{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Harvard Park Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":47.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":841705,"projectId":9135008,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping our Kindergarten students! They are so happy to have this bag full of recess supplies that are appropriately sized just for them!!\r\n\r\nHaving time for unstructured play outside is so important for both a child's gross motor and social emotional skills. By working on sharing and turn-taking with the materials in this recess pack, our students are able to work on their social emotional skills. Being able to use the materials appropriately helps improve their gross motor skills. Many of our students have never used a jump rope before so this recess pack provides a great learning experience!","fullyFundedDate":1750192708866,"projectUrl":"project/kindergarten-recess-packs/9135008/","projectTitle":"Kindergarten Recess Packs","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nestler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp841705_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1448414045184","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tnestler"},{"teacherId":841705,"projectId":9133097,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping to purchase this recess pack for our Second grade students! Having these materials are helping our students with both gross motor and social emotional skills. It is important that they are sharing and taking turns with the materials in order that all of our second graders may enjoy these items at recess. \r\n\r\nThe second graders are absolutely loving this recess pack! They are so excited to have balls and other equipment that is just for their use on the playground. Right now, the balls seem to be the most popular with the jump ropes a close second!","fullyFundedDate":1746458691766,"projectUrl":"project/2nd-grade-recess-pack/9133097/","projectTitle":"2nd Grade Recess Pack","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nestler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp841705_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1448414045184","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tnestler"},{"teacherId":841705,"projectId":9133081,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping to purchase this recess pack for our First grade students! They are absolutely loving it! They are so excited to have balls and other equipment that is just for their use on the playground. Right now, the jump ropes seem to be the most popular with the balls a close second! \r\n\r\nHaving these materials are helping with both gross motor skills and social emotional skills as it is important that they share and take turns with the materials so that all of our first graders may enjoy them at recess.","fullyFundedDate":1750192707565,"projectUrl":"project/1st-grade-recess-packs/9133081/","projectTitle":"1st Grade Recess Packs","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nestler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp841705_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1448414045184","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tnestler"},{"teacherId":841705,"projectId":9442083,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping to stock our Treasure Box! I will gradually add items as needed during the year. Our students love being able to select an item from the Treasure Box. \r\n\r\nWe do the Treasure Box randomly throughout the week. Students are given \"Gotchas\" for following expectations or going above and beyond. They then are able to have their name drawn to select an item from the Treasure Box. \r\n\r\nWe will also sometimes do a surprise whole class Treasure Box when the entire class is following expectations. This is always a favorite!!\r\n\r\nAgain, thank you so much for helping to stock our beloved Treasure Box!","fullyFundedDate":1753979290906,"projectUrl":"project/good-behavior-is-a-treasure/9442083/","projectTitle":"Good Behavior is a Treasure!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nestler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp841705_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1448414045184","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tnestler"},{"teacherId":841705,"projectId":9440682,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping to fund this project! The start of the year went much smoother with these materials in hand. \r\n\r\nThe dry erase markers are being used daily. Our kindergarten students are working on forming the letters of the alphabet, both uppercase and lowercase, correctly. The dry-erase board wipes are a definite help with keeping our individual boards clean. The duster made getting the classroom ready for school so much easier! We are ready to start getting refills! The tape enabled us to label student coat hooks as well as decorate the classroom. They loved seeing their names on our door at the beginning of the year. \r\nFinally, the pencil pouches are perfect for keeping pencils and erasers handy in the seat sacks on each chair. \r\n\r\nAgain, thank you for helping us to start the year the right way - with a smile!","fullyFundedDate":1753976062534,"projectUrl":"project/starting-our-year-the-right-way/9440682/","projectTitle":"Starting Our Year the Right Way!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nestler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp841705_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1448414045184","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tnestler"},{"teacherId":10228937,"projectId":9659143,"letterContent":"The Harvard Park library has been totally transformed thanks to your generosity! The new rug gives students a clean and comfortable place to sit and listen to reading, as well as to read their own library books. Teachers especially appreciate having a rug with marked space on it to allow for each student to have a defined personal space while still sitting together as a class.\r\n\r\nThe lamp provides just the right about of warm lighting to make the library feel comfortable and inviting. Students love the feeling of sitting on the rug and reading by the lamplight, instead of the big overhead light in that area.\r\n\r\nThe seasonal decor has been very exciting for students and staff alike! I get so many compliments on how festive the library feels with all of the fall decor up. They will be exciting again as I switch over to holiday/winter decor in a few weeks! This added just the right touch to make the library feel \"homey\" and welcoming. Thank you again for your help making this a reality!","fullyFundedDate":1757682835413,"projectUrl":"project/magic-throughout-the-year-creating-a-li/9659143/","projectTitle":"Magic Throughout the Year: Creating a Library for All Seasons","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Turner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10228937_orig.jpg?crop=913,914,x0,y91&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756475824124","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10228937"},{"teacherId":3740667,"projectId":9037655,"letterContent":"Words cannot express my gratitude for donating to my project. Having healthy snacks available to students in the classroom store is one more incentive for them to stay on task and motivated to earn points and rewards. When the snacks arrived my students were delighted and grateful to know that there is a community of people who are always looking out for their needs.\r\n\r\nI could not do what I do without the help of people like you. Most of my students live at poverty level. Many of them do not have the privilege of getting packages to open at their home and knowing that the content was intended for them. Your donations to classrooms like mine not only feeds them physically but emotional as well. You are filling their soul with the knowledge that people in this world are genuinely good and passionate about helping others.","fullyFundedDate":1742303230574,"projectUrl":"project/needing-healthy-snacks-for-the-classroom/9037655/","projectTitle":"Needing Healthy Snacks for the Classroom Store!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dunn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3740667_orig.png?crop=1910,1911,x509,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752267093532","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/dunn-harvardpark"},{"teacherId":3740667,"projectId":9125470,"letterContent":"Thank you very much for the room dividers for the classroom! What a blessing it is to have those in class. I have a wonderful group of kids; however they can be very chatty and social at times. The dividers allow a barrier between them during testing times or when they need to get work completed. \r\n\r\nI am grateful to you for donating your hard-earned money to my project. I could not do what I do without your help. My students also want to thank you for your generous donation. Most of them live at poverty level but to know that strangers are thinking of their needs is not wasted on them,","fullyFundedDate":1741027147138,"projectUrl":"project/needing-privacy-desk-dividers/9125470/","projectTitle":"Needing Privacy Desk Dividers!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dunn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3740667_orig.png?crop=1910,1911,x509,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752267093532","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/dunn-harvardpark"},{"teacherId":841705,"projectId":8736438,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping to fund this project! Our fourth graders are loving this recess pack. They are loving having new materials that are only for use by the fourth grade students. Our students look forward to going to recess and having all of these new materials. \r\n\r\nOur students get to choose which items they want to play with. These bags are also helping with some behaviors as well. Getting to select first has been used as a reward. \r\n\r\nAgain, thank you so much for assisting our school with getting this recess pack!","fullyFundedDate":1734099006231,"projectUrl":"project/recess-pack-for-4th-graders/8736438/","projectTitle":"Recess Pack for 4th Graders","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nestler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp841705_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1448414045184","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tnestler"},{"teacherId":841705,"projectId":8623571,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping to fund this project! Our fifth graders are loving this recess pack. They are loving having new materials that are only for use by the fifth grade students. Our students look forward to going to recess and having all of these new materials. \r\n\r\nOur students get to choose which items they want to play with. These bags are also helping with some behaviors as well. Getting to select first has been used as a reward. \r\n\r\nAgain, thank you so much for assisting our school with getting this recess pack!","fullyFundedDate":1734099006349,"projectUrl":"project/recess-packs-for-5th-grade/8623571/","projectTitle":"Recess Packs for 5th Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nestler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp841705_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1448414045184","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tnestler"},{"teacherId":3740667,"projectId":8849976,"letterContent":"Thank you for giving our classroom extra seating for the kids. Having two new ottomans come in handy to sit on as well as use to place items on. \r\n\r\nI could not do what I do without the help of donors like you. Thank you for making our classroom environment more visually desirable as well as comfortable for student seating. Having a learning space that is not only curriculum friendly but also homey makes a big difference in the vibe of the room. \r\n\r\nOn behalf of my students and myself, thank you from the bottom of our hearts!","fullyFundedDate":1734099009527,"projectUrl":"project/needing-seating-for-the-classroom/8849976/","projectTitle":"Needing Seating for the Classroom!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dunn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3740667_orig.png?crop=1910,1911,x509,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752267093532","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/dunn-harvardpark"},{"teacherId":3740667,"projectId":8649921,"letterContent":"What a blessing to receive a classroom vacuum and table before the holidays! My students enjoy getting boxes delivered to the classroom from donors because they know it will be something beneficial to the class environment. More importantly, they feel loved knowing that a stranger donated their hard-earned money to make their school life better. \r\n\r\nHaving a vacuum cleaner for the class is a treasure because we do not have to depend on custodial staff to vacuum the rugs if there is an unexpected mess. The table is an added luxury to the classroom environment. The students enjoy having a space away from home that feels comfy and safe.","fullyFundedDate":1732298868969,"projectUrl":"project/needing-a-vacuum-and-table/8649921/","projectTitle":"Needing a Vacuum and Table!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dunn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3740667_orig.png?crop=1910,1911,x509,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752267093532","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/dunn-harvardpark"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_27018","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":349,"numTeachers":31,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":59,"percentWhite":25,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":1,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"11.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":53.0,"schoolId":27018,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Harvard Park Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Harvard Park Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/springfield-public-schools-district-186/harvard-park-elementary-school/27018"}
Join the 732 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Harvard Park Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Springfield, Illinois that is part of Springfield Public Schools District 186.
It serves 349 students
in grades K - 5 with a student/teacher ratio of 11.3:1.
Its teachers have had 229 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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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
60%
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.
Harvard Park Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 23, 2025
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.
Harvard Park Elementary School
$103,050
raised using DonorsChoose
229
projects
funded
37
teachers
funded
732
donors
20
projects
for
basic supplies
19
projects for
technology
31
projects for
books
6
projects
for
art supplies
Harvard Park Elementary School has received support from
388 individuals from Illinois and
344 individuals out-of-state.