{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Somerset Academy - Oaks","outOfStateSupporters":22.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7794359,"projectId":10374721,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and providing my students with new books to read! These books have helped bring reading to life in our classroom and given students more opportunities to explore new stories, learn new vocabulary, and strengthen their reading comprehension skills. They are also learning to look beyond the words on the page to understand the author's message and make meaningful connections to their own lives.\r\n\r\nOne of the most rewarding parts of this project has been seeing students become excited about choosing a book and sharing what they have discovered. For students who may not always consider themselves strong readers, having access to interesting and engaging books can make a meaningful difference in their confidence and willingness to try. Thank you for investing in my students and helping create a classroom where reading is not just an assignment, but an opportunity to discover, imagine, and grow. Your generosity is making a lasting impact on our young readers!","fullyFundedDate":1783917013883,"projectUrl":"project/help-my-fifth-graders-fall-in-love-with/10374721/","projectTitle":"Help My Fifth Graders Fall in Love with Reading!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Armeli","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7794359"},{"teacherId":8614447,"projectId":10238736,"letterContent":"Dear Donors,\r\nI would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to each of you for supporting our DonorsChoose project, \"Shoot with Confidence This Summer.\" Your generosity has made a positive impact on our physical education program at Somerset Academy Oaks by providing basketball equipment that helps students develop their athletic abilities, build confidence, and discover the importance of maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle.\r\nThe addition of these resources has allowed me to create more engaging and purposeful learning experiences for my students. Through basketball activities, students have opportunities to improve their shooting techniques, ball handling, coordination, and overall physical fitness. More importantly, these activities encourage teamwork, communication, perseverance, and sportsmanship. Having access to quality equipment also allows students of different skill levels to participate more consistently, practice at their own pace, and experience the satisfaction of making progress. One of the most rewarding aspects of teaching physical education is witnessing students gain confidence as they develop new skills and overcome challenges.\r\nAs we continue throughout the school year, my goal is to build upon these foundational skills by introducing more challenging basketball activities, skill development stations, and opportunities for students to demonstrate their individual growth. Beyond athletic performance, I want every student to understand that success comes through effort, discipline, determination, and a willingness to improve. These are valuable lessons that extend far beyond the basketball court and contribute to their personal and academic development.\r\nThank you for believing in the importance of physical education and for investing in the growth and development of our students. Your kindness has provided more than basketball equipment. It has created meaningful opportunities for students to learn, grow, and believe in their abilities. Your support is helping us develop confident learners, responsible teammates, and future leaders both on and off the court.\r\nWith sincere gratitude,\r\nCoach Lawson\r\nPhysical Education Teacher\r\nSomerset Academy Oaks","fullyFundedDate":1778035469724,"projectUrl":"project/shoot-with-confidence-this-summer/10238736/","projectTitle":"Shoot with Confidence This Summer","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Lawson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8614447_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660262927450","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ryanlawson"},{"teacherId":8614447,"projectId":10149409,"letterContent":"I want to express my sincere gratitude for your generosity and support of our project, \"10 Basketballs to Build 100 Future Champions!\" Your contributions have provided our students at Somerset Academy Oaks with valuable resources that enhance their physical education experience and create meaningful opportunities for growth, teamwork, and skill development.\r\n\r\nThese basketballs allow our students to participate more actively in basketball drills, skill-building exercises, and team activities. Having additional equipment means more students can practice simultaneously, improving their dribbling, passing, coordination, and overall confidence. Beyond developing athletic skills, these resources help me teach important life lessons such as perseverance, discipline, sportsmanship, and working together toward a common goal.\r\n\r\nAs we continue throughout the school year, my goal is to build upon these fundamental skills while encouraging students to develop healthy, active lifestyles. Your generosity extends far beyond providing basketballs. You are helping create opportunities for students to discover their potential, develop confidence, and understand the importance of believing in themselves.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our students and helping us build the next generation of champions, both on and off the court!\r\n\r\nWith gratitude,\r\n\r\nCoach Lawson\r\nPhysical Education Teacher\r\nSomerset Academy Oaks","fullyFundedDate":1778553572748,"projectUrl":"project/every-student-deserves-a-ball-to-dribble/10149409/","projectTitle":"Every Student Deserves a Ball to Dribble!","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Lawson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8614447_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660262927450","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ryanlawson"},{"teacherId":8614447,"projectId":10149512,"letterContent":"I want to express my sincere gratitude for your generosity and support of our project, \"10 Basketballs to Build 100 Future Champions!\" Your contributions have provided our students at Somerset Academy Oaks with valuable resources that enhance their physical education experience and create meaningful opportunities for growth, teamwork, and skill development.\r\n\r\nThese basketballs allow our students to participate more actively in basketball drills, skill-building exercises, and team activities. Having additional equipment means more students can practice simultaneously, improving their dribbling, passing, coordination, and overall confidence. Beyond developing athletic skills, these resources help me teach important life lessons such as perseverance, discipline, sportsmanship, and working together toward a common goal.\r\n\r\nAs we continue throughout the school year, my goal is to build upon these fundamental skills while encouraging students to develop healthy, active lifestyles. Your generosity extends far beyond providing basketballs. You are helping create opportunities for students to discover their potential, develop confidence, and understand the importance of believing in themselves.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our students and helping us build the next generation of champions, both on and off the court!\r\n\r\nWith gratitude,\r\n\r\nCoach Lawson\r\nPhysical Education Teacher\r\nSomerset Academy Oaks","fullyFundedDate":1775174109355,"projectUrl":"project/10-basketballs-to-build-100-future-cham/10149512/","projectTitle":"“10 Basketballs to Build 100 Future Champions!”","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Lawson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8614447_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660262927450","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ryanlawson"},{"teacherId":8891252,"projectId":8902997,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for adding these books to our classroom! My students LOVE Aaron Blabey's silly stories and hilarious characters. These are the books that students spot on the shelf and immediately want to grab. They've been especially great for my students who need a little encouragement to choose a book because the stories are funny, quick moving, and easy to get into.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping fill our library with books that bring my students so much joy\\. Hearing them laugh together as we read is truly one of my favorite parts of the day!","fullyFundedDate":1735606341031,"projectUrl":"project/aaron-blabey-collections/8902997/","projectTitle":"Aaron Blabey Collections","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Chavez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-g-chavez"},{"teacherId":8891252,"projectId":9230560,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping add these new books to our classroom library! My students have been LOVING them! It has been so fun watching them get excited about picking out a book, recommending books to their friends, and immediately asking if there are more in the series. Some of my students who are usually a little hesitant to read have really connected with these books because of the illustrations and fun characters. I've even caught students reading together and laughing over parts of the books, which is honestly one of my favorite things to see!\r\n\r\nThese books are also helping my students practice so many important reading skills without it feeling like \"work.\" They are making inferences, talking about characters, identifying lessons and themes, sequencing events, and using the pictures and text together to understand the story. Most importantly, they are building their confidence and stamina as readers. There is nothing better than looking around the room and seeing my students completely lost in a book they actually WANT to read. Thank you for helping make that possible and for giving my students even more books to get excited about!","fullyFundedDate":1746782999026,"projectUrl":"project/paws-and-claws-dog-man-and-mighty-robot/9230560/","projectTitle":"Paws and Claws! Dog Man and Mighty Robot Book Collections!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Chavez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-g-chavez"},{"teacherId":9284636,"projectId":9910160,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity! Because of your support, our classroom has been transformed into a world of ancient heroes and modern-day quests. We are currently halfway through The Lightning Thief, and the energy in the room is electric as we race toward our goal of earning 10 AR points per student.\r\n\r\nHere is a glimpse into how your gift is changing the way my students learn and grow:\r\n\r\nBridging Ancient Myths and Modern Skills\r\nWhile these books are a thrill to read, they are also sophisticated teaching tools. Through this text, I am able to teach literary analysis by having students map out the \"Hero's Journey.\" We are diving deep into character archetypes and learning how to identify allusions to Greek mythology in modern culture. Beyond the mechanics of reading, these books introduce a vital lesson in empathy and resilience; seeing Percy Jackson navigate his world with ADHD and dyslexia allows many of my students to see their own \"differences\" as potential superpowers.\r\n\r\nA Dynamic Reading Environment\r\nIn our classroom, reading is far from a silent, solitary activity. It is active and collaborative. On any given day, you might see:\r\n\r\nPredictive Debates: Students gathering in small groups to argue which Greek god is \"behind the scenes\" of the current plot twist.\r\n\r\nVocabulary Shouts: A student raising their hand excitedly because they found a \"SAT-level\" word we discussed earlier in the week.\r\n\r\nThe AR Progress Wall: A visual tracker where students move their markers closer to their 10-point goal, turning their reading progress into a celebrated milestone.\r\n\r\nThe Impact on Our Students\r\nThere are a few students who have been particularly moved by these new books. I have one student who previously struggled to stay engaged during independent reading time. Now, I often have to remind them to put the book away so we can start our science lab!\r\n\r\nFurthermore, for my students who receive reading accommodations, this series has been a game-changer. The fast-paced chapters and relatable dialogue keep them motivated, and the pride on their faces when they realize they've read half a novel is truly priceless. They aren't just reading for points; they are reading because they finally found a story that speaks to them.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and for providing the spark that has ignited a love of reading in our classroom. We can't wait to update you when we cross the finish line and hit our AR goals!\r\n\r\nWith deepest gratitude,","fullyFundedDate":1764728119620,"projectUrl":"project/a-book-for-every-demigod-student/9910160/","projectTitle":"A Book for Every Demigod Student","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Laws","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9284636"},{"teacherId":8614447,"projectId":9653738,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my students now have access to Pro-Max slam balls that are making a powerful impact in our physical education classes and athletic development sessions. These tools allow us to focus on strength training, explosive power, and overall conditioning in a way that was not possible before. With this equipment, every student now has the opportunity to actively participate and develop foundational athletic skills.\r\n\r\nWhen the slam balls arrived, the excitement from my students was immediate. They were eager to engage in new workouts and challenges, and it has brought a new level of energy and focus to our classes. I have already seen growth in their confidence, effort, and willingness to push themselves physically.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, I am now able to incorporate more structured strength and performance training into my lessons, helping students build discipline, resilience, and healthy habits. Moving forward, we will continue using these slam balls to enhance workouts, improve performance, and support long-term athletic development.\r\n\r\nI would also like to sincerely thank The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation for their support in making this opportunity possible for my students. Your generosity is helping shape confident, disciplined, and motivated young individuals.\r\nThank you for investing in my students and helping them grow stronger, more confident, and motivated each day.","fullyFundedDate":1758636765460,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-young-athletes-one-rep-at-a-tim/9653738/","projectTitle":"Fueling Young Athletes, One Rep at a Time","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Lawson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8614447_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660262927450","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ryanlawson"},{"teacherId":8614447,"projectId":9757224,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my students now have access to the equipment they need to fully participate and grow in our physical education program. The new mesh bags have completely changed how we organize and manage our basketballs, allowing for smoother transitions, more efficient use of time, and more structured, high-energy lessons. Instead of losing time gathering equipment, students are now able to get right into skill development, drills, and game play.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials arrived, my students were excited and immediately noticed the difference. They take pride in helping set up and break down equipment, and the organization has created a more focused and engaging environment. This has increased participation, improved behavior, and allowed more students to stay active and involved throughout each lesson.\r\n\r\nBecause of this project, I am now able to run more effective and organized sessions that emphasize skill development, teamwork, and accountability. Moving forward, we will continue building on these foundations through structured drills, small-sided games, and skill progression activities that help students grow both athletically and personally.\r\n\r\nI would also like to sincerely thank The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation for their support in making this opportunity possible for my students. Your generosity is creating a lasting impact not only in their physical development, but also in their confidence, responsibility, and overall growth.\r\nWith gratitude,\r\nCoach Lawson","fullyFundedDate":1764853141749,"projectUrl":"project/pack-play-repeat-organized-to-win/9757224/","projectTitle":"\"Pack, Play, Repeat, Organized to Win!\" Mesh Bags For Youth","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Lawson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8614447_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660262927450","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ryanlawson"},{"teacherId":8614447,"projectId":9252450,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my students now have access to high-quality basketballs that are being used daily in our physical education classes and skill development sessions. Before this project, many of our activities had to be modified due to limited equipment, but now every student has the opportunity to fully engage, practice, and improve their skills with confidence.\r\n\r\nWhen the basketballs arrived, the excitement from my students was immediate. They were eager to get started, and I saw a noticeable increase in participation, effort, and enthusiasm. Students who were once hesitant are now more involved, building not only their athletic abilities but also their confidence, teamwork, and overall love for the game.\r\n\r\nThese basketballs have allowed me to run more structured, high-energy lessons where students can work simultaneously, maximizing both learning time and development. We are now able to focus on skill progression, game understanding, and character-building through sports in a way that was not possible before.\r\n\r\nA sincere thank you to Ripple for supporting this opportunity for my students. Your generosity is making a lasting impact on their development, confidence, and growth both on and off the court.","fullyFundedDate":1746699590291,"projectUrl":"project/where-every-bounce-builds-confidence-and/9252450/","projectTitle":"Where Every Bounce Builds Confidence and Character! PART 3","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Lawson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8614447_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660262927450","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ryanlawson"},{"teacherId":8614447,"projectId":9241591,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my students now have access to high-quality basketballs that are being used daily in our physical education classes and skill development sessions. Before this project, many of our activities had to be modified due to limited equipment, but now every student has the opportunity to fully engage, practice, and improve their skills with confidence.\r\n\r\nWhen the basketballs arrived, the excitement from my students was immediate. They were eager to get started, and I saw a noticeable increase in participation, effort, and enthusiasm. Students who were once hesitant are now more involved, building not only their athletic abilities but also their confidence, teamwork, and overall love for the game.\r\n\r\nThese basketballs have allowed me to run more structured, high-energy lessons where students can work simultaneously, maximizing both learning time and development. We are now able to focus on skill progression, game understanding, and character-building through sports in a way that was not possible before.\r\n\r\nI would also like to sincerely thank City Education Partners + Other Generous Partners for their support in making this opportunity possible for my students. Your investment is making a lasting impact not just in their physical development, but in their confidence and growth as young individuals.","fullyFundedDate":1746783051895,"projectUrl":"project/where-every-bounce-builds-confidence-and/9241591/","projectTitle":"Where Every Bounce Builds Confidence and Character Part 2!","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Lawson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8614447_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660262927450","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ryanlawson"},{"teacherId":8614447,"projectId":9240186,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my students now have access to high-quality basketballs that are being used daily in our physical education classes and skill development sessions. Before this project, many of our activities had to be modified due to limited equipment, but now every student has the opportunity to fully engage, practice, and improve their skills with confidence.\r\n\r\nWhen the basketballs arrived, the excitement from my students was immediate. They were eager to get started, and I saw a noticeable increase in participation, effort, and enthusiasm. Students who were once hesitant are now more involved, building not only their athletic abilities but also their confidence, teamwork, and overall love for the game.\r\n\r\nThese basketballs have allowed me to run more structured, high-energy lessons where students can work simultaneously, maximizing both learning time and development. We are now able to focus on skill progression, game understanding, and character-building through sports in a way that was not possible before.\r\n\r\nI would also like to sincerely thank City Education Partners + Other Generous Partners for their support in making this opportunity possible for my students. Your investment is making a lasting impact not just in their physical development, but in their confidence and growth as young individuals.","fullyFundedDate":1746783050692,"projectUrl":"project/where-every-bounce-builds-confidence-and/9240186/","projectTitle":"Where Every Bounce Builds Confidence and Character!","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Lawson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8614447_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660262927450","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ryanlawson"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_109601","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":199,"numTeachers":15,"percentFrplEligible":59,"percentAsian":20,"percentBlack":15,"percentWhite":14,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":46,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":2,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"13.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":77.3,"schoolId":109601,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Somerset Academy - Oaks on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Somerset Academy - Oaks","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/texas-department-of-education/brooks-academy-oaks/109601"}