{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Risd Academy","outOfStateSupporters":38.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":398088,"projectId":9647024,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support of our makerspace project. Thanks to your donations, my students now have access to tools and materials that are transforming the way they learn, create, and collaborate.\r\n\r\nSince receiving the makerspace materials, my students have been actively engaged in hands on projects that blend creativity with problem-solving. We've used the new materials for everything from engineering challenges to design-based learning. One especially meaningful project involved designing snails out of pipe cleaners. They are learning problem solving skills while building motor skills.\r\n\r\nWatching them troubleshoot and celebrate accomplishments and sharing their creations with classmates has been amazing.\r\n\r\nThe moment the materials arrived, the room buzzed with excitement. Students crowded around, guessing what might be used and how. Several students said it felt like Christmas because they had never had new things before without it being a holiday for them. One student, who often struggles to stay engaged, spent nearly the entire class time carefully examining the materials and asking how he could use them in future projects.\r\n\r\nYour support didn't just provide supplies. You sparked curiosity, confidence, and a sense of possibility. Students who were once hesitant to participate are now stepping into leadership roles, helping others solve challenges, and proudly presenting their creations.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our classroom. Your generosity has ignited new passions and empowered students to see themselves as makers, thinkers, and innovators. The impact of your gift will last far beyond a single project—it has opened doors for meaningful, hands-on learning that these students will carry with them for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1758229512331,"projectUrl":"project/creating-innovators-of-tomorrow/9647024/","projectTitle":"Creating Innovators of Tomorrow","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wicks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp398088_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1449613454680","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/rachellwicks"},{"teacherId":8049408,"projectId":8938132,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of the incubator and hatching boxes for our classroom! Because of your support, we had an incredible hands-on STEM experience this past spring that brought science to life for my students in the most meaningful way. The moment we placed the eggs inside the incubator was filled with anticipation, and the classroom buzzed with curiosity and wonder.\r\n\r\nWe used the incubator and hatching boxes as part of a spring STEM project focused on life cycles and animal development. Students took on the roles of real scientists — monitoring temperature and humidity, turning the eggs, and keeping observation journals each day. Candling the eggs to see the embryos develop was a highlight — students were amazed to see life growing right before their eyes!\r\n\r\nAfter the chicks hatched, students helped care for them while continuing to observe their growth and behavior. We extended the learning into math, writing, and art activities. It was a cross-curricular project that sparked engagement, teamwork, and a true sense of responsibility.\r\n\r\nThanks to you, my students experienced the magic of science in a way they will never forget. We're already looking forward to doing this project again in the future.","fullyFundedDate":1734712144072,"projectUrl":"project/spring-into-stem/8938132/","projectTitle":"Spring into STEM","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Martinez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8049408_orig.png?crop=1494,1494,x373,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1736268289723","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/midmartinez"},{"teacherId":398088,"projectId":9559571,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous book donations through the grant, our book vending machine has made an incredible difference in our school community. What began as a creative idea to encourage reading has turned into one of our students' favorite programs. The vending machine has brought excitement and joy to reading, transforming it into a special reward that students eagerly look forward to. When a student receives a golden token and chooses their very own book to keep, their faces light up with pride and accomplishment. This moment not only celebrates their special day but also strengthens their connection to books and reading.\r\n\r\nThe new books provided through your donations have been especially impactful. Many of our older titles were well-loved but dated, and the addition of fresh, engaging stories has breathed new life into our collection. The wide variety of genres ranging from graphic novels and mysteries to biographies and diverse picture books ensures that every student can find something that captures their interest. Representation has also been a key difference. Students are now seeing themselves and their experiences reflected in the stories they read, which helps them feel seen, valued, and inspired.\r\n\r\nMany of our donors love to read books (we do, too!) but as you know these books not only give enjoyment to reading but also enforces important reading skills and lessons. The new titles have helped us reinforce essential skills such as making predictions, understanding character motivations, identifying main ideas, and drawing inferences. Teachers and librarians are using these books to introduce lessons on empathy, perseverance, and problem-solving. Students are learning not only how to read for understanding but also how to think deeply about the stories they encounter.\r\n\r\nIn our classrooms and library, reading now looks joyful and interactive. Students gather in small groups to share what they've read, participate in book talks, and make connections between stories and their own lives. Some write reflections or draw scenes from their favorite books, while others act out story moments to show comprehension. The energy surrounding reading has noticeably grown students are asking thoughtful questions, recommending books to one another, and taking pride in their reading accomplishments.\r\n\r\nThere are many heartwarming stories that highlight the impact of this program. One student who had struggled to find interest in reading discovered a love for graphic novels and now visits the vending machine every month with enthusiasm. Another student proudly shared a book with her younger sibling, explaining that it was the first one she ever owned herself. These moments remind us that the gift of a book goes far beyond the pages it builds confidence, connection, and curiosity.\r\n\r\nYou may not think you are making much of a difference, but know that you are making a difference in every child's life at this school. Your generosity has created joy, sparked curiosity, and built a community of readers. Our school cannot thank you enough for your generous help and continued support in inspiring lifelong learners one book at a time.","fullyFundedDate":1758570946003,"projectUrl":"project/turning-pages-not-snacks-book-vending/9559571/","projectTitle":"Turning Pages, Not Snacks: Book Vending Machine","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wicks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp398088_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1449613454680","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/rachellwicks"},{"teacherId":2337579,"projectId":9150374,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations in helping us get organized this 2025-2026 school year! We are so thankful for everything we received. The bilingual kindergarten students use the donations daily to keep their resources and materials organized and ready to use on a daily basis. Each student is able to benefit and each student feels proud to have these resources. We take very good care of these donations so they can last us the whole school year. We couldn't have gotten a better donation this school year to support our Learning and instruction with so much organization!","fullyFundedDate":1750255574609,"projectUrl":"project/lets-get-ready-to-organize/9150374/","projectTitle":"Let's Get Ready to Organize!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pinilla","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2337579_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754097990858","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/cristina-pinilla1"},{"teacherId":2337579,"projectId":9150343,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating the Lakeshore Headphones to our bilingual Kindergarten classroom! We use them daily with our iPads/tablets to complete our instruction using the district provided reading and math apps. Students who couldn't afford to bring their headphones from the school supply list have benefited from your generous donation and we take care of them so they can last us the entire school year! Without your support, I don't know how we could have used the devices since our class has 22 students! Everyone needs a set of headphones to concentrate and thanks to you- we finally have them!","fullyFundedDate":1749940182585,"projectUrl":"project/making-learning-ear-resistable-with-new/9150343/","projectTitle":"Making Learning Ear-resistable With New Headphones!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pinilla","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2337579_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754097990858","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/cristina-pinilla1"},{"teacherId":8049408,"projectId":9214687,"letterContent":"The end of the year always comes sooner than expected! We see the progress and growth in our students and cant help but worry about summer learning loss. \r\nThanks to your amazing donation we were able to make sure each student ended the year in a fun way and took home a engaging fun bucket of activities that will help them continue learning during summer. \r\nMy kinder students were so excited to take home their bucket full of goodies as part of their last day of school celebrations. \r\nThank you for making this possible!","fullyFundedDate":1746785544049,"projectUrl":"project/fighting-summer-learning-loss/9214687/","projectTitle":"Fighting summer learning loss","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Martinez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8049408_orig.png?crop=1494,1494,x373,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1736268289723","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/midmartinez"},{"teacherId":8049408,"projectId":9306009,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for making sure the beginning of the school year takes off flawlessly. We have a few weeks to go for the school year to officially start for the students but I have already started setting up their future happy place. Thanks to your kind donation to my classroom, we are ready. The empty classroom is slowly becoming what will be my students favortie place to be, I am confident that our year will take off flawlessly thanks to all the items I have ready to go due to your donation \r\n\r\nOnce again, \r\nTHANK YOU so much.","fullyFundedDate":1746786454894,"projectUrl":"project/ready-set-adventure/9306009/","projectTitle":"Ready, Set, Adventure!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Martinez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8049408_orig.png?crop=1494,1494,x373,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1736268289723","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/midmartinez"},{"teacherId":2073361,"projectId":8841356,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contributions that made it possible for my classroom project to be funded and allow us to receive the chair pockets and fidget widget bands. These additions have made a meaningful difference in our learning environment.\r\n\r\nThe chair pockets have helped students stay organized and keep their materials easily accessible, fostering greater independence and responsibility. My students genuinely enjoyed managing them each day and took pride in having their own personal space for academic tools.\r\n\r\nThe fidget widget bands have also been incredibly valuable, offering a subtle, effective, and productive outlet that supports student focus and self-regulation throughout the day.\r\nYour support has directly enhanced our classroom experience, and we are truly grateful for your kindness and investment in our education.","fullyFundedDate":1735931585120,"projectUrl":"project/no-more-clutter/8841356/","projectTitle":"No More Clutter!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. MEMBRENO","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2073361"},{"teacherId":8422334,"projectId":8843745,"letterContent":"For Art Night, we brought the school community together with a fun and vibrant color run using color packets to celebrate creativity and school spirit. Students and parents participated side by side, running through bursts of colorful powder. It's a lively way to get families engaged, promote health and fun, and strengthen our sense of community. The color run added an exciting, interactive element to Art Night. \r\nOur community had never experienced a color run before. When the families saw the packets we had more participation than we anticipated. And when the races began and the families began to throw the powder, it became a sensation that you could not be stopped. Families were laughing, smiling, running, and playing.","fullyFundedDate":1729800402101,"projectUrl":"project/color-splash/8843745/","projectTitle":"Color Splash","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Scott","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8422334"},{"teacherId":8049408,"projectId":8983895,"letterContent":"Thank you for making our STEM buckets happen! My kinder students have been so excited to get building and creating! We are using our materials for morning STEM work, stem friday centers and even as math manipulatives, science and reading props! \r\nThe classroom is such a fun and innovative place for students to hone in their skills and use their brains in ways they haven't before, it is such an amazing opportunity to see my kinder students excitement shine through each time they are able to figure out a new way to create and build.","fullyFundedDate":1740670815618,"projectUrl":"project/kinder-stem/8983895/","projectTitle":"Kinder STEM","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Martinez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8049408_orig.png?crop=1494,1494,x373,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1736268289723","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/midmartinez"},{"teacherId":8049408,"projectId":8640361,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping me make my kinder classroom ready for all my students. It is such a great opportunity to begin the school year with everything needed for success. My kinder students have been putting everything to use and have been having a successful time navigating the classroom thanks to your donation! Being able to equip our classroom with the appropriate materials needed for kinder kids has been a great take off to our school year. \r\nOnce again, thank you for making this happen!","fullyFundedDate":1726249905692,"projectUrl":"project/new-school-new-grade/8640361/","projectTitle":"New School, New grade","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Martinez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8049408_orig.png?crop=1494,1494,x373,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1736268289723","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/midmartinez"},{"teacherId":9723702,"projectId":8730113,"letterContent":"I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation of art supplies. Your kindness and support mean so much to us and have made a significant impact on our creative community.\r\n\r\nThanks to your contribution, our students now have the tools they need to explore their artistic talents, express their creativity, and bring their ideas to life. Seeing their excitement and enthusiasm while using these materials has been truly inspiring.\r\n\r\nWe deeply appreciate your generosity and commitment to supporting the arts. Your gift not only provides resources but also fosters confidence and artistic growth in our students.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your support. We are incredibly grateful for your generosity and look forward to sharing the beautiful artwork your donation has helped create!","fullyFundedDate":1735692551401,"projectUrl":"project/art-classart-club/8730113/","projectTitle":"Art Class/Art Club","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dominguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9723702"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_17944","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":728,"numTeachers":52,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":6,"percentWhite":2,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":89,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"14.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":61.3,"schoolId":17944,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Risd Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Risd Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/richardson-independent-school-district/risd-academy/17944"}