{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Helena Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":37.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9714973,"projectId":9665315,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of the A Long Walk to Water novel set. Our students were thrilled to learn that each of them would receive their own copy to use throughout our novel study. In previous years, we only had a limited number of books and often had to project the text on the board. Having physical copies made a difference, especially with a novel told through two perspectives, where changes in font and color help students experience each character's voice more clearly.\r\n\r\nThroughout the unit, students engaged in a variety of tasks that deepened their understanding of the story and connected meaningfully to our essential question: How will I impact the world? They completed quick writes on topics such as imagining life without access to water and reflecting on personal experiences with culture shock. These writing prompts encouraged them to think critically about the novel's themes and the ways culture shapes identity. At the end of the unit, students demonstrated their learning by responding to short essay questions. Their thoughtful answers showed just how the novel broadened their worldview, expanded their thinking, and nurtured empathy for others.","fullyFundedDate":1760706607060,"projectUrl":"project/helping-my-students-think-about-impactin/9665315/","projectTitle":"Helping my Students Think About Impacting the World","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Linder","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9714973_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756523114751","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9714973"},{"teacherId":9936157,"projectId":9144007,"letterContent":"Thank you for your support of my classroom. Upon receiving the new headphones last spring the kids were beyond thrilled to have working headphones that fit their heads! Numerous students in my classes benefit from hearing text read to them to aid in their comprehension. At least once a week students in my classes read an article and annotate the text. This means they record questions, makes notes of ideas, highlight important details and more. Their ability to better understand the text is supported by hearing a narrator read to them while they annotate. \r\n\r\nThe students also greatly benefited from the material used for collaborative work. In my classroom students frequently work together on small groups to create visuals models with explanations to process concepts and demonstrate their understanding. This process also helps me to see how their learning is progressing and if there are areas I need to retreach or review.","fullyFundedDate":1742910699698,"projectUrl":"project/learning-science-through-different-modal/9144007/","projectTitle":"Learning Science Through Different Modalities","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Burke","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9936157_orig.jpg?crop=1440,1440,x0,y144&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1741210498012","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9936157"},{"teacherId":9844121,"projectId":9102885,"letterContent":"We're writing to express our sincere gratitude for your incredibly generous donation of new trumpet cases for our school's rental instruments. Your support makes a tangible difference in the lives of our young musicians.\r\n\r\nThe Impact of Your Generosity\r\nOur rental instruments are a vital resource, allowing students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to explore their musical talents. However, over time, the cases for these instruments wear down. Dented, broken, or missing cases leave instruments vulnerable to damage, leading to costly repairs and less time in students' hands.\r\n\r\nYour gift of new, sturdy trumpet cases directly addresses this challenge. Now, each trumpet in our rental program is properly protected, ensuring its longevity and safeguarding our investment in music education. This means:\r\n\r\nMore play time: With instruments better protected, they'll spend less time in the repair shop and more time in the hands of eager students learning and practicing.\r\n\r\nReduced repair costs: Your donation helps us avoid significant repair expenses down the line, allowing us to allocate those funds to other essential program needs.\r\n\r\nPride and care: Our students will feel a greater sense of pride in their instruments, knowing they are well-cared for, which often translates to greater engagement and responsibility.\r\n\r\nAccessibility: By keeping our instruments in top condition, we can continue to offer an affordable rental program, making music accessible to a wider range of students in our community.\r\n\r\nA Brighter Future for Our Musicians\r\nThanks to your thoughtfulness, our aspiring trumpet players can focus on mastering their scales and learning new pieces, knowing their instruments are safe and sound. Your contribution directly supports their musical journey and helps foster a lifelong love of music.\r\n\r\nWe would love to share with you the positive impact of your donation firsthand. Please feel free to reach out if you would like to visit our music department and see the new cases in action.\r\n\r\nThank you once again for your commitment to our students and our music program.","fullyFundedDate":1742942331802,"projectUrl":"project/trumpet-cases-for-school-rental-instrume/9102885/","projectTitle":"Trumpet Cases for School Rental Instruments","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Reiter","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9844121_orig.jpg?crop=957,957,x702,y90&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1738686099186","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-reiter"},{"teacherId":9844121,"projectId":9102868,"letterContent":"On behalf of our entire band program, especially our dedicated young musicians using school instruments, we want to extend our sincerest gratitude for your incredibly thoughtful donation of clarinet cases. Your generosity has made a tangible and immediate difference in the lives of our students.\r\n\r\nLearning to play an instrument is a journey that requires dedication, passion, and, crucially, the right tools. For many of our students, protecting their instruments is a significant concern. A damaged instrument can mean missed practice, financial strain, and a disheartening setback in their musical development. Your gift of high-quality clarinet cases provides the essential protection our students need, allowing them to safely transport their instruments to and from lessons, rehearsals, and performances.\r\n\r\nBeyond the practical benefit, your donation offers invaluable peace of mind to both students and their families. It ensures that these young musicians can focus on honing their skills and expressing their creativity, knowing that their valuable clarinets are secure. This support directly fosters their musical passion, helping them to continue their studies and grow as artists.\r\n\r\nYour commitment to music education is truly inspiring. Gifts like yours are the foundation of our program, enabling us to remove barriers and provide enriching opportunities for all students. Thank you for investing in their talents and their future.","fullyFundedDate":1740088709248,"projectUrl":"project/clarinet-cases-for-school-rental-instrum/9102868/","projectTitle":"Clarinet Cases for School Rental Instruments","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Reiter","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9844121_orig.jpg?crop=957,957,x702,y90&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1738686099186","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-reiter"},{"teacherId":858507,"projectId":9040087,"letterContent":"By the time students reach the eight grade, they are generally reading for information and entertainment, instead of learning to read. I've also found that for some reason the joy of reading has been sucked out of them, or really, as I see it, not nourished and allowed to flower.\r\n\r\nIn many studies on reading, once a basic level of fluency is developed, increasing vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension comes with practice. Which, like shooting hoops or playing that trumpet, comes with time and intention. The concept is also true for reading, students must be intentionally practicing, and studies show that it doesn't matter what you read, as long as you read and are interested, you're going to learn. Thus, the need for a lot of books on a variety of topics. These manga titles are excellent and are of high interest and you that gap. Thank you so much. These will help many students keep engaged in their reading practice throughout the years.","fullyFundedDate":1742909612986,"projectUrl":"project/gaga-for-more-manga/9040087/","projectTitle":"Gaga for More Manga","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Franzen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp858507_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1615393484988","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrfranzen"},{"teacherId":9844121,"projectId":9102815,"letterContent":"The project's provision of a month's supply of reeds for clarinet and saxophone students in our band classroom has had a significant positive impact on their musical development and overall engagement. The students expressed great excitement and gratitude upon receiving the reeds, recognizing the immediate benefit to their practice and performance. By removing the financial barrier of reed costs, students were able to consistently practice and improve their playing skills. This consistent access to essential materials has not only enhanced their technical abilities but also fostered a deeper connection to their instruments and the music they create.\r\n\r\nFurthermore, the project has contributed to a more equitable and inclusive music program. Students who may have previously struggled to afford reeds were given the same opportunities as their peers, promoting a sense of belonging and encouraging their continued participation in band and orchestra. The support provided by this project has allowed these young musicians to focus on their artistic growth, unhindered by financial constraints, ultimately enriching the entire musical community.","fullyFundedDate":1739202445196,"projectUrl":"project/saxophone-and-clarinet-reeds/9102815/","projectTitle":"Saxophone and Clarinet Reeds","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Reiter","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9844121_orig.jpg?crop=957,957,x702,y90&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1738686099186","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-reiter"},{"teacherId":9776700,"projectId":8818121,"letterContent":"Thank you for the donation to our classroom. The hands on manipulatives have been a game changer - especially to those who struggle with math. Being able to see why the concepts work and truly dig into the material has opened doors to learning. \r\n\r\nWhen students first saw and used the manipulatives, they were a little nervous and not excited about \"another new way\". But, once students saw how they explained the math and made answers make sense, they were so excited. My students ask for me to get the supplies out. (Because of this, they are now on the back shelf and can be accessed at any time they think they would be useful!) Students have been so excited to have a new way to learn material they used to find complicated.\r\n\r\nThank you for opening the doors to learning. I am very thankful!","fullyFundedDate":1728919614801,"projectUrl":"project/magnetizing-math-manipulatives/8818121/","projectTitle":"Magnetizing Math Manipulatives","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Mooney","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9776700"},{"teacherId":4029737,"projectId":8681943,"letterContent":"Students are having some incredible conversations around texts and their models. The laminated texts work hand in hand with the models students create. \r\n\r\nThe models in the pictures attached here show initial models of the journey of a man by the name of Felix Baumgartner who broke multiple free fall records. The goal of this pre-assessment is to gather students' initial understandings of gravity. From here, students will use laminated texts and other experiences to learn about gravity and then revise and discuss their models. \r\n\r\nThank you for supporting our classroom with materials that make the science learning progressive, active and lively.","fullyFundedDate":1724359076444,"projectUrl":"project/read-write-model-talk-science/8681943/","projectTitle":"Read, Write, Model, Talk Science!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Grotbo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4029737_orig.jpg?crop=334,334,x0,y50&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1552334322007","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4029737"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_78535","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":671,"numTeachers":44,"percentFrplEligible":30,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":83,"percentIndigenous":2,"percentLatinx":6,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"15.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":62.8,"schoolId":78535,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Helena Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Helena Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/montana/helena-school-district-1/helena-middle-school/78535"}