{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Gila Ridge High School","outOfStateSupporters":39.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2361279,"projectId":9303600,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my students have been able to experience the Animal Kingdom in a way that goes far beyond diagrams on a screen. Using the dissection materials you provided, students explored the internal and external anatomy of crayfish and sea stars, connecting structure to function in meaningful, hands-on ways. As they examined the crayfish's gills, stomach, and nerve cord, and later investigated the sea star's water vascular system and tube feet, they practiced making detailed observations and using academic vocabulary in context. One powerful moment was watching students trace the path of food through the digestive system and then confidently explain how each structure supports survival.\r\nWhen we began the dissections, students quickly realized this was different from a typical class day. The room shifted into a focused lab environment. Instead of passively filling in notes, they had to slow down, follow procedures carefully, and work together to identify structures correctly. There were thoughtful questions, careful use of tools, and real problem-solving as groups compared what they were seeing to their diagrams. The experience required patience and attention to detail — skills that are essential in science but hard to develop without authentic lab work.\r\nNow, students are using what they observed to compare body systems across invertebrate groups and justify how specific adaptations help organisms survive in their environments. These dissections have strengthened their ability to propose and support scientific explanations — one of our major learning goals this year. Thank you for helping provide an experience that builds both content knowledge and scientific thinking skills in a lasting way.","fullyFundedDate":1747006738046,"projectUrl":"project/exploring-the-animal-kingdom-through-dis/9303600/","projectTitle":"Exploring the Animal Kingdom Through Dissection!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Kaye","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2361279_orig.jpg?crop=1728,1728,x69,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1687380072688","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2361279"},{"teacherId":2361279,"projectId":9655789,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, Exploring the Diversity of Life Up Close. Because of your generosity, my students received eight sets of 100 premium biological specimen slides, and they immediately made a huge difference in our classroom. When the slides arrived, the students were excited to open the boxes and see the wide variety of specimens. Many had never looked at real samples under a microscope before, so watching their reactions—everything from surprise to genuine amazement—was such a great moment as a teacher.\r\n\r\nWe've used these slides several times throughout the year, especially in our Introduction to Animal Kingdom class. Students practiced their microscope skills while exploring different structures and connecting what they saw to the adaptations we studied. Being able to view actual specimens helped concepts \"click\" in a way that diagrams just can't. I also shared the slides with our Anatomy class, and those students loved getting to see real tissue samples that matched the systems they were learning about.\r\n\r\nYour support has brought meaningful, hands-on science experiences into our classroom, and the slides will continue to benefit students for many years. Thank you for giving my students the chance to explore life up close and for helping make our lessons more engaging and memorable.","fullyFundedDate":1757111280327,"projectUrl":"project/exploring-the-diversity-of-life-up-close/9655789/","projectTitle":"Exploring the Diversity of Life Up Close","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Kaye","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2361279_orig.jpg?crop=1728,1728,x69,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1687380072688","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2361279"},{"teacherId":2361279,"projectId":9347162,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, my students were able to bring science to life through hands-on art! Using the new craft supplies, they created colorful 3D models of sponges and jellyfish to represent the structures and functions of these simple aquatic animals. Students used materials like yarn, foam pieces, beads, and paper bowls to illustrate how each organism's parts help it survive in its environment.\r\n\r\nMany students commented that this was a fun way to learning science because they got to design and build instead of just taking notes. Some got really into it and made full use of the supplies. It got a little messy, but I could see the wheels turning in their minds as they found create and different ways to represent the various structures they needed to include.\r\n\r\nThese resources transformed our classroom into a space of creativity and curiosity. It helped students understand that science and art can go hand in hand. They were proud to display their finished models and explain what each part represented.\r\n\r\nOur next steps will build on this project by exploring animal adaptations and body systems. There are still plenty of supplies to use in the future. Students will continue to apply what they learn through hands-on design and model-building, reinforcing both scientific understanding and creativity.\r\n\r\nThank you again for making this experience possible. You didn't just provide materials—you helped spark engagement, teamwork, and a deeper appreciation for the living world.","fullyFundedDate":1752168699724,"projectUrl":"project/arts-and-crafts-in-animal-kingdom/9347162/","projectTitle":"Arts and Crafts in Animal Kingdom","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Kaye","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2361279_orig.jpg?crop=1728,1728,x69,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1687380072688","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2361279"},{"teacherId":3768355,"projectId":9476019,"letterContent":"The new light table, cozy pillows and pillowcases, and carpet velcro dots and other items have helped create a warm, engaging, and organized environment that set a positive tone for the start of our preschool year. The light table immediately captured the children's curiosity, encouraging hands-on exploration and creative play. The soft pillows and fresh pillowcases made our reading and circle areas inviting, giving students a comfortable place to relax and connect. The carpet velcro dots added structure and helped the children easily find their personal spaces during group activities, promoting independence and a sense of order. Together, these additions made our classroom feel welcoming and ready for joyful learning.","fullyFundedDate":1755726110899,"projectUrl":"project/new-year-refresh/9476019/","projectTitle":"New Year, Refresh!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Semler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3768355_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1508517465432","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3768355"},{"teacherId":3768355,"projectId":8344876,"letterContent":"Receiving a donation of graduation caps and gowns had a heartfelt and lasting impact on our small preschool. For many of our families, purchasing graduation attire would have been a financial burden, and this generous gift allowed every child to feel celebrated and included. The moment our students put on their caps and gowns, their faces lit up with pride and excitement. It created a sense of accomplishment and made the graduation ceremony feel truly special—for both the children and their families. It was more than just a donation; it was a gift of dignity, joy, and a memorable milestone that our preschool community will cherish.","fullyFundedDate":1715024514559,"projectUrl":"project/graduation-preparation/8344876/","projectTitle":"Graduation Preparation!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Semler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3768355_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1508517465432","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3768355"},{"teacherId":6726344,"projectId":8855654,"letterContent":"For the first time, our campus has a dedicated Hygiene Caddy—a space where students can discreetly access essential personal care items without hesitation or judgment. This station ensures that students have access to basic necessities, helping them get through the weekend or until their families can replenish supplies. Rather than questioning financial need, we simply ask, \"How can we help?\" Our Counseling Office Secretary, who interacts with many students, has shared how deeply grateful one student was to find deodorant and toothpaste when they needed it most. Additionally, our Student Worker—who greets students and visitors daily—recently had a student express heartfelt appreciation, calling our hygiene station a lifesaver for providing these essential items at school.\r\n\r\nAs we worked to secure funding for this initiative, we shared our vision with staff, who responded with enthusiasm. Many have since contributed additional items, strengthening our efforts to build a Campus Closet—a broader resource that will combine hygiene essentials with clothing and other necessities. Until then, staff and administrators are actively referring students who may benefit from these resources, ensuring a supportive network is in place.\r\n\r\nOur collaboration with the district is now helping finalize the Campus Closet, where the Hygiene Caddy will soon be housed. Students will be able to access it through our School Social Worker, Counseling Office, or Administration. Our School Social Worker has also engaged a group of student volunteers who meet after school to organize the closet and create advertising materials, further raising awareness about the resources available.\r\n\r\nWe believe that once the Campus Closet is fully operational, more students will feel empowered to seek support, knowing that help is available without stigma. Your generosity makes this possible, and we are incredibly grateful for your role in helping us build a school community where every student has what they need to succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1732750536573,"projectUrl":"project/the-hawks-nest-necessities/8855654/","projectTitle":"The Hawk's Nest Necessities","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Carrasco","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6726344"},{"teacherId":3768355,"projectId":4847257,"letterContent":"We're excited to be using the new butterfly science experiment resources in our classroom! The students received live caterpillars and a butterfly habitat net, which has allowed them to observe each stage of the butterfly life cycle up close. They've been recording daily observations, drawing what they see, and making predictions about what will happen next. We're also integrating this with our science journals, vocabulary development (words like \"chrysalis\" and \"metamorphosis\"), and storytelling activities. It's been such a hands-on and engaging way to bring life science to our students, and they're really enjoying the process of watching their caterpillars transform into butterflies!","fullyFundedDate":1590107665142,"projectUrl":"project/butterflying-into-spring/4847257/","projectTitle":"Butter\"Flying\" Into Spring","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Semler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3768355_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1508517465432","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3768355"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_93592","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":2324,"numTeachers":71,"percentFrplEligible":49,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":27,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":66,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"32.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":60.6,"schoolId":93592,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Gila Ridge High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Gila Ridge High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/arizona/yuma-union-high-school-district-70/gila-ridge-high-school/93592"}