{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Steuben Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":27.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":3910966,"projectId":9675327,"letterContent":"The excitement in our classroom was contagious when the boxes arrived! My students' eyes lit up as we unpacked the magnetic blocks, mini doodle boards, animal figures, and sensory tools. They immediately began sorting, stacking, and imagining new worlds. Within minutes, small groups had formed to build towers and bridges, while others used the doodle boards to draw what they created. It was joyful chaos in the best possible way—curiosity, teamwork, and laughter filling every corner.\r\n\r\nThese materials have transformed the way my students learn and interact. The magnetic blocks have become a favorite during both math and free-choice time, helping students visualize patterns and symmetry while building fine-motor skills. The sensory toys have given several of my students a way to stay calm and focused during transitions or independent work. Our alphabet fishing game is now part of our literacy center rotation, where students practice letters, sounds, and counting in a hands-on, engaging way.\r\n\r\nMy students are special because they approach every challenge with determination and heart. Many are bilingual learners who thrive when learning is visual and tactile. These new tools have given them more confidence to express ideas and take risks in their learning. Every day, I'm reminded that your generosity has made our classroom more inclusive, creative, and full of wonder. Thank you for making that possible!","fullyFundedDate":1757558184493,"projectUrl":"project/magnetic-minds/9675327/","projectTitle":"Magnetic Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bailey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3910966_orig.jpg?crop=1921,1921,x267,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726715493110","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-rose-bailey"},{"teacherId":9595046,"projectId":9179798,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donation to our classroom! Students were given a big opportunity for learning social play thru different dramatic play centers.\r\n\r\nThe kitchen set with many accessories has given students role play opportunities. Students can become servers, cooks, etc. we received storage and shelving as well so when clean up time comes they know where everything belongs.\r\n\r\nThe workbench and building toys has given students the opportunity to build and again role play and work as a team to construct many different types of structures.","fullyFundedDate":1746786450263,"projectUrl":"project/learning-through-playing-and-building-wi/9179798/","projectTitle":"Learning Through Playing and Building with Peers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Adams","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9595046_orig.jpg?crop=1536,1536,x0,y71&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724975740873","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9595046"},{"teacherId":9595046,"projectId":9277346,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity! My students have been given the ability to learn from anywhere though out our classroom with these amazing lap desks! They are a great option when we need to mix things up and the storage cart that holds them helps keep everything nice and organized! Giving flexibility to some students allows them to focus in different ways and get their work done.\r\n\r\nStudents have enjoyed using them and learning that we can use them for any subject thru the day! They are especially nice when we get to reading and it gives them a place to put their book so that they can follow along with their finger.","fullyFundedDate":1746786323127,"projectUrl":"project/lap-desks-to-learn-anywhere-in-the-class/9277346/","projectTitle":"Lap Desks to Learn Anywhere in the Classroom!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Adams","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9595046_orig.jpg?crop=1536,1536,x0,y71&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724975740873","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9595046"},{"teacherId":3910966,"projectId":9436049,"letterContent":"The excitement in my classroom was immediate the day these resources arrived. My students crowded around the boxes, eager to see what was inside. Their eyes lit up as they discovered the parachute, geoboards, and blocks—each new material became an instant invitation to play, explore, and learn together. The parachute quickly became a favorite, giving my students a way to move, laugh, and cooperate in our small space.\r\n\r\nInside the classroom, the wooden counting blocks and geoboards have become daily tools for hands-on math. I've watched students who usually hesitate with numbers build towers, patterns, and shapes with confidence. One student proudly explained how she made a triangle on her geoboard \"just like in our math book\"—a moment where learning clicked in her own hands. The slimy sand and food coloring have also provided calming, sensory-rich activities, helping students who need an extra way to focus or regulate their energy before joining the group.\r\n\r\nThese materials have already filled many of the gaps I see every day, supporting not only academics but also cooperation, creativity, and emotional growth. The next step for my students is to keep integrating these tools into our lessons—using the stethoscope for science exploration, the beanbags for math games, and the parachute for team-building activities. Thanks to your generosity, my classroom feels fuller, brighter, and better equipped to meet each child where they are.","fullyFundedDate":1755021461298,"projectUrl":"project/the-gap-fillers-learning-tools-for-ever/9436049/","projectTitle":"The Gap-Fillers: Learning Tools for Every Need","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bailey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3910966_orig.jpg?crop=1921,1921,x267,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726715493110","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-rose-bailey"},{"teacherId":10238072,"projectId":9675303,"letterContent":"The STEM materials you funded have already transformed our classroom. My students were thrilled the moment they saw the magnetic tiles, building sticks, and gears. Many had never used these kinds of learning tools before, and their excitement quickly turned into focused, hands-on exploration.\r\nWe immediately used the materials for a \"Build a Bridge Challenge,\" where students worked in teams to design strong bridges. It was inspiring to see them problem-solve, test ideas, and cheer each other on. These activities are helping them apply math and engineering skills while also building confidence and teamwork.\r\nNow, students use the materials daily during centers to create shapes, structures, and simple machines. Our next big step is a class project where teams will design a \"mini city,\" applying creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking.\r\nThank you for giving my students the chance to learn through meaningful, engaging, hands-on experiences. Your support has made a lasting impact.","fullyFundedDate":1757623871164,"projectUrl":"project/building-bright-minds-with-stem-toys/9675303/","projectTitle":"Building Bright Minds with STEM Toys","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Espinosa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10238072"},{"teacherId":3910966,"projectId":9040269,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom has come alive with Purposeful Play. The moment our students saw the new materials—the colorful dress-up costumes, the multicultural baby dolls, the camping and veterinarian sets, the realistic cell phones, and the kid-sized shopping cart—their eyes lit up with wonder and possibility. These items have transformed our dramatic play area into a vibrant space where children can imagine, explore, and express themselves freely. The chest of drawers has made it easy for them to access and care for the materials independently, building responsibility and self-confidence with every use.\r\n\r\nWe've watched students take on the roles of police officers, doctors, nurses, veterinarians, firefighters, and even parents caring for their babies. One quiet student, who usually hesitated to speak in large groups, became a confident \"vet,\" explaining diagnoses and treatments to classmates with great detail and excitement. These interactions aren't just cute—they're powerful. Through imaginative play, children are developing empathy, teamwork, language skills, and problem-solving strategies. We've also noticed that conflicts are easier to resolve, classroom behavior has improved, and children are more engaged in academic tasks after purposeful play sessions.\r\n\r\nNext, we'll be integrating these play themes into literacy and science lessons—writing stories about camping adventures, learning about animal care, and exploring community helpers through books and discussions. This project has made learning deeper, more joyful, and more connected to students' lived experiences. Thank you for giving our students the gift of imagination and the tools to grow socially, emotionally, and academically.","fullyFundedDate":1742178331421,"projectUrl":"project/purposeful-play/9040269/","projectTitle":"Purposeful Play","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bailey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3910966_orig.jpg?crop=1921,1921,x267,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726715493110","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-rose-bailey"},{"teacherId":6188725,"projectId":8867146,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of my and all the students at Steuben Elementary School! Your generosity has helped over 300 kids and staff be able to relax and get social as we go outside to our playground. It is such a welcome addition to our space and all of us love it.\r\n As you watch, the kids are sitting, talking and laughing. It's so nice to just watch them using their social skills and relaxing. Due to the weather, we were not able to get the benches out until the last month of school but, boy oh boy, do we love them!\r\n These benches are sturdy and will last us for years to come. Each time we see the kids sitting on them we will all be reminded of your generosity and kindness shown through this donation. We thank you","fullyFundedDate":1735670791371,"projectUrl":"project/sitting-with-friends-is-good-for-the-sou/8867146/","projectTitle":"Sitting with Friends is Good for the Soul!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Schy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6188725_orig.png?crop=398,398,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1631756617288","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tamischy"},{"teacherId":3910966,"projectId":8949592,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for providing materials that will help my students learn math in a concrete way. \r\nThe individual magnetic ten-frame white board paddles help every student to be engaged in a whole group lesson. The magnetic 2-color counters help children to see and feel the quantity when they are manipulating the counters to work out the correct answer. It also allows children to answer on their own, allowing me to see which students have mastered the concept and can do it quickly, as well as those students who are struggling. \r\nSeeing all these answers at a glance allows me to challenge those students who have mastered the concept, either by teaching their peers, or by creating a lesson that allows students to practice the next step. It also allows me to see which students need to revisit basic concepts, using the materials that were provided by this project. The individual math sets allows for an adult to work one-on-one using the materials like number lines and pattern blocks. Students can also use the magnetic manipulatives to develop and solidify their number sense.\r\nThank you so much for your donation to help my students learn in a developmentally appropriate way! We all appreciate it!!","fullyFundedDate":1735670269300,"projectUrl":"project/marvelous-mathletes/8949592/","projectTitle":"Marvelous Mathletes!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bailey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3910966_orig.jpg?crop=1921,1921,x267,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726715493110","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-rose-bailey"},{"teacherId":3910966,"projectId":8948302,"letterContent":"This project was AMAZING! The kids were so engaged through every step of the process.\r\nFirst, each child had his or her own ideas, drawn on a clipboard. Then the kids talked in their groups, and decided how they would decorate their monster. I heard kids talking about their own ideas and making compromises to come to accord within the group. \r\n\r\nAfter they had decided how they wanted their monster to look, kids gathered the materials to decorate it. They also got a battery pack, a motor with a piece of glue stick (for a hot glue gun) already attached unevenly to it. Each group decided on the three colors of markers that would be the legs. Adults glued the marker legs on. Each group then worked as a team to decorate their monster and to decide where to put the motor and battery pack. Kids used Velcro dots to attach these vital but heavy pieces. That way, they could do it independently and also change their minds based on trial and error. \r\n\r\nWhen their monsters were finished, we removed the caps to the markers, and the children closed the circuit on the battery pack and made the motor move. Since the piece was attached unevenly to the motor, the motor moved in an unbalanced way, making the monster move around in circles on the big paper. The kids were so excited and talked about more ways they could use electricity. Kids learned about the career of electrician, and other trades that would need knowledge of electricity, like appliance repairmen, those who work on coolers and freezers, electrical equipment repairmen etc.\r\n\r\nThis was easily the best project I've ever done in my 29 years of teaching kindergarten. The kids loved it and are so proud of the display created in the hallway from their work. I'm so thankful to DonorsChoose and donors like you who made this project possible. I have wanted to do this for a while, but it was cost prohibitive. You and the DonorsChoose community made my dream possible. Thank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1731870879104,"projectUrl":"project/electric-monster-boogaloo/8948302/","projectTitle":"Electric Monster Boogaloo!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bailey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3910966_orig.jpg?crop=1921,1921,x267,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726715493110","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-rose-bailey"},{"teacherId":9718067,"projectId":8801319,"letterContent":"My students and I are so grateful for your donations! We enjoy playing with the egg shakers and rhythm sticks in class to fun music!\r\nMy students were so surprised and happy to get new instruments and love choosing their favorite colors of rhythm sticks and shakers to play!\r\nI plan on using the musical instruments with students in rhythm play alongside, rhythmic composition, and aiding the students while reading music patterns. \r\nI look forward to incorporating the cantamos sing resources in my classroom throughout the year. I teach six bilingual classrooms grades kindergarten to third grade. I will be happy to connect with the students through songs that may be familiar to them, and learning new songs and dances together. \r\nThank you again so much!","fullyFundedDate":1730413049204,"projectUrl":"project/music-makers/8801319/","projectTitle":"Music Makers!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Nottke","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9718067"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_29876","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":252,"numTeachers":13,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":29,"percentWhite":6,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":61,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 3","studentTeacherRatio":"19.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":72.2,"schoolId":29876,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Steuben Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Steuben Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/kankakee-school-district-111/steuben-elementary-school/29876"}