{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Sweet Home High School","outOfStateSupporters":13.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9818861,"projectId":10055472,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous contributions to our \"Comfort and Hunger Care!\" project through Donors Choose. Your support has made an incredible difference in the lives of my students, and I cannot thank you enough for your kindness.\r\n\r\nFor the past month, the impact of your donations has been profoundly felt in our classroom. The variety of snacks and goodies you provided has transformed our learning environment, especially for those students who might not have regular access to nutritious food. The delicious snacks have not only satisfied hunger but have also fostered a sense of community among the students. They share their favorite treats during the period, and this simple act of sharing has created bonds and friendships that extend beyond the classroom.\r\n\r\nI want to highlight one specific moment that truly encapsulates the joy your donations have brought. During a recent classroom project, we organized a \"Snack Science\" day where students had the opportunity to explore the nutritional content of the snacks. As they opened the variety boxes and discovered treats that appealed to their tastes, their eyes lit up with excitement. The mints, in particular, became a favorite, providing a little burst of energy as they engaged in discussions about healthy eating. Seeing their enthusiasm reminded me why this project is so essential.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the new snacks, their reactions were priceless. They were ecstatic to see the colorful boxes filled with snacks, and the Band-Aids of different skin tones sparked joy and excitement. Many students exclaimed how they felt seen and included, which is incredibly important for their self-esteem and sense of belonging. One student even remarked, \"These Band-Aids are just like me!\" It was a moment that highlighted the importance of representation and how even small changes can have a significant impact on a child's sense of identity.\r\n\r\nYour contributions have allowed my students to experience joy, comfort, and nourishment in ways that I couldn't have provided alone. Thank you once again for believing in our mission and for playing such a crucial role in enriching the lives of my students. Together, we are making a lasting impact.\r\n\r\nWith deep appreciation","fullyFundedDate":1769377746679,"projectUrl":"project/comfort-and-hunger-care/10055472/","projectTitle":"Comfort and Hunger Care!","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":9813554,"projectId":10042068,"letterContent":"Your generous donation of healthy snacks for my students has made such a difference in my classroom. I have so many students who have not only looked forward to getting a snack in my class, but have sought me out at the end of the day prior to practice, or going home, to grab an extra granola bar, or refuel with some pretzels and veggie/fruit pouches. It not only brings them sustenance, but happiness and comfort knowing people care. \r\n\r\nOne of the number one things facing my students today is food insecurity, and instead of focusing on hunger, the simple action of giving them a snack to eat in class while working has given the a safe and trusted space to be in. I have seen such an impact, that I have also continued to stock my snack cart with items I purchase, because showing students that teachers care if the first step in helping them \"buy in\" to school and be successful. Thank you for supporting this mission.","fullyFundedDate":1768839599726,"projectUrl":"project/warmth-care-and-hunger/10042068/","projectTitle":"Warmth, Care, and Hunger","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Paolucci","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9813554"},{"teacherId":9816133,"projectId":10022838,"letterContent":"Thank you to the Tepper Foundation for your generous grant! To provide equal distribution of the snacks your donation has provided, I've been giving students \" brain food\" twice a week when they enter class. I don't say which day but it's always before we do something important. I specifically bought granola bars so they could fuel up.\r\n\r\nI've also created a little care station that students can access with bandages, mints, and tissues. Such materials were items students constantly asked me for, but your donation allows me to leave these items available all the time. The students are loving it!!!! I do think it has helped with focus and builds a little joy into the class period! I don't have to stop teaching to find these materials for them.","fullyFundedDate":1768620517741,"projectUrl":"project/keeping-teens-fed-and-focused/10022838/","projectTitle":"Keeping Teens Fed and Focused!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. LaChiusa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9816133"},{"teacherId":9813554,"projectId":9591701,"letterContent":"Your generous donation to provide games for my classroom and students in my building has allowed students to reconnect with each other socially, and enjoy being a \"kid\" again. Watching the students laugh over Uno and Jenga, or even use critical thinking skills while playing checkers and chess, has reignited my passion for teaching teenagers. They are remarkable, and if given the chance, they will change the world. \r\n\r\nI cannot thank you enough for bringing joy, fun, and engagement back into their lives, while giving them alternatives to being on their devices. I have seen such a change in their focus, and mental health, and I am forever grateful for your donation.","fullyFundedDate":1767194182499,"projectUrl":"project/distraction-free-classroom-alternatives/9591701/","projectTitle":"Distraction Free Classroom: Alternatives to Mindless Scrolling/Cell Phone Addiction","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Paolucci","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9813554"},{"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"}],"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":86.1,"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"}