Ms. Hirsch's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 5

• Chisels and Vision: Expanding Horizons in High School Art

  Funded Nov 2, 2023

  I am writing to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation of alternative carving materials. Your support has provided my students with an exciting opportunity to explore new, innovative approaches to sculpting and carving. These materials have expanded their creative possibilities and allowed them to experiment with different techniques that they might not have encountered otherwise.

  Thanks to your contribution, our students are learning to work with a variety of surfaces and textures, which is enhancing their technical skills and encouraging them to think outside the box in their artistic processes. The excitement in the studio is palpable, and I know this experience will leave a lasting impact on their development as artists.

  We deeply appreciate your belief in the importance of arts education, and we are so grateful for your investment in our students' growth and creativity.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Hirsch

  This classroom project was brought to life by Olathe Public Schools Foundation and 2 other donors.

• Igniting Artistic Flames: The High School Copper Enameling Grant

  Funded Nov 28, 2023

  I would like to express my deepest gratitude for your generous funding of the copper enameling grant. Your support has provided an incredible opportunity for our students to explore this vibrant and hands-on art form, and it will undoubtedly enhance their artistic education in exciting new ways.

  Thanks to your donation, my students will have the chance to engage with new materials, techniques, and processes that will deepen their understanding of metalworking and surface design. We are all thrilled to incorporate copper enameling into our curriculum, and I can already see the excitement and creativity it's sparking among my students.

  Copper enameling introduces students to a new medium, giving them the chance to learn an ancient art form that combines both metalworking and the application of colorful, fused glass. This expands their artistic skill set and offers a hands-on, experiential learning opportunity.

  Working with copper enameling requires precision in handling materials, managing torch temperatures, and layering enamel. Students have refined fine motor skills and attention to detail, gaining proficiency with new tools and techniques that can be applied to other artistic processes.

  Enameling opens new doors for color application and surface design. Students can experiment with vivid colors, patterns, and textures, pushing the boundaries of their creative vision. This grant will encourage students to develop their own unique styles and explore how color and texture can impact the final result.

  In summary, the copper enameling grant provides students with the tools and resources to develop their artistic talents, enhance technical skills, explore creative possibilities, and build a deeper connection to the historical and cultural significance of their craft.

  Your contribution is helping to shape their learning experience in meaningful ways, and we are truly grateful for your belief in the value of arts education.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Hirsch

  This classroom project was brought to life by Olathe Public Schools Foundation and 3 other donors.

• Celebrating Creativity: Empowering Artists with Oil Sticks

  Funded Oct 23, 2023

  On behalf of my Drawing 2 students, I want to extend our deepest gratitude for your generous grant of oil sticks. Your support has enriched our class and opened new avenues for creative exploration that would not have been possible otherwise. These materials will allow my students to experiment with texture, color, and technique in ways that will truly elevate their work. Students have and will continue to enrich their experiences in these three categories.

  1. Hands-on Texture Creation

  Thick, Rich Application: Oil sticks allow students to apply pigment more thickly compared to traditional drawing mediums, creating a tactile experience. The creamy texture encourages students to experiment with building up layers, creating a range of surfaces from smooth to heavily textured, depending on how they apply and manipulate the material.

  Direct Interaction: Unlike brushes or pencils, oil sticks are held directly in the hand, giving students a more intimate and direct connection to their work. This physical engagement allows them to feel the texture being created and pushes them to experiment with varying pressure and marks.

  2. Color Blending

  Slow Drying Time: Since oil sticks are made of oil paint, they have a slower drying time, allowing students to blend colors seamlessly on the surface. This flexibility lets them practice gradual transitions between hues, creating soft gradients or sharper contrasts.

  Layering of Colors: Oil sticks can be layered over one another, allowing students to explore color theory. They can experiment with how overlapping colors mix optically or physically, learning the nuances of color relationships and the impact of transparency and opacity.

  3. Impasto Effects

  Students can also create impasto effects by applying oil sticks in thick layers. This technique helps them explore texture not only visually but also physically, adding a dimensional quality to their work that can bring depth and richness to their compositions.

  We are excited to see how this opportunity will spark innovation and growth in each student's artistic journey. Thank you for investing in their potential and providing us with the resources to enhance our creative learning environment.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Hirsch

  This classroom project was brought to life by Olathe Public Schools Foundation and one other donor.

• Scratchin' to Make New Drawings!

  Funded Oct 23, 2022

  Thank you for helping us realize this grant. We were blown away by your generosity. My students were creating using the supplies you've help purchase. They were so excited to see the variety of scratchboard tool options that were now part of our classroom! Also they were able to experience options in several different types of scratchboard papers/surfaces to figure out what would best support their ideas. The scratchboard materials were nothing like what some of them have used before. The artistic energy was almost unstoppable.

  It is so nice to be able to provide high end materials so students can create successfully. I appreciate the support in the visual arts!"”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Hirsch

  This classroom project was brought to life by Olathe Public Schools Foundation and 12 other donors.

• Snap, Crackle, Pop! Stained Glass in the Jewelry Classroom

  Funded Oct 16, 2022

  Thank you for making stained glass art a reality in our world this year. As an art teacher, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to teach high school students all about art. The students have various reasons for enjoying art, including expressing their creativity, learning about themselves and others, discovering how to communicate visually, and as a way to de-stress. Thanks to this grant, we were able to purchase a wide range of beautifully colored stained glass, copper foil, cutting tools, and solder to create complex stained glass artworks.

  Your support has not only provided us with the opportunity to work with amazing materials, but has allowed students to have a creative outlet to express themselves and develop their skills. They are inspired by your support and are eager to continue exploring their creativity through these new opportunities.

  A classroom sized thank you to everyone who supported the work done in this grant. This grant has had a profound impact on my students' learning experience, and we are truly grateful for your support.”

  With gratitude,

  Ms. Hirsch