{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"First Creek Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":36.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7298330,"projectId":9960382,"letterContent":"Below is a 600-word impact letter based on the goals and materials listed on your [original project page](https://www.donorschoose.org/project/a-new-tenor-steel-pan-drum/9960382/).\r\n\r\nDear Donors,\r\n\r\nThank you so much for providing our students with a beautiful new tenor steel pan, stand, protective case, and mallets! Our middle school steel pan program has grown tremendously, and before this project was funded, approximately 90 eager musicians were sharing only 12 steel pans. With so many students and so few instruments, students often had to wait for a turn to play or share an instrument during rehearsals. This limited the amount of hands-on practice each student received and made it difficult for everyone to develop confidence and independence. Adding another tenor pan has already given our students more meaningful playing time and allowed us to divide into smaller rehearsal groups. Instead of watching from the sidelines, more students can now participate actively, practice their parts, and experience the excitement of making music together. The new pan also came with everything needed to protect and use it properly. Its sturdy stand places the instrument at an appropriate playing height, the correct mallets help students produce a clear and beautiful tone, and the protective case will help ensure that this valuable instrument can serve our program for many years.\r\n\r\nThe students' excitement was immediate when they first saw the new tenor pan. They gathered around it, admired its shining surface, and were eager to hear how it sounded. Once we set it up, students took turns carefully exploring the notes and comparing its tone with the tenor pans we already owned. It was especially meaningful to see how seriously they approached the instrument. They understood that donors they had never met believed in them enough to provide this wonderful resource, and they wanted to show that they could care for it responsibly. One of my favorite classroom moments came when we incorporated the new pan into a full ensemble rehearsal for the first time. A student who previously had to share playing time was able to remain at an instrument throughout the rehearsal and practice the entire tenor part. With that additional repetition, the student became noticeably more secure, entered more confidently, and began listening and responding to the rest of the ensemble instead of concentrating only on finding the notes. That is exactly the kind of musical growth your generosity makes possible. The instrument does much more than add another sound to our ensemble—it gives another young musician a consistent place to participate, contribute, and experience success.\r\n\r\nOur next steps are to continue using the new tenor pan as students prepare their current concert repertoire. The tenor pan frequently carries important melodies, so students must develop accuracy, rhythmic independence, expressive playing, and the ability to balance their sound with the other sections of the ensemble. We will use smaller-group rehearsals to help students strengthen these skills before combining all of the parts into a complete performance. Students will also continue learning how to set up, move, clean, and store the new instrument safely. These responsibilities teach them that being a musician includes caring for shared equipment and protecting the resources entrusted to our program. As students become more confident, they will rotate among the available pans so that more of them can learn the tenor role and expand their overall musicianship. This one instrument will benefit far more than a single student or class; steel pans are built to last, and this pan will give hundreds of future First Creek musicians the opportunity to learn, perform, and experience the joyful music and rich cultural traditions of the Caribbean.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our students and helping our rapidly growing program continue to thrive. Your support has increased participation, improved the quality of our rehearsals, and given students more time to develop their skills. Most importantly, you have helped ensure that fewer students are left waiting when they could be making music. We are deeply grateful that you chose to become part of our steel pan community!","fullyFundedDate":1776087231316,"projectUrl":"project/a-new-tenor-steel-pan-drum/9960382/","projectTitle":"A New Tenor Steel Pan Drum","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Oliver","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7298330_orig.jpg?crop=395,395,x204,y61&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1596835561499","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kkoliver"},{"teacherId":7298330,"projectId":10401600,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for providing our congas with their new wheeled stands! They may seem like a simple addition, but they have made a huge difference in our classroom. Our congas are large and heavy, and we need to move them in and out of our rehearsal setup each day. Now, instead of struggling to lift and carry them, my middle school students can safely roll them into place. The students were excited to see how easily the stands move and quickly took ownership of getting the congas set up and put away.\r\n\r\nHaving the stands also means I can confidently give students more responsibility for caring for our instruments. We spend less rehearsal time moving equipment, our congas are better protected from accidental drops and damage, and most importantly, my students can move them without risking injury.\r\n\r\nNow that our congas are safely mobile, we can focus on what they were purchased for—making music! My students are learning how to incorporate congas into our steel pan ensemble and exploring the different rhythms and sounds they can add to our music. Thank you for giving my students the tools they need to safely care for their instruments, become more independent musicians, and make even more music together!","fullyFundedDate":1787293105336,"projectUrl":"project/congas-roll-out/10401600/","projectTitle":"Congas, roll out!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Oliver","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7298330_orig.jpg?crop=395,395,x204,y61&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1596835561499","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kkoliver"},{"teacherId":7298330,"projectId":10248707,"letterContent":"Dear Donors,\r\n\r\nThank you for putting quality drumsticks into the hands of my young musicians! Having several different types of sticks allowed each drummer to experiment and discover the style and grip that worked best for them. As they became more comfortable, I saw noticeable improvements in their technique, playing, and confidence. Best of all, they were able to put those new skills to work at our spring concert, where their performances were a huge success! Thank you for helping my students find their sound and keep the beat going strong!","fullyFundedDate":1778117262299,"projectUrl":"project/stop-the-splinters-durable-drumsticks-f/10248707/","projectTitle":"Stop the Splinters! Durable Drumsticks for Young Drummers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Oliver","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7298330_orig.jpg?crop=395,395,x204,y61&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1596835561499","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kkoliver"},{"teacherId":7298330,"projectId":10256800,"letterContent":"Dear donors,\r\n\r\nOur new congas have brought an exciting new heartbeat to our steel pan ensembles! Students were eager to try them from the moment they arrived and have been learning proper hand technique, different tones, and how to maintain a steady groove. They are already discovering how much the conga rhythm adds to the sound and energy of our steel pan music. Next, we will continue developing rhythmic independence and incorporating the congas into more of our concert repertoire. Thank you for giving my students another hands-on way to learn, perform, and make music together!\r\n\r\nWith gratitude,\r\n\r\nKristin","fullyFundedDate":1778597438504,"projectUrl":"project/feel-the-rhythm-congas-for-our-steel-pa/10256800/","projectTitle":"Feel the Rhythm: Congas for Our Steel Pan Ensemble!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Oliver","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7298330_orig.jpg?crop=395,395,x204,y61&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1596835561499","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kkoliver"},{"teacherId":6743689,"projectId":9975719,"letterContent":"We are plugged in and back to work! \r\n\r\nWith your support, we now have leveled up our tech access where students can charge their laptop from any seat in the classroom. We also tripled the number of extra chargers on-hand so students have fewer interruptions - or sometimes excuses - to access their learning. Students can now consistently access translation and accessibility tools -- even when we're working pencil-to-paper. \r\n\r\nAnd speaking of pencils? The high-powered pencil sharpener has been our best yet and we've had uninterrupted access to a pencil sharpener that doesn't keep breaking down every week.\r\n\r\nThe added lighting allows us to keep fluorescent overhead lighting off which is better for screen reading and creates a calmer environment, especially after lunch.\r\n\r\nStudents are currently working on showcasing their learning about our changing oceans through hand-made or digital zines* and my other class is project planning and carrying out a student-led clothing drive and using their laptops to create digital flyers on Canva and update their project work plan on Excel.\r\n\r\nI'm looking forward to building out a system for lap-desks and reading pillows as we close out the year! Thank you for making this possible this school year!\r\n\r\n*(check out this cool genre of writing!) https://guides.lib.purdue.edu/loudonpaper/what-is-a-zine","fullyFundedDate":1770542185367,"projectUrl":"project/level-up-our-tech-access/9975719/","projectTitle":"Level Up Our Tech Access!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Urish","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6743689_orig.jpg?crop=2268,2268,x0,y1375&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1659987519225","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6743689"},{"teacherId":9757868,"projectId":10159029,"letterContent":"Our library is a place students come to explore, connect, discover and hang out. However, many of our books are outdated, worn or simply missing, We had shelves with torn paperbacks and gaps in essential middle school titles, It is difficult at times to provide students with engaging books they deserve.\r\nBecause of you, that is beginning to change.\r\nYour support helps students access books that every middle school library should have. By filling these gaps, you are helping create a more meaningful experience for many students. \r\nThank you for believing in this project and our students. Your gift is helping us transform our library collection to the 21st century!","fullyFundedDate":1773850728913,"projectUrl":"project/building-a-library-our-students-deserve/10159029/","projectTitle":"Building a Library Our Students Deserve","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. McHugh","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9757868_orig.jpg?crop=1024,1024,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1773768013792","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9757868"},{"teacherId":10230976,"projectId":9714297,"letterContent":"We've been putting our new poster paper and markers to work! One of our first projects after Winter Break was revisiting and reshaping our science class community agreements (kindness first, all voices in, we learn together, and think forward). Students rotated through collaborative sticky‑note posters, adding ideas, drawings, examples, and commitments. Those posters are now hanging on our walls as daily reminders of the community we're building together.\r\n\r\nIn our labs, the new beakers and Erlenmeyer flasks that we received have already become essential tools. We used them during our biggest investigation of the year: creating a model small intestine using dialysis tubing to explore nutrient absorption. Having enough materials for every group and every class period made the experience more hands‑on, more accurate, and much more exciting.\r\n\r\nAny time a new box shows up in our classroom, students immediately light up. \"What's that? Is it for me? Is it for us?\" When they learned that our boxes held new lab materials, the energy in the room doubled. Hands‑on lab days are always a favorite, and having real beakers and glassware made our work feel more authentic.\r\n\r\nThe markers were a hit too. There's something about Mr. Sketch markers that is at least twice as exciting as regular markers. Students love using them to create collaborative posters, diagrams, and models that we can refer back to throughout the unit. They take real pride in making something colorful, funny, and scientifically accurate.\r\n\r\nWe've spent this semester diving deep into human body systems (e.g., digestive, respiratory, circulatory, skeletal, muscular) and exploring how these systems work together to make us feel the way we do. After each lab or activity, we build updated models and posters to show how our understanding is growing.\r\n\r\nWe're now wrapping up our metabolic reactions unit and getting ready to launch into photosynthesis. Students are excited to keep using our new materials for more hands‑on investigations, more modeling, and more opportunities to share their findings. It's the perfect way to carry our momentum forward.\r\n\r\nThank you so much for your generous support!","fullyFundedDate":1762131774939,"projectUrl":"project/help-future-scientists-make-their-chemis/9714297/","projectTitle":"Help Future Scientists Make Their Chemistry Learning Visible","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ladenburg","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10230976_orig.png?crop=492,491,x0,y42&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757867455869","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10230976"},{"teacherId":10342035,"projectId":9963691,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our students. Your support made a meaningful difference, and I wanted to take a moment to share just how far your contribution has reached. Because of you, every participating student was able to select a brand‑new book of their choice—something that may seem small, but for many of our learners, it was an empowering and memorable moment. Having the opportunity to choose a book that genuinely interests them helps nurture a love of reading, encourages curiosity, and gives students a sense of ownership over their learning. For some, this was the first time they had a new book that belonged entirely to them, and the excitement they expressed was truly incredible to see.","fullyFundedDate":1766591416795,"projectUrl":"project/unlocking-literacy-through-graphic-novel/9963691/","projectTitle":"Unlocking Literacy Through Graphic Novels","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nettie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10342035_orig.png?crop=205,205,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1762380385154","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tafcoachnettie"},{"teacherId":8272499,"projectId":9678279,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our students were able to participate in **Thirsty Thursday** during Wellness Week, where they learned firsthand how hydration and healthy choices support both physical and mental well-being. Using the donated resources, we created a fruit-infused water station where students explored flavor combinations with fresh fruit and discussed how small choices, like choosing water over sugary drinks, can make a big impact on their health.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the hydration station, their excitement was immediate. Many were eager to try flavors they had never experienced before, especially the cucumber-berry blend, and several students shared that it was the first time they had ever had fruit-infused water. For a school where many students live in a food desert, this was a powerful and meaningful experience.\r\n\r\nNext, students will continue building on these lessons by setting personal hydration and wellness goals and connecting what they learned during Wellness Week to everyday habits at school and at home. Your support didn't just provide a refreshing drink, it created a learning moment that will last well beyond this week.","fullyFundedDate":1758202917194,"projectUrl":"project/sip-on-health/9678279/","projectTitle":"Sip on Health","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cosom","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8272499_orig.png?crop=257,257,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756846951081","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8272499"},{"teacherId":8272499,"projectId":9674037,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our students were able to participate in a schoolwide step challenge that brought movement, motivation, and excitement into every classroom during Wellness Week. Students used the step-tracking resources to monitor their activity throughout the day, cheer on their classmates, and work together toward shared goals. One of the most meaningful moments was watching entire classes pause to compare steps, celebrate progress, and encourage each other to keep moving—even students who are usually hesitant to participate were proudly showing off their totals.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the step-tracking materials, their reaction was pure excitement. Many had never used a pedometer or activity tracker before, and it instantly turned walking into a game. For our school, where over 80% of students qualify for free lunch and many live in a food desert, this opportunity to engage in healthy competition and physical activity was especially powerful. The project made fitness feel fun, accessible, and something every student could succeed in.\r\n\r\nNext, we will continue building on this momentum by connecting physical activity to long-term wellness goals. Students are already setting personal step targets and learning how daily movement supports mental focus, stress relief, and overall health. Your support helped us plant the seed for lifelong healthy habits, and we are so grateful that you stepped in to make this experience possible for our students.","fullyFundedDate":1759433062423,"projectUrl":"project/step-into-wellness/9674037/","projectTitle":"Step Into Wellness","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cosom","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8272499_orig.png?crop=257,257,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756846951081","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8272499"},{"teacherId":10198769,"projectId":9631678,"letterContent":"Dear Donor\r\nOn behalf of my students and our entire school community, I wish to extend my deepest appreciation for your extraordinary generosity and your commitment to supporting educators. Your donation of classroom supplies, teacher resources, and the English and Spanish novel sets of The Giver has significantly strengthened the learning experiences we are able to provide in our classroom.\r\nBecause of your support, each student received a complete, high-quality copy of the novel—free of torn covers, missing pages, or fragile binding. For many of our learners, this was the first time they had the opportunity to engage with a text that felt sturdy, new, and truly their own. Having access to intact and reliable materials not only improved their reading experience but also honored their effort, curiosity, and sense of belonging in the classroom.\r\nAs we studied The Giver, students examined the distinct contrasts between the two worlds presented in the novel:\r\n•\tJonas's tightly controlled community, defined by uniformity, restricted emotion, and limited personal choice,\r\n•\tand the world beyond, rich with authentic emotion, individuality, memory, and the freedom to make meaningful decisions.\r\nStudent annotations—made possible because they had their own dedicated copies—revealed thoughtful engagement and genuine enthusiasm. Several reflections included:\r\n•\t\"I didn't know a world without colors could feel so sad. I'm glad our world has choices.\"\r\n•\t\"When Jonas starts seeing color, it's like he's waking up.\"\r\n•\t\"I never thought about what it would be like if feelings were controlled. That would be scary.\"\r\n•\t\"The Community thinks they're keeping people safe, but they're actually taking away what matters.\"\r\n•\t(Spanish annotation) \"Me siento mal por Jonas porque no puede decidir nada por sí mismo.\"\r\n•\t\"This book is actually fun to read because nothing is missing.\"\r\n•\t\"I like having my own copy. I can underline parts that make me think.\"\r\n•\t\"The two worlds are so different—one feels fake and one feels real.\"\r\n•\t\"I wrote that Jonas is brave because he wants something better for everyone.\"\r\n•\t\"It's easier to focus when the pages aren't falling out.\"\r\nThese reflections were central to our culminating project, in which students compared and illustrated the differences between the two worlds. Their work demonstrated comprehension, creativity, and analytical thinking—all directly supported by the resources you provided.\r\nYour generosity has also strengthened our ability to meet Tacoma's literacy standards by enabling students to:\r\n•\tread and annotate complex texts independently,\r\n•\tcompare and contrast themes and settings,\r\n•\tsupport their ideas with textual evidence in both English and Spanish,\r\n•\texpand academic vocabulary,\r\n•\tand express understanding through writing, discussion, and presentations.\r\nAs educators, we are profoundly grateful for partners like you who understand the value of equitable access to quality materials. Your support empowers teachers to create rigorous and engaging learning environments and ensures that students experience literacy in ways that are meaningful, dignified, and inspiring.\r\nThank you for believing in educators and for investing so generously in the success of our students. Your impact is lasting, visible, and deeply appreciated.\r\nWith sincere and heartfelt gratitude,\r\nMs. Julie Berggren \r\nFirst Creek Middle School\r\nTacoma Public Schools","fullyFundedDate":1756387063646,"projectUrl":"project/the-giver/9631678/","projectTitle":"The Giver","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Berggren","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10198769_orig.jpg?crop=1126,1126,x0,y544&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1763156785253","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10198769"},{"teacherId":9488564,"projectId":9128320,"letterContent":"My students are so grateful for the resources made available to them by this Donors Choose project. I have been able to incentivize students' good behavior with prizes. This past week, I was able to reward students for behaving wonderfully with a guest teacher, and for overall doing stellar in class throughout the week. My students use the markers and colored pencils on the daily, and they've absolutely loved having those supplies. My students impress me every day with their creativity, and I have been so lucky to be able to decorate my classroom with their art. I've also been pleasantly surprised by how much my students have gravitated towards the stationary materials. \r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the materials, they felt so spoiled. It is not every day that they have the opportunity to work with brand new, good quality materials. Every time they see the materials, whether it is coloring materials, snacks, fidgets, or prizes in general, it is a joy to see the excitement light up their eyes. \r\n\r\nAt the moment, there are a lot of changes going on in education and at our school. Our school is piloting a new ELA curriculum, and we are currently working towards a summative assignment. In addition, our student leadership is trying to put on events and show up for our school community in the midst of all the change. We seriously appreciate all your support!","fullyFundedDate":1746786250195,"projectUrl":"project/turning-hard-work-into-fun-motivating-s/9128320/","projectTitle":"Turning Hard Work into Fun: Motivating Students with Classroom Perks!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Valadez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9488564_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y88&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1728959735224","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9488564"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_36364","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":584,"numTeachers":42,"percentFrplEligible":74,"percentAsian":13,"percentBlack":16,"percentWhite":10,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":36,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":8,"percentMultiracialImputed":12,"gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"13.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":63.8,"schoolId":36364,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about First Creek Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"First Creek Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/washington/tacoma-public-schools/first-creek-middle-school/36364"}