{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Upland Heights Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":30.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9936662,"projectId":9375143,"letterContent":"When our new bookshelf arrived, my kindergarteners' faces absolutely lit up. They were so excited to see the bright, colorful seasonal books displayed where they could easily reach them. Before, our books were tucked away in bins, and many students didn't notice or choose them as often. Now, with the books on display, students are naturally drawn to them, and I've seen a huge increase in their excitement for reading.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite moments happened on the first day we filled the shelf with fall-themed books. Several students immediately gathered around, pointing out pumpkins, leaves, and animals they recognized from the covers. They began talking with each other about which books they wanted to read, and many even chose to bring those seasonal stories to our reading rug during independent reading time. It sparked conversations, curiosity, and joy in a way that felt so special.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has truly made our classroom feel like a little library, and it's giving my students daily opportunities to build a love of reading. Our next step is to rotate the shelf with new seasonal and thematic books, connecting them to what we're learning in class. For example, as we move into October, we'll be adding books about pumpkins, fall animals, and friendship, so students can enjoy stories that tie into both the season and our lessons.\r\n\r\nThank you so much for supporting our classroom. Because of you, my students have a space that celebrates books and encourages them to read every single day!","fullyFundedDate":1750774753143,"projectUrl":"project/seasons-of-stories-a-home-for-our-books/9375143/","projectTitle":"Seasons of Stories: a Home for Our Books","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Upshaw","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9936662_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746483000113","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9936662"},{"teacherId":9936662,"projectId":9145439,"letterContent":"When the chair pockets arrived in our classroom, they instantly transformed the way we organize and learn each day. Before this addition, my kindergarten students often struggled to keep track of their supplies—pencils rolled off tables, crayons were misplaced, and folders sometimes ended up in the wrong bins. The chair pockets gave us a simple but powerful solution: each student now has their own personal space to store and access the tools they need. This has created a calmer, more focused classroom environment where we can spend more time learning and less time searching.\r\n\r\nWe are using the chair pockets every single day. They hold crayons, pencils, markers, and individual journals, so students always have materials within reach. This independence has been a big shift for my students. Instead of waiting for me to pass out supplies or digging through community bins, they can quickly grab what they need and dive right into their work. A favorite classroom project that has really highlighted the benefit of chair pockets has been our \"Writing Workshop.\" During this time, students grab their personal writing folders from their pockets, along with their pencils and crayons, and immediately get started on their stories. The difference in transition time is remarkable. What used to take us five or more minutes now takes less than one. That extra time means more opportunities for storytelling, drawing, and developing literacy skills in a meaningful way.\r\n\r\nI will never forget my students' reactions when they first saw the chair pockets. Their faces lit up with excitement, and they were eager to explore this \"new classroom tool.\" Several students asked right away if they could decorate their pockets or make them their own. That moment showed me how much ownership they felt—something as simple as a pocket created a sense of pride and responsibility. I overheard one student whisper to a friend, \"This is my special pocket!\" That joy and enthusiasm have carried over into how they care for their supplies. They are much more mindful about putting items back in the right place and keeping their areas organized, which has helped build positive habits of responsibility.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has had a ripple effect far beyond just storage. These chair pockets have created smoother routines, a stronger sense of independence, and more time for engaged learning. They are used during every subject: math manipulatives tucked in for quick practice, small whiteboards ready for phonics, and journals pulled out for reflection. The pockets have truly become an essential tool in our day-to-day learning.\r\n\r\nAs for what comes next, we are beginning a project focused on \"All About Books,\" where students will create informational texts about topics they know and love. Thanks to the chair pockets, each child can keep their research notes, drafts, and final pieces organized in one place. Instead of juggling loose papers or losing track of their work, they have a dedicated space to store their progress. I am excited to see the confidence this will bring as they move step by step through the writing process.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving my students this resource that not only makes our classroom more efficient but also fosters independence, pride, and excitement for learning. Your support has made a lasting difference, and we are so grateful","fullyFundedDate":1746481785782,"projectUrl":"project/chair-pockets/9145439/","projectTitle":"Chair Pockets","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Upshaw","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9936662_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746483000113","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9936662"},{"teacherId":8465338,"projectId":9310223,"letterContent":"I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks for your generous support of my classroom through your grant. Because of your kindness, I was able to purchase much-needed supplies, including chair pockets, whiteboard erasers, Expo markers, glue sticks, highlighters, sticky notes, and paper towels.\r\n\r\nThese items may seem small, but they make a huge difference in our day-to-day learning. The chair pockets help keep students organized and ready to learn, while the whiteboard materials make lessons more interactive and engaging. Having plenty of glue sticks, sticky notes, and highlighters allows my students to actively participate in projects and activities without worry. Even the paper towels are already proving essential for keeping our classroom clean and ready for learning each day.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has truly lightened the load for me as a teacher and created a brighter, more organized, and well-supplied environment for my students. Thank you for believing in the importance of education and for directly supporting our classroom community.","fullyFundedDate":1746464076498,"projectUrl":"project/the-essentials-for-everyday-excellence/9310223/","projectTitle":"The Essentials for Everyday Excellence","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Reckner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8465338_orig.jpg?crop=1710,1710,x0,y199&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1733239956421","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8465338"},{"teacherId":8465338,"projectId":9310039,"letterContent":"I want to sincerely thank you for your generous support of my classroom through your donation. Because of your kindness, I was able to purchase a chicken egg incubator and two wonderful books about the life cycle of a chicken.\r\n\r\nThese resources are going to make a big impact in my classroom. My students are so excited to learn about life cycles in a hands-on way, and they can hardly wait to observe the chicks as they hatch and grow. The books will help them connect what they see in real life to what they are reading and learning in science. This experience will give them lasting memories and a deeper understanding of the natural world.\r\n\r\nYour gift has made learning come alive for my students, and I am truly grateful for your support. Thank you for investing in their curiosity, growth, and education.","fullyFundedDate":1746465882624,"projectUrl":"project/the-great-egg-speriment-learning-throug/9310039/","projectTitle":"The Great Egg-speriment: Learning Through Life","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Reckner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8465338_orig.jpg?crop=1710,1710,x0,y199&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1733239956421","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8465338"},{"teacherId":8465338,"projectId":8985237,"letterContent":"From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for contributing to my project. My students and I use the Heggerty writing supplement every day. Just this past week, We learned about subjects and predicates in sentences, wrote a how to informative writing, and students revised and edited their work. This supplement has allowed us to have a systematic approach to writing in our classroom. \r\nMy students were so excited when they first saw the materials! Their favorite part has been their WRITEbooks and the topics that have gotten to write about each week. We have worked on narratives and informative writing. I think their favorite so far has been writing a realistic narrative. They also love the anchor charts that came with the materials! \r\nNext up we are writing a news story. I cannot wait to see what they come up with!","fullyFundedDate":1735677244185,"projectUrl":"project/wonderful-writers-at-work/8985237/","projectTitle":"Wonderful Writers at Work","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Reckner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8465338_orig.jpg?crop=1710,1710,x0,y199&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1733239956421","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8465338"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_109423","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":880,"numTeachers":38,"percentFrplEligible":46,"percentAsian":3,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":46,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":43,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"23.2:1","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"}