{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Cascade Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":12.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9472711,"projectId":9782117,"letterContent":"Through The Adventures of Don Quixote, students have been learning key literacy skills such as identifying character traits, analyzing point of view, and understanding how an author develops themes and motivations. The text has also provided opportunities for students to practice writing narrative essays and CER (Claim-Evidence-Reasoning) paragraphs that deepen their comprehension and critical thinking. These lessons help students move beyond surface-level understanding to make meaningful connections between characters, events, and ideas.\r\nReading in our classroom is lively and interactive! We read Don Quixote together as a class, and students love following along as I pause to let them fill in the blanks or predict what will happen next. This shared reading approach encourages participation and keeps everyone engaged. Students also practice fluency by reading aloud, discussing key scenes, and working collaboratively on comprehension and writing tasks. The room is filled with energy, curiosity, and lots of laughter as we explore the humor and imagination of Don Quixote's adventures.\r\nSeveral students who were previously hesitant readers have become some of the most enthusiastic participants during our Don Quixote lessons. They've connected with the story's humor and the idea of dreaming big, even when things don't go as planned. Many have shown noticeable improvement in their reading fluency and confidence, volunteering to read aloud, answering comprehension questions eagerly, and even referencing the story in their writing. It's been wonderful to see their excitement for reading grow with each chapter.","fullyFundedDate":1759608785325,"projectUrl":"project/the-adventures-of-don-quixote/9782117/","projectTitle":"The Adventures of Don Quixote","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kasper","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9472711_orig.jpg?crop=1536,1536,x0,y368&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1734402118649","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9472711"},{"teacherId":1051806,"projectId":9627180,"letterContent":"I want to extend my deepest gratitude for your generous support in providing vital supplies for my classroom. The moment my students received the history and Native American history posters, their faces lit up with excitement. These visuals have truly transformed our learning environment, making history come alive and helping students connect with the material in meaningful ways.\r\n\r\nThe LED light-up fidget spinner bracelets and bumpy rings have quickly become favorites, serving as fun and effective incentives that encourage positive behavior and keep my students engaged during lessons. Thanks to the bulk pack of quality wood-cased pencils and the pencil sharpener, every child now has the tools they need for writing and creative expression—removing barriers and ensuring full participation. And the colorful water bottle stickers add a special touch of motivation, making each student feel recognized and inspired on their learning journey.\r\n\r\nYour thoughtful contributions have enriched both the academic and emotional experience in our classroom. These resources support diverse learning styles and help foster a nurturing atmosphere where every student feels valued, confident, and eager to succeed.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in my students' growth and for helping create a dynamic classroom where curiosity and creativity flourish. Your kindness truly makes a lasting difference in their education and lives.","fullyFundedDate":1758305335346,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-curiosity-and-motivation-through/9627180/","projectTitle":"Fueling Curiosity and Motivation Through History and Rewards","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fonda","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1051806"},{"teacherId":5900187,"projectId":8783791,"letterContent":"How are you and your students using the new resources? Share a specific classroom project or moment.\r\n\r\nMy students are using the aisle as a central gathering space during Reader's and Writer's Workshop mini-lessons, and the clipboards allow them to move around the classroom to find a spot where they can focus best. For example, during a recent writing workshop, students spread out with their clipboards to draft narrative leads. Some chose to sit on the rug near the aisle for inspiration while others worked in pairs by the windows, sharing feedback with one another. This flexibility has helped create a more authentic, collaborative environment where students feel empowered in their learning.\r\n\r\nHow did your students react when they first saw the materials?\r\n\r\nThe students were genuinely excited when they realized they had the freedom to move around with clipboards instead of being tied to their desks. Many commented that it made writing feel \"less like work\" and more like a choice. They also quickly took ownership of the aisle as a community space, treating it as a special spot for sharing ideas and celebrating their writing.\r\n\r\nWhat are the next steps for your students on a current classroom lesson or project?\r\n\r\nCurrently, my students are working on developing their own personal narrative pieces. The next step is for them to polish their drafts through peer conferences, using the aisle for group modeling and discussions while also spreading out with clipboards to write and revise. This process will eventually culminate in a \"publishing celebration,\" where students will share their final pieces aloud, practicing not only their writing skills but also their confidence as presenters and storytellers.","fullyFundedDate":1733276557363,"projectUrl":"project/with-one-easel-we-can-read-write-and-s/8783791/","projectTitle":"With One Easel We Can Read, Write, and Share Together!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Domer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5900187_orig.jpg?crop=434,434,x189,y165&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1693418970241","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-domer"},{"teacherId":9495330,"projectId":8925535,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, this project has made a meaningful difference for my students—especially those who need more individual help in their learning. The headphones have become a daily tool in our classroom, allowing students to focus on teacher-made videos, read-aloud instructions, and story problems without distraction. This has been especially impactful for English Language Learners and other students who now have better access to content at their own pace.\r\n\r\nThe poster markers have brought a creative energy to the room. Students use them to make visual aids that reinforce vocabulary, math concepts, and key ideas from our lessons. This visual support has helped struggling learners make stronger connections and feel more confident participating.\r\n\r\nWhat excites students most is the independence the new materials provide. Several students who previously needed frequent redirection are now fully engaged and using the technology to take ownership of their learning. I've seen quieter students light up while working on their posters or actively following along with videos using their own headphones.\r\n\r\nYour support is helping all my students—especially those who need extra guidance—grow, participate, and feel successful. Thank you for being part of their learning journey.","fullyFundedDate":1735717267065,"projectUrl":"project/headphones-for-learning/8925535/","projectTitle":"Headphones for Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Burgula","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9495330_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x280,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1711478170074","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-burgula"},{"teacherId":1051806,"projectId":8883693,"letterContent":"I am writing to extend my sincere gratitude for your generous support of our project aimed at empowering my students to thrive both academically and personally. Your contribution plays a vital role in helping them understand the world around them and develop essential skills for their future education and careers.\r\n\r\nMy vision for this school year is to create a collaborative learning environment where students work together in groups. This approach will not only enhance their strategic communication skills but also foster an appreciation for diversity and an openness to listening to one another's ideas. \r\n\r\nThanks to your support, we will be able to provide essential materials such as 25 x 30 Post-Its for brainstorming sessions and presentations, a Medimall Storage cart for organized paper submissions, as well as colored pencils, pencils, and two-pocket folders for completing and organizing their classwork. These resources are crucial for enabling my students to participate actively in their education.\r\n\r\nThank you once again for your generous support. I look forward to sharing the positive impact of your contribution on my students' growth and development throughout this school year.","fullyFundedDate":1735656501976,"projectUrl":"project/collaborative-classroom-essentials-tool/8883693/","projectTitle":"Collaborative Classroom Essentials: Tools for Dynamic Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fonda","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1051806"},{"teacherId":9495330,"projectId":8437419,"letterContent":"Thank you for your kindness towards donating for my classroom. Your donation funded basic needs of the classroom which we use everyday. We use 3-hole punch almost every for our assignments, to help students organize their work. We use tape not only for projects, but also for decorating our door for fall and winter theme. \r\nAll supplies that we received as a part of this donation are used everyday in class and it would not have been this smooth if they are not available. \r\nMy students and I are very grateful for your generosity. \r\nHave a wonderful holidays!\r\nMrs. Burgula and students.","fullyFundedDate":1724636088245,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-supplies-for-success/8437419/","projectTitle":"Classroom Supplies for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Burgula","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9495330_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x280,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1711478170074","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-burgula"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_35738","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":966,"numTeachers":41,"percentFrplEligible":78,"percentAsian":13,"percentBlack":8,"percentWhite":30,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":30,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"23.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":87.1,"schoolId":35738,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Cascade Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Cascade Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/washington/auburn-school-district-408/cascade-middle-school/35738"}