{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Sweet Home High School","outOfStateSupporters":14.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9753949,"projectId":9718426,"letterContent":"The addition of new playground balls has completely transformed our classes. Before this project, students often had to share worn-out, unevenly inflated equipment, which made it difficult to run engaging and fair activities. Now, every student has access to high-quality balls that bounce evenly, hold air, and allow for a wide variety of games and skill-building opportunities. The excitement was immediate and students now walk into class eager to participate and stay active the entire period.\r\n\r\nThe new equipment has also made classroom management smoother and lessons more effective. I can organize multiple small groups at once, encourage teamwork, and provide more individualized instruction without worrying about limited or unreliable materials. The improved quality and consistency of play have boosted students' confidence and cooperation, especially for those who were previously hesitant to join in.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, these playground balls have reignited the joy of movement. Students are more enthusiastic, social, and physically active during class. The laughter, energy, and teamwork that fill the gym each day remind me just how powerful the right resources can be. Your helped create a more inclusive, engaging, and positive learning environment for every student.","fullyFundedDate":1761932941403,"projectUrl":"project/new-playground-balls-for-pe/9718426/","projectTitle":"New Playground Balls for PE","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Pawlak","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9753949"},{"teacherId":6804707,"projectId":9043699,"letterContent":"The ceramic students of Sweet Home High School cannot thank you all enough for the donation of our new pottery wheel!\r\nEach week I hold an afterschool Clay Club, and anywhere between 15 and 30 students attend. When they joined, many of the students assumed that they would be able to learn how to use a pottery wheel and were somewhat disappointed to learn that it would be on a limited basis, and we only had one wheel in the classroom. The day that the new wheel arrived, the kids were ecstatic! Almost immediately students were asking to come down during their study halls and lining up during clay club to have an opportunity to learn the craft. \r\nNow I have a little group of students who have consistently found success and have created small collections of pottery that they are really proud of! Watching them be in charge of their own successes is deeply gratifying. The art room continues to a place where students find comfort and a place to call their own, away from the noisy lunchroom. With the addition of this pottery wheel, my students now can have productive time to spend (off of digital media) creating. To say that this piece of equipment has completely changed my classroom might sound like an overstatement but it's truly not. Thank you so much for believing in this project and supporting my kids!","fullyFundedDate":1737217331120,"projectUrl":"project/self-confidence-through-pottery/9043699/","projectTitle":"Self Confidence through Pottery","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Mediak-Pirigyi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6804707"},{"teacherId":8183277,"projectId":8923086,"letterContent":"Thank you so very much for your generous donations. Your contribution has had such a positive impact on our classroom. The items we purchased have created a warm inviting atmosphere that has allowed students to focus on their wellbeing.\r\n\r\nThe most significant item has been the lights that respond to touch. These lights are popular among all students and provide an opportunity for students to focus on something creative. Students enjoy making patterns while listening to the sounds coming from the sound machine. The sounds inspire their creations as they recharge their batteries doing something non-academic.\r\n\r\nThe situation cards have provided opportunities for students to connect with one another. These connections not only allow students to see how much they have in common but create conversations that build friendships. \r\n\r\nWe cannot thank you enough for your support for the wellbeing of our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1731177673432,"projectUrl":"project/making-mental-health-a-priority/8923086/","projectTitle":"Making Mental Health a Priority!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Whitcomb","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8183277_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1645796592633","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8183277"},{"teacherId":7697325,"projectId":8910577,"letterContent":"\"It's so nice in here!\" Immediately after I hung the covers over the florescent lights, students noticed. And they appreciate it, saying their eyes and heads don't hurt so much. \r\n\r\nThe chairs have been a big hit as well. They provide a nice option for students who are just not comfortable at a desk, and they're so much better than sitting on the floor. The chairs are especially popular on reading days, giving students a little more freedom to lounge and enjoy their books. \r\n\r\nThe lamp, diffuser, and meditation bear all help create a calmer, more \"homey\" environment. The meditation bear has been named \"Koda\" and is now a member of our community. \r\n\r\nThe students are absolutely loving the journals and stickers. Not only do they have ownership of the notebooks, they are able to personalize them with positive sayings and images. These tools add even more value to the beneficial act of journaling. \r\n\r\nThank you for making our classroom a better place!","fullyFundedDate":1730589446849,"projectUrl":"project/mental-health-matters-clear-minds-read/8910577/","projectTitle":"Mental Health Matters: Clear Minds, Ready to Learn","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Stephan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7697325_orig.png?crop=390,390,x147,y4&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1637614090631","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7697325"},{"teacherId":2959348,"projectId":8910504,"letterContent":"I want to send you a very deep, heartfelt \"thank you\" for funding my Calming English Classroom. I am an English as a New Language teacher in a suburb of Buffalo, New York. My students are from everywhere in the world and each of them brings a different story. Some stories are full of happiness and full of hope for a new beginning and some stories are full of sadness and running for their lives. When I teach, I teach the whole student and this includes their emotions and mental health as well as the necessary academic tools they need to be successful. That is why I feel like these materials have made an enormous impact on my learning environment.\r\n\r\nI take pride in having my classroom as a \"home base\" and a \"safe place\" for my students to visit when they are having a bad day, a great day, or just a normal day. Since the items were delivered, my students have been coming in so much more and telling me how calm and relaxing this room is for them. From the diffuser to the light covers - these things have provided an amazing environment for our English language learners. When I notice that the student are stressed-out or something is troubling them, we get out the Mindfulness Coloring Book and we talk about anything that is on their minds. It has given me the opportunity to connect with my students who I love so much. I feel like my students truly understand that they must care for their minds as well as their bodies.\r\n\r\nI intend to continue to help students with a calm environment and focus on healthy ways to deal with anxiety. I cannot thank you enough for the extreme generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1730553956426,"projectUrl":"project/calming-english-room/8910504/","projectTitle":"Calming English Room","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. McGowan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2959348"},{"teacherId":9778700,"projectId":8822202,"letterContent":"We would like to first thank you for your contribution to our donor choose list for our Alternative program. Many teachers in this program pay out of pocket to feed our students and equip classrooms with quality supplies. Our population of students typically have challenging home lives, often where they take the role of the adult in their homes, and/or have social/emotional needs. The snacks that were sent to us continue to feed our students. The marker and crayon set that was supplied to us was put to good use during the holiday season, where students colored ugly sweaters. That's when the scissors came in handy as well since students needed to cut out their sweaters to hang them up! Lastly, the lights that were sent to us have been placed into both rooms and are used every single day, all day! The students and teachers love them. They feel valued and we ALL appreciate your contributions!","fullyFundedDate":1729520084057,"projectUrl":"project/alt-sped/8822202/","projectTitle":"ALT & SPED","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Shutt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9778700"},{"teacherId":9813554,"projectId":8898723,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the generous donation to create a comfortable, welcoming space for my students. I have witnessed first hand out having a more comfortable space allows students to have a better sense of engagement, and feel more included in the classroom. I see students who usually have poorer attendance wanting to come to my class. In fact, just yesterday I was contacted by a teacher who has a student of mine in common. I was shocked to hear that this student was not attending his/her other classes regularly, and was only passing mine. I knew some personal things about the student, and hopefully due to the better environment your donation created, he/she feels more comfortable, welcome, and at ease in class. \r\n\r\nThis student I am referring to has a history of mental health issues (social anxiety/depression) along with living in and out of homeless shelters. Knowing that he/she feels like my room is a space where he/she wants to be is exactly why donations like yours are so important to fostering success within ALL students. I have many students who struggle with different aspects of school, and getting them here and in my class is a win always. \r\n\r\nI am beyond grateful for the environment your donation has made for all of my students, and it has made my year. Thank you for your continued support of education- teachers everywhere need it right now.","fullyFundedDate":1729879606390,"projectUrl":"project/comfortable-space-for-thriving-students/8898723/","projectTitle":"Comfortable Space for Thriving Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Paolucci","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9813554"},{"teacherId":9818861,"projectId":8908121,"letterContent":"My students have really enjoyed sitting in our little reading nook and having some time to just reflect on the beautiful culture that is the Spanish language! They have also enjoyed the games and brain breaks. The plants always give such a nice extra touch! We are extremely thankful. The students have really learned to just take a step back and be in the present moment and not feel so rushed to have to always be doing schoolwork. There is a lot of pressure on our adolescence these days and also a lot of extra stimuli, therefore having time to literally sit down and read or play a game that incorporates what we are learning in the classroom but also allows for freedom and flexibility is invaluable.","fullyFundedDate":1730209496212,"projectUrl":"project/spanish-as-a-second-language-learners-bo/8908121/","projectTitle":"Spanish as a Second Language Learners Book Nook.","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Chavez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9818861_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755200473433","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9818861"},{"teacherId":9816133,"projectId":8903579,"letterContent":"We have a diverse and growing community at Sweet Home High School. I co-teach ELS with a reading specialist and an ENL teacher. We have students who have experienced many traumas in their lives. The donation we received of plants, diffuser, books, bulletin board posters, light covers have curtained benefitted our students by helping to create a more calming atmosphere, The light covers alone have really helped tamp down the harsh fluorescent light in the room. \r\n\r\nThank you so much for your mental health initiative. It was so exciting to receive the materials so quickly and I immediately incorporated them into our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1730119531563,"projectUrl":"project/reading-workshop-options-create-connecti/8903579/","projectTitle":"Reading Workshop Options Create Connection and Community!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. LaChiusa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9816133"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_21908","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1093,"numTeachers":80,"percentFrplEligible":77,"percentAsian":9,"percentBlack":21,"percentWhite":57,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":7,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"13.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":85.9,"schoolId":21908,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Sweet Home High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Sweet Home High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-york/sweet-home-central-school-district/sweet-home-high-school/21908"}