{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Alief Center for Advanced Careers","outOfStateSupporters":25.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10336056,"projectId":10075441,"letterContent":"On behalf of our welding program and students, I want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation of batteries for our auto-darkening welding helmets.\r\n\r\nYour contribution makes a direct and immediate impact on our students' learning experience. As you may know, these batteries are essential to keeping our equipment functional and safe—and we seem to go through them faster than we can restock! Your thoughtful gift ensures that our students never have to pause their hands-on training due to dead batteries, allowing them to focus on mastering critical welding skills.\r\n\r\nThis donation reflects your commitment to career and technical education, and we are truly grateful for partners like you who understand how vital equipment maintenance is to student success. Your support helps us provide quality, uninterrupted instruction in a field where precision and safety are paramount.\r\n\r\nOur students are already benefiting from your generosity, and we look forward to continuing this important partnership.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in the next generation of skilled trades professionals.","fullyFundedDate":1776107562695,"projectUrl":"project/batteries-for-student-auto-darkening-wel/10075441/","projectTitle":"Batteries For Student Auto Darkening Welding Helmets","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Paulk","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10336056_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1761833285598","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10336056"},{"teacherId":10336056,"projectId":10066020,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of welding boots to our high school welding program. We are truly grateful for your support of our students and their futures in the skilled trades.\r\n\r\nYour gift arrives at the perfect time. Our welding class is growing, and we've been stretched thin trying to ensure every student has access to proper safety equipment. With your boots, we'll be able to outfit more students with professional-grade protective gear — a critical step in creating a safe, confident learning environment.\r\n\r\nWe can't wait to see the impact these boots will have. Our students are eager to get started, and we know that having reliable, well-fitted equipment will help them focus on mastering their welding skills rather than worrying about safety concerns.\r\n\r\nThank you again for investing in our welding program and our students' success.","fullyFundedDate":1776136570210,"projectUrl":"project/small-size-welding-boot-for-student-weld/10066020/","projectTitle":"Small Size Welding Boot for Student Welders","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Paulk","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10336056_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1761833285598","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10336056"},{"teacherId":10336056,"projectId":9866544,"letterContent":"I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation of locking c-clamps to our high school welding program. Your contribution has made a meaningful difference in how my students learn and grow as welders.\r\nBefore receiving these clamps, my students were sharing equipment and waiting their turns during hands-on practice—valuable learning time was lost to logistics rather than skill-building. Your donation has changed that. Now, each student has reliable access to quality c-clamps during projects, allowing them to work more independently and focus on proper technique. They're able to secure their workpieces safely and confidently, which is essential for both safety and craftsmanship. The consistent quality of these clamps means students can develop muscle memory and precision without worrying about faulty equipment.\r\nThank you for believing in our welding students and investing in their futures. Your generosity is building skilled, confident craftspeople.","fullyFundedDate":1767191423826,"projectUrl":"project/locking-c-clamps-for-high-school/9866544/","projectTitle":"Locking C-Clamps for High School","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Paulk","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10336056_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1761833285598","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10336056"},{"teacherId":10228623,"projectId":10035414,"letterContent":"The flashlights have made a real difference in our welding program. They help us see our work clearly, which means we can weld more safely and produce better quality projects. With proper lighting, we're able to inspect our welds carefully, catch mistakes early, and work more efficiently. Students feel more confident when they can actually see what they're doing, and we're learning the right techniques from the start. These flashlights might seem like a small donation, but they're tools we use every single day and they're helping us become better welders.","fullyFundedDate":1769177479323,"projectUrl":"project/light-the-way/10035414/","projectTitle":"Light the Way","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Zachary","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10228623_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1762474666039","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-zachary"},{"teacherId":10336056,"projectId":9980793,"letterContent":"Your investment in these gloves sends a powerful message to our students: their education, their safety, and their future in skilled trades matter. Many of our welding students are considering careers in this field, and quality tools and equipment like yours help them build the confidence and competence they'll need to succeed.\r\n\r\nWe're excited about what comes next. Our students are preparing for certification exams and portfolio pieces for college and trade school applications. With reliable equipment thanks to your support, they're ready to demonstrate their best work.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students and investing in their futures. We're grateful for partners like you.","fullyFundedDate":1768418022828,"projectUrl":"project/high-school-welding-gloves/9980793/","projectTitle":"High School Welding Gloves","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Paulk","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10336056_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1761833285598","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10336056"},{"teacherId":10336056,"projectId":9983744,"letterContent":"When our girls first put on these helmets, the difference was obvious—and their enthusiasm was even more obvious! They immediately noticed how comfortable the fit was and how the helmets stayed secure on their heads without constant adjustment. No more sliding helmets, no more distractions, no more struggling with equipment that wasn't made for them. Instead, they could concentrate fully on perfecting their welding technique.\r\nOur Welding 1, Welding 2, and Practicum Welding students—all in grades 10-12—have been working with these helmets since February 1st. The impact has been immediate and tangible. Before, our female students were working with standard-sized helmets that didn't fit properly, creating distractions and safety concerns. Now, with equipment designed for them, they can focus entirely on their craft.\r\n\r\nWhether students are practicing fundamental welding techniques in Welding 1, advancing their skills in Welding 2, or applying professional-level expertise in Practicum Welding, the properly-fitted helmets have become essential to their success.","fullyFundedDate":1768418022903,"projectUrl":"project/high-school-girl-size-welding-helmets-to/9983744/","projectTitle":"High School Girl-Size Welding Helmets to Ensure Proper Fit","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Paulk","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10336056_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1761833285598","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10336056"},{"teacherId":10336056,"projectId":9960230,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support. Because of your gift of small-sized safety gloves, girls in our hands-on programs are learning, practicing, and leading with greater safety and confidence.\r\n\r\nSafety first. Your donation supplied properly fitting gloves for 46 students this year, reducing incidents of slipping, blisters, and minor hand injuries. With the right PPE, instructors reported fewer safety interruptions and more focused skill-building time.\r\n\r\nAccess to learning. Ill-fitting adult gloves often prevented students from using tools or trying new tasks. Supplying appropriately sized gloves removed that barrier—allowing every student to safely handle tools, materials, and equipment.\r\n\r\nSkill development. When students can use tools comfortably and safely, they learn faster. \r\n\r\nConfidence and belonging. Small practical items send a big message. Receiving gear made for them communicated that they belong in these spaces. \r\n\r\n\r\nYour gift did more than protect hands. It opened doors to learning, supported safer classrooms, and helped young people see themselves as capable makers and future professionals. We're deeply grateful for your partnership in equipping students—not just with gloves, but with the confidence and opportunity those gloves help create.","fullyFundedDate":1767191423968,"projectUrl":"project/small-welding-gloves-for-girls/9960230/","projectTitle":"Small Welding Gloves for Girls","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Paulk","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10336056_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1761833285598","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10336056"},{"teacherId":10336056,"projectId":9866491,"letterContent":"Because of your generous support, girls in our welding program are stepping into shops, into careers, and into futures they once only imagined. I wanted to share a few powerful ways your gift has made a difference.\r\n\r\nSkill + Certification. With your funding we purchased welding jackets and PPE for 5 students this year — items that meet industry safety standards and allow each girl to train and test without delay.\r\n\r\nSafety + Inclusion. Proper-fitting gear matters. Many students had previously worn ill-fitting, hand-me-down jackets that limited movement and made them feel out of place. Supplying well-fitting jackets designed for women improved comfort and safety and sent a clear message: they belong here.","fullyFundedDate":1764736385306,"projectUrl":"project/women-welding-jackets/9866491/","projectTitle":"Women Welding Jackets","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Paulk","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10336056_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1761833285598","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10336056"},{"teacherId":10336056,"projectId":9865355,"letterContent":"These whiteboards help us meet school district requirements and keep students informed about the day's shop assignment. Posting the board in the shop saves students from walking back to the classroom to check instructions, schedules, and expectations, making practice time more efficient and focused.\r\n\r\nRight now, students are preparing for a welding competition across four skill levels. They use the board to track daily goals and progress, aiming to improve their technique and move up one or two levels before the event.","fullyFundedDate":1767191423914,"projectUrl":"project/white-board-for-class-objectives/9865355/","projectTitle":"White Board for Class Objectives","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Paulk","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10336056_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1761833285598","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10336056"},{"teacherId":10228623,"projectId":9865838,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our portable band saw project. Because of your generosity, our students now have safe, modern equipment that directly enhances hands‑on learning, craftsmanship, and career readiness.\r\n\r\nHow we're using the new resource\r\nWe've integrated the portable band saw into our woodworking and STEM units. Students use it during guided shop rotations to cut stock for projects, to practice accurate measurement and layout, and to learn safe tool operation and material selection. For example, in a recent project students designed and built small wooden footstools: they sketched plans, calculated dimensions, cut the legs and supports with the band saw, and then sanded and assembled the pieces. The saw made it possible for each student to produce precise, repeatable cuts instead of relying on limited classroom time at a single fixed saw.\r\n\r\nA specific classroom moment\r\nOne memorable moment came when a student who normally avoids shop tasks confidently set up the cut for a curved leg, followed safety checks, and executed the cut under supervision. Seeing their focus and pride as the piece fit exactly as planned was wonderful — several classmates gathered to congratulate them. That success sparked peer teaching: more experienced students began coaching others on layout and safe handling, building a stronger collaborative culture.\r\n\r\nStudent reactions on first use\r\nWhen we introduced the band saw, students were excited and a little awed. They immediately noticed how much safer and more controllable the tool felt compared with older equipment. Many were eager to try it, and their excitement translated into responsibility; they listened carefully during safety demonstrations and completed safety-check checklists before taking turns. The band saw has increased engagement across the class — even students who are usually less interested in shop activities have signed up for extra practice time.\r\n\r\nNext steps for student learning\r\nOver the coming weeks we'll deepen students' skills with a scaffolded sequence:\r\n\r\nMastery drills: repetitive practice on common cuts (straight, miter, and simple curves) while documenting settings and outcomes.\r\nPrecision project: each student will design a small furniture piece requiring at least three different cut types and produce a cut plan that demonstrates measurement and waste minimization.\r\nIntegration with digital design: students will use simple CAD layouts to plan cuts, then transfer those measurements to full‑size material.\r\nSafety leadership: advanced students will rotate as safety monitors and peer instructors, building leadership and communication skills.\r\nThese steps prepare students for industry standards and give them portfolio pieces for future job or apprenticeship applications.\r\nYour gift has done more than buy a tool — it's given students practical skills, confidence, and a safer environment to explore making and engineering. We deeply appreciate your support","fullyFundedDate":1764723714613,"projectUrl":"project/cut-above-the-rest-tools-for-tomorrows/9865838/","projectTitle":"Cut Above the Rest: Tools for Tomorrow's Welders","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Zachary","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10228623_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1762474666039","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-zachary"},{"teacherId":5745310,"projectId":9719441,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my students now have access to resources that are already making a meaningful difference in their daily learning experiences. The watches you helped provide are being used intentionally and consistently in our classroom, particularly during hands-on lessons and skill-based activities. In our Health Science classroom, time awareness and accuracy matter. Students are using the watches to practice monitoring vital signs, tracking pulse and respiration rates, timing procedures, and managing rotations during simulated clinical activities. One powerful moment that stands out was during a vital signs lab when students confidently relied on their own watches rather than waiting to borrow shared equipment. That independence not only improved accuracy, but it also boosted their confidence and professionalism. These watches have become more than tools; they are now an essential part of how students engage with real-world healthcare practices.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first received the watches, their reaction was one of genuine surprise and gratitude. Many expressed how thankful they were that someone cared enough about them and their education to invest in something that would directly support their learning. Several students shared that they had never owned a watch before, let alone one connected to their career pathway. There were smiles, thank-yous, and meaningful conversations about responsibility and preparation for the healthcare field. One student said, \"This makes me feel like I'm really preparing to be a professional.\" That moment was incredibly impactful. The students were very appreciative of the fact that I thought enough of them to help them secure these watches to assist them in their learning, and they were equally grateful to know that donors they may never meet believed in their potential. That sense of being seen and supported has carried into how seriously they approach their work and how proud they are to represent our classroom.\r\n\r\nBy contributing to this project, you were able to get a small glimpse into our classroom, and I am excited to share where we are headed next. These watches will continue to play a key role as students move deeper into clinical simulations, patient-care scenarios, and team-based rotations. Upcoming lessons include mock patient assessments, emergency response timing, and documentation practice, all of which require accurate time tracking and professional behavior. Students will also use the watches during their preparation for clinical rotations and certification-aligned skills, reinforcing habits they will need in real healthcare settings. Beyond the technical skills, these resources are helping students develop accountability, time management, and confidence, skills that extend far beyond the classroom. Your support has created lasting impact, not only by providing materials, but by reinforcing to students that their education, goals, and futures truly matter. Thank you for believing in my students and for helping us build a learning environment where they can thrive, grow, and see themselves as capable future professionals.\r\n\r\nWe sincerely thank you for your generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1758642952747,"projectUrl":"project/keeping-time-saving-lives-second-hand/9719441/","projectTitle":"Keeping Time, Saving Lives: Second-Hand Watches for Future Healthcare Professionals","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Harmon's Simulated Health Systems","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5745310_orig.jpg?crop=680,680,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758073771074","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/sherita-harmon"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_122417","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":800,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":91,"percentAsian":8,"percentBlack":20,"percentWhite":2,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":52,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"8 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR District Record","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":null},"inStateSupporters":74.1,"schoolId":122417,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Alief Center for Advanced Careers on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Alief Center for Advanced Careers","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/alief-independent-school-district/alief-isd-center-for-advanced-careers/122417"}