{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Irene Hernandez Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":42.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10276470,"projectId":9773377,"letterContent":"We are incredibly grateful for your generous contributions to our classroom project! When the boxes arrived filled with flexible seating, lava lamps, and mindfulness journals, the students were excited as they unboxed the new gear, adding to the space they helped create; We recently integrated the breathing exercise cards and teen coloring books into some weekly groups. \r\nMoving forward, these resources are becoming a permanent fixture for many of our students. Our next big step is a personal reflection project where students will use their new journals to track how different sensory tools—like the rhythmic glow of the lava lamps or the structured patterns in their coloring books—affect their mood and academic productivity. Thank you for helping us build a supportive, calming environment where my students can truly thrive, both academically and emotionally.","fullyFundedDate":1761156550332,"projectUrl":"project/building-calm-part-2/9773377/","projectTitle":"Building Calm- Part 2!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Collins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10276470_orig.jpg?crop=977,977,x0,y52&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758649796995","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10276470"},{"teacherId":18204,"projectId":9481463,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your kind contribution to \"Piece by Piece: Mosaics for Middle School Students!.\" Your thoughtful donation has obtained supplies for a mosaic club during the school day to be used by students. Materials include glass tiles, mosaic backing, glue, and tools. \r\n\r\nStudents meet 2 times a week to create the mosaics. During the meetings, students learned to design mosaics, cut and glue glass, apply grout, and remove grout. This resulted in beautiful, colorful student designed and created artwork. \r\n\r\nThe remains enough art supplies for several more rotations of the mosaic club so students can continue to learn about the beautiful art of mosaic creation. Thank you again for your thoughtful donation!","fullyFundedDate":1758824672403,"projectUrl":"project/piece-by-piece-mosaics-for-middle-schoo/9481463/","projectTitle":"Piece by Piece: Mosaics for Middle School Students!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Farrand","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp18204_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1484489047043","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/hfarrand"},{"teacherId":18204,"projectId":9783354,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donation to \"Tables to Help Middle School Music Students Learn Part 1\"! Your donation has purchase a table which has been added to the collection of tables in the music room, as we transition from having students sit in traditional student desks to sitting at a large table where they can work in collaborative groups.\r\nStudents are very excited about the move to collaborative seating as this makes it easier to work in collaborative musical games and musical composition projects. Students can more easily work with peers and have conversations about music so the donation is greatly appreciated as this makes learning easier and more fun.\r\nThe next step of this project is students will work on collaborative STEM projects and they will create instruments out of classroom instruments using a STEM tool called a Makey Makey and cardboard. Thank you for your donation!","fullyFundedDate":1760693549737,"projectUrl":"project/tables-to-help-middle-school-music-stude/9783354/","projectTitle":"Tables to Help Middle School Music Students Learn Part 1","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Farrand","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp18204_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1484489047043","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/hfarrand"},{"teacherId":18204,"projectId":9784130,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donation to \"Tables to Help Middle School Music Students Learn Part 2\"! Your donation has purchase a table which has been added to the collection of tables in the music room, as we transition from having students sit in traditional student desks to sitting at a large table where they can work in collaborative groups.\r\nStudents are very excited about the move to collaborative seating as this makes it easier to work in collaborative musical games and musical composition projects. Students can more easily work with peers and have conversations about music so the donation is greatly appreciated as this makes learning easier and more fun.\r\nThe next step of this project is students will work on collaborative STEM projects and they will create instruments out of classroom instruments using a STEM tool called a Makey Makey and cardboard. Thank you for your donation!","fullyFundedDate":1760693530079,"projectUrl":"project/tables-to-help-middle-school-music-stude/9784130/","projectTitle":"Tables to Help Middle School Music Students Learn Part 2","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Farrand","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp18204_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1484489047043","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/hfarrand"},{"teacherId":8019426,"projectId":9820288,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your amazing donations of the these Native American Heritage Month books for the month of November. My students were enjoying reading these books, which I was able to introduce before a surprising development during early November. \r\n\r\nSadly, after thirteen amazing years, I have decided to leave teaching at this point in time. The job has gotten too difficult, and it's time to figure out some other things in my life. Rest assured that the books were left in my classroom for the students to continue reading. \r\n\r\nThank you for your time, understanding, and commitment to public education. Working with Donors Choose the past five years has been a guiding light as a teacher. Sadly, that light has been extinguished at the moment. \r\n\r\nHappy New Year!","fullyFundedDate":1760703608175,"projectUrl":"project/native-american-heritage-month-november/9820288/","projectTitle":"Native American Heritage Month: November Independent Reads for Sixth Graders","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Maynard","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8019426"},{"teacherId":8019426,"projectId":9777432,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of the 6th grade Battle of the Books selections. I was able to introduce them to my students before making a major decision in my life. \r\n\r\nSadly, I have decided to leave teaching at this point in time. The job has gotten too difficult, and it's time to figure out some other things in my life. Rest assured that the books were left in my classroom for the students to continue reading. \r\n\r\nThank you for your time, understanding, and commitment to public education. Working with Donors Choose the past five years has been a guiding light as a teacher. Sadly, that light has been extinguished at the moment. \r\n\r\nHappy New Year!","fullyFundedDate":1760703607730,"projectUrl":"project/battling-budget-cuts-6th-grade-battle/9777432/","projectTitle":"Battling Budget Cuts - 6th Grade Battle of Books Selections","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Maynard","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8019426"},{"teacherId":3620070,"projectId":9609196,"letterContent":"I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation of snacks for my students. Your kindness has made a genuine difference in our classroom. Many of my students come to school without having eaten breakfast or lunch, and your contribution has helped ensure they can focus, participate, and feel cared for throughout the day.\r\n\r\nHaving snacks available has reduced stress and increased engagement. Students are more alert during lessons, more motivated to complete assignments, and more willing to collaborate with their peers. It's incredible to see how something as simple as a healthy snack can lift their mood and build a stronger sense of community in our classroom.\r\n\r\nYour support reminds my students that people believe in them and want to see them succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1758222146552,"projectUrl":"project/fuel-for-focus-healthy-snacks-for-my-st/9609196/","projectTitle":"Fuel for Focus: Healthy Snacks for My Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Parodi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3620070_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1503972582073","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3620070"},{"teacherId":5823731,"projectId":9579357,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our classroom. The highly engaging books you provided — Dog Man, Goosebumps, Naruto, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid — have made an incredible impact on my special education students.\r\n\r\nThese books have quickly become the heart of our reading time. My students read them twice a week, and the excitement they bring is amazing to see. In fact, the Dog Man books are so loved that students often (playfully!) argue over who gets to read them first. Your donation has turned reading into something they look forward to and feel excited about, and that is a gift that will stay with them.\r\n\r\nThank you for supporting our learners and helping create a joyful reading environment in our classroom. Your kindness truly makes a difference","fullyFundedDate":1755694835978,"projectUrl":"project/turning-pages-sparking-smiles-high-int/9579357/","projectTitle":"Turning Pages, Sparking Smiles: High-Interest Books for Special Education","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lithgow","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5823731"},{"teacherId":3491033,"projectId":9447186,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to my DonorsChoose project \"Equipping Our Classroom for Success\". Because of supporters like you, our classroom at Hernandez Middle School in Chicago is now fully equipped with the learning materials and games we requested — including dry-erase boards and markers, cooperative games like Uno and Tapple, and tools to support both academic and social-emotional growth. \r\nDonorsChoose\r\n\r\nYour gift is already making a difference. These resources will allow my students to engage in collaborative, hands-on learning, promote empathy, curiosity, and resilience, and make our classroom a more vibrant, inclusive, and supportive environment. I appreciate your belief in our students and our mission.\r\n\r\nThank you again for investing in our classroom and in the success of these young learners. We are truly grateful for your partnership.","fullyFundedDate":1758824673525,"projectUrl":"project/equipping-our-classroom-for-success/9447186/","projectTitle":"Equipping our Classroom for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Calkins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3491033_orig.jpg?crop=419,419,x0,y1&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1697385669712","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrscalkinsstem"},{"teacherId":8019426,"projectId":9777487,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your amazing donations of the 7th and 8th grade Battle of the Books selections. My students have enjoyed reading these books, which I was able to introduce before a surprising development during early November. \r\n\r\nSadly, after thirteen amazing years, I have decided to leave teaching at this point in time. The job has gotten too difficult, and it's time to figure out some other things in my life. Rest assured that the books were left in my classroom for the students to continue reading. \r\n\r\nThank you for your time, understanding, and commitment to public education. Working with Donors Choose the past five years has been a guiding light as a teacher. Sadly, that light has been extinguished at the moment. \r\n\r\nHappy New Year!","fullyFundedDate":1760703608038,"projectUrl":"project/battling-budget-cuts-25-26-7th8th-grad/9777487/","projectTitle":"Battling Budget Cuts: 25-26 7th/8th Grade Battle of Books Selections","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Maynard","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8019426"},{"teacherId":10276470,"projectId":9753095,"letterContent":"The students at Hernandez Middle School have been able to use our new sensory/calming space in a variety of ways. Some students use it when they need a chance to calm down. Some use it as a quiet place to sit and read, and some use it to have a little fun during recess time on these cold, winter days!\r\nOur social worker has been able to hold small groups, using many of the tools that were provided. There are games, cards, and coloring activities that have helped get students to open up and talk more about how they are feeling! \r\nIn addition to being able to use the space, some of the students helped set up and organize the items, so they feel a sense of ownership and are proud of the end result.","fullyFundedDate":1758847267149,"projectUrl":"project/building-calm-a-sensory-space-for-our-s/9753095/","projectTitle":"Building Calm: A Sensory Space for Our Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Collins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10276470_orig.jpg?crop=977,977,x0,y52&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758649796995","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10276470"},{"teacherId":6272074,"projectId":9069304,"letterContent":"As a middle school teacher, I've learned it's the little things that make a big difference. Hand sanitizer keeps us healthy, tissues keep kids comfortable, and wipes help us keep our classroom clean and cared for. The mints boost focus and calm nerves during tests. These supplies help create a space where students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn each day. I'm sincerely grateful for your kindness and support—it truly helps my students feel valued, confident, and cared for each day. Your generosity means more than you know.","fullyFundedDate":1744032840126,"projectUrl":"project/clean-hands-bright-minds-keep-our-clas/9069304/","projectTitle":"Clean Hands, Bright Minds: Keep Our Classroom Healthy!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Duffin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6272074_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1657649842413","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-duffin"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_97534","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":753,"numTeachers":50,"percentFrplEligible":94,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":97,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"15.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":57.4,"schoolId":97534,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Irene Hernandez Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Irene Hernandez Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/irene-hernandez-middle-school/97534"}