{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"McKay High School","outOfStateSupporters":37.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9333502,"projectId":9684861,"letterContent":"When the board games arrived, my students were genuinely excited. A few recognized the games right away, and others were curious because they had never played them before. We've started using them during our community building time and as an option when students finish classwork early. The games have become something they look forward to, especially for my students who are still learning English. UNO helps with colors, numbers, and simple conversation. Connect 4 and Blokus get them talking and thinking together. Even a regular deck of cards has opened up space for students to share games from their own countries.\r\nWhat I've noticed most is how relaxed the room feels when the games come out. Students settle in, talk more, and mix with classmates they don't usually interact with. It's a small shift, but it matters. They're practicing language without feeling pressured, and they're building friendships in a way that feels natural to them.\r\nAs we keep using the games, I'm planning to connect them with small language tasks so students can continue growing their vocabulary and confidence while still having fun. Your support has given my classroom a simple but powerful tool to help students feel comfortable, connected, and part of our community. Thank you for making that possible.","fullyFundedDate":1764626865784,"projectUrl":"project/building-community-through-board-games/9684861/","projectTitle":"Building Community Through Board Games","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Hernandez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9333502_orig.jpg?crop=3853,3853,x656,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726692805705","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9333502"},{"teacherId":9333502,"projectId":9620846,"letterContent":"The new technology has already made such a difference for my newcomer and English Learner students. A lot of them are still figuring out life in a new country and a new language, so having tools that let them learn through pictures instead of just words has been huge. The iPad, lens, instant camera, and printer have become a fun and comfortable way for them to express themselves. They're practicing language skills without even realizing it because they're so focused on capturing moments that matter to them.\r\nWhat they love most is getting to tell their own stories. They get excited to show each other photos from home, their walk to school, or the people who make them feel welcome here. Kids who normally stay quiet are suddenly eager to share what they created. And a few students who usually hang back have turned into our \"photo experts,\" helping classmates use the camera or choose the perfect shot to print. It's been really sweet to watch them step up and support each other.\r\nOne student in particular has really opened up. He arrived not long ago, very shy and unsure of himself. When he printed his first photo and wrote a short caption, he smiled in a way I hadn't seen before. Moments like that remind me how important this project is. Your generosity didn't just bring in technology; it gave my students a way to be seen, to feel proud of their stories, and to connect with their classmates. We're all so grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1761918334752,"projectUrl":"project/through-their-eyes-stories-of-compassio/9620846/","projectTitle":"Through Their Eyes: Stories of Compassion","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Hernandez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9333502_orig.jpg?crop=3853,3853,x656,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726692805705","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9333502"},{"teacherId":5985337,"projectId":8136880,"letterContent":"Thank you for your kind donation. Investment in education is crucial to give kids the best opportunities in life. Every dollar counts and makes an impact on the quality of education that a child receives in public schooling. \r\n\r\nLiteracy is one of the greatest indicators of success in the future, not only by economic means, but also through an enriched life of curiosity and exploration. Your donation toward a class set of high quality books will inspire kids for years to come. Not all children in our community are afforded the access to libraries at home. Books in a classroom are essential beacons of curiosity and exploration. \r\n\r\nYour generosity will ignite that curiosity for years to come!","fullyFundedDate":1708624970026,"projectUrl":"project/power-and-obsession-investigating-circe/8136880/","projectTitle":"Power and Obsession: Investigating Circe","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Gill","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5985337_orig.jpg?crop=343,343,x137,y96&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1760034960326","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5985337"},{"teacherId":9201736,"projectId":9229618,"letterContent":"Thank you for your willingness to donate to my project. This project has enabled me to offer my students numerous fun and engaging books to read. Many of my students do not have access to relevant and engaging books at home so it is very meaningful that I am able to provide that for them in my classroom. \r\n\r\nI have now had several students browse my bookshelves and tell me \"wow! You have so many good books\". It is such an amazing feeling when I hear this or when a student asks me to borrow a book. This reaction is only possible because of the generous donations I have received through Donors Choose!","fullyFundedDate":1744234868561,"projectUrl":"project/fun-books-in-a-title-1-school/9229618/","projectTitle":"Fun Books in a Title 1 School","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. K","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9201736"},{"teacherId":9201736,"projectId":9229300,"letterContent":"Thank you for your donation. Your donation enabled me to add books in Spanish to my classroom library! As an English Language Development teacher, I have a multitude of Spanish speaking students. Having this books readily available encourages them to read. Some students don't read because it is difficult for them to read novels in English still. Thanks to this project I am able to encourage them to read despite any potential language barriers. These books are also nice to have for students who are learning Spanish and want to challenge themselves to read a novel in Spanish.","fullyFundedDate":1744224371490,"projectUrl":"project/books-in-spanish/9229300/","projectTitle":"Books in Spanish","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. K","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9201736"},{"teacherId":9333502,"projectId":9472412,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my students now have the essential supplies they need to feel confident and ready to learn. When the boxes first arrived, their excitement filled the room, many of them rushed over to help unpack and couldn't believe these resources were for them. We received enough supplies to help students cover the materials in my class and for them to take some extras and feel supported in their other classrooms. \r\n\r\nFor some students, even something as simple as having their own pencils, markers, or notebooks made a huge difference. It gave them a sense of pride and belonging, knowing they had the tools to do their best.\r\n\r\nWe've already started putting the supplies to good use. During group activities, students are working with markers and chart paper to brainstorm ideas and present their learning in creative ways. Having plenty of basic materials also means no one has to feel left out or borrow from others; every student can participate fully. \r\n\r\nThese supplies are not just about convenience; they've created a classroom environment where learning feels accessible, organized, and engaging. As we continue our current lessons, my students will use these resources to collaborate, create, and take ownership of their work. Your support has turned our classroom into a space where bright ideas can truly shine.","fullyFundedDate":1754328416739,"projectUrl":"project/bright-ideas-start-with-the-right-suppli/9472412/","projectTitle":"Bright Ideas Start with the Right Supplies!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Hernandez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9333502_orig.jpg?crop=3853,3853,x656,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726692805705","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9333502"},{"teacherId":9333502,"projectId":9250591,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom library has grown in a way that truly excites my newcomers. The addition of graphic novels and manga has transformed reading time into something my students look forward to. These texts give students access to stories with rich visuals and accessible language, which helps them build vocabulary, strengthen comprehension, and develop confidence in their reading skills. The theme and books we ordered really got their attention. Some of them \"calling\" certain books first, almost fighting for them. It was neat to see. \r\n\r\n For many of them, this is the first time they've felt like books were written with them in mind.In our classroom, reading no longer looks like silent rows of students struggling through difficult passages. Instead, it looks like groups of students huddled around a new manga, pointing out details in the illustrations, or a student proudly reading dialogue aloud with expression. \r\nGraphic novels have opened doors for discussions about plot, character development, and cultural connections in a way that traditional texts sometimes could not. They've also encouraged students to branch out and request new genres they now feel ready to try.\r\n\r\nOne student who had previously avoided reading has become one of our most enthusiastic participants. He quickly finished his first graphic novel and then asked if he could check out another to read at home. \r\n\r\nTHANK YOU SO MUCH!!","fullyFundedDate":1754672242269,"projectUrl":"project/more-stories-more-voices-graphic-novel/9250591/","projectTitle":"More Stories, More Voices: Graphic Novels & Manga for Newcomers","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Hernandez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9333502_orig.jpg?crop=3853,3853,x656,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726692805705","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9333502"},{"teacherId":9201736,"projectId":9044282,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your help in providing my students some fun games! The games and puzzles have been a huge hit! It is so nice to have more options of things that students can do during brain breaks or if they finish work early. \r\n\r\nThe games and puzzles also help students get to know one another and build connections. We are a phone free school and a lot of students feel lost without their phones and don't know what to do. Having games and puzzles help give them something to do without their phones and helps break the ice among students.","fullyFundedDate":1742921638725,"projectUrl":"project/games-for-brain-breaks-and-learning/9044282/","projectTitle":"Games for Brain Breaks and Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. K","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9201736"},{"teacherId":9497522,"projectId":9055155,"letterContent":"I can confirm that these printers are a huge hit! Students love them! The printers are so easy to use. The students figured them out, no problem! They love being able to work at their own pace. And they are thrilled with the little prints.\r\n\r\nFor me, the two printers purchased with this project have had a big impact on my capacity and what projects I'm able to assign. I had stopped assigning projects that are heavy in printing but now, I don't need to worry so much about how long the \"printing cue\" will take me to get through.\r\n\r\nBecause of these new printers, next year I will be able to assign a triptych project to my Photo 1 classes. They will be able to print all three of their own photos and I can put my effort into teaching them how to mat. \r\n\r\nThank you so much for your support. The future is a little brighter here at McKay because of you.","fullyFundedDate":1739806003014,"projectUrl":"project/a-sprint-to-print/9055155/","projectTitle":"A Sprint to Print!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Esperanza","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9497522_orig.jpg?crop=3456,3456,x1330,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1711055368252","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9497522"},{"teacherId":9333502,"projectId":9056137,"letterContent":"Thanks to your support, our classroom library is now full of awesome new books—and my students are loving it. Every day, I see kids flipping through graphic novels, getting lost in YA stories, and actually getting excited about reading. For many of my newcomers, English is still something they're figuring out, so finding books that feel fun and not overwhelming makes a huge difference.\r\n\r\nThe graphic novels are helping a lot. The pictures help students understand what's going on, even if they don't know every word. I've seen students who used to avoid reading now asking if they can take books home over the weekend. One student told me, \"I didn't know books could be like this.\" That meant a lot. The YA books are starting conversations, too. Some of my students really connect with the characters—especially ones who are also dealing with big changes or trying to find where they belong.\r\n\r\nReading time in our class has totally changed. It feels chill, like a group of friends all reading what they like, not just doing an assignment. These books aren't just helping with vocabulary and reading skills—they're helping my students feel seen, confident, and excited to keep learning. Thank you for making that happen.","fullyFundedDate":1742952089961,"projectUrl":"project/new-adventures-ya-and-graphic-novels-fo/9056137/","projectTitle":"New Adventures: YA and Graphic Novels for Our Newcomers","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Hernandez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9333502_orig.jpg?crop=3853,3853,x656,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726692805705","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9333502"},{"teacherId":9333502,"projectId":9012898,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my students now have the incredible opportunity to document their lives and tell their own stories through photography. The disposable cameras have sparked so much excitement in the classroom, students have been eager to capture meaningful moments, from their daily routines to special experiences with family and friends. For many of them, this is their first time using a camera that isn't attached to a phone, making the process feel even more special. Unlike digital devices, these cameras require patience and thoughtfulness since every photo counts, encouraging students to be intentional about what they capture.","fullyFundedDate":1735717884401,"projectUrl":"project/snapshots-of-student-life-stories-throu/9012898/","projectTitle":"Snapshots of Student Life: Stories Through Disposable Cameras","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Hernandez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9333502_orig.jpg?crop=3853,3853,x656,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726692805705","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9333502"},{"teacherId":9201736,"projectId":8943057,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donation. I did a \"question of the week\" activity with my students asking \"What do these books have in common?\". The answers were random and sometimes funny. One student guessed correctly in one of my classes. When I finally revealed that all of the books I'd laid out had been banned or challenged many times in the USA they were SHOCKED. It led to a lot of questions about why those books were banned. \r\n\r\nTeenagers often love doing what they are told NOT to do. I think that principle also applies to reading. You tell a teen they can't read something, it makes them want to read it. I am very grateful to work in a school district where my students have the freedom to read whatever they want. And thanks to your support I can now offer my students an even wider variety of books to read. I would also encourage you to go out and read a banned book!","fullyFundedDate":1733269632466,"projectUrl":"project/banned-challenged-books/8943057/","projectTitle":"Banned & Challenged Books","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. K","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9201736"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_47225","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":2380,"numTeachers":100,"percentFrplEligible":66,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":15,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":72,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"23.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":62.9,"schoolId":47225,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about McKay High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"McKay High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/oregon/salem-keizer-school-district-24j/mckay-high-school/47225"}