{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Mary Lou Hartman Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":34.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10170152,"projectId":9721472,"letterContent":"Thank you for all your support in funding our classroom's new, upgraded fish tank! I have always wanted to create an interactive environment where students can see the habitat of other living things and how that habitat changes, as well as observe the life cycles of living things. Many times, students think only of terrestrial animals when they think of living things, but with an aquarium, they have a real-world, dynamic example of an aquatic ecosystem. Without your help, this would have taken me so much longer to complete on my own.\r\nI am writing to share our immense gratitude and to give you a peek into how your generosity has transformed our classroom! Because of your support, our new 20-gallon \"Puddle to Pond\" fish tank is officially set up and thriving, serving as our dynamic, living science center.\r\nThe day the tank arrived was filled with sheer joy and amazement! When the students first saw the large box and then the impressive, empty tank, their eyes were wide with wonder. As we worked together to plan the layout of our tank, their initial reaction was a flurry of pointing, hushed excitement, and a dozen questions about where the fish would hide. Their faces lit up even more when we finally introduced our fish to their spacious new home.\r\nWe are currently using the tank as the anchor for our unit on \"Living Things and Their Habitats.\" Every morning and during clean up at the end of the day, students have an opportunity to observe the tank up close. We watched a tiny, newly introduced snail slowly moving up the glass, and one student shouted, \"Look! The baby snail!\" That simple observation led to a deep, spontaneous discussion about decomposers, algae, and the balance of an ecosystem—concepts far beyond a textbook lesson.\r\nYour contribution has done more than just buy a piece of equipment; it has given our students a daily, hands-on lesson in biology, responsibility, and the wonder of nature. Thank you, once again, for helping us give our fish a wonderful home and for inspiring a new generation of little scientists!","fullyFundedDate":1758900113700,"projectUrl":"project/puddle-to-pond-a-new-home-for-our-fishy/9721472/","projectTitle":"Puddle to Pond: A New Home for Our Fishy Friends!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Macias","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10170152_orig.jpg?crop=1807,1807,x0,y265&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758141144323","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-lmacias"},{"teacherId":10073552,"projectId":9452401,"letterContent":"On behalf of Mrs. Browning's 5th grade science class, we want to extend our deepest, most heartfelt gratitude for your incredible generosity!\r\n\r\nThanks to your donation, Phoenix the bearded dragon is officially back where she belongs; in the center of our classroom! As you know, her old habitat was no longer safe or appropriate, and we had to make the difficult decision to keep her home for a while. It was quiet here without her, and we missed our scaly friend more than we can say.\r\n\r\nYour contribution wasn't just a gift—it was an investment in our students' learning and emotional well-being. We are thrilled to report that the funds you donated allowed us to purchase a brand-new, spacious, and state-of-the-art habitat that gives Phoenix plenty of room to bask, climb, and thrive.\r\n\r\nHaving Phoenix back allows us to resume our daily observation and care routine, which is a hands-on lesson in biology, ecology, and responsibility. We use her every day to study her diet, temperature regulation, and lifecycle. Phoenix is a gentle, calming presence in the room. Students who may struggle with reading aloud often feel more comfortable doing so while sitting next to her cage. She teaches us patience, empathy, and how to care for a vulnerable creature. Most importantly, Phoenix is thriving! She is active, curious, and enjoying her ample new space and updated basking lights. We've noticed her colors are brighter and her energy is back to her cheerful, inquisitive self.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has done more than just replace a cage; it has returned a beloved member of our classroom family and enriched our daily educational environment. Every time a student checks her temperature, draws her basking, or simply pauses to watch her move, they are benefiting directly from your support.\r\n\r\nThank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for making this possible. We are incredibly grateful to have you as a supporter of our little classroom community.","fullyFundedDate":1755414962615,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-enrichment-through-a-class-pet/9452401/","projectTitle":"Classroom Enrichment Through a Class Pet","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Browning","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10073552_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752012437875","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-browning1"},{"teacherId":9974647,"projectId":9375489,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, my third graders are fully equipped and ready to learn every day! We've been using our new supplies, crayons, markers, whiteboards, Ticonderoga pencils, headphones, highlighters, and glue sticks, across every subject area. Students have used their whiteboards during math lessons to solve problems together and their new pencils and highlighters during reading to annotate and identify main ideas. The headphones have been especially helpful during our independent literacy and technology rotations, allowing students to focus on their personalized lessons without distraction.\r\nWhen my students first saw the boxes of materials, their excitement filled the room! Many shouted, \"We each get our own?\" and couldn't wait to unpack their individual supplies. For many of them, having brand-new tools to learn with made them feel proud, responsible, and ready to do their best work. It was such a joyful moment to see their faces light up with appreciation and curiosity.\r\nAs we move forward, we'll continue using these materials to complete hands-on projects and strengthen our academic skills. In reading, we're diving into informational texts and using our highlighters to identify key details and main ideas. In math, our whiteboards help us practice multiplication facts and show our work in real time. These resources have made learning more engaging and accessible for every student, and I'm so grateful for your kindness and support in helping us start the school year strong.","fullyFundedDate":1758931541367,"projectUrl":"project/supplies-for-success-tools-to-help-youn/9375489/","projectTitle":"Supplies for Success: Tools to Help Young Minds Shine","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Romero","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9974647_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744072321571","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9974647"},{"teacherId":9974647,"projectId":9621896,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our financial literacy project! Because of you, my students now have access to engaging and meaningful resources that are helping them develop real-world money management skills.\r\nWe've launched a classroom economy where students earn tickets for making wise academic and behavioral choices. They can then spend, save, or budget their earnings in our class economy store. It's been amazing to watch them weigh their options and talk through their decisions using financial literacy terms like \"needs vs. wants,\" \"saving,\" and \"spending.\" One student proudly shared how they decided to save up for a bigger reward instead of spending all their tickets at once, a moment that truly showed the impact of this project!\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the excitement was instant. Their faces lit up with curiosity and enthusiasm, and they couldn't wait to dive into the new system. The idea of earning and spending within our own classroom economy immediately sparked rich conversations about financial responsibility and long-term goals.\r\nLooking ahead, we're continuing to build on this momentum. Students will begin reflecting on their spending habits, setting savings goals, and tracking their financial choices in personal journals. It's been inspiring to see them already applying these lessons beyond the classroom, making thoughtful choices and even talking about money with their families at home.\r\nThank you for giving my students the tools to build strong financial habits early. Your generosity is making a lasting difference in their lives!","fullyFundedDate":1757421808430,"projectUrl":"project/save-spend-succeed-incentives-that-in/9621896/","projectTitle":"Save, Spend, Succeed: Incentives that Inspire Goal Setting","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Romero","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9974647_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744072321571","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9974647"},{"teacherId":9974647,"projectId":9238537,"letterContent":"brought a wonderful variety of high-interest, engaging stories into our classroom that support many important reading skills. Through these texts, students are learning to navigate multiple genres, such as fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, while also practicing key strategies like identifying main ideas, using text features (like captions and charts), and responding to writing prompts. The magazines include diverse stories and articles that spark curiosity and help students build critical thinking skills, all while making reading fun and meaningful.\r\nReading in our classroom with Storyworks3 looks dynamic and inclusive. We use both the physical magazines and the digital \"Read to Me\" feature, which supports all learners, especially those who need extra help with fluency or comprehension. Students read stories independently, participate in guided reading groups, and engage in discussions and writing activities based on the texts. The ability to take magazines home also allows students to share their learning and excitement with family and community members, extending literacy beyond the classroom.\r\nSeveral students have really taken to the variety of stories offered by Storyworks3. For example, students who are usually reluctant readers are more motivated by the engaging topics and interactive digital features. One student, who struggles with reading fluency, benefits greatly from the \"Read to Me\" option and feels more confident tackling new texts. Overall, this subscription has been a game changer, providing accessible, exciting content that meets the needs of all learners in my classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1746783005875,"projectUrl":"project/reading-for-success-boosting-literacy-s/9238537/","projectTitle":"Reading for Success: Boosting Literacy Skills in 3rd Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Romero","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9974647_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744072321571","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9974647"},{"teacherId":9974647,"projectId":9363734,"letterContent":"The new poetry books have helped me teach important skills like recognizing rhyme, rhythm, and figurative language such as similes and metaphors. Students are learning how poets use words creatively to express feelings and create vivid images. These books also help students understand different tones and moods in poems, which improves their overall reading and thinking skills. By exploring a variety of poems, students are becoming more confident readers and writers of poetry.\r\nReading in our classroom is a fun and interactive experience. Students enjoy reading poems aloud to practice fluency and expression, talking about what the poems mean in small groups, and writing their own poems inspired by the books. This variety keeps students interested and excited about reading. Poetry time has become one of the favorite parts of our day, with many students eager to share their thoughts and creations.\r\nSeveral students have especially enjoyed the funny and magical poems. For example, one shy student has grown more confident by sharing poems aloud, and another student who loves stories about magic has found new excitement in reading poems about magical themes. These books have created a welcoming space for all students to explore poetry and enjoy reading in new ways.","fullyFundedDate":1752354253238,"projectUrl":"project/magic-laughter-and-poems-fueling-a-lo/9363734/","projectTitle":"Magic, Laughter, and Poems: Fueling a Love for Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Romero","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9974647_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744072321571","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9974647"},{"teacherId":9974647,"projectId":9273053,"letterContent":"The new collection of exciting, multi-genre books has truly transformed our reading instruction and the way students engage with texts. These books have allowed me to introduce important skills like identifying main ideas and supporting details, comparing and contrasting genres, making inferences, and recognizing author's purpose and tone. Students are gaining confidence in navigating different types of literature and understanding how to approach each one strategically. We also focus on discussion skills, encouraging students to ask questions, share insights, and build deeper comprehension through collaborative conversations.\r\nReading in our classroom is now a dynamic and joyful part of each day. Students spend time independently reading their book of choice, participate in small group guided reading sessions, and engage in whole-class read-alouds where we explore themes and vocabulary together. The variety of genres keeps students curious and motivated, and many are excited to share their favorite stories with classmates. Reading has become a social and interactive experience that goes beyond just decoding words to really thinking critically about what they read.\r\nSeveral students who previously struggled with staying interested in reading have especially thrived with the new books. One student, who was hesitant to read aloud before, now eagerly chooses chapter books from our new collection and proudly shares summaries and predictions with the group. Another student, who loves facts and nonfiction, has found a passion for biographies and science texts that has sparked a genuine curiosity to learn more about the world. Thanks to the diverse book options, all students are discovering new genres they enjoy and developing stronger reading skills that will support their growth throughout the year.","fullyFundedDate":1746783004834,"projectUrl":"project/opening-doors-to-discovery-classroom-li/9273053/","projectTitle":"Opening Doors to Discovery: Classroom Library to Inspire Lifelong Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Romero","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9974647_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744072321571","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9974647"},{"teacherId":9974647,"projectId":9204832,"letterContent":"When our new games, snacks, and classroom incentives arrived, the excitement in our third-grade classroom was truly unforgettable! My students' eyes lit up with joy as we unpacked each item, and there were cheers all around when they realized these materials were for them. We immediately incorporated the games into our academic centers, using them to reinforce math fluency, vocabulary skills, and critical thinking in a fun, low-pressure way. The snacks and incentives have become a key part of our positive behavior and academic goals system. Students now earn points for showing kindness, staying on task, and meeting learning targets, which they can redeem for snacks or special privileges. The motivation has skyrocketed and students are more engaged, focused, and excited to learn every day.\r\nOne of the most powerful moments came during a small group reading intervention. A student who had previously struggled with confidence was eager to participate, knowing she could earn a candy toward her goal. Not only did she meet her reading target, but she beamed with pride when she traded in her earned points for a small treat. Looking ahead, we're currently working on a cross-curricular project combining reading, writing, and social studies where students research and present on community helpers. The incentives are helping to keep them driven and accountable throughout the process. Thanks to your generosity, our classroom has become a more joyful, focused, and supportive space where every student feels celebrated.","fullyFundedDate":1746783012363,"projectUrl":"project/motivate-to-elevate-3rd-grade-success-t/9204832/","projectTitle":"Motivate to Elevate: 3rd Grade Success Through Educational Resources/ Incentives","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Romero","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9974647_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744072321571","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9974647"},{"teacherId":9974647,"projectId":9308844,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in our DonorsChoose reading project! Because of your support, my students now have access to powerful, research-based tools that are helping them build foundational literacy skills and grow as confident, capable readers.\r\n\r\nThe phoneme-grapheme whiteboards have quickly become one of the most-used tools in our classroom. During small group instruction, students are using these boards to map sounds to letters, an essential component of the Science of Reading. Whether segmenting words, practicing blends, or exploring word families, these boards provide a hands-on way for students to build strong decoding and encoding skills. They are especially impactful for students who need targeted phonics support at their individual reading level.\r\n\r\nIn addition to these foundational tools, the academic games you helped provide are being used in literacy stations to reinforce key reading skills in engaging and collaborative ways. Students rotate through small groups where they interact with games focused on vocabulary development, figurative language, author's purpose, and reading comprehension. These games spark meaningful conversations and allow students to practice essential skills in a fun, interactive format. The collaborative nature of these activities has boosted both student engagement and confidence.\r\n\r\nOne of the most exciting changes has been the level of ownership students are now taking over their learning. They look forward to small group time each day and often ask if they can repeat a favorite game or use the whiteboards during independent practice. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and it's clear they are not only enjoying the process but also making real progress. One student shared, \"I never used to like reading, but now I can't wait for our reading groups!\"\r\n\r\nYour donation has had a direct and lasting impact on our classroom. The materials you helped provide are allowing me to meet students exactly where they are, and to challenge them to go even further. Thank you for believing in our learners and for supporting a project that is helping build a strong foundation for a lifelong love of reading.","fullyFundedDate":1746783052585,"projectUrl":"project/read-to-succeed-empowering-students-to/9308844/","projectTitle":"Read to Succeed: Empowering Students to Achieve/Exceed Grade-Level Reading Goals","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Romero","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9974647_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744072321571","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9974647"},{"teacherId":9974647,"projectId":9345721,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting Strong Hearts, Bright Minds! Your generosity has made a powerful impact in our third-grade classroom by helping us blend social-emotional learning with reading in meaningful and lasting ways.\r\n\r\nWith the new read-aloud books, students are learning how to treat others with kindness, understand different perspectives, and express their emotions more clearly. These stories have sparked rich conversations and built a stronger, more empathetic classroom community. Reading is no longer just about decoding words, it's about connecting with characters and with each other.\r\n\r\nOne of the most exciting additions to our classroom has been our reading buddies, including a beloved Pete the Cat plushie. Students love choosing a buddy during independent reading time, which has helped even our most reluctant readers build confidence and feel comfortable taking risks.\r\n\r\nWe focus on key reading skills like identifying character traits, making inferences, and drawing personal connections, all through texts that reflect the challenges and joys students experience every day.\r\n\r\nReading has become a time of joy, growth, and emotional connection. Because of you, our students are not only becoming stronger readers but kinder, more thoughtful people.\r\n\r\nThank you for making this transformation possible!","fullyFundedDate":1747407365500,"projectUrl":"project/strong-hearts-bright-minds-sel-and-rea/9345721/","projectTitle":"Strong Hearts, Bright Minds: SEL and Reading in Third Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Romero","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9974647_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744072321571","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9974647"},{"teacherId":9974647,"projectId":9273308,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our STEM hands-on life cycle project. Because of your donation, my 3rd grade students were able to plant and observe the life cycles of beans, peas, and shy plants, as well as explore the fascinating life cycle of ladybugs. These engaging, hands-on experiments brought science to life in our classroom and gave students the opportunity to connect with the material in meaningful, memorable ways.\r\n\r\nThe impact was incredible, students were excited, curious, and deeply invested in their learning. Their enthusiasm translated into academic success, with many of them performing exceptionally well on their unit test covering these life cycles. Thank you for helping me create a lasting impact on my students and their futures. Your support helped spark a love for science that will continue to grow right along with them.","fullyFundedDate":1746655416853,"projectUrl":"project/stem-in-a-bag-growing-minds-through-lif/9273308/","projectTitle":"STEM in a Bag: Growing Minds Through Life Cycles/Inspiring Scientists","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Romero","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9974647_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744072321571","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9974647"},{"teacherId":9974647,"projectId":9323462,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our flexible seating project. Your support provided wobble stools, carpet cushions, and floor seats that transformed our classroom into a welcoming and empowering learning space. These new options gave students the freedom to choose where and how they learn best, promoting focus, comfort, and confidence.\r\n\r\nThe impact has been incredible, students are more engaged, collaborative, and excited to learn each day. Flexible seating has helped foster a sense of ownership and belonging, making every child feel valued and at home in our classroom. Your generosity has not only improved their daily learning experience but has truly made a lasting difference in their academic journey. We are deeply grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1746783016957,"projectUrl":"project/dream-seats-pick-a-spot-set-a-goal-sp/9323462/","projectTitle":"Dream Seats: Pick a Spot, Set a Goal, Spark Ideas","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Romero","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9974647_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744072321571","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9974647"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_8319","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":656,"numTeachers":51,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":14,"percentWhite":5,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":76,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"12.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":65.9,"schoolId":8319,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Mary Lou Hartman Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Mary Lou Hartman Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/judson-independent-school-district/mary-hartman-elementary/8319"}