Kimes Elementary School in Streator, Illinois on DonorsChoose

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After spending a few minutes with the sensory materials and calming tools, the student returned to the group ready to participate and learn. Experiences like this have helped students recognize their feelings, develop coping skills, and build confidence in managing emotions. The calming area has created a more positive learning environment where students feel supported, focused, and ready to engage in classroom activities.","fullyFundedDate":1682718355010,"projectUrl":"project/calming-area-in-pre-k/7288715/","projectTitle":"Calming Area in Pre-K","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lorena","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2780581_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1780602642820","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ltorres"},{"teacherId":2003996,"projectId":9191568,"letterContent":"As the materials you donated started arriving into our classroom during the first couple of weeks school, the students were so excited to see each package opened and discover its contents. Immediately, they wanted to play and explore with each new item. Each new set of manipulatives brought on \"oohs\" and \"ahhs\" as they arrived. Students were even more excited when I explained to them, that we were able to get these new items all because of a group of amazing people who donated their money to help purchase them. Each set of manipulatives will be added to our sensory table as we explore our numbers this year during math and as we learn to read. \r\n\r\nThe life cycle models will greatly enhance our unit that we complete each spring. These models will provide students with life size models of the life cycle of butterflies, frogs, and ladybugs. Some of which, these children have never seen before. Each piece will provide students with The realistic figurines are well-crafted and durable, making them perfect for hands-on learning. The accompanying flashcards enhance the educational experience, allowing for interactive lessons that engage young learners. This set effectively brings biology concepts to life, making science both fun and informative for children.\r\n\r\nThe kiddos are most excited to explore more with the outer space felt story board. The interactive model allows the children to manipulate the planets, stars, and moon on a large poster size chart. This is a popular unit that we will explore more mid-year. I will also be able to use this story board to add subtraction and addition problems to enhance math learning as well. The large number of pieces that make it up is perfect for sharing with friends and spending fun group time together, learning collectively, and developing social skills like companionship and teamwork.\r\n\r\nThere are not enough \"thank you's\" to be said to express my gratitude for your support of my classroom!! Even though these items may seem small, they make a large impact on student's learning. Thank you for supporting my students, myself, and my classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1746650954713,"projectUrl":"project/play-inspired-learning-with-sensory-expe/9191568/","projectTitle":"Play-Inspired Learning with Sensory Experiences","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Venturi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-venturi"},{"teacherId":2780581,"projectId":5761469,"letterContent":"These science supplies provided hands-on learning experiences that spark curiosity, exploration, and critical thinking in my preschool students. Magnifying glasses encourage close observation of objects in nature and the classroom, helping children develop investigation skills and a deeper understanding of the world around them. Sound eggs strengthen listening skills, sound discrimination, and memory as students compare and match different sounds. Sensory shapes support shape recognition, fine motor development, and sensory exploration through touch. The flower model introduces students to plant life cycles and the parts of a flower, building early science vocabulary and understanding. Together, these materials make science engaging, interactive, and meaningful for my young learners.","fullyFundedDate":1632395672982,"projectUrl":"project/science-supplies/5761469/","projectTitle":"Science Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lorena","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2780581_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1780602642820","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ltorres"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_27654","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":376,"numTeachers":25,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":6,"percentWhite":63,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":22,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":5,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 1","studentTeacherRatio":"15.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"TOWN_DISTANT"},"inStateSupporters":77.4,"schoolId":27654,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Kimes Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Kimes Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/streator-elementary-school-district-44/kimes-elementary-school/27654"}

About this school

Kimes Elementary School is a town public school in Streator, Illinois that is part of Streator Elementary School District 44. It serves 376 students in grades Pre-K - 1 with a student/teacher ratio of 15.0:1. Its teachers have had 45 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Supporting this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades Pre-K - 1

376 Students

25 Teachers

1207 Reading St

Streator, IL 61364 View local requests

Direct, proactive support

Empower teachers at Kimes Elementary School to request what their students need.

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

Kimes Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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Kimes Elementary School Demographics

95%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

28%

of students are Black, Latino, Native American, or Asian

Schools in districts that mainly serve students of color receive substantially less state and local support than similar districts that serve primarily White students. Learn more about this gap, why it exists, and how you can help close it.

Kimes Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Jun 22, 2026

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.