{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Middle School 291 West End Secondary School","outOfStateSupporters":23.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7619569,"projectId":9151479,"letterContent":"This project gave students a tangible way to connect what they were growing to what they were making, and what they were making to a message they wanted to share with the world.\r\n\r\nWatching students move between these two modes, scientific observation and artistic expression, was one of the most rewarding parts of the experience. Many students who were quieter during traditional lab work came alive during the craft-making sessions, offering ideas about design, symbolism, and messaging that showed just how deeply they had internalized the science behind the project. The culmination of the project came when students had the opportunity to present their work at the NY Sunworks conference, an experience that gave their efforts a much larger audience and a real sense of purpose. Presenting alongside students and educators from other schools, our students spoke confidently about their hydroponic system, the science behind it, and the creative choices they made in translating that science into craftivism. It was a proud moment, seeing them explain not just what they built, but why it mattered to them personally.\r\n\r\nI'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to bring this project to life, and for the support of the school community, the New York Sunworks program, and the students themselves, who brought curiosity, creativity, and heart to every step. Projects like this remind me why interdisciplinary, student-driven learning matters so much, and why I'll continue looking for ways to let science and creativity grow side by side.","fullyFundedDate":1741871457961,"projectUrl":"project/craftivism-with-hydroponics/9151479/","projectTitle":"Craftivism with Hydroponics","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Giannella","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7619569_orig.jpg?crop=877,877,x117,y300&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1739019956058","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-isabelle-nyc"},{"teacherId":7619569,"projectId":9105718,"letterContent":"From the moment the stools arrived, there was a palpable sense of excitement that I hadn't quite anticipated. Students crowded around the boxes, curious and eager, asking when they could start building. What could have felt like just another classroom supply delivery instead became a shared event, something the students felt personally invested in from the very beginning.\r\n\r\nThat sense of ownership only grew once assembly began. Rather than treating the new furniture as something that simply appeared for their use, many students volunteered their own time to help put the stools together. They stayed after class, came in during free periods, and worked in small groups, laughing and problem-solving as they matched pieces, tightened bolts, and figured out the assembly instructions together. Watching them take such pride in building something for their own classroom was one of the most rewarding parts of the entire project. It wasn't just about getting new seating; it was about students feeling like active participants in shaping their own learning environment.\r\n\r\nOnce everything was assembled and arranged, the transformation was obvious. The room became coordinated and visually cohesive, with the new stools fitting seamlessly into the existing layout. There was a sense of intentionality and care that hadn't been there before. Colors matched, spacing made sense, and the room simply felt more thoughtfully put together. Students noticed the difference immediately, and visitors to the classroom often commented on how inviting and organized the space felt. A well-designed learning environment does more than look nice; it sets a tone. Students walked into a room that clearly had been designed with them in mind, and that mattered.\r\n\r\nAnd, most importantly of all, from a purely practical standpoint, the new stools solved a very real, very persistent problem: no one fell off their stools. What might sound like a small or even humorous detail was actually significant. The old seating had been a constant source of minor accidents and distractions, interruptions that pulled focus away from instruction and, at times, created safety concerns. With sturdy, well-designed stools in place, that issue disappeared entirely. Students could focus on their work rather than worrying about balance, and I could focus on teaching rather than managing avoidable disruptions.\r\n\r\nReflecting on the project as a whole, it is clear that its impact went beyond furniture. It fostered a sense of community, responsibility, and pride among the students, while also creating a safer, more functional, and more beautiful space for learning. It truly was a pleasure to teach in this transformed room, watching students engage more fully because their environment supported them so well.\r\n\r\nI remain deeply grateful for the support that made this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1740343955443,"projectUrl":"project/completing-what-we-started-backing-up/9105718/","projectTitle":"Completing What We Started - Backing Up Our Scientists!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Giannella","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7619569_orig.jpg?crop=877,877,x117,y300&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1739019956058","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-isabelle-nyc"},{"teacherId":10441352,"projectId":10117983,"letterContent":"The 7th Grade WESS Dance Company cannot thank you enough for raising the money we needed for our dance showcase costumes. Our dancers are fabulous even without costumes, but having them really helps to give our performers an authentic recital experience, some for the first time in their lives.\r\n\r\nOur dancers especially enjoyed having the ability to personalize their jerseys for their Hip Hop dance! This was something new we tried this year and it made the experience even more special. The cardigans for our Modern dance are already getting a second use at this year's Manhattan Borough Arts Festival in June, which we were selected to perform in by the NYC DOE Arts Office.\r\n\r\nThank you for all your support. We look forward to more amazing dance next year!","fullyFundedDate":1772798871355,"projectUrl":"project/7th-grade-wess-dance-company-modern-hi/10117983/","projectTitle":"7th Grade WESS Dance Company Modern & Hip Hop Costumes","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Christina","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10441352"},{"teacherId":2642559,"projectId":9676495,"letterContent":"I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you for your generosity in helping provide an iPad for my classroom. Although you chose to remain anonymous, please know that your kindness has made a very real and meaningful impact on both my teaching and my students' learning.\r\n\r\nWith our Smartboard no longer functioning, the iPad has become an invaluable instructional tool. It has allowed me to seamlessly present lessons, model mathematical thinking, and interact with digital resources in ways that keep my students actively engaged. Having this technology at my fingertips has made daily instruction smoother, more efficient, and far more dynamic.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, your support has directly influenced my students' success. The increased interactivity and visual clarity the iPad provides have helped many of them grasp difficult concepts more easily, participate more confidently, and reach higher levels of achievement in mathematics. Their excitement and curiosity during lessons are noticeable every day—and that is because of you.\r\n\r\nThank you, sincerely, for investing in my classroom and believing in the importance of supporting teachers and students. Your generosity has made a remarkable difference, and we are truly grateful.\r\n\r\nWith appreciation,","fullyFundedDate":1757188325626,"projectUrl":"project/bring-math-to-life-help-replace-broken/9676495/","projectTitle":"Bring Math to Life: Help Replace Broken Smartboard with iPad","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Stacey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2642559"},{"teacherId":7619569,"projectId":9105290,"letterContent":"From the moment the stools arrived, there was a palpable sense of excitement that I hadn't quite anticipated. Students crowded around the boxes, curious and eager, asking when they could start building. \r\n\r\nThat sense of ownership only grew once assembly began. Rather than treating the new furniture as something that simply appeared for their use, many students volunteered their own time to help put the stools together. They stayed after class, came in during free periods, and worked in small groups, laughing and problem-solving as they matched pieces, tightened bolts, and figured out the assembly instructions together. Watching them take such pride in building something for their own classroom was one of the most rewarding parts of the entire project. It wasn't just about getting new seating; it was about students feeling like active participants in shaping their own learning environment.\r\n\r\n The room became coordinated and visually cohesive, with the new stools fitting seamlessly into the existing layout. There was a sense of intentionality and care that hadn't been there before. Colors matched, spacing made sense, and the room simply felt more thoughtfully put together. Students noticed the difference immediately, and visitors to the classroom often commented on how inviting and organized the space felt. A well-designed learning environment does more than look nice; it sets a tone. Students walked into a room that clearly had been designed with them in mind, and that mattered.\r\n\r\nAnd, most importantly of all, from a purely practical standpoint, the new stools solved a very real, very persistent problem: no one fell off their stools. What might sound like a small or even humorous detail was actually significant. The old seating had been a constant source of minor accidents and distractions, interruptions that pulled focus away from instruction and, at times, created safety concerns. With sturdy, well-designed stools in place, that issue disappeared entirely. Students could focus on their work rather than worrying about balance, and I could focus on teaching rather than managing avoidable disruptions.\r\n\r\nReflecting on the project as a whole, it is clear that its impact went beyond furniture. It fostered a sense of community, responsibility, and pride among the students, while also creating a safer, more functional, and more beautiful space for learning. It truly was a pleasure to teach in this transformed room, watching students engage more fully because their environment supported them so well.\r\n\r\nI remain deeply grateful for the support that made this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1739124736737,"projectUrl":"project/backing-our-future-scientists/9105290/","projectTitle":"\"Backing\" our Future Scientists","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Giannella","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7619569_orig.jpg?crop=877,877,x117,y300&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1739019956058","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-isabelle-nyc"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_110177","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":725,"numTeachers":25,"percentFrplEligible":39,"percentAsian":6,"percentBlack":12,"percentWhite":48,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":27,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":4,"gradesServed":"6 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"29.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":76.4,"schoolId":110177,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Middle School 291 West End Secondary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Middle School 291 West End Secondary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-york/new-york-city-dept-of-ed/ms-291-west-end-secondary-school/110177"}