{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Hibbard Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":30.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":505312,"projectId":10236856,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your continuous support of our classroom and your shared passion for the magic of books! I am thrilled to share the incredible impact your generosity is making and to give you a glimpse inside our reading community.\r\n\r\nEvery day, our room transforms into a bustling community of readers. During our dedicated reading time, you won't see rigid rows of kids quietly staring at textbooks; instead, you'll find students huddled over pages, leaning in to whisper a translation to a neighbor, or eagerly pointing at illustrations. We also engage in lively read-alouds and interactive discussions where students use critical literacy skills to evaluate characters' choices, debate plot lines, and map the story to current events. Reading here is an active, joyful, and deeply shared experience.\r\n\r\nWhile our students love the stories, these books are powerful pedagogical tools that introduce critical academic and life skills. They act as \"mirrors and windows\"—validating our students' own cultural backgrounds while building empathy for worlds different from their own. Furthermore, reading in Spanish strengthens foundational literacy skills for our language learners, which research shows directly transfers to and improves their English reading comprehension. Students aren't just decoding words; they are learning to put themselves in a character's shoes, helping them tackle complex themes like resilience, family, and belonging.\r\n\r\nOur heritage Spanish speakers and dual-language learners are benefiting immensely from this collection. Before having these books, many of our native speakers were fluent in conversational Spanish but lacked access to academic reading in their first language. One of my students, who used to shy away from independent reading time, recently picked up a new Spanish chapter book. Seeing her face light up as she recognized idioms her grandmother uses at home was unforgettable. For her and many others, these books have sparked a sense of pride, increasing their reading stamina and boosting their overall confidence.\r\n\r\nWhile our current collection has ignited a beautiful spark, our shelves are running thin. To keep this momentum going, keep our native speakers thriving, and allow our English-speaking students to explore a second language, we need to expand our library with a wider variety of Spanish graphic novels, mysteries, and fiction. If you would like to help us write the next chapter of our literacy journey, a donation to our library will go directly toward putting new books into the hands of eager readers.\r\n\r\nThank you for being such a vital part of our classroom family and for helping us foster the next generation of lifelong, empathetic readers.","fullyFundedDate":1777993168178,"projectUrl":"project/more-spanish-books-please/10236856/","projectTitle":"More Spanish Books Please!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp505312_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1519779055416","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/505312"},{"teacherId":505312,"projectId":10119474,"letterContent":"When you contribute to our collection of I Survived books and graphic novels in both Spanish and English, you are doing much more than filling a shelf. You are providing the literal bridge that connects a child's two worlds.\r\n\r\nIn our dual-language classroom, these books serve as a powerful equalizer. For a student who is just beginning to learn English, having the Spanish version of a gripping story allows them to dive deep into history and adventure without the frustration of a language barrier. It protects their confidence and ensures they stay curious. When they eventually pick up the English version, they find they already have the \"map\" of the story in their minds, making the transition to a new language feel like an exciting challenge rather than an impossible wall.\r\n\r\nThese stories of resilience and courage resonate deeply with my students. By offering them in both text and graphic novel formats, you are meeting every reader exactly where they are. You are giving a reluctant reader a way in through vibrant illustrations and giving a bilingual reader the chance to master academic vocabulary in two languages.\r\n\r\nYour gift creates a shared experience where all students—regardless of their primary language—can discuss the same thrilling moments of history together. You are helping them see that their heritage language is a tool for high-level learning and that their potential in a second language is limitless.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in their literacy, their identity, and their growth.","fullyFundedDate":1772824448112,"projectUrl":"project/i-survived/10119474/","projectTitle":"I Survived","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp505312_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1519779055416","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/505312"},{"teacherId":86384,"projectId":10019461,"letterContent":"Thank you for funding Chapter Book Champions! Our easy reader section is outdated, falling apart, and not culturally relevant. After attending a Chicago Public Library webinar highlighting librarians \"best of 2025\" picks, I knew these new titles would be popular.\r\n\r\nThe day I unpacked these books, my first and second grade students went wild. The Magic Quest books were checked out immediately, and several of the Reina Ramos were also snapped up. The representation and excitement conveyed in these books are clearly important, which means they will circulate well.\r\n\r\nSeeing the impact these books are having drives my decisions about which old library books to purge and informs my research to continue to update and build our collection. Transitioning readers often have the fewest books to choose from-- so this project is a crucial first step. You made it happen!","fullyFundedDate":1769222182945,"projectUrl":"project/chapter-book-champions/10019461/","projectTitle":"Chapter Book Champions!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Davidson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp86384_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683494091702","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-suedavidson"},{"teacherId":2252985,"projectId":9209728,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our 3D printing program! Because of donors like you, my students are experiencing technology in a way that is truly transformable — not just on a screen, but in their hands. For many of my students, technology has often felt abstract and out of reach. 3D printing changes that entirely. Through our current keychain project, students are applying critical thinking and spatial reasoning as they design, iterate, and hold their finished creations. Watching a digital idea become a physical object is a powerful moment for any learner, and for my students — many of whom are English Language Learners — it provides a meaningful way to express understanding that goes beyond words.\r\nWhat has been most exciting to watch is how students have taken initiative beyond the basic project requirements. Rather than simply following a template, several students dove into Tinkercad and began designing their own completely original keychain creations from scratch. One student in particular stands out — a young man who had been largely disengaged in class before we began this unit. Once he started working in Tinkercad, something clicked. He put in extra effort every single day and produced some of the most unique and thoughtful designs in the entire class. Seeing his confidence grow alongside his skills has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my teaching year.\r\nYour donation is doing more than funding a printer — it is giving students a new way to see themselves as creators, problem-solvers, and innovators. Thank you for believing in their potential and for making this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1745883443987,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-ideas-to-life-3d-printing-for/9209728/","projectTitle":"Bringing Ideas to Life: 3D Printing for Future Innovators!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Davis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2252985_orig.jpg?crop=386,386,x211,y33&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1715267728930","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/angela-davis"},{"teacherId":505312,"projectId":9692987,"letterContent":"As someone who loves a good book, you know that reading is a superpower. In the 6th grade, that superpower evolves. This is the year students stop simply following a plot and start questioning the world around them. Thanks to your generosity, our classroom library finally matches the growing maturity and curiosity of these young thinkers.\r\n\r\nIf you stepped into our room, you wouldn't see a quiet, static environment. You would see a \"community of readers\":\r\n\r\nIn addition, we have a sign-up sheet on the wall for our most popular new titles. Seeing a student eagerly waiting for a peer to finish a book is a teacher's greatest joy.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving my students the tools to grow. You haven't just provided books; you've provided the mirrors they need to see themselves and the windows they need to see the world.","fullyFundedDate":1764694459797,"projectUrl":"project/captivating-books-for-middle-school/9692987/","projectTitle":"Captivating Books for Middle School","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp505312_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1519779055416","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/505312"},{"teacherId":505312,"projectId":9693223,"letterContent":"Thank you. Gracias. Your generosity has brought a vibrant new collection of Spanish-language books into our classroom, and the impact has been immediate.\r\n\r\nIn a dual-language environment, these texts are more than just stories; they are essential tools for building biliteracy. Because of your support, our students are now mastering cross-linguistic transfer—learning how to bridge the gap between English and Spanish by identifying cognates and strengthening their academic vocabulary in both languages simultaneously.\r\n\r\nIf you visited our room today, you'd see our heritage speakers beaming with pride as they see their native language treated with academic dignity, and our newcomers using these books as a lifeline to keep their critical thinking sharp while they acquire English.\r\n\r\nThank you for recognizing that being bilingual is a superpower and for investing in our students' futures.","fullyFundedDate":1765982968681,"projectUrl":"project/middle-school-books-part-2-spanish-versi/9693223/","projectTitle":"Middle School Books Part 2-Spanish Version","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp505312_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1519779055416","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/505312"},{"teacherId":59256,"projectId":9978970,"letterContent":"The addition of the rug to our classroom made a dramatic difference. The students were so excited when it arrived. When it was brought up to the room, all rolled up, the students' interest was immediate. They wanted to open and unroll it so they could sit on it right then.\r\n\r\nThe rug has become a focal point of the room. The students love to choose it as a place to sit for independent work or when they are reading. It has also given us a place to gather for lessons that allows students to focus without the distraction of all of the things in their desk, which helps them stay engaged in the learning. They also just need somewhere to sit besides their chair sometimes. \r\n\r\nAgain, thank you so much for your generosity. You truly have helped make a positive impact in my class for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1768232516144,"projectUrl":"project/a-place-for-learning/9978970/","projectTitle":"A Place for Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hodges","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp59256_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1448421982837","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/59256"},{"teacherId":86384,"projectId":9816445,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping our school library acquire such beautifully illustrated award winners. I have spent hours reading and studying these books while preparing our 2026 Caldecott unit. This year, our unit becomes sustainable for future school years. Each of these titles was categorized into an art or literary theme- color, shape, line, art style, perspective, and adds to/tells the story. Each grade level will study selected books according to the theme, allowing this unit to build as students progress through their school careers.\r\n\r\nAs new titles are published and awarded the Caldecott Medal, I can add to the unit, ensuring that students are studying classic books as well as reading new and diverse titles. The change in the diversity of Caldecott winners, even over the last 10 years, is astounding. It's an important and necessary win in children's literature. Thank you for helping to effect that change in our exposure to good books, and allowing us to continue diversifying our library collection.","fullyFundedDate":1760705522017,"projectUrl":"project/caldecott-books-building-a-beautiful-l/9816445/","projectTitle":"Caldecott Books: Building a Beautiful Library Collection","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Davidson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp86384_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683494091702","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-suedavidson"},{"teacherId":8996901,"projectId":9587293,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our music room now has a beautiful new circle rug, and it has made an immediate difference in our daily class periods! Students use the rug almost every class as their gathering spot for singing, movement activities, instrument work, and listening games. Having a clear, comfortable place to sit together helps everyone stay focused and feel included, and it has truly become the heart of our music room.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the rug, their excitement was instant. They immediately gravitated to it, running to find a spot around the circle, and some even rolling around on the fresh softness (in comparison to the dingy old hand-me-down rug we've been using). That enthusiasm has carried into our lessons, and students are more eager to participate and take ownership of our shared space.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, this new community centered space will continue to support our students while working on beat, rhythm, movement, instruments, games, and most importantly collaborating respectfully with classmates. Thank you so much for supporting my project and for giving my students a space that helps them learn, create, and enjoy music together every day.","fullyFundedDate":1758827547203,"projectUrl":"project/round-up-the-fun-with-a-circle-rug/9587293/","projectTitle":"Round Up the Fun With a Circle Rug","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Davis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8996901_orig.jpg?crop=1466,1466,x571,y1042&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1712788074383","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8996901"},{"teacherId":59256,"projectId":9594986,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations, allowing my students to have access to Time for Kids for the year. It is a great addition to our social studies and reading curriculum. The magazines allow students to keep up with current events and learn what is happening in the world in a way that is accessible to them. I use the magazines to teach students strategies for reading and comprehending nonfiction texts.\r\n\r\nIn my classroom, students read in a variety of ways. They choose self-selected books to read, they read in smaller book clubs, and we read together as a class. Many of my students are drawn to nonfiction and the magazines increase their choices for nonfiction text. For those of my students who don't choose nonfiction on their own, the magazines are something that gets them interested and increases their nonfiction reading.\r\n\r\nMy students have been interested in all of the issues we have read so far and we look forward to the stories to come.\r\n\r\nThanks again!","fullyFundedDate":1755730877726,"projectUrl":"project/keeping-up-with-current-events/9594986/","projectTitle":"Keeping Up With Current Events","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hodges","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp59256_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1448421982837","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/59256"},{"teacherId":86384,"projectId":9586974,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for contributing to our project. It's always the most popular books that get lost, are unreturned, or otherwise go missing. This is frustrating for other students who want to read the book, especially if it's part of a series!\r\n\r\nWe really appreciate the opportunity to replace Bad Guys, Babysitters Club, Dog Man, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid, in multiple languages. So many students are obsessed with these books! Our newcomers are particularly excited and grateful to access these popular stories in Spanish-- they already are adapting to a new home, a new school, new cultural expectations, and a new climate. Being able to read popular books gives them a chance to fit in by being in the know about what's hot in reading and literature.\r\n\r\nWe look forward to reading (and re-reading) these books in the library. Thanks again for supporting readers, public schools, and libraries with your generous donation.","fullyFundedDate":1755789748280,"projectUrl":"project/the-mystery-of-the-missing-books/9586974/","projectTitle":"The Mystery of the Missing Books","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Davidson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp86384_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683494091702","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-suedavidson"},{"teacherId":106561,"projectId":9521349,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation. My students have read the books from the collection and some have moved from graphic novels to chapter books. One of my students went from reading all the Wings of Fire graphic novels and is now happily reading the extensive collection of books by the same author. My students love the pictures in the graphic novels which support their reading. I added the books and students love independent reading time. When they finish with their work the first question they ask is if they can independently read.\r\n \r\nMy reluctant reader has found the PAWS books and is starting to read them at home. His mom wrote me an email when he choose to read and said he liked the books. Parents have told me they see their children reading more at home this year than last year which is due to your support.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your generosity! You are a valuable partner in supporting student learning!","fullyFundedDate":1755688212348,"projectUrl":"project/book-time-for-5th-graders/9521349/","projectTitle":"Book Time for 5th Graders!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wilde","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp106561_orig.jpg?crop=800,800,x150,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1719241015001","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/106561"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5663","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":912,"numTeachers":52,"percentFrplEligible":87,"percentAsian":6,"percentBlack":4,"percentWhite":7,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":79,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":0,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"17.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":69.8,"schoolId":5663,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Hibbard Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Hibbard Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/hibbard-elementary-school/5663"}