{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Phineas Banning High School","outOfStateSupporters":13.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":181666,"projectId":9686397,"letterContent":"We did it! We cleared the \"ON HOLD\" List and there were many happy, grateful students. Many were surprised that they were donated by people who \"don't even know us\" and must \"really like reading\". These books will not just be read by current students who requested them but will scratch the reading itch of students for years to come. \r\n\r\nReading is power, whether it is for information, entertainment, inspiration or any other purpose. The great abolitionist Frederick Douglass said, \"Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.\" I often repeat this quote to my students and emphasize the importance of finding out what you enjoy reading, of letting reading lead you to your passions. \r\n\r\nThis project has a special place in my Librarian heart as it directly addressed student requests and thus was sure to be engaging and impactful. Thanks so much for your kind generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1758397672071,"projectUrl":"project/help-our-library-clear-the-on-hold-lis/9686397/","projectTitle":"Help Our Library Clear the \"ON HOLD\" List!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pilon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp181666_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1533324809324","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-pilon"},{"teacherId":181666,"projectId":9202849,"letterContent":"The Scrapbooking/Journaling/Junk Journal Club is a smashing success! We are an official club on campus, participating in Club Rush events. Twice a week I struggle to get students to leave the school library after school because \"We are documenting our lives, Miss!\" or \"I am envisioning my future goals,\" or simply a smile as they do not put down all the wonderful materials donated to this project. Really, it was dark outside one day and they were still working.\r\n\r\nThe journals themselves were so popular as students really seem to be starved for hands on activities that do not involve screens. One student is creating a journal about all the places she wants to travel to in her lifetime. Another student is documenting her Culinary Arts successes this year and all the foods she makes. We have poets, artists, writers and arts/crafts lovers. \r\n\r\nStudents from 9th through 12th grade are participating, writing, creating, and benefitting from this \"old school\" club. It is the epitome of social emotional learning combined with writing and art.","fullyFundedDate":1746787182700,"projectUrl":"project/journaling-for-our-lives/9202849/","projectTitle":"Journaling For Our Lives","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pilon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp181666_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1533324809324","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-pilon"},{"teacherId":2560304,"projectId":9897996,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generosity in supporting our classroom! My students and I were so excited to receive the new materials, and we immediately began putting them to use.\r\n\r\nThe colored paper has helped us create certificates to celebrate students' success on their Interim Assessments as they prepare for the state test. Recognizing their effort has been very motivating, and the snacks have been a fun way to reward their hard work and peer tutoring. My students truly enjoy being celebrated and appreciated for their efforts.\r\n\r\nThe index cards and bins have also made a big difference in how we organize our practice problems. I labeled the bins by unit so students can easily find and review specific skills. Previously, all of the cards were printed on white paper, which made it difficult to mix topics during review. Now we color-code the cards by skill, which helps students quickly identify the type of problem they are practicing. Students can also partner with classmates who have different colored cards so they can practice multiple skills together.\r\n\r\nAs we continue preparing for the Smarter Balanced Assessment in April, we are focusing on improving students' written explanations and building confidence when solving challenging problems. Your support is helping my students stay motivated, develop a growth mindset, and feel proud of their progress.\r\n\r\nThank you again for making a positive difference in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1765995927584,"projectUrl":"project/growing-math-leaders-through-peer-tutori/9897996/","projectTitle":"Growing Math Leaders Through Peer Tutoring","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Ortega","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2560304_orig.jpg?crop=403,403,x146,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1764729977509","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2560304"},{"teacherId":90588,"projectId":9957963,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donation. My students are so happy to have individual copies where they are able to place sticky notes to remember important plot points and characters. My students have been so interested in the way the characters develop, especially the way Napoleon have increased his power over the other animals. In order to understand and follow his development we put stick notes to write changes that we notice. We also have been using the sign post \"again and again\" to look at the way the commandants are altered. Having individual copies of the book are so important for students growth as readers. \r\n\r\nReading is so important in all forms and in my classroom, we read as class. We listen to a few pages via the audiobook and then take notes on major plot points to keep track of all the characters. We then add in sticky notes. Each student adds in 2 personal notes to make connections to the text and as a class we follow the Notice and Note sign posts, specifically \"Again and Again\", \"Words to the Wiser\" and \"Contrast and Contradiction\". This helps the students increase their analytic skills so we can connect the events and characters to real life after finishing the book for their literary essay. \r\n\r\nThank you so much for your support!!!","fullyFundedDate":1765691083240,"projectUrl":"project/all-animals-created-equal-but-some-are/9957963/","projectTitle":"All Animals Created Equal, but Some are More Equal","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Podzimek","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp90588_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1765644110620","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/90588"},{"teacherId":9340234,"projectId":9876955,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating to my project and making it possible. Thanks to your generous donation, students were able to get hands-on experience in comparing moles of different elements. The chemical mole can be a challenging concept to grasp, and many students were confused after the initial introduction of the concept and watching an informative video. Being able to make observations using the mole bars, students were able to directly compare similarities and differences between moles of the different elements. This helped students better understand the concept and be able to address misconceptions about the relationship between moles and mass of different elements. \r\n\r\nStudents enjoyed the activity even more because it was hands-on, which keeps them more engaged in the learning. By taking a more active role in their learning, it will have a greater impact on their understanding and allow them to make more connections moving forward as we compare amounts of substances in chemical reactions.","fullyFundedDate":1762806030886,"projectUrl":"project/mole-bars-for-hands-on-chemistry/9876955/","projectTitle":"Mole Bars for Hands-on Chemistry","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Heesacker","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9340234"},{"teacherId":6834709,"projectId":9682464,"letterContent":"Thank you for bringing a little extra sunshine into our classroom; because of your generosity, our learning space has truly transformed; not just in how it looks, but in how it feels to learn here every day.\r\nWe are using these new supplies daily across our lessons. From organized materials that make transitions smoother, to engaging tools that allow students to collaborate and create, your support has helped us focus more on learning and less on limitations. One moment that stood out was during a recent classroom activity where students worked in small groups using the new supplies to solve problems and share ideas. I watched students who are usually hesitant to participate confidently jump in, eager to use the materials and contribute. It was a powerful reminder that the right resources can spark both learning and confidence.\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, their reactions said it all; wide eyes, big smiles, and excited chatter filled the room. Several students asked, \"Are these really for us?\" That sense of being valued and supported meant so much to them. They immediately took ownership, carefully setting up their workspaces and encouraging one another to take care of the supplies. It was clear they felt proud of their classroom and grateful for the support behind it.\r\nAs we move forward, these supplies will continue to play a key role in our current lessons and upcoming projects. Students are building skills through hands-on activities, collaborative work, and creative problem-solving—all made possible because they now have the tools they need to succeed. The confidence and enthusiasm you helped ignite will carry into future lessons, helping students stay motivated and engaged as they grow academically and personally.\r\nThank you for believing in my students and for investing in their learning. Your kindness didn't just provide supplies—it brought warmth, joy, and sunshine into our classroom every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1768507937922,"projectUrl":"project/supplies-that-shine-bringing-sunshine-i/9682464/","projectTitle":"Supplies That Shine: Bringing Sunshine Into Our Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sunshine","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6834709_orig.jpg?crop=1080,1080,x0,y633&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1759168756719","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6834709"},{"teacherId":7860753,"projectId":9794564,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my students are using the molecular model kits to better understand photosynthesis and cellular respiration in a fun, hands-on way. Instead of only reading about these ideas, students worked together to build molecules like oxygen, carbon dioxide, water, and glucose. One memorable moment was when students rearranged the pieces to show how plants make their own food—many proudly said, \"Oh! I get it now!\" Seeing the molecules helped turn a tricky science topic into something they could really understand.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the kits, they were thrilled. Their eyes lit up, and they couldn't wait to start building. Students were excited to touch the pieces, work with their classmates, and share their ideas. Even students who sometimes feel unsure in science felt confident and eager to participate. The classroom was filled with teamwork, questions, and excitement for learning.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, my students are learning science in a way that is meaningful, engaging, and fun. Thank you for helping bring learning to life in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1759815659414,"projectUrl":"project/help-my-students-build-chemistry-liter/9794564/","projectTitle":"Help My Students Build Chemistry - Literally!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tafoya","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7860753_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1620843427661","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7860753"},{"teacherId":7447868,"projectId":9368518,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contribution to our classroom. When the notebooks arrived, my students were thrilled—several of them asked, \"We get to keep these?!\" They were genuinely excited to have something of their own. That excitement has carried into our daily routines, and students now bring their notebooks to class every day to take notes, work through practice problems, and stay organized.\r\n\r\nThese notebooks have already made a noticeable difference in their confidence and engagement, especially during lessons where they annotate examples or jot down strategies we develop together. \r\n\r\nNext semester, students will be using these notebooks for a larger project where they'll create real-world math scenarios and present their reasoning. Having these notebooks ready allows us to build strong habits now so they're prepared to dive into deeper, more creative work.\r\n\r\nYour support has truly boosted our classroom learning environment. We are so grateful for your generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1757562475014,"projectUrl":"project/math-meets-the-environment-notebooks-fo/9368518/","projectTitle":"Math Meets the Environment: Notebooks for Data and Discovery","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rocca","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/anahi"},{"teacherId":9340234,"projectId":9684145,"letterContent":"Thanks to your donations to our project, students were able to successfully complete the Food Calorimetry Lab. The measurement tools allowed them to record accurate data and be able to calculate the energy that was transferred to the water in the can. They were able to learn more about energy transfer and the energy contained in our food with a memorable hands on experiment. Students were very excited to actually conduct the lab themselves, which helps keep them engaged and excited to learn about science. It turns a challenging subject into a fun learning experience for students.\r\n\r\nThank you again!","fullyFundedDate":1757562475274,"projectUrl":"project/energy-of-food-chemistry-calorimetry-la/9684145/","projectTitle":"Energy of Food: Chemistry Calorimetry Lab","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Heesacker","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9340234"},{"teacherId":7357381,"projectId":9543258,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generosity. My students are excited have already begun to use the self watering bulbs. We were able to put them to use this week. The garden club students filled the bulbs with water and we are now using at the main entrance of our school. \r\nWe have planters there but no irrigation so the bulbs will help with keeping our planters from drying up. The planters are part of the welcoming setting and green space is working to achieve. The main garden also is going to benefit from the bulbs as we will also use them in our gardens beds.","fullyFundedDate":1757562474697,"projectUrl":"project/help-us-grow-this-school-year/9543258/","projectTitle":"Help Us Grow This School Year","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Jacinto","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7357381_orig.jpg?crop=1059,1059,x0,y109&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1662738565559","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7357381"},{"teacherId":7357381,"projectId":9456610,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generosity as I begin to plan and modify my units for the school year you have given me access and the ability to add more lessons . Teachers pay teachers is one of the best resources for classroom teachers as it is created by seasoned and experienced teachers. They have tested the lessons in real time and have seen how they can change the engagement of students. \r\nI can now decide which new lessons will help me build interest in the lesson I have already created. It also will allow me to add engaging new activities that will benefit all of my students and help all learns","fullyFundedDate":1757030874471,"projectUrl":"project/tpt-lessons-that-engage-for-the-new-scho/9456610/","projectTitle":"TPT Lessons That Engage for the New School Year","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Jacinto","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7357381_orig.jpg?crop=1059,1059,x0,y109&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1662738565559","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7357381"},{"teacherId":7357381,"projectId":9141020,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generosity. My students are excited to begin to plant and see the plants germinate, as the school year starts we begin with building a new garden with the seeds provided . \r\nAlso we now have a water hose that will help us keep the garden alive and thriving. My students are excited to grow and maintain this green space and look forward to opening it up for the entire school to enjoy. As the school year begins our garden will continue to grow and my students are exited for the opportunity.","fullyFundedDate":1748546762838,"projectUrl":"project/help-my-garden-club-students-prepare-for/9141020/","projectTitle":"Help My Garden Club Students Prepare for Earth Day 2025","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Jacinto","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7357381_orig.jpg?crop=1059,1059,x0,y109&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1662738565559","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7357381"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_7624","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":2437,"numTeachers":107,"percentFrplEligible":90,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":94,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"22.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":86.9,"schoolId":7624,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Phineas Banning High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Phineas Banning High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/los-angeles-unified-school-district/phineas-banning-high-school/7624"}