{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Junior High School 190 Russell Sage","outOfStateSupporters":18.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8721970,"projectId":8763966,"letterContent":"I cannot express enough gratitude for your incredible support of my DonorsChoose project, Surviving School with Snacks and Language Support. Because of your generosity, my students now have access to essential resources that are making a real difference in their daily learning experience. Over the years, your kindness has helped fund multiple projects in my classroom, supporting countless students on their path to becoming confident Spanish speakers. Your contributions don't just provide materials—they create opportunities for engagement, growth, and a love of language learning that will last a lifetime.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the materials, their faces lit up with excitement and relief. The simple act of having snacks available has eased their worries about hunger, allowing them to focus on their studies. Meanwhile, the language support resources have been a game changer, giving my students—many of whom are English Language Learners—the tools they need to thrive in a multilingual environment. Recently, we used these resources during a shopping and clothing unit, where students practiced real-world conversations, using circumlocution and comprehensible input to navigate Spanish dialogues just as they would in everyday life. Watching them apply ACTFL proficiency benchmarks and NY World Language Standards in a meaningful way has been inspiring.\r\n\r\nYour support enables me to be creative in my teaching, making Spanish accessible and engaging for students who might not otherwise see its value. As we continue our journey, we are focusing on building lifelong language skills, developing cultural understanding, and fostering confidence in communication. The impact of your generosity goes far beyond this project—you are shaping the future of world language learners, and I could not do this without you. Thank you for believing in my students and for being such a vital part of our classroom community.","fullyFundedDate":1733452708839,"projectUrl":"project/surviving-school-with-snacks-and-languag/8763966/","projectTitle":"Surviving School with Snacks and Language Support","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Amster","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8721970_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y128&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1663946948146","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-amster"},{"teacherId":8721970,"projectId":8788179,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my classroom through your contributions to the \"Beginning with Bueno Bucks: Classroom Management to Empower Students\" project on DonorsChoose! Your generosity has had a transformative impact on my students and their learning experience. Thanks to you, my classroom has become a space where creativity thrives, and students feel valued, engaged, and inspired to learn Spanish.\r\n\r\nWhen the Bueno Bucks materials arrived, my students were thrilled—their faces lit up with excitement and curiosity. This system has been a game-changer in helping me foster a positive classroom environment while teaching essential life skills. For example, students now eagerly manage their Bueno Bucks to \"purchase\" rewards, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility. One memorable moment was when a student proudly used their saved Bueno Bucks to earn extra time for a favorite classroom activity—their joy and pride were contagious, inspiring their peers to follow suit.\r\n\r\nIncorporating the Bueno Bucks system has enhanced my ability to teach lifelong Spanish learning skills using methods such as circumlocution, comprehensible input, and the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines and Benchmarks. Students are beginning to embrace their language-learning journey by focusing on communication rather than perfection. Through scaffolded activities aligned with the NY World Language Learning Standards, my students are progressing from Novice-Mid toward Novice-High or Intermediate-Low proficiency levels. They are learning how to express themselves creatively, whether by describing unfamiliar terms or using gestures to communicate ideas—skills they will carry with them well beyond the classroom.\r\n\r\nYour support also allows me to address challenges unique to post-COVID learning. Many students struggle with engagement and often question the value of learning a world language. The Bueno Bucks system has been instrumental in reigniting their motivation. By tying rewards to their efforts and progress, students see tangible evidence of their hard work and growth. It has been wonderful to witness their excitement as they achieve their goals and discover the joy of learning Spanish.\r\n\r\nI could not do what I do without your help. You make it possible for me to find creative ways to engage my students and reignite their love for learning. Your belief in my classroom and my students means the world to me. On behalf of all of us, thank you for your kindness, vision, and unwavering support. 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The new resources made the activity come alive, and I was so proud to see even my more hesitant learners actively participating, laughing, and practicing Spanish with enthusiasm.\r\n\r\nIncorporating these materials has also enhanced my ability to teach lifelong Spanish learning skills using methods such as circumlocution, comprehensible input, and the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines and Benchmarks. Students are beginning to embrace their language-learning journey by focusing on communication rather than perfection. Through scaffolded activities aligned with the NY World Language Learning Standards, my students are progressing from Novice-Mid toward Novice-High or Intermediate-Low proficiency levels. They are learning how to express themselves creatively, whether by describing unfamiliar terms or using gestures to communicate ideas—skills they will carry with them well beyond the classroom.\r\n\r\nYour support also allows me to address challenges unique to post-COVID learning. 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Join the 322 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Junior High School 190 Russell Sage is
an urban public school
in Forest Hills, New York that is part of New York City Dept Of Ed.
It serves 934 students
in grades 6 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 17.3:1.
Its teachers have had 68 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. Each classroom request for funding was created by a classroom teacher and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
of students receive free or reduced price lunch
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Source: the National Center for Education Statistics
68%
of students are Black, Latino, Native
American, or Asian
Data about school demographics comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. The numbers in this chart may not add up to 100% because of limitations in the available data.
Junior High School 190 Russell Sage Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 4, 2025
DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students
in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.
Junior High School 190 Russell Sage
$37,649
raised using DonorsChoose
68
projects
funded
26
teachers
funded
322
donors
9
projects
for
basic supplies
8
projects for
technology
9
projects for
books
1
project
for
art supplies
Junior High School 190 Russell Sage has received support from
261 individuals from New York and
61 individuals out-of-state.