{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Highlandtown Elementary Middle School 215","outOfStateSupporters":53.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9176970,"projectId":9827480,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, \"Seasons: Exploring Weather and Nature Through Play and Books,\" through DonorsChoose. Because of your generosity, my kindergarten students now have access to engaging \"I See\" books that bring the seasons and weather to life in meaningful and accessible ways.\r\n\r\nMost of my students are English Language Learners, and these books have quickly become an essential part of our daily routine. We use them during shared reading, small group instruction, and independent book browsing time. The simple, repetitive text patterns have helped my students build confidence in recognizing sight words and using seasonal vocabulary. One special moment that stood out was during a partner reading activity—students were pointing to the pictures and proudly reading phrases like \"I see snow\" and \"I see rain,\" helping each other with pronunciation and celebrating their success.\r\n\r\nWhen the books first arrived, the students were thrilled. They immediately began flipping through the pages, noticing familiar weather patterns and excitedly making connections to their own experiences—talking about rainy days, snow days, and playing in fallen leaves. Their enthusiasm sparked rich classroom conversations, giving them authentic opportunities to practice speaking in English.\r\n\r\nAs our next step, students are beginning a class weather journal. Each day, we observe the weather, draw a picture, and write a simple sentence using the language patterns they've learned from the books. We are also working toward creating our own \"I See\" class book for each season, allowing students to apply their vocabulary, sentence structure, and creativity. This project will help reinforce their reading skills while giving them ownership of their learning.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has strengthened literacy development, built language confidence, and made learning about seasons and weather both joyful and interactive. Thank you for investing in my students and helping us create a classroom filled with curiosity, conversation, and growth.","fullyFundedDate":1761934788094,"projectUrl":"project/seasons-exploring-weather-and-nature-th/9827480/","projectTitle":"Seasons: Exploring Weather and Nature Through Play and Books","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Doke-Davis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9176970"},{"teacherId":9176970,"projectId":9827107,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom project through DonorsChoose. Because of your generosity, our Farm Theme Box and Seasons Theme Box have brought hands-on, meaningful learning experiences to my kindergarten students, most of whom are English Language Learners.\r\n\r\nFrom the moment we opened the boxes, the excitement in the room was contagious. My students eagerly gathered on the carpet, wide-eyed and full of questions. They immediately began naming animals, touching the materials, and making connections to their own lives. For many of them, seeing and handling real-life representations of farm animals, crops, and seasonal items helped build vocabulary in a way that pictures alone never could.\r\n\r\nWe are using the farm materials during our literacy and language development centers. Students sort animals by type, match baby animals to their parents, and use the props to retell simple stories. One of my favorite moments was watching a small group of students use the farm figures to act out their own story. They practiced sentences like, \"The cow lives in the barn,\" and \"The farmer plants seeds,\" building both confidence and vocabulary as they spoke. The seasons box has helped us explore weather patterns and clothing choices, and students have been creating seasonal art while labeling their work with new English words.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, students gasped and clapped as I revealed each item. Several students immediately began sharing connections—talking about visiting a farm, helping grandparents in a garden, or noticing leaves changing colors. These authentic conversations are so valuable for language growth and community building in our classroom.\r\n\r\nOur next steps include using these materials for a cross-curricular project where students will create a simple \"Farm Through the Seasons\" class book. Each child will contribute a page, drawing and writing (with support) about what happens on a farm during a specific season. This project will allow them to apply their new vocabulary, practice sentence formation, and demonstrate their understanding of seasonal changes.\r\n\r\nYour support has made learning more interactive, engaging, and accessible for my students. You have helped create meaningful opportunities for language development, exploration, and joy in our classroom. We are so grateful for your generosity and belief in our students.","fullyFundedDate":1770392876835,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-learning-farm-seasons-explor/9827107/","projectTitle":"Hands-On Learning: Farm & Seasons Exploration Boxes for Multilingual Kindergarteners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Doke-Davis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9176970"},{"teacherId":10346120,"projectId":9884068,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding our DonorsChoose project and purchasing the practice book for my third grade students. Your generosity is making a real and immediate difference in our classroom.\r\n\r\nThis is my students' first year taking the MCAP, and having access to these practice materials will help them build confidence, strengthen their skills, and feel prepared for what to expect. Because of your support, they will have meaningful opportunities to practice, grow, and truly thrive.\r\n\r\nMore than anything, your kindness shows my students that people believe in them and care about their success. That encouragement is powerful, and it motivates them to work hard and do their best.\r\n\r\nOn behalf of my entire class, thank you for investing in our learning and helping set my students up for a strong and successful year.","fullyFundedDate":1769192009704,"projectUrl":"project/help-my-students-shine-on-the-mcap/9884068/","projectTitle":"Help My Students Shine on the MCAP!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lyne","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10346120"},{"teacherId":6315604,"projectId":9669754,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in providing our classroom with the Five Senses game, Mr. Potato Heads, sensory tiles, and our new learning center materials! These resources have truly transformed our kindergarten classroom at Highlandtown Elementary #215 into a space where curiosity, exploration, and hands-on learning come alive every day. My students love using these materials to discover how their senses help them understand the world around them — from feeling different textures on the sensory tiles to identifying sounds, smells, and tastes in our lessons.\r\n\r\nWhen these materials arrived, the excitement was contagious! The children were immediately drawn to the bright colors and interactive pieces, and it was so rewarding to see how naturally they engaged in learning through play. These tools have especially benefited my students with special needs, giving them meaningful ways to explore concepts at their own pace. The sensory materials help them calm, focus, and express themselves in ways that words alone sometimes can't. It has been incredible to watch them build confidence and actively participate alongside their peers.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has made our classroom more inclusive, joyful, and full of discovery. Thanks to you, every child — no matter their background or ability — has a chance to learn through movement, touch, and play. These experiences are helping my students grow not just academically, but socially and emotionally as well. I'm so grateful for your kindness and the lasting impact it will have on my students' love of learning.","fullyFundedDate":1758851763916,"projectUrl":"project/exploring-the-world-through-our-senses/9669754/","projectTitle":"Exploring the World Through Our Senses: Playful Learning for Kindergarteners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Davis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6315604_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727313017137","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6315604"},{"teacherId":6315604,"projectId":9304378,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in providing snacks for my kindergarten students at Highlandtown Elementary #215. In our classroom, where many of my students are from immigrant families, these snacks have made a world of difference. Having access to something healthy to eat during the day helps my students stay focused and ready to learn. For some of them, this is the only snack they receive all day, and it truly helps them feel cared for and valued.\r\n\r\nWhen the snack bins first arrived, my students' eyes lit up with excitement. They could hardly believe the snacks were for them! One student smiled and said, \"Now I can think better!\" It was such a joyful moment — and since then, snack time has become a cherished part of our daily routine. The children are more energetic during lessons, more engaged in group work, and able to concentrate for longer periods.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has done more than just fill little tummies; it has created a sense of comfort and community in our classroom. My students are learning that school is a place where they are supported and loved. As we move forward, we'll continue building healthy routines and focusing on learning with full hearts and full bellies. Thank you for investing in my students' well-being and helping them thrive every single day.\r\nWith heartfelt gratitude,","fullyFundedDate":1747322386731,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-for-all/9304378/","projectTitle":"Snacks for All!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Davis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6315604_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727313017137","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6315604"},{"teacherId":6315604,"projectId":9360150,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations that helped bring Play-Dough and sidewalk chalk to our kindergarten classroom at Highlandtown Elementary #215! These materials have brought so much joy, creativity, and hands-on learning to my students. Each day, the children use the Play-Dough to strengthen their fine motor skills by rolling, shaping, and forming letters and numbers. It has been amazing to see how this simple material encourages learning through play while helping students build the muscles they need for writing.\r\n\r\nThe sidewalk chalk has also been a huge hit! During outdoor learning time, my students love using the chalk to practice writing their names, drawing shapes, and illustrating stories from our lessons. For many of my students, who are English language learners, this type of creative expression helps them build confidence and connect words to visuals in meaningful ways. Their laughter and teamwork during these activities remind me how powerful hands-on learning can be.\r\n\r\nBecause of your kindness, my students now have more opportunities to learn through play and exploration — key parts of early childhood education. You've made our classroom a brighter, more joyful place where every child feels inspired to learn and create. Thank you for supporting my students and believing in the importance of play-based learning!","fullyFundedDate":1756174519313,"projectUrl":"project/why-play-matters-help-us-bring-learning/9360150/","projectTitle":"Why Play Matters: Help Us Bring Learning to Life!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Davis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6315604_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727313017137","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6315604"},{"teacherId":134142,"projectId":8786180,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for contributing so that my students could have the binders and basic supplies that they need for school. Some students said, \"What is this?\" when I gave it to them. They have never been entrusted to keep track of their own belongings, so there has been a real learning curve. Some students have trouble remembering to bring the binder to class or to carry it from class to class, so we are working on that. Then they fail to fill the binders with paper, or they just shove papers into the binder rather than using the rings. We have been working on each of these challenges and students are getting better at managing their own resources. I really want students to be prepared for high school, and this is a major step in that direction.\r\n\r\n Because students did not have binders, they were also not completing homework or studying before they had the binders. Slowly, they are learning the benefit of keeping track of their materials so that they have something to reference to build on each day. Thank you for helping students build these crucial executive functioning skills!","fullyFundedDate":1735247030315,"projectUrl":"project/the-things-we-take-for-granted/8786180/","projectTitle":"The Things We Take for Granted","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hescox Mooney","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp134142_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1725155278244","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/srtamooney"},{"teacherId":134142,"projectId":9037585,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for providing these resources for students. Students were shocked when I handed each of them a pencil pouch and a fistful of pencils. A few of them actually said, \"Yes!\" or \"Thank goodness! I can't stop asking [so-and-so] for a pencil!\"\r\n\r\n Students were particularly tickled by the color-changing pencils. That was such great motivation for them to keep track of those materials. As a school with so many English language learners, we are focused on building students' writing skills. Pencils are no longer a barrier to their academic success. \r\n\r\n It is seldom kids' fault that they don't have what they need, so this project helped them feel cared for, beyond just being a practical thing. Kids even traded pencils with others so they could get ones that they liked (different colors). Thank you for sprinkling this bit of joy and assistance!","fullyFundedDate":1740061665098,"projectUrl":"project/on-point-with-pencils-and-pouches/9037585/","projectTitle":"On Point With Pencils and Pouches","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hescox Mooney","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp134142_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1725155278244","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/srtamooney"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_64378","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":405,"numTeachers":27,"percentFrplEligible":94,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":11,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":85,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"15.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":46.4,"schoolId":64378,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Highlandtown Elementary Middle School 215 on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Highlandtown Elementary Middle School 215","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/maryland/baltimore-city-public-school-district/highlandtown-elementary-mid-school-215/64378"}