About Us

Friends of Skinner West (FOSW) was created to bring families, educators, and the community together in support of our Mark T. Skinner West Elementary School, located in the vibrant West. Loop neighborhood of Chicago.

Through volunteerism, fundraising, and partnership, we work to provide the resources and opportunities that help Skinner West continue to grow and thrive.

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Our mission is to support the goals of the school improvement plan while enriching the student experience through extracurricular activities, educational programs, and meaningful opportunities for every child.

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$1,500,000+

raised for Skinner West since 2011

15

Years of Support

1:1

Chromebook to Student Ratio

$75,000

STEM  Lab + FUSE Curriculum

Work That Makes a Difference

An empty classroom with bright green chairs and white tables with orange and blue edges. The room has a whiteboard, a green screen, and a speaker's podium, with a ceiling light illuminating the space.

Technology

FOSW provides Chromebooks and storage carts for every student, a yearly refresh of technology, iPads, interactive screens, and projectors, and Kindle sets.

Three children sitting on a white curved bench in a park, holding gardening tools, with a background of green trees, grass, and a fence.

Learning Spaces

FOSW has created a STEM lab, an outdoor garden, a playroom at the Branch and library, a book vending machine, classroom libraries, and furniture.

Two women standing on either side of a vending machine filled with books. The woman on the left is wearing a pink blazer over a black and white dress, while the woman on the right is wearing a white blouse with black pants and black sandals. The vending machine is labeled "Mrs. Clark's Reading Corner" and is part of a project donated by Friends of Skinner West.

Classroom Support

FOSW works to regularly supply classrooms and teachers with copiers, printers, laminators, subscriptions to software, fulfill teacher wishlists, provide facility care, and cover Spelling Bee fees.

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