{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Ron Russell Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":36.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2818107,"projectId":9850637,"letterContent":"Thank you all so much for contributing to our comfy space in the library at Ron Russell Middle School. We are enjoying it so much! The students have taken to it and use it every day. We have a group of students who come up every morning to sit among the cozy pillows and on the chairs while they chat before the school day begins. We also have students coming in during their recess time to sit and read, or chat with friends. It has become a real gathering spot. My colleague had the great idea to add a few posters on the walls nearby and the rug just pulls it all together. \r\n\r\nThank you again for helping us create this special spot for the students. We are very grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1762359232528,"projectUrl":"project/lets-get-comfy-in-our-library/9850637/","projectTitle":"Let's Get Comfy in Our Library!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rosenberg","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2818107_orig.jpg?crop=1840,1840,x706,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727031560189","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2818107"},{"teacherId":8226411,"projectId":9928497,"letterContent":"My students were ECSTATIC to see all of the instruments in our space. They may act tough at times, but these 12 year olds are just kids when I get these instruments out for them. They have to touch every single one, they have their favorites, and they don't want to share. It's such a breath of fresh air to see them being kids again, and allowing themselves to be silly, be creative, and be full of wonder.\r\nWith your generous donation, there are huge smiles in my room, and music in our bones. It isn't beautiful music yet, but it is a beautiful scene. Thanks again for your generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1767032429285,"projectUrl":"project/music-maker-space-in-science/9928497/","projectTitle":"Music Maker Space in Science","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Julie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8226411_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731908695402","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8226411"},{"teacherId":8226411,"projectId":9884080,"letterContent":"my class has taken their final drafts to a new level. Thanks in part to your generous donation, we've been able to appreciate the often tedious task of re-reading first drafts and making edits. Students are learning that there is always room for improvement, and that hard work pays off. \r\nAt my school, sharpies aren't allowed for students to have on their person, due to some graffiti issues, so for the last couple years, I have banned them in my room as well, just to support the cause. But now, with this new group of 6th graders, I am seeing such an amazing set of executive function skills, that I knew I could trust them and their impulse control. We are really developing our fine motor skills as we outline and trace with our sharpies, along with making our science models really pop. I love that I am able to incorporate these skills in my class, and it's really thanks to donaters like you. Thanks again.","fullyFundedDate":1763595709947,"projectUrl":"project/sharp-lines-in-science/9884080/","projectTitle":"Sharp Lines in Science","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Julie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8226411_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731908695402","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8226411"},{"teacherId":6146747,"projectId":9831655,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of graphic novels to my 8th grade classroom. Your support has had an immediate and meaningful impact on my students, many of whom are English as a second language learners and come from low-income, immigrant, or refugee families. For several students, these books are the first they have been excited to pick up and read on their own.\r\n\r\nGraphic novels have opened doors for my students by making reading more accessible, engaging, and confidence-building. The visual storytelling supports language development, comprehension, and vocabulary while allowing students to connect with characters and stories that reflect resilience, identity, and growth. I have seen students who were once hesitant readers eagerly discussing plots, sharing books with classmates, and asking for more time to read.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has helped create a classroom where reading feels joyful and empowering rather than intimidating. Thank you for investing in my students and for believing in their potential. Your generosity is helping them build not only literacy skills, but also a lasting love of reading.","fullyFundedDate":1761428144615,"projectUrl":"project/graphic-novels-for-reluctant-readers/9831655/","projectTitle":"Graphic Novels for Reluctant Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kenzler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6146747_orig.jpg?crop=1125,1125,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1682460477076","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6146747"},{"teacherId":6146747,"projectId":9585324,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of graphic novels to my 8th grade classroom. Your support has had an immediate and meaningful impact on my students, many of whom are English as a second language learners and come from low-income, immigrant, or refugee families. For several students, these books are the first they have been excited to pick up and read on their own.\r\n\r\nGraphic novels have opened doors for my students by making reading more accessible, engaging, and confidence-building. The visual storytelling supports language development, comprehension, and vocabulary while allowing students to connect with characters and stories that reflect resilience, identity, and growth. I have seen students who were once hesitant readers eagerly discussing plots, sharing books with classmates, and asking for more time to read.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has helped create a classroom where reading feels joyful and empowering rather than intimidating. Thank you for investing in my students and for believing in their potential. Your generosity is helping them build not only literacy skills, but also a lasting love of reading.","fullyFundedDate":1760559124749,"projectUrl":"project/keeping-middle-schoolers-calm-isnt-easy/9585324/","projectTitle":"Keeping middle-schoolers calm isn’t easy - but you can help!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kenzler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6146747_orig.jpg?crop=1125,1125,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1682460477076","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6146747"},{"teacherId":8932952,"projectId":9636417,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of my project to provide healthy snacks for my students. As a 7th and 8th grade social studies teacher in a Title I school, I see firsthand how access to food—or the lack of it—can affect students' focus, energy, and sense of well-being. Your donation directly helps ensure that my students have nourishing snacks during the school day, allowing them to concentrate, participate, and feel cared for while they are in my classroom.\r\n\r\nFor many of my students, school is one of the few places where they can reliably access food. By helping provide healthy snacks, you are doing more than meeting a basic need—you are creating a learning environment where students feel supported and valued. When students aren't distracted by hunger, they are more engaged in discussions, more willing to take academic risks, and better able to connect with the lessons we explore together.\r\n\r\nI am deeply grateful for your kindness and belief in my students and in the work we do every day. Your generosity has a real and immediate impact, and it makes a meaningful difference in the lives of the young people I teach. Thank you for helping me support my students in such a tangible and compassionate way.","fullyFundedDate":1758809310645,"projectUrl":"project/brain-fuel/9636417/","projectTitle":"Brain Fuel","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Meade","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8932952"},{"teacherId":6851443,"projectId":9315422,"letterContent":"This year has been a milestone for our school—it is the first year we have ever offered a dedicated percussion class, and your generosity helped make that possible in a truly meaningful way.\r\n\r\nThanks to your support, my students are now exploring authentic Latin percussion instruments including congas, bongos, timbales, claves, and shakers. These are not just new \"toys\" in the room—they are tools for cultural connection. We have spent time learning the origins of each instrument, where they come from, and how they are traditionally used in Afro-Cuban and Latin American music. Understanding the history and cultural purpose behind these instruments has helped students connect more deeply to the music they are performing, rather than just playing notes on a page.\r\n\r\nIn class, we are currently working on a Latin percussion ensemble project where students rotate through different instruments and learn how each part contributes to the groove. Our next step is to prepare a culminating performance piece that blends traditional Latin rhythms with our band curriculum. Students will demonstrate not only technical skill, but also cultural understanding and ensemble awareness—skills that go far beyond the percussion room.\r\n\r\nYour donation did more than provide instruments. You helped launch a brand-new program, build student confidence, and open the door to a richer, more inclusive music education experience. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for believing in our students and in the power of music.","fullyFundedDate":1746455561078,"projectUrl":"project/latin-percussion/9315422/","projectTitle":"Latin Percussion","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. ODay-Bianchi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6851443_orig.png?crop=345,345,x0,y28&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1749686577620","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/libertybands"},{"teacherId":8226411,"projectId":9330346,"letterContent":"Thanks to your support, my science classes last year were messy and fun. Your donations brought 3 game changers to my room, along with a lot of awesome little bits that help keep the room tidy and clean.\r\n\r\nMaterials in Action:\r\n\r\nClay: Students are using the clay to sculpt elements for their chosen \"world.\" For a biome project, this might be small animals, miniature trees, or topographical features like mountains and rivers. For a civilization project, they might be building tiny replicas of homes or tools. The clay allows for 3D conceptualization and fine motor skill practice.\r\n\r\nNew Markers: The markers are essential for adding vibrant details to background scenes drawn on poster board or for coloring details onto their finished, dried clay pieces. Maybe the students are drawing a lush rainforest canopy or the ancient stones of a Mayan temple.\r\n\r\nStorage Bin: The new storage bin is being used to organize the finished, delicate clay projects while they dry, this teaches responsibility and organizational skills.","fullyFundedDate":1752538207441,"projectUrl":"project/messy-science-fun/9330346/","projectTitle":"Messy science fun","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Julie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8226411_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731908695402","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8226411"},{"teacherId":7573686,"projectId":9332048,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous gift to our classrooms and team unity efforts! We strive every year as TEAM OWL to make 7th grade both fun and motivating for our students. \r\n\r\nThanks to your donation we are able to reward and engage students that may otherwise struggle to feel recognized or motivated. Every two weeks we are running a raffle with a large snack prize, fun prize like a soccer ball or art supplies kit and from years past many of you have given we have gift cards like cinemark for a movie night or chipotle to eat out for a fun treat! \r\n\r\nWe are excited to hype up our students and reward students that are trying their best!","fullyFundedDate":1751099082343,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-play-team-raffle/9332048/","projectTitle":"Snacks & Play Team Raffle","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rios","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7573686_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y383&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1601059093443","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/latinamathteacher"},{"teacherId":4030794,"projectId":9357006,"letterContent":"I want to sincerely thank you for your generous contributions that made it possible for me to purchase prizes for my middle school students. Your support has helped create a positive and encouraging classroom environment where students are recognized and rewarded for making good choices, showing kindness, and putting forth their best effort. The excitement and joy they feel when their names are drawn remind them that their positive behavior matters and is valued.\r\n\r\nBecause of your kindness, my students are more motivated to support one another, stay engaged, and take pride in their actions both inside and outside the classroom. The prizes you helped provide have become a fun and meaningful way to reinforce the importance of respect, responsibility, and teamwork. Thank you again for investing in my students and helping me build a classroom community rooted in encouragement and growth. Your generosity is truly making a difference every day.","fullyFundedDate":1752784893138,"projectUrl":"project/encouragement-for-students-to-make-posit/9357006/","projectTitle":"Encouragement for Students to Make Positive Choices!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Carre","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4030794"},{"teacherId":10072797,"projectId":9450585,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the whiteboards and markers. They have been true game changers. The pictures show students at the whiteboards engaged and having robust mathematical discussions. They are willing to participate in tasks that require them to stick with a problem for a long time. These same students would struggle to stay awake in class and would be too anxious to talk. We have been using the whiteboards for several weeks and my students ask if we can use them more. My students are the true winners here and I am grateful we have had the chance to introduce this type of instruction. I am so grateful. \r\nThe task shown in the pictures show students thinking about ways to reach 100 using a certain set of criteria. You can see all the students talking and working with each other. This did not happen as much without these new whiteboards and materials. My students look forward to integrating them more as the year goes on. Our next unit delves into linear equations and I we are excited to use these materials to find new ways to teach about lines and rates of change.","fullyFundedDate":1752264636322,"projectUrl":"project/building-a-thinking-classroom/9450585/","projectTitle":"Building a Thinking Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Sigstad","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10072797"},{"teacherId":7573686,"projectId":9448868,"letterContent":"Thank you again for your tremendous generosity and support of the courageous work being done in my classroom!\r\n\r\nStudents have been exploring different options for flexible participation in the class and adapting to new experiences like yoga balls, inflatable donut cushions, disks for regular chairs and floor seating as well as standing desks! \r\n\r\nI'm excited to continue this year with all the flexible options you have supported for me to have and share with students this year and for years to come!","fullyFundedDate":1752432140679,"projectUrl":"project/building-a-thinking-classroom/9448868/","projectTitle":"Building A Thinking Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rios","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7573686_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y383&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1601059093443","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/latinamathteacher"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_31485","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":780,"numTeachers":47,"percentFrplEligible":76,"percentAsian":16,"percentBlack":14,"percentWhite":27,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":31,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"16.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":63.7,"schoolId":31485,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Ron Russell Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Ron Russell Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/oregon/david-douglas-school-district-40/ron-russell-middle-school/31485"}