{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School","outOfStateSupporters":39.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8846714,"projectId":10093430,"letterContent":"We can't thank you enough for helping us make our Homeroom Reading Challenge a success! Students were intrigued by the mini‑myths and also grew stronger at detecting themes and creating their own. Not to mention, they absolutely loved leveling up and unlocking rewards along their journey!\r\n\r\nWhat impressed me most was how students persevered even when they made mistakes selecting a theme. They would go back to the myth, reread it for clues, and try again. They were motivated by the magical prizes you donated to our project and were all smiles when they were celebrated by the whole class every time they leveled up.\r\n\r\nUsing the knowledge they gained from their Journey to Olympus, coupled with independent research, my sixth‑graders are now creating fan‑fiction by designing original demi‑god characters to complement Percy Jackson's quest in The Lightning Thief.\r\n\r\nThanks again for helping us keep our kiddos motivated and growing as readers!","fullyFundedDate":1771015186244,"projectUrl":"project/journey-to-olympus-the-homeroom-reading/10093430/","projectTitle":"Journey to Olympus: The Homeroom Reading Challenge","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":9685343,"letterContent":"The DonorsChoose gift transformed the culture of our chemistry lab in a way students can point to. It took science out of the abstract and placed it firmly in their hands. Students are learning about solutions, indicators, acids and bases, molecular forces, and designed materials by actually doing science. They are handling lab equipment, gathering evidence for themselves, making observations that don't always behave as expected, and revising answers when their data requires it. That mental shift is important. Students came into this class worried about failing chemistry. They worried about touching equipment the \"wrong\" way, misreading results, or not \"looking like\" science should. These materials allowed them to move past that fear. They learned how to measure, test, compare, record, and explain with confidence. They now spend time in a lab where they can act like scientists. Where they can see themselves in a scientific role not because someone told them they could, but because the work gave them evidence that they did.\r\n\r\nThis gift transformed the emotional landscape of my classroom as well. Students are more curious. They are asking better, more detailed questions. They are more engaged in how chemistry relates to health, medicine, and their everyday lives. For many this was the first time they've been able to participate in the routines of scientific practice: careful procedure, evidence-based reasoning, proper safety protocols, collaboration, and the humility of letting your results refute your hypotheses. Several students have even started to discuss careers in nursing, medicine, pharmacy, lab science, public health, and other health science fields with more seriousness. That is the value of this donation. It opened more doors for students than simply providing materials. It gave them opportunities to think about what they could do. Allowed them access to the kind of hands-on learning that makes science feel tangible, mature, and within reach.","fullyFundedDate":1758209883919,"projectUrl":"project/the-regents-are-changingour-students-de/9685343/","projectTitle":"The Regents Are Changing—Our Students Deserve Labs That Match","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. M","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10239673"},{"teacherId":1191504,"projectId":9962911,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, \"Teaching Compassion Through Student-Made Community Guides for Immigrants.\" Because of your generosity, students were able to create and distribute bilingual fire relief and community resource pamphlets connected to the recent apartment fire in Washington Heights.\r\nStudents were really proud seeing their work printed professionally and shared with people in the neighborhood. Throughout the project, students talked a lot about compassion as helping people feel informed, supported, and less alone during difficult moments. They worked carefully on the wording, translations, and design of the pamphlets because they understood that real families would be using them. This project helped students see that compassion can look like taking action and using your skills to support your community in a real way.","fullyFundedDate":1766023491539,"projectUrl":"project/teaching-compassion-through-student-made/9962911/","projectTitle":"Teaching Compassion Through Student-Made Community Guides for Immigrants","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":9965963,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, a group of my students was able to take an idea about community safety and actually turn it into something real. Using the printer ink, cardstock, and pens you provided, students in this project designed and printed bilingual \"Know Your Rights\" and community resource pamphlets that we were able to assemble and share beyond our classroom. What started as a writing assignment became something much more meaningful once students realized it could actually help people.\r\n\r\nOne of the best parts of this project was seeing students take ownership over their work. We researched local organizations, talked through how to explain things clearly, and revised their writing so it would make sense to a wide range of people. Many of my multilingual learners were especially invested in making sure both the English and Spanish versions were accurate and felt right. For some students, this was very different from their usual assignments—it felt more purposeful.\r\n\r\nThe materials made a real difference. Being able to print in color and use quality paper made the final products feel important, not just like something to turn in. Students took more care with their work because we knew it was going to be shared with others. There was a lot of pride in being able to say, \"We made this.\"\r\n\r\nStudents in this project were able to share these materials in local spaces, which helped get important information out beyond the school. More than anything, They started to see themselves differently—not just as students completing work, but as people who can contribute something useful to their community.","fullyFundedDate":1766764716334,"projectUrl":"project/student-writers-create-bilingual-communi/9965963/","projectTitle":"Student Writers Create Bilingual Community Safety Pamphlets","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. K","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1191504"},{"teacherId":8846714,"projectId":10025043,"letterContent":"When the new math games and hands‑on materials arrived, my students lit up in a way I wish every donor could have seen. One student asked, \"Are these really for us?\" while another immediately began sorting the manipulatives and explaining how they would use them to get better at multiplication. Their excitement was instant and genuine.\r\n\r\nThe pencils, erasers, and multiplication stickers were an unexpected hit. Students treated them like treasures. Several asked if they could save their stickers for when they mastered a new set of facts, and the special pencils quickly became the ones they wanted to use during math time. These small items created a sense of pride and ownership that carried into their work.\r\n\r\nWe have already begun using the materials during our small‑group math rotations. The multiplication games have become a class favorite. Students lean in, collaborate, and challenge each other in ways that were not happening before. One moment that stood out was watching a student who normally shuts down during math proudly explain a strategy to his partner using the new place value tools. He said, \"Wait, I actually get this now.\" That shift in confidence is exactly what this project was meant to spark.\r\n\r\nThe biggest surprise has been how motivated students became with the multiplication drill sheets. They started coming to me asking for more practice sheets on their own. When they leveled up to a higher set of multiplication facts, they celebrated like they had unlocked a new achievement. The sense of progress and accomplishment has been powerful. Your generosity did not just give us supplies. It gave my students a reason to believe they can grow as mathematicians.\r\n\r\nThank you for multiplying our motivation. You have made a real difference in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1769403706944,"projectUrl":"project/multiply-our-motivation/10025043/","projectTitle":"Multiply Our Motivation!","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":10432893,"projectId":10119814,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for taking the time to learn about the project our students have been working through this spring. When we started the project our goal was to come up with a way to incentivize students to read independently, with the purpose being to build that skill. However for many of the students that partook in the journey, it blossomed into genuine interest in mythological storytelling that has resulted in some seeking out similar content for their personal enjoyment outside of the classroom. What started off with students learning about key characters in Greek mythology turned into many students finding pleasure in learning about these sorts of stories from various cultures across the globe. The teachers on my team and I are ecstatic to see the interests of our students grow, however we couldn't have done it without the contributions from you - our donors, motivating our students to travel through their journey. While I'm sure donor's are accustomed to being thanked directly for the resources they contribute to the classrooms they fund, I want you all to know that your kindness has resulted in many of our students find a genuine interest that they can cherish on their own beyond the classroom and similar academic settings. Thank you all so much!","fullyFundedDate":1775056160230,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-heroes-on-their-journey-to-olymp/10119814/","projectTitle":"Fueling Heroes on Their Journey to Olympus","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Olivo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10432893"},{"teacherId":2490837,"projectId":10053999,"letterContent":"We are filled with gratitude for your donations! Our reading initiative has really taken off this year and students were starving for new books to read. They were thrilled to unpack the boxes of new books and to decide how to sort them in our classroom library. \r\n\r\nAfter reading each book, students have been writing book summaries and sharing them with the class. This has sparked book recommendations and students talking to each other about what interested them in each book they read. Students discuss character traits and whether they themselves possess these traits or aspire to in the future. \r\n\r\nStudents have also had rich conversations about themes and lesson learned in books. Our favorite so far was that a Captain Underpants book convinced them that \"you just can't change Christmas\" or in another text \"Never eat something if you don't know what it is.\"\r\n\r\nThank you for contributing to our growing culture of sharing joy in reading.","fullyFundedDate":1770231304330,"projectUrl":"project/relishing-reading/10053999/","projectTitle":"Relishing Reading!","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":1191504,"projectId":9680036,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our Crew. This time during the school day is really important for my students—it's where they check in, build community, and have a moment to reset. The snacks were eaten quicker than I thought!\r\nThe snacks have made a noticeable difference. Something as simple as having a Pop-Tart or a protein snack helps students settle in, feel more comfortable, and actually engage in what we're doing. It shifts the energy in the room. Students who come in tired or distracted are more present, and it helps create a space that feels calm and supportive instead of just antoher period in the day.\r\n\r\nMore than anything, the snacks communicate care. Sharing food helps build trust and makes Crew feel like a place where students belong.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping make our classroom a place where students feel both supported and ready to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1757242591835,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-for-crew-nourishment-comfort-a/9680036/","projectTitle":"Snacks for Crew: Nourishment, Comfort, and Care","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. K","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1191504"},{"teacherId":130128,"projectId":9874307,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of Elkonin boxes to support our secondary students during reading and writing intervention. Your kindness is making a meaningful difference in the way our students learn. These tools help students break words into sounds, strengthen their phonics skills, and build the confidence they need to become stronger readers and writers. Because of your support, our students now have hands-on resources that make learning clearer, more engaging, and more accessible.\r\n\r\nWe are deeply grateful for your generosity and for your belief in our learners' potential. Acts of kindness like yours remind our students that there are people in the community who care about their success and are rooting for them. Your contribution is not just a classroom resource—it is an investment in our students' growth, confidence, and future opportunities. Thank you again for your thoughtful support and for helping us create brighter learning experiences for our students.","fullyFundedDate":1762537577600,"projectUrl":"project/jump-in-the-box-for-literacy/9874307/","projectTitle":"Jump in the Box for Literacy","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. O.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp130128_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1472909275884","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/130128"},{"teacherId":1191504,"projectId":9975803,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom maps! The maps have arrived, but they are still in the box because our custodial team is helping us find the safest place to mount the roller in our AP history classroom. It's pretty heavy, so they want to make sure the wall can support it. That's why the photo I uploaded is just the box. We're excited to get it up soon!\r\n\r\nMy students were already excited just seeing the maps arrive. Many of them have family roots all over the world, so being able to actually see those places on a large classroom map makes geography feel much more real. Once it's installed, we'll be using it often as we study different regions and talk about how geography shapes culture and history.\r\n\r\nThank you again for helping my students learn more about the world and the people in it.","fullyFundedDate":1767243441725,"projectUrl":"project/mapping-compassion-learning-so-we-can-t/9975803/","projectTitle":"Mapping Compassion: Learning So We Can Teach Others","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":10042734,"letterContent":"Thank you for making this project possible. When the Nintendo Switch arrived, my students were really excited. We haven't had a lot of time to use it yet, but they're already talking about playing games like Mario Kart and It Takes Two together. They promise they will teach me!\r\n\r\nMany of my students are used to playing games alone at home, so the idea of playing face-to-face with classmates has been something they're really looking forward to. We're hoping to add a few more controllers so that more students can join in at the same time and enjoy it together.\r\n\r\nThank you again for helping create this small space where students can relax, connect, and have some positive time together.","fullyFundedDate":1769366973672,"projectUrl":"project/from-virtual-play-to-calmcooperative-co/10042734/","projectTitle":"From Virtual Play to Calm/Cooperative Connection: Creating In-Person Gaming Spaces","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. K","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1191504"},{"teacherId":325102,"projectId":9887832,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding my project to provide supplies for crew. My crew group started off the year with a lot of energy and some of the students could be thrown off task quickly by the slightest distraction. When students basic needs aren't met it is difficult for them to focus on learning. Providing snacks when they are hungry or as a reward has really helped to ground my group in our crew structure. The students calmly circle up, check in and discuss how their day is going and then ease into our class activities with a snack to tide them over before lunch. They don't have to wander the halls to go to the bathroom if they need tissues, these basic necessities make a huge difference for kids and teachers since I don't have to fund them from my own pocket. My students and I thank you for your generosity — it has truly made an impact in my crew.","fullyFundedDate":1762819559449,"projectUrl":"project/supplies-for-crew/9887832/","projectTitle":"Supplies for Crew","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Love","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp325102_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1455113118917","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/slove"}],"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","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":2,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"14.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":61.0,"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"}