{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Budlong Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":31.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8571882,"projectId":9604454,"letterContent":"I am continually surprised by how many students gravitate towards our modular seating option in the counseling office. It has really changed the space! Thank you so much for making this possible! Some younger students choose to use the pieces to build a fort, while our middle schoolers love to lounge on it in its couch form. This new seating option has made the space much more inviting, especially for new students. I am amazed by how many different configurations kids have come up with! The counseling department is so thankful you chose to support this little project!","fullyFundedDate":1755714919493,"projectUrl":"project/seating-for-the-counseling-office/9604454/","projectTitle":"Seating for the Counseling Office","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8571882"},{"teacherId":8571882,"projectId":9595502,"letterContent":"What a vibrant year it has been with our new color printer! Thank you so much for contributing to this project. Aside from creating fun and eye-catching bulletin boards and SEL resources, our Behavioral Health Team can now print social stories and resources in color for our students who need them. \r\n\r\nOn behalf of our entire clinician team, I thank you for supporting Budlong students and their social emotional growth. Public educators so often talk about the things they dream of providing for their students, and a community like this one makes those dreams come to life!","fullyFundedDate":1755727965927,"projectUrl":"project/social-emotional-learning-in-color/9595502/","projectTitle":"Social Emotional Learning in Color","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8571882"},{"teacherId":495428,"projectId":9711341,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generosity and donations. These materials allowed our middle school students to demonstrate their knowledge through the use of the white boards and graphing white boards. Plotting coordinate points is a priority standard in 6th grade. Students often have trouble and need many opportunities to practice. Rather than plotting and erasing (oftentimes ripping) on graphing paper, the graphing white boards allow the students flexibility in their practice. \r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the materials they were surprised and curious. They appreciated being able to erase with ease. \r\n\r\nThe next steps with these materials is for students to take them back to the classroom and lead small groups on how to use them. Seeing that they used these in small group-pull out sessions, students are able to bring them back into the classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1764598876396,"projectUrl":"project/making-math-matter-manipulatives-for-mi/9711341/","projectTitle":"Making Math Matter: Manipulatives for Middle School Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sugrue","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp495428_orig.png?crop=288,288,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755204709430","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/495428"},{"teacherId":8927945,"projectId":9762926,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping provide exciting new art supplies to the Budlong Art Room! My students are particularly thrilled about our new watercolor sets that make painting rainbows even more magical! We are also very excited to make clay relief tiles with our new supplies later this year.\r\n\r\nWith 750 students moving through the art room each week, supplies get used up very quickly. Thanks to your donation however, the students at Budlong Elementary will have highly quality art supplies all year long to help their creativity roam freely!","fullyFundedDate":1767109009456,"projectUrl":"project/every-child-is-an-artist/9762926/","projectTitle":"Every Child Is an Artist","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Shafer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8927945_orig.png?crop=708,708,x147,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1751901489456","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8927945"},{"teacherId":9638704,"projectId":9850381,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our classroom library has grown in the most meaningful way. The moment the books arrived, the excitement in the room was contagious. My students could not wait to flip through the pages, explore the covers, and find their very own favorites.\r\n\r\nThanks to you, our students are not just reading. They are discovering new worlds, new perspectives, and new possibilities. Each book has become an invitation to explore different cultures, adventures, characters, and ideas. I have already seen students eagerly recommending stories to one another, asking thoughtful questions, and choosing to read during free time simply because they want to.\r\n\r\nFor many of my students, access to engaging and high interest books makes all the difference. These new additions have sparked meaningful conversations, inspired creativity, and strengthened their confidence as readers. Watching them light up when they connect with a story is a powerful reminder of why literacy matters so much.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has created opportunities that will impact our classroom long after the final page is turned. You did not just provide books. You helped nurture curiosity, imagination, and a genuine love for literature.\r\n\r\nFrom the bottom of our hearts, thank you for believing in our students and investing in their futures.","fullyFundedDate":1764688545026,"projectUrl":"project/our-classroom-library/9850381/","projectTitle":"Our Classroom Library","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9638704"},{"teacherId":5288580,"projectId":9937306,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredibly generous donation. The addition to our classroom has been transformative; nearly every visitor comments on the inviting, 'cozy' atmosphere it creates. Beyond the aesthetics, these products have allowed me to design a truly multi-functional environment. Our students now utilize the space as a dedicated 'calm-down' center for socio-emotional regulation, a quiet zone for testing, and a dynamic station for peer collaboration.\r\n\r\nAs middle schoolers preparing for the transition to high school, my students deeply appreciate having furniture that feels developmentally appropriate and 'grown-up.' This environment has shifted the classroom dynamic, fostering a sense of mutual respect and partnership between student and teacher. Furthermore, the impact extends to my colleagues; the space has become a preferred hub for co-planning and collaboration, where the comfortable setting allows us to focus on our shared goal of student success.","fullyFundedDate":1768057028209,"projectUrl":"project/inclusive-spaces/9937306/","projectTitle":"Inclusive Spaces","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tovar","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5288580"},{"teacherId":3052987,"projectId":9724255,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom! Your generosity truly makes a difference in our students' daily experience.\r\n\r\nThe red rocking chairs add such a vibrant pop of color and create a cozy, joyful space for students to read, reflect, and reset. The rainbow timer has quickly become a favorite — it's such a fun and engaging visual (and honestly, who doesn't love a rainbow?). It helps students better understand time in a way that feels accessible and positive.\r\n\r\nThe feelings chart is an especially meaningful addition. It gives students a way to identify and communicate their emotions, even when they may not be ready to talk about them just yet. The jumbo sand timers are wonderful tools for practicing time management and also serve as a calming coping strategy when students need a quiet moment to reset.\r\n\r\nWe are so grateful for your kindness and investment in our classroom community. Thank you again for helping us create a supportive, joyful space for learning!Thank you so much for your generous support!","fullyFundedDate":1762267543493,"projectUrl":"project/cozy-calm-corner-for-kinder-kids/9724255/","projectTitle":"Cozy Calm Corner for Kinder Kids","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kemerling","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3052987_orig.png?crop=272,272,x9,y11&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1655462591318","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-kemerling"},{"teacherId":9007143,"projectId":9583244,"letterContent":"The transformation of our classroom library has been nothing short of magical. When my first graders first walked in and saw the vibrant new rug and the soft, warm glow from the new lamps and string lights, their faces lit up with pure wonder. One student whispered, \"It looks like a cozy campfire for books!\" The transition from a cold, fluorescent-lit space to a warm, inviting reading nook has completely shifted the energy in our room. The organized book bins have also empowered my students; they no longer struggle to find their favorite stories, leading to a sense of ownership and pride in our shared space.\r\n\r\nIt has turned a standard literacy block into the most anticipated part of our day. One particularly heartening moment was seeing two of my more reluctant readers huddled together on the new rug, completely absorbed in a picture book, oblivious to the rest of the room. The comfort of the environment has lowered their anxiety and allowed them to truly fall in love with reading. Thank you for providing the comfort and organization necessary to turn my first graders into lifelong readers!","fullyFundedDate":1761265669853,"projectUrl":"project/getting-cozy-and-bright-in-our-classroom/9583244/","projectTitle":"Getting Cozy and Bright in Our Classroom Library!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Peterlin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9007143_orig.jpg?crop=2036,2036,x443,y554&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1686692184578","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9007143"},{"teacherId":976313,"projectId":9799649,"letterContent":"I am so appreciative for your funding for project! This technology seems very simple, but it is helping my yearbook staff immensely this year. Some of my middle school students do not have their own cell phones and can use the digital camera easily to obtain great photos for their pages. \r\nSome students expressed interest in recording videos with the camera and learning about all of the different features included.\r\nThanks again for your generosity. It is greatly appreciated and will add so much to my club.","fullyFundedDate":1765205048514,"projectUrl":"project/digital-camera/9799649/","projectTitle":"Digital Camera","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Yu","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/976313"},{"teacherId":8344277,"projectId":9861622,"letterContent":"On behalf of my students and myself, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your generous donation. Your support has brought our vision of a calm, inclusive, and focused classroom to life.\r\n\r\nThanks to your contribution, we have integrated an SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) curriculum, a peanut ball, and various sensory tools directly into our daily routine. Here is how these materials are making a tangible difference in the resource room:\r\n\r\nThe SEL curriculum has become the highlight of the students' week. My students are learning to identify their feelings and develop a vocabulary for their emotions using \"Spots.\" Instead of feeling overwhelmed by frustration, they are now practicing empathy and problem-solving.\r\n\r\nThe peanut ball and sensory tools have been transformative for our high-energy moments. For many of my students, sitting still in a traditional chair is a barrier to learning. These materials allow students to regulate themselves effectively to return to learning.\r\n\r\nBy meeting the sensory and emotional needs of students, we have seen a noticeable decrease in classroom frustration and an increase in active participation. Thank you for recognizing that sensory support isn't a luxury; it's a necessity for student success. You have empowered my students to take charge of their own regulation and, in turn, their own education.","fullyFundedDate":1762259143723,"projectUrl":"project/meeting-social-emotional-and-sensory-nee/9861622/","projectTitle":"Meeting Social-Emotional and Sensory Needs for Student Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Blidy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8344277_orig.jpg?crop=2479,2479,x191,y897&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1761605420860","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8344277"},{"teacherId":9904208,"projectId":9614515,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in funding our classroom project. Your contribution has made an immediate and meaningful difference for our students. \r\n\r\nWith this resource, our students are more engaged, confident, and excited to learn. The vibrant visuals help them better understand new vocabulary, follow instructions, and express their ideas. For some of our learners, these resources open doors to comprehension that words alone could not. Every day, we see students making new connections, participating more actively, and taking pride in their work.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has truly brightened our classroom and empowered our learners. Thank you for believing in our students and investing in their success. We are deeply grateful for your generosity and for the positive impact you have made on their education.","fullyFundedDate":1756065009468,"projectUrl":"project/see-second-grade-in-color/9614515/","projectTitle":"See Second Grade in Color","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Carrillo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9904208"},{"teacherId":2148071,"projectId":9712498,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom now has full access to Reading A–Z, and the impact on students' reading growth has been remarkable. From the very first week, students were excited to explore books that matched their individual reading levels, and that enthusiasm has translated into real progress.\r\n\r\nBecause Reading A–Z offers differentiated texts, my students are now able to read books that are just right for them—challenging enough to promote growth, yet accessible enough to build confidence. Many reluctant readers have become noticeably more motivated, often asking if they can read \"just one more book.\" Students who once struggled to finish a text are now completing books independently and participating more actively in discussions.\r\n\r\nThe program's interactive features and comprehension resources have strengthened critical skills such as vocabulary, fluency, and understanding of informational texts. I've seen measurable improvement during small-group reading sessions: students are decoding more accurately, demonstrating deeper comprehension, and moving up reading levels more quickly than before.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, my students feel like readers. They are proud of their growth, and that pride is a direct result of the opportunities your donation made possible.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our classroom and giving my students the tools they need to thrive. Your support truly made a difference.","fullyFundedDate":1758821010713,"projectUrl":"project/raz-kids-online-leveled-reading/9712498/","projectTitle":"RAZ-Kids Online Leveled Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dunskus","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2148071_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1460236748117","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-dunskus"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5420","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":733,"numTeachers":38,"percentFrplEligible":66,"percentAsian":16,"percentBlack":5,"percentWhite":34,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":38,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"19.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":68.6,"schoolId":5420,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Budlong Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Budlong Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/budlong-elementary-school/5420"}