{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"West Hills Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":39.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":1969298,"projectId":9859694,"letterContent":"My students are thrilled with our new fluency buddies! As the stuffed animals were arriving, students saw the box filling up and kept asking about them. What are they for, Ms. Dempsey? When they found out the animals were going to be their new fluency buddies for Friday reading, they became so excited!\r\n\r\nPresently, my students ask to use the fluency buddies for every independent activity now, not just reading on Fridays. I have been told the fluency buddies not only help them read better, but they also help them with their math. I think students feel comfort with a fluency buddy at their side. They have someone to read to, someone that sits supportively by their side as they try something new, someone that they say is cheering them on!\r\n\r\nThank you again for your generosity! My kiddos are so enamored with all the different choices they have each time we pull out our Fluency Buddies. They truly delight in reading to their favorite stuffies!","fullyFundedDate":1764789185941,"projectUrl":"project/furry-friends-for-fluency-friday/9859694/","projectTitle":"Furry Friends for Fluency Friday","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dempsey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1969298"},{"teacherId":10077572,"projectId":9654734,"letterContent":"I want to begin by saying thank you. Your generosity has made a meaningful difference in our classroom, and I truly wish you could see the impact you have had on my students each day. Because of your support, we now have a mobile whiteboard and tennis balls for the bottoms of our classroom chairs—two things that may seem simple, but have completely transformed the way our classroom functions and the way my students learn.\r\n\r\nThe mobile whiteboard has quickly become one of the most valuable tools in our classroom. Before we had it, our learning was centered around a single fixed space at the front of the room. Now, learning can happen anywhere. I can roll the whiteboard right up to students as they are working, gathering small groups around it so we can solve problems together, brainstorm ideas, or work through new concepts step by step. Instead of students having to come to the board, the board comes to them, which makes learning feel more interactive and accessible.\r\n\r\nMy students absolutely love it. The excitement on their faces when they get to write on the board or participate in a group activity is something I wish I could show you in person. It has allowed for more hands-on learning, more collaboration, and more confidence from students who might normally hesitate to participate. When the board rolls over to their table, suddenly they feel like leaders of the lesson. They eagerly volunteer to write, draw, explain their thinking, and help their classmates understand. It has created so many wonderful moments of engagement that simply weren't possible before.\r\n\r\nThe mobility of the board has also allowed me to meet students where they are academically. I can pull small groups together quickly and work through problems at their level, while others continue practicing independently. It has helped create a more flexible and responsive learning environment, and my students are benefiting from that every single day.\r\n\r\nThe tennis balls for the bottoms of our chairs have also made a surprisingly big impact. Something as simple as adding tennis balls has made moving chairs so much easier and quieter. Our classroom is noticeably calmer without the scraping sounds that used to happen whenever students moved their seats. It allows us to transition between activities smoothly without disrupting the flow of learning. Students can slide their chairs in and out easily, which has been especially helpful during group work and collaborative activities.\r\n\r\nBeyond the practical benefits, these small changes help create a classroom environment that feels comfortable and welcoming for my students. When the classroom runs more smoothly, students can focus on what really matters—learning, exploring, and building confidence in themselves.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, your generosity has shown my students that there are people out there who care about their education and believe in their potential. That message is incredibly powerful. When I shared with them that donors made these materials possible, they were genuinely amazed and grateful. It was a wonderful opportunity to talk about kindness, generosity, and the importance of supporting one another.\r\n\r\nPlease know that your donation is not just a piece of equipment or a classroom supply—it is an investment in real students, real learning, and real moments of growth. Every time we gather around the whiteboard, every time a student confidently writes out their answer, and every time a group of students collaborates on a problem together, your generosity is part of that moment.\r\n\r\nFrom the bottom of my heart, and on behalf of my students, thank you for believing in our classroom. Your support has made learning more interactive, more engaging, and more joyful for my students, and we are so incredibly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1765725043323,"projectUrl":"project/bring-hands-on-teaching-tools-to-my-spec/9654734/","projectTitle":"Bring Hands-On Teaching Tools to My Special Education Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fritz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10077572_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752436194778","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10077572"},{"teacherId":7393538,"projectId":9924517,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping us keep all our class items organized. This year we received a new curriculum, and we have many activities planned. This helps keep it all together and organized as well as a place to store it for future use. We have very little storage space in our classroom so this gives us a way of keeping it contained in a special spot. It also makes it easier for the kids to learn how to be independent and get their supplies for activities and know where to go. Thank you for making this happen and allowing us to grow.","fullyFundedDate":1766246889944,"projectUrl":"project/organization-for-days/9924517/","projectTitle":"Organization for Days","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Fersten","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7393538_orig.jpg?crop=803,803,x70,y96&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1693699778346","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/fersten"},{"teacherId":2173953,"projectId":9788059,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for these book sets! I have collected novels for student led novel studies (3-5 books), but this was a bigger endeavor to provide novels a larger number for most of the class. \r\n Our monthly book clubs allow students to read at their own pace, individually or with help, and at their own speed, but then come together and talk about what they liked, what they didn't, if they would recommend it, etc. with their peers. Sometimes students can feel shy or bashful if they don't have the reading skills they wish they had yet. These clubs give all students a level playing field and allows all to participate. These are fun lunches with an accompanying treat to celebrate a job well done. \r\n Thank you so much for your willingness to give and support me, but mostly my students! Buying school supplies, curriculum materials, and things to engage students in learning and experimenting adds up... I am so grateful for the funds you donated to help these books get in the hands of my students. Thank you, thank you, thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1766597667614,"projectUrl":"project/novels-for-knowledge/9788059/","projectTitle":"Novels for Knowledge!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Harrison","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2173953_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1467329425632","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/blairharrison"},{"teacherId":10106283,"projectId":9524625,"letterContent":"The students are absolutely loving their new flexible seating for their classroom. I teach out of a portable so spacing is a little tight in there, especially for my classes of 20+ students. But these wonderful donations have made it possible for my students and we cannot thank you enough!\r\nOur students have used these seats during project work, experiments, and testing. They love getting to use the pillows and cushions around the classroom to sit on the floor, relax on the ground during free time, or just to make their desk a little more cozy for learning. The stools finally make my kidney bean- shaped table a secure place for learning and small group outreach. These donations have made this classroom and safe and comfy place to learn. Thank you so much for the generosity towards this first year teacher!","fullyFundedDate":1758276354399,"projectUrl":"project/flexible-seating-for-new-classroom/9524625/","projectTitle":"Flexible Seating for New Classroom!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Trageser","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10106283"},{"teacherId":1969298,"projectId":9537703,"letterContent":"Oh my goodness! I cannot express how appreciative we all are for the items in this project! My kiddos were so excited when I shared all the various STEM kits that we got. They are fascinated during indoor recess now, with STEM activities that are really challenging them to think, and they gravitate to these activities every single time we have to stay inside for recess. The pillows are loved and used every time we have partner activities (multiple times a day). My students regularly tell me that the class feels cozy to them because they are comfortable sitting in so many different places. \r\n\r\nBecause I had surgery in the middle of all this, we have not yet gotten to use the pool noodles for desk drumming. I need to cut them down to the appropriate size, and then we will be set to go. I am finally starting to feel like myself and will get the noodles cut over the winter break. The kiddos will be so excited!\r\n\r\nAgain, thank you so very much!","fullyFundedDate":1757423335493,"projectUrl":"project/my-classroom-is-a-safe-space-for-me/9537703/","projectTitle":"My Classroom is a Safe Space for Me!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dempsey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1969298"},{"teacherId":9023723,"projectId":9605756,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping us enrich our library! Your generosity has provided us with a diverse collection of new books that is essential for nurturing my students' individual qualities and boundless curiosity. We are using the new books every day and students are excited to check them out for independent reading. \r\n\r\nThe impact was immediate when the boxes arrived. The students' reaction when they first saw the colorful, unwrapped books was pure joy. They treated it like a treasure hunt! Students immediately flocked to the shelves, drawn to the covers depicting characters and cultures that looked like their own families, and others that introduced completely new worlds. These new items to our collection ensures that every child can find a story that speaks to them, making their learning journey more personal and impactful.\r\n\r\nThese new, engaging books are highly motivating for students to practice their reading skills and build fluency and comprehension. Your donation has truly helped our library become a dynamic, inclusive, and engaging learning environment for all.","fullyFundedDate":1758854742891,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-young-imaginations-one-book-at/9605756/","projectTitle":"Fueling Young Imaginations, One Book at a Time","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Schultz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9023723_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1725731200546","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9023723"},{"teacherId":9023723,"projectId":9605032,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous contribution, our students are diving into a world of hands-on discovery! We've transformed our library into a vibrant learning space using the new STEM materials, logic puzzles, and cooperative games. The resources are a huge hit and are being used daily to supplement our core lessons.\r\n\r\nOne exciting project we just completed was a structure-building challenge using the new materials. I saw incredible collaboration and resilience. A specific moment that stands out is when one group's initial structure collapsed. Instead of getting discouraged, one student, typically very quiet, said, \"Wait, we can't just try again. We have to figure out why it fell.\" They then spent five minutes talking about a new design for their base. This hands-on, failure-is-learning approach perfectly illustrates the impact of your support.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new materials, there was a collective gasp of excitement and a burst of questions: \"Are we allowed to touch these?\" and \"Can we try them right now?\" Their initial reaction was pure, enthusiastic curiosity, and that energy hasn't faded.","fullyFundedDate":1758854743107,"projectUrl":"project/a-mind-benders-library-puzzles-games/9605032/","projectTitle":"A \"Mind Benders\" Library: Puzzles, Games, and STEM Fun","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Schultz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9023723_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1725731200546","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9023723"},{"teacherId":2173953,"projectId":9400597,"letterContent":"Thank you so much! We have already jumped in and been enjoying these supplies... but we still have many more fun days to look forward to! A few weeks ago we celebrated National Talk Like A Pirate Day with pirate culture, thinking about the \"arrr\" sound as in car and farm. We did pirate math solving word problems dealing with nasty waves, overboard pirates, and coconuts on the beach.\r\n\r\nThank you so much for helping bring some fun and spice into our classroom to keep learning engaging and exciting... all while learning necessary skills!\r\n\r\nI couldn't do what I do everyday without the amazing support of this fantastic website... and also donors like you! You are so appreciated!! Thank you again!","fullyFundedDate":1757423379820,"projectUrl":"project/love-for-learning-the-fun-way/9400597/","projectTitle":"Love for Learning... The Fun Way!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Harrison","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2173953_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1467329425632","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/blairharrison"},{"teacherId":1969298,"projectId":9440191,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for all of the items purchased through this project. When we had Pirate Day in September, students had eye patches and hats, and they were so excited to look the part as we immersed ourselves in the world of pirates for our learning day! They loved looking like pirates while they created pirate names for themselves and learned about pirate culture, since we were studying culture in Social Studies. We used a pirate story to teach our reading concepts that day, and students seemed so much more engaged throughout the lesson. The same thing happened with math. I used the treasure box to hide their snack for the day (the Pirate Booty), and they were so excited to see that they not only got a snack (we don't usually have), but that it also fit into our theme and it was unveiled when I opened the box. \r\n\r\nI am so thrilled to use the remaining materials when we have Rock Your School Day in January/February. Students will be able to make their own shiny bracelets going up their arms and have icy popsicles when they get hot from dance breaks in the hall. These special days make learning so much more meaningful for my kiddos!","fullyFundedDate":1754341075198,"projectUrl":"project/loving-learning-special-activities-tha/9440191/","projectTitle":"Loving Learning - Special Activities That Make the Learning \"Stick\"!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dempsey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1969298"},{"teacherId":7393538,"projectId":9857741,"letterContent":"Thank you for giving cheer and excitement to our classroom environment. We are so excited to liven it up. The kids could not wait to open the box and wanted to decorate and put everything out on display. Our reading corner is now inviting, and the kids always choose to sit there. They love being creative and use their imaginations when they read their books. The characters, they say remind them of fairytales and how things can be made up when they read and write and use their imaginations to come up with their stories. They are so excited for this reading nook to feel like home.","fullyFundedDate":1761661570182,"projectUrl":"project/cheerful-environments/9857741/","projectTitle":"Cheerful Environments","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Fersten","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7393538_orig.jpg?crop=803,803,x70,y96&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1693699778346","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/fersten"},{"teacherId":2173953,"projectId":9171759,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for making this come to life! The white drawer set is PERFECT for classroom organization and our classroom economy store. Each morning, 3-5 students come and shop. They use their classroom coins which are a tool of positive reinforcement as well as encouraging money standards of counting coin money. \r\n\r\nAlso, thank you so much for speaker! I can't wait to utilize it as We play soft instrumental music daily during work time, transitions, or a measure to keep our indoor voice level in check by monitoring if we can hear the music. Thank you again for being so generous and encouraging to teachers all over our country!","fullyFundedDate":1744200828938,"projectUrl":"project/speakers-for-our-second-grade-selves/9171759/","projectTitle":"Speakers for our Second Grade Selves","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Harrison","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2173953_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1467329425632","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/blairharrison"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_92848","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":753,"numTeachers":50,"percentFrplEligible":54,"percentAsian":3,"percentBlack":11,"percentWhite":56,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":18,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"15.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":60.2,"schoolId":92848,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about West Hills Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"West Hills Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/tennessee/knox-county-schools/west-hills-elementary-school/92848"}