{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"La Francis Hardiman Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":55.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5933613,"projectId":10086739,"letterContent":"On behalf of the students and staff, I want to extend our deepest gratitude for your recent contributions to our Pet Donation Drive. While the physical items—the bags of food, the blankets, and the toys—are already making a world of difference for local animals in need, the true impact of your kindness has been felt right here inside our hallways.\r\n\r\nLessons Beyond the Classroom\r\n\r\nThrough this initiative, our scholars have witnessed firsthand that they are never \"too young\" to make a significant difference. Your donations provided more than just supplies; they provided a powerful lesson in civic responsibility and empathy.\r\n\r\nBy participating in this drive, our children have:\r\n\r\nSeen the Power of Action: They watched a small bin grow into a mountain of support, proving that individual contributions create a massive collective impact.\r\n\r\nDeveloped Empathy: Discussions about animal welfare have sparked deep conversations among scholars about caring for those who cannot speak for themselves.\r\n\r\nRecognized Their Own Agency: Our students now see themselves as active \"change-makers.\" They've realized that community service isn't just a concept—it's something they can lead and grow.\r\n\r\nBuilding a Future of Service\r\n\r\nSeeing the community rally behind them has ignited a new spark in our scholars. They aren't just asking \"What's next?\"—they are asking \"How else can we help?\" You haven't just helped local pets; you have helped cultivate a new generation of leaders who understand that their hands and hearts have the power to reshape their community.\r\n\r\nThank you for being the role models our scholars need and for showing them that when a community engages, everyone—human and animal alike—wins.","fullyFundedDate":1771604046083,"projectUrl":"project/paws-for-a-purpose/10086739/","projectTitle":"Paws for a Purpose","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Messina","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5933613_orig.jpg?crop=1186,1186,x0,y363&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1647352519886","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5933613"},{"teacherId":1546193,"projectId":10026587,"letterContent":"On behalf of the students and staff at Lafrancis Hardiman, thank you so much for your incredible generosity in support of P.S. I Love You Day on February 13th.\r\nThe purple shirts you provided for every student created a powerful sea of unity across our campus, making everyone feel seen and supported. Additionally, the purple paper was put to wonderful use; our hallways are now glowing with a massive kindness chain and beautiful heart crafts that remind our students they are never alone.\r\nYour donation did more than just provide supplies—it helped us foster a culture of mental health awareness and compassion. We are so grateful for your help in spreading this vital message of love and kindness","fullyFundedDate":1768494922878,"projectUrl":"project/ps-i-love-you/10026587/","projectTitle":"PS I Love You!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. BATTISTA","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1546193_orig.jpg?crop=841,841,x0,y117&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1608660610209","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1546193"},{"teacherId":1492832,"projectId":10026565,"letterContent":"Our students are using the Hunger and Warmth resources in meaningful, immediate ways that directly support their ability to learn and feel safe at school. The snacks provided have become an essential part of our daily routine, ensuring that students who arrive hungry are able to focus, participate, and regulate their emotions throughout the day. We also created a discreet system so students can access socks, underwear, and clothing items when needed, helping them feel comfortable, confident, and ready to engage in learning without embarrassment or interruption.\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, their reactions were a mix of excitement and relief. Several students expressed gratitude right away, while others showed visible comfort knowing that help was available if they needed it. \r\nThanks to our donors' generosity, the next steps for our students include continuing lessons focused on self‑care, community support, and empathy. We are teaching students that it is okay to ask for help and that our classroom is a safe, supportive space where everyone's needs matter.","fullyFundedDate":1768678736603,"projectUrl":"project/basic-needs-for-super-second-grade-stude/10026565/","projectTitle":"Basic Needs for Super Second Grade Students!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Taylor","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1492832_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1698421915343","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1492832"},{"teacherId":7880983,"projectId":10026040,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to my students and my school. The students were so excited to receive their new hats and gloves. These were so helpful to get my students through this brutally cold winter. Not only did your donation help the students in my classroom you also reached the students throughout the school. I donated the remainder of our hats and gloves to our school nurse, who then gave them to the students in need. We are so thankful for your donation to help us keep all our students safe and warm!","fullyFundedDate":1769126785051,"projectUrl":"project/winter-worries/10026040/","projectTitle":"Winter Worries","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Meyer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7880983_orig.jpg?crop=750,750,x0,y70&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1625679689988","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7880983"},{"teacherId":7750709,"projectId":10032196,"letterContent":"We here at the Lafrancis Hardiman School extend our gratitude to your warm hearts making it possible to provide warming kits for members of our community. The kits came very much in handy and were in high demand as the weather here on the east coast turned to below zero temperatures for many days. Because of your open generosity to back us we were able to help residents feel and understand how much we see them and care for them.\r\n\r\nStudents expressed such joy in putting together the warming kits and in crafting cards to include in the warming kits. Words could be heard and conversations centered around how good it made them feel having something tangible to give to others they see often around the neighborhood. Students worked with care and were kinder showing increased empathy towards one another. Students expressed how fun it was to do an activity at school that fulfilled a purpose of immediate affect. Thank you for partnering with us. Your contribution gave legs for this compassion project idea to move proudly with care from our classroom, school, and throughout our community.","fullyFundedDate":1768712562844,"projectUrl":"project/whats-warm/10032196/","projectTitle":"What's Warm?","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Chatman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7750709"},{"teacherId":7750709,"projectId":9957771,"letterContent":"The Lafrancis Hardiman School thanks you for lighting up our school and reigniting within members of our community the joy of reading. The literacy bags were put together by students who enthusiastically added to bags some colorful and smell-good items to make reading even more engaging, fun-filled, and memorable. Along with the addition of their handmade cards illustrating the important applicability of literacy through not only reading but in writing, as well. The bags were used to promote family togetherness through reading and as a powerful, low budget to free way to spend quality time together. Because of your open generosity to support us in making this initiative come alive we were able to help resident families see how easy and affordably they can carve out time and craft a family tradition that will foster a lifetime of learning. Family literacy also provides a lifetime of memories and lasts a lifetime. \r\n\r\nStudents expressed excitement in assembling the literacy bags and in authoring cards to include. Words could be heard and conversations centered around how good it made them feel to give books and reading and writing tools to families around the neighborhood. Students expressed how fun it was to share the joy of reading. It was an adventure project for students that adds to their understanding the importance of literacy and how it aids to functioning in life. Thank you for partnering with us. Your contribution moved this compassion project from an idea to an experiential understanding of how important and necessary literacy is to life. From our classroom, school, and throughout our community you have helped us give tangibility and life to literacy.","fullyFundedDate":1765908194959,"projectUrl":"project/shine-a-light-on-reading-community-lite/9957771/","projectTitle":"Shine a Light on Reading: Community Literacy Bags","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Chatman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7750709"},{"teacherId":1492832,"projectId":9962388,"letterContent":"When my students first saw the materials for our sensory bins, their excitement was immediate and heartfelt. Their eyes lit up as they explored the textures, colors, and tools, and they couldn't wait to get started. Many of them eagerly reached in, naming items and sharing ideas about how each material could be used. It was clear that these resources made them feel valued and supported, and they took great pride in knowing they were creating something meaningful for others.\r\nAs part of a larger classroom project, my students worked collaboratively to design and assemble sensory bins for students with disabilities who benefit from a sensory diet and opportunities to strengthen fine motor skills. This project allowed my students to practice empathy, teamwork, and problem-solving while applying what we've been learning about sensory regulation. The bins are now being used as a calming and focusing tool for students who feel overstimulated, helping them regain control and refocus on learning. Thanks to your generosity, my classroom has become a more inclusive and supportive space.","fullyFundedDate":1766078206730,"projectUrl":"project/kind-kids-make-sensory-bins/9962388/","projectTitle":"Kind Kids Make Sensory Bins!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Taylor","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1492832_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1698421915343","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1492832"},{"teacherId":293060,"projectId":10026354,"letterContent":"On behalf of our entire class, I want to extend our deepest and most heartfelt thanks for your generous support in helping provide basic needs such as snacks and toothbrushes for our students. Your kindness has made a meaningful and immediate difference in our classroom community, and we are truly grateful.\r\n\r\nIt is often the simplest things that have the greatest impact. Having access to nutritious snacks during the school day helps our students stay focused, energized, and ready to learn. For many of them, these snacks are more than just a small bite to eat — they are a source of comfort and stability. When students do not have to worry about hunger, they are better able to concentrate on lessons, participate in class discussions, and engage confidently with their peers. Your generosity has helped create an environment where students can focus on being students.\r\n\r\nThe toothbrushes you provided are equally important. Access to basic hygiene items is something many people take for granted, yet for some of our families, these essentials can be difficult to obtain consistently. By ensuring our students have toothbrushes, you have helped promote not only their physical health but also their confidence and self-esteem. When students feel clean and cared for, they carry themselves differently. They smile more freely, interact more comfortably, and feel a greater sense of belonging among their classmates.\r\n\r\nYour support sends a powerful message to our students: that their well-being matters. It shows them that there are people in their community who care about them and are willing to step up to meet their needs. That message is invaluable. It fosters a sense of security and encouragement that goes far beyond the items themselves.\r\n\r\nIn the classroom, we have already seen the positive effects of your generosity. Students are more attentive and engaged after snack time. They are proud to take responsibility for their hygiene items. Small routines — sharing snacks respectfully, organizing supplies, taking care of personal items — have strengthened our sense of community. These everyday moments build life skills, responsibility, and mutual respect.\r\n\r\nYour donation has also eased the burden on families who may be facing financial challenges. By helping provide these essentials, you have supported not just individual students, but entire households. Acts of kindness like yours ripple outward in ways that are difficult to measure but deeply felt.\r\n\r\nWe want you to know that your generosity has not gone unnoticed. Our students understand that someone cared enough to think about their needs. Many have expressed their gratitude in conversations, and they are learning an important lesson about compassion and giving back. Because of you, they are seeing firsthand what it means to support one another.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our classroom and in the well-being of our students. Your contribution has helped create a more nurturing, focused, and confident learning environment. We are sincerely appreciative of your thoughtfulness and generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1768678777802,"projectUrl":"project/care-and-comfort/10026354/","projectTitle":"Care and Comfort","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fitzgibbon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp293060_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1467811239270","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lorifitzgibbon"},{"teacherId":293060,"projectId":9935964,"letterContent":"I want to express my deepest gratitude for your generous support of my project, \"Creating Future Leaders.\" Your contribution is far more than a financial gift—it is an investment in the potential, confidence, and growth of young children who are just beginning to discover the leaders within themselves.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, my students are experiencing opportunities that will shape not only their academic journeys but also their character and self-belief. At this age, children are forming ideas about who they are and what they are capable of becoming. Your support allows us to intentionally nurture qualities such as responsibility, empathy, teamwork, problem-solving, and perseverance—skills that will serve them for a lifetime.\r\n\r\nThrough your donation, we have been able to provide engaging leadership activities, hands-on learning materials, collaborative projects, and meaningful classroom experiences that empower students to use their voices. They are learning how to set goals, reflect on their growth, support one another, and take initiative. These may seem like small steps, but in a second grader's world, they are monumental.\r\n\r\nI wish you could see the pride on their faces when they lead a group discussion, help a classmate solve a problem, or present an idea to the class. You would see confidence blooming in children who once hesitated to raise their hands. You would hear thoughtful conversations where students practice kindness and respectful disagreement. These are the seeds of leadership, and they are being planted because of you.\r\n\r\nYour belief in this project sends a powerful message—not only to me as an educator but also to every child in our classroom. It tells them that someone beyond their school walls believes in their future. That kind of encouragement has a ripple effect. It strengthens our classroom community and reinforces the idea that their dreams matter.\r\n\r\nAs a teacher, there is nothing more rewarding than watching students realize their potential. Your support makes that possible in ways that go far beyond textbooks and worksheets. You are helping to shape thinkers, collaborators, and compassionate leaders who will carry these lessons into their families, their communities, and eventually the wider world.\r\n\r\nPlease know how truly grateful I am for your kindness and generosity. Your contribution is making a meaningful and lasting difference. On behalf of my students and their families, thank you for believing in the power of young learners and for partnering with us in this important work.\r\n\r\nWe are excited about the growth ahead, and we are so thankful to have you as part of our journey in creating the next generation of leaders.","fullyFundedDate":1766941849720,"projectUrl":"project/creating-future-leaders/9935964/","projectTitle":"Creating Future Leaders","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fitzgibbon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp293060_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1467811239270","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lorifitzgibbon"},{"teacherId":10036172,"projectId":9969849,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our school by donating cereal for our 100 Day Trail Mix activity! Because of your generosity, our first and second grade students were able to celebrate this special milestone with a hands-on learning experience that made math both meaningful and fun. They were so happy and it brought everyone together as students in every class were talking about it. \r\n\r\nYour kindness helped turn an ordinary lesson into a joyful celebration of learning. Thank you for making experiences like this possible for our students!","fullyFundedDate":1767295686783,"projectUrl":"project/mixing-up-100-days-of-learning/9969849/","projectTitle":"Mixing Up 100 Days of Learning!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Villatoro","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10036172"},{"teacherId":10387291,"projectId":9964232,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom by donating cereal for our 100 Day Trail Mix activity! Because of your generosity, our first and second grade students were able to celebrate this special milestone with a hands-on learning experience that made math both meaningful and fun.\r\n\r\nStudents practiced counting, grouping, sorting, and classifying as they carefully created trail mix made up of 100 pieces of cereal. They worked together, discussed counting strategies, and strengthened their problem-solving skills while engaging in real-world learning. The excitement and pride on their faces as they reached 100, and then enjoyed their tasty snack, made the day truly memorable.\r\n\r\nYour kindness helped turn an ordinary lesson into a joyful celebration of learning. Thank you for making experiences like this possible for our students!","fullyFundedDate":1767106480753,"projectUrl":"project/100-days-of-kindness/9964232/","projectTitle":"100 Days of Kindness!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Schulman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10387291"},{"teacherId":7066621,"projectId":10025234,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project and helping provide warm blankets for our students to take home along with books during winter break. Your generosity made a meaningful difference for our students and their families.\r\n\r\nThe students were incredibly excited and grateful to receive their own cozy blankets. Many shared how special it felt to have something just for them, and they looked forward to curling up at home to read. Pairing the blankets with books helped create a comforting reading experience, encouraging students to continue learning and enjoying stories even while school was closed.\r\n\r\nFor some of our students, winter can be a challenging time, and your kindness provided both physical warmth and emotional comfort. This project helped promote literacy while also showing students that their community cares deeply about their well-being.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, our students felt supported, valued, and inspired to keep reading throughout the break. Thank you for spreading warmth, kindness, and a love of learning!","fullyFundedDate":1769012779307,"projectUrl":"project/snuggle-up-with-a-good-book/10025234/","projectTitle":"Snuggle Up With a Good Book!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Senia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7066621"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_23577","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":538,"numTeachers":25,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":27,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":70,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 2","studentTeacherRatio":"21.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":44.9,"schoolId":23577,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about La Francis Hardiman Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"La Francis Hardiman Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-york/wyandanch-union-free-school-district/la-francis-hardiman-elementary-school/23577"}