{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Normal West High School","outOfStateSupporters":24.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9831495,"projectId":9840195,"letterContent":"Thank you for taking the time to donate to our cause. The calculators are very useful for my students, especially those who does not know their math facts. Instead of being burdened by remembering their basic facts, they can now focused on conceptual and procedural part of the algebra process.\r\nFor example, I have a student with math deficit who has hard time, remembering how to add or subtract positive and negative numbers. She was able to remember how to solve multi step equations easily without having to think, and get frustrated on the minimal part of the calculation process. In addition, my students are able to understand the difference between an exact answers from estimated one when solving radical numbers.\r\nThank you again for supporting my classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1766508514892,"projectUrl":"project/calculators-for-algebra-class/9840195/","projectTitle":"Calculators for Algebra Class","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Barnes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9831495"},{"teacherId":9828105,"projectId":9857312,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for contributing to our mission project for Every Piece Matters! Here is a note from the students thank you so much for your help. This is made a tremendous impact on allowing students from all levels in of all abilities to work together to create an art mural. This is one of several initiatives that they will be working on the supplies made this possible so thank you very much. \r\n\r\n\r\nWe are currently prepping a banner for the Unit 5 Arts Alive show on April 14th, where we will be using your paints and brushes. Kids of all abilities are able to paint as freely as they want and express what Arts Alive means to them, so they are able to paint their story! This would have been made possible without your donations, and we are forever grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1766084095510,"projectUrl":"project/every-piece-matters-student-ran-nonprofi/9857312/","projectTitle":"Every Piece Matters Student Ran Nonprofit","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hinman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9828105"},{"teacherId":5568869,"projectId":9986931,"letterContent":"Adding a drone to our photography program has been a total game-changer for how my students see the world. Before this, we were limited to what we could capture from a near-ground level, but having this as a supplementary tool has pushed them to think much more critically about their surroundings. It's helping them learn because they can't just \"point and shoot\"—they have to plan out their shots, check the weather, and understand the geometry of a scene from above. It has turned our lessons into a much more active experience where they are constantly problem-solving in real-time.\r\n\r\nThe most exciting part for the students is definitely the \"wow\" factor of seeing their own community from a totally different perspective. There's always a crowd around the screen when the drone goes up; they are genuinely blown away by how different a familiar park or school building looks from the air. It's given them a huge boost in pride to see their work look so professional and \"cinematic.\" They aren't just taking pictures anymore; they feel like they are producing high-level media, and that excitement has made them much more engaged in our day-to-day ground lessons, too.\r\n\r\nI've seen this really click for a few students who usually struggle to sit still during a typical lecture. One student in particular, who often had a hard time staying focused on manual camera settings, has completely stepped up as our go-to flight coordinator. Having a hands-on, high-tech tool available seemed to be exactly what they needed to get invested in the class. It's been incredible to watch them take a leadership role and show so much responsibility with the equipment. This drone didn't just add a new camera to the mix—it gave several of my students a brand-new way to succeed in school.","fullyFundedDate":1771006375643,"projectUrl":"project/aero-aesthetics-developing-21st-century/9986931/","projectTitle":"Aero-Aesthetics: Developing 21st Century Visual Literacy","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Akyuz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5568869_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x0,y384&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1740429268985","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/westphotography"},{"teacherId":9815909,"projectId":9653235,"letterContent":"It's hard to put into words what your kindness means to our team. You have enabled 12 more kids to take part in training due to your generosity.\r\n\r\nThat also means that 12 more kids are being looked after regarding grades and behavior while at school. That means that 12 more kids have a reason to come to school instead of skipping school.\r\n\r\nWe were able to purchase Muay Thai kick pads and Muay Thai thigh protector pads. Now, we are able to provide more opportunities to more kids because of your kindness and generosity. Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1760702070774,"projectUrl":"project/knock-out-low-self-esteem/9653235/","projectTitle":"Knock Out Low Self-Esteem!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Rumps","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9815909"},{"teacherId":5568869,"projectId":9764868,"letterContent":"First of all, thank you again for your generosity in providing my students with these tools.\r\n\r\nIn the darkroom, time is our most critical \"ingredient,\" but it's also the hardest to track. We are using the Digital Clock as an anchor for the entire room, allowing students to manage their overall lab periods, while the Visual Timer has become a personal coach for students during various chemical development processes. \r\n\r\nJust last week, a student who typically struggles with the anxiety of forgetting how many minutes have elapsed. was developing a roll of film, and the digital clock helped them to measure time more effectively than the existing analog clock without forgetting how many minutes were left. The clock is easy to see from everywhere in the room, and its red color doesn't affect the light-sensitive materials we use.\r\n\r\nAs for the visual timer, it has easily and seamlessly slipped into the classroom routine with many students praising its effectiveness. I hear its praises from students who use headphones in class to help them focus during classwork time. I have noticed how beneficial it is to my room, as I frequently get distracted with helping students and forget to remind them to clean up. It is a great addition to the room!","fullyFundedDate":1765390017122,"projectUrl":"project/visualizing-time-towards-student-self-re/9764868/","projectTitle":"Visualizing Time Towards Student Self-Regulation","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Akyuz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5568869_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x0,y384&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1740429268985","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/westphotography"},{"teacherId":9842807,"projectId":8954038,"letterContent":"I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for donating to the school health office to help us support student and staff privacy, and provide tools to encourage and practice coping strategies when individuals are experiencing anxiety and stress.\r\n\r\nTwo items in particular have provided significant improvement to privacy in our office. The white noise machine placed in the waiting area has allowed for students to speak more freely during assessments, without concern that others are able to hear. Additionally, the privacy screens have been used in countless ways. When space is limited in our restrooms, we are able to provide the screens for students who change in our office for PE. During a recent dental clinic for students, and flu shot clinic for staff throughout our district, the screens provided privacy and discretion and were so appreciated!\r\n\r\nThe mental health posters have been placed strategically throughout our office, as well as in our cot rooms. I refer to them often in my student education, and students are able to find ones that resonate with them personally. The coloring pages and colored pencils have been extremely helpful, and an excellent way to help redirect thoughts. The glitter wands provide a calming and soothing visual for many students. These techniques, coupled with deep breathing techniques can be extremely therapeutic. Providing options for students gives them a sense of control and ownership as they learn to navigate challenging situations and emotions and trial personalized approaches.\r\n\r\nThank you so much for your help in providing us the tangible tools that we will continue to integrate into practice as we work to support our students each and every day!!","fullyFundedDate":1740762462410,"projectUrl":"project/the-school-health-office-where-mental-he/8954038/","projectTitle":"The School Health Office-Where Mental Health Matters!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cherry","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9842807"},{"teacherId":9813788,"projectId":9588972,"letterContent":"My kiddos were so thrilled when our packages arrived. High schoolers have their images and reputations to consider, but they way they descended on the snack boxes showed nothing but gratitude and enthusiasm! Once their appetites were saited, they begged to rip into the new paper, Sharpies, and especially the colored pencils. I've not offered the diverse skin color options in my class before and I'm ashamed it took me so long to realize the need for my kiddos to see themselves and their family members in our assignments and supplies. Thank you for correcting my oversight. The board game was easy to learn for the three who ripped into it at our most recent Pride Club. They couldn't stop talking about it! I can't believe this is the 3rd project I've had funded from Donors Choose and how the the experience is more incredible every time.","fullyFundedDate":1761327854554,"projectUrl":"project/artfully-inclusive/9588972/","projectTitle":"Artfully Inclusive","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Vogel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9813788"},{"teacherId":9831495,"projectId":9184333,"letterContent":"Thank you for funding my project. The materials allowed the class to have a smooth transition from activities to activities. In our class, we do our a lot of board work. The magnetic box housed the erasers and markers for students to have easy access. It also allows them to write down their notes and work easily on the whiteboard. With their work, easily visible, I was able to give them and their peers immediate feedback.\r\n\r\nThe colored papers help my students organize their work. For example, blue papers are used for homework. My students who struggled to keep things organized can look for a specific colors at home and parents are able to help them with work and reteaching.","fullyFundedDate":1746466583916,"projectUrl":"project/organizing-galor/9184333/","projectTitle":"Organizing Galor!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Barnes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9831495"},{"teacherId":9835269,"projectId":8941668,"letterContent":"I am so incredibly grateful for your generosity towards our students. We were able to purchase the Thai pads and gloves to allow 14 more students to join our MMA/Boxing club. It's gone so well that we have opened it up to low-income students outside of our school. This summer, some students from Sunnyside Housing Project were able to join our club and get on track because of you.\r\n\r\nWe were able to see students who had Fs first semester, pull grades up to Cs and above. Since we have grade standards, students know that they cannot have any F grades. In fact, if they have any Ds, they are to go to the school-provided tutoring.\r\n\r\nYour gift has helped numerous kids find their path in life and I am truly grateful to you. Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1740762462518,"projectUrl":"project/knock-out-low-grades-and-low-self-esteem/8941668/","projectTitle":"Knock Out Low Grades and Low Self-esteem!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Rumps","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9835269"},{"teacherId":5568869,"projectId":9214357,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom with the carving tools we received through your generosity. These tools made it possible for my sculpture students to create a plaster carving project that truly challenged their creativity and patience.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new carving tools, they were eager to get started—many had never worked with materials like plaster before, and the right tools gave them the confidence to dive in. One student told me, \"This is what Michaelangelo must have felt like!\" as they carefully carved their design. Watching them discover how each tool could create a different texture or line was inspiring.\r\n\r\nThis project not only taught technical skills, but it also gave students a chance to slow down and focus, which has been especially valuable for their well-being. The next step for our class is to build on these skills by exploring larger collaborative sculptures, where students will combine their individual carvings into one unified piece.\r\n\r\nYour gift didn't just provide tools—it provided an opportunity for students to see themselves as artists. Thank you for making this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1745847004883,"projectUrl":"project/therapeutic-carving-to-bolster-student-m/9214357/","projectTitle":"Therapeutic Carving to Bolster Student Mental Health","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Akyuz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5568869_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x0,y384&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1740429268985","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/westphotography"},{"teacherId":9813788,"projectId":9263684,"letterContent":"You might have saved a life (or several) by purchasing rainbows. These banners and garlands and tattoos might not seem life saving, but by creating a safe, welcoming space, there are students, staff, and guests at my school who hopefully know they belong here. They deserve to take up space and be seen in all spaces. \r\n\r\nSome of the decorations you made possible were displayed at the Pride Club table during our school activities fair last week. We had 3 pages of names show interest in joining our club this year which is an increase over the recent past. It may or may not be connected to the decorations, but our future is brighter because of you.","fullyFundedDate":1746453911468,"projectUrl":"project/early-pride-week/9263684/","projectTitle":"Early Pride Week","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Vogel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9813788"},{"teacherId":9830675,"projectId":8930289,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to bring math into real life! My students got a ton of use out of it in more than just my Geometry class. The students were able to take 3D solids and break them down into cross sections. This allowed for a better conceptual understanding of how we can derive the formulas for volumes of prisms.\r\n\r\n My calculus students also used this technology to see a 2D surface get rotated around an axis to make a 3D shape. This helped them visualize the different radii in the shape to identify which functions represent the different parts of the solid. \r\n\r\nThe students loved being able to use the technology! They loved being able to walk around with the iPad as it was connected to the SMART Board to show everyone what they were thinking.","fullyFundedDate":1740762462572,"projectUrl":"project/augmented-reality-geometry/8930289/","projectTitle":"Augmented Reality Geometry","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Hatzer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9830675"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_28656","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1553,"numTeachers":99,"percentFrplEligible":41,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":16,"percentWhite":65,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":10,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":5,"gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"15.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":75.9,"schoolId":28656,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Normal West High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Normal West High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/mclean-co-unit-district-5/normal-community-west-high-school/28656"}