{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Madison Steam Academy","outOfStateSupporters":42.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6318812,"projectId":9452984,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous donations, my first graders now have snacks that keep them fueled and focused throughout the day. Having snacks available has made a huge difference in our classroom, my students are able to stay engaged in learning without being distracted by hunger. We've made snack time part of our daily routine, using it as a quick brain break before diving into reading or math lessons. \r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the boxes of snacks arrive, their faces showed the shock and excitement! They were so thankful and couldn't wait to choose their first snack. A lot of the students were happy to know there would always be something to eat if they were hungry at school. \r\n\r\nAs we continue the year, these snacks will help us power through reading, writing, and science. While we are focusing on building reading stamina and writing longer, a quick snack break helps provide the energy we need to keep going. Thank you for supporting our classroom and helping meet a basic need that truly impacts our students' ability to learn and grow daily!","fullyFundedDate":1755192202852,"projectUrl":"project/snack-attack-fueling-first-grade-minds/9452984/","projectTitle":"Snack Attack: Fueling First Grade Minds!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Woodka","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6318812_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y61&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1694308647011","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrswoodka"},{"teacherId":417055,"projectId":9066132,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for bringing our learning to life. When we received these giant magna tiles we were so excited to just play around with them during inside recess. The kids were making huge buildings that they were able to go inside of. Once we were familiar with the building materials we started using them during our science units. \r\n\r\nWe did some research projects on animals and their habitats. The students were able to bring their habitat to life by making actual life sized habitats for their animals to go in. It was so much fun seeing the excitement on their faces when presenting their projects to their parents. Thank you so much for this fun opportunity to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1744032812812,"projectUrl":"project/life-size-building/9066132/","projectTitle":"Life Size Building","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jennifer Williams","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp417055_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1448731594863","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/417055"},{"teacherId":6318812,"projectId":9308583,"letterContent":"When our new phonics materials arrived, my students were beyond excited! Right away, we began using the resources in small groups during our phonics lessons. For example, during a recent activity, students used the pop-its and images to build words, test out different sounds, and check each other's work. It was incredible to see them so engaged and eager to practice reading skills in such an interactive way.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite moments was when a student who normally struggles with confidence lit up after building and reading a tricky word on her own. These resources are not just tools, they're confidence builders, giving students the chance to physically manipulate sounds and see their learning come to life.\r\n\r\nOur next steps are to use the materials during literacy centers so students can apply their phonics knowledge independently. We'll also be incorporating them into partner games and word-building challenges to make learning both fun and meaningful. Because of your generosity, my students now have hands-on ways to strengthen foundational reading skills that will carry them throughout the year and beyond.\r\n\r\nThank you for making this possible, you've truly made a difference in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1746648747709,"projectUrl":"project/sound-it-out/9308583/","projectTitle":"Sound It Out!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Woodka","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6318812_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y61&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1694308647011","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrswoodka"},{"teacherId":2364940,"projectId":9507970,"letterContent":"Our new hamster cage and supplies have quickly become the heart of our classroom. Students created a \"Hamster Care Team\" schedule using Google Sheets, where they record feeding times, water checks, and even the hamster's favorite snacks. This turned into a digital citizenship lesson on responsibility and accuracy in keeping digital records. One favorite moment was when students presented their first \"Hamster Daily Report\" on the projector — complete with graphs and photos they had taken.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first walked in and saw the new cage all set up, their faces lit up with pure excitement. There were gasps, squeals, and lots of curious questions. Many of them immediately started brainstorming names for our new furry friend and couldn't wait to volunteer for the first care duties. It was a moment of joy and anticipation that truly brought our class together.\r\n\r\nOur next step is to expand the \"Hamster Log\" into a digital project. Students will design a collaborative online journal, posting weekly updates, photos, and even short videos about the hamster's activities. This will give them hands-on practice with online communication, responsible sharing, and digital storytelling — key components of our digital citizenship curriculum. We also plan to create a class presentation about \"Responsible Pet Care and Digital Responsibility,\" connecting the skills they use to care for our hamster with the skills they need to care for their digital lives.","fullyFundedDate":1757594872941,"projectUrl":"project/help-us-welcome-a-tiny-new-classmate/9507970/","projectTitle":"Help Us Welcome a Tiny New Classmate!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Moore","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2364940_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753815324013","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/amoore1329"},{"teacherId":417055,"projectId":9066081,"letterContent":"Last school year my students were so excited to dive into using their giant magna tiles. We were able to do some research projects on animals habitats and for our culminating project my students created habitats. They created some of the coolest habitats using the life sized tiles. \r\n\r\nBeing able to bring projects to life is such a fun thing to do in kindergarten. The excited squeals and smiles on every child's face makes teaching so much fun! This year, I am using the magna tiles for inside recess until we are ready to bring them into our units of study. So far they are a huge hit!","fullyFundedDate":1746787221721,"projectUrl":"project/giant-builders/9066081/","projectTitle":"Giant Builders","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jennifer Williams","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp417055_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1448731594863","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/417055"},{"teacherId":8166821,"projectId":9531726,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom has been transformed in ways that are both visible and deeply meaningful. The new resources have opened doors to opportunities my students would not have had otherwise, and the impact has been immediate. I want to take a moment to share with you how these materials are being used, how my students reacted when they first arrived, and what our next steps look like as we continue to build on this momentum.\r\n\r\nWhen the boxes were first delivered, the students could hardly contain their excitement. They crowded around as we unpacked the materials, each child eager to see what had arrived. For many of them, these were tools and supplies they had never seen in person before,things they had only read about or heard mentioned in passing. Their first reactions were filled with wide eyes, smiles, and a flood of questions about what we would be doing with them. Several students asked right away if they could try things out that very moment, and a few even offered to help organize the supplies so we could get started sooner. That energy and curiosity set the tone for the lessons that followed.\r\n\r\nAlmost immediately, we began incorporating the resources into daily instruction. One of the first projects we tackled was a science lesson on force and motion. Using the new supplies, students worked in teams to design small experiments that demonstrated how objects move under different conditions. In one group, students used ramps to test how the angle affected speed; in another, they experimented with weights and levers. What would have been an abstract concept in a textbook became something tangible and exciting. I watched as students leaned in, recorded their data, and debated their results with a level of engagement that was both inspiring and affirming. The new resources allowed them to step into the role of scientists, not just students.\r\n\r\nOne of the most powerful moments came when a group of students who normally struggle with participation found themselves at the center of the activity. With the tools in hand, they became leaders,explaining their experiment to peers, making predictions, and proudly sharing their findings. The sense of confidence they displayed was something I had not seen from them before. It was a reminder that access to the right resources can unlock potential that is already there, just waiting for the opportunity to shine.\r\n\r\nAs we continue to use these materials, we are expanding our projects into cross-curricular lessons. The next big step for our class is to combine science with literacy and math by having students design an experiment, record their data, and then write reports that include charts and graphs. This project will culminate in group presentations where each team will explain their process, share results, and reflect on what they learned. Not only will this help them deepen their understanding of scientific concepts, but it will also strengthen their skills in communication, teamwork, and critical thinking.\r\n\r\nThe ripple effect of your generosity goes beyond a single lesson or project. It has created a culture of excitement around learning. My students now walk into the classroom with anticipation, eager to see how they will use the new resources each day. They feel valued, knowing that someone cared enough to invest in their future, and that message of belief in them is just as important as the materials themselves.\r\n\r\nOn behalf of our school and our rising scholars, thank you. Your contribution has sparked joy, curiosity, and confidence in our students. You've given them not only the tools to learn but also the encouragement to believe in themselves as capable learners. The journey continues, and because of you, it is filled with possibility.","fullyFundedDate":1756319205116,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-and-tools-for-stronger-learning-d/9531726/","projectTitle":"Snacks and Tools for Stronger Learning Days","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8166821_orig.jpg?crop=2464,2464,x0,y221&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754290979200","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8166821"},{"teacherId":2364940,"projectId":9202078,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of headphones for our students! Your support makes a big difference in creating a focused and comfortable environment for testing and learning. With these headphones, our students can concentrate better, minimize distractions, and perform at their best during assessments.\r\n\r\nYour generosity not only supports academic success but also shows our students that their learning matters and that our community believes in them. We are incredibly grateful to the DonorsChoose community for helping us provide tools that make a real impact in our classroom.\r\n\r\nThese headphones will continue to benefit our students well beyond testing days by supporting reading programs, interactive lessons, and independent learning activities. Thanks to your kindness, we are able to create a learning space where every child has what they need to succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1750871281537,"projectUrl":"project/keep-us-listening-and-engaged/9202078/","projectTitle":"Keep Us Listening And Engaged!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Moore","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2364940_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753815324013","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/amoore1329"},{"teacherId":2364940,"projectId":9202061,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of cushions for our Innovation Lab! Your support helps create a comfortable, creative, and inspiring space where our students can explore, invent, and collaborate.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, our students can fully enjoy their learning environment and let their creativity soar. We are so grateful for your support of Madison STEAM Academy and our mission to foster innovation and curiosity in every student.\r\n\r\nThese cushions will not only make the lab more inviting but will also encourage students to gather together, share ideas, and engage in hands-on learning experiences. Your gift is helping us build a place where children feel excited to learn and empowered to think outside the box.","fullyFundedDate":1752111122860,"projectUrl":"project/cushions-for-innovation-lab/9202061/","projectTitle":"Cushions for Innovation Lab!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Moore","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2364940_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753815324013","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/amoore1329"},{"teacherId":8166821,"projectId":7639390,"letterContent":"When the boxes of supplies arrived, my students could hardly wait to see what was inside. Their faces lit up as we unpacked the books, games, and classroom essentials. For many of them, these were resources they had never had the chance to use before. Right away, students began flipping through the decodable readers and phonics books, eager to challenge themselves with new stories. The excitement was contagious, and it turned our classroom into a space filled with curiosity and joy.\r\n\r\nWe have already started using the literacy games and decodable readers during small-group time. One group of students worked together to play a phonics game, helping each other sound out words and celebrating each success. Another group used the new readers to practice fluency, and their confidence grew with each page. The snacks and motivational items have also made a big difference, giving students the energy and encouragement they need to stay focused and engaged.\r\n\r\nOur next step is to continue building on this momentum by incorporating the books and games into daily reading routines. Students will use the resources to strengthen their decoding and comprehension skills, while also practicing independent reading with the new materials. These resources will support them in becoming stronger, more confident readers, and they now know that people outside of our school believe in their success. Your generosity has made this possible, and we are deeply grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1698873178216,"projectUrl":"project/excellence-in-the-making/7639390/","projectTitle":"Excellence in the Making","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8166821_orig.jpg?crop=2464,2464,x0,y221&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754290979200","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8166821"},{"teacherId":2364940,"projectId":9202095,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in providing paper towels and Clorox wipes for our classroom! These resources may seem simple, but they have made a huge difference in creating a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for my students to learn and grow every day.\r\n\r\nWhen the supplies first arrived, my students were excited to help unpack and organize them—especially the Clorox wipes! One student even exclaimed, \"Now we can keep our desks sparkling clean!\" It was a small but meaningful moment that showed how much they care about their learning space.\r\n\r\nWe recently completed a hands-on science project involving plant life cycles, and having a clean workspace was crucial. The students were able to safely handle soil, seeds, and water with minimal mess, thanks to the easy access to paper towels and wipes. The supplies helped us stay focused on learning, not cleanup!\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we're beginning a collaborative group project on ecosystems. Students will be rotating through different activity stations, and maintaining a tidy and sanitized space is more important than ever. Your support allows us to focus on creativity and discovery, knowing that we can keep our classroom clean and safe.\r\n\r\nThank you again for making a real impact in our learning community. We truly appreciate you!","fullyFundedDate":1745847043227,"projectUrl":"project/clean-and-tidy/9202095/","projectTitle":"Clean and Tidy!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Moore","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2364940_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753815324013","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/amoore1329"},{"teacherId":8518614,"projectId":8954160,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations to our project. Every day, my students enjoy having a snack after a long day of learning. This allows my students to take a break from the learning, talk to their friends, and reflect on the day. Since so many students in my class and throughout our school face food scarcity, having a snack also allows my students an opportunity to receive yet another \"meal\" during the school day. My students are also given the choice to take their snacks home.\r\nWithout donors like you, I would not be able to provide my students with snacks during the school day. While a snack seems like such a small concern for many, for others, it is another chance at getting something they may not receive at home. Once again, thank you so much for your support and generous donation to our classroom. It is truly appreciated.","fullyFundedDate":1736022684418,"projectUrl":"project/snackin-in-4th-grade/8954160/","projectTitle":"Snackin' In 4th Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. O'Neal","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8518614_orig.jpg?crop=902,902,x0,y153&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1666833976729","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8518614"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_19190","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":431,"numTeachers":26,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":48,"percentWhite":9,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":28,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"16.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":57.2,"schoolId":19190,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Madison Steam Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Madison Steam Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/indiana/south-bend-community-school-corporation/james-madison-primary-ctr/19190"}