{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Hurley Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":26.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9702724,"projectId":10253660,"letterContent":"Wow, what a moment! Thank you so much for your incredible support!\r\n\r\nI cannot fully describe the pure joy in our classroom when this box of new books arrived. The moment we placed it on the table, my students gathered around, absolutely ecstatic to open it. Seeing their faces light up with pure excitement and awe as they uncovered each book was an incredible reminder of how powerful your generosity truly is.\r\n\r\nThese new titles are already the talk of the room. My students are so eager to read, and having books that connect with their interests and diverse backgrounds means the world to them. Thanks to you, our classroom library is a much richer, more vibrant space where my students feel seen and inspired.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in my students and for turning an ordinary school day into a celebration of reading. Your impact is real and deeply appreciated!","fullyFundedDate":1778274405744,"projectUrl":"project/world-of-stories-creating-a-welcoming-h/10253660/","projectTitle":"World of Stories: Creating a Welcoming Home for Every Reader","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Toro","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9702724_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724539621011","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9702724"},{"teacherId":7760978,"projectId":10142775,"letterContent":"As fellow book lovers, you know that a great book can make time stand still. But in our classroom, teaching a book is about helping students unpack how a story works, how characters grow, and how language carries weight. Thanks to your incredible generosity, our students have spent this school year diving deep into the collection of Jason Reynolds—and the impact on their literacy and critical thinking has been profound.Jason Reynolds is a master at writing contemporary, fast-paced stories that reflect the real lives of young people. Because his books matter deeply to my students, they aren't just reading—they are analyzing. Here are the specific skills and lessons your gift has allowed us to introduce through these brilliant texts:Analyzing Structural Format (Free Verse vs. Prose): In books like Long Way Down, Reynolds tells an entire, intense story through poetry (free verse) rather than traditional paragraphs. We used this to teach students how line breaks, word spacing, and rhythm change the emotional impact of a story. They learned that how a page looks changes how it feels. Decoding Motifs and Symbolism: Reynolds relies heavily on everyday objects to carry massive meaning. Through his book Ghost, we taught students how to identify and track \"motifs\"—recurring elements that represent a bigger idea. They analyzed how a simple bag of sunflower seeds or a pair of running shoes symbolized the main character's trauma, growth, and search for identity. Evaluating Moral Complexity and Perspective: Reynolds' characters are rarely just \"good\" or \"bad\"; they face real, messy, human dilemmas. We have used these narratives to teach perspective-taking, pushing students to debate character motivations, examine the consequences of choices, and build empathy for people whose lives look different from their own.Using Creative Constraint in Writing: Inspired by Reynolds' brilliant use of anagrams and tight timelines, these texts served as a masterclass in writing. Students practiced writing their own short stories using strict constraints—like framing a story around a 60-second elevator ride—which pushed them to select every single word with purpose.By funding this collection, you didn't just give us books; you gave us \"mirror texts\" where students can see themselves, and \"window texts\" where they can look into the lives of others. You have helped us cultivate a room full of sharp, enthusiastic literary critics. Thank you for making this possible!","fullyFundedDate":1773840595989,"projectUrl":"project/beyond-the-book-building-empathy-throug/10142775/","projectTitle":"Beyond the Book: Building Empathy Through Jason Reynolds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Moran","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7760978_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y38&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755313373378","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7760978"},{"teacherId":7760978,"projectId":9956658,"letterContent":"I am incredibly excited to share an update on how your generosity is transforming our classroom every single day. Thanks to your support, our students received highlighters, journals, and a brand-new comfortable chair—and the impact has been immediate.\r\n\r\nHere is a glimpse into how these resources are making a difference:\r\n\r\nDaily Reading with Highlighters: The highlighters have become an essential tool in our daily reading routine. Students use them every day to track key information, highlight main ideas, and actively engage with the text. It has turned passive reading into an active, hands-on learning experience.\r\n\r\nReflecting in Journals: The journals have given my students a dedicated space for taking notes, organizing their thoughts, and reflecting on what they learn. Having a personal journal encourages ownership over their schoolwork and helps them build strong note-taking habits.\r\n\r\nThe Comfort Chair: The comfortable chair has quickly become the favorite spot in the room! It is used constantly by both the students and myself. For the students, it serves as a special reward or a cozy reading nook that makes them excited to dive into a book. For teachers, it provides a much-needed comfortable space during lessons or individual student conferences.\r\n\r\nYour support did not just provide supplies; it created a more engaging, comfortable, and motivating environment for my students to learn and grow. We are deeply grateful for your investment in our classroom!\r\n\r\nWith sincere gratitude,","fullyFundedDate":1773859111579,"projectUrl":"project/closing-the-gap-providing-essential-too/9956658/","projectTitle":"Closing the Gap: Providing Essential Tools for Every Learner","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Moran","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7760978_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y38&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755313373378","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7760978"},{"teacherId":7685039,"projectId":10263553,"letterContent":"I am writing to share the incredible impact your generosity has made in our classroom. The new over-ear headphones have arrived, and they have completely transformed our daily learning environment.Many of you use technology daily at home, but you might wonder how it translates to a 3rd-5th grade classroom. In our school, technology is the gateway to personalized learning. Our students use laptops for adaptive reading and math programs that automatically adjust to their individual academic levels. Your headphones are the vital link that allows this to happen. Instead of a chaotic room filled with overlapping audio, the headphones create a private \"learning bubble\" for each child. Students can now hear clear phonics modeling, listen to audiobooks, and follow step-by-step math tutorials without any external distractions.For the students, the most exciting part of this new product is the comfort and professional feel of the over-ear design. Traditional, cheap school earbuds often hurt their ears or fall out constantly. My students were absolutely thrilled by the soft, cushioned ear pads and the crisp, clear sound quality. To them, putting on these headphones feels like stepping into a professional recording studio. It has given them a massive sense of pride and ownership over their daily schoolwork.We have seen an especially beautiful breakthrough with our English Language Learners (ELL) and students with sensory sensitivities. One of my 4th graders, who frequently became overwhelmed and anxious by the ambient noise of a busy classroom, has completely warmed up to this technology. Before the headphones arrived, he would regularly shut down during independent work time. Now, the moment he puts on his over-ear headphones, his shoulders drop, he relaxes, and he dives straight into his reading lessons. For him and several others, this technology acts as a safe, quiet shield that allows them to confidently focus on their speech-to-text pronunciation exercises without feeling self-conscious around their peers.Your gift did much more than buy hardware; you provided the gift of focus, equity, and confidence to students who truly need it. Thank you for investing in our classroom and making this success possible.With deep gratitude,","fullyFundedDate":1777990079747,"projectUrl":"project/sound-solutions-for-our-3-5-grade-classr/10263553/","projectTitle":"Sound Solutions for Our 3-5 Grade Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jakob","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7685039_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1675445595097","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7685039"},{"teacherId":4518725,"projectId":10019537,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in providing us with a dedicated printer, a heavy-duty hole puncher, and an external hard drive. Your support has transformed our daily routine from a \"gamble\" with unreliable communal equipment into a streamlined environment where I can instantly provide every student with the differentiated handouts they deserve. Beyond just paper and ink, these tools are teaching my students vital executive functioning skills; they are now taking immense pride in organizing their binders and tracking their own academic growth. By securing our digital resources and ensuring every lesson is backed up, you haven't just given us hardware—you've given us the consistency and professional atmosphere my students need to truly thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1771166839396,"projectUrl":"project/print-punch-and-protect-staying-organ/10019537/","projectTitle":"Print, Punch, and Protect: Staying Organized for Success!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Padilla","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4518725_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1643832312206","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4518725"},{"teacherId":9702724,"projectId":10255902,"letterContent":"The transformation of our classroom into a vibrant, colorful sanctuary had an immediate and profound impact on my students' spirits, turning a simple room into a true home where they finally felt seen and valued. For my resilient newcomers in South Chicago, these bright materials didn't just decorate walls; they lowered their anxiety, sparked a renewed sense of pride in their environment, and sent a powerful message that their education is a priority worth celebrating. Seeing their eyes light up as they walked into a space designed specifically to honor their journey was a moment of pure joy that dignifies their daily hard work. I am incredibly grateful to the donors who understood that a colorful classroom is more than just aesthetics it is a vital tool for belonging and emotional safety that empowers my students to dream bigger every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1777944098852,"projectUrl":"project/small-shelves-big-dreams-building-a-ho/10255902/","projectTitle":"Small Shelves, Big Dreams: Building a Home in Chicago.","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Toro","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9702724_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724539621011","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9702724"},{"teacherId":9702724,"projectId":9980330,"letterContent":"The transformation of our classroom into a vibrant, colorful sanctuary had an immediate and profound impact on my students' spirits, turning a simple room into a true home where they finally felt seen and valued. For my resilient newcomers in South Chicago, these bright materials didn't just decorate walls; they lowered their anxiety, sparked a renewed sense of pride in their environment, and sent a powerful message that their education is a priority worth celebrating. Seeing their eyes light up as they walked into a space designed specifically to honor their journey was a moment of pure joy that dignifies their daily hard work. I am incredibly grateful to the donors who understood that a colorful classroom is more than just aesthetics it is a vital tool for belonging and emotional safety that empowers my students to dream bigger every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1777916989723,"projectUrl":"project/creating-a-creative-ready-to-learn-cla/9980330/","projectTitle":"Creating a Creative & Ready-to-Learn Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Toro","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9702724_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724539621011","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9702724"},{"teacherId":9702724,"projectId":9980465,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity! \r\nThanks to your support, our new classroom organizers have officially arrived. My students were so excited that they immediately teamed up to help unbox and assemble everything.\r\n\r\nThe transformation of our classroom into a vibrant, colorful sanctuary had an immediate and profound impact on my students' spirits, turning a simple room into a true home where they finally felt seen and valued. For my resilient newcomers in South Chicago, these bright materials didn't just decorate walls; they lowered their anxiety, sparked a renewed sense of pride in their environment, and sent a powerful message that their education is a priority worth celebrating. Seeing their eyes light up as they walked into a space designed specifically to honor their journey was a moment of pure joy that dignifies their daily hard work. I am incredibly grateful to the donors who understood that a colorful classroom is more than just aesthetics it is a vital tool for belonging and emotional safety that empowers my students to dream bigger every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1777649931145,"projectUrl":"project/a-place-for-every-story-organizing-our/9980465/","projectTitle":"A Place for Every Story: Organizing Our Multicultural Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Toro","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9702724_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724539621011","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9702724"},{"teacherId":8889381,"projectId":9849539,"letterContent":"I am writing to share my heartfelt thanks for your incredible generosity in funding our new classroom printer. In a world that is increasingly digital, there is still something profoundly powerful about a student being able to hold their own hard work in their hands.\r\n\r\nBefore your gift, our creative process often stalled at the \"submit\" button. Now, the impact is visible every single day. We are now able to print and display student work immediately. I can now print graphic organizers on the fly, ensuring that every student has a physical resource tailored exactly to their needs.\r\n\r\nYour donation has done more than just provide us with ink and paper. It has provided my students with the validation that their work is worth sharing and celebrating. Thank you for investing in our classroom and for believing in the importance of our daily work.","fullyFundedDate":1761095134603,"projectUrl":"project/lets-make-learning-printable/9849539/","projectTitle":"Let's Make Learning Printable!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lara","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8889381_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1778549856052","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8889381"},{"teacherId":10159794,"projectId":9934795,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of our two new bookshelves! Your support has made a meaningful difference in our classroom environment.\r\n\r\nBefore receiving these shelves, keeping our growing collection of books and materials organized was a challenge. Now, we have dedicated spaces for our classroom library, book club sets, and learning resources. This has made it much easier for students to find the books they need and return them independently, helping build responsibility and confidence.\r\n\r\nAn organized classroom also means more time for learning. With everything clearly arranged and accessible, we spend less time searching for materials and more time reading, discussing, and engaging with our lessons. The shelves have helped create a calm, structured space where students can focus and feel comfortable.\r\n\r\nStudents are already taking pride in keeping our classroom library neat and welcoming. They enjoy browsing the shelves and are excited to choose books that interest them. Your donation has truly helped us create a more functional and organized learning environment.\r\n\r\nThank you again for supporting our classroom and helping our students thrive!","fullyFundedDate":1774541312342,"projectUrl":"project/organized-minds-open-books-shelving-su/9934795/","projectTitle":"Organized Minds, Open Books: Shelving Success for Sixth Grade Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Santiago","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10159794_orig.jpg?crop=272,272,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1760837243849","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-santiagosoto"},{"teacherId":7739264,"projectId":10081369,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the amazing donations. The backdrop and balloons transformed our book fair and STEAM night event. It brought joy to the students and families who participated. It really added the \"wow\" factor to the decorations. The families were able to take pictures to remember the spectacular night during our event. \r\n\r\nI also wanted to say a special thank you for the balloon inflator! You saved us so much time and effort. We were able to set up the balloon in an efficient amount of time. \r\n\r\nThank you for your generous contributions.","fullyFundedDate":1771898125266,"projectUrl":"project/celebrating-who-we-are/10081369/","projectTitle":"Celebrating Who We Are","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lopez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7739264_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1643941579560","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7739264"},{"teacherId":10159794,"projectId":9735745,"letterContent":"These new Jason Reynolds books have made a powerful impact in our classroom, both in building reading skills and in helping students see themselves reflected in literature. Through these texts, students are developing critical skills such as making inferences, analyzing character development, understanding theme, and engaging in meaningful discussions about perspective and voice. Reynolds' writing, in particular, invites students to think deeply about identity, empathy, and real-world issues, which has strengthened not only their comprehension but also their ability to connect literature to their own lives.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is an active and engaging experience. Students participate in read-alouds, small group discussions, and independent reading time where they can explore these books at their own pace. The energy around reading has noticeably increased, and students who were once hesitant are now more willing to pick up a book and participate.\r\n\r\nThese books have not only strengthened literacy skills but have also helped build confidence and a genuine love of reading in our classroom. We are incredibly grateful for your support in making this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1772377489266,"projectUrl":"project/inspiring-young-readers-with-jason-reyno/9735745/","projectTitle":"Inspiring Young Readers with Jason Reynolds’ Books","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Santiago","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10159794_orig.jpg?crop=272,272,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1760837243849","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-santiagosoto"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5549","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":710,"numTeachers":30,"percentFrplEligible":90,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":97,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":0,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"23.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":73.3,"schoolId":5549,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Hurley Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Hurley Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/hurley-elementary-school/5549"}