{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Lois & Jerry Tarkanian Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":34.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":1746713,"projectId":9992481,"letterContent":"Thank you for the awesome donation! You are helping to give my students a new novel that will enhance their comprehension skills and make learning the standards more engaging. Having different novels to support students learning throughout the curriculum is important. For example, students' learning needs and interests are different and being able to provide different types of novels helps students learn and succeed with the provided curriculum.\r\n\r\nMy students will use the novels to build their comprehension skills with a more interesting plot. Sometimes the provided curriculum with short stories and excerpts does not provide enough or everything needed for students to fully engage with and master the material. The novels we read help provide students with the necessary engagement they need in order to learn and fully practice their comprehension skills.\r\n\r\nThis donation will help my students become better readers and build their reading stamina. They will definitely be happy that I can provide them with a more engaging experience within the classroom with the added novel. Thank you again for helping out my classroom and my students.","fullyFundedDate":1768145534362,"projectUrl":"project/learning-through-a-novel/9992481/","projectTitle":"Learning Through a Novel","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Stephanee Thomas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1746713_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1488256132473","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/stephane-thomas"},{"teacherId":3571589,"projectId":10000667,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations! My students are so appreciative of the materials you sent us. We have been happily working away using these new tools.\r\n\r\nThe new iPad has improved our student council announcements in so many ways. We have been able to create, edit, and produce high-quality event announcements to share with our whole student body. The new microphones have been a dream! Our videos have the best sound quality and help to make our videos look professional. We have learned a lot of new skills and are so proud of the work these new tools have helped us to produce.\r\n\r\nThank you also for all of the poster making supplies. We were in dire need of new markers, paint brushes, and tape. We love decorating our school and letting students know about our upcoming events. The markers really help us make our text crisp and clear. We have been exploring new fonts and the markers and new brushes help make our posters look amazing! Our posters are looking top notch because of you!\r\n\r\nThank you so much for suporting students and projects like ours. We couldn't do it without you.","fullyFundedDate":1768178058492,"projectUrl":"project/spread-the-word-with-tech/10000667/","projectTitle":"Spread the Word with Tech","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Evarts","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3571589_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1460434147839","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-evarts"},{"teacherId":10397222,"projectId":9990232,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations to support hands-on learning in our classroom. My students are full of energy and sometimes find it challenging to stay focused during traditional instruction. Providing materials that encourage movement and active participation helps them stay engaged and better apply their skills in meaningful ways. Your support truly makes a difference in creating an environment where they can learn and thrive.\r\n\r\nBecause of your kindness, my students will have more opportunities to explore, collaborate, and build confidence in their abilities. These experiences not only strengthen their academic skills but also help foster a love of learning that extends beyond the classroom. We are incredibly grateful for your support and for the positive impact you are making on our daily learning experiences.","fullyFundedDate":1768070322450,"projectUrl":"project/enhancing-an-active-autism-classroom-thr/9990232/","projectTitle":"Enhancing an Active Autism Classroom Through Hands-On Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dunakoskie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10397222_orig.jpg?crop=2200,2200,x0,y124&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1767747066881","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-dunakoskie"},{"teacherId":10397222,"projectId":9984528,"letterContent":"I cannot express my gratitude enough for everyone's generous donations. My students were absolutely thrilled when we opened our hydroponic system and seeds. One student even took the initiative to follow the directions for the large system and assembled it entirely on his own—he was incredibly proud of his accomplishment.\r\n\r\nThrough this project, we explored different methods of growing plants and discussed the benefits of hydroponic gardening compared to traditional soil planting. It provided my students with meaningful hands-on learning, while also helping them practice teamwork and develop a sense of responsibility as they cared for living plants and watched them grow.\r\n\r\nWe planted lettuce and flowers in our tabletop hydroponic systems, and they flourished. Students were excited to harvest the lettuce and use it to make salads, and they loved seeing the flowers grow big and beautiful.\r\n\r\nIn our larger hydroponic system, we planted lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, and herbs. Unfortunately, we encountered a bug infestation—aphids attacked our plants and even laid eggs in the water. We had to empty and thoroughly clean the system, and with the school year ending, we didn't have time to restart. However, this challenge became a valuable learning experience as students saw firsthand how pests can impact crops and the importance of maintaining a healthy growing environment.\r\n\r\nOverall, this was a wonderful and memorable experience for my students. We are incredibly thankful for your support and can't wait to try again next year!","fullyFundedDate":1769042127233,"projectUrl":"project/hydroponic-gardens-empower-desert-studen/9984528/","projectTitle":"Hydroponic Gardens Empower Desert Students with Autism to Grow Food","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dunakoskie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10397222_orig.jpg?crop=2200,2200,x0,y124&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1767747066881","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-dunakoskie"},{"teacherId":6213029,"projectId":10037280,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, my 6th grade science students have been actively using our new science review games to reinforce key concepts in an engaging and meaningful way. We've incorporated these games into our weekly review sessions, especially before assessments, where students work collaboratively in teams to answer questions, explain their thinking, and challenge one another. One of my favorite moments was watching a group of students excitedly debate the correct answer to a question about energy transfer—they were using academic vocabulary, referencing prior lessons, and truly thinking like scientists.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, students were immediately excited. As soon as they saw the games, there was a noticeable shift in energy in the classroom. Students who are typically hesitant to participate were eager to join in, and many asked if we could \"play again\" the next day. It created a positive, low-stress environment where all students felt comfortable engaging with the content.\r\n\r\nThese resources have allowed me to turn review time into something students genuinely look forward to, while still maintaining a strong focus on learning and mastery. Moving forward, we will continue using the games to prepare for upcoming units and assessments, and I plan to incorporate them into small group rotations so students can target specific skills and concepts they need to strengthen. My goal is to continue building student confidence and deepen their understanding of science through interactive and collaborative learning experiences.\r\n\r\nThank you again for making this possible—your support has had a direct and meaningful impact on both student engagement and achievement in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1768754528476,"projectUrl":"project/science-review-games-for-tms-students/10037280/","projectTitle":"Science Review Games For TMS Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Thompson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp6213029_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1548041653621","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6213029"},{"teacherId":9508045,"projectId":10012395,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and helping bring our Thinking Classroom to life! Your generosity is already making a meaningful impact on my 7th grade students.\r\n\r\nWith the whiteboards, markers, and LCD writing boards, students now have the freedom to explore new ideas without the fear of making mistakes. These tools have transformed the way they approach learning—encouraging them to take risks, share their thinking, and actively engage in problem-solving. As they move around the room and work collaboratively, they are not only practicing new skills but also learning from one another in powerful ways.\r\n\r\nI have already seen a shift in my students' confidence and participation. More students are willing to contribute, explain their reasoning, and try different strategies. They are beginning to understand that learning is a process, and that mistakes are an important part of growth.\r\n\r\nYour support is helping my students become independent thinkers, strong collaborators, and resilient problem solvers. Most importantly, it is helping them see that each of them brings unique strengths to our classroom community. Together, they are discovering that they can tackle challenges as a team and achieve success.\r\n\r\nThank you again for believing in my students and investing in their future. Your kindness is opening doors to endless possibilities in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1768537167822,"projectUrl":"project/building-a-thinking-classroom/10012395/","projectTitle":"Building a Thinking Classroom!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Baxter","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9508045_orig.jpg?crop=328,328,x220,y18&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1712597877326","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9508045"},{"teacherId":10398837,"projectId":9991308,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of my 7th–8th grade special education math classroom. Your donation has made a meaningful difference in how my students access and engage with math every day. The TI-30XIIS calculators have become an essential accommodation, allowing students to focus on problem-solving and conceptual understanding without being hindered by computation challenges.\r\n\r\nThe hands-on resources you provided have truly transformed our learning environment. The Picasso tiles have been incredibly impactful as we explore surface area, giving students a visual and tactile way to understand concepts that are often difficult to grasp on paper. The XY-axis graph dry erase boards with coordinate grids have also greatly increased engagement—each student can graph on their own board and hold it up, allowing me to quickly check for understanding and provide immediate feedback. In addition, students loved playing Pre-Algebra Bingo, especially with Jolly Ranchers as incentives for participation and winning. It's been a fun and effective way to reinforce skills, especially during times before school breaks when many classes rely on passive activities. Instead, my students stay engaged in meaningful learning through games.\r\n\r\nFinally, the golf pencils have truly been a lifesaver. At the start of the year, I went through 48 full-size pencils in just two weeks because they were not returned. With the golf pencils, students recognize they are classroom tools and return them consistently each day. This simple solution has helped ensure that every student is prepared to learn each day. Your generosity has removed barriers, increased engagement, and created a more positive and productive classroom experience for all of my students. Thank you again for your incredible support.","fullyFundedDate":1768078062548,"projectUrl":"project/math-that-makes-sense-hands-on-learning/9991308/","projectTitle":"Math That Makes Sense: Hands-On Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ujvary","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10398837"},{"teacherId":4802898,"projectId":9990433,"letterContent":"This project has immensely helped my band program. Reeds are very expensive and the fact that I was able to stock up on these to provide for my students free of charge has been so helpful. Sometimes a student may break a reed in class and if I don't have any on hand they go the rest of the class (or sometimes week) without being able to play. These reeds have kept my students engaged and sounding good. \r\n\r\nThe percussion equipment has also been very nice to have. The procurement of a high quality snare drum stand and xylophone mallets have made playing very enjoyable for my percussionists.","fullyFundedDate":1768066455115,"projectUrl":"project/music-supplies-for-our-middle-school-ban/9990433/","projectTitle":"Music Supplies for our Middle School Band","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Feld","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4802898_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1505587381922","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4802898"},{"teacherId":1677231,"projectId":9992225,"letterContent":"Words cannot fully capture the pure electricity that filled our classroom when your packages arrived! The moment the students saw the new rocking chairs, there were literal cheers. They were so incredibly eager to test them out, and seeing their faces light up as they realized these were just for them was a highlight of our school year. The reading incentive toys created just as much buzz; my students have been hovering around the prize display, more motivated than ever to hit their literacy goals just to earn a chance to pick one out.\r\n\r\nThe impact of your generosity is already visible in our daily routine. The rocking chairs have become the most coveted spots in the room, providing a soothing motion that helps my more energetic learners stay focused and calm during independent reading time. Meanwhile, the reading incentives have completely transformed our classroom culture; students who used to struggle with stamina are now pushing themselves to read \"just one more chapter\" to earn their next reward. Thank you for investing in our classroom and for giving my students the tools—and the spark—they need to fall in love with learning.","fullyFundedDate":1768096433410,"projectUrl":"project/creating-a-cozy-corner-comfort-meets-li/9992225/","projectTitle":"Creating a Cozy Corner: Comfort Meets Literacy","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Muraco","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1677231_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1633778497423","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1677231"},{"teacherId":3901966,"projectId":10019981,"letterContent":"Thank you for your your generous donations. My students use the whiteboards, markers, erasers, and pencils daily to work out daily math problems. We also use the whiteboards to write and show me their answers to warm-up questions at the beginning of our daily lessons. \r\n I use the large Post-it pads to create anchor charts to help the students remember the steps to use to solve problems. When using various strategies, the anchor charts help t h em to remember all of the steps involved.. \r\n When working with larger numbers, the students use the calculators to divide and multiply. We are currently learning about different pairs of angles, and the calculators help the students find the missing angle measurements. \r\n Thank you again for your generous donations. My students appreciate being able to use updated whiteboards and calculators.","fullyFundedDate":1768622253194,"projectUrl":"project/were-math-students-of-course-we-have/10019981/","projectTitle":"We're Math Students - Of Course, We Have Problems!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Williams","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3901966"},{"teacherId":10399134,"projectId":9995377,"letterContent":"Donating science kits and headsets to classrooms has a powerful and lasting impact on student learning, engagement, and overall academic success. These resources help bridge gaps in access, enhance hands-on learning, and support diverse learning styles, especially in today's technology-driven educational environment.\r\n\r\nScience kits play a critical role in making abstract concepts tangible and meaningful. When students are able to touch, build, test, and observe real materials, science becomes more than just words in a textbook. Hands-on experiments allow students to apply scientific concepts such as energy transfer, chemical reactions, forces, and ecosystems in real-life scenarios. This kind of experiential learning improves comprehension, strengthens problem-solving skills, and increases retention of knowledge. Students become active participants rather than passive learners, which boosts curiosity and motivation. For many students, science kits spark an interest in STEM fields and encourage them to ask questions, make predictions, and think critically—skills that are essential for future academic and career success.\r\n\r\nIn addition, science kits promote collaboration and communication. Students often work in pairs or small groups, learning how to share ideas, divide tasks, and solve problems together. These collaborative experiences build teamwork and leadership skills while also fostering confidence. For classrooms with limited resources, donated science kits ensure that all students have equal opportunities to participate in experiments, reducing inequities and creating a more inclusive learning environment.\r\n\r\nHeadsets also play a significant role in enhancing classroom instruction, particularly in today's digital and blended learning settings. With the increasing use of online platforms, videos, simulations, and interactive lessons, headsets help students stay focused and engaged without distractions. They allow learners to clearly hear instructions, educational videos, or virtual labs, which is especially beneficial in classrooms with varying noise levels. Headsets also support students who require accommodations, such as English language learners or students with auditory processing needs, by providing clearer audio and individualized pacing.\r\n\r\nFurthermore, headsets promote independence and accountability. Students can work at their own pace, revisit instructions, and take ownership of their learning. Teachers are also able to provide differentiated instruction more effectively, allowing students to access content that matches their learning level while maintaining classroom order.\r\n\r\nOverall, donating science kits and headsets significantly enhances the quality of education. These tools create engaging, hands-on learning experiences, support diverse learners, and promote equity in the classroom. More importantly, they inspire curiosity, confidence, and a love for learning—qualities that extend far beyond the classroom and help prepare students for future academic and career success.","fullyFundedDate":1768137147586,"projectUrl":"project/future-scientists/9995377/","projectTitle":"Future Scientists!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lacsamana","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10399134"},{"teacherId":1746713,"projectId":9834461,"letterContent":"Thank you for the awesome donation! You are helping to give my students a supplemental curriculum that will enhance the current provided curriculum and make learning the curriculum more engaging for students. Having supplemental materials to support students learning throughout the curriculum is important. For example, students' learning needs are different and being able to provide differentiated instruction through supplemental curriculum helps students learn and succeed with the provided curriculum.\r\n\r\nMy students will use the supplemental curriculum to build their writing and comprehension skills. Sometimes the provided curriculum does not provide enough or everything needed for students to fully engage with and master the material. The supplemental curriculum materials help provide students with the necessary practice and engagement they need in order to learn.\r\n\r\nThis donation will help my students become better readers and writers. They will definitely be happy that I can provide them with a more engaging experience within the classroom with the added supplemental materials. Thank you again for helping out my classroom and my students.","fullyFundedDate":1762267466967,"projectUrl":"project/supplementing-the-curriculum/9834461/","projectTitle":"Supplementing The Curriculum","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Stephanee Thomas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1746713_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1488256132473","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/stephane-thomas"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_32148","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1313,"numTeachers":68,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":16,"percentBlack":12,"percentWhite":24,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":29,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":3,"percentMultiracialImputed":13,"gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"19.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":65.9,"schoolId":32148,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Lois & Jerry Tarkanian Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Lois & Jerry Tarkanian Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/nevada/clark-county-school-district/lois-jerry-tarkanian-mid-school/32148"}