{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Walnut Grove High School","outOfStateSupporters":23.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9821766,"projectId":9887989,"letterContent":"Adding iPads and Velocity-Based Training (VBT) technology to our weight room has transformed it from a traditional training space into a dynamic learning environment where students are actively engaged in their own development. With VBT, students receive immediate feedback on the speed of each lift, allowing them to understand not just how much weight they are moving, but how effectively they are moving it. The iPads display this information in real time, helping students see whether they are training in the correct performance zone and reinforcing the importance of intent behind every repetition. Instead of simply completing a workout, students are learning to focus on power, effort, and execution. This technology helps them understand that strength training is not only about lifting heavier weights, but about developing the ability to move with purpose and efficiency.\r\n\r\nThe use of technology also increases student engagement by making training interactive and measurable. Each lift provides instant data, which turns every workout into an opportunity for students to challenge themselves. They can track their performance over time, compare results with teammates, and strive to improve their personal bests. This creates a healthy culture of daily competition where students are motivated to give their best effort because they can immediately see the results of their work. Importantly, the system allows every student to compete regardless of their current strength level. A student who may not lift the most weight can still excel by producing greater speed or improving their personal numbers, giving all students a meaningful way to participate and succeed.\r\n\r\nBeyond physical development, this technology supports student growth in areas that extend far outside the weight room. Students begin to think critically about their performance by analyzing their data, understanding how effort influences results, and adjusting their approach to training. The weight room becomes another classroom where students learn accountability, discipline, and a growth mindset. They begin to take ownership of their progress and recognize that improvement comes through consistent, intentional effort. Because of investments like the iPads and VBT systems, our students are not just lifting weights—they are developing confidence, learning to set goals, and building habits that will support their success both in athletics and in life.","fullyFundedDate":1766154948122,"projectUrl":"project/lifting-with-a-purpose/9887989/","projectTitle":"Lifting with a Purpose","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Carrafa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9821766_orig.jpg?crop=320,320,x0,y35&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1733413092763","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9821766"},{"teacherId":8723789,"projectId":9957328,"letterContent":"My students have already begun using the new tambourine in our percussion class as we work on developing proper auxiliary percussion technique. One specific moment that stood out was when we introduced different tambourine playing styles—such as thumb rolls, shake techniques, and controlled accents—to match different musical styles. Instead of simply talking about these techniques, students were able to immediately apply them in short rhythm exercises and ensemble excerpts. This allowed them to better understand how auxiliary percussion contributes to the color and character of a piece of music.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new instrument, they were excited to have something new to explore. Many of them had only seen tambourine used occasionally in performances but had never had the opportunity to really study how to play it correctly. Their curiosity quickly turned into focused learning as they experimented with different sounds and techniques and realized how much control and musicality the instrument requires.\r\n\r\nOur next steps are to continue incorporating auxiliary percussion into our daily rehearsals and percussion ensemble work. Students will begin applying these techniques to concert band literature so they can understand how the tambourine enhances the full ensemble sound. As we prepare for upcoming performances, they will be responsible for selecting the most appropriate techniques to match the style of each piece, helping them grow not only as percussionists but as thoughtful and musical performers.","fullyFundedDate":1769177035355,"projectUrl":"project/help-our-band-get-our-groove-on/9957328/","projectTitle":"Help Our Band Get Our Groove On!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Merck","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8723789"},{"teacherId":8723789,"projectId":9957287,"letterContent":"The new mallet bags have made a big difference in helping our percussion students stay organized and prepared for class each day. Students now keep their mallets stored safely in their own bags, which allows them to move quickly between instruments during rehearsals and keep track of the equipment they are responsible for. One memorable moment came during a percussion sectional when students were working on a multi-percussion exercise that required them to rotate between marimba, snare drum, and auxiliary instruments. Because their mallets were organized and easy to access, the transition between instruments was smooth and the rehearsal time was much more productive.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the mallet bags, they were genuinely excited. Many of them had previously carried loose mallets or shared them with others, so having a dedicated place to store and protect their equipment made them feel more prepared and responsible as musicians. It also helped them take pride in caring for the tools they use every day.\r\n\r\nNext, students will continue using their mallet bags as we work on percussion ensemble exercises and prepare music for upcoming performances. They will be selecting the correct mallets for different instruments and learning how equipment choice affects tone and articulation. This project has not only helped students stay organized but has also allowed us to spend more rehearsal time focused on music-making and developing stronger percussion skills.","fullyFundedDate":1765966965163,"projectUrl":"project/enhancing-percussion-education-through-p/9957287/","projectTitle":"Enhancing Percussion Education Through Protective Mallet Storage Solutions","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Merck","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8723789"},{"teacherId":8723789,"projectId":9893327,"letterContent":"The new bass drum mallets have already made a huge difference for our percussion section. Our bass line began using them immediately during marching band rehearsals as we worked on refining balance, tone quality, and rhythmic precision in our show music. One memorable moment came during a full ensemble rehearsal when the bass line played a feature section of the show. With the new mallets, the sound was noticeably fuller and more consistent, which helped the entire band lock into the groove and made the impact of that moment much stronger.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new mallets, they were excited and relieved. They knew how worn down our previous set had become and understood how important quality equipment is for producing a strong, consistent sound. They took pride in being trusted with a new performance set and were eager to put them to use right away during rehearsal.\r\n\r\nNext, our students will continue using the mallets as we continue into next season and focus on ensemble timing, dynamics, and musical expression. The bass line will also work on technique exercises that build consistency and control so they can produce the best sound possible during performances. Because we can now rotate our mallets between practice and performance, students are also learning the importance of proper equipment care—an important lesson for any young musician. Thanks to this support, our percussionists have the tools they need to perform at their very best this marching season.","fullyFundedDate":1765558107862,"projectUrl":"project/help-us-drop-some-bass/9893327/","projectTitle":"Help Us Drop Some Bass!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Merck","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8723789"},{"teacherId":8723789,"projectId":9903969,"letterContent":"Your support has made an immediate and exciting impact in our classroom. As soon as the castanets arrived, students were eager to try them and learn how they are used in traditional Spanish music. During our world music unit, students began exploring authentic flamenco rhythms and learning the coordination required to play castanets while keeping a steady ensemble pulse. One of my favorite moments was watching students work together in small groups to perform rhythmic patterns that accompany Spanish folk dance music. They quickly realized that what once seemed like simple percussion actually requires precision, control, and teamwork.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the instruments, their curiosity and excitement were contagious. Many had never seen castanets before, and they were fascinated to learn about their role in Spanish and Mediterranean traditions. Having real instruments in their hands transformed the lesson from something we simply talked about into something they could truly experience.\r\n\r\nNext, students will continue developing their rhythmic patterns and will begin incorporating the castanets into a small ensemble performance inspired by traditional Spanish music. They will also study the cultural background of flamenco and Spanish folk traditions while preparing a short performance piece to share with our school community. Thanks to your generosity, students are not just learning about global music—they are experiencing it firsthand.","fullyFundedDate":1765781867095,"projectUrl":"project/enhancing-cultural-music-education/9903969/","projectTitle":"Enhancing Cultural Music Education","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Merck","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8723789"},{"teacherId":8723789,"projectId":9530252,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our trumpet students are already using the new Harmon mutes in meaningful and exciting ways. We introduced the mutes during a brass techniques lesson, and students immediately noticed how dramatically the sound changed. One student described it as \"turning the trumpet into a completely different instrument,\" which sparked a great discussion about tone color and musical expression.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, their reaction was pure excitement. Many had heard the distinctive \"buzzing\" sound of a Harmon mute in jazz recordings but had never had the chance to try one themselves. As soon as they played their first notes, the room filled with smiles, curiosity, and lots of experimentation as students explored how hand position and airflow affected the sound.\r\n\r\nStudents are currently applying these mutes to a jazz ensemble piece and learning how professional musicians use them for style and expression. The next steps include small-group sectionals, listening to recordings of famous trumpet players, and performing short excerpts using the Harmon mutes with confidence and control.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, our students are expanding their musical skills and experiencing tools that truly bring music to life. Thank you for making this opportunity possible!","fullyFundedDate":1760693631775,"projectUrl":"project/help-our-trumpets-harmonize/9530252/","projectTitle":"Help Our Trumpets 'Harmon'ize!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Merck","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8723789"},{"teacherId":8723789,"projectId":9565624,"letterContent":"We are already using the new chair racks every day, and they have made a noticeable difference in how our classroom functions. One specific moment that stands out was the first rehearsal after the racks were installed—students were able to quickly set up and put away chairs in an organized, efficient way. This saved valuable rehearsal time and allowed us to focus more on music-making instead of classroom logistics. The improved organization has also helped students take more ownership of our space and work together as a team.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the chair racks, they were genuinely excited. Several students commented on how much cleaner and more professional the band room looked. They immediately noticed how much easier it was to access and store chairs, and many students took pride in helping load and unload the racks correctly. The materials made our classroom feel more structured and purposeful.\r\n\r\nThanks to our donors, the next steps involve continuing to build strong classroom routines and student leadership. Students are now responsible for proper setup and breakdown procedures, learning accountability and respect for shared equipment. With smoother transitions and less downtime, we are able to dedicate more time to rehearsing, refining fundamentals, and preparing for performances. These chair racks have improved both the flow of our classroom and the overall learning environment, and we are incredibly grateful for the support that made this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1761931326729,"projectUrl":"project/help-our-band-snare-a-good-sound/9565624/","projectTitle":"Help Our Band ‘Snare’ a Good Sound!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Merck","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8723789"},{"teacherId":8723789,"projectId":9649883,"letterContent":"Our percussionists have already put the new mallet bags to work in daily rehearsals. One of our first projects was reorganizing all of our keyboard mallets—sorting them by type, labeling compartments, and assigning students responsibility for each instrument's set. During a recent run-through of our concert music, students were able to switch between soft yarn mallets and harder articulate mallets seamlessly. For the first time, they weren't scrambling to find what they needed or borrowing from another student. The transition was smooth, confident, and truly elevated the quality of their performance.\r\n\r\nThey were so excited! Many of them had never seen brand-new mallet bags before—certainly not ones that weren't already fraying or missing pockets. A few students immediately started planning how they would organize their sets, and others just kept saying, \"This is going to make rehearsals so much easier.\" Their faces lit up seeing equipment that showed them their work matters.\r\n\r\nOur next big step is preparing for our upcoming concert cycle. Students are now able to take full advantage of the expanded mallet options we have available. With proper storage and quick access, they can focus on improving tone quality, practicing more advanced repertoire, and learning how different mallets change the color and expression of the music. These bags help us build strong habits of equipment care and musicianship—skills that will benefit them throughout their band careers.\r\n\r\nThank you again for investing in our students. Your generosity has made an immediate and meaningful impact on their daily learning and musical growth.","fullyFundedDate":1764725020785,"projectUrl":"project/mallets-matter-protecting-our-students/9649883/","projectTitle":"Mallets Matter: Protecting our students' tools for success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Merck","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8723789"},{"teacherId":8723789,"projectId":9530231,"letterContent":"Our new music stand rack has already made a huge difference in our band room! We're now able to store all of our stands neatly and safely, which frees up space for rehearsals and makes it much easier to move stands when we perform at different events. It's made setup and cleanup so much smoother, and the students are taking pride in keeping our space organized.\r\n\r\nThey were so excited! Several students immediately commented on how much cleaner and more professional the band room looked. They couldn't believe how much space opened up just by having an organized storage system for the stands.\r\n\r\nNow that our rehearsal space is more efficient, we're focusing on preparing for our upcoming concert. The students can move stands and chairs quickly, which means we can spend more time actually making music. We're also planning to host a small community performance in our band room, and the new organization will help us welcome guests into a tidy, professional-looking space.","fullyFundedDate":1760693805470,"projectUrl":"project/help-us-rack-up-our-music-stands/9530231/","projectTitle":"Help Us Rack Up Our Music Stands!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Merck","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8723789"},{"teacherId":8723789,"projectId":9497711,"letterContent":"The new vacuum has been amazing! My students take pride in keeping our classroom clean, and they've taken ownership of using it at least twice a week. It's become part of our classroom routine — students volunteer to tidy up our space, making sure it's comfortable and welcoming for everyone.\r\nThey were so excited when they saw the new vacuum! Goodbye frustrations. Several students couldn't believe we had our very own vacuum that actually works and picks up everything. It was great to see how eager they were to help care for our classroom and even our trailer space outside.\r\nOur next step is continuing to build responsibility and community pride through our classroom jobs. The students are learning that taking care of our shared space is just as important as the lessons we learn in it. The vacuum has truly helped them see the impact of teamwork and respect for our environment.","fullyFundedDate":1754432935732,"projectUrl":"project/vacuums-for-a-clean-learning-environment/9497711/","projectTitle":"Vacuums for a Clean Learning Environment!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Merck","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8723789"},{"teacherId":8723789,"projectId":9499702,"letterContent":"Your donation means the world to my students. My band students have worked extremely hard to build their skills, expand their knowledge on all percussion instruments, and have grown as musicians over the past few years. Providing new equipment allows them to develop their skills, perform on quality instruments, and play a wider variety of music. We can't fully express our gratitude for your donation to support music education for all students. They will be able to achieve higher levels of musicianship!","fullyFundedDate":1754052388504,"projectUrl":"project/help-our-band-strike-a-chord/9499702/","projectTitle":"Help Our Band Strike a Chord!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Merck","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8723789"},{"teacherId":8723789,"projectId":9497771,"letterContent":"Your donation means the world to my students. My woodwind students have worked extremely hard to build their skills, expand their knowledge on all percussion instruments, and have grown as musicians over the past few years. Providing new equipment allows them to develop their skills, perform on quality instruments, and play a wider variety of music. We can't fully express our gratitude for your donation to support music education for all students. They will be able to achieve higher levels of musicianship!","fullyFundedDate":1754053345757,"projectUrl":"project/help-our-band-reed/9497771/","projectTitle":"Help Our Band 'Reed'!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Merck","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8723789"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_98235","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1511,"numTeachers":78,"percentFrplEligible":63,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":14,"percentWhite":70,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":10,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"19.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":76.9,"schoolId":98235,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Walnut Grove High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Walnut Grove High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/georgia/walton-county-school-district/walnut-grove-high-school/98235"}