{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Hilton Head Island Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":37.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":306804,"projectId":8262829,"letterContent":"Thank you for your continued partnership.\r\nNew hands-on materials are available to support our Animal Inquiry Unit:\r\nAnimal track sets and matching cards to help students identify and compare footprints.\r\nA selection of jungle and ocean animal toys to encourage visual play and role‑playing during investigations.\r\nLife cycle kits (insect and plant) to connect stories and classroom literature to real, hands-on observation.\r\nNew informational books about animals for students to read, explore, and use as sources for upcoming animal reports.\r\n Small-group stations to practice observation, comparison, and vocabulary.\r\nWhole‑class read-alouds and research time where students will use informational texts to gather facts for short animal reports.\r\nHands-on life cycle observations that link literature (picture books and informational texts) to real specimens and timelines.","fullyFundedDate":1715387509833,"projectUrl":"project/animal-habitats/8262829/","projectTitle":"Animal Habitats","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Melendez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp306804_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1534257668306","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jessica-melendez"},{"teacherId":306804,"projectId":9495152,"letterContent":"Warm greetings! We hope this message finds you well. \r\n\r\nLEGO Community Builders — During our upcoming unit on community and helpers, students will use LEGOs to build neighborhoods and special places for community helpers. This activity supports spatial thinking, collaboration, and social studies connections.\r\n \r\nTeachers Pay Teachers Reusable Centers — We have invested in reusable center materials from Teachers Pay Teachers to enrich classroom choices and support differentiated learning. These centers will rotate weekly and include literacy, math, and exploratory science activities that students may revisit and master over time.\r\nNote: These centers mean more meaningful, hands-on learning for your child and reduce single-use materials in the classroom.\r\n\r\nLearning through hands-on inquiry and play: \r\nStudents creating imaginative planetary landscapes with playdough, explaining their planets' climates and life forms.\r\n\r\nCurious questioning and problem-solving during science exploration stations—students asked thoughtful questions and tested ideas, showing real growth in inquiry skills. We are proud of how students supported one another and showed resilience when projects needed adjustments.","fullyFundedDate":1753812997223,"projectUrl":"project/learning-through-inquiry-and-play/9495152/","projectTitle":"Learning Through Inquiry and Play","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Melendez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp306804_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1534257668306","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jessica-melendez"},{"teacherId":306804,"projectId":6672417,"letterContent":"I hope this message finds you well. It's a pleasure to share our classroom updates — thank you for your continued partnership and support.\r\n \r\nWe've added plastic bins to organize our literacy books and materials. This system helps students find books more easily and keeps our learning areas tidy. No action is needed from families, but please remind your learner to check that books return to their correct bin after use.\r\n\r\nWe celebrate how well students have been using the new organizational systems. Our classroom felt calm and focused, and students showed responsibility by returning materials to their places.","fullyFundedDate":1664465033136,"projectUrl":"project/finding-our-materials/6672417/","projectTitle":"Finding Our Materials","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Melendez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp306804_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1534257668306","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jessica-melendez"},{"teacherId":306804,"projectId":9572844,"letterContent":"I hope this message finds you well. It's a pleasure to share our classroom updates — thank you for your continued partnership and support.\r\n\r\nWe have introduced saucer chairs in our classroom. These create a calming nook where students can choose to work independently or collaborate quietly with classmates. If your child prefers a flexible seating option for focused work, please let us know so we can support their comfort and learning.\r\n \r\nWe've added plastic bins to organize our literacy books and materials. This system helps students find books more easily and keeps our learning areas tidy. No action is needed from families, but please remind your learner to check that books return to their correct bin after use.\r\n\r\nWe celebrate how well students have been using the new seating and organizational systems. Our classroom felt calm and focused, and students showed responsibility by returning materials to their places.","fullyFundedDate":1758830851897,"projectUrl":"project/calm-and-organized/9572844/","projectTitle":"Calm and Organized","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Melendez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp306804_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1534257668306","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jessica-melendez"},{"teacherId":3314957,"projectId":9877676,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the Winter Wonderland décor that transformed our STEAM lab into an inspiring and immersive learning space. The festive environment truly enhanced our Winter Wonderland projects and helped bring creativity and engineering together in meaningful ways. From gingerbread house engineering to designing holiday light circuits, the décor sparked excitement and set the stage for hands-on exploration and problem-solving. It also added an extra layer of engagement as students designed parachutes and tackled the reindeer obstacle course, making each challenge feel magical and purposeful. We are incredibly grateful for your support in creating an atmosphere that encouraged imagination, collaboration, and joyful learning throughout the season.","fullyFundedDate":1762715357928,"projectUrl":"project/snowy-steam-lab/9877676/","projectTitle":"Snowy STEAM Lab","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Malinoski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3314957_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1710326040102","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/emmamalinoski"},{"teacherId":3314957,"projectId":9598308,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the cardboard Chompsaws added to our STEAM lab! These tools have already made a huge difference in how students approach building and design. Being able to safely cut cardboard empowers our learners to take ownership of their ideas, practice real engineering skills, and turn their imaginations into tangible creations. The Chompsaws encourage problem-solving, precision, and perseverance while keeping safety at the forefront—especially important for young engineers. Because of your generosity, our students can prototype more independently, collaborate more effectively, and explore STEM concepts with confidence and excitement. We are incredibly grateful for your support and for helping make our STEAM lab a more engaging, hands-on space for learning.","fullyFundedDate":1757881754014,"projectUrl":"project/cardboard-chompsaw/9598308/","projectTitle":"Cardboard Chompsaw","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Malinoski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3314957_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1710326040102","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/emmamalinoski"},{"teacherId":10308807,"projectId":9817812,"letterContent":"When students at Hilton Head Island Elementary School found out at the beginning of this year that the science lab was going to be open for them, their excitement was palpable and their first question was the same: \"Are there microscopes?\" My resolve to offer them exactly what they envisioned as the ultimate tool of a scientist was immediate. I turned to Donors Choose as my only avenue to furnish my science lab with this desire of the students and was met with generosity to which I will always be grateful.\r\n\r\nAs the microscopes arrived and were unpacked, students eagerly asked when they would have the chance to use them. Their first exposures to the microscopes have been focused on proper procedures for use of this scientific equipment which is beyond that which they have had the opportunity to use prior. They will next be implementing this learning by using the microscopes to observe details and analyze attributes across a variety of interdisciplinary units. \r\n\r\nI am amazed at how quickly I was able to, through the generosity of a large community supporting STEM education initiatives, give the students at Hilton Head Island Elementary microscopes that make our science lab feel \"real\" to them. As they participate in more scientific inquiry activities, they are creating an identity as a scientific thinker which will follow them far past the walls of my science lab. Thank you for your contribution to making this vision become reality.","fullyFundedDate":1760636980477,"projectUrl":"project/scientists-in-training/9817812/","projectTitle":"Scientists in Training","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Saconn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10308807_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y383&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1760391188764","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-saconn"},{"teacherId":9067196,"projectId":9530625,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding our Classroom Environment Revamp. Your generous gift of wobbly stools, floor chairs, and table stools has made an immediate, meaningful difference for our students and our classroom culture.\r\n\r\nThe wobbly stools have given several students a constructive way to release excess energy while staying engaged with lessons. I've seen improved focus during independent work and fewer disruptions when students can move safely while learning.\r\nThe floor chairs have created comfortable, flexible spaces for read-alouds, reflective work, and informal mini-lessons. Students who prefer a quieter, grounded spot are more able to participate and concentrate.\r\nThe stools at our small-group tables have encouraged collaboration and movement around shared work. Groups are more fluid, turn-taking is smoother, and students are more willing to take risks and share ideas.\r\nBecause of these seating options, students have greater autonomy to choose where and how they learn best. The classroom feels more inclusive and responsive to different needs and learning styles. Academically, I'm already noticing stronger engagement during group tasks and improved stamina for independent practice.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students and supporting an environment that fosters focus, collaboration, and choice. Your generosity has not only improved furniture in the room — it has strengthened our classroom routines and helped students build the self-regulation skills they need to succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1757961245589,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-environment-revamp/9530625/","projectTitle":"Classroom Environment Revamp","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Smith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9067196"},{"teacherId":9587878,"projectId":9454268,"letterContent":"Thank you for your donation to our classroom. My students call this area \"the living room\" and love learning in this space. It is because of your generosity that we have this comfortable, collaborative area to read, think, share, gather, write, and learn. \r\n\r\nWe do so much reading in our classroom. My students benefit from sitting in this arrangement to hear read aloud, to do shared reading, and to read silently. They also use this area to read in small peer groups and complete written activities. We also have book clubs that meet in this space to read, think, and collaborate.\r\n\r\nWhen we're working on group projects, the kids move the seating around the room to work comfortably. I find that giving the kids more freedom while working often leads to more creativity, real conversations, and deeper thinking. Isn't this how the real world works?\r\n\r\nIt is true that my students start and finish their day in this space. Upon arrival, my students work on educational technology in this area. At dismissal time, the kids hang out here and socialize while waiting for their dismissal to be called. \r\n\r\nThese students are the future of our community. Your donation is having an immediate and lasting impact on these kids and their learning.","fullyFundedDate":1758830329649,"projectUrl":"project/a-collaborative-elementary-classroom/9454268/","projectTitle":"A Collaborative Elementary Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Quinilty","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9587878_orig.jpg?crop=716,716,x281,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720619283529","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9587878"},{"teacherId":1897428,"projectId":6688974,"letterContent":"I wanted these materials to add warmth to our classroom environment and these absolutely added that to our classroom! The string lights and ceiling light covers allow my students to learn in soft light, creating a relaxing environment. They love using the chairs and carpet in our classroom library to read and complete their work. In fact the added carpet and seats were so popular, I had to create a system for students so everyone has a chance to sit in the library. Thank you so much for helping our classroom become in warm space for all!","fullyFundedDate":1660787034143,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-library-makeover/6688974/","projectTitle":"Classroom Library Makeover","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rooney","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1897428"},{"teacherId":1037015,"projectId":9939595,"letterContent":"I am so grateful for the way you came through so quickly - I already have the books in my grubby little hands and we will read them next week together. I hope and expect that one day they will seek out the original works of Dickens based on this exposure! I once attempted to read the original Christmas Carol with a class, but the work is so difficult and lengthy that I had to abandon it after a painful week of explaining every sentence (really, look up the original and you'll be surprised by how high the reading level is!). Even without the difficulty, we couldn't read it in a reasonable amount of time, so this graphic novel version allows the training wheels for us to enjoy this holiday classic. Thank you for making it all happen!","fullyFundedDate":1764813490221,"projectUrl":"project/god-bless-us-every-one/9939595/","projectTitle":"God Bless Us, Every One!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. McGrath","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1037015_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1453403756952","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jaimemcgrath"},{"teacherId":7461377,"projectId":9753794,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for generously funding our Art of Problem-Solving math books. Your support has made an immediate and meaningful difference in our classroom.\r\n\r\nMy students and I have already begun using the new resources to deepen their problem-solving skills and strengthen their mathematical reasoning. One of our first projects was a \"Strategies Showcase,\" where students worked in small groups to tackle a challenging problem and then present the multiple solution paths they discovered. It was incredible to watch them take ownership of their thinking, debate ideas respectfully, and celebrate each other's strategies.\r\n\r\nThank you again for giving my students access to high-quality math materials that spark curiosity, persistence, and joy in learning. Your generosity is helping them grow as thinkers and problem solvers, and we are deeply grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1758830852775,"projectUrl":"project/exploring-math-beyond-the-classroom/9753794/","projectTitle":"Exploring Math Beyond the Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. WU","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7461377_orig.jpg?crop=2320,2320,x0,y386&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1598104264018","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7461377"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_6346","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":702,"numTeachers":77,"percentFrplEligible":58,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":8,"percentWhite":32,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":54,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"1 - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"9.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":63.0,"schoolId":6346,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Hilton Head Island Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Hilton Head Island Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/south-carolina/beaufort-county-school-district/hilton-head-int-l-bac-school/6346"}