{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Hillcrest Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":23.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7957272,"projectId":9864391,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our Full Bellies, Focused Minds project. The snacks you provided have already made such a difference in our kinder bilingual classroom. Since my students eat lunch very early and our school day is long, these afternoon snacks help them recharge and refocus when their energy starts to dip.\r\n\r\nYour support gave my students a little extra comfort and a big boost in confidence. They were so excited when they saw all the new snacks and kept asking who gave them \"estas sorpresas tan ricas.\" As we continue working on our bilingual reading and writing units, these afternoon snacks help them stay engaged in small-group discussions, storytelling, and hands-on projects. Thank you for believing in our students and helping create a classroom where their basic needs are met and their minds can stay focused on learning. Your kindness is already shaping their school year in the best way.","fullyFundedDate":1762810434871,"projectUrl":"project/full-bellies-focused-minds/9864391/","projectTitle":"Full Bellies, Focused Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. GARCIA","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msggarciabilingue"},{"teacherId":7957272,"projectId":9552281,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our kindergarten bilingual classroom has been enriched with even more Spanish-language books and healthy snacks to fuel our learning.\r\n\r\nWhen the new books arrived, my students were overjoyed. They eagerly picked them up, flipping through pages and proudly pointing out words they recognized. One student smiled and said, \"¡Es como los libros que leo con mi mamá!\" Seeing their excitement and pride in having books in their home language was unforgettable.\r\n\r\nWe are already using the books during small-group and partner reading time. Students love retelling stories, acting them out, and connecting the texts to their own lives. The snacks have also helped keep little minds focused and energized during lessons, giving them the boost they need to stay engaged.\r\n\r\nYour support added not only books and snacks, but also joy, confidence, and pride to our classroom. Thank you for making this possible!","fullyFundedDate":1758218729875,"projectUrl":"project/brain-food-bookworms/9552281/","projectTitle":"Brain Food & Bookworms","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. GARCIA","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msggarciabilingue"},{"teacherId":7084326,"projectId":9560936,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom has been transformed into a warm, inviting space that truly fosters a love for reading and learning! The new library section and flexible seating have quickly become the heart of our room.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the new reading corner, their faces lit up with excitement. Many of them immediately rushed to explore the books, and several commented that it felt like \"a real library.\" The flexible seating options—beanbags, cushions, and cozy chairs—have made reading time something they genuinely look forward to. Students now have the freedom to find a comfortable spot that helps them focus and enjoy their books.\r\n\r\n\r\nRight now, my students are working on a \"Book Talk\" project, where they choose a favorite story from our new library and prepare a short presentation to recommend it to their classmates. This project not only builds reading comprehension and speaking skills but also strengthens our classroom reading community.\r\n\r\nNext, we'll be expanding on this momentum by starting small book clubs, where students can discuss themes and characters together while enjoying their flexible seating spaces.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping make reading such a positive and engaging part of our day. Your support has turned our classroom into a space where students truly love to learn!","fullyFundedDate":1755314329172,"projectUrl":"project/the-reading-corner-where-every-seat/9560936/","projectTitle":"The Reading Corner — “Where every Seat is An Adventure.”","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Acosta","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7084326"},{"teacherId":9932624,"projectId":9134177,"letterContent":"On behalf of the students, staff, and entire community, I would like to express our deepest gratitude for your generous donation of books to our Garden Library. Your thoughtful contribution has added immense value to a space that is being developed with the goal of educating and creating literacy adventures for our budding readers. Our garden hosts nature, gardening, and cooking classes during our after school programs and now we have more resources to integrate these topics into school day programming. \r\n\r\nThe Garden Library was envisioned as a peaceful, outdoor learning environment where students could immerse themselves in reading while surrounded by a garden they built themselves. Spending time outdoors is a gift in itself, but doing so with knowledge about that natural world at their fingertips, well, that is special. When a student has a question about the garden or the natural sciences, there is a good chance that they can find a book about exactly that topic, pluck it from its resting place, and dive in to find the answer for themselves. When students are empowered to ask questions and then read to find the answer, one of the great purposes of reading becomes instantly apparent. The variety of books simultaneously supports our gardening, science, and reading curricula and our mission to engage our students wholly. The books you donated have found a cherished home in our garden library, where students can discover the wonders of electricity, the beauty of a flower, the name of a bug, or the path of a raindrop. Our little learners can explore the world and nurture their imaginations in a setting bursting with adventure and possibility.\r\n\r\nEach book added to our collection helps us promote a culture of literacy, curiosity, and appreciation of nature. We have colorful picture books that capture the world of a stink bug, engaging chapter books about the weather or science pioneers, and books of classroom lessons, experiments, and recipes to bring science to life and inspire critical and creative thinking! And it's all because of you! Your donation truly enriches the experience of the garden by unlocking some of its mysteries while immersed in the mysteries themselves!\r\n\r\nYour support goes far beyond the books themselves. The fact that the library was donated is a powerful message to our students. Donations like yours reinforce that their education matters, that many people care to provide books as a pathway to curiosity and adventure, and that there are people in the community who care deeply about their growth and success. A message like that leaves a lasting impression on teachers and students alike, and helps build a community focused on education and self-directed personal and academic growth.\r\n\r\nOnce again, thank you for your philanthropy and your commitment to science, literacy, and learning for our students.","fullyFundedDate":1740984291596,"projectUrl":"project/lets-make-literacy-an-adventure-buildi/9134177/","projectTitle":"Let's Make Literacy an Adventure: Building a Garden Library","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Frey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9932624"},{"teacherId":7957272,"projectId":8762319,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support of the \"Empowering Young Minds: Funding Academic Resources to Enrich Learning\" project. Your donations have made a tremendous difference in the lives of our bilingual kindergarten students, especially as we work to bridge the gap in resources available in their native language, Spanish. The materials you've helped fund are allowing us to offer our students a more engaging, personalized, and culturally relevant learning experience.\r\n\r\nThe new technology and resources are crucial for our students' academic growth. Many of our young learners speak Spanish at home, and the lack of Spanish-language materials in the traditional curriculum has been a challenge. Thanks to your contribution, we are now able to provide resources that support both their language development and their understanding of core subjects, all in a way that feels familiar and comfortable.\r\n\r\nOnce again, thank you for your generosity. Your support is helping to shape the educational experience for these young minds, and we are deeply grateful for your contribution to their success.","fullyFundedDate":1734712148018,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-young-minds-funding-academic/8762319/","projectTitle":"Empowering Young Minds: Funding Academic Resources to Enrich Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. GARCIA","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msggarciabilingue"},{"teacherId":7957272,"projectId":8926554,"letterContent":"I am incredibly grateful for your generous support of our STEM en Kindergarten project. The new STEM toys have opened up a world of learning and discovery for my bilingual students, allowing them to engage with both language and STEM concepts in a hands-on way. One of the most exciting moments so far was when my students worked in pairs to build a bridge using the engineering kits. As they explained their designs to each other in both English and Spanish, they not only practiced their language skills but also learned to think critically about structure and stability. The materials helped reinforce their problem-solving abilities while strengthening their communication and teamwork in both languages.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new resources, their excitement was palpable. Many of them had never had access to such interactive and educational toys before, so they immediately dove into exploring and experimenting. Their enthusiasm was contagious, and they eagerly shared their findings with one another, reinforcing new vocabulary in both languages. The STEM toys helped them connect with their learning in a way that felt natural and fun, fostering a deeper understanding of the concepts we are covering in class.\r\n\r\nYour support means the world to us teachers and our students.","fullyFundedDate":1737572401973,"projectUrl":"project/stem-en-kinder/8926554/","projectTitle":"¡STEM en Kinder!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. GARCIA","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msggarciabilingue"},{"teacherId":7957272,"projectId":8947542,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contribution to our \"Holiday Joy: Christmas Gifts for Kindergarten Students in Need\" project! Your kindness has made a world of difference to my kiddos. The holiday gifts you helped provide have not only brought excitement and joy to my students but have also supported their learning in meaningful ways. These gifts have already sparked smiles and fostered a sense of belonging and confidence in every child. \r\n\r\nOne of the most special moments was when the students received their gifts. Their eyes lit up with pure excitement. It was a beautiful reminder of the impact of generosity and the joy of giving. These resources not only make learning more engaging but also help students feel supported and valued in their educational journey.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we'll continue to build on this momentum, using these materials to foster creativity, and social-emotional growth. Your donation has truly set the stage for continued learning and fun, and I can't wait to see how our students will continue to grow and thrive because of your support. \r\n\r\nThank you again for your generosity. Your gift has made a lasting impact on our classroom and will be remembered for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1733870268670,"projectUrl":"project/holiday-joy-christmas-gifts-for-kinderg/8947542/","projectTitle":"Holiday Joy: Christmas Gifts for Kindergarten Students in Need","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. GARCIA","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msggarciabilingue"},{"teacherId":7957272,"projectId":8773758,"letterContent":"Thanks to the generous contributions from our donors, the \"Building Bright Futures: Fine Motor Skill Materials for Kindergarten Success\" project has had a transformative impact on our classroom. The new materials—such as manipulative toys, threading sets, and fine motor skill activities—have been incorporated into daily lessons and center time. These resources have allowed my students to engage in hands-on activities that help strengthen their hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and overall motor control, which are crucial skills at this stage in their development.\r\n\r\nOne specific project that stands out is when my students used the lacing beads to create their own designs. At first, many of them struggled with the fine motor skills required to thread the beads, but over time, their perseverance paid off. They not only improved their ability to lace the beads, but they also gained confidence in their abilities. The room buzzed with excitement as each child completed their own piece of artwork, showcasing their creativity alongside their developing skills. When they first saw the materials, their eyes lit up—they were eager to dive in and explore, excited by the colorful, tactile nature of the resources. It was a moment of pure joy and focus.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, the fine motor skill resources will continue to play a key role in the development of my students' readiness for reading and writing. For example, using different materials to form letters. This not only builds their fine motor skills but also reinforces their letter recognition and phonemic awareness. With these materials, the next steps in our classroom lessons are to integrate them into more complex tasks, like creating patterns and writing their own names independently. \r\n\r\nYour support has truly made a difference in the learning environment, and it's clear from my students' excitement and growth that these materials are fostering their love of learning and setting them up for future success. Thank you for helping make this possible!","fullyFundedDate":1731184603356,"projectUrl":"project/building-bright-futures-fine-motor-ski/8773758/","projectTitle":"\"Building Bright Futures: Fine Motor Skill Materials for Kindergarten Success\"","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. GARCIA","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msggarciabilingue"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_16788","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":384,"numTeachers":44,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":6,"percentWhite":4,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":86,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"8.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":76.9,"schoolId":16788,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Hillcrest Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Hillcrest Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/del-valle-independent-school-district/hillcrest-elementary-school/16788"}