{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Francis H Cortney Junior High School","outOfStateSupporters":63.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10401274,"projectId":10588769,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our classroom has become more successful! My students are able to use these tools and resources to succeed in ELA each day. For many of my students, being able to receive writing tools is a real gift. When I can meet their needs for basic resources, they are able to focus on their education with more ease.\r\n\r\nUsing our new resources, students have been working hard and collaborating together on various group activities. A particularly memorable moment happened last week during peer-editing. One student, who typically struggles to write more than a sentence, sat proudly surrounded by his draft pages, using our new supplies to revise his work. Seeing students collaborate with such focus and ownership over their work has been incredible.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, our young authors are preparing for our upcoming narratives. Students are currently polishing their responses they have worked on throughout the quarter. Your support didn't just bring supplies into our classroom. It gave my students the confidence and tools to make real progress in their learning. Thank you for making this possible!","fullyFundedDate":1788670581302,"projectUrl":"project/from-middle-schoolers-to-authors-equipp/10588769/","projectTitle":"From Middle Schoolers to Authors: Equipping Our Classroom for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. R","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10401274_orig.png?crop=1024,1024,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1768883381941","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10401274"},{"teacherId":9351247,"projectId":10395899,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your generous support of my project, \"Snacks & Drinks for a Focused Classroom.\" Because of your kindness, our classroom is now fully stocked with healthy snacks and refreshing drinks, and the positive impact on my students has been immediate and profound.\r\n\r\nIt is easy to underestimate the necessity of a daily snack, but your contribution has completely transformed our learning environment. Many of my students face food insecurity or simply burn through their energy during a demanding school day. Before this project was funded, I frequently saw students struggling by mid-morning or late afternoon—slouching over their desks, rubbing their eyes, or expressing frustration over tasks they could normally complete with ease. It was not a lack of desire or ability holding them back; it was simple, physical hunger.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, hunger is no longer a barrier to education in our room. Access to nutritious snacks and drinks ensures that every child enters our learning space with their basic physical needs met. When a student's stomach is not rumbling, their mind is free to engage, question, and create. I have watched energy levels stabilize and attention spans lengthen. Concepts that previously felt overwhelming during the pre-lunch slump are now tackled with clarity and persistence because my students have the physical fuel required to think critically.\r\n\r\nBeyond satisfying physical hunger, these snacks and drinks have become a powerful tool for motivation and community building. Knowing that kind supporters care enough to invest in their well-being has given my students a noticeable boost in pride and morale. They view our snack station as both a reward and a comfort, creating a warm, welcoming environment where they feel truly cared for. This sense of security motivates them to show up as their best selves every day. They are eager to participate, eager to support one another, and driven to work hard to prove that your investment in them was worthwhile.\r\n\r\nYour gift did far more than provide food and beverages; it restored focus, boosted confidence, and fostered a thriving classroom culture. You have given my students the fuel they need to succeed and the knowledge that a community of supporters believes in their potential.\r\n\r\nThank you for your incredible generosity, empathy, and dedication to helping my students thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1788295033223,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-drinks-for-a-focused-classroom/10395899/","projectTitle":"Snacks & Drinks for a Focused Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cejes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9351247_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y304&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1784737128989","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9351247"},{"teacherId":9468582,"projectId":9993563,"letterContent":"I appreciate the donation that helped fund classroom posters as well as school supplies such as folders and notebooks. The posters are especially helpful as about 7 years ago when I started my career as a teacher I funded a majority of the classroom items I need. In March 2023, I had a stroke while teaching, and I was out healing for the majority of my 4th year of teaching. When I ran out of sick days and maximized the allowance of days available from the sick day pool from the union, I had to take a non-medical leave of absence due to my situation not allowing me take FLMA. Due to this, I was officially separated from my position at my school, and despite it being unofficially known my plan was returning to my school to teach, my school threw away all my posters and school supplies (as well as personal items) as though I was a teacher not returning and who didn't pack up his stuff.\r\n\r\nThe school supplies are helpful as I can ensure every student has a notebook and folder regardless of their economic situation at home. They are able to get comfortable with the idea of taking notes in math class that they can then use at home to study and help with unfinished classroom assignments. The folder is helpful in getting them to be responsible with organization; instead of just shoving an assignment into a backpack crumpling it, they are able to put it in their folder so the page as a better chance of not being folded or wrinkled.","fullyFundedDate":1768750345555,"projectUrl":"project/helping-students-with-school-supplies-a/9993563/","projectTitle":"Helping Students with School Supplies And Motivated in Mathematics","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Daniel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9468582_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1789152320196","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9468582"},{"teacherId":9366737,"projectId":10069430,"letterContent":"On behalf of my students and myself, thank you for funding this very needed project! With food insecurity a norm for most of my students, your very generous donation allowed more than 100 kids access to food they may otherwise have not been able to secure! My passion for education and helping students was only heightened by your generosity!! Not only did your donation help my students with food insecurity have access to food but it allowed me to form strong connections with my students. With those connections came positive conversations surrounding academic performance, attendance issues that were impeding student learning as well as the ability to discuss social and emotional struggles that my students face with honesty in the hopes of finding resources to assist my students and their families. Thank you for all that you do for our kiddos!","fullyFundedDate":1772395276300,"projectUrl":"project/ms-justans-counseling-office-snack-sha/10069430/","projectTitle":"Ms. Justan's Counseling Office Snack Shack","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Justan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9366737"},{"teacherId":305952,"projectId":10083751,"letterContent":"You have put the icing on my cake this school year. It was my first year at Cortney JHS. The school population is very diverse and I was surprised to learn that there was no spotlight of Black History Month in the past. Of course I could not allow that to happen and then I had a vision which led me to creating this project. The resources purchased went to support the Black Student Union after school club which I started this year. In addition, the resources that were purchased allotted for school wide activities. There was SO MUCH EXCITEMENT and buzz with all of the activities and representation of various well known African Americans on the walls throughout the campus. Comments made by the students included \"We've never had this before, \" \"Keep doing what you are doing,\" and \"What are we doing next week?\" While it was a spotlight on Black History Month, it was inclusive of ALL cultures and students. The students had fun and yet learned about many amazing people from the past, but were also informed that they too could be someone that future students read about as they make their impact on the world. Your donation helped create a lifetime of memories for BOTH my students and I.","fullyFundedDate":1771011620467,"projectUrl":"project/spotlight-on-black-history-month/10083751/","projectTitle":"Spotlight on Black History Month","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bobbins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp305952_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y322&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1690065692112","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-bobbins"},{"teacherId":305952,"projectId":10067753,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donations. My students LOVE BrainPop. I teach sixth through eighth grade. When I first began showing BrainPop to my seventh and eighth graders they were super excited because they remembered watching some videos with the main characters (Moby the Robot and a friend) that appears in all of the videos. To be clear not the same videos' different concepts that are grade appropriate and in alignment with the various concepts that are taught. Unfortunately the older the students get, the less funny, yet educational videos are shown. However, not with BrainPop. Whenever there is a concept, holiday, or a topic the students are learning and they see that we are going to watch BrainPop there is an eruption of squeals, smiles, and students eager to see what is in store for them. Not only do the students enjoy the videos, but they truly are able to make connections to what they have already learned or what new learning is going to occur. Thank you for contributing to the full funding of this project because the students truly enjoy BrainPop!","fullyFundedDate":1771030780315,"projectUrl":"project/brain-poppin-with-brainpop/10067753/","projectTitle":"Brain Poppin With BrainPop","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bobbins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp305952_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y322&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1690065692112","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-bobbins"},{"teacherId":10163442,"projectId":10042105,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of my project, \"Motivation Matters: Rewarding Effort in 8th Grade Pre-Algebra\". Your contributions have made a meaningful difference in my classroom, and I am truly grateful.\r\n\r\nBecause of your donations, my students have been able to engage in math activities that recognize and reward their effort. The materials we received were used daily during our pre-algebra lessons, especially during interactive practice and project-based activities. These resources helped me create a system where students feel acknowledged for their persistence, not just correct answers.\r\n\r\nI've seen a noticeable increase in motivation, particularly during hands-on projects. Students who were once hesitant are now actively participating, collaborating, and even asking for more challenging problems. One memorable moment was during a group activity when a student who typically struggled stayed focused the entire period and proudly shared their work with the class. That level of confidence and engagement was something I had not seen before.\r\n\r\nYour support has helped build a classroom environment where effort is valued and students feel encouraged to keep trying. This shift has not only improved their attitude toward math but also strengthened their confidence as learners. Thank you again for investing in my students and helping make math a more positive and motivating experience for them.","fullyFundedDate":1769177571916,"projectUrl":"project/motivation-matters-rewarding-effort-in/10042105/","projectTitle":"Motivation Matters: Rewarding Effort in 8th Grade Pre-Algebra","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. M. Gabaisen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10163442_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754956756305","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10163442"},{"teacherId":10405151,"projectId":10025357,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for your generous support of our \"Finish Line Fuel Up\" project. Your investment in our 6th and 7th-grade classroom has provided essential resources that directly impact my students' ability to focus, engage, and succeed in their daily academic pursuits.\r\nThe snacks you funded serve as a vital resource for students who may otherwise struggle with fatigue, ensuring that hunger never stands in the way of their concentration. Furthermore, the addition of reliable computer mice and headphones has streamlined our digital learning initiatives, allowing students to navigate complex software and personalized lessons with technical ease. The privacy folders have also proven invaluable, as they offer students a dedicated, distraction-free environment that fosters confidence during independent work and assessments.\r\nBy providing these necessities, you have helped cultivate a classroom atmosphere where students feel both prepared and valued. Your kindness has removed significant barriers to learning, allowing my students to dedicate their full attention to their education.\r\nThank you for your commitment to our classroom and for playing such a pivotal role in helping these young learners reach the finish line of their academic goals.","fullyFundedDate":1769139513764,"projectUrl":"project/the-finish-line-fuel-up/10025357/","projectTitle":"The Finish Line Fuel Up!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Harding","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10405151"},{"teacherId":10405001,"projectId":10024650,"letterContent":"On behalf of the 8th-grade General Science students at Francis Cortney Junior High School, I am writing to express my deepest and most sincere gratitude for your incredibly generous donation of eight K'NEX STEM Education Roller Coaster sets. When I first posted this project, I envisioned a classroom where students weren't just reading about physics in a textbook, but were actively building, testing, and witnessing it in motion. Because of your kindness, that vision has become a daily reality in our classroom.\r\nThe moment the boxes arrived at Francis Cortney, the atmosphere in our science wing shifted. There is a specific kind of \"academic noise\" that every teacher hopes for—the sound of intense collaboration, the clicking of plastic parts, and the occasional \"Aha!\" moment when a track alignment finally works. Since we introduced these eight roller coaster kits, my classes have been buzzing with an electric energy that is rare to see in a traditional lecture setting.\r\nThe enrichment these kits provide is unparalleled. In middle school science, concepts like Potential and Kinetic energy can often feel abstract and difficult to visualize. However, as my students began constructing these massive, looping structures, those concepts suddenly had weight and consequence. They aren't just memorizing definitions for a test anymore; they are calculating the highest point of a lift hill to ensure there is enough gravitational potential energy to carry the car through a loop-de-loop. They are observing, in real-time, how that energy transforms into kinetic energy as the car hurtles down the track. They are seeing physics not as a set of rules in a book, but as the invisible hand that guides every thrill ride they've ever enjoyed.\r\nBeyond the raw science, these K'NEX sets have fostered a level of teamwork I haven't seen all year. My 8th graders are working in specialized teams, mirroring the roles of real-world structural and mechanical engineers. They are learning the \"soft skills\" of STEM: how to communicate a complex idea, how to troubleshoot a failure without giving up, and how to iterate on a design until it reaches peak performance. They are building more than just roller coasters; they are building confidence in their own ability to solve difficult problems.\r\nYour support has reached across all of my class periods, impacting dozens of students who now see themselves as capable scientists and engineers. For many of my students, this is the first time they have had access to high-quality STEM manipulatives of this scale. You haven't just provided \"toys\"; you have provided a bridge between classroom theory and real-world application.\r\nThank you for choosing to invest in the students of Francis Cortney Junior High. Your generosity has sparked a passion for physics that I know will stay with these students long after they leave the 8th grade. We are so grateful for your belief in our classroom and our future.\r\nWith immense gratitude,\r\n\r\n8th Grade General Science\r\nFrancis Cortney Junior High School","fullyFundedDate":1768668435331,"projectUrl":"project/society-says-we-are-we-will-someday-be/10024650/","projectTitle":"Society Says We Are, We Will Someday Be More!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Salibellas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10405001"},{"teacherId":305952,"projectId":10018450,"letterContent":"The resources used for this project has allowed so much creativity and the opportunity for students to express themselves creatively. Unfortunately many schools have removed art programs and/or there is a limited amount of both lessons and time that students are able to be expressive with art. I was able to infuse a few projects within my classes as well as extend it to students afterschool. The excitement and cheering that I saw was so exciting! I loved the enthusiasm from the students because they crave to do express themselves. The students created paintings, collaborative art posters, and binary art to name a few of the projects. Their work has been able to be displayed on the walls of the school hallways, inside of the classroom, and taken home to display at their homes. Thank you for allowing my students to shine bright by using their creativity and create colorful art.","fullyFundedDate":1768669764053,"projectUrl":"project/colorful-creative-minds/10018450/","projectTitle":"Colorful Creative Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bobbins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp305952_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y322&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1690065692112","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-bobbins"},{"teacherId":6033316,"projectId":9961432,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, my students are gaining valuable skills that go far beyond traditional learning. Using 3D printing in the classroom has helped strengthen their executive functioning skills, such as planning, organizing, and problem-solving. Students are not just learning concepts—they are applying them in meaningful ways. For example, 3D printing naturally incorporates measurement, fractions, and engineering design, while also encouraging students to use academic vocabulary to explain their ideas and processes. This hands-on approach makes learning more engaging and helps build confidence as students see their ideas come to life.\r\n\r\nThe most exciting part for students has been the ability to create something real and tangible. Watching their designs print layer by layer keeps them fully engaged and motivated. In addition to the technology, materials like foam clay and other art supplies have made a big impact as well. These tools support fine motor development, creativity, and self-expression. Many students find the artistic process calming and therapeutic, which helps with emotional regulation and allows them to feel more comfortable and successful in the classroom.\r\n\r\nI have seen several students especially thrive with these new tools. Students who may struggle with traditional assignments or communication have found new ways to express themselves through design and art. The combination of technology and hands-on materials has given them confidence and a sense of pride in their work. It has been incredibly rewarding to watch students take ownership of their learning, solve real-world problems, and feel successful. Thank you for making these meaningful learning experiences possible for our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1769731593669,"projectUrl":"project/special-education-students-cultivating/9961432/","projectTitle":"Special Education Students - Cultivating Knowledge in Unlimited Ways","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Pietrafesa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6033316_orig.jpg?crop=952,952,x560,y1144&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1767835466548","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6033316"},{"teacherId":6033316,"projectId":9959483,"letterContent":"We are so grateful for your support in bringing 3D printing into our classroom with supplies! This technology has made a huge impact on how my students learn. Instead of only reading about concepts or seeing them in pictures, students are now able to design and create real, physical objects. This hands-on experience has helped them better understand problem-solving, measurement, and design. It has also encouraged creativity, as students can turn their ideas into something they can actually hold and test.\r\n\r\nThe most exciting part for students has been watching their designs come to life on the 3D printer materials. They are fully engaged from start to finish—planning, designing, and then seeing the final product printed layer by layer. This process has sparked curiosity and motivation, even among students who are typically less interested in traditional assignments. Many students have taken extra pride in their work, carefully thinking through their designs and making improvements when something doesn't go as planned.\r\n\r\nI have also noticed that some of my quieter or more hesitant learners have really connected with this technology. Students who may struggle with writing or verbal expression have found a new way to share their ideas through design. The 3D printer has given them confidence and a sense of accomplishment. Moving forward, we are excited to continue using this technology for projects that connect to math, science, and real-world problem-solving. Thank you again for making this meaningful learning experience possible for our students!","fullyFundedDate":1767250512043,"projectUrl":"project/from-ideas-to-innovation-powering-stud/9959483/","projectTitle":"From Ideas to Innovation: Powering Student Creativity With 3D Printing","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Pietrafesa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6033316_orig.jpg?crop=952,952,x560,y1144&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1767835466548","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6033316"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_67076","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":933,"numTeachers":49,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":4,"percentBlack":25,"percentWhite":8,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":51,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":2,"percentMultiracialImputed":6,"gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"19.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":36.7,"schoolId":67076,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Francis H Cortney Junior High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Francis H Cortney Junior High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/nevada/clark-county-school-district/francis-h-cortney-junior-high-school/67076"}