{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Merrillville Intermediate School","outOfStateSupporters":44.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9592109,"projectId":9558780,"letterContent":"Thank for creating an atmosphere that students enjoyed working in. Students were organized, because of the supplies were neatly stored. Students had the space and control to design thier projects without unnecessary hang-ups such as; the inability to find materials and tools. Students were able to use their class time to work on projects rather than worrying about where materials were. A calm classroom is a wonderful learning environment, and thank you again for providing that for the students and teacher.","fullyFundedDate":1758202646711,"projectUrl":"project/a-place-for-everything-cultivating-a-ca/9558780/","projectTitle":"A Place for Everything: Cultivating a Calm and Creative Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pierce","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9592109_orig.jpg?crop=2208,2208,x0,y368&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720934628729","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mspierceclass"},{"teacherId":8313063,"projectId":10405114,"letterContent":"On behalf of our students and staff, thank you for your generous support of our Period Poverty project. Because of your donation, our school is now stocked with pads, liners, and wipes, everyday essentials, that many of our students previously went without.\r\n\r\nThis summer we have experienced two traumatic storms that have left the community in shambles. Period poverty is a reality for far too many students. When a student doesn't have access to menstrual products, the effects reach well beyond discomfort. Students may miss class, avoid school activities, or feel embarrassed and distracted during the school day simply because they lack a basic necessity. For many families, the cost of these products competes with rent, groceries, and other essentials, meaning something as simple as a pad or liner can become a genuine hardship.\r\n\r\nWith the pads, liners, and wipes you provided, our students now have discreet, reliable access to menstrual products whenever they need them in every class. No permission slips, no embarrassment, no missed instructional time. \r\n\r\nThis project has reinforced something we believe deeply: students can't focus on learning if their basic needs aren't met. Thanks to your generosity, one more barrier to that learning has been removed. Your donation didn't just provide supplies, it gave our students back their time, dignity, and peace of mind.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students and investing in their wellbeing. Your kindness has made a lasting difference in our school community.","fullyFundedDate":1787192018673,"projectUrl":"project/providing-access-to-combat-period-povert/10405114/","projectTitle":"Providing Access to Combat Period Poverty II","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Reed","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8313063_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y386&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1709521297178","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8313063"},{"teacherId":9088665,"projectId":10373675,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my \"Big Learning in a Small Space\" project! Because of the tornado, the start of our school year has been delayed, so my students have not had the opportunity to see or use the new materials yet. Although this is not the beginning we expected, having these supplies ready and waiting is one less thing for us to worry about. I cannot wait to see their faces when they walk into our classroom and find an organized space prepared just for them.\r\n\r\nOnce school begins, each student will use the new book bins to store their math binder and workbook in the classroom. Many of my students and their families are already carrying extra burdens because of the tornado, so keeping these materials at school will make their daily routines a little easier. Our next step will be setting up and labeling the bins before beginning our first math lessons. Your generosity is helping us make big learning possible, even in our very small space!","fullyFundedDate":1785157517039,"projectUrl":"project/big-learning-in-a-small-space/10373675/","projectTitle":"Big Learning in a Small Space","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Grubbs","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9088665_orig.jpg?crop=1233,1233,x0,y587&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1696091000224","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-d-grubbs"},{"teacherId":9494416,"projectId":10209500,"letterContent":"Our sunflower garden has given my students a chance to learn outside the classroom and be part of something they can truly call their own. They have loved planting, watering, and watching their sunflowers grow. It has been especially fun to see how excited they get when they notice a new sprout or how much a plant has grown.\r\n\r\nAs our sunflowers continue to grow, students will help care for the garden and watch it transform our school grounds. This project has given them a hands-on lesson in responsibility, patience, teamwork, and taking pride in their school. Thank you for making this experience possible for my students!","fullyFundedDate":1778098613597,"projectUrl":"project/from-seeds-to-service-growing-a-sunflow/10209500/","projectTitle":"From Seeds to Service: Growing a Sunflower Garden","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wells","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9494416_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1715784584391","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9494416"},{"teacherId":5975533,"projectId":10167759,"letterContent":"My students were able to use the new headphones to complete all end-of-the-year standardized testing. Students did not have to be worried or stressed about having to purchase headphones on their own. Since our lunch was pushed back and hour and a half during testing, the snacks provided also allowed them to concentrate during the test due them having something to eat to help them until lunch.\r\n\r\nWhen the boxes arrived, my students were excited and couldn't wait to open them to see what snacks were ordered. There were enough snacks to carry the students for each day of testing. They enjoyed every single item.","fullyFundedDate":1774454821138,"projectUrl":"project/ilearn-testing-headphones-and-snacks/10167759/","projectTitle":"ILearn Testing Headphones and Snacks","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Phifer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5975533"},{"teacherId":9088665,"projectId":10227233,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, \"Write It, Work It, Learn It.\" My students received composition notebooks that we are using for math notes, examples, vocabulary, and practice problems. These notebooks help students keep their thinking in one place, which is so important in 5th grade math.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the notebooks, they were excited to have something of their own to use for learning. We will continue using them during daily lessons, small groups, and review activities. These notebooks will help students stay organized, show their work, and look back at their notes when they need support.","fullyFundedDate":1778288233808,"projectUrl":"project/write-it-work-it-learn-it/10227233/","projectTitle":"Write It, Work It, Learn It","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Grubbs","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9088665_orig.jpg?crop=1233,1233,x0,y587&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1696091000224","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-d-grubbs"},{"teacherId":9088665,"projectId":10229544,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, \"Folders That Can Keep Up With 5th Grade.\" The plastic three-prong folders are helping my students keep their math notes, practice pages, and assignments organized and protected. In 5th grade, papers can get lost or damaged quickly, so having strong folders makes a big difference in our daily routine.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the folders, they were excited that everyone had the same color folder just for math. There was no arguing over colors, and it helped us feel organized from the start. Our next step is to keep adding important notes and examples to the folders so students can use them as a math resource when they need help.","fullyFundedDate":1778288233329,"projectUrl":"project/folders-that-can-keep-up-with-5th-grade/10229544/","projectTitle":"Folders That Can Keep Up With 5th Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Grubbs","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9088665_orig.jpg?crop=1233,1233,x0,y587&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1696091000224","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-d-grubbs"},{"teacherId":9088665,"projectId":10189258,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating to our project, \"Keeping Math Class Stocked and Organized.\" Your support truly means a lot to me and my students. In our classroom, these materials are not just extra supplies. They are things we use every single day to help our math class run the way it needs to run. Teaching 5th grade math means there are always papers, pencils, notes, assignments, folders, and materials being used from the moment students walk in until the moment they leave. Having these supplies has helped us stay more organized and prepared, which makes a big difference in how smoothly our day goes. Instead of students worrying about not having what they need, they are able to get started, follow along, and focus on the math in front of them. One moment that stood out to me was during a recent math review activity. My students were able to come in, grab what they needed, get settled, and begin working without me having to stop the lesson several times to find missing supplies. That may sound small, but in a classroom full of 5th graders, those small things matter more than people realize.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the materials, they were excited. They wanted to help organize everything, put things in the right place, and make sure our classroom looked nice and ready. I love seeing that because it shows that they take pride in our classroom. Many of my students are still learning how to be responsible for their materials, how to keep track of their work, and how to stay organized throughout the day. Having the right resources in the room helps teach those skills in a real and practical way. It also helps my students feel cared for. Some students do not always come to school with everything they need, and I never want that to be the reason they cannot fully participate in class. Because of your donation, students can walk into math class knowing that we have what we need to learn. That gives them confidence and takes away some of the stress that can come with not being prepared. It also helps create a classroom where students know they are supported and expected to do their best.\r\n\r\nOur next steps are to continue building strong math habits and growing our confidence as problem solvers. We are working on reviewing important skills, practicing multi-step problems, and learning how to stay organized while showing our work. These materials will continue to support us during whole group lessons, small group instruction, independent practice, and classroom projects. My goal is for my students to understand that math may be challenging at times, but they are capable of doing hard things when they have the right tools, support, and mindset. Your donation helped make our classroom feel more prepared, more organized, and more welcoming. I am truly grateful that you chose to support my students and invest in our classroom. Thank you for helping us keep learning moving in the right direction.","fullyFundedDate":1776096515332,"projectUrl":"project/keeping-math-class-stocked-and-organized/10189258/","projectTitle":"Keeping Math Class Stocked and Organized","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Grubbs","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9088665_orig.jpg?crop=1233,1233,x0,y587&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1696091000224","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-d-grubbs"},{"teacherId":8482974,"projectId":10160436,"letterContent":"My students are thrilled to be using the resources provided. They were especially excited to unpack and get to sit in the flexible floor seats and on the donut yoga balls. They met in a small group, sat in the seats and began discussing their group projects. The chart paper and markers were used to organize their thoughts and jobs within the group. They will continue to meet weekly and present their final collaborative group project. Your extremely kind donation brought absolute joy to my students and encouraged them to take true ownership of their learning as they also collaborated.","fullyFundedDate":1778520765370,"projectUrl":"project/flexible-team-meetings/10160436/","projectTitle":"Flexible Team Meetings","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bacon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8482974_orig.jpg?crop=388,388,x16,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1653500778541","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8482974"},{"teacherId":8482974,"projectId":10237877,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donations which allowed my students to spread kindness through our grade. The students lived writing kindness notes on post its and sticking them to lockers throughout the school. These little symbols of kindness brought joy to many kids who needed to feel seen by their peers. The snacks also helped spread kindness in response to the notes in the mailbox. The snacks made a huge impact on kids, some of which are food insecure. Thank you again for your kindness as it has a huge impact on greater character development.","fullyFundedDate":1778873909907,"projectUrl":"project/spreading-kindess/10237877/","projectTitle":"Spreading Kindess","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bacon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8482974_orig.jpg?crop=388,388,x16,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1653500778541","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8482974"},{"teacherId":8482974,"projectId":10190445,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for facilitating the donation of chart paper, markers, and the pencil sharpener to our classroom. Your generosity has provided us with essential supplies that we rely on daily, and we are deeply grateful for the thoughtfulness behind this gift.\r\nThese materials have had an immediate and meaningful impact on our students. With chart paper and markers, our ten-year-old learners are able to brainstorm, plan, and prototype STEM projects that address real problems they care about. The pencil sharpener has kept their tools ready and their work uninterrupted, allowing deeper focus and more sustained creativity during design and testing phases.\r\nBecause of your support, students are engaging in hands-on problem solving, collaborating more effectively, and showing increased confidence in proposing solutions to challenges they experience as ten-year-olds. Your contribution is helping to build not only projects, but also critical thinking and teamwork skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom. Thank you for making this work possible.","fullyFundedDate":1776190496122,"projectUrl":"project/sharpen-and-chart-stem/10190445/","projectTitle":"Sharpen and Chart Stem","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bacon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8482974_orig.jpg?crop=388,388,x16,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1653500778541","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8482974"},{"teacherId":9592109,"projectId":9558887,"letterContent":"Students are enjoying growing their seeds in the hydropnics systems. They were extremely excited to learn that you can grow plants in just water! Students chose seeds and packed them in the growwers and learned the benefits of growing your own food. Stduents gave reasons as to why to grow your foods, such as, you know the ingredients, avoid pesticides and chemicals, feed the family for cheaper than buyign it at the store, and the stress relief of working with plants. This has been a fun expreince for the students and myself and it is a skill they can take with them as they grow older. Thank you fro providing the tools to create this learning opportunity to the students.","fullyFundedDate":1758202621405,"projectUrl":"project/the-unseen-garden-fostering-sustainable/9558887/","projectTitle":"The Unseen Garden: Fostering Sustainable Habits in Our Youth","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pierce","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9592109_orig.jpg?crop=2208,2208,x0,y368&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720934628729","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mspierceclass"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_19884","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":877,"numTeachers":47,"percentFrplEligible":85,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":62,"percentWhite":8,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":21,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":7,"gradesServed":"5 - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"18.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":55.3,"schoolId":19884,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Merrillville Intermediate School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Merrillville Intermediate School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/indiana/merrillville-community-school-district/merrillville-interm-school/19884"}