{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Thomas Jefferson High School","outOfStateSupporters":28.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10114644,"projectId":9543837,"letterContent":"I want to thank you again for your generosity in donating to my Reading Unlocks Doors project. I was able to add several shelves full of books to the bookcases in my classroom. As I mentioned in my initial request, I didn't have very many new-ish titles for my students to read; they love the recent additions, including the multi-cultural texts and the variety of genres. Additionally, the big bean bags are a great addition. I have one student in particular who tends to fall asleep in his desk, but he loves the beanbag! Hey, whatever it takes! \r\n We start the class by reading every day for 10 minutes or so. The purpose of this is to build fluency and stamina. When students read published authors, they are exposed to a variety of vocabulary and syntax which can be incorporated into their own writing. As students finish their books, I celebrate them by posting a \"woohoo\" (a colorful cutout of their choice) on the back wall with their names and title of the book. I'm hoping to have the entire back wall covered by the end of the year. We are making great progress! \r\n I also have my students read an \"Article of the Week\" in order to increase student knowledge of current events. They need to know about things that are happening in the world in order to write with fluency on their assessments. My themes for the year are \"Reading is Power\" and \"Language is Transformational\"...butterflies decorate all corners of the classroom. My students are my butterflies. I teach three classes, in particular, of students who are re-testing their state assessments. As a result of our focus on reading, their data is looking really positive, and we are all a-flutter. ♥🦋","fullyFundedDate":1755276347957,"projectUrl":"project/reading-unlocks-doors/9543837/","projectTitle":"Reading Unlocks Doors","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Garcia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10114644"},{"teacherId":4005331,"projectId":9223573,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your generous contributions to our DonorsChoose project. Because of your support, our artroom now has an iMac that enables us to work with industry-standard technology, opening up exciting possibilities for every student.\r\n\r\nWith this computer, our students can:\r\n\r\nCreate digital artwork using professional software and tools that mirror real-world workflows.\r\nExplore early design and multimedia projects, from concept to final presentation, with greater speed and precision.\r\nDevelop essential 21st-century skills, including digital literacy, file management, and project collaboration.\r\nPresent their work in a polished, professional format that can be shared with families, peers, and the broader community.\r\nOne of the most meaningful outcomes so far has been the way students approach their projects with a new level of confidence. They are experimenting more, revising their work, and appreciating the process of iteration—just like artists and designers in the industry.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has not only provided equipment; it has inspired a mindset. You've shown our students that their voices and creativity matter, and that high-quality tools are accessible to everyone who is willing to learn and create.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our students' futures. I will keep you updated on our progress and look forward to sharing examples of student work that demonstrate the impact of this gift.\r\n\r\nWith sincere appreciation,","fullyFundedDate":1746783056236,"projectUrl":"project/the-digital-canvas-elevating-art-educat/9223573/","projectTitle":"The Digital Canvas: Elevating Art Education with Technology","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cox","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4005331_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1486418322332","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4005331"},{"teacherId":8778275,"projectId":9488022,"letterContent":"My students are thrilled with their new materials in class. A lot of the students requested notebooks because they couldn't afford one. Because of your donation, I was able to give each student a notebook, and they are using them every single day.\r\n\r\nAlso, we are starting using the white boards. The students present their answer in the white board, in that way, I can see their responses right away.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your help, your support, your dedication to the school community.\r\nHave a lovely day!!!!","fullyFundedDate":1753813129592,"projectUrl":"project/thriving-in-chemistry/9488022/","projectTitle":"Thriving in Chemistry","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Morales","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8778275"},{"teacherId":8742182,"projectId":9131953,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in helping us build a classroom library for our 10th-grade students. Because of your kindness, our classroom has been transformed into a vibrant space where students can explore, imagine, and discover through books—many for the very first time outside of a textbook.\r\n\r\nWhile many of us love to read, teaching students to truly engage with literature is about more than just turning pages. The diverse selection of books you helped provide allows us to introduce a range of critical skills, such as analyzing theme, identifying author's craft, making inferences, and drawing text-to-self connections. More importantly, these texts invite our students to reflect, ask questions, and think deeply about the world around them. Whether they're exploring identity in a coming-of-age novel or uncovering truth in a nonfiction memoir, students are learning to read not just for school—but for life.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom now feels alive. Instead of reading feeling like a chore, students gather around the shelves during independent reading time, swapping recommendations, discussing characters, and proudly marking their progress through books they've chosen themselves. There's laughter, concentration, and for many, a sense of peace that only a good book can bring.\r\n\r\nOne student, Jasmin, who had never finished a book on her own before, just completed her first novel cover-to-cover. When she closed it, she smiled and said, \"I didn't think I could do that. Can I start another one?\"\r\n\r\nMoments like that are only possible because of the incredible DonorsChoose community. Your support has given our students access to books that reflect their lives, expand their perspectives, and ignite a love for reading many had never experienced before. Thank you for investing in our readers, our writers, and our future.","fullyFundedDate":1746783032060,"projectUrl":"project/fresh-pages-fresh-minds-building-a-10t/9131953/","projectTitle":"Fresh Pages, Fresh Minds: Building a 10th Grade Library","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Meline","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8742182_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1680538764264","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8742182"},{"teacherId":8742182,"projectId":8830650,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our graphic novel project! Because of you, we've been able to place a diverse collection of high-interest, visually engaging graphic novels in our classroom library—texts that are already making a meaningful difference in the lives of our students here in San Antonio.\r\n\r\nWhile many of us love to read, teaching students how to read—especially those who struggle or lack confidence—requires strategy, patience, and the right tools. Graphic novels provide a unique opportunity to introduce essential reading skills like inference, dialogue analysis, plot structure, and visual literacy, all in a more approachable format. These books help students strengthen comprehension and critical thinking by guiding them through both written and visual storytelling. Even better, they help build stamina and fluency—two key areas of need for our developing readers.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, reading looks a little different now—and a lot more joyful. Students are no longer overwhelmed by dense pages of text. Instead, they're eagerly flipping pages, laughing out loud, asking each other questions, and even swapping books when they finish. There's energy, curiosity, and—most importantly—confidence in the room.\r\n\r\nOne student, Isaiah, who used to tell me \"I don't read,\" now rushes to our shelf to check out the next volume in a series he's hooked on. He recently said, \"I didn't think I liked books, but this one feels like it was made for me.\"\r\n\r\nThanks to the amazing DonorsChoose community, we've been able to spark a love for reading in students who previously felt left out of that world. Your generosity has opened new doors and given our students stories they see themselves in—and that's a gift they won't forget.","fullyFundedDate":1735693136084,"projectUrl":"project/novel-ideas-comic-our-way-to-reading-s/8830650/","projectTitle":"Novel Ideas: Comic Our Way to Reading Success!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Meline","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8742182_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1680538764264","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8742182"},{"teacherId":8742182,"projectId":8830166,"letterContent":"We are incredibly grateful for your generous support of our recent fundraiser. Thanks to your donation, we were able to purchase new technology—most importantly, a document camera—that is already making a powerful difference in our classroom.\r\n\r\nWhile many of us use technology at home, its impact in a school setting can be uniquely transformative. The document camera allows us to model close reading strategies in real time, projecting the process so that every student can clearly see how to interact with a text. Students now watch as I annotate, ask questions, circle key words, and highlight important phrases—skills that are essential for comprehension but difficult to teach without a shared visual experience.\r\n\r\nWhat excites our students most is how accessible and clear this makes reading. Instead of just hearing instructions, they get to see the process unfold step by step, making it easier for them to apply those same skills in their own work. It's like lifting the curtain on what good readers do—and for many of our struggling students, that visibility is a game-changer.\r\n\r\nOne student, Angelina, who once felt completely lost during reading assignments, now eagerly volunteers to annotate along with me under the document camera. She's gained both skills and confidence, telling me recently, \"I didn't get it before, but now I know what to look for.\"\r\n\r\nBecause of you, our students are not just seeing texts—they're seeing what's possible. Thank you for making this learning visible, accessible, and empowering.","fullyFundedDate":1733278580566,"projectUrl":"project/adapting-the-classroom-for-modern-studen/8830166/","projectTitle":"Adapting the Classroom for Modern Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Meline","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8742182_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1680538764264","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8742182"},{"teacherId":9364296,"projectId":8820705,"letterContent":"When my students first walked into the classroom after the new additions, their faces lit up with curiosity and excitement. The colorful masks from around the world immediately became conversation starters, sparking interest in different cultures and stories. The seat cushions and elastic bands gave them a comfortable, flexible way to sit and focus, and many commented that the classroom felt more alive than ever before.\r\n\r\nIn the weeks that followed, I noticed something beautiful: students seemed less anxious, more eager to participate, and many shared that they felt more comfortable or even \"at home\" in our learning space. The room's new look and feel helped them feel valued and welcomed, creating an environment where they could truly focus on learning. It was amazing to see how these small changes made such a big difference in their mood and engagement.","fullyFundedDate":1733282207770,"projectUrl":"project/seats-masks-and-motivation-a-global/8820705/","projectTitle":"Seats, Masks, and Motivation: A Global Learning Haven!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Vela","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9364296_orig.jpg?crop=500,500,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752632359519","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9364296"},{"teacherId":8420247,"projectId":9115315,"letterContent":"On behalf of our classroom, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for your generous donation of a sensory bin and sensory items. Your kindness and support have made a meaningful impact on our students, and we are incredibly grateful for your thoughtfulness.\r\n\r\nFor our special education students, sensory experiences play a vital role in their learning and development. The sensory bin provides them with opportunities to explore different textures, engage in calming activities, and develop essential motor and cognitive skills. Many of our students benefit from sensory input to help with self-regulation, focus, and engagement in their daily routines. With your donation, we can offer them a safe and supportive way to meet their sensory needs while fostering curiosity and interaction.\r\n\r\nSeeing our students light up with excitement and joy while engaging with the new sensory materials has been truly heartwarming. Your generosity has created a more inclusive and enriching environment for them, and we cannot thank you enough for your support.\r\n\r\nWe deeply appreciate your kindness and investment in our students' well-being. Thank you for making a difference in their lives!","fullyFundedDate":1740174403037,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-bin-for-special-needs-students/9115315/","projectTitle":"Sensory Bin for Special Needs Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Melendez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8420247_orig.jpg?crop=1115,1115,x0,y185&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1696717352419","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8420247"},{"teacherId":9364296,"projectId":8803864,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generosity and for fueling our students' success through the \"Fueling Minds: Popcorn, Peace, and Hydration\" project! Your contribution has created a tangible, positive impact on our classroom. The new materials have transformed our learning environment into a haven of focus and comfort. Students now enjoy popcorn during our Socratic seminars, which has created a more relaxed and engaging atmosphere for discussions. The hydration station has become a cornerstone for our students, encouraging them to stay refreshed and alert throughout the day. A recent highlight was during our psychology lesson on stress management; students reflected on how these small comforts contributed to their ability to focus and process complex ideas. The excitement when the resources arrived was electric! Students eagerly unpacked the materials, their faces lighting up as they realized these were for them. One student exclaimed, \"It feels like someone really cares about us learning and thriving!\" It was heartwarming to see how such thoughtful resources could bring so much joy and motivation. Currently, my students are diving deep into the biological basis of behavior. With your support, we've been able to create a more nurturing space for group projects and peer learning. Our next step is to build on these collaborative skills by hosting a class-wide symposium where students will present their research. These resources will play a key role in sustaining energy and focus during these rigorous academic endeavors. Your kindness has created ripples of positivity in our classroom and beyond. On behalf of my students, thank you for believing in their potential and for helping us create a supportive, dynamic learning environment.","fullyFundedDate":1727159142149,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-minds-popcorn-peace-and-hydra/8803864/","projectTitle":"Fueling Minds: Popcorn, Peace, and Hydration for Student Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Vela","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9364296_orig.jpg?crop=500,500,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752632359519","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9364296"},{"teacherId":9707670,"projectId":8705298,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donations! The books, crafts and molcajetes have contributed to some really awesome projects for the Mexican American Studies program at our school. I would love to share some of the experiences with you:\r\n\r\nThe books that were delivered created our first culturally relevant classroom library, which is especially impactful this year since our school library was closed for renovation. Students self-selected books on a voluntary basis and then presented the book as a recommendation for their peers. After the first student presentation, the books flew off the shelves and we have enjoyed hearing their recommendations week after week. \r\n\r\nThe craft supplies helped us create an ofrenda for our departed pets and decorate the school for Hispanic Heritage Month. Students enjoyed making papel picado and Chempasuchuil for Dia de los Muertos. As we made paper flowers we contemplated why we use the Nahua word for merigolds rather than the Spanish word and used the lesson to re-discover our indigenous heritage. \r\n\r\nEvery year we make salsa in class using molcajetes to experience the traditional way of mixing flavors that traces back thousands of years. This year, the molcajetes you donated came at the perfect time as the molcajetes that the students brought were too old and fragile to be used in class and without your donations this experience would not have been possible. So a million thank yous for that!","fullyFundedDate":1726687318799,"projectUrl":"project/mexican-american-studies-classroom-libra/8705298/","projectTitle":"Mexican American Studies Classroom Library","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9707670"},{"teacherId":4005331,"projectId":7944596,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous donations to our sculpture class through DonorsChoose. Thanks to your support, we have received oil-based clay and essential supplies that have greatly enriched our creative environment. Your contributions have not only provided us with high-quality materials but have also inspired our students to explore their artistic potential with confidence and excitement.\r\n\r\nWith the new supplies, our students have been able to experiment with different techniques and express themselves in ways they never thought possible. The versatility of oil-based clay allows them to bring their ideas to life, fostering a deeper understanding of sculpting and encouraging their creative growth. It's wonderful to see their imaginations flourish, and we owe that opportunity to your kindness and generous spirit.\r\n\r\nThank you once again for believing in our students and supporting their artistic journeys. Your investment in their creativity will have a lasting impact, and we are incredibly grateful to have you as part of our community. We look forward to sharing the amazing work our students create with the supplies you have provided!","fullyFundedDate":1701379692552,"projectUrl":"project/help-sculpture-students-build-the-future/7944596/","projectTitle":"Help Sculpture Students Build the Future!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cox","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4005331_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1486418322332","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4005331"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_12895","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1625,"numTeachers":105,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":95,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"15.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":71.4,"schoolId":12895,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Thomas Jefferson High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Thomas Jefferson High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/san-antonio-independent-school-district/thomas-jefferson-high-school/12895"}