{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Upland Heights Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":30.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7137303,"projectId":10206411,"letterContent":"A classroom is so much more than four walls—it is the place where my students spend a huge portion of their day learning, growing, making mistakes, and trying again. This project helped me transform our classroom into a space that felt warm, welcoming, and intentionally designed for learning.\r\n\r\nThe softer lighting made an immediate difference in the atmosphere of our room. During independent work, small groups, and quieter parts of our day, we were able to turn down the harsh overhead lighting and create a calmer environment. I noticed students settling into their work more easily, maintaining their focus for longer periods, and transitioning more smoothly between activities.\r\n\r\nThe neutral bulletin board materials also helped me simplify our classroom visually. Instead of every wall competing for students' attention, I was able to create purposeful spaces where important learning resources and student work could stand out. Our classroom still felt fun and inviting, but it also felt more organized and peaceful.\r\n\r\nOne of the things I loved most about this project was seeing how small environmental changes could support our everyday routines. Whether students were solving math problems, working collaboratively, or completing independent activities, the classroom became a space that encouraged them to slow down, focus, and engage with what they were learning.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping me create a classroom that didn't just look cozy—it *felt* good to learn in. These materials helped turn our room into a welcoming space where my students could feel comfortable, focused, and ready to learn each day.","fullyFundedDate":1778619675009,"projectUrl":"project/calm-cozy-and-ready-to-learn/10206411/","projectTitle":"Calm, Cozy, and Ready to Learn","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. King","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7137303_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1646885154570","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7137303"},{"teacherId":7137303,"projectId":9648529,"letterContent":"Sometimes the simplest classroom supplies can have the biggest impact on learning! This project gave my students more than pencils, headphones, markers, and highlighters—it gave them tools to become more independent and take greater ownership of their learning.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite additions was our color-coded highlighter system. Students used different colors to communicate how confident they felt about an assignment or concept. This gave even my quieter students an easy way to tell me, \"I've got this!\" or \"I think I need some help.\" At a glance, I could identify students who needed additional support and quickly bring them to my small-group table to address misconceptions before they became bigger learning gaps.\r\n\r\nThe headphones also helped make our digital resources much more effective. Students could independently listen to books, practice math skills, watch instructional videos, and revisit concepts at their own pace without distracting the students around them. This was especially helpful during small-group instruction because students could remain actively engaged in meaningful learning while I provided targeted support to their classmates.\r\n\r\nEven our everyday supplies made a difference. Having dry erase markers, erasers, and plenty of freshly sharpened pencils readily available meant less time searching for materials and more time actually doing math!\r\n\r\nThese resources helped our classroom run more efficiently while encouraging students to recognize what they understood, advocate for help when they needed it, and become more responsible for their own learning. Thank you for providing the tools that helped my students become more confident, independent learners!","fullyFundedDate":1757532107781,"projectUrl":"project/essential-supplies-for-learning-success/9648529/","projectTitle":"Essential Supplies for Learning Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. King","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7137303_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1646885154570","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7137303"},{"teacherId":7137303,"projectId":8529852,"letterContent":"Technology has become an incredible part of learning in our classroom, but having access to an iPad is only truly helpful when students can focus on what they are hearing and learning! These headphones made a huge difference in helping my students use technology purposefully and independently throughout the school day.\r\n\r\nWith their own headphones, students were able to work on engaging math activities, explore science content, listen to instructional videos, and use digital programs designed to meet them at their individual learning levels. Instead of competing with the sounds coming from devices around the room, students could focus on their own instruction and work at a pace that was right for them.\r\n\r\nThe headphones were especially valuable during small-group instruction. While I worked directly with a group of students, other students could independently complete meaningful digital activities without distracting their classmates or interrupting instruction. This allowed me to provide more targeted teaching and differentiation while keeping the rest of the class actively engaged in learning.\r\n\r\nThese headphones may seem like a simple classroom resource, but they made our technology more accessible, our classroom more focused, and our students more independent. Thank you for giving my students the tools they needed to listen, learn, explore, and make the most of the technology available to them!","fullyFundedDate":1722528554818,"projectUrl":"project/listen-up-hooray-for-headphones/8529852/","projectTitle":"Listen Up! Hooray For Headphones!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. King","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7137303_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1646885154570","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7137303"},{"teacherId":7137303,"projectId":8529776,"letterContent":"Math fact practice doesn't have to mean worksheets and flashcards! This project gave my students the opportunity to build essential math skills through hands-on learning that felt much more like play than practice.\r\n\r\nThe math fact fidget spinners quickly became a fun way for students to practice addition and subtraction facts with their classmates. Instead of simply answering problems on a page, students could spin, solve, challenge one another, and practice the same skills again and again. That repeated practice helped students become more fluent with their facts while building confidence in their abilities.\r\n\r\nThe pop-it ten frames and hundred boards were especially valuable because they allowed students to actually see and feel the numbers they were working with. For students who needed additional support, the ten frames provided a concrete way to build number sense and understand relationships within ten. As students progressed, the hundred boards became an incredible tool for exploring patterns and developing strategies for addition and subtraction with larger numbers.\r\n\r\nThese materials also allowed me to better meet students at different levels within the same classroom. Students could use the tools they needed while still participating in meaningful math practice alongside their peers.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, these resources helped change the way some of my students felt about challenging math skills. When practice became interactive, colorful, and fun, students were more willing to take risks, make mistakes, try again, and keep working until they found success. Thank you for helping us build fabulous fact fluency—and a strong foundation for all of the math learning still to come!","fullyFundedDate":1731525050040,"projectUrl":"project/fabulous-fact-fluency/8529776/","projectTitle":"Fabulous Fact Fluency","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. King","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7137303_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1646885154570","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7137303"},{"teacherId":7137303,"projectId":8245716,"letterContent":"One of my favorite sounds in our classroom is a student saying, \"Wait! I just need to finish this chapter!\" This project helped create more and more of those moments.\r\n\r\nAs my second graders grew as readers, these books gave them something incredibly important: choice. Our updated classroom library offered graphic novels, mysteries, adventures, funny stories, and engaging book series that appealed to many different interests and reading preferences. Students who once struggled to decide what to read began finding books they were excited to pick up.\r\n\r\nThe book series were especially impactful. Once students connected with a character or story, they didn't have to start over searching for another book—they could reach for the next one in the series. That excitement encouraged them to read more often, read for longer periods of time, and build the stamina and confidence they needed as they transitioned into more independent readers.\r\n\r\nI also loved watching reading become social in our classroom. Students recommended books to one another, eagerly waited for popular titles to be returned, and celebrated when a friend discovered a series they loved. Books became something they talked about and shared with each other.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping me build more than a collection of books. You helped build a classroom culture where reading was exciting, students had the freedom to discover what interested them, and \"just one more chapter\" became a very good problem to have!","fullyFundedDate":1715232315530,"projectUrl":"project/just-one-more-chapter-library-upgrade/8245716/","projectTitle":"Just One More Chapter... Library Upgrade","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. King","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7137303_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1646885154570","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7137303"},{"teacherId":7137303,"projectId":6638613,"letterContent":"This project truly helped us start our school year off right! Having these materials ready from the very beginning allowed me to focus on building a welcoming classroom community, establishing strong routines, and getting my students excited about learning instead of worrying about whether every child arrived with the supplies they needed.\r\n\r\nThe dry erase clipboards quickly became one of our most-used classroom tools. My students were able to work through math problems, share their thinking, and take their learning around the room. The markers, pencils, glue, scissors, headphones, and other supplies ensured that every student had access to the materials they needed to participate and be successful, regardless of what they were able to bring from home.\r\n\r\nSome of the biggest impacts came from the little things that made our classroom feel special. Our beginning-of-the-year activities helped students get to know one another, *The Magical Yet* helped us begin conversations about perseverance and growth mindset, and the incentives gave me another way to recognize students for making positive choices.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, these resources didn't stop making an impact after the first few weeks of school. Many became part of our everyday classroom routines and continued supporting learning throughout the year. Your generosity helped create a classroom where my students could feel prepared, included, confident, and excited to learn. Thank you for helping give my students such a wonderful start!","fullyFundedDate":1666651970094,"projectUrl":"project/starting-off-right/6638613/","projectTitle":"Starting Off Right!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. King","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7137303_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1646885154570","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7137303"},{"teacherId":7137303,"projectId":10199850,"letterContent":"In a busy second-grade classroom, a few minutes can make a huge difference! Thanks to this project, our math materials finally had a home—and my students became much more independent in accessing the tools they needed to learn.\r\n\r\nThe chair pockets and book bags allowed students to keep their math workbooks, whiteboards, visual supports, and frequently used materials right at their seats. Instead of stopping instruction to pass out supplies or waiting while students searched for what they needed, they could quickly grab a resource and get right back to learning. Those smoother transitions gave us something incredibly valuable: more time for math!\r\n\r\nI also saw a wonderful increase in student independence. When students encountered a challenging problem, they began reaching for the tools available to them without always waiting for an adult to tell them what to use. A student might grab a whiteboard to work through a problem, reference a visual support, or use a manipulative to make an abstract concept more concrete. Seeing students begin to recognize which tools could help them was an important step toward becoming confident, independent mathematicians.\r\n\r\nThe organization also made it easier for me to keep lessons moving, provide additional practice, and spend more time working directly with students instead of managing materials. Minutes that once disappeared during transitions could now be used for discussion, problem solving, small-group support, and those important \"one more problem\" opportunities.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping us turn organization into learning time. These resources didn't simply make our classroom tidier—they helped create smoother routines, greater independence, and more opportunities for my students to grow as mathematicians!","fullyFundedDate":1785186089773,"projectUrl":"project/organized-students-big-math-growth/10199850/","projectTitle":"Organized Students, Big Math Growth","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. King","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7137303_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1646885154570","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7137303"},{"teacherId":7137303,"projectId":7087807,"letterContent":"There is something incredibly special about watching a child discover a book they truly don't want to put down. Thanks to this project, my students had a classroom library filled with books they were genuinely excited to read—and, even better, entire series that kept them coming back for more!\r\n\r\nThroughout the year, I watched students progress from cautiously choosing their first chapter books to proudly carrying around books they couldn't wait to finish. Having complete series available created a natural excitement around reading. Students would finish one book and immediately begin searching for the next one. They recommended favorites to their friends, talked about characters and stories together, and celebrated when they were finally ready to tackle the \"big books\" they may have been intimidated by earlier in the year.\r\n\r\nThese books also gave my students opportunities to build reading stamina, fluency, comprehension, and confidence without reading feeling like another assignment. Instead, reading became something they chose to do because they wanted to know what happened next.\r\n\r\nThe greatest impact of this project can't be measured simply by how many books were added to our shelves. It can be seen in the students who began to identify themselves as readers. Thank you for helping me create a classroom library where my students could find the books that made them say, \"Can I read just a little bit longer?\"","fullyFundedDate":1672446950204,"projectUrl":"project/starting-a-new-chapter-with-a-library-re/7087807/","projectTitle":"Starting a New Chapter With a Library Refresh","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. King","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7137303_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1646885154570","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7137303"},{"teacherId":7137303,"projectId":6874590,"letterContent":"Thank you again for the support and generosity shown for this project! the Glow Math project has transformed the way my students experience review and practice. Using black lights, glow materials, and spy pens, students engage in hands-on, interactive activities that make learning feel like an exciting challenge rather than a traditional worksheet. This approach increases focus and retention because students are actively involved in solving problems to reveal hidden answers, checking their work in a new way, and moving around the room with purpose. It turns review time into an immersive experience that strengthens both engagement and understanding.\r\n\r\nWhat excites students most is the element of mystery and discovery. The moment the lights go down and the black lights turn on, the entire energy of the room shifts. Students are eager to participate, and even routine skills practice feels special. The spy pens and hidden answers make them feel like \"math detectives,\" which adds an extra layer of motivation and fun.\r\n\r\nI've seen some of my more reluctant learners and students who typically struggle with math confidence really thrive during these activities. Because the environment feels different and less intimidating, they are more willing to take risks, try new strategies, and persist through challenges. Students who might normally disengage are often the most focused and enthusiastic during Glow Math sessions, showing just how powerful engaging, hands-on learning can be in reaching every learner.","fullyFundedDate":1670966327141,"projectUrl":"project/glow-math-to-help-us-grow/6874590/","projectTitle":"Glow Math to Help Us Grow!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. King","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7137303_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1646885154570","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7137303"},{"teacherId":7137303,"projectId":6676183,"letterContent":"The resources from this project have quickly become a meaningful part of our daily classroom routine. We use the prizes, especially our \"sticker store\" as part of a positive behavior system that celebrates effort, kindness, and perseverance. Students earn points throughout the day and eagerly look forward to visiting the store, where they practice decision-making, delayed gratification, and even basic budgeting skills as they \"save\" for bigger rewards.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite moments happened during the very first week we introduced the sticker store. As soon as students saw the variety of choices, their excitement was immediate, but what stood out most was how quickly they began encouraging one another. I heard students saying things like, \"You can earn points too!\" and \"Don't give up you're almost there!\" Students have also given some of their points to a friend that didn't quite have enough for a prize. The prizes became more than just rewards they became motivation for building a supportive classroom community.\r\n\r\nThese materials have also had an unexpected and powerful impact beyond my students. I've been able to use some of the extra resources to support my student teachers during their formal teaching observations. Having access to engaging incentives has helped them confidently implement classroom management strategies and create a positive learning environment during such an important moment in their training.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we are continuing to build on this system by connecting our incentives to academic goals. Students are beginning to set goals beyond behavior, but for growth in math. We are also incorporating reflection, where students think about what choices helped them succeed. The goal is to gradually shift from external rewards to intrinsic motivation, helping students take ownership of both their behavior and their learning.\r\n\r\nThank you for making this possible. Your support has helped create a classroom environment where students feel motivated, supported, and proud of their growth every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1660171708016,"projectUrl":"project/perfect-prizes/6676183/","projectTitle":"Perfect Prizes","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. King","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7137303_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1646885154570","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7137303"},{"teacherId":10052780,"projectId":9989657,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of books for our classroom. Your support has made an immediate and meaningful impact by giving my students access to a wide variety of reading materials across all grade levels. Because of you, every child can find something that sparks their interest, meets them where they are, and helps them grow as readers.\r\n\r\nThese books have already begun to transform our classroom environment. Students are more engaged, excited, and confident when it comes to reading. Having access to different levels and genres allows me to better support each student's individual learning needs, whether they are just beginning to read or ready for more advanced texts. Your donation is helping build not only literacy skills, but also a genuine love for reading.\r\n\r\nYour kindness and investment in our students' education truly make a difference. You have helped create opportunities for academic growth, imagination, and emotional development through stories. We are incredibly grateful for your generosity and for believing in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1773849513026,"projectUrl":"project/kids-need-to-read/9989657/","projectTitle":"Kids Need to Read!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Vital","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10052780"},{"teacherId":10052780,"projectId":9970650,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in providing our classroom with the resources we need to help our students thrive. Because of your kindness, we now have materials that create a more positive and engaging learning environment where every child feels supported and valued.\r\n\r\nYour contributions are making a meaningful difference in our students' behavioral, emotional, and academic growth. The items you provided help us encourage positive choices, build confidence, and support learning in ways that truly meet our students' needs each day.\r\n\r\nWe are incredibly grateful for your generosity and belief in our students' potential. Your support is helping shape a brighter future for each child in our classroom, and we thank you for being an important part of our journey.","fullyFundedDate":1767193843745,"projectUrl":"project/be-a-part-of-student-well-being-and-acad/9970650/","projectTitle":"Be a Part of Student Well-Being and Academic Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Vital","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10052780"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_109423","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":648,"numTeachers":38,"percentFrplEligible":41,"percentAsian":4,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":44,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":44,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":3,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"17.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":69.7,"schoolId":109423,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Upland Heights Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Upland Heights Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/frenship-independent-school-district/upland-heights-elementary/109423"}