{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Rolling Hills Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":25.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8898247,"projectId":9758301,"letterContent":"Our prize cart for competitions in Math and Science has been a huge motivator for students to stay on task. Beyond that the mathematicians in our class room thank you for expanding our horizons in a fun and interactive way. \r\n\r\nWe have been earning play money for participating in group work, sharing thinking, and improving their grade level thinking. Students know money is how the world works but not all understand the math behind it. Here we can practice in a safe and understanding way how to count, sort, and exchange.\r\n\r\nThe money lessons for math have helped students practice these very useful money management life skills through a cart store and auctions of how products are only worth what you pay.","fullyFundedDate":1769177817549,"projectUrl":"project/study-hard-play-hard/9758301/","projectTitle":"Study Hard, Play Hard","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Katana","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8898247_orig.png?crop=647,647,x0,y53&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1671799701222","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/katana"},{"teacherId":2351552,"projectId":9811972,"letterContent":"Never underestimate the power of a small kindness\r\n\r\nMy goal is that students might see themselves in a different light. That for some, they might begin to see themselves as active learners. I know it might sound silly, but these headphones will help with that goal. Our math support program has audio instructions to it. But, unfortunately students just don't listen. Go figure. Our students who struggle with math are missing out and are only getting ½ of what they need to succeed. \r\n\r\nMath is tricky. Many students see no point to it and simply won't do their homework. Again, go figure. If I can give them a chance to sit down, focus, and listen while they work to complete math problems at their level, then that's all I want. Small success, over time, leads to a change in how students see themselves as someone who can \"do math.\"\r\n\r\nDon't worry, students won't be plugged in all the time. We spend a lot of time with our table teams working through grade level problems. I'm a big fan of constructionist theory so students are leading the conversation around math. Yet, there will always be time for working on improving one's math skills. Plugging in the headphones, listening to the support program, and applying effort will make a difference. \r\n\r\nNever underestimate the power of small acts of effort.","fullyFundedDate":1769177817051,"projectUrl":"project/headphones-for-math/9811972/","projectTitle":"Headphones for Math","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Donegan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2351552_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1449681482934","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrdonegan"},{"teacherId":2002030,"projectId":9454490,"letterContent":"In a start to our year that was full of chaos, moving classrooms, and my suddenly having a different grade level, it was a kind thing you did to help ease some of the stress. I was able to set up a classroom that had supplies for kids to use, and that had bulletin boards with important word lists to help them learn vocabulary and reading skills in two subjects.\r\n\r\nHaving fidget tools at their seats and on their laptops has helped quite a few of my students find focus during lessons, and having more than one option to try was really valuable. No one had to worry about having a pencil or having a place to charge their Chromebook - and I can see that without those stresses, they can learn more and with much more confidence.\r\n\r\nAgain, thank you so very much for your generosity. It has meant a lot to me and also to my students.","fullyFundedDate":1752693198994,"projectUrl":"project/setting-up-a-new-sixth-grade-room/9454490/","projectTitle":"Setting Up a New Sixth Grade Room!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. R.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2002030_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1452808069625","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2002030"},{"teacherId":2351552,"projectId":9441778,"letterContent":"Never underestimate the power of a small kindness\r\n\r\nBuilding a positive classroom culture is my goal. Having students work as teams to research, design, and solve problems is how positive culture will be fostered. Cooperation is nice but collaboration is better. Recognizing students who truly work together is one of my major goals this year. You helped this success.\r\n\r\nFunny thing is, I believe that how we play is as important as how we learn. In fact, more and more research suggests that there is a connection between learning and playing. Research shows that there are four basic gamer / player types; socializer, disrupter, achiever, and explorer. It is the achiever player type that is motivated by recognition and reward. Better yet, these player types are fluid, meaning they are in each gamer / learner some types are stronger than others. Recognizing effort, giving a small reward, and letting a student know they are \"seen\" is such a vital moment in the day-to-day of a school year. \r\n\r\nMy goal is that students might see themselves in a different light. That for some, they might begin to see themselves as active learners. This is a simple wish, but one that could give students a lifetime of learning. These small gifts will impact student learning because they will be used to recognize successful work and some students to see themselves in a different light. Maybe that wanna-be tough student, who only just this week did their homework, will get a small recognition for their effort. Maybe that is all the wanna-be tough student needs to see themselves in a better light, a light that shines a way through the darkness that is middle school. What a wonderful way to experience school.","fullyFundedDate":1758064109106,"projectUrl":"project/help-me-motivate-math-science-students/9441778/","projectTitle":"Help Me Motivate Math & Science Students With Rewards","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Donegan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2351552_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1449681482934","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrdonegan"},{"teacherId":2002030,"projectId":9203111,"letterContent":"With a huge diversity of student learning styles, it's always a challenge for me as a teacher to make sure that lessons are presented in a variety of ways. A great example is how many of our students prefer to listen to texts read aloud on their own (in one or more languages) through our curriculum, and headphones allow that even if other students want a quieter environment. Others learn best while listening to music to focus, or even to work on music projects they are creating themselves during free time! So having an organized class set of headphones has helped me set up a more inclusive classroom. Being able to have them in numbered, hanging racks will also allow me to hold students accountable for taking care of our equipment.\r\n\r\nHaving a set of clipboards was also a huge hit! Activities like gallery walks or working outside became easier in pairs and small groups, as well as helping those kids who love having the chance to sit on the floor to work; that group work included creating mini history projects, for which the gold paint was extremely popular.\r\n\r\nMy students and I send our thanks for your generosity and kindness.","fullyFundedDate":1743713124245,"projectUrl":"project/multimedia-methods-for-learning/9203111/","projectTitle":"Multimedia Methods for Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. R.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2002030_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1452808069625","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2002030"},{"teacherId":2002030,"projectId":9271562,"letterContent":"To end the school year with a student-created activity like our hands-on museum was incredibly valuable for our kids! For many of them, the Maya and Aztec history they were teaching to each other and their museum guests was part of their own ancestry, which made it all the more meaningful. It was wonderful to see the creativity in the exhibits and their enthusiasm for sharing the information they learned with their peers and the younger classes that came through. A local Aztec dance group performed at lunch as well, featuring one of our students, to connect our school to living culture and traditions.\r\n\r\nThere were the usual trial-and-error attempts at different parts of projects, involving the materials you helped us get, as well as careful design plans. Museum stations ranged from a diorama of an axolotl and a scale model of Maya musical instruments, to a guide to chocolate-making and a station where one could learn about cenotes (underground natural water sources) and drop pretend \"jade\" or \"gold\" for good luck. It meant a great deal to me and to my students that this event could happen. Thank you so very much for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1746455448605,"projectUrl":"project/peer-teaching-with-a-student-made-museum/9271562/","projectTitle":"Peer Teaching with a Student-made Museum!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. R.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2002030_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1452808069625","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2002030"},{"teacherId":2351552,"projectId":9183936,"letterContent":"We're putting that wonderful new paper and those fantastic pencils to great use! The students are buzzing with creativity.\r\n\r\nOne project where the new supplies have made a real difference is just the day to day operation of our classroom . Before our pencil supply was a mismatched collection of sad and broken bits. Many student did have their own to write with. Now things have changed thanks to you. \r\n\r\nWhen I unveiled the stacks of fresh, crisp paper and the boxes of sharp, new pencils, the reaction was fantastic! There were audible gasps and excited chatter. One student, who is usually quite reserved, exclaimed, \"Wow, these are so smooth!\" Several students immediately started touching the paper and testing out the pencils with little doodles. It was clear that having quality materials sparked a sense of excitement and possibility for their creative work. It might seem like a small thing, but having good tools really elevates their engagement.\r\n\r\n\r\nThank you again for your thoughtful contribution. These seemingly simple supplies have truly empowered their creativity and made a tangible difference in this project.","fullyFundedDate":1746504105916,"projectUrl":"project/write-on/9183936/","projectTitle":"Write On!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Donegan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2351552_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1449681482934","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrdonegan"},{"teacherId":8898247,"projectId":9296934,"letterContent":"Students have been having fun learning about the cameras and practicing taking pictures every day. We have captured school sports games, hallway silliness, and even roamed the halls to get a glimpse inside the classrooms. It has been imperative that multiple students are able to use cameras at the same time and discuss technique and angles. Comparing shots after taking the photo has each student developing their niche for photography. The help has been invaluable and we have not had the opportunity to use real cameras.","fullyFundedDate":1746504105802,"projectUrl":"project/memory-for-days/9296934/","projectTitle":"Memory for Days","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Katana","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8898247_orig.png?crop=647,647,x0,y53&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1671799701222","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/katana"},{"teacherId":9653107,"projectId":8933845,"letterContent":"Thanks to the generous donation of science fair supplies, our brilliant learners have been able to explore science in a fun and exciting way! The supplies donated were instrumental in helping our students bring their science fair projects to life. For example, they were able to explore hands-on experiments, test hypotheses, and present their findings creatively at our school science fair. My students were very eager to use washi tape, which was a huge success in making their science boards look great. The craft scissors made it possible to trim the headings of their boards and make them look unique. It took a lot of work for them to put it all together and make sure they did not miss anything, but the outcome was great, and they enjoyed it. \r\nThese opportunities not only deepened their understanding of scientific concepts but also sparked curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Thank you for your generosity—because of your support, our students are engaging in real-world scientific inquiry, building the foundational skills and confidence they need to become the next generation of scientists.\"","fullyFundedDate":1731467132966,"projectUrl":"project/science-fair-fun/8933845/","projectTitle":"Science Fair Fun!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Reyes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9653107_orig.png?crop=610,610,x1088,y109&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723528906153","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9653107"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_40073","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":610,"numTeachers":21,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":96,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"29.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":74.5,"schoolId":40073,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Rolling Hills Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Rolling Hills Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/pajaro-valley-unified-school-district/rolling-hills-middle-school/40073"}