{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Psja North Early College High School","outOfStateSupporters":42.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5972736,"projectId":9614114,"letterContent":"Our students have quickly begun using the new resources, and the impact has been immediate. Having access to essential personal items has created a more comfortable and supportive environment, allowing students to focus more on learning. One memorable moment was seeing a student who rarely participated step up to lead a group activity after receiving what they needed—showing just how much confidence these resources have helped build.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, students reacted with surprise, gratitude, and genuine relief. Many expressed how thankful they were to have items that are often overlooked but deeply needed. This boost in comfort and dignity has translated into stronger participation, more engagement, and an overall more positive classroom atmosphere.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, these resources will continue supporting students as we work through our current lessons and projects. With their basic needs met, students feel more secure and ready to collaborate, volunteer, and challenge themselves academically. Thanks to our donors, students are not only better prepared for class but also more confident and motivated to take the next steps in their learning.","fullyFundedDate":1755717739621,"projectUrl":"project/hygiene-essentials-for-learning/9614114/","projectTitle":"Hygiene Essentials For Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bartolo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5972736_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1729808632351","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5972736"},{"teacherId":9843063,"projectId":8954628,"letterContent":"We are so grateful to be able to take advantage of these bags. We have weekly games and competitions so protecting our instruments is essential to ensure our equipment lasts as long as possible and is performance ready. This also is an opportunity to teach my studio how to properly take care of their instruments and the appropriate way to pack our music trailer. This ensures that our instruments are safe and will be ready to play and produce the highest quality sounds to set up our students up for success. Thank you for your contributions!","fullyFundedDate":1742309367259,"projectUrl":"project/beating-the-travel-blueswith-drum-bags/8954628/","projectTitle":"Beating the travel blues…with drum bags!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. J Adame","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9843063_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732067725142","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9843063"},{"teacherId":8087654,"projectId":9256454,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my classroom now has 1 iPad and 1 Apple Pencil, and even with just one set, the difference has been great! Students were eager to take turns using the technology, and it gave them the chance to experience digital illustration in a way they've never been able to before. They started with a few online tutorials to learn the basics of ProCreate, and it was incredible to watch how quickly they picked up new skills and applied them to their own artwork.\r\n\r\nOne student in particular, who already had experience with Adobe Photoshop, immediately took to the iPad and began exploring how ProCreate could add to their design repertoire. \r\n\r\nYour support gave my students not only access to cutting-edge technology but also the chance to begin their journey into digital art and design. This single iPad and Pencil have sparked excitement, creativity, and a vision for what's possible in their artistic futures—we are so thankful!","fullyFundedDate":1746462954267,"projectUrl":"project/unleashing-creativity-with-digital-ipad/9256454/","projectTitle":"Unleashing Creativity With Digital iPad Illustration Through ProCreate","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Beth Martinez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8087654_orig.jpg?crop=1158,1158,x0,y57&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1729015964173","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/bethmartinez"},{"teacherId":1896548,"projectId":9275578,"letterContent":"We are so grateful for your generosity in supporting our project, Fun Incentives to Promote Reading in High School! Because of your donation, my students now have exciting rewards and motivational tools that make reading feel engaging and enjoyable.\r\n\r\nHigh school students often face so many academic pressures that reading for pleasure can easily fall to the side. With your help, we're creating a positive reading culture where students feel celebrated for their progress and inspired to keep exploring new books. The incentives you've provided are sparking friendly competition, encouraging reluctant readers to participate, and making literacy something our students look forward to each day.\r\n\r\nYour kindness is not just providing materials—it's helping us build lifelong readers. Thank you for believing in our students and investing in their futures.","fullyFundedDate":1746787226808,"projectUrl":"project/fun-incentives-to-promote-reading-in-hig/9275578/","projectTitle":"Fun Incentives to Promote Reading in High School","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ochoa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1896548_orig.png?crop=372,372,x0,y28&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1648942349234","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-d-ochoa"},{"teacherId":9825971,"projectId":9320329,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom! Because of your generosity, my students now have a peaceful and welcoming space to learn and prepare for their state exam.\r\n\r\nWhen they first saw the carpet, bean bag, and wax warmer, their faces lit up—they immediately said the room felt calm and \"like home.\" The cozy spots have become favorite places for reading and group work, and the calming scents help ease stress.\r\n\r\nThe Expo markers and paper have been perfect for interactive review that helps visual and kinestethic learners. We have been able to create amazing and engaging interactive journals with tons of visuals, so thank you for allowing this to happen.\r\n\r\nThanks to you, my students feel more focused, supported, and confident. We're so grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1746785685906,"projectUrl":"project/minds-at-ease-create-hearts-at-peace/9320329/","projectTitle":"Minds at Ease Create Hearts at Peace","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Zamora","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9825971_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731277633803","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9825971"},{"teacherId":9814990,"projectId":8901254,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our \"Words for Wellness\" project has made a truly meaningful impact on our classroom. I wanted to share what that has looked like firsthand.\r\n\r\nThe resources you helped provide mental health-themed coloring books, anxiety relief fidget spinners, affirmation stickers, and tools for creating positive messages have been more than just supplies; they've become instruments of connection, calm, and creativity for my students.\r\n\r\nWe launched the project with an activity called \"Words for Wellness,\" where students were asked to reflect on their mental well-being and create supportive messages for themselves and others. Each student picked a positive affirmation and turned it into a visual message using stickers, doodles, and pages from the coloring books. Many chose statements like \"I am enough,\" \"This feeling will pass,\" or \"I am proud of how far I've come.\"\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, my students were genuinely excited. There were smiles, gasps, and immediate curiosity. One student said, \"Wait... these are really for us?\" The colorful stickers were a huge hit, and the fidget spinners provided a calm outlet for students who struggle with anxiety or focus. Several students told me they were grateful to have something \"just to hold\" while they worked through difficult thoughts or stress.","fullyFundedDate":1730460993780,"projectUrl":"project/words-for-wellness/8901254/","projectTitle":"Words for Wellness","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9814990"},{"teacherId":8710555,"projectId":8935555,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of a class set of Of Mice and Men. In an era when many schools are moving away from reading full novels, this donation gave my students a rare and meaningful opportunity to engage deeply with a complete literary work. Reading a novel together allows students to connect not only with the text but also with each other. They share ideas, challenge perspectives, and grow through conversations.\r\n\r\nThrough literacy groups and in-depth discussions, my students explore themes like loneliness, the American dream, the migrant experience, and the treatment of women, those of color, and individuals with disabilities during the Great Depression. The conversations that emerge, especially around the character of Curley's wife, are powerful and often polarizing. Some students view her as a victim of her time and circumstance, while others see her as a villain. These debates help them think critically and empathetically. \r\n\r\nMy students also analyze Steinbeck's use of foreshadowing, the influence of naturalism writing, and how specific details reveal deeper meanings. By the end of the book, they're invested in the story and the characters, often reacting emotionally to the ending. Your donation made this experience possible, and I am so grateful for the opportunities it gave my students to grow as readers, thinkers, and young people learning about the world.","fullyFundedDate":1731873015833,"projectUrl":"project/lend-a-hand-for-of-mice-and-men/8935555/","projectTitle":"Lend a Hand for Of Mice and Men","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Zepeda","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8710555_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x320,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731347172459","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8710555"},{"teacherId":8087654,"projectId":9241198,"letterContent":"Thank you again for your incredible generosity in helping bring our classroom library to life! The graphic design and drawing books you provided have completely elevated our classroom experience.\r\n\r\nIn my graphic design classes, reading now looks like students flipping through pages of design inspiration, step-by-step drawing guides, and professional tips from real-world creatives. These books are doing more than teaching—they're unlocking creativity and showing my students what's possible in the world of design.\r\n\r\nThe \"learn to draw\" books have been especially powerful. They've given students a structured yet approachable way to improve their sketching skills, build confidence in their artistic abilities, and better understand form, shading, and composition. Students who once hesitated to put pencil to paper are now eagerly sketching their ideas and applying what they learn to digital platforms like Adobe Illustrator and Procreate.\r\n\r\nOur graphic design books have also helped students explore topics like branding, typography, layout, and visual storytelling. They're learning to analyze and apply what they read, making thoughtful decisions about their own designs. These resources have sparked meaningful discussions and led to more thoughtful, intentional work in our projects.\r\n\r\nOne student in particular, who dreams of becoming a professional illustrator, has practically devoured every drawing book on the shelf. She's been using the techniques she's learned to create an illustrated children's book concept during her free time—something she'd never have considered before.\r\n\r\nThanks to your support, reading in our classroom is hands-on, inspiring, and directly tied to student passions and future careers. You've helped bring these opportunities to life, and we're so grateful for the impact you've made.","fullyFundedDate":1744251602318,"projectUrl":"project/design-draw-dream-books-to-inspire-cr/9241198/","projectTitle":"Design, Draw, Dream: Books to Inspire Creative Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Beth Martinez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8087654_orig.jpg?crop=1158,1158,x0,y57&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1729015964173","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/bethmartinez"},{"teacherId":8087654,"projectId":8910358,"letterContent":"Thanks to your incredible generosity, my students have had the opportunity to explore hands-on design in a whole new way with our new Silhouette and vinyl machine! These tools have opened up creative possibilities that were previously out of reach, especially for students interested in product design and entrepreneurship.\r\n\r\nFor our first project, students designed custom decals and had the choice to either iron them onto canvas tote bags or apply them to cups. Watching them see their digital designs come to life as tangible items was an amazing moment. One student proudly held up her tote and said, \"I made this myself—it looks like something you'd buy in a store!\" That sense of ownership and pride was felt throughout the classroom.\r\n\r\nThese new resources have made design more interactive and have given students the chance to experiment with branding, personalization, and functional design. Right now, we're preparing for our next project, where students will create their own mini product lines—complete with packaging, stickers, and promotional materials—using the vinyl cutter and heat press.\r\n\r\nYour donation has done more than just provide equipment; it has given my students real-world experience, boosted their confidence, and inspired them to dream big. Thank you for believing in their potential!","fullyFundedDate":1730399231343,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-minds-through-creative-expres/8910358/","projectTitle":"Empowering Minds Through Creative Expression in Graphic Design","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Beth Martinez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8087654_orig.jpg?crop=1158,1158,x0,y57&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1729015964173","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/bethmartinez"},{"teacherId":9165524,"projectId":8915286,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contribution to our English II classroom. Because of your support, we now have a wonderful set of mental health materials that my students use at the end of each week. These resources have become an essential part of our routine, offering students a chance to reflect, decompress, and reset after a busy few days of learning and growth.\r\n\r\nEach Friday, my students look forward to this dedicated time where they can journal, engage in mindfulness activities, or explore strategies for managing stress and emotions. These moments of pause not only support their emotional well-being but also help them re-enter the following week feeling more grounded and focused. Your generosity has made a real difference in our classroom, and we're incredibly grateful for the positive impact it's having on our students' lives.","fullyFundedDate":1730608772127,"projectUrl":"project/healthy-minds-for-a-healthy-classroom/8915286/","projectTitle":"Healthy Minds for a Healthy Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Salazar","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9165524_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y182&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756323287132","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9165524"},{"teacherId":9815038,"projectId":8904054,"letterContent":"The generous support from DonorsChoose has had a transformative impact on my Algebra 2 classroom. With the new markers, posters, and other educational supplies, students are now able to visually represent their mathematical thinking and demonstrate their problem-solving processes. This hands-on approach encourages collaboration and communication among peers.\r\n\r\nStudents utilize these materials to showcase their work during class discussions, which enhances their understanding of complex concepts. By explaining their reasoning and strategies to the class, they not only solidify their own learning but also help their classmates grasp difficult topics. The ability to present their work visually fosters a more engaging and interactive learning environment, boosting confidence and participation. Overall, the resources provided by DonorsChoose have significantly enriched the educational experience in Algebra 2, promoting deeper comprehension and enthusiasm for mathematics.","fullyFundedDate":1740586168579,"projectUrl":"project/the-algebra-gallery-showcasing-students/8904054/","projectTitle":"The Algebra Gallery: Showcasing Students' Masterpieces","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Poja","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9815038"},{"teacherId":9819535,"projectId":8909384,"letterContent":"Receiving the grant to create an indoor outdoor classroom has had a transformative impact on our students. By repurposing an indoor space to simulate an outdoor learning environment, we have provided a unique, engaging atmosphere that encourages hands-on, interactive learning. The natural elements, such as plant life and open-air designs, combined with the comfortable seating arrangements, have allowed students to connect with nature while staying inside, especially on days when weather conditions may otherwise limit outdoor activities. This setting fosters a sense of calm and curiosity that enhances their focus and academic engagement.\r\n\r\nThe new classroom environment has sparked creativity and inspired students to think critically and problem-solve in a more dynamic way. The flexible layout allows for group work, independent study, and creative projects, helping students develop collaboration skills and adaptability. The design encourages them to explore different learning styles, whether it's through group discussions, building models, or conducting experiments in a space that stimulates imagination and deeper thought. This approach has proven particularly effective in encouraging student participation and boosting their confidence in expressing ideas.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, the indoor outdoor classroom has positively impacted student well-being. The biophilic design, incorporating elements like natural lighting and greenery, has been shown to reduce stress and increase productivity. Students who previously struggled with concentration or behavioral issues have found a renewed sense of engagement in this inviting space. The opportunity to experience nature within the classroom has provided a refreshing break from traditional learning environments, promoting mental health and creating an overall more positive atmosphere for learning. The success of this project demonstrates the power of thoughtful design in creating spaces that support both academic and emotional growth for students.","fullyFundedDate":1732717443916,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-the-outdoors-inside-the-classro/8909384/","projectTitle":"Bringing The Outdoors Inside The Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Villegas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9819535_orig.jpg?crop=169,169,x0,y57&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1742828264749","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9819535"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_13878","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":2229,"numTeachers":148,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":99,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"15.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":57.8,"schoolId":13878,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Psja North Early College High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Psja North Early College High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/pharr-san-juan-alamo-independent-school-district/pharr-san-juan-alamo-north-high-school/13878"}