{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Benjamin Franklin Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":22.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9070074,"projectId":9496435,"letterContent":"This project has made a tremendous impact on my classroom by creating a more supportive, engaging, and inclusive learning environment for all of my students. The addition of electronic pencil sharpeners, headphones, and a variety of art supplies has allowed students to stay focused and organized while also encouraging creativity and self-expression. Simple tools like colored pencils, markers, and crayons have become meaningful outlets for students to demonstrate understanding in unique ways and take pride in their work. The headphones have been especially helpful for students who need a quieter environment to concentrate, while the sharpeners have reduced distractions and helped maintain smooth transitions during class.\r\n\r\nBeyond academics, the items included in this project have greatly enhanced our classroom community and students' social-emotional well-being. The positive affirmation cards and birthday treats have helped build confidence and celebrate each student, creating a sense of belonging and recognition. The sensory mats and strips have been invaluable for students with sensory needs, providing them with calming tools that support focus and reduce anxiety. Additionally, the board games have encouraged teamwork, communication, and positive peer relationships—skills that extend far beyond the classroom walls.\r\n\r\nOverall, this project has transformed our classroom into a space where students feel safe, supported, and motivated to learn. The resources have not only improved engagement and organization but have also fostered joy, connection, and confidence among my students. Their excitement to use these materials each day is a clear reminder of how meaningful your support has been in helping them grow academically and emotionally.","fullyFundedDate":1754623942353,"projectUrl":"project/creating-a-calm-creative-and-confiden/9496435/","projectTitle":"\"Creating a Calm, Creative, and Confident Classroom\"","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Welch","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9070074_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x551,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1719859207931","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9070074"},{"teacherId":4958635,"projectId":9728196,"letterContent":"Thank you so very much for your generosity towards the two bookshelves for our classroom. As reading teachers, it is up to us to gather extra books for the kids and also a place to display them. After many years in the classroom, the hand me down or garage sale bought bookshelves are falling apart and are not big enough to display books for the students.\r\n\r\nThe impact of these two 5 shelf bookcases will be huge. We will be able to display books series together, which will make it easier for students to keep reading and exploring book. We will also have more ways to display the books with the covers out instead of just the spines.\r\n\r\nWe appreicate you taking your time and using your hard earned momey to make our lives a little easier and more fulfilled!","fullyFundedDate":1760719865928,"projectUrl":"project/bookcases-for-remarkable-readers/9728196/","projectTitle":"Bookcases for Remarkable Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Schoeben","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4958635_orig.jpg?crop=509,509,x0,y145&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754933529927","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mschoeben"},{"teacherId":4958635,"projectId":9577718,"letterContent":"We are so happy to have all our books to start our reading challenge! Thank you so very much for your generosity!\r\n\r\nI taught these same students in 6th grade and got moved to 8th this year so they are familiar with the challenge and very excited to get to do it again this year. So many of these books have been checked out and they are the most read books from my large collection!\r\n\r\nEveryone is looking forward to reading 15 of the 20 so they can come to the pizza party later in the school year. They enjoy a challenge and love to read so this is the perfect for them all!\r\n\r\nThank you again!","fullyFundedDate":1755737885794,"projectUrl":"project/caudill-books-2026/9577718/","projectTitle":"Caudill Books 2026","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Schoeben","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4958635_orig.jpg?crop=509,509,x0,y145&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754933529927","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mschoeben"},{"teacherId":7315823,"projectId":9397474,"letterContent":"Unfortunately, the vender did not have the glockenspiel that I was hoping to get. \r\n\r\nBut, we were able to get new bass drum mallets, timpani mallets, several sets of snare drum sticks, and other percussion accessories. \r\n\r\nI was also able to a printer for my office. Now when a student doesn't have their music I can easily print it in my room without having to cross campus to get to the copiers in the work room. I have already used it several times. Including today. \r\n\r\nOnce again I thank all of you for your support of music and the arts.","fullyFundedDate":1751053413923,"projectUrl":"project/we-need-a-new-glockenspiel/9397474/","projectTitle":"We need a new glockenspiel!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Tiemann","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7315823_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x0,y26&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1667323626851","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7315823"},{"teacherId":7315823,"projectId":8692022,"letterContent":"This project was fully funded and then the vendor did not have the cymbals that I had requested. Since that was the case, we were able to get a lot of reeds, music file folders for new music, and I am sure a few other things that I am forgetting about. \r\n\r\nMy apologies for taking so long to get this letter written. Band teacher life is always hectic at best and insane at worst. But I love it. \r\n\r\nMany thanks. Donors like you keep the arts and music programs alive and well and I cannot thank you enough.","fullyFundedDate":1730412142719,"projectUrl":"project/crash-into-the-fms-band/8692022/","projectTitle":"Crash into the FMS Band","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Tiemann","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7315823_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x0,y26&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1667323626851","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7315823"},{"teacherId":7315823,"projectId":8548203,"letterContent":"This has been a long time coming and am sorry that it has taken me so long to write this. Band teacher life is constantly busy. \r\n\r\nThis project was a wonderful success. The Toms have been used several times and were required for the music we played on our recent trip to Orlando. The reeds always help as I have several students that cannot afford them, and the drum rug has been a major upgrade to the old ugly carpet that we did have. \r\n\r\nDoners like you are heroes to teachers and students everywhere.","fullyFundedDate":1723674924578,"projectUrl":"project/the-fms-band-needs-help/8548203/","projectTitle":"The FMS Band Needs Help","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Tiemann","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7315823_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x0,y26&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1667323626851","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7315823"},{"teacherId":7315823,"projectId":8299404,"letterContent":"This has been a long time coming. But thank you again. This project added some new mouthpieces. As soon as I got them, I put them to use. My apologies for not getting this letter written sooner. The life of a band teacher is often insanely busy.\r\n\r\nI believe we used all of these mouthpieces on our trip to Orlando Florida this past April. We competed at the OrlandoFest Competition and took second place in our Division.\r\n\r\nDonors like you are what continues to keep music and the arts alive and well and I cannot thank you enough.","fullyFundedDate":1716394829229,"projectUrl":"project/the-fms-tubas-need-new-mouthpieces/8299404/","projectTitle":"The FMS Tubas Need New Mouthpieces!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Tiemann","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7315823_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x0,y26&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1667323626851","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7315823"},{"teacherId":7315823,"projectId":8178254,"letterContent":"This has been a long time coming. But thank you again. This project gave my jazz band really nice folders that have already been passed down to future members. My apologies for not getting this letter written sooner. The life of a band teacher is often insanely busy. \r\n\r\nI keep my jazz band incredibly busy and rather than continually learning 3 or 4 different pieces every year, we keep adding music to the book just like a pro band. \r\n\r\nDonors like you are what continues to keep music and the arts alive and well.","fullyFundedDate":1711545620150,"projectUrl":"project/our-middle-school-band-needs-jazz-folder/8178254/","projectTitle":"Our Middle School Band Needs Jazz Folders!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Tiemann","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7315823_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x0,y26&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1667323626851","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7315823"},{"teacherId":7315823,"projectId":7485672,"letterContent":"This has been a long time coming. But thank you again. This project added some new mouthpieces. As soon as I got them, I put them to use. My apologies for not getting this letter written sooner. The life of a band teacher is often insanely busy. \r\n\r\nI believe we used all of these mouthpieces on our trip to Orlando Florida this past April. We competed at the OrlandoFest Competition and took second place in our Division. \r\n\r\nDonors like you are what continues to keep music and the arts alive and well.","fullyFundedDate":1691082185854,"projectUrl":"project/trombonebaritone-mouthpieces/7485672/","projectTitle":"Trombone/Baritone Mouthpieces","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Tiemann","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7315823_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x0,y26&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1667323626851","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7315823"},{"teacherId":7315823,"projectId":7205712,"letterContent":"This has been a long time coming. But thank you again. This project added some fresh new music to our library and we have already performed it. My apologies for not getting this letter written sooner. The life of a band teacher is often insanely busy. \r\n\r\nI believe one of the pieces from this project was performed on our trip to Orlando Florida this past April. We competed at the OrlandoFest Competition and took second place in our Division. \r\n\r\nDonors like you are what continues to keep music and the arts alive and well.","fullyFundedDate":1681511216836,"projectUrl":"project/our-band-needs-new-music/7205712/","projectTitle":"Our Band Needs New Music","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Tiemann","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7315823_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x0,y26&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1667323626851","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7315823"},{"teacherId":6856244,"projectId":9718484,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of my project, \"Let's Read Caudill Books 2026.\" Because of you, my 7th grade language arts students now have access to this year's Caudill Award nominees - a set of engaging, high-interest novels that have sparked an incredible excitement for reading in our classroom.\r\n\r\nFrom the moment the books arrived, students were eager to dive in and start exploring new titles. Many immediately began discussing which books they wanted to read first and sharing recommendations with their classmates. \r\n\r\nYour donation has helped make reading a shared, joyful experience for everyone. These novels have given my students the opportunity to discover new genres, connect with characters, and build confidence.\r\n\r\nThank you again for making this possible. Your generosity is helping create a community of lifelong readers who are learning to love literature one page at a time.\r\nWith heartfelt appreciation,","fullyFundedDate":1759778658802,"projectUrl":"project/lets-read-caudill-books-2026/9718484/","projectTitle":"Let's Read Caudill Books 2026","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Martin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6856244"},{"teacherId":3971360,"projectId":9471003,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping provide the needed materials to start our year off right. My students already begin school with obstacles in their way because they never have the materials they need to prepare for success. \r\n\r\nBecause of your donation, I was able to provide binders for 24 students that did not have the funds to provide their own. I was also able to have additional materials within the classroom that the students can utilize at their earliest connivence. \r\n\r\nThanks to each of you, my students feel secure and comfortable within their classroom. They have been provided the basic materials needed to give them a solid foundation for success. I am so truly thankful for donors like you for taking the time out of your day to give back to this community and to those in need.","fullyFundedDate":1754569476104,"projectUrl":"project/basic-school-supplies-to-prepare-for-stu/9471003/","projectTitle":"Basic School Supplies to Prepare for Student Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sheraden","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3971360_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1475544013968","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-sheraden"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_25192","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":693,"numTeachers":50,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":6,"percentBlack":42,"percentWhite":35,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":4,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"13.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":77.5,"schoolId":25192,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Benjamin Franklin Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Benjamin Franklin Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/springfield-public-schools-district-186/benjamin-franklin-middle-school/25192"}