{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Emerson Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":55.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10411003,"projectId":10037155,"letterContent":"I can't thank you enough for your generous donation to our school. We were able to help many students through your contributions. The students were most grateful for the coloring books and color pencils. These tools have helped our students during times of anxiety and stress. It has been beneficial to give these students a break during the long periods of classroom instruction.\r\n\tThe snacks were also a great hit. Some of the kids need a boost in the afternoon. They often tend to get sleepier and are more disengaged in the classes after lunch. By giving them snacks, they stay on task and continue to produce work. \r\n\tLastly, the beanies and gloves were fun to give out to students. The colors were very bright and actually motivated students to get the most colorful ones and show them off to other students.\r\n It's because of people like you that our students can succeed in the classroom. Thank you again!","fullyFundedDate":1769635279683,"projectUrl":"project/helping-out-a-community-in-its-most-diff/10037155/","projectTitle":"Helping Out a Community in Its Most Difficult Time.","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Hernandez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10411003"},{"teacherId":10408446,"projectId":10032723,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity. I am thrilled to share the impact your support has had on our classroom community.\r\n\r\nWe have been putting these new resources to work every single day. While some items are for specific lessons, a major part of this project focused on the \"invisible\" essentials, like tissues, that keep a classroom running smoothly. Because our school is no longer able to provide these basic supplies, having them on hand has been a game-changer for our daily flow.\r\n\r\nA specific moment that stands out happened last week during a collaborative group session. In the past, a student with a cold would have to leave the room to find a restroom just to get a paper towel, interrupting their momentum and the group's work. Now, they can simply grab a tissue and stay engaged with their peers. It has created a much more seamless, focused environment where learning isn't interrupted by a lack of basic necessities.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the boxes arrive and realized they were filled with supplies just for them, there was a visible sense of relief and excitement. One student actually cheered when they saw the tissues and hand sanitizer, saying, \"Wait, we actually have the good stuff now?\" It made them feel seen and cared for, knowing that people outside our school walls invested in their comfort and well-being.\r\n\r\nWith our environment now fully stocked and comfortable, our next step is to dive deeper into our current curriculum projects. We are currently working on a collaborative unit where students are designing their own \"ideal communities.\" Having a stable, well-resourced home base allows them to focus entirely on their creativity and critical thinking.\r\n\r\nYour contribution did more than just buy supplies; it restored a sense of dignity to our everyday classroom life. We are so grateful for your help in making our room a place where students can focus on being students.","fullyFundedDate":1769031350131,"projectUrl":"project/helping-students-feel-warm-cared-for-a/10032723/","projectTitle":"Helping Students Feel Warm, Cared For, and Ready to Learn","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Curtin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10408446_orig.png?crop=455,455,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1769032027193","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10408446"},{"teacherId":1433226,"projectId":10050150,"letterContent":"Since this project was funded, my students have been able to enjoy snacks and small treats throughout the day, helping them stay focused and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nMany of my students are growing teenagers with big appetites, so having this resource reduces hunger‑related distractions and creates a welcoming, positive classroom where they feel cared for and supported.\r\n\r\nWith their energy restored, they can participate more fully in discussions, complete assignments, and engage confidently with their classmates. Your support has truly made a difference in helping every student feel ready to learn each day.","fullyFundedDate":1772550351329,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-learning-one-snack-at-a-time/10050150/","projectTitle":"Fueling Learning, One Snack at a Time","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Favuzzi-Morin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1433226_orig.jpg?crop=1032,1032,x45,y742&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1600294894014","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/favuzzi205"},{"teacherId":5944146,"projectId":10031628,"letterContent":"This project had a significant impact on my class by creating intentional moments for students to reset after extended academic work. Providing snacks and enjoyable activities allowed students to address both hunger and stress, helping them regulate their emotions and return to learning more focused and energized. These monthly brain breaks gave students a predictable and safe space to unwind, which supported their overall well-being and readiness to participate in lessons.\r\n\r\nBy meeting these basic needs, the project encouraged students to show up as their happiest selves and engage more fully with classroom activities. Students who might have arrived tired, hungry, or stressed had an opportunity to recharge, build confidence, and feel supported. This consistent approach not only improved focus and perseverance during academic tasks but also fostered a classroom culture where students felt cared for and prepared to succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1768699150446,"projectUrl":"project/snack-reset-supporting-student-wellne/10031628/","projectTitle":"Snack & Reset: Supporting Student Wellness Through Brain Breaks","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Abad","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5944146_orig.jpg?crop=398,398,x0,y87&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1582592587948","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-abad"},{"teacherId":10414800,"projectId":10047825,"letterContent":"The warm ski clothing funded through DonorsChoose had a huge impact on my Special Olympics athletes. As inner-city students who had never skied before, many of them would not have been able to participate without proper winter gear. The clothing kept them warm, dry, and comfortable, allowing them to feel safe and confident on the slopes.\r\n\r\nBecause of this support, my athletes were able to fully engage, try something completely new, and build confidence through an experience they otherwise never would have had.","fullyFundedDate":1769254690156,"projectUrl":"project/staying-warm-on-the-slopes/10047825/","projectTitle":"Staying Warm on the Slopes","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Nicolich","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10414800_orig.png?crop=358,358,x0,y28&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1769201533892","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10414800"},{"teacherId":9560415,"projectId":10045786,"letterContent":"I want to thank you immensely for the impact you have had on our classroom. My goal is to always provide the students with an environment that feels safe, caring, and supportive, which is hard to do when supplies are lacking. The basic supplies, such as erasers and paper, have made a major impact. Students are able to spend less time on their screens because I don't have to monitor my paper usage as much as I did before. Additionally, students are provided with the materials they need to be able to complete tasks, without having any insecurity when requesting materials like pencils and erasers.\r\n\r\nThe students are excited for the beginning of testing season, which is important in ensuring they get the best scores possible. They know they have snacks and drinks waiting for them at the end of each testing session, which helps them feel like they can do better. Additionally, with each review for the state test, students are much more engaged when they know they can have a small sweet treat, like candy, as a reward.\r\n\r\nAgain, thank you so much. You have lifted a financial burden off my shoulders while still helping me to achieve my goals as a teacher.","fullyFundedDate":1769127103661,"projectUrl":"project/nourishing-hearts-and-hunger/10045786/","projectTitle":"Nourishing Hearts and Hunger","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Berrios","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9560415_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1769265723812","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msberrios"},{"teacherId":10317679,"projectId":10041340,"letterContent":"When the boxes arrived in our 7th-grade classroom, we were excited to see what was inside! In an urban environment where students often have to grow up a little too fast, seeing a pile of colorful board games and cozy gear reminded them that school is a place for joy, too.\r\n\r\nDuring our first \"Fun Friday\" I introduced the board games. I watched a group of students who usually struggle to sit together become completely engrossed in a game. I gave out the candy you provided as they navigated strategies. The games have turned our \"brain breaks\" into high-level lessons on sportsmanship and critical thinking.\r\n\r\nThank you for bringing this warmth and excitement into our hallway. You've made our classroom feel like a second home.","fullyFundedDate":1769129090746,"projectUrl":"project/supporting-7th-graders-through-care-con/10041340/","projectTitle":"Supporting 7th Graders Through Care, Connection, and Play","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Garcia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10317679_orig.jpg?crop=480,480,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1768955982313","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10317679"},{"teacherId":7089076,"projectId":10048636,"letterContent":",\r\nThank you so much for supporting our classroom and helping make our monthly wellness breaks possible. Your generosity provides more than just snacks and calming activities, it gives my students the opportunity to pause, reset, and feel cared for in a way that truly supports their learning.\r\n\r\nThe snacks you helped provide ensure that students have access to food when it may not always be consistently available. At the same time, calming activities allow them to relax, regulate their emotions, and rebuild the focus they need to continue learning. These moments may seem small, but they make a meaningful difference in helping students feel supported, valued, and ready to succeed.\r\n\r\nYour generosity directly impacts my students' well-being, confidence, and ability to engage in the classroom. Thank you for believing in them and for helping create a classroom environment where their needs are recognized and supported.","fullyFundedDate":1769226044850,"projectUrl":"project/snack-reset-supporting-student-wellne/10048636/","projectTitle":"Snack & Reset: Supporting Student Wellness Through Brain Breaks","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Zens","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7089076_orig.png?crop=1268,1268,x0,y71&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1603572989008","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7089076"},{"teacherId":9742051,"projectId":8761239,"letterContent":"When the resources arrived, a security guard brought the boxes into the classroom, and the students immediately cheered with excitement. They were incredibly grateful and eager to see the items that had been generously donated through DonorsChoose. I was able to provide each student with a hat, gloves, hand cream, V-Day bracelets, and snacks to help them stay warm and feel cared for. The students especially enjoyed being able to choose their own colors for their hat/glove set, which made the experience even more meaningful for them. Many were so excited about their new items that they wanted to wear them throughout the school day.\r\n\r\nThe granola bars were also a huge success and were quickly used by the students. As a teacher in a Title I district, I often see firsthand how some students rely on food provided at school. Many families face financial challenges or have limited time in the mornings, which can make it difficult for students to eat breakfast before arriving at school. Having snacks available in the classroom has helped ensure that students are able to focus on their learning rather than their hunger.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, my next step is to continue supporting my students by creating another project that will provide additional resources for our classroom. I am incredibly grateful for the generosity of donors who make these opportunities possible and help create a supportive and caring learning environment for my students.","fullyFundedDate":1726844311524,"projectUrl":"project/pencils-paper-possibilities-empowerin/8761239/","projectTitle":"Pencils, Paper, Possibilities: Empowering Tomorrow's Leaders Today","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Chacon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9742051"},{"teacherId":8881981,"projectId":9150206,"letterContent":"Your generous donation of art supplies allowed us to successfully implement The Wallflower Club, a supportive group designed for students who are shy or socially reserved. Through structured painting activities, students were provided with a low-pressure environment to engage with peers, build social skills, and increase their confidence. The club fostered meaningful peer connections and promoted a strong sense of belonging.\r\n\r\nDuring our sessions, the girls laughed, shared meals, painted alongside one another, and built connections with our guidance counselors and social workers. What began as a quiet group of students slowly transformed into a space filled with smiles, conversation, and creativity. Students who were once hesitant to speak began to open up, express themselves, and form genuine friendships.\r\n\r\nIn an urban school district, it is especially important to intentionally create safe, nurturing spaces where students feel seen, supported, and valued. Opportunities like The Wallflower Club provide students with a sense of community and emotional support that extends beyond the classroom. Your donation made this possible, and its impact will continue to be felt in our students' confidence, relationships, and overall well-being.","fullyFundedDate":1741895639896,"projectUrl":"project/the-wallflower-club/9150206/","projectTitle":"The Wallflower Club","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Morsch","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8881981_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1769993167398","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8881981"},{"teacherId":1470136,"projectId":10049807,"letterContent":"Your generosity has truly transformed our classroom in ways that go far beyond the supplies themselves. The snacks, seat cushions, tissues, and feminine products have helped create a more comfortable and supportive learning environment where students can focus on their work without distraction or worry. The seat cushions have made our reading corner and small-group instruction time much more inviting, and students are eager to gather with their books and participate in discussions. Having snacks available has also helped students stay energized and ready to learn, especially during longer lessons and testing days.\r\n\r\nWhen the boxes arrived and we unpacked everything together, the reactions were priceless. My students were wide-eyed, shocked, and incredibly grateful. Several of them immediately said, \"These are for us?\" and couldn't believe that people they had never met cared enough to support them. It sparked a meaningful conversation about kindness, generosity, and community. The feminine products and tissues, in particular, provided a sense of relief and dignity for many students, letting them know their everyday needs matter just as much as their academic success.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, we are able to move forward with confidence in our current classroom projects. We are diving deeper into collaborative group work and independent reading activities, and students are more comfortable and focused during these lessons. Our next steps include a student-led research project where they will work in teams to investigate real-world problems and present their findings. Thanks to you, they can fully engage in their learning without barriers. Your kindness has not only supplied materials, it has shown my students that they are valued, supported, and believed in.","fullyFundedDate":1769267980468,"projectUrl":"project/meeting-basic-needs-so-students-can-lear/10049807/","projectTitle":"Meeting Basic Needs So Students Can Learn","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. DiMeola","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1470136_orig.jpg?crop=574,574,x1461,y1310&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1769032849590","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1470136"},{"teacherId":7605546,"projectId":10034835,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous contribution to our project, \"Help Keep Our Students Ready t to Learn!\" Because of your kindness, our classroom received a wonderful supply of snacks, warm gloves, fuzzy socks, bandages, paper, deodorant, feminine products, and disinfecting wipes.\r\n\r\nThese items have helped my students and me begin the new year in a healthy and positive way. Having disinfecting wipes readily available allows students to take responsibility for cleaning desks, doorknobs, and shared spaces, which helps reduce the spread of germs and keeps our classroom safe.\r\n\r\nAll of the girls also received a feminine hygiene package along with deodorant. They were extremely happy and grateful to receive these thoughtful items, which helped them feel supported and cared for. In addition, all students received warm gloves and fuzzy socks, which came in handy just in time for the winter storm.\r\n\r\nYour donation has already made a meaningful impact. These supplies help ensure that my students are comfortable, confident, and ready to focus on learning each day. We truly appreciate your generosity and support.\r\n\r\nThank you for making such a difference in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1768725061053,"projectUrl":"project/help-keep-our-students-ready-to-learn/10034835/","projectTitle":"Help Keep Our Students Ready to Learn!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Camacho","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7605546_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y10&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1651195674952","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7605546"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_59886","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1023,"numTeachers":64,"percentFrplEligible":84,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":96,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"16.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":44.7,"schoolId":59886,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Emerson Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Emerson Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-jersey/union-city-public-schools/emerson-middle-school/59886"}