{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Benjamin Franklin High School","outOfStateSupporters":57.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8890405,"projectId":9526821,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping me take my students into the field! We have been using our journals to make field observations. The students are also using the journals to showcase their learning in science. The students are learning how express what they are learning into pictures. This helping the students to make the connection between art and science. Because of this kind donation I did not have to worry about my students feeling left out due to lack of funding. My students are learning a valuable skill of how to maintain a log book. I want to prepare them for STEM careers and to allow them to be able to see their selves in STEM. Thank you so much for supporting my vision.","fullyFundedDate":1755541214501,"projectUrl":"project/in-the-field-we-shall-go/9526821/","projectTitle":"In the Field We Shall Go!","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Gillam","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8890405_orig.jpg?crop=320,320,x0,y13&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1670364846000","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8890405"},{"teacherId":9593898,"projectId":9494318,"letterContent":"When my students first saw our new reading nook, their excitement filled the room. What was once an empty corner has transformed into a cozy space alive with curiosity and conversation. Students now gather there daily with novels, essays, and anthologies in hand, discussing characters, symbols, and themes while making meaningful connections to their own lives.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite moments came when members of our newly formed Black Literary Club used the nook for their first official meeting. They spread out among the cushions, passing around poetry selections by Audre Lorde. Their discussion about how literature preserves and celebrates culture was a powerful reminder that this space is more than just furniture; it's a catalyst for community and identity.\r\n\r\nThese new resources have deepened student engagement, allowing literature to feel tangible and alive. The next step for us is to expand our collection and host student-led \"book talks,\" where students recommend titles that resonate with their experiences and perspectives. Thanks to this project, my classroom has become a place where stories are not only read but lived, shared, and honored.","fullyFundedDate":1754674053094,"projectUrl":"project/fostering-literacy-with-a-reading-corner/9494318/","projectTitle":"Fostering Literacy with a Reading Corner","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Isabelia Carroll","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9593898_orig.jpg?crop=1309,1309,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744212930467","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9593898"},{"teacherId":8890405,"projectId":9270595,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating these resources to my classroom. We were able to use the composition notebooks as our science notebooks. The students have been keeping accurate records of all of their scientific explorations. Now no student had to feel the guilt of not being able to have the materials for class. \r\n\r\nThe bookshelf was a great addition for storing the science notebooks. This will help my learners to keep up their materials. My students were very surprised to learn that someone was so kind and generous to donate to our classroom. This act of kindness allows the students to see that there are still great people in the world who want to inspire the next generation of learners. Thank you so much for allowing my students the opportunity to feel like real scientists!","fullyFundedDate":1746550824874,"projectUrl":"project/from-good-to-great/9270595/","projectTitle":"From Good to GREAT!","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Gillam","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8890405_orig.jpg?crop=320,320,x0,y13&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1670364846000","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8890405"},{"teacherId":4580683,"projectId":9562789,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my classroom has been transformed into a warm, welcoming space where reading truly feels like a joy rather than a task. The rug, cushions, and lamps you helped provide have turned one corner of our classroom into a cozy reading nook, and my students have already noticed the difference.\r\n\r\nEvery day we begin with independent reading, and before, students only had the option of sitting at traditional desks and chairs. Now, many eagerly choose to curl up on a cushion or settle into the soft glow of the lamps. What used to feel like a structured assignment has become something students look forward to—a time when they can relax into a book and let themselves get lost in a story.\r\n\r\nOne student commented, \"It feels like we're reading at home instead of in school,\" and another asked if we could extend reading time because they were so immersed in their novel. These moments are exactly what I hoped for: that students would begin to associate reading with comfort, relaxation, and personal enjoyment.\r\n\r\nYour donations didn't just provide classroom items—they created an atmosphere that supports nearly 120 students this year and will continue to benefit many more in the years ahead. You've made it possible for my students, many of whom come from historically underfunded backgrounds, to experience reading as something pleasurable and restorative.\r\n\r\nOn behalf of my students and myself, thank you for believing in this project and helping us build a space where a love of reading can grow.","fullyFundedDate":1755702659590,"projectUrl":"project/reading-corner-to-make-independent-readi/9562789/","projectTitle":"Reading Corner to Make Independent Reading Cozier!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Youngblood","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4580683_orig.jpg?crop=525,525,x0,y57&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1661371245703","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4580683"},{"teacherId":4580683,"projectId":9181609,"letterContent":"I want to sincerely thank you for funding our project. Your generosity provided glue sticks, Sharpies, dry erase markers, and snacks—items that may seem simple on the surface but that make a tremendous difference in the daily lives of my students.\r\n\r\nAs we move into the critical weeks of preparation for final exams, these supplies have already begun to transform our classroom environment. With the glue sticks and Sharpies, students are creating interactive study posters, colorful diagrams, and graphic organizers that allow them to see big concepts broken down into manageable pieces. For many of my students, visual learning strategies are what finally make a complex idea \"click,\" and now they have the tools to put those strategies into action.\r\n\r\nThe dry erase markers are just as impactful. They give us the flexibility to practice skills quickly, erase mistakes, and try again without hesitation. That kind of immediate feedback is empowering for students—it helps them build confidence and encourages them to take academic risks knowing they can adjust and improve in the moment.\r\n\r\nThe snacks you provided may be the most appreciated of all. Long study sessions can take a toll, and a quick snack helps students stay focused, energized, and positive. More than once I've seen the relief on a student's face when they realize they won't have to push through hunger while trying to analyze a text or prepare for an essay. That small gesture of care creates a big impact on their ability to stay engaged.\r\n\r\nWhat I admire most about my students is their determination. They come from diverse backgrounds, each bringing unique strengths and perspectives, yet they share a common goal of growth and success. Your support has equipped them with the resources they need to collaborate effectively, express themselves creatively, and approach exams with greater confidence.\r\n\r\nOn behalf of all of us, thank you for believing in my students and investing in their learning. Your gift is not just about supplies—it's about reminding them that their education matters and that they are supported in their journey. Because of you, they are walking into final exams more prepared, more motivated, and more hopeful.","fullyFundedDate":1742921198850,"projectUrl":"project/supply-renewal-before-exams/9181609/","projectTitle":"Supply Renewal before Exams","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Youngblood","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4580683_orig.jpg?crop=525,525,x0,y57&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1661371245703","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4580683"},{"teacherId":4580683,"projectId":8882974,"letterContent":"On behalf of our student volunteers and the Selling Sunshine team, I want to extend a heartfelt thank-you for supporting our \"Sending Sunshine\" project. Because of your generosity, we now have the cards, stickers, decorative tape, and craft supplies needed to create something truly special for our community's seniors.\r\n\r\nYour contribution is doing more than providing art supplies—it is fueling a project rooted in kindness and human connection. Each card our volunteers design will be filled with color, encouraging words, and personal touches that remind elderly neighbors they are seen, valued, and loved. For many recipients, these cards will be a bright moment in their day, a tangible reminder that they are not forgotten.\r\n\r\nThe impact also extends to our students. With the resources you provided, they can express their creativity, collaborate in meaningful ways, and experience firsthand the joy of service. This project is teaching them that even small gestures—like a handmade card—can carry deep significance and strengthen the bonds that hold our community together.\r\n\r\nThanks to you, our message of sunshine will reach nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and senior centers across the area. We cannot wait to share the smiles and warmth that your support has made possible.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping us spread joy, foster connection, and create a ripple effect of positivity. Your generosity is the reason we can make this vision a reality.","fullyFundedDate":1729293614412,"projectUrl":"project/sending-sunshine-supplies/8882974/","projectTitle":"Sending Sunshine Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Youngblood","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4580683_orig.jpg?crop=525,525,x0,y57&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1661371245703","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4580683"},{"teacherId":4580683,"projectId":9326725,"letterContent":"Thank You for Helping Us Kick Off the Year Strong\r\n\r\nI want to extend my deepest gratitude to you for supporting my classroom through the \"Kicking Off Next Year STRONG\" project. Because of your generosity, 145 young readers and writers will step into a space that is not only functional but also inspiring—a classroom equipped to nurture curiosity, creativity, and confidence.\r\n\r\nEach of your gifts has transformed what might seem like ordinary supplies into extraordinary tools for learning. The posters and anchor charts will no longer leave our walls bare, but instead will surround students with constant reminders of literary techniques, writing structures, and vocabulary that they can lean on as they grow as thinkers and communicators. Already, I can imagine my 9th-graders pointing to the structure chart when drafting essays, or my 11th-graders referencing a literary device poster when unpacking a challenging passage in The Tempest or Homegoing. These visuals will be like an extra set of hands and eyes—always available, always encouraging.\r\n\r\nThe humble Post-it may be my students' favorite surprise. What looks like a tiny square becomes a powerful vehicle for engagement. With your help, students will annotate texts dynamically, capture thesis ideas before they slip away, and give feedback that builds their classmates' confidence. Post-its invite even hesitant voices into the conversation—because it feels less intimidating to jot a thought on paper, and from there, that idea often blossoms into a rich class discussion.\r\n\r\nEven something as simple as paper clips has an outsized impact. Ninth-graders are juggling multiple drafts, quotes, and notes for their first big analytical essays. Eleventh-graders are preparing for the rigor of AP-style writing. In both cases, paper clips keep chaos at bay, ensuring valuable minutes are spent on actual learning instead of searching through scattered pages. These little pieces of metal are a small but mighty force for focus.\r\n\r\nPerhaps one of the most meaningful parts of this project is the inclusion of healthy, nut-free snacks. Some mornings, a student arrives with nothing in their stomach but determination. A quiet granola bar or crackers passed their way gives them the strength to fully participate—so instead of zoning out from hunger, they can dive into symbolism or argument structure. These snacks communicate care, and care fuels learning.\r\n\r\nAnd finally, the tissues, hand sanitizer, and band-aids create what I like to think of as a \"first-line care station.\" High-schoolers may not always admit it, but they feel reassured knowing those supplies are close by. A sniffle, a paper cut, a quick cleanup—handled swiftly—means no one misses a beat in the middle of a deep conversation about generational trauma in Homegoing or the illusions of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby.\r\n\r\nYour generosity is far more than financial. You have invested in the daily rhythm of our classroom, in the comfort and confidence of teenagers striving to find their voices, and in countless \"aha\" moments that these supplies will quietly support. On behalf of my 9th-graders, my 11th-graders, and myself, thank you for making our start to the year stronger, brighter, and filled with possibility.\r\n\r\nWith gratitude and high expectations,\r\nMrs. Youngblood\r\n\r\nWould you like me to also condense this into a shorter 250-word version you could use for DonorsChoose updates (since they sometimes ask for quick snapshots rather than long reflections)?\r\n\r\nYou said:\r\ncan you make this less wild - don't wax poetic about paper clips\r\nChatGPT said:\r\n\r\nGot it — here's a more grounded, professional version of your thank-you note. It's still warm and appreciative, but avoids over-the-top imagery about small items like paper clips:\r\n\r\nThank You for Helping Us Kick Off the Year Strong\r\n\r\nI am so grateful for your support of my classroom through the \"Kicking Off Next Year STRONG\" project. Because of your generosity, 145 ninth- and eleventh-graders will start the year in a space that is organized, welcoming, and equipped for meaningful learning.\r\n\r\nThe supplies you funded may seem simple, but they play a huge role in the daily life of our classroom. Posters and anchor charts will provide constant reference points for literary devices, writing strategies, and academic vocabulary. My students often benefit from having visual reminders to reinforce concepts, and now those reminders will be available to them every day.\r\n\r\nPost-its are another tool that make a big difference. Students use them to annotate readings, capture quick ideas, and leave peer feedback. They invite participation in ways that feel manageable to even the quietest students, and they help turn reading and writing into an active, collaborative process.\r\n\r\nPractical supplies like paper clips will help keep drafts, notes, and research organized, saving time and keeping students focused on learning. It's a small detail, but it contributes directly to smoother instruction and fewer distractions.\r\n\r\nI'm especially thankful for the healthy, nut-free snacks included in this project. When students come to class hungry, it's hard for them to concentrate. Having a small snack available gives them the chance to engage fully, whether they're writing an essay or discussing themes in The Tempest.\r\n\r\nAnd finally, the tissues, hand sanitizer, and band-aids will keep our classroom healthier and more self-sufficient. Instead of losing time to small disruptions, students can take care of themselves quickly and get back to their learning.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has helped ensure that students' needs—both academic and personal—are met. These supplies may not be flashy, but they will have a lasting impact on hundreds of discussions, essays, and moments of growth throughout the year. On behalf of my students and myself, thank you for making our start to the school year stronger and more secure.","fullyFundedDate":1753397949002,"projectUrl":"project/kicking-off-next-year-strong/9326725/","projectTitle":"Kicking Off Next Year STRONG","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Youngblood","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4580683_orig.jpg?crop=525,525,x0,y57&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1661371245703","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4580683"},{"teacherId":9593898,"projectId":9242308,"letterContent":"When my students first saw the new classroom library, their faces lit up with excitement and awe. The bookcases, once empty, are now filled with stories waiting to be discovered, and students have eagerly taken ownership of the space. They browse, recommend books to one another, and often gather near the shelves to share their thoughts on characters and themes that resonate with them.\r\n\r\nA particularly memorable moment occurred when a student, who had previously stated she \"did not like reading,\" discovered a book that resonated with her personal experiences. She spent her lunch break hidden among the shelves, fully absorbed. This moment perfectly exemplifies the project's goal: to create a space where every student can find themselves reflected in the stories they explore.\r\n\r\nThis classroom library has transformed reading from an assignment into an adventure. It's now a hub of curiosity, conversation, and connection, helping students not only grow as readers but also as empathetic thinkers and collaborators. Our next step is to expand our collection to include even more voices and genres that reflect the diversity and creativity of our classroom community.","fullyFundedDate":1746831098187,"projectUrl":"project/building-a-community-with-a-classroom-li/9242308/","projectTitle":"Building a Community with a Classroom Library","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Isabelia Carroll","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9593898_orig.jpg?crop=1309,1309,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744212930467","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9593898"},{"teacherId":6292863,"projectId":9176903,"letterContent":"On behalf of myself and my amazing group of students here in New Orleans, I want to express our sincerest gratitude for your generous contribution to our classroom project! Thanks to your incredible support, we were able to purchase critical supplies that will help keep our classroom safe, clean, and welcoming.\r\n\r\nSchools are so much more than places to learn reading and arithmetic. For many students, they become a second, if not a first, home. The supplies you helped to provide will make sure my students feel like they belong and have everything they need to succeed.\r\n\r\nYour investment in the future of New Orleans is truly invaluable. Your generosity demonstrates a strong belief in the importance of a quality learning environment. Your support means the world to both me and my students.\r\n\r\nThank you once again for your incredible contribution!","fullyFundedDate":1742921660715,"projectUrl":"project/restock-to-help-relax/9176903/","projectTitle":"Restock to help Relax","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Weisman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6292863_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1552919266006","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6292863"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_17589","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1056,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":76,"percentAsian":16,"percentBlack":28,"percentWhite":39,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":9,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":43.0,"schoolId":17589,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Benjamin Franklin High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Benjamin Franklin High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/louisiana/orleans-parish-school-district/benjamin-franklin-high-school/17589"}