Rondout Valley High School in Accord, New York on DonorsChoose

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We also use these to decipher the difference between claims and opposing claims in nonfiction; to be able to use two different colors to draw their eyes to these key moments help them as they prepare/draft an argumentative essay. From flip chart markers to binder clips to binder rings, my classroom is stacked with great tools for organization and activities each day. This is all thanks to great donations from you!\r\n\r\nOn top of these materials, my students have explored different ways to express and demonstrate their understanding of texts be creating what we call in the teaching world as \"One Pagers.\" These have been created on card stock, which is thanks to the donation used for these supplies. Students truly shined in these projects with vibrant and thoughtful analysis of theirs readings in an artistic way. Again, I cannot thank you enough for your help to keep my classroom supplied , organized, and the freedom to try out different things. Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1755835472403,"projectUrl":"project/keep-it-classic-essentials-for-class/9479119/","projectTitle":"Keep it Classic: Essentials for Class","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sasso","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8673373_orig.jpg?crop=3000,3000,x0,y500&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724930740416","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8673373"},{"teacherId":8673373,"projectId":8949473,"letterContent":"As schools continue to grapple with various assessment practices, it is important to be equipped with the materials necessary for students to access that creative wheel for project-based learning. With donors like you, we were able to give students those supplies to get those creative juices going. Students were able to express their understanding of themes found in our reading through a Choice Board of options.\r\n\r\nIt has been great to see students have fun with their learning. As educators, we can start to become the observer when setting students up for success. Through deep dives in our readings, students had a better grasp of the big concepts brought up in their readings. Then, students explored different creative outlets to express this understanding. From character masks with color and feathers to painted canvas to family tree creations on posters, students conveyed ideas in ways that were colorful and thoughtful. Thank you for your generou donations!","fullyFundedDate":1732574822554,"projectUrl":"project/choice-board-materials/8949473/","projectTitle":"Choice Board Materials","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sasso","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8673373_orig.jpg?crop=3000,3000,x0,y500&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724930740416","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8673373"},{"teacherId":9788735,"projectId":8852054,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the incredible boxes of goodies that arrived at my classroom after Thanksgiving break! My juniors and seniors were absolutely thrilled, and their excitement was contagious as we carefully unwrapped each package. We quickly set up an assembly line — the boys rolled out the blue shag carpet and fluffed the bean bags while the girls assembled the end tables and arranged the cozy floor pillows.\r\n\r\nThe moment they saw the new reading space, they [literally!] dove onto the carpet with their books, eager to find their perfect spot. This physical transformation of my classroom space allowed me to institute a cell phone-free policy where students are deeply engaged in conversations about books rather than scrolling on their phones, disengaged with their classmates. It is truly heartwarming to witness such joy and enthusiasm for reading after 27 years of teaching! \r\n\r\nAs we continue our daily ritual of \"chill out and read,\" the students are already using the space to dive deeper into their independent texts and connect with peers. I can't wait to see how this space enhances their learning experience for the remainder of the year. Your generosity has truly brought my vision to life, and for that I am deeply grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1732677848885,"projectUrl":"project/relaxing-reading-nook/8852054/","projectTitle":"Relaxing Reading Nook!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. McDonough","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9788735_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731031058582","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9788735"},{"teacherId":8673373,"projectId":8555509,"letterContent":"It has been amazing to have the essential supplies that make a classroom run smoothly for my students. With the generous donation made by donors like you, students are able to not worry about materials that all students deserve to have regardless of their socioeconomic status, or the time to get those things because that should not get in the way of our learning. I have been able to give students paper as they need, paper, pencils, and highlighters to allow our classroom to run how I hoped it would: having things at arm's length to aid in our learning. Highlighters have been super beneficial to allow those moments to color-code significant passages in fiction. We have also used them in identifying claims and opposing claims in arguments to be mindful of the rhetoric used in nonfiction sources, an essential skill in the world of advertisements, commercials, politics, you name it. Students needing help to keep track of their assignments sent home have had the ability to get a folder free of cost to them. This has been crucial in keeping my students organized with their work and attaching a specific color to a folder (choice of yellow or purple) also helps with this skill of organization that is helpful outside of the classroom.\r\n\r\nAside from these materials, it has been great to reward students with stickers. As a mother, I see how much kids love stickers. To imagine that this gets just as exciting for teenagers, is an understatement. When you have students \"fight\" over the mango sticker versus the blueberry sticker, makes those rewarding moments even better. For answering questions, participating, showing kindness, and being trusting, I have given a sticker for it. Students have even gotten their hands on funny, \"meme\" stickers that have also been a great reward system not only connected to academic progress, but also to being a good person to those around us in our classroom. Again, I cannot express enough how appreciative I am to those that can contribute to these materials and supplies that we forget become so crucial to a classroom environment, to a student's organization, and to put a smile on a kid's face. 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About this school

Rondout Valley High School is a rural public school in Accord, New York that is part of Rondout Valley Central School District. It serves 530 students in grades 9 - 12 with a student/teacher ratio of 10.2:1. Its teachers have had 8 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades 9 - 12

530 Students

52 Teachers

122 Kyserike Rd

Accord, NY 12404 View local requests

http://www.rondout.k12.ny.us

Evidence-based impact

Inspire teachers to stay in the classroom and boost student achievement.¹

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

Rondout Valley High School Teachers on DonorsChoose

Ms. MacKinnon

Mrs. McDonough

Ms. Sasso

Mrs. Thibault-Edmonds

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Rondout Valley High School Demographics

64%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

15%

of students are Black, Latino, Native American, or Asian

Schools in districts that mainly serve students of color receive substantially less state and local support than similar districts that serve primarily White students. Learn more about this gap, why it exists, and how you can help close it.

Rondout Valley High School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 4, 2025

DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.