create learning stations that allow students to work independently and confidently while I provide targeted support to small groups. The laminated materials have also made our activities reusable and hands-on, helping students stay motivated and take pride in their work.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw their new supplies and bright seat covers, their faces lit up with excitement. They loved having their own special learning areas that make them feel comfortable, focused, and ready to learn. Even something as simple as having enough pencils and paper for everyone has boosted their sense of ownership and pride in their work. The seat covers have also added a fun and welcoming touch to our classroom, making it feel like a community space where everyone belongs.\r\n\r\nAs we continue using these resources, my students are growing more independent and confident each day. The tools you helped provide have encouraged creativity, collaboration, and joy in learning. Thank you for believing in our classroom and investing in our students' success, you've made a lasting difference in how they learn and see themselves as learners.","fullyFundedDate":1755717581366,"projectUrl":"project/back-to-school-boogie/9360738/","projectTitle":"Back to School Boogie","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Williams","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8001297_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y645&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753115229766","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8001297"},{"teacherId":6218560,"projectId":9536466,"letterContent":"I am beyond grateful for your generous support for \"Math Has Serious Problems!\" Thanks to your kindness, our classroom is now filled with engaging, hands-on math activities that make learning both fun and meaningful for our youngest learners.\r\n\r\nAs soon as the new materials arrived, my students' eyes lit up with excitement. They couldn't wait to explore the games, work with their friends, and practice their counting, and problem-solving skills. It has been incredible to see their confidence grow as they play and learn together.\r\n\r\nFrom the bottom of our hearts—thank you for believing in our project, my students, and the power of small group learning.","fullyFundedDate":1755735476720,"projectUrl":"project/math-has-serious-problems/9536466/","projectTitle":"Math Has Serious Problems!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Joyner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6218560_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597112555061","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ljoyner"},{"teacherId":6218560,"projectId":9508878,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my project \"Popping into a New School Year\"! The items have already made an huge difference in our classroom and I could not be happier. \r\n\r\nEvery school year I am excited to see my students. However, it never fails within the first two weeks, we are all sick in kindergarten. The Lysol wipes, tissue and hand sanitizer has been a life saver these first two weeks as we fight off all of the germs in our classroom. \r\n\r\nWhile no one ever wants to be sick, I am beyond thankful for your generosity that has helped me continue to keep our classroom environment as clean as I can.","fullyFundedDate":1754160285178,"projectUrl":"project/popping-into-a-new-school-year/9508878/","projectTitle":"Popping into a New School Year","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Joyner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6218560_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597112555061","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ljoyner"},{"teacherId":6218560,"projectId":9189547,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating to my classroom project Eagle Supplies. Because of your generosity, I was able to update our classroom reading and math small group centers with new expo markers. In addition to new markers, the colored paper and sheet protectors allowed me to create new small group center games. These games, served as additional support to enhance students hands on learning.\r\n\r\nTeaching is not always easy, but your kindness surly helps make it a little sweeter! I cannot thank you enough for supporting me and my students.","fullyFundedDate":1746698779909,"projectUrl":"project/eagles-supplies/9189547/","projectTitle":"Eagles Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Joyner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6218560_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597112555061","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ljoyner"},{"teacherId":6218560,"projectId":9094471,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donation to our classroom Literacy is Freedom project. My students were so excited with our new learning materials!\r\n\r\nThe phonics skill-building books, cvc sight-word touch and read and sight-word sentence match have been a great addition in our centers. Students are able to engage with these materials during small groups independently and their confidence has grown tremendously. \r\n\r\nAgain, thank you for your contribution to my classroom. It means a lot to know that their are donors near and far that cares about my students academic success.","fullyFundedDate":1740690416970,"projectUrl":"project/literacy-is-freedom/9094471/","projectTitle":"Literacy Is Freedom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Joyner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6218560_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597112555061","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ljoyner"},{"teacherId":6218560,"projectId":8978653,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my classroom. A brand new carpet was essential to our classroom community, as we use it daily. I am so thankful for DonorsChoose and donors like you, who continue to support teachers across the United States. This means more to me than you could ever imagine. \r\n\r\nThe students are thrilled to have a new classroom carpet. Over the last few weeks, the students have taken pride in ensuring that it stays clean. While outside may have the winter blues, our classroom is so bright with our new carpet! \r\n\r\nThank you again, for donating to my classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1733241455052,"projectUrl":"project/cozy-carpet/8978653/","projectTitle":"Cozy Carpet","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Joyner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6218560_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597112555061","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ljoyner"},{"teacherId":9213742,"projectId":8940241,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of dissection supplies! My students and I have been using the materials in our biology unit to explore the anatomy of a pig. It's been an invaluable hands-on learning experience. One specific moment that stands out was when students worked together to identify the different organs and structures in the pig's body. Watching them make real-world connections between the textbook content and the actual anatomy was incredible. The dissection allowed them to engage with the material in a way that deepened their understanding and made learning come to life.\r\nWhen my students first saw the dissection supplies, their excitement was palpable! Many of them had never participated in a dissection before, so there was a mix of excitement, curiosity, and even a little nervousness. But as soon as they started exploring the materials and seeing the specimen, their confidence grew. They were eager to dive in and start identifying the organs, and their engagement with the lesson was inspiring. It was a great moment to see their initial hesitance turn into enthusiasm as they realized how much they were learning in a hands-on way.\r\nThe next steps for my students involve continuing to explore the structure and function of the organs they identified during the dissection. We'll discuss how each organ works within the body and the roles they play in maintaining life processes. My goal is to further deepen their understanding of anatomy and physiology by comparing the pig's anatomy to that of humans. We'll also be doing additional activities, like creating models and diagrams, to reinforce their learning and allow them to apply what they've discovered. Thanks to your support, my students are not just reading about biology—they're experiencing it firsthand, and that makes all the difference.","fullyFundedDate":1733251268055,"projectUrl":"project/dissection-supplies/8940241/","projectTitle":"Dissection Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cobb","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9213742"},{"teacherId":9213742,"projectId":8773282,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of the pig dissection kit! My students are absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to explore anatomy in such a hands-on, engaging way. We've begun using the kit in our biology unit, and the students are diving into the dissection with enthusiasm and curiosity. One of the most memorable moments so far was when students worked in small groups to identify key organs, structures, and systems within the pig. It was incredible to see their teamwork and excitement as they made connections between what they've been learning in class and what they were observing on the dissection tray.\r\nWhen the students first saw the dissection kit, their faces lit up with excitement and curiosity. Many of them had never experienced a dissection before, so there was an immediate sense of awe and anticipation. I could hear a mix of gasps and eager questions as they examined the tools and the specimen. It was clear that they were eager to dive in and learn firsthand about anatomy. The hands-on nature of the kit made the lesson feel much more real and engaging for them.\r\nThe next steps for my students involve deepening their understanding of how organ systems work together in the body. After completing the dissection, we'll move into discussions about the functions of the various organs and systems they observed. We'll also compare the pig's anatomy to human anatomy, exploring similarities and differences. My goal is to continue to spark their curiosity and make these abstract concepts feel tangible and relatable. Thanks to your support, we're not just learning about biology from a textbook—we're experiencing it in a meaningful way.","fullyFundedDate":1728242347446,"projectUrl":"project/pig-dissection-kit/8773282/","projectTitle":"Pig Dissection Kit","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cobb","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9213742"},{"teacherId":849010,"projectId":8983114,"letterContent":"Thank you for the needed supplies to use in our classroom. When we opened the box, the excitement felt like Christmas! They couldn't wait to use the materials. They were so happy we had so much. They helped to decide where to keep the materials so they were available for everyone to use when they needed it. We used the markers for practice writing the letters and their names, shapes, pictures, and more. The plastic sheet covers help them keep practicing their various skills each day. \r\n\r\nThey were creative in their use of the color paper for our various celebrations. During our Buildings Unit, they were able to make or draw thier own buildings. They like to make the parts of the building in different colors. We put all of their work in their folders to share with their parents on what they have learned. I love being able to focus on their learning more than anything else.","fullyFundedDate":1733253513326,"projectUrl":"project/supplies-for-students/8983114/","projectTitle":"Supplies for Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bivens-Basulto","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/849010"},{"teacherId":8492436,"projectId":8712713,"letterContent":"Receiving this gift card has made my classroom activities so fun and impactful. You never realize how much is spent on curriculum and in class activities but after receiving this gift card there was so much I could do for my students without pinching my pockets. \r\nCreating Small Group work has been a breeze and less prep time was used. On top of small groups, I could send home homework with students that reflected our work we do in class. Along with myself I was able to help other colleague's out with purchasing materials for them extending my blessing. Thank you so much fr your donation I am extremely grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1729043532463,"projectUrl":"project/teachers-love-teaching/8712713/","projectTitle":"Teachers Love Teaching","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jhordan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8492436_orig.png?crop=1035,1035,x71,y52&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1662048368190","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8492436"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5561","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":208,"numTeachers":11,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":81,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":18,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"18.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":64.9,"schoolId":5561,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Sherman Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Sherman Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/sherman-school-of-excellence/5561"}