{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Thomas C Marsh Preparatory Academy","outOfStateSupporters":40.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7927759,"projectId":10069461,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our \"Supplies for Scholars\" project. Because of your generosity, my students now have access to essential classroom supplies such as pencils, mechanical pencil lead, and printer paper that they use every day. These materials have helped create a more organized and prepared learning environment where students can fully focus on their work instead of worrying about not having what they need.\r\nWhen students first saw the supplies, they were excited and ready to use them right away. Having consistent access to basic materials has boosted their confidence and independence in the classroom. I have noticed students coming to class more prepared, completing assignments more efficiently, and taking greater pride in their work because they have the tools necessary to succeed.\r\nThese resources have made a meaningful difference in our daily classroom experience. They allow me to spend more time teaching and supporting my students rather than managing supply shortages. Moving forward, these supplies will continue to support student learning, writing, and overall growth. Thank you again for investing in my students and helping create a space where they can thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1772034101493,"projectUrl":"project/supplies-for-scholars/10069461/","projectTitle":"Supplies for Scholars","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pierre","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7927759_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1691004211120","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/pierre"},{"teacherId":7927759,"projectId":10117425,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my students and our entire school community now have access to books that truly belong to them. Through our organizing club, we were able to lead a book giveaway that put books directly into the hands of students. Many of my students are still developing their reading skills, and having access to engaging, age appropriate books from our classroom library and the giveaway has made a noticeable difference. Students who once struggled to find interest in reading are now excited to choose books that reflect their identities, experiences, and interests, helping build both confidence and a love of reading.\r\n\r\n During the giveaway, students eagerly browsed books, shared recommendations with friends, and left with titles they were genuinely excited to read. Back in the classroom, students are spending more time engaged in independent reading, talking about books, and making meaningful connections. I have seen students take pride in finishing books and even ask for more time to read, something that did not happen as often before.\r\n\r\nYour support helped us create more than just a classroom library, it helped us build a culture of reading across our school. These books are not just resources, they are opportunities for students to grow, connect, and see themselves in stories. Thank you for investing in my students and helping us make literacy something that is celebrated and shared.","fullyFundedDate":1773780462636,"projectUrl":"project/readers-for-life-community-book-giveawa/10117425/","projectTitle":"Readers for Life: Community Book Giveaway","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pierre","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7927759_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1691004211120","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/pierre"},{"teacherId":1321283,"projectId":9972900,"letterContent":"Let me tell you what happened when I got a button-maker in the library: My colleague who teaches science came in during his lunch break and spotted the box, and before I could tell him I was going to have to learn how to use a button making machine, he was opening the box and showing me and my students how to do it. Before the bell rang, one of my 8th grade boys had made a half dozen custom buttons from pictures in a drawing notebook he carries. \r\n\r\nThe next day, four girls came in at lunch and asked if they had heard correctly- did I really have a button maker in the library? They immediately went to work, and were so engaged in creating that I had to shoo them out of the library when it was time to go to class. \r\n\r\nI love that this is a positive, creative outlet, and I love that it brings more kids (and teachers) into the library! \r\n\r\nThank you for seeing the value in this project. The buttons are really cute!","fullyFundedDate":1771007570570,"projectUrl":"project/cute-as-a-button/9972900/","projectTitle":"Cute As a Button","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dunlap","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1321283_orig.png?crop=310,310,x1,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1675011967596","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/dunlap"},{"teacherId":7927759,"projectId":9736793,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our classroom now has the essential materials needed to support daily instruction and student learning. The bulk of this project was copy paper, which we used to create Romeo and Juliet booklets for each student. Since our curriculum does not provide a consumable paper copy, printing these booklets allows students to annotate directly on the text, track character development, and engage more deeply during close reading activities.\r\n\r\nThe grammar workbooks are being used to strengthen foundational writing skills, including sentence structure, punctuation, and usage. These structured practice opportunities help students apply skills directly to their essays and literary analysis. White out and other basic supplies also make a meaningful difference, allowing students to revise and edit their work neatly and confidently.\r\n\r\nThese materials remove practical barriers and allow us to focus on rigorous instruction. Your support has directly strengthened both our literature study and writing practice, and we are truly grateful for your investment in our students.","fullyFundedDate":1769202143794,"projectUrl":"project/supplies-for-scholars/9736793/","projectTitle":"Supplies for Scholars","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pierre","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7927759_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1691004211120","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/pierre"},{"teacherId":1321283,"projectId":9868672,"letterContent":"I am blessed in my school library. I have access to some really great materials, both in my book collection and in my available technology, but one place that is always occupied during student library time is the art station. The students came in after the materials arrived for this project, and they opened up the new sketchbooks along with some how-to books on drawing. They love to sit and draw or joyfully create in the art station. \r\n\r\nThis project has restocked the critical parts of the art station in the library. Students are using the new, colorful origami paper and making unique images with the new colored pencils. \r\n\r\nThank you for seeing the value in this project. In a world of tests and data, students really need outlets for their creative energy, and this project absolutely helps them find that time and space to create and innovate. \r\n\r\nThanks again,","fullyFundedDate":1766954445873,"projectUrl":"project/the-library-is-the-heart-of-the-school/9868672/","projectTitle":"The Library is the HeART of the School","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dunlap","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1321283_orig.png?crop=310,310,x1,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1675011967596","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/dunlap"},{"teacherId":1321283,"projectId":9795288,"letterContent":"You might be surprised at how many students in my middle school library love to play chess. What surprised me when I started stocking board games on my shelf was the number of kids who asked if I had a chess board. They love to teach one another strategy and talk through their moves. \r\n\r\nThe library is a perfect place to house games of strategy and skill, as well as games that require prediction making, communication, inferencing- games teach lots of things we want them to know on test days, but not necessarily in a structured lesson. Watch them play a round of Heads Up or see how invested they get in a game of Uno, and you can instantly see the value of games in a library. \r\n\r\nI love that I have to give kids a two-minute warning when lunch is about to end so that they can wrap up the play and put the games away. They get so involved that they lose track of time, and for me, that's a win! Thank you so much for helping to keep these games in my library.","fullyFundedDate":1763744769873,"projectUrl":"project/not-just-fun-and-games/9795288/","projectTitle":"Not Just Fun and Games","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dunlap","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1321283_orig.png?crop=310,310,x1,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1675011967596","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/dunlap"},{"teacherId":1321283,"projectId":9863930,"letterContent":"I don't know if you've ever seen a 12-year-old connect a bulb to a battery and make it light up, but it happens every day in my library with these Snap Circuits. My students love to snap together these components and make elaborate little machines. They run a little fan or play a chime on a mini-speaker by connecting the snaps and completing the circuit. The kits come with recommended circuits for them to build, but I kind of prefer when they invent their own.\r\n\r\nI truly appreciate the donation that has added Snap Circuits to my library. I have them out on a table at lunchtime, and they are so popular that I have to give my kids a two-minute warning when lunch is about to end. They get so involved. \r\n\r\nThank you for giving my students access to this up-put-down-able activity!","fullyFundedDate":1761932264088,"projectUrl":"project/snap-into-stem/9863930/","projectTitle":"Snap Into STEM","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dunlap","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1321283_orig.png?crop=310,310,x1,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1675011967596","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/dunlap"},{"teacherId":7927759,"projectId":9686409,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, Snacks for Scholars has already made a tremendous difference in my classroom. When my students saw the variety box of Schoolhouse Snacks, Sour Patch gummies, Sour Punch Twists, Famous Amos cookies, and even the Rip Van Wafels, their faces absolutely lit up. Many of my students come in tired or hungry, and being able to offer them something small before we begin class has had an immediate impact on their focus and confidence. \r\n\r\nAs we move into our next reading and writing units, these snacks have become part of our routine—a small act of care that helps students settle in, engage longer, and work with more persistence. They now associate my classroom with comfort and consistency, and that shift alone has strengthened our community. Your support didn't just fill a cart; it filled a need. Because of you, my scholars feel seen, supported, and ready to learn. Thank you for investing in their growth and for giving them something to look forward to each day.","fullyFundedDate":1758224660501,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-of-scholars/9686409/","projectTitle":"Snacks of Scholars","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pierre","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7927759_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1691004211120","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/pierre"},{"teacherId":1321283,"projectId":9648246,"letterContent":"The popularity of this mini-trampoline can't be overstated. There's a timer we use with our special needs kids so they know that their turn has a start and an end. It's important to teach sharing, after all. But wow, they sure do love jumping and jumping- lots of our special needs kids have the wiggles, and this trampoline is the perfect thing to work out those wiggles without fully exasperating their teachers and aides. \r\n\r\nThe thing about having a dedicated unit for students who can't be in regular classrooms is that they need different things than general education kids. One of ours wears noise canceling headphones. One of ours likes to sort things and organize items by color. One is really into sharpening pencils. But they all uniformly seem to love jumping. Thank you for helping to fill this need.","fullyFundedDate":1758229750426,"projectUrl":"project/leaps-and-bounds-special-needs-edition/9648246/","projectTitle":"Leaps and Bounds, Special Needs Edition","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dunlap","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1321283_orig.png?crop=310,310,x1,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1675011967596","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/dunlap"},{"teacherId":1321283,"projectId":9674835,"letterContent":"This is a game day game-changer. After school sports programs are wonderful opportunities for students to participate in teams, stay fit, build relationships and learn to be disciplined. They are academically inspiring, as well. Students need good grades to play. And with the addition of this air fryer and griddle, the students who participate in these athletic programs can get a nice meal before games. It's a great perk, and it helps take some of the pressure off the parents who may not always have the time or the resources to feed kids on the go. \r\n\r\nThe griddle arrived first, and we had a hot dog feast for our football team. It was a great way to feed the team, and it had the added benefit or bringing the boys all together before the game. Cut to the next softball game, and our girls had air-fryer chicken fingers, purchased frozen and cooked on campus. It was so much more affordable than ordering out or relying on parents to bring in fast food. \r\n\r\nThank you for seeing the value in this unconventional project. Our student athletes are going to enjoy having these items around for a long time.","fullyFundedDate":1757549138092,"projectUrl":"project/game-day-grub/9674835/","projectTitle":"Game Day Grub","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dunlap","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1321283_orig.png?crop=310,310,x1,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1675011967596","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/dunlap"},{"teacherId":1321283,"projectId":9581081,"letterContent":"Bringing families back into our neighborhood schools is easier said than done. I'm in a large, urban district, and my school is situated in the middle of a neighborhood that really spans the socio-economic spectrum. For too long, we have seen the kids whose families have means take those kids out of public schools and explore other options. We want those families to believe in their local public schools again, and it's starting to work. We want all the moms, dads, aunts, uncles and grandparents in the neighborhood to feel that this middle school is a second home. We want them to feel welcome and we want their needs to be met. Our families have a dedicated space in our school where they come in, volunteer, help out and become part of what makes our campus great. And now, we have something nice to offer- a cold beverage for their troubles. With this refrigerator and our coffee maker, we can get one step closer to making all of our local families feel that the school in their neighborhood is the place where they and their children are always welcome!\r\n\r\nThank you!","fullyFundedDate":1755720930164,"projectUrl":"project/keep-cool-in-the-community-center/9581081/","projectTitle":"Keep Cool in the Community Center","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dunlap","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1321283_orig.png?crop=310,310,x1,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1675011967596","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/dunlap"},{"teacherId":6917078,"projectId":9322325,"letterContent":"Thank you for your incredible generosity and support! Because of your donations, we were able to host a successful 7th grade orientation and launch our new \"Where Everybody Belongs\" program. We have about 120 students show up to our event before school started, and since, have had a few events to welcome 7th graders to campus and help them get to know their 8th grade leaders. Your kindness helps us create a welcoming, inclusive environment where all students can thrive. We are deeply grateful for your commitment to our school community.","fullyFundedDate":1751412623083,"projectUrl":"project/where-everyone-belongs/9322325/","projectTitle":"Where Everyone Belongs","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cram","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6917078_orig.jpg?crop=400,400,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1591835535513","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/saracram"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_14077","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":712,"numTeachers":57,"percentFrplEligible":84,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":2,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":93,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"12.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":59.7,"schoolId":14077,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Thomas C Marsh Preparatory Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Thomas C Marsh Preparatory Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/dallas-independent-school-district/thomas-c-marsh-middle-school/14077"}