{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Putnam City West High School","outOfStateSupporters":31.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8331058,"projectId":10101554,"letterContent":"Every week when I refill the snack bin, my students' faces light up. They come to class hungry — literally and figuratively — and knowing they have access to food removes one barrier to their learning. What started as a simple snack station has become a weekly ritual that my students look forward to. It's not about a specific project; it's about creating a space where my AP World History students know someone cares about their basic needs. For many of them, school is the most consistent, stable place in their lives, and having that snack bin there is a small but powerful way of saying, \"I see you, and you matter.\" My goal is to make this snack program a permanent part of my classroom culture. I want every student who walks through my door to know that this is a safe, supportive space where their needs are met. I'd love to continue restocking weekly and eventually expand this to other units and years. For many of my students, school consistency matters — and so does knowing that an adult cares enough to make sure they're okay. That's the real lesson I want them to take away. We are so thankful for your support for this project, it means so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you! \r\n\r\nFrom Mrs. Yates and her hungry and thankful 15 year olds! <3","fullyFundedDate":1771622945299,"projectUrl":"project/help-us-snack-through-the-rest-of-the-sc/10101554/","projectTitle":"Help Us Snack Through the Rest of the School Year!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Yates","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8331058_orig.jpg?crop=4412,4412,x0,y308&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1771347612305","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8331058"},{"teacherId":8197601,"projectId":9501827,"letterContent":"I would like to take the time to say thank you for all your support. We could not do it with out you. \r\n\r\nOur athletes were very excited to receive the snacks and drinks. With the amount of work that they put in during the season recovery becomes super important. Thanks to your support we were able to provide the fuel need to recover and perform the next day. \r\n\r\nI am very happy to let you guys know that this season we were able to qualify one of our athletes to the state tournament. It might not sound like much but it is the first time it happens in over 8 years.","fullyFundedDate":1758838957045,"projectUrl":"project/a-new-beginning/9501827/","projectTitle":"A New Beginning!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Pando","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8197601_orig.jpg?crop=2736,2736,x462,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1692108749232","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8197601"},{"teacherId":8826997,"projectId":9383322,"letterContent":"This project has truly made a big difference in how my students experience learning every day. While many of our donors use technology at home, what we're doing in the classroom goes a step further. It's not just about having devices—it's about using them in meaningful ways to help students understand, practice, and grow. With this technology, students can interact with lessons in real time, get immediate feedback, and explore ideas through visuals, simulations, and hands-on activities. It's helped shift our classroom from a one-size-fits-all approach to one that really meets students where they are.\r\nOne of the biggest ways this technology supports learning is through differentiation. Every student learns differently, and this has allowed me to better support those differences. Students can work at their own pace, go back and review when they need to, or move ahead when they're ready for more of a challenge. That flexibility has been huge. Instead of feeling stuck or overwhelmed, students feel more in control of their learning. The instant feedback also helps them learn from mistakes right away, which builds confidence and encourages them to keep trying.\r\nThe part students get most excited about is how interactive everything is. They're not just sitting and listening—they're actively involved. They get to create, collaborate, and solve problems in ways that feel engaging and relevant. Many of them love being able to track their own progress and see how much they're improving over time. It gives them a sense of ownership, and that motivation shows in how they approach their work. I've seen students who used to be easily distracted stay focused longer because they're genuinely interested in what they're doing.\r\nThere are a few students who have especially benefited from this change. Some of my quieter students, who don't always feel comfortable speaking up in front of the class, have really come out of their shells. The technology gives them a way to participate and share their thinking without that pressure, and it's been amazing to see their confidence grow. On the other hand, students who love a challenge have been able to push themselves further by exploring more advanced activities and going deeper into topics that interest them.\r\nOverall, this project has helped create a classroom where students feel more supported, more confident, and more excited to learn. It's made learning more accessible and more engaging for everyone. I'm so thankful for the support from our donors—this technology isn't just something \"extra,\" it's something that is truly helping my students grow every day.","fullyFundedDate":1750300160774,"projectUrl":"project/charging-minds-moving-feet/9383322/","projectTitle":"Charging Minds, Moving Feet","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Simien","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8826997_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1686288619843","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8826997"},{"teacherId":8331058,"projectId":9632565,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping our classroom thrive. My students arrive each day eager to explore the past — but simple barriers like hunger, a lack of supplies, or an unclean workspace can interrupt their focus and slow learning. Your generosity has helped remove those barriers so we can dive deeper into history.\r\nHow we're using the new resources\r\nSnacks: Snacks are available for students who arrive hungry or need a mid‑lesson boost so they can concentrate during discussions and activities.\r\nDisinfecting supplies: Wipes and spray keep shared resources, desks, and classroom materials and environment clean, helping us maintain attendance and learning time during sick season.\r\nDuring a recent unit on Imperialism, students worked in small groups with primary‑source packets (letters, photographs, and speeches). Because every group had the supplies they needed, each team was able to be successful in their work!\r\nWhen I opened the boxes, the students were instantly excited. Initially, they were hesitant, but once everyone realized the snacks were for them – they immediately were grateful and happy.\r\nYour support is directly improving students' ability to engage with historical thinking — analyzing sources, supporting claims with evidence, and participating in respectful discussion. Because of you, our classroom is better stocked, healthier, and more focused on learning. I am so excited to continue this for them! Thank you thank you thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1763503561759,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-for-energy-supplies-for-success/9632565/","projectTitle":"Snacks for Energy, Supplies for Success!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Yates","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8331058_orig.jpg?crop=4412,4412,x0,y308&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1771347612305","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8331058"},{"teacherId":8826997,"projectId":9327307,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our classroom has been transformed in ways that truly matter for our students.\r\n\r\nWe have been using the new resources daily, and they have already made a powerful difference. One moment that stands out was during a recent project where students worked in small groups to apply what they were learning in a hands-on way. With the new materials, they were able to explore concepts more deeply, collaborate more effectively, and take real ownership of their learning. Instead of just reading about the topic, they were actively building, creating, discussing, and problem-solving together. \r\n\r\nThe level of engagement and excitement in the room was incredible.\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the students' reactions said it all—wide eyes, huge smiles, and lots of \"Are these really for us?\" They immediately wanted to dive in. For many of them, having access to high-quality, classroom-specific resources made them feel valued and important. They understood that people they have never even met believed in them enough to invest in their learning.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we are building on this momentum. Students are beginning a new project that will allow them to apply their skills in more complex and creative ways. \r\n\r\nThey'll be using the resources you provided to research, design, test ideas, and present their findings. The goal is not only to strengthen academic skills, but also to build confidence, teamwork, and critical thinking. Because of you, they have the tools they need to take these next steps.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving our students opportunities they might not otherwise have had. Your support is making a meaningful and lasting impact in our classroom every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1746786285622,"projectUrl":"project/future-scientists-at-work-lab-learning/9327307/","projectTitle":"Future Scientists at Work: Lab Learning in Action","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Simien","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8826997_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1686288619843","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8826997"},{"teacherId":8197601,"projectId":9400327,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for taking the time to support our program. We could not have done it without your support. It was a great thing to be able to feed our runners before and after our meets. Our students were so happy to see a cooler full of Gatorade after a hard run and to grab a snack to recover. This year we managed to make great improvements to the program and were able to qualify a runner to the state meet, something that had not happen in years. Most of our runners will be returning so we expected to have a great and successful season next year.","fullyFundedDate":1757266103652,"projectUrl":"project/making-a-difference/9400327/","projectTitle":"Making a Difference!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Pando","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8197601_orig.jpg?crop=2736,2736,x462,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1692108749232","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8197601"},{"teacherId":5295625,"projectId":9719644,"letterContent":"Thank you for making it possible for my AP Biology students to use CO₂ sensors in our respiration labs. With these new tools, students designed and carried out an investigation to determine whether pea plants were actively respiring. By placing germinating pea plants in sealed chambers and monitoring changes in carbon dioxide levels over time, students were able to collect real-time, quantitative data that clearly showed an increase in CO₂—evidence that the plants were undergoing cellular respiration.\r\n\r\nThis experience moved learning far beyond textbooks and diagrams. Students analyzed graphs generated from their own data, discussed sources of error, and connected their results directly to the biochemical processes of respiration they study in AP Biology. Many students commented that being able to \"see\" respiration happening through data made the concept finally click. They were engaged, curious, and thinking like scientists—asking follow-up questions and proposing extensions to the experiment.\r\n\r\nYour support had a direct and meaningful impact on student learning. These sensors transformed an abstract concept into a concrete, memorable experience and strengthened my students' confidence in experimental design and data analysis. Thank you for investing in hands-on science and helping my students experience what real biology looks like.\r\n\r\nWith gratitude,\r\nAmber Newton","fullyFundedDate":1759431345084,"projectUrl":"project/co2-sensors-for-curious-students/9719644/","projectTitle":"CO2 Sensors for Curious Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Newton","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5295625_orig.jpg?crop=2208,2208,x0,y147&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1667492082551","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5295625"},{"teacherId":5951597,"projectId":9306647,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our junk journaling project! The sketchbooks and materials have helped make this an engaging experience. My English learners were 100% focused with this analog, hands-on activity–a huge accomplishment for this digital generation! They were so excited to create something that was truly their own.\r\n Our first project was a culture collage, where students used images and colors to represent parts of their culture—food, music, language, family, art, values, and traditions. Then they wrote reflections about what their culture means to them. Even though all my students speak Spanish, they discovered how beautifully diverse their backgrounds are. It was the perfect way to begin Hispanic Heritage Month.\r\n The journals have become powerful tools for language learning. Students are now using their pages as springboards for longer writing pieces and short presentations, gaining confidence with every step.\r\n Thank you for helping my students discover the power of their voices through art and literacy!","fullyFundedDate":1750773694303,"projectUrl":"project/picture-this-building-el-literacy-throu/9306647/","projectTitle":"Picture This: Building EL Literacy Through Art & Story","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Mendenhall","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5951597"},{"teacherId":9508728,"projectId":9307143,"letterContent":"My students and I have been putting the new materials to great use in meaningful and creative ways. With each student having access to their own highlighters, paper, and a classroom stapler, we've been able to launch an ongoing journal-building project that gives students ownership over their learning. Each week, students reflect on lessons, respond to prompts, and highlight key ideas or personal connections in their writing. These journals are stapled together to create a growing portfolio of their progress, giving them a sense of pride and independence in their work. The ability to gather, organize, and personalize their materials has helped students take more initiative and responsibility in the classroom.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the excitement in the room was immediate. Students were especially thrilled to have their own highlighters—it may seem like a small thing, but to them, it symbolized ownership and trust. They loved setting up their journals, decorating covers, and planning how they would use different colors to code and organize their thoughts. These resources have made the classroom feel more like their space, not just mine.","fullyFundedDate":1746786991341,"projectUrl":"project/power-up-our-learning-pencils-paper-a/9307143/","projectTitle":"Power Up Our Learning: Pencils, Paper, and Possibilities!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9508728_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y504&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1712717077627","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9508728"},{"teacherId":9508728,"projectId":9293449,"letterContent":"Introducing games for review, providing snacks, and using a teacher rolling desk have collectively transformed the classroom environment in meaningful ways. The games for review have turned learning into an interactive and engaging experience, encouraging students to actively participate and collaborate. This playful approach helps solidify their understanding of the material while reducing anxiety around assessments. Students are more motivated to review content because the games make repetition enjoyable rather than tedious, leading to better retention and a more dynamic classroom atmosphere.\r\nProviding snacks has also contributed positively by addressing students' basic needs, which is fundamental for effective learning. When students aren't distracted by hunger, their focus and energy levels improve, allowing them to engage more fully with lessons and activities. This simple gesture fosters a sense of care and community within the classroom, showing students that their well-being matters, which can increase their overall comfort and willingness to participate.\r\nThe teacher rolling desk has enhanced mobility and interaction, enabling me to move more freely around the classroom and engage with students individually or in small groups. This flexibility helps me provide timely support, monitor progress closely, and maintain a more personal connection with each learner. Altogether, these changes have created a more supportive, engaging, and effective learning environment that benefits both students and teacher alike.","fullyFundedDate":1746787051461,"projectUrl":"project/rolling-into-learning-snacks-games-an/9293449/","projectTitle":"Rolling into Learning: Snacks, Games, and Desk on the Go!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9508728_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y504&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1712717077627","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9508728"},{"teacherId":9806389,"projectId":9037887,"letterContent":"I want to sincerely thank you for your generous support of our classroom. Your donations toward snacks have made a tremendous difference for my behavior students. We use the snacks as positive reinforcements throughout the day, and they have quickly become a powerful motivator for students to stay on task, make positive choices, and engage in their lessons. One specific moment that stood out was when a student who often struggles with focus completed an entire assignment without redirection, proudly choosing his snack reward at the end. That moment showed how small incentives can lead to big steps in growth and confidence.\r\n\r\nWhen the snacks first arrived, the excitement was immediate. Students' faces lit up, and many of them asked if they could \"earn one today.\" Their enthusiasm turned into motivation, and I saw an instant shift in the energy of our classroom. For many of my students, these resources are more than just a treat — they represent encouragement, consistency, and recognition for their hard work.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, my students will continue to work toward academic and behavioral goals with the support of these reinforcements. We are currently focusing on building self-management skills, and the snacks help us celebrate milestones both big and small. Thank you for giving my students something tangible to work toward, and for believing in them. Your kindness has truly made an impact in their daily lives and has created a more positive, motivating classroom environment.","fullyFundedDate":1746506988612,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-not-smacks-2nd-semester/9037887/","projectTitle":"Snacks Not Smacks *2nd Semester","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dudley-Rhodes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9806389_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1729105970116","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9806389"},{"teacherId":9194176,"projectId":9319288,"letterContent":"I cannot thank you enough for the kindness and generosity you have shown our program. These items are not just equipment, but they are investments in the growth and success of our student athletes. By supporting this initiative, you have provided some of the essential resources needed to foster teamwork, discipline, and leadership among our players.\r\n\r\nThe TV has been an efficient way for our players to learn by visually seeing what they are doing on a day to day basis. It has given us a way to improve their decision making, habits, and application from the film room to the court. The board has also been a strong resource to supplement the film, as a way to teach, reinforce, and give direction our players. \r\nWe deeply value your partnership and commitment to the success of our program.","fullyFundedDate":1746787323895,"projectUrl":"project/proper-preparation-prevents-pressure/9319288/","projectTitle":"Proper Preparation Prevents Pressure","teacherDisplayName":"Coach G Wright","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9194176_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746421826251","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9194176"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_87065","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1943,"numTeachers":110,"percentFrplEligible":87,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":14,"percentWhite":15,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":59,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":8,"gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"17.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":68.6,"schoolId":87065,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Putnam City West High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Putnam City West High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/oklahoma/putnam-city-schools/putnam-city-west-high-school/87065"}