{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Sarasota High School","outOfStateSupporters":21.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9312357,"projectId":9478989,"letterContent":"My cart is being put together as I write this; so I use it to have the students put their projects on it and keep them organized.\r\n\r\nI have received the snacks and I have been giving them out regularly. My students really appreciate the pick me up during the day. I understand there are so many worthy causes out there. So, I am so happy that you chose my grant to donate to. My students have been given snacks for working hard, having school spirit or they are just simply hungry.\r\n\r\nTeenagers always seem be hungry with all of their activities plus our campus is spread out over multiple buildings; so they do a lot of walking and climbing of stairs during the day.\r\n\r\nSo, again much love to you to be able to supply extra nutrition and energy to my students.\r\n\r\nThank you.","fullyFundedDate":1759209641461,"projectUrl":"project/nutritious-snacks-and-a-cart-for-their-p/9478989/","projectTitle":"Nutritious Snacks and a Cart for Their Projects","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wexler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9312357_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x0,y120&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1696117833050","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/anitawexler"},{"teacherId":9312357,"projectId":9333474,"letterContent":"Sarasota High School Art Teacher, Anita Wexler - I took an early morning flight, Sunday from SRQ to Newark to Tokyo to Fukuoka, Japan as my destination. Well, Japan is 13 hours ahead and the flight seemed to take forever, I then had to quickly figure out the train system to take a train from Fukuoka to Itsoshima.\r\n\r\nLuckily a representative helped me after getting some yen from the nearby ATM. Then while on the train; realizing I am going to have to switch trains not once, but twice. Okay, this is the stop, Ikistan.\r\n\r\nI am calling on my phone, but no one is answering. I am finding myself amongst rice fields and muddy roads. I am using my google maps to try and locate where I am going. Then I can feel it starting to rain; there is no way I can start digging through my bag right now. So I persist and find the art studio. It has since fallen into darkness. No one was around; I call the number again, no answer. I wind up on a doorstep nearby. A Japanese woman points around the corner; I go towards the house, but no one answers the door. Where do I go? So, I wandered back the Studio Kura space. I found a cloth to lay on the wooden floor and use my duffel bag of clothes as my pillow as I am very tired from my journey.\r\n\r\nI am awake at various times in the night; I was very confused and ready to leave on and just tour Japan.\r\n\r\nBut I was like let's not judge too fast. I worked on a couple sketches awaiting someone to find me there.\r\n\r\nThere was a shower and a full kitchen so refreshed and made some coffee. Finally, Hiro arrived to find me. He seemed confused, but then showed me to House #2 once realized who I was.\r\n\r\nAs I enter house # 2, Betsey from UK, smiled and immediately offered me a cup of tea. Yes, thank you that sounds great as I was introduced to Lyndon from Montreal, Ally from Perth and Lara from Toronto, as well. My housemates for the month of June for my artist residency. Everyone excited that I am from the United States. All laughing that I stayed at the studio for the night. House # 2 a simple traditional Japanese house with bamboo floors and paper walls. The only difference is that we have actual beds and not mats on the floor for sleeping. However, I went the whole month without television or game playing. I did have my headphones for music.\r\n\r\nOur goal for the month was to create a body of artwork to exhibit at the studio. Excited for this opportunity; I did feel some pressure to make sure that I was going to able to produce impressive work.\r\n\r\nThe next day, I was up at 5 am and decided I wanted to climb to the top of Chinkaiseki Hachimangu Shrine that was nearby. I went to catch the sunrise. The sky glowing so orange; a beautiful welcome to Japan. I wandered down and headed to the rice fields. There were tons of clover growing along the roadside. I started to find a few four-leaf clovers. After finding four; I headed back to the artist house.\r\n\r\nI continued to collect them each morning; unsure why or what I would do with them.\r\n\r\nSome rainy days headed our way, but that made it perfect creativity weather. The work started to flow out of me. I was excited to have solid time and minimal distractions. No television, no social media and only fellow artists focused on their work. One evening we were gathered around the dining room table; sharing a bite and drinks. All of sudden; I let out a scream. There was a Ashidakagumo – a giant Japanese Spider that ran from the kitchen into the dining room. All of us were then up on our chairs and then moving away from the spider. This left Lyndon – to figure out how to catch him. The group decision was to vacuum him up. So in the spider went and then wrapping the vacuum with a glove and tape to seal it up. So no more vacuuming for us : )\r\n\r\nThe next day, I was laying out artwork and figuring out what to make next. Ally went flying by my room; I asked where she was going. She was heading into Fukuoka by train to go to the art store and explore. I ended up joining her for this adventure. We found ourselves in Daiso; I was fascinated by all the cuteness. I purchased a unicorn hand fan, a couple pair of fun socks and, of course, some face masks.\r\n\r\nWe popped into the arcade where they had ball machines. You put in 200-500 yen and out pops balls with stickers, little figures, and other fun things. There was a room full of claw machines with mostly Pokémon prizes. We made it to the art store and a \"Recycle\" shop (thrift store). After some smart purchases we made our way back. I was then feeling inspired and went back creating.\r\n\r\nDuring my stay, I went on some day trips and drew and painted in the evening. I went to Flower Island, Nokonashima Island, a train ride and ferry ride to arrive and enjoy the beautiful flowers covering the park. Another visit was to the world's largest bronze statue; it is of Buddha at Nanzoin Temple in Sasaguri, Fukuoka. It is 41 meters long, 11 meters high and it weighs over 300 tons. I made sure that I rubbed his feet that brings good luck. This adventure also included a visit to the Asian Art Museum, which included a Black Jack exhibition. Then a few of us went to Hakozaki Shrine Flea Market, which is one the largest in Japan and famous for it's eclectic variety of items from antiques to \"American\" clothes to toys. We also went to the shrine while we were there. I bought a few unique pieces including a couple of old books handwritten in Japanese. So, those I picked up to incorporate into sculptures. One afternoon, Vanessa from Netherlands and living in House #1; we went on a bike ride. I do not recommend going on a bike ride with her. She was flying around curves and biking on the narrowest strip with cars whizzing by us. We did make it to the Japanese \"power spot\" a very spiritual place that is an enormous boulder in Itoshima! The stone, Shinseki, is located inside a bamboo forest, which in itself was mysterious and unique. It is located behind the Kamiari Shrine, The huge freestanding Shinseki, which means God Stone, measures approximately 16 meters in circumference and four meters high. It was impressive and you do feel a 'presence' while in the midst of this massive rock.\r\n\r\nAnother excursion was made to E-Columbus, a funky vintage thrift store (again with a specially labeled \"American\" section and other surrounding shops.\r\n\r\nI had to take another long bike ride for me to Futamigaura Couple Stones. The rocks are a symbol of happy marriage; representing deities from Japanese mythology, Izanagi and Izanami, with the shimenawa symbolizing the union and connection between these two Gods. Framing these rocks is a majestic, all-white torii gate, and standing right in front of it provides you with a picturesque view of clear waves crashing against the rocks and gate. Well worth the ride that included a scenic tour of the area.\r\n\r\nAfter weeks of working and exploring; our art shows were going up and the excitement was building. So I setup all of drawings and paintings and then brought in my four-leaf clovers in clear capsules, red yarn and little wooden birds. So the final result was an installation called Sacred Connections. The conceptual part was about the people that enter our lives, then disappear, reappear or not; what\r\n\r\nconnections will last? Which ones won't be erased like a bad dream? Will they be back in our life? Or just move on not to be seen again?\r\n\r\nThe art shows are a success for sure.\r\n\r\nWhat next? I then travel to Nagasaki (location of the second Atomic Bomb drop), Hiroshima (Atomic bomb first sight) , Nao Shima, Ijima, Tesha Shima, (the art islands) Okayama, Kurashiki (the Venice of Japan, also known for it's Demin products. Then my final stop was Tokyo with it's hustle and bustle. I enjoyed exploring, shopping and teamLab Planets, which is an immersive art experience involving walking through water, a squishy fabric room, giant bounce balls, lights, mirrors and videos.\r\n\r\nI am so grateful for the supplies to be to make the artwork for this professional development/artist retreat in Japan possible.","fullyFundedDate":1750763716370,"projectUrl":"project/professional-development-art-supplies/9333474/","projectTitle":"Professional Development: Art Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wexler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9312357_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x0,y120&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1696117833050","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/anitawexler"},{"teacherId":9312357,"projectId":9318163,"letterContent":"I am so appreciative of the generous donations to make this project possible for my students. It is so wonderful to start the school year off with new art supplies. Markers that aren't dried up and plentiful paper to use. This is such an amazing gift; especially when there has been so many budget cuts. My students produced some beautiful paintings and drawings with the supplies. I have 9th grade through 12th grade and I am feeling very blessed to able to pull out new materials for these projects. So, thank you once again for you contributing to my students' projects this school year.","fullyFundedDate":1746545036705,"projectUrl":"project/lets-create-some-amazing-art-projects/9318163/","projectTitle":"Let's Create some Amazing Art Projects","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wexler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9312357_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x0,y120&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1696117833050","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/anitawexler"},{"teacherId":9312357,"projectId":9271263,"letterContent":"Thank you for your kindness. My students have been overjoyed with the supplies. This year is especially challenging due to budget cuts and job layoffs at an all time high.\r\nMy high school students, which are from 9th to 12th grade as I can have any grade level in my classes have been happy to use new supplies. The sharpie markers that actually work and aren't dried up. Paint bottles that still have paint in them. The paper that will last all year is very helpful for any 2D projects that I can think up throughout the school year. My students want to give a big thank you! Thank you for your generous donations!","fullyFundedDate":1746648218794,"projectUrl":"project/painting-a-more-beautiful-world/9271263/","projectTitle":"Painting a More Beautiful World","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wexler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9312357_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x0,y120&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1696117833050","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/anitawexler"},{"teacherId":941656,"projectId":8908431,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating to my class project. With your help, I have been able to visually recognize students as they finish segments. They love coming to me when they finish a segment so I can take their picture to hang on the wall. At the end of every quarter, I take them down so the competition can begin again! They love collecting their photos from each quarter. \r\nI love seeing them so excited and motivated to complete work! Additionally, other teachers have seen my wall and have started doing their own form of recognition in their classrooms. \r\nThanks again!","fullyFundedDate":1735569826445,"projectUrl":"project/capturing-excellence-recognizing-hard-w/8908431/","projectTitle":"Capturing Excellence: Recognizing Hard-working Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Harris","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp941656_orig.jpg?crop=1833,1833,x0,y226&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1730224620307","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/941656"},{"teacherId":9851752,"projectId":8981362,"letterContent":"I wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank you for your thoughtful donation of snacks for my students. Your generosity means so much to us, and the snacks have already become a big hit! The students absolutely love them, and they've been a great way to make connections and create a welcoming atmosphere when they visit me.\r\n\r\nYour support helps make our school environment even more positive and nurturing, and it truly means the world to both me and the students. Thank you again for your kindness, it is making a real difference.","fullyFundedDate":1733180597241,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-for-school-counselors-office/8981362/","projectTitle":"Snacks for School Counselor's Office","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Van Ness","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9851752_orig.jpg?crop=1090,1090,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1733149341463","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9851752"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_47117","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":2359,"numTeachers":108,"percentFrplEligible":53,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":6,"percentWhite":55,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":31,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"21.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":78.9,"schoolId":47117,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Sarasota High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Sarasota High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/florida/sarasota-county-school-district/sarasota-high-school/47117"}