{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Hitch Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":25.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10095668,"projectId":9504025,"letterContent":"This has been my first year as the art teacher in a new school and new classroom space, where I was faced with the challenge of a limited paper supply. With over 500 students creating in the art room, this was a significant concern. Paper is essential to every lesson. It is the starting point for drawing, painting, collage, and design.\r\n\r\nThis critical need inspired my Donors-Choose project, \"Paper is Power: Inspiring 500 Young Artists to Create\". I knew that without support, I would have to make difficult decisions about how to stretch a very limited budget as an art teacher in Chicago Public Schools. Even half of the amount funded through this project would have used my entire yearly art budget. That would have meant giving up other essential materials such as paint, brushes, markers, clay, rulers, and pencils. Your generosity removed that burden.\r\n\r\nWhen the project was funded and the paper arrived, I was filled with joy, excitement, relief, and gratitude. I shared that experience with some of my middle school students, who helped organize and stock our open shelves. Watching them fill up was meaningful for all of us. It was beautiful to look at and gave a sense of possibility to the art classroom.\r\n\r\nTogether, your contribution along with all the other donors provided over $734 of paper for our classroom. This has been the most valued supply in our classroom. I was able to let go of the anxiety about conserving every sheet or limiting student access. Instead, I could focus on creating meaningful art learning experiences without restriction and introduce students to a wide range of art lessons. \r\n\r\nStudents across all grade levels, PreK-8th grade, benefited from your support. Our 6th graders created impressionist landscape paintings on watercolor paper. They explored color and brushwork. Our 8th graders used the same paper to develop abstract expressive watercolor compositions.\r\n\r\nConstruction paper also played an important role. Our 2nd graders created Matisse inspired collages learning about organic and geometric shapes. They practiced balance and composition. Our 7th graders created three dimensional abstract collages. They explored color, pattern, and structure while building their ideas. Finally, the preschoolers have been producing everything from paper rocket-ship sculptures to self portraits. \r\n\r\nToday, our paper shelf is open and organized. It brings a sense of fullness to the art room and is something I appreciate every day. Every student has what they need to create, invent, build, and express themselves. Because of our paper supply, it has been a truly creative and productive year!\r\n\r\nThank you for making this possible and for supporting my project.","fullyFundedDate":1763494355972,"projectUrl":"project/paper-is-power-inspiring-500-young-arti/9504025/","projectTitle":"Paper is Power: Inspiring 500 Young Artists to Create","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Monica Larson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10095668_orig.jpg?crop=998,998,x441,y129&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753621144829","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10095668"},{"teacherId":190388,"projectId":9496784,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for purchasing a new rug, new lounge chairs, new floor pillows, a side table, and durable baskets for the library area of our classroom. \r\nMy eighth graders were thrilled to open the boxes and put together our new furniture. They were especially excited that the lounge chairs are so soft and specifically made for bigger kids. \r\nMy eighth graders use the furniture when they come to the resource room for testing, small group work, and as a quiet space to work. The other teachers and students who utilize our classroom for learning have also used the furniture and baskets for their day-to-day needs as well. The younger students love to sit in this cozy area for independent and partner reading, read alouds, and during breaks. The rug is very soft. The floor pillows are big enough for all aged students to sit on. The baskets are easy for little hands to carry around the room. The side table offers storage for our wiggle seats and chair bands underneath. The lounge chairs will be a breeze to fold up and store over the summer. \r\nMy students love having access to new high-quality supplies, such as these pieces of furniture. They are the perfect way to take some of the pressure off of students who feel nervous about their ability to tackle complex academic situations and to help them feel comfortable in the resource room. \r\nAgain, thank you for your continued support of my students. Your generosity inspires me to push myself as an educator and seek out the best resources for my special education students.","fullyFundedDate":1758203027671,"projectUrl":"project/help-build-a-cozy-area-to-read-learn-/9496784/","projectTitle":"Help Build a Cozy Area to Read, Learn, & Work","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Blundy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp190388_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724809728702","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/rachelgalan"},{"teacherId":190388,"projectId":9099803,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for purchasing new sets of calculators for our classroom. \r\nThe students were thrilled to get their hands on these brand new calculators. They were especially excited that the scientific calculators have a translucent case and easy to navigate features. \r\nMy seventh graders used these calculators at the end of last school year for solving complex multi-operational equations. This year, my eighth graders have used the calculators for classwork, tests, quizzes, and as a part of their standardized testing accommodations. Both sets of calculators came in a handled box for quick transport from eighth grade Math to Algebra. The other teachers and students who utilize our classroom for learning have also used the basic and scientific calculators for their day-to-day needs as well.\r\nMy students love having access to new high-quality supplies, such as these calculator sets. They are the perfect way to take some of the pressure off of students who feel nervous about their ability to tackle complex mathematical situations. \r\nAgain, thank you for your continued support of my students and their mathematical lives. Your generosity inspires me to push myself as an educator and seek out the best resources for my special education students.","fullyFundedDate":1744032953328,"projectUrl":"project/you-can-count-on-me-calculators-needed/9099803/","projectTitle":"You Can Count on Me: Calculators Needed for Advanced Calculations","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Blundy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp190388_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724809728702","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/rachelgalan"},{"teacherId":9637793,"projectId":9018713,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contributions to my Ready, Sit, Learn project! The rug is not only adorable, it also has created a larger space for my students to sit and collaborate. The first day I brought it in, the students were so excited! They loved it so much they were worried to step on it and get it dirty at aWith our previous rug, students felt squished and didn't want to sit on it because it so worn and dirty. Now that we have the new rug, my students are constantly asking to sit on it during lessons, for partner work, or just to lay down and read. The clear sit spots have meant no arguments about if a student is in their correct seat and has allowed us to focus on learning. I have had numerous other teachers and past students walk past and compliment the new addition. This would not have been possible without you, so thank you again for the support.","fullyFundedDate":1742922943023,"projectUrl":"project/ready-sit-learn/9018713/","projectTitle":"Ready, Sit, Learn!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Geist","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9637793_orig.jpg?crop=739,739,x403,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1735149718321","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9637793"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5340","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":504,"numTeachers":28,"percentFrplEligible":48,"percentAsian":8,"percentBlack":3,"percentWhite":33,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":50,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"18.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":74.4,"schoolId":5340,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Hitch Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Hitch Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/hitch-elementary-school/5340"}
Join the 453 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Hitch Elementary School is
an urban public school
in Chicago, Illinois that is part of Chicago Public School District 299.
It serves 504 students
in grades Pre-K - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 18.0:1.
Its teachers have had 148 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Boost support for this school! Share this page with friends, family, alumni, and fellow supporters. Every connection helps teachers get the supplies they need and shows how much your community cares about its students.
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Every donation funds real needs — pencils, books, lab equipment, art supplies, and more — helping students learn and thrive. We ship supplies directly to the school, and you'll see exactly where each dollar goes.
of students receive free or reduced price lunch
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Source: the National Center for Education Statistics
61%
of students are Black, Latino, Native
American, or Asian
Data about school demographics comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. The numbers in this chart may not add up to 100% because of limitations in the available data.
Hitch Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated May 1, 2026
DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students
in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.
Hitch Elementary School
$60,410
raised using DonorsChoose
148
projects
funded
29
teachers
funded
453
donors
7
projects
for
basic supplies
6
projects for
technology
31
projects for
books
3
projects
for
art supplies
Hitch Elementary School has received support from
337 individuals from Illinois and
116 individuals out-of-state.
