{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Somerset Academy Aliante","outOfStateSupporters":23.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9803737,"projectId":10589765,"letterContent":"On behalf of our entire music department, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your generous support in funding our new classroom recording system for our band and choir programs. Your investment in our students' education is already making a transformative difference in our daily rehearsals and learning environment.\r\n\r\nMany of our supporters are familiar with technology at home, but its application in a performing arts classroom offers unique educational advantages. Our new recording system serves as an immediate, objective mirror for our student musicians. During rehearsals, we can instantly capture full ensemble pieces, sectional work, or individual solos and play them back in real time. This allows students to listen critically to pitch, timing, balance, and tone quality. Rather than simply taking a teacher's feedback, students actively hear their own performance, self-evaluate, and collaborate on how to improve. It turns passive listening into active, diagnostic learning.\r\n\r\nWhat has excited the students most about this technology is the professional quality of the audio and the instant feedback loop. In the past, recordings were often muffled or distorted, making it hard to distinguish individual voices or instruments. Now, students are thrilled to hear themselves sound like a studio-ready ensemble. They love being able to track their progress from the first rough reading of a piece to a polished performance, and they take immense pride in sharing high-quality digital tracks with their families and peers.\r\n\r\nWe have seen this technology make a profound impact on several students in particular:\r\n\r\nDeveloping and Introverted Musicians: Some of our quieter students who hesitate to perform solo in front of the group have blossomed. The system allows them to record individual practice tracks or small-group assessments in a low-pressure setting. Hearing their clear, accurate playing on playback has built remarkable confidence.\r\n\r\nStudent Conductors and Leaders: Our section leaders and student directors have enthusiastically embraced the system's analytical tools. They regularly review recordings after class to help plan sectionals, identifying specific measures that need work and taking true ownership of their ensemble's success.\r\n\r\nAuditioning Seniors: Several of our high school seniors preparing for college, honor band, and choir auditions have utilized the setup to produce professional-grade audition tapes right here at school, opening doors to future scholarship opportunities.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has provided our students with tools that elevate their musical craftsmanship and foster critical thinking, self-confidence, and collaboration. Thank you for empowering our young musicians and for believing in the power of music education.","fullyFundedDate":1788683541485,"projectUrl":"project/sound-check-recording-our-journey-to-mu/10589765/","projectTitle":"Sound Check: Recording Our Journey to Musical Excellence","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Provost","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9803737_orig.jpg?crop=908,908,x326,y117&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1728926469963","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9803737"},{"teacherId":9350860,"projectId":10045117,"letterContent":"My students are using these new resources to make learning more hands-on, engaging, and accessible! Our classroom is filled with active learners who love to learn by doing, and these materials give them opportunities to practice important skills while moving, collaborating, creating, and problem-solving.\r\n\r\nOne of our favorite activities has been using the math manipulatives, fraction tiles, number lines, and dry-erase boards during our math lessons. Instead of simply solving problems on paper, students can build numbers, model their thinking, explain their strategies, and make corrections as they learn. The whisper phones have also become a favorite during reading because students can hear themselves read, practice decoding, and build their reading fluency with greater confidence. Sensory tools such as wobble cushions and fidgets give students additional ways to stay focused and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the materials, they were so excited! They immediately wanted to explore everything and began asking, \"Can we use these today?\" The Kanoodle puzzles and fidgets were especially popular, while the math manipulatives quickly became tools students were eager to use during instruction. It was wonderful to see their excitement turn into meaningful learning.\r\n\r\nOur next steps are to continue using these resources during small-group instruction, math centers, reading practice, and writing activities. Students will use the fraction materials to model and compare fractions, dry-erase boards to show their mathematical thinking, and reading and writing resources to strengthen comprehension, fluency, and written expression. We will also continue incorporating STEM-style problem solving and brain-building activities to encourage students to persevere when a challenge feels difficult.\r\n\r\nThese resources are helping us create a classroom where students can learn in different ways, stay engaged, and feel proud of their progress. Thank you for helping make these learning experiences possible!","fullyFundedDate":1769138748452,"projectUrl":"project/kapow-boom-read-lets-explore-more/10045117/","projectTitle":"Kapow! Boom! Read! Let's explore more!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wilkinson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9350860_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1698970119794","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9350860"},{"teacherId":10409116,"projectId":10033985,"letterContent":"My students have been able to thrive in their vocabulary lessons because of these donations. With the help of the community, the students have been able to be active learners during lessons. They were able to show their creativity as well as teamwork while working in groups to complete their vocabulary assignments.\r\n\r\nWhen the students received the packages, they were thrilled! It was so exciting for them to see all the tools their community was giving them. It made them feel cared for and excited to work. They felt as though they had something to prove now that they saw others believed in them and wanted to see them succeed. \r\n\r\nWe are so thankful for everyone who donated to my classroom and my students will continue to thrive in this environment, which was made possible by these donations.","fullyFundedDate":1768708242692,"projectUrl":"project/creative-vocabulary-learning/10033985/","projectTitle":"Creative Vocabulary Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gutierrez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10409116_orig.jpg?crop=180,180,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1768515257617","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10409116"},{"teacherId":4550556,"projectId":10035057,"letterContent":"My students were so excited when they first saw all of our new classroom materials! They could not wait to try everything out, especially the wobble cushions, dry-erase clipboards, Boogie Boards, math games, and Kanoodle puzzles. It was so much fun watching them explore the new resources and immediately start talking about how we could use them in our classroom.\r\n\r\nWe have already been putting these materials to good use! The wobble cushions have been especially helpful for students who need a little movement while they work and have given them another flexible seating option that helps them stay focused. We have also been using the dry-erase clipboards and writing tablets during small groups and whole-group lessons. One of my favorite moments has been using our new fraction materials during math. Students were able to use the fraction tiles and number lines to actually build, compare, and visualize fractions instead of only seeing them on paper. They were excited to work with the manipulatives and explain their thinking to one another.\r\n\r\nOur next step is to continue using these resources as we move into more challenging fourth-grade skills. The fraction tools will continue to support our upcoming fraction lessons, while the whiteboards, games, and other hands-on materials will be used during small groups, intervention, review, and partner activities throughout the year. I am excited to continue finding new ways to incorporate these materials into our daily learning.\r\n\r\nThank you again for giving my students these opportunities. Your generosity has brought excitement into our classroom and provided us with resources that will continue to support learning, focus, and engagement all year long!","fullyFundedDate":1768860334872,"projectUrl":"project/empower-second-grade-learners-with-new-t/10035057/","projectTitle":"Empower Second Grade Learners with New Tools!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Glodfelter","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4550556_orig.jpg?crop=1170,1170,x0,y245&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1637575426083","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4550556"},{"teacherId":3042165,"projectId":9996655,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support of my students' scientific education. Your contributions have made it possible for them to engage directly with essential materials, allowing for meaningful, hands-on practice of key science skills and standards. I am truly impressed by how quickly this project was funded and deeply appreciated by the kindness shown by our advisory families and community.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, my students now have access to the physical tools needed to conduct experiments and explore scientific concepts in a tangible way. Their excitement was remarkable. They were eager to begin using the equipment and consistently looked forward to each new investigation, anticipating both the process and the outcomes with great enthusiasm.\r\n\r\nThe materials you provided have proven especially impactful in reinforcing scientific concepts through active experimentation rather than simulations. Students have been fully immersed in their work, developing a deeper understanding by discovering knowledge firsthand. For instance, during our study of matter, students conducted experiments to distinguish between physical and chemical changes, demonstrating high levels of engagement and curiosity. They have also taken pride in sharing their discoveries with peers and family members.\r\n\r\nYour support continues to inspire my students and nurture their interest in potential future careers in science and engineering, including fields such as chemistry and botany. Many are beginning to see science not only as a subject but as a pathway to contribute meaningfully to their communities. On behalf of my students and our school, thank you for your generosity and commitment to education. Your impact is both significant and lasting.","fullyFundedDate":1768173811277,"projectUrl":"project/building-science-minds-one-experiment-at/9996655/","projectTitle":"Building Science Minds One Experiment at a Time","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3042165_orig.jpg?crop=640,640,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1788303123724","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/zenscience"},{"teacherId":10413109,"projectId":10043141,"letterContent":"Watching the supplies from Donors Chokse was so exciting for me and my students. We had a while conversation about how and why we were lucky enough to receive all these wonderful things. As I unboxed them we talked about what each things was and why it was picked. We are very hands on in my class so! The biggest impact has been my math manipulators to help understand angles, shapes, and lines. The students were able to construct different types of triangles and we discussed how we classify them. They also built trapezoids and identified the angles. In addition, the whiteboard clipboards have been used daily for both purposes. It's so nice to be able to hand my students new white boards! The impact of these items has been felt and is truly appreciated everyday.","fullyFundedDate":1768874637929,"projectUrl":"project/investigate-build-and-discover-stem-t/10043141/","projectTitle":"Investigate, Build, and Discover: Stem Tools for 4th Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gruszecki","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10413109"},{"teacherId":10413269,"projectId":10043561,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support in bringing engaging reading center materials from Lakeshore Learning into our kindergarten classroom. Because of your generosity, our students are now learning to read through hands-on activities that make literacy feel exciting and meaningful. We have been using these materials daily during our literacy centers, and one of our favorite moments was watching students work together to build simple words using phonics tiles and then read them aloud with confidence. It has truly transformed our reading block into an interactive and joyful experience where every child feels involved.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new materials, their faces lit up with excitement. They were eager to explore each center, and many immediately began engaging with the activities without hesitation. What stood out most was their increased confidence. Students who were once hesitant to participate are now actively joining in, taking risks, and celebrating their progress. The materials have made reading feel like play, which is exactly what our young learners need.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, we will continue building on these foundational skills by incorporating the materials into small group instruction and targeted reading interventions. Our next steps include having students apply what they've learned to simple sentence building and early reading comprehension activities. We are also working toward having students create their own mini books using the phonics and sight word knowledge they are developing. Your support has made a lasting impact, and we are so grateful for the opportunity to help our students grow into confident, enthusiastic readers.","fullyFundedDate":1768904968800,"projectUrl":"project/making-reading-fun-for-kindergarteners/10043561/","projectTitle":"Making Reading Fun for Kindergarteners!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Clausen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10413269_orig.png?crop=681,681,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1768883946576","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10413269"},{"teacherId":9594807,"projectId":9990084,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and for supporting our Kindergarten classroom. Students are using the dry erase markers for math and writing. They were very excited to see all the materials, especially the treasure box prizes! Our new books also sparked meaningful discussions about feelings and how to treat others kindly.\r\n\r\nWe will continue using all of our resources during centers to build confidence in writing and math while supporting social-emotional learning. Again, thank you so much for helping us create a fun and engaging classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1768061166483,"projectUrl":"project/kindergarten-class/9990084/","projectTitle":"Kindergarten Class","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Riegelsberger","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9594807_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753329817120","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9594807"},{"teacherId":9803737,"projectId":10004731,"letterContent":"On behalf of the middle school band, I want to send a huge thank you for the donation of lyres and flip folders! These resources are essential for our young musicians as they begin to explore the world of high-energy performance.\r\nBringing the Energy to the Stands\r\nWhile we are finishing up our concert season, we've already started \"Pep Band Boot Camp\" to get a head start on next year. We've been using the new folders to organize our upbeat \"stand tunes\"—the short, catchy songs we play to get a crowd cheering.\r\nOne of the best moments in class this week was watching the percussion and brass sections realize they could finally stand up, move, and dance while playing because their music was securely clipped to their instruments. The independence these tools give 12 and 13-year-olds is huge; it turns a seated rehearsal into a high-energy performance.","fullyFundedDate":1768181410086,"projectUrl":"project/lyres-for-a-visible-moving-and-musical/10004731/","projectTitle":"Lyres for a Visible, Moving, and Musical Band Program","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Provost","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9803737_orig.jpg?crop=908,908,x326,y117&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1728926469963","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9803737"},{"teacherId":2300238,"projectId":9986999,"letterContent":"I'm very thankful for receiving a donation to refresh or replenish items. A charger for all the tech devices, motivational pens, pencils, motivational note cards will all help us accomplish a strong second half of the school year, and guided reader strips to use during small groups. My students are all special and try their best, but like everyone else a boost of motivation are always helpful. I plan to use the fun colorful pens to have student write each other motivational messages prior to state testing.\r\n\r\nAll the items received have helped make my class run a little smoother which is always appreciated.","fullyFundedDate":1768250563368,"projectUrl":"project/item-refresh/9986999/","projectTitle":"Item Refresh","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Daniels","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2300238_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1453387998399","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-jdaniels"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_128655","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1171,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":17,"percentAsian":6,"percentBlack":12,"percentWhite":27,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":38,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":1,"percentMultiracialImputed":13,"gradesServed":"K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":76.8,"schoolId":128655,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Somerset Academy Aliante on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Somerset Academy Aliante","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/nevada/state-public-charter-school-authority/somerset-academy-aliante/128655"}