{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Mather High School","outOfStateSupporters":36.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":30331,"projectId":10333545,"letterContent":"We are using these materials every day in class. We have a string orchestra, but we are beginners. Most students have not had any type of instrumental music education before they arrive to orchestra class in high school. \r\n\r\nWe start, literally, from square one both in learning the instrument and learning elements of music. \r\n\r\nWe are using the snare drum and cymbals to teach and practice basic rhythms. Kids take turns sightreading rhythms on the drum and use the drum for their rhythm playing tests. \r\n\r\nWhen the ensemble plays together, I will often have a student who is able to keep a steady beat, play the drum and hi-hat while we do warm ups and scales. \r\n\r\nThank you so much for this donation.","fullyFundedDate":1786541673855,"projectUrl":"project/jazz-up-the-orchestra/10333545/","projectTitle":"Jazz Up the Orchestra!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Smith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp30331_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1453307059813","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/matherorch"},{"teacherId":2287516,"projectId":6507009,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and funding our project for engaging, collaborative problem-solving icebreakers! Your generosity has made a tremendous difference in how our incoming freshmen are transitioning into high school.\r\n\r\nStarting high school can be an intimidating milestone, but having these hands-on, interactive icebreaker activities allowed us to build a welcoming and supportive classroom community from day one. Instead of traditional lectures or nervous silence, our room was filled with energy, creative thinking, and laughter as students worked together to solve challenges, communicate under pressure, and navigate team dynamics.\r\n\r\nThese activities did far more than just break the ice—they helped our freshmen develop essential problem-solving, active listening, and collaboration skills that will serve them throughout their high school journey and beyond. Most importantly, seeing themselves successfully tackle challenges alongside their peers helped build their confidence and created lasting connections early in the school year.\r\n\r\nYour support has laid a strong foundation for a positive, collaborative school environment where every student feels included and ready to learn. Thank you for investing in our freshmen and helping us create a classroom where students feel empowered to collaborate and grow together.","fullyFundedDate":1657677673354,"projectUrl":"project/engaging-and-collaborative-problem-solv/6507009/","projectTitle":"Engaging and Collaborative, Problem Solving Icebreaker Activities for Freshman","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kozi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2287516_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1642540516303","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2287516"},{"teacherId":2287516,"projectId":7484251,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and funding our project for new presentation materials! Because of your generosity, my students had the tools they needed to take their hard work out of the classroom and share it with the world.\r\n\r\nThis semester, students put their learning into practice through their Civic Action Projects and local internships. They tackled real-world issues in our community, conducted research, collaborated with local leaders, and gained hands-on career experience.\r\n\r\nTo showcase their progress and impact, we hosted a culminating Gallery Walk presentation for our entire student body, school staff, and community partners. Thanks to the display boards, poster materials, markers, and mounting supplies you provided, our students were able to design professional, visually compelling displays. They proudly presented their findings, answered questions from guests, and demonstrated the tangible impact of their civic initiatives.\r\n\r\nYour support did far more than just supply our classroom—it empowered a new group of young leaders to step up, take action, and share their passions with our community. We are deeply grateful for your investment in our students' education and future.","fullyFundedDate":1694442028071,"projectUrl":"project/student-presentation-supplies-sharing/7484251/","projectTitle":"Student Presentation Supplies (Sharing Their Research Findings)","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kozi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2287516_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1642540516303","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2287516"},{"teacherId":9885111,"projectId":10692112,"letterContent":"Your donation has brought a new level of enthusiasm and excitement for tennis at Mather. My students are now even more proud to be a part of this team and they are actively recruiting others to join and expand our program. None of this would have been possible without the incredible donation you made to our program.\r\n\r\nMy students have had the opportunity to play with most of the racquets (I still need to go get two of them strung at the tennis shop), and they had the time of their lives. When we received all of the tennis equipment boxes, we had a grand opening with our boys and girls after school in my classroom and it felt like watching the kids opening presents on Christmas morning! My heart was so full seeing the excitement on their faces. \r\n\r\nPlease allow me to give you an idea on how much excitement you have brought to our program. Our season ended upon our elimination from state sectionals on Friday, October 16th. Since that time, the students have been asking me DAILY to go outside after school with them and bring the racquets so they can all hit and have fun. And with the weather being as uncharacteristically warm as it has been, how could I deny them? We have had an absolute blast hitting after school for fun and I cannot wait to see how this equipment benefits our boys team in the Spring season. \r\n\r\nWe would love to have you out for a match in the Spring, if you are interested. My email address is vacerda@cps.edu. Please do not hesitate to reach out. Thank you again for your incredibly kind donation and I cannot state enough what it means to our children to have access to this kind of equipment.","fullyFundedDate":1791141385591,"projectUrl":"project/tennis-team-in-need-of-some-love/10692112/","projectTitle":"Tennis Team in Need of Some Love","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Cerda","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9885111"},{"teacherId":8802885,"projectId":10313101,"letterContent":"Our new soccer balls have already made a huge difference in the way we are able to practice. Instead of having several players waiting or sharing one ball, we can now run activities where every student gets significantly more touches and repetitions. One of the first things we did was use the new balls during individual technical work, passing activities, and small-sided drills. Having enough soccer balls allows me to keep everyone moving and involved while giving our players more opportunities to work on dribbling, passing, receiving, and overall ball control.\r\n\r\nThe students were extremely excited when they first saw all of the new soccer balls. For them, seeing brand-new equipment that was donated specifically for their program meant a lot. They immediately wanted to grab a ball and start using it. It was also a great opportunity to remind them that people outside of our school believe in them and are willing to invest in their success.\r\n\r\nOur next step is to continue using the soccer balls to build our players' individual skills while transitioning those skills into game situations. We will continue working through technical stations, possession activities, passing combinations, finishing exercises, and small-sided games. As we progress, the focus will shift from individual development to communication, decision-making, teamwork, and understanding how those individual skills contribute to the success of the entire team. These soccer balls will be used throughout our boys' and girls' soccer seasons and will continue impacting our student-athletes for years to come.\r\n\r\nThank you again to everyone who helped make this possible. Your support gave our students more than just soccer balls—you gave them more opportunities to learn, practice, and enjoy the game they love.","fullyFundedDate":1781488132664,"projectUrl":"project/every-player-deserves-a-ball-supporting/10313101/","projectTitle":"Every Player Deserves a Ball: Supporting MHS Soccer","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Cervantes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8802885_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y50&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1690419953033","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8802885"},{"teacherId":309952,"projectId":10217152,"letterContent":"I would like to sincerely thank each and every one of you for helping to fund a printer for my classroom. My students will now have the opportunity to see their work on display inside and outside of our classroom. Students will be able to print their projects in color and see their work come to life. In an age of visualization students are empowered and encouraged when they are able to see their work displayed. \r\n\r\nThis printer will serve as a great benefit to my students, showcasing their work, as well as what my computer science class has to offer. Thank you all once more for your generous donations.","fullyFundedDate":1779646965592,"projectUrl":"project/the-power-of-visualization/10217152/","projectTitle":"The Power of Visualization","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lewis-Morris","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/309952"},{"teacherId":17434,"projectId":9938704,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity! Learning a new language takes immense \"brainpower,\" and because my students are with me for two hours of intense English study every day, they often get exhausted. When the supplies arrived, the students were so excited to see both the practical tools and the vibrant art materials. It gave them a much-needed spark of energy!\r\nOur classroom is known as a very colorful spot in our school (besides the art room!). Among many things, we are currently using the art supplies for word walls and cultural dolls, which allows students to \"tune out\" the stress of grammar for a moment. These creative breaks are essential; they help my students recharge so they can dive back into their English lessons with fresh focus.\r\nMoving forward, we are putting our new notebooks and pens to daily use as we begin a new writing unit. Having these supplies makes a world of difference in their confidence and organization. We are so grateful for your support, and we thank you in many different languages for helping our classroom flourish!","fullyFundedDate":1769177195207,"projectUrl":"project/second-semester-needed-supplies/9938704/","projectTitle":"Second Semester Needed Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Alfred","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp17434_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1450375317408","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/17434"},{"teacherId":17434,"projectId":9965741,"letterContent":"I wanted to send a truly heartfelt thank you for your donation, which we have been using daily in our classroom. During classwork and testing, my biggest goal is to ensure my students feel prepared, but I can't control how long a laptop battery lasts. Before your chargers and extension cords arrived, we were constantly \"triage-ing\" our computers and hunting for outlets, which only added to the students' anxiety during an already stressful time.\r\nSince our computers are in use from the morning bell until dismissal, they never get a chance to sit in a charging cart, but your gift has turned our room into a \"power hub.\" This ensures every student has a reliable workstation and the focus to keep their thoughts flowing without interruption.\r\nYou've removed a major logistical hurdle, allowing me to focus entirely on supporting my students academically. It is so moving to know you understood our need, and we feel your support every time we plug in. Thank you for being part of our community and for quite literally powering our potential!","fullyFundedDate":1767211568847,"projectUrl":"project/a-need-for-powering-literacy/9965741/","projectTitle":"A Need for Powering Literacy","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Alfred","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp17434_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1450375317408","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/17434"},{"teacherId":2509012,"projectId":9600704,"letterContent":"Receiving a classroom set of TI-84 graphing calculators through the generosity of DonorsChoose supporters has had a truly transformative impact on my Algebra 2 classroom. In a school that serves a largely low-income, diverse community with limited resources, these calculators have helped level the playing field for my students. Many of them had never had consistent access to technology like this before, and now every student can fully participate without worrying about sharing, borrowing, or falling behind.\r\n\r\nWith the TI-84s, students are able to visualize complex algebraic concepts such as quadratic functions, exponential growth, and systems of equations in ways that make the math more concrete and meaningful. Lessons that once felt abstract now come alive as students see graphs change instantly and connect equations to real outcomes. This has increased engagement, confidence, and willingness to take academic risks, especially for students who previously struggled with traditional, paper-only approaches.\r\n\r\nThe calculators have also allowed me to teach at a higher level and align instruction more closely with state standards and assessments, while still supporting students who need extra help. Class time is used more efficiently, discussions are richer, and collaboration has increased as students explore and verify their thinking together. Most importantly, this project has shown my students that people believe in them and their potential. Thanks to the donors who funded this project, my classroom is more equitable, empowering, and inspiring and my students are better prepared for future math courses, college, and careers.","fullyFundedDate":1757555517274,"projectUrl":"project/my-mathematicians-need-calculators/9600704/","projectTitle":"My mathematicians need Calculators!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Perez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2509012"},{"teacherId":309952,"projectId":9055441,"letterContent":"I would like to thank you once again for providing the opportunity for my students to learn 3D printing. Before your donations, many of them had never seen or touched a 3D printer. The excitement on their faces when they first learned that they would be 3D printing is memorable. \r\n\r\nStudents now understand how they are able to design a model on their computers and send it to the printer and watch it materialize into something tangible. They got the opportunity to think in creative ways while using their problem solving skills to design and troubleshoot prototypes. Most of all, they are learning that hard work and perseverance pays off in the end. \r\n\r\nAll of my students have shown great interest in 3D printing and worked really hard to design their models. The display of joy on their faces each time their model was brought to life was amazing to watch. Thank you for making this possible!","fullyFundedDate":1746661820470,"projectUrl":"project/printing-the-future-the-art-of-3d-print/9055441/","projectTitle":"Printing the Future--The Art of 3d Printing","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lewis-Morris","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/309952"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5457","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1658,"numTeachers":82,"percentFrplEligible":78,"percentAsian":20,"percentBlack":15,"percentWhite":12,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":49,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":1,"gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"20.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":63.2,"schoolId":5457,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Mather High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Mather High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/chicago-public-school-district-299/mather-high-school/5457"}