{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Menchville High School","outOfStateSupporters":38.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5213676,"projectId":9925367,"letterContent":"I am writing to share our sincere appreciation for the wonderful variety of snacks provided to our classroom. When the students first saw the assortment, their excitement was immediate and heartfelt. The colorful selection and range of options made them feel special and cared for, and it truly brightened their day.\r\n\r\nSince receiving the snacks, students have been thoroughly enjoying them. Having access to these snacks has helped them stay focused, energized, and ready to learn throughout the day. For many of our students, this support makes a meaningful difference in their ability to concentrate and fully participate in classroom activities.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has had a direct and positive impact on our learning environment. Beyond meeting a basic need, your support has boosted morale and created moments of joy for our students. We are deeply grateful for your kindness and commitment to supporting our classroom community.","fullyFundedDate":1766067754147,"projectUrl":"project/no-more-hunger/9925367/","projectTitle":"No More Hunger","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ellis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5213676"},{"teacherId":10219320,"projectId":9925446,"letterContent":"Today, my students were genuinely thankful in a way that stopped me in my tracks. As soon as they saw the new snacks, their faces lit up and the room shifted. Several students quietly said \"thank you,\" others smiled, and a few told me they finally felt like they could focus without the distraction of hunger sitting in the back of their minds.\r\nFor many of my students, these snacks aren't just a treat. They are reassurance. They mean someone thought about them, cared about their comfort, and wanted them to succeed. Throughout our lesson, students were more engaged, more patient with challenging tasks, and more willing to participate. The energy in the room felt calmer and more focused, and students stayed on task longer than usual.\r\nYour generosity made a real, immediate difference. You helped create a classroom where students felt supported, seen, and ready to learn. Thank you for helping fuel both their minds and their confidence.","fullyFundedDate":1770387896079,"projectUrl":"project/no-more-learning-on-an-empty-stomach/9925446/","projectTitle":"No More Learning on an Empty Stomach","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sheppard","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10219320_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755951338676","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-sheppard33"},{"teacherId":10219320,"projectId":9925487,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my students now have quick, familiar snacks in our classroom—Pop-Tarts, Teddy Grahams, crackers, chips, and water cups—that make a real difference in how they show up to learn each day.\r\nFood insecurity doesn't always look like an empty lunchbox. Sometimes it's a student who \"isn't hungry\" but can't focus, a kid who asks to go to the nurse because their stomach hurts, or someone who shuts down during reading because their brain is simply running on empty. Having snacks available helps me remove that barrier immediately and quietly, without embarrassing anyone or singling them out.\r\nThese snacks aren't a \"treat\"—they're a tool. When students can grab something small and have water, they settle faster, participate more, and are able to stay engaged through lessons, independent reading, tests, and long class periods. It also supports classroom behavior and community: fewer distractions, fewer conflicts, and more students willing to take academic risks because they feel cared for and regulated.\r\nThank you for helping me create a classroom where students can focus, feel safe, and learn with dignity. Your donation meets a basic need, and that support ripples into stronger effort, better stamina, and more confidence every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1766067727878,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-young-minds-every-day/9925487/","projectTitle":"Fueling Young Minds Every Day","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sheppard","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10219320_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755951338676","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-sheppard33"},{"teacherId":10219320,"projectId":9918794,"letterContent":"I wanted to extend my deepest gratitude for your generous support of our classroom project. Thanks to you, a series of incredible books has made its way into our students' hands, arriving from several shipments throughout the first week of December. Each package felt like a celebration, and my students could hardly contain their excitement as we opened each box together.\r\n\r\nFrom Amazon Business, we received the beautifully illustrated Nurses (Bullfrog Books: Community Helpers)—a perfect addition to our growing collection of texts that highlight the everyday heroes in our community. This book has already sparked conversations among students about empathy, care, and the importance of service.\r\n\r\nOur shipment from AKJ Education brought an inspiring variety of nonfiction titles, including Nurses Help, Florence Nightingale, Boots on the Ground, Courage Has No Color, and Code Talker. These books offer powerful stories of bravery, perseverance, and real-world impact. Several students immediately gravitated toward the historical narratives, amazed to learn about individuals who changed the world through courage and dedication. These texts will strengthen our social studies connections and deepen students' understanding of history through compelling storytelling.\r\n\r\nWe also received a shipment from DonorsChoose Featured Favorites, which included It's Trevor Noah: Born a Crime (Young Readers Edition) and the complete Crossover trilogy by Kwame Alexander. These titles were met with overwhelming enthusiasm—so much so that we already have waiting lists for who gets to read them next! These engaging and culturally rich books not only motivate reluctant readers but also give all students mirrors to see themselves and windows to understand others.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has given my students access to stories that educate, empower, and inspire. Every book you helped provide brings us closer to building a classroom community where every student can explore new perspectives, think critically, and discover the joy of reading.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students and in the power of great books. You have directly impacted their learning, their confidence, and their curiosity—and for that, we are truly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1764687202702,"projectUrl":"project/reading-to-discover-heroes/9918794/","projectTitle":"Reading to Discover Heroes","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sheppard","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10219320_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755951338676","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-sheppard33"},{"teacherId":10219320,"projectId":9661854,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my students now have access to powerful, conversation-shifting literature that strengthens their ability to think critically, argue thoughtfully, and engage deeply with the world around them. The Book Thief and The Hate U Give are two stories that challenge readers to confront injustice, question the systems around them, and form evidence-based arguments rooted in empathy and awareness. Because of you, my classroom now has multiple copies of each book—allowing students to read collaboratively, annotate together, and participate in discussions that sharpen their reasoning and writing skills.\r\nThese books are already sparking meaningful conversations among students who do not often see themselves reflected in literature or in positions of agency. They're discovering that their voices matter, their perspectives are valid, and their arguments can create real change. Your support has given them the chance to grapple with complex themes—identity, resistance, courage, and morality—and to turn those ideas into strong, persuasive arguments in their writing.\r\nThank you for believing in the power of literature to open minds and uplift student voices. Your gift has not only placed books into their hands—it has placed confidence, curiosity, and critical thinking into their futures.","fullyFundedDate":1763802008083,"projectUrl":"project/books-that-inspire-powerful-arguments/9661854/","projectTitle":"Books That Inspire Powerful Arguments","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sheppard","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10219320_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755951338676","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-sheppard33"},{"teacherId":10219320,"projectId":9918889,"letterContent":"Providing daily nourishment in the classroom has truly transformed our learning environment. Because of your kindness, my students now have access to snacks when hunger threatens their focus, and that has made all the difference. The BBQ chips, cereal bars, and brownie brittle have helped fuel long afternoons, restore energy after tough mornings, and ensured that students can learn without experiencing the distraction or discomfort of an empty stomach. When students don't have to worry about where their next snack will come from, they are free to invest fully in reading, writing, discussions, and collaborative work.\r\nThis gift has been especially meaningful for students who often come to school without food, or who are hesitant to ask for help. Having a safe, dependable, judgement-free place to regroup with a snack has provided comfort, dignity, and a sense of belonging. I've watched confidence and participation grow simply because students felt supported in this basic need.\r\nThank you for believing that nourishment matters, and for reminding my students that the community is cheering them on. Your generosity has brought joy, relief, and encouragement into our classroom—and for that, we are deeply grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1763996372464,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-focus-in-the-classroom/9918889/","projectTitle":"Fueling Focus in the Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sheppard","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10219320_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755951338676","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-sheppard33"},{"teacherId":5213676,"projectId":9744383,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our classroom and helping us build a rich and engaging reading environment for our students. Your generosity is making a lasting difference as we prepare for our upcoming literature circles, where students will have the opportunity to read powerful and thought-provoking texts such as The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini and the Arc of a Scythe series by Neal Shusterman.\r\n\r\nThese titles offer students meaningful, relevant, and deeply engaging stories that challenge them to think critically about humanity, morality, resilience, and social responsibility. The Kite Runner offers opportunities to discuss redemption, cultural understanding, and the complexities of personal choices. The Arc of a Scythe series invites students to explore ethical dilemmas, power structures, and the meaning of valuing life in a futuristic society.\r\n\r\nYour support ensures that students have access to high-quality literature that inspires thoughtful analysis, strengthens reading comprehension, and sparks authentic conversation. These books help students build empathy, broaden their perspectives, and develop confident voices during collaborative discussions.\r\nBecause of your contributions, students will participate in literature circles that promote independence, academic growth, and a lifelong love of reading. Your generosity directly enriches their learning experiences and empowers them to engage deeply with challenging and meaningful texts.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our students and their futures. Your support truly matters.","fullyFundedDate":1762266367979,"projectUrl":"project/reading-is-life/9744383/","projectTitle":"Reading Is Life","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ellis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5213676"},{"teacherId":5213676,"projectId":9742965,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generosity and support of our classroom. Your donations of board games, sentence-building games for our English Language Learners, teen crossword puzzles, teen coloring books, and teen brain games have created an immediate and meaningful impact on our students' daily learning experience.\r\n\r\nBoard games and brain puzzles offer students engaging opportunities to practice critical thinking, teamwork, and communication in a fun, low-pressure environment. These activities help build problem-solving skills and strengthen positive peer interactions, both of which are essential for student growth academically and socially.\r\nThe sentence-building game for our ELL students has been especially powerful. It provides hands-on literacy practice that boosts vocabulary development, strengthens grammar skills, and builds confidence in reading and communicating in English. This resource supports differentiated instruction and gives students the tools they need to succeed.\r\n\r\nTeen crossword puzzles, coloring books, and brain games offer students meaningful brain breaks that reduce stress and help them reset between challenging lessons. These activities encourage creativity, build resilience, and support emotional well-being—key components of a healthy learning environment.\r\n\r\nYour contributions help create a classroom where students feel supported, engaged, and excited to learn. We are deeply grateful for your kindness, and our students benefit from it every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1762266331198,"projectUrl":"project/social-emotional-learning/9742965/","projectTitle":"Social Emotional Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ellis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5213676"},{"teacherId":5213676,"projectId":9724231,"letterContent":"Donations of Swedish Fish, band-aids, dry erase markers, chalk, paper towels, and markers make a meaningful difference in our classroom every day. Swedish Fish provide a small but powerful incentive that helps motivate students during lessons, quizzes, and review activities. Band-aids let students quickly treat minor cuts or blisters without leaving the classroom, keeping learning time uninterrupted.\r\n\r\nDry erase markers and chalk are essential tools that support active teaching and student collaboration on the board and at whiteboard stations. These materials help make lessons interactive, visual, and engaging. Paper towels keep our classroom clean and functional, allowing for quick cleanups and maintaining a comfortable learning environment. Markers support creative assignments, projects, posters, and annotation activities that help students express understanding in varied and meaningful ways.\r\nEach item contributes to creating a supportive, efficient, and engaging classroom where students can focus on learning. Your generosity directly enhances their daily experience and helps maintain a positive and productive learning space.","fullyFundedDate":1762266386868,"projectUrl":"project/a-few-classroom-odds-and-ends/9724231/","projectTitle":"A Few Classroom Odds and Ends","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ellis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5213676"},{"teacherId":10219320,"projectId":9751564,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our classroom has become a place where students can imagine themselves in white coats, caring for others, and solving real-world problems with compassion and skill. The materials from this project allowed us to explore medical case studies, learn foundational health science concepts, and practice hands-on activities that mirror the work of real healthcare professionals. Students strengthened critical skills like scientific reasoning, close reading of informational texts, and collaboration—skills essential to any future career in medicine or public health.\r\nReading and learning now look different in our classroom. Students work together to break down complex medical scenarios, discuss ethical dilemmas, analyze patient stories, and make connections between science and the communities they live in. You can often hear them debating diagnoses, asking thoughtful questions, or practicing communication strategies used by doctors and nurses. Our room feels energized, focused, and hopeful—like a small training ground for tomorrow's healthcare leaders.\r\nSome of the biggest transformations have come from students who never considered a future in healthcare until now. Two students, in particular, have proudly announced that they want to become doctors after diving into our new resources. One is now obsessed with cardiology, while another has started researching pediatric medicine so she can help kids like her younger siblings. These materials didn't just teach lessons—they opened doors, sparked ambition, and helped my students see themselves as capable of making a difference in the world.","fullyFundedDate":1758835301013,"projectUrl":"project/inspiring-the-next-generation-of-healthc/9751564/","projectTitle":"Inspiring the Next Generation of Healthcare Heroes","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sheppard","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10219320_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755951338676","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-sheppard33"},{"teacherId":10219320,"projectId":9661898,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my students have been able to engage with stories that challenge the way they think, question, and communicate. These new texts allowed us to explore skills such as evaluating evidence, identifying bias, recognizing multiple perspectives, and building well-reasoned arguments. Instead of simply reading for plot, my students are now reading to uncover deeper meaning—asking why characters make certain choices, how themes connect to real-world issues, and what lessons they can apply to their own lives as future leaders and problem-solvers.\r\nReading in our classroom has become an active, collaborative experience. You'll see students annotating with color-coded questions, leaning over tables in small groups to debate interpretations, and using discussion stems to respectfully challenge each other's ideas. They're not just reading—they're thinking out loud, building confidence in their reasoning, and learning how to communicate complex ideas with clarity. The classroom feels more alive, more curious, and more courageous.\r\nSome students who once hesitated to share their thoughts have become some of our strongest analytical voices. One student who normally stays quiet in class lit up during a debate after connecting a character's actions to a real-life community issue. Another student—an English learner—began using the new vocabulary from these texts in his writing, proud that he could participate in conversations that used to feel out of reach. These resources didn't just strengthen their reading skills—they strengthened their belief that their thinking matters.","fullyFundedDate":1758202823704,"projectUrl":"project/stories-that-strengthen-critical-thinker/9661898/","projectTitle":"Stories That Strengthen Critical ThinkerS","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sheppard","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10219320_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755951338676","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-sheppard33"},{"teacherId":10219320,"projectId":9661826,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my students are growing into the kind of readers—and future leaders—who see books not just as assignments, but as gateways to possibility. These new texts opened the door for us to strengthen essential literacy skills: annotation, inference, academic vocabulary, and critical thinking. More importantly, they've given my students opportunities to connect literature to their own lives—identifying themes, analyzing character choices, and recognizing that stories can be mirrors for their experiences and windows into the world.\r\nReading in our classroom now feels alive. Students read independently with choice, in small groups during guided discussions, and aloud when they're practicing fluency and confidence. They annotate with purpose. They debate themes. They ask questions that show they're beginning to think like scholars. There's a buzz in the room that wasn't there before—one filled with curiosity, pride, and the sound of pages turning.\r\nSome of the most meaningful moments have come from students who didn't see themselves as readers at all. One student in particular—quiet, hesitant, and easily discouraged—has begun volunteering to read aloud, simply because he fell in love with one of the books you helped bring into our classroom. Another student told me, \"This book feels like it was written for me,\" and now she's recommending titles to her classmates like a little librarian in training. These are the moments that shape future leaders: confidence built one chapter at a time.\r\nYour support didn't just give us books—it gave my students a chance to see themselves as thinkers, storytellers, and scholars. Thank you for investing in their voices, their futures, and their belief that they belong in every room they enter.","fullyFundedDate":1758202805411,"projectUrl":"project/inspiring-future-leaders-through-books/9661826/","projectTitle":"Inspiring Future Leaders Through Books","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sheppard","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10219320_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755951338676","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-sheppard33"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_34830","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1709,"numTeachers":94,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":35,"percentWhite":32,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":22,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"18.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":61.9,"schoolId":34830,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Menchville High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Menchville High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/virginia/newport-news-public-schools/menchville-high-school/34830"}