{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Charles D Owen High School","outOfStateSupporters":29.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10037860,"projectId":9362848,"letterContent":"I am incredibly grateful for your contribution to this project. On behalf of my AP Language and Composition students, I want to extend a sincere thank you for our class set of Leslie Marmon Silko's healing novel, Ceremony.\r\n\r\nThe longer I spend teaching the in public education setting the more I understand how significant a high-quality class set is. It moves us from using copies of a novel that have visible water damage and mold to a fresh, focused, and equitable experience. Because of your gift, there is a tangible shift in the level of focus; when reading off of a digital copy (helpful in its own context), there is the constant struggle to stay focused in the midst of other course's work (and sometimes games) on their school devices.\r\n\r\nBefore we begin reading in the next semester, we completed an introductory activity using the poem that Silko wrote as the novel's epigraph. By researching Indigenous storytelling (and the stereotypes that tribes across the U.S. and beyond have to endure), the students have already gained an increased understanding of the power of stories. The images attached to this thank-you package are some of the end products: enjoy as you read some lessons that the students consider important from their own stories.","fullyFundedDate":1749255615974,"projectUrl":"project/ceremony-by-leslie-marmon-silko/9362848/","projectTitle":"Ceremony, by Leslie Marmon Silko","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Dement","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10037860"},{"teacherId":9933488,"projectId":9305572,"letterContent":"I am writing with heartfelt gratitude to thank you for supporting my \"Roaring Into New Gatsby Books\" project. Because of your generosity, my students were able to experience The Great Gatsby in a completely new and engaging way—with fresh, modern copies instead of the worn and yellowing editions we'd been using since the 1980s. Your support brought energy and excitement into our classroom, and I want to share with you the incredible impact you made.\r\n\r\nFrom the moment I handed out the new books, the students' reactions were priceless. There was an audible buzz in the room as they flipped through crisp pages and admired the updated covers. Some even commented that the books \"smelled like a bookstore,\" a small but telling sign of how much more inviting the reading experience became.\r\n\r\nThese new editions did more than just look good; they helped my students connect with the material in meaningful ways. Even some of my most reluctant readers—the ones who typically groan at the idea of a classic novel—were surprised to find themselves drawn into Gatsby's extravagant world. Several students shared that they initially didn't expect to enjoy the book, but as we read and discussed it together, they became genuinely invested in the story and the characters.\r\n\r\nOne of the most powerful outcomes of this project was the way The Great Gatsby sparked conversations about social class, ambition, and the American Dream. Students debated whether Gatsby was a tragic hero or simply a man chasing a dream. They wrestled with the concept of old money vs. new money, and what those divisions say about our society then and now. It was incredibly rewarding to watch them apply these ideas to the modern world and to their own lives.\r\n\r\nOne student, who has always struggled to engage with literature, told me, \"I didn't think I'd like this book, but Gatsby's story made me think a lot about how people try to change themselves to fit in. It's kind of sad, but also real because we still do that today.\" That moment alone reminded me of why we teach—and how powerful it is when students see themselves in the stories they read.\r\n\r\nYour donation didn't just provide books; it opened the door to critical thinking, empathy, and a new appreciation for literature. You've helped foster a classroom environment where reading is not a chore but a journey—one filled with curiosity, insight, and discussion. On behalf of every student who discovered a little more about themselves through Gatsby's story, I say, \"Thank you, Old Sport!\"","fullyFundedDate":1746452510807,"projectUrl":"project/roaring-into-new-gatsby-books/9305572/","projectTitle":"Roaring Into New Gatsby Books","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9933488_orig.jpg?crop=462,462,x38,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1740763051079","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9933488"},{"teacherId":9933488,"projectId":9136365,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your incredibly generous donation to fund my Ignite a Love of Reading project which provided a complete class set of Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds for my class. Because of your kindness, my students and I were able to explore this powerful story that has left a lasting impact on everyone who read it.\r\n\r\nFrom the very first page, Long Way Down drew my students into the story. The creative narrative style and the powerful, thought-provoking themes immediately drew them in. They were hooked from the very beginning, eagerly discussing what would happen next and reflecting on the choices the main character, Will was making. I, too, continue to be impressed by how engaging the novel is. It is written in a way that is easy to follow, but still deeply impactful. The story's poetry-like flow makes it a joy to read aloud in class, and I could see the students' eyes light up as they connected with the different characters and their struggles.\r\n\r\nOne of the most rewarding aspects of reading Long Way Down with my students was how it helped them better understand the themes, characters, and symbols in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. At first, they thought it would be difficult to relate a modern novel like Long Way Down to a classic tragedy like Romeo and Juliet. But through our discussions and close readings, they discovered many similarities between the two texts. Both stories revolve around cycles of violence, vengeance, and the decisions that young people make under pressure. The themes of loyalty, family, and fate found in Romeo and Juliet were more accessible to my students because they had already explored these same ideas in the modern context of Long Way Down.\r\n\r\nThroughout our unit, students were able to find specific text evidence in both Long Way Down and Romeo and Juliet that connected the stories. They analyzed the characters, symbols, and themes, drawing comparisons between Will's journey in Long Way Down and Romeo and Juliet's impulsive actions. They explored how the characters were shaped by the violent environments around them and how both struggled to break free from the expectations placed on them by their families and communities. The use of symbols—like the elevator in Long Way Down and the poison in Romeo and Juliet—were also a key point of discussion, as students noticed how both stories depicted the destructive consequences of poor decisions.\r\n\r\nThe opportunity to make these connections and engage deeply with both texts was invaluable. It sparked thoughtful discussions, critical thinking, and creative analysis. I can confidently say that the novel Long Way Down has made a significant and lasting impact on my students, both in terms of their literary skills and their understanding of the world around them.\r\n\r\nYour kindness and generosity have provided more than just a set of books; you've given my students a chance to engage with important ideas in a meaningful way. You've helped them realize the importance of making thoughtful, well-considered decisions, understanding the consequences of those choices, and recognizing how their actions can affect both themselves and those around them.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your unbelievable generosity. The ripple effect of your donation will continue long after this unit ends. You've made a difference, not only in their education but in their lives.","fullyFundedDate":1741103928796,"projectUrl":"project/ignite-a-love-of-reading/9136365/","projectTitle":"Ignite a Love of Reading!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9933488_orig.jpg?crop=462,462,x38,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1740763051079","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9933488"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_2332","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":635,"numTeachers":53,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":4,"percentWhite":75,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":13,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"12.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":70.4,"schoolId":2332,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Charles D Owen High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Charles D Owen High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/north-carolina/buncombe-county-school-district/charles-d-owen-high-school/2332"}