{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Merrillville Intermediate School","outOfStateSupporters":45.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9592109,"projectId":9272438,"letterContent":"We are thrilled to share the incredible impact your contribution has had on our math club! Your generosity in helping us acquire new resources, especially the Cricut cutting machine, has powered a fantastic, hands-on project that goes beyond mathematics.\r\n The Math Bowl Shirt ProjectOur current project involves designing and creating our own Math Bowl team shirts for the upcoming competition. Instead of outsourcing the printing and spending several hundred dollars, we are using the Cricut and heat-press materials to produce them ourselves.\r\n Students are using geometry and scaling concepts to ensure their logo designs fit properly on various shirt sizes, calculating material needed based on the number of shirts, and budgeting the materials to keep costs down.The Cricut in Action: We are using the Cricut to precisely cut heat-transfer vinyl (HTV). One specific moment that stands out was when the team finalized their logo—a right angle with the satement \"Yes, Im always right\". Seeing the design move from a digital concept to the machine precisely cutting the intricate vinyl was a moment of genuine excitement and concentration. Students are learning to design, weed (remove excess vinyl), and press the graphics onto the shirts.This project is projected to save the club over $300 compared to a professional print shop, which allows us to reallocate those funds to cover competition entry fees and transportation.\r\n When the students first saw the Cricut and the stacks of colorful vinyl, their reaction was a mix of curiosity and immediate enthusiasm. They saw it as a piece of technology that could create something tangible and professional-looking. There was an instant realization that this wasn't just a craft machine; it was a tool for entrepreneurship and design.The most powerful reaction came after the first successful cut and press. Holding the first finished shirt, students understood that they were capable of professional-level product creation. This has transformed their view of the club from just a place to study math to a makerspace where math skills translate directly into a marketable product.\r\n The Math Bowl shirt project is the launchpad for future activities. Our immediate next steps are to: complete the remaining team shirts, optimizing our production line (design, cutting, weeding, pressing) to be as efficient as possible.Explore Small-Scale Fundraising: Use the skills learned to potentially take on small, internal school orders (like shirts for other clubs or personalized stickers) to raise funds for the math club. This will require students to learn about inventory management, pricing, and customer service, adding a real-world business layer to their technical skills.The ability to operate a cutting machine, design graphics, and manage a custom apparel project is a highly transferable job skill in graphics, marketing, and small business/e-commerce. Your contribution hasn't just provided a tool; it has offered a practical lesson in creative problem-solving, budgeting, and vocational skill development.Thank you again for empowering our students with these valuable resources!","fullyFundedDate":1746786942264,"projectUrl":"project/students-create-with-cricut/9272438/","projectTitle":"Students Create With Cricut","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":10180322,"projectId":9677368,"letterContent":"My project was one of motivation to increase student participation and success. By incentivizing them with the snacks from Donor Choose, my kiddos have been more engaged and excited to participate. When advising them that whoever does their very best gets a snack, the kids do a really great job showing off what they can really do. The kids were really excited to see the variety of snacks that they could earn by just working hard and participating. \r\n\r\nSnacks are a great motivational tool, because a lot of these kids don't get enough to eat. It means a lot to the children to be rewarded for hard work and participation. I am happy to be part of their success, even if incentives are the only way to get the best results from them.","fullyFundedDate":1757679231217,"projectUrl":"project/full-tummies-make-for-creative-minds/9677368/","projectTitle":"Full Tummies Make for Creative Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Walker","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10180322_orig.jpg?crop=824,824,x0,y137&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757684063402","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10180322"},{"teacherId":9448543,"projectId":9414070,"letterContent":"Fun Fridays are in full swing. Thanks to your generous donations, my active students are enjoying fun Fridays. Recess, whether it be indoor or outdoor, helps not only burn energy, but it also fosters a sense of community and problem-solving. Because of your donation to our recess cabinet, my students have a plethora of equipment to choose from when celebrating fun Friday. The kids love to play with all of the different sport balls, draw with the sidewalk chalk, and complete puzzles at our puzzle table. My students and I are grateful for your support to our classroom supplies.","fullyFundedDate":1754442657933,"projectUrl":"project/playground-equipment-for-active-students/9414070/","projectTitle":"Playground Equipment for Active Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Thursby","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9448543_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732395060166","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-thursby"},{"teacherId":9448543,"projectId":9402654,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donations to our creative classroom. My students have had an ample amount of supplies to use to help make various creative projects. Because of your donations, we have been able to complete social emotional projects that reflect ALL of my students. Having construction paper, coloring supplies, and clay in various skin tones has been wonderful. My students love using the various palettes of color to create projects. My students and I thank you for all of the supplies you have furnished our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1754442167265,"projectUrl":"project/palette-of-diversity-art-supplies-for-a/9402654/","projectTitle":"Palette of Diversity: Art Supplies for All","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Thursby","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9448543_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732395060166","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-thursby"},{"teacherId":9448543,"projectId":9402561,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donations to my wonderful students. Because of your donations, we have been able to learn about ancient civilizations in a hands-on manner. We have used many different resources to make Olmec giant heads, as well as many other different activities. We transformed our classroom into Ancient Greece and studied various artifacts from Ancient Greece. Your donations have brought our classroom to life. My students and I thank you for this wonderful learning opportunity provided because of your support.","fullyFundedDate":1754442657562,"projectUrl":"project/steam-bin-supplies/9402561/","projectTitle":"STEAM Bin Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Thursby","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9448543_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732395060166","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-thursby"},{"teacherId":8313063,"projectId":9499534,"letterContent":"The *Providing Period Access Project* has made a meaningful and lasting impact on our students, particularly those ages 10–11 who are beginning to experience the changes of adolescence. For many, limited access to menstrual products can cause feelings of embarrassment, absenteeism, and a lack of confidence during the school day.\r\n\r\nThrough this initiative, students received education and resources that promoted both dignity and understanding. By ensuring that period products were available, the project helped remove barriers to attendance and participation—allowing students to stay engaged in class and maintain a sense of normalcy.\r\n\r\nBeyond access, the project also opened the door to honest conversations about health and self-care, empowering young learners to take pride in their bodies rather than feeling shame or confusion. For families with financial challenges, this program provided both relief and reassurance that their children's basic needs were being met in a supportive environment.\r\n\r\nUltimately, the *Providing Period Access Project* created a foundation for confidence, equality, and well-being—reminding every student that their education and dignity matter.","fullyFundedDate":1756353446279,"projectUrl":"project/providing-access-to-combat-period-povert/9499534/","projectTitle":"Providing Access to Combat Period Poverty","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":9060885,"projectId":9547825,"letterContent":"On behalf of the students in my 6th grade class, I want to extend our sincere appreciation for the donation of the two beautiful bean bag chairs.\r\n\r\nThese chairs have instantly enhanced our classroom environment by providing a comfortable, flexible seating option critical for focused, independent work. The students utilize them every day, particularly during our morning work sessions and for sustained silent reading time. We have established a fair rotation system to ensure all students benefit equally from this wonderful addition.\r\n\r\nYour generosity directly contributes to creating a positive and engaging learning atmosphere. Thank you for your commitment to our classroom and for making such a tangible, positive difference in our students' daily routines.","fullyFundedDate":1755307085020,"projectUrl":"project/a-seat-for-every-story/9547825/","projectTitle":"A Seat for Every Story","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bushnell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9060885_orig.jpg?crop=540,540,x0,y135&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754524575036","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9060885"},{"teacherId":9088665,"projectId":9467361,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom library now has sturdy bookshelves that make our space feel organized and inviting. When the shelves arrived, my students were so excited to help fill them and couldn't believe how neat and colorful our reading corner looked.\r\n\r\nHaving everything displayed and easy to find has encouraged more students to pick up books on their own during reading time and small groups. They love browsing the shelves and recommending titles to friends.\r\n\r\nYour support helped create a welcoming space that inspires curiosity and a love of reading every day. Thank you for making such a difference!","fullyFundedDate":1753981350163,"projectUrl":"project/books-need-homes-tooand-tissues-help/9467361/","projectTitle":"Books Need Homes Too...And Tissues Help, Honestly!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. 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":8313063,"projectId":9312715,"letterContent":"When our students first saw the new field day resources, their excitement was undeniable—their smiles and cheers filled the gym as they eagerly began exploring the games and activities. Many of them immediately started collaborating, encouraging each other, and even coming up with creative ways to adapt the materials for different challenges.\r\nOn the day of the event, these resources transformed our field day into something special. Students worked together in teams, built leadership skills, and learned the importance of cheering for their peers. One memorable moment was watching a group of students who often shy away from competition step forward to lead their team through a relay. Their confidence grew with each round, and their classmates surrounded them with encouragement and celebration.\r\nWe continue to use these resources beyond field day. In physical education classes and team-building activities, the equipment has become a tool for strengthening social skills, resilience, and problem-solving. Our next step is to integrate these activities into monthly wellness days, giving students regular opportunities to exercise, collaborate, and build school spirit.\r\nYour generosity has not only made field day unforgettable, but it has also created lasting opportunities for our students to learn, grow, and shine together.","fullyFundedDate":1746787338361,"projectUrl":"project/field-day-frenzy-uniting-through-play/9312715/","projectTitle":"Field Day Frenzy: Uniting Through Play","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":9494416,"projectId":9298186,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our Protect the Planet project has taken off in a big way! When the materials arrived, my students were beyond excited. They couldn't wait to put on the bright yellow safety vests, grab their tools, and get to work. The grabbers were a huge hit—they loved using them to pick up litter safely—and the buckets made it easy to collect and sort trash around the school grounds. It was incredible to see how serious they were about making a difference in their community.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite moments was hearing students say how \"official\" they felt in their vests, like real environmental workers. We've started sharing their efforts and clean-up days on the school's social media, and families have loved seeing their kids in action. This project has sparked a deeper sense of responsibility and pride in our students. We plan to continue monthly clean-up events and student-designed posters to keep the momentum going. Thank you so much for helping bring this vision to life!","fullyFundedDate":1746044891130,"projectUrl":"project/protect-the-planet/9298186/","projectTitle":"Protect the Planet","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":9743721,"projectId":9122993,"letterContent":"Thank you SO MUCH for your donotions and consideration to help our students. These materials are used daily on a group and individual level. Our students have been so grateful to have access to these resources such as fidget toys, snacks and journals. Many of our students have been able to keep their own sets of journals and hygiene supplies which can make a huge difference to families in need. Your support touched 900 students in our school and promotes enrichments, second chances, growth and social-emotional skills every day.","fullyFundedDate":1742582578563,"projectUrl":"project/social-worker-essentials/9122993/","projectTitle":"Social Worker Essentials","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Shomer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9743721_orig.jpg?crop=4284,4284,x0,y856&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758202595928","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9743721"},{"teacherId":8313063,"projectId":9469191,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our Compassionate Kids Care for the Elderly project. Because of your generosity, my students were able to engage in meaningful, hands-on experiences that connected them with the elderly in our community.\r\n\r\nThrough this project, students learned the importance of empathy, service, and respect for others. They were able to create and share care items, spend time learning about the needs of seniors, and reflect on how small acts of kindness can bring joy and comfort to others. Many of my students expressed how rewarding it felt to make a difference, and several even shared that this experience inspired them to think about future service opportunities and career paths in caregiving, healthcare, or social work.\r\n\r\nYour gift made it possible for my students not only to practice compassion but also to understand the impact they can have when they extend themselves in service. You helped turn a lesson into a life-changing experience.\r\n\r\nOn behalf of my students and the elderly individuals they touched, thank you for making this project a reality. Your generosity planted seeds of kindness that will continue to grow.","fullyFundedDate":1754442256416,"projectUrl":"project/compassionate-kids-care-for-the-elderly/9469191/","projectTitle":"Compassionate Kids Care for the Elderly","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"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_19884","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":788,"numTeachers":47,"percentFrplEligible":85,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":64,"percentWhite":8,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":20,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"5 - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"16.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":54.7,"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"}