{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Hibbard Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":29.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":1104037,"projectId":10257769,"letterContent":"As I write this, my class is enjoying the new and improved reading spaces you helped to fund! Our classroom is now so cozy that other teachers have come in to witness how wonderful the vibe is. \r\nWe use our rugs all day every day, when we read, when we play, when we collaborate on projects. Our classroom library is now wonderfully accessible and welcoming for my students with the new bookshelves. \r\nBut one of my favorite things is the standing desk that I have placed at the front of the class. I use all day long when teaching lessons and it makes my job a ton easier! \r\nAgain, thank you for your kind generosity! It definitely makes an impact!","fullyFundedDate":1778598568720,"projectUrl":"project/get-ready-for-cozy-reading-spaces/10257769/","projectTitle":"Get Ready for Cozy Reading Spaces!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lucy Barraza","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1104037_orig.png?crop=262,262,x0,y7&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1777902727932","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/barraza-perez"},{"teacherId":1104037,"projectId":10257528,"letterContent":"As I write this impact statement, I am thrilled to say that your generous donations are already impacting teachers in my building! Some new teachers, along with some of us veterans, have joined a Professional Learning Cohort (PLC) focusing on one of the professional texts. \r\nAs we work towards a better understanding of how teaching two language systems works, we will be working towards our end goal of carrying these newly acquired strategies into our Dual Language and ESL classrooms. In so doing, we will be able to address the urgency of maximizing and celebrating the linguistic potential of all of our students. By implementing these strategies based in the most current pedagogical research, we will be strengthening our Dual Language education program, and therefore our community.","fullyFundedDate":1779329466404,"projectUrl":"project/staying-current-for-my-english-learners/10257528/","projectTitle":"Staying Current for my English Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lucy Barraza","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1104037_orig.png?crop=262,262,x0,y7&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1777902727932","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/barraza-perez"},{"teacherId":86384,"projectId":10218988,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping us purchase these books. My Russian and Arabic-speaking students really appreciate having these books available in their native languages, and they flock to the baskets where they are kept (special baskets just for their languages). \r\n\r\nThey also love reading these books with their classmates. It gives them a chance to share a part of their culture and identity with peers, and their friends are fascinated to see the different alphabets, especially in the books that are side-by-side with English words. \r\n\r\nJust today, one of my Russian speakers tried to check out 7 books from the basket-- I asked what her sister would read if she took them all! The development of her (and other students') English language skills is growing quickly, but these books will remain an important part of their library time, even if eventually only to serve as a memory that their language mattered when they first joined our community.","fullyFundedDate":1777933649304,"projectUrl":"project/stories-that-speak-our-languages-expand/10218988/","projectTitle":"Stories That Speak Our Languages: Expanding Our Library Collection","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Davidson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp86384_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683494091702","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-suedavidson"},{"teacherId":106561,"projectId":10162834,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support for my classroom library. The students love the graphic novel sets that I have purchased. I have students who have graduated into reading full length novels after reading the graphic novel adaptation. We spend 20 minutes a day reading independently and completing a \"Response to Literature\". This gives me insight into their thinking process. I collect and respond to each student notebook every two weeks.\r\nMy incoming students will love this collection of books and graphic novels. Students grab a carpet square and go find a quiet space in the room to read. I put on soothing music and the students start to read. They love the time after lunch and recess to quietly read. Students write a response to what they read. At the beginning of the year students start with summaries. I encourage students to tell me their thoughts about the characters, the style of writing, and the plot of the story. When they finish a book I ask them to give me their thoughts and opinions on the book. Once in a while I have a nonfiction reader who I have introduced to the \"I Survived\" series or \"Magic School Bus\" which are narrative nonfiction chapter books. Thank you again!","fullyFundedDate":1777900114171,"projectUrl":"project/we-love-to-read/10162834/","projectTitle":"We Love to Read!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wilde","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp106561_orig.jpg?crop=800,800,x150,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1719241015001","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/106561"},{"teacherId":505312,"projectId":10236856,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your continuous support of our classroom and your shared passion for the magic of books! I am thrilled to share the incredible impact your generosity is making and to give you a glimpse inside our reading community.\r\n\r\nEvery day, our room transforms into a bustling community of readers. During our dedicated reading time, you won't see rigid rows of kids quietly staring at textbooks; instead, you'll find students huddled over pages, leaning in to whisper a translation to a neighbor, or eagerly pointing at illustrations. We also engage in lively read-alouds and interactive discussions where students use critical literacy skills to evaluate characters' choices, debate plot lines, and map the story to current events. Reading here is an active, joyful, and deeply shared experience.\r\n\r\nWhile our students love the stories, these books are powerful pedagogical tools that introduce critical academic and life skills. They act as \"mirrors and windows\"—validating our students' own cultural backgrounds while building empathy for worlds different from their own. Furthermore, reading in Spanish strengthens foundational literacy skills for our language learners, which research shows directly transfers to and improves their English reading comprehension. Students aren't just decoding words; they are learning to put themselves in a character's shoes, helping them tackle complex themes like resilience, family, and belonging.\r\n\r\nOur heritage Spanish speakers and dual-language learners are benefiting immensely from this collection. Before having these books, many of our native speakers were fluent in conversational Spanish but lacked access to academic reading in their first language. One of my students, who used to shy away from independent reading time, recently picked up a new Spanish chapter book. Seeing her face light up as she recognized idioms her grandmother uses at home was unforgettable. For her and many others, these books have sparked a sense of pride, increasing their reading stamina and boosting their overall confidence.\r\n\r\nWhile our current collection has ignited a beautiful spark, our shelves are running thin. To keep this momentum going, keep our native speakers thriving, and allow our English-speaking students to explore a second language, we need to expand our library with a wider variety of Spanish graphic novels, mysteries, and fiction. If you would like to help us write the next chapter of our literacy journey, a donation to our library will go directly toward putting new books into the hands of eager readers.\r\n\r\nThank you for being such a vital part of our classroom family and for helping us foster the next generation of lifelong, empathetic readers.","fullyFundedDate":1777993168178,"projectUrl":"project/more-spanish-books-please/10236856/","projectTitle":"More Spanish Books Please!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp505312_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1519779055416","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/505312"},{"teacherId":505312,"projectId":10119474,"letterContent":"When you contribute to our collection of I Survived books and graphic novels in both Spanish and English, you are doing much more than filling a shelf. You are providing the literal bridge that connects a child's two worlds.\r\n\r\nIn our dual-language classroom, these books serve as a powerful equalizer. For a student who is just beginning to learn English, having the Spanish version of a gripping story allows them to dive deep into history and adventure without the frustration of a language barrier. It protects their confidence and ensures they stay curious. When they eventually pick up the English version, they find they already have the \"map\" of the story in their minds, making the transition to a new language feel like an exciting challenge rather than an impossible wall.\r\n\r\nThese stories of resilience and courage resonate deeply with my students. By offering them in both text and graphic novel formats, you are meeting every reader exactly where they are. You are giving a reluctant reader a way in through vibrant illustrations and giving a bilingual reader the chance to master academic vocabulary in two languages.\r\n\r\nYour gift creates a shared experience where all students—regardless of their primary language—can discuss the same thrilling moments of history together. You are helping them see that their heritage language is a tool for high-level learning and that their potential in a second language is limitless.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in their literacy, their identity, and their growth.","fullyFundedDate":1772824448112,"projectUrl":"project/i-survived/10119474/","projectTitle":"I Survived","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp505312_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1519779055416","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/505312"},{"teacherId":86384,"projectId":10019461,"letterContent":"Thank you for funding Chapter Book Champions! Our easy reader section is outdated, falling apart, and not culturally relevant. After attending a Chicago Public Library webinar highlighting librarians \"best of 2025\" picks, I knew these new titles would be popular.\r\n\r\nThe day I unpacked these books, my first and second grade students went wild. The Magic Quest books were checked out immediately, and several of the Reina Ramos were also snapped up. The representation and excitement conveyed in these books are clearly important, which means they will circulate well.\r\n\r\nSeeing the impact these books are having drives my decisions about which old library books to purge and informs my research to continue to update and build our collection. Transitioning readers often have the fewest books to choose from-- so this project is a crucial first step. You made it happen!","fullyFundedDate":1769222182945,"projectUrl":"project/chapter-book-champions/10019461/","projectTitle":"Chapter Book Champions!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Davidson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp86384_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683494091702","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-suedavidson"},{"teacherId":2252985,"projectId":9209728,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our 3D printing program! Because of donors like you, my students are experiencing technology in a way that is truly transformable — not just on a screen, but in their hands. For many of my students, technology has often felt abstract and out of reach. 3D printing changes that entirely. Through our current keychain project, students are applying critical thinking and spatial reasoning as they design, iterate, and hold their finished creations. Watching a digital idea become a physical object is a powerful moment for any learner, and for my students — many of whom are English Language Learners — it provides a meaningful way to express understanding that goes beyond words.\r\nWhat has been most exciting to watch is how students have taken initiative beyond the basic project requirements. Rather than simply following a template, several students dove into Tinkercad and began designing their own completely original keychain creations from scratch. One student in particular stands out — a young man who had been largely disengaged in class before we began this unit. Once he started working in Tinkercad, something clicked. He put in extra effort every single day and produced some of the most unique and thoughtful designs in the entire class. Seeing his confidence grow alongside his skills has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my teaching year.\r\nYour donation is doing more than funding a printer — it is giving students a new way to see themselves as creators, problem-solvers, and innovators. Thank you for believing in their potential and for making this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1745883443987,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-ideas-to-life-3d-printing-for/9209728/","projectTitle":"Bringing Ideas to Life: 3D Printing for Future Innovators!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Davis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2252985_orig.jpg?crop=386,386,x211,y33&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1715267728930","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/angela-davis"},{"teacherId":505312,"projectId":9692987,"letterContent":"As someone who loves a good book, you know that reading is a superpower. In the 6th grade, that superpower evolves. This is the year students stop simply following a plot and start questioning the world around them. Thanks to your generosity, our classroom library finally matches the growing maturity and curiosity of these young thinkers.\r\n\r\nIf you stepped into our room, you wouldn't see a quiet, static environment. You would see a \"community of readers\":\r\n\r\nIn addition, we have a sign-up sheet on the wall for our most popular new titles. Seeing a student eagerly waiting for a peer to finish a book is a teacher's greatest joy.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving my students the tools to grow. You haven't just provided books; you've provided the mirrors they need to see themselves and the windows they need to see the world.","fullyFundedDate":1764694459797,"projectUrl":"project/captivating-books-for-middle-school/9692987/","projectTitle":"Captivating Books for Middle School","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp505312_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1519779055416","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/505312"},{"teacherId":505312,"projectId":9693223,"letterContent":"Thank you. Gracias. Your generosity has brought a vibrant new collection of Spanish-language books into our classroom, and the impact has been immediate.\r\n\r\nIn a dual-language environment, these texts are more than just stories; they are essential tools for building biliteracy. Because of your support, our students are now mastering cross-linguistic transfer—learning how to bridge the gap between English and Spanish by identifying cognates and strengthening their academic vocabulary in both languages simultaneously.\r\n\r\nIf you visited our room today, you'd see our heritage speakers beaming with pride as they see their native language treated with academic dignity, and our newcomers using these books as a lifeline to keep their critical thinking sharp while they acquire English.\r\n\r\nThank you for recognizing that being bilingual is a superpower and for investing in our students' futures.","fullyFundedDate":1765982968681,"projectUrl":"project/middle-school-books-part-2-spanish-versi/9693223/","projectTitle":"Middle School Books Part 2-Spanish Version","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp505312_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1519779055416","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/505312"},{"teacherId":59256,"projectId":9978970,"letterContent":"The addition of the rug to our classroom made a dramatic difference. The students were so excited when it arrived. When it was brought up to the room, all rolled up, the students' interest was immediate. They wanted to open and unroll it so they could sit on it right then.\r\n\r\nThe rug has become a focal point of the room. The students love to choose it as a place to sit for independent work or when they are reading. It has also given us a place to gather for lessons that allows students to focus without the distraction of all of the things in their desk, which helps them stay engaged in the learning. They also just need somewhere to sit besides their chair sometimes. \r\n\r\nAgain, thank you so much for your generosity. You truly have helped make a positive impact in my class for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1768232516144,"projectUrl":"project/a-place-for-learning/9978970/","projectTitle":"A Place for Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hodges","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp59256_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1448421982837","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/59256"},{"teacherId":86384,"projectId":9816445,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping our school library acquire such beautifully illustrated award winners. I have spent hours reading and studying these books while preparing our 2026 Caldecott unit. This year, our unit becomes sustainable for future school years. Each of these titles was categorized into an art or literary theme- color, shape, line, art style, perspective, and adds to/tells the story. Each grade level will study selected books according to the theme, allowing this unit to build as students progress through their school careers.\r\n\r\nAs new titles are published and awarded the Caldecott Medal, I can add to the unit, ensuring that students are studying classic books as well as reading new and diverse titles. The change in the diversity of Caldecott winners, even over the last 10 years, is astounding. It's an important and necessary win in children's literature. Thank you for helping to effect that change in our exposure to good books, and allowing us to continue diversifying our library collection.","fullyFundedDate":1760705522017,"projectUrl":"project/caldecott-books-building-a-beautiful-l/9816445/","projectTitle":"Caldecott Books: Building a Beautiful Library Collection","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Davidson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp86384_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683494091702","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-suedavidson"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5663","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":922,"numTeachers":52,"percentFrplEligible":87,"percentAsian":5,"percentBlack":3,"percentWhite":8,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":81,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":1,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"17.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":70.1,"schoolId":5663,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Hibbard Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Hibbard Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/hibbard-elementary-school/5663"}