{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Hidden Lakes Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":17.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9571645,"projectId":10373518,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping bring our Air Toobz STEM center to life! Your generosity has given my Early Childhood Special Education students an exciting new way to learn through exploration, play, and discovery.\r\nThe excitement on my students' faces when they first saw the Air Toobz was priceless! They could not wait to explore the tubes, watch the foam balls fly through the air, and figure out what would happen when they changed the pathways. One of my favorite parts has been watching them experiment over and over again. They quickly discovered that moving a tube, changing a connection, or adjusting the airflow could completely change where the ball traveled. What looks like play to them is actually an incredible amount of learning!\r\nThe Air Toobz have provided opportunities for my students to practice so many important skills at once. They are learning about cause and effect, motion, airflow, and problem-solving while also working on communication, fine motor skills, turn-taking, and cooperation. For some of my students, even requesting a ball, waiting for a turn, or showing a friend what they discovered is a meaningful accomplishment. I especially love that every student can participate at their own developmental and communication level.\r\nOur next step is to continue expanding how we use the Air Toobz during our STEM and learning-center activities. We will encourage students to make predictions before turning on the air, build increasingly complex tube designs, compare what happens when we make changes, and use words, pictures, gestures, or communication devices to share what they notice. As their confidence grows, I cannot wait to see the new ideas and discoveries they come up with on their own.\r\nThank you for giving my students a resource that makes learning exciting, accessible, and FUN! You have helped create a classroom experience where my students can be scientists, engineers, problem-solvers, and, most importantly, proud and successful learners. We are incredibly grateful for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1786312617206,"projectUrl":"project/airmazing-stem-adventures-in-ecse/10373518/","projectTitle":"Airmazing STEM Adventures in ECSE!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Andrews","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9571645_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718756614532","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9571645"},{"teacherId":9571645,"projectId":9973917,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our DonorsChoose project and providing sensory-rich board books for our ECSE classroom. Many of the new books are from the Never Touch a ___ series, along with engaging, curriculum-aligned texts about plants, animals, water, and machines. These books allow my students to physically interact with stories, which builds confidence and increases engagement during literacy time. With these materials, we are introducing foundational skills such as vocabulary development, identifying colors and animals, building listening comprehension, and strengthening communication skills. The tactile elements support sensory exploration while also helping students practice page-turning, pointing to pictures, and understanding that books carry meaning.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is active, joyful, and inclusive. We use repetition, gestures, sound effects, and interactive elements to help every child participate at their own level. The touch-and-feel features of the Never Touch series have been especially powerful—students are eager to engage, more willing to attend to stories, and proud when they can independently explore the textured pages. One student who typically struggles to stay engaged during group activities is now reaching out to touch the pages and vocalizing during repeated phrases. Another student beams with pride when choosing a favorite book during center time and independently turning the sturdy pages.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has made literacy time more accessible and meaningful for my students. Because of you, they are building vocabulary, practicing communication, and developing a positive relationship with books. Most importantly, they are experiencing the joy and pride that come from being able to fully participate. Thank you for helping create these moments of success for our special learners.","fullyFundedDate":1769197049049,"projectUrl":"project/never-touch-a-board-book-sensory-readin/9973917/","projectTitle":"Never Touch a Board Book! Sensory Reading for Curious Learners.","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Andrews","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9571645_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718756614532","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9571645"},{"teacherId":9571645,"projectId":9714151,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our Early Childhood Special Education classroom! Since receiving the dramatic play materials, our students have been using the wooden market stand, baskets, and pretend food every day during center time. One of our favorite moments was watching students take turns being the \"shopkeeper\" and the \"customer,\" using simple words, gestures, and picture supports to ask for items, pay for groceries, and share space with peers. These activities have created natural opportunities for communication, cooperation, and problem-solving in a fun, low-pressure way.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, their excitement was immediate—big smiles, clapping, and lots of curiosity! Many students were eager to explore the baskets, scoop ice cream, and \"cook\" pizza together. For some of our learners who are hesitant to communicate, the pretend food helped spark spontaneous language and social interaction. Others practiced fine motor skills by scooping, sorting, and placing items, all while building confidence and independence through play.\r\n\r\nNext, we will continue expanding our dramatic play lessons by adding themed activities like making shopping lists, matching foods by category, and practicing real-life routines such as waiting in line and cleaning up. These hands-on experiences help our students connect classroom learning to the real world in meaningful ways. Your generosity truly gave our donors a peek into our classroom, and it has already made a lasting impact on our students. Thank you for helping our learners grow through imaginative play and joyful learning!","fullyFundedDate":1761929153650,"projectUrl":"project/market-stand-magic-pretend-play-for-gro/9714151/","projectTitle":"Market Stand Magic: Pretend Play for Growing Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Andrews","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9571645_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718756614532","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9571645"},{"teacherId":9571645,"projectId":9709349,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and belief in our classroom. Because of you, my students now have access to developmentally appropriate toys that truly meet them where they are. We use these new resources every day during small groups, centers, and free play to practice skills like reaching, grasping, cause-and-effect, and early pretend play. \r\n\r\nOne especially meaningful moment was watching a student who typically struggles to engage independently press a button on a cause-and-effect toy and light up with pride when music played—then repeat it again and again, fully focused and joyful.\r\nWhen my students first saw the new materials, their reactions said it all. Eyes widened, hands reached out, and smiles spread across faces as they explored the stacking rings, textured balls, and pop-up toys. Many of my students have autism and high needs, and some are working at developmental levels as young as six months old, but these materials allowed every child to participate successfully. The toys immediately encouraged communication, turn-taking, and social interaction, helping students connect with both peers and teachers through play.\r\n\r\nYour support has given us a strong foundation to build on. Next, we are using these materials to expand pretend play, encourage early problem-solving, and strengthen fine motor and sensory skills within our current classroom lessons. As students grow more confident, we are introducing shared play experiences to foster social connections and early communication. Thank you for giving my students the tools they need to learn, grow, and experience the joy of success every single day. Your kindness has made a lasting impact on our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1764703363960,"projectUrl":"project/play-to-learn-engaging-toys-for-learner/9709349/","projectTitle":"Play to Learn: Engaging Toys for Learners With Special Needs","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Andrews","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9571645_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718756614532","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9571645"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_9413","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":384,"numTeachers":31,"percentFrplEligible":8,"percentAsian":9,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":58,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":19,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":10,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 4","studentTeacherRatio":"12.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":82.2,"schoolId":9413,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Hidden Lakes Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Hidden Lakes Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/keller-independent-school-district/hidden-lakes-elementary-school/9413"}