Contribute

Support the Children of Nettelhorst School
Public education budgets at Nettelhorst were cut yet again – so nearly 500 children are counting on the community, private business, and foundations to help provide the solution! The children of Nettelhorst appreciate your support. Please click here to make your donation securely online; you'll receive a confirmation of your gift by email for tax purposes. Please read more below about the goals we are working towards.

Inventing the World of Tomorrow
The Nettelhorst Science Lab - A strong science and technology education is critical for our children and our society - so, with your help, Nettelhorst will be upgrading our science lab. The current lab, dating largely from the 1950's, is in a nearly unusable state (just two years ago, it was a storage room). With your help, we'll ensure that this space provides children of all ages with the tools and opportunity to become the inventors and problem-solvers of tomorrow. Take a look at the wonderful plans—donated, along with extensive consultation, by Kewaunee Scientific Corporation (lab designers for Abbott, Baxter, Northwestern University, and others)—here . The rebuild costs only $73,000, and will supercharge science education for thousands of children over the coming years! Donate to this project by clicking here.

Children Should Be Heard!
The Auditorium Sound System - The auditorium is the centerpiece of our Fine Arts School. Thanks to your funding support last year, the school will be replacing dangerously dilapidated seating beginning this summer. Now, the children need a sound system to replace the current archaic system, which over the years has become largely useless. Once-in-a-lifetime children's on-stage performances are lost forever, and special visitors and speakers can't be understood. When Chicago Cubs players visited our thrilled students last school year, no one could hear them, and the players couldn't hear questions from the audience! We're committed to a staged upgrade of the outdated auditorium, and this critical stage gives children a loud and clear voice. A complete package of microphones, amplifiers, and speakers costs $40,000. Donate to this project by clicking here.

Strong Minds and Bodies
Lack of physical wellness and health education is a sad and well-publicized problem in the United States. Nettelhorst is committed to creating a model for schools across the city and nation, to reverse this trend and start to solve the problem of childhood obesity and the many related health issues it brings. You can be a partner in this effort. Getting kids habituated to good health practices is one of the most important things we can do for the children of our community - -and you can be a huge part of the solution. Look for additional health and wellness projects to be listed here inthe coming two months.

Safe sounds levels in the lunchroom

As the oldest public school in Chicago, Nettelhorst enjoys soaring ceilings and wide hallways. However, the cafeteria was designed purely for utility, and noise in the room has been measured at levels equivalent to standing near an operating commercial airliner. For $8,500, special sound panels on the walls and ceilings will forever solve this problem, and make lunchtime a less stressful and chaotic time in the children’s day. Donate to this project by clicking here.

Teach the Children
Creating a tradition of academic excellence - Continued funding cuts across public education have put even the most basic academic programs and supplies out of reach; your donation can ensure that nearly 500 children are getting education they need and deserve. So regardless which project (or projects) you choose, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you contributed to one of the most important things in the world—the betterment of a young child’s life and education. Donate to this project by clicking here.

Failure-free reading program for kids K-4

When low-performing young readers—the bottom 15%—haven’t responded to phonics, this innovative language-based approach to reading intervention can make all the difference. Even non-readers rapidly build essential language skills, confidence and self-esteem by experiencing full comprehension and engagement with age-appropriate materials. This program especially benefits learning disabled, autistic, cognitively challenged, English language-learners, and speech language deficient. Materials for 100 students and teacher training, $14,500. Donate to this project by clicking here.

Algebra instruction for 8th grade students

Nettelhorst serves community and students well before the first bell rings, and after the school day is over. This before-school 8th grade algebra instruction program will give pre-high school students a solid understanding of mathematics that will greatly increase their chances in high school and life beyond. Just $4,000 will teach the entire grade for a whole school year! Donate to this project by clicking here.

Thesaurus sets for grades 3–8

Thesauruses in the classroom—what’s another word for “necessary?” Young children need to deepen their vocabulary understanding and knowledge, and just $300 will bridge the gap for hundreds of students. Donate to this project by clicking here.

The Opportunity Fund
The Opportunity Fund is the financial foundation for the school. It provides reserves and discretionary funds to allow us to take advantage of opportunities such as matching grants, to meet unforeseen curriculum and teacher/classroom needs, and to react to any opportunity, crisis or issue. A donation to the Opportunity Fund is a great way to support the Children of Nettelhorst across their entire education. Donate to this project by clicking here.

Every dollar donated to Nettelhorst goes directly to projects and programs; the Nettelhorst Community Group is a 100% volunteer organization. Donors can feel comfortable knowing that their contribution will be managed with professionalism and care by the members of The Nettelhorst Community Group.

Please click here to make your donation securely online, or you can mail a donation (payable to Nettelhorst Community Group) to:

Nettelhorst School
Attn: Nettelhorst Community Group
3252 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL 60657

NOTE: If you intend on making a donation over $1000, please we can arrange for payment by check, which means more of your money goes to the school, and less to the credit card transaction fee.

The Nettelhorst children and community thank you!