{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Gila Ridge High School","outOfStateSupporters":39.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"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":8583703,"letterContent":"I am thrilled to share how the Zoo Phonics materials you provided have made a tremendous impact on our students' learning! Since we introduced the Zoo Phonics program into our classroom, it has brought so much excitement and engagement to our literacy activities. The colorful animal-themed letter cards and interactive games have captured the children's attention and helped them make stronger connections with letter sounds and shapes.\r\n\r\nOne of our favorite activities so far was using the Zoo Phonics cards to create a \"Letter Animal Adventure\" in our classroom. The children took turns picking an animal card, acting out the animal's sound and movement, and then identifying the corresponding letter. They loved making the animal sounds and seeing how their bodies could mimic the letters. It was such a fun and energetic way to practice letter recognition and phonics skills!\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the students were beyond excited! They couldn't wait to explore the cards and start using them in their activities. The colorful pictures and playful design really sparked their curiosity, and they immediately wanted to dive in and begin learning.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we're planning a class project where the children will create their own Zoo Phonics animal books! Each student will choose an animal from the Zoo Phonics set and draw their version, while also practicing writing the corresponding letter and sound. This project will give them a creative way to reinforce what they've learned and celebrate their growing literacy skills.\r\n\r\nThank you so much for bringing this wonderful resource into our classroom. It's already having a lasting impact on our young learners, and we can't wait to continue exploring with Zoo Phonics!","fullyFundedDate":1724880528994,"projectUrl":"project/zoo-phonics-to-the-rescue/8583703/","projectTitle":"Zoo-Phonics to the Rescue!","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":6724886,"letterContent":"I am so excited to share the incredible impact your generous contribution has had on our classroom! Thanks to the dramatic play materials you helped provide, our students have been engaging in rich, imaginative play that fosters both creativity and important social-emotional skills.\r\n\r\nYour support has truly made a difference by offering our students new ways to explore, express themselves, and work together. Our new dramatic play areas are better than ever. Thank you for helping us create these memorable and valuable learning moments!","fullyFundedDate":1661194692291,"projectUrl":"project/lesson-enhancers/6724886/","projectTitle":"Lesson Enhancers!","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":9844002,"projectId":8956844,"letterContent":"My classroom library is a massive hit! I already have students asking to take books home, sharing their favorites with their peers and asking for more. I have seen students reach for text they typically wouldn't just because it is easier to see on the shelf. With this updated library my students are more engaged in SSR and reading stories that actually matter to them. \r\n\r\nMy students read a book of their choice every Monday for Silent Sustained Reading. SSR has been shown to improve student vocabulary, reading skills, and reading stamina; but more importantly it ignites a love for reading and learning beyond High School. I wanted to create an updated classroom library because I saw a lack of engagement with the books students were choosing from the library. While some of my books can be found at the library I find students get overwhelmed by all the options presented to them. When students get overwhelmed they tend to reach for what is comfortable, which means a lot of my student were reaching for books they recognized or books they have already read. While this isn't always a problem (I myself have happy spent an afternoon re-reading my favorite book) I noticed that my High School Seniors were reaching for Diary of a Wimpy Kid and wondering why they were board on Mondays. I wanted to give them options they can relate to now, in a space that is less overwhelming. \r\n\r\nSo far my plan has worked, I see my students more engaged on Monday's and even if they don't take the book home I see them pick up the same book over and over again when they get the chance. It is really exciting to see and I wouldn't get to experience this without you!","fullyFundedDate":1734035915758,"projectUrl":"project/stones-library/8956844/","projectTitle":"Stone's Library","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Stone","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9844002"},{"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"}