{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Olton High School","outOfStateSupporters":53.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10005520,"projectId":10156534,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to my project to grow my classroom poetry collection. In Texas, UIL is incredibly important, and I happen to not only teach English, but I also coach the UIL Poetry Interpretation team. Not only do these poetry books add to the poetry unit in my English III and IV class, but they also give my Poetry Interp team a rich selection of modern poetry to draw on when creating their interpretation performances. \r\n\r\nStudents tend to enter English class under the assumption that they hate all poetry, but offering them engaging, modern poetry helps them to connect to the genre in a way they never have before. I pulled poems from this collection to offer as a poetry sampling to allow for them to read a wider array of poetry to determine what style of poetry they personally like best. After reading multiple iterations of what constitutes as poetry, my students were given an assignment to write their own poetry, and some of the submissions I received were outstanding. I have shared one with you that came from a reluctant writer and reluctant reader. He found his voice after discovering that poetry doesn't have to be all about love or loss. He chose to write about his truck. \r\n\r\nThank you for helping my students find their voice.","fullyFundedDate":1773890125138,"projectUrl":"project/poetry-that-speaks-giving-students-a-vo/10156534/","projectTitle":"Poetry that Speaks: Giving Students a Voice through Verse","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. McCullough","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10005520_orig.jpg?crop=1420,1420,x826,y1019&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1772659372767","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10005520"},{"teacherId":10005520,"projectId":10131442,"letterContent":"I cannot thank you enough for your generous donation to my project to bring exciting Young Adult novels and engaging board games into my classroom. My goal for this year is to get kids off of electronic devices as much as possible, and your generous donation has helped me build a rich and engaging library center for my students to browse rather than browsing the internet. \r\n\r\nMy students especially appreciate the board games included in this project- many of which were opened by students as soon as they arrived! As the books from this project began arriving in the mail, my students gathered around me as I unboxed them. The books literally flew off the shelves. \r\n\r\nAnytime we have down time, I encourage my students to grab a book or get out a board game, and it is so exciting to see kids interacting with each other instead of staring blankly at a screen. I love hearing their laughter as they play a game, or seeing a group gather around a couple of chess players to watch their match. Thank you again for making this a reality in room 12.","fullyFundedDate":1773370936900,"projectUrl":"project/pages-play-building-readers-through-b/10131442/","projectTitle":"Pages & Play: Building Readers Through Books and Word Games","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. McCullough","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10005520_orig.jpg?crop=1420,1420,x826,y1019&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1772659372767","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10005520"},{"teacherId":10005520,"projectId":10136216,"letterContent":"I want to take a moment to thank you for your generous donation to my classroom, and to explain the impact your donation has had on my students and their learning. Teaching the story 'The Metamorphosis' is important to me as a teacher of 12th graders. I always try to explain why it is important or impactful for us to study a book or text, because I know that teenagers like to understand why they're being \"forced\" to do something. The reason I always give when we read 'The Metamorphosis' is this: Someday, you might find yourself in a place in life where you feel as lonely, misunderstood, and unappreciated as Franz Kafka did when he wrote this book. The main character, Gregor Samsa, feels so unloved and unappreciated that he literally wakes up as a bug one morning. I tell my students that someday they might feel this way, and I want them to remember that they aren't ever alone in the world. I hope that someday, if they feel so alone that they might as well be a bug, they'll remember that Franz Kafka felt that way too, and it might make them feel less unseen. This book is powerful for teenagers about to embark on their own lives out in the world. \r\n\r\nThe graphic novel version you so generously provided to my classroom was invaluable this past spring, because it brought this story to life in a way my students had never experienced before. The illustrations make the story easier to comprehend for my English-language learners, and it increased engagement for my reluctant readers. Even my students who say they hate reading enjoyed this assignment. I love finding creative ways to present very old texts to my students to keep them engaged. This book did not disappoint. \r\n\r\nThank you for providing a rich and engaging resource for my students and for helping to bring this story to life for them. When my students first opened the graphic novel version from your donation, I heard one of them say, \"Wait- so he actually woke up turned into a bug?!\" This illustrated version of the story helped them connect dots and make sense of the book in a way I never could bring to life for them before.","fullyFundedDate":1773022530408,"projectUrl":"project/a-graphic-transformation-kafka-for-toda/10136216/","projectTitle":"A Graphic Transformation: Kafka for Today’s Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. McCullough","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10005520_orig.jpg?crop=1420,1420,x826,y1019&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1772659372767","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10005520"},{"teacherId":9760955,"projectId":10492592,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in bringing our classroom project to life! When the large boxes arrived, my students were absolutely buzzing with curiosity and anticipation. They crowded around as we unboxed the greenery wall panels and the neon sign, cheering when they realized these beautiful items were meant entirely for our room. Seeing their immediate joy made it clear that your support represents so much more than just physical items—it shows them that a whole community is rooting for their success.\r\nThe transformation of our physical space has been nothing short of magical. When the students walked into the classroom the next morning and saw the vibrant greenery wall illuminated by the glowing pink and blue text of the \"Good Vibes\" neon sign, they were completely spellbound. The entire atmosphere of our room shifted instantly from a standard, sterile classroom to a warm, welcoming, and modern environment. It has given our classroom a unique identity that the students are incredibly proud of.\r\nWe are currently using this beautiful setup as our official classroom \"Inspiration Station\" and flexible learning hub. Every day during independent reading and collaborative group work, students eagerly take turns working in front of the greenery wall. The calming nature of the green plants combined with the uplifting message of the neon sign has created a peaceful, low-stress environment where students feel safe to express themselves, focus deeply, and let their creativity flow.One of the most impactful moments so far happened during a recent creative writing lesson. Students who normally struggle to find inspiration or feel anxious about writing asked if they could grab their clipboards and sit near the glowing wall. The positive energy of the space worked wonders; the room was filled with quiet focus, and students proudly read their poetry aloud to the class with the greenery wall serving as a beautiful backdrop. The boost in their confidence was undeniable, and it completely changed how they view public speaking.Moving forward, our next steps are to use this area as our main presentation stage and media studio for upcoming class projects. The students are already planning to use the greenery wall as a professional filming backdrop for educational videos and book review segments they are creating next month. Your kind contribution has truly created a lasting legacy of positivity and enthusiasm in our classroom, and we are so grateful for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1787189713906,"projectUrl":"project/creating-a-welcoming-space-for-high-scho/10492592/","projectTitle":"Creating a Welcoming Space for High School Special Education Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Abeyta","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9760955_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1777726330243","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9760955"},{"teacherId":9760955,"projectId":10469435,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for bringing our classroom project to life and completely transforming our learning space! When the boxes first arrived, my students' faces lit up with pure excitement.They gathered around the packages, gasping as we pulled out the materials, with one student asking, \"Is this really all for us?\" Seeing their immediate joy made it clear just how meaningful your generosity is to them. \r\nYour support gave them a peek into what a supportive community looks like, and they could not wait to set everything up.The impact of the new neon sign, greenery wall, and extension cords has completely changed the energy in our room. When the students walked in and saw the vibrant green wall illuminated by the glowing neon sign, they were absolutely spellbound, immediately calling it our \"inspiration zone.\" Beyond the beautiful aesthetics, the extension cords have been an absolute lifesaver. \r\nThey allow us to safely power our tech tools and flexible learning stations anywhere in the room without being trapped near wall outlets. This modern, cozy setup has created a calming yet deeply motivating workspace where students genuinely love to collaborate, read, and focus every single day.Our next steps are to fully utilize this transformed environment for our upcoming classroom presentations and creative projects. Over the next few weeks, students will use this special area as a backdrop to share their work, film educational videos, and gather for small-group discussions. Your kindness has not only given us vital functional tools but has sparked a lasting enthusiasm for learning by creating a space where my students feel valued, inspired, and ready to succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1787252863917,"projectUrl":"project/small-tools-big-impact-supporting-spec/10469435/","projectTitle":"Small Tools, Big Impact: Supporting Special Education Student Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Abeyta","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9760955_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1777726330243","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9760955"},{"teacherId":9760955,"projectId":10388876,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for bringing our classroom project to life! When the boxes first arrived, my students' faces completely lit up with excitement. They gathered around the packages, gasping as we pulled out the new materials. One student even asked, \"Are these really just for us to keep?\" Seeing their immediate joy and curiosity made it clear just how meaningful your generosity is to them.We now use these incredible resources every single day during our small-group learning stations. \r\nA standout moment happened this week when the students used the new tools to tackle a complex hands-on challenge. Working in teams, they collaborated to design, test, and troubleshoot their own unique models. \r\nThe level of focus in the room was amazing. Students who usually struggle to stay engaged were completely absorbed in problem-solving, proudly showing off their progress to anyone who walked by.Our next steps are to use these materials to dive deeper into our upcoming curriculum units. Over the next few weeks, the students will apply what they've learned to build larger, more advanced versions of their current projects and begin tracking their data in science journals. Your kindness has not only given us vital tools for today but has sparked a lasting enthusiasm for learning that will impact my students all year long.","fullyFundedDate":1786580471389,"projectUrl":"project/supplies-for-success-for-high-school-spe/10388876/","projectTitle":"Supplies for Success for High School Special Education","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Abeyta","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9760955_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1777726330243","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9760955"},{"teacherId":9760955,"projectId":10491586,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your incredible generosity in funding the mini fridge for our high school special education classroom. While a mini fridge might seem like a simple classroom addition, it has fundamentally transformed our daily environment. For my students, who navigate the daily challenges of dyslexia and significant behavioral disorders, this appliance has become a vital tool for emotional regulation, focus, and classroom community.High school can be an incredibly overwhelming environment, especially for students processing severe reading difficulties like dyslexia. The intense cognitive fatigue and frustration that comes with decoding text often manifest as behavioral outbursts, anxiety, or deep emotional withdrawal. Having immediate access to a mini fridge directly in our room has changed how we manage these moments. It allows us to implement proactive, immediate de-escalation strategies without forcing a student to leave the room.When a student hits a point of sensory overload or behavioral crisis, a cold bottle of water or a chilled sensory pack provides an immediate physical grounding effect. Before your gift, fetching these items meant leaving the classroom to walk down the hall, which often escalated the behavior or made the student feel singled out. Now, we can discreetly offer a cooling-off tool within seconds. This keeps the student safe, respects their dignity, and drastically reduces the time they spend out of the learning environment. It has made our classroom a secure sanctuary where students know their emotional needs are understood and supported.Furthermore, the mini fridge has given these students a unique sense of ownership and responsibility that directly counters their behavioral struggles. Students with behavioral challenges often face a constant stream of corrections throughout the school day. Managing the fridge has shifted that dynamic entirely. They take immense pride in organizing the shelves, tracking inventory, and taking responsibility for their own healthy snacks. This small autonomy builds genuine self-esteem. It transforms their mindset from feeling managed to feeling capable and trusted.Finally, this fridge has fostered a positive social culture in our room. It serves as a neutral, comforting space where students gather naturally. We use it to practice positive peer interactions, sharing, and communication in a low-stress setting. It has helped reduce classroom tension and built a stronger, more supportive community among peers who understand each other's struggles.Your investment did not just buy an appliance; it provided a cornerstone for emotional regulation and academic focus. Every time a student opens that fridge to reset their emotions after a tough reading task, your impact is felt. Thank you for believing in our students, seeing past their challenges, and providing them with the exact tools they need to feel safe, focused, and ready to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1787189714241,"projectUrl":"project/keeping-it-cool-in-special-education/10491586/","projectTitle":"Keeping It Cool in Special Education","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Abeyta","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9760955_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1777726330243","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9760955"},{"teacherId":9760955,"projectId":10466252,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the books you have helped donate. These books are so beneficial to our students when they need to finish an English assignment. Now they don't have to walk over to their English class to borrow a book! We now have the resources they will need to help them keep up with their assignments. They are so excited to have reading material to so pass the time when they have a few free minutes. This is the best resources for students who love to read! I plan to make a reading corner in my classroom and this is the perfect start to do that! Thank you for our classroom for taking the time to care about a small classroom with big dreams!","fullyFundedDate":1786999617347,"projectUrl":"project/different-books-new-worlds-reading-in/10466252/","projectTitle":"Different Books, New Worlds: Reading in High School Special Education","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Abeyta","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9760955_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1777726330243","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9760955"},{"teacherId":9760955,"projectId":10216325,"letterContent":"Thank you for the calming resources you have donated to our High school special education classroom. This has helped our fidgety students calm down and stay focused on coursework. They tend to get nervous before a class and come by and grab a stress ball or figet spinner to ease their nerves. This has been so beneficial to our classroom. You have helped students find a safe place in their own classroom. Thank you for everything you have done to be so supportive of our special education students.","fullyFundedDate":1786672866916,"projectUrl":"project/calm-focus-succeed-high-school-specia/10216325/","projectTitle":"Calm, Focus, Succeed: High School Special Education Support","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Abeyta","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9760955_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1777726330243","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9760955"},{"teacherId":9760955,"projectId":10386258,"letterContent":"These donations have meant so much to our students. Thank you for providing all their favorite snacks to get them through school the day. This helps them control their hunger and stay focused on their coursework! They have been so excited to have so many wonderful choices of different snacks to choose from! The love and support to our classroom means the world to us. I hope you know what an impact you have had to our students on the outpouring of support you have shown them! This has made a huge difference to our class! The connivence it has been to be able to provide a snack for our students has been a positive move for them! Thank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1786031713808,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-success-in-our-special-education/10386258/","projectTitle":"Fueling Success in Our Special Education Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Abeyta","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9760955_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1777726330243","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9760955"},{"teacherId":10599222,"projectId":10513111,"letterContent":"Dear donors,\r\n\r\nThank you for helping create a safe and comfortable space for my students. We have already begun incorporating these materials into our daily routine, and it has completely transformed how we interact with our learning environment. Specifically, during our recent small-group rotations, these resources have allowed my students to focus deeply on their tasks without the constant distraction of missing supplies or inadequate seating arrangements.\r\n\r\nSeeing the students take ownership of these materials has been incredibly rewarding. They are now treating the classroom with more care and showing a newfound sense of pride in their workspace. These essentials haven't just provided tools; they have provided a foundation for confidence and academic growth. Moving forward, we are using these materials to launch a collaborative project where students will design their own independent study plans, a task they are now better equipped to handle thanks to your generosity. We are so grateful to have you as part of our classroom community.","fullyFundedDate":1787434855057,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-essentials/10513111/","projectTitle":"Classroom Essentials","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10599222_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1786995191368","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10599222"},{"teacherId":9760955,"projectId":10172202,"letterContent":"The mini fridge you donated to our classroom has already made a meaningful difference for our students as well as for the teachers. It gives us a convenient and safe place to store snacks drinks, and other classroom supplies that need to stay cool. This simple resource helps us better meet our students every day needs and create a more welcoming learning environment. \r\nYour generosity also supports learning in ways that go beyond the classroom. Having access to a mini fridge allows us to provide students with cold water and nutritious snacks when needed, helping them stay comfortable, focused, and ready to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1786031698559,"projectUrl":"project/keeping-it-cool-in-special-education/10172202/","projectTitle":"Keeping It Cool in Special Education","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Abeyta","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9760955_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1777726330243","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9760955"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_12936","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":186,"numTeachers":22,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":19,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":78,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":0,"gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"8.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_REMOTE"},"inStateSupporters":46.7,"schoolId":12936,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Olton High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Olton High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/olton-independent-school-district/olton-high-school/12936"}