{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Elmhurst United Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":28.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7139123,"projectId":9479157,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our 8th grade students are now engaging in the meaningful work of understanding empathy, practicing compassion, and strengthening emotional awareness. The stories, reflection activities, and group discussions we've begun have already opened space for students to step into someone else's shoes and see the world through a more thoughtful, caring lens. Students are sharing personal insights, asking deeper questions, and connecting with one another in ways that show how much they value being understood and supported.\r\n\r\nOne of the most transformative impacts has been the introduction of the Compassion Care Kits. These kits filled with hygiene and self-care items like styling cream, hand sanitizer, and fidgets, have become a powerful way to honor students who show emotional maturity, kindness, or thoughtful participation. Many students who quietly shoulder personal challenges were visibly moved when receiving a kit, expressing that it made them feel seen, valued, and appreciated for who they are. Your support helped turn simple items into symbols of dignity, encouragement, and belonging.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, our compassion initiative is creating real change in our school community. Students are learning that their kindness carries weight, that their empathy matters, and that small acts of care can brighten someone's entire day. We are already tracking acts of kindness, reading heartfelt reflections, and witnessing moments of connection that remind us why this work is so important. Thank you for believing in our students and helping them build a foundation of compassion they will carry far beyond 8th grade","fullyFundedDate":1760483643100,"projectUrl":"project/compassion-in-action-one-kind-act-at-a/9479157/","projectTitle":"Compassion in Action: One Kind Act at a Time","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Berenice","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7139123_orig.png?crop=852,852,x0,y25&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597614092459","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7139123"},{"teacherId":7139123,"projectId":9489280,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our 8th grade students now have the sports equipment they need to make recess a meaningful, energizing part of their day. From the moment the footballs, volleyballs, basketballs, and kickballs arrived, students lit up with excitement. They immediately began organizing games, inviting classmates to join in, and creating new ways to connect with one another.\r\n\r\nThe impact was almost immediate. Footballs encouraged teamwork and strategy, volleyballs got students collaborating and communicating, basketballs kept them active and moving, and kickballs gave every student an easy way to participate. Recess has become more inclusive, more joyful, and more structured in a way that supports both social and emotional growth.\r\n\r\nTeachers have already noticed that students return to class more focused and refreshed. Many students who used to stand on the sidelines are now confidently joining group games and building friendships through play. What used to be \"free time\" has become an opportunity for connection, stress relief, and healthy movement.\r\n\r\nYour support helped create a space where students feel energized, supported, and part of a community. Thank you for helping make recess a highlight of their day and for contributing to the core middle school memories they'll take with them for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1755035688197,"projectUrl":"project/kickstart-recess-soccer-gear-for-all/9489280/","projectTitle":"Kickstart Recess: Soccer Gear for All","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Berenice","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7139123_orig.png?crop=852,852,x0,y25&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597614092459","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7139123"},{"teacherId":7139123,"projectId":9726841,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our 8th grade students now have the sports equipment they need to make recess a meaningful, energizing part of their day. From the moment the footballs, volleyballs, basketballs, and kickballs arrived, students lit up with excitement. They immediately began organizing games, inviting classmates to join in, and creating new ways to connect with one another.\r\n\r\nThe impact was almost immediate. Footballs encouraged teamwork and strategy, volleyballs got students collaborating and communicating, basketballs kept them active and moving, and kickballs gave every student an easy way to participate. Recess has become more inclusive, more joyful, and more structured in a way that supports both social and emotional growth.\r\n\r\nTeachers have already noticed that students return to class more focused and refreshed. Many students who used to stand on the sidelines are now confidently joining group games and building friendships through play. What used to be \"free time\" has become an opportunity for connection, stress relief, and healthy movement.\r\n\r\nYour support helped create a space where students feel energized, supported, and part of a community. Thank you for helping make recess a highlight of their day and for contributing to the core middle school memories they'll take with them for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1759171467563,"projectUrl":"project/active-kids-strong-minds-sports-suppli/9726841/","projectTitle":"Active Kids, Strong Minds: Sports Supplies Needed","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Berenice","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7139123_orig.png?crop=852,852,x0,y25&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597614092459","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7139123"},{"teacherId":9636586,"projectId":9689666,"letterContent":"Thank you again for supporting this project! It was a huge success, and we distributed all the water bottles to newcomers, who I see refilling them all the time. They were especially useful on our fall field trip to an East Bay Regional Park, where we hiked in the heat. \r\n\r\nI have given out most of the notebooks to kids who need an outlet for expressing their feelings when they're at home or on break, and it's given them the opportunity to organize their thoughts and ask for support when needed. \r\n\r\nMeanwhile, the snacks were a HUGE hit, and lasted us through the semester to our last group session last week. Applesauce was especially popular...a bit of an unexpected turn of events!\r\n\r\nYour support gave our kids a strong start to the year, and I am so thankful!","fullyFundedDate":1758821100677,"projectUrl":"project/hydrated-kids-and-full-bellies-for-the-2/9689666/","projectTitle":"Hydrated Kids and Full Bellies for the 25-26 Year","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sophia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9636586_orig.jpg?crop=426,426,x132,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723592107682","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9636586"},{"teacherId":7139123,"projectId":9587001,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting Flexible, Calming Space for Students With Disabilities to Thrive. Your generosity has transformed our classroom into a space where students not only learn, but genuinely feel safe, supported, and understood.\r\n\r\nThe flexible seating you funded has been life-changing for many of our learners. Students who struggle with sensory overload or attention challenges now have options that help them regulate their bodies and stay engaged. The calming materials and organizational tools have brought a new sense of structure and peace into our room, making it easier for students to transition, focus, and participate without feeling overwhelmed.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, our students with disabilities now have a physical environment tailored to their needs, one that honors their strengths, celebrates their individuality, and gives them the comfort and stability required to thrive. We are already seeing increased confidence, improved emotional regulation, and greater willingness to participate in learning activities.\r\n\r\nYour kindness didn't just fund materials; it created a space where every student can access their best self. Thank you for believing in inclusion, accessibility, and the power of a supportive learning environment.\r\n\r\nWith deep gratitude,\r\nBere","fullyFundedDate":1756182153809,"projectUrl":"project/flexible-calming-space-for-students-wit/9587001/","projectTitle":"Flexible, Calming Space for Students With Disabilities to Thrive","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Berenice","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7139123_orig.png?crop=852,852,x0,y25&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597614092459","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7139123"},{"teacherId":7139123,"projectId":9276926,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting Empowered & Equipped: Life Skills for Middle School Minds. Your generosity helped create an environment where students feel comfortable, focused, and excited to learn the social-emotional and life skills that shape who they are becoming.\r\n\r\nThe flexible seating you funded has already made a noticeable difference. Students are choosing the spaces that help them feel grounded, whether they need to move, curl up with a book, or sit with a partner to talk things through. The organizing items have transformed my counseling space into a calm, welcoming, and functional environment where students feel safe opening up and engaging deeply in skill-building. The books and tool deck have become some of our most valuable resources; they allow students to explore topics like emotional regulation, problem-solving, relationships, and self-confidence in ways that feel meaningful and accessible.\r\n\r\nYour support is helping students build real-world skills they will carry with them long after they leave middle school. It has empowered them to advocate for themselves, connect with others, and feel more confident navigating challenges both inside and outside the classroom.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and in the importance of their emotional and personal growth. Your kindness has made a lasting difference, and we are incredibly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1755521916737,"projectUrl":"project/empowered-equipped-life-skills-for-mi/9276926/","projectTitle":"Empowered & Equipped: Life Skills for Middle School Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Berenice","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7139123_orig.png?crop=852,852,x0,y25&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597614092459","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7139123"},{"teacherId":8635783,"projectId":9598211,"letterContent":"This project has made a powerful difference in my SPED Extensive Support Needs classroom. The additional books we received opened up new opportunities for engagement, communication, and literacy development in ways that were not possible before.\r\n\r\nFor many of my students, reading is more than an academic task; it's a bridge to connection, independence, and confidence. The new books allowed me to build a more inclusive and accessible library with multiple reading levels, visual supports, and high-interest topics that truly meet my students where they are. Because of this project, students who typically avoid reading activities began choosing books during their break times, initiating shared reading moments with staff, and showing excitement when it was time for literacy rotations.\r\n\r\nHaving such a wide variety of texts also supported our classroom goals around communication. Several of my non-verbal and low-verbal learners used the books to practice labeling, commenting, requesting, and building simple sentences on their AAC devices. Books became a tool for expressive language, not just comprehension.\r\n\r\nThe updated library also strengthened our Community-Based Instruction (CBI) curriculum. We used the stories to teach real-life concepts like shopping, crossing the street, preparing food, and interacting in the community. Students are able to connect the content from the books to actual trips we take off-campus, which helped reinforce safety, social expectations, and independence.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, this project helped foster joy. My students lit up when new books arrived. They touched them, smelled them, explored the pictures, chose favorites, traded with friends, and took pride in having a classroom library that finally reflected their interests and their abilities.\r\n\r\nThanks to this project, my students have more access, more voice, and more opportunities to grow academically, socially, and personally. Your generosity gave them tools that matter every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1759186301876,"projectUrl":"project/reading-without-limits/9598211/","projectTitle":"Reading Without Limits","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Pratt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8635783"},{"teacherId":7962122,"projectId":8476265,"letterContent":"I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your amazing generosity and support. The headphones, index cards, and books you provided have made such a big difference in helping our students stay engaged and excited about reading and learning. It's been wonderful to see them dive into their work with the right tools at hand.\r\n\r\nThe clay and art supplies have also brought a whole new level of creativity to our classroom! Students love using them to bring their readings to life—it's made learning more fun, interactive, and meaningful. And your donations of snacks and feminine products have truly helped our students stay comfortable and focused throughout the day.\r\n\r\nThanks to your kindness, our classroom feels more supportive, energized, and full of possibility. We're so grateful to have people like you who care about helping students learn, create, and thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1723192888786,"projectUrl":"project/enhancing-equipment-for-eighth-grade-exp/8476265/","projectTitle":"Enhancing Equipment for Eighth Grade Experiences","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Swarn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7962122_orig.jpg?crop=1980,1980,x0,y330&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660191325177","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7962122"},{"teacherId":7962122,"projectId":9193619,"letterContent":"On behalf of cheerleaders in the entire district, we want to give a huge thank-you for your generous donations that made it possible for us to purchase new mats. Your support means so much to us — these mats allow us to practice safely while building our stunting and tumbling skills with confidence for teams around the district. Knowing that our community believes in us and our goals gives us even more motivation to work hard and keep improving.\r\n\r\nBecause of your kindness, we can focus on what we love most — cheering, growing as athletes, and supporting one another as a team. Your contribution is helping us take our routines to the next level while staying safe, strong, and spirited. Thank you for investing in our team's safety, progress, and future success. We truly couldn't do it without you!","fullyFundedDate":1745496336890,"projectUrl":"project/safe-landings-for-safe-learning/9193619/","projectTitle":"Safe Landings for Safe Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Swarn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7962122_orig.jpg?crop=1980,1980,x0,y330&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660191325177","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7962122"},{"teacherId":9169998,"projectId":9393759,"letterContent":"Thank you for bringing these amazing decorations into our school for students to feel represented. Students definitely noticed the flags in our hallways and could not stop talking about it. Not only is the main entrance of the school a more welcoming environment, it has sparked students curiosity. Asking if there will be displays for all our cultural months and the meaning behind the displays. \r\n\r\nThere is a deep appreciation from our school community to having these materials. It brings care into our learning environment and a sense of belonging/pride. The displays allow for everyone to know how diverse our campus is and welcomes everyone. Thank you for making this project a reality.","fullyFundedDate":1750860446034,"projectUrl":"project/celebrating-heritage-building-unity-in/9393759/","projectTitle":"Celebrating Heritage, Building Unity: Inclusive Cultural Month Displays","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Karina","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9169998_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754015098764","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9169998"},{"teacherId":9169998,"projectId":9521850,"letterContent":"Thank you for bringing comfy seating into my space, students have loved the opportunity to have flexible seating. You have allowed for students to have options in my space and also other spaces. I shared some of the seating options with other team members to make sure that all spaces feel inclusive and safe for everyone. \r\n\r\nStudents favorite have been the small wobble seats, they love moving around and fidgeting while they sit. Also, our chair with the exercise ball! They cannot get enough of it! It moves and allows for students to fidget around while doing their work, also bounce around.","fullyFundedDate":1754877287558,"projectUrl":"project/comfy-seating/9521850/","projectTitle":"Comfy Seating","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Karina","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9169998_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754015098764","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9169998"},{"teacherId":1044388,"projectId":9628313,"letterContent":"These materials have transformed the physical space I was given for my office. It has gone from a small closet containing old files and cleaning supplies, to a warm and welcoming space where students feel comfortable to come, sit down, and check in. \r\n\r\nNot only has the environment been positively changed, but the materials themselves have facilitated meaningful connections between myself and my students. For example, yesterday, a student who has frequently been out of class stopped by my office to check in. He chose for us to play card game that included \"get to know you questions.\" I was pleasantly surprised at how open and vulnerable he was while engaging with the game. The card game created a window into this student's life, and the foundation for continuing to foster a positive and safe space for him. This has given me hope and excitement around using these tools to build community between myself and students, as well as between themselves and their peers.\r\n\r\nIn the coming weeks my colleagues and are I starting social emotional skills groups for students to connect with one another and learn new skills. We are excited to use these tools to foster meaningful relationships!","fullyFundedDate":1758133220104,"projectUrl":"project/dive-deep-explore-your-emotional-depth/9628313/","projectTitle":"Dive Deep! Explore Your Emotional Depth!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Duvivier","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1044388_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1529445327229","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-duvivier"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_3967","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":752,"numTeachers":24,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":20,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":71,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"31.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":71.4,"schoolId":3967,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Elmhurst United Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Elmhurst United Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/oakland-unified-school-district/elmhurst-community-prep/3967"}