{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"North Gaston High School","outOfStateSupporters":42.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10207480,"projectId":9744695,"letterContent":"I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our generous sponsors whose support has made a remarkable impact on our classroom community. Your kindness in providing food as rewards for my students has done far more than simply fill hungry stomachs—it has energized our learning environment, strengthened student engagement, and inspired a level of enthusiasm that has truly transformed our daily classroom experience.\r\nBecause of your generosity, my students have felt seen, valued, and motivated. The simple yet meaningful act of offering food as a reward for active participation, completing assignments, and staying committed to their responsibilities has created a positive ripple effect. Students who once hesitated to engage are now eager to take part. Those who struggled with consistency have become more responsible and driven. The atmosphere in our classroom has shifted into one filled with excitement, cooperation, and visible joy for learning.\r\nYour support has also contributed to measurable academic improvement. Students' grades have noticeably increased, and their performance reflects their renewed dedication. It is clear that when students feel appreciated and are given incentives that acknowledge their hard work, they respond with greater focus and determination. Learning has become more enjoyable and participation has become more vibrant than ever.\r\nOur classroom is now a place where students not only learn academic lessons but also experience the value of generosity, gratitude, and community support. Your contribution has shown them that there are people who believe in their growth and success. For that, we are deeply grateful.\r\nOn behalf of my students and myself, thank you for making our learning environment brighter, happier, and more productive. Your generosity has left an imprint on our class, and we will always remember the positive difference you made.","fullyFundedDate":1758658198416,"projectUrl":"project/students-tremendous-achievement-in-clas/9744695/","projectTitle":"Students’ Tremendous Achievement in class Rewards (STAR)","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Duplon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10207480"},{"teacherId":9889501,"projectId":9575133,"letterContent":"Words are not sufficient to express how much my students benefited from your generosity. Being able to hold the book in their hands, to turn the pages, and to interact with the words was so meaningful as they immersed themselves in Gerda's story. You made this experience possible, and for this, I and they are forever grateful. We were able to feel her hope, and this impacted my students on a deeply personal level. This would not have been possible if we'd only had electronic excerpts to reference. The DonorsChoose Community made it possible for me to take my teaching of memoir exploration to an entirely new level. Their learning was significantly higher than if they had not had a copy of the book.","fullyFundedDate":1757887511260,"projectUrl":"project/all-but-my-life/9575133/","projectTitle":"All But My Life","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hensley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9889501_orig.jpg?crop=1158,1158,x0,y84&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1737129753592","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9889501"},{"teacherId":9330760,"projectId":9076486,"letterContent":"When your donations arrived, my students were filled with excitement—one even exclaimed, \"This feels like Christmas!\" The magnetic whiteboard has quickly become the center of our learning, giving students the confidence to share their ideas and solve problems together. The fruit snacks and Skittles are used as positive reinforcement, motivating effort and participation, especially from my quietest learners. Your generosity has given us joy, confidence, and a stronger classroom community. Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1746785358602,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-confidence-and-math-success-eng/9076486/","projectTitle":"Fueling Confidence and Math Success: Engage, Solve, Reward!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Taperla","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9330760_orig.jpg?crop=1171,1171,x0,y35&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724889078945","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9330760"},{"teacherId":9928055,"projectId":9122958,"letterContent":"In our classroom, reading is interactive and hands-on. Students read with their books in front of them, pens or sticky notes ready to mark passages or words that stand out. I read from a pgysical book and often pause during a read-aloud to model how a skilled reader thinks through a challenging section. Sometimes we break into small discussion circles where students compare notes, share discoveries, and debate interpretations.\r\n\r\nPhysical books make this work more meaningful. With a copy in hand, students can flip back and forth to find evidence, track themes, or notice how earlier chapters connect to later moments. Annotation builds accountability; students see their thinking on the page, and they can return to those notes during class discussions or when writing essays. The tactile nature of scribbling on sticky notes next to a noted passage helps them stay engaged and makes the learning \"stick.\" It also supports essential North Carolina ELA skills, such as citing strong textual evidence, analyzing structure, and building vocabulary through context.\r\n\r\nHolding, reading, and annotating in a physical book gives even reluctant readers the ability to see themselves as capable thinkers and participants. A physical book isn't just a story; it becomes a working tool that holds their thoughts, questions, and discoveries. That simple act of ownership turns reading into something personal, meaningful.","fullyFundedDate":1744218054984,"projectUrl":"project/monster-discovery-with-lord-of-the-flies/9122958/","projectTitle":"Monster Discovery with Lord of the Flies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wylie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9928055_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758722331820","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9928055"},{"teacherId":9889501,"projectId":9039029,"letterContent":"Words rarely fail me, but in this instance, they seem to. My gratitude for your generosity cannot be measured. For the past four years, I have taught \"The Hero's Journey\" unit to my Freshmen using a PDF copy of The Hunger Games with success. However, this year I was able to provide students with a copy of the book to hold in their hands, and the difference is practically immeasurable.\r\n\r\nI hope that you can see from the photos attached how engaged my students were with the story because they were able to physically participate by turning pages. The difference between the levels of involvement from students as opposed to semesters in the past was clear to me. And this was all because you saw a request from a simple teacher in a small high school in a small town in North Carolina. \r\n\r\nPlease know that your kindness will continue to bless students for years to come as we will now be able to offer this same tactile experience to students in future classes.","fullyFundedDate":1739734881716,"projectUrl":"project/the-heros-journey-in-the-hunger-games/9039029/","projectTitle":"The Hero's Journey in the Hunger Games","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hensley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9889501_orig.jpg?crop=1158,1158,x0,y84&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1737129753592","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9889501"},{"teacherId":2781192,"projectId":8774813,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our DonorsChoose project! Because of your kindness, my Advanced Placement Environmental Science students will now have the opportunity to explore The Secret Wisdom of Nature: Trees, Animals, and the Extraordinary Balance of All Living Things as part of our curriculum. This book promises to be a game-changer for my classroom, offering captivating stories and scientific insights that will bring the intricate connections of ecosystems to life. I can't wait to see how it deepens my students' understanding of our environment and inspires them to think critically about their role in protecting it.\r\n\r\nYour contribution is about so much more than providing books—it's about nurturing a generation of young environmental stewards. Through this project, my students will gain not only knowledge but also a deeper sense of empathy and responsibility toward the natural world. I truly believe this experience will leave a lasting impression on them, empowering them to approach environmental challenges with both curiosity and compassion.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and their potential to make a difference. Your generosity has brought this vision to life, and I couldn't be more grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1731075187175,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-minds-and-nurturing-nature/8774813/","projectTitle":"Empowering Minds and Nurturing Nature!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hallman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2781192_orig.jpg?crop=480,480,x0,y28&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724156482836","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/nogawild"},{"teacherId":6483904,"projectId":8716572,"letterContent":"I just wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks for the clipboards. They are such a practical and thoughtful gift, and I truly appreciate the time and effort you put into selecting them. Whether it's for organizing papers, jotting down notes, or staying on top of tasks, they've already proven to be incredibly useful. It's clear you know exactly what I needed!\r\n\r\nYour kindness and consideration mean so much to me. It's always touching to receive something so functional yet thoughtful, and this gift is a perfect example of that. Thank you again for thinking of me and for the generosity you've shown. It's truly appreciated!","fullyFundedDate":1726394569385,"projectUrl":"project/catching-the-clipboard-craze/8716572/","projectTitle":"Catching the Clipboard Craze!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. LeGrand","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6483904_orig.jpg?crop=360,360,x236,y119&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1559922877076","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6483904"},{"teacherId":6468031,"projectId":8856251,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous contributions to my DonorsChoose project, which provided my 9th grade English classroom with a class set of The Hunger Games novels. Your support has made a profound impact on both my students and our curriculum.\r\n\r\nThanks to these books, we were able to explore a wide range of critical skills and lessons that are integral to mastering English Language Arts standards. Through our study of The Hunger Games, students practiced finding relevant text evidence, discussed characterization and theme, examined symbolism, and analyzed the author's purpose. These skills are essential for developing strong analytical and critical thinking abilities, and the engaging story line of the novel made these lessons both accessible and enjoyable for all learners.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, reading became a dynamic and interactive experience. We read about two chapters a day, allowing time for rich discussions and targeted instruction on specific standards. This approach not only helped students comprehend the text but also encouraged them to think deeply about its themes and messages. The physical copies of the novel made it easier for students to annotate and engage with the text directly, enhancing their understanding and retention.\r\n\r\nOne of the most exciting outcomes was seeing several students become so captivated by the story that they wanted to continue the series on their own after we finished the novel. This newfound enthusiasm for reading is a testament to the power of providing students with the right tools and opportunities to succeed. Thank you for making this possible and for inspiring a love of literature in my classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1729790859087,"projectUrl":"project/the-hunger-games-a-heros-journey/8856251/","projectTitle":"The Hunger Games: a Hero's Journey","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Montgomery","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6468031_orig.jpg?crop=1851,1851,x0,y314&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1559573277255","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6468031"},{"teacherId":9779128,"projectId":8824628,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and helping bring The Hunger Games to my students. These books have allowed us to explore powerful themes through a critical lens, teaching students to analyze literature in meaningful ways. By studying The Hunger Games, students are learning how to connect fictional worlds to real-life issues such as power, control, and resistance. Through this project, we focus on skills like identifying author's purpose, analyzing characters' motivations, and supporting arguments with evidence. These critical thinking skills are not only essential for academic success but also empower students to engage thoughtfully with the world around them.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, reading has become an interactive and collaborative experience. Students engage in small group discussions where they dissect key moments in the text, debate character choices, and reflect on how the story relates to their own lives. Many students are even surprising themselves with their insights, showing that they can think deeply and creatively. We've also used writing prompts and graphic organizers to help them develop their ideas and articulate their perspectives clearly.\r\n\r\nOne student, in particular, shared that this was the first book they had ever truly enjoyed reading. They explained that Katniss's bravery and determination felt relatable and inspiring. Others are connecting with the book's dystopian themes, drawing parallels to issues they see in our society and expressing their opinions with confidence. It's amazing to see students light up with enthusiasm, eager to share their thoughts. Your generous support has truly made a difference, transforming reading into a rewarding and eye-opening experience for my students.","fullyFundedDate":1728754955046,"projectUrl":"project/the-hunger-games-critical-lens-for-soci/8824628/","projectTitle":"The Hunger Games: Critical Lens for Society","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cardenas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9779128"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_2719","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1056,"numTeachers":69,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":24,"percentWhite":46,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":21,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"15.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"UNCLASSIFIED","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":58.0,"schoolId":2719,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about North Gaston High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"North Gaston High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/north-carolina/gaston-county-school-district/north-gaston-high-school/2719"}