{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School","outOfStateSupporters":38.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5635971,"projectId":9686896,"letterContent":"The classroom store has had an incredible impact on my students, far beyond simply providing fun prizes. It has become one of the most meaningful and effective tools for building financial literacy, responsibility, and positive habits in our self-contained classroom. Each week, students earn classroom dollars by demonstrating empathy, helping others, staying organized, and contributing to the classroom community. They also pay weekly \"rent,\" learn to budget their earnings, and make choices about spending versus saving, all skills that mirror real-world financial decision-making.\r\n\r\nFor many of my students, understanding money has always felt abstract, but the classroom store makes it concrete and accessible. They practice counting, planning, and prioritizing their goals. Some students choose to save their dollars for higher-cost items, learning patience and long-term thinking, while others budget carefully to ensure they have enough for weekly essentials like mechanical pencils or organizational tools. This routine has helped them understand financial concepts such as income, expenses, saving, and consequences for financial decisions.\r\n\r\nIn addition, the structure of the store has supported students' social-emotional development. Earning money for positive behaviors motivates them to be more independent, more responsible, and more thoughtful about how they contribute to the classroom community. Losing money for disorganization or missing materials helps them reflect on their choices and build accountability in a supportive way. Students have begun to take genuine pride in earning their dollars and managing them wisely.\r\n\r\nThe store has transformed Fridays into a celebration of responsibility and hard work. Students feel empowered. Not because they're receiving prizes, but because they're experiencing the real satisfaction of earning something through their choices and effort. For students with learning disabilities, who often face challenges that make school feel discouraging at times, the store has provided a structure where they can consistently experience success.\r\n\r\nOverall, the classroom store has become a vital part of our learning environment. It strengthens financial literacy, reinforces positive behavior, teaches independence, and builds real-world skills that my students will carry far beyond the classroom. It has been one of the most impactful systems I've implemented, and I'm excited to continue growing it so that students can keep developing these lifelong skills.","fullyFundedDate":1758899129441,"projectUrl":"project/prizes-and-fun-items-for-our-classroom-s/9686896/","projectTitle":"Prizes and Fun Items for our Classroom Store!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sepulveda","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5635971_orig.png?crop=1024,1024,x455,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744203714279","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5635971"},{"teacherId":9820872,"projectId":9585343,"letterContent":"Dear Donors,\r\n\r\nThank you so much for contributing to the project to create a welcoming and comfortable space for my 3rd grade students. I unpacked the rug while students were at recess, and when students came back to the classroom, they were so excited. One student approached me and said \"Ms. Anillo, I love this rug because it is blue and I love blue.\" Students wanted to sit and lie down on the rug immediately.\r\n\r\nThis week, we used the rug to deepen our conceptual understanding of area. Students are learning about the connection between area and multiplication as they progress from drawing equal groups to arrays. After spending time using square inch tiles to cover different classroom objects, I challenged students to think about how to measure the area of our large rug. They proposed using square pillows, and they worked together to measure the area of our rug in \"square pillows\". This activity made an abstract concept more concrete and tangible for students. Even a rug can be a tool for learning in math! \r\n\r\nI am so grateful for your support in making our classroom a comfortable and welcoming space for students.","fullyFundedDate":1755342148593,"projectUrl":"project/a-cozy-space-to-learn-for-3rd-graders/9585343/","projectTitle":"A Cozy Space to Learn for 3rd Graders!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Anillo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9820872_orig.jpg?crop=768,768,x0,y128&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755096923391","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9820872"},{"teacherId":2866996,"projectId":9206375,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom was filled with excitement and gratitude when the materials arrived! The snacks and treats were a huge hit, especially during our college-level virtual sessions, where students need that extra boost to stay focused and motivated. The slime ingredients were a fun surprise and became an instant favorite for de-stressing after their course was over. Stating motivated at the end of May is hard!\r\n\r\nThe students couldn't stop laughing and bonding. It was a powerful reminder that joy and community are essential parts of learning, too. Many of these students are managing heavy academic loads while juggling responsibilities at home, so the chance to unwind with something fun was deeply appreciated.\r\n\r\nYour contribution has truly created a more supportive, joyful, and productive classroom environment. Thank you for being a part of our journey!","fullyFundedDate":1745600986001,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-slime-and-good-vibes/9206375/","projectTitle":"Snacks, Slime, and Good Vibes!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. G Pasapera","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2866996_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1761106411861","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-pasaperaancientcivilizations"},{"teacherId":8846714,"projectId":9287893,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our sixth graders have begun a powerful journey of self-discovery and empathy. In Social Studies, students are exploring how their nationalities, ethnicities, families, interests, and lived experiences shape their identities. They've also been learning about the backgrounds of their classmates by watching videos that highlight different countries and cultures. These activities have sparked meaningful conversations and fostered a culture of respect, curiosity, and connection, laying the foundation for the podcasting work ahead.\r\n\r\nWith the podcasting equipment you helped fund, students will soon take their learning beyond the classroom. In the spring, they'll conduct interviews with local business owners, community workers, and service providers, giving voice to those who help make our neighborhood thrive. By channeling the empathy and awareness they've built this fall, students will create podcasts that celebrate community resilience and amplify stories that often go unheard. Your support has empowered them to become storytellers, historians, and bridge-builders. Thank you for helping them find and share their voices.","fullyFundedDate":1746500689811,"projectUrl":"project/voices-unheard-empowering-inner-city-yo/9287893/","projectTitle":"Voices Unheard: Empowering Inner-City Youth Through Podcasting","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Collins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8846714_orig.jpg?crop=1944,1944,x0,y324&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1698890784240","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jessicacollins06"},{"teacherId":8846714,"projectId":9253142,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our sixth-grade students have begun building a culture of kindness that's already transforming our school community. Every Friday during Community Meetings, students bravely stand before their peers to read heartfelt appreciations aloud, recognizing classmates who've demonstrated our shared values and habits of work and learning. These moments are powerful: students not only celebrate one another, but also model vulnerability, empathy, and leadership. Your donations made it possible for these appreciations to be hand-delivered with kindness stickers and affirmation chips, turning each recognition into a tangible, memorable moment.\r\n\r\nWe're now gearing up for our school-wide Kindness Challenge, where students will engage in random acts of kindness, such as thanking staff, holding doors, and complimenting peers, and receive tokens of positivity, including motivational cards, pencils, and bracelets. These small gestures spark joy and encourage students to pass the kindness forward, creating a ripple effect that touches every corner of our school. The School Spirit Club will lead this effort, collect stories of gratitude, and share \"Kindness Kudos\" during weekly meetings. In the spring, students will take their kindness beyond the classroom with a Community Kindness Tour, visiting local service providers and distributing customized appreciation kits. Because of your support, our students are learning that kindness is a skill, a choice, and a powerful force for connection. Thank you for helping them lead with heart.","fullyFundedDate":1744655644109,"projectUrl":"project/spreading-kindness-a-student-led-commun/9253142/","projectTitle":"Spreading Kindness: A Student-Led Community Kindness Initiative","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Collins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8846714_orig.jpg?crop=1944,1944,x0,y324&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1698890784240","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jessicacollins06"},{"teacherId":8846714,"projectId":9317483,"letterContent":"Thanks to your incredible support, our cheer team is stepping into the season with confidence, pride, and a renewed sense of unity. The gear and supplies you helped fund have made a visible difference, not just in how our students perform, but in how they carry themselves. Whether they're leading chants at basketball games or practicing routines after school, our cheerleaders now have the tools to represent our school with spirit and pride.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the excitement was contagious. Students unpacked each item with care, immediately trying on uniforms and testing out equipment. One student beamed, \"Now we really look like a team!\" The impact has rippled beyond the squad; fans in the stands have started singing along with our cheers, and the boys' basketball team personally thanked the cheerleaders for boosting their morale throughout some hard-fought games. Your generosity didn't just help our team shine; you helped build school spirit and community pride. We're so grateful for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1746491301107,"projectUrl":"project/game-day-countdown-help-our-cheer-team/9317483/","projectTitle":"Game Day Countdown: Help Our Cheer Team Shine!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Collins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8846714_orig.jpg?crop=1944,1944,x0,y324&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1698890784240","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jessicacollins06"},{"teacherId":8846714,"projectId":9203906,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our sixth-grade classrooms now have a daily source of comfort and calm. The plushies you helped fund are used during lessons, independent work time, and brain breaks, offering students a gentle way to self-regulate and refocus. Each of our three homerooms shares access, and students have quickly formed connections; some have even named their favorites. One student exclusively uses \"Lavender,\" our purple hippo, who's become a quiet companion during challenging tasks.\r\n\r\nWhen the plushies first arrived, students responded with joy and tenderness. Some immediately picked one up and got to work, while others began naming them and sharing stories. Their popularity even led to a new classroom role: our dedicated paraprofessional became the \"plushie nurse,\" repairing any tears with care and speed. Her commitment was so appreciated that she received a student-nominated award in June 2025 for her service. Thanks to you, our students feel seen, supported, and empowered to take ownership of their emotional well-being.","fullyFundedDate":1743209167590,"projectUrl":"project/plushies-for-peace-calm-and-productivit/9203906/","projectTitle":"Plushies for Peace, Calm and Productivity!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Collins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8846714_orig.jpg?crop=1944,1944,x0,y324&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1698890784240","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jessicacollins06"},{"teacherId":10239673,"projectId":9677787,"letterContent":"The morning our Takis arrived, the room changed. It felt like a small championship. Students who usually slip in at 8:30 woke up laughing, passing bags from desk to desk, calling out, \"Crew got snacks?!\" The shift was immediate. Joy landed where it was needed, especially for teenagers who carry a lot before first period.\r\n\r\nSince then, Crew feels different. The snack table has become a ritual that steadies the start of our day and helps every student feel seen. While we eat, they talk. Weekends, families, the hard moments that rarely surface in a hurry. The food is ordinary. The connection is not. They are learning that community grows from small acts of care repeated with intention.\r\n\r\nYour generosity made this real. Our mornings feel warmer and more alive. The snacks you funded have filled more than stomachs. They have opened conversations and strengthened trust. As we step into new projects this semester, that sense of belonging travels with us into the work. Thank you for helping us begin each day with joy, togetherness, and a little bit of spice.","fullyFundedDate":1757383973403,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-our-crew-with-takis-and-snacks/9677787/","projectTitle":"“Fueling Our Crew with Takis and Snacks for Success”","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. M","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10239673"},{"teacherId":2490837,"projectId":9312197,"letterContent":"We are so grateful for the wonderful new math manipulatives for our classroom! Our math club had so much fun practicing place value with the dominoes and dry erase boards. Students loved playing the card games and bingo to practice multiplication facts. \r\n\r\nThis year our students are starting the year studying volume and boy is it great to have brand new connecting cubes that actually easily go together and come apart! Students use the cubes to build various prisms and calculate total volume. These tools especially support our visual learners who benefit from tangible models in order to grasp more abstract concepts. We are fully equipped for a successful math year ahead!","fullyFundedDate":1746662861403,"projectUrl":"project/magical-math-manipulatives-and-games/9312197/","projectTitle":"Magical Math Manipulatives and Games!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rolli","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2490837_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1603730174216","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/danielle-rolli"},{"teacherId":5635971,"projectId":9686975,"letterContent":"In my 6th and 7th grade self-contained classroom, technology is a vital part of our daily learning. My students use literacy programs like Lexia, IXL, and EdClub every single day. These platforms allow them to practice reading, writing, and math skills at their own level, giving them individualized opportunities to grow. Many of my students have made tremendous strides in their literacy over the past year, and I attribute much of that growth to their consistency and hard work with these programs. Reliable headphones, however, are essential to that progress.\r\n\r\nBefore this project was funded, we were down to just 10 headphones in the classroom; Nearly all of them had issues. Some had broken wires, others only worked on one side, and a few produced so much static that students couldn't concentrate on what they were hearing. For a student with a learning disability who relies on \"test read aloud\" accommodations, this was an especially big challenge. Headphones are more than a convenience for these students. They are a tool that allows them to access grade-level material with independence and dignity. Without functioning headphones, students often had to wait for their turn with a working pair, borrow from each other, or work without the support they needed.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, those barriers are gone. Every student now has access to working headphones that they can rely on daily. The difference was immediate: students were able to log on, focus, and work without interruptions. The look of relief on their faces as they realized they could hear clearly and consistently was priceless. Several students commented on how \"nice\" it felt to finally have headphones that actually worked. For them, something as simple as having dependable equipment communicates that their learning matters and that people outside of our classroom care about their success.\r\n\r\nThe impact extends far beyond just making lessons easier to hear. By having reliable headphones, my students are also gaining confidence and independence. They no longer need to constantly ask for help with equipment or worry about whether they'll be able to complete their work. Instead, they can focus fully on their learning. This small but powerful change reduces frustration, increases engagement, and helps my students build a stronger sense of ownership over their progress.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has created an environment where my students can thrive. These headphones will serve them well not just this year, but for years to come. Every literacy lesson, every math activity, and every assessment that requires headphones will now be smoother, calmer, and more accessible. That consistency and support will make a lasting difference in the way my students experience school and in the growth they achieve.\r\n\r\nThank you again for believing in my students. Your kindness has provided them with the tools they need to learn with confidence, independence, and joy. We are truly grateful for your support and for the impact you've made in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1758899044366,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-headphones/9686975/","projectTitle":"Classroom Headphones!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sepulveda","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5635971_orig.png?crop=1024,1024,x455,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1744203714279","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5635971"},{"teacherId":1191504,"projectId":9108856,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping turn our advisory into a calm, comforting retreat. The very first day our new sensory pillows and fidgets arrived, my students immediately gathered in a circle, each one excited to give the Bearaby pillows a squeeze or try out a new stress-relief tool. Many of my kids walk into school carrying a lot—academic pressure, long commutes, family responsibilities—and these materials have already made a visible difference in their ability to breathe, reset, and feel safe in our room.\r\n\r\nOne student quietly held a weighted pillow during our restorative circle as he talked about a hard moment at home. Another sat on the floor with a cozy pillow in his lap while reading reflection prompt cards during check-ins—something he never used to do willingly. We've noticed more students participating in discussions and seeking out these tools before they become overwhelmed. They are learning what helps them regulate their emotions, and that independence is powerful.\r\n\r\nYour generosity didn't just fund supplies—you gave my students a message that their well-being matters. These calming tools will be used daily in advisory, during social-emotional lessons, and even in academic classes when students request a quiet reset. Because of you, we are building a space where students feel supported, connected, and ready to take on each day.","fullyFundedDate":1739465249167,"projectUrl":"project/transforming-our-advisory-into-a-tranqui/9108856/","projectTitle":"Transforming Our Advisory Into a Tranquil Retreat with Huggable Pillows!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. K","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1191504"},{"teacherId":1191504,"projectId":9101519,"letterContent":"Wow—thank you! Because of you, my students now have a camera and film to capture their world. They're already snapping photos of their learning, our classroom community, and the little moments that make school special.\r\n\r\nThe best part? Watching their faces light up when they see their photos printed and on display. They feel proud, important, and connected. Your gift turned our classroom into a gallery, and my students into artists and storytellers.\r\n\r\nWe're so grateful—you've given us joy, creativity, and a way to slow down and see the beauty in every day.\r\n\r\nWith big smiles,\r\nKatherine & Crew 📸✨","fullyFundedDate":1739037314842,"projectUrl":"project/community-photos-slow-down-and-find-joy/9101519/","projectTitle":"Community Photos: Slow Down and Find Joy in the Present","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. K","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1191504"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_18815","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":909,"numTeachers":64,"percentFrplEligible":85,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":2,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":91,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"14.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":61.2,"schoolId":18815,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-york/new-york-city-dept-of-ed/ms-348-washington-hghts-exp/18815"}