{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Bryss STEM Preparatory School","outOfStateSupporters":34.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8575786,"projectId":9716103,"letterContent":"On behalf of my class, I want to extend our deepest gratitude for the generous donation of our new smart board. It has truly transformed the way my students learn each day. They are more engaged, excited, and motivated, and it has opened doors to lessons and learning experiences we couldn't access before.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has made a real difference in our classroom. We are so grateful for your support and for believing in the importance of education. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for giving our students a tool that will help them grow, explore, and succeed.\r\n\r\nWith sincere appreciation,\r\nMs. Maldonado's first grade classroom","fullyFundedDate":1758720423715,"projectUrl":"project/1st-grade-smart-board-project/9716103/","projectTitle":"1st Grade Smart Board Project","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Maldonado","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8575786_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727207140609","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8575786"},{"teacherId":9054671,"projectId":9352995,"letterContent":"Microscopes are transforming how my students learn by giving them a direct window into worlds that are otherwise invisible to the naked eye. Instead of simply reading about insects in a textbook, students can observe them firsthand, which makes lessons more engaging and memorable. This hands on exploration is strengthening critical thinking and scientific inquiry skills, as students learn to make observations, form questions, and draw conclusions based on what they see. By turning abstract concepts into real, observable phenomena, microscopes are helping to deepen understanding and spark curiosity about the natural world.","fullyFundedDate":1757641638385,"projectUrl":"project/zoom-in-on-learning/9352995/","projectTitle":"Zoom in on Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Fernandez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9054671"},{"teacherId":8578135,"projectId":9348309,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, my students and I have been able to dive into learning in exciting new ways. We began using the new resources right away during our hands-on STEM exploration block. One of the first projects students tackled was designing simple machines to solve everyday problems. Watching them collaborate, sketch ideas, and test their designs with real materials was an incredible moment—several students proudly shouted, \"It works!\" when their creations finally came to life.\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the classroom buzzed with excitement. Students crowded around the boxes, eagerly asking, \"Is this really for us?\" Their faces lit up with curiosity and pride, knowing that someone believed in their abilities enough to invest in their learning.\r\nThanks to you, our learning journey has only just begun. Next, students will be applying these tools to a larger STEM challenge where they'll plan, build, and reflect on a community-themed invention. We can't wait to continue exploring, creating, and problem-solving—all made possible by your kindness and support.\r\nThank you for allowing my students to imagine, build, and grow!","fullyFundedDate":1755522431835,"projectUrl":"project/building-while-learning/9348309/","projectTitle":"Building While Learning!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Berrones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8578135_orig.jpg?crop=1500,1500,x0,y480&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683344326528","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-berrones"},{"teacherId":10030852,"projectId":9341294,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of beginning readers and read-aloud books for our kindergarten classroom! These books have quickly become favorites in our daily routine. The beginning readers are helping students build essential early literacy skills like recognizing sight words, sounding out simple words, and tracking print from left to right. During our read-alouds, students are learning how to listen for story elements, ask questions, and make predictions, all while growing their vocabulary and comprehension.\r\nReading time is now one of the most joyful parts of our day. Whether students are exploring books on their own or gathered on the rug for a read-aloud, there's a real excitement around stories. One student who was initially hesitant to engage with books now proudly chooses a beginning reader each morning and reads along with a classmate. Thanks to your support, our classroom is full of curiosity, confidence, and a growing love of reading!","fullyFundedDate":1747965469278,"projectUrl":"project/building-a-library-one-book-at-a-time/9341294/","projectTitle":"Building a Library, One Book at a Time","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rodriguez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10030852"},{"teacherId":8578135,"projectId":9339334,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my students now have access to exciting new chapter books, including the much-loved Dog Man series! These books have opened the door to important reading skills like making inferences, identifying story elements, and building fluency. With such engaging texts, students are practicing comprehension strategies in ways that feel fun and meaningful rather than like \"work.\"\r\nIn our classroom, reading time has become one of the most anticipated parts of the day. Students grab their books, find a cozy spot, and dive right into their stories—often sharing their favorite parts or funny moments with classmates. The Dog Man books, in particular, have been a huge hit with reluctant readers who are now excited to read independently and even volunteer to read aloud.\r\nOne student who previously struggled to finish a book is now proudly carrying a Dog Man title everywhere, eager to tell me about the adventures he's reading. It's been inspiring to see their confidence and joy in reading grow with these new resources.","fullyFundedDate":1755031047887,"projectUrl":"project/books-on-books/9339334/","projectTitle":"Books on Books!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Berrones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8578135_orig.jpg?crop=1500,1500,x0,y480&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683344326528","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-berrones"},{"teacherId":8578135,"projectId":9255643,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom with the reptiles, insects, and birds science kits! When my students first saw the kits, their excitement was contagious—several of them immediately started sharing what they already knew about the animals and asking what they would get to explore first. It was such a joy to see their natural curiosity come alive.\r\nWe have already begun using the kits in our life science unit. One special moment was when students examined the bird models and compared different beak shapes. They were amazed to discover how each beak is designed for a specific food source, which helped them understand adaptation in a very concrete way. With the insect materials, students worked in pairs to classify insects by body parts, which sparked great discussions and teamwork.\r\nOur next steps will be diving deeper into habitats and ecosystems. Students will use the reptile kit to explore how animals survive in different environments and begin creating posters that explain how each animal meets its needs for food, water, shelter, and space. This project is giving them the tools to think and act like scientists every day.","fullyFundedDate":1746785439147,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-science/9255643/","projectTitle":"Hands-on Science","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Berrones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8578135_orig.jpg?crop=1500,1500,x0,y480&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683344326528","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-berrones"},{"teacherId":9054671,"projectId":9267046,"letterContent":"On behalf of our students and myself, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for your generous donation to help fund STEM toys for our classroom.\r\n\r\nThanks to your support, our students now have access to hands-on, engaging tools that bring science, engineering, and math to life in exciting new ways. From building simple machines to exploring the basics of engineering and problem-solving, these STEM toys are not just fun—they're laying the foundation for critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration that will serve our students well into the future.\r\n\r\nIt has been truly inspiring to see the excitement in our classroom as students work together, experiment, and discover through play. Your generosity is making a direct and meaningful impact, and we are deeply grateful for your investment in their learning journey.\r\n\r\nThank you once again for believing in our mission and in the potential of every child. We couldn't do this without you.","fullyFundedDate":1747141729132,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-learning/9267046/","projectTitle":"Hands on learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Fernandez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9054671"},{"teacherId":8575786,"projectId":9053859,"letterContent":"Thank you so much helping me fufill my classroom project. The new technology in my classroom is already making a huge difference. It's been amazing to see how engaged and excited the students are. They sure do love station time because they are able to hop on the computer and use different programs to create and think critically. \r\n\r\nYour contribution is not just giving my students new tools but it is opening up endless opportunities for learning and growth. I'm so grateful for your help in making this possible, and I'm excited to watch my students continue to explore and succeed with this resource. Thank you again for making such a meaningful impact in my students education!","fullyFundedDate":1746786316678,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-computer/9053859/","projectTitle":"Classroom Computer","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Maldonado","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8575786_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727207140609","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8575786"},{"teacherId":8578135,"projectId":9304744,"letterContent":"When the reptile, insect, and bird specimen kits arrived, my students were immediately fascinated,they couldn't wait to open the boxes and get a closer look. During a recent science lesson, students worked in small groups to examine the specimens with magnifying glasses and compare their features. One special moment was when a student noticed the difference between a lizard's scales and a bird's feathers, sparking a lively discussion about how animals are adapted to their environments. The room was full of excitement and curiosity as students shared their observations and asked thoughtful questions.\r\nThe next steps for my students are to use these kits in ongoing life science lessons. We'll continue studying animal structures, classification, and habitats by making detailed sketches, writing observation notes, and comparing similarities and differences across species. These specimens will also serve as inspiration for research projects and science journals, helping students connect hands-on exploration with scientific writing and critical thinking. Thanks to your generosity, my students can study science in a way that feels real, engaging, and memorable.","fullyFundedDate":1747079476723,"projectUrl":"project/exploring-nature/9304744/","projectTitle":"Exploring Nature","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Berrones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8578135_orig.jpg?crop=1500,1500,x0,y480&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683344326528","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-berrones"},{"teacherId":8578135,"projectId":9323748,"letterContent":"When the bells and xylophones arrived, my students' faces lit up with excitement—they couldn't wait to explore the new instruments. We introduced them during a music and literacy lesson, where students opened their books and learned to match simple notes to the colorful keys. One special moment was when small groups worked together to play a short melody from the book; the joy on their faces as they recognized a familiar tune was unforgettable. The instruments immediately transformed our classroom into a place where students could experience music hands-on, making connections between what they see in print and what they hear and create themselves.\r\nThe next steps for my students are to build on this foundation by learning to play short songs as a class ensemble. We'll continue practicing rhythm, pitch, and steady beat, gradually moving from simple note patterns to more complex pieces. Students will also begin composing their own short melodies using the bells and xylophones, combining creativity with their growing music-reading skills. Thanks to your generosity, they are developing not only musical abilities but also confidence, teamwork, and a lifelong appreciation for music.","fullyFundedDate":1746786381114,"projectUrl":"project/making-music/9323748/","projectTitle":"Making Music!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Berrones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8578135_orig.jpg?crop=1500,1500,x0,y480&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683344326528","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-berrones"},{"teacherId":8578135,"projectId":9255625,"letterContent":"When our new STEM builder manipulatives arrived, my students were immediately drawn to the bright colors and endless building possibilities. We introduced them during a science lesson on structures and stability, where students were challenged to design the tallest free-standing tower they could create. Working in pairs, they experimented with balance, angles, and support while sharing ideas and testing different strategies. Their excitement was contagious—students who are usually hesitant to participate were eager to join in, proudly showing their creations and explaining how they kept them from falling. It was inspiring to watch their critical thinking, teamwork, and creativity come to life through hands-on exploration. Thank you so much for encouraging their imagination to be built with their classmates.","fullyFundedDate":1746487643303,"projectUrl":"project/creative-thinking-in-stem/9255625/","projectTitle":"Creative Thinking in STEM","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Berrones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8578135_orig.jpg?crop=1500,1500,x0,y480&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683344326528","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-berrones"},{"teacherId":8578135,"projectId":9273347,"letterContent":"When the new CVC board games and building blocks arrived, my students could hardly contain their excitement. Their faces lit up as they opened the boxes and saw the colorful boards, cards, and blocks. Many immediately began pointing out letters and words they recognized, eager to start playing. We set up learning stations around the room, and students rotated between building CVC words with blocks, racing to complete word paths on the board games, and reading their creations aloud to partners.\r\nThese resources have made our phonics lessons come alive. The CVC board games turn reading practice into a friendly competition, keeping students focused and motivated. The building blocks give them a tactile, hands-on way to manipulate letters and sounds, reinforcing their ability to blend and segment words. I've noticed students who were once hesitant to participate now raising their hands, taking turns confidently, and celebrating each correct word with their classmates.\r\nNext, we'll be expanding our activities by creating \"CVC Word Challenge\" centers, where students will use the blocks to build short sentences with the words they've mastered. This will help strengthen both reading and writing skills while keeping the lessons interactive and fun. Your generosity has transformed our phonics practice into a joyful, engaging experience, and my students are already making incredible progress because of it.","fullyFundedDate":1746786102940,"projectUrl":"project/legos-for-the-end/9273347/","projectTitle":"Legos for the End!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Berrones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8578135_orig.jpg?crop=1500,1500,x0,y480&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683344326528","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-berrones"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_110716","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":550,"numTeachers":23,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":99,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"23.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":65.9,"schoolId":110716,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Bryss STEM Preparatory School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Bryss STEM Preparatory School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/texas-department-of-education/raul-yzaguirre-school-for-success-brownsville/110716"}