{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Ottawa Hills High School","outOfStateSupporters":30.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10244660,"projectId":9690012,"letterContent":"We did it! Thank you for believing in my students and in the work we do every day. High schoolers are incredible, but organization is still a skill they're actively developing. Over the years, I've watched assignments disappear into backpack abyssal zones, fall victim to little siblings' artwork, get soaked by water bottles, or even show up with actual bite marks. I've tried folders, crates, and countless systems, each with their own challenges, but nothing has fully solved the problem. These individual mailboxes will finally give every student a secure, consistent space for their materials and will allow our classroom to run more smoothly and efficiently.\r\n\r\nYour support means more than you know. This project will not only protect student work—it will empower them, build routines, reduce stress, and strengthen their sense of responsibility. While my students may not fully realize how much love stands behind opportunities like this, I do. Your generosity directly impacts their daily success, and I am deeply, genuinely grateful.\r\n\r\nIt truly takes a village, and I couldn't do this work without people like you investing in our classroom and cheering on our students. Thank you for being part of our village and for helping create an organized, safe space where learning can thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1758838641604,"projectUrl":"project/lets-get-organized-safe-spaces/9690012/","projectTitle":"Let’s Get Organized - Safe Spaces","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Morse","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10244660_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757121119491","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10244660"},{"teacherId":9423002,"projectId":9270355,"letterContent":"When my students walk into the classroom for the first time, I know their eyes will immediately be drawn to the calm, welcoming environment created with the new lamp and light covers. The rolling cart, stocked with pens, pencils, highlighters, tissues, hand sanitizer, lotion, and colorful paper, will become their \"home base\" for anything they might need. I can already imagine their excitement when they realize that these supplies are always available to them, no questions asked.\r\n\r\nThe file crates and folders will give students an organized space to store their work. During our upcoming writing projects, students will use these folders to track their drafts and revisions. They will have ownership of their progress and a sense of pride in keeping their work organized. I expect this system to help them build independence and accountability, while also making it easier to celebrate their growth throughout the year.\r\n\r\nIn the weeks ahead, the classroom cart and organizational tools will play a big role in supporting our lessons. For example, when we begin our first extended writing project, students will use the cart's supplies for brainstorming and drafting, then file their work in their personal folders to revisit and improve. These simple but powerful resources will help create a smoother, more supportive learning process for everyone.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, my students will not only have the materials they need, but they will also feel that their classroom is a safe, welcoming space where they are cared for and equipped to succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1746786321491,"projectUrl":"project/warmth-order-and-the-tools-to-thrive/9270355/","projectTitle":"Warmth, Order, and the Tools to Thrive","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Barnett","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9423002_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1703974140121","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9423002"},{"teacherId":9423002,"projectId":9215799,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support! Because of your donations, our classroom has been transformed into a place of deeper engagement, meaningful conversation, and real excitement around reading.\r\n\r\nThe classroom set of The Hunger Games has opened up rich opportunities for learning. Not only are students captivated by the story, but they're also practicing essential literacy skills—like analyzing character motivations, exploring themes like survival and power, and drawing connections between the fictional world of Panem and real-world issues like inequality and media influence. These are powerful critical thinking skills that go far beyond the page.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is no longer a quiet, solitary activity—it's alive with discussion, debates, and even laughter. We read together, annotate passages, and dig into the text in small groups. The shared experience of having a copy for every student has leveled the playing field and allowed everyone to participate equally.\r\n\r\nThe folders have brought a new sense of organization and pride to our learning. Students are now able to keep track of their notes, assignments, and reflections all in one place—which has been especially helpful during our novel study.\r\n\r\nAnd the snacks? They've made a huge difference. Being able to offer a quick bite during long reading blocks has helped keep energy and focus up. One student told me, \"It's easier to pay attention when I'm not thinking about how hungry I am.\"\r\n\r\nThere are several students who've truly lit up during this unit. One student who typically struggles to stay engaged during reading said this is the first book he's ever wanted to finish. Another, who's usually quiet in class, has started contributing thoughtful insights during discussions—she said she sees herself in Katniss and feels like the story understands her.\r\n\r\nYour support hasn't just given us materials—it's given us momentum, connection, and a renewed love of learning. Thank you for believing in our students and helping create a classroom where every voice can rise.","fullyFundedDate":1744290672000,"projectUrl":"project/hunger-games-and-fighting-hunger/9215799/","projectTitle":"Hunger Games and Fighting Hunger!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Barnett","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9423002_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1703974140121","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9423002"},{"teacherId":9832509,"projectId":8934970,"letterContent":"Myself and my students cannot thank you enough for the donation of our gardening supplies. Having these supplies opened many doors and ignited a lot of excitement in what can feel like a never-ending part of the school year. For many of my students, this was the first time they got to work in a garden. For others, it was their opportunity to step up and be a leader.\r\n\r\nWe used the tools to complete phase one of our pollinator garden installation. The students put in a significant amount of time picking rocks, pulling weeds, removing stumps and roots, and leveling the soil in the bed. To vote on the native species we wanted to plant, they completed a research project and then presented to each other. When planting day came, each student got involved with spreading mulch and planting a few plugs. \r\n\r\nIn addition to completing the project, a small group went to a symposium and presented their project. They shared their work with over 300 people and were also interviewed by a television station. A few of them loved this work so much, that they applied for and were accepted into a summer green team job at a local university. \r\n\r\nThis project will extend into many future years, and the impact on the students will extend far beyond the four walls of our courtyard. Your donation has made that possible!","fullyFundedDate":1733270360011,"projectUrl":"project/urban-pollinator-garden-start-up/8934970/","projectTitle":"Urban Pollinator Garden Start-Up!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bevins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9832509_orig.jpg?crop=2056,2056,x504,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731293692256","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9832509"},{"teacherId":7818880,"projectId":5821035,"letterContent":"Implementing a photography station as part of \"Freestyle Fridays\" significantly enhanced the effectiveness of our PBIS program by providing a fun, tangible, and creative way to reward and recognize students who demonstrate positive behavior, academic success, and strong attendance. Here are several key ways this initiative had a positive impact:\r\n\r\nIncreased Motivation and Engagement\r\n\r\nPositive School Culture\r\n\r\nStudent Ownership and Creativity\r\n\r\nPeer Influence and Role Modeling\r\n\r\nPositive Reinforcement\r\n\r\nMemorable Experiences","fullyFundedDate":1633108703117,"projectUrl":"project/friday-photoshop/5821035/","projectTitle":"Friday Photoshop","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Dix","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7818880_orig.png?crop=542,542,x102,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723732815332","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7818880"},{"teacherId":9737292,"projectId":8750827,"letterContent":"Thank you for donating to my project! The new resources get used daily! My student have to option to do their work in a more comfortable chair and can use the lamp and sting lights so that the bright overhead lights don't have to be on all the time. \r\n\r\nMost classrooms have the same tables and chairs in them that the students sit in all day long. When my students get to my classroom, they have the option to sit in a more comfortable chair. They also have the choice to hang out in a different part of the room where the chairs are. I have it set up like a living room, to give that part of my classroom a homey feel. \r\n\r\nThe chairs, side tables, rug, and lamp help give my classroom a warm welcome and feel. The chairs and rung help break up the institutional look that the school has and make it more inviting. \r\n\r\nI've added a couch to the area and some throw pillows. I hope to add some pictures to the wall behind the couch to make it feel even more inviting and maybe even more lights/lamps to the area.","fullyFundedDate":1734626270770,"projectUrl":"project/alternative-seating-and-lighting/8750827/","projectTitle":"Alternative Seating and Lighting","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bowen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9737292"},{"teacherId":9814881,"projectId":8901061,"letterContent":"My students absolutely were supported by adding fidgets and other materials to our room! Having a variety allowed for students not only to share the resources, but take responsibility and switch when they began to crave their phones again. \r\nAll of the students were super excited when they first saw all the new items, and even had a mini-competition to be the hour to unbox it all. The stress balls were a student favorite, and I had to create a unique checkout system just so their usage could be spread evenly amongst the kids. A few weeks after opening, one student even came by while they had another teacher, as they felt their anger and stress rising and knew I had supplies to help them recenter and calm themselves. Overall, it has been super beneficial having all the resources","fullyFundedDate":1729998986626,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-learning/8901061/","projectTitle":"Hands On Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bekins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9814881_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y564&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1729807665872","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9814881"},{"teacherId":9812626,"projectId":8897034,"letterContent":"We would like to express our heartfelt thanks for your generous donation. As soon as the items began to arrive, the students were thrilled. Many have come in to grab snacks, sit and chat, and share how wonderful everything smells. They were especially excited to see the refrigerator stocked with all of the refreshments. \r\n\r\nThe scholars, staff, and the entire Otta Hills community are deeply grateful for your kindness. As the saying goes, \"It takes a village to raise a child,\" and we are so thankful that you are part of our village. Your donation will not only benefit the students, but also the staff, making a positive impact on everyone involved.","fullyFundedDate":1730147861337,"projectUrl":"project/the-o-zone/8897034/","projectTitle":"The O Zone","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. B","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9812626_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755828617225","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9812626"},{"teacherId":7818880,"projectId":5506106,"letterContent":"Implementing a photography station as part of \"Freestyle Fridays\" significantly enhanced the effectiveness of your PBIS program by providing a fun, tangible, and creative way to reward and recognize students who demonstrate positive behavior, academic success, and strong attendance. Here are several key ways this initiative had a positive impact: This project Increased Motivation and Engagement, Positive School Culture, Student Ownership and Creativity, Peer Influence and Role Modeling, Positive Reinforcement and Memorable Experiences.","fullyFundedDate":1620159684103,"projectUrl":"project/freestyle-fridays/5506106/","projectTitle":"Freestyle Fridays","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Dix","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7818880_orig.png?crop=542,542,x102,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723732815332","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7818880"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_69919","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":385,"numTeachers":33,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":68,"percentWhite":7,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":16,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"11.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"UNCLASSIFIED","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":69.9,"schoolId":69919,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Ottawa Hills High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Ottawa Hills High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/michigan/grand-rapids-public-school-district/ottawa-hills-high-school-comp-arts/69919"}