{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Mary Lou Hartman Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":34.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9974647,"projectId":10122753,"letterContent":"Our Ready, Set, Write! project has brought so much excitement and motivation into our classroom! The new pens, pencils, and success stickers have become powerful tools to encourage students to take pride in their writing and academic progress.\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, my students were absolutely thrilled. Something as simple as choosing a colorful pen or earning a sticker for completing their work made them feel proud and eager to get started. Many students immediately asked if they could use their new supplies during our writing block, and it sparked a new level of enthusiasm for journaling and responding to reading.\r\nWe've been using the pens and pencils during our daily writing time, reading responses, and goal-setting activities. Students love earning stickers as they meet their weekly goals like completing Zearn lessons, answering Progress Learning questions, and reading each day. One special moment was seeing students carefully writing their responses with their new pens and then celebrating their hard work by placing a success sticker in their journals. It created such a positive and motivating classroom environment.\r\nThese resources are helping build confidence and ownership in their learning. As we continue our lessons, students will use these materials to practice writing responses, reflect on their learning, and track their academic goals as we prepare for upcoming assessments.\r\nThank you for investing in my students and helping make writing and learning something they truly look forward to each day!","fullyFundedDate":1772379265744,"projectUrl":"project/ready-set-write/10122753/","projectTitle":"Ready, Set, Write","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Romero","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9974647_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744072321571","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mscmromero"},{"teacherId":9974647,"projectId":10075248,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my students now have the supplies they need to feel prepared and excited to learn each day. The fun pens, pencils, and erasers have become a special part of our classroom routines. Students love choosing their tools before we begin writing, solving problems, or working through our daily lessons. Something as simple as a colorful pencil or a fun eraser has truly motivated them to put forth their best effort.\r\nWhen the materials arrived, the excitement in the room was immediate. My students were thrilled to see supplies just for them, and many shared how special it made them feel to know people they've never met care about their learning. It was a wonderful reminder to them that they have a community cheering them on.\r\nWe are currently working on strengthening our reading and math skills as we prepare for important end-of-year learning goals. These supplies help students stay organized, focused, and confident as they practice writing responses, solving problems, and setting academic goals. Your kindness is helping create a positive learning environment where students feel prepared, motivated, and ready to succeed. Thank you for making a difference in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1770001900752,"projectUrl":"project/prepared-to-learn-ready-to-succeed/10075248/","projectTitle":"Prepared to Learn, Ready to Succeed","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Romero","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9974647_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744072321571","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mscmromero"},{"teacherId":9974647,"projectId":9820850,"letterContent":"Because of you, \"STEM for Success: From Ant Farms to Math Mastery!\" has brought hands on learning to life in our classroom.\r\nWhen the ant farms arrived, my students were amazed. There were so many questions, predictions, and excited observations. We are using them to study habitats, life cycles, and data collection. Students are keeping science journals, sketching tunnels, measuring changes, and graphing their observations, which has strengthened both their science and math skills.\r\nOne student said, \"I feel like a real scientist,\" and that says it all.\r\nNext, students will design their own model habitats using what they have learned and present their thinking to the class.\r\nThank you for making this meaningful, engaging learning possible.","fullyFundedDate":1769178077647,"projectUrl":"project/stem-for-success-from-ant-farms-to-math/9820850/","projectTitle":"STEM for Success: From Ant Farms to Math Mastery!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Romero","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9974647_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744072321571","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mscmromero"},{"teacherId":9974647,"projectId":9885018,"letterContent":"Because of you, our classroom has truly been erupting with knowledge. We are using the new volcano and STEM resources during our nonfiction literacy block to dive deep into how volcanoes form, why they erupt, and how they change the Earth's surface. One special moment that stood out was when students worked in teams to build model volcanoes and then wrote detailed explanatory paragraphs using text evidence from our nonfiction books. They were using vocabulary like magma, eruption, crater, and lava flow with such confidence. It was powerful to see them connect hands on learning with their reading and writing skills.\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the excitement was immediate. Students were wide eyed, asking if we were really going to \"make volcanoes explode.\" They could not wait to explore the books and materials. For many of my urban city students, volcanoes are something they have only seen in pictures, so being able to interact with models and high interest nonfiction texts made the learning feel real and meaningful.\r\nNext, students will be applying their learning by researching different types of volcanoes and creating an informational presentation that combines science concepts with strong literacy skills. They will practice identifying main idea, using text features, and citing evidence to explain their thinking. Your generosity is not just supporting one lesson. It is building background knowledge, strengthening comprehension, and inspiring curiosity that will continue throughout the year.\r\nThank you for giving my students the opportunity to explore, question, and grow. We are so grateful for your support and for believing in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1764374963977,"projectUrl":"project/erupting-with-knowledge-volcanoes-stem/9885018/","projectTitle":"Erupting with Knowledge: Volcanoes, STEM, and Literacy in 3rd Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Romero","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9974647_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744072321571","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mscmromero"},{"teacherId":9974647,"projectId":9884932,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my students were supported during a very difficult time when SNAP benefits were temporarily suspended. Thanks to this project, students had consistent access to food and snacks throughout the school day, and no child had to leave school wondering where their next meal would come from.\r\nHaving food available made an immediate and meaningful difference in our classroom. Students were able to stay focused, engaged, and ready to learn without the distraction of hunger. Instead of worrying about being hungry, they could concentrate on reading, writing, problem-solving, and participating fully in lessons.\r\nBeyond academics, this project provided comfort and security. Students knew they were cared for and that their basic needs mattered. That sense of stability helped create a positive learning environment where students felt safe, supported, and valued.\r\nThank you for helping ensure that my students had full bellies and focused minds. Your kindness removed a major barrier to learning and allowed my students to show their best selves every day. Your support truly made a lasting impact on their success and well-being.","fullyFundedDate":1763490195930,"projectUrl":"project/full-bellies-focused-minds-fighting-hu/9884932/","projectTitle":"Full Bellies, Focused Minds: Fighting Hunger, Building Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Romero","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9974647_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744072321571","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mscmromero"},{"teacherId":9974647,"projectId":9645317,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, over 100 new books are now in the hands of students in our community, giving them greater access to stories and opportunities to grow as readers. These books support important literacy skills such as comprehension, vocabulary development, fluency, and making connections. Students are learning to discuss texts, share ideas, and see themselves reflected in the stories they read.\r\nReading in our classroom is joyful and purposeful. Students read independently, with partners, and in small groups, often sharing favorite books and recommending stories to one another. Many students who previously had limited access to books are especially excited and motivated, showing increased confidence and a stronger love for reading.\r\nThank you for helping improve literacy in our neighborhood and for making reading accessible and meaningful for our students.","fullyFundedDate":1760627901204,"projectUrl":"project/read-it-forward-3rd-graders-sharing-sto/9645317/","projectTitle":"Read It Forward: 3rd Graders Sharing Stories with Our Community","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Romero","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9974647_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744072321571","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mscmromero"},{"teacherId":9974647,"projectId":9686276,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my classroom was transformed into a place of wonder, excitement, and discovery. My students were given the incredible opportunity to raise caterpillars and ladybug larvae and observe their life cycles up close. What began as a science lesson quickly became a meaningful experience that filled our days with curiosity and joy. Each morning, students eagerly rushed into the classroom to check on the insects, carefully observing even the smallest changes and asking thoughtful questions like true young scientists.\r\nOne of the most unforgettable moments was watching our caterpillars form pupas and later emerge as beautiful butterflies. The classroom filled with gasps, smiles, cheers, and even happy tears as students witnessed this magical transformation. Seeing the life cycle happen right before their eyes helped students truly understand concepts that can never be fully captured in a textbook. Many students formed special connections with the insects, giving them names and proudly taking responsibility for their care. This experience sparked a genuine love for learning and made science come alive in a way my students will always remember.\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the excitement was immediate and overwhelming. Students could hardly contain their joy as they realized they would be caring for real living creatures. The caterpillars and ladybugs quickly became the highlight of our daily routine, giving students something to look forward to and talk about each day. Families heard updates at home, and students felt a deep sense of pride sharing what they were learning and observing.\r\nAs we move forward, students are reflecting on this experience through writing, drawings, and meaningful classroom discussions. They are using their real-life observations to explain the stages of each insect's life cycle and connect their learning to science standards and informational writing. More importantly, they are carrying with them a sense of confidence, responsibility, and wonder. These lessons and memories will stay with them long after the butterflies were released.\r\nThank you for making this unforgettable experience possible. Your kindness and support created lasting memories and inspired a deeper love of science that will impact my students for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1760818252582,"projectUrl":"project/butterflies-ladybugs-and-trailblazers/9686276/","projectTitle":"Butterflies, Ladybugs, and Trailblazers: Building STEM Success Through Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Romero","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9974647_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744072321571","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mscmromero"},{"teacherId":10170152,"projectId":9721472,"letterContent":"Thank you for all your support in funding our classroom's new, upgraded fish tank! I have always wanted to create an interactive environment where students can see the habitat of other living things and how that habitat changes, as well as observe the life cycles of living things. Many times, students think only of terrestrial animals when they think of living things, but with an aquarium, they have a real-world, dynamic example of an aquatic ecosystem. Without your help, this would have taken me so much longer to complete on my own.\r\nI am writing to share our immense gratitude and to give you a peek into how your generosity has transformed our classroom! Because of your support, our new 20-gallon \"Puddle to Pond\" fish tank is officially set up and thriving, serving as our dynamic, living science center.\r\nThe day the tank arrived was filled with sheer joy and amazement! When the students first saw the large box and then the impressive, empty tank, their eyes were wide with wonder. As we worked together to plan the layout of our tank, their initial reaction was a flurry of pointing, hushed excitement, and a dozen questions about where the fish would hide. Their faces lit up even more when we finally introduced our fish to their spacious new home.\r\nWe are currently using the tank as the anchor for our unit on \"Living Things and Their Habitats.\" Every morning and during clean up at the end of the day, students have an opportunity to observe the tank up close. We watched a tiny, newly introduced snail slowly moving up the glass, and one student shouted, \"Look! The baby snail!\" That simple observation led to a deep, spontaneous discussion about decomposers, algae, and the balance of an ecosystem—concepts far beyond a textbook lesson.\r\nYour contribution has done more than just buy a piece of equipment; it has given our students a daily, hands-on lesson in biology, responsibility, and the wonder of nature. Thank you, once again, for helping us give our fish a wonderful home and for inspiring a new generation of little scientists!","fullyFundedDate":1758900113700,"projectUrl":"project/puddle-to-pond-a-new-home-for-our-fishy/9721472/","projectTitle":"Puddle to Pond: A New Home for Our Fishy Friends!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Macias","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10170152_orig.jpg?crop=1807,1807,x0,y265&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758141144323","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-lmacias"},{"teacherId":10073552,"projectId":9494406,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support of our coding club. Your donations made it possible for us to purchase add-ons for our micro:bits, and the impact on our students has been incredible.\r\n\r\nWith these new tools, students are not only learning the basics of coding but also seeing how their code can interact with the real world. The micro:bit add-ons have sparked curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving as students experiment, build, and bring their ideas to life. For many of them, this has opened an entirely new world of technology and possibility.\r\n\r\nBecause of your kindness, our students are gaining hands-on experience with skills that will serve them far beyond the classroom. You have helped inspire confidence, excitement, and a love of learning that we know will continue to grow.\r\n\r\nWe are truly grateful for your investment in our students and in their futures. Thank you for believing in the power of technology education and for helping make this opportunity possible.","fullyFundedDate":1758055050317,"projectUrl":"project/stem-building-the-next-generation-of-en/9494406/","projectTitle":"STEM: Building the Next Generation of Engineers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Browning","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10073552_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752012437875","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-browning1"},{"teacherId":10073552,"projectId":9452401,"letterContent":"On behalf of Mrs. Browning's 5th grade science class, we want to extend our deepest, most heartfelt gratitude for your incredible generosity!\r\n\r\nThanks to your donation, Phoenix the bearded dragon is officially back where she belongs; in the center of our classroom! As you know, her old habitat was no longer safe or appropriate, and we had to make the difficult decision to keep her home for a while. It was quiet here without her, and we missed our scaly friend more than we can say.\r\n\r\nYour contribution wasn't just a gift—it was an investment in our students' learning and emotional well-being. We are thrilled to report that the funds you donated allowed us to purchase a brand-new, spacious, and state-of-the-art habitat that gives Phoenix plenty of room to bask, climb, and thrive.\r\n\r\nHaving Phoenix back allows us to resume our daily observation and care routine, which is a hands-on lesson in biology, ecology, and responsibility. We use her every day to study her diet, temperature regulation, and lifecycle. Phoenix is a gentle, calming presence in the room. Students who may struggle with reading aloud often feel more comfortable doing so while sitting next to her cage. She teaches us patience, empathy, and how to care for a vulnerable creature. Most importantly, Phoenix is thriving! She is active, curious, and enjoying her ample new space and updated basking lights. We've noticed her colors are brighter and her energy is back to her cheerful, inquisitive self.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has done more than just replace a cage; it has returned a beloved member of our classroom family and enriched our daily educational environment. Every time a student checks her temperature, draws her basking, or simply pauses to watch her move, they are benefiting directly from your support.\r\n\r\nThank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for making this possible. We are incredibly grateful to have you as a supporter of our little classroom community.","fullyFundedDate":1755414962615,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-enrichment-through-a-class-pet/9452401/","projectTitle":"Classroom Enrichment Through a Class Pet","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Browning","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10073552_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752012437875","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-browning1"},{"teacherId":9974647,"projectId":9375489,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, my third graders are fully equipped and ready to learn every day! We've been using our new supplies, crayons, markers, whiteboards, Ticonderoga pencils, headphones, highlighters, and glue sticks, across every subject area. Students have used their whiteboards during math lessons to solve problems together and their new pencils and highlighters during reading to annotate and identify main ideas. The headphones have been especially helpful during our independent literacy and technology rotations, allowing students to focus on their personalized lessons without distraction.\r\nWhen my students first saw the boxes of materials, their excitement filled the room! Many shouted, \"We each get our own?\" and couldn't wait to unpack their individual supplies. For many of them, having brand-new tools to learn with made them feel proud, responsible, and ready to do their best work. It was such a joyful moment to see their faces light up with appreciation and curiosity.\r\nAs we move forward, we'll continue using these materials to complete hands-on projects and strengthen our academic skills. In reading, we're diving into informational texts and using our highlighters to identify key details and main ideas. In math, our whiteboards help us practice multiplication facts and show our work in real time. These resources have made learning more engaging and accessible for every student, and I'm so grateful for your kindness and support in helping us start the school year strong.","fullyFundedDate":1758931541367,"projectUrl":"project/supplies-for-success-tools-to-help-youn/9375489/","projectTitle":"Supplies for Success: Tools to Help Young Minds Shine","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Romero","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9974647_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744072321571","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mscmromero"},{"teacherId":9974647,"projectId":9621896,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our financial literacy project! Because of you, my students now have access to engaging and meaningful resources that are helping them develop real-world money management skills.\r\nWe've launched a classroom economy where students earn tickets for making wise academic and behavioral choices. They can then spend, save, or budget their earnings in our class economy store. It's been amazing to watch them weigh their options and talk through their decisions using financial literacy terms like \"needs vs. wants,\" \"saving,\" and \"spending.\" One student proudly shared how they decided to save up for a bigger reward instead of spending all their tickets at once, a moment that truly showed the impact of this project!\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the excitement was instant. Their faces lit up with curiosity and enthusiasm, and they couldn't wait to dive into the new system. The idea of earning and spending within our own classroom economy immediately sparked rich conversations about financial responsibility and long-term goals.\r\nLooking ahead, we're continuing to build on this momentum. Students will begin reflecting on their spending habits, setting savings goals, and tracking their financial choices in personal journals. It's been inspiring to see them already applying these lessons beyond the classroom, making thoughtful choices and even talking about money with their families at home.\r\nThank you for giving my students the tools to build strong financial habits early. Your generosity is making a lasting difference in their lives!","fullyFundedDate":1757421808430,"projectUrl":"project/save-spend-succeed-incentives-that-in/9621896/","projectTitle":"Save, Spend, Succeed: Incentives that Inspire Goal Setting","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Romero","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9974647_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744072321571","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mscmromero"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_8319","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":656,"numTeachers":51,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":14,"percentWhite":5,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":76,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"12.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":65.7,"schoolId":8319,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Mary Lou Hartman Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Mary Lou Hartman Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/judson-independent-school-district/mary-hartman-elementary/8319"}