{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"North Wilkes Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":61.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9598965,"projectId":10520207,"letterContent":"The donated sanitizing wipes, hand sanitizer, and Kleenex have made a meaningful difference in our CTE classroom. These supplies are used every day to help keep our learning environment clean, comfortable, and ready for students. With students sharing computers, desks, keyboards, and other classroom materials, the sanitizing wipes allow us to regularly clean high-touch surfaces and help students take an active role in maintaining a healthy classroom. Hand sanitizer is readily available for students throughout the day, and Kleenex ensures that students have what they need without having to leave class.\r\n\r\nMy students were excited to see the supplies arrive because they immediately recognized that these materials were going to help make our classroom a more comfortable and welcoming place to learn. Something as simple as having tissues, sanitizer, and cleaning supplies available can make a big difference in a busy CTE classroom where students are constantly working with technology and collaborating with their peers.\r\n\r\nThese donations are helping us focus on what matters most—learning! As we continue our current lessons in computer science, Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and other technology skills, students are working hands-on at their computers and completing activities that build real-world skills they can use in school and the workplace. Having the necessary cleaning and personal-care supplies available helps us maintain a classroom where students can feel comfortable, stay engaged, and be ready to learn each day.\r\n\r\nThank you to our generous donors for supporting not only our students' education, but also their health, comfort, and overall classroom experience. Your generosity helps make our CTE classroom a cleaner, safer, and more welcoming place for every student.","fullyFundedDate":1787585329758,"projectUrl":"project/keeping-our-computer-science-lab-clean/10520207/","projectTitle":"Keeping Our Computer Science Lab Clean!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Shumate","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9598965_orig.jpg?crop=312,312,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1760627472097","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/shumatecte"},{"teacherId":9598965,"projectId":10521646,"letterContent":"Our new adaptive seating has made a meaningful difference in our CTE classroom! Students are able to use the flexible seating options during independent computer work, collaborative projects, and hands-on technology activities. Having different seating choices allows students to find a comfortable learning environment that helps them stay focused, engaged, and ready to participate.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the new seating, they were excited to try it out! They immediately noticed that our classroom had become a more welcoming and comfortable place to learn. Students enjoyed having choices and being able to find a seating option that worked best for them while still following our classroom expectations.\r\n\r\nOne of the biggest benefits has been seeing students become more comfortable during longer technology-based assignments. Whether they are navigating Microsoft Word, completing Learning.com activities, working with classmates, or exploring computer science concepts, students can use the flexible seating to support their individual learning needs.\r\n\r\nOur students are continuing to build their technology and workplace-readiness skills through current CTE lessons. As we move forward, they will be completing projects that require creativity, collaboration, problem-solving, and extended computer time. The adaptive seating will continue to provide students with a supportive classroom environment where they can stay engaged and do their best work.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping make our classroom a place where students can learn, collaborate, and feel comfortable. Your generosity is directly supporting our students and helping create a classroom environment designed for their success!","fullyFundedDate":1787486330790,"projectUrl":"project/creating-a-flexible-and-engaging-compute/10521646/","projectTitle":"Creating a Flexible and Engaging Computer Science Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Shumate","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9598965_orig.jpg?crop=312,312,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1760627472097","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/shumatecte"},{"teacherId":9499261,"projectId":9905235,"letterContent":"My students absolutely loved disecting the perch in our science classes! While some students found it to be disgusting, they also couldn't help but be intrigued and curious. Students were fully engaged during the entirety of the activity, and lots of discussion followed for the next few days. \r\n\r\nThe students appreciated actually being able to see what they had been learning for such a long period of time. They were able to identify certain body systems within their fish, and also enjoyed determining whether or not they had a female or male fish. \r\n\r\nThis investigation was an excellent end of unit activity to close out our life science unit. I feel like their ability to better understand the information by applying it to a hands-on activity, they were able to succeed on the end of unit life science assessment.\r\n\r\nWithout your generous donations, my students would not have been nearly as engaged or interested, and therefore, would not have been as successful on their assessment, showing how much they had learned.","fullyFundedDate":1764810422820,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-science-to-life-perch-dissecti/9905235/","projectTitle":"Bringing Science to Life: Perch Dissections for 7th Graders","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gentry","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9499261"},{"teacherId":9373502,"projectId":9959118,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding our recess equipment! Your generosity has transformed our daily physical activity time. Middle school can be stressful, but having quality soccer balls, basketballs, and volleyballs allows our students to release energy and build strong friendships. This active playtime has drastically improved classroom focus and cooperation. Students return to their desks energized, happy, and ready to learn. Thank you for investing in our physical health and academic success for this year and the years to follow!","fullyFundedDate":1767056725844,"projectUrl":"project/energize-our-recess-new-sports-equipmen/9959118/","projectTitle":"Energize Our Recess: New Sports Equipment for Active Play","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Holman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9373502_orig.jpg?crop=640,640,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1721132302297","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9373502"},{"teacherId":9373502,"projectId":9770146,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding our frog dissection kits this year! Thanks to your generosity, our middle school life science students experienced hands-on biology firsthand. For many, this was their first real look at anatomy, sparking incredible curiosity and career interests. They loved comparing organs to human systems, transforming textbook diagrams into real, tangible learning. Your support has truly brought science to life in our classrooms. We are so grateful for your kindness and support!","fullyFundedDate":1762265285497,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-science-to-life-frog-dissectio/9770146/","projectTitle":"Bringing Science to Life: Frog Dissections for 7th Graders","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Holman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9373502_orig.jpg?crop=640,640,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1721132302297","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9373502"},{"teacherId":9373502,"projectId":9884043,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your incredibly generous donation to our classroom through Donors Choose. Because of your kindness, our project for a large mobile whiteboard has been fully funded, and it has already begun to transform the way teaching and learning happen in our classroom.\r\n\r\nBefore receiving this mobile whiteboard, conducting small group instruction was a logistical challenge. We often had to crowd around a small, static table, and I struggled to share visual representations, model math problems, or write out key vocabulary words without blocking the view of the rest of the class or constantly erasing a small hand-held board.\r\n\r\nNow, with this large mobile whiteboard, our small group area has become a dynamic hub of collaboration and targeted learning. The impact of this tool is felt daily in several key ways:\r\n\r\nInteractive and Hands-On Learning: The board is at the perfect height for my students to write on. During small group math or reading sessions, students are no longer just passive observers; they are actively solving problems, mapping out story structures, and writing sentences directly on the board.\r\n\r\nSeamless Mobility: The wheels allow me to easily move the board to any corner of the room. I can transition from leading a guided reading group in the back to supporting a cooperative science group near the windows, bringing our primary teaching tool right along with us.\r\n\r\nEnhanced Differentiated Instruction: This board allows me to keep scaffolded visual anchors right in front of the students who need them most, while the rest of the class works independently on other tasks. It has truly bridged the gap in how I deliver targeted support.\r\n\r\nYour belief in our students and your willingness to invest in their education means more than words can express. This whiteboard is not just a piece of classroom furniture; it is a catalyst for engagement, confidence, and deeper understanding for my students this year and for many years to come.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your generosity, your support of public education, and your commitment to helping our students thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1763601337330,"projectUrl":"project/big-ideas-big-board-a-mobile-whiteboar/9884043/","projectTitle":"Big Ideas, Big Board: a Mobile Whiteboard for Collaboration","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Holman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9373502_orig.jpg?crop=640,640,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1721132302297","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9373502"},{"teacherId":9598965,"projectId":10143481,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your incredibly generous support of our classroom. Because of your investment, my 7th-grade coding students have been able to dive into the world of hands-on technology with our new advanced tech and Sphero robots, and the impact has been nothing short of transformative.\r\n\r\nWhile many of you use technology daily at home for work and communication, its application in a middle school classroom serves a very different, highly intentional purpose. Instead of just consuming content on a screen, our students are using this technology to create, problem-solve, and build. The Sphero robots allow them to see their code come to life in the physical world. When they write a line of code, they aren't just looking at text on a monitor; they are watching a robot navigate an obstacle course they designed. This immediate feedback loop bridges the gap between abstract computer science concepts and tangible, real-world reality.\r\n\r\nThe most exciting part of this new technology for the students is undoubtedly the freedom of exploration it offers. The Sphero robots are highly versatile, allowing students to experiment with speed, trajectory, and color sensors. There is an audible buzz of excitement in the room when they successfully program a robot to execute a complex turn or react to a specific barrier. It has turned our classroom into a lively laboratory where mistakes aren't failures—they are just \"bugs\" that need to be debugged.\r\n\r\nWe have seen this technology spark a passion in students who previously struggled to engage with traditional schoolwork.\r\n\r\n\r\nYour generosity has done so much more than just put gadgets in our classroom; you have provided my students with critical thinking skills, teamwork experience, and a newfound confidence in STEM that they will carry with them for years to come. Thank you for believing in their potential and for opening doors to their future.","fullyFundedDate":1778256688578,"projectUrl":"project/coding-with-a-purpose/10143481/","projectTitle":"Coding with a Purpose","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Shumate","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9598965_orig.jpg?crop=312,312,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1760627472097","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/shumatecte"},{"teacherId":9373502,"projectId":8998007,"letterContent":"I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for your generous donations of math manipulatives to our classroom. Your kindness has made a profound and visible impact on my students' learning experience. The tools you've provided have opened doors to understanding that simply wouldn't have been possible without your support. Every day, I see firsthand how your contributions are transforming the way my students engage with mathematics — turning abstract concepts into concrete, meaningful learning moments.\r\n\r\nBefore receiving these manipulatives, many of my students struggled to grasp math concepts that can often feel distant or confusing when taught only through numbers on a page. Fractions, place value, geometry, and measurement were areas where many students felt uncertain or discouraged. But now, thanks to your donations, they can literally see and touch the math they're learning. Manipulatives like base-ten blocks, fraction circles, pattern blocks, and counting cubes have allowed students to visualize and physically explore what those numbers and symbols really mean.\r\n\r\nFor example, one of my students who had difficulty understanding fractions suddenly lit up when she used fraction tiles for the first time. Seeing how two ¼ pieces fit perfectly into a ½ tile helped her realize that fractions are not just numbers — they are parts of a whole that can be combined, compared, and understood visually. That moment of clarity built her confidence, and now she approaches new math lessons with curiosity rather than fear. Stories like hers are happening every day in my classroom because of your generosity.\r\n\r\nThe manipulatives have also encouraged collaboration and communication among students. When they work together to solve problems using these hands-on tools, math becomes a shared experience rather than a solitary challenge. Students explain their reasoning to each other, compare strategies, and even teach one another — all while actively engaging with the materials. It's inspiring to watch them excitedly discuss which shapes make up a hexagon or how many unit cubes fit into a larger prism. These conversations deepen their understanding and strengthen their problem-solving skills.\r\n\r\nBeyond academic growth, your donations have had an emotional and motivational impact as well. Many of my students now look forward to math lessons because they know they will get to explore and create. The classroom atmosphere has become more energized and interactive. Students who once hesitated to participate are now eager to come to the board or demonstrate their thinking using the manipulatives. Math has gone from being a source of anxiety to a source of excitement and pride.\r\n\r\nIn addition, these materials have helped me as a teacher to differentiate instruction more effectively. Every child learns differently — some are visual learners, some kinesthetic, and some need to physically build and manipulate objects to understand a concept. With the manipulatives you provided, I can meet each student where they are. I can design lessons that reach all types of learners, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed and feel confident in their abilities.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has done more than provide classroom supplies — it has empowered my students to believe in themselves. You have given them the tools to explore, to question, and to discover. You've made learning tangible, accessible, and joyful. Every time I see a student's face light up in understanding, I'm reminded of the difference your support has made.\r\n\r\nFrom the bottom of my heart, and on behalf of every student in my class, thank you for your kindness and belief in the power of education. The manipulatives you donated are being used every single day, and their impact will continue far beyond this school year. You have truly made a lasting difference in the lives of my students, and we are deeply grateful.\r\n\r\nWith heartfelt appreciation,","fullyFundedDate":1742516335178,"projectUrl":"project/enhancing-learning-donating-math-manipu/8998007/","projectTitle":"Enhancing Learning: Donating Math Manipulatives for Classroom Engagement","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Holman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9373502_orig.jpg?crop=640,640,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1721132302297","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9373502"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_3662","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":486,"numTeachers":34,"percentFrplEligible":77,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":78,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":15,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":4,"gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"14.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":38.1,"schoolId":3662,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about North Wilkes Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"North Wilkes Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/north-carolina/wilkes-county-school-district/north-wilkes-middle-school/3662"}