{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Hillside Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":24.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2260993,"projectId":9794667,"letterContent":"I am so incredibly grateful to have your continued support! Thank you for once again investing in my third graders. Your generosity has officially brought BrainPOP Jr. into our classroom, and the kids are going to learn concepts better because of this resource.\r\n\r\nThis subscription is a game-changer because it covers everything from Math to the Arts. I am particularly excited to have this as a starting point to navigate new concepts that I a want to build understanding WITH the class to have a common language: bullying, internet safety, winter holidays, etc. It makes a concise five minute introduction to almost any topic that is so fun to watch and JUST at the right level of understanding. Whether we are using the interactive quizzes or simply watching the videos, your gift helps every student understand.\r\n\r\nThank you for being such a wonderful person and donor. You are one of a kind and have really made a difference for our whole third grade with this generous subscription.","fullyFundedDate":1764692244497,"projectUrl":"project/creativity-with-brainpop-jr/9794667/","projectTitle":"Creativity with Brainpop, Jr.","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dowd","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2260993_orig.jpg?crop=2324,2324,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1655900261538","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/darcy-dowd"},{"teacherId":2260993,"projectId":9918488,"letterContent":"Welcome back to our third grade classroom! We are so grateful for your continued support. Your latest gift is bringing a world of ancient fossils right to our desks.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, our third graders are transforming into \"junior paleontologists.\" This project goes so much further than a worksheet; your generosity is providing real shark teeth, dinosaur bones, and sea urchins for an authentic anthropological dig. From the \"low-stakes\" fun of a chocolate chip cookie excavation to the complex task of creating mold and cast fossils with Play-Doh, these students are developing the fine motor skills and critical thinking needed for real science and the scientific method.\r\n\r\nThank you for being a partner in their education and for helping us create memories that will last far beyond third grade. You continue to be a champion for children.","fullyFundedDate":1764692243924,"projectUrl":"project/junior-paleontologists/9918488/","projectTitle":"Junior Paleontologists","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dowd","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2260993_orig.jpg?crop=2324,2324,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1655900261538","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/darcy-dowd"},{"teacherId":9885586,"projectId":9490252,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for this wonderful non-profit program. My project was for educational toys, fidgets, games, and crafts for my students to have a Soft Start to the day. They absolutely love \"STREAM\" time with their classmates, and look forward to it each morning. Some of their favorite activities include the magnet blocks, giant UNO, large checkers, and coloring books. We have also enjoyed making friendship bracelets together! \r\nI want to share some quotes directly from my students. \"We have fun with our friends. We can get our wiggles and energy out. We can stretch our bodies and brains. We can learn and make mistakes, and that's ok! I like STREAM time, because it makes me calm down before we start to learn.\" I truly believe that allowing my students to come to school and start with play allows them to decompress and be ready for a full day of learning. With stress and anxiety beginning in earlier ages than ever before, I feel that this Soft Start encourages friendships and synergizing, that will also help students develop skills they need for school and beyond.\r\nWe appreciate your amazing generosity for our school community. My students enjoy playing, working, and learning together through cooperative play. I am also excited that many of these classroom activities can be used for years to come with lots of students in our school!","fullyFundedDate":1761047511094,"projectUrl":"project/soft-start-in-second-grade/9490252/","projectTitle":"Soft Start in Second Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gersten","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9885586_orig.jpg?crop=1536,1536,x0,y92&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1735855328365","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9885586"},{"teacherId":2412165,"projectId":9537600,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to help fund my 2nd grade students to have so many prizes to choose from when they earn 10 PAWS tickets! Students work hard to earn the tickets by being kind to others, being proactive, showing extra effort, etc. When they know they have a huge trove of enticing prizes to choose from, they are motivated even more! \r\nI was able to purchase a large variety of items and a new treasure box to store them. Students are especially interested in the pencil charms that were bought. These are dual purpose for me because students remember their charms and this helps them keep track of their pencil! When it falls on the ground, they know which one is theirs. Also, the spinning light-up bracelets and squishy balls are very popular. The best part is that there is something for everyone. \r\nStudents buy something from the prize box every time they have 10 tickets which is usually around twice a month. This large quantity of prizes will last us most of the school year. It's exactly what we needed! Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1755712409671,"projectUrl":"project/prizes-for-proactive-choices/9537600/","projectTitle":"Prizes for Proactive Choices","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lamott","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2412165_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1534364604525","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/emily-lamott"},{"teacherId":2260993,"projectId":9401907,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredibly generous gift to our Wit & Wisdom Book Tasting project!\r\n\r\nYour commitment to our students' literacy journey means the world. Your continued support is truly inspiring and makes a real difference in the hands-on learning experiences we have so often.\r\n\r\nYour contribution will specifically fund the \"culinary preview\" aspect of our event, allowing us to provide food that matches the themes of the books we'll be studying this year. This \"tasting\" will transform the way students are introduced to our upcoming Wit & Wisdom texts. Instead of just seeing the covers, they'll get to literally taste the literature, spark their curiosity, and hopefully get them excited about the reading that is coming soon.\r\n\r\nThank you again for believing in our students and providing them with such a memorable and fun event. We can't wait to share photos and stories of the delicious book tasting!\r\n\r\nWith deepest gratitude,","fullyFundedDate":1753997364104,"projectUrl":"project/book-tasting-with-wit-and-wisdom-year-2/9401907/","projectTitle":"Book Tasting With Wit and Wisdom Year 2","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dowd","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2260993_orig.jpg?crop=2324,2324,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1655900261538","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/darcy-dowd"},{"teacherId":2260993,"projectId":9506533,"letterContent":"October is here and we have already watched our mealworms transform through metamorphosis into Darkling Beetles. It was incredible to see the joy in the children holding and studying the mealworms, counting their segments, legs, and doing little experiments such as, \"Do they prefer dark or light?\" (dark). You can only imagine coming back after a weekend and seeing beetles mixed among the mealworms in our wheat germ containers!! Learning hands on is the experience, the gift, you have given these children.\r\n\r\nEarly in September, our Painted Lady caterpillars arrived. We patiently waited for nearly a month for the chrysalises to form. Upon leaving Friday, we could see how thin the outer layer of the chrysalises were becoming. You could even see the orange and black wings through the layer and that's when we realized they would probably emerge as butterflies Monday. Sure enough, they did. We released them on a gorgeous, sunny day last week.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generous contribution to our classroom, this is just the beginning. Next week means owl dissections. The following month, we will be getting Bullfrog tadpoles. We have crayfish, Bess Beetles, and fertilized chicken eggs coming, too. It feels like we are running \"STEM\" program all year long thanks to you! Trust me that these students love science. They are brave and truly embrace the opportunity to interact with every living life cycle they are interfaced with this year. \r\n\r\nYou are truly a champion for children and will leave a lasting impact on them.","fullyFundedDate":1753997363434,"projectUrl":"project/living-life-cycles/9506533/","projectTitle":"Living Life Cycles","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dowd","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2260993_orig.jpg?crop=2324,2324,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1655900261538","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/darcy-dowd"},{"teacherId":9573700,"projectId":9075059,"letterContent":"These items have been such a hit in our classroom! The soccer fidget spinners have been the clear fan favorite—they're helping students be encouraged to earn more classroom currency as well as stay calm and focused during classtime. The invisible ink pens sparked tons of creativity and giggles as students wrote \"secret\" notes to each other that magically appeared under the special light. The magnetic drawing boards have been perfect for early finishers to doodle and practice spelling words in a fun, low-pressure way.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, these little tools are doing big work--helping students self-regulate, engage, and find joy in learning. Next, we'll continue using them as part of our reward system as students meet personal and academic goals.","fullyFundedDate":1741371370626,"projectUrl":"project/help-reward-my-5th-graders-hard-work/9075059/","projectTitle":"Help Reward My 5th Graders' Hard Work!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jaworski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9573700_orig.png?crop=1438,1438,x123,y331&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718936329224","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-jaworski"},{"teacherId":9573700,"projectId":9205755,"letterContent":"When my students first saw the boxes of Goldfish, Cheez-Its, and the mints, their faces lit up. \"Wait... these are for us?!\" one student asked, eyes wide with surprise. Testing season can be such a stressful time for 5th graders, and knowing they had snacks to keep them fueled and little mints to help them focus made a world of difference.\r\n\r\nWe used these snacks during our M-Step and NWEA testing days this spring. Before each session, I set out the Goldfish and Cheez-Its so students could grab a handful, and we passed out mints as a fun \"brain booster\" to help them concentrate. It quickly became a small but powerful routine. The kids felt cared for and supported, and it helped create a calmer, more positive testing environment.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, my students didn't have to worry about hungry tummies distracting them. Instead, they could give their best effort on these important assessments. As we move forward, we'll continue using small comforts like these to support our learners during challenging times.\r\n\r\nFrom the bottom of my heart (and my students' too)—thank you for being a part of their success!","fullyFundedDate":1746535244385,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-focus-snacks-for-5th-grade-test/9205755/","projectTitle":"Fueling Focus: Snacks for 5th Grade Testing!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jaworski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9573700_orig.png?crop=1438,1438,x123,y331&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718936329224","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-jaworski"},{"teacherId":2260993,"projectId":9150987,"letterContent":"Having science books and living animals like tadpoles, crayfish, and fertilized eggs in the classroom has been so joyful this year!! Students have seen and experienced metamorphosis in ways they may never experience without your generous donation.\r\n\r\nIncorporating science books and living animals into the classroom created SO MUCH hands-on learning. The whole class was super engaged in science throughout the entire year.\r\n\r\nThe tadpoles and crayfish were well-fed, loved, and each one had a name. The chicks' hatch rate was 75 percent, which is good. You can only imagine how IN LOVE the class was with each fluffy chick. They were able to pet and hold them for a couple of weeks. The learning experience was incredible. \r\n\r\nYou have helped develop a LOVE for science that will last a lifetime.","fullyFundedDate":1746500022476,"projectUrl":"project/unlocking-curiosity-fueling-future-scie/9150987/","projectTitle":"Unlocking Curiosity: Fueling Future Scientists with Books and Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dowd","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2260993_orig.jpg?crop=2324,2324,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1655900261538","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/darcy-dowd"},{"teacherId":2260993,"projectId":9293149,"letterContent":"Well, the class said our goodbyes to the baby chicks last week. It was sad, but we are happy the chicks will have more room to roam than our little bin. Our class counted down the days from 21 to hatching day. We candled them (checked for life) about half way through and were elated to see signs or growth!! Our chicks arrived a day early and we could now wait to remove them from the incubator. The class thought the baby chicks looked a little gross and were worried they might be dead because they just rested (for what seemed like long periods of time) and did not move.\r\n\r\nBy day two we put them in a bin complete with a heat lamp, bedding, food, and water. Some of these supplies were donated by YOU, Diane. So this entire experience can be thanks to your generous, kind support. Most of these students have never had this kind of experience, but will certainly never forget it. Everyone had the change to hold the chicks and watch them for two weeks. Two kids were terrified at first, but BEGGED to hold them again the next day. \r\n\r\nI also had students from previous years and other classes visiting me before school, after school, and at lunch. It kind of unified the whole school and reunited me with former children. They turned out to be \"therapy chicks\" for a student in another class who needed a sensory break, and this couldn't have been a better place in the world for him. He was in heaven.\r\n\r\nYou need to know that while kids observed this, we also had praying mantises that hatches, and tadpoles growing back legs on the way to bullfrogs. Your donation fed the tadpoles for the year, too. \r\n\r\nI think the chicks made a big impact on the children. Honestly, the night custodial staff grew very attached, too. One custodian nearly cried when she found they were going to a farm. She was hoping to adopt a couple, but did not make me aware of her plan. She watched them and held them every evening and it brought her pure joy. Not only did the students name each one, the custodians had names for them, too. (The favorite was \"Groucho\".\r\n\r\nI hope this gives you a little peek into the gifts you provided to our classroom. I am close to tears (or joy and a little sadness) writing this thank you to you.","fullyFundedDate":1746500022366,"projectUrl":"project/living-life-cycles/9293149/","projectTitle":"Living Life Cycles","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dowd","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2260993_orig.jpg?crop=2324,2324,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1655900261538","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/darcy-dowd"},{"teacherId":2260993,"projectId":9102428,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donation of books and supplies for our partner reading in class. Your contribution is invaluable and truly enhances our students' learning in third grade.\r\n\r\nReading together not only improves their literacy skills but also fosters collaboration and builds confidence (and friendships)! Your support helps create a love for reading that will hopefully last a lifetime. Our class truly appreciates your kindness and commitment to our school family. They especially love the i Spy and Choose Your Own Adventure books. We had a few in the library already, but they have been LOVED so much that they are falling apart. These shiny, new books are irresistible to the kids this year.\r\n\r\nYou are once again a champion for children and we are BLESSED beyond measure because of you!","fullyFundedDate":1741641816908,"projectUrl":"project/books-with-buddies/9102428/","projectTitle":"Books with Buddies!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dowd","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2260993_orig.jpg?crop=2324,2324,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1655900261538","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/darcy-dowd"},{"teacherId":2260993,"projectId":9083664,"letterContent":"I want to sincerely thank you for your continued generosity in donating so many supplies to our classroom. We use so much glue, tape, paper, coloring utensils, highlighters, and cardstock making projects for class. Even though we have access to computers and use them daily, kids this age love to make and create things!\r\n\r\nYour support has a tremendous impact on our students and their learning experience. The pictures sent are just a few examples of work kids are producing all year.\r\n\r\nWe are truly grateful for your kindness and commitment to helping our classroom thrive! The class knows you by name and has been blessed by your interest in us! You are making a big impact on our future!","fullyFundedDate":1741641816960,"projectUrl":"project/sticky-but-basic-supplies/9083664/","projectTitle":"Sticky, but Basic Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dowd","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2260993_orig.jpg?crop=2324,2324,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1655900261538","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/darcy-dowd"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_55523","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":682,"numTeachers":34,"percentFrplEligible":21,"percentAsian":27,"percentBlack":21,"percentWhite":41,"percentIndigenous":2,"percentLatinx":4,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"20.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":75.3,"schoolId":55523,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Hillside Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Hillside Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/michigan/farmington-public-school-district/hillside-elementary-school/55523"}