{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Tustin High School","outOfStateSupporters":31.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9827542,"projectId":8922479,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our art and gardening project! Your contributions brought joy, creativity, and a sense of peace to my environmental science classroom. With the terracotta pots, paints, seeds, and supplies you helped provide, my students were able to take a meaningful brain break from academic rigor and connect with nature in a hands-on way. They painted pots with bright, personal designs, planted radish seeds, and created beautiful pamphlets about the mental health benefits of art and gardening to share with their families and community. One of my favorite moments was seeing students huddle together, carefully mixing paint on paper plates, helping each other decorate their pots, and proudly planting their seeds — all while reflecting on how it felt to \"make something grow.\"\r\n\r\nThe excitement was immediate when students first saw the materials! The project not only engaged them creatively but also created space for calm, reflection, and pride in nurturing life. For students from urban, low-income backgrounds who often lack access to green spaces, this project showed that even small acts—like painting a pot or watering a sprout—can make a big difference in well-being.","fullyFundedDate":1730912856147,"projectUrl":"project/growing-minds-planting-creativity-and-l/8922479/","projectTitle":"Growing Minds: Planting Creativity and Love for Nature","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dominguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9827542"},{"teacherId":9826295,"projectId":9009316,"letterContent":"As a teacher, we often have great ideas that we cannot ultimately bring to fruition due to budget and financial constraints. I teach French and my upper level classes have a quarter long unit on Art History that helps prepare them for AP, but also gives these kids exposure to the great artists and paintings the world has produced. We, of course, put more emphasis on the French artists, but for these kids, this is the only exposure to the Masters they have ever had. This year, because of your generous donation, these kids also got to choose a painting we studied and replicate it in their own style on canvas. For part of their final exam, they each presented their paintings to the class, orally describing (in French) their picture and technique, what art movement it was from and why they painted it , all from the artist's perspective. \r\n\r\nBecause they chose advanced French as their elective for their senior year, many of them never had the opportunity to take an actual art class. I taught them how to draw /transfer an image onto a real canvas, how to mix colors, color theory, and how to use brushstrokes and different types of brushes. We had SO MUCH FUN with this! It was awesome to see their excitement when I told them we were painting, and their artistic talents blossom in the process! Additionally, we did the paintings over a two week period during AP exams. Many of them had multiple exams during that two weeks, so this project also gave them a class period daily where there was time to relax, get lost in their artwork and create.... that made for much appreciated stress relief during a very stressful exam period. \r\n\r\nIn conclusion, this was amazing on so many levels. Not only did it greatly enhance the lessons, but it allowed students to access art and creativity in a way they would not have otherwise had. I have almost enough supplies to do this again next year and definately plan on continuing this project! Thank you again for your generosity and care for these kids, our future!","fullyFundedDate":1742830060109,"projectUrl":"project/basic-supplies/9009316/","projectTitle":"Basic Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Thackrah","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9826295_orig.jpg?crop=1433,1433,x563,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1730768778476","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9826295"},{"teacherId":7550635,"projectId":8942546,"letterContent":"I am a high school choir teacher at Tustin High School. THS is an amazing school with a rich heritage that is over 100 years old and has been a Title 1 school in a low-income area for many years. We have one Concert Choir class. I started an after-school \"Voice Collective\" group comprised of auditioned singers who desire to sing more advanced jazz, pop, and standard choral music. Many of our students would come in to my classroom between classes, at SNACK, or at lunch to try singing songs with karaoke backgrounds and have often performed those songs at school and community events. But we needed microphones and sound system for our budding artists to practice with. This was the motivation for reaching out to Donor's Choose for a speaker and mic system that was portable and would allow students equipment to practice with. When we were awarded this prize, it really energized our choir! We were able to not only have students learn how to use the microphones, but since the speaker was battery powered and blue-tooth capable, we have been able to do full rehearsals with the choir at venues that had no sound system available to us! So encouraging! I also teach 7th-8th grade P.E. at our feeder school, Sycamore Magnet Academy. There has never been a choir program there. I used this sound equipment to start \"Sycamore Singers\", and they have already performed at a THS event and will be singing for their 8th grade graduation this May! Thank you for making a difference for two needy schools! Many blessings on you for choosing to help us!","fullyFundedDate":1733180812748,"projectUrl":"project/de-stressing-and-connecting-through-kar/8942546/","projectTitle":"De-stressing and Connecting Through Karaoke Klub","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Snider","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7550635_orig.jpg?crop=1440,1440,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731615585172","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7550635"},{"teacherId":2089625,"projectId":8875074,"letterContent":"I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for the generous donation to my classroom. The students have truly enjoyed everything, all of which support their mental health and well-being.\r\n\r\nThe Keurig machine has been a huge hit! I use it as a fun incentive—students who arrive on time, display positive behavior, and stay on task enter a drawing to win hot chocolate. It's amazing to see high school seniors get so excited over a small treat, especially on chilly days!\r\n\r\nThe comfortable chairs provide a cozy space for students to focus, while the jar of mints has become a simple yet appreciated resource. Students have even learned to pace themselves so the jar lasts longer! The massage gun has also been a favorite, offering a great way to relieve stress throughout the day.\r\n\r\nThese donations have truly transformed our classroom, making it a more supportive and welcoming space. Thank you again for your generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1734099010961,"projectUrl":"project/sippin-managing-and-getting-it-done-d/8875074/","projectTitle":"Sippin', Managing, and Getting It Done During the Season!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kelly","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2089625"},{"teacherId":9663726,"projectId":9018282,"letterContent":"I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your generous contributions, which made it possible for my students and me to welcome Roz the bearded dragon into our high school classroom. Your support has provided not just materials but also a hands-on learning experience that has already made a meaningful impact.\r\n\r\nOnce the materials started to arrive, the students' excitement was contagious as they asked every day when I would bring Roz in. The first day we introduced Roz, the students were hesitant to touch a new creature, but very excited and curious at the same time. Many of them had never interacted with a reptile before, and this experience has sparked a new sense of responsibility and engagement in the classroom. They eagerly took on different care tasks—checking the temperature, feeding, monitoring health, and even managing the not-so-glamorous cleanup duties. But of course, the favorite activity is feeding. Roz will eat about 20 crickets a day, or close to 30 meal worms a day, so everyone has a chance to participate. \r\n\r\nOne particularly special moment has to do with a student who usually struggles with appropriate behavior. This opportunity you have all created has allowed her to open up more, and share her knowledge of animals and reptiles so that we're able to take care of our pet to the best of our abilities. It was incredible to see how this project transformed our learning environment to encourage confidence, teamwork, and empathy. Thank you very, very much!","fullyFundedDate":1735428360631,"projectUrl":"project/bearded-dragon-class-companion/9018282/","projectTitle":"Bearded Dragon Class Companion","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Evans","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9663726_orig.png?crop=566,566,x0,y3&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1735054079455","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9663726"},{"teacherId":9826295,"projectId":8920163,"letterContent":"Sometimes teachers have great ideas but are unable to bring them to fruition due to budget or financial constraints. Each year in French 4AP I teach about Art History. I have always wanted to finish the quarter long unit with a painting project. This year, thanks to your generosity and caring, I was able to make it happen for the first time. My students studied the great art movements and artists (with an emphasis on French ones of course). We learned how to describe art, what makes a painting impressionist (or romantic, realist, surrealiste, neo-classical, etc...) and much more, all in French. \r\n\r\nWhen the unit was coming to an end, my students were excited to find out that we were going to choose our favorite painting from the unit and re-create it on canvas. I taught them about color theory, how to transfer and image to canvas, perspective, how different brushes affect the paint, and more. They spent about two weeks creating their masterpieces. As part of the final, they presented their finished paintings (in French) and spoke as if they were the actual artist that painted the original. It was SO AWESOME!\r\n\r\nAdditionally, the two weeks I scheduled for painting their masterpieces was purposely done during AP testing. There are two weeks of testing and most of these students in French 4 have multiple AP tests to take. This period of painting gave these students a stress break during their day which they told me was so appreciated.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your generosity. I intend to continue this next year as I still have paint, brushes and palettes to reuse next year. I will just have to get canvases, but I will be able to re-use the brushes and palettes every year!","fullyFundedDate":1731192913425,"projectUrl":"project/painting-your-way-to-understanding-the/8920163/","projectTitle":"Painting Your Way to Understanding the World","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Thackrah","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9826295_orig.jpg?crop=1433,1433,x563,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1730768778476","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9826295"},{"teacherId":3632373,"projectId":8924287,"letterContent":"I am thrilled to share the impact your generosity has had on my students and their creative journey. Thanks to your support, we were able to provide the rolling pins essential for our Commemorative Plates of Gratitude project, giving students the tools they need to bring their artistic visions to life.\r\n\r\nThe excitement in the classroom was immediate when students started using the rolling pins. These tools have made a significant difference in our ceramics studio, ensuring that each student can evenly roll out their clay slabs before shaping them into plates. With this solid foundation, they've been able to focus more on the intricate details of their designs that represent symbols of gratitude. \r\n\r\nMany of my students use ceramics as a form of self-expression and emotional processing, and this project has given them an opportunity to channel their creativity in a meaningful and personal way.\r\n\r\nThank you for empowering my students with the tools they need to create, reflect, and grow as artists. Your support has not only enriched our classroom but has also helped each student create something deeply personal and meaningful.","fullyFundedDate":1731551753427,"projectUrl":"project/gratitude-through-the-arts/8924287/","projectTitle":"Gratitude Through the Arts","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gray","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3632373_orig.png?crop=1588,1588,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1581291352053","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/claygray"},{"teacherId":9828448,"projectId":8924273,"letterContent":"I cannot express enough gratitude for your support of my classroom and students. In the past, I relied on photographs to address social language therapy with my high school students, which, while helpful, often felt limited. Thanks to your donation, our therapy sessions have been completely transformed with the addition of a large-screen TV.\r\n\r\nThis incredible resource allows me to project social language videos, bringing real-life scenarios directly into our therapy room. The impact has been immediate and remarkable—my students are more engaged, excited, and eager to participate.\r\n\r\nVideo modeling in speech-language therapy has proven to be an invaluable tool. It provides clear, visual demonstrations of target behaviors, allows for repeated exposure to correct speech patterns, and enhances comprehension for students with learning challenges. It also motivates engagement by incorporating familiar faces and enables self-monitoring, as students can observe and reflect on their own performances. This approach has been especially effective in teaching complex social skills, articulation sounds, and language structures.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has not only provided a practical tool but also opened doors to more dynamic and meaningful learning experiences for my students. Thank you for believing in our mission and helping us take this significant step forward.","fullyFundedDate":1731283358298,"projectUrl":"project/with-one-tv-monitor-we-can-communicate/8924273/","projectTitle":"With One TV Monitor, We Can Communicate Together!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Berg","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9828448"},{"teacherId":9463749,"projectId":8924318,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the donation of board games for our classroom and our school. In our classroom, our students have been playing them, bonding and working together to solve problems when they are done with our regular work.\r\n\r\nAs a school, we have held multiple \"brain break\" lunches where we invite anyone who wants to play or learn to play, come up and play a game. We are reaching hundreds of students and plan to continue to offer board game play as a respite from the stress that school and life can be for teenagers. \r\n\r\nThank you again for supporting us in supporting the mental health of our school!","fullyFundedDate":1731370403512,"projectUrl":"project/mental-health-break-for-the-whole-school/8924318/","projectTitle":"Mental Health Break for the Whole School","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hughes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9463749_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y316&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755097418161","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9463749"},{"teacherId":1771396,"projectId":8924350,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for our yoga mats. My students were so excited when they realized they now had both some sort of cushioning AND protection from the dirty floors when we lay down for our self-reflections and breathing exercises. \r\n\r\nMy students have also grown accustomed to pull out a mat if they like whenever we sit on the theatre floor, which is quite often.\r\n\r\nMy hope is that this will help build into a daily practice of breathing and self-reflection, which will not only impact them in my classroom, but will give them tools to practice self-care and awareness on their own.","fullyFundedDate":1731166593885,"projectUrl":"project/yoga-mats-for-self-awareness/8924350/","projectTitle":"Yoga Mats for Self-Awareness","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Williamson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1771396"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_93400","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1820,"numTeachers":90,"percentFrplEligible":71,"percentAsian":6,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":6,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":83,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"20.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":68.7,"schoolId":93400,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Tustin High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Tustin High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/tustin-unified-school-district/tustin-high-school/93400"}