Buchser Middle School in Santa Clara, California on DonorsChoose

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When I asked the kids what they liked, here were some of their responses:\r\n\r\n\" I like ChompSaws because its fun to use.\"\r\n\r\n\" I like them because it can't hurt you and it is fast and easy to use.\"\r\n\r\n\"I like Chomp Saws because its a reliable way to cut cardboard.\"\r\n\r\nOther contributions included that it was way better than scissors, that they had cleaner cuts and it was easier to make shapes.\r\n\r\nFrom the teacher side, this project has allowed students to focus more on the design than the cutting, which is where they are getting to apply their learning. We are grateful to have this resource, and look forward to the future amazing projects.","fullyFundedDate":1755747098168,"projectUrl":"project/chomp-saw-challenges-for-steam-in-middle/9385461/","projectTitle":"Chomp Saw Challenges for STEAM in Middle School","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ehly-Mills","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4229216_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1485120956353","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-ehlymills"},{"teacherId":9714909,"projectId":8729929,"letterContent":"Thanks you so much for your contributions! Students have been very appreciative of having new snack options, interactive somatic toys, and weighted plushies. Students who need a quick pick me up or who did not have time to eat breakfast are very thankful to have snacks available at the Wellness Center. The interactive somatic toys and fidgets have also been greatly appreciated by students who need a quick brain break and need to channel restless or anxious energy. \r\n\r\nHowever, I think the weighted plushies have had the most impact on students. When they first saw the plushies, students were excited to have something soft and comforting in the Wellness Center and calming space. The weighted plushies have been very useful when we are conducting talking circles for our regularly meeting student groups as they allow students to feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings as they get passed around as a talking piece. \r\n\r\nI am grateful that we are able to provide these tools to students who really appreciate having them and will in turn cause them to come back to our Wellness Center and participate in our groups.","fullyFundedDate":1732290494500,"projectUrl":"project/calming-space-at-the-wellness-center/8729929/","projectTitle":"Calming Space at the Wellness Center","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Britany","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9714909_orig.jpg?crop=3141,3141,x2570,y666&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1725213047204","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9714909"},{"teacherId":9762821,"projectId":8801788,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and support! When the materials arrived, the excitement in my classroom was contagious. The students were thrilled and couldn't wait to start cooking. Seeing the supplies sparked curiosity and anticipation, and their eagerness to begin the tortilla-making process was incredible. Many of them were so enthusiastic that they volunteered to stay after school to help me set up and assemble the tortilleras, showcasing their genuine interest and dedication. Your contribution made this hands-on experience possible, and it's been a wonderful way to foster teamwork, creativity, and a love of learning.\r\n\r\nWith the new resources, my students were able to have their first hands-on experience making tortillas. They learned how to prepare and cook tortillas from scratch, fully immersing themselves in the process. It was incredible to see their excitement—not only were they eager to eat their creations, but many wanted to make extra tortillas to take home and share with their families. 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About this school

Buchser Middle School is an urban public school in Santa Clara, California that is part of Santa Clara Unified School District. It serves 691 students in grades 6 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 15.7:1. Its teachers have had 72 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Grades 6 - 8

691 Students

44 Teachers

1111 Bellomy St

Santa Clara, CA 95050 View local requests

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

Buchser Middle School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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Buchser Middle School Demographics

33%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

67%

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.

Buchser 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.