{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Catalpa Early Childhood Center","outOfStateSupporters":15.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6780368,"projectId":9620715,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for all of the contributions! Because of your generosity, we were able to add these shelves to our space, which has made a meaningful difference in how the classroom functions. The shelves have allowed us to organize the extra supplies that students bring, moving items off the floor and onto clearly designated storage areas. This has created a cleaner, safer, and more accessible environment for both students and staff. With supplies properly stored, we now have additional room to display and access educational materials more easily. These improvements have helped create a more organized and effective learning space for everyone. Thanks again!!","fullyFundedDate":1758573322723,"projectUrl":"project/bathroom-shelving/9620715/","projectTitle":"Bathroom Shelving","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Liz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6780368_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1690998197239","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6780368"},{"teacherId":6976484,"projectId":9930106,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my preschoolers now have access to joyful nursery-rhyme books and engaging literacy materials that are already making a meaningful impact in our classroom. These resources have transformed everyday moments into rich language experiences, where children sing, repeat familiar rhymes, point to pictures, and eagerly join in shared reading. For my 3-year-olds, learning through rhyme and rhythm makes literacy feel fun, safe, and exciting.\r\n\r\nFor my many multilingual learners, these materials provide visuals, repetition, and clear structure that help children understand and participate even as they are learning English. They allow me to differentiate instruction, reinforce learning through play, and ensure every child can engage meaningfully in early literacy experiences.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and supporting their learning. Without donors like you, this project would not have been possible. Your generosity is helping lay a strong foundation for language, literacy, and lifelong learning, and I am truly grateful for the difference you've made in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1764418066785,"projectUrl":"project/read-rhyme-repeat/9930106/","projectTitle":"Read, Rhyme, Repeat!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tongta","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6976484_orig.jpg?crop=1761,1761,x0,y123&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1721340291343","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tfox"},{"teacherId":6976484,"projectId":9769618,"letterContent":"The new light exploration materials help my preschoolers learn by turning abstract ideas into something they can see, touch, and experiment with. Using flashlights, mirror blocks, and a projector, children explore how light moves, reflects, and creates shadows while building early science skills through play. For many of my multilingual learners, this technology supports understanding and communication beyond words.\r\n\r\nWhat excites the children most is seeing immediate results! Watching shadows grow and change, light bounce off mirrors, and colors appear as they experimented was so much fun. Their excitement is visible in their smiles, focused attention, and eagerness to try again and again.\r\n\r\nThank you for making this experience possible and for supporting our preschoolers' learning. Your generosity is helping create joyful, meaningful opportunities for children to explore, discover, and grow with confidence!","fullyFundedDate":1761834149051,"projectUrl":"project/shining-bright-exploring-light-through/9769618/","projectTitle":"Shining Bright: Exploring Light Through Play","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tongta","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6976484_orig.jpg?crop=1761,1761,x0,y123&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1721340291343","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tfox"},{"teacherId":2193197,"projectId":9428958,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donations for our sit and spin and calm strips! They have been such wonderful additions to our classroom space. We created a new movement center for the sit and spin and not a day does by where a student isn't in that center! Afterwards, the children are able to use the colorful calm strips in conjunction with some breathing exercises in order to self-regulate. The positive behaviors we've seen as a result of having these materials in our space is quite beautiful and they wouldn't have been possible without your kindness.","fullyFundedDate":1760704943512,"projectUrl":"project/roundabout-regulate/9428958/","projectTitle":"Roundabout & Regulate!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Maks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2193197_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1503087076069","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/missfeldmann"},{"teacherId":6976484,"projectId":9417898,"letterContent":"This year, our classroom has been filled with discovery and joy thanks to the new light table and tuff tray your generosity provided. We use these materials in so many meaningful ways, especially to support STEM, sensory exploration, and inquiry-based learning. Before this project, our light table had broken, and the children often asked why it wasn't available anymore. It had been one of their favorite parts of the classroom. So when the new light table arrived, the excitement was instant.\r\n\r\nOne of our favorite moments happened during our All About Me unit. The children used the light table to trace pictures of their favorite parts of their bodies—tiny hands, goofy smiles, wiggly feet. This simple activity supported fine motor skills, early writing, creativity, and so much confidence. They were so proud of their work, and it became a beautiful way to foster self-love and celebrate what makes each child special.\r\n\r\n.These materials have quickly become essential for sparking curiosity and supporting hands-on inquiry. As we begin our Light Study, the light table will play an even bigger role as children explore natural and artificial light, shadows, colors, and how people use light to celebrate.\r\n\r\nWithout donors like you, moments like this would never happen for our little learners. Thank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1757549473169,"projectUrl":"project/glowing-discoveries-hands-on-light-and/9417898/","projectTitle":"Glowing Discoveries: Hands-On Light and Sensory Play","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tongta","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6976484_orig.jpg?crop=1761,1761,x0,y123&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1721340291343","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tfox"},{"teacherId":7805728,"projectId":9152013,"letterContent":"Thank you so incredibly much for your amazing donation. The projector has totally transformed our art studio in way that I wasn't even prepared for!!! I truly can't thank you enough for your support.\r\n\r\nI have been able to engage all of my students in art in new ways with the addition of the projector. I am able to project the art of countless artists on our wall, making art immersive and larger than life! We have been able to look closely at the work of VanGough, Matisse, Keith Haring, and so many others through interactive displays on our wall. \r\n\r\nI have also been able to project the art that our students make on to our classroom wall with the projector. This has allowed children in one group of children to inspire another group, merely by showing their art with the projector. \r\n\r\nI truly can't wait to see how many other new and exciting ways that we continue to use your generous gift over the years!","fullyFundedDate":1742264867731,"projectUrl":"project/projecting-our-projects-in-our-prek-art/9152013/","projectTitle":"Projecting Our Projects in Our PreK Art Studio","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Heather","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7805728_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y1008&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689456118398","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/heather-madden"},{"teacherId":9994825,"projectId":9249007,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity in funding our classroom dollhouse project! Our Pre-K students were excited about this new educational and classroom toy, and were eager to explore and play with it.\r\n\r\nThe dollhouse is already becoming a central part of our dramatic play center. It encourages collaboration, language development, and social skills as the children act out familiar family roles, solve problems, and narrate their play.\r\n\r\nYour support is helping our children develop essential skills through play, and we are extremely grateful for your kindness!","fullyFundedDate":1744647140226,"projectUrl":"project/doll-house-sel-project/9249007/","projectTitle":"Doll House SEL Project","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Alee","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9994825"},{"teacherId":9126623,"projectId":8629354,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our Big Book Project! Because of your donation, our preschoolers now have access to engaging big books that truly capture their attention. The large, colorful pages make stories come alive and allow all of our students to see the words and illustrations clearly, keeping them captivated and excited about reading together.\r\n\r\nThe addition of the book stand has also made a huge difference. Instead of having to hold the book, we can now focus fully on guiding discussions, asking questions, and encouraging students to participate. This simple but powerful change allows us to create a more interactive and meaningful literacy experience for every child.\r\n\r\nYour support has enriched our classroom and is helping us build a strong foundation for a lifelong love of reading. We are so grateful for your kindness and investment in our students' learning!","fullyFundedDate":1728078739337,"projectUrl":"project/big-pages-of-possibilities/8629354/","projectTitle":"Big Pages of Possibilities!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sandra","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9126623_orig.jpg?crop=1258,1258,x21,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1690732955682","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/sandra-ramirez2024"},{"teacherId":6780368,"projectId":8915766,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping fund this project! \r\nOur favorite way to use laminating paper is to preserve student artwork. We also use laminating paper to create durable picture visuals for students for their schedule to help them regulate when we have big transitions in the school day. \r\nWe utilize paint sticks as a way to scaffold the art area as the year progresses. First we introduce crayons and next we teach the students how to put the caps back on markers and paint sticks. This skill takes time to learn and we end up with many dried out markers and paint sticks, thank you for refilling our supply!\r\nTHANK YOU again for all your donations, it means the world to me and the students!","fullyFundedDate":1736268800397,"projectUrl":"project/preschool-restock/8915766/","projectTitle":"Preschool Restock","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Liz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6780368_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1690998197239","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6780368"},{"teacherId":7493000,"projectId":8664875,"letterContent":"Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for supporting my project!\r\n\r\nAs a teacher building a program within its first year, outfitting a classroom that supported 140 students required materials that were built to last. As a pre-k classroom, our carpet serves as a learning hub for dramatic play, direct instruction, STEM, etc. Receiving this carpet built a space for connection to happen between students, with nature, and with learning objectives within the classroom. My students truly loved it all year and had genuine happiness when they walked into their classroom and gathered at it for morning meeting!\r\n\r\nThis carpet will serve as a learning space for years to come. Your contribution means the world, and I can't thank you enough for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1724799552248,"projectUrl":"project/creating-a-learning-space-that-connects/8664875/","projectTitle":"Creating a Learning Space That Connects Students to Nature","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Francis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7493000_orig.jpg?crop=1977,1978,x0,y494&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1691852707273","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7493000"},{"teacherId":6976484,"projectId":9213114,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, the magnetic board has become one of the most loved and used tools in our classroom! From the moment the children saw it, they were eager to explore. Magnets are naturally exciting, and this board invites curiosity and hands-on learning.\r\n\r\nWe've used it in so many creative ways in our classroom. We used it for spelling names, retelling stories, exploring magnetic gears, and even as part of our dramatic play setup when preparing for the transition to full-day preschool. The magnetic board allows the children to explore with little to no instruction, giving them ownership of their learning and helping them engage more deeply with classroom topics. One meaningful moment has been watching how this independent center naturally turned into a cooperative space. We've often seen children working together, taking turns, sharing materials, and building off each other's ideas. It's become a space for not only learning but also connection. \r\n\r\nAs we look ahead to the next school year, I'm excited to incorporate the magnetic board into our very first units of study. It will continue to be a powerful tool to support student learning and promote autonomy from the very beginning. Thank you for helping bring this meaningful and versatile resource into our classroom. You've truly made a lasting impact!","fullyFundedDate":1744059295982,"projectUrl":"project/magnetic-minds-exploring-letters-numbe/9213114/","projectTitle":"Magnetic Minds: Exploring Letters, Numbers, and Stem Through Play!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tongta","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6976484_orig.jpg?crop=1761,1761,x0,y123&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1721340291343","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tfox"},{"teacherId":6780368,"projectId":8962209,"letterContent":"THANK YOU!!! We are so grateful for everyone who donated to this project, it has added so much functionality to our whole group meeting area. We are able to flawlessly rearrange the job board, daily songs, Question of the Day, daily SEL breathing choices, and so much more. The students noticed immediately when the Whiteboard was installed, though when it was in the box they thought it was a big television! HAHA!\r\n\r\nMy favorite way to utilize the whiteboard is to write down the children's words, especially for Question of the Day, it gives me an opportunity to model writing for my students. I highlight and focus on saying to each student \"I am writing your words down\" so they see that their thoughts and ideas can come to life in the form of words. \r\n\r\nThank you for supporting our classroom, this whiteboard will last us so many years and so many students will have the opportunity to further their learning from it!","fullyFundedDate":1734554281327,"projectUrl":"project/preschool-whiteboard/8962209/","projectTitle":"Preschool Whiteboard","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Liz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6780368_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1690998197239","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6780368"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_130512","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":null,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":75,"percentAsian":4,"percentBlack":34,"percentWhite":10,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":46,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Not specified","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR District Record","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"UNCLASSIFIED","ncesMetroType":null},"inStateSupporters":85.0,"schoolId":130512,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Catalpa Early Childhood Center on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Catalpa Early Childhood Center","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/st-cornelius-early-learning-center/130512"}