{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Sussex Central High School","outOfStateSupporters":44.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10187961,"projectId":9641491,"letterContent":"The \"Taste of America\" resources, specifically the introduction to Mexican snacks, have been immediately integrated into our classroom as a tangible and exciting component of our global studies unit. We are using these diverse flavors—Pica Fresa, Pelon Pelo Rico, and Pulparindo—to move beyond maps and textbooks, allowing students to directly **experience cultural differences** through taste, smell, and texture. A specific classroom moment that stands out involved the students engaging in a **sensory analysis activity**. After tasting the unique blend of sweet and spicy in the tamarind-based candy, one student remarked, \"It's like having dessert and an adventure at the same time!\" This led to a discussion about how **flavor profiles reflect regional history and tradition**, connecting the use of chili in candy to the long-standing culinary practices of Mexico. The snacks serve as a delicious anchor for broader lessons on geography, trade, and cultural identity.\r\n\r\nThe students' initial reaction when they saw the brightly packaged materials was one of sheer **curiosity and enthusiasm**. Their eyes widened at the unfamiliar colors and playful designs of the wrappers, particularly the distinctive packaging of Lucas and Pelon Pelo Rico. The eagerness to try them was immediate, transforming the classroom atmosphere into an excited hub of inquiry. Following the initial tasting, our next steps involve deepening this comparative cultural study. Currently, we are moving from Mexican snacks to exploring traditional regional foods of the U.S., such as New Orleans beignets or Midwestern deep-dish pizza, to analyze how local ingredients and immigrant history shape American cuisine. This final comparative project will culminate in students presenting their own \"Cultural Food Map\" of a chosen region, using the initial Mexican snack experience as a benchmark for understanding how food tells a powerful cultural story.","fullyFundedDate":1758852118366,"projectUrl":"project/taste-of-the-americas/9641491/","projectTitle":"Taste of the Americas","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Valencia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10187961_orig.jpg?crop=972,972,x57,y504&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755565296692","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10187961"},{"teacherId":10187961,"projectId":9621748,"letterContent":"On behalf of the students in the Spanish class, I want to express our deepest gratitude for your donation of the Cricut machine, printer, laminator, and paper. These resources have completely transformed our \"Culinary Creations\" project. What started as simple paper reports is now an exciting, hands-on design challenge for our high schoolers. Your gift has empowered our students to move beyond the textbook, allowing them to create professional, visually stunning cultural menus and exhibit pieces for our upcoming Spanish Heritage Month celebrations. Thank you for investing in their creativity and education!\r\nHere is a specific, memorable classroom moment and project that highlights how me and my students are using the new resources for the Culinary Creations Menu Design project.\r\n\r\nThe most visible and exciting use of the new equipment happened when the student groups moved from the research phase to the Design & Execution phase of the menu project. Each group, focused on the Latin American cuisine, wanted their menu to look real. Digital Design: The students used the design software on the computer to create their restaurant logo. Using the Cricut machine, they converted their menu into a cut file. They carefully selected the paper and fed it into the machine. The students were mesmerized as the Cricut precisely cut out the intricate designs—a level of detail impossible to achieve with scissors. They then used the printer to output the rest of their menu text (dish names, descriptions, prices) on a clean, background. They carefully glued the Cricut-cut onto the background as a striking, textured cover piece. Finally, they sealed the entire piece—text, images, and the three-dimensional paper logo—using the laminator. The final laminated menu felt incredibly professional. The cut paper details gave the menu a beautiful, tactile texture, and the lamination protected the whole piece, instantly transforming it from a school project into a high-quality, durable restaurant artifact.\r\n\r\nThis moment didn't just showcase design skills; it reinforced the cultural objective. By meticulously choosing the symbols, translating their significance, and taking the time to craft it with specialized tools, the students developed a deeper, tangible connection to the Latin American culture they were studying. They weren't just writing about the culture—they were literally building a piece of it with their own hands and the new resources.\r\n\r\nThe focus now shifts from writing and translation to visual design and mastering the new tools. My classes are currently working on the Hallway Museum Exhibit based on their country research. Your donated resources are perfectly suited to enhance our Spanish Heritage Month project by transforming standard reports into stunning cultural exhibits. The printer will allow my students to print high-quality photos of heroes or cultural artifacts. The Cricut machine is essential for adding authenticity by precisely cutting intricate cultural patterns, like papel picado designs or geometric borders, from the vibrant construction paper. Finally, the laminator will take the finished display elements (such as museum-style exhibit tags written in Spanish) and give them a professional, durable, and polished look, elevating our classroom's showcase into a true Nuestra Herencia (Our Heritage) museum display.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your incredible generosity. Your donation ensures our students have the tools not just to learn about culture, but to create and showcase it with pride.","fullyFundedDate":1755568476722,"projectUrl":"project/culinary-creations/9621748/","projectTitle":"Culinary Creations","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Valencia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10187961_orig.jpg?crop=972,972,x57,y504&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755565296692","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10187961"},{"teacherId":9771647,"projectId":9445687,"letterContent":"Using the cart in my classroom helps my students manage daily tasks efficiently, access necessary resources without interrupting the flow of a lesson, and focus on the mathematical content rather than logistical issues. For instance, the cart served as a designated hub for classroom materials, such as a class set of graphing calculators, which are essential for many Algebra 2 topics like graphing functions and analyzing data. Similarly, I can stock the cart with other tools frequently used in the course, such as graph paper, rulers, or various manipulatives that help visualize complex algebraic concepts. This easy accessibility fosters a smoother, more independent learning environment, allowing students to maintain focus and momentum while tackling difficult algebraic problems.\r\nThe file cabinet provides my students with a powerful, long-term organizational system for the vast amount of paperwork, from worksheets to study guides, that accumulates over an Algebra 2 course. It supports a structured approach to learning by allowing materials to be filed by unit or topic, such as \"Quadratics,\" \"Rational Expressions,\" or \"Trigonometry\". This systematic archiving turns the cabinet into a valuable reference library for students, enabling them to easily locate past assignments for review or exam preparation. As the teacher I can maintain labeled folders for each class period or student, ensuring that any missed notes, worksheets, or handouts are collected and waiting for them upon their return. This system minimizes disruptions by empowering students to take ownership of their learning and catch up on missed content without requiring extra time and attention from the teacher.\r\nBeyond mere storage, the concepts of a cart and file cabinet were used as instructional analogies to help students develop organizational and problem-solving skills for their mental processes in Algebra 2. \r\nAgain, our utmost gratitude to all of you.","fullyFundedDate":1752844960043,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-clarity-organizing-success-wi/9445687/","projectTitle":"Classroom Clarity: Organizing Success with Cart and File Cabinet","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Castro","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9771647_orig.jpg?crop=3123,3124,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752724725195","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9771647"},{"teacherId":10069130,"projectId":9443119,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support! Your donations have made a real difference in our classroom. The new pencil sharpener has become an essential tool—students are now able to quickly and efficiently prepare their pencils without disrupting learning time. The copy paper and colored paper have been especially useful for creating engaging handouts and visual learning aids, which have helped students better grasp key concepts. The snacks you provided have also had a surprising but powerful impact; they help students stay focused and energized, especially during long days or testing periods. Simply having access to basic materials like pencils has brought a sense of readiness and confidence to our learning environment.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, their faces lit up with excitement and gratitude. For many, even something as small as a fresh pencil or a fun-colored sheet of paper made them feel seen and supported. They immediately began using the supplies, asking to help organize or distribute them, and some even asked if they could take an extra pencil home to keep up their studies. Your contribution didn't just provide classroom tools—it reminded our students that there are people out there who care about their education and believe in their success. Thank you again for being part of our school community in such a meaningful way.","fullyFundedDate":1751671905803,"projectUrl":"project/tools-for-teaching-supplies-for-success/9443119/","projectTitle":"Tools for Teaching, Supplies for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Torres","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10069130_orig.jpg?crop=391,390,x0,y263&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1764608397940","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10069130"},{"teacherId":9771647,"projectId":9286222,"letterContent":"\"Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much,\" said Helen Keller, and your community-minded spirit has demonstrated the incredible power of working together. Your recent donations have made a significant, tangible difference in our school, especially in our Algebra classes. This generosity has created a more dynamic and inclusive learning environment, empowering our students and showing them that they are part of a community that truly cares about their future. \r\n\r\nYour support has been instrumental in providing essential materials that have transformed how our students engage with Algebra. The new headphones allow students to access audio-based lessons and tutorials, reducing classroom distractions and enabling them to focus on complex concepts at their own pace. Furthermore, the introduction of colored papers has revolutionized interactive note-taking. These and other materials provided through your contributions have not only made Algebra more accessible but also more engaging and fun for our students. \r\n\r\nWe are profoundly grateful for your belief in our students' potential and for helping us equip them with the resources they need to succeed. Again, our utmost gratitude to you all.","fullyFundedDate":1747844763192,"projectUrl":"project/its-time-for-optimum-learning-algebra/9286222/","projectTitle":"It's Time for Optimum Learning - Algebra for the Win!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Castro","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9771647_orig.jpg?crop=3123,3124,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752724725195","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9771647"},{"teacherId":9920300,"projectId":9106656,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support on this project. Because of your generosity, our students now have the tools they need to thrive in an engaging and well-supported learning environment. \r\n\r\nThrough this project, I am able to make engaging learning materials for my students. The colored printed materials make learning more engaging and accessible for my students. Visual aids like diagrams, charts, and color-coded notes help them better understand and retain complex concepts. Students get especially excited when they receive vibrant, hands-on materials for activities like sorting, labeling, or building interactive notebooks — it makes learning feel like an adventure, not just work.\r\n\r\nThe heart model is one of their absolute favorites! Being able to see and touch a physical model helps make abstract science lessons come to life. Students are always fascinated by how the human heart works, and having a 3D model allows them to explore its parts up close, ask more thoughtful questions, and truly understand how it functions. It sparks curiosity and excitement in a way that textbooks alone never could.\r\n\r\nYour gift to \"Empowering Young Minds\" is already making an impact — helping students build foundational skills, explore new ideas, and believe in their potential.\r\n\r\nThank you for being a champion of education. Your support is truly transforming lives.","fullyFundedDate":1741276549847,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-young-minds-help-fund-essent/9106656/","projectTitle":"Empowering Young Minds: Help Fund Essential Learning Tools","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Adajar","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9920300"},{"teacherId":9771647,"projectId":9075128,"letterContent":"Our utmost gratitude for helping our young learners win their everyday lessons in Algebra. My project, Algebra for the Win! caters the necessity of providing quality teaching materials to my Algebra students. Laminated formula were posted in the Algebra Word Wall for the students to easily remember daily key concepts. \r\nThe printer and laminator are very timely specially this semester because my Algebra students will be taking End of Course - SOL test. Printed materials 'Interactive notes\" play vital role in creating an interactive review sessions.\r\nWe are very positive that with the aid of this printer and laminator my Algebra students will Win and ace the EOC in Algebra. Again, I personally express my gratitude for all you kind hearted donors. I hope and pray for your continuous support for providing quality teaching-learning experiences - Algebra for the Win!","fullyFundedDate":1738350787110,"projectUrl":"project/algebra-for-the-win/9075128/","projectTitle":"Algebra for the Win!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Castro","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9771647_orig.jpg?crop=3123,3124,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752724725195","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9771647"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_34569","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":331,"numTeachers":33,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":74,"percentWhite":16,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":4,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"10.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_DISTANT"},"inStateSupporters":55.4,"schoolId":34569,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Sussex Central High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Sussex Central High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/virginia/sussex-county-school-district/sussex-central-high-school/34569"}