{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Monarcas Academy","outOfStateSupporters":33.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":127017,"projectId":9975614,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for bringing math to life in our 4th-grade classroom! When the boxes of fraction strips arrived, my students' faces completely lit up. There is something truly magical about seeing a box of colorful, tactile materials and realizing they are for MATH CLASS!\r\n\r\nThis year we used these vibrant manipulatives to master the tricky concept of equivalent fractions, adding and subtracting fractions. Just yesterday during a partner exploration activity, I watched a student who usually struggles with abstract numbers slide a 1/2 tile next to two 1/4 tiles. Her eyes went wide as she blurted out, \"Wait, they're the exact same size!\" Seeing that \"aha!\" moment happen in real-time—purely because she had the physical resources to test her theories—was absolutely priceless. Because of you, my students are no longer just guessing on paper; they are physically building their mathematical confidence.\r\n\r\nAs we solidified our understanding of fractions, our next step was to use these strips to tackle adding and subtracting fractions. We transformed our classroom into a \"Fraction Bakery,\" where students will use their new tools to combine \"ingredients\" and solve real-world word problems. Thank you for giving my students the concrete tools they need to dive into these complex concepts with excitement. You have made a deeply meaningful impact on our learning community!","fullyFundedDate":1777651719268,"projectUrl":"project/i-knew-you-were-fractions-when-you-walke/9975614/","projectTitle":"I Knew You Were Fractions When You Walked In","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Fonseca","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp127017_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y416&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1690518303086","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msefonseca"},{"teacherId":8892309,"projectId":10193775,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your incredibly thoughtful donation of knitting and embroidery kits for our classroom. Your generosity has provided my students with a wonderful opportunity to step outside the traditional four walls of the classroom and engage their creativity while fully enjoying the beauty and tranquility of the outdoors. Watching them immerse themselves in learning these traditional fiber arts while sitting together in the fresh air has been truly inspiring; it has not only fostered a peaceful, focused environment but has also sparked beautiful conversations and teamwork among the students. These kits have given them a meaningful, tactile outlet to develop patience and fine motor skills in a serene natural setting, and we are profoundly grateful for the positive impact your support has made on their well-being and creative growth.","fullyFundedDate":1778003852772,"projectUrl":"project/natures-workshop-knitting-embroiderin/10193775/","projectTitle":"Nature’s Workshop: Knitting, Embroidering, and Enoying Outdoors","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Laura Sierra","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8892309_orig.jpg?crop=966,966,x0,y48&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1670516572691","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/laura-sierra-lbs1"},{"teacherId":9844268,"projectId":10228102,"letterContent":"I am absolutely thrilled to share the incredible impact your generosity has had on our classroom! Because of your support, our project to get my students moving with fun, active materials is officially a reality, and the energy in our room has completely transformed.\r\n\r\nThe arrival of the new materials—especially the music, bubbles, balls, and group games—felt like a holiday. The kids could hardly contain their excitement, and we put the items to use immediately.\r\n\r\nHere is a glimpse of how your gifts are changing our daily routines:\r\n\r\nBubble Magic: The bubbles have been an absolute game-changer for my students, especially for quick sensory breaks and tracking activities. Watching the kids laugh, jump, and pop bubbles together has brought so much pure joy into our space.\r\n\r\nBalls and Cooperative Games: The balls and new games have given our recess and indoor movement times structure and purpose. Students who used to sit on the sidelines are now actively participating, practicing their gross motor skills, and learning how to take turns and play as a team.\r\n\r\nThis project was about so much more than just \"playing.\" By giving my students these tools, you have helped them improve their focus, build their physical coordination, and learn crucial social-emotional skills like sharing and collaboration. When my kids move, their brains turn on, and they come back to their academic work ready to learn.\r\n\r\nThank you for recognizing the importance of play, movement, and joy in education. You didn't just fund materials; you invested in the health, happiness, and success of my students. We are incredibly grateful for your kindness!","fullyFundedDate":1779475723326,"projectUrl":"project/moving-and-grooving-bringing-learning-u/10228102/","projectTitle":"Moving and Grooving: Bringing Learning Under the Sun","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Zimmerman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9844268_orig.jpg?crop=80,80,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732154875620","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9844268"},{"teacherId":10404914,"projectId":10094483,"letterContent":"We are incredibly grateful for your generosity in funding this project! My students are absolutely thrilled with their new seating options in the small group table area. In fact, these stools have quickly become the most popular spots in the classroom; students constantly ask to work there during independent task time. It has transformed that corner of our room into an area where students are genuinely excited to sit down and learn.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the classroom was buzzing with excitement. The students were eager to see what was inside that they insisted on posing for pictures in front of the boxes (picture submitted)! They even volunteered to help assemble the furniture just so they could start using it faster. \r\n\r\nThank you again for investing in our classroom and creating a space where students feel comfortable and motivated to succeed!","fullyFundedDate":1777649260523,"projectUrl":"project/sit-learn-grow/10094483/","projectTitle":"Sit, Learn, Grow!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Villada","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10404914_orig.png?crop=996,996,x0,y355&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1777298242622","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/fervillada"},{"teacherId":2870302,"projectId":10257849,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredibly generous donation to our project, \"Clean Air.\" Because of your kindness, our classroom is now fully stocked with the air freshener, soap, and paper towels we needed to create a truly welcoming and sanitary space for learning.\r\n\r\nI always tell my students that as long as they show up ready to learn, I will do everything in my power to provide a comfortable, clean, and safe environment for them. Thanks to you, I have been able to keep that promise.\r\n\r\nThe Impact in Our Classroom\r\nThe impact of these simple everyday essentials has been profound:\r\n\r\nA Welcoming Atmosphere: Walking into a classroom that smells fresh and clean instantly sets a positive, calm tone for the day. It helps the students focus, feel comfortable, and embrace their lessons a little better.\r\n\r\nShared Responsibility: Keeping our hands and workspaces clean with the new soap and paper towels has become a routine that everyone takes part in. It has instilled a sense of pride and shared community in our room.\r\n\r\nRemoving Barriers: My ultimate goal is to make sure every student knows their presence is what matters most to me. Having these supplies on hand means they never have to worry about the basics—they can just focus on being present and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has done so much more than just provide supplies; it has shown my students that a community of people care about their well-being and education. We are so grateful for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1779105503765,"projectUrl":"project/clean-air/10257849/","projectTitle":"Clean Air","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mikos","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2870302_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1777936304092","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msmikos"},{"teacherId":2870302,"projectId":9985768,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredibly generous donation to our classroom project, \"Saucer Chairs for Enhanced Comfort While Reading in the New Year!\" Because of your kindness, our students will head into the new year with a vibrant, flexible, and deeply inviting reading environment. Your support is making a direct and lasting impact on their daily learning experience.\r\n\r\nBefore these chairs arrived, traditional seating often meant fidgeting, physical discomfort, and distraction during independent reading time. Thanks to you, our students now have access to comfortable, ergonomically supportive saucer chairs that completely change the dynamic of our room.\r\n\r\nHere is a glimpse of how your donation is already transforming our classroom:\r\n\r\nBoosted Focus & Engagement: With superior cushioning and support, students are no longer constantly shifting to get comfortable. Instead, they are diving deeper into their books and staying focused for longer stretches of time.\r\n\r\nA Positive, Stimulating Atmosphere: The unique and inviting design of the saucer chairs has created a space where students actually want to curl up with a good book. It has made reading feel like a special event rather than a chore.\r\n\r\nAdaptable & Collaborative Learning: The lightweight, flexible design of these chairs allows us to easily reconfigure our room. Whether students are reading independently or gathered for a collaborative group discussion, our new seating supports fluid teamwork and interaction.\r\n\r\nBy addressing physical discomfort and creating a visually appealing space, you have helped minimize distractions and maximize joy in our classroom. This enhanced comfort is already translating into better focus, active participation, and a stronger love for learning.\r\n\r\nWe are profoundly grateful for your investment in our students' comfort, academic performance, and future. Thank you for ring-ing in the new year with such incredible generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1777954525733,"projectUrl":"project/saucer-chairs-for-enhanced-comfort-while/9985768/","projectTitle":"Saucer Chairs for Enhanced Comfort While Reading in New Year!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mikos","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2870302_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1777936304092","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msmikos"},{"teacherId":2870302,"projectId":10257551,"letterContent":"From the bottom of my heart—and from a classroom full of incredibly bright fifth graders—thank you so much for your generous donation to our project, \"It's Ink-tastic to Print in Color!\" Your support means the world to us.\r\n\r\nMy fifth graders have truly exquisite minds. They are resilient, creative, and always ready to tackle any learning challenge thrown their way. However, navigating daily lessons without a working classroom printer was becoming a real hurdle. Thanks to you, that hurdle is gone!\r\n\r\nYour donation is doing so much more than just filling ink cartridges; it is completely transforming our daily learning environment. Because of your generosity, we are now able to:\r\n\r\nTake a much-needed screen break: My students can step away from their devices and experience the tactile joy of holding a physical worksheet and writing on paper again.\r\n\r\nAccess on-the-spot differentiation: With a fully stocked printer, I can instantly adapt lessons and print extensions to meet students exactly where they are in their learning journeys.\r\n\r\nEngage with vibrant visuals: Colorful, eye-catching instructional resources and curricular worksheets are now a reality, making tough concepts much easier (and more fun!) to grasp.\r\n\r\nThis ink gives our classroom the flexibility and creativity we so desperately needed to support our in-person learning every single day. Thank you for believing in my students, investing in their education, and helping us bring color back into our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1778689300680,"projectUrl":"project/its-ink-tastic-to-print-in-color/10257551/","projectTitle":"It's Ink-tastic to Print in Color","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mikos","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2870302_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1777936304092","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msmikos"},{"teacherId":2870302,"projectId":10257721,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity! Your support for our \"Hygiene Essentials\" project means more to our classroom than words can truly express. By stepping up to fund these exact resources, you have directly removed a major barrier to learning for my students.\r\n\r\nIt is heartbreaking to see bright, capable students lose their focus or struggle with their self-esteem simply because they lack basic hygiene products at home. Financial hardships should never stand in the way of a child's education, but the reality is that these shortages deeply impact a student's confidence and motivation in the classroom.\r\n\r\nBecause of your kindness, my students no longer have to carry the heavy worry or anxiety that their hygiene is problematic.","fullyFundedDate":1778105906397,"projectUrl":"project/hygiene-essentials/10257721/","projectTitle":"Hygiene Essentials","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mikos","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2870302_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1777936304092","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msmikos"},{"teacherId":8732104,"projectId":10101646,"letterContent":"Because of your incredible support, our \"Mindful Makers\" project has successfully transformed our classroom into a vibrant Compassion Workshop where art supplies and colorful stationery serve as the essential tools for building deep empathy. When the boxes arrived, the students were absolutely thrilled, with audible gasps filling the room as they realized these beautiful, professional-grade materials were theirs to use. Knowing that donors like you believe in their potential gave our young leaders an immediate sense of pride and responsibility. They quickly realized they weren't just completing a routine school assignment, but were being trusted to create meaningful, high-quality work to support and uplift their community.\r\nWe immediately channeled this excitement into our first official \"Perspective Exchange\" project, where students interviewed community members including school staff to understand their daily joys and challenges. Using the new mediums, students stepped into the shoes of others to create stunning Identity Portraits and Perspective Journals. In one profound classroom moment, a student who typically struggles with emotional expression used the new paint markers to beautifully illustrate a staff members transition from an exhausting day to the relief of sunrise, capturing her point of view with incredible maturity. By writing and drawing from another person's perspective, our students are successfully moving beyond their own experiences to deeply understand the lives of others.\r\nMoving forward, our students are transitioning into the direct-action phase of the curriculum by using the remaining stationery to craft customized hand-made cards for their peers. Guided by our \"Pillar 3: Monitoring for Learning\" framework, students will use a Compassion Criteria Checklist to self-assess and ensure their designs precisely target and alleviate specific emotional needs.","fullyFundedDate":1771619424283,"projectUrl":"project/the-compassion-connection-crafting-kind/10101646/","projectTitle":"The Compassion Connection: Crafting Kindness for Our Community","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ruiz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8732104_orig.jpg?crop=714,714,x255,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1769462052431","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-irma1"},{"teacherId":8893796,"projectId":10012120,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity! Because of your support, my students now have access to essential resources that have completely transformed our daily learning environment. We have been using the new copy paper and writing tools to dive deeper into our curriculum, while the cleaning supplies have helped us maintain a healthy, organized space where everyone feels ready to learn.\r\nThe moment the packages arrived was unforgettable. When I first opened the boxes to reveal the fresh packs of markers, colored pencils, and dry erase markers, the room erupted in cheers. One student immediately asked if we could start our art project \"right this second.\" Seeing their faces light up with pure excitement reminded me how much it means to them to know that people like you believe in their education and want them to have the best tools possible.","fullyFundedDate":1778017631868,"projectUrl":"project/finishing-our-year-off-strong/10012120/","projectTitle":"Finishing Our Year Off Strong","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. McGee","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8893796_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1694129606080","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8893796"},{"teacherId":8732104,"projectId":10078686,"letterContent":"The new resources have turned our classroom into a \"Wellness Hub\" where my first graders are truly blossoming as leaders. We recently kicked off our first \"Mindful Mentors\" outreach, where my students took their wobble chairs to a neighboring Kindergarten class to demonstrate \"active sitting.\" It was a powerful moment to watch a six-year-old explain to a younger peer how to use the chair's movement to calm their body and \"wake up\" their brain for a story. Simultaneously, during our Gratitude Circles, my students have been using their new journals to model reflective drawing. One student, who used to struggle with expressing frustration, proudly showed a peer his journal entry where he drew a \"sunshine moment,\" teaching the younger student how to focus on the good parts of their day.\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the classroom was buzzing with a mix of awe and a serious sense of responsibility. My students didn't just see \"cool new chairs\"; they saw the tools they needed to fulfill their mission as mentors. They were eager to practice their demonstrations, sitting tall on the wobble chairs and carefully labeling the first pages of their journals with a sense of pride. They realized that because of your generosity, they now have the \"official equipment\" to help the rest of the school. It shifted their mindset from being students who just follow rules to being community leaders who are responsible for the well-being of their friends and neighbors.","fullyFundedDate":1771365538679,"projectUrl":"project/mindful-mentors-a-student-led-wellness/10078686/","projectTitle":"Mindful Mentors: A Student-Led Wellness Initiative","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ruiz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8732104_orig.jpg?crop=714,714,x255,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1769462052431","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-irma1"},{"teacherId":8732104,"projectId":10066083,"letterContent":"The new seats and headphones have made our reading and writing time so much better! Before, it was hard for some of my students to sit still and focus on their stories. Now, I see them using their wobble cushions to wiggle while they work, which helps their brains stay on the page. One student who used to have a hard time writing even a few words was able to sit and write a whole story because his cushion helped him stay calm. The noise-canceling headphones are also a big hit because they help students stay in a \"quiet bubble\" so they don't get distracted by noises in the room.\r\n\r\nWhen the boxes first arrived, the kids were so happy! They felt special knowing that these tools were picked out just for them. We talked about how everyone's body needs different things to learn best. They weren't just excited to play; they were relieved to have things that help them feel comfortable. Now, instead of feeling frustrated because they need to move, they feel like \"learning superheroes\" who have exactly what they need to do their best work.\r\n\r\nNext, we are going to use our new focus tools to write big book reports. Writing a long report can be tough, but now that the students have their fidgets and cushions, they feel ready to take on the challenge! We are going to spend the next few weeks reading deeply and sharing our ideas with each other. Because of your kind gift, my students aren't worried about sitting still anymore, they are just excited to learn and grow. Thank you for making our classroom such a happy place!","fullyFundedDate":1770393335828,"projectUrl":"project/focus-and-flow-sensory-tools-for-engage/10066083/","projectTitle":"Focus and Flow: Sensory Tools for Engaged Readers and Writers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ruiz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8732104_orig.jpg?crop=714,714,x255,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1769462052431","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-irma1"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5741","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":803,"numTeachers":54,"percentFrplEligible":93,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":95,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":0,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"14.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":67.0,"schoolId":5741,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Monarcas Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Monarcas Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/tonti-elementary-school/5741"}