{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Mott Hall High School","outOfStateSupporters":47.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9846685,"projectId":9747567,"letterContent":"When the Moon Was Ours is now on our bookshelf, and students are already curious about it. I have been telling them that it is a novel about love, culture, and magic realism, and they are excited to explore it. This book will give them a chance to see new perspectives, imagine different experiences, and connect with a story in a meaningful way.\r\n\r\nI am especially looking forward to using this book to represent and center trans identity in our curriculum. Questions and comments about queer identity and existence come up regularly. Our students are aware of the culture of hatred, violence, and fear directed at trans people. This story offers another perspective. This book tells a story of love, joy, and humanity that they need to see.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has made this possible, and it will have a real impact on our students as they begin reading.","fullyFundedDate":1758898821601,"projectUrl":"project/when-stories-are-ours-windows-and-mirro/9747567/","projectTitle":"When Stories Are Ours: Windows and Mirrors for Every Student","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Nicholson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9846685_orig.jpg?crop=1449,1449,x303,y141&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732383296154","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/nicholsonatmotthallhigh"},{"teacherId":9846685,"projectId":9763363,"letterContent":"Lately, many of my students have been carrying a heavy emotional load. As the school year progresses, I see exhaustion setting in. There's less sunlight, less time outdoors, and the fading of the early-year \"honeymoon period.\" On top of that, students are feeling nervous and anxious about news within the building, across the city, and nationally. These stresses show up in quiet ways: difficulty concentrating, low energy, and a growing need for reassurance and stability.\r\n\r\nYour contribution has allowed me to support students in a deeply practical and human way. Being able to offer a snack each day may seem small, but for my students it provides real fuel, physical support and emotional encouragement. It gives them a moment to pause, feel cared for, and regain the focus needed to engage with learning.\r\n\r\nThis daily act of nourishment strengthens the trust and sense of community in my classroom. It helps me pair emotional and intellectual support with something tangible, consistent, and dignified. That combination goes a long way for students who are navigating uncertainty and stress, and it allows me to create a safe, reliable space that I simply would not be able to sustain on my own without your generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1763481766575,"projectUrl":"project/daily-bites-free-snack-bar-nourishment/9763363/","projectTitle":"Daily Bites Free Snack Bar: Nourishment, Positivity, and Daily Care","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Nicholson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9846685_orig.jpg?crop=1449,1449,x303,y141&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732383296154","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/nicholsonatmotthallhigh"},{"teacherId":9846685,"projectId":9692185,"letterContent":"The Halloween celebration was an absolute highlight for my students and a joyful culmination of our unit. Students were so engaged and truly excited as they crafted jack-o'-lanterns, transforming the classroom into a harvest workshop filled with laughter, collaboration, and pride in their work (I hung all their pumpkins on the door). One of the most unforgettable moments came when the hallways turned into an impromptu witch \"flash mob,\" with students gleefully wearing and showing off the witch fingers and cackling, an experience that brought smiles not only to participants but to everyone who passed by.\r\n\r\nThe giant spider perched on my classroom flagpole captured the attention of the entire school. After I added tiny paper fangs to make her even more frightening, she became a source of inspiration for many students, who eagerly wrote original stories imagining her personality, history, and motives. This unexpected character became a powerful storytelling catalyst, especially for students who are often hesitant to write.\r\n\r\nStudents also took great pride in preparing treat bags, blowing up balloons, and setting up decorations together. These shared tasks fostered teamwork and ownership, helping students feel that this was their event. Reading the Halloween-themed books was another favorite activity, students loved how the spooky stories introduced new vocabulary through colorful, exciting illustrations that made learning feel fun and accessible.\r\n\r\nThe excitement spread beyond our classroom. Students throughout the school admired the decorations and festive atmosphere, and I was fortunate to have enough supplies to welcome trick-or-treaters who stopped by. What emerged was more than a party, it was a beautiful cultural and community event where students learned together, shared traditions, told stories about ghosts and goblins, and fully embraced creativity and collaboration. Most importantly, students felt joy, belonging, and pride as they truly got into the spirit of learning.","fullyFundedDate":1758899054430,"projectUrl":"project/fall-stories-culture-creativity-and-c/9692185/","projectTitle":"Fall Stories: Culture, Creativity, and Characterization","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Nicholson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9846685_orig.jpg?crop=1449,1449,x303,y141&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732383296154","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/nicholsonatmotthallhigh"},{"teacherId":9846685,"projectId":9689031,"letterContent":"This winter, while the world outside feels a little colder and quieter, our classroom is warming up.... with books! Thanks to your generosity, my 9th and 10th grade multilingual learners now have access to Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, a novel that I have shelved to the side of the class but already invites students in. Before we've even opened the first page together, students are already pausing to study the cover, asking questions about the characters, and lingering a little longer near the bookshelf. For emerging readers especially, the simple act of holding a full-length novel feels warm. I see them thinking: I could spend some time reading this.\r\n\r\nThis class has been doing powerful work with short stories, but lately students have been voicing something important: they want more. I keep hearing, \"Why did that story end?\" \"Is it already over?\" \"I was just getting interested!\" They are craving the consistency, depth, and long-term relationships that only a novel can provide. This book answers that call. It gives students a sustained story to return to each day, characters they can grow alongside, and themes like identity, gender, culture, friendship, and love, that connect directly to the thoughtful, revelatory conversations we've already been having this year. For many students, seeing queer identity centered in a modern, culturally rich story affirms that their questions, experiences, and communities belong in academic spaces.\r\n\r\nThank you for making this possible. Truly. Your support didn't just fund books, it funded year-long conversations, quiet reading moments, loud \"WAIT— WHAT?\" reactions, and the joy of finally settling into a story that doesn't rush away. Because of you, my students get warmth in the middle of the season, representation at the center of their learning, and a novel that stays with them long after the snow melts. This project is now fully funded and its impact is already getting started.","fullyFundedDate":1758655317799,"projectUrl":"project/secrets-of-the-universe-power-of-belong/9689031/","projectTitle":"Secrets of the Universe Power of Belonging","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Nicholson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9846685_orig.jpg?crop=1449,1449,x303,y141&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732383296154","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/nicholsonatmotthallhigh"},{"teacherId":9846685,"projectId":9102025,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom has blossomed into a space of creativity, storytelling, and joy!!! With the chalk markers, stickers, and inspiring picture books you helped provide, every single student in our ENL class became both an author and an artist, and at the end of the year, this project cemented their success; every student's original book stood as a testament to their language development and academic progress.\r\n\r\nStudents poured their hearts into creating original stories, illustrating them through drawings, stickers, collage, and even digital tools. Many proudly begged to take their finished books home as gifts for their families or to keep as badges of pride... because now they could truly call themselves creators and authors. Their stories ranged from falling in love, moving to America, and reuniting with parents, to Dominican history, sports careers, cherished pets, and what it means to be a New Yorker. Each book reflected narrative structure, characterization, conflict, symbolism, and most importantly, the voice of a young storyteller eager to share their world.\r\n\r\nThe chalk markers brought extra magic. In preparation for and scaffolding towards decorating and illustrating their own books, students completed a pre-book planning and window design execution assignment. Students turned our classroom windows into glowing stained-glass panels, decorating them with multilingual words and images. These illustrations became \"linguistic anchors\" for the whole class, supporting translanguaging while celebrating culture and identity. Teachers and students alike commented that our room had become their favorite space in the building: a place alive with color, collaboration, and imagination.\r\n\r\nThe picture books we studied (as donated by this DonorsChoose campaign) gave students powerful models to analyze and emulate. Working in pairs, they examined language, imagery, and symbols, which in turn fueled their own creative choices. Peer reviews, story-shares, and collaboration made the process even richer, as students learned not just from the books but from each other.\r\n\r\nLooking back on this project, it reminded me of the 90s movie The Pagemaster, where magical talking books themselves open doors to adventure and self-discovery and each book is its own person. That's what you gave my students: the chance to unlock their imaginations, discover their talents, and step proudly into the role of storyteller and let their ideas have a voice\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, my students see themselves as language learners and as creators. And that sense of ownership, pride, and joy is something they will carry long after this unit ends.","fullyFundedDate":1746785368089,"projectUrl":"project/draw-design-discover-visual-storytell/9102025/","projectTitle":"Draw, Design, Discover: Visual Storytelling for ENL Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Nicholson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9846685_orig.jpg?crop=1449,1449,x303,y141&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732383296154","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/nicholsonatmotthallhigh"},{"teacherId":9846685,"projectId":9069068,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom is now equipped with the Epson Document Camera, and the impact has been immediately wonderful!\r\n\r\nStudent engagement has surged: not only when I demonstrate new tasks and skills at my desk, but also when I share student-created work, like the original picture books they proudly authored. English as a New Language (ENL) students, who often find large blocks of text or full pages of instructions overwhelming, now have clearer, more accessible pathways into learning. By zooming in on specific steps, demonstrating tasks visually while talking them through, and projecting everything in a large, visible way, my students feel supported, confident, and ready to participate.\r\n\r\nThe camera has also created moments of joy and community. We've used it to showcase games, display snack options, and even highlight fun tools like student fidgets. These simple yet powerful moments help foster belonging and connection in our classroom.\r\n\r\nFor me as a teacher, this tool has been transformative. Like a Jedi's lightsaber in Star Wars, it has become essential... helping me guide lessons smoothly, cut down on wasted transition time, and build independence for students without relying on phones or screens. It has encouraged me to embrace technology in ways that scaffold learning while keeping students active and engaged.\r\n\r\nYour support didn't just fund a piece of equipment, you gave us a tool that sharpens focus, brings lessons to life, and empowers students to share their voices with one another. For that, my students and I are deeply grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1746785999241,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-learning-into-focus-a-classroo/9069068/","projectTitle":"Bringing Learning Into Focus: A Classroom Document Camera","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Nicholson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9846685_orig.jpg?crop=1449,1449,x303,y141&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732383296154","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/nicholsonatmotthallhigh"},{"teacherId":9846685,"projectId":9069089,"letterContent":"This past spring the speaker, fidgets, and snacks made a huge difference for my students. The speaker especially brought our room to life. We used music when class started, during transitions, and for community events. It set a positive tone and helped kids feel comfortable. For stories like Ananse's Wisdom Pot and Be Water My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee, we added soundscapes like rushing water or forest sounds. It pulled kids into the texts in a way that felt real. Students also shared their own playlists and songs, so their culture and taste could be heard. It made the classroom feel like their space too. Like the characters in one of my favorite movies Footloose, says, \"This is our time to dance\"... and sometimes we really did.\r\n\r\nThe fidget toys helped students calm down and focus. We had enough for kids to keep their own, which gave them a sense of responsibility and choice. They were able to handle their anxiety in a way that worked for them, and it made the classroom calmer overall.\r\n\r\nThe fruit snacks made such a difference too. Some students came to school hungry or just drained, and having something healthy to grab gave them the energy to keep going. It also built trust... they knew I cared about them and that our classroom was a safe place where their needs mattered.\r\n\r\nTogether these things made our class more focused, joyful, and welcoming. Thank you for giving my students that experience.","fullyFundedDate":1742823912249,"projectUrl":"project/winter-wonderland-of-learning-music-fo/9069089/","projectTitle":"Winter Wonderland of Learning: Music, Focus, and Snacks for All","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Nicholson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9846685_orig.jpg?crop=1449,1449,x303,y141&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732383296154","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/nicholsonatmotthallhigh"},{"teacherId":9976014,"projectId":9208400,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our baseball team through DonorsChoose. Your donation of a bucket of baseballs has made a bigger difference than you might imagine—for both our practice quality and our players' morale.\r\n\r\nBefore receiving your donation, our team was working with just eight baseballs total. Running effective practices under those conditions was a serious challenge. We were constantly stopping drills to retrieve balls, which disrupted the flow and energy of practice. Hitting stations were almost impossible to set up, and on-field hitting sessions were short and limited. As a coach, it was difficult to keep the intensity high or give each player the reps they needed to improve.\r\n\r\nAll of that changed the day your donation arrived.\r\n\r\nThe moment our players saw the full bucket of pristine baseballs—with the official MLB logo—they lit up. There was an instant buzz of excitement and pride. It was like a symbol that someone out there believed in them enough to invest in their development, and they felt it. They still talk about the balls every day, commenting on how \"legit\" they feel, how good the leather is, and how cool it is to be using the same kind of balls the pros use. That little detail—the logo, the quality—truly matters to them.\r\n\r\nWith this new bucket, our practices have taken a huge step forward. We've been able to run high-efficiency hitting stations with three or four groups rotating simultaneously. Players get more reps, stay engaged longer, and work on individualized goals during each rotation. We've also returned to on-field batting practice, something we hadn't been able to do effectively in a long time. The pace, energy, and focus at our practices have all improved dramatically. We're able to coach in real time and give players immediate feedback without constantly stopping to shag. \r\n\r\nLooking ahead, these balls will continue to support our team as we move deeper into the season. Our next goal is to focus on situational hitting—understanding game-like scenarios and making smart decisions at the plate. Thanks to your donation, we can now simulate these situations more effectively with live reps and multiple drills happening at once. It's amazing what a bucket of baseballs can unlock.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our team and helping us build something special. Your gift didn't just give us equipment—it gave us pride, motivation, and a better environment to grow in. You are now part of our team's story, and we're deeply grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1742915383932,"projectUrl":"project/bucket-of-baseballs/9208400/","projectTitle":"Bucket of Baseballs","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Fox","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9976014"},{"teacherId":9846685,"projectId":8980286,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity! Since we received the materials, our ENL classroom in Harlem has become a brighter, happier, and even more creative place to learn.\r\n\r\nOur windows look amazing now! Students got to pick their favorite seasonal decorations — like zombies (even in the spring!), snowflakes, and flowers — and label them in English with bright chalk markers. One of my students, spent extra time making sure every word was spelled perfectly. He told me, \"It feels our classroom is speaking English now!\" Seeing their own work displayed has made students so proud of their progress.\r\n\r\nHealthy Snacks for Hard Work:\r\nThe snacks have been a lifesaver! Some students come to class tired and hungry, and a quick granola bar or fruit strip gives them the energy to stay focused. One day, after a snack break, a student looked at me and said, \"The brain is working!\" It's such a small thing that makes a huge difference.\r\n\r\nExemplar Picture Books:\r\nThe books you helped us get have been a big hit. Stories with Latinae characters and multilingual voices have made students feel seen and heard. For example, after reading a bilingual Spanish-English book together, one student said, \"That sounds like my family.\" These stories have sparked lots of conversations and made reading time one of the most exciting parts of our day.\r\n\r\nBlank Storybooks for Final Projects:\r\nThe blank storybooks are where the real magic is happening. Students are writing and illustrating their own stories, showing how much they've grown this year. Even students who were shy at first are filling pages with their ideas. We even had a \"Stencil Day\" where everyone practiced drawing — and now the pages are full of colorful art and bold words. Watching them create their own books has been truly inspiring.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, our classroom feels full of life — with color, creativity, good food, and proud storytellers. You didn't just send supplies — you sent encouragement, hope, and joy.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping our students believe in themselves. We're so lucky to have you in our corner!","fullyFundedDate":1737117086362,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-minds-filling-pages-snacks-st/8980286/","projectTitle":"Fueling Minds, Filling Pages: Snacks, Stories, Creativity for ENL Stars!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Nicholson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9846685_orig.jpg?crop=1449,1449,x303,y141&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732383296154","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/nicholsonatmotthallhigh"},{"teacherId":9846685,"projectId":8964613,"letterContent":"I am thrilled to share how your generosity has transformed our classroom and brought so much joy and motivation to my students!\r\n\r\nEach Friday, we celebrate the week's hard work with fruit and granola snacks that students truly enjoy. This has quickly become a favorite tradition, as they look forward to ending the week with a warm and celebratory atmosphere.\r\n\r\nThe new, sturdy folders have been a game-changer for organization. Every student received one, and they've personalized and decorated them to reflect their individuality. Choosing their favorite colors added an extra layer of excitement, and they now take pride in staying organized with tools they love.\r\n\r\nThe lamp has been a wonderful addition to our space, especially on rainy days. Its color-changing glow adds a cozy, calming ambiance—like a modern-day fireplace. Students love experimenting with the colors and even use it to make shadow puppets, sparking creativity and fun during downtime.\r\n\r\nThese supplies have not only improved our classroom's functionality but have also created a more inviting and motivating environment. My students and I are incredibly grateful for your support. Thank you for making such a meaningful difference in our learning experience!\r\n\r\nWith gratitude,","fullyFundedDate":1732459543874,"projectUrl":"project/help-make-my-enl-classroom-a-sanctuary/8964613/","projectTitle":"Help Make My ENL Classroom a Sanctuary","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Nicholson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9846685_orig.jpg?crop=1449,1449,x303,y141&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732383296154","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/nicholsonatmotthallhigh"},{"teacherId":1526992,"projectId":8800133,"letterContent":"Your kindness and support have made a significant difference in our school community, and we truly appreciate your commitment to enhancing the lives of our children.\r\n\r\nEvery day, we see the impact your contribution has made. For many of our students, access to nutritious food can be a challenge, especially for those from low-income families. By supplying delicious and healthy snacks, you have helped us address a critical barrier to learning: hunger. \r\n\r\nNot only have your donations alleviated hunger, but they have also fostered a positive and vibrant school environment. Your contributions have had a profound impact on attendance. Students are more inclined to attend school each day when they know they will receive a snack, making it easier for them to commit to learning in a full-day classroom experience. We have noticed a marked increase in attendance since implementing this program, which benefits not only individual students but our entire school community. The connection between proper nutrition and academic performance is undeniable, and your generosity plays a crucial role in helping our students succeed.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has inspired us and reinforced the importance of community support in education. It shows us that when people come together to invest in our youth, incredible things can happen. Your generosity has not only nourished our students' bodies but has also nourished their minds and spirits.\r\n\r\nThank you once again for your selfless contribution. We are truly grateful for your support, and we hope you feel the impact of your generosity knowing that you have made a meaningful difference in the lives of our students. Together, we are shaping a brighter future for them.","fullyFundedDate":1728151205959,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-a-full-school-day-attendance-4/8800133/","projectTitle":"Snacks = A FULL School Day Attendance 4 High Schoolers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Payano","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1526992_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1536335756910","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/cmarte"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_5917","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":277,"numTeachers":18,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":38,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":57,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"15.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":52.9,"schoolId":5917,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Mott Hall High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Mott Hall High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-york/new-york-city-dept-of-ed/mott-hall-high-school/5917"}