{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Del Oro High School","outOfStateSupporters":26.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9812478,"projectId":8896889,"letterContent":"Our floral design class recently had the opportunity to put new resources into action through a hands-on bouquet arrangement project. As part of their assignment, students created monochromatic arrangements using orange paper. This activity helped reinforce their understanding of color theory while giving them a fun and creative outlet to practice real-world floral design skills.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, their faces lit up with excitement. The new supplies brought a fresh burst of energy into the classroom and made them feel more engaged and confident in their work. It was inspiring to watch them take ownership of their designs and explore different styles with enthusiasm.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, students will continue to build on these foundational skills by working with live flowers and more advanced arrangement techniques. They'll focus on elements such as balance, proportion, and color harmony as they prepare for an upcoming class showcase. We're excited to see their creativity continue to blossom!","fullyFundedDate":1731080476218,"projectUrl":"project/day-of-the-dead-flower-project/8896889/","projectTitle":"Day of the Dead Flower Project","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cortez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9812478_orig.jpg?crop=956,956,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1729630245016","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9812478"},{"teacherId":9812478,"projectId":8963461,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom now has raised garden beds, and the students couldn't be more excited! When they first saw the materials arrive, their faces lit up with curiosity and excitement. They immediately started brainstorming what we could plant and how we could care for our new garden.\r\n\r\nOne of the most memorable moments so far was when we worked together to fill the beds with soil and plant our first seeds. Watching the students collaborate, get their hands dirty, and connect with nature was incredible. They've taken ownership of their plants, carefully watering and observing their growth each day.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we'll be incorporating the garden into our lessons in science, math, and even writing. Students will track plant growth, experiment with different conditions, and document their observations in garden journals. We also plan to explore sustainability and healthy eating by harvesting and tasting what we grow.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has made this hands-on learning experience possible, and we can't thank you enough! We can't wait to share more updates as our garden—and our students—continue to grow.","fullyFundedDate":1733180812549,"projectUrl":"project/raised-garden-beds-for-a-start-up-farm/8963461/","projectTitle":"Raised Garden Beds For a Start Up Farm","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cortez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9812478_orig.jpg?crop=956,956,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1729630245016","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9812478"},{"teacherId":9812478,"projectId":8896825,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation, which has allowed us to conduct fetal pig dissections in our Agricultural Biology class! These hands-on dissections have provided an invaluable opportunity for my students to explore the anatomy of mammals and better understand the complex systems that support life. The materials provided have enabled us to dive into a real-world biology experience, helping students make important connections between what they've learned in the classroom and the world around them.\r\n\r\nOne of the most impactful projects we've done is the fetal pig dissection, which aligns with our curriculum on mammalian anatomy. The fetal pig is a perfect specimen for studying organ systems and comparing them to human anatomy. Students have been able to examine the pig's muscular, circulatory, and respiratory systems, while also learning about the digestive and reproductive systems. This project is particularly meaningful because it not only gives students a deep understanding of biology but also reinforces their understanding of how animal systems are crucial for agriculture, food production, and animal husbandry. \r\n\r\nWhen the materials arrived—fresh specimens for dissection, tools like scalpels, scissors, and forceps, as well as detailed anatomical guides—my students were both excited and slightly nervous. There's something both thrilling and intimidating about working with a real specimen, and their reactions were a mix of curiosity and anticipation. As they gathered around the dissection trays and started to explore the fetal pigs, their initial hesitation quickly turned into fascination. They were amazed by the complexity of the organs they were observing and started discussing the similarities between the fetal pig and human anatomy. The hands-on experience opened their eyes to the beauty of biology, and they appreciated seeing firsthand how everything we've studied in class connects to the real world. The experience also sparked conversations about the importance of animal care, ethical considerations in animal use for education, and the role of dissection in scientific study.\r\n\r\nThroughout the dissection, I encouraged students to work collaboratively. Each group was responsible for observing and documenting different systems of the pig's body, from the skeletal structure to the digestive and circulatory systems. By taking detailed notes and working together, the students were able to piece together the larger picture of how the pig's body operates. This process helped them understand the interconnectedness of body systems and how they function in harmony. Many students were amazed at how similar the fetal pig's organ systems were to human systems, which deepened their understanding of comparative anatomy. Additionally, the dissection allowed for students to practice fine motor skills and develop a new level of respect for the biological world.\r\n\r\nAs the project progresses, the next steps involve further exploration of how the systems they observed in the fetal pig apply to agricultural practices. We will dive into discussions about how knowledge of animal anatomy helps with animal health, breeding, and farm management. Students will also analyze the ethical considerations involved in using animals for educational purposes, promoting respectful discussion about animal welfare and the scientific community's guidelines for ethical animal use.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, students will be working on a comparative anatomy project, where they will choose another animal species and compare its organ systems to that of the fetal pig. This will help them explore how different species are adapted to their environments and needs, which is critical knowledge in fields such as veterinary science and agricultural management. We'll also look at how specific anatomical traits help animals survive in farming environments or how they are bred for particular agricultural purposes, such as livestock or pets.\r\n\r\nThis project has given my students the opportunity to think critically about biology, ethics, and agriculture in a hands-on, engaging way. We couldn't have done this without your support, and I'm so grateful to have had the resources needed to make this project a success. The knowledge and skills students have gained will be with them as they continue their education, whether they pursue careers in agriculture, veterinary science, or another related field. Thank you again for your generosity—it has made a significant impact on both their learning and their growth.","fullyFundedDate":1731940524710,"projectUrl":"project/agriculture-fetal-pig-dissection/8896825/","projectTitle":"Agriculture Fetal Pig Dissection","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cortez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9812478_orig.jpg?crop=956,956,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1729630245016","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9812478"},{"teacherId":9812478,"projectId":8896735,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our agricultural project! Your contribution has made a tremendous difference in our classroom, and I am excited to share how we've been using the new resources you helped provide. Thanks to your donation, we've been able to dive deeper into hands-on learning, which is incredibly valuable for our students, especially in a subject like agriculture where real-world application is key. \r\n\r\nOne of the first projects we launched using the new materials was a gardening unit. The students were absolutely ecstatic when they saw the tools, seeds, and other resources you helped provide. It's not every day that they get to hold new equipment and envision their own gardens taking shape. The excitement in the classroom was palpable. You could see their faces light up as they unboxed the new items. They immediately started planning how they would use them, with many of them eagerly discussing how they'd design their plots and which crops they were most excited to grow. It's one thing to learn about agriculture from textbooks, but it's an entirely different experience when students get to feel the dirt in their hands, plant seeds, and watch things grow from scratch. The resources you provided gave them the opportunity to take ownership of the process and feel connected to the material in a meaningful way.\r\n\r\nIn the past few weeks, the students have worked together to design garden beds, prepare the soil, and plant a variety of crops. They've learned about soil health, composting, and the importance of crop rotation—all critical concepts in sustainable farming. Each student has taken on specific responsibilities, from planting and watering to monitoring the growth of the plants. The project has been an excellent way to teach teamwork, problem-solving, and the value of patience, as it can take time for seeds to sprout and grow into full-fledged plants. They've also been practicing important skills like measuring soil pH, charting plant growth, and observing how different variables (sunlight, temperature, moisture) affect their crops. \r\n\r\nOne of the most powerful moments so far has been when the first seeds sprouted. The students were overjoyed to see their hard work come to fruition (literally!). It was an incredible learning opportunity, and many of them shared how proud they felt to be part of a project that was directly linked to the food system. Some students even discussed how they wanted to start their own gardens at home, showing how this project has sparked a deeper interest in agriculture and sustainability. \r\n\r\nLooking ahead, the students will continue to nurture their garden beds and track the progress of their crops. They'll be learning more about the science of plant growth, water conservation, and how to troubleshoot when things don't go according to plan (for example, when pests invade or the weather isn't ideal). We'll also be introducing the concept of community gardens and discussing how they can contribute to local food systems. The students will work on creating presentations where they reflect on what they've learned and share ideas about how to make agriculture more sustainable. \r\n\r\nThe next steps also include expanding our project to include raising small animals, like chickens, so the students can learn about animal husbandry, the responsibility of caring for animals, and how livestock can fit into a sustainable agricultural system. We're planning on building a small chicken coop and incorporating lessons on animal care, nutrition, and the ethical considerations that come with raising livestock. This will add another layer to the students' understanding of the agricultural process and further engage them in active learning.\r\n\r\nOnce again, thank you for your incredible generosity. Your donation has made all of this possible, and I know the students will continue to carry the lessons learned throughout their lives. Your contribution has not only helped fund this project but also opened their eyes to the importance of agriculture and sustainability in our world. I can't wait to share more milestones with you as the project progresses!","fullyFundedDate":1731940505754,"projectUrl":"project/agriculture-school-garden/8896735/","projectTitle":"Agriculture School Garden","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cortez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9812478_orig.jpg?crop=956,956,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1729630245016","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9812478"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_128478","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":873,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":5,"percentWhite":2,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":91,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 10","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":73.1,"schoolId":128478,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Del Oro High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Del Oro High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/kern-high-school-district/del-oro-high-school/128478"}