{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"North Forest High School","outOfStateSupporters":44.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10083889,"projectId":9503868,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our project, \"Buzz, Breathe, and Build: Strengthening Our Brass Players.\" Because of your generosity, my students now have access to essential brass fundamentals resources that are already making a noticeable difference in our daily rehearsals. We use the mouthpieces, breathing tools, and practice materials during warm-ups to focus on proper airflow, embouchure formation, and tone production. One of our favorite moments so far was our first full-section buzzing exercise, where students practiced long tones and simple patterns before transferring that sound to their instruments. The improvement in focus and sound quality was immediate.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, they were excited and eager to try everything. Many of them had never used dedicated breathing trainers or isolated buzzing exercises before, so it felt like they were being introduced to \"professional-level\" tools. Several beginners especially lit up when they realized how these resources helped them produce a clearer sound with less effort. Students are now more aware of how they breathe, how they start their notes, and how their individual sound contributes to the ensemble.\r\n\r\nThese resources are helping us build strong foundations as we prepare for upcoming performances and assessments. Our next steps include incorporating these tools into daily fundamentals, expanding long-tone and lip flexibility routines, and applying these skills directly to our concert music. Students are learning to self-assess their tone, support their sound, and work together as a section to achieve balance and blend. Your support is helping my brass players grow not only as musicians, but also as confident learners who take pride in their progress. Thank you for believing in my students and investing in their musical journey.","fullyFundedDate":1760693793693,"projectUrl":"project/buzz-breathe-and-build-strengthening/9503868/","projectTitle":"“Buzz, Breathe, and Build: Strengthening Our Brass Players”","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Nelson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10083889_orig.jpg?crop=1181,1181,x102,y166&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753114196622","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10083889"},{"teacherId":10083889,"projectId":9577837,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my students now have access to iPads that are transforming how they learn music each day. These devices allow students to hear professional recordings, follow along with digital sheet music, use tuners and metronomes, and record themselves for immediate feedback. For many of my beginner musicians, this technology bridges the gap between practice and understanding. Instead of guessing if they are playing correctly, students can see and hear their progress in real time, which builds confidence and independence.\r\n\r\nWhat excites my students most is how interactive the learning has become. They love being able to slow down recordings, loop difficult sections, and visually track rhythms and fingerings on their screens. The iPads have also opened the door to music creation through composition apps, allowing students to experiment with sounds, build beats, and write simple melodies. This has sparked creativity, especially for students who may have struggled with traditional notation at first but thrive when learning through visuals and audio.\r\n\r\nSeveral students who were once hesitant to participate have truly blossomed with this new technology. I have seen quieter students volunteer to demonstrate exercises, beginners practice longer because they enjoy the apps, and entire sections collaborate more effectively during rehearsals. These iPads have helped create a classroom culture where students take ownership of their learning and feel empowered to grow as musicians. Thank you for believing in my students and investing in their creativity. Your support is helping shape confident performers, critical thinkers, and lifelong learners.","fullyFundedDate":1760693566089,"projectUrl":"project/powering-creativity-with-an-ipad-for-mus/9577837/","projectTitle":"Powering Creativity with an iPad for Music Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Nelson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10083889_orig.jpg?crop=1181,1181,x102,y166&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753114196622","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10083889"},{"teacherId":10083889,"projectId":9950208,"letterContent":"I am writing with a heart full of gratitude to thank you for supporting our project, \"Empowering Young Musicians Through Quality Equipment.\" Because of your generosity, our classroom has been transformed from a space with limited, broken instruments to a vibrant music studio filled with [mention specific items, e.g., new violins, a digital keyboard, or high-quality percussion instruments]. The impact on our students has been immediate and profound, as they no longer have to share worn-out equipment or wait long turns to play.\r\nThe day the equipment arrived was pure magic. When I brought the new [instruments] out of the boxes, my students' eyes went wide, and one even shouted, \"Wowza!\" They immediately felt a renewed sense of pride and ownership in their music education. For a specific moment, [insert a specific story, e.g., \"During our last ensemble rehearsal, the improved sound quality from the new amplifiers allowed the students to finally hear their harmonies, leading to a spontaneous round of applause from the class\"]. It has boosted their confidence and motivated them to practice harder, knowing that their music is worth investing in.\r\nThanks to you, our next steps include [mention future project, e.g., \"recording our first original compositions using the new equipment and preparing for our upcoming spring concert\"]. We are also diving deeper into [music genre or technique] now that we have the proper tools to explore more complex arrangements. Your support has not just given them instruments; you have given them the tools to succeed and the confidence to express themselves. Thank you for making this possible!\r\nWith deepest gratitude,","fullyFundedDate":1765827597804,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-young-musicians-through-quali/9950208/","projectTitle":"Empowering Young Musicians Through Quality Equipment","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Nelson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10083889_orig.jpg?crop=1181,1181,x102,y166&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753114196622","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10083889"},{"teacherId":4833152,"projectId":9731484,"letterContent":"Thank you for taking the time to fund our projects and bless us with the opportunity to compete with the upmost confidence on a daily basis. This year has a roller coaster of emotions, blessings and of course wrestling lol.\r\n\r\nThe items that where donated to us assisted with the confidence to show up with our confidence level on 10 which contributed to our overall success for the season. My kids when learning we received a sponsor where excited beyond words. Emotions went around the mat immediately. A couple where just speechless in realizing that someone who didn't know them personally would give to their cause just to be nice and wanted nothing in return.\r\n\r\nOn the behalf of our Student-Athletes I'd like to again thank you for your contribution and support which helps us continue in our mission. The generous support of individuals like you make it possible and worthwhile .","fullyFundedDate":1765205034357,"projectUrl":"project/recovery-is-about-progress-not-perfecti/9731484/","projectTitle":"Recovery Is About Progress, Not Perfection","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Bluford","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4833152_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1506439927559","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4833152"},{"teacherId":10083889,"projectId":9941035,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our \"Building Stronger Musicians\" project. The new reeds and mouthpieces have already transformed the way my students approach their instruments each day. We immediately put the materials to use during our warm ups and section rehearsals, and the difference in sound quality and confidence was noticeable. Students who previously struggled with tone or had worn-out equipment lit up when they realized how much easier it was to produce a clear, full sound.\r\n\r\nOne moment that stood out was when a beginning clarinet player tried her new reed for the first time. She played a long tone, paused, and said, \"I did not know I could sound like that.\" Moments like that are powerful. These resources are helping my students take ownership of their musical growth and feel proud of their progress. The materials also allow us to maintain consistency in learning, since every student now has reliable equipment that supports proper technique.\r\n\r\nAs we continue preparing for our upcoming performances and UIL evaluations, these resources will play a major role in helping us develop stronger ensemble sound, improve intonation, and move into more advanced repertoire. Your donation has made a lasting impact on our classroom and my students' confidence. Thank you again for believing in their potential and helping them grow as musicians.","fullyFundedDate":1765205031568,"projectUrl":"project/building-stronger-musicians/9941035/","projectTitle":"Building Stronger Musicians","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Nelson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10083889_orig.jpg?crop=1181,1181,x102,y166&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753114196622","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10083889"},{"teacherId":10083889,"projectId":9926679,"letterContent":"hank you so much for supporting our project, Stronger Sound for Stronger Musicians. The excitement on my students' faces when they saw the new sticks and mallets was unforgettable. Many of our students are beginners, and this equipment gave them the opportunity to produce a fuller, clearer, and more confident sound. It also ensured that every percussionist could practice with tools that fit their hands and technique, which immediately improved the quality of our rehearsals.\r\n\r\nWe have already used the materials during sectionals, warm ups, and full ensemble rehearsals. One moment that stood out was watching my new percussion players perform a rhythm reading activity with complete focus because they finally had the correct mallets to create the sound they were hearing in their heads. It instantly raised their confidence and helped them feel like real musicians. Your generosity did not just provide physical items. It gave these students pride, ownership, and motivation.\r\n\r\nAs we move into preparing for our winter performances and UIL season, our students are building stronger technique every day. These materials allow us to rehearse with consistency and accuracy and push toward performance level excellence. We are grateful for your support and the belief you have shown in our program. You helped create a stronger foundation for every student who walks into our band room. Thank you for investing in their musical journey.","fullyFundedDate":1764134722203,"projectUrl":"project/stronger-sound-for-stronger-musicians/9926679/","projectTitle":"Stronger Sound for Stronger Musicians","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Nelson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10083889_orig.jpg?crop=1181,1181,x102,y166&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753114196622","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10083889"},{"teacherId":10083889,"projectId":9485598,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, Laying the Foundation for Superior Sound. These new resources have already transformed the way my students approach music. We've been using them during warm ups, sectionals, and full-band rehearsals to focus on tone quality, breath control, articulation, and ensemble balance. One of my favorite moments came during a recent rehearsal when a group of beginners tried our new long-tone and tuning exercises for the first time. Their faces lit up when they heard how much fuller and more unified the band sounded. For many of them, it was the first time they truly felt what it means to play with intention and control.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new materials, they were shocked—in the best way. Several of them said, \"We sound like a real band now!\" Others immediately opened the books to try exercises they had never seen before. Having access to professional-level warm up tools made them feel valued and capable. It gave them pride in their craft and reminded them that their growth matters.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, these resources will continue to guide us as we prepare for our next big unit on ensemble blend and intonation. Students are now building consistent habits that will support higher-level music, including our concert literature and UIL preparation. With your generosity, my students have stronger foundations, louder confidence, and a deeper love for music.\r\n\r\nThank you again for believing in the Golden Storm Band and helping our young musicians grow. Your impact is heard every single day we make music.","fullyFundedDate":1753973358294,"projectUrl":"project/laying-the-foundation-for-superior-sound/9485598/","projectTitle":"Laying the Foundation for Superior Sound","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Nelson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10083889_orig.jpg?crop=1181,1181,x102,y166&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753114196622","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10083889"},{"teacherId":10083889,"projectId":9485423,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support of Building Sound Foundations: Band Books for Beginners, my beginning musicians are learning to read music with confidence and excitement. These books introduce foundational skills such as identifying notes on the staff, understanding rhythm patterns, counting in time, producing clear tone, and developing proper technique on their instruments. For many of my students, this is their very first experience with reading any type of notation, and these materials break the learning process down into manageable, student-friendly steps. With each page, they're building fluency, independence, and pride in their progress.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, reading music is an active, joyful process. Students sing their notes using solfege, clap rhythms together in groups, and then apply what they've learned on their instruments. These new books allow us to do structured call-and-response practice, small-group section work, and individual skill checks that help students stay on track. Instead of guessing or feeling overwhelmed, my students now have a clear roadmap that supports them from their first note all the way to their first full song.\r\n\r\nSeveral students have already blossomed with these new resources. One beginner who struggled to stay engaged now comes in early each morning to practice from his book. Another student proudly shared that she practiced three new exercises over the weekend and taught her younger sibling how to clap the rhythms. These moments show the true impact of your generosity. You didn't just give us books—you gave my students the tools and confidence they need to grow as musicians.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our program and investing in the future of the Golden Storm Band. Your kindness is making a real, lasting difference.","fullyFundedDate":1753643121678,"projectUrl":"project/building-sound-foundations-band-books-f/9485423/","projectTitle":"Building Sound Foundations: Band Books for Beginners","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Nelson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10083889_orig.jpg?crop=1181,1181,x102,y166&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753114196622","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10083889"},{"teacherId":10083889,"projectId":9477560,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my band students now have the essential supplies they need to sound their best every day. The new reeds, mouthpieces, and instrument care gear have transformed our rehearsals—students can now produce a clearer, more confident tone and spend less time struggling with damaged or worn-out materials.\r\n\r\nWhen the supplies first arrived, the excitement was immediate! Students eagerly unpacked boxes, testing out their new reeds and cleaning kits right away. It was amazing to watch their faces light up as they realized how much better their instruments sounded and how much easier it was to play. For many, it was their first time experiencing what quality equipment truly feels and sounds like.\r\n\r\nThese resources have elevated our overall sound as an ensemble, especially as we prepare for upcoming performances. Students are now focusing on tuning, tone quality, and musical expression rather than equipment issues. Our next steps include applying these improvements to our concert repertoire and working toward our UIL goals this spring.\r\n\r\nYour support gave my students the confidence to take pride in their sound and the motivation to keep improving each day. Thank you for helping the North Forest High School Band program stay sound strong—your kindness resonates through every note we play!","fullyFundedDate":1754352114750,"projectUrl":"project/sound-strong-reeds-and-gear-for-band-su/9477560/","projectTitle":"Sound Strong: Reeds and Gear for Band Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Nelson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10083889_orig.jpg?crop=1181,1181,x102,y166&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753114196622","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10083889"},{"teacherId":10083889,"projectId":9485651,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my students now have the tools they need to stay focused, organized, and productive during class. The new materials have truly transformed our learning environment—everything now has a place, and lessons flow more smoothly than ever.\r\n\r\nWhen the supplies first arrived, the students' faces lit up with excitement. They eagerly helped unpack boxes and immediately began using the materials during small-group and individual work time. Having organized bins, binders, and visual aids has reduced distractions and allowed students to take more ownership of their learning space.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite moments came during a collaborative rehearsal activity, where students used the new supplies to keep track of their music parts, practice logs, and notes. For the first time, every group transitioned seamlessly between tasks without losing focus. It was amazing to watch them take pride in both their music and their learning environment.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we're continuing to build on this structure by introducing goal-setting and progress-tracking activities. Students are learning how the organization supports success not just in band, but in life. Your contribution helped create a space where discipline meets creativity—and our classroom is thriving because of it.\r\n\r\nFrom the North Forest High School Band family—thank you for investing in our students' success!","fullyFundedDate":1754231753723,"projectUrl":"project/structure-meets-success-supplies-for-a/9485651/","projectTitle":"Structure Meets Success: Supplies for a Focused Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Nelson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10083889_orig.jpg?crop=1181,1181,x102,y166&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753114196622","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10083889"},{"teacherId":4833152,"projectId":9637262,"letterContent":"Thank you for taking the time to fund our projects and bless us with the opportunity to compete with the upmost confidence on a daily basis. This year has a roller coaster of emotions, blessings and of course wrestling lol.\r\n\r\nThe items that where donated to us assisted with the confidence to show up with our confidence level on 10 which contributed to our overall success for the season. My kids when learning we received a sponsor where excited beyond words. Emotions went around the mat immediately. A couple where just speechless in realizing that someone who didn't know them personally would give to their cause just to be nice and wanted nothing in return.\r\n\r\nOn the behalf of our Student-Athletes I'd like to again thank you for your contribution and support which helps us continue in our mission. The generous support of individuals like you make it possible and worthwhile .","fullyFundedDate":1758289407562,"projectUrl":"project/help-wrestlers-stick-together/9637262/","projectTitle":"Help Wrestlers Stick Together","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Bluford","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4833152_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1506439927559","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4833152"},{"teacherId":9921587,"projectId":9109434,"letterContent":"It was a pleasure to be a recipient of your recent donation. I requested necessary items to conduct some inquiry based labs in both my AP Biology and Anatomy and Physiology high school courses. Labs are conducted following pacing calendars. Thus, all materials will be utilized throughout the school year. \r\n\r\nCase in point, one upcoming lab involves measuring heat capacity thus the thermometers and test tube holders will be used. The dialysis tubing will used in some cell transport labs. Due to the expense of specimens (for example, a sheep's brain may cost $30), I opted to purchase a few different specimen organs to demonstrate dissections. In the near future, I will consider purchasing licenses for simulated lab dissections. Various dissections occur based on the body system (circulatory system, nervous system, and more) under study.\r\n\r\nPlease know that our students will benefit from your donations. We are excited to have materials to work toward meeting the State's requirement of 40% laboratory experiences. Student's learning will be deepened and enriched through various hands-on, real-world, and engaging science and math experiences.\r\n\r\nI thank you for choosing to support and enhance the learning opportunities of each of our participating students at North Forest High School.","fullyFundedDate":1747097274430,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-lab-experiences/9109434/","projectTitle":"Hands-on Lab Experiences","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9921587"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_15868","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":949,"numTeachers":59,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":51,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":46,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"16.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":55.3,"schoolId":15868,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about North Forest High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"North Forest High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/houston-independent-school-district/north-forest-high-school/15868"}