{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Hector P Garcia Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":37.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8667162,"projectId":9856309,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for all your donations. My students are using the new resources during the first phase of our shelter design project, where they are researching, planning, and defining the purpose of their shelters. Right now, students are exploring different shelter types, sketching ideas, and discussing how shelters meet basic needs such as safety, weather protection, and comfort. One meaningful moment was seeing students collaborate in small groups, using the materials to test ideas and problem-solve together as they began shaping their designs.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, they were excited and eager to get started. Many immediately began asking questions and brainstorming how they could use the supplies in their shelter designs. The materials sparked curiosity and creativity, and students were clearly motivated knowing they would get to use real resources to bring their ideas to life.\r\n\r\nNext, students will move into the testing phase of the shelter project. They will begin constructing their shelters, testing for stability and durability, and making improvements based on what works and what doesn't. This process will help students strengthen their problem-solving, teamwork, and critical-thinking skills. Thanks to the donors' support, students will be able to fully engage in hands-on learning and see their ideas transform into real, tangible creations.\r\n\r\nAgain, thank you so much for being part of this incredible project that my students are creating!","fullyFundedDate":1761941680556,"projectUrl":"project/paws-for-change-a-tnr-community-initiat/9856309/","projectTitle":"Paws for Change: A TNR Community Initiative","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Torres","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8667162_orig.jpg?crop=1080,1080,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1661881757313","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8667162"},{"teacherId":10003857,"projectId":9874911,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our classroom now has a Hydration for Compassion station that supports both student well-being and empathy in action. The supply of water you provided helped students recognize how physical needs like thirst and fatigue can affect focus, emotions, and behavior during challenging academic tasks and Esports sessions. With this simple but essential resource, students were better able to stay calm, engaged, and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nYour support also gave students a meaningful way to practice compassion in everyday moments. By offering water to a classmate during stressful or tiring times, students learned how small, thoughtful actions can make a real difference in how someone feels. Through reflection and discussion, students articulated how they noticed a peer's needs, chose to respond with care, and saw the positive impact of their kindness. Thanks to you, students are learning that compassion is not just an idea—it's something they can practice daily to build a stronger, more supportive classroom community.","fullyFundedDate":1766861254633,"projectUrl":"project/hydration-station-fueling-focus-for-vic/9874911/","projectTitle":"Hydration Station: Fueling Focus for Victory","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Aragon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10003857_orig.jpg?crop=2062,2062,x0,y804&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1745348581642","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-a-aragon"},{"teacherId":10003857,"projectId":9953149,"letterContent":"This project will transform geometry learning from abstract concepts into meaningful, hands-on experiences that foster both academic understanding and social development. By working collaboratively to design and construct three-dimensional figures, students will deepen their spatial reasoning while learning to listen to one another, value multiple perspectives, and appreciate that there are many ways to solve a problem. These shared design challenges help students build confidence in mathematics while strengthening communication skills and respect for diverse ways of thinking.\r\n\r\nBeyond academic growth, the project will have a lasting impact on students' compassion and teamwork. As they navigate challenges, make mistakes, and revise their designs together, students will practice patience, empathy, and mutual support. Learning to encourage peers and share responsibility creates a classroom culture where students feel safe to take risks and learn from one another. Through reflection and collaboration, students will recognize that kindness and cooperation not only improve their projects, but also make learning more meaningful and inclusive for everyone.","fullyFundedDate":1768146932502,"projectUrl":"project/building-math-skills-while-building-empa/9953149/","projectTitle":"Building Math Skills While Building Empathy","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Aragon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10003857_orig.jpg?crop=2062,2062,x0,y804&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1745348581642","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-a-aragon"},{"teacherId":10003857,"projectId":9949591,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom now has a Compassion Corner that supports both students' well-being and their growth as caring community members. The water and snacks you provided gave students a practical way to recognize and respond to physical needs like hunger, thirst, and fatigue—needs that often affect emotions, behavior, and the ability to learn. Because of you, students had access to simple supports that helped them stay focused, calm, and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nYour support also helped students turn empathy into action. Through daily routines and reflection activities, students learned to notice when a classmate might be overwhelmed or discouraged and respond with small but meaningful acts of care, such as offering water or sharing a snack. These moments fostered connection, reduced stress, and helped students feel valued and understood. Because of your kindness, our students are learning that compassion strengthens community and makes the classroom a more supportive place for everyone.","fullyFundedDate":1765519385551,"projectUrl":"project/peak-performance-pack-hydration-and-ene/9949591/","projectTitle":"Peak Performance Pack: Hydration and Energy for Focus","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Aragon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10003857_orig.jpg?crop=2062,2062,x0,y804&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1745348581642","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-a-aragon"},{"teacherId":10003857,"projectId":9949636,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our students now test in an environment that is more equitable, calm, and compassionate. The headphones and earbuds you helped provide removed a major barrier for students who rely on audio supports, allowing them to fully access test directions and listening components with confidence. Instead of feeling anxious or disadvantaged, students were able to focus on demonstrating what they truly know.\r\n\r\nYour support also helped students understand that compassion means noticing and responding to the needs of others. Through guided discussions and reflection, students developed empathy for peers who experience stress during high-stakes testing. They took compassionate action by helping with setup, offering listening devices respectfully, and maintaining a quiet testing space. Because of you, students learned that fairness and care are essential to success—and that supporting one another is just as important as individual achievement.","fullyFundedDate":1767234097837,"projectUrl":"project/silent-focus-big-results-giving-studen/9949636/","projectTitle":"Silent Focus, Big Results: Giving Students the Gift of Sound","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Aragon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10003857_orig.jpg?crop=2062,2062,x0,y804&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1745348581642","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-a-aragon"},{"teacherId":10003857,"projectId":9949593,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our students were able to bring compassion-centered learning to life in powerful and tangible ways. The dependable color laser printer you funded became an essential tool for helping students explore perspectives beyond their own. Students created empathy maps, perspective-taking journals, and visual stories based on real experiences from our school and community, deepening their understanding of others' feelings, challenges, and viewpoints.\r\n\r\nYour support also empowered students to take compassionate action. Using the printer, they designed kindness posters, encouragement cards, and informational brochures that offered support and raised awareness for classmates facing hardships. These projects helped students see that compassion goes beyond understanding—it involves doing something to help. Through reflections and class discussions, students articulated how their thinking changed and how their work positively impacted others. Because of you, students strengthened both academic skills and empathy, learning that their voices and actions can truly make a difference.","fullyFundedDate":1767150539533,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-students-with-reliable-printi/9949593/","projectTitle":"Empowering Students With Reliable Printing for Everyday Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Aragon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10003857_orig.jpg?crop=2062,2062,x0,y804&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1745348581642","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-a-aragon"},{"teacherId":10003857,"projectId":9874987,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our classroom has grown into a space where compassion is practiced every day alongside academic learning. The Compassion & Care Snack Station you helped make possible has given students a meaningful way to recognize and respond to the emotions their peers experience during challenging moments—whether they are working through difficult algebra problems or collaborating in our after-school Esports Club.\r\n\r\nYour donation allowed students to turn empathy into action. By sharing a snack and a kind note or celebrating a classmate's effort, students learned that small gestures can ease stress, boost confidence, and help others feel seen and valued. Through reflection activities and discussion circles, students were able to articulate whose needs they noticed, how they chose to help, and the difference their actions made. Thanks to your support, students are not only strengthening academic skills, but also building empathy, teamwork, and a sense of community that will positively shape how they learn and support one another throughout the year.","fullyFundedDate":1767150542617,"projectUrl":"project/snack-crate-secured-keeping-our-players/9874987/","projectTitle":"Snack Crate Secured: Keeping Our Players Focused","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Aragon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10003857_orig.jpg?crop=2062,2062,x0,y804&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1745348581642","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-a-aragon"},{"teacherId":8667162,"projectId":9797497,"letterContent":"We are so grateful for your donations! We are using the donated snacks daily to support student focus and engagement, especially during extended lessons and project work. My students were genuinely excited and grateful. Many of them shared that they often ask for snacks before the school day starts or before heading to after-school sports practices, so seeing a consistent supply available made them feel supported and cared for. Their reactions showed relief, appreciation, and motivation to stay engaged.\r\n\r\nStudents are continuing to work on upcoming lessons and projects that require sustained focus, collaboration, and critical thinking. With access to snacks, they are better prepared to remain attentive during class and energized before extracurricular activities, helping them balance academics and after-school commitments more successfully.","fullyFundedDate":1762266337066,"projectUrl":"project/minds-meals-and-motivation-powering-l/9797497/","projectTitle":"Minds, Meals, and Motivation: Powering Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Torres","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8667162_orig.jpg?crop=1080,1080,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1661881757313","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8667162"},{"teacherId":10003857,"projectId":9885357,"letterContent":"Since the resources arrived, our classroom has transformed into a true high-performance training ground. When the students first saw the new copy of Super Smash Bros Ultimate and the stacks of snacks and water, the room was filled with genuine excitement and a sense of validation; they felt that their competitive passions were finally being taken seriously. We have already integrated these resources into our weekly \"Scrimmage Saturdays.\" During these sessions, students use the game to practice \"frame data\" analysis and team communication, while the water and snacks keep their energy high, preventing the mid-session fatigue that used to lead to frustration.\r\n\r\nThe impact has been most visible during a recent mock tournament where I saw two typically quiet students step up as \"team captains.\" They used the dedicated practice time to coach their peers on reading opponent patterns, showing incredible growth in their leadership and strategic thinking. Looking ahead, our next step is to enter our first regional online qualifier. Because of your generosity, our students aren't just playing a game—they are building a unified team structure and a professional routine that prepares them for the pressure of external competition.","fullyFundedDate":1764704370101,"projectUrl":"project/smash-hydrate-compete-essential-sup/9885357/","projectTitle":"Smash, Hydrate, & Compete: Essential Supplies for the Esports Club","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Aragon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10003857_orig.jpg?crop=2062,2062,x0,y804&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1745348581642","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-a-aragon"},{"teacherId":9698662,"projectId":9732289,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting \"Game On! Building Teamwork, One Game at a Time\"!\r\n\r\nYour contribution has made a tangible difference in our \"Club Friday\" program. The games you provided have transformed our sessions, allowing students to engage face-to-face and build genuine connections. It's more than just fun; we've seen students actively practicing essential life skills. They are learning to communicate effectively, negotiate, practice turn-taking, and handle winning and losing with grace.\r\n\r\nThe new strategic games foster critical thinking and patience, while navigating social interactions respectfully. Your generosity is building crucial teamwork skills they will carry far beyond the classroom, shaping more collaborative and thoughtful individuals.\r\nThank you for being a champion for our students!","fullyFundedDate":1758900702981,"projectUrl":"project/game-on-building-teamwork-one-game-at/9732289/","projectTitle":"Game On! Building Teamwork, One Game at a Time","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Browne","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9698662_orig.jpg?crop=560,560,x0,y35&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724373594438","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9698662"},{"teacherId":9698662,"projectId":9643082,"letterContent":"On behalf of the entire school community—especially our students—we want to express our deepest gratitude for your generous support of our project, \"If You Give a Student a Mouse.\" Your commitment has directly provided students with the essential tools needed to unlock their full academic potential and navigate their digital education more effectively.\r\n\r\nWhen we launched this initiative, our goal was simple yet impactful: to provide every student with a proper computer mouse and a supportive mousepad. While modern laptops offer built-in trackpads, they often fall short. Many students were struggling with hand strain, inefficiency, and frustration.\r\n\r\nYou saw that need and you stepped up. Thanks to your kindness, we successfully purchased a class set of brand new mouse and mousepad. This wasn't just about handing out equipment; it was about removing a hidden barrier to learning.\r\n\r\nThe Impact of Your Generosity\r\n\r\nThe change in our classrooms has been remarkable and immediate. The impact of your donation extends far beyond the physical hardware.\r\n\r\nEnhanced Efficiency and Engagement:\r\nSeveral tasks that previously were tedious and slow are now finished in a fraction of the time. This newfound speed translates directly into more time spent on critical thinking, problem-solving, and creative exploration. Students are more engaged and less fatigued by the mechanics of interacting with their technology.\r\n\r\n\r\nEquity and Access:\r\nPerhaps most importantly, your generosity fostered a sense of equity. Every student, regardless of their background, now has the same quality tools as their peers. It levels the playing field, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed and thrive in an increasingly digital world. The confidence this provides our students is immeasurable.\r\n\r\nA Future Built Together\r\nThe success of \"If You Give a Student a Mouse\" highlights how targeted, thoughtful donations can profoundly change the daily educational experience. You didn't just buy a peripheral; you invested in skills, confidence, and futures. You showed our students that their community believes in their education and is willing to support their needs.\r\nWe are deeply grateful for your partnership in education. Your support ensures that our students are not just keeping up with technology, but mastering it.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your incredible generosity and for making a tangible difference in the lives of our students. We look forward to sharing more successes from our classrooms soon.","fullyFundedDate":1758803835050,"projectUrl":"project/if-you-give-a-student-a-mouse/9643082/","projectTitle":"If You Give a Student a Mouse","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Browne","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9698662_orig.jpg?crop=560,560,x0,y35&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724373594438","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9698662"},{"teacherId":9698662,"projectId":9679616,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your generous contribution to the \"Text-to-Speech Tools for Struggling Readers\" project. Your support has been invaluable in helping us equip our students with the resources they need to thrive academically and independently.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, our students now have access to high-quality headphones that allow them to effectively utilize text-to-speech software in the classroom.\r\nThe Impact of Your Generosity\r\nYour donation has directly translated into tangible success and confidence for our students:\r\n\r\nPromoting Independence: The headphones create a focused learning environment, minimizing distractions and allowing students to engage with the material on their own terms. Students who once required constant one-on-one support are now able to work independently using this technology.\r\n\r\nImproving Comprehension: Text-to-speech tools help struggling readers decode difficult words and follow along with complex texts. The audio support enhances their understanding and makes learning more accessible and less frustrating.\r\n\r\nBuilding Confidence: The ability to work alongside their peers without feeling singled out has significantly boosted our students' self-esteem. They are more engaged, participating more readily in class activities, and are proud of their progress.\r\nWe have already seen remarkable improvements in reading engagement and comfort levels among the students using these tools. Your generosity is fostering a more inclusive and effective learning environment for everyone.\r\n\r\nThank you again for believing in our students and making a genuine difference in their educational journey.","fullyFundedDate":1758224451333,"projectUrl":"project/text-to-speech-tools-for-struggling-read/9679616/","projectTitle":"Text-to-Speech Tools for Struggling Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Browne","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9698662_orig.jpg?crop=560,560,x0,y35&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724373594438","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9698662"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_94242","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":565,"numTeachers":54,"percentFrplEligible":84,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":2,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":95,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"10.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":62.6,"schoolId":94242,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Hector P Garcia Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Hector P Garcia Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/dallas-independent-school-district/hector-p-garcia-middle-school/94242"}