{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Ridgely Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":29.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9695771,"projectId":9721911,"letterContent":"Our new flexible seating stools have completely changed the feel and function of our classroom. Students are using the stools during small group instruction, independent reading, and collaborative projects. One moment that really stood out was during a writing workshop — students who typically struggle to stay focused were deeply engaged while using the stools, gently moving while they worked. Having seating that allows for movement has created a calmer environment, improved focus, and helped students take ownership of their learning space.\r\n\r\nWhen the stools first arrived, the excitement was immediate — they couldn't wait to try them out! We spent time discussing expectations and how to use them responsibly, and they truly rose to the occasion. Looking ahead, students will continue using the stools during our upcoming research and project-based learning units, where collaboration and sustained focus are key. The next step is helping students reflect on how flexible seating supports their learning and focus, building independence and self-awareness as learners. Thanks to your generosity, our classroom is not just a place to sit — it's a space designed for student success.","fullyFundedDate":1768497752165,"projectUrl":"project/flexible-seating-and-organization/9721911/","projectTitle":"Flexible Seating and Organization","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Knox","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9695771"},{"teacherId":3134889,"projectId":10038037,"letterContent":"These new materials would not have been possible without your generous support. Our classroom is being monitored next year through the state and we needed updated materials for out classroom. The new materials have been put out for students this year and they love them! The magnet toys have been a huge hit and students are working together to build and create which is wonderful to observe! The storage containers are always a huge help as we need somewhere to put all the new things. We couldn't provide these fun learning materials and experiences without your help. Thank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1769178739265,"projectUrl":"project/stem-in-the-prek-classroom/10038037/","projectTitle":"STEM in the Prek Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. LaCamera","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3134889_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1486274709746","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lacamera"},{"teacherId":3134889,"projectId":9804718,"letterContent":"We are so thankful for the new materials in our classroom! The trampoline has been the favorite as it offers opportunities for self regulation. The magnet toys have been a hit with our students! Having those as a choice has been a game changer for our table toys center. The tablets have been used for name writing in small groups and our students enjoy those rather than pencil and paper. We are so grateful for your generous support and I couldn't provide fun learning tools without your help. Thank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1767200181605,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-essentials/9804718/","projectTitle":"Classroom Essentials","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. LaCamera","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3134889_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1486274709746","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lacamera"},{"teacherId":480282,"projectId":9754650,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our 3 kindergarten classrooms! We have already used our new Let's Find Out news to learn about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The videos and games help us extend our learning so much!\r\n\r\nWe have used these magazines not only to learn about Dr. King but also to extend our reading and letter/sound recognition. Our kids are loving being letter/word detectives in the text. \r\n\r\nDonor's like you help us bring new experiences and fun to our learning. We appreciate you and your kindness!","fullyFundedDate":1765252490535,"projectUrl":"project/scholastic-news-for-cool-learning-experi/9754650/","projectTitle":"Scholastic News for Cool Learning Experiences","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. N.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/480282"},{"teacherId":1945765,"projectId":9489622,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support this year. Because of you, I have been able to make a meaningful impact and difference in students' daily experiences at school.\r\n\r\nThe books you provided helped me to teach social-emotional skills and helped students explore emotions, build empathy, and learn strategies for handling big feelings in a way that is engaging and accessible. \r\n\r\nThe breathing and calming tools have had an immediate and positive impact. Students are learning how to pause, regulate their bodies, and practice coping skills when they feel overwhelmed. These tools have empowered students to take ownership of their emotional regulation in a healthy, age-appropriate, and very fun way!\r\n\r\nI still have yet to use the amazing duck rewards, but the goal is for us to use these creatively to motivate students to make good choices, follow expectations, and support one another. \r\n\r\nYour generosity has helped create a calmer, more supportive learning environment where students feel safe, valued, and ready to learn. Thank you for investing in our very important mission to help kids learn how to be more thoughtful and responsible members of our school community, and ultimately, our society. Your kindness truly makes a lasting impact.","fullyFundedDate":1757682832848,"projectUrl":"project/learn-and-grow-with-sel/9489622/","projectTitle":"Learn and Grow with SEL","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Green","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1945765_orig.png?crop=100,100,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754135593983","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1945765"},{"teacherId":854849,"projectId":9733490,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for this project getting funded so quickly. I am teaching Kindergarten and First grade special ed students who really need hands-on materials, and task cards are designed for their learning. I can create a set of boxes for each student's needs. They can practice and even take them home to practice over and over. They can master a set of cards easily and then move on to more challenging sets. This helps them feel like they have accomplished something. The students really will benefit from these items, and this project was brought to life with funds from donors like yourself. Thank you so much!!!","fullyFundedDate":1764696908703,"projectUrl":"project/task-for-little-hands/9733490/","projectTitle":"Task for Little Hands","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Flanagan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kflanagan"},{"teacherId":854849,"projectId":9376515,"letterContent":"Thank you so for the games and activities for my new kindergarten and first-grade students. We have really enjoyed learning and playing as we learn. The manipulatives have been so helpful for learning math and numbers. The kids have really enjoyed hands-on learning, and we all know that at this age, that is how they learn best. Thank you again for the generous donations and the support for all students. Without Donors like yourself, many projects would go unfunded, and kids would do without, so thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1754322531533,"projectUrl":"project/teaching-special-ed-kinders-and-firsties/9376515/","projectTitle":"Teaching Special Ed Kinders and Firsties","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Flanagan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kflanagan"},{"teacherId":2853160,"projectId":9576571,"letterContent":"Once again, you came through for my classroom! Your support and generosity makes an impact that I simply cannot describe. I wish I could have bottled up the sounds of giggles and excitement when I opened the boxes that contained the snacks and books. It's pure joy, and it's contagious. Most of my kiddos come from a low-income situation, and therefore it is difficult for them to donate snacks to the classroom. The school day is long for our little learners, so a little snack gives them the boost they need to keep working. \r\nIn addition, the extra supplies like paper towels, card stock, and laminating pouches help me out tremendously. Though our district supplies a lot of materials, these things, they do not. When I buy them out of my own pocket - it adds up quickly. \r\nI am so beyond thankful for your help. Thank you for helping me make my classroom the amazing place that it is. A place where our littlest learners feel loved, supported, safe, and cared for.","fullyFundedDate":1761929144020,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-basics/9576571/","projectTitle":"Classroom Basics","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Barnard","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2853160_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1522432151194","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2853160"},{"teacherId":8012296,"projectId":9255917,"letterContent":"When my students first saw the new toys and books, their excitement filled the room. They loved opening the boxes of new materials and immediately gravitated toward the colorful rainbow sorters, bug and flower toys, and, of course, their favorite—bubbles. These resources have made therapy sessions even more engaging and play-based, which is exactly how preschoolers learn best. It's been so rewarding to watch them explore, practice their words naturally through play, and share their toys and ideas with friends.\r\n\r\nWe've been using the new materials to tie directly into our classroom themes. During our spring unit, students sorted rainbow colors, created flower gardens, and read about birds. These hands-on experiences have made language lessons more meaningful by reinforcing the vocabulary and concepts they're learning in their general education classrooms. The bubbles, especially, have been a huge hit—encouraging students to request their wants, needs, thoughts, and ideas. \r\n\r\nAs we continue our themed lessons, my students are becoming more confident communicators and making stronger connections between what we do in speech therapy and what they experience in the classroom. These materials have truly helped bridge that gap, giving every student new ways to express themselves through play.","fullyFundedDate":1745347180525,"projectUrl":"project/lets-communicate-play-and-learn-in-pr/9255917/","projectTitle":"Let's Communicate, Play, and Learn in Preschool!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Clark","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8012296"},{"teacherId":3134889,"projectId":9584505,"letterContent":"We are so thankful for your donations to this project! We needed a refresh of some classroom staples such as pattern blocks and magnet wands as well as new things such as stress balls and sensory tubes. We have a wide variety of needs in our classroom so it is important to have learning tools for everyone. The laminating sheets and and playdough are things that are constantly used so they are much appreciated! Our magnetic flannel board has already been a huge success with our felt stories! Our students love to tell stories with objects. We couldn't provide these learning opportunities without your help. Thank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1757682833671,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-essentials/9584505/","projectTitle":"Classroom Essentials","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. LaCamera","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3134889_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1486274709746","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lacamera"},{"teacherId":3134889,"projectId":9595146,"letterContent":"We are so thankful for your generous donations! We needed a bigger space for our playdough center and the table we had just wasn't big enough. Any piece of furniture is expensive and difficult to aquire so we are very appreciative of this community! Our students are able to have lots of cookie cutters and playdough tools on the table with plenty of room to roll and cut the playdough. The table also allows space for students to strengthen their fine motor skills to prepare for hand writing. Again, we couldn't do it without you! Thank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1757682833500,"projectUrl":"project/playdough-table/9595146/","projectTitle":"Playdough Table","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. LaCamera","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3134889_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1486274709746","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lacamera"},{"teacherId":3134889,"projectId":9245129,"letterContent":"Our students absolutely loved having insects in our classroom! We were able to observe ladybugs and caterpillars. Insects bring so many learning opportunities from life cycles to becoming scientists. So many vocabulary opportunities! The bird feeders are a hit with our students! There are so many birds in our neighborhood school that enjoy them. Feeding the birds is a popular classroom job and everyone wants to do it every time! We wouldn't have been able to provide these fun learning opportunities without your generous donations. Thank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1746759227775,"projectUrl":"project/we-love-living-things/9245129/","projectTitle":"We Love Living Things","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. LaCamera","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3134889_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1486274709746","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lacamera"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_29335","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":297,"numTeachers":23,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":31,"percentWhite":46,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":4,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"12.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":70.1,"schoolId":29335,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Ridgely Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Ridgely Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/springfield-public-schools-district-186/ridgely-elementary-school/29335"}