{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Silverland Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":52.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8183625,"projectId":10574109,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting \"Printing Pride: Student-Designed Rewards and STEM Creations!\" At Silverland Middle School in Fernley, Nevada, your generosity helps connect hands-on learning with positive recognition for our seventh- and eighth-grade students. Our 3D printers create rewards for our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) store, helping us celebrate students' positive choices with something creative and meaningful.\r\n\r\nThese printers also make technology easier to understand. Students can watch a digital design become a physical object as the printer builds it one thin layer at a time. Exploring how designs are created, prepared, and printed offers opportunities to practice problem-solving, patience, and creativity. Articulated creations, such as flexible dragons, provide a fun introduction to how individual parts can work together to create movement.\r\n\r\nAs the school counselor, I appreciate how this project connects student interests with opportunities to contribute to our school community. Students can help imagine and create rewards that their classmates will enjoy, giving their ideas a purpose beyond an individual assignment. Thank you for helping us recognize positive behavior while opening the door to new skills, interests, and possibilities.","fullyFundedDate":1788542795296,"projectUrl":"project/printing-pride-student-designed-rewards/10574109/","projectTitle":"Printing Pride: Student-Designed Rewards and STEM Creations!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Elsmore","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/elsmore"},{"teacherId":10415434,"projectId":10591919,"letterContent":"The introduction of 3D printing into our middle school's PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) reward system has completely transformed how our 7th and 8th graders engage with positive behavior and school culture. At an age where traditional rewards like stickers or cheap trinkets no longer hold appeal, this technology bridges digital design and real-world engineering in a way that truly resonates with adolescents. Our students aren't just looking at screens; they are seeing computer-aided design (CAD) principles, spatial geometry, and iterative problem-solving in action as digital models transform layer-by-layer into physical objects. It demonstrates to young teens that technology is a tool for creation and innovation, not just passive entertainment.\r\n\r\nWhat excites our middle schoolers most is the sheer novelty, complexity, and exclusivity of the prizes. The 3D printer allows us to produce articulated fidgets, customizable locker accessories, keychains, and intricate gaming-inspired figures that feel high-value and tailored to their age group. The hallway outside the classroom is buzzing with anticipation whenever a long print job finishes on the heat bed. Students love tracking the progress of a print, discussing design iterations, and saving up their PBIS points to claim the latest limited-run drops in our school store.\r\n\r\nThis project has particularly resonated with our hands-on learners, quiet introverts, and students who sometimes struggle to stay engaged in traditional academic settings. Several 8th graders who previously found it challenging to stay focused have become completely captivated by the mechanics of the printer—asking detailed questions about filament temperature, slicing software, and print speeds. Having these coveted, tactile items available has given them a direct, tangible goal to work toward, noticeably boosting their positive behavior and focus throughout the day. Your support hasn't just funded a reward system; it has sparked a genuine interest in STEM and design across our entire middle school community!","fullyFundedDate":1788749802572,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-pbis-with-3d-printed-prizes/10591919/","projectTitle":"Fueling PBIS with 3D-Printed Prizes!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Wright","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10415434"},{"teacherId":1333040,"projectId":10570700,"letterContent":"I want to express my deepest gratitude for your generous support of our classroom project. Your kindness and generosity mean the world to us!\r\n\r\nMy students are bright, energetic, and endlessly curious learners who thrive when they can learn by doing. They come to school every day ready to explore, but like many young learners, they achieve their best work when their hands are engaged and their senses are regulated. They are at their happiest when building, problem-solving together, and finding creative ways to express their ideas.\r\n\r\nThanks to your donation, these new resources will make a immediate impact in our daily learning:\r\n\r\nLEGO Building Sets: These sets are transforming our center time and STEM activities. As students follow instructions or design their own structures, they are developing critical spatial awareness, fine-motor coordination, and early engineering skills. Working through building steps together is also teaching them perseverance and collaborative problem-solving.\r\n\r\nTransformable & Light-Up Fidget Spinners: Tactile tools are essential for helping students manage restless energy, ADHD, or sensory needs. By providing quiet, engaging fidgets, students can self-regulate right at their desks—allowing them to calm their minds, increase their attention span, and stay focused on lessons without disrupting their peers.\r\n\r\nBy combining creative STEM challenges with daily sensory support, your generosity gives my students the balanced foundation they need to stay engaged, build confidence, and succeed every day.\r\n\r\nThank you once again for investing in our classroom and believing in my students!","fullyFundedDate":1788556521278,"projectUrl":"project/tactile-tools-for-big-thoughts-stem-set/10570700/","projectTitle":"Tactile Tools for Big Thoughts: STEM Sets and Sensory Support","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Meza","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1333040"},{"teacherId":8183625,"projectId":10012018,"letterContent":"Having reliable, fast 3D printing technology like the Bambu Lab P1S in our counselor-led club has transformed abstract digital concepts into a tangible, schoolwide engine for engagement. While many people think of 3D printers simply as fun gadget makers, in our classroom, they serve as a powerful medium for applied STEM learning and project management. Our 7th and 8th graders aren't just downloading files—they are using slicing software, measuring dimensions, adjusting print speed and temperature settings, and learning how color changes work with the multi-filament AMS system. They test tolerances, fail forward when a print doesn't stick or misaligns, and refine their designs through real engineering trial-and-error.\r\n\r\nThe absolute most exciting part for our middle schoolers has been the multi-color capability and seeing their own creations listed in our school's Navigate360 PBIS store. There is an immense sense of pride when they see their peers across Silverland Middle School working hard to earn positive behavior points just to buy the articulated mini dragons, axolotls, and fish that they engineered and printed. It connects their hands-on work directly to a positive school culture, making them feel like active leaders and contributors to our campus community.\r\n\r\nThis technology has especially resonated with several of our hands-on and non-traditional learners who sometimes struggle in standard lecture environments. Having a tactile, visual goal has completely unlocked their confidence—they are the first to jump in, troubleshoot a filament change, or help a classmate slice a 3D model. Seeing these students step up as the resident \"tech experts\" in our 3D Printing Club, showing patience, focus, and leadership, has been the single most rewarding impact of this project.","fullyFundedDate":1768363982831,"projectUrl":"project/building-positive-behavior-one-print-at/10012018/","projectTitle":"Building Positive Behavior, One Print at a Time","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Elsmore","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/elsmore"},{"teacherId":8183625,"projectId":8098737,"letterContent":"When the packages arrived, my students' faces lit up with curiosity and excitement. Middle schoolers don't always find it easy to talk open-heartedly about stress or anxiety, but seeing a table full of cool, tactile tools—bright flippy chains, spiky acupressure rings, and textured sensory strips—immediately broke down the wall. Right away, students were eager to try them out, asking how they worked and selecting the ones that felt best to them. It turned what can sometimes feel like a heavy conversation about coping skills into something approachable, hands-on, and empowering.\r\n\r\nThese materials have quickly become essential tools across our entire campus. In my office and during our trauma support group sessions, students often pick up an acupressure ring or flippy chain to keep their hands busy while working through tough emotions. The textured sensory strips have been placed discreetly on desks and student binders, allowing kids to quietly ground themselves during class without drawing attention or distracting their peers. Furthermore, by making these items available through our PBIS store and sharing them with our co-counselor, Safe School Professional, and College & Career Interventionist, we've ensured that all 650 of our Silverland students have access to self-regulation tools whenever they need a moment to refocus.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, our next goal is to build on this foundation by helping students independently recognize when to use these tools before stress escalates. As we continue our social-emotional learning lessons and counseling groups throughout the school year, students will practice identifying their internal anxiety triggers and matching them with the right coping strategy. Thanks to your support, our middle schoolers aren't just getting through the school day—they are actively learning lifelong habits for emotional balance and academic success.","fullyFundedDate":1702249333205,"projectUrl":"project/tools-to-help-students-focus-in-class/8098737/","projectTitle":"Tools to Help Students Focus in Class","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Elsmore","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/elsmore"},{"teacherId":8183625,"projectId":6004722,"letterContent":"When the packages arrived in our school counseling office, my 7th and 8th graders were genuinely blown away. Middle school is already a challenging time of life, but many of our students are carrying heavy burdens—including navigating anxiety, classroom focus, and grieving the loss of loved ones. Seeing the brand-new student chair, games, books, and fidgets unboxed brought an immediate wave of comfort and excitement to our space. One of my students immediately claimed the new counseling chair, sank in with a huge sigh of relief, and said, \"Okay, this chair is amazing—can I sit here every time?\" Knowing that generous people out in the world cared enough to invest in their emotional well-being gave our kids a powerful sense of validation and care.\r\n\r\nWe immediately put these new resources to work across our individual check-ins and counseling groups. The stress popper bracelets, fidgets, and stress balls have been game-changers for students who struggle with anxiety and staying focused in class; they now have discrete, effective sensory tools to keep their bodies calm and minds engaged. In our Grief and Loss group, as well as our Friendship and Multicultural groups, the new Social Emotional Learning games and books have completely transformed our time together. During a recent group session, the new teamwork-building games helped students drop their guards, laugh, and open up about hard topics. Having tangible tools makes it so much easier for 7th and 8th graders to realize they aren't alone in what they are going through.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, our next steps involve integrating these materials into our ongoing small groups and our after-school spaces like Crypto Club and Gamer's Club. Students are using the SEL books and games to actively build relationship skills, practice empathy, and learn coping strategies that extend far beyond the counseling office. The new chair will continue to serve as a cozy, dedicated space for individual counseling sessions where students can sit comfortably, process their feelings, and reset. Thank you for giving our students the tangible support, comfort, and resources they need to build resilience every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1637983337151,"projectUrl":"project/individual-group-counseling-resources/6004722/","projectTitle":"Individual & Group Counseling Resources for Rural Middle School Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Elsmore","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/elsmore"},{"teacherId":5435217,"projectId":10012514,"letterContent":"The technology provided has allowed students to reach a wider selection of students and staff to interview. It is allowing more voices to be heard. More voices to speak. It is teaching our students to listen to others and consider their thoughts. My podcasters have learned new technological skills that they hadn't expected to. Is also pushes students out of their comfort zone by approaching students and staff that they may have in the first place. This tech is brining people together at SMS. We appreciate it.","fullyFundedDate":1768402664978,"projectUrl":"project/voices-of-silverland-a-student-led-libr/10012514/","projectTitle":"Voices of Silverland: A Student-Led Library Podcast","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Rash","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5435217"},{"teacherId":2553426,"projectId":10002429,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation. The iPad has made our smart board far more useful—students can now connect the iPad to the board and easily share their work with the class. They enjoy taking turns presenting, which builds confidence and communication skills. The device has become a simple, powerful tool that supports active, collaborative learning and helps students demonstrate their thinking. Your gift directly enhances classroom engagement and learning opportunities. We are deeply grateful for your support; it makes a meaningful difference in our students' success and in the daily life of our classroom.\r\n\r\nositive difference it has made.","fullyFundedDate":1768677970472,"projectUrl":"project/smart-board-isnt-smart-it-needs-a-litt/10002429/","projectTitle":"Smart Board Isn't Smart, It Needs a Little Help","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lange","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2553426"},{"teacherId":10404255,"projectId":10020333,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting the Silverland Middle School Gamers Club. Your generosity has had a meaningful impact on our students both socially and academically.\r\n\r\nBecause of your donation, our club now has an additional Nintendo Switch, which has significantly improved the experience for students who attend. With more gaming stations available, more students are able to actively participate rather than waiting for turns. This has helped keep students engaged and excited about attending the club each week. As a result, our attendance has grown substantially. We now have over 150 students who regularly participate in the Gamers Club.\r\n\r\nThe club has become an important space where students can connect with peers, build friendships, and feel like they belong at school. Many students who attend may not normally participate in traditional sports or activities, so the Gamers Club provides an inclusive environment where they can relax, socialize, and work together. Students regularly collaborate, cheer each other on, and practice good sportsmanship while playing.\r\n\r\nYour support has also helped us incorporate educational elements into the club. Several of the games we use include math-based challenges and problem-solving activities that encourage students to think critically while having fun. Students often practice mental math, logic, and strategy during gameplay without even realizing they are strengthening academic skills. Teachers and staff have noticed that some students who attend the club regularly show increased confidence when approaching math-related tasks.\r\n\r\nBeyond academics, the Gamers Club helps students develop important life skills such as teamwork, communication, patience, and perseverance. Students learn how to take turns, solve problems together, and handle both wins and losses respectfully. These experiences help students grow socially and emotionally while strengthening their connection to the school community.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our club has continued to grow and thrive. The additional Nintendo Switch has allowed more students to participate fully, which has increased attendance and engagement. Most importantly, it has helped create a welcoming space where students can build friendships, develop skills, and feel excited about being part of their school.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping make the Silverland Middle School Gamers Club such a positive and impactful experience for our students. Your support truly makes a difference.","fullyFundedDate":1768595257280,"projectUrl":"project/level-up-communication-through-gamers-cl/10020333/","projectTitle":"Level Up Communication Through Gamers Club","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. McGarr","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10404255"},{"teacherId":7032553,"projectId":10005036,"letterContent":"It is with great pleasure that I can share how extraordinarily grateful my students and myself are for your generous donation and contribution to fund this project.\r\nCollaborating with our local assisted living elders facility, 24 students participated in making handmade Valentines cards. I created the card kit from scratch and was able to use the Cricut laser, cutting machine to create the card itself, envelopes, embellishments and additional card extras to truly generate a custom one of a kind card to express our caring and kindness for the elders in our community. The students had a phenomenal time using a template and self guided instruction tutorial to create the cards. We proudly sent them to the reception area of the facility to give out to patients that were in extended living care situations and permanent residency. We hope that our card making, completely created with all the selected materials from the funding of this project, brought a smile to their faces this Valentine's Day. My students had such an amazing experience and enjoyed crafting and using their creativity to customize each card a little differently. They enjoyed it so much that they have asked when we can have another workshop like this. I plan to keep the momentum going and offer card making classes to support those within our community and spread a little joy. The students also suggested making custom graduation cards for our eighth grade student body promoting this June so that families can support our entrepreneur small business class and also pick up a celebratory card at a low cost. This was our first use of the machine and materials after it was received less than a month ago and I would say that it was an enormous success. Thank you again for finding value in supporting students in Northern Nevada and growing our creativity, thoughtfulness, and marketing goal.","fullyFundedDate":1768232724478,"projectUrl":"project/student-entrepreneurs-continued-success/10005036/","projectTitle":"Student Entrepreneurs Continued Success Starts Here","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jenkins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7032553"},{"teacherId":1333040,"projectId":10001317,"letterContent":"My students and I would like to express our deepest gratitude for your donations to our PAES lab at Silverland Middle school. It helps give my students an opportunity to get snacks and drinks when they need them. It allows me to give the kids a fun Friday once a month. They love to sit on the beanbag chairs and play games while they are eating snacks and drinks. Your donations have been able to help over 30 kids. \r\n\r\nMy students are able to get a break from schoolwork once a month to de-stress and relax. This would not have been possible without your donations.","fullyFundedDate":1768167974991,"projectUrl":"project/diverse-learning-space/10001317/","projectTitle":"Diverse Learning Space","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Meza","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1333040"},{"teacherId":9360136,"projectId":8016142,"letterContent":"Your support has had a huge impact on our program. Students have learned technical skills that they will be able to carry towards real world application if they choose to pursue a career in technical theater. Having equipment that is close to industry standard helps give that exposure and they have been able to get hands on exposure. We have moved towards nearly 100% student ran technology for our shows, and have trained a few technicians so that they can help where needed. Without your support, it would not have been possible.","fullyFundedDate":1699750102966,"projectUrl":"project/amplifying-the-voices-and-skills-of-tech/8016142/","projectTitle":"Amplifying the Voices and Skills of Technical Theater Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Rogers","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9360136"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_101611","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":667,"numTeachers":30,"percentFrplEligible":55,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":51,"percentIndigenous":4,"percentLatinx":30,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":1,"percentMultiracialImputed":8,"gradesServed":"7 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"22.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"TOWN_DISTANT"},"inStateSupporters":47.4,"schoolId":101611,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Silverland Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Silverland Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/nevada/lyon-county-school-district/silverland-middle-school/101611"}