{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"PS 363 Lewis J Bennett School of Innovation Technology","outOfStateSupporters":38.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6445889,"projectId":10231325,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the generous donation of new equipment for our science lab. These items have completely transformed our ability to conduct hands-on experiments and have made STEM learning much more engaging and organized. Here is how the new supplies are making an impact: Water Dispenser: This has been a game-changer for hydraulic experiments and environmental science projects. It allows students to precisely dispense water for experiments on buoyancy, pressure, or to fill small containers without causing spills at their workstations.\r\nLetter Stencils: We use these for labeling apparatus, creating precise labels for plant experiments, or creating professional-looking signs for our final presentations. They help students develop motor skills while keeping data collection organized. Colored Tape: This is essential for coding and identifying materials. Students use different colors to mark test tubes, identify specific electrical circuits, or color-code, which boosts organization during complex multi-step experiments. Tissues: While simple, these are vital for experiments involving capillary action, chromatography, or liquid absorption. They also play a major role in keeping our, \"germ spreading\" simulations clean, and generally assisting with necessary cleanup, allowing us to focus on the science. Thanks to your support, our students are gaining hands-on experience and developing a love for scientific discovery.","fullyFundedDate":1777383627682,"projectUrl":"project/the-necessity-for-a-dispenser-and-equip/10231325/","projectTitle":"The Necessity for a Dispenser and Equipment for Science","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. OKussick","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6445889"},{"teacherId":9756627,"projectId":10010084,"letterContent":"I want to thank you sincerely for your generous donation to our indoor garden project. While we are excited to watch plants grow, your contribution is truly an investment in our students' mental health and well-being.\r\n\r\nBy bringing nature into our classroom, you are helping us create a \"calm-down space\" and a peaceful sanctuary where students can go to decompress. Indoor gardening offers a unique way for students to practice mindfulness and reduce anxiety during the school day. Your kindness is providing them with a living tool to help manage their emotions and find a sense of peace.\r\n\r\nThank you for nurturing our students' hearts as much as their minds.","fullyFundedDate":1769710296338,"projectUrl":"project/becoming-healthy-and-mindful-with-indoor/10010084/","projectTitle":"Becoming Healthy and Mindful With Indoor Gardening","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kelkenberg","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9756627_orig.jpg?crop=484,484,x456,y452&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1734631237472","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9756627"},{"teacherId":9756627,"projectId":10024422,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous financial support to our student winter clothing drive. With the Buffalo winter bringing record cold, your financial support for coats, hats, and gloves ensured our students remained warm, safe, and able to attend school consistently. Your kindness directly removed barriers to education, proving that this community shows up for one another. \r\n\r\nYour generosity made a lasting impact on our students:\r\nEnsured Attendance: Students were able to walk to school or wait for buses safely, improving attendance rates during harsh conditions.\r\nProvided Comfort & Pride: Many children were thrilled to have warm, well-fitting gear, which helped them focus fully on learning.\r\nStrengthened Community: You transformed a difficult winter into a story of care and hope. \r\n\r\nWe could not have provided this vital support without your compassion. On behalf of our staff and students, thank you for making a difference in Buffalo this winter.","fullyFundedDate":1768669819268,"projectUrl":"project/improving-student-attendance-with-warm-c/10024422/","projectTitle":"Improving Student Attendance With Warm Clothing for School This Winter","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kelkenberg","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9756627_orig.jpg?crop=484,484,x456,y452&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1734631237472","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9756627"},{"teacherId":6445889,"projectId":9626607,"letterContent":"We're using new resources for dynamic, personalized learning: students access digital libraries for research, collaborate on shared platforms like Schoology, use interactive apps (Wayground!) for review, and explore self-directed paths with digital tools for deeper understanding, all while building essential tech skills for the future. These tools transform passive learning into active engagement through multimedia, simulations, and games, catering to different styles and making complex topics more memorable. Students dive into online databases, e-books, and journals beyond textbooks, fostering deeper inquiry. Using shared documents and platforms for group projects, peer feedback, and remote teamwork.\r\nStudents who start school with the supplies they need in the classroom and at home are more motivated, have higher self-esteem, and enjoy a better learning experience overall. As the first week goes on, there will be many natural opportunities to introduce and practice with each of their school supplies. They don't need them all on day one and I definitely wouldn't recommend introducing them all at once for. Instead over the week, plan activities for students to learn about each of the expectations and build in time to practice with each.\r\nFor students' next steps in a project, they should focus on deepening inquiry, developing their product/solution, incorporating feedback for revision, collaborating, and preparing for presentation to an authentic audience, moving from investigation to creation and reflection, often involving cycles of goal-setting, drafting, and refinement. Students delve deeper into their chosen topic, gathering specific information, analyzing data, and synthesizing findings.","fullyFundedDate":1758819457515,"projectUrl":"project/creating-a-welcoming-environment-for-my/9626607/","projectTitle":"Creating a Welcoming Environment For My Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. OKussick","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6445889"},{"teacherId":6445889,"projectId":9099529,"letterContent":"Implementing new class materials can lead to numerous benefits for students, enhancing their learning experience in various ways. When students see how the material relates to their lives and current events, they become more invested in learning. High-quality materials can encourage students to engage more deeply and meaningfully with the subject matter, fostering a stronger grasp of concepts.\r\n\r\nNew materials often promote skills crucial for success in the future, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, collaboration, and digital literacy.","fullyFundedDate":1745847028307,"projectUrl":"project/making-science-come-alive/9099529/","projectTitle":"Making Science Come Alive","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. OKussick","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6445889"},{"teacherId":6445889,"projectId":9056601,"letterContent":"These are the materials which the student is likely to find more interesting and engaging. This helps them to learn more effectively as they are able to absorb this information more easily than through a lecture or reading assignment. We use the resources for note-taking and active learning: Quickly jotting down notes, outlining thoughts, and physically writing things out can aid in understanding and memory retention, particularly in science. \r\n Developing handwriting fluency through pen and paper activities can positively impact the quality of writing, even when students are using computers. 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PS 363 Lewis J Bennett School of Innovation Technology
Join the 55 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
PS 363 Lewis J Bennett School of Innovation Technology is
an urban public school
in Buffalo, New York that is part of Buffalo Public Schools.
It serves 468 students
in grades 9 - 12.
Its teachers have had 37 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Supporting this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.
Public School
Title 1
Data about Title 1 status comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education.
Grades 9 - 12
468 Students
# of teachers unavailable
2885 Main StContact info is sourced from our partners at MDR Education, and DonorsChoose updates our site ahead of each school year.
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PS 363 Lewis J Bennett School of Innovation Technology Demographics
95%
of students receive free or reduced price lunch
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Source: the National Center for Education Statistics
88%
of students are Black, Latino, Native
American, or Asian
Data about school demographics comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. The numbers in this chart may not add up to 100% because of limitations in the available data.
PS 363 Lewis J Bennett School of Innovation Technology Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated May 13, 2026
DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students
in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.
PS 363 Lewis J Bennett School of Innovation Technology
$17,033
raised using DonorsChoose
37
projects
funded
16
teachers
funded
55
donors
8
projects
for
basic supplies
3
projects for
technology
4
projects for
books
2
projects
for
art supplies
PS 363 Lewis J Bennett School of Innovation Technology has received support from
34 individuals from New York and
21 individuals out-of-state.
