{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Wacker Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":41.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":4676990,"projectId":9840361,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support in providing civics books—including biographies and community-centered texts—for our first and second grade students. Your investment has made a meaningful and lasting impact on how our youngest learners understand themselves, their communities, and their role as citizens.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, our classroom library now includes developmentally appropriate civics texts that introduce students to key ideas such as community helpers, rules and laws, fairness, leadership, and civic responsibility. Through engaging stories and biographies, students are learning about real people who made a difference in their communities and beyond. These texts help children see that everyday actions—helping others, standing up for what is right, and working together—are the foundation of a strong democracy.\r\n\r\nThe biographies in particular have been powerful. Students are connecting with stories of leaders, activists, and community members from diverse backgrounds. They are learning that people of all ages, races, and experiences can contribute positively to society. These stories spark meaningful conversations, encourage empathy, and help students see themselves as capable of making a difference.\r\n\r\nThe community-focused books have strengthened students' understanding of how neighborhoods function and how citizens work together. Students are now using vocabulary such as citizen, responsibility, rule, and community in their discussions and writing. They are making real-world connections between the books they read and their own classroom, school, and neighborhood experiences.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, these civics books support early literacy skills while building social awareness. Students are practicing reading comprehension, discussion, and writing, all while developing a sense of belonging and responsibility. The books have become an essential part of our daily instruction, read-alouds, and small-group lessons.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has helped us nurture informed, thoughtful, and compassionate young citizens. On behalf of our students and school community, thank you for believing in the importance of early civic education and for investing in our learners' futures.","fullyFundedDate":1769177177900,"projectUrl":"project/lets-learn-about-civics/9840361/","projectTitle":"Let's Learn About Civics!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. O","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/oconnell2"},{"teacherId":10218077,"projectId":9642831,"letterContent":"Thank you so very much for your donation and support to my classroom! I am a second year teacher, and I can't express enough how grateful I am to you for your generous contribution to my classroom and my students. I wish you could have seen how overjoyed my students were when the rug was delivered to our classroom. They practically rushed me to open it, many of them offering to help me lay it out that same day, and taking the initiative to care for it! They absolutely LOVE our new classroom rug, and are excited each day to come join in for our whole class novel read and during their independent reading time (This is their absolute favorite flexible seating area to go to even when completing class assignments or just to relax and socialize with their peers during their break time!). Because of your donation, all of my 4th and 5th graders have a spacious, comfortable, and inviting area to sit and enjoy their books which in turn helps support my goal of creating a love and joy for reading. Since we have received our new rug, I have noticed a rise in excitement from students for independent reading. (This truly is our happy place!) Again, thank you so much for your help and support. You have not only made me so happy, but you have brought so much joy and happiness to my students and my future students to come!","fullyFundedDate":1764729484905,"projectUrl":"project/reading-is-our-happy-place-all-smiles-o/9642831/","projectTitle":"Reading is Our Happy Place! All Smiles Over Here!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ordillano","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10218077"},{"teacherId":4676990,"projectId":9426774,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation!! Mt students were so excited when our new rug arrived. It has become the \"go to\" spot in our classroom. It is the space for morning meetings, story time, lessons, and independent literacy centers. \r\n\r\nMy students finally have a space to stretch out and get comfortable as they work. Our primary students benefit so much from having space for free movement. My students love the rug! It has made my students so more productive in class. It has been truly amazing to see my students so happy as they work. Thank you again for supporting our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1758814138264,"projectUrl":"project/sit-and-learn-with-me/9426774/","projectTitle":"Sit and Learn With Me","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. O","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/oconnell2"},{"teacherId":4676990,"projectId":9418299,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation! The social emotional books and kick bands my students received have become such an important part of our day. \r\n Every day we take time for a read aloud from the SEL books and we discuss connections we have made with the story and work to problem solve situations together.\r\nThese opportunities to openly discuss our feelings and how to handle them have also made an amazing impact on how students treat each other. Understanding emotions and knowing how to better handle them will continue to have an impact on my students well beyond this school year.","fullyFundedDate":1750256105451,"projectUrl":"project/social-emotional-learning-every-day/9418299/","projectTitle":"Social Emotional Learning Every Day!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. O","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/oconnell2"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5402","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":219,"numTeachers":13,"percentFrplEligible":81,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":96,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":2,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"16.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":58.8,"schoolId":5402,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Wacker Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Wacker Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/wacker-elementary-school/5402"}
Join the 51 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Wacker Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Chicago, Illinois that is part of Chicago Public School District 299.
It serves 219 students
in grades Pre-K - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 16.8:1.
Its teachers have had 20 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Boost support for this school! Share this page with friends, family, alumni, and fellow supporters. Every connection helps teachers get the supplies they need and shows how much your community cares about its students.
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Every donation funds real needs — pencils, books, lab equipment, art supplies, and more — helping students learn and thrive. We ship supplies directly to the school, and you'll see exactly where each dollar goes.
of students receive free or reduced price lunch
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Source: the National Center for Education Statistics
98%
of students are Black, Latino, Native
American, or Asian
Data about school demographics comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. The numbers in this chart may not add up to 100% because of limitations in the available data.
Wacker Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Feb 24, 2026
DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students
in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.
Wacker Elementary School
$8,429
raised using DonorsChoose
20
projects
funded
7
teachers
funded
51
donors
1
project
for
basic supplies
1
project for
technology
9
projects for
books
Wacker Elementary School has received support from
30 individuals from Illinois and
21 individuals out-of-state.
