{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Portland High School","outOfStateSupporters":32.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9669591,"projectId":9822862,"letterContent":"Having access to these socks, hats, and gloves have already helped very much! It is already very cold here and students are able to wear these to keep warm. Many of our students walk to school or take the public bus, so they have to wait outside. \r\n\r\nWe got another donation that is going to allow us to buy coats and we are also going to do a coat drive.\r\n\r\nI am so grateful for your funding as are the students in the Autism program who organize and run the clothing closet. It is a great way for them to practice lifeskills.\r\n\r\nWinter gear is always a huge need!","fullyFundedDate":1761149909761,"projectUrl":"project/winter-gear-for-student-clothing-closet/9822862/","projectTitle":"Winter gear for student clothing closet","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Levinsky","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9669591"},{"teacherId":4985537,"projectId":9652318,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contributions to our \"Cozy Space in the Counseling Office\" project. Because of your kindness, we were able to bring this vision to life with comfortable seating, calming dim lighting, a new mirror, and even a weighted bulldog (our school mascot), who has quickly become a student favorite. Each of these additions has helped transform a simple corner of our office into a warm, welcoming environment where students feel safe and grounded.\r\n\r\nWe are thrilled to share that the impact of this space has already been felt across our school community. At a recent faculty meeting, students themselves highlighted it as a true \"third space\" - a place beyond home and classroom where they can relax, breathe, and simply be. Every day, we see students using the space during lunch, stopping by to process their emotions, or taking a moment of quiet in the midst of a busy day. Their gratitude and comfort are a direct result of your support.\r\n\r\nThank you again for believing in the well-being of our students and for helping us create a space that nurtures connection, reflection, and calm. Your generosity continues to make a meaningful difference.","fullyFundedDate":1759251883858,"projectUrl":"project/cozy-space-in-counseling-office/9652318/","projectTitle":"Cozy Space in Counseling Office","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Emerson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4985537"},{"teacherId":550522,"projectId":9144703,"letterContent":"My students and I can't thank you enough for generously donating to our World Religions classroom. We use a plethora of resources and I have worked really hard to find high quality information that I can access for free; this means that most of our resources are digital. Your donation, however has allowed us to have a textbook that has terrific pictures and graphs and is of the appropriate Lexile level for high school students. The texts that we lost in the flood two years ago left us without tangible resources. \r\n\r\nBecause of you, students were able to put the technology away for a spell and take a break from screens while they utilized the DK World Religions textbooks. \r\nThank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1745263823314,"projectUrl":"project/rebuild-materials-destroyed-by-flood-wit/9144703/","projectTitle":"Rebuild Materials Destroyed by Flood With Classroom Set of Texts","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. R.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp550522_orig.jpg?crop=1663,1663,x40,y816&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727118146968","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-reagan204"},{"teacherId":550522,"projectId":9100424,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donation to our classroom. My students feel more secure and relaxed while taking assessments or writing journals while using the table privacy dividers. The white boards are so handy for group activities and learning games. We played a version of pictionary for vocabulary development and the white boards were very useful for this. \r\n\r\nWe are very happy to have these resources and I look forward to using them for years to come. Your generous donation will impact hundreds of PHS students!","fullyFundedDate":1741192109109,"projectUrl":"project/privacy-screens-and-white-boards-at-each/9100424/","projectTitle":"Privacy Screens and White Boards at Each GroupTable","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. R.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp550522_orig.jpg?crop=1663,1663,x40,y816&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727118146968","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-reagan204"},{"teacherId":136620,"projectId":8846517,"letterContent":"The biological science classes here at Portland High School have been greatly impacted and improved by the recent addition of new microscopes to replace our older, obsolete, and largely broken microscopes, many of which are older than the students that we teach. Biology is a very hands-on science and the opportunity to improve the experience of our students has been enhanced through the addition of newer and stronger microscopes. On behalf of our current and future students and science faculty, I would like to thank you for your donations towards our goal of offering the best possible lab experiences that we can. Your gift is greatly appreciated!","fullyFundedDate":1737166390275,"projectUrl":"project/microscopy-upgrade-for-phs/8846517/","projectTitle":"Microscopy Upgrade for PHS!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Eric Begonia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp136620_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1523453844632","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-begonia"},{"teacherId":9831746,"projectId":8940006,"letterContent":"The multilingual students that I support at our high school come from Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Venezuela, China and Iraq. All year long new students arrive speaking a variety of languages but this year they are Portuguese, French, Lingala, Spanish, Quiché, Chinese and Arabic. During the first two weeks that a student is in the school I introduce them to the school resources via the website that I created. On that website they can access the apps that are used in their classes as well the ones that are needed to navigate their school work, their grades, attendance, the pass system and the automatic translation app that allows them to communicate with their teachers. There are other pulldown pages that allow them to access activities at the school, online language practice sites, as well as things that they need in the community. Because those first two weeks are crucial to settling into a new school, new culture and new language it is critical that they connect to an adult that they can go to for questions and help. The snacks that The Donors Choose provided to these students were very well received! Nothing says \"welcome\" and helps bonding like snacks!\r\n\r\nStudents are exposed to English all day in their classes and are expected to learn to speak, read, write and comprehend English. However, they are encouraged to continue being proficient in their native language. The school offers a Seal of Biliteracy upon graduation by examining their native language skills as well as their English skills. In order to do this it is important to offer books in their native languages. Not only were the bilingual books needed for this goal. The Donors Choose program provided us books at varying levels of difficulty in both English and other languages, but also with themes of interest. The beginning English speakers were delighted to have books that were manageable to begin their reading career. The more advanced classes were able to read books at a simplified reading level but with more age appropriate themes.\r\n\r\nMy students love games and being able to make learning into a game paid off. Using the dice to keep score, the pencil eraser prizes and singing jump rope songs made learning more fun! Students became so much more focused when I brought out your gifts!\r\n\r\nSince I started working with this population 3 years ago I have been continually encouraging students to join clubs and teams. My website makes it easier for them to find the necessary forms and connect with the coaches. However, there are always obstacles: transportation, no knowledge of the sport, or just being the only non-English speaker. After introducing skiing and snowboarding to my students the last two years I was able to encourage a group of 8 African students to join the 6-week downhill ski/snowboard program this year. My neighbors donated used equipment and the kids raised money to pay for the tickets. The Donors Choose provided snacks for the long bus ride after school and back home in the evening. Winters here are very long and cold and cause seasonal affective disorder in people who have lived here their whole lives never mind new arrivals from tropical countries! But, now these young people have not only a great activity that they love and look forward to in winter, they have been given an opportunity to meet English speakers and become a part of our community.\r\n\r\nThank you for your generosity! You are helping change lives!","fullyFundedDate":1735609147020,"projectUrl":"project/learn-english-while-not-forgetting-where/8940006/","projectTitle":"Learn English While Not Forgetting Where You Came From!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Myers","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9831746"},{"teacherId":8493627,"projectId":8720488,"letterContent":"The resources were used to make connections with students and provide students a safe space during difficult times. Additionally, with them realizing that my spaces are safe during difficult times it has allowed them to utilize these spaces during free times. The materials I received through this project have also allowed my students to explore different avenues when overwhelmed, bored or stressed. \r\nAs I am in a school that experiences housing and food instability, having snacks in my office is important so students know where they can find these resources during the day. Snacks seem like a small thing but it can be the first thing that opens the door to a new student who is looking to connect with an adult at school. \r\nThe tools I received for mental health and stress relief were well used as well. I had students using the coloring books and now have a few of the coloring pages hanging on my walls. The brain teasers were a hit and got students off of their phones and interacting with one another. I had students looking through the 52 days of Mental Health book and they took a couple of things from it to try. \r\nThese instances may seem small but they add up to relationships with students that make school a more comfortable, kinder, more supportive place to be. I cannot thank the donors who funded this project enough.","fullyFundedDate":1725212039297,"projectUrl":"project/mental-health-tools-for-teens/8720488/","projectTitle":"Mental Health Tools for Teens","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hasson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8493627_orig.jpg?crop=828,827,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723725636180","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8493627"},{"teacherId":136620,"projectId":8911027,"letterContent":"Having been a teacher who works with teenagers for the last 25 plus years, I have seen a drastic change in the approach that we have to take as educators, especially with reference to their wellness. By funding and supplying me items that were specifically geared towards enhancing my classroom has allowed me to further offer my students a learning environment that is welcoming, inviting, and provided increased comfort where they feel safe and comfortable. A safe and positive learning environment should be the bare minimum that we can offer our students as we work with them and prepare them for the world that they will enter beyond or wall, both presently, but even more so, in their future post-secondary plans. \r\n\r\nThank you again for your kid donation, it is greatly appreciated!!","fullyFundedDate":1733281130412,"projectUrl":"project/teen-wellness-enhanced-classroom-environ/8911027/","projectTitle":"Teen Wellness-Enhanced Classroom Environment","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Eric Begonia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp136620_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1523453844632","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-begonia"},{"teacherId":267561,"projectId":8805397,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our students and enabling them to pursue scientific investigations with the proper equipment. Students were able to measure the diameter of ash trees in an effort to determine whether the trees had been impacted by the invasive species known as the Emerald Ash Borer. In a separate assignment, students made models of the DNA molecule and were able to measure the strands before linking them with models made by other students. Most recently students utilized their new calculators to analyze data associated with the relationship between wolves and moose on an island in Canada. \r\n\r\nYour support has made a difference for both students and teacher!","fullyFundedDate":1731534036463,"projectUrl":"project/science-tools-for-success/8805397/","projectTitle":"Science Tools for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Talarico","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp267561_orig.jpg?crop=439,439,x177,y230&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1575135943219","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/267561"},{"teacherId":9820511,"projectId":8910856,"letterContent":"This donation has been very impactful for my students. The snacks have been put to use in a snack drawer that is open for all students in the classroom so there is no pressure or stigma from taking snacks. The snacks that went the fastest were the GoGo squeeZs, but all of the snacks have been a success. \r\nScience-themed Legos have also been a valuable resource. When students have some time at the end of a class, these allow them to keep working and thinking about science while taking a break.\r\nAll of the supplies help students stay calm and focused on their studies.","fullyFundedDate":1730638361959,"projectUrl":"project/help-reduce-stress-in-the-classroom/8910856/","projectTitle":"Help Reduce Stress in the Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Britsch","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9820511"},{"teacherId":141378,"projectId":8669484,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation! I am a high school level Special Education Teacher. My students are in the Functional Academics Program, which means they are well below their grade level academically. Some of the challenges with this group is ensuring that they feel like a part of the overall high school community, and that they can have peer groups outside of our classroom. Another challenge is finding academic materials that are at the level they're working at, but do not appear to be too childish, or elementary leveled. Most 2nd and 3rd grade materials will have cartoon pictures, or animated animals. These 9th - 12th graders do not want to work on worksheets, or out of books like that. The books you purchased for our room are well done, focused on the skills we need to improve on, and do not look like children's books!\r\nIn addition to the basic phonics and word reading skills we're trying to improve, our big focus is reading for understanding. We want the students to gain meaning from text, and be able to interact with what they've read. Practicing these skills will be a huge help in student progress, and will allow them to continue to progress and prepare for life after high school.","fullyFundedDate":1724773651439,"projectUrl":"project/life-skills-class-academic-workbooks/8669484/","projectTitle":"Life Skills Class Academic Workbooks","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. k.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/141378"},{"teacherId":8402330,"projectId":8659233,"letterContent":"This project truly started my year, and my students year, off in such a positive way! Thanks to your amazing gifts I have pencils to give students any time, snacks for hungry brains, treats for hard work, and fidgets for students who need help focusing. Toys and fidgets help ground students in the present moment and being grounded is essential for learning math. These little things also give students a sense of ownership in the classroom... being able to pick something out each day if they need it and return it at the end of class, taking care of things, and sharing. All of these things improve the environment of our math classroom and help to create community and comfort. All things I believe are essential for learning, to be able to be in a state of calm and comfort, and let your brain do something difficult.","fullyFundedDate":1723688125922,"projectUrl":"project/math-essentials-for-mental-health/8659233/","projectTitle":"Math Essentials for Mental Health!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. LaGassey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8402330"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_65279","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":969,"numTeachers":53,"percentFrplEligible":50,"percentAsian":3,"percentBlack":28,"percentWhite":46,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":14,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"18.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":67.5,"schoolId":65279,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Portland High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Portland High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/maine/portland-public-schools/portland-high-school/65279"}