{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Horace Mann School for the Deaf","outOfStateSupporters":32.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10516714,"projectId":10301781,"letterContent":"It was a BUSY last two days here at the Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing! Both days were half days (only for the students, the staff got to stay for two FULL days 🥴). On the first day, we had an hour of STEM stations for our Upper Elementary students (grades 2-5). I thought 20 minutes for each activity would be plenty, but we should have planned for more! For the second day, I learned from my mistakes and took more time to work with the Lower Elementary students (preschool-1st grade).\r\n\r\nWe had 19 students total, split into three groups, to rotate through the STEM stations. The first station, led by the elementary science teacher, was making foil boats and seeing how many pennies they could hold when floated in a bin of water. The students took this as a serious competition, especially between the older kids who pride themselves on their creativity and building skills! The second station was planting seeds to take home, headed by the elementary science paraprofessional. I worked with a colleague (and a little help from A.I.) to create a sheet of directions, with visuals, that were translated into Spanish, Arabic, and Chinese. Students brought these home with their (hopefully) soon-to-be plants to help them and their families care for their plant over the summer. Finally, and by far the most popular, was the slime station. You know that's the station I chose to lead, at least to spare my coworkers. And let me tell you, I gave my deodorant a run for its money. I was giving instructions, step-by-step for students to participate in the chemistry of slime-making, then helping each student get the perfect texture of slime that they wanted in a tight 20-minute timeframe. By the end of the day, my black dress was smeared and crusty with spots of slime but it was worth it!\r\n\r\nThe second day, nine of our youngest students repeated the activities with just me and their homeroom teachers, in smaller groups. I would like to say it was less work, or that my dress had less slime on it when we were done, but that was not the case. I even somehow ended up with slime on my office wall! Clearly a good time was had by all, and I was so thankful I could give the students a fun, truly STEM-tastic send off into the summer. We had enough supplies that we were able to invite more students than we originally planned, and I still have some left over to start the coming fall with my new middle school science classes! My favorite part of the whole experience was when one student saw my sample slime and said, \"nah, you bought that at the store.\" At the end, when he had finished making his own slime, I looked at him and said \"you bought that at the store, right?\" and his response was \"my bad!\"\r\n\r\nI am grateful I had this experience with the elementary students, especially at this pivotal end of the year before I move to teaching a new age group of students for next year. Thank you for making it possible to give my students these priceless experiences and memories. I could not have done it without you!","fullyFundedDate":1779588294152,"projectUrl":"project/stem-tastic-summer-kickoff/10301781/","projectTitle":"STEM-tastic Summer Kickoff!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jillian","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10516714_orig.jpg?crop=2448,2448,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1779385156466","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10516714"},{"teacherId":2451916,"projectId":10155301,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in funding our project, \"The Next Chapter: Gifting Forever Books.\" Your support means the world to my fifth-grade students and to me. Because of you, each of these remarkable young men will be heading to middle school with a physical library of familiar stories where they can see themselves reflected.\r\n\r\nWhile our \"Moving On\" ceremony isn't until June 24th—which is when the students will officially receive their surprise books—I already know how much these books will mean to them. For students who sometimes struggle with chapter books, owning a familiar, beloved story gives them the confidence to read it again and again.\r\n\r\nThough we didn't quite get a chance to read Song for a Whale before the school year wrapped up, it is not going to waste! The students will be using their gifted copies to complete that novel study over the summer, keeping their literacy momentum going and putting your investment to excellent use through the summer, then they can bring their copy home to enjoy forever.\r\n\r\nYour kindness is helping these elementary \"graduates\" build not just a home library that celebrates their identity, but lasting memories of authors who communicate directly in ASL. Thank you for celebrating their success and investing in their futures.","fullyFundedDate":1773865035064,"projectUrl":"project/the-next-chapter-gifting-forever-books/10155301/","projectTitle":"The Next Chapter: Gifting Forever Books to My 5th Grader","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Becky","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2451916_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1467756837438","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/teachmcv"},{"teacherId":8347458,"projectId":10084662,"letterContent":"The new resources have become an important part of our daily routines in our ASL-rich preschool classroom for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students. One memorable project centered around exploring emotions through art. After sharing the story Allie All Along in American Sign Language, students discussed different feelings and identified the corresponding ASL signs. Using the donated art materials, they created emotion paintings through finger painting and experimented with mixing colors to discover how new colors are made. The activity encouraged language development, social-emotional learning, and creative expression, all through a visually accessible approach. It was exciting to see students independently use signs to describe their artwork and communicate how the characters in the story might have been feeling.\r\n\r\nOur students were immediately engaged and eager to explore the new materials. They approached the activities with curiosity and excitement, often signing to each other about what they noticed and wanted to try first. The hands-on resources invited participation from all learners and supported meaningful interactions among peers. Seeing the students' enthusiasm and confidence grow as they used the materials was incredibly rewarding. The donations helped create an environment where learning felt joyful, interactive, and accessible.\r\n\r\nWe are continuing to build on these experiences by integrating the materials into our thematic units and play-based learning opportunities. Most recently, students have been extending their language skills through dramatic play and block-building activities inspired by stories about family and community. They are using ASL to describe their ideas, negotiate roles with peers, and retell familiar narratives. Moving forward, we will continue to focus on expanding vocabulary, encouraging expressive language, and fostering collaboration through engaging, hands-on experiences. Thanks to our donors' generosity, our students have access to materials that support both language development and the joy of learning through exploration and play.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our students. Your generosity has provided them with meaningful opportunities to communicate, create, and connect with one another in a language-rich environment designed to meet their unique needs.","fullyFundedDate":1773558051661,"projectUrl":"project/building-a-language-rich-preschool-for-d/10084662/","projectTitle":"Building a Language-Rich Preschool for Deaf Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jenn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8347458"},{"teacherId":3970109,"projectId":10237895,"letterContent":"I am incredibly thrilled to share that our tables have already arrived and are fully set up!\r\n\r\nThanks to the immense generosity of supporters from our very own neighborhood, our local community, and kind-hearted donors from far beyond, our vision for this project has come to life.\r\n\r\nThe impact was immediate. As soon as the tables were ready, students and staff alike were eager to get out into the sun. We are already using this beautiful outdoor space for engaging learning activities, snack times, much-needed lunch breaks, and so much more.\r\n\r\nHaving this dedicated area allows our dual-language community to connect, collaborate, and thrive in a fresh, bright environment. Your support has truly transformed our daily school routine and created a lasting space that will benefit our students for a long time to come.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our classroom, our students, and our community. We are profoundly grateful for your kindness!","fullyFundedDate":1779994447093,"projectUrl":"project/signing-under-the-sun-a-dual-language-w/10237895/","projectTitle":"Signing Under the Sun: A Dual-Language Workspace and Outdoor Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Erikson's Classroom","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3970109_orig.png?crop=935,935,x44,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1778868821420","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/missychrissy"},{"teacherId":3970109,"projectId":10177645,"letterContent":"Can you believe the materials have already arrived and are in the hands of our students helping them regulate their bodies, focus their minds, and learn?! Thank you so much for your incredible generosity and for funding our \"Ready, Set, Regulate\" project! I cannot begin to express how much your support means to both myself and my students.\r\n\r\nMy classroom is full of energetic, curious, and high-sensory-seeking learners who thrive when given the proper tools to navigate their day. Because of you, we will now have the materials they need including weighted blankets, a variety of fidgets, and bubble gum.\r\n\r\nThese aren't just toys —they are essential tools that will help my students reset their minds and bodies, develop crucial self-regulation skills, and ultimately find greater academic success. Your kindness has provided a more inclusive, supportive learning environment where my students can truly thrive. Thank you for helping us get ready, set, and regulated!","fullyFundedDate":1779193879099,"projectUrl":"project/ready-set-regulate-sensory-tools-for/10177645/","projectTitle":"Ready, Set, Regulate! Sensory Tools for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Erikson's Classroom","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3970109_orig.png?crop=935,935,x44,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1778868821420","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/missychrissy"},{"teacherId":3970109,"projectId":10194198,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in supporting our project, \"Mission: Boost Deaf Literacy.\" Because of your support, our students and their families had an absolutely amazing experience!\r\n​The response from both the students and their families has been filled with so much joy. The kids were absolutely thrilled to see themselves and deaf characters reflected in the books we received, including wonderful stories like Cesaria Feels the Beat, Dancing Hands, and the Deaf Kids Can series. Seeing their faces light up with pride as they pointed out characters who represent them was truly unforgettable.\r\n​Even better, the families were so excited that the students could actually take these beautiful books home to keep. You haven't just put books on shelves; you have helped build home libraries filled with representation, confidence, and a genuine love for reading.\r\n​Thank you for making this beautiful project a reality and for investing in our young readers!","fullyFundedDate":1778017008724,"projectUrl":"project/mission-boost-deaf-literacy/10194198/","projectTitle":"Mission: Boost Deaf Literacy","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Erikson's Classroom","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3970109_orig.png?crop=935,935,x44,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1778868821420","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/missychrissy"},{"teacherId":3970109,"projectId":10090310,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredibly generous support of our project, \"Books and Blankets: Students Promoting Literacy in Our Community.\" Thanks to you, our students and their families had an absolutely amazing experience!\r\n​The students loved diving into the new books, and cuddling up with the blankets made reading feel like a special, comforting celebration. The response from our families was overwhelming—they loved being part of this experience and seeing their children so enthusiastic about reading.\r\n​Your kindness did more than just provide materials; it sparked a genuine joy for community literacy that will stay with these families for a long time. Thank you for making this beautiful project a reality!","fullyFundedDate":1773424128369,"projectUrl":"project/books-and-blankets-students-promoting-l/10090310/","projectTitle":"Books and Blankets: Students Promoting Literacy in Our Community","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Erikson's Classroom","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3970109_orig.png?crop=935,935,x44,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1778868821420","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/missychrissy"},{"teacherId":10279408,"projectId":10071889,"letterContent":"Your generous gift has done wonders for my 3rd grade class! With your donations, we were able to get a variety of snacks to help us get the nourishment and energy to get through the long days! \r\n\r\nThe looks on the students' faces when they saw the boxes and boxes of snacks was priceless! They helped me put the snacks away and talked about it with excitement! With the snacks, they are better able to attend lessons, activities, and independent work. \r\n\r\nAt times when students do not have a snack or if they're running low on energy or if the snack they brought was not enough, the 3rd grade classroom had some snacks for them to refuel and get back into class!","fullyFundedDate":1770215206053,"projectUrl":"project/snack-attack-fueling-learning-for-deaf/10071889/","projectTitle":"Snack Attack: Fueling Learning for Deaf Students!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sara","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10279408_orig.png?crop=396,396,x0,y1&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758751902893","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10279408"},{"teacherId":3970109,"projectId":10143415,"letterContent":"Reading in our classroom is a vibrant, multi-sensory experience. Because my students are Deaf and multilingual learners, \"reading\" isn't just about decoding text on a page; it's about building a bridge between a visual language (ASL) and written English. These new books serve as essential \"mental anchors.\" When a student sees a high-definition photograph of a coral reef or a traditional dish from another country, it provides an immediate, concrete context for the new signs and words they are learning. These texts have allowed us to move beyond simple vocabulary into complex lessons on global citizenship, biology, and geography, all while strengthening their foundational literacy skills.\r\n\r\nThe arrival of these books has transformed our independent reading time into a bustling \"research lab.\" Instead of just flipping pages, I see my students huddled together, pointing to the intricate details in the Our World in Pictures series and excitedly sharing what they've discovered. They are learning how to lead their own inquiries—using the encyclopedic format to find answers to their own questions, the glossary and index for learning more about words we already know, whether they are curious about how a train engine works or what children in other countries wear for celebrations. It has shifted the dynamic from me \"teaching\" the world to them \"exploring\" it.\r\n\r\nThank you for bringing these visual encyclopedias and global stories to my classroom. These resources are specifically designed to help my Deaf and multilingual students master new vocabulary through stunning photography and high-interest topics like endangered animals and world festivals.\r\n\r\nYour support means the world to our community. Thank you for helping them see their place in the global community!","fullyFundedDate":1777990149821,"projectUrl":"project/passports-to-the-planet-around-the-worl/10143415/","projectTitle":"Passports to the Planet: Around the World in Fifteen Books","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Erikson's Classroom","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3970109_orig.png?crop=935,935,x44,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1778868821420","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/missychrissy"},{"teacherId":3970109,"projectId":9298682,"letterContent":"​I am so excited to share the incredible progress of our classroom library project! Because of your generosity, this hasn't just been about getting new books—it has become a true community-wide effort.\r\n​It has been inspiring to see students of all ages take ownership of this space:\r\n\r\n​Assembly: Our high school OPS class took the lead on physically assembling the library furniture and organizing the layout.\r\n\r\n​Design: Students from both the middle and high schools collaborated on the design, ensuring the space felt welcoming for everyone.\r\n\r\n​Artistry: The library is now a vibrant part of our school, thanks to the students of all ages, 3-21, who contributed their time and talent to painting it.\r\n\r\n​Growth: Our collection continues to grow as staff and students alike have been actively collecting and donating books to fill our new shelves.\r\n\r\n​We recently held a soft opening, and the energy was electric! Seeing the students' faces as they finally got to explore the shelves was a highlight. While they are already diving into the stories, they are eagerly awaiting our Grand Opening at our annual BBQ. We can't wait to finally share this finished space with our families and the wider community.\r\n\r\n​Your support provided the foundation for this project, and the students have built something truly special on top of it. Thank you for investing in our readers and our school.","fullyFundedDate":1746646412091,"projectUrl":"project/building-a-little-free-lending-library-f/9298682/","projectTitle":"Building a Little Free Lending Library for Our Community","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Erikson's Classroom","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3970109_orig.png?crop=935,935,x44,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1778868821420","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/missychrissy"},{"teacherId":3970109,"projectId":9886977,"letterContent":"Thank you for believing in our Deaf students and their literacy journey! Your generous donation of decodable books has added important resources to our unique curriculum. They have become essential tools in our bilingual, biliteracy program—and our students are loving them. \r\n\r\nThe decodable texts you provided are carefully scaffolded to introduce phonemic awareness, sound-symbol relationships, and decoding strategies in a manageable, meaningful way. As our students progress through these books, they're learning to:\r\n- Recognize and blend phonetic patterns — moving from single sounds to words and simple sentences\r\n- Build confidence as independent readers — each book is leveled just right, so students experience success without frustration\r\n- Connect written English to American Sign Language (ASL) — our multilingual approach means students are developing literacy in both languages simultaneously, which deepens their understanding of both\r\n- Expand vocabulary across genres — fiction and nonfiction texts expose them to diverse contexts and real-world concepts\r\n\r\nYour donation didn't just provide books—it provided language and access to new vocabulary, as well as the message that our Deaf students are valued as readers and learners.","fullyFundedDate":1772735877235,"projectUrl":"project/decode-this-nonfiction-and-fiction-book/9886977/","projectTitle":"Decode This! Nonfiction and Fiction Books for Emergent Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Erikson's Classroom","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3970109_orig.png?crop=935,935,x44,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1778868821420","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/missychrissy"},{"teacherId":9789765,"projectId":9678751,"letterContent":"I am overwhelmed with gratitude that you all have contributed to my project to provide numerous supplies to not only me and my students but to my fellow teachers as well. My students were ecstatic every time a new box arrived that they got to open and see what was inside. My students enjoyed every second of it down to organizing the new dry erase markers by color, playing around with the earth plushie, and setting the sunflower pillows on each chair.\r\n\r\nWith the help of your donations my room now emits a warm and welcoming energy with a cozy book corner with a new shelf and Pothos plants. We use the world map every day to talk about current events, where students' families live, and where people travel.\r\n\r\nTruly thank you so much for all of your support it means so much to me and to my students.","fullyFundedDate":1767143496444,"projectUrl":"project/tools-to-help-my-classroom-stay-cozy-and/9678751/","projectTitle":"Tools to Help My Classroom Stay Cozy and Comfortable","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Robin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9789765_orig.jpg?crop=1170,1170,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727968967266","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9789765"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_48580","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":73,"numTeachers":35,"percentFrplEligible":71,"percentAsian":7,"percentBlack":27,"percentWhite":13,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":41,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":3,"gradesServed":"Not specified","studentTeacherRatio":"2.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR District Record","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":67.2,"schoolId":48580,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Horace Mann School for the Deaf on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Horace Mann School for the Deaf","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/massachusetts/boston-public-schools/horace-mann-school-for-the-deaf-hard-of-hearing/48580"}