{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Upland Heights Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":30.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7137303,"projectId":6874590,"letterContent":"Thank you again for the support and generosity shown for this project! the Glow Math project has transformed the way my students experience review and practice. Using black lights, glow materials, and spy pens, students engage in hands-on, interactive activities that make learning feel like an exciting challenge rather than a traditional worksheet. This approach increases focus and retention because students are actively involved in solving problems to reveal hidden answers, checking their work in a new way, and moving around the room with purpose. It turns review time into an immersive experience that strengthens both engagement and understanding.\r\n\r\nWhat excites students most is the element of mystery and discovery. The moment the lights go down and the black lights turn on, the entire energy of the room shifts. Students are eager to participate, and even routine skills practice feels special. The spy pens and hidden answers make them feel like \"math detectives,\" which adds an extra layer of motivation and fun.\r\n\r\nI've seen some of my more reluctant learners and students who typically struggle with math confidence really thrive during these activities. Because the environment feels different and less intimidating, they are more willing to take risks, try new strategies, and persist through challenges. Students who might normally disengage are often the most focused and enthusiastic during Glow Math sessions, showing just how powerful engaging, hands-on learning can be in reaching every learner.","fullyFundedDate":1670966327141,"projectUrl":"project/glow-math-to-help-us-grow/6874590/","projectTitle":"Glow Math to Help Us Grow!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. King","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7137303_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1646885154570","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7137303"},{"teacherId":7137303,"projectId":6676183,"letterContent":"The resources from this project have quickly become a meaningful part of our daily classroom routine. We use the prizes, especially our \"sticker store\" as part of a positive behavior system that celebrates effort, kindness, and perseverance. Students earn points throughout the day and eagerly look forward to visiting the store, where they practice decision-making, delayed gratification, and even basic budgeting skills as they \"save\" for bigger rewards.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite moments happened during the very first week we introduced the sticker store. As soon as students saw the variety of choices, their excitement was immediate, but what stood out most was how quickly they began encouraging one another. I heard students saying things like, \"You can earn points too!\" and \"Don't give up you're almost there!\" Students have also given some of their points to a friend that didn't quite have enough for a prize. The prizes became more than just rewards they became motivation for building a supportive classroom community.\r\n\r\nThese materials have also had an unexpected and powerful impact beyond my students. I've been able to use some of the extra resources to support my student teachers during their formal teaching observations. Having access to engaging incentives has helped them confidently implement classroom management strategies and create a positive learning environment during such an important moment in their training.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we are continuing to build on this system by connecting our incentives to academic goals. Students are beginning to set goals beyond behavior, but for growth in math. We are also incorporating reflection, where students think about what choices helped them succeed. The goal is to gradually shift from external rewards to intrinsic motivation, helping students take ownership of both their behavior and their learning.\r\n\r\nThank you for making this possible. Your support has helped create a classroom environment where students feel motivated, supported, and proud of their growth every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1660171708016,"projectUrl":"project/perfect-prizes/6676183/","projectTitle":"Perfect Prizes","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. King","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7137303_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1646885154570","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7137303"},{"teacherId":10052780,"projectId":9989657,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of books for our classroom. Your support has made an immediate and meaningful impact by giving my students access to a wide variety of reading materials across all grade levels. Because of you, every child can find something that sparks their interest, meets them where they are, and helps them grow as readers.\r\n\r\nThese books have already begun to transform our classroom environment. Students are more engaged, excited, and confident when it comes to reading. Having access to different levels and genres allows me to better support each student's individual learning needs, whether they are just beginning to read or ready for more advanced texts. Your donation is helping build not only literacy skills, but also a genuine love for reading.\r\n\r\nYour kindness and investment in our students' education truly make a difference. You have helped create opportunities for academic growth, imagination, and emotional development through stories. We are incredibly grateful for your generosity and for believing in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1773849513026,"projectUrl":"project/kids-need-to-read/9989657/","projectTitle":"Kids Need to Read!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Vital","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10052780"},{"teacherId":10052780,"projectId":9970650,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in providing our classroom with the resources we need to help our students thrive. Because of your kindness, we now have materials that create a more positive and engaging learning environment where every child feels supported and valued.\r\n\r\nYour contributions are making a meaningful difference in our students' behavioral, emotional, and academic growth. The items you provided help us encourage positive choices, build confidence, and support learning in ways that truly meet our students' needs each day.\r\n\r\nWe are incredibly grateful for your generosity and belief in our students' potential. Your support is helping shape a brighter future for each child in our classroom, and we thank you for being an important part of our journey.","fullyFundedDate":1767193843745,"projectUrl":"project/be-a-part-of-student-well-being-and-acad/9970650/","projectTitle":"Be a Part of Student Well-Being and Academic Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Vital","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10052780"},{"teacherId":9936662,"projectId":9375143,"letterContent":"When our new bookshelf arrived, my kindergarteners' faces absolutely lit up. They were so excited to see the bright, colorful seasonal books displayed where they could easily reach them. Before, our books were tucked away in bins, and many students didn't notice or choose them as often. Now, with the books on display, students are naturally drawn to them, and I've seen a huge increase in their excitement for reading.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite moments happened on the first day we filled the shelf with fall-themed books. Several students immediately gathered around, pointing out pumpkins, leaves, and animals they recognized from the covers. They began talking with each other about which books they wanted to read, and many even chose to bring those seasonal stories to our reading rug during independent reading time. It sparked conversations, curiosity, and joy in a way that felt so special.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has truly made our classroom feel like a little library, and it's giving my students daily opportunities to build a love of reading. Our next step is to rotate the shelf with new seasonal and thematic books, connecting them to what we're learning in class. For example, as we move into October, we'll be adding books about pumpkins, fall animals, and friendship, so students can enjoy stories that tie into both the season and our lessons.\r\n\r\nThank you so much for supporting our classroom. Because of you, my students have a space that celebrates books and encourages them to read every single day!","fullyFundedDate":1750774753143,"projectUrl":"project/seasons-of-stories-a-home-for-our-books/9375143/","projectTitle":"Seasons of Stories: a Home for Our Books","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Upshaw","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9936662_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746483000113","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9936662"},{"teacherId":9936662,"projectId":9145439,"letterContent":"When the chair pockets arrived in our classroom, they instantly transformed the way we organize and learn each day. Before this addition, my kindergarten students often struggled to keep track of their supplies—pencils rolled off tables, crayons were misplaced, and folders sometimes ended up in the wrong bins. The chair pockets gave us a simple but powerful solution: each student now has their own personal space to store and access the tools they need. This has created a calmer, more focused classroom environment where we can spend more time learning and less time searching.\r\n\r\nWe are using the chair pockets every single day. They hold crayons, pencils, markers, and individual journals, so students always have materials within reach. This independence has been a big shift for my students. Instead of waiting for me to pass out supplies or digging through community bins, they can quickly grab what they need and dive right into their work. A favorite classroom project that has really highlighted the benefit of chair pockets has been our \"Writing Workshop.\" During this time, students grab their personal writing folders from their pockets, along with their pencils and crayons, and immediately get started on their stories. The difference in transition time is remarkable. What used to take us five or more minutes now takes less than one. That extra time means more opportunities for storytelling, drawing, and developing literacy skills in a meaningful way.\r\n\r\nI will never forget my students' reactions when they first saw the chair pockets. Their faces lit up with excitement, and they were eager to explore this \"new classroom tool.\" Several students asked right away if they could decorate their pockets or make them their own. That moment showed me how much ownership they felt—something as simple as a pocket created a sense of pride and responsibility. I overheard one student whisper to a friend, \"This is my special pocket!\" That joy and enthusiasm have carried over into how they care for their supplies. They are much more mindful about putting items back in the right place and keeping their areas organized, which has helped build positive habits of responsibility.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has had a ripple effect far beyond just storage. These chair pockets have created smoother routines, a stronger sense of independence, and more time for engaged learning. They are used during every subject: math manipulatives tucked in for quick practice, small whiteboards ready for phonics, and journals pulled out for reflection. The pockets have truly become an essential tool in our day-to-day learning.\r\n\r\nAs for what comes next, we are beginning a project focused on \"All About Books,\" where students will create informational texts about topics they know and love. Thanks to the chair pockets, each child can keep their research notes, drafts, and final pieces organized in one place. Instead of juggling loose papers or losing track of their work, they have a dedicated space to store their progress. I am excited to see the confidence this will bring as they move step by step through the writing process.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving my students this resource that not only makes our classroom more efficient but also fosters independence, pride, and excitement for learning. Your support has made a lasting difference, and we are so grateful","fullyFundedDate":1746481785782,"projectUrl":"project/chair-pockets/9145439/","projectTitle":"Chair Pockets","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Upshaw","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9936662_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746483000113","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9936662"},{"teacherId":8465338,"projectId":9310223,"letterContent":"I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks for your generous support of my classroom through your grant. Because of your kindness, I was able to purchase much-needed supplies, including chair pockets, whiteboard erasers, Expo markers, glue sticks, highlighters, sticky notes, and paper towels.\r\n\r\nThese items may seem small, but they make a huge difference in our day-to-day learning. The chair pockets help keep students organized and ready to learn, while the whiteboard materials make lessons more interactive and engaging. Having plenty of glue sticks, sticky notes, and highlighters allows my students to actively participate in projects and activities without worry. Even the paper towels are already proving essential for keeping our classroom clean and ready for learning each day.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has truly lightened the load for me as a teacher and created a brighter, more organized, and well-supplied environment for my students. Thank you for believing in the importance of education and for directly supporting our classroom community.","fullyFundedDate":1746464076498,"projectUrl":"project/the-essentials-for-everyday-excellence/9310223/","projectTitle":"The Essentials for Everyday Excellence","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Reckner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8465338_orig.jpg?crop=1710,1710,x0,y199&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1733239956421","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8465338"},{"teacherId":8465338,"projectId":9310039,"letterContent":"I want to sincerely thank you for your generous support of my classroom through your donation. Because of your kindness, I was able to purchase a chicken egg incubator and two wonderful books about the life cycle of a chicken.\r\n\r\nThese resources are going to make a big impact in my classroom. My students are so excited to learn about life cycles in a hands-on way, and they can hardly wait to observe the chicks as they hatch and grow. The books will help them connect what they see in real life to what they are reading and learning in science. This experience will give them lasting memories and a deeper understanding of the natural world.\r\n\r\nYour gift has made learning come alive for my students, and I am truly grateful for your support. Thank you for investing in their curiosity, growth, and education.","fullyFundedDate":1746465882624,"projectUrl":"project/the-great-egg-speriment-learning-throug/9310039/","projectTitle":"The Great Egg-speriment: Learning Through Life","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Reckner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8465338_orig.jpg?crop=1710,1710,x0,y199&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1733239956421","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8465338"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_109423","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":880,"numTeachers":38,"percentFrplEligible":46,"percentAsian":3,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":46,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":43,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"23.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":69.7,"schoolId":109423,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Upland Heights Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Upland Heights Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/frenship-independent-school-district/upland-heights-elementary/109423"}