{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Hamilton Heights Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":32.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10415939,"projectId":10051882,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your incredibly generous donation to our\r\nclassroom library. Your support has provided my students with more than just physical\r\nobjects; you have given them the gift of adventure, empathy, and a newfound passion for\r\nliterature.\r\n\r\nThe arrival of the book boxes was a moment of pure magic in our classroom. The\r\nexcitement was palpable as the students gathered around to see the new titles. Because of\r\nyour kindness, our shelves are now home to these beloved classics:\r\n\r\n• The Witches by Roald Dahl\r\n• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White\r\n• Holes by Louis Sachar\r\n• Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo\r\n• The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo\r\n\r\nIt has been a joy to watch my students dive into these stories. I have seen students who\r\npreviously struggled to stay engaged now huddled in corners, completely lost in the\r\nmysterious world of Holes or laughing out loud at the whimsy of The Witches. The\r\nemotional depth of Charlotte's Web and the poignant themes in Because of Winn-Dixie and\r\nThe Tiger Rising have sparked profound classroom discussions that I know will stay with\r\nthem for years to come.\r\n\r\nBy providing these specific titles, you have helped foster a genuine love of reading. You've\r\nshown my students that their education matters to people beyond the walls of our school.\r\nThis sense of community support is empowering for young learners and truly\r\ntransformative for our classroom environment.\r\n\r\nThank you for being a champion for literacy and for investing in the futures of my students.\r\nYour generosity has made a lasting impact.","fullyFundedDate":1769298568095,"projectUrl":"project/the-love-of-reading/10051882/","projectTitle":"The Love of Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bump","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10415939_orig.jpg?crop=1453,1453,x0,y169&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1769088948492","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10415939"},{"teacherId":10413191,"projectId":10043308,"letterContent":"I and my students truly appreciate all the help in supporting our classroom. Not only have the students been excited to use the games and materials given, but are also excited to come to my classroom. Finding materials for comprehension, phonics, and some math concepts can be difficult, but having them around has made an impact that can not be measured. Students not only know it's a game, but a learning resource, and have thanked me personally for the resources given, so I would like o extend that thank you forward to the donors supporting our classroom.\r\n\r\nOften, students in the learning support classroom doubt themselves, and can have a negative outlook on learning, but I can say this has been an inspiration for them to do well. In my classroom I always try to foster warmth, and hope, and I can say that having these materials was a good step in that direction. They have grown academically with the resources, which is a huge goal for any student, but better yet, it helped them gain the confidence to get there.","fullyFundedDate":1768896308029,"projectUrl":"project/a-warm-way-to-look-at-learning/10043308/","projectTitle":"A Warm Way to Look at Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Cowan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10413191"},{"teacherId":10096562,"projectId":10047990,"letterContent":"Since these resources arrived, our classroom has transformed into a space that truly respects the diverse sensory needs of every learner. Here is a closer look at how your generosity is making an impact.\r\nWe are currently using the sensory swing and noise-canceling headphones as foundational tools for our \"Ready to Learn\" stations. For many of my students, the transition from a busy hallway or a loud cafeteria can be jarring.\r\nA specific moment that stands out involved a student who often struggled with \"elopement\" (leaving the classroom) when the noise level rose during group work. Last week, instead of heading for the door, he independently grabbed the new headphones, retreated to the sensory swing for five minutes of rhythmic movement, and was able to return to his desk to finish his writing assignment. It was a massive win for his autonomy and self-regulation.\r\nThe day the boxes arrived felt like a holiday. When the students saw the sensory table, there was a collective \"Whoa!\" followed by a flurry of questions. One student, who usually avoids tactile activities, spent nearly twenty minutes exploring the textures we set up in the table. Their faces lit up with genuine curiosity; it wasn't just about new \"toys,\" but about feeling like their classroom was a special place designed specifically for them.\r\n\r\nThe air purifier and cleaning supplies have arrived just in time as we begin our next unit on \"Healthy Communities.\" We are using these items to teach practical life skills, such as maintaining a personal workspace and understanding how our environment affects our focus.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward with our current behavioral goals, these resources are helping us collect more accurate data. Because the students now have the tools to regulate their sensory input, we can better see their true academic potential during instruction. We are currently working on a project where students \"rate\" their focus levels before and after using the sensory tools, helping them advocate for what they need to succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1769376358932,"projectUrl":"project/safe-space/10047990/","projectTitle":"Safe Space","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Funk","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10096562_orig.jpg?crop=812,812,x377,y332&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1769022570951","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10096562"},{"teacherId":10413018,"projectId":10042890,"letterContent":"Thank you so profoundly for donating to our classroom; we feel truly supported and seen. The impact of these items has been immediate, particularly our new social-emotional tools. The mirror with emotion cards, token sorter, and huggables allow my students to identify their feelings and choose a path to calm down, while the breathing mats help them regulate so they can return to their work with confidence. Because of your kindness, my students are spending less time feeling overwhelmed and more time feeling capable.\r\n\r\nThe intentionality of our classroom has also been transformed. The organized cart keeps our space calm and visually clear, ensuring the kids can see their options without feeling overstimulated. Meanwhile, hands-on resources like the Little Spot books and weather sorter have made learning an active, engaging experience. Your investment has created a sanctuary where my students can grow both emotionally and academically.","fullyFundedDate":1768871136419,"projectUrl":"project/warm-place-to-grow/10042890/","projectTitle":"Warm Place to Grow","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cowan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10413018"},{"teacherId":10217116,"projectId":10076373,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom has become an even more supportive and engaging place for students to learn, connect, and grow. Your donations have made a meaningful difference in our daily routines and in the confidence our students are building every day.\r\n\r\nWe are already using the new resources in several ways throughout our classroom. The social skills games have quickly become a favorite during our small group time. One memorable moment happened during a turn-taking game where students practiced asking questions and listening to each other's answers. At first, some students were hesitant, but with the structure of the game they began encouraging each other and celebrating when a classmate shared an idea. It was wonderful to watch students practice communication and problem-solving while genuinely enjoying the activity.\r\n\r\nThe self-regulation tools and flexible seating have also had a big impact. Students now have options like fidgets or flexible seating when they need help staying calm and focused. One student who often struggled to sit through writing time was able to use a flexible seat and a small fidget, and they remained engaged for the entire activity. These tools are helping students better understand their own needs and take positive steps to stay ready to learn.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new materials, their excitement was immediate. There were big smiles and lots of curiosity as they explored the games, writing boards, and seating options. Many students eagerly asked when they could use them, and it was clear they felt proud that these special tools were part of their classroom.\r\n\r\nThe writing boards have also been incredibly helpful. Students are much more willing to take risks with their writing when they know mistakes can easily be erased. During a recent lesson, students used the boards to brainstorm ideas and practice sentences before transferring their work to paper. This helped build confidence and encouraged students to share their ideas more freely.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, we will continue using these tools to support social-emotional learning and academic growth. Our next steps include incorporating the social skills games into structured partner activities and using the writing boards during storytelling and collaborative writing lessons. We are also helping students learn when to independently choose self-regulation tools so they can stay focused and ready to participate.\r\n\r\nYour support has truly helped create a classroom environment where students feel comfortable, capable, and excited to learn. Thank you for giving our students the tools they need to grow socially, emotionally, and academically.","fullyFundedDate":1770035759891,"projectUrl":"project/life-skills/10076373/","projectTitle":"Life Skills","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Knight","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10217116_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756675209324","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10217116"},{"teacherId":10217116,"projectId":10038892,"letterContent":"Reading is a central part of our classroom each day, and thanks to our donors, our students now have access to engaging, developmentally appropriate books that truly meet their needs. Many people love reading but may not realize how intentionally books are used to teach foundational skills, especially in a K–2 autism support classroom. The new texts, including Mo Willems' Pigeon books, Pete the Cat stories, and a variety of age-appropriate rhyming books, support literacy, communication, social-emotional learning, and engagement in meaningful ways.\r\n\r\nThe Mo Willems Pigeon books are a classroom favorite and introduce several important skills. These stories teach students about emotions, perspective-taking, and problem-solving in a way that is clear, humorous, and relatable. The expressive illustrations and repetitive dialogue allow students to predict outcomes, label emotions, and participate verbally or nonverbally. Many of our students practice turn-taking by \"answering\" the Pigeon, while others work on identifying feelings such as frustration, excitement, or disappointment. These books also support pragmatic language skills by modeling thoughts and reactions that students can connect to real-life situations!","fullyFundedDate":1768847195291,"projectUrl":"project/lets-read/10038892/","projectTitle":"Let’s Read!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Knight","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10217116_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756675209324","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10217116"},{"teacherId":10217116,"projectId":10023433,"letterContent":"Thanks to the generosity of The Tepper Foundation, our classroom has been transformed in ways that impact my students every single day. The resources provided through this project, snacks, our book buddy rainbow basket, cozy blankets, an air purifier, Little Spot emotion tools, cleaning supplies, and first aid materials have helped create a learning environment that feels safe, regulated, and joyful for my students in our K-2 autism support classroom.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials arrived, my students were beyond excited! When they first saw the box of snacks, there were smiles, squeals, and lots of pointing to their favorites. \r\n\r\nOur book buddy rainbow basket has quickly become a classroom favorite. Students choose a book and a \"buddy\" to read with, which has encouraged independence, choice-making, and early literacy skills. Some students sit quietly flipping through pages, while others label pictures, imitate sounds, or practice shared attention with peers. \r\n\r\nThe blankets have been a surprising but powerful addition, especially during the colder months. After recess, when students often return overstimulated or uncomfortable, they can wrap up in a blanket while listening to a story or calming music. These cozy moments have helped students regulate their bodies and emotions, allowing smoother transitions back to learning. \r\n\r\nThe air purifier has made a noticeable difference in our classroom environment. With students who have sensitivities, allergies, and frequent illnesses, having cleaner air provides peace of mind and supports overall wellness. The cleaning supplies and first aid materials also ensure we can respond quickly and safely to everyday needs, keeping our classroom clean, healthy, and ready for learning without interruption.\r\n\r\nThe Little Spot emotion tools have become an essential part of our social-emotional learning. We use them during lessons, check-ins, and moments of frustration to help students identify feelings and practice regulation strategies. These tools support emotional awareness and communication, especially for students who are nonverbal or emerging communicators.","fullyFundedDate":1768638471040,"projectUrl":"project/warm-well-ready/10023433/","projectTitle":"Warm, Well, & Ready!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Knight","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10217116_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756675209324","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10217116"},{"teacherId":9926847,"projectId":10039678,"letterContent":"The materials and supplies purchased have made a real difference in my special education classroom, especially when it comes to meeting students' basic needs. Having snacks like veggie straws, pretzels, and protein options available has been incredibly important for students who don't always have access to food outside of school. Hunger often affects their ability to focus, manage emotions, and stay engaged. Being able to offer food during the day helps students settle in, feel more comfortable, and be ready to learn.\r\n\r\nThe rest of the supplies support both learning and day-to-day routines in the classroom. Glue sticks, modeling compound, and STEM activities give students hands-on ways to build fine motor skills and stay engaged in lessons. Clipboard holders help keep materials organized and make it easier for students to work more independently. Items like storage bags, disinfectant spray, wipes, tissues, and gloves help keep the classroom clean and comfortable, which is especially important for students who need extra support with hygiene or don't always have these resources at home.\r\n\r\nOverall, these items help create a classroom where students feel supported and prepared. When their basic needs are taken care of, they are more able to participate, learn, and feel successful each day.","fullyFundedDate":1768849893642,"projectUrl":"project/healthy-winter-goals/10039678/","projectTitle":"Healthy Winter Goals","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tamburini","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9926847_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1741455747872","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9926847"},{"teacherId":3772341,"projectId":9117439,"letterContent":"The A Little Spot series is a valuable tool for building social-emotional learning in the classroom because each story connects emotions to concrete strategies that children can practice daily. For example, A Little SPOT of Anger, Anxiety, and Sadness teaches students to recognize strong feelings and use simple self-regulation techniques like deep breathing, counting, or asking for a break—skills that can be reinforced during challenging moments in class. A Little SPOT of Happiness, Confidence, and Kindness encourages students to celebrate successes, build self-esteem, and create a positive classroom climate through gratitude, encouragement, and kind acts. There are other books in the series too. These stories can be paired with morning meetings, class discussions, or daily reflection time to help students identify how they are feeling and how their choices impact others.\r\nOverall, these books help teachers introduce emotional vocabulary, model coping strategies, and create consistent routines for emotional check-ins. By weaving the lessons into daily practice, teachers can reinforce skills like self-awareness, empathy, and problem-solving, making the classroom a supportive environment where students feel safe to express emotions and learn constructive ways to manage them.\r\n\r\nReading a Little SPOT of Emotion book in my classroom can looks like an engaging, interactive experience where students are not just listening, but connecting the story to their own feelings and classroom routines. My students who struggle with self-regulation often enjoy these books because the Spot characters give their feelings a shape and a face. It makes big, overwhelming emotions easier to talk about. They giggle at the illustrations, point to the \"angry\" or \"sad\" spot, and say, \"That's me!\" which helps them feel understood and less alone. Also, my students who like routines and structure find comfort in the predictable, step-by-step strategies the books introduce. They enjoy practicing the breathing or calming exercises right along with the characters.","fullyFundedDate":1744290677711,"projectUrl":"project/emotions-emotions-emotions-we-all-hav/9117439/","projectTitle":"Emotions, Emotions, Emotions! We ALL Have Them.","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Truett","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3772341_orig.jpg?crop=1353,1353,x0,y120&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1739893089506","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3772341"},{"teacherId":9926847,"projectId":9120148,"letterContent":"My students recently started school for the 2025-2026 school year and my students have used so many of the materials already! I was able to share paint brushes with my team members and the art teacher. My students are huge on painting, and many have difficulty holding small thin paint brushes. The adapted paint brushes are going to make such a difference for my students. \r\n\r\nOne of my goals for all students is to have them advocate for themselves including sensory needs. Having two body socks and a weighted blanket, has allowed my students to regulate themselves. My students are allowed to get both items at any point. My students have already learned how to use these materials to help them. \r\n\r\nI can't wait to use the rest of the resources!","fullyFundedDate":1746785985594,"projectUrl":"project/meeting-sensory-needs/9120148/","projectTitle":"Meeting Sensory Needs","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tamburini","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9926847_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1741455747872","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9926847"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_89821","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":553,"numTeachers":36,"percentFrplEligible":92,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":5,"percentWhite":67,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":14,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"15.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":67.7,"schoolId":89821,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Hamilton Heights Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Hamilton Heights Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/pennsylvania/chambersburg-area-school-district/hamilton-heights-elementary-school/89821"}