{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Illini West High School","outOfStateSupporters":19.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6551954,"projectId":10209440,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, From Clay to Community: Creating, Learning, and Giving Through Art! Because of your generosity, my students have access to ceramics supplies, glazes, paint pens, art magazines, printing ink, sublimation materials, and supplies that help keep our classroom clean and organized. These resources are giving students more opportunities to explore different forms of art, learn new techniques, and experience the pride that comes from creating something meaningful with their own hands.\r\n\r\nMy students were so excited to see the new materials arrive! The ceramics supplies and glazes immediately inspired conversations about future clay projects, while the paint pens, printing materials, and sublimation supplies opened the door to new creative possibilities. Students love having the opportunity to experiment with different materials, and these resources allow them to explore art in ways that would not be possible without the support of donors like you. Having a clean and organized classroom also makes a tremendous difference by giving students a welcoming space where they can focus, create, and take care of the materials we share.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, students will continue using these supplies to create artwork that connects learning with our community. From clay projects and colorful painted creations to printed and sublimated designs, students will have the opportunity to develop their artistic skills while also creating meaningful pieces that can be shared with and given back to others. The art magazines will help students discover new artists, ideas, and inspiration, encouraging them to see the many possibilities that art can bring to their lives.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and for helping make our classroom a place where creativity, learning, and giving come together. Your generosity is providing much more than art supplies—it is giving students the tools to build confidence, express themselves, learn new skills, and use their creativity to make a positive impact on others. We are incredibly grateful for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1778078957398,"projectUrl":"project/from-clay-to-community-creating-learni/10209440/","projectTitle":"From Clay to Community: Creating, Learning, and Giving Through Art","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Buxman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6551954_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y772&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758642786353","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/illiniwestart"},{"teacherId":6551954,"projectId":10270017,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, Creating, Learning, and Growing Through Art! Your generosity has provided my students with the everyday art supplies they need to create, learn, and grow. The paint markers, alcohol markers, pencils, glue, tape, erasers, wipes, soap, and baggies have made an immediate difference in our classroom. These may seem like simple supplies, but they are essential tools that allow students to focus on their creativity instead of worrying about whether we have enough materials to complete a project.\r\n\r\nMy students were excited to see all of the new supplies arrive! They immediately began talking about how they could use the markers and other materials in their artwork. Having quality supplies available gives students the confidence to experiment, try new techniques, and take pride in what they create. I have already seen students become more engaged as they use the paint markers and alcohol markers to add detail, color, and personality to their projects. The organization supplies and cleaning materials have also helped us keep our busy art room clean, organized, and ready for the next group of creative minds.\r\n\r\nOur next steps are to continue using these materials throughout a variety of projects that encourage students to draw, design, experiment, and express themselves. We will be using the supplies for detailed drawings, mixed-media artwork, painting projects, and creative classroom activities throughout the year. Your donation is not just providing art supplies—it is giving students the opportunity to explore their creativity, build confidence, solve problems, and discover the joy of making something with their own hands. Thank you for believing in my students and helping make our art classroom a place where creativity can grow every day!","fullyFundedDate":1778770782396,"projectUrl":"project/creating-learning-and-growing-through/10270017/","projectTitle":"Creating, Learning, and Growing Through Art","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Buxman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6551954_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y772&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758642786353","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/illiniwestart"},{"teacherId":9362827,"projectId":9905143,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support of my classroom. The students were very excited to get the table which allowed for more students to be involved in the activities. The students are all very excited this year to compete in the activities and learn by doing something they are very interested in. The students enjoy the games where they can work together and collaborate just as much as they enjoy the games where they compete against one another. They are constantly asking for more games and more opportunities to learn in an exciting and interactive way.","fullyFundedDate":1773864735141,"projectUrl":"project/strategizing-critical-thinking-and-pro/9905143/","projectTitle":"Strategizing, Critical Thinking, and Problem Solving: Part 2","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Rodeffer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9362827"},{"teacherId":8988509,"projectId":10198229,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in providing exercise bands, laminating paper, an iPad, and a football kicking screen for our program. Your donation has made an immediate impact on both our classroom learning and athletic development.\r\n\r\nThe exercise bands have added a new level of versatility to our workouts, allowing students of all ability levels to safely build strength, improve mobility, and stay engaged. The laminating paper has helped us create durable instructional materials that we can use daily, keeping lessons organized and consistent for students. The iPad has been a powerful tool for teaching, giving us the ability to show technique, analyze movement, and enhance instruction in real time. The football kicking screen has also been a huge addition for our athletes, providing more opportunities for skill development and repetition during training.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, we are able to offer a more engaging, efficient, and well-rounded experience for our students and athletes. We truly appreciate your support and the difference you have made in our program.","fullyFundedDate":1778770782088,"projectUrl":"project/recovery-organization-and-performance/10198229/","projectTitle":"Recovery, Organization, and Performance—All in One Project","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Lafferty","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8988509"},{"teacherId":9997039,"projectId":10185631,"letterContent":"We are extremely grateful for your support in funding a new treadmill and white barbell clamps for our weight room. These additions have immediately improved our weight training classes by increasing safe, efficient workouts and giving students better access to quality cardio training. They are also a major asset in our summer strength and conditioning program, helping athletes from all sports improve performance and conditioning. Even our staff have benefited through personal wellness use. Your generosity has strengthened our entire school community, and we truly appreciate your investment in our students and their growth.","fullyFundedDate":1778770782258,"projectUrl":"project/run-lift-thrive-essential-fitness-equ/10185631/","projectTitle":"Run, Lift, Thrive: Essential Fitness Equipment for Our Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lafferty","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9997039"},{"teacherId":9793991,"projectId":9912803,"letterContent":"The new LEGO plant sets have become an exciting addition to our classroom and have already created so much engagement among students. We are using the LEGO plants as part of classroom community-building activities, creativity stations, and end-of-year team challenges. Students have worked together to build the plants while practicing communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills in a fun and relaxed environment. One memorable moment was watching groups of students carefully organize pieces and encourage one another as they worked to complete the designs together. It brought a lot of positive energy and collaboration into the classroom.\r\n\r\nNext, students will continue using the LEGO plants during classroom enrichment activities and team-building lessons connected to our agriculture program. We also plan to incorporate them into leadership and communication activities as students prepare for future FFA and classroom projects. Thank you for helping provide engaging resources that support creativity, collaboration, and positive classroom experiences for our students.","fullyFundedDate":1773864734883,"projectUrl":"project/growing-minds-initiative/9912803/","projectTitle":"Growing Minds Initiative!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Merritt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9793991_orig.jpg?crop=1500,1500,x0,y300&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1730050771981","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9793991"},{"teacherId":6551954,"projectId":10163028,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, Students Honoring Community Through Art. Because of your generosity, my students now have access to high-quality materials that have truly transformed our classroom experience. We have been using these supplies to create meaningful artwork that reflects our community, including painted portraits, mixed-media pieces, and collaborative projects that celebrate local stories and culture. One especially powerful moment was watching students carefully design and paint pieces that honor people and places important to them—it gave them a sense of pride and purpose in their work.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the excitement in the room was immediate. Students were eager to explore the new supplies and couldn't wait to get started. Many of them expressed how special it felt to have professional-quality tools, and it motivated them to put more thought, effort, and creativity into their projects. For some students, this was the first time they felt like \"real artists,\" which was incredibly meaningful to witness.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, students will continue building on these projects by refining their techniques and expanding their ideas into a larger showcase of community-inspired artwork. We are working toward displaying their pieces so others can see and appreciate their voices and perspectives. Your support has not only provided materials but has also inspired confidence, creativity, and a deeper connection to our community. Thank you for making this possible!","fullyFundedDate":1776279191745,"projectUrl":"project/students-honoring-community-through-art/10163028/","projectTitle":"Students Honoring Community Through Art","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Buxman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6551954_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y772&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758642786353","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/illiniwestart"},{"teacherId":9793991,"projectId":9746696,"letterContent":"I cannot thank you enough for your support to my agriculture classroom. The mini fridge is used to store items for Food Science projects as well as for Dairy Foods. Students learn how to identify different kinds of cheeses and also identify milk defects. My vet science course used the suture pads and suture to learn FIVE different types of sutures that are used in the veterinary science world. The resins will be used by my Horticulture class to work on pressing flowers as well as the laminating pages. The plates are used for messy labs to be disposed of. The tootsie rolls were used as an incentive for a review game to help with student engagement and reward them for their hard work!\r\n All of the above would not be possible without your generous donation. Your kindness ensures that all students have the opportunity to put take their knowledge and apply it to hands-on and real-world concepts. Thank you for helping me shape the future of agriculture and the future of our students!","fullyFundedDate":1761258367450,"projectUrl":"project/ag-in-action-hands-on-learning/9746696/","projectTitle":"Ag in Action - Hands-on Learning!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Merritt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9793991_orig.jpg?crop=1500,1500,x0,y300&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1730050771981","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9793991"},{"teacherId":9556134,"projectId":9907682,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom has become a much more interactive and engaging learning space. The adhesive magnetic whiteboards and magnets are now a daily part of our Spanish lessons. Instead of simply writing answers in their notebooks, students come up to the boards to build sentences with vocabulary magnets, sort words into categories, and collaborate to solve language challenges together. One of my favorite moments happened during a vocabulary activity when students worked in teams to create silly but grammatically correct Spanish sentences using the magnets. The room was full of laughter, creativity, and students encouraging each other to try new words.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the excitement was immediate. Students were eager to get up and start writing on the walls and moving the magnets around. Several students said it felt more like a game than a lesson, and even some of my quieter learners jumped right in to participate.\r\n\r\nThe mirrors have also made a huge impact with our cheerleaders. They now have the opportunity to watch their motions, adjust their technique, and build confidence during practice. Being able to see themselves while they practice has helped them improve synchronization and performance as a team.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we are continuing to use the magnetic boards for collaborative activities as we work through new Spanish units. Students will be using them to build stories, practice conversations, and review vocabulary together. These tools are helping create a classroom where students feel comfortable participating, taking risks with language, and celebrating their progress. Your support has truly helped make learning more active, collaborative, and fun for my students.","fullyFundedDate":1766441406983,"projectUrl":"project/tools-to-help-students-learn-create-an/9907682/","projectTitle":"Tools to Help Students Learn, Create, and Perform","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Miller","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9556134"},{"teacherId":9886431,"projectId":9748229,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for taking the time to find our project and donate to provide students with necessary classroom and laboratory essentials. Since the arrival of the supplies, we have been able to complete numerous classroom activities between four separate classrooms as well as in the lab. \r\n\r\nOne of the projects in the pictures is fairly recent, as we were covering DNA. We started by coloring the different nitrogenous bases of DNA using your donated pencil boxes and colored pencils, then we cut them out using the scissors from you, and finally glued all of the pieces of a strand of DNA together using both glue bottles and glue sticks that you so generously donated. \r\n\r\nAll of the students have been so grateful to you and everything that you donated to them. Thank you, again, for your generous donation to our classrooms and laboratory.","fullyFundedDate":1761258367290,"projectUrl":"project/science-classroom-and-laboratory-essenti/9748229/","projectTitle":"Science Classroom and Laboratory Essentials","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Luzadder","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9886431"},{"teacherId":584953,"projectId":9771183,"letterContent":"Thank you for the generous donation of more than 65 books and supplies for book projects for our high school classroom. Because we do several independent reading book projects a year, the students appreciate a varied selection of books to read. These diverse titles meet the interests of most of the students. This year the students will make posters, book jackets, and make book recommendations for their peers. Your generous donation makes it possible to implement these projects for my students.","fullyFundedDate":1761258367622,"projectUrl":"project/building-a-stronger-classroom-library-fo/9771183/","projectTitle":"Building a Stronger Classroom Library for Independent Reading and Projects","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Shupe","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/584953"},{"teacherId":8988509,"projectId":9731242,"letterContent":"This project has had an immediate and meaningful impact on our Driver Education classroom by allowing students to learn through hands-on, real-world applications. The new stoplight, prop road signs, and classroom materials have helped transform abstract traffic laws into concrete experiences that students can see, touch, and practice.\r\n\r\nInstead of only reading about traffic control devices, students now build intersections using popsicle sticks, colored pencils, glue sticks, and paper. They physically place road signs, design traffic patterns, and model right-of-way situations. This approach has been especially effective for visual and kinesthetic learners, helping them better understand how signs, signals, and roadway design work together to keep drivers safe.\r\n\r\nThe most exciting part for students has been the ability to actively participate rather than passively listen. Engagement has increased noticeably, and students are more confident when explaining traffic laws and making safe driving decisions during class discussions and activities. Several students who typically struggle with traditional worksheets have shown improved understanding when given the opportunity to learn through building and collaboration.\r\n\r\nOverall, these materials have created a more interactive, inclusive learning environment that better prepares students for real-world driving. We are incredibly grateful to our donors for providing resources that make learning meaningful, memorable, and safety-focused for our students.","fullyFundedDate":1761258368105,"projectUrl":"project/building-strong-students-in-the-classro/9731242/","projectTitle":"Building Strong Students: In the Classroom, Weight Room, and on the Road","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Lafferty","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8988509"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_25545","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":345,"numTeachers":25,"percentFrplEligible":54,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":91,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":4,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":2,"gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"13.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_REMOTE"},"inStateSupporters":81.0,"schoolId":25545,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Illini West High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Illini West High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/illini-west-high-school-district-307/illini-west-high-school/25545"}