{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Highland Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":16.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5709365,"projectId":9320007,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our 5th grade reading classroom! Because of your donations, we were able to purchase class sets of The Wild Robot and A Song for a Whale. Your generosity gave my students something incredibly valuable: the opportunity to experience the excitement of reading and discussing a wonderful book together as a class.\r\n\r\nLast year, our novel-reading time quickly became one of my students' favorite parts of the school day. They couldn't wait to continue reading and find out what was going to happen next. When it was time to stop for the day, I was often met with disappointed reactions because they wanted to keep going! As a reading teacher, there are few things more rewarding than seeing a classroom full of children genuinely excited about a book.\r\n\r\nHaving a copy of the novel available for every student made this experience possible. Instead of reading short, disconnected passages, students were able to become invested in characters, follow a story as it developed over time, make predictions, notice important details, and discuss their ideas with their classmates. The books gave us countless opportunities to practice important reading skills while allowing those skills to develop naturally through stories the students truly cared about.\r\n\r\nThe level of engagement and enthusiasm for reading soared during our novel studies. Students who did not always consider themselves enthusiastic readers became curious about what would happen next. They talked about the books with one another, shared predictions, reacted to surprising moments, and eagerly returned to the stories each day. Reading became more than an assignment they needed to complete—it became something they looked forward to.\r\n\r\nThat is exactly the kind of experience I want my 5th graders to have in reading class. I want them to understand that reading isn't only about answering questions, taking assessments, or practicing skills. Reading can make us curious. It can help us understand experiences different from our own. It can introduce us to unforgettable characters, make us think deeply, and sometimes make it very difficult to put a book down!\r\n\r\nYour donations helped make those moments possible and we are all incredibly grateful for your generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1748009566441,"projectUrl":"project/5th-grade-novel-studies/9320007/","projectTitle":"5th Grade Novel Studies","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Csakany","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5709365"},{"teacherId":5709365,"projectId":9485960,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our 5th grade reading classroom! Because of your kindness, my students now have new flexible seating options that will help make our classroom a more comfortable, welcoming, and effective place to learn. We are incredibly grateful that you chose to invest in our students and their education.\r\n\r\nYour donations allowed us to purchase new lap desks and sturdy stools for our small-group reading table. These may seem like simple classroom items, but they will make a meaningful difference in the way my students learn each day. The lap desks give students the freedom to move away from a traditional desk and find a spot in the classroom where they feel comfortable reading, writing, and completing assignments. The new stools provide safe, sturdy seating for students as they work with me in small reading groups.\r\n\r\nOne of the things I love most about flexible seating is that it gives students more ownership of their learning environment. Not every child learns best sitting at a traditional desk all day. Some students need a change of location, a different type of seat, or simply a little more space in order to focus. With these new seating options, students can easily move around the classroom and choose a learning space that works best for their individual needs. They can use a lap desk while sitting in a comfortable area to read independently, move closer to classmates for collaborative work, or gather around our reading table for focused small-group instruction.\r\n\r\nIn a 5th grade reading classroom, students spend a great deal of time reading, discussing, thinking, and writing. I want my classroom to be a place where students feel comfortable settling into a good book, participating in meaningful conversations, and challenging themselves as readers. Having flexible seating options helps create that kind of environment. When students feel comfortable and have some choice in where and how they work, they are better able to focus on the learning in front of them.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has also helped me create a classroom that communicates an important message to my students: their individual learning needs matter. They do not all have to learn in exactly the same way or in exactly the same place. Instead, they can begin discovering what helps them feel focused, successful, and ready to learn. That independence is an important skill that they can carry with them beyond 5th grade.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, I want you to know that your donation is appreciated not only by me, but by every student who will use these materials throughout the school year. Your support helps provide opportunities and resources that make our classroom a better place for children to learn and grow.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in teachers, supporting public education, and helping provide my students with a classroom designed around their needs. We are so grateful for your generosity and for the difference you have made in our 5th grade reading classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1756986710264,"projectUrl":"project/flexible-seating/9485960/","projectTitle":"Flexible Seating","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Csakany","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5709365"},{"teacherId":5709365,"projectId":8904406,"letterContent":"The flexible seating pieces we added to our 5th grade reading classroom because of your generous funding have made a huge impact on student productivity! My students felt comfortable and engaged with their work when given the option to move around the room to a spot that best suits their learning style. The new lap desks and reading group table stools have been the favorite newest additions. They are portable and easy for students to move around the classroom. With a new school year starting, my new group of 5th graders will surely benefit from your support as well. Your donation has made a huge impact on the positive learning environment and feel of my classroom. Thank you for supporting my students, our classroom and our school!","fullyFundedDate":1733281784642,"projectUrl":"project/flexible-seating/8904406/","projectTitle":"Flexible Seating","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Csakany","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5709365"},{"teacherId":778074,"projectId":10094108,"letterContent":"My students could not be more excited for the new materials acquired through this grant! Students with learning disabilities need repetition, repetition, repetition in addition to strategic breakdown of skills and opportunities to apply them in various settings. These materials hit all of those categories!\r\nBy utilizing the manipulative and letter boards, I have been able to scaffold learning much easier than before. As we introduce new skills we can move from building words with tiles, to using manipulative to map the sounds and connect letters, to removing to scaffolds to write independently. \r\nThey think the best part is the games! These make great practice and reinforcement in a play environment!","fullyFundedDate":1771613429659,"projectUrl":"project/touching-seeing-and-hearing-our-way-to/10094108/","projectTitle":"Touching, Seeing, and Hearing Our Way to Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Naylor","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/778074"},{"teacherId":10396892,"projectId":9984406,"letterContent":"My students absolutely LOVED the donations from this project! We had so much fun with our Wild Robot novel study during the spring. As 5th graders, sometimes the pressure can be on to read because we HAVE to, but very rarely do kids get engaged in reading for fun. I can fully say that EVERY single student was invested in this novel study. Students who normally do not participate during class were actively having conversations in their book study groups, parents were messaging saying for the first time their child loved reading and came home talking about what we read today... the list could go on and on. We used The Wild Robot to review all fiction standards for 5th grade and incorporated skills they would also need for their end of grade test.\r\n\r\nMost days, students would break into their assigned groups and have book club. They would read their designated reading for the day and complete some form of activity/project before the end of class. Other days when it would be a very suspenseful chapter or left on a cliff hanger, we would simply do a fun read aloud gathered on the carpet with me reading to them (hearing the gasps and \"I knew its!\" was so rewarding).\r\n\r\nOnce we finished the novel study, we spent the day before spring break playing review activities for the book, building \"Roz the robot\" out of our special snack donated by parents, and watched the movie. Many students say that has been their favorite part of 5th grade so far! \r\n\r\nUnfortunately for our book \"Song for a Whale,\" we did not get to complete a full novel study due to lack of time before EOGs. However, due to some social emotional needs and lessons needed for my class, I have started reading this book in the mornings during morning meeting. Students seem to like it so far and we are still at the beginning. I can't wait to see them get hooked as we continue reading!","fullyFundedDate":1768002781690,"projectUrl":"project/novelists-in-the-now/9984406/","projectTitle":"Novelists in the Now","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Barrier","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10396892"},{"teacherId":10374777,"projectId":10019501,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the wonderful new Legos! Our students are loving this fun and creative addition to our library. When students first saw the materials, their faces lit up with pure joy! \r\nAfter our read alouds, students have free options. One of those options includes building. Having these Lego bins gives students the option to free build, exploring their own creativity and ingenuity. These hands on materials helps students to take charge of their own learning or problem-solving skills, rather than relying on technology. We have also had challenges or competitions where students use the Legos to build a scene or object from our read aloud, such as building an olympic skating rink (following the Winter olympics) and building a cattle chute (after learning about Dr. Temple Grandin). \r\nWe truly appreciate your generosity! You have made a huge difference!","fullyFundedDate":1769011848209,"projectUrl":"project/lego-resources-for-the-library/10019501/","projectTitle":"LEGO Resources for the Library","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Squires","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10374777_orig.jpg?crop=724,724,x146,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1764875968587","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10374777"},{"teacherId":10374777,"projectId":9945438,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible donation! So far, the STEM bins have been a hit in the library. After our read alouds, students have been assigned a challenge to build an item related to the read aloud. The first challenge included students working together to build the tallest free standing snowman with notecards, paper, and tape (from the STEM bins). This was a hit! Students were able to problem-solve, and be creative in their snowman designs. The real challenge was trying to get them to stand without gravity pulling their snowman down or causing it to tip over. \r\n\r\nRecently, I have given student the options to explore the different STEM bins and challenge cards that were included in the kit. They enjoy this independent time where they get to free build and create using these new materials!","fullyFundedDate":1765424796228,"projectUrl":"project/stem-bins-for-the-makerspace-in-the-libr/9945438/","projectTitle":"STEM Bins for the Makerspace in the Library","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Squires","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10374777_orig.jpg?crop=724,724,x146,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1764875968587","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10374777"},{"teacherId":5520797,"projectId":9721058,"letterContent":"My students come in excited to learn when they see their cool seats to sit in. They have really loved and appreciated the flags of their home countries. This is something that brings a piece of home to them and makes them feel proud of where they have come from. They are always eager to show people and share about their home. We have used the cardstock paper for several projects already and this helps keep them sturdy so that we can showcase our work for others to see. I can't express enough thanks for giving these items to my students. You all are truly making a difference in our schools.","fullyFundedDate":1760025469674,"projectUrl":"project/comfortable-classroom-for-english-learne/9721058/","projectTitle":"Comfortable Classroom for English Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Allred","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5520797_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1531519336584","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-allredproject"},{"teacherId":5457012,"projectId":9881413,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for providing my class with the Holes novel! They are so eager to begin our Novel Study! We are going to utilize the materials to collaborate with our school librarian and expand the novel study beyond our classroom! They were inspired by your generosity and are so grateful for the opportunity! Many of my students have made great strides in their enjoyments and understanding of text. They are excited to explore different themes and genres! During our novel study students will participate in whole group activities such as vocabulary expansion, chapter connections and chapter summaries. We will use the text to reference character experiences, emotions and conflicts. This will be my first year being able to provide all of my students with their own book to use during the study! We couldn't be more grateful and excited! Thank you from us all!\r\n-Ms. Shell's 4th Grade Class\r\nHighland Elementary-Burlington NC","fullyFundedDate":1762698856947,"projectUrl":"project/holes-by-louis-sachar-novel-study-ms-s/9881413/","projectTitle":"Holes by Louis Sachar Novel Study Ms. Shell’s 4th Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Shell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5457012_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y57&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1762519330083","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5457012"},{"teacherId":5520797,"projectId":9374719,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity to our classroom. My students and I will continue to gain from this project donation throughout this year and years to come. This project is geared towards my second graders and Newcomer students. When they saw the puppets, new books and STEM connected kits, they were so eager to learn! They asked me each day, \"when will we get to start working with those kits over there?\" Immediately, your project has created an excitement to learn in my classroom. \r\n\r\nSo far, I have used the kit for Goldilocks and the Three Bears with my Newcomer 5th graders. We read the text together and discussed character actions, feelings and traits. We read through the script that we would be using for our puppet show. The students were MOTIVATED to read the scripts, even if reading the English was hard for them. Seeing this brought so much joy and assurance. My students are still working on perfecting their puppet show for some of the younger students to watch. Having the puppet in their hand almost has taken some of the pressure off of them as the speaker. Again, thank you so much and I can't wait to continue to use all of these resources with this group and other groups for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1750797650627,"projectUrl":"project/english-learners-take-the-stage-of-succe/9374719/","projectTitle":"English Learners Take the Stage of Success!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Allred","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5520797_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1531519336584","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-allredproject"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_94516","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":659,"numTeachers":47,"percentFrplEligible":54,"percentAsian":5,"percentBlack":32,"percentWhite":33,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":19,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":9,"gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"14.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":83.1,"schoolId":94516,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Highland Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Highland Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/north-carolina/alamance-burlington-school-system/highland-elementary-school/94516"}