{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Greenwood Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":22.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":53377,"projectId":9746339,"letterContent":"Our students were excited to see the new flag football belts come out in class. We have used flag belts for many years in our middle school PE cooperative games, but our previous set had definitely seen better days. Over time, several flags had fallen off completely, and a few of them were even taped back on with duct tape just to keep them usable. Because these are the type of belts where pulling the flag releases the entire belt, the old ones sometimes turned into a bit of an adventure. The students thought the duct tape fixes were pretty funny, but the new belts have made a huge difference. \r\n\r\nWe use the belts primarily during cooperative games like capture the flag and \"steal the stuff.\" During a recent game of capture the flag, students quickly started organizing their teams and developing strategies. Some students took on the role of defending their flag while others worked together to sneak into the opposing team's territory. With the new belts working properly, pulling off the belt is quick and clear, which keeps the focus on teamwork and strategy instead of debating whether the belt actually came off.\r\n\r\nHaving reliable equipment has made our activities run much more smoothly and has helped keep students more engaged. The games move faster, everyone gets more opportunities to participate, and we spend more time focusing on teamwork, communication, and sportsmanship. While the duct tape belts definitely gave us a few laughs over the years, these new belts have made the experience more organized, active, and enjoyable for our students.","fullyFundedDate":1766156428927,"projectUrl":"project/belts-on-game-on/9746339/","projectTitle":"Belts On, Game On!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Havens","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp53377_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y50&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757591693045","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrshavens"},{"teacherId":53377,"projectId":9795545,"letterContent":"Our students have absolutely loved using the new KanJam sets during our frisbee unit in Physical Education. When we first brought the equipment out into the gym, the tall black goals immediately caught their attention. As soon as the bright yellow frisbee came out, the questions started, \"What game are we playing?\" and \"Do we get to try that today?\"\r\n\r\nOnce we explained the rules and started playing, the excitement level went up quickly. Students work in pairs, which encourages teamwork and communication as they try to set up scoring opportunities for each other. It didn't take long before the gym filled with cheers after a great deflection or a perfectly placed throw. There were also a few moments where the yellow frisbee seemed to have a mind of its own and sailed in completely the wrong direction, which also led to laughter.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite moments happened during our first class using the equipment. A group of students who are usually a little hesitant to jump into new activities became completely engaged in the game. They were discussing strategy, encouraging their partners, and celebrating each successful throw. It was great to see them building confidence while staying active.\r\n\r\nUsing KanJam during our frisbee unit has allowed students to practice important skills like throwing accuracy, hand-eye coordination, and teamwork in a fun and active way. Because the game is easy to learn but still challenging, students of all ability levels can participate and feel successful. A few students have even become very confident in their PRO KanJam skills. \r\n\r\nOur next step is to build on these skills by having students rotate through different frisbee-based activities and eventually participate in small class tournaments. This will allow them to apply their throwing techniques, develop teamwork strategies, and continue practicing good sportsmanship.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping make these experiences possible. Your generosity has brought a lot of energy, laughter, and friendly competition to our PE classes. The KanJam sets have quickly become a favorite part of our frisbee unit.","fullyFundedDate":1766156428620,"projectUrl":"project/teamwork-in-action-kan-jam-for-pe/9795545/","projectTitle":"Teamwork in Action: Kan Jam for PE","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Havens","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp53377_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y50&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757591693045","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrshavens"},{"teacherId":10274509,"projectId":9747438,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting \"Jump Start Our Hearts\". The kids were so excited to have a jump rope of their own in class. When you have four classes at one time, it's very challenging with the lack of equipment. It was shocking to see how many kids hadn't jumped rope in their life. They loved it so much that we're trying to start a jump rope team. \r\n\r\nYour support is so appreciated with all the cuts in education. My physical education department doesn't have a budget, so we rely on donors like yourself. Thank you again for your gracious donation. I know it's just jump ropes, but it was very important to me and my kids.","fullyFundedDate":1759788219980,"projectUrl":"project/jump-start-our-hearts/9747438/","projectTitle":"Jump Start Our Hearts","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ferguson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10274509"},{"teacherId":53377,"projectId":9707015,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our PE classes have gotten a huge boost of excitement. As soon as the plyometric boxes and wall balls arrived, we set up a circuit with box jumps, box step-ups, and wall-ball slams. The kids jumped right in, literally. A few even raised the box height on their own just to see if they could take on the extra challenge. The looks on their faces when they stuck those higher jumps were priceless.\r\n\r\nWhen students walked into the gym and saw the new equipment ready to go, they were instantly buzzing. I kept hearing, \"Are we using these today?\" before class even started. What surprised me most was how many students not in that class stopped by and were genuinely bummed they wouldn't get to try the circuit that day. That's when I knew just how motivating this equipment really is.\r\n\r\nWe've already started using the boxes and wall balls in different workouts, and next up, I would like for students to start creating their own mini-circuits. They're feeling more confident, more willing to try new things, and definitely more excited about moving. Thank you for giving them tools that make fitness fun and help them challenge themselves in new ways.","fullyFundedDate":1758313737200,"projectUrl":"project/stronger-every-day-fitness-equipment-fo/9707015/","projectTitle":"Stronger Every Day: Fitness Equipment for PE","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Havens","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp53377_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y50&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757591693045","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrshavens"},{"teacherId":201990,"projectId":9177997,"letterContent":"Thank you very much for your generous donation to our classroom. I believe that physical books engage students in a more intimate way than digital books. When my current Patina books started to fall apart, I will admit I panicked! Books are so expensive, and with the new Indiana law that eliminates book rental, finding the money to replace them is harder than ever. \r\n\r\n\r\nPatina is the second book in The Track Series by Jason Reynolds. He is an award-winning author who is loved and \"read\" by kids all over the world. He tackles difficult concepts such as grief, anxiety, poverty, and family. This book, in particular, is significant because the female character tackles complex family structures, bullying in school, and grief. Students enjoy this book because it doesn't \"candy-coat\" real issues that they are facing in their own lives.\r\n\r\nWe are grateful for your donation so that we can continue to read Patina in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1742332930207,"projectUrl":"project/patina-novels-for-our-classrooms/9177997/","projectTitle":"Patina Novels for Our Classrooms","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Vaughn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp201990_orig.jpg?crop=796,796,x0,y31&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1742219743953","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/vaughnsreaders"},{"teacherId":2988645,"projectId":8519504,"letterContent":"The seeds are sprouting!\r\n\r\nWe have put together the equipment and have started planting our seeds for the science club. Our science club put together the shelves and lights, Our science group has spent two afternoons planting seeds, and when we return from spring break, we should have lots of new plants to transplant into bigger containers. So far we have lots of peppers, but look forward to doing tomatoes soon!\r\n\r\nEven if kids aren't involved in the planting of the seeds, the entire class gets to see the process of the plants as seeds, seedlings, and then the transplants. \r\n\r\nWhen we return from spring break, we will begin learning about the different parts of the plants and will continue to plant some more from seeds. Our hope is that by the middle of May we will have plenty pass on gardeners around our community.","fullyFundedDate":1723667456029,"projectUrl":"project/here-we-grow/8519504/","projectTitle":"Here We Grow!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sirkin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2988645_orig.jpg?crop=2998,2998,x179,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1721918233344","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2988645"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_20183","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":964,"numTeachers":48,"percentFrplEligible":56,"percentAsian":7,"percentBlack":7,"percentWhite":70,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":9,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"20.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":77.3,"schoolId":20183,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Greenwood Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Greenwood Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/indiana/greenwood-community-school-district/greenwood-middle-school/20183"}