Bonnie Branch Middle School in Ellicott City, Maryland on DonorsChoose

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These students were able to stay quiet and focused because they were still moving and active. During testing time, I noticed that many students gravitated towards them because staying silent and having limited access to activities during that state mandated testing environment was difficult. Having the desk pedals allowed them to move and be active without being disruptive.\r\nWith the generous donations given to our classroom, I have seen our more reluctant students become more motivated, better equipped to manage their own classroom behaviors, and seen them take ownership of their learning by advocating for themselves so that they are able to find ways to best succeed in the classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1744902586391,"projectUrl":"project/flexible-and-fidget-friendly-classroom/9146711/","projectTitle":"Flexible and Fidget Friendly Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Mittel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3573717_orig.jpg?crop=1461,1461,x405,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1565790903212","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3573717"},{"teacherId":9781346,"projectId":8832652,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donations!\r\n\r\nToday was out first \"game day\" and it was so satisfying to have students not beg me to get on phones or laptops. Some students started by not participating, and after watching several rounds of \"hues and Cues\" joined in.\r\n\r\nSome moments that made me really impressed as hearing the arguments of \"In what world is that LAVENDER?\" \"Well, trees have bark as well as leaves so that COULD be right!\" and finally (multiple times) We totally have time for one more round - let's go!\"\r\n\r\nThank you so much for your support, we really are using your donations! Several students left class today asking when the next game day would be!\r\n\r\nShawna Chesser","fullyFundedDate":1733779525021,"projectUrl":"project/gamify-concepts-in-the-art-room/8832652/","projectTitle":"Gamify Concepts in the Art Room!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Chesser","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9781346_orig.jpg?crop=400,400,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731013408814","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9781346"},{"teacherId":3573717,"projectId":8723234,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating to this important project. You fully funding this project has given our students novels that we desperately needed in order to teach our ELA units. 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About this school

Bonnie Branch Middle School is a suburban public school in Ellicott City, Maryland that is part of Howard County Public School System. It serves 739 students in grades 6 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 13.9:1. Its teachers have had 12 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Public School

Grades 6 - 8

739 Students

53 Teachers

4979 Ilchester Rd

Ellicott City, MD 21043 View local requests

http://bbms.hcpss.org

Evidence-based impact

Inspire teachers to stay in the classroom and boost student achievement.¹

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

Bonnie Branch Middle School Teachers on DonorsChoose

Mrs. Chesser

Mrs. Mittel

Mrs. Russo

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Bonnie Branch Middle School Demographics

29%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

56%

of students are Black, Latino, Native American, or Asian

Schools in districts that mainly serve students of color receive substantially less state and local support than similar districts that serve primarily White students. Learn more about this gap, why it exists, and how you can help close it.

Bonnie Branch Middle School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 5, 2025

DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.