{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"John Gutierrez Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":28.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10574092,"projectId":10436628,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom by helping us get our bean table! Your generosity has given my students a dedicated space to collaborate, share ideas, and learn from one another. As middle school scientists, my students are constantly working together to solve problems, ask questions, and make discoveries, and having a space designed for teamwork makes those experiences even more meaningful.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the new table, they were excited to have a space where they could gather, work together, and share their thinking. It may seem like a simple addition, but having a comfortable, shared workspace helps students feel more connected and encourages them to participate, communicate, and learn from their peers.\r\n\r\nWe are continuing to build our science skills through hands-on activities, group discussions, and collaborative investigations. Our next steps are to use this space even more as students work through science challenges, compare their observations, and explain their reasoning to one another. My goal is to help students see that science isn't just about finding the right answer—it's also about asking good questions, learning from mistakes, and working together to understand the world around them.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in my students and helping create a classroom where curiosity, teamwork, and learning can thrive. Your support makes a real difference, and we are so grateful!\r\n\r\nWith gratitude,\r\nMs. Fox\r\n7th & 8th Grade Science Teacher","fullyFundedDate":1785863429543,"projectUrl":"project/gather-around-for-science/10436628/","projectTitle":"Gather Around for Science!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Fox","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10574092_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1785813992180","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10574092"},{"teacherId":9245180,"projectId":10555252,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous donations, my students now have access to a class set of The Giver graphic novel, which has made reading more engaging and accessible in our classroom. The graphic novel format gives students the opportunity to strengthen important reading skills such as making inferences, analyzing characters, identifying themes, and using visual details to support their understanding of the text. Students are learning how words and images work together to tell a story, while also building their confidence and stamina as readers.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is an active and collaborative experience. Students read independently and together, discuss their thinking, ask questions, and use evidence from the text to support their ideas. The graphic novel has been especially exciting for students who may not always see themselves as strong readers because the combination of visuals and text helps them stay engaged and understand the story. The new pocket charts have also helped us stay organized by giving students an easy place to store papers and bathroom passes, allowing us to spend less time managing materials and more time focused on learning. These resources have created a more welcoming, organized classroom where students can focus on reading, discussion, and growth.","fullyFundedDate":1788354259416,"projectUrl":"project/give-my-students-a-class-set-of-the-give/10555252/","projectTitle":"Give My Students a Class Set of The Giver!!!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Armenta","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9245180_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724286407877","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9245180"},{"teacherId":9141751,"projectId":10550182,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity in providing flexible seating for our classroom! The addition of the bean bag chairs and lap tables has completely transformed how our room functions every day. Having these versatile seating choices gives students a comfortable, dedicated space to focus, collaborate, or dive into independent reading. Instead of being confined to traditional desks, they now have comfortable options that help them manage their energy and stay on task for longer periods.\r\n\r\nThe impact on student engagement and classroom dynamics has been remarkable. The lap tables paired with the bean bags allow students to comfortably take their work anywhere in the room, fostering a sense of ownership over their learning environment. This flexible setup has particularly helped students who need a change of posture to maintain focus during independent study. Your support has created a much more welcoming, adaptable classroom where every student feels supported and excited to learn!","fullyFundedDate":1788354258570,"projectUrl":"project/locking-in-flexible-seating/10550182/","projectTitle":"Locking In Flexible Seating","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Antunez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9141751_orig.png?crop=762,762,x0,y27&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1691082364301","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/misterantunez"},{"teacherId":9141751,"projectId":10550223,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity in supporting our project to build a small comic book library for our classroom! Graphic novels and comic books are incredible tools for unlocking a love for reading, especially for reluctant or struggling readers who feel overwhelmed by traditional text. The vibrant artwork and visual pacing provide crucial context clues that build reading comprehension, expand vocabulary, and help students follow complex storylines with confidence.\r\n\r\nHaving these books accessible right in our classroom creates an inviting space where reading feels exciting rather than intimidating. Students eagerly gravitate toward these titles during independent reading time, sharing stories with their peers and building strong habits of literacy. Your support ensures that every student—regardless of their reading level—has access to engaging, high-interest stories that spark imagination and foster a lifelong passion for books.","fullyFundedDate":1788354258648,"projectUrl":"project/visualizing-words-comics-and-graphic-no/10550223/","projectTitle":"Visualizing Words: Comics and Graphic Novels","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Antunez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9141751_orig.png?crop=762,762,x0,y27&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1691082364301","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/misterantunez"},{"teacherId":9141751,"projectId":10550160,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project to bring Lord of the Flies: The Graphic Novel into our middle school English classroom! Classic literature can sometimes feel intimidating for young readers, but having this vibrant adaptation will completely transform our upcoming unit. The vivid artwork will bring William Golding's iconic story to life, helping students visualize the island setting, follow complex character arcs, and unpack themes like leadership and group dynamics without feeling overwhelmed by dense text.\r\n\r\nWe are so excited to get these copies into our students' hands as we launch this unit. Having these graphic novels will allow readers of all confidence levels to actively participate, compare visual storytelling to the original prose, and build critical comprehension skills. Your generosity directly ensures that every student in our class can feel engaged, included, and enthusiastic about reading together!","fullyFundedDate":1788354260011,"projectUrl":"project/lord-of-the-middle-school-flies/10550160/","projectTitle":"Lord of the Middle School Flies","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Antunez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9141751_orig.png?crop=762,762,x0,y27&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1691082364301","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/misterantunez"},{"teacherId":9141751,"projectId":10523799,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity in funding our class set of The Giver: Graphic Novel! Having these books in our English classroom has completely transformed how my students engage with complex literature. The stunning visual storytelling brings Lois Lowry's dystopian world to life, making abstract themes like memory, conformity, and individuality far more tangible and accessible for every reader. Students who once struggled to stay engaged are now eager to pick up their books, participate in class discussions, and analyze how the illustrations deepen the story's emotional weight.\r\n\r\nYour support has created an inclusive, dynamic environment where all students—regardless of their reading level—can feel confident and excited about reading. Seeing them eagerly turn the pages, discuss character choices, and make connections to our world has been truly inspiring. Thank you for investing in our classroom, sparking a genuine love for reading, and showing my students that their education matters to a community of caring donors.","fullyFundedDate":1788354260920,"projectUrl":"project/colorful-read-the-giver-graphic-novel/10523799/","projectTitle":"Colorful Read: The Giver Graphic Novel","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Antunez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9141751_orig.png?crop=762,762,x0,y27&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1691082364301","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/misterantunez"},{"teacherId":9141751,"projectId":10552820,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and support in funding our classroom organization project! Because of your contributions, our classroom has transformed into a much more structured, accessible, and inviting learning environment. The new wall organizer keeps our daily folders and assignments neatly arranged so students always know where to find and turn in their work. Meanwhile, the sturdy bookstands, bookends, and colorful bookmarks have completely revamped our reading corner. Our books are now displayed proudly and kept in great condition, making independent reading time feel special and organized every single day.\r\n\r\nSeeing the students' faces light up as we unpacked and set up these new supplies was truly special. Beyond simply keeping our space tidy, these materials teach my students independence, responsibility, and pride in caring for our shared learning environment. Having an organized classroom allows us to spend less time searching for materials and more time focused on learning and growing together. Your belief in our classroom makes a direct, meaningful difference in our daily routine, and we are deeply grateful for your kindness.","fullyFundedDate":1788354258183,"projectUrl":"project/top-tier-learning-environment/10552820/","projectTitle":"Top Tier Learning Environment","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Antunez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9141751_orig.png?crop=762,762,x0,y27&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1691082364301","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/misterantunez"},{"teacherId":9931997,"projectId":10243765,"letterContent":"If there is one standout book from our new library that has become an absolute sensation, it is Pedro Martín's graphic novel memoir, Mexikid. From the moment it hit our shelves, it has barely spent a single hour resting in the bookcase it is constantly being asked for as a class read, even though we have read through it once already this year.\r\n\r\nWhy Mexikid Has Captured Their Hearts\r\nIrresistible Humor and Format: The graphic novel format, paired with Pedro's laugh outloud comic timing, has made this book an instant magnet. It has been a game changer for reluctant readers who were previously intimidated by dense blocks of text, proving to them that reading can be genuinely hilarious and engaging.\r\n\r\nDeep Cultural Connection: Following a Mexican-American family on an epic, chaotic road trip to Mexico to pick up their legendary Abuelito, the story hits close to home. For many of my students, seeing authentic family dynamics, bilingual humor, and cultural traditions portrayed with such warmth and accuracy has been immensely empowering. They see their own lives, families, and sense of humor reflected on the page.\r\n\r\nVisual Literacy Skills: Teaching Mexikid allows us to dive into complex visual literacy. Students analyze how panel layout, facial expressions, color palettes, and text formatting work together to convey subtext, tone, and emotional growth across a memoir.\r\n\r\nBuilding a Social Reading Culture: Mexikid has turned reading into a shared event. You can walk into our classroom during quiet reading time and see students silently belly-laughing, elbowing a friend to point out a hilarious panel, or eagerly discussing Abuelito's legendary backstory.\r\n\r\nSeeing my students beam with pride while holding this book and watching them race to finish work so they can get back to Pedro's story has been one of the highlights of our school year, and it's only October. Thank you for bringing stories like Mexikid into our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1778025704440,"projectUrl":"project/bring-mexikid-to-my-amazing-sixth-grader/10243765/","projectTitle":"Bring Mexikid to My Amazing Sixth Grader Readers Today","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Gallardo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9931997_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y308&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1772736572582","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9931997"},{"teacherId":9931997,"projectId":10192955,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity in providing our classroom with a full set of Dead Voices! While reading for pleasure is wonderful, teaching a novel in the classroom transforms reading into an active toolkit for critical thinking. Through this eerie, high stakes mystery, our students are doing far more than following a story they are learning how authors build tension through sensory details and pacing, practicing how to make evidence-based inferences to solve clues before a plot twist, and exploring meaningful themes like courage, friendship, and trusting one's instincts.\r\n\r\nOn any given day, reading in our classroom is a vibrant, collaborative experience rather than a quiet, passive period. You will see students leaning in across their desks with sticky notes and pens in hand, debating character choices and citing specific page numbers to support their theories. During whole class read alouds, the room is electrified with suspense. You can hear audible gasps at cliffhangers, immediately followed by hands shooting into the air, eager to discuss what just unfolded and what they would have done different.\r\n\r\nThis book has been especially impactful for our reluctant readers, who previously struggled to stay engaged during independent reading time. The fast-paced plot hooked them from the very first page, turning reading from a tedious task into something they genuinely look forward to. Students who used to count down the minutes until reading time ended are now begging for \"just five more minutes,\" and several have even asked where they could find the rest of the series in our library.\r\n\r\nYour donation did so much more than fill empty bookshelves; it sparked curiosity, built critical literacy skills, and gave our students a shared sense of joy and community. Thank you for investing in my students and helping our whole class discover the true thrill of reading!","fullyFundedDate":1780715722964,"projectUrl":"project/frightful-pages-boosting-6th-grade-lite/10192955/","projectTitle":"Frightful Pages: Boosting 6th Grade Literacy with Dead Voices!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Gallardo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9931997_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y308&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1772736572582","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9931997"},{"teacherId":7862495,"projectId":10058155,"letterContent":"On behalf of my students and our entire classroom community, thank you so much for your incredibly generous support. Because of your kindness, our project was fully funded, giving us access to materials and resources that will make a direct, tangible difference in our daily learning. Walking into a classroom equipped with the tools to spark curiosity and support hands-on learning changes everything for these young minds. Your belief in our vision gives my students the freedom to explore, create, and succeed in ways that wouldn't have been possible otherwise.","fullyFundedDate":1778025870688,"projectUrl":"project/help-special-needs-students-develop-thei/10058155/","projectTitle":"Help Special Needs Students Develop Their Creativity","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Craig","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7862495_orig.jpg?crop=375,375,x712,y294&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1621023963167","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7862495"},{"teacherId":8558111,"projectId":10218048,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our 6th graders have officially embarked on a heroic quest with our new copies of Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief! Teaching a text like this goes far beyond basic plot comprehension; having fresh, matching books allows our entire class to dive deep into high-level critical thinking together. We use Rick Riordan's rich narrative to teach students how to analyze classic Greek mythology alongside modern storytelling, examine literary elements like foreshadowing and tone, and track character development. Having clean, individual copies means every student can actively annotate, practice close-reading strategies, and pull direct textual evidence to support their claims during classroom debates on the classic hero's journey.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom has transformed into a vibrant, collaborative experience. On any given day, you might see students engaged in partner reading, reading key action scenes aloud in small groups, or quietly immersed with sticky notes in hand tracking Percy's growth from a struggling student to a brave demigod. Because every student now holds an identical, high-quality book, we can effortlessly pause for whole-class read-alongs, line-by-line text analysis, and lively discussions about character motives. This shared physical experience keeps energy levels high and helps turn reading into an active process of discovery rather than a passive task.\r\n\r\nThese new copies have particularly revitalized our reluctant readers and English Language Learners. Holding a brand-new book creates a strong sense of pride and ownership that instantly lowers anxiety around reading. Percy's story—especially his own struggles with ADHD and dyslexia—deeply resonates with 6th graders, and having their own pristine copy makes them feel valued and ready to engage. One student, who previously hesitated to participate during reading time, proudly raised his hand last week to read a full passage aloud to the class, excited simply to follow along with his own book. Your gift hasn't just provided our classroom with stories—it has built a community where every student feels equipped, included, and genuinely excited to turn the page.","fullyFundedDate":1778035724556,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-young-heroes-through-literacy/10218048/","projectTitle":"Empowering Young Heroes Through Literacy","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Fink","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8558111"},{"teacherId":9245180,"projectId":10032736,"letterContent":"The new books, Charlie Hernández and the League of Shadows and The Castle of Bones, give students opportunities to strengthen reading comprehension, vocabulary, making inferences, predicting, and analyzing characters and themes. The stories also introduce meaningful lessons about courage, friendship, perseverance, identity, and problem-solving. Because the books are engaging fantasy and adventure stories, they encourage students to think critically while enjoying what they read.\r\nReading in our classroom includes independent reading, partner reading, read-alouds, and group discussions. Students share predictions, ask questions, make connections, and support their ideas with evidence from the text. Students who especially enjoy fantasy, mystery, and adventure have been drawn to these books because of the exciting plots and imaginative characters. Some students who are typically less excited about reading have also been more eager to pick up these books and continue reading to find out what happens next.","fullyFundedDate":1773885108471,"projectUrl":"project/fostering-a-love-for-reading/10032736/","projectTitle":"Fostering a Love for Reading!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Armenta","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9245180_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724286407877","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9245180"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_100958","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":552,"numTeachers":19,"percentFrplEligible":80,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":5,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":90,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":1,"gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"29.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":71.4,"schoolId":100958,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about John Gutierrez Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"John Gutierrez Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/santa-rita-union-school-district/bolsa-knolls-middle-school/100958"}