{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Martin Luther King Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":28.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9762830,"projectId":9821789,"letterContent":"A LEGO materials in our learning space provides far more than a place to play—it creates a powerful environment for hands-on learning, creativity, and collaboration. When students engage with LEGOs, they are actively developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and engineering skills while exploring ideas through design and construction. This type of open-ended learning encourages curiosity and innovation, helping students connect abstract concepts to real-world experiences.\r\n\r\nBeyond academic benefits, the LEGO materials also supports social and emotional growth. Students work together to share ideas, negotiate solutions, and build projects collaboratively, strengthening communication and teamwork skills. The tactile nature of LEGO building enhances fine motor development and helps students practice persistence, patience, and resilience when faced with challenges.\r\n\r\nWith donor support, the LEGO materials becomes a lasting resource that enriches our learning environment and reaches students of all ages and abilities. Your investment helps foster a space where imagination meets learning, empowering students to explore, create, and grow with confidence.","fullyFundedDate":1766578429898,"projectUrl":"project/building-blocks-of-learning-a-lego-lab/9821789/","projectTitle":"\"Building Blocks of Learning: A LEGO Lab for Young Innovators”","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sebens","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9762830"},{"teacherId":9837755,"projectId":9871612,"letterContent":"Your generous contributions have had an immediate impact in first grade. The new color printer arrived and was quickly put to use.\r\n \r\nVocabulary for units can be printed in color which brings much more meaning to it.... now they can see pictures of ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia. Choosing a lunch is eased because they are seeing the choices in color. Matching games and room transformations are more magical because of the use of color.\r\n \r\nThe printer also helps the teachers meet the district goal of visualization which is particulary important to thase students whose first language is not English.\r\n \r\nYour donation has brought life and meaning into the classroom. The teachers hear the exclamations of \"Wow! That is what it looks like?\" or \" Now I get it.\"\r\n \r\nThank you again for caring about our students and their learning.","fullyFundedDate":1763567022895,"projectUrl":"project/kaleidoscope-of-learning/9871612/","projectTitle":"Kaleidoscope of Learning!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Willetts","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9837755"},{"teacherId":4867018,"projectId":9943370,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the new shelf which helps us keep our papers organized. The students are able to put their things in a slot so that they are organized and do not lose them.\r\n\r\nThe two new fidget games help my students with there reading. One helps with digraphs and 5 syllable types. The other one is specific vocabulary that I will use with my 4th and 5th graders.\r\n\r\nThe chewy and necklace went to a student who is a really tough chewer. This one is stronger and he will not be able to chew through it.","fullyFundedDate":1765751726981,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-and-sensory-needs/9943370/","projectTitle":"Classroom and Sensory Needs","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Stiverson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4867018_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1507755164193","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-stiverson"},{"teacherId":4867018,"projectId":9973242,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for all of the donations getting us they sensory/break time toys. The students have really loved them all. \r\n\r\nThe connectors have really been a big hit and fun to watch what students create. These are used for sensory and reward breaks. \r\nThe new Legos have also added to students break and seeing their creativity blossom. The Legos are also used for rewards and break time. They also give an alternate option for indoor recess.\r\n\r\nThey also really enjoy the new fidget spinners that are transformable. They have not seen that kind before and really love them.","fullyFundedDate":1767324969980,"projectUrl":"project/blocks-and-sensory-toys/9973242/","projectTitle":"Blocks and Sensory Toys","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Stiverson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4867018_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1507755164193","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-stiverson"},{"teacherId":9564077,"projectId":9808508,"letterContent":"Especially my nonverbal students find challenges with learning through traditional curriculum resources--thanks to you, they are able to explore their space and bodies with more freedom. It has truly been enjoyable watching their curiosities being sparked by experimenting with sound and space which they had never experienced before the cocoon body socks. The paraprofessionals who visit our room have also seen that students respond in new physical ways during our class times. Thank you so much for your kindness and care in creating this change in our students' experiential knowledge and interactions with movement! Make it a great day and Namasté...","fullyFundedDate":1760727833755,"projectUrl":"project/cocoons-for-our-monarchs/9808508/","projectTitle":"Cocoons for our Monarchs","teacherDisplayName":"Mx. Sherrie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9564077_orig.jpg?crop=730,730,x0,y59&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1717659960710","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/myhandsdo"},{"teacherId":9556401,"projectId":9647324,"letterContent":"The students were full of smiles when they saw the pillow and beanbag chairs in the reading corner. \r\nA unit about fables was just completed. The students loved curling up with a version of Cinderella or Little Red Riding Hood in their new, cozy corner. I could hear them sharing parts of a story or reading to themselves. It was a delight to see their enthusiasm.\r\nEach day there is an opportunity to practice their independent reading skills at the reading center. They take pride in their skills and in the space that you helped create.","fullyFundedDate":1758029082332,"projectUrl":"project/curl-up-and-read/9647324/","projectTitle":"Curl Up and Read","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Myers","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9556401"},{"teacherId":9762830,"projectId":9496636,"letterContent":"Your donations for the Teachers Pay Teacher's gift card has afforded me purchasing options that meet my students' learning needs and interests. One example of a purchase is a digital program that I can tailor to create escape \"rooms\" for students to engage in learning in a fun and engaging way. They are so motivated to do the academic work and solve the clues and race to escape! The program allows me to create lessons for all academic subjects. Another purchase is the student lottery digital board. I used this in a variety of ways to support learning and engagement, but also to support the learning community. Students get to add their initials to the board each time they learn a skill or support a peer in their learning. They add their initials and then I pick numbers to get a prize. The students love this opportunity and have increased participation. \r\nThese are just a few purchases and all of them will be used for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1758305649572,"projectUrl":"project/give-the-gift-of-engaging-lessons/9496636/","projectTitle":"Give the Gift of Engaging Lessons","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sebens","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9762830"},{"teacherId":4867018,"projectId":9651044,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the new wobbly chairs. Now we have have groups of 4-5 students they can each have a wobbly chair to use every time. This helps my students focus while still getting to move a little on their seats. They loved the new chairs.\r\n\r\nThey also love the new pencil sharpener that lets them be able to sharpen their thicker pencils quickly. This sharpener allows my students to use any size pencil and now they have an easy way to sharpen them instead of with a small hand sharpener.\r\n\r\nLastly, thank you for the prek-k and k-1 reading and math file folders. This will make life so much easier. Instead of having to hand make new ones for skills my students are learning they are already made. These will also last longer. Also the students love the new activities and how colorful the file folders are.","fullyFundedDate":1760776576766,"projectUrl":"project/flexible-seating-and-independent-activit/9651044/","projectTitle":"Flexible Seating and Independent Activities","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Stiverson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4867018_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1507755164193","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-stiverson"},{"teacherId":9837755,"projectId":9317825,"letterContent":"The light covers have provided a huge calming impact to our classroom. They help students focus and reduce hyper activities/anxiety behaviors. Plus, they look nice!\r\n\r\nThis is aligned with the research that shows that fluorescent lights can cause anxious behaviors, and headaches, and both students and teachers. So, I feel that I have benefited from them as well. Our classroom environment has been greatly impacted in a positive way.\r\n\r\nThese light covers will have a lasting impact for years and years to come. Thank you so much for your donation. It is very much appreciated!","fullyFundedDate":1746480711579,"projectUrl":"project/calm-lighting-covers/9317825/","projectTitle":"Calm Lighting Covers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Willetts","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9837755"},{"teacherId":9564077,"projectId":9219198,"letterContent":"We are so incredibly thankful for your support of our theater programs! For many of our students, these are the affordable performances to attend as well as being instrumental to the success of the show. Each day that a class has earned their points for the day, we have voted on which package to do an \"unboxing\" of at the end of our class time. Even the younger students who are not as involved in the backstage and stage prep for the production find their curiosity piqued.\r\n I am most grateful for the access to materials that would not normally be affordable in our yearly budget. I apply for grants and scholarships so that our students are able to create costumes that are usable for multiple shows and years. Being able to repurpose materials is also important to me, and watching how the students create unusual ways to upcycle is delightful.\r\n We truly appreciate all of your support and giving to magnify what we are able to do on stage with young actors...especially in hopes that they will continue to support, engage in, and be consumers of fine arts for the rest of their lives. Thank you and Namasté...","fullyFundedDate":1747752955265,"projectUrl":"project/creating-the-solar-system-on-our-school/9219198/","projectTitle":"Creating the Solar System on Our School Stage!","teacherDisplayName":"Mx. Sherrie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9564077_orig.jpg?crop=730,730,x0,y59&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1717659960710","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/myhandsdo"},{"teacherId":9762830,"projectId":9140446,"letterContent":"I am truly grateful for the storage tools provided in the classroom. These tools helped create a more organized and welcoming learning environment, where materials are easy to find and clutter is minimized. Theses designated items are not only supporting me in managing the classroom more efficiently, but has also encouraged the children to take responsibility for keeping their space tidy and orderly.\r\n\r\nFor the children, accessible and well-labeled storage builds independence and fosters decision-making skills. They have easily located and returned items on their own with a feel a sense of ownership and confidence in their environment. \r\n \r\nIt has created a more, well-organized classroom and I see an increase in better focus, fewer distractions, and more time spent on meaningful learning activities. These tools play an essential role in supporting both academic and social-emotional development.","fullyFundedDate":1745954313442,"projectUrl":"project/building-brighter-minds-help-us-organiz/9140446/","projectTitle":"Building Brighter Minds: Help Us Organize Our LEGO Learning Space!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sebens","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9762830"},{"teacherId":9762830,"projectId":9087922,"letterContent":"The impact from your funding has reached several grade levels. from the school's youngest learners in guided instruction in learning how to follow instructions when putting together a model to older students working in teams to create larger scaled modeled kits. I overheard one of the older students tell the group, \"Teamwork makes the dream work!\" SO TRUE!\r\nThe students were unable to hold their excitement when they saw the products. They quickly started asking when they would be able to engage and if they could pick partners to work with. Several students put dibs in on the colossal sets. \r\nWith the materials, we continue to work on the items and add to a front display in our school everyone to view and parents and guests view our students' work and post that the items were possible from supports from Donors Choose. Over the summer, I will take apart and we will start again! We may even set up a Lego club for students to be in a safe space and with adults extending their school day with learning.","fullyFundedDate":1739369087502,"projectUrl":"project/lego-sets-stem-learning/9087922/","projectTitle":"LEGO Sets STEM Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sebens","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9762830"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_28221","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":303,"numTeachers":29,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":19,"percentBlack":55,"percentWhite":11,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":4,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"10.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":71.8,"schoolId":28221,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Martin Luther King Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Martin Luther King Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/urbana-school-district-116/martin-luther-king-elementary-school/28221"}