{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Highland Park Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":24.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2742488,"projectId":9660691,"letterContent":"There is nothing better than when students walk past my room and I here them say, \"Wow, who's class it that?\" or \"That is the best classroom ever!\" Every year I add to my space in order to make it warmer, cozier, more welcoming and your donations really helped me add to my office. I tell adults that I use all the cool stuff in my space so that kids get excited to meet with me and before they know it, they are telling me what is going on in their lives and how I can help. Thank you so much for donating to my office and investing in mental health support. Now, more than ever, kids need to have a place that they can go to and feel safe. I am beyond grateful for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1761946036873,"projectUrl":"project/home-away-from-home/9660691/","projectTitle":"Home Away From Home","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2742488_orig.jpg?crop=419,419,x578,y246&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1598978267193","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2742488"},{"teacherId":5418090,"projectId":9897161,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of the chomp saws! My students were absolutely thrilled when they first saw the new tools—eyes widened, hands shot up, and they immediately began imagining what they could build. \r\n\r\nWe've already put the saws to great use in our classroom makerspace, where students have been cutting cardboard to create shapes, models, and imaginative objects. One especially memorable moment was watching a small group collaborate to design and items for role playing games, problem‑solving together as they measured, cut, and assembled their structures. \r\n\r\nThese tools have opened up new conversations about jobs that involve building, engineering, and using real tools, helping students see themselves in roles they hadn't considered before. As we continue our current STEM project, students will be using the saws to prototype more complex designs, deepening both their creativity and their confidence. Your support has truly made this hands‑on learning possible—thank you for giving my students the chance to create, explore, and dream bigger.","fullyFundedDate":1763676351000,"projectUrl":"project/cardboard-reuse/9897161/","projectTitle":"Cardboard Reuse","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Blat","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5418090_orig.jpg?crop=271,271,x142,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1675121700870","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5418090"},{"teacherId":5086293,"projectId":9642579,"letterContent":"Your generous contributions to \"Science Talk: Growing Our Vocabulary, Growing Our Minds\" truly transformed our science learning environment. With the funding provided through DonorsChoose, I was able to purchase science vocabulary cards, lamination pouches, and colorful chart pockets that now brighten and organize our classroom by grade level—purple for fifth grade, blue for fourth, green for third, yellow for second, orange for first, and red for kindergarten. These tools made science language come alive for our young learners and gave every grade a visual, hands-on way to deepen their understanding of key concepts.\r\n\r\nIn second grade, for example, students used the vocabulary cards to describe and explain reversible and irreversible changes when heating and cooling materials like wax crayons, eggs, ice, and spaghetti noodles. Having the words right at their fingertips—literally—helped them move from describing what they saw to explaining why it happened using precise science terms. In fourth grade, the organized vocabulary charts became a go-to reference during our stream table investigations. Students eagerly used the cards to clarify their thoughts and communicate observations more accurately when predicting, testing, and analyzing how water shapes the land.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our science lessons are now filled with more confident conversations, richer explanations, and a stronger connection between language and learning. You've helped our students not just grow their vocabularies, but also their ability to think, talk, and wonder like scientists.","fullyFundedDate":1762623550496,"projectUrl":"project/science-talk-growing-our-vocabulary-gr/9642579/","projectTitle":"Science Talk: Growing Our Vocabulary, Growing Our Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rao","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5086293_orig.jpg?crop=528,528,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1565737039899","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5086293"},{"teacherId":6133178,"projectId":9652339,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding our Monarch Magic! \r\n\r\nBecause of you, our students learned how important pollinators are to our world—and got to experience that importance up close. We received our materials near the end of the Monarch season here in Minnesota, so our fall experience was brief, but it sparked tremendous curiosity and excitement. Now, they are eagerly looking forward to the end of the school year when the Monarchs return. The anticipation they built this fall has turned into ongoing inquiry! Students want to learn more, spot pollinators in their neighborhoods, and share new discoveries with each other.\r\n\r\nThe materials you helped fund have already become some of the most loved tools in our classroom. This project has helped our first graders grow as scientists, inquirers, and caretakers of our planet.","fullyFundedDate":1758135532482,"projectUrl":"project/monarch-magic-inspiring-young-scientist/9652339/","projectTitle":"Monarch Magic: Inspiring Young Scientists Through Pollinators","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Emily","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6133178_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y292&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1694654852019","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6133178"},{"teacherId":5418090,"projectId":9766506,"letterContent":"On behalf of our class, I want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation that provided us with chairs for sitting on the carpet during math time. These chairs have truly transformed our learning environment.\r\n\r\nBefore we had them, students often struggled to stay comfortable and focused during lessons on the carpet. Now, with these chairs, they are more engaged, attentive, and excited to participate in math activities. The difference has been incredible—students feel like they have their own special space, which helps them concentrate and collaborate better.\r\n\r\nYour support has made a real impact on our classroom community. Thank you for investing in our students' success and helping create a positive, productive learning space.","fullyFundedDate":1762267669086,"projectUrl":"project/sitting-pretty/9766506/","projectTitle":"Sitting Pretty","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Blat","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5418090_orig.jpg?crop=271,271,x142,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1675121700870","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5418090"},{"teacherId":5418090,"projectId":9703708,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of the AstroBlats!\r\n\r\nBecause of you, our mixed-age group of second and third graders now has access to comfortable seating during small group learning times—especially during math. What may seem like a simple addition has made a huge difference in our classroom. Students who once had to sit on the floor can now focus on their learning without the distraction of discomfort.\r\n\r\nThese new chairs have helped create a more inclusive, supportive, and engaging learning environment. Your kindness has truly helped us take another step toward making our classroom a place where every learner can thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1758058314502,"projectUrl":"project/comfortable-and-learning/9703708/","projectTitle":"Comfortable and Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Blat","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5418090_orig.jpg?crop=271,271,x142,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1675121700870","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5418090"},{"teacherId":5418090,"projectId":9361404,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom! Your kindness and generosity have made a stellar impact on our learning environment.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, my curious and energetic students now have the tools they need to stay focused, express their creativity, and move their bodies in healthy, productive ways. The new headphones are already helping us dive deeper into our digital learning without distractions. Our watercolor paints are bringing poetry and projects to life with vibrant color. And the movement tools? Let's just say our wiggle-friendly learners are over the moon!\r\n\r\nYou've also helped us refresh our space-themed classroom decor — and now it truly reflects the bright, imaginative minds inside it. Your support has brought joy, inspiration, and a renewed sense of excitement to our days.\r\n\r\nFrom the bottom of our hearts, thank you for helping us reach for the stars.","fullyFundedDate":1756955456029,"projectUrl":"project/help-us-soar-with-supplies/9361404/","projectTitle":"Help Us Soar with Supplies!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Blat","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5418090_orig.jpg?crop=271,271,x142,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1675121700870","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5418090"},{"teacherId":9837155,"projectId":9302342,"letterContent":"When my students first saw the new language therapy materials from Donor Choose, their faces lit up with excitement and curiosity. The vibrant visuals, tactile components, and interactive elements immediately drew them in. One student, who typically hesitates to participate, eagerly reached for a set of story sequencing cards and began exploring them independently. These materials have transformed our sessions into dynamic, hands-on experiences that foster both engagement and meaningful communication. The students are not just practicing language—they're playing, collaborating, and building confidence in their abilities.\r\n\r\nOne of our current projects involves using language development kits to support expressive language and social interaction. For example, during a \"concept\" activity, students take turns engaging in where items are and describing the treasures they find. They are using sentence strips and visual supports to request items, ask questions, and describe their choices. This real-world simulation has helped them generalize skills beyond the therapy room. Our next steps include expanding these play-based scenarios to include community helpers and storytelling stations, allowing students to continue developing vocabulary, sequencing, and conversational turn-taking in fun and functional ways.","fullyFundedDate":1750953544223,"projectUrl":"project/speak-play-empowering-communication-t/9302342/","projectTitle":"Speak & Play: Empowering Communication Through Hands-On Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Smith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9837155"},{"teacherId":2742488,"projectId":9425797,"letterContent":"I cannot express my gratitude enough. My students come to school all with different stories and too many come with so much trauma to unpack. Using mindfulness and yoga help students regulate their complex emotions. \r\n\r\nOne of the phrases I use often with my kiddos is that all feeling are ok. I tell them we all get mad and want to act out but we have to learn to process that feeling so we don't get in trouble. I tell them I want to give you lots of tools for your toolbox so no matter where you are and no matter what you are feeling, you can help yourself get regulated! Yoga and mindfulness are just a few of those tools!","fullyFundedDate":1751041176415,"projectUrl":"project/peaceful-places-tools-for-a-calming-cor/9425797/","projectTitle":"Peaceful Places: Tools for a Calming Corner","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2742488_orig.jpg?crop=419,419,x578,y246&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1598978267193","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2742488"},{"teacherId":2742488,"projectId":9411602,"letterContent":"I cannot thank you enough for helping me create a space that my students love to be in! \r\n\r\nI explain to students how the tent is magical because if you are having a bad day and spend a few minutes in it, snuggling with the weighted stuffies or playing with one of the fidgets, you come out ready to re-enter the world! I have had kindergarteners who couldn't stop crying, use the tent and it seriously within minutes they had stopped crying and were ready to get back to class. \r\n\r\nI have learned that sometimes you have to come at students from the back door to get them to open up to you and the basketball hoop is one of my strategies to trick kids into talking to me! They don't realize it but in between games, they slowly open up and start to tell me what is bothering them! Thank you for giving me more tools in my tool box to use to help reach more students!","fullyFundedDate":1750108830790,"projectUrl":"project/kindergarten-zen-den-and-movement-space/9411602/","projectTitle":"Kindergarten Zen Den and Movement Space","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2742488_orig.jpg?crop=419,419,x578,y246&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1598978267193","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2742488"},{"teacherId":3876333,"projectId":9085850,"letterContent":"Thank you for the wonderful reading materials. Students were very excited to receive these books and start reading them. We used the Magic Tree House: The Knight at Dawn for a reading group and the kids loved it!\r\nIt was fun to see students engaging with some of their old favorites in new graphic novel form. The Percy Jackson graphic novels were a hit! The kids loved to read and chat about them with their friends. It was also fun to compare and contrast the Magic Tree House series in graphic novels to the originals. \r\nThank you again for providing us with these new exciting books!","fullyFundedDate":1738178506625,"projectUrl":"project/reading-materials/9085850/","projectTitle":"Reading Materials","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3876333_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1473732286554","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/obamajohnson"},{"teacherId":9837155,"projectId":8943670,"letterContent":"How We're Using Your Generous Gift\r\n\r\nThanks to your support, our speech and language classroom has been transformed into a vibrant, hands-on learning space where communication comes to life!\r\n\r\nSome of our favorite new activities are Magnetic Sequencing Rods, Category Sorting Activity Box, Magnetic Descriptive Words Rods, and Vocabulary Folder Game Library - Pre K-K —using these picture cards and manipulatives have help students identify and practice receptive and expressive language skills. We hide objects around the room, and students use their new vocabulary tools to describe what they find. It's been a huge hit!\r\n\r\nA Moment to Remember\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new materials, their eyes lit up with excitement. One student whispered, \"Is this all for us?\"—and then immediately dove into a matching game with a huge smile. Another student, who's usually shy, eagerly volunteered to lead a storytelling activity using our new puppet set. These moments remind me how powerful the right tools can be in unlocking confidence and creativity.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has made all of this possible. Thank you for being a part of our journey—your impact is felt every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1741626135896,"projectUrl":"project/lets-get-talking-help-my-students-spea/8943670/","projectTitle":"Let's Get Talking: Help My Students Speak Their Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Smith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9837155"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_76106","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":406,"numTeachers":23,"percentFrplEligible":92,"percentAsian":5,"percentBlack":53,"percentWhite":21,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":9,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"17.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":75.1,"schoolId":76106,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Highland Park Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Highland Park Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/minnesota/saint-paul-public-schools/highland-park-elementary-school/76106"}