{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Century Oaks Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":25.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8943001,"projectId":9852650,"letterContent":"Our new texts are helping students build important skills such as identifying theme, analyzing characters, using text evidence, and strengthening comprehension. We are also focusing on vocabulary development and meaningful discussions.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom includes whole-group read-alouds, partner discussions, and independent reading. Students annotate the text, answer higher-level questions, and participate in thoughtful conversations about the story.\r\n\r\nSeveral students have been especially engaged with the new books. They are eager to share their thinking during discussions and are making deeper connections to the characters and events. It has been wonderful to see their excitement and growth.","fullyFundedDate":1767900326939,"projectUrl":"project/stories-of-strength-learning-from-navaj/9852650/","projectTitle":"Stories of Strength: Learning from Navajo Sacred Lands","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Salmeron","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8943001_orig.jpg?crop=1284,1284,x0,y731&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1675314587973","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8943001"},{"teacherId":8943001,"projectId":9882098,"letterContent":"My students have been actively using the new resources during our reading block, and they have truly enhanced our learning experience. We are currently reading Sing Down the Moon, and students are using the materials to deepen their understanding of the characters, setting, and historical context. One special moment was during a class discussion when students used the resources to make connections between the main character's journey and themes of resilience and courage. Their conversations were thoughtful and meaningful.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, they were excited and grateful. They immediately asked when we could start using them and were eager to explore everything. It was heartwarming to see how valued and supported they felt knowing that people cared about their learning. Our next steps include completing a character analysis project where students will use text evidence to explain how the main character changes throughout the story. We will also be working on a written response that focuses on theme and supporting details. These resources will continue to support their comprehension, critical thinking, and writing skills.\r\n\r\nThank you for making these learning experiences possible for our classroom. Your generosity truly makes a difference!","fullyFundedDate":1764627680160,"projectUrl":"project/tigers-earn-their-stripes-our-paws-stud/9882098/","projectTitle":"Tigers Earn Their Stripes: Our PAWS Student Reward Store Experience","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Salmeron","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8943001_orig.jpg?crop=1284,1284,x0,y731&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1675314587973","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8943001"},{"teacherId":10326907,"projectId":9852647,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for providing our classroom with copies of Sing Down the Moon by Scott O'Dell. Your generosity has had a meaningful impact on my students' learning and engagement with literature.\r\n Through this novel, students strengthened reading comprehension and academic vocabulary while exploring themes of courage, resilience, identity, and the importance of home. Bright Morning's journey sparked thoughtful discussions, and students continue to reference her character during morning meetings when we talk about hope and perseverance, showing deep connections to the text.\r\n To enrich their understanding, I arranged a field trip to the Elgin Public Museum of Natural History & Anthropology. This hands-on experience brought history to life as students learned how Native Peoples lived before European contact and examined real artifacts. Learning about \"The Encounter\" of 1680 between the Illiniwek chief and La Salle helped students understand how historical events shaped cultures, trade, and the environment. This experience sparked curiosity, meaningful conversations, and a renewed excitement to continue reading when we returned to school. Having their own copies allowed them to annotate and engage deeply with the novel.\r\n As we read, students discussed and wrote about the text in both languages building bilingual academic vocabulary and expressing complex ideas using an Anchor Chart Bridge transferring what they have learned in English to Spanish. Thank you again for investing in our students—your support has strengthened their literacy skills, confidence, and love of reading.","fullyFundedDate":1764627680011,"projectUrl":"project/every-story-deserves-to-be-heard/9852647/","projectTitle":"Every Story Deserves to Be Heard","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Zolnierczyk","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10326907"},{"teacherId":8943001,"projectId":9904505,"letterContent":"The donated items are being used as part of our classroom reward and celebration system. Students earn paws for meeting academic and behavior goals, and they use them to purchase these items. One special moment was when students reached a class goal and were able to purchase a prize and place it in a goodie bag—something they were incredibly proud of.\r\n\r\nThey were thrilled! The students were excited by the variety and immediately engaged, especially with the plush animals and fidget toys. The students loved the Christmas glitter glasses. Many of them wore the glasses all day and didn't want to take them off, which brought a lot of joy and laughter to the classroom. The excitement and smiles said it all.\r\n\r\n Students will continue working toward learning and behavior goals while earning paws and rewards that reinforce teamwork, responsibility, and perseverance. These materials will support future lessons, celebrations, and positive classroom experiences.","fullyFundedDate":1764627682403,"projectUrl":"project/a-token-of-appreciation-for-our-hard-wor/9904505/","projectTitle":"A Token of Appreciation for Our Hard Workers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Salmeron","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8943001_orig.jpg?crop=1284,1284,x0,y731&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1675314587973","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8943001"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_25665","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":422,"numTeachers":26,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":3,"percentBlack":12,"percentWhite":10,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":69,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"16.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":74.4,"schoolId":25665,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Century Oaks Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Century Oaks Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/elgin-school-district-u-46/century-oaks-elementary-school/25665"}
Join the 125 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Century Oaks Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Elgin, Illinois that is part of Elgin School District U - 46.
It serves 422 students
in grades K - 6 with a student/teacher ratio of 16.2:1.
Its teachers have had 47 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Share and help support Century Oaks Elementary School
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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
84%
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.
Century Oaks Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Mar 20, 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.
Century Oaks Elementary School
$20,251
raised using DonorsChoose
47
projects
funded
19
teachers
funded
125
donors
1
project
for
basic supplies
1
project for
technology
23
projects for
books
Century Oaks Elementary School has received support from
93 individuals from Illinois and
32 individuals out-of-state.
