{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Hilltop Heritage Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":18.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5425692,"projectId":10596036,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in bringing new board and strategy games to our middle school library! With our school's new no-cell-phone policy, these games have provided students with fun and meaningful ways to connect with one another without screens. Students were excited to see games like Mancala, Exploding Kittens, and Mahjong and eager to gather around tables to play with their friends. It has been wonderful to see students laughing, sharing strategies, teaching one another the rules, and building friendships through friendly competition. These games have helped transform our library into an engaging space where students can relax, socialize, and feel a sense of belonging.\r\n\r\nOne of the most rewarding parts of this project has been watching students develop important social-emotional and academic skills while having fun. Through board games, students practice critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, patience, and good sportsmanship. Students who might not normally interact are finding common interests and opportunities to connect through play. Moving forward, we will continue offering these games during lunch, library visits, and before and after school, while encouraging students to explore new games, teach their peers, and participate in friendly game challenges. Your generosity has helped us create a welcoming, screen-free environment where students can unplug, build positive relationships, and discover that everyone has a place at the game table. Thank you for making such a meaningful difference in our school community!","fullyFundedDate":1789595681801,"projectUrl":"project/game-on/10596036/","projectTitle":"Game On!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Baughman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5425692_orig.jpg?crop=558,558,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597260076112","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/dawnbaughman"},{"teacherId":5425692,"projectId":10595801,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in bringing additional LEGO sets to our middle school library! Our students were thrilled to see the new materials and eager to begin building together. It has been wonderful to watch students share ideas, help one another, and work collaboratively to complete their creations. One of the most rewarding moments has been seeing students who might not normally interact come together to tackle a challenging LEGO set. As they follow directions, recognize patterns, and figure out how pieces fit together, students strengthen important STEM skills while practicing teamwork, communication, patience, and perseverance. These hands-on experiences are helping students build friendships, develop confidence, and create positive connections with their peers.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, students will continue using the LEGO sets during library visits and lunchtime activities. We plan to introduce collaborative building challenges that encourage creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork. Students will have opportunities to work in small groups, share responsibilities, and practice communication and leadership skills as they complete increasingly complex projects. Your generosity has helped make our library a welcoming space where students can connect, create, and learn together. Thank you for providing meaningful opportunities for our students to develop essential STEM and social-emotional skills while having fun!","fullyFundedDate":1791136936070,"projectUrl":"project/legos-in-the-library/10595801/","projectTitle":"LEGOS in the Library","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Baughman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5425692_orig.jpg?crop=558,558,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597260076112","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/dawnbaughman"},{"teacherId":5425692,"projectId":10414531,"letterContent":"Thank you so much to our generous supporters for providing the printer ink cartridges our middle school library desperately needed! Your kindness has made a meaningful difference in our ability to support students and teachers across all subject areas. Our library serves as the heart of our school, where students explore new ideas, conduct research, collaborate, and make connections between classroom learning and real-world experiences. Thanks to your generosity, we can once again provide printed research materials, educational resources, and learning activities that help students succeed.\r\n\r\nOur students benefit from having access to printed materials that support their research, critical thinking, and creativity. Whether they are investigating STEM topics, gathering evidence for classroom projects, or organizing information for presentations, reliable printing allows them to engage more deeply with their learning. Teachers can also access resources that support differentiated instruction and cross-curricular connections. Having a dependable printer means students can focus on exploring their curiosity and demonstrating their understanding rather than worrying about limited resources.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, students will continue using the library to conduct research, complete projects, and develop important information literacy skills. We will also expand opportunities for students to organize their findings, evaluate sources, and share their learning through creative projects and presentations. Your support has helped remove a significant barrier to learning while strengthening our library's ability to serve our entire school community. Thank you for recognizing the importance of our school library and investing in the success of our students. We are truly grateful for your generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1788181231035,"projectUrl":"project/printer-ink-for-the-heart-of-learning/10414531/","projectTitle":"Printer Ink for the Heart of Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Baughman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5425692_orig.jpg?crop=558,558,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597260076112","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/dawnbaughman"},{"teacherId":5425692,"projectId":10595587,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in bringing fidgets and sensory tools into our middle school library! My students were excited to see the magnetic fidget pens, sensory toys, stress balls, and positive affirmation cards. They were especially eager to explore the different tools and discover how they could help them stay focused and manage their energy throughout the school day. These resources are already helping us create a welcoming, supportive environment where students can take a brief mental reset and return to learning feeling more confident and ready to succeed.\r\n\r\nOne of the most meaningful ways we are using these materials is by helping students recognize when they need a moment to refocus. Whether students are reading independently, completing assignments, or participating in library activities, they now have access to quiet, hands-on tools that support self-regulation. Students are learning that these materials are not simply toys but valuable resources for managing stress, maintaining attention, and making responsible choices. It is wonderful to see students discovering strategies that work for their individual needs.\r\n\r\nOur next steps are to continue teaching students how to independently select, use, and return these tools while developing greater awareness of their emotions and learning needs. We will also incorporate positive affirmation cards into conversations about perseverance, kindness, and having a growth mindset. Thanks to your generosity, our students have more opportunities to build confidence, practice self-regulation, and develop lifelong skills that support both their academic success and emotional well-being. Your kindness is making a meaningful difference in our school community, and we are incredibly grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1788971194645,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-tools/10595587/","projectTitle":"Sensory Tools","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Baughman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5425692_orig.jpg?crop=558,558,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597260076112","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/dawnbaughman"},{"teacherId":5396763,"projectId":10568901,"letterContent":"I continue my legacy by being known as the \"teacher that always has snacks\". Not only providing daily snack offerings to the students in my classroom, but for the many students who walk by and are incredibly hungry and know exactly where to go. It is the simplest gesture to offer a pack of fruit snacks or a granola bar to a student who just needs a little pick me up...especially when their brains are unable to make the connection that it's the hunger that is making it difficult to focus. We are so incredibly grateful to each of you!","fullyFundedDate":1789590155862,"projectUrl":"project/snack-attack/10568901/","projectTitle":"Snack Attack!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Waller","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5396763_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x0,y67&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1631034282967","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5396763"},{"teacherId":5396763,"projectId":10410336,"letterContent":"Thank you so incredibly much for supporting this project. These items have given our student leaders the opportunity to learn important life skills while running a token economy store during lunches. Students have been heavily encouraged to earn their SWAG so that they can get rewards! We have even been able to use some of the items for other events: 3.0 BINGO, monthly rewards for excelling at our Bobcat Pillars and during our PEP Assemblies. Whether you realize it or not, you have been an impactful part of our school year! THANK YOU!","fullyFundedDate":1788181266670,"projectUrl":"project/bobcat-swag-2026/10410336/","projectTitle":"Bobcat SWAG 2026!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Waller","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5396763_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x0,y67&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1631034282967","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5396763"},{"teacherId":5425692,"projectId":10388657,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my students and providing us with access to high-quality Teachers Pay Teachers resources! Your generosity has allowed me to bring new, engaging learning experiences into both my middle school social studies and art classrooms. These resources have given students more opportunities to explore, create, collaborate, and demonstrate their learning in ways that meet a variety of learning needs.\r\n\r\nIn social studies, students have benefited from interactive notebooks, visual supports, graphic organizers, historical simulations, inquiry activities, and hands-on projects that make history and geography more accessible and meaningful. These resources have helped students move beyond simply reading about history by giving them opportunities to investigate, problem-solve, make connections, and think critically about the people, places, and events they are studying.\r\n\r\nIn art, the resources have provided students with guided drawing activities, creative projects, art history lessons, and opportunities to practice new artistic techniques. Students have been able to build their skills step by step while gaining confidence in their abilities and discovering new ways to express their ideas. Having structured resources available also gives students who may be hesitant about art a supportive starting point while still allowing room for individual creativity.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, your support has helped me provide engaging, differentiated instruction for students with a wide range of abilities and learning needs. These resources save valuable planning time while allowing me to focus that time on supporting students, providing feedback, and adapting lessons to help every student experience success. Thank you for investing in our classrooms and helping make both social studies and art places where students can be curious, creative, confident, and excited about learning","fullyFundedDate":1788181226843,"projectUrl":"project/digital-resources-for-social-studies-and/10388657/","projectTitle":"Digital Resources for Social Studies and Art","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Baughman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5425692_orig.jpg?crop=558,558,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597260076112","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/dawnbaughman"},{"teacherId":5425692,"projectId":10388588,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our students and providing the everyday supplies that make meaningful learning possible! Your generosity has given students access to pencils, Flair pens, drawing paper, tissues, and other essential materials that they use throughout the school day. Having these supplies readily available removes a barrier for students and allows them to focus on learning, creating, and sharing their ideas.\r\n\r\nIn social studies, students are using these materials to take notes, analyze historical information, create maps, design projects, and bring ancient civilizations and world cultures to life. In art, students are sketching, experimenting with ideas, practicing new techniques, and expressing their creativity. The Flair pens have added excitement to interactive notebooks and projects, while the drawing paper gives students the freedom to create without worrying about using or replacing their own supplies.\r\n\r\nThese materials may seem simple, but they make a tremendous difference in our classroom. Students can participate fully, take creative risks, collaborate with classmates, and demonstrate their learning in ways that build both confidence and independence. Even the tissues help create a comfortable and welcoming classroom where students can stay focused and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our students and helping ensure that every student has access to the tools they need to be successful. Your support is helping us create classrooms where history, creativity, and hands-on learning come together and where students feel prepared, supported, and inspired to do their best!","fullyFundedDate":1788181256569,"projectUrl":"project/basic-school-supplies/10388588/","projectTitle":"Basic School Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Baughman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5425692_orig.jpg?crop=558,558,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597260076112","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/dawnbaughman"},{"teacherId":5425692,"projectId":10098174,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our Kindness Bracelet Project and helping our students spread kindness throughout our school and community! Because of your generosity, students across our middle school had the opportunity to create handmade bracelets that became small but meaningful reminders that kindness, compassion, and connection matter.\r\n\r\nStudents were excited to select beads, design their bracelets, and think about the people who might eventually receive them. As they worked, they practiced creativity, patience, and perseverance while also learning about empathy and the importance of serving others. What began as beads and string became an opportunity for students to see that even a simple gesture can brighten someone's day and help another person feel seen and valued.\r\n\r\nOne of the most meaningful parts of this project was seeing the kindness extend beyond individual classrooms. Bracelets were shared throughout our school and during activities and events where students, staff, families, and community members could discover them. This allowed our students to contribute to something larger than themselves and helped strengthen the sense of belonging and connection within our school community.\r\n\r\nThank you for providing the materials that made this schoolwide experience possible. Your support helped our students turn creativity into service and gave them a tangible way to demonstrate kindness to others. We are incredibly grateful that you helped us create hundreds of small acts of kindness that will continue to spread positivity throughout our school and surrounding community!","fullyFundedDate":1773847826302,"projectUrl":"project/community-kindness-bracelets/10098174/","projectTitle":"Community Kindness Bracelets","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Baughman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5425692_orig.jpg?crop=558,558,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597260076112","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/dawnbaughman"},{"teacherId":5425692,"projectId":10264985,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our students and providing the materials they need to learn, create, and express themselves! These new art supplies have had a meaningful impact on student learning by giving students more opportunities to practice creativity, problem-solving, planning, and perseverance.\r\n As students work with paint, paint sticks, brushes, scissors, and other materials, they are learning how to make artistic choices, revise their work, experiment with new techniques, and communicate their ideas visually.\r\nMost importantly, these materials have allowed me to provide more engaging, hands-on learning experiences for all students. Students can focus on learning and creating rather than worrying about whether they have the supplies they need. Because of your generosity, our classroom is a place where students can take creative risks, develop new skills, collaborate with others, and experience the pride that comes from turning an idea into a finished piece of art. Thank you for making these valuable learning opportunities possible for our students!","fullyFundedDate":1788181245626,"projectUrl":"project/art-supplies/10264985/","projectTitle":"Art Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Baughman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5425692_orig.jpg?crop=558,558,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597260076112","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/dawnbaughman"},{"teacherId":5425692,"projectId":10097940,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our library and providing our students with new LEGO sets and a giant Connect 4 game! These materials have brought excitement, creativity, and connection into our library while giving students meaningful opportunities to learn through play. Students are working together to build LEGO sets, solve problems, follow directions, and practice important STEM skills such as recognizing patterns and understanding how pieces work together.\r\n\r\nThe giant Connect 4 game has also become a fun way for students to practice strategic thinking, patience, and good sportsmanship. Whether students are building with LEGO or challenging a friend to a game, they are practicing communication, taking turns, working through challenges, and developing positive relationships with their peers.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, your generosity is helping us create a library where all students can feel welcome, included, and connected. These activities give students positive ways to interact with one another while strengthening both academic and social-emotional skills. Thank you for helping us provide a space where students can create, collaborate, problem-solve, and have fun together!","fullyFundedDate":1776107195503,"projectUrl":"project/lego-sets-in-the-library/10097940/","projectTitle":"LEGO sets in the Library","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Baughman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5425692_orig.jpg?crop=558,558,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597260076112","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/dawnbaughman"},{"teacherId":5425692,"projectId":10264772,"letterContent":"The new LEGO sets have quickly become one of the most exciting resources in our library! Students are using them for hands-on building challenges that encourage creativity, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork. One of my favorite moments was watching a group of students work together to complete a LEGO challenge. They had different ideas about how their creation should be built, but instead of giving up, they discussed their ideas, divided responsibilities, tested different solutions, and worked together until they created something they were all proud of. These experiences allow students to practice important academic and social-emotional skills while learning through play.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the LEGO sets, their excitement was immediate! They could not wait to open the sets, explore the pieces, and start creating. Students who may not always participate in traditional activities were eager to get involved, and the LEGO sets provided a comfortable way for them to connect with other students. It has been wonderful to see students naturally helping one another, sharing materials, explaining their ideas, and celebrating each other's creations. The LEGO sets have helped make our library an even more welcoming space where students can explore their interests and feel a sense of belonging.\r\n\r\nOur next step is to expand the LEGO activities into more structured STEM, design, and collaborative challenges. Students will be asked to plan a creation, build a prototype, test it, identify problems, and make improvements based on what they learn. We will also continue incorporating challenges that require students to communicate, problem-solve, and work as a team. Thanks to your generosity, our students have a resource that goes far beyond building with bricks—you have given them opportunities to create, collaborate, persevere, and discover that learning can happen in many different ways.","fullyFundedDate":1779299829754,"projectUrl":"project/legos-in-the-library/10264772/","projectTitle":"LEGOS in the Library","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Baughman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5425692_orig.jpg?crop=558,558,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597260076112","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/dawnbaughman"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_36352","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":442,"numTeachers":29,"percentFrplEligible":74,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":13,"percentWhite":38,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":20,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":2,"percentMultiracialImputed":20,"gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"15.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":81.3,"schoolId":36352,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Hilltop Heritage Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Hilltop Heritage Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/washington/tacoma-public-schools/jason-lee-middle-school/36352"}