{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Butler Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":33.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":3257179,"projectId":9936768,"letterContent":"The new classroom headphones are already making a meaningful difference in how our students learn each day. Many of our lessons use interactive technology, and the headphones allow students to focus without distraction, especially during reading programs, speech activities, and individualized learning tasks. With clearer sound and fewer interruptions, students are able to better follow instructions, stay engaged, and build important academic and communication skills. For our special needs learners, the ability to adjust volume and reduce sensory overload has been especially beneficial, helping them feel more comfortable and successful during their work.\r\n\r\nWhat excites students most about the new headphones is the sense of independence they provide. Students love having their own personal set—something that feels special, new, and just for them. Several students who typically struggle with attention or noise sensitivity have embraced this technology the most. One student now confidently completes listening activities without feeling overwhelmed, while another is showing greater enthusiasm for audiobooks and reading practice. These small moments of growth and joy are exactly what your support has made possible, and we are truly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1764652371084,"projectUrl":"project/headphones-for-focused-futures/9936768/","projectTitle":"Headphones for Focused Futures","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Palmer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3257179_orig.png?crop=900,900,x100,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1760450930556","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/coe"},{"teacherId":3257179,"projectId":9891858,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to the Jory John's Food Group book series for our classroom. Our students were immediately drawn to the bright illustrations, playful characters, and humor woven through each story. These books have quickly become a favorite part of our day, offering a fun and engaging way to explore social-emotional learning, kindness, confidence, and positive decision-making. Your gift has brought excitement, laughter, and a fresh spark of curiosity into our room.\r\n\r\nFor our special needs class, the impact has been especially meaningful. The relatable characters and clear, heartfelt messages help our students connect with emotions, friendships, and self-advocacy in ways that feel accessible and empowering. We've already seen students reference story moments during class discussions and apply the lessons to real-life situations. Thank you for helping us nurture not only stronger readers, but also confident, compassionate learners. Your support truly makes a difference every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1763520461017,"projectUrl":"project/character-development-through-the-jory-j/9891858/","projectTitle":"Character Development Through the Jory John Food Group Series!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Palmer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3257179_orig.png?crop=900,900,x100,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1760450930556","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/coe"},{"teacherId":3113547,"projectId":9809769,"letterContent":"Thank You for you donation to this project. This project helps our daily learning get stronger each day. In this project we asked for a set of I Survived Books and some workbooks for students who are work at multiple grade levels. These books and workbooks were immediately opened and used. We are so excited to read our new I Survived Book series. We will use them as classroom read a-louds. \r\n\r\nWe previously read the I Survived Book about the Holocaust. My students enjoyed learning about a new subject in a 4th grade friendly version. We are very excited about our workbooks. They give us a bit of variety to add to our current curriculum in our small group and homework time.","fullyFundedDate":1763736336985,"projectUrl":"project/learners-are-going-to-learn/9809769/","projectTitle":"Learners Are Going to Learn","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. J.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3113547_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1476576255705","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/miss-jefferson"},{"teacherId":3113547,"projectId":9480932,"letterContent":"Thank you for your donation to this project. We received a heavy duty Vevor Cotton Candy Machine and dome. The machines that came with a dome were much more expensive. Buying them separately saved quite a bit of money. Without the dome the cotton pieces fly off of the machine while its spinning. We are very thankful for the protective dome and machine.\r\n\r\n We have enjoyed making cotton candy in our class. This reward is tied to behavior AND academic growth. You really have to show that you are working hard to get cotton candy. We had a smaller one in previous years. It was so much fun, but it wasn't classroom friendly because it took quite a while to make each portion of cotton candy. Having a larger machine helps us quickly and efficiently celebrate our gains and get back to work. \r\n\r\nThank you for your support of our learning, and our fun. We are forever grateful for donors like you.","fullyFundedDate":1757607135567,"projectUrl":"project/work-hard-play-hard/9480932/","projectTitle":"Work Hard, Play Hard","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. J.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3113547_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1476576255705","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/miss-jefferson"},{"teacherId":3535762,"projectId":9444609,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the generous donations to our class project! The class was so excited to see our materials arrive. We loved unboxing each piece and talking about how we will use them for our centers in the afternoon.\r\nDuring centers we have really enjoyed building our fine motor skills with fun activities that go along with our learning of letters and so far cvc words!\r\nI really appreciate the storage containers, as it keeps our activities neat and can be easily grabbed by students or myself each time we use them!","fullyFundedDate":1757683097361,"projectUrl":"project/kindergarten-fine-motor-skills-play-base/9444609/","projectTitle":"Kindergarten Fine Motor Skills Play-Based Centers!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kiser-Gruen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3535762_orig.jpg?crop=1932,1932,x0,y392&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1646421814506","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-kiser-gruen"},{"teacherId":3113547,"projectId":9481035,"letterContent":"This is one of my favorite DonorsChoose Projects because it was so fun for my students. We have pizza makers that we keep in our classroom. How fun in that? We use the pizza makers in our classroom transformations. \r\n\r\nThere are several small group activities that each group of students rotate through. One of the rotations is the pizza cooker group. Thats always their favorite. To be eligible students must complete all of their work , and have worked hard at each station. We decorate the class room with all of the fun items from the project and we have a learning pizzeria. \r\n\r\nThank you for all that you do for all students.","fullyFundedDate":1757683159227,"projectUrl":"project/think-outside-of-the-box/9481035/","projectTitle":"Think Outside Of The Box","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. J.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3113547_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1476576255705","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/miss-jefferson"},{"teacherId":3113547,"projectId":9481032,"letterContent":"Thank you for your donations to this Donor'sChoose Project. Your donation has made such a difference in our world. The folders keep us organized. There seems to be a never ending paper flow situation in our class. We have the folders to keep important papers in their place. Our 3 hold punch machine helps papers stay in folders, so we always have what we need. \r\n\r\nIn our classroom, we have a pencil system that allows the students to have the pencils they need at all times without creating an interruption. Pencils are sharpened and ready to go at all times. They can trade their pencils for a new one or grab one if the need it. Each week they are give 4 sharp pencils, and they are expected to keep them. This has been a tremendous help. There is no arguing or fighting over pencils. \r\n\r\nWe love using Boodle in our classroom with phonics and spelling practices. We know have enough for the whole class to play at once.","fullyFundedDate":1753990082067,"projectUrl":"project/the-bare-necessities/9481032/","projectTitle":"The Bare Necessities","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. J.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3113547_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1476576255705","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/miss-jefferson"},{"teacherId":6651187,"projectId":9477325,"letterContent":"My students and I are thankful for your support! These resources have helped create a functioning classroom and one that feels welcoming and safe. The half-sized composition notebooks support our school's focus on vocabulary. Hygiene items have become very popular.\r\n\r\nStudents were first confused about the care closet items and curious about why they were in our classroom. They weren't sure why we needed lotions, toothbrushes, and anti-perspirant wipes. Well, let me tell you, they are comfortable now. :) We have normalized students needing these items at school, and everyone visits the care closet. Some students visit for a Band-Aid, and others come to the closet to grab items to freshen up before the day starts. It has been a valuable resource to help students feel confident about beginning their day.","fullyFundedDate":1755135893156,"projectUrl":"project/clean-confident-and-classroom-ready/9477325/","projectTitle":"Clean, Confident, and Classroom-Ready","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wankel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6651187_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x190,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1690761633419","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ashleywankel"},{"teacherId":3257179,"projectId":9803429,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in funding our classroom reward vending machine and the exciting prizes that fill it! Your kindness has brought a spark of joy and motivation to our classroom that words can hardly capture.\r\n\r\nEach time a student earns a token and gets to choose a reward, their face lights up with pride and accomplishment. This special machine has become more than just a dispenser of treats—it's a tool for building confidence, responsibility, and positive behavior. Students are learning that hard work, kindness, and perseverance truly pay off.\r\n\r\nBeyond the fun and excitement, this project has helped strengthen our classroom community. Students cheer each other on, celebrate successes, and learn the value of encouragement and empathy. The vending machine has turned small acts of good behavior into big lessons in self-esteem and social-emotional growth.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, our students feel seen, valued, and inspired every day. Thank you for helping make our classroom a place where learning is rewarding in every sense of the word.","fullyFundedDate":1760458287951,"projectUrl":"project/vending-up-some-fun-in-mrs-palmers-roo/9803429/","projectTitle":"Vending Up Some Fun in Mrs. Palmer's Room!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Palmer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3257179_orig.png?crop=900,900,x100,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1760450930556","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/coe"},{"teacherId":3257179,"projectId":9731825,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your thoughtful donation of self-care items to our classroom. Your kindness has made a meaningful difference in the daily lives of my students. Having access to basic hygiene and self-care supplies helps them feel clean, confident, and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nMany of our students come from families who face financial challenges, and your generosity provides them with not only essential items but also a sense of dignity and belonging. When children feel cared for, they carry themselves with pride and participate more fully in the classroom community.\r\n\r\nYour support has truly brightened our classroom and lifted spirits. Thank you for investing in my students' well-being and self-esteem—you've made a lasting impact on their hearts and their confidence.","fullyFundedDate":1759270940074,"projectUrl":"project/request-for-daily-needed-materials/9731825/","projectTitle":"Request for Daily Needed Materials","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Palmer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3257179_orig.png?crop=900,900,x100,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1760450930556","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/coe"},{"teacherId":3113547,"projectId":9335669,"letterContent":"Thank you for your donation to this donors's choose project. Your donation helped our classroom to receive a gift card from teaches pay teacher. This is one of the most important donors choose projects a teacher can receive. Many years ago, there were teacher stores in most cities that allowed teachers to buy need items to support the individualized learning of the students in their class. Gone are those days. Now we are finding the most fun, engaging, and rigorous items on Teachers pay Teachers. Our math journals, projects, and readers notebooks have been such a game changer in our classroom this year.","fullyFundedDate":1750255576951,"projectUrl":"project/learning-is-engaging/9335669/","projectTitle":"Learning is Engaging","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. J.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3113547_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1476576255705","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/miss-jefferson"},{"teacherId":3710486,"projectId":9369917,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donation of pencils and testing dividers for our classroom! The students have loved being able to have pencils that are sturdy and long-lasting to complete various assignments. The testing dividers have come in very handy already as we complete some beginning of the year assessments. The students love that these are new materials and are heavy-duty. They are so excited when they get to use the testing dividers! It makes test-taking fun!\r\n\r\nThanks for your continued support of my classroom and students! We appreciate you!","fullyFundedDate":1750169091924,"projectUrl":"project/testing-materials/9369917/","projectTitle":"Testing Materials!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Helton","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3710486_orig.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1729641293746","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3710486"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_25432","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":350,"numTeachers":23,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":44,"percentWhite":38,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":3,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"15.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":66.9,"schoolId":25432,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Butler Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Butler Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/springfield-public-schools-district-186/butler-elementary-school/25432"}