{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Sierra High School","outOfStateSupporters":56.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8011053,"projectId":9759913,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, From Chili to Chemistry: Cooking and Science in Action. Your generosity has already made a meaningful difference in our classroom. With the bowls, foil, parchment paper, storage bags, and other supplies you provided, my high school special education students have been able to dive into hands-on cooking and science projects with confidence and excitement. So far this year, the students have baked apple pies, made ice cream twice, and prepared a huge Thanksgiving dinner—using the foil to cover dishes and the storage bags to safely store leftovers. These everyday materials have made it possible for students to practice real-life skills while sharing delicious meals with our school community.\r\n\r\nThese resources are helping my students grow in independence, teamwork, and creativity. The best part is seeing the pride on their faces as they work together to follow recipes, measure ingredients, and successfully complete each project. With December approaching, we are looking forward to even more cooking and fun, including decorating cookies and preparing treats for our winter celebrations. Thank you for believing in our students and making these meaningful learning experiences possible.","fullyFundedDate":1759082098546,"projectUrl":"project/from-chili-to-chemistry-cooking-and-sci/9759913/","projectTitle":"From Chili to Chemistry: Cooking and Science in Action","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Linda Oatman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8011053"},{"teacherId":8011053,"projectId":9745977,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, Serving Up Skills: Cooking, Confidence, and Celebration. Your generosity has already made a meaningful impact in our classroom. With the plates, plastic ware, and clear cups you helped provide, my high school special education students have been able to dive right into hands-on cooking and serving experiences. So far this year, we've hosted a Halloween party where students prepared grilled cheese sandwiches, celebrated Diwali with \"Sweet Treats\" , and served a full Thanksgiving dinner for our school community. Each event has given them the chance to practice teamwork, follow directions, and take pride in sharing something they helped create.\r\n\r\nThese supplies are helping my students build confidence and important life skills that will support them far beyond the classroom. In December, we'll be baking cookies for our Winterfest celebration and preparing hot cocoa for our school's winter activities—projects the students are already excitedly planning. Thank you for believing in our students and making it possible for them to learn, grow, and celebrate together through the joy of cooking and serving others.","fullyFundedDate":1758649293139,"projectUrl":"project/serving-up-skills-cooking-confidence/9745977/","projectTitle":"Serving Up Skills: Cooking, Confidence, and Celebration","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Linda Oatman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8011053"},{"teacherId":8011053,"projectId":9459446,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our unified flag football project. Although the gloves arrived after our final game of the season, the students were still incredibly excited to open the box. They immediately tried them on, compared sizes, and couldn't stop talking about how sticky the palms felt. Several of them tested their grip on the football and were amazed at how well they could hold onto it. Knowing that they now have proper equipment has boosted their confidence and made them feel like a true team preparing for something big next season.\r\n\r\nYour generosity is helping us build a stronger unified sports program that gives our students opportunities to learn teamwork, stay active, and participate in the sports they love. These gloves will support our flag football players next fall and will also be useful during our upcoming unified soccer season. Thank you for believing in our students and helping us create inclusive, meaningful athletic experiences for every player.","fullyFundedDate":1760309646577,"projectUrl":"project/flag-football-champions-in-the-making/9459446/","projectTitle":"Flag Football Champions in the Making","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Linda Oatman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8011053"},{"teacherId":8011053,"projectId":9459429,"letterContent":"We are thrilled to share that our project, Tossing Toward Teamwork, has been fully funded — thanks to you! Your generosity will bring high-quality cornhole boards into our special education classroom and unified sports program. While it may seem like just a game, cornhole gives my students the chance to practice cooperation, communication, and sportsmanship in a fun and supportive environment.\r\n\r\nBecause of your contribution, students of all abilities will have the opportunity to participate, take turns, cheer each other on, and build meaningful friendships. These boards will be used during structured activities, social skills lessons, and outdoor play, helping our students connect with peers while gaining confidence and pride in what they can do.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students and investing in their growth. Your support brings joy, movement, and community to our school — and the impact will be felt far beyond the game.","fullyFundedDate":1760561866266,"projectUrl":"project/tossing-towards-teamwork/9459429/","projectTitle":"Tossing Towards Teamwork","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Linda Oatman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8011053"},{"teacherId":10223621,"projectId":9650142,"letterContent":"We are so incredibly grateful for your generosity and support of our 18–21 Transition Program. Thanks to your donation, our classroom now has brand new tables and chairs that have truly transformed our learning environment and daily routines.\r\n\r\nOur students were so excited when the furniture arrived! Many of them helped unpack and set up the tables and chairs themselves—it was a proud and joyful moment seeing their faces light up as the classroom came together. The new furniture immediately made our space feel more welcoming, professional, and age-appropriate for our young adults who are preparing to transition into the workforce and greater independence.\r\n\r\nWe now use the tables and chairs every single day for a variety of activities: from job-readiness lessons and budgeting projects to community-based instruction planning and small group discussions. The flexible setup allows students to collaborate easily or work independently, depending on the day's goals. One memorable moment was watching a group of students confidently discuss plans for our Candle business. They commented on how much it \"felt like a real meeting space,\" which perfectly reflects our program's focus on adult life skills.\r\n\r\nYour contribution has made it possible for our classroom to better mirror the real-world environments our students will soon be part of. It has not only improved comfort and functionality, but also helped boost their confidence, engagement, and sense of ownership in their learning space.\r\n\r\nAs our students continue working toward their personal and employment goals, these tables and chairs will remain a cornerstone of their growth and success. Thank you again for believing in our students and helping us create a classroom where they can thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1758219810995,"projectUrl":"project/seats-and-giggles/9650142/","projectTitle":"Seats and Giggles","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Laura","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10223621"},{"teacherId":9642027,"projectId":8863415,"letterContent":"I hope this letter finds you well! I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your generosity and support of my DonorsChoose project. Because of you, what started as a simple idea to motivate students in my reading intervention class turned into a transformative experience—for my students, our classroom culture, and even our school district.\r\n\r\nWhen I first launched this project, I was searching for ways to re-engage students who had struggled with reading for years. Many of them entered my classroom feeling discouraged, unmotivated, and unsure of their own abilities. I knew that if I wanted to help them grow academically, I needed to first help them believe in themselves again. That's where the classroom store and snack incentives came in.\r\n\r\nThanks to your donations, we were able to create a positive, welcoming environment where students felt seen and rewarded for their hard work. Each week, students had the chance to earn points for completing lessons in our Lexia PowerUp Reading program, demonstrating positive behavior, and taking academic risks. They could then \"shop\" in our classroom store for small treats, school supplies, snacks, or other fun items.\r\n\r\nYou would have been amazed at how something as simple as a snack or a small prize could turn a reluctant reader into an engaged one. Students began to look forward to coming to class. They tracked their Lexia progress with excitement, celebrated milestones with their peers, and started setting goals for themselves—sometimes for the first time.\r\n\r\nThe results were incredible. By the end of the year, nearly every student in my intervention group made measurable progress in reading comprehension and fluency. Several students who had started the year far below grade level improved by two or more grade levels in Lexia. Just as importantly, our classroom became a safe, encouraging space where students celebrated effort and growth, not just perfection.\r\n\r\nBut the story doesn't end there—your generosity has created a ripple effect that's reaching even more students. Our reading intervention program was so successful that our district has now approved its expansion to include both 9th and 10th graders! What began as a pilot project supported by your donations has grown into a district-wide initiative to support struggling readers.\r\n\r\nYour support didn't just fund a classroom project; it helped change the way our school community approaches literacy intervention. You showed my students that people beyond our school walls believe in them and care about their success. You reminded me, as a teacher, that small acts of kindness can spark major change.\r\n\r\nThis year, I am thrilled to welcome a new group of students—and for the first time, I'll be able to apply everything we learned from last year's success to reach even more young readers. None of this would have been possible without your contribution.\r\n\r\nOn behalf of my students—past, present, and future—thank you. Thank you for your generosity, your belief in education, and your investment in kids who needed a reason to keep trying. You helped create something that will continue to grow long after the last snack has been eaten and the last prize has been claimed.\r\n\r\nYour kindness made an impact that will last for years to come, and I am endlessly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1736371276779,"projectUrl":"project/reading-rewards-inspiring-achievement-t/8863415/","projectTitle":"Reading Rewards: Inspiring Achievement Through Incentives","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Martin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9642027_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y447&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726679400737","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9642027"},{"teacherId":9819574,"projectId":8909465,"letterContent":"I created this project last year, in the first year as SEL Specialist in a high school. My project allowed a safe and welcoming environment for a large population of students who came to my room. I was able to play multiple games of chess with students, work on bracelets, color while working on emotional regulation and give them a snack when hungry. \r\nThis is now my second year at the school and I am in a different space. I am still using the materials from this original project to make my area feel inclusive and enriching. I appreciate the support from the donors in making this a reality. Being able to support our students in other ways than just social emotional support is everything. I will continue to use these supplies as tools that help bridge the gap in our students social emotional health. \r\n\r\nThank you SO much!","fullyFundedDate":1730366820319,"projectUrl":"project/social-emotional-learning-skills-for-s/8909465/","projectTitle":"Social & Emotional Learning Skills for Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bartlett","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9819574"},{"teacherId":8901435,"projectId":8835096,"letterContent":"When I first received a quality portable Bluetooth speaker for my Sierra classroom, I had no idea just how transformative it would be for teaching Computer Science. At first glance, a speaker might seem like a small resource compared to laptops, projectors, or coding software. Yet the truth is, quality sound has had an enormous impact on how I deliver lessons, engage students, and create a dynamic learning environment.\r\n\r\nIn Computer Science, clarity is everything. When students are learning new programming concepts, hearing code explanations, tutorials, and instructional videos clearly is essential. Before the speaker, I relied on my laptop's built-in audio. The sound was thin, uneven, and often drowned out by the normal background noise of a busy classroom. Students in the back rows struggled to catch important details, and I found myself repeating directions or pausing lessons to troubleshoot audio issues. It broke the flow of teaching and often caused students to lose focus.\r\n\r\nNow, with a portable Bluetooth speaker, my entire class hears the same message at the same time — crisp, clear, and loud enough to carry to every corner of the room. When I play a coding tutorial that demonstrates how a loop functions, my students hear each step without distraction. When we watch short instructional clips on cybersecurity, digital citizenship, or artificial intelligence, the improved sound ensures that students stay engaged and don't miss key ideas. Even something as simple as the chime of a timer during a coding sprint has become a tool to keep students on task and working at the same pace.\r\n\r\nAnother unexpected benefit has been in group collaboration. Computer Science often requires teamwork — whether it's designing an app, programming a robot, or debugging code together. I can now use the speaker to project background instructional audio while groups are coding, or play example project pitches so students can hear what a strong presentation sounds like. During \"hackathon-style\" challenges, I use the speaker to make classroom announcements, play music during brainstorming sessions, and signal transitions. It has made group work more structured and more fun, giving the classroom the energy of a collaborative tech lab rather than a quiet room of isolated screens.\r\n\r\nThe speaker has also opened up new ways to integrate creativity into Computer Science lessons. For example, when teaching about algorithms and loops, I can pair the concepts with music, asking students to code light patterns or digital art that \"responds\" to rhythm. The improved audio quality allows them to clearly hear beats, patterns, and sequences, making connections between computer logic and creative expression. For many students who might feel intimidated by coding, this blend of sound and programming lowers barriers and sparks interest.\r\n\r\nIn addition, quality audio has become a powerful classroom management tool. I play subtle background music during independent coding time, which helps reduce off-task chatter and creates a focused atmosphere. I can set audio cues for transitions, such as a soft bell sound when it's time to switch from coding to reflection. Even my exit tickets are more interactive now — sometimes students respond to a question after listening to a short podcast clip or real-world story of how computer science is changing industries. Without clear audio, these moments would not have the same impact.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, the speaker has made learning more equitable. Every student, no matter where they sit, now has equal access to instructions, explanations, and multimedia content. For students who rely more heavily on auditory learning, or for those who sometimes struggle with written directions, clear sound has become the bridge to deeper understanding. It ensures no one is left behind simply because they couldn't hear.\r\n\r\nIn short, this portable Bluetooth speaker has been more than just a convenience — it has been a game-changer. It has elevated the quality of instruction, improved collaboration, made lessons more engaging, and allowed me to manage my classroom more effectively. Teaching Computer Science requires clarity, energy, and connection, and this resource has supported all three. What seemed like a small addition has, in practice, become a vital part of rebuilding a strong, interactive, and inspiring program for my students.","fullyFundedDate":1727656079327,"projectUrl":"project/amplify-learning-empowering-students-wi/8835096/","projectTitle":"Amplify Learning: Empowering Students with Sound for Engaging, Interactive Classrooms!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Kagarise","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8901435"},{"teacherId":8011053,"projectId":9324267,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding our project, Bug, Bones, and Biomes: Exploring Nature's Wonders. My students were thrilled when the butterfly and ladybug larvae and owl pellets arrived. We've already begun observing the metamorphosis of the painted lady butterflies and ladybugs, studying their different stages, body parts, and habitats. Having these living, tangible examples has made science come alive in ways that books alone simply cannot. The students are also eager to begin exploring the owl pellets and uncover the hidden bones inside.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has given my high school students in our special education program the chance to engage deeply with hands-on science. These resources allow them to ask meaningful questions, make discoveries, and directly experience the life cycles and ecosystems we've been studying. The joy on their faces as they check on the larvae or share what they've observed is a powerful reminder of the impact your gift has made. Thank you for supporting their curiosity and for helping create an environment where every student can connect with the natural world in meaningful ways.","fullyFundedDate":1746848297721,"projectUrl":"project/bugs-bones-and-biomes-exploring-natur/9324267/","projectTitle":"Bugs, Bones, and Biomes: Exploring Nature's Wonders","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Linda Oatman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8011053"},{"teacherId":9636919,"projectId":9080661,"letterContent":"On behalf of the students here at Sierra High School, I thank you!\r\nWhile some may think of these items to be small, they mean the world to a student who is truly trying. \r\nThe beginning of this semester is about safety and sanitation where we will look at knife skills and knife cuts. It is at this point students learn to hold a knife properly and safely. The bandages will surely come in handy. The Mercer ruler will help them visualize different cuts with ease.\r\nStudents have seen these items and have already expressed relief in having these.","fullyFundedDate":1746487611195,"projectUrl":"project/culinary-basics/9080661/","projectTitle":"Culinary Basics","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Carlos Buhain","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9636919_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756448510967","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9636919"},{"teacherId":8302367,"projectId":9298681,"letterContent":"Thanks to your donations, we were able to purchase essential reference charts that help our students decode math word problems with greater ease and confidence. These charts are now a vital part of our classroom resources, serving as visual guides that break down complex problems into manageable steps. With these new tools, our learners are becoming more independent, strategic thinkers who approach each problem with clarity and purpose.\r\nAdditionally, your support through Teachers Pay Teachers gift cards allowed us to print out high-quality, engaging math word problem worksheets and hands-on activities. These resources are specifically designed to strengthen both math skills and reading comprehension in meaningful, student-friendly ways.\r\nMore importantly, the impact of your generosity doesn't stop within the walls of our classroom. Because of the progress they are making, our students are now excited about sharing their skills with others. Several of them have expressed a strong interest in using what they've learned to help peers who struggle with math and reading comprehension—both in school and within the broader community. Whether it's tutoring younger students, helping siblings at home, or volunteering in after-school programs, your support has put our students in a position to give back. They're not just learning; they're becoming leaders.\r\nThe tools you've helped us acquire are more than just charts and worksheets—they are stepping stones toward greater confidence, academic success, and community engagement.","fullyFundedDate":1749132263217,"projectUrl":"project/reading-between-the-lines-strengthening/9298681/","projectTitle":"Reading Between the Lines: Strengthening Comprehension for Math Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Davis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8302367"},{"teacherId":5453341,"projectId":9111554,"letterContent":"The technology help me meet my students needs was greatly appreciated. This was my first year having a high ESL study body and everything translation was my best friend. \r\n\r\nHaving headphones allowed for students to navigate our classroom short stories and novel reads in the language that they know best. With the headphones, students were able to clarify the things they didn't understand and listen unlimited to the new language they were being exposed to in the room. \r\n\r\nThank you so much for helping me meet the needs of my students, and I pray that they are a great addition to the teacher taking over my classroom for next school year !","fullyFundedDate":1739559193844,"projectUrl":"project/teaching-with-tech/9111554/","projectTitle":"Teaching With Tech","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Copeland","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5453341_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723170415608","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5453341"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_50330","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":843,"numTeachers":53,"percentFrplEligible":76,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":18,"percentWhite":15,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":55,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"15.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":43.9,"schoolId":50330,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Sierra High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Sierra High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/colorado/harrison-school-district-two/sierra-high-school/50330"}