{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Bridge Academy","outOfStateSupporters":35.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9992275,"projectId":9749552,"letterContent":"Many of my students love books but these new texts go beyond enjoyment. They help students build essential reading skills such as close reading, making inferences, analyzing characters, identifying themes, and supporting ideas with evidence. Students are also practicing discussion skills, learning how to ask thoughtful questions, and making connections between texts and real-world issues. These books give us opportunities to teach empathy, perspective, and critical thinking, not just decoding words on a page.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is active and engaging. Students read independently, in small groups, and sometimes aloud together. You'll often see them annotating, discussing ideas with peers, responding in writing, or pausing to reflect on a powerful moment in the text. Reading is not silent and isolated it's collaborative, thoughtful, and purposeful.\r\n\r\nSeveral students have been especially excited about the new books. Reluctant readers are more willing to pick up a book because they see themselves reflected in the characters and situations. Other students who already enjoy reading are eager to dive deeper, recommend books to classmates, and lead discussions. Watching students light up, stay focused longer, and proudly talk about what they're reading has been one of the most rewarding outcomes of this project.\r\n\r\nThank you for making this meaningful learning experience possible for our students!","fullyFundedDate":1760107737720,"projectUrl":"project/last-minute-books-and-goods/9749552/","projectTitle":"Last-minute Books and Goods","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9992275"},{"teacherId":1015959,"projectId":9754466,"letterContent":"These resources have had an immediate and meaningful impact on vocabulary acquisition across grade levels. With consistent access to age-appropriate reference tools, students are no longer limited to guessing at word meanings or relying solely on brief digital definitions. Instead, they are learning to explore multiple definitions, parts of speech, word origins, and nuanced differences between synonyms—skills that are essential for strong reading comprehension and precise writing.\r\n\r\nIn the classroom, the dictionaries and thesauruses have become an integral part of daily instruction. Students now independently consult them during reading, writing, and revision activities, which has increased both accuracy and confidence in word choice. Teachers have observed students moving beyond repetitive or vague language and experimenting with more precise vocabulary, particularly in analytical writing and narrative tasks. This practice has also strengthened students' ability to infer meaning from context, as they compare their initial understanding of a word with its formal definition.","fullyFundedDate":1759183089651,"projectUrl":"project/whats-the-meaning-of-this/9754466/","projectTitle":"\"What's the Meaning of This?\"","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Krauss","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1015959"},{"teacherId":8400662,"projectId":9760921,"letterContent":"Thank you all so much for your donations to our Caring for the Whole Student project. Thanks to your generosity, we now have a closet stocked with hygiene essentials for students to take as they need. In addition, the fidget toys have been a tremendous hit. Students come to our offices with a variety of needs, but more often than not, they simply need a quiet, safe place to collect themselves and focus on something grounding. Sitting in a comfy chair and using a fidget toy helps them calm down and creates space for meaningful conversation.\r\n\r\nWe have also been using the emotions wheel at the beginning of every group session to lay the groundwork for open and honest discussions.\r\n\r\nAs always, it takes a village. Now more than ever, we deeply appreciate the support—from those who know us well and from those we've never had the chance to meet. Every student needs support from time to time, and your generous donations have created yet another way for us to meet those needs","fullyFundedDate":1760298152154,"projectUrl":"project/caring-for-the-whole-student/9760921/","projectTitle":"Caring for the Whole Student","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Knox","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8400662_orig.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1739213246469","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8400662"},{"teacherId":9449253,"projectId":9676701,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support! The new resources have truly transformed our classroom. Recently, students used the OpenSciEd materials while playing the Serengeti board game to learn about wildebeest migration and how predators shape ecosystems. This hands-on activity sparked thoughtful discussion and helped students connect classroom learning to real-world science.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, students were genuinely excited and eager to dive in. They unpacked everything right away and started brainstorming ideas for future projects.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, we're now able to explore topics like human impact on ecosystems and national park conservation in more meaningful ways. Students are looking forward to using these resources to investigate how people affect the environment and to discuss ways to protect these important areas. Thank you for making these experiences possible—you are making a real difference for our students!","fullyFundedDate":1758224217895,"projectUrl":"project/curriculum-supplies-needed/9676701/","projectTitle":"Curriculum Supplies Needed!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. DeFrances","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9449253_orig.jpg?crop=2735,2735,x0,y455&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753103156254","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9449253"},{"teacherId":9992275,"projectId":9237852,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom has gained a kidney table and wobble stools that have truly transformed how we teach and learn. The kidney table has become the hub for small group instruction, allowing me to work closely with high school students in a focused, collaborative setting. Without this table, it would be nearly impossible to provide targeted instruction tailored to each student's needs, especially for those who require extra support in reading and discussion.\r\nThe wobble stools have also made a big difference in student engagement. High schoolers often find it challenging to sit still for long periods, but the wobble stools allow them to balance and move slightly while still concentrating on their work. This movement has helped students remain focused, participate actively, and feel comfortable during small group lessons.\r\nOverall, these resources have given our classroom a more dynamic and student-centered environment. The kidney table allows for targeted, hands-on instruction, and the wobble stools help students stay attentive and engaged. Together, they have made learning more effective and enjoyable for every student, and we are so grateful for the support that made this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1746565439018,"projectUrl":"project/a-kidney-table-for-small-instruction/9237852/","projectTitle":"A Kidney Table for Small Instruction!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9992275"},{"teacherId":9992275,"projectId":9237899,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom has become a much more interactive and collaborative learning space. The clipboards have given us the freedom to do gallery walks, which allow students to move around the room, share ideas, and respond to one another's work instead of staying seated at their desks. This simple change has made lessons more engaging and has encouraged students to see learning as something active and dynamic.\r\nThe markers have transformed our whiteboards into collaborative hubs where groups can solve problems, brainstorm, and build ideas together. Students love grabbing a marker and contributing to the discussion in a visible way. The headphones have also made a huge impact by giving each student their own personal set, which supports focused, independent work—especially during reading and listening activities. Having their own headphones has helped students stay on task and feel a sense of ownership over their learning.\r\nWe also created annotation storage boxes, which are now stocked with Post-it notes, highlighters, and annotation guides. With these materials always nearby, students are able to dive right into their reading and writing without losing momentum. These resources have not only made our classroom more organized but have also empowered students to take charge of their learning tools. Together, these additions have turned our classroom into a more active, collaborative, and student-centered environment, and we are so grateful for your support in making that possible.","fullyFundedDate":1746565438905,"projectUrl":"project/motivated-to-learn/9237899/","projectTitle":"Motivated to Learn","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9992275"},{"teacherId":9992275,"projectId":9410513,"letterContent":"When our new resources arrived, the students were so excited to see the changes in our classroom. The rug immediately became the favorite spot for small group time—it gave us a cozy space where students felt comfortable gathering to read, discuss, and share ideas. The rolling desk has also made a huge difference; I can now bring all of my teaching tools directly to each student, which allows me to better support individual needs, especially for those who are still learning English. The cleaning supplies have kept our classroom fresh and healthy, helping us stay in school and learning together every day.\r\nThe first day students saw the rug rolled out and the new desk in action, their faces lit up. Several students commented that the rug made our classroom feel \"more like home,\" and they loved settling into it for reading and small group discussions. The rolling desk also caught their attention right away—they thought it was \"so cool\" that I could move everything around the room with me. Having these items has not only made our classroom more functional but also more inviting and exciting for students to learn in.\r\nNow that we have these resources, our next steps involve diving deeper into our reading groups and collaborative projects. The rug gives us a dedicated gathering space where students can share ideas in a supportive environment, and the rolling desk ensures I can give one-on-one attention without losing time transitioning between activities. With a cleaner, healthier classroom, students can focus more fully on their learning, and I can be right by their side, ready with everything they need. Thanks to your generosity, our classroom feels more connected, cared for, and ready to take on new challenges together.","fullyFundedDate":1758202964490,"projectUrl":"project/help-us-get-cozy-and-clean/9410513/","projectTitle":"Help Us Get Cozy and Clean!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9992275"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_66497","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":281,"numTeachers":18,"percentFrplEligible":85,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":49,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":45,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"7 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"15.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":64.5,"schoolId":66497,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Bridge Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Bridge Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/connecticut/connecticut-department-of-education/bridge-academy/66497"}