{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Alfred G Waters Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":23.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2846072,"projectId":10545777,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for all of your support and donations! The new tennis balls have made a HUGE difference already with the level of noise in my classroom. My room is drastically quieter!\r\n\r\nStudents noticed them pretty quickly after I put them on each chair. They are really good quality and had slits in them so they were easy to get on the chairs. Because my students are in and out of their seats daily, the tennis ball made a big difference. I notice the level of focus is better now then before. Students used to wince at the sound of chair moving but not anymore. This also help out my few students that need to it be quieter because of their disabilities. \r\n\r\nAgain, I really appreciate a community that backs their teachers! Than you again!","fullyFundedDate":1791134376665,"projectUrl":"project/quiet-in-the-classroom/10545777/","projectTitle":"Quiet in the Classroom!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Lancy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2846072_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1475106248255","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-lancy"},{"teacherId":2846072,"projectId":10523170,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for all of you support and donations! These whiteboards have helped out so much! Because of my larger class sizes, we were in desperate need for more of them and these fit in my room perfectly. As soon as I got them and built them, they were already being used that day! \r\n\r\nStudents noticed them right away. These whiteboards are durable, can move easily since they are on wheels, and have other great features too. My taller students like them too since they are higher up then the old ones. \r\n\r\nThese new whiteboards have been so great that I might start another project for two more! The other two whiteboards in my room have been used for a long time now and could use replaced as well. Because these are such great quality, it would be a smart move to make. Thank you all again!","fullyFundedDate":1788267433440,"projectUrl":"project/stand-up-and-learn/10523170/","projectTitle":"Stand Up and Learn!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Lancy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2846072_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1475106248255","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-lancy"},{"teacherId":1424483,"projectId":10033133,"letterContent":"The titles that you have added for our school Library make such a difference! We don't always have enough money to pull off extra projects and bonus activities, and you have helped to make that possible!\r\n\r\nThe Holocaust-related titles were used for our 8th grade Holocaust unit, in which students are allowed to pick a title to read with a group of friends. The kiddos all read the same book for several weeks, and then meet in the Library in small groups to talk about what they've been reading. They take notes, create discussion questions, and eventually create a presentation about their book and about their Holocaust learning to share with their whole class. The books you donated represent titles that have been popular over the years, that we wanted to expand access to for even more readers. Thank you!\r\n\r\nThe fiction titles were ones specifically requested by members of our student-led book clubs at lunch. Students voluntarily give up their lunch time once a week - for a month - to read a book and come talk about it with their friends. The students like to have total say over which books they read for clubs, and these titles are ones they really wanted! The Maze Runner, in particular, is even more fun because they can stay after school and watch the movie version together!\r\n\r\nOur Library is a vibrant place with cozy spots for students to read, productive spaces for students to discuss and work together - and there is nothing that brings me more joy than seeing students engaging with popular texts and enjoying each other's presence and opinions. Thank you for breathing even more life into our school Library!","fullyFundedDate":1778247262326,"projectUrl":"project/keep-shark-nation-reading-in-the-library/10033133/","projectTitle":"Keep Shark Nation Reading In The Library","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Scott","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1424483_orig.jpg?crop=716,717,x0,y141&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1620670943336","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1424483"},{"teacherId":7483451,"projectId":9850924,"letterContent":"Implementing Building Thinking Classrooms as a consistent instructional routine has had a meaningful impact on student engagement, collaboration, and mathematical discourse in my classroom. Through the use of thought-provoking prompts, students are regularly encouraged to explore new concepts, extend their understanding, and communicate their thinking in meaningful ways. These prompts also support making connections between mathematics and real-life scenarios, increasing both relevance and student investment.\r\nStudents are grouped randomly, ensuring that all learners have the opportunity to collaborate with a variety of peers. Each group member is held accountable for explaining the group's thinking, fostering both individual responsibility and collective understanding. During problem-solving tasks, only one student writes on the board at a time, with the expectation that multiple group members contribute written work over the course of the activity. This structure promotes equitable participation and visibility of diverse thinking strategies.\r\nWhen groups encounter challenges, they are encouraged to engage in purposeful movement by observing the work of other groups. This practice supports idea generation, perseverance, and deeper cognitive engagement as students refine or revise their approaches based on new insights.\r\nIn this particular lesson, students were introduced to foundational algebraic concepts by comparing and contrasting numerical and algebraic expressions, as well as distinguishing between expressions and equations. Using a routine \"I Notice/I Wonder\" prompt—now an established structure in the classroom—students analyzed a variety of representations including numbers, words, symbols, and operations. Through guided exploration, students identified key similarities and differences, ultimately recognizing that algebraic expressions include variables representing unknown quantities and can be expressed in multiple forms.\r\nMoving forward, this understanding will be extended through real-world applications. Students will explore contexts such as calculating the total cost of a cell phone bill based on a fixed fee and variable usage, further solidifying their ability to represent and interpret algebraic expressions in meaningful, authentic situations.\r\nThank you for allowing me to expand my repertoire of tools for teaching by implementing this instructional routine. Though funded later in the year, I can already see the direct positive impact that this has had on mathematical discourse amongst my students. It is my hope that this will translate into more refined technical writing in extended performance tasks.","fullyFundedDate":1770156766059,"projectUrl":"project/wait-literacy-exists-in-math/9850924/","projectTitle":"Wait! Literacy exists in Math????","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Prendergast","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7483451"},{"teacherId":10324726,"projectId":9848973,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contribution to our classroom project focused on increasing math literacy in our 7th grade students. Your support has made an immediate and meaningful impact. The stylus pens have been especially valuable, allowing students to clearly show their mathematical thinking on their iPads in a way that a keyboard simply cannot replicate. This has helped deepen their understanding and improved how they communicate their reasoning.\r\n\r\nIn addition, the dry erase markers have given students a much-needed break from technology while still actively engaging in problem-solving. The baskets have helped us stay organized and safely store our new materials, and the colored paper has brought our math stations to life—encouraging collaboration as students work together to solve word problems. The new calculators have also been incredibly helpful, replacing many that were worn out or no longer functional.\r\n\r\nMy students and I truly appreciate your generosity and support. Your donation has enhanced our classroom in so many ways, and we are grateful for your investment in their learning.","fullyFundedDate":1770147891892,"projectUrl":"project/math-literacy-with-mrs-eisenberg/9848973/","projectTitle":"Math Literacy with Mrs. Eisenberg","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Eisenberg","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10324726_orig.jpg?crop=1863,1863,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1760988313584","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10324726"},{"teacherId":5680965,"projectId":9848501,"letterContent":"As I was opening boxes today, I had to immediately stop and write about how it feels to see these absolutely needed school supplies arrive for our students. My students love to use dry-erase markers on the desk and they are overjoyed at the fact they won't have to share a marker any longer, now that the 80 I purchased at the beginning of the year have dried up. I feel a wave of relief as I unbox a large collection of binder dividers, knowing next year's students will start off their math literacy journey organized. The fidgets that will replace the well-worn ones from September will be so appreciated. \r\nHowever the unboxing that hit me the hardest emotionally, was the pencil sharpener. I ordered two high volume pencil sharpeners - a luxury item in most classrooms - and I could feel the tension in my shoulders loosen a bit, knowing this year and next year, we will have no issues sharpening pencils. \r\n\r\nAs the materials continue to come in, the joy and relief I am feeling is palpable. As I carefully unbox each new item, I am excited about the opportunity the students will have to immediately put them to use. The relief knowing I won't have to use my salary to purchase these items will linger as we end the school year and start a new year next year. I am so very thankful.","fullyFundedDate":1770925920290,"projectUrl":"project/mathematics-literacy-with-ms-d/9848501/","projectTitle":"Mathematics Literacy With Ms. D.","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. DeBastiani","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5680965_orig.png?crop=412,412,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1690411697251","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5680965"},{"teacherId":7656480,"projectId":9846069,"letterContent":"Thank you for the donation of Choices magazines for our students. I cannot tell you how long I have been trying to get these magazines for my 7th grade students. The Choices magazines provides engaging and relevant articles for our student population which is just what is needed to get them and keep them interested in reading. \r\n\r\nEven when students only have a few minutes of time once they are finished their work and waiting for the class, it is so great to offer the magazine rather than them turning to an Ipad. Increasing literacy is a marathon. Getting students engaged in reading and learning about the world around them will piqued their curiosity for life. \r\n\r\nThank you again for this gift, it means more than you realize for my students.","fullyFundedDate":1760924174588,"projectUrl":"project/increasing-literacy-and-self-advocacy/9846069/","projectTitle":"Increasing Literacy and Self-Advocacy","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Connally","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7656480"},{"teacherId":10313210,"projectId":9831700,"letterContent":"My students and I appreciate your donations more than words can say. I have a lot of struggling readers this year. They mostly struggle with comprehension, which can be alleviated when they read aloud. However, having 33 students read aloud at the same time is not the best learning environment. The whisper phones have been incredibly helpful in this regard. With my students being older, they were reluctant to use them until one student asked for one. After that, several other students asked to use them and reported that it was easier to understand the texts we read when using the phones to read out loud. \r\n\r\nAdditionally, the variety of fidgets are very helpful for my students with anxiety and ADHD. Instead of disrupting class or trying to get their energy out in non-productive ways, they use the rosters to alleviate their energy. This is especially helpful because we read a few texts a week, and students have to read and work quietly for sustained periods of time. \r\n\r\nOverall, your donations have made a huge impact on my students. So thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1760711254575,"projectUrl":"project/ms-holmquists-literacy-project/9831700/","projectTitle":"Ms. Holmquist's Literacy Project","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Holmquist","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10313210"},{"teacherId":3484594,"projectId":9827100,"letterContent":"This project has had a powerful impact on our students by blending literacy with meaningful, hands-on technology use. While many donors are familiar with technology at home, in our classroom the camera is used as a learning tool to strengthen reading, writing, and communication skills. Students read mentor texts, plan storyboards, write scripts, and revise written work before creating photo essays and book trailers. The technology helps students better understand narrative structure, descriptive language, and audience—turning literacy into an active, creative process rather than a passive one.\r\n\r\nWhat excites students most is the ability to bring stories to life. Using the camera makes reading feel purposeful and authentic; students are motivated to read closely so they can accurately represent characters, themes, and settings in their visual projects. Many students who are typically reluctant readers become more engaged when they know they'll have a creative outlet to showcase their understanding. The camera has also helped students take pride in their work, as they see their projects displayed and celebrated in the classroom.\r\n\r\nSeveral students have especially warmed to this technology, particularly those who struggle with traditional reading and writing tasks. Visual learners and students who benefit from hands-on experiences have found new confidence by expressing their comprehension through images paired with written and spoken explanations. The camera has given these students a voice and a way to demonstrate learning in a format that plays to their strengths. Thanks to your generosity, our students are developing stronger literacy skills while discovering new ways to tell stories and share their ideas.","fullyFundedDate":1760548861630,"projectUrl":"project/literacy-through-media/9827100/","projectTitle":"Literacy Through Media","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Backus","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3484594_orig.png?crop=877,877,x78,y61&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758147936485","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrbackusagw"},{"teacherId":3484594,"projectId":9720272,"letterContent":"Since receiving these new LEGO resources, my students have jumped right into our 2025–2026 LEGO Club build project. They are working collaboratively to plan, problem-solve, and construct sections of the Hogwarts Castle and the Natural History Museum. Students have taken on different roles—builders, organizers, and designers—and are learning how to communicate ideas, follow multi-step directions, and persist through challenges when a build doesn't go as planned. One standout moment was watching a group completely redesign a section after realizing it wasn't structurally sound, showing real growth in critical thinking and teamwork. The builds are displayed in our classroom, and students outside of LEGO Club frequently stop by to check on the progress—often commenting on how \"cool\" it looks and wishing they were part of the project.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the LEGO sets, the excitement was immediate and contagious. There were gasps, cheers, and lots of eager questions about who would get to build which sections. Many students were amazed by the size and detail of the sets and couldn't wait to get started. That excitement has carried beyond club meetings, with other students regularly peeking in to see what's been added next and jokingly expressing their jealousy over what LEGO Club is accomplishing.","fullyFundedDate":1760491473093,"projectUrl":"project/exploring-magic-and-museums-through-lego/9720272/","projectTitle":"Exploring Magic and Museums Through LEGO","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Backus","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3484594_orig.png?crop=877,877,x78,y61&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758147936485","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrbackusagw"},{"teacherId":9297657,"projectId":9826936,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my students are actively using these new resources every day to deepen their learning and engagement. We've incorporated them into whole-class lessons, small-group work, and independent practice, allowing students to interact with the content in more meaningful and hands-on ways. One especially memorable moment was watching students collaborate and problem-solve together, using the materials to support their thinking and confidently share their ideas—something many of them previously struggled to do.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, my students were genuinely excited. They immediately wanted to explore them and asked thoughtful questions about how we would use them in class. Several students commented on how the resources made learning feel more accessible and enjoyable, and I noticed an immediate boost in motivation and participation. Students who are typically hesitant to engage were eager to try, take risks, and stay focused for longer periods of time.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, these resources will continue to support our current lessons and upcoming projects as students build critical skills such as reading comprehension, written expression, and collaboration. Because of your support, my students have tools that help them feel more confident, capable, and invested in their learning. Thank you for giving them this opportunity and for helping create a classroom environment where all students can succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1760542556668,"projectUrl":"project/literacy-list/9826936/","projectTitle":"Literacy List","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Reynolds","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9297657"},{"teacherId":1424483,"projectId":9834182,"letterContent":"For the last several school years, our 8th grade students have done a bit project in their English classes which involves learning about the Holocaust, reading texts connected with this period in history, and then presenting to the class their new knowledge. Over the years, some books have been more popular than others. This grant enabled us to purchase additional copies of the books that have been most impactful for students in the past. As a school librarian, I am tasks with ensuring that our students have access to high quality reading materials, can make their own selections while reading, and face the challenge of ensuring that every child comes to love reading. This task is SO much easier when we have great books in the library! This project ensures that our students can read the best books, and stay very engaged, while also learning about a very difficult and important time in history. Your generosity is SO appreciated!","fullyFundedDate":1760796386323,"projectUrl":"project/holocaust-learning/9834182/","projectTitle":"Holocaust Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Scott","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1424483_orig.jpg?crop=716,717,x0,y141&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1620670943336","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1424483"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_94086","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1035,"numTeachers":57,"percentFrplEligible":7,"percentAsian":29,"percentBlack":16,"percentWhite":42,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":4,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":5,"gradesServed":"6 - 9","studentTeacherRatio":"18.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":76.6,"schoolId":94086,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Alfred G Waters Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Alfred G Waters Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/delaware/appoquinimink-school-district/alfred-g-waters-middle-school/94086"}