{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Somerset Academy - Oaks","outOfStateSupporters":22.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9284636,"projectId":10289828,"letterContent":"One of my favorite things about teaching science is watching a student become genuinely curious about something we are learning. There is a big difference between a student learning something because it is part of the lesson and a student suddenly saying, \"Wait, really?\" and wanting to know more. These books have given my students so many more opportunities to have those moments.\r\n\r\nEach week, I change the books that I have displayed in my classroom based on what we have recently learned or what we will be learning soon. I intentionally put the covers facing outward so students can see them instead of having the books tucked away on a bookshelf. Sometimes the books give students another way to explore something we have already discussed in class, and other times they give them a little preview of what is coming next. I love hearing a student discover something in one of the books and then tell a classmate, \"We learned about this!\" or ask me a question about something we have not even reached yet.\r\n\r\nReading in my classroom does not always look like everyone sitting silently with the same book. Sometimes it is a student picking up a book for a few minutes because the cover caught their attention. Sometimes two students are looking at the same page and discussing a photograph or diagram. Other times, a student reads something and immediately wants to come tell me what they discovered. Those little conversations are some of my favorite moments because they show me that students are beginning to see reading as a way to answer their own questions.\r\n\r\nThe books are also helping students practice important reading skills without those skills feeling disconnected from what we are doing in science. They are identifying main ideas and supporting details, using headings and captions, interpreting photographs and diagrams, learning new vocabulary from context, and making connections between different texts and our classroom lessons. They are also practicing one of the most important skills I can teach them: using information they already know to help them understand something new.\r\n\r\nFor example, a book like *The Magic School Bus: Inside a Hurricane* gives students an engaging way to explore weather and storms. *Who Eats What?* allows them to think about food chains and food webs through illustrations and examples. *My Book of Rocks and Minerals* is the type of book students can open to almost any page and immediately find something interesting to investigate. Even a book like *I Survived the San Francisco Earthquake, 1906* gives students an opportunity to see how science, history, and storytelling can connect. I want my students to understand that the subjects they learn in school do not exist separately from one another.\r\n\r\nWhat has been especially exciting is seeing how these books reach different students. Some of my students naturally love reading and will happily pick up almost any book. Others would probably not choose to spend their free time reading a traditional chapter book. However, those same students may be completely fascinated by a book filled with pictures of rocks and minerals, extreme weather, animals, or other science topics. They may start by looking at a picture, then read the caption, then read the paragraph next to it, and suddenly they are reading because they genuinely want to know more.\r\n\r\nThat is why having a variety of books available matters so much to me. Not every child discovers a love of reading through the same kind of book. Sometimes it takes finding the right topic, picture, story, or interesting fact to make that connection.\r\n\r\nAs their teacher, I love being able to give them those opportunities. My goal is not simply for my students to memorize science vocabulary or remember information long enough to pass a test. I want them to be curious. I want them to ask questions. I want them to realize that when something interests them, they have the ability to go find out more about it.\r\n\r\nThese books are helping me create that kind of classroom. They have become more than books sitting on a shelf. They are conversation starters, lesson connections, previews of what is coming, and opportunities for students to discover something entirely on their own. Seeing a student voluntarily pick up one of these books, become excited about something they find, and then share it with someone else is incredibly rewarding.\r\n\r\nI am so grateful to our donors for helping put these books into my students' hands. You are not simply helping us build a classroom library. You are helping me create a classroom where students can wonder about something, pick up a book, and begin looking for the answer themselves. To me, that curiosity and excitement about learning is one of the greatest gifts we can give them.","fullyFundedDate":1784221596607,"projectUrl":"project/the-magnificent-science-book-buffet/10289828/","projectTitle":"The Magnificent Science Book Buffet","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Laws","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9284636"},{"teacherId":8614447,"projectId":10240508,"letterContent":"Dear Donors,\r\n\r\nI would like to express my sincere appreciation to everyone who generously contributed to our project, **\"Support the Next Generation of Athletes,\"** at Somerset Academy Oaks. Your kindness and generosity have provided our students with valuable basketball equipment that supports physical education, encourages active participation, and creates meaningful opportunities for students to develop their athletic abilities.\r\n\r\nThese new resources have made a tremendous difference in our physical education program. With additional basketball equipment, I can provide more hands-on instruction, organize engaging skill-building activities, and create an environment where students of all experience levels have opportunities to participate. Our students are developing essential basketball fundamentals, including dribbling, passing, shooting, coordination, and teamwork. More importantly, they are learning valuable life lessons about perseverance, discipline, confidence, leadership, and sportsmanship.\r\n\r\nOne of the most rewarding aspects of this project is seeing students become more excited about physical education and eager to improve their skills. Whether they are learning to dribble for the first time or challenging themselves to become better athletes, these resources provide opportunities for students to experience personal growth and achievement. Moving forward, I plan to continue incorporating this equipment into structured basketball lessons, cooperative activities, and skill-development challenges that encourage students to set goals, work together, and recognize their individual potential.\r\n\r\nAs an educator, I believe physical education is about much more than teaching sports. It is about building character, developing healthy habits, and inspiring young people to believe in themselves. **Your generosity has helped create opportunities that extend far beyond the basketball court.**\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our students and believing in the importance of physical education. Your support is helping us develop the next generation of athletes, leaders, and confident young individuals who understand that greatness begins with effort, determination, and the willingness to grow.\r\n\r\nWith gratitude,\r\n\r\n**Coach Lawson**\r\n\r\nPhysical Education Teacher\r\n\r\nSomerset Academy Oaks","fullyFundedDate":1780355097190,"projectUrl":"project/support-the-next-generation-of-athletes/10240508/","projectTitle":"Support the Next Generation of Athletes","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Lawson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8614447_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660262927450","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ryanlawson"},{"teacherId":7794359,"projectId":10374721,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and providing my students with new books to read! These books have helped bring reading to life in our classroom and given students more opportunities to explore new stories, learn new vocabulary, and strengthen their reading comprehension skills. They are also learning to look beyond the words on the page to understand the author's message and make meaningful connections to their own lives.\r\n\r\nOne of the most rewarding parts of this project has been seeing students become excited about choosing a book and sharing what they have discovered. For students who may not always consider themselves strong readers, having access to interesting and engaging books can make a meaningful difference in their confidence and willingness to try. Thank you for investing in my students and helping create a classroom where reading is not just an assignment, but an opportunity to discover, imagine, and grow. Your generosity is making a lasting impact on our young readers!","fullyFundedDate":1783917013883,"projectUrl":"project/help-my-fifth-graders-fall-in-love-with/10374721/","projectTitle":"Help My Fifth Graders Fall in Love with Reading!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Armeli","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7794359"},{"teacherId":8614447,"projectId":10238736,"letterContent":"Dear Donors,\r\nI would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to each of you for supporting our DonorsChoose project, \"Shoot with Confidence This Summer.\" Your generosity has made a positive impact on our physical education program at Somerset Academy Oaks by providing basketball equipment that helps students develop their athletic abilities, build confidence, and discover the importance of maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle.\r\nThe addition of these resources has allowed me to create more engaging and purposeful learning experiences for my students. Through basketball activities, students have opportunities to improve their shooting techniques, ball handling, coordination, and overall physical fitness. More importantly, these activities encourage teamwork, communication, perseverance, and sportsmanship. Having access to quality equipment also allows students of different skill levels to participate more consistently, practice at their own pace, and experience the satisfaction of making progress. One of the most rewarding aspects of teaching physical education is witnessing students gain confidence as they develop new skills and overcome challenges.\r\nAs we continue throughout the school year, my goal is to build upon these foundational skills by introducing more challenging basketball activities, skill development stations, and opportunities for students to demonstrate their individual growth. Beyond athletic performance, I want every student to understand that success comes through effort, discipline, determination, and a willingness to improve. These are valuable lessons that extend far beyond the basketball court and contribute to their personal and academic development.\r\nThank you for believing in the importance of physical education and for investing in the growth and development of our students. Your kindness has provided more than basketball equipment. It has created meaningful opportunities for students to learn, grow, and believe in their abilities. Your support is helping us develop confident learners, responsible teammates, and future leaders both on and off the court.\r\nWith sincere gratitude,\r\nCoach Lawson\r\nPhysical Education Teacher\r\nSomerset Academy Oaks","fullyFundedDate":1778035469724,"projectUrl":"project/shoot-with-confidence-this-summer/10238736/","projectTitle":"Shoot with Confidence This Summer","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Lawson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8614447_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660262927450","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ryanlawson"},{"teacherId":8614447,"projectId":10149409,"letterContent":"I want to express my sincere gratitude for your generosity and support of our project, \"10 Basketballs to Build 100 Future Champions!\" Your contributions have provided our students at Somerset Academy Oaks with valuable resources that enhance their physical education experience and create meaningful opportunities for growth, teamwork, and skill development.\r\n\r\nThese basketballs allow our students to participate more actively in basketball drills, skill-building exercises, and team activities. Having additional equipment means more students can practice simultaneously, improving their dribbling, passing, coordination, and overall confidence. Beyond developing athletic skills, these resources help me teach important life lessons such as perseverance, discipline, sportsmanship, and working together toward a common goal.\r\n\r\nAs we continue throughout the school year, my goal is to build upon these fundamental skills while encouraging students to develop healthy, active lifestyles. Your generosity extends far beyond providing basketballs. You are helping create opportunities for students to discover their potential, develop confidence, and understand the importance of believing in themselves.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our students and helping us build the next generation of champions, both on and off the court!\r\n\r\nWith gratitude,\r\n\r\nCoach Lawson\r\nPhysical Education Teacher\r\nSomerset Academy Oaks","fullyFundedDate":1778553572748,"projectUrl":"project/every-student-deserves-a-ball-to-dribble/10149409/","projectTitle":"Every Student Deserves a Ball to Dribble!","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Lawson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8614447_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660262927450","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ryanlawson"},{"teacherId":8614447,"projectId":10149512,"letterContent":"I want to express my sincere gratitude for your generosity and support of our project, \"10 Basketballs to Build 100 Future Champions!\" Your contributions have provided our students at Somerset Academy Oaks with valuable resources that enhance their physical education experience and create meaningful opportunities for growth, teamwork, and skill development.\r\n\r\nThese basketballs allow our students to participate more actively in basketball drills, skill-building exercises, and team activities. Having additional equipment means more students can practice simultaneously, improving their dribbling, passing, coordination, and overall confidence. Beyond developing athletic skills, these resources help me teach important life lessons such as perseverance, discipline, sportsmanship, and working together toward a common goal.\r\n\r\nAs we continue throughout the school year, my goal is to build upon these fundamental skills while encouraging students to develop healthy, active lifestyles. Your generosity extends far beyond providing basketballs. You are helping create opportunities for students to discover their potential, develop confidence, and understand the importance of believing in themselves.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our students and helping us build the next generation of champions, both on and off the court!\r\n\r\nWith gratitude,\r\n\r\nCoach Lawson\r\nPhysical Education Teacher\r\nSomerset Academy Oaks","fullyFundedDate":1775174109355,"projectUrl":"project/10-basketballs-to-build-100-future-cham/10149512/","projectTitle":"“10 Basketballs to Build 100 Future Champions!”","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Lawson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8614447_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660262927450","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ryanlawson"},{"teacherId":8891252,"projectId":8902997,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for adding these books to our classroom! My students LOVE Aaron Blabey's silly stories and hilarious characters. These are the books that students spot on the shelf and immediately want to grab. They've been especially great for my students who need a little encouragement to choose a book because the stories are funny, quick moving, and easy to get into.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping fill our library with books that bring my students so much joy\\. Hearing them laugh together as we read is truly one of my favorite parts of the day!","fullyFundedDate":1735606341031,"projectUrl":"project/aaron-blabey-collections/8902997/","projectTitle":"Aaron Blabey Collections","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Chavez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-g-chavez"},{"teacherId":8891252,"projectId":9230560,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping add these new books to our classroom library! My students have been LOVING them! It has been so fun watching them get excited about picking out a book, recommending books to their friends, and immediately asking if there are more in the series. Some of my students who are usually a little hesitant to read have really connected with these books because of the illustrations and fun characters. I've even caught students reading together and laughing over parts of the books, which is honestly one of my favorite things to see!\r\n\r\nThese books are also helping my students practice so many important reading skills without it feeling like \"work.\" They are making inferences, talking about characters, identifying lessons and themes, sequencing events, and using the pictures and text together to understand the story. Most importantly, they are building their confidence and stamina as readers. There is nothing better than looking around the room and seeing my students completely lost in a book they actually WANT to read. Thank you for helping make that possible and for giving my students even more books to get excited about!","fullyFundedDate":1746782999026,"projectUrl":"project/paws-and-claws-dog-man-and-mighty-robot/9230560/","projectTitle":"Paws and Claws! Dog Man and Mighty Robot Book Collections!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Chavez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-g-chavez"},{"teacherId":9284636,"projectId":9910160,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity! Because of your support, our classroom has been transformed into a world of ancient heroes and modern-day quests. We are currently halfway through The Lightning Thief, and the energy in the room is electric as we race toward our goal of earning 10 AR points per student.\r\n\r\nHere is a glimpse into how your gift is changing the way my students learn and grow:\r\n\r\nBridging Ancient Myths and Modern Skills\r\nWhile these books are a thrill to read, they are also sophisticated teaching tools. Through this text, I am able to teach literary analysis by having students map out the \"Hero's Journey.\" We are diving deep into character archetypes and learning how to identify allusions to Greek mythology in modern culture. Beyond the mechanics of reading, these books introduce a vital lesson in empathy and resilience; seeing Percy Jackson navigate his world with ADHD and dyslexia allows many of my students to see their own \"differences\" as potential superpowers.\r\n\r\nA Dynamic Reading Environment\r\nIn our classroom, reading is far from a silent, solitary activity. It is active and collaborative. On any given day, you might see:\r\n\r\nPredictive Debates: Students gathering in small groups to argue which Greek god is \"behind the scenes\" of the current plot twist.\r\n\r\nVocabulary Shouts: A student raising their hand excitedly because they found a \"SAT-level\" word we discussed earlier in the week.\r\n\r\nThe AR Progress Wall: A visual tracker where students move their markers closer to their 10-point goal, turning their reading progress into a celebrated milestone.\r\n\r\nThe Impact on Our Students\r\nThere are a few students who have been particularly moved by these new books. I have one student who previously struggled to stay engaged during independent reading time. Now, I often have to remind them to put the book away so we can start our science lab!\r\n\r\nFurthermore, for my students who receive reading accommodations, this series has been a game-changer. The fast-paced chapters and relatable dialogue keep them motivated, and the pride on their faces when they realize they've read half a novel is truly priceless. They aren't just reading for points; they are reading because they finally found a story that speaks to them.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and for providing the spark that has ignited a love of reading in our classroom. We can't wait to update you when we cross the finish line and hit our AR goals!\r\n\r\nWith deepest gratitude,","fullyFundedDate":1764728119620,"projectUrl":"project/a-book-for-every-demigod-student/9910160/","projectTitle":"A Book for Every Demigod Student","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Laws","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9284636"},{"teacherId":8614447,"projectId":9653738,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my students now have access to Pro-Max slam balls that are making a powerful impact in our physical education classes and athletic development sessions. These tools allow us to focus on strength training, explosive power, and overall conditioning in a way that was not possible before. With this equipment, every student now has the opportunity to actively participate and develop foundational athletic skills.\r\n\r\nWhen the slam balls arrived, the excitement from my students was immediate. They were eager to engage in new workouts and challenges, and it has brought a new level of energy and focus to our classes. I have already seen growth in their confidence, effort, and willingness to push themselves physically.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, I am now able to incorporate more structured strength and performance training into my lessons, helping students build discipline, resilience, and healthy habits. Moving forward, we will continue using these slam balls to enhance workouts, improve performance, and support long-term athletic development.\r\n\r\nI would also like to sincerely thank The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation for their support in making this opportunity possible for my students. Your generosity is helping shape confident, disciplined, and motivated young individuals.\r\nThank you for investing in my students and helping them grow stronger, more confident, and motivated each day.","fullyFundedDate":1758636765460,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-young-athletes-one-rep-at-a-tim/9653738/","projectTitle":"Fueling Young Athletes, One Rep at a Time","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Lawson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8614447_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660262927450","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ryanlawson"},{"teacherId":8614447,"projectId":9757224,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my students now have access to the equipment they need to fully participate and grow in our physical education program. The new mesh bags have completely changed how we organize and manage our basketballs, allowing for smoother transitions, more efficient use of time, and more structured, high-energy lessons. Instead of losing time gathering equipment, students are now able to get right into skill development, drills, and game play.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials arrived, my students were excited and immediately noticed the difference. They take pride in helping set up and break down equipment, and the organization has created a more focused and engaging environment. This has increased participation, improved behavior, and allowed more students to stay active and involved throughout each lesson.\r\n\r\nBecause of this project, I am now able to run more effective and organized sessions that emphasize skill development, teamwork, and accountability. Moving forward, we will continue building on these foundations through structured drills, small-sided games, and skill progression activities that help students grow both athletically and personally.\r\n\r\nI would also like to sincerely thank The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation for their support in making this opportunity possible for my students. Your generosity is creating a lasting impact not only in their physical development, but also in their confidence, responsibility, and overall growth.\r\nWith gratitude,\r\nCoach Lawson","fullyFundedDate":1764853141749,"projectUrl":"project/pack-play-repeat-organized-to-win/9757224/","projectTitle":"\"Pack, Play, Repeat, Organized to Win!\" Mesh Bags For Youth","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Lawson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8614447_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660262927450","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ryanlawson"},{"teacherId":8614447,"projectId":9252450,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my students now have access to high-quality basketballs that are being used daily in our physical education classes and skill development sessions. Before this project, many of our activities had to be modified due to limited equipment, but now every student has the opportunity to fully engage, practice, and improve their skills with confidence.\r\n\r\nWhen the basketballs arrived, the excitement from my students was immediate. They were eager to get started, and I saw a noticeable increase in participation, effort, and enthusiasm. Students who were once hesitant are now more involved, building not only their athletic abilities but also their confidence, teamwork, and overall love for the game.\r\n\r\nThese basketballs have allowed me to run more structured, high-energy lessons where students can work simultaneously, maximizing both learning time and development. We are now able to focus on skill progression, game understanding, and character-building through sports in a way that was not possible before.\r\n\r\nA sincere thank you to Ripple for supporting this opportunity for my students. Your generosity is making a lasting impact on their development, confidence, and growth both on and off the court.","fullyFundedDate":1746699590291,"projectUrl":"project/where-every-bounce-builds-confidence-and/9252450/","projectTitle":"Where Every Bounce Builds Confidence and Character! PART 3","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Lawson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8614447_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660262927450","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ryanlawson"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_109601","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":199,"numTeachers":15,"percentFrplEligible":59,"percentAsian":20,"percentBlack":15,"percentWhite":14,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":46,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":2,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"13.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":77.3,"schoolId":109601,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Somerset Academy - Oaks on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Somerset Academy - Oaks","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/texas-department-of-education/brooks-academy-oaks/109601"}