{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"William H Hunter Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":39.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6024069,"projectId":9745582,"letterContent":"Thank you so very, very much for your generous donations. They have made a world of difference! Our students are now able to visit the Care Closet and easily receive much needed personal items that were once unattainable. Your kindness provides the opportunity for students to turn their attention from basic needs to learning. That impact dramatically improves their chances for success. \r\n\r\nBy donating these items, you have enabled our students to feel seen, heard, and valued. You have donated so much more that personal items. You have provided a chance for self confidence to grow. Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1762616383560,"projectUrl":"project/meet-basic-needs-to-foster-learning/9745582/","projectTitle":"Meet Basic Needs to Foster Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. L","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6024069"},{"teacherId":6024069,"projectId":9416915,"letterContent":"Thank you so very, very much for your generous donation. Your kindness has provided many personal care items to our Care Closet: deodorant, chapstick, period products, tissues, and warm gloves. When basic needs are met, students can focus on the very important task of learning. You made this possible! Thank you.\r\n\r\nThank you for providing our school community with much needed supplies to boost self confidence and learning. Your generosity has made a huge difference to our students and our community.","fullyFundedDate":1756687098034,"projectUrl":"project/needs-before-learning/9416915/","projectTitle":"Needs Before Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. L","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6024069"},{"teacherId":4785839,"projectId":9697544,"letterContent":"Your generous support made our recent School-Wide Parade a tremendous success and a wonderfully memorable, safe Halloween celebration for all our students! The candy you provided was used as the highly anticipated reward, ensuring that every student who enthusiastically participated—showing off their creative costumes while parading safely through the halls—received a well-deserved treat. Witnessing the students' pure joy was the highlight of the day; their eyes lit up when they saw the colorful rewards, validating their excitement and excellent school-wide behavior. This celebration fostered an immediate and tangible sense of community, fun, and school spirit that reinforced that their enthusiasm and positive efforts are celebrated.\r\n\r\nWe are already using the positive energy from this celebration to dive into our next academic projects. The feeling of success and reward generated by the parade has created a more positive and engaged classroom atmosphere, ready to tackle upcoming long-term assignments and collaborative lessons. Thank you for giving our students a memorable, equitable, and secure way to celebrate, and for helping us cultivate a warm school culture where positive behavior and student happiness are celebrated throughout the year.","fullyFundedDate":1758292807334,"projectUrl":"project/candy-for-the-character-parade/9697544/","projectTitle":"Candy for the \"Character Parade\"","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Focht","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4785839_orig.png?crop=273,273,x5,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1617994281395","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/expressivelysped"},{"teacherId":4785839,"projectId":9502320,"letterContent":"Thank you! From the bottom of our hearts, we are so incredibly grateful that you chose to support our project, \"Supplies for a Sanitary Classroom.\" Your generosity has provided more than just soap and wipes—you have created a foundation of health, security, and focus that is absolutely vital for our special education students.\r\n\r\nThe Immediate Impact: Health as a Foundation for Learning\r\nFor our students, many of whom require a highly structured and predictable environment to regulate their emotions and attention, a clean and safe classroom is a non-negotiable component of effective instruction. By minimizing germs and reducing the likelihood of illness, you have minimized student absences and maximized the time they spend receiving Specially Designed Instruction (SDI). Our students know that our classroom is a secure space, and knowing their health is protected is a silent, but powerful, calming factor.\r\n\r\nWhen the massive box of supplies arrived, the students were filled with relief and pride. Seeing the huge bottle of hand sanitizer and the stack of brightly labeled cleaning wipes, they didn't just see cleaning products; they saw their needs being taken seriously. We used the moment as a lesson on community responsibility: the materials weren't just for me, but for them to manage their own health. Now, they independently grab a wipe after a sensory break or remind each other to wash hands before using shared manipulatives. It's a key life skill development moment, made possible by you.","fullyFundedDate":1753832044661,"projectUrl":"project/supplies-for-a-sanitary-classroom/9502320/","projectTitle":"Supplies for a Sanitary Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Focht","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4785839_orig.png?crop=273,273,x5,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1617994281395","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/expressivelysped"},{"teacherId":4785839,"projectId":9502287,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for completely funding our project, \"Snacks for Successful Learning!\" Your generosity has truly removed a significant, yet often overlooked, barrier to education, allowing our special education students to focus on specially designed instruction rather than hunger.\r\n\r\nDescribing the Impact: Fueling Focus and Learning\r\nThe impact of having these resources readily available has been immediate and powerful.\r\n\r\nWe are using the new resources every single morning. Many of our students are traveling long distances to school and need time to regulate before beginning academic work. We incorporate a snack and hydration break during our 15-minute IEP goal review session at the start of the day. This simple ritual, fueled by your donations, stabilizes blood sugar and significantly lowers anxiety.\r\n\r\nA specific moment that illustrates this impact happened just this week: We were working on a complex multi-step problem that required high focus. I noticed one student, \"Sarah,\" beginning to exhibit frustration and repetitive behaviors. Instead of a redirection, I simply handed her a granola bar and a water bottle. Within five minutes, she was calm, regulated, and able to successfully complete the final two steps of the problem. This shows the immediate, concrete value of your contribution to both behavioral and academic success.\r\n\r\nThe students' reaction when they first saw the bin of snacks was priceless—pure joy and relief! They instantly recognized the routine and knew that their basic needs were being met, fostering a sense of security and trust in the classroom environment. Knowing that they can count on this essential support has completely changed the tone of our mornings.\r\n\r\nNext Steps for Successful Learning\r\nMoving forward, the steady availability of \"brain food\" allows us to increase the intensity of our Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) sessions. Our next step is to use this renewed focus and energy to tackle the more rigorous sections of our curriculum, particularly applying those multi-step math and writing skills.\r\n\r\nWe are currently launching a project focused on Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs), and the stable environment created by your generosity will be key to helping students practice self-regulation and maintain the sustained attention necessary for this work. Your donation hasn't just provided food; it has provided the foundation for successful learning.\r\n\r\nThank you again for investing in our students and making their daily achievements possible!","fullyFundedDate":1754099824484,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-for-successful-learning/9502287/","projectTitle":"Snacks for Successful Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Focht","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4785839_orig.png?crop=273,273,x5,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1617994281395","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/expressivelysped"},{"teacherId":4785839,"projectId":9688797,"letterContent":"Thank you so much! Your incredible generosity fully funded our project, \"Snacks for Our Superstar Scholars!\" and we are thrilled to share the immediate impact your gift has had on our classroom.\r\n\r\nA Roaring Welcome and Immediate Focus 🥳\r\nHow did my students react? They were ecstatic! When they first saw the giant box of snacks—especially the taki's—there was a collective cheer. It wasn't just about the food; it was the realization that someone cared enough about their basic needs to send this bounty just for them. It created an immediate sense of belonging and care.\r\n\r\nWe are using these resources every day to fuel focus and minimize energy dips. A perfect example was yesterday during our rigorous \"Argumentative Essay Planning\" unit. This task requires intense concentration and executive function—areas where many of our students struggle when hungry.\r\n\r\nInstead of seeing the usual mid-morning distraction and fatigue, we took a scheduled \"Brain Fuel\" break. Students quietly grabbed a snack, had five minutes to reset, and then returned with renewed energy. We moved from frustrating bickering over planning checklists to focused, sustained work on their thesis statements. The snacks directly stabilized their mood and attention, removing a major barrier to tackling complex cognitive tasks.\r\n\r\nWhat's Next for Our Superstar Scholars?\r\nThe sustained energy your donation provides is foundational to our next big academic step.\r\n\r\nWe are currently transitioning from planning to Drafting and Peer Review for those argumentative essays. This phase requires high-level social skills and emotional regulation (like taking critical feedback and managing disagreement).\r\n\r\nBecause students are not distracted by hunger, they have the cognitive capacity to engage constructively. The next steps involve:\r\n\r\nPracticing appropriate peer-review communication skills without bickering.\r\n\r\nApplying Executive Functioning strategies (like our planning checklists) to organize their drafts.\r\n\r\nBy ensuring they have the energy they need, your gift is directly supporting their achievement of challenging academic goals.\r\n\r\nThank You for Being Our Partner\r\nThank you again for giving our students the fuel they need to succeed and for investing in their potential. We couldn't have done this without your generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1758740193109,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-for-our-superstar-scholars/9688797/","projectTitle":"Snacks for Our Superstar Scholars!","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Focht","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4785839_orig.png?crop=273,273,x5,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1617994281395","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/expressivelysped"},{"teacherId":10081428,"projectId":9467606,"letterContent":"My creative writing project has been such a success due to your generosity and support. At this time, all 38 of my students have free-write folder, designed by their own imagination and creativity, filled to the brim with writing from the past month.\r\n\r\nThese folders are going to be a chronicle of their 7th grade year. For some it will be a weekly journal entry, for others a collection of graphic novel panels, and for others a myriad of a silly, inventive, and sometimes angsty short stories. My students genuinely look forward to free-write Fridays every week. They actually get upset if we have off on a Friday or our schedule changes due to school events and they don't get to start their ELA block with free-write. \r\n\r\nI am so grateful that I can give my scholars the opportunity to express themselves in this way. I am beyond thankful for all your donations which made the impact and importance of this activity even that much grander.","fullyFundedDate":1753199396573,"projectUrl":"project/ms-hoffards-creative-writing-project/9467606/","projectTitle":"Ms. Hoffard's Creative Writing Project","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hoffard","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10081428"},{"teacherId":4785839,"projectId":9530875,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for powering our project, \"The Power of Printing!\" Your gift has fundamentally upgraded our ability to provide Specific Designed Instruction (SDI) by bringing a much-needed color printer right into my office space.\r\n\r\nTechnology's Impact on Learning\r\nFor our students, this color printer isn't just technology—it's an engine for immediate, personalized support. Many of our students with IEPs rely heavily on visual aids and explicit cues to regulate their emotions and manage their learning. Previously, creating these supports was time-consuming, but having this printer in my office allows me to produce a high-quality, custom tool—like a visual break card or a new PBIS behavior chart—the very moment a student needs it. This speed and personalization are critical for helping students quickly transition back to learning.\r\n\r\nExcitement and Student Success\r\nWhat is most exciting to the students is the color and quality of their individualized tools. For example, I now print vibrant, clear \"Cool Down\" cards and detailed visual schedules that are far more engaging than simple black-and-white copies. The ability to use color coding and realistic images for specific materials immediately increases the tool's effectiveness. One student, who often struggled with transition anxiety, now utilizes a customized visual schedule printed with color photos of her exact classroom stations, which has measurably reduced her anxiety and increased her independent movement between activities.\r\n\r\nThe immediate access to high-quality printouts means we can always be responsive, ensuring every student has the visual supports they need for success. Thank you for this essential investment in their academic and emotional well-being!","fullyFundedDate":1755225481579,"projectUrl":"project/the-power-of-printing/9530875/","projectTitle":"The Power of Printing","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Focht","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4785839_orig.png?crop=273,273,x5,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1617994281395","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/expressivelysped"},{"teacherId":4785839,"projectId":9560573,"letterContent":"Thank you for your incredible support of \"A Cozy Retreat for Resilient Learners\"! Your gifts have fundamentally changed the emotional landscape of our school, starting right here in my office.\r\n\r\nThe most profound impact is that my office is now a safe, self-requested break space for students. The area rug instantly made the space feel soft, inviting, and comfortable, replacing a clinical feel with a sense of safety. When the students first saw the materials, they immediately gravitated toward the new items—the small chairs are a huge hit, giving them a perfect spot to decompress. The Learning Resources S'Mores Break!™ Sensory Fidget Activity Set and other sensory toys provide the exact calming input our students need.","fullyFundedDate":1755568147658,"projectUrl":"project/a-cozy-retreat-for-resilient-learners/9560573/","projectTitle":"A Cozy Retreat for Resilient Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Focht","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4785839_orig.png?crop=273,273,x5,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1617994281395","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/expressivelysped"},{"teacherId":4785839,"projectId":9697656,"letterContent":"These prizes are now the highly desired currency of our positive behavior system. Students earn points throughout the week for demonstrating expected behaviors (like respect, responsibility, and readiness), and when they accumulate enough points, they get to shop in our school store! When the students first saw the new materials—especially the novelty items and specialized toys—their reaction was pure excitement. They instantly started calculating how many points they needed to purchase their favorite item, giving them clear, visible goals to work toward. We recently had our first big \"shopping day,\" and the joy of choosing a prize bought entirely with self-earned points was an unforgettable, motivating moment for the entire class.","fullyFundedDate":1757682705861,"projectUrl":"project/fun-prizes-for-positive-behavior/9697656/","projectTitle":"Fun Prizes for Positive Behavior","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Focht","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4785839_orig.png?crop=273,273,x5,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1617994281395","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/expressivelysped"},{"teacherId":4785839,"projectId":9560720,"letterContent":"Thank you for bringing \"Building a Safe Haven: Tools for Emotional Regulation\" to life! Your gifts have allowed me to transform my office into a therapeutic and supportive sensory break space for our students.\r\n\r\nThe impact of the new resources has been immediate and visible: my office is now a true safe haven. Students who previously struggled with transitions or overwhelming moments now love coming in for a structured break. The weighted blanket pad and stuffed animals are enormous hits—they provide the deep, calming pressure many students need to reset their nervous systems quickly. The gentle sounds of the sensory rainmakers and toys help quiet anxious thoughts, allowing students to regain control before returning to class.\r\n\r\nOur next step is training the students to independently request and utilize these specific tools as part of their daily self-management routine. Thank you for providing the powerful, tangible resources that are teaching our scholars how to regulate their emotions and succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1755226326996,"projectUrl":"project/building-a-safe-haven-tools-for-emotion/9560720/","projectTitle":"Building a Safe Haven: Tools for Emotional Regulation","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Focht","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4785839_orig.png?crop=273,273,x5,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1617994281395","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/expressivelysped"},{"teacherId":8704923,"projectId":8757228,"letterContent":"This project helped bring my students a sense of calm and safety to their classroom. The fidgets, headphones, and other sensory-based material was crucial to build an environment where students felt comfortable learning and letting all other worries go. \r\n\r\nAs a special education teacher, so much of what we do is beyond the curriculum. We have students with specific learning needs that require accommodations to have an environment where they can focus solely on learning. In order to make that happen, we often rely on our friends and family to help buy, build, and maintain that environment. Your generosity is so appreciated and I cannot express how deeply valued you are in our class!","fullyFundedDate":1730736999956,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-safe-classroom/8757228/","projectTitle":"Sensory Safe Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Powers","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8704923_orig.jpg?crop=1014,1014,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1668696797230","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8704923"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_90843","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":414,"numTeachers":33,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":22,"percentWhite":2,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":70,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"12.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":60.2,"schoolId":90843,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about William H Hunter Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"William H Hunter Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/pennsylvania/philadelphia-city-school-district/william-h-hunter-elementary-school/90843"}