Shumate Middle School in Gibraltar, Michigan on DonorsChoose

{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Shumate Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":0.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8583502,"projectId":9618540,"letterContent":"I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the Teacher's Pay Teachers gift card. I cannot begin to tell you how our 6th graders have benefitted from your generosity. We made some updates to our curriculum this year and I desperately needed some updated materials. \r\n\r\nSince receiving the gift, I have purchased materials for our grammar unit, literary elements units, Flipped unit, and most recently, our informational text unit. You've made a huge difference and have allowed me to better help my students!\r\n\r\nAgain, thank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1764955329316,"projectUrl":"project/new-adventures-enriching-our-curriculum/9618540/","projectTitle":"New Adventures: Enriching our Curriculum","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Madgwick","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8583502"},{"teacherId":8583502,"projectId":9618553,"letterContent":"First, I would like to take a moment to thank you again for your generosity. The ink cartridges and all of the art supplies have not only helped my English class but also my debate classes. Students now have access to things that they previously didn't and have created some of the most gorgeous pieces of artwork because of it. The bins, those have probably been the most beneficial. Each station has a bin and in each bin contains the current novel. We are reading, pencils, pens, rulers, glue sticks, sticky notes, and a few other necessities. Necessities. My students can come into their classroom, sit down and have everything they could possibly need in one place. \r\nAgain, I cannot thank you enough for your generosity. We all appreciate you!","fullyFundedDate":1762453152177,"projectUrl":"project/the-creative-student-journey/9618553/","projectTitle":"The Creative Student Journey","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Madgwick","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8583502"},{"teacherId":8583502,"projectId":9186606,"letterContent":"I am writing this letter with a heart full of gratitude to thank you for your generous donation of pencils, markers, and colored pencils to my classroom. Your kindness and support have made a real, tangible difference in the daily lives of my students and in the way I am able to teach.\r\n\r\nYour thoughtful contribution came at just the right time. These supplies are far more than simple classroom tools—they are instruments of learning, creativity, and expression. From the very first day they arrived, my students' eyes lit up at the sight of the new materials. Many of them do not have access to basic school supplies at home, and your donation allowed every child, regardless of background, to participate fully in every lesson. No one had to share a pencil or go without a marker; everyone had what they needed to do their best work.\r\n\r\nWe used the pencils daily for note-taking across all subjects. Something as routine as taking notes became an act of ownership and engagement. Students were able to write neatly, revise their ideas, and take pride in their work. For some, even the simple act of holding a new, unsharpened pencil sparked enthusiasm and motivation. It may seem small, but for a student who often feels left out or behind, these tools leveled the playing field and helped them feel like they belonged.\r\n\r\nThe colored pencils and markers added a new dimension to our learning. We used them extensively in language arts, especially for identifying and analyzing sentence structure. For instance, students used different colors to highlight subjects, predicates, conjunctions, and clauses. This color-coded method made abstract grammar concepts more concrete and easier to understand. It also fostered collaboration—students worked in pairs and small groups, comparing their analyses, explaining their choices, and learning from each other.\r\n\r\nBeyond grammar, the art supplies brought a joyful creativity to our classroom. Students used them in projects that integrated literacy and visual expression—illustrating scenes from stories, creating character maps, and designing posters about the themes and messages in our reading. These activities made learning more meaningful and engaging. The ability to express their understanding in a visual way helped many of my students—especially visual learners and English language learners—grasp complex ideas and build confidence in their abilities.\r\n\r\nThe impact of your generosity reached even further than the classroom. When students take pride in their work and their learning environment, it translates to improved behavior, stronger relationships, and a more positive school experience overall. I've seen quieter students begin to raise their hands more often, reluctant learners begin to approach their work with curiosity, and classmates help each other with a sense of shared purpose.\r\n\r\nThank you for seeing the value in investing in education, even without knowing exactly who would benefit. Your anonymous kindness has touched many lives in ways you may never fully see—but I hope this letter helps you understand just how deeply appreciated you are.\r\n\r\nFrom the bottom of my heart, and on behalf of all the students who now write, draw, and learn with greater enthusiasm—thank you.","fullyFundedDate":1743104511221,"projectUrl":"project/coloring-our-world-with-color-and-words/9186606/","projectTitle":"Coloring Our World with Color and Words!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Madgwick","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8583502"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_41669","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":839,"numTeachers":38,"percentFrplEligible":35,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":7,"percentWhite":77,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":9,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"22.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":100.0,"schoolId":41669,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Shumate Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Shumate Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/michigan/gibraltar-school-district/shumate-middle-school/41669"}

About this school

Shumate Middle School is a suburban public school in Gibraltar, Michigan that is part of Gibraltar School District. It serves 839 students in grades 6 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 22.1:1. Its teachers have had 9 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Public School

Grades 6 - 8

839 Students

38 Teachers

30448 W Jefferson Ave

Gibraltar, MI 48173 View local requests

http://www.gibdist.net/shumate-middle

Direct, proactive support

Empower teachers at Shumate Middle School to request what their students need.

Give to this school

Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

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

Shumate Middle School Teachers on DonorsChoose

Ms. Kathryn Gregorich-Filkins

Mrs. Madgwick

Mrs. Walchak

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for public school teachers.

Every donation funds real needs — pencils, books, lab equipment, art supplies, and more — helping students learn and thrive. We ship supplies directly to the school, and you'll see exactly where each dollar goes.

See how DonorsChoose works

Shumate Middle School Demographics

35%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

17%

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.

Shumate Middle School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Mar 19, 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.