{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Clark Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":33.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9171055,"projectId":9385960,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, the addition of a color printer to our sixth grade math classroom has had an immediate and meaningful impact on student learning. What may seem like a simple tool has transformed the way students interact with math, making lessons more accessible, engaging, and effective for all learners—including general education students, students with special needs, and our English Language Learners.\r\n\r\nColor has become a powerful bridge to understanding. Concepts that were once abstract—fractions, geometry, graphs, and data sets—now come alive through clear, color-coded visuals. Students can easily distinguish key features in diagrams, notice patterns in data, and follow multi-step processes with less confusion. For our ELL students, color adds essential context that supports language development and allows them to understand complex ideas without relying solely on text.\r\n\r\nSpecial education students, in particular, benefit from the reduced cognitive load that color-coded supports provide. Highlighted angles, shapes, grids, and steps guide their attention and help them move through problems with greater confidence and independence. Classroom engagement has also noticeably increased; vivid visuals hold attention, support focus, and make learning feel more welcoming and achievable.\r\n\r\nPerhaps most rewarding is seeing students take pride in their work. Whether they are creating graphs, designing posters, or presenting math projects, the ability to print in color allows them to showcase their learning with excitement and ownership.\r\n\r\nYour support has done more than fund a printer—it has opened the door to clearer understanding, stronger confidence, and greater joy in learning math. Thank you for making such a meaningful difference.","fullyFundedDate":1757531034148,"projectUrl":"project/math-in-living-color-enhancing-learning/9385960/","projectTitle":"Math in Living Color: Enhancing Learning Through Visuals","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cleopas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9171055_orig.jpg?crop=1445,1446,x0,y14&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1748545459275","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9171055"},{"teacherId":6186249,"projectId":9816213,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contributions to help provide basketballs for my class. The students were thrilled to receive them and couldn't wait to use them in class. It was wonderful to see their excitement and teamwork on the court!\r\n\r\nI'm also proud to share that the students did an excellent job taking care of the basketballs and showing responsibility and respect for the new equipment. Your support not only made our lessons more engaging and active, but also helped teach valuable lessons in cooperation and care.\r\n\r\nWe truly appreciate your kindness and generosity — you've made a lasting impact on our students and their love for the game.","fullyFundedDate":1760550699274,"projectUrl":"project/basketballs-for-the-falcons/9816213/","projectTitle":"Basketballs for the Falcons!","teacherDisplayName":"Coach Nerland","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6186249"},{"teacherId":8091826,"projectId":9612731,"letterContent":"With this projects completion I have been able to provide individual rockstops to all of my cello students. This has made their set up time a lot quicker and provided them with consistent supplies to call their own for their success. Every student keeps their rock stop in the same location and this provides ease of access and storage. Rockstops are personally adjusted to fit the height of each student and to help them keep their cello at the same consistent height and length. With these they no longer have to keep adjusting them from day to day as they are not shared anymore.","fullyFundedDate":1755739959274,"projectUrl":"project/a-cello-rock-stop-to-call-my-own/9612731/","projectTitle":"A Cello Rock Stop to Call My Own","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Elliott","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8091826_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755372233887","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8091826"},{"teacherId":9390073,"projectId":9162896,"letterContent":"The Enhancement of a Good Book project has been a transformative experience for my students, especially those who typically struggle with reading. By integrating engaging literature with hands-on science exploration, we've seen a remarkable shift in their curiosity and inquiry skills.\r\n\r\nStudents who once hesitated to engage with text are now asking deeper questions and making meaningful connections. Topics like cell structure have come alive through analogy assignments, where students creatively compared cells to familiar systems—like schools or cities—making abstract concepts more tangible and relatable.\r\n\r\nThe project also strengthened their grasp of the scientific method. Through interactive experiments such as the Candy Worm Lab and the Gummy Bear Lab, students applied what they read to real-world scenarios, reinforcing comprehension and critical thinking. These labs not only supported literacy but also fostered collaboration, observation, and data analysis skills.\r\n\r\nOverall, this initiative has sparked a newfound enthusiasm for learning, blending literacy and STEM in a way that empowers every student to explore, question, and grow.","fullyFundedDate":1746807630674,"projectUrl":"project/the-enhancement-of-a-good-book/9162896/","projectTitle":"The Enhancement of a Good Book","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Swisher","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9390073_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724648349809","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9390073"},{"teacherId":9342159,"projectId":9073520,"letterContent":"I hope all is well and thank you so much for funding my LED project. We are going to use the various LED lights you bought to discover how various filters affect the transfer of the LED light.\r\n\r\nThe students were very excited during this discovery project. When they first connect the LED's to the batteries they give all sorts of exclamations! They enjoyed keeping data as they used the blue light with all colors of film filters, then the red light, then the white light, etc.\r\n\r\nThis project is my launch into the electromagnetic spectrum and a deep dive into infrared light especially. Thank you so much for all you do to keep teachers funded and students excited about learning!","fullyFundedDate":1744032893537,"projectUrl":"project/led-discovery/9073520/","projectTitle":"Led Discovery","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Patterson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9342159_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1698271188222","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9342159"},{"teacherId":9753569,"projectId":9098576,"letterContent":"Thank you for your donation to provide students with new dissection tools. As you might remember, dissections are foundational to science and something many students never forget. New dissection tools allowed students to safely dissect frogs by using sharp and non-rusty instruments, complete sets.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, we dissected squid so students could gain hands on experience dissecting both vertebrate and invertebrate animals. Best of all for many students, the squid were restaurant grade so they did not smell. The frogs were preserved in \"Carolina's special preservative,\" and many students complained about the smell. I think that it smelled better than the average middle schooler!","fullyFundedDate":1740953992359,"projectUrl":"project/frog-and-squid-dissection-labs/9098576/","projectTitle":"Frog and Squid dissection labs","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Apgar-Kurtz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9753569"},{"teacherId":8091826,"projectId":9135583,"letterContent":"This project has helped many students that were in need of concert black clothes. One of the concerns amongst a few of my students is the fear that they could not afford the proper clothes and they did not wish to stand in out in a bad way. With the help of this project I have been able to loan concert black clothes out to students in need and in return they bring them back for future students to use. I have had students go from worried and anxious to happy and excited. This protect helped eliminate unnecessary worry amongst my students and provides them comfort in knowing the option is there for them if they need it.","fullyFundedDate":1742923576100,"projectUrl":"project/concert-black-ready-to-shine/9135583/","projectTitle":"Concert Black, Ready to Shine","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Elliott","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8091826_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755372233887","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8091826"},{"teacherId":9741519,"projectId":8758547,"letterContent":"I was beyond thrilled to be able to teach several transformative books in the 2024/2025 school year, with the two standout novels being Walk Two Moons and A Wrinkle in Time. These two books were VERY different from each other in terms of genre, but ultimately, the themes raised in these books definitely overlapped and resonated with my 6th-grade students. For example, both of these books deal with the theme of identity, specifically, struggling with identity when the world around you wants to put you into a box. \r\n\r\nMy students analyzed the characters of Salamanca (W2M) and Meg (AWiT) and realized these two girls had a lot in common, despite being WORLDS apart. Many students also personally connected with the different representations of family that each novel addressed. I can confidently say that I had at least 50% of my class crying at the end of Walk Two Moons and cheering for joy at the end of A Wrinkle in Time because of the strong messages regarding family ties in each book. I was deeply moved to realize that I was able to witness a lot of social/emotional growth in my students because of these books, and I truly think that the strong main characters (who were indeed very complicated) had a part in that. \r\n\r\nAt the end of the year, I had several students added to my classroom who struggled to read at grade level (they were at least 3-4 levels below 6th grade). I was nervous about reading A Wrinkle in Time with all of my students, newbies included, because it is a rather advanced text. I feared that my new students would feel left out, or that they wouldn't understand the ideas I had worked to build upon with my students I had taught since August. However, I was proved completely wrong and was truly blown away by the strong attachment ALL of my students felt to this novel, despite complicated topics like a tesseract or inter-dimensional travel. I am so glad I was able to teach A Wrinkle in Time this year, because it challenged not only my students, but also my own preconceived ideas about how students engage with novels at school. This was such a transformative novel in my own middle school life, and I'm so glad I was able to share the experience with my students.","fullyFundedDate":1736172959916,"projectUrl":"project/reaching-for-the-stars-with-our-novel-wa/8758547/","projectTitle":"Reaching for the Stars With Our Novel Walk Two Moons","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cash","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9741519_orig.jpg?crop=2432,2432,x0,y802&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1725999209780","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9741519"},{"teacherId":9390073,"projectId":8842421,"letterContent":"We are thrilled to share the incredible impact your generosity has had on my students through the \"Enhancing Science Education with Essential Books!\" project. Your donations have provided our 6th graders with invaluable resources that have enriched their learning experience and fostered a deeper understanding of the world around them.\r\n\r\nBy introducing these new texts, our students have developed critical skills that will serve them throughout their academic journey and beyond. Here are some of the key lessons and skills they have gained: My students have learned to navigate the books' glossaries and reference pages effectively. When their Chromebooks were unavailable, they turned to these physical texts to find definitions and gather information about various biomes, enhancing their research capabilities. By comparing information from different sections of the books, students have honed their ability to analyze and synthesize data, fostering critical thinking. Reading these books has expanded their vocabulary and improved comprehension skills as they encounter new terms related to science and the environment. The content has sparked curiosity, leading students to question and seek further knowledge about the topics covered.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom has become an engaging and interactive experience. Students gather in small groups to explore the texts, discuss their findings, and share insights with one another. My classroom environment encourages active participation, with students eagerly raising their hands to contribute their thoughts and observations.\r\n\r\nMy 6th graders have shown remarkable enthusiasm for these new books. They were especially excited to receive them as they enhanced the unit lessons being learned. One student, in particular, mentioned how the vivid illustrations and detailed information helped them visualize and understand the complexities of different biomes, something they found challenging before.\r\n\r\nAnother student highlighted how having physical books made learning feel more tangible and engaging, as they could flip through pages and make notes in the margins. \r\n\r\nThanks to your support, my students have access to resources that complement their digital learning tools and provide a rich, tactile experience that deepens their understanding and love for science. Your contributions have made a lasting impact, and for that, we are incredibly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1728155748568,"projectUrl":"project/enhancing-science-education-with-essenti/8842421/","projectTitle":"Enhancing Science Education With Essential Books!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Swisher","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9390073_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724648349809","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9390073"},{"teacherId":9753569,"projectId":8937559,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation. With your donation, we were able to buy pencils, pencil sharpeners, and glue sticks for students. Students were so excited to use the new pencil sharpeners.\r\n\r\nWe had a very old, inefficient wall mounted pencil sharpener that did not work well. Plus it was in a corner of the room where students liked to hide so it was a classroom management issue.\r\n\r\nWith the new pencil sharpener, students are able to quickly sharpen their pencils in an observable area. They are more likely to stay on task.\r\n\r\nWith gratitude,\r\nMs. Apgar-Kurtz","fullyFundedDate":1731401126305,"projectUrl":"project/is-science-your-jam/8937559/","projectTitle":"Is Science Your Jam?","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Apgar-Kurtz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9753569"},{"teacherId":9753569,"projectId":8941180,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation. With your donation, we were able to buy pencils, pencil sharpeners, and glue sticks for students. Students were so excited to use the new pencil sharpeners. \r\n\r\nWe had a very old, inefficient wall mounted pencil sharpener that did not work well. Plus it was in a corner of the room where students liked to hide so it was a classroom management issue. \r\n\r\nWith the new pencil sharpener, students are able to quickly sharpen their pencils in an observable area. They are more likely to stay on task.","fullyFundedDate":1732659501938,"projectUrl":"project/team-valor-pencils-pencils-pencils-pur/8941180/","projectTitle":"Team Valor Pencils, Pencils, Pencils Pursuit","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Apgar-Kurtz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9753569"},{"teacherId":9390073,"projectId":8551830,"letterContent":"I'm writing to express our heartfelt gratitude for your generous contribution to \"Visualization Through Models and Kits.\" class project. Your support has significantly enhanced my students' learning experiences and has brought our classroom to life in remarkable ways.\r\n\r\nThanks to your donation, my seventh-grade students have been able to incorporate microscopes and slides into their Cell unit. These tools have allowed us to explore the intricate world of cells and their organelles firsthand. Learning about microscopes and mastering their operation was a fascinating journey for them. They even took tests to earn \"microscope licenses,\" which made them all feel like budding scientists!\r\n\r\nAdditionally, the 4D skin model for Biology class has been an invaluable resource during the study of the integumentary system. It provided us with a tangible, hands-on experience that went beyond traditional notetaking, enabling us to better understand the complexities of the human body. The Mini Human Skeleton Model with Metal Stand has also been a constant reference across various units, offering a clear visual aid that has deepened our understanding of anatomy. I look forward to using the models with my 7th-graders as they explore the human body as they continue moving through Cellular Organization unit. \r\n\r\nThe sixth-grade class enjoyed utilizing the book Inside Ecosystems and Biomes: Life Science (Science Readers). Has supported their learning moving through their ecology unit levels. \r\n\r\nBecause of your donations, my students have been more excited about science. \r\n\r\nThank you again for making such a big difference in our classroom. Your support encourages us to do our best and shows us that people believe in our potential.","fullyFundedDate":1726155469732,"projectUrl":"project/visualization-through-models-and-kits/8551830/","projectTitle":"Visualization Through Models and Kits","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Swisher","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9390073_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724648349809","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9390073"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_43781","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":772,"numTeachers":54,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":18,"percentBlack":8,"percentWhite":8,"percentIndigenous":13,"percentLatinx":11,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"14.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":66.1,"schoolId":43781,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Clark Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Clark Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/alaska/anchorage-school-district/clark-middle-school/43781"}