{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Hayt Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":38.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10419547,"projectId":10606238,"letterContent":"My students are using the new math manipulatives every day during hands-on math activities and learning centers. The materials give my 4-year-olds opportunities to count, sort, match, compare, create patterns, and explore numbers in a fun and meaningful way. For example, students have used the counting manipulatives to build towers and count how many pieces they used, while also comparing which towers have more or fewer pieces. They have also practiced sorting objects by characteristics such as size, shape, and color. I love watching the children work together, count aloud, and explain their thinking to one another.\r\nThe students were very excited when they first saw the new materials! They immediately wanted to touch and explore everything. The colorful and hands-on manipulatives caught their attention and made them eager to participate in math activities. Some students began counting the objects right away, while others started sorting them or creating their own patterns. Their excitement showed me how naturally young children learn when they are given materials they can see, touch, move, and explore.\r\nOur next steps are to continue using the manipulatives to build stronger number sense and early mathematical thinking. We will practice counting objects one at a time, recognizing quantities, matching numbers to groups of objects, and comparing groups using concepts such as more, less, and equal. Students will also continue creating and extending patterns, sorting objects in different ways, and using the materials to solve simple math problems. As they become more comfortable, I will encourage them to explain how they found their answers and share their mathematical thinking with their classmates. These resources will continue to be an important part of our classroom math centers throughout the school year.","fullyFundedDate":1788917084376,"projectUrl":"project/math-at-our-fingertips/10606238/","projectTitle":"Math at Our Fingertips","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. E","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10419547"},{"teacherId":4707277,"projectId":10244165,"letterContent":"Thanks for donating to my STEM students. We are year four into building a STEM lab and your contributions helped increase student engagement and interest around STEM activities. 3D printers are versatile, engaging tools that integrate technology, creativity, and critical thinking into classroom activities. Our 3D printers have and will be used in a number of ways to spark student curiosity and engagement. I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generous support through this STEM donor choose. Your contribution is a significant investment in the future of our students and the advancement of STEM education in our school community.","fullyFundedDate":1777900540999,"projectUrl":"project/3d-print-supply-reset/10244165/","projectTitle":"3D Print Supply Reset","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Hale","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4707277_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1504290911624","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ronhale"},{"teacherId":4707277,"projectId":10087603,"letterContent":"Thank you! Your donation has helped to spark joy and excitement around 3D printing and design. 3D printing is an excellent tool to teach conceptual concepts in design, spatial awareness and learning from mistakes during the design process. Not many STEM labs have 3D printers and we are fortunate to add this to our library of learning tools. Due to a accessibility of 3D printing, many students are excited to learn with it. Teaching with 3D printers encourages exploration and curiosity in students, as well as teaching them about the design world around them in a fun, exploratory and hands-on manner.","fullyFundedDate":1776104136638,"projectUrl":"project/from-pixels-to-prototypes-3d-printing-o/10087603/","projectTitle":"From Pixels to Prototypes: 3D Printing Our Future","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Hale","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4707277_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1504290911624","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ronhale"},{"teacherId":4707277,"projectId":10030618,"letterContent":"Thank you! Your donation has helped to spark joy and excitement around early learning of coding concepts. Sphero Indi is an excellent tool to teach conceptual concepts in coding, spatial awareness and learning from mistakes during the coding process. Indi uses color sensors to help students understand patterns and step by step logic thinking. Not many STEM labs have this robot and we are fortunate to add this to our library of learning tools. Due to a accessibility of Indi, many students are excited to learn with it. Teaching with Indi encourages exploration and curiosity in students, as well as teaching them about the programming world around them in a fun, exploratory and hands-on manner.","fullyFundedDate":1777844891559,"projectUrl":"project/early-learning-coding-and-design/10030618/","projectTitle":"Early Learning Coding and Design","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Hale","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4707277_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1504290911624","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ronhale"},{"teacherId":3732038,"projectId":10365142,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our Water Quality Investigation! Your generosity gave my sixth grade students the opportunity to experience meaningful, hands-on science using real water quality testing materials. Students collected water samples from their homes and school, tested the samples, recorded observations, and worked together to analyze their results. They were excited to investigate an important question connected to their everyday lives: Is the water we drink and use safe?\r\n\r\nThrough this investigation, students learned that science is more than reading a textbook or completing a worksheet. They became young scientists by asking questions, gathering evidence, comparing results, discussing their findings, and making conclusions based on data. Most importantly, they discovered how science connects to their homes, school, and community. Your donation provided the materials that made this authentic learning experience possible. Thank you for investing in my students, encouraging their curiosity, and helping them become confident and thoughtful scientists. We are truly grateful for your kindness and support and for helping bring science to life in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1789136992827,"projectUrl":"project/environmental-justice-in-action/10365142/","projectTitle":"Environmental Justice in Action","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Natividad","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3732038_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1659743143699","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3732038"},{"teacherId":193967,"projectId":10214512,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in funding our Asian Pacific Islander (API) Heritage Month project! Because of your support, our classroom transformed into a vibrant creative studio where my students explored rich global traditions through hands-on art.\r\n\r\nThe moment the supplies arrived, the energy in our room was electric. My students couldn't wait to dive into the origami paper, craft traditional folding fans, and decorate their koinobori carp wind socks. We even hung all of the completed koi windsocks from the ceiling right outside the main office, and the entire school community loved seeing them! So many people went out of their way to tell me how much joy the fish brought them!\r\n\r\nBeyond just creating beautiful art to share with our school, these supplies gave my students a tactile way to connect with API culture—learning about precision through paper folding, strength and perseverance through Children's Day traditions, and artistic heritage through fan design. Your gift opened a door for my curious learners to build empathy, celebrate diversity, and take immense pride in their work.\r\n\r\nThank you for bringing these meaningful cultural experiences to life in our classroom and school!","fullyFundedDate":1777029782112,"projectUrl":"project/celebrating-asian-pacific-island-heritag/10214512/","projectTitle":"Celebrating Asian Pacific Island Heritage Month!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Decker","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp193967_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1542247657759","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/decker"},{"teacherId":10419547,"projectId":10160824,"letterContent":"My preschoolers are using the new materials to create a hands-on planting project where they can experience the joy of growing something of their very own. They are learning how to plant seeds, care for them, and observe how plants change and grow over time. This project gives my students the opportunity to practice counting, measuring, following directions, and using their fine-motor skills while also learning about nature and where plants come from.\r\nThey were so excited to get their hands in the dirt and couldn't wait to see what would happen. We talked about what plants need to grow—water, sunlight, soil, and lots of care. The students are already checking on their plants and looking for signs of new growth!\r\nWhen the boxes of materials arrived, the students were incredibly excited! They were curious about all of the new materials and immediately wanted to explore them. They were especially excited to get started with the planting project because it was something they could touch, feel, and do themselves. For preschoolers, having the opportunity to learn through hands-on experiences makes learning so much more meaningful. Their excitement and curiosity made it clear how special this experience is for them.\r\nOur next step is to continue caring for our plants and observing their growth. The children will water them, check for changes, and talk about what they notice. We will document their observations through drawings and classroom discussions and use the plants to explore early science and math concepts such as counting, comparing sizes, measuring growth, and sequencing the stages of a plant's life. Most importantly, the children will learn that with patience, care, and attention, something small can grow into something beautiful.","fullyFundedDate":1779054464778,"projectUrl":"project/seeds-of-love-learning-through-planting/10160824/","projectTitle":"Seeds of Love: Learning Through Planting","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. E","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10419547"},{"teacherId":4707277,"projectId":9529996,"letterContent":"On behalf of my students and our entire STEM community, thank you for believing in the power of hands-on learning. Your generosity in funding sewing machines for our classroom has opened the door to experiences that many of our students have never had before.\r\n\r\nAt first glance, a sewing machine may seem like a simple tool. In our STEM lab, however, it becomes a powerful way to teach engineering, design thinking, mathematics, creativity, and perseverance. As students measure, plan, prototype, troubleshoot, and refine their projects, they are developing the same problem-solving skills used by engineers, product designers, entrepreneurs, and innovators around the world.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing not only in sewing machines, but in the confidence, imagination, and future of our students. Your generosity reminds them that there are people beyond the walls of our school who believe in their potential.","fullyFundedDate":1755436498172,"projectUrl":"project/sewing-seeds-of-selfexpression-empower/9529996/","projectTitle":"Sewing Seeds of Self‑Expression: Empowering STEM Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Hale","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4707277_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1504290911624","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ronhale"},{"teacherId":307581,"projectId":10130538,"letterContent":"When our middle school girls walked into the room and saw a stack of brand-new yoga mats waiting just for them, the excitement was immediate. For many of them, this was their very first yoga experience, and having a mat of their own made them feel special from the very beginning. Throughout our sessions, they learned how to slow down, breathe deeply, stretch their bodies, and find moments of calm during the stressful final weeks of the school year. We practiced to a playlist featuring inspiring female artists and reflected on the quote, \"The most powerful is she who has her own quiet world within, for she creates a path not by following the crowd, but by following her own light.\" Watching the girls quietly reflect on those words while moving through their practice was a powerful reminder that caring for their minds is just as important as caring for their bodies.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite moments came at the end of class when several students asked, \"When can we do yoga again?\" Another student smiled and told me that her favorite part was simply lying still during Savasana at the end of class. In a world that is often busy and overwhelming, it was meaningful to see these girls embrace a few quiet moments to simply rest and be present. Your generosity gave them so much more than yoga mats—it gave them a space to build confidence, reduce stress, and experience the benefits of mindfulness. We will continue using these mats to introduce new yoga practices, mindfulness activities, and opportunities for reflection, helping students develop healthy habits that support both their physical and emotional well-being. Thank you for believing in our students and for making this experience possible. Your kindness has created an impact that will continue long after our yoga sessions have ended.","fullyFundedDate":1774066698556,"projectUrl":"project/a-place-to-breathe-essential-mats-for-r/10130538/","projectTitle":"A Place to Breathe: Essential Mats for Resilience","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Slota","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp307581_orig.png?crop=400,400,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1772639185346","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/307581"},{"teacherId":9571191,"projectId":9391185,"letterContent":"I want to share a heartfelt thank you for your incredible generosity to our classroom. The impact that your support has had on my fifth-grade ELA block is honestly hard to put into words. Because of you, we were able to launch a novel study project that completely changed how my students interact with books. Instead of viewing reading time as just another part of the school day, they became completely hooked. The stories were so exciting and engaging that the kids would collectively beg me to read just one more chapter before we moved on to our next lesson.\r\n\r\nThe absolute highlight of this project was our study of Holes. Thanks to the resources you provided, we were able to host our now-famous Holes party and completely transform our regular classroom into Camp Green Lake. The students didn't just read about Stanley Yelnats, they actually got to step directly into his world for a fully immersive day of learning that they are still talking about. Seeing the pure joy, creativity, and deep comprehension sparked by this experience was incredibly moving. You didn't just fund books and supplies, you truly helped foster a genuine love of reading in these kids. Thank you so much for investing in our classroom and making this adventure possible.","fullyFundedDate":1755040753250,"projectUrl":"project/5th-grade-novel-studies/9391185/","projectTitle":"5th Grade Novel Studies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Whalen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9571191_orig.jpg?crop=1824,1824,x0,y231&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720630554272","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9571191"},{"teacherId":9700097,"projectId":9986951,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity!\r\n\r\nWe are already using these wonderful resources every single day. The new headphones have made a huge difference during our independent computer time, allowing students to focus completely on their reading and math programs without any background noise. Having access to snacks and hygiene items keeps everyone comfortable, well-fed, and focused on their schoolwork rather than a rumbling stomach or missing supplies.\r\n\r\nNext up, my students will be using their new headphones to research and create final multimedia projects. Thanks to your support, they have the snacks to keep their energy up and the technology to see these projects through to the end. Thank you for investing in both the education and the well-being of my amazing students!","fullyFundedDate":1772550465764,"projectUrl":"project/caring-for-the-whole-child/9986951/","projectTitle":"Caring for the Whole Child","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Maria","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9700097_orig.jpg?crop=1728,1728,x0,y299&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724362598343","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9700097"},{"teacherId":10419914,"projectId":10063895,"letterContent":"A Sewing Machine, A Quilt, and Endless Smiles\r\n\r\nDuring our clothing study, we received a beautiful sewing machine along with several sewing supplies for our Pre-K classroom, thanks to the wonderful donors on DonorsChoose.\r\nMrs. Pauline and I introduced our students, who are four to five years old, to the sewing machine and taught them how it works. Together, we explored the different parts of the machine, learned how clothes are made, practiced making patterns, and learned how to cut them.\r\n\r\nIn celebration of Black History Month in February, we decided to focus on Jan Erns Matzeliger, the inventor of the Shoe Making Machine, which made it possible for not just a few people to be able to afford shoes. This gave us the idea of making our own shoes by tracing our feet on the fabric and making the shoe pattern, cutting it, and sewing it on the fabric to create the quilt. This hands-on experience allowed the students to connect creativity, history, and learning in a meaningful way.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the sewing machine and materials being delivered, they were beyond excited. As you can see in the pictures, they could hardly contain themselves. They were laughing, giggling, smiling, and filled with joy and curiosity. Seeing their excitement and enthusiasm made the experience even more special for us as teachers.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, I plan to continue these lessons in my classroom. We are also hoping to make another quilt because the children truly enjoyed the entire experience.\r\n\r\nThank you very much for this wonderful gift and opportunity. You have made a tremendous impact not only on the lives of my students, but also on us as teachers. Watching our children learn with such excitement and joy reminds us why we do what we do and motivates us to continue making a positive difference in their lives.","fullyFundedDate":1770393728029,"projectUrl":"project/pre-k-sewing-fun/10063895/","projectTitle":"Pre-K Sewing Fun","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cook","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10419914"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5455","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":846,"numTeachers":59,"percentFrplEligible":82,"percentAsian":25,"percentBlack":20,"percentWhite":10,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":39,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":3,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"14.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":61.7,"schoolId":5455,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Hayt Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Hayt Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/hayt-elementary-school/5455"}