{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Gavilan View Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":23.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2821618,"projectId":9853426,"letterContent":"I cannot thank you enough for funding shoulder rests for my string students. Many people are unfamiliar with what shoulder rests are or the impact they have on violin and viola players. Even as their music director—and not a string specialist myself—I didn't fully realize their importance until I saw my students put them on their instruments.\r\n\r\nAlmost immediately, two things happened. First, students' posture improved dramatically. Backs were straighter, arms were properly raised, and there were no more \"limp wings,\" as we affectionately call drooping arms. With better posture came better sound. Using a proper shoulder rest has made it easier for students to hold their instruments correctly, resulting in improved tone quality. As a result, students are less likely to feel frustrated and more likely to feel successful.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, the days of sponges and rubber bands as makeshift shoulder rests are behind us. We are now entering a time of deeper learning, greater confidence, and many wonderful concerts ahead.","fullyFundedDate":1761791997216,"projectUrl":"project/stop-the-drooping-arms/9853426/","projectTitle":"Stop the Drooping Arms!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gehling","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2821618_orig.png?crop=288,288,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1714072236043","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2821618"},{"teacherId":9863188,"projectId":9121421,"letterContent":"When this project was first introduced, students were curious but also unsure. Many had never heard of a Little Free Library and didn't quite understand what it was or how it worked. After seeing examples and learning about the idea of \"take a book, share a book,\" their curiosity grew. Students began asking thoughtful questions, imagining what kinds of books might be inside, and wondering who else in the community might use it. What started as uncertainty slowly turned into excitement about bringing something new and meaningful to our school.\r\n\r\nAs students learned more, they began to see the Little Free Library as a way to connect beyond the classroom. They understood that it would be a shared space for students, families, community members, and even future students who haven't yet joined our school. It also sparked meaningful conversations about access to books and how this library could support members of our community who may not always be able to buy books. For students who don't usually choose to read, the visibility and openness of the Little Free Library make reading feel more approachable and inviting.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, this project will help more students discover books they enjoy and learn about a resource they can return to again and again. It's a small space with a significant impact, building curiosity, connection, and a love of reading across our community. Thank you so much for your generosity and support. We are truly grateful for the role you've played in helping make reading accessible, welcoming, and shared for all.","fullyFundedDate":1746786161902,"projectUrl":"project/reading-together-little-free-library/9121421/","projectTitle":"Reading Together: Little Free Library","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cuevas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9863188_orig.png?crop=288,288,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1734042638905","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-alexthelibrarian"},{"teacherId":9863188,"projectId":9121329,"letterContent":"This project has brought a lot of excitement and energy into our library! When students first saw the new board games, their reactions were immediate: smiles, curiosity, and lots of \"Can we play this one?\" The library has started hosting board game days and welcoming classes to play together, and it's been amazing to see how quickly students jump in. One of the best moments has been watching students from different friend groups (or who don't usually interact at all) sit down at the same table, figure out the rules together, and start working as a team.\r\n\r\nThe games have turned the library into a relaxed, welcoming space where students can connect in ways that don't always happen during the regular school day. Students are practicing teamwork, communication, and problem-solving without even realizing they're learning. Shy or quiet students often shine during gameplay, and the shared experience makes it easy for everyone to talk, laugh, and collaborate. The library now feels like a true hub for connection, not just a place to check out books.\r\n\r\nNext steps include continuing to grow these board game opportunities through regular library game days and structured class visits. We're also starting conversations about how students can reflect on skills like cooperation, patience, and strategy after playing. Thanks to your support, the library has become a space where students can build friendships, learn from one another, and feel a stronger sense of belonging, all through the simple joy of playing games together. \r\n\r\nThank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1742582875697,"projectUrl":"project/play-connect-succeed-teamwork-through/9121329/","projectTitle":"Play, Connect, Succeed: Teamwork Through Board Games!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cuevas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9863188_orig.png?crop=288,288,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1734042638905","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-alexthelibrarian"},{"teacherId":9863188,"projectId":9121136,"letterContent":"One of the most important outcomes of this project has been the greater engagement students show with Ghost Boys compared to some of the older novels in our library collection. While those books served their purpose for many years, some felt outdated or hard for students to relate to. Ghost Boys speaks to issues students recognize and care about, which has made a noticeable difference in their willingness to read, discuss, and think deeply about the text. Students are more eager to participate, ask questions, and make personal connections, turning reading into an experience that feels relevant and meaningful.\r\n\r\nBecause this class set lives in the library, multiple classrooms can share in that experience. Teachers are using the book for whole-class novels, small groups, and cross-class discussions. Students are engaging in thoughtful conversations, journaling, and collaborative work that goes beyond basic comprehension. The shared access has helped create a stronger sense of connection between students as they explore the same themes and ideas together.\r\n\r\nThis project also marks the beginning of a much-needed refresh of our library's class set collection. Adding newer classics and impactful stories, such as Ghost Boys, helps more students see themselves reflected in literature while also learning to understand others' experiences. These updated texts are assisting students to build empathy, compassion, and a stronger connection to reading, benefits that will extend to many classrooms and students for years to come. Thank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1743009681642,"projectUrl":"project/empathy-justice-and-change-ghost-boys/9121136/","projectTitle":"Empathy, Justice, and Change: Ghost Boys for My Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cuevas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9863188_orig.png?crop=288,288,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1734042638905","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-alexthelibrarian"},{"teacherId":9863188,"projectId":9215445,"letterContent":"The female athletes book donations have brought a fresh wave of energy to our school library. While these books are about sports, they are teaching our students much more than just scores and stats. We're using these stories to dive into big concepts like resilience and growth mindset, showing kids that the \"grit\" they see on the court is the same focus they need when tackling a tough math problem or a complex essay. It's been a joy to watch our library time transform; instead of students just browsing the shelves, there's a real buzz as they trade books and share facts about their favorite female athletes.\r\n\r\nHaving these titles in our central library means they are accessible to everyone, and the impact has been immediate. I've noticed a specific group of students, the ones who usually spend every recess on the blacktop and used to see reading as a chore, now coming to the library to grab the latest sports books on the \"New Arrivals\" shelf. One female student told me she was super excited to see updated copies of her favorite soccer player who plays on the women's USA team! Seeing her light up while reading about women who have broken barriers is exactly why I do this. Your support has helped our students see that their interests belong in books, and that the library is a place where every kind of dream is represented, especially women is sports!","fullyFundedDate":1746785734416,"projectUrl":"project/game-changers-books-that-inspire-future/9215445/","projectTitle":"Game Changers: Books That Inspire Future Female Athletes","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cuevas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9863188_orig.png?crop=288,288,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1734042638905","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-alexthelibrarian"},{"teacherId":9863188,"projectId":9121041,"letterContent":"We are grateful for your generous donation, which has enabled us to bring the incredible book, The House on Mango Street, to our library. This project was a collective request from several of our teachers who identified a real need for it, and your support has enabled us to create a permanent class set for everyone to use. By making this story accessible to all, you have helped us introduce powerful lessons and skills. Students are learning to analyze how author Sandra Cisneros uses vivid vignettes to create a sense of place and character, and we are engaging in lively discussions about the universal themes of identity, belonging, and the importance of finding one's voice. \r\n\r\nIn this educational climate it is more important than ever for students to feel seen and heard, this book is a profound act of support. It is not just a beautiful piece of literature; it is a mirror that reflects the lives, cultures, and experiences of our students back to them. The main character, Esperanza, is figuring out who she is and where she belongs, a journey many of our students can deeply relate to. This novel gives a voice to those who might not feel heard, providing them with a literary space where they can feel seen and understood. Your donation ensures that our students can find themselves in the stories they read, showing them that their backgrounds and communities are worthy of being celebrated. We have already seen the impact this book is having. The very first class to check it out was buzzing with engagement. Their teacher shared that she had a lot more students interact and discuss their thoughts and feelings on the book's content than she had seen with other texts. It is clear that this book is resonating deeply with our students. Thank you, once again, for your incredible generosity and for helping to bring this vital story to our community.","fullyFundedDate":1746785743633,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-hispanic-stories-to-life-the-h/9121041/","projectTitle":"Bringing Hispanic Stories to Life: The House on Mango Street","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cuevas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9863188_orig.png?crop=288,288,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1734042638905","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-alexthelibrarian"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_50103","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":568,"numTeachers":17,"percentFrplEligible":77,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":4,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":90,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"33.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":76.9,"schoolId":50103,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Gavilan View Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Gavilan View Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/santa-rita-union-school-district/gavilan-view-middle-school/50103"}