{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Hope Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":26.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8163111,"projectId":9745727,"letterContent":"I love how curious and hands-on my K–6 students are when learning about the world around them, and these gardening resources have allowed that curiosity to truly grow. Students are using the new seeds, planting plugs, and plant food to start seedlings in our classroom hydroponics and garden spaces. When the materials arrived, students were immediately excited—many asked what we were planting next and shared stories about gardens at home. Seeing the supplies made the project feel real and meaningful, and students took instant ownership of their plants.\r\nBecause of our donors' support, students are now able to observe plant life cycles firsthand rather than just reading about them. The next steps include extending our growing projects by comparing plant growth, tracking changes over time, and connecting our observations to lessons on ecosystems, needs of living things, and environmental responsibility. Students will continue caring for their plants, recording data, and reflecting on how their actions impact growth. These experiences help bridge science concepts with real-life responsibility and teamwork.\r\nThis project has strengthened students' patience, problem-solving, and collaboration skills while deepening their understanding of science. Gardening has given students the chance to nurture living things and see the results of consistent care. A simple seed has become a powerful learning tool, sparking questions, conversations, and pride in their work. Thanks to your generosity, students are developing a deeper connection to science—and to the world around them.","fullyFundedDate":1758653015858,"projectUrl":"project/more-seeds/9745727/","projectTitle":"More Seeds","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wright","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8163111_orig.png?crop=352,352,x0,y26&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720974521969","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8163111"},{"teacherId":8163111,"projectId":9550859,"letterContent":"We are already using the KEVA Blocks as part of our daily STEM rotations and problem-solving challenges. One standout moment was during an engineering lesson where students were tasked with building the tallest free-standing tower using only the blocks and teamwork. As soon as the KEVA Blocks were introduced, students' eyes lit up—many immediately dropped to the floor, began sorting pieces, and excitedly sharing ideas. There was instant collaboration, trial and error, and meaningful discussion as students tested designs, adjusted strategies, and celebrated small successes. Thanks to our donors, the next steps for students include more structured engineering challenges tied to science standards, as well as open-ended design time during indoor recess and team-building activities where creativity and perseverance take center stage.","fullyFundedDate":1757527765221,"projectUrl":"project/keva-blocks/9550859/","projectTitle":"Keva Blocks","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wright","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8163111_orig.png?crop=352,352,x0,y26&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720974521969","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8163111"},{"teacherId":8163111,"projectId":9746425,"letterContent":"We are already using the new Stars Over Hope materials to build excitement and background knowledge for our upcoming stargazing event. In class, students explored constellations using star charts and then created their own constellation art with glow-in-the-dark materials and star-themed craft supplies. When the materials were first introduced, the room buzzed with excitement—students immediately began making connections between the stars they recognized and the ones they were eager to find in the night sky. Many shared stories of looking up at the stars with their families, while others expressed that this would be their very first stargazing experience. Thanks to our donors, students now feel prepared and confident as we move into the next phase of the project: applying what they've learned during the Stars Over Hope community night and continuing to observe, identify, and reflect on the night sky both in and out of the classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1758653566687,"projectUrl":"project/more-for-stars-over-hope/9746425/","projectTitle":"More for Stars Over Hope","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wright","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8163111_orig.png?crop=352,352,x0,y26&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720974521969","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8163111"},{"teacherId":8163111,"projectId":9660865,"letterContent":"When our telescopes arrived, the excitement in the room was immediate. Students gathered around, asking questions, and taking turns looking through them for the very first time. For many of my students, this was their first hands-on experience with a real scientific tool—not a picture in a book or a video on a screen. During our STEM night, students used the telescopes to observe the Moon's craters, track the movement of stars, and connect what we've learned about space to something they could actually see. The moment a student gasped and said, \"I can really see it!\" was a powerful reminder of how transformative authentic learning experiences can be.\r\nThese telescopes have already become more than equipment. Many of my students come from underprivileged backgrounds and do not have access to telescopes or enrichment experiences like this outside of school. Now, astronomy is no longer out of reach. Our next steps include using the telescopes during more space science lessons, hosting additional family STEM and stargazing events, and encouraging students to ask questions, collect observations, and think like scientists. Thanks to our donors, students who may never have had this opportunity now see themselves as explorers of the universe—and that sense of curiosity and confidence will extend far beyond our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1757527564414,"projectUrl":"project/stars-over-hope/9660865/","projectTitle":"Stars Over Hope","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wright","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8163111_orig.png?crop=352,352,x0,y26&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720974521969","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8163111"},{"teacherId":8163111,"projectId":9555349,"letterContent":"When our telescopes arrived, the excitement in the room was immediate. Students gathered around, asking questions, and taking turns looking through them for the very first time. For many of my students, this was their first hands-on experience with a real scientific tool—not a picture in a book or a video on a screen. During our STEM night, students used the telescopes to observe the Moon's craters, track the movement of stars, and connect what we've learned about space to something they could actually see. The moment a student gasped and said, \"I can really see it!\" was a powerful reminder of how transformative authentic learning experiences can be.\r\nThese telescopes have already become more than equipment. Many of my students come from underprivileged backgrounds and do not have access to telescopes or enrichment experiences like this outside of school. Now, astronomy is no longer out of reach. Our next steps include using the telescopes during more space science lessons, hosting additional family STEM and stargazing events, and encouraging students to ask questions, collect observations, and think like scientists. Thanks to our donors, students who may never have had this opportunity now see themselves as explorers of the universe—and that sense of curiosity and confidence will extend far beyond our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1755707775430,"projectUrl":"project/more-hands-on-than-ever/9555349/","projectTitle":"More Hands on Than Ever","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wright","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8163111_orig.png?crop=352,352,x0,y26&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720974521969","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8163111"},{"teacherId":8163111,"projectId":9216418,"letterContent":"When our telescopes arrived, the excitement in the room was immediate. Students gathered around, asking questions, and taking turns looking through them for the very first time. For many of my students, this was their first hands-on experience with a real scientific tool—not a picture in a book or a video on a screen. During our STEM night, students used the telescopes to observe the Moon's craters, track the movement of stars, and connect what we've learned about space to something they could actually see. The moment a student gasped and said, \"I can really see it!\" was a powerful reminder of how transformative authentic learning experiences can be.\r\nThese telescopes have already become more than equipment. Many of my students come from underprivileged backgrounds and do not have access to telescopes or enrichment experiences like this outside of school. Now, astronomy is no longer out of reach. Our next steps include using the telescopes during more space science lessons, hosting additional family STEM and stargazing events, and encouraging students to ask questions, collect observations, and think like scientists. Thanks to our donors, students who may never have had this opportunity now see themselves as explorers of the universe—and that sense of curiosity and confidence will extend far beyond our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1746817562329,"projectUrl":"project/exploring-the-night-sky/9216418/","projectTitle":"Exploring the Night Sky","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wright","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8163111_orig.png?crop=352,352,x0,y26&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720974521969","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8163111"},{"teacherId":1240285,"projectId":9700367,"letterContent":"These t-shirts will make an everlasting impact on our students. We use VEX IQ kits to build robots. VEX IQ kits have introduced students to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math in a hands-on and engaging manner. You have provided opportunities for students to develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking abilities, and creativity while working on real world challenges. Not only that, but these students are working in teams to design, build, and program robots. This allows for communication, collaboration, and cooperation which are valuable skills for future endeavors. Students are being equipped with practical knowledge of robotics and engineering concepts.\r\n\r\nOur students will now look professional with their team shirts at the competitions. If it wasn't for you, this would not be possible. Thank you so much for investing in today's youth!","fullyFundedDate":1758927158292,"projectUrl":"project/innovation-in-action-robtics-team-t-sh/9700367/","projectTitle":"Innovation in Action: Robtics Team T-Shirts! Let's Gear Up!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wamsley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1240285_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1644281023011","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-wamsley"},{"teacherId":6683908,"projectId":9662017,"letterContent":"Our class is incredibly thankful for the generous donations that allowed us to purchase copies of 'Fever 1793'. Because of your kindness, every student has their own book to read and explore, which has made such a difference in our classroom. Having a shared text has brought our discussions to life and helped students connect with the story and its historical setting in meaningful ways. It's been inspiring to see how engaged they've become with the characters and the events of the yellow fever epidemic.\r\n\r\nThis novel has also had a big impact on our learning goals. Students have been able to dive deeper into analyzing the author's craft, identifying themes, and exploring how historical fiction helps us understand real-world events. Working with a common text has strengthened their ability to cite evidence, discuss interpretations, and think critically about what they read. Your support has not only provided books, it has provided opportunities for growth, curiosity, and a love of reading that we will carry with us beyond this unit.","fullyFundedDate":1756618084330,"projectUrl":"project/the-cure-is-reading-class-set-of-fever/9662017/","projectTitle":"The Cure is Reading: Class Set of Fever 1793","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Moody","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6683908_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y88&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752423384628","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6683908"},{"teacherId":8163111,"projectId":9325911,"letterContent":"When the Lights, Shadows, and Actions! resources arrived, my students could hardly wait to dive in. The wind tunnel immediately captured their attention as they experimented with how different shapes and sizes of objects moved through the air. They quickly realized that design makes a difference—some objects flew straight, others spun wildly, and some barely lifted off the base at all. Watching them test, redesign, and try again was an incredible moment of problem-solving in action. Younger students were equally excited with the light and shadow tools, holding objects in front of the beams to see how their size and distance changed the shadows. Their laughter and curiosity filled the room as they discovered how reflections bounced off mirrors and how certain materials let some light through while blocking others.\r\nThe excitement of that first day has only grown as students continue to use these materials in our lessons. Currently, we are beginning a unit on forces and motion, and the wind tunnel has become a central part of our investigations. Students are preparing to design small prototypes of parachutes and gliders to better understand how air resistance and lift work in the real world. The light and shadow kits will soon be used by our youngest learners to model how the sun's position in the sky changes the length of shadows throughout the day. These tools have turned abstract concepts into engaging, hands-on lessons that every student can access, and I am so thankful to DonorsChoose donors for making this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1746818127321,"projectUrl":"project/lights-shadows-and-actions/9325911/","projectTitle":"Lights, Shadows, and Actions!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wright","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8163111_orig.png?crop=352,352,x0,y26&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720974521969","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8163111"},{"teacherId":8163111,"projectId":9136398,"letterContent":"When the new Lab Extras materials arrived in our classroom, the excitement was immediate and contagious. My students were drawn first to the play sand, which quickly became more than just a sensory material—it became a tool for calming and focusing their minds before diving into more challenging science tasks. Students who often struggle with self-regulation found that working with the sand gave them a chance to reset, while others used it as a creative medium for modeling scientific concepts like erosion or topography. The brain flakes were another instant favorite, sparking engineering challenges during free exploration and structured STEM lessons alike. Students collaborated to build bridges, towers, and even complex gear-like systems, showing creativity and perseverance in solving design problems. Perhaps most impactful of all were the Steve Spangler kits, which provided engaging, hands-on experiments that deepened students' understanding of concepts like chemical reactions, forces, and energy transfer. These kits made abstract ideas concrete, allowing students to truly see science in action while reinforcing lessons we had already covered. One memorable classroom moment came when a small group used the materials to test their own hypothesis about how different structures withstand force; their enthusiasm and determination showed just how powerful hands-on learning can be.\r\nThe initial reaction of my students when they first saw the materials was priceless—wide eyes, excited whispers, and an instant eagerness to dive in. They didn't just see \"supplies,\" they saw new opportunities to explore, create, and learn. Many students expressed gratitude unprompted, commenting that it felt like \"Christmas\" in the science lab. This sense of excitement translated directly into deeper engagement with our lessons. Currently, we are working through a unit on engineering and problem-solving, and the new resources allow us to extend these lessons into authentic, student-driven projects. For example, students are planning to design structures that can withstand a simulated earthquake using both the brain flakes and Spangler materials. The play sand will also be used as part of a geology investigation to model landforms and erosion in real time. Looking forward, these materials will continue to play a central role in keeping our lab vibrant, student-centered, and inquiry-driven. My students are more confident, more collaborative, and more curious because of the opportunities made possible through your generosity, and I cannot thank you enough for believing in them.","fullyFundedDate":1743181498533,"projectUrl":"project/science-lab-extras/9136398/","projectTitle":"Science Lab Extras","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wright","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8163111_orig.png?crop=352,352,x0,y26&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720974521969","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8163111"},{"teacherId":8163111,"projectId":9174791,"letterContent":"When the Garden of Hope project came to life, the new resources immediately transformed our classroom into a space filled with curiosity, responsibility, and shared purpose. From the moment my students saw the trays of starter plugs, seed packets, and fresh soil, their faces lit up with excitement, sparking conversations about what would grow first and who might taste it. Students eagerly volunteered to plant, water, and track the growth of each vegetable, and even those who were hesitant at the beginning soon found joy in nurturing something living. The garden quickly became more than just a project—it became a hub of learning where science, math, and literacy intersected. For example, in our science lessons, students analyzed the life cycle of plants, connected growth patterns to environmental conditions, and learned the importance of biodiversity. In math, they measured plant height and calculated the spacing of rows, while in writing, they created reflective journal entries and persuasive letters advocating for healthy eating. These activities highlighted my ability to communicate content clearly and in multiple modalities, ensuring that students could engage meaningfully regardless of their learning style. By intentionally designing lessons that integrated reading, writing, speaking, and visual representations, I fostered effective communication while teaching content knowledge.\r\nThe impact of the garden extended well beyond classroom walls, demonstrating how effective communication and diverse instructional strategies create authentic learning opportunities. As vegetables ripened, students proudly harvested tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers, and then helped share them with teachers and school families. This act of giving cultivated a sense of pride and responsibility, reinforcing the idea that their hard work could positively influence the community. Students eagerly explained the growing process to staff members, using academic vocabulary they had practiced in class, which showcased their ability to apply communication skills in real-world contexts. For learners who needed additional support, I adapted instruction by providing graphic organizers, visual growth charts, and peer mentoring to ensure every student could participate fully. Assessment was ongoing—students completed observation logs, participated in peer discussions, and presented their garden findings during a culminating showcase event. These assessments not only measured academic growth but also captured the deeper outcomes of responsibility, teamwork, and problem-solving. The next steps for my students include planning a fall planting cycle and expanding the garden to include pollinator-friendly plants.","fullyFundedDate":1742404858809,"projectUrl":"project/garden-of-hope-elementary-garden-projec/9174791/","projectTitle":"Garden of Hope: Elementary Garden Project","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wright","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8163111_orig.png?crop=352,352,x0,y26&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720974521969","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8163111"},{"teacherId":1240285,"projectId":9553125,"letterContent":"This project is enhancing early engineering and design thinking in K–6 students. These STEM bins have been filled with engaging, hands-on building materials and the kids are ABSOLUTELY enjoying them. These open-ended materials foster creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving by encouraging students to imagine, design, build, test, and revise their structures. It's amazing to see the skills they are learning and the fun they are having. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart! I wish you could see it live in person!","fullyFundedDate":1757530307416,"projectUrl":"project/stem-bins-for-hands-on-creativity-and-cr/9553125/","projectTitle":"STEM Bins for Hands-On Creativity and Critical Thinking","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wamsley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1240285_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1644281023011","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-wamsley"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_19274","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":547,"numTeachers":25,"percentFrplEligible":54,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":89,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":3,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"21.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_DISTANT"},"inStateSupporters":74.0,"schoolId":19274,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Hope Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Hope Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/indiana/flat-rock-hawcreek-sch-dist/cross-cliff-primary-school/19274"}