{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Sugar Creek Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":16.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10030788,"projectId":9427841,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our hands-on STEM learning project. Your generosity has made a meaningful difference in how my 5th-grade students experience science.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, students are able to actively explore our Matter and Energy in Ecosystems unit through hands-on investigations. They have grown plants, studied food webs, and used real scientific tools like a digital scale to collect data and make observations. These experiences have helped students connect abstract science concepts to real-world systems in a way that is engaging and memorable.\r\n\r\nYour support has allowed my students to think and work like scientists by asking questions, conducting experiments, and building models to explain what they observe. This project has sparked curiosity, strengthened critical thinking skills, and encouraged problem-solving that extends beyond science into other areas of learning.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping make science active, meaningful, and exciting for my students from the very start of the school year.","fullyFundedDate":1758356421004,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-stem-discovering-ecosystems-in/9427841/","projectTitle":"Hands-On STEM: Discovering Ecosystems in 5th Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tellor","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10030788_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y368&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746801197789","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10030788"},{"teacherId":10030788,"projectId":9474180,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom rug project. In my 5th-grade classroom, building a strong sense of community is just as important as academic growth, and your kindness has helped make that possible.\r\n\r\nThe new rug has quickly become the heart of our classroom. It provides a comfortable, shared space where students gather for daily read-alouds, morning meetings, and social-emotional learning activities. Sitting together on the rug encourages meaningful conversations, active listening, and empathy as students share ideas and connect with one another.\r\n\r\nHaving this cozy, designated space helps students feel safe, seen, and ready to engage. It has strengthened our classroom community and created an inviting environment that supports both emotional growth and a love of reading.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in my students and helping create a classroom where they feel welcomed, supported, and excited to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1757683140666,"projectUrl":"project/a-cozy-rug-for-our-5th-grade-learning-sp/9474180/","projectTitle":"A Cozy Rug for Our 5th Grade Learning Space!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tellor","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10030788_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y368&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746801197789","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10030788"},{"teacherId":10030788,"projectId":9427821,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my 5th-grade students now begin each day with purposeful routines that support their social-emotional growth, confidence, and sense of belonging. The Teachers Pay Teachers gift card allowed me to purchase high-quality, classroom-tested resources that strengthen our morning meetings, SEL lessons, and goal- and data-tracking systems.\r\n\r\nOne of the most impactful resources has been our morning meeting slideshow presentations. These slides provide meaningful discussion prompts, engaging activities, and structured opportunities for students to share, listen, and connect with one another. As a result, students feel seen, valued, and supported as they start their day, which sets a positive tone for learning.\r\n\r\nIn addition, the resources support monthly SEL crafts that my students truly enjoy. These hands-on activities allow students to creatively reflect on important skills such as goal setting, empathy, resilience, and self-awareness. The crafts give students a tangible way to express their thoughts and emotions while reinforcing SEL concepts in a fun and meaningful way. Many students take pride in displaying their work or sharing it with their families, which deepens their learning and sense of accomplishment.\r\n\r\nYour support has helped create a classroom environment where students feel connected, motivated, and empowered to grow. These resources are helping my students build lifelong social-emotional skills that positively impact both their academic success and personal development. Thank you for investing in my 5th graders and helping build a strong, supportive classroom community.","fullyFundedDate":1757683066956,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-5th-graders-with-sel-goal-s/9427821/","projectTitle":"Empowering 5th Graders with SEL & Goal-Setting Tools","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tellor","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10030788_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y368&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746801197789","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10030788"},{"teacherId":8180384,"projectId":7051517,"letterContent":"The sensory table was a hit in the classroom! Children could not wait to explore with a friend. I had to have children sign up for their turn because it was so popular! This was great, because then the project incorporated literacy as well, having the children practice writing their names.\r\n\r\nIt truly encouraged students to verbalize what they were seeing, feeling, hearing and experiencing. They spoke to their peers who were at the sensory table with them and answered questions their teachers posed while at that center. \r\n\r\nI am truly grateful for the support of our little learners at a time in their life that is critical for development.","fullyFundedDate":1669756833547,"projectUrl":"project/table-talk-for-little-learners/7051517/","projectTitle":"Table Talk for Little Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Seifert","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8180384"},{"teacherId":9793566,"projectId":9509615,"letterContent":"I am deeply grateful for your generous monetary support which has allowed us to acquire kinesthetic and sensory-regulation tools. Your investment is a critical equity intervention designed to optimize my small group learning environment.\r\n\r\nYour support directly reduces instances of off-task behaviors and significantly increases my students' capacity for active listening and peer collaboration. This targeted support ensures that all learners can fully access high-level instruction, which I anticipate will lead to measurably improved on-task time and stronger academic performance during focused small group activities.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping me create a more accessible and effective learning environment for every student.","fullyFundedDate":1757683163569,"projectUrl":"project/balanced-brains-enhancing-mental-health/9509615/","projectTitle":"Balanced Brains: Enhancing Mental Health and Focus Through Movement","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Showalter","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9793566_orig.jpg?crop=300,300,x0,y26&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746395238990","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9793566"},{"teacherId":10017620,"projectId":9381463,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating to this project. This text set included many books about being mindful and having a growth mindset--two very important skills for all people to have! Because of your generous donation, my students are improving their ability to self-advocate. I have even seen many of them have solutions on how to self-regulate! \r\n\r\nIn my classroom, reading is done a few different ways. My students and I love to read together and discuss books, and students also love to read independently around the room. I have noticed that students will grab books from this text set when they get to independent read even if we have just read it all together! They love to read them again and again! I love it! \r\n\r\nThe fan favorite of this text set is Yani the Yeti! \r\n\r\nI cannot thank you enough for what you have provided to my students! You are helping them prepare for amazing futures!","fullyFundedDate":1753630453652,"projectUrl":"project/mindset-matters-a-growth-mindset-book-c/9381463/","projectTitle":"Mindset Matters: A Growth Mindset Book Collection","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lanham","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10017620_orig.jpg?crop=434,434,x0,y37&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746483555954","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10017620"},{"teacherId":10030788,"projectId":9406915,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our PBIS classroom store project! Because of your generosity, my 5th grade students are more motivated, engaged, and excited about making positive choices each day. The candy, snacks, fun erasers, mochis, and fidgets you helped provide have transformed our \"Cheetah Cash\" store into a meaningful and exciting part of our classroom culture.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the new items, their faces lit up with excitement! They immediately began checking out the options and thinking about what they wanted to earn. It brought a new energy to our classroom and reinforced the value of working hard and making good decisions.\r\n\r\nWe use these materials as part of our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) system. Students earn Cheetah Cash for demonstrating respectful, responsible, and safe behavior throughout the school day. Once a month, they have the opportunity to visit our classroom store and use their earnings to \"purchase\" rewards. This monthly event has become a celebration of their effort and growth, and something they genuinely look forward to.\r\n\r\nOne powerful impact of this project is the way it's encouraged students to take ownership of their behavior. I've seen students tracking their earnings, making thoughtful decisions, and even saving up over time for higher-value items. The rewards have created a meaningful system that motivates students and builds a sense of responsibility and pride.\r\n\r\nIn 5th grade, we focus a lot on setting and achieving goals, and the PBIS store aligns beautifully with that mindset. Students are not only working toward behavior goals, but they're also practicing real-life skills like decision-making, self-control, and delayed gratification—all through the lens of a system that makes learning fun and purposeful.\r\n\r\nThank you again for helping to make our classroom a place where positive behavior is recognized and celebrated. Your support has made a lasting difference in the daily lives of my students, and we are truly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1750256216521,"projectUrl":"project/pbis-prizes-for-positive-kids/9406915/","projectTitle":"PBIS Prizes for Positive Kids!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tellor","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10030788_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y368&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746801197789","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10030788"},{"teacherId":10030788,"projectId":9406820,"letterContent":"Thanks to your incredible generosity, my 5th grade classroom has been transformed into a more flexible, student-centered learning space! The new floor cushions, wobble stools, chair bands, and wave seats you helped fund are already making a huge difference in the way my students learn, focus, and feel throughout the day.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the new materials, their reactions were priceless. They were instantly curious and excited—testing out the wobble stools, stretching the chair bands with their feet, and finding the \"coziest\" cushion to sit on.\r\n\r\nRight now, we're deep into our Reading Workshop block, and the flexible seating has been a game changer. I'm able to meet with small groups of students, including those who are naturally more active, without constant interruptions or restlessness. The wobble stools and wave seats give those students the movement they need to stay engaged and present during our small group discussions. Meanwhile, the rest of the class spreads out around the room with their books, choosing cushions and quiet corners to read independently. The freedom to choose how and where they read has boosted both their focus and their love for reading.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving my students not just furniture, but freedom, comfort, and a sense of belonging in our classroom. Your kindness is helping them grow into confident, independent learners.","fullyFundedDate":1750464560809,"projectUrl":"project/freedom-to-focus-flexible-seat-for-5th/9406820/","projectTitle":"Freedom to Focus: Flexible Seat for 5th Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tellor","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10030788_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y368&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746801197789","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10030788"},{"teacherId":1930580,"projectId":9343288,"letterContent":"The addition of our movement furniture has been so positive. My students were excited to have multiple options to choose from and then time to try out all of our new seating and find out which item worked best for them. I've noticed an increase in confidence and independence in my kids, as well. Students feel more comfortable making choices about where and how they learn best. The classroom environment is calmer, and transitions are smoother because students are able to self-regulate and take ownership of their space.\r\n\r\nOverall, movement seating has transformed our classroom into a more inclusive and supportive place where every child can thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1750774628768,"projectUrl":"project/i-like-to-move-it-move-it/9343288/","projectTitle":"I Like to Move It, Move It!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cerne","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1930580"},{"teacherId":10017620,"projectId":9323210,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding my flexible seating project! It is a huge hit in my fifth grade classroom. I have done ample amounts of research about how flexible seating can positively impact students, and I am definitely seeing positive outcomes this year so far. \r\n\r\nFlexible seating allows students autonomy over their learning which increases engagement and gives students a sense of responsibility in the classroom! Thanks to you, I am able to provide a better learning environment for my students!\r\n\r\nWhen my students first came into the classroom this year, the flexible seating options were something they noticed immediately! My students use the flexible seating on a daily basis--all day long! Whenever they are doing some type of independent work, they are almost immediately asking me if they can use one of the flexible seats! \r\n\r\nWe will continue to use these seats all year long and cannot thank you enough!","fullyFundedDate":1746785991738,"projectUrl":"project/flexible-seating-supporting-diverse-lea/9323210/","projectTitle":"Flexible Seating: Supporting Diverse Learners and Learning Styles","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lanham","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10017620_orig.jpg?crop=434,434,x0,y37&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746483555954","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10017620"},{"teacherId":9793566,"projectId":9318172,"letterContent":"We are incredibly grateful for your generous donation of playdough materials—your support has made a meaningful and immediate difference in our classroom!\r\n\r\nThe moment the students saw the vibrant playdough colors and exciting tools, their faces lit up with pure joy. Their excitement was contagious, and the materials quickly became a favorite part of our learning day. These hands-on tools have done more than just engage students—they've fueled motivation, creativity, and meaningful language development.\r\n\r\nDuring playdough activities, students naturally began to describe what they were making, ask questions, and collaborate with peers. This open-ended play provided rich opportunities for eliciting and expanding language in authentic, student-centered ways. We heard full sentences, thoughtful questions, and an increase in expressive vocabulary—all while students were simply \"playing.\"\r\n\r\nThe sound stampers were an especially powerful addition. These multisensory tools helped students connect sounds with symbols in an engaging and tactile way, supporting phonological awareness skills through touch, sight, and sound. Students delighted in pressing the stampers into the dough, saying the sounds out loud, and connecting those sounds to letters and words. It was a perfect blend of fun and foundational skill-building.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our classroom is a more vibrant, engaging, and effective learning space. Your support has made a lasting impact on our students' language and literacy development, and for that, we sincerely thank you.","fullyFundedDate":1746466583707,"projectUrl":"project/talk-dough-to-me/9318172/","projectTitle":"Talk Dough to Me","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Showalter","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9793566_orig.jpg?crop=300,300,x0,y26&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746395238990","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9793566"},{"teacherId":835048,"projectId":8913390,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the generous donations to our project! My students were so excited to see each of the new items we received. They were extremely excited to use the microphones to practice speaking to one another. Just by having this little tool, their confidence has really grown! \r\n\r\nThe pop up pirate game and the learn and drop game are requested all the time in our small groups! In addition to the various new games you have provided us, they are really using the sensory materials to help focus to our group work. The stretchy chair bands, tactile squares, squishy toys, and the calming strips on the table are highly sought out objects! As soon as they enter our group, they are asking for these items! \r\n\r\nWe cannot thank you enough for giving us the opportunity to have these new materials for all of our students to use!","fullyFundedDate":1739369088392,"projectUrl":"project/lets-talk-encouraging-language-with-en/8913390/","projectTitle":"Let's Talk! Encouraging Language with English Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hitchins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp835048_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1448992524200","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/hitchins"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_29922","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":322,"numTeachers":30,"percentFrplEligible":61,"percentAsian":4,"percentBlack":31,"percentWhite":45,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":8,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"10.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":83.1,"schoolId":29922,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Sugar Creek Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Sugar Creek Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/mclean-co-unit-district-5/sugar-creek-elementary-school/29922"}