{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Bret Harte Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":25.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9634579,"projectId":10057172,"letterContent":"This is not the traditional thank you letter that I thought I'd get to write you. When this year's budget came out in May, I was informed that I was one of the most at risk of a layoff. As of July, I became one of 700+ classroom teachers laid off, just one year shy of tenure. I spent my summer packing up my classroom and interviewing, not knowing what the next school year would look like.\r\n\r\nIn mid-July, a colleague of mine honorably retired early to make room for teachers just like me who were impacted by dramatic budget cuts early in their teaching careers.\r\n\r\nOnly 10 days prior to our first day back, HR chose to re-hire me, and I landed in an entirely different role: Pre-K–8th Technology. I am so grateful I didn't have to leave my school, especially without saying goodbye to my students. This is such an exciting new journey, though it is front-loaded with tasks and a huge adjustment to my routine and practices. A daily core-subject teacher for 6th–8th is worlds different from a once- or twice-weekly specials teacher who sees 10 grade levels across 14 classes per week.\r\n\r\nFurther, this is a dual-role position where I serve as my school's Tech Coordinator, which comes with many beginning-of-the-year tasks that require trainings, protocols, and programs that take time to navigate and learn.\r\n\r\nThat's just what I knew going into this. Once \"Week Zero\" arrived, I spent the majority of my prep time organizing four closets full of jumbled tech accessories just so I could fit my own classroom items in. Because of this, I was forced to delay unboxing and building new items.\r\n\r\nAll this is to say, I wish I were showing you how I've created my vision of seamless small group time in math class. But I am very excited to share my new plans with you! The zipped bags and rainbow drawer cart will allow for easy storage of no-tech and low-tech activities, which will bridge the gap for kinesthetic learners and younger students as we get into coding. As for my precious rolling whiteboard—the item that led to this project—I am lending it to a colleague for the exact purpose I hoped to: 6th–8th small groups. She happens to be teaching them in the computer lab each day during my prep, so it will slide nicely into the closet behind the group work table in the back.\r\n\r\nWhile none of this could have been predicted, I have unique opportunities to reimagine my classroom structure. This role lends flexibility that a core subject teacher does not have, including far less standardized testing.\r\n\r\nDelay does not dampen impact, and rest assured I will find practical ways to integrate these items into my new routines. The total number of students impacted by your generous gifts has almost tripled, and the entire school will get a chance to experience what these items offer.\r\n\r\nThank you again to all who donated to this project, and I sincerely hope to provide updates once everything is up and running.","fullyFundedDate":1776130393576,"projectUrl":"project/small-group-instruction-is-essential-to/10057172/","projectTitle":"Small Group Instruction Is Essential to Middle School Math Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Brogan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9634579_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1772166173026","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/chicagoscholars"},{"teacherId":2002501,"projectId":10058580,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to my classroom. My students love building, especially with Magna-Tiles. The new series of Magna-Tiles (police station, city scapes, construction sites) helps make connections to our stories and curriculum. They recreate what they have learned in the classroom as well as making personal connections. We love to see their imagination run wild!\r\n\r\nWhen the packages arrived, they loved seeing all the new materials come out. It was a complete surprise for them. They loved seeing that Magna-Tiles now have people, animals and more descriptive materials like trucks, construction designs, lights and sirens, etc. that go with each set. The timing of the new materials was also perfect. My class last year got a chance to use the new items for the remainder of the school year but it was still in perfect condition to feel brand new for this years preschoolers.\r\n\r\nThank you again! I couldn't make my classroom as special as it is with out people like you!","fullyFundedDate":1774963801542,"projectUrl":"project/little-builders/10058580/","projectTitle":"Little Builders","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Muller","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2002501_orig.jpg?crop=2190,2190,x26,y376&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1768581072648","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/npmicetic"},{"teacherId":4414483,"projectId":10005228,"letterContent":"Thank you! The stretchy band and additional bean bags purchased with your donations have been frequently used in our music room since the day they arrived. In upper elementary classes, we loved having fresh, new bean bags to play tossing games and beat-passing games -- some of the old bean bags were torn and losing beans. In preschool and lower elementary classes, we've had fun using the stretchy band to explore steady beat and tempo.\r\n\r\nYounger students especially were THRILLED when I revealed the colorful, new, and exciting stretchy band. One of our favorite new things is stretching out the band at the end of our song/activity and \"letting go\" at the same time, which inevitably results in laughter and delight.\r\n\r\nI'm looking forward to exploring new uses for these and other manipulatives in the music room, even with older students. Your generosity is so appreciated!","fullyFundedDate":1768260421711,"projectUrl":"project/on-the-move-manipulatives-for-movement/10005228/","projectTitle":"On the Move! Manipulatives for Movement Activities in Music Class","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kuchenbrod","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4414483_orig.jpg?crop=4000,4000,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1739066117710","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kuchenbrod-kenwood"},{"teacherId":2002501,"projectId":10003533,"letterContent":"I want to thank you all for being so generous to my classroom. I am a preschool teacher and I am always looking for new and exciting ways to reach all my students. When Magna-Tile came out with the micro tiles, especially the alphabet and numbered sets, I knew I needed them for my students. \r\n\r\nThey absolutely love the alphabet mats that Magna-Tile has free on their website. My students get to make the shape of the letter and then practice tracing the letter. These help with letter recognition, creates conversation on the sounds and the fine motor practice they need. The number tiles are exciting as well. It meets all the students at their skill levels. Number recognition, counting, addition, etc. The options and learning are endless.\r\n\r\nThank you again!","fullyFundedDate":1769177879114,"projectUrl":"project/magnetic-magic/10003533/","projectTitle":"Magnetic Magic","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Muller","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2002501_orig.jpg?crop=2190,2190,x26,y376&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1768581072648","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/npmicetic"},{"teacherId":1921538,"projectId":9457007,"letterContent":"I want to thank all of you so much for your contributions to our classroom. The students were thrilled to receive the rug, the pillows, and the bean bag chair! They really helped to transform our classroom into a more cozy, inviting space for learning. \r\n \r\nThese items have quickly become integral parts of our classroom that we use daily. During whole group and small group instruction, students gather on the carpet to work with partners. During independent reading, students use the cushions to spread out on the rug to enjoy their books. Two students each day get a turn in the bean bag chair, and they all eagerly await their turn. \r\n\r\nAs we move into the next semester, the students and I are excited to continue to read, work, and learn together. Thank you so much for helping us!","fullyFundedDate":1758844567068,"projectUrl":"project/comfy-cozy-lets-all-read/9457007/","projectTitle":"Comfy! Cozy! Let's All Read!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Herring","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1921538"},{"teacherId":5013544,"projectId":9340337,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations to help my middle school special education students receive new laptop computers. Because of your kindness, my classroom now feels more connected, creative, and independent than ever before.\r\n\r\nMany of us use technology every day, but what's happening in my classroom goes beyond emails and web searches. These laptops have opened doors for students who learn in different ways. They use text-to-speech tools to better understand reading passages, interactive math games to strengthen foundational skills, and writing programs that help them organize and express their thoughts clearly.\r\n\r\nWhat excites my students most is the freedom these laptops give them. They love being able to research topics that interest them, work at their own pace, and share their projects in colorful, digital formats. The sense of pride they feel when they can produce polished work on their own is priceless.\r\n\r\nYour generosity didn't just buy laptops, it built confidence, independence, and a deeper love of learning. Thank you for believing in my students and investing in their future.","fullyFundedDate":1757648991817,"projectUrl":"project/technology-for-growth-supporting-small/9340337/","projectTitle":"Technology for Growth: Supporting Small Groups in Special Education","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Semmes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5013544_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y304&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746040557067","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5013544"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5312","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":339,"numTeachers":16,"percentFrplEligible":75,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":77,"percentWhite":4,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":12,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":2,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"21.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":74.8,"schoolId":5312,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Bret Harte Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Bret Harte Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/harte-elementary-school/5312"}