{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Hillcrest Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":45.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9592780,"projectId":9755070,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and support of our preschool classroom! Because of you, my students are enjoying brand new winter themed books and puzzles that are already making a big impact on our daily learning.\r\nThe winter books have sparked so many conversations, built new vocabulary, and encouraged a love of reading during story time. The puzzles have been especially exciting for my preschoolers, they are strengthening fine motor skills, problem solving abilities, and learning how to work together with friends.\r\nMany of my students are experiencing books and educational games like these for the first time, and your kindness has truly made learning feel joyful and special. Your support has helped create a warm, engaging classroom environment where my students can grow, explore, and succeed.\r\nWe were able to make memories with the delivery of their new books by THE Gingerbread Man!\r\nThank you for believing in my students and for making such a meaningful difference in our classroom. We are so grateful for you!","fullyFundedDate":1768956031491,"projectUrl":"project/holiday-joy-through-books-play/9755070/","projectTitle":"Holiday Joy Through Books & Play","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Nancy Martinez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9592780_orig.jpg?crop=1800,1800,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1721066208137","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9592780"},{"teacherId":9747050,"projectId":9557000,"letterContent":"My students have been so excited to use the new supplies this year! We've been using them daily during our phonics and writing block, and it's really helped make our lessons more hands-on and engaging. One moment that stood out was during our writing time—students were so much more motivated to stay focused and complete their work because they were excited to use the new materials.\r\n\r\nWhen they first saw everything, they were honestly so excited. There were lots of \"oohs\" and \"ahs,\" and they couldn't wait to get started. It made something as simple as practicing skills feel really special and fun for them.\r\n\r\nAs for next steps, we're continuing to build on our writing and phonics skills. We're working on expanding our sentences and using what we know about sounds and spelling patterns in our writing. The new supplies are helping us stay consistent with practice, and I'm already seeing growth in their confidence and independence.\r\n\r\nThank you so much for helping make our classroom a place where students feel excited to learn every day!","fullyFundedDate":1757978007783,"projectUrl":"project/stepping-into-2nd-grade/9557000/","projectTitle":"Stepping into 2nd Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Andersen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9747050_orig.jpg?crop=398,398,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754856176737","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9747050"},{"teacherId":8574009,"projectId":9843197,"letterContent":"Our classroom has been buzzing with excitement thanks to the addition of our new books. Introducing Charlotte's Web has opened the door to lessons in character development, theme, empathy, and rich vocabulary. Students are learning how to identify deeper meanings in a text—friendship, loyalty, and courage—while also practicing foundational reading skills such as predicting, summarizing, and making text-to-self connections. These new materials have allowed me to model what thoughtful, reflective reading looks like and guide students as they develop those same habits.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom now feels more alive than ever. Students are engaged in partner discussions, journaling about their favorite scenes, and participating in read-alouds that spark conversation. They eagerly reference parts of the story during class, showing how much they are internalizing the text. Even students who were once reluctant readers are drawn in by the characters and the emotional journey within the book.\r\n\r\nSeveral students have been especially captivated—one student who often struggles with reading stamina now asks if we can read \"just one more chapter,\" and another has taken a special interest in talking about Charlotte's kindness and Wilbur's growth. These moments remind me how powerful the right book can be. Thank you for helping us create these experiences; your generosity has made our reading community stronger and more joyful.","fullyFundedDate":1766421117336,"projectUrl":"project/connecting-literacy-stem-with-charlott/9843197/","projectTitle":"Connecting Literacy & STEM with Charlotte’s Web","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wands","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8574009_orig.png?crop=1224,1224,x0,y73&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1659719479988","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8574009"},{"teacherId":3792568,"projectId":10010958,"letterContent":"Teaching preschool truly is my dream job. After 30 years in the classroom, I still feel so grateful that I get to create a space where curiosity, creativity, and confidence grow every single day.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, my students now have access to hands-on tools that are essential for building fine motor strength and early writing skills. These materials have made such a meaningful impact in our classroom.\r\n\r\nThe children absolutely love using play-dough—it's a daily favorite! They roll letters, build snowmen, and create all kinds of imaginative projects. We go through quite a bit each year, and it's worth every bit. The rolling pins were especially exciting because they were something new, and they couldn't wait to try them out.\r\n\r\nThe owl pencil grips were another huge hit. Not only do they support proper pencil grasp, but they're also adorable! I was able to keep some at school and send one home with each child, helping reinforce these skills in both environments.\r\n\r\nWe've also been using the writing pens during our step-by-step drawing activities. I model shapes and lines, and the children follow along to create their own pictures. The pens make their work stand out and help them stay within the lines, boosting both confidence and pride in their work. These drawings often become part of our class books, bulletin boards, and special end-of-year scrapbooks for families.\r\n\r\nThe scrapbook paper has allowed me to beautifully display student artwork in our hallway and preserve those special moments for their keepsake books. These are treasures families will have for years to come.\r\n\r\nI am so thankful that my students have been given these opportunities to create, explore, and grow.\r\n\r\nI'm excited to share that I currently have another project live on DonorsChoose focused on summer learning. My hope is to provide memory games and books so my students can continue learning throughout the summer months. Even more importantly, I hope these materials encourage meaningful family time and help foster a lifelong love of reading.\r\n\r\nMy students mean the world to me, and I feel incredibly lucky to be their teacher.\r\n\r\nThank you again for believing in us and supporting our classroom","fullyFundedDate":1770079795423,"projectUrl":"project/strengthening-little-hands-for-big-learn/10010958/","projectTitle":"Strengthening Little Hands for Big Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hilse","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3792568_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756688807031","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-hilse"},{"teacherId":3792568,"projectId":9758295,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and support of our Title I preschool classroom. Because of you, my students will receive books and alphabet fishing games that will make a meaningful difference in their learning.\r\n\r\nWhat makes this gift especially powerful is that my students will be able to take the books and games home to share with their families. Many of my preschoolers do not have access to books or educational games at home, so this opportunity helps extend learning beyond the classroom and encourages family engagement and a love of reading.\r\n\r\nThe books will support letter recognition, while the fishing games will help build fine motor skills, problem-solving abilities, and confidence. Seeing my students' excitement as they receive these materials to bring home will be incredibly rewarding.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and supporting early learners in such a meaningful way. Your generosity truly warms my heart.","fullyFundedDate":1767375282866,"projectUrl":"project/holiday-cheer/9758295/","projectTitle":"Holiday Cheer","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hilse","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3792568_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756688807031","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-hilse"},{"teacherId":3792568,"projectId":9807961,"letterContent":"Thanks to you, my morning Art Club has been thriving. With access to a wide variety of materials, students have been free to create whatever their hearts desire. I've been so impressed by their artwork and love hearing their laughter as they create together—they truly are little Picassos.\r\n\r\nMy goal was to build a supportive community where students feel encouraged to be creative and have fun, and thanks to your generosity, that goal has been achieved.\r\n\r\nI'm so grateful for your support and excited to share that I currently have another project live on DonorsChoose that celebrates all my students have accomplished this year and includes books for summer reading. Thank you again for making such meaningful experiences possible for my students.","fullyFundedDate":1766433549648,"projectUrl":"project/art-from-the-heart/9807961/","projectTitle":"Art From the Heart","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hilse","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3792568_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756688807031","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-hilse"},{"teacherId":3792568,"projectId":9820836,"letterContent":"I can't thank you enough for your very generous donation and for making the holidays extra special for my students. The looks on their faces when I gave them their bags of holiday cheer were absolutely priceless. The gift of reading is one of the greatest gifts a child can receive, and giving them their very own books helped encourage reading throughout the winter break.\r\n\r\nTeaching children to love and enjoy reading is one of the most exciting parts of my job. Most of my PreK students begin the school year with very little knowledge of letters and sounds. They start learning letters through their own names and the names of their classmates. During read-alouds, I model how to track print, and they quickly make the connection that letters come together to form words. They love sitting and listening to stories, and they especially enjoy \"reading\" familiar books by retelling the story using the pictures. One of their favorite activities is acting out books together in class.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, I was able to send my students home with books for the holidays, and I am so grateful. I'm also excited to share that I currently have another project posted on DonorsChoose that celebrates all my students have accomplished this year and includes books for summer reading. I am hopeful this project will be funded so my students can continue their reading journey and build a love of reading that will last a lifetime.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your generosity, kindness, and belief in my students. You truly helped make my vision a reality.","fullyFundedDate":1764439390198,"projectUrl":"project/spreading-cheer/9820836/","projectTitle":"Spreading Cheer","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hilse","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3792568_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756688807031","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-hilse"},{"teacherId":3730168,"projectId":9907799,"letterContent":"This project has already made a meaningful impact on **our school community**. The new books give **our students** access to engaging texts that match their interests and reading levels, helping them build confidence, comprehension, and reading stamina.\r\n\r\nReading in our school now feels joyful and student-driven. **Our students** are excited to choose their own books, talk about what they're reading, and recommend favorites to friends. The vending machine has turned reading into something special, not just another assignment.\r\n\r\nSome of our most reluctant readers have shown the biggest growth. Students who once avoided books are now eager to earn a turn at the machine and proudly share their choices. None of this would be possible without our generous donors.","fullyFundedDate":1764091507904,"projectUrl":"project/fill-the-machine-inspire-a-reader/9907799/","projectTitle":"Fill the Machine. Inspire a Reader.","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hughes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3730168_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y586&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1763645394889","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3730168"},{"teacherId":8574009,"projectId":9762847,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our class was able to complete a novel unit using Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. This shared text allowed us to focus on key reading skills while enjoying a story together during daily story time, with the teacher reading aloud and students taking turns reading parts of the text.\r\n\r\nThrough this novel, students practiced identifying character traits, making inferences, and discussing themes such as kindness, responsibility, and consequences. Reading aloud together supported comprehension, vocabulary development, and listening skills, especially for students who benefit from hearing fluent reading modeled.\r\n\r\nStory time became a highly engaging part of our day. Students were eager to participate, discuss characters, and make predictions. Several students who typically struggle with independent reading were especially motivated by the humor and imagination of the story and confidently joined in during discussions.\r\n\r\nThis novel unit created a shared reading experience that strengthened both literacy skills and classroom community. We are truly grateful for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1761446089676,"projectUrl":"project/sweet-success-with-charlie-and-the-choc/9762847/","projectTitle":"“Sweet Success With Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wands","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8574009_orig.png?crop=1224,1224,x0,y73&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1659719479988","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8574009"},{"teacherId":8574009,"projectId":9567646,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our classroom with these social-emotional learning books. Stories like Go Left, The Great Paper Caper, and The Book of Mistakes have given my students meaningful opportunities to explore important life skills such as resilience, responsibility, empathy, problem-solving, and perseverance. Through these texts, students learn that mistakes are part of learning, choices matter, and everyone has a role in caring for their community.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is interactive and reflective. We use these books during read-alouds, class discussions, and journaling activities. Students are encouraged to share their thoughts, connect the stories to their own experiences, and talk about feelings in a safe and supportive environment. These books spark thoughtful conversations and help students develop the emotional vocabulary they need to express themselves and understand others.\r\n\r\nSeveral students have connected deeply with these stories, especially those who struggle with confidence or managing emotions. I've seen students reference the books when facing challenges, reminding themselves that it's okay to make mistakes or try a different approach. Your generosity has helped create a classroom culture rooted in kindness, growth, and emotional awareness. These lessons will stay with my students long after the final page is read.","fullyFundedDate":1758815785428,"projectUrl":"project/instant-engagement/9567646/","projectTitle":"Instant Engagement","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wands","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8574009_orig.png?crop=1224,1224,x0,y73&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1659719479988","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8574009"},{"teacherId":8574009,"projectId":9567780,"letterContent":"We've started using the new motivational prizes as part of our daily participation and behavior system, and the impact has been immediate. One of our favorite classroom moments happened during a review game where students earned points for teamwork, respectful communication, and accurate answers. The prize bin brought an extra layer of excitement—students leaned in, supported one another, and stayed focused because they knew their effort mattered. The prizes helped turn routine practice into a moment of joy and engagement.\r\nThe students were absolutely thrilled. When I revealed the new prize bin, their eyes lit up and the room filled with excited whispers. Several students said, \"We get to earn these?!\" and immediately started brainstorming ways they could gain more points through participation and good choices. The positive energy changed the tone of the whole day—students were eager to demonstrate their best behavior, answer questions, and take on extra challenges.\r\nRight now, students are working on strengthening their daily academic habits—participating in discussions, showing work clearly, collaborating respectfully, and meeting classroom expectations consistently. The next step is to continue using the prize system to reinforce these skills and help students build intrinsic motivation. As they experience success, they're learning that their effort truly makes a difference. Our upcoming lessons will incorporate more opportunities for students to earn recognition for perseverance, growth, and taking academic risks.","fullyFundedDate":1756498897026,"projectUrl":"project/motivation-matters-student-prize-fund/9567780/","projectTitle":"Motivation Matters: Student Prize Fund","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wands","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8574009_orig.png?crop=1224,1224,x0,y73&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1659719479988","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8574009"},{"teacherId":9592780,"projectId":9518867,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to my classroom project. As a preschool teacher in a Title I public school, I see every day how meaningful it is for our young learners to have access to high quality books, many of which they may not otherwise experience. Your support has helped us start the school year with a bright, inviting collection of new stories that my students are already eager to listen to as well as open on their own. Many of my students came in with very little letter knowledge but through reading many of our new books they are growing so much.\r\n\r\nThese books are helping our children build early literacy skills, develop a love for reading, and discover the joy of learning. For many of my students, this may be their first introduction to books they can explore independently and share with friends. All of the new books also help many of my English language learners become exposed to so much vocabulary! Pete the Cat is one of their favorites. The easy to use book bins worked well for the children to reach the books and put them away. Your kindness has truly made our classroom a more enriching, welcoming place. We now have books to go with almost every theme we discuss throughout the year. The large Sharpies help my Para and myself label everything and make fun new charts and posters!\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and investing in their earliest years of education. Your generosity has made a lasting impact, and we are so grateful. It's supporters like you who help us build a classroom where every child feels safe, valued, and inspired to learn. We just read our new Thanksgiving themed books and made turkeys afterward. Attached is a picture of their turkey work as a huge thank you to YOU! I currently have a new project I am hoping to get funded for the holiday season! The Preschool team dresses up as a Gingerbread family and gives books and gifts to the children to enjoy at home! \r\nThank you for being a part of their journey and making my teacher's heart full every single day!","fullyFundedDate":1756317508070,"projectUrl":"project/ready-set-learn-a-strong-start-for-my/9518867/","projectTitle":"Ready, Set, Learn! A Strong Start for My Preschoolers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Nancy Martinez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9592780_orig.jpg?crop=1800,1800,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1721066208137","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9592780"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_82168","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":452,"numTeachers":43,"percentFrplEligible":54,"percentAsian":14,"percentBlack":25,"percentWhite":6,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":49,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"10.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":55.0,"schoolId":82168,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Hillcrest Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Hillcrest Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-jersey/franklin-township-public-school-district/hillcrest-elementary-school/82168"}