Merrimack Valley High School in Penacook, New Hampshire on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Merrimack Valley High School","outOfStateSupporters":26.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9009171,"projectId":10127479,"letterContent":"Hi Heidi,\r\n\r\nI hope you're enjoying your summer and that it hasn't been too hot down there in Virginia. The weather has been fairly mild up here in New Hampshire, and I've been enjoying some much-needed time to rest and recharge.\r\n\r\nI hope the attached photos convey even a fraction of the gratitude that my students, future students, and I feel for the generous donation you made to our classroom. Most of the pictures were taken before I had installed the lights and light covers, but there is one where you can see the lavender light covers and the string lights running along the edge of the ceiling. Don't miss it!\r\n\r\nAs you can see, the students were thrilled to receive the fidgets—the resistance bands and stress balls quickly became favorites. I was surprised by how many different ways they naturally incorporated them into their day. I remember one class where a student raised his hand to answer a question, and while he was speaking, he stretched the resistance band over his head and across his shoulders numerous times. I don't think he even realized he was doing it. Watching that moment was eye-opening for me. It reinforced just how much many students benefit from opportunities for movement and nervous system regulation throughout the school day.\r\n\r\nThe lights and light covers, however, had the greatest impact. They completely changed the atmosphere of the classroom. The room felt softer, calmer, and much more welcoming. Even I noticed that I felt more relaxed and at ease while teaching. It became a space that invited students to settle in rather than simply endure another classroom.\r\n\r\nBeyond these very tangible benefits, I'm also deeply grateful that my students and I were able to participate on the receiving end of generosity. I made sure they knew that these items were donated by you. I believe that when people experience generosity firsthand—and see that there are individuals willing to invest in others with no expectation of anything in return—it encourages that same spirit of kindness to spread. Your gift was more than classroom supplies; it was a lesson in compassion and community.\r\n\r\nFrom the bottom of my heart, thank you for helping create a classroom that was not only more comfortable and supportive, but also more caring. Your generosity made a real difference, and its impact will continue to be felt by many students for years to come.\r\n\r\nWith sincere gratitude,\r\n\r\nEric","fullyFundedDate":1776087072759,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-tools-for-calm-and-focus/10127479/","projectTitle":"Sensory Tools for Calm and Focus","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Soha","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9009171_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y401&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1686919776517","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9009171"},{"teacherId":4991896,"projectId":9696555,"letterContent":"Thank you very much for your generous donations and matches. We now have some of the materials that will help us succeed this season with our robotics team as well as in the classroom, learning to make things using CNC machines.\r\nYour donation has already been put to use cutting things for the holiday season during our computer manufacturing class. Also, we have been designing more effective robot parts with the new motor controllers. \r\nWithout your donations, we would be struggling to find resources to purchase these items. Many students this year and in future years will learn more because of your help.","fullyFundedDate":1759264383929,"projectUrl":"project/improving-student-robotics-design/9696555/","projectTitle":"Improving Student Robotics Design","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Dutton","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4991896_orig.jpg?crop=1421,1421,x151,y514&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1635797144601","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4991896"},{"teacherId":10060079,"projectId":9424224,"letterContent":"Words can not truly express how impactful this project has been for the students in my significant needs program. Implementing a model apartment provided an opportunity for growth that they truly never had before. It provides the students with a place where they have developed friendships and a true sense of community and belonging. Their self esteems have gone through the roof and as they walk down the school hall way you can see a pride that just wasn't there before:)\r\n\r\n\r\nThank you for your generous donation!","fullyFundedDate":1759264384250,"projectUrl":"project/creating-a-model-apartment-to-teach-inde/9424224/","projectTitle":"Creating a Model Apartment to Teach Independent Living Skills","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Allen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10060079"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_80322","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":697,"numTeachers":56,"percentFrplEligible":30,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":90,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":3,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":2,"gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"12.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"TOWN_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":73.7,"schoolId":80322,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Merrimack Valley High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Merrimack Valley High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-hampshire/merrimack-valley-school-district-sau-46/merrimack-valley-high-school/80322"}

About this school

Merrimack Valley High School is a town public school in Penacook, New Hampshire that is part of Merrimack Valley School District SAU #46. It serves 697 students in grades 9 - 12 with a student/teacher ratio of 12.4:1. Its teachers have had 17 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Public School

Grades 9 - 12

697 Students

56 Teachers

106 Village St

Penacook, NH 03303 View local requests

http://sites.google.com/a/mvsdpride.org/mvhs

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Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

Merrimack Valley High School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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Merrimack Valley High School Demographics

30%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

of students are Black, Latino, Native American, or Asian

Schools in districts that mainly serve students of color receive substantially less state and local support than similar districts that serve primarily White students. Learn more about this gap, why it exists, and how you can help close it.

Merrimack Valley High School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Aug 13, 2026

DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.