Puritas Community Middle School in Cleveland, Ohio on DonorsChoose

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The addition of sturdy hangers and coat racks has also helped us create an organized, respectful space where students can properly store and care for their belongings each day. \r\n\r\n\r\nImportantly, your gift extends beyond this single winter season. The coat racks and hangers will serve our students for years to come, and the coats themselves will continue to support scholars who need them in future winters. Your investment has created both immediate relief and lasting impact. \r\n\r\n\r\nOn behalf of the students, families, and staff at Puritas Community School, thank you for your generosity and commitment to our scholars' well-being. Your support helps ensure that every child can arrive at school warm, prepared, and ready to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1768499276755,"projectUrl":"project/warm-coats-for-underprivileged-students/9859617/","projectTitle":"Warm Coats for Underprivileged Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dennis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10035836"},{"teacherId":10035836,"projectId":9678186,"letterContent":"When the new materials for our student snack corner arrived, the excitement in our classroom was immediate. Students crowded around as I unpacked the boxes, their eyes wide with curiosity. When I explained that the snacks were for them—to help them stay focused and energized throughout the day—there was a moment of stunned silence, followed by huge smiles and a chorus of thank-yous. It was clear that something as simple as a healthy snack could make a big difference in their day-to-day experience at school.\r\n\r\nFrom the very beginning, I wanted our snack corner to be more than just a place to grab food. I introduced it as part of our classroom's focus on wellness, responsibility, and community. Together, we created a set of \"Snack Corner Guidelines\" to make sure everyone could access it respectfully. Students brainstormed ideas for fairness, organization, and cleanliness, and we agreed that everyone should take only what they need. We also established weekly \"Snack Helpers,\" who are responsible for restocking, tidying, and making sure our space stays inviting. This sense of ownership has helped students feel proud of the corner and eager to take care of it.\r\n\r\nOne moment that truly showed the impact of your generosity came on the very first day. A student who often has trouble focusing in the mornings quietly approached the snack corner and chose a small fruit pouch. Within minutes, I could see the change—he was calmer, more alert, and more engaged in the lesson. Later, he told me he hadn't eaten breakfast that day. For him, and for many of my students, the snack corner has become more than just a convenience; it's a lifeline that helps them start their day ready to learn.\r\n\r\nAs the weeks have gone on, the snack corner has also become a natural part of our social-emotional learning lessons. We've used it to talk about self-care, empathy, and recognizing our own needs. Students have shared stories about how food and kindness can make people feel cared for. They even came up with an idea to create a \"Kindness Board\" next to the snack shelf, where they can post thank-you notes to our donors or kind messages to each other. Watching students encourage one another and express gratitude has been incredibly meaningful.\r\n\r\nThe reactions from students have been overwhelmingly positive. Many have told me how much they appreciate knowing that they have something available when they're hungry or distracted. Some have even brought in extra snacks from home to share with others, showing a growing sense of community and empathy. It's been wonderful to see how something so simple has built stronger connections between students.\r\n\r\nOur next step is to expand the snack corner into a mini health and nutrition project. Students will track which snacks are most popular, research healthier options, and create posters promoting balanced eating habits. We're also planning a \"Snack Drive\" later this semester, where students can help collect donations to keep the corner stocked sustainably.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our snack corner has become more than just a place for food—it's a daily reminder that kindness, care, and community make learning possible. 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About this school

Puritas Community Middle School is an urban public school in Cleveland, Ohio that is part of [County run]. It serves 97 students in grades 5 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 8.1:1. Its teachers have had 19 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades 5 - 8

97 Students

12 Teachers

17720 Puritas Ave

Cleveland, OH 44135 View local requests

http://puritascommunitymiddle.constellationschools.com/

Direct, proactive support

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Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

Puritas Community Middle School Teachers on DonorsChoose

Mrs. Dennis

Mrs. Kelley

Mrs. Schwartz

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Puritas Community Middle School Demographics

90%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

73%

of students are Black, Latino, Native American, or Asian

Schools in districts that mainly serve students of color receive substantially less state and local support than similar districts that serve primarily White students. Learn more about this gap, why it exists, and how you can help close it.

Puritas Community Middle School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Mar 17, 2026

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