{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Springfield Honors Academy","outOfStateSupporters":0.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10047686,"projectId":9453072,"letterContent":"We want to send our deepest thank you on the generous donation of the two heavy duty Singer sewing machines. The students are learning to thread the sewing machines, change bobbins, and sew onto practice fabrics. Everyone was so excited to see the sewing machine boxes and were so motivated to create their croquis drawings for their future costume creations. Next week, students will visit a fabric shop, make fabric and trim selections, and create custom patterns. Our goal is to have complete work for our Winter Arts Night in mid-December, 2025.","fullyFundedDate":1752586512748,"projectUrl":"project/creative-costume-design-for-a-high-schoo/9453072/","projectTitle":"Creative Costume Design for a High School Musical","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Barbeau","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10047686"},{"teacherId":7068226,"projectId":8923799,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support. This was a very successful project that my freshman wellness classes were able to take part in due to your generous donations. Each student or pair received a bag of flour. If they were partnered up they created a custody aggreement for who was responsible for the baby on which day. The students had responsibility for the babies for a full month including weekends. They were challenged to make outfits for them, name the babies, and make sure the baby was always cared for. \r\n\r\nThroughout the month they had to take pictures with the baby doing something with them. I had students add arms, legs, and head. They took the baby to the park, to restaurants, family parties, grocery shopping, etc. Some students learned that it was very hard work to be responsible for another human and not just putting them in their backpacks. I received wonderful feedback from my students at the end of the project to make it better for next year. \r\n\r\nWe appreciate the opportunity to do this project with my students!","fullyFundedDate":1731030482654,"projectUrl":"project/flour-babies-teach-responsibility-and-ca/8923799/","projectTitle":"Flour Babies Teach Responsibility and Care","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wlosek","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7068226"},{"teacherId":6845297,"projectId":8818753,"letterContent":"The new meditation cushions have transformed our meditation club's environment in Springfield, MA. For three years, our core group of 15 students has gathered on hard chairs, but the introduction of these cushions has not only provided physical comfort but also enhanced our mindfulness sessions. When the students first encountered the soft, supportive seating, their faces lit up with relief and excitement, sparking immediate curiosity about how a comfortable space could deepen their meditation practice. One memorable moment was during a guided meditation session, where the students, now more relaxed, were able to fully immerse themselves in the practice and share insightful reflections on their emotions—a clear indication of how these new resources are enriching our classroom experience.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, these cushions are set to propel our club into its next phase of growth and exploration. With the improved seating arrangement, we plan to integrate flexible seating into our broader health and wellness curriculum for grades 9-12, fostering an inclusive space for mindfulness and social-emotional learning. Our next steps include inviting more students and teachers to join our drop-in lunch meditation groups, thereby expanding the benefits of mindfulness practices to a larger community. This project not only supports our students from low-income households but also exemplifies how small changes in the classroom can lead to significant positive impacts on well-being and academic engagement.","fullyFundedDate":1734485468932,"projectUrl":"project/meditation-club-supplies-for-an-urban-hi/8818753/","projectTitle":"Meditation Club Supplies for an Urban High School!","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Eichenlaub","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6845297_orig.png?crop=687,687,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1717240051964","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6845297"},{"teacherId":7068226,"projectId":8930080,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to the painting of our weight room. It has not be painted in over 10 + years and started to look very dirty. Many students were talking about how that space needed some love and requested it to be painted.\r\n\r\nWith your support we were able to make that happen. I had help from many students who painted on their off periods. They took much pride in being a part of the process of the painting of the weight room and enjoyed doing so.\r\n\r\nI am just now waiting on the last part of the project which will be a teacher doing a mural on the wall and us putting the logos of the school on the wall as well.","fullyFundedDate":1735658198405,"projectUrl":"project/customize-our-weight-room-with-a-fresh-p/8930080/","projectTitle":"Customize Our Weight Room with a Fresh Paint Job","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wlosek","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7068226"},{"teacherId":6845297,"projectId":8433691,"letterContent":"**The Impact of the Trapper Keeper Project for Sophomore Students** \r\n\r\nDr. Eichenlaub's Trapper Keeper project at Springfield Honors Academy had a lasting impact on the 70 sophomore students it served. After being fully funded by The Gates Foundation and two additional donors, the project provided each student with a durable Trapper Keeper system complete with folders for each class. This initiative played a crucial role in rebuilding students' executive function and organizational skills, which had been diminished due to over-reliance on computers and online learning systems in previous years. The project also addressed issues of equity by ensuring every student, regardless of their financial situation, had access to the same high-quality materials. \r\n\r\n**Restoring Organizational Skills** \r\n\r\nFor several years, students had become accustomed to managing their coursework digitally, often relying on learning management systems that automatically sorted and stored information for them. While convenient, this approach left many students without the skills to organize their own materials. After receiving Trapper Keepers, students re-engaged with essential organizational practices. Each student had dedicated folders for their individual classes, which encouraged them to sort and manage physical handouts, notes, and assignments. \r\n\r\nThis hands-on approach significantly improved students' executive function skills. Instead of relying on automated digital systems, students learned how to structure their materials and manage their work independently. Teachers observed a noticeable improvement in students' ability to keep track of assignments, meet deadlines, and maintain focus. By having a clear organizational system in place, students were better prepared to tackle complex tasks, plan for long-term projects, and develop the habits necessary for success in higher education and future careers. \r\n\r\n**Promoting Equity and Inclusion** \r\n\r\nSpringfield Honors Academy serves a diverse student body, with over 75% of students coming from low-income households and more than 50% identifying as Black, Latino, and/or Native American. Without this project, some students may not have been able to afford organizational materials like Trapper Keepers and class folders. By ensuring that every student received the same high-quality materials, the project eliminated a key barrier to academic success. \r\n\r\nEquity was a central focus of this initiative. Every sophomore had access to the same tools, fostering a sense of fairness and inclusion. This support system allowed students from historically underserved communities to approach their schoolwork with confidence, knowing they had the materials they needed to stay organized. The project provided students with a tangible symbol of support from the school and the broader donor community, reinforcing the idea that their success matters. \r\n\r\n**Building Long-Term Skills** \r\n\r\nThe executive function skills students developed through this project will continue to serve them beyond the 10th grade. By mastering the art of organizing papers, notes, and assignments in physical binders, students are better equipped to handle the increased academic demands of high school, college, and professional life. Teachers noted that students became more proactive in tracking assignments and deadlines, skills essential for academic independence. \r\n\r\nIn summary, Dr. Eichenlaub's Trapper Keeper project did far more than provide school supplies — it restored critical executive function skills, addressed inequities in access to materials, and prepared students for future academic and career success. By giving every student a system to manage their learning, the project built a foundation for lifelong organizational habits.","fullyFundedDate":1723656229548,"projectUrl":"project/advancing-10th-grade-organization-exec/8433691/","projectTitle":"Advancing 10th Grade Organization & Executive Function!","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Eichenlaub","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6845297_orig.png?crop=687,687,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1717240051964","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6845297"},{"teacherId":6845297,"projectId":8433617,"letterContent":"**The Impact of the DonorsChoose Project for AP Research Students** \r\n\r\nDr. Eichenlaub's DonorsChoose project at Springfield Honors Academy had a profound impact on 20 AP Research students during the 2024-2025 school year. By providing binders and paper, the project supported a shift from a primarily digital research process to a hybrid approach that included printed materials and physical organization systems. This transition not only enhanced students' research and organizational skills but also addressed issues of equity for students from low-income households. \r\n\r\n**Enhancing Research Skills** \r\n\r\nBefore the project, students relied almost exclusively on digital tools to access research databases and scholarly articles. After the project was funded, students gained the ability to interact with printed academic texts. This allowed them to annotate, highlight, and write notes directly on physical documents, improving comprehension, retention, and critical thinking. The hands-on experience of engaging with physical materials mirrored the practices used by college students and professional researchers, giving these high school students a head start on higher-level academic skills. \r\n\r\nThe use of binders gave students a structured system for organizing their research. They no longer had to rely on scattered digital notes or unstructured files. Instead, they were able to sort, categorize, and track their materials, which made it easier to manage their long-term research projects. As a result, students approached their final projects with greater clarity and confidence, having developed essential organizational habits that will benefit them in college and beyond. \r\n\r\n**Promoting Equity and Access** \r\n\r\nSpringfield Honors Academy serves a student body where over 75% of students come from low-income households, and more than 50% identify as Black, Latino, and/or Native American. For many of these students, access to basic educational materials like binders and paper is not guaranteed. The DonorsChoose project ensured that every student had equal access to these essential tools, eliminating a barrier that could have hindered their success in AP Research. \r\n\r\nThis equitable access allowed all students to engage with coursework on a level playing field. Instead of some students having access to better organizational tools than others, every student received the same high-quality materials. This approach reinforced a sense of fairness and inclusion in the classroom, ensuring that no student was left behind. For students from underserved communities, the ability to fully participate in the AP Research experience contributed to higher levels of academic engagement and self-confidence. \r\n\r\n**Fostering Independence and Long-Term Growth** \r\n\r\nOne of the most significant long-term impacts of this project was the development of organizational and self-management skills. By working with binders and printed research materials, students learned to structure large, multi-step projects. This experience built independence, as students had to take ownership of their materials, plan their work, and track their progress. These skills are critical for college-level research and professional environments where self-management is essential. \r\n\r\nBy the end of the school year, students demonstrated a higher level of academic maturity. They had mastered the ability to organize complex information, engage with research materials in multiple formats, and approach challenges with independence. These transferable skills will continue to benefit them in college and beyond. \r\n\r\nIn summary, Dr. Eichenlaub's project did far more than supply paper and binders. It empowered students to become more effective researchers, promoted equity in the classroom, and built essential organizational and critical thinking skills. The materials provided through this initiative had a lasting impact on students' academic journeys, preparing them for future success in college, careers, and life.","fullyFundedDate":1720540986931,"projectUrl":"project/ap-research-at-sha/8433617/","projectTitle":"AP Research at SHA!","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Eichenlaub","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6845297_orig.png?crop=687,687,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1717240051964","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6845297"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_125690","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":300,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":87,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":16,"percentWhite":7,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":67,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR District Record","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":null},"inStateSupporters":100.0,"schoolId":125690,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Springfield Honors Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Springfield Honors Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/massachusetts/springfield-public-school-district/springfield-honors-academy/125690"}