{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Thomas Starr King Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":12.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":1907829,"projectId":10270508,"letterContent":"I am incredibly grateful to the donors who helped fund these supplies for my classroom. The portable chargers, classroom decorations, and graphing paper may seem like simple things, but they make a meaningful difference in creating a classroom that feels welcoming, organized, and inviting for my students.\r\n\r\nThe new decor helps make our classroom a space where students feel comfortable and excited to learn. The portable chargers ensure they can stay connected and ready to use technology when needed, while the graphing paper gives them the tools to organize their math notes and show their mathematical thinking clearly.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our classroom and helping create an environment where my students feel supported, prepared, and excited to learn. Your generosity has helped make our classroom a more inviting place for every student who walks through the door.","fullyFundedDate":1779913309899,"projectUrl":"project/inviting-classroom-environment/10270508/","projectTitle":"Inviting Classroom Environment","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Chen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1907829_orig.jpg?crop=413,413,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758469858673","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1907829"},{"teacherId":8402538,"projectId":10302611,"letterContent":"Thank you for giving my students the dictionaries that are transforming how they tackle challenging texts! From the moment the dictionaries arrived, students were flipping through them, testing out how quickly they could find tricky vocabulary words, and comparing definitions with each other. The Visual Dictionaries in particular have been a hit — students who sometimes struggle to connect an unfamiliar word to its meaning can now see it illustrated right there on the page, which has made a real difference for my English Learners and students who benefit from extra visual support.\r\n\r\nHaving physical dictionaries at every student's fingertips means no one has to wait for a shared classroom set or feel singled out for needing extra help — they can look up a word independently, right in the moment, without breaking their reading flow. We're heading into a unit on complex historical texts next, and I already know these dictionaries will be essential as students work through unfamiliar vocabulary and build the confidence to tackle grade-level material on their own. It's exactly the kind of scaffolding that helps my students stop seeing a hard word as a roadblock and start seeing it as something they can figure out.\r\n\r\nThank you again for making sure language is never a barrier to my students' learning. You've given them a tool they'll reach for all year long, and the independence that comes with it.","fullyFundedDate":1779897915785,"projectUrl":"project/dictionaries-for-diverse-learners/10302611/","projectTitle":"Dictionaries for Diverse Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Soffer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8402538_orig.jpg?crop=1417,1417,x27,y227&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1649108380101","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/annasoffer"},{"teacherId":8402538,"projectId":10232086,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for restocking our classroom with the supplies that keep our workshop running! The toner and paper have already made a huge difference — my students are able to get printed readings in their hands and publish polished, finished versions of their writing instead of just seeing their work on a screen. We recently used the colored paper and watercolor supplies for a project bringing a scene from history to life visually, and it was wonderful to watch students who don't always feel confident as writers shine through their artwork instead. The organizational tools have also helped keep our classroom running smoothly, so less time gets lost hunting for materials and more time goes toward actual learning.\r\n\r\nSixth grade is a big transition for my students, and having a well-stocked, organized classroom helps them feel steady and supported through it. My students light up when they get to use fresh paper and real art supplies for a project — it's a small thing, but it tells them their work matters enough to be done well. Looking ahead, we're gearing up for a unit where students will illustrate and publish their own historical fiction narratives, and thanks to your donation, I know we'll have everything we need to see it through from first draft to final, printed copy.\r\n\r\nThank you again for making sure my students have what they need to create, write, and grow all year long. Your generosity keeps our classroom running as the thriving, creative space it's meant to be.","fullyFundedDate":1778042032420,"projectUrl":"project/supply-restock/10232086/","projectTitle":"Supply Restock","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Soffer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8402538_orig.jpg?crop=1417,1417,x27,y227&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1649108380101","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/annasoffer"},{"teacherId":8402538,"projectId":10231053,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping build our classroom library with books that truly reflect who my students are! When the boxes of books arrived, the reaction was immediate — students crowded around, flipping through covers and calling out titles they recognized or wanted to grab first. A few of my Bengali students lit up when they saw Tales of India, and it sparked a great conversation about the folktales their own families tell at home. Meanwhile, the Adrian Mole collection and Treasure Hunters books have become the go-to choice for several of my boys who normally tell me they \"don't like reading\" — they're now asking when we have independent reading time so they can get back to their book.\r\n\r\nHaving books that act as both windows and mirrors has changed the energy in our classroom library. Students are more willing to try a book when they see themselves in it, and just as excited to explore a story from a culture different from their own. Our next step is starting book clubs, where small groups will read and discuss a title together and present their favorite parts to the class — I already have students asking to be grouped with friends so they can read Mexican WhiteBoy or the Adrian Mole series together. It's exactly the kind of peer-driven excitement about reading I was hoping this project would spark.\r\n\r\nThank you again for trusting me to build a library where every one of my students can find a story that feels like theirs. You've given them more than books — you've given them permission to see themselves as readers.","fullyFundedDate":1777940047899,"projectUrl":"project/books-for-our-classroom-library/10231053/","projectTitle":"Books for Our Classroom Library","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Soffer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8402538_orig.jpg?crop=1417,1417,x27,y227&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1649108380101","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/annasoffer"},{"teacherId":8402538,"projectId":10206632,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping fund the deodorant, granola and protein bars, sunscreen, and hygiene wipes for my sixth-grade classroom! When the boxes arrived, my students were genuinely excited — several of them immediately noticed the deodorant and hygiene items and quietly thanked me, which told me just how much they'd been feeling that need. We've been keeping the granola and protein bars stocked in a basket at the back of the room, and it's become a normal part of our routine for students to grab one before a test or during a long stretch of independent work. I've noticed fewer students asking to \"just put my head down\" in the afternoons, which makes a real difference when we're working through challenging material.\r\n\r\nThese supplies have let me focus on what actually matters in my classroom: teaching. Instead of students being distracted by hunger or worrying about hygiene during a big growth stage in their lives, they're able to stay present and engaged. Our next step is diving into a persuasive writing unit where students will research and argue for a cause they care about — and honestly, several of them have already said they want to write about food insecurity or access to basic supplies, inspired by this very experience. It's a powerful full-circle moment to watch them turn something they received into something they want to advocate for.\r\n\r\nThank you again for seeing my students and trusting me to meet their needs. Your generosity gave them dignity, comfort, and one less thing to worry about — and that makes all the difference in a classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1779185209926,"projectUrl":"project/resources-for-hunger-personal-care/10206632/","projectTitle":"Resources for Hunger & Personal Care","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Soffer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8402538_orig.jpg?crop=1417,1417,x27,y227&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1649108380101","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/annasoffer"},{"teacherId":103337,"projectId":10248284,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting this cross-program initiative. \r\nThe students will be building garden sculptures this year with the materials, and we are actively sifting our home-made compost into soil, and then will be planting veggies and flowers in our community garden.\r\n After the seeds are sown, the students will invent a Garden Gnome creature from their imaginations and from literature they are reading, and start the process of designing their gnomes, and then will begin collecting found objects to and non-recylable trash to make into sculptures that will oversee our plants as they grow. The students are very excited about this. \r\nThank you so much, \r\nMs. Williams and Ms. Aniko","fullyFundedDate":1777843370477,"projectUrl":"project/native-sculpture-garden/10248284/","projectTitle":"Native Sculpture Garden","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Williams","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp103337_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1471220894572","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/sonja-williams"},{"teacherId":6637043,"projectId":9629219,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting my classroom. Your contribution gave my English Learners hands-on, multimodal resources that I now use daily for scaffolds, differentiation, small-group instruction, visuals, discussion prompts, writing, feedback, and interaction.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the new materials, they were excited, and loved the break from their computers and notebooks. They continue to enjoy the hands-on elements, participate more, and respond well to the different modalities these donated resources provided. They especially appreciate the rewards and recognition for effort and positive behavior.\r\n\r\nWe will continue using these resources to close learning gaps and deepen a current unit by focusing on targeted practice in small groups, paired discussions to build language, and short written reflections to show growth. These tools have made lessons more engaging and helped me reach more students effectively.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your generous donation.","fullyFundedDate":1756144513512,"projectUrl":"project/engaging-eld-learners-with-interactive-t/9629219/","projectTitle":"Engaging ELD Learners with Interactive Tools and Rewards","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Irizarry","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6637043"},{"teacherId":9026329,"projectId":9891176,"letterContent":"Thank You! for supporting our classroom project. Your generosity has already made meaningful differences for our students.\r\n\r\nWe are using the new resources during science hands-on labs. As we near the end of the school year, we are working on Big Culminating Projects like building a roller coaster using paper templates for turns loops, drops and hill. Wee are using the materials to build paper roller coasters and use what students have learned about energy transfers and transformations. Also, learning the engineering process as they build\r\nWhen they first saw the materials, they wanted to get their hands on them. Tehy were eager to start. The new supplies have boosted their curiosity and confidence to work together and putting in practice what they have learned.\r\n\r\nThe next steps are to use the materials to experiment on Newton's Laws of Motion building a paper rocket using the launcher. They are so excited because this is the time when we go outside and launch rockets using the launcher that with your generosity we received. These projects also help me ignite the enthusiasm of incoming 8th graders during Open House. \r\n\r\nThank you for giving our students a chance to experience real hans-on engineering process. Your support truly makes a difference.","fullyFundedDate":1764600627419,"projectUrl":"project/-launching-learning-building-paper-ro/9891176/","projectTitle":"🚀 Launching Learning: Building Paper Rockets in Stem!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ortiz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9026329_orig.jpg?crop=1206,1205,x0,y277&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683339349624","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9026329"},{"teacherId":1212425,"projectId":9815892,"letterContent":"This technology has transformed how my students engage with learning. Instead of passively receiving information, they actively explore concepts, complete interactive activities, and get immediate feedback that helps them grow.\r\n\r\nStudents are especially excited about the hands-on and personalized learning experience. They can work at their own pace and express their understanding in creative ways, which has boosted both confidence and participation.\r\n\r\nSeveral students who were once hesitant to participate are now more involved, while others are using the technology to challenge themselves further. Overall, it has created a more engaging and inclusive classroom for all learners.","fullyFundedDate":1760648603281,"projectUrl":"project/technology-in-the-classroom/9815892/","projectTitle":"Technology in the Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Carrillo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1212425"},{"teacherId":1212425,"projectId":9815310,"letterContent":"This technology has transformed how my students engage with learning. Instead of passively receiving information, they actively explore concepts, complete interactive activities, and get immediate feedback that helps them grow.\r\n\r\nStudents are especially excited about the hands-on and personalized learning experience. They can work at their own pace and express their understanding in creative ways, which has boosted both confidence and participation.\r\n\r\nSeveral students who were once hesitant to participate are now more involved, while others are using the technology to challenge themselves further. Overall, it has created a more engaging and inclusive classroom for all learners.","fullyFundedDate":1760648602930,"projectUrl":"project/technology-in-science/9815310/","projectTitle":"Technology in Science","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Carrillo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1212425"},{"teacherId":1907829,"projectId":9743550,"letterContent":"Classroom supplies like headphones, markers, and rulers have a direct and meaningful impact on student learning by ensuring every child has the tools they need to fully participate. Headphones allow students to focus on digital lessons, minimize distractions, and work at their own pace, especially during independent or small-group instruction. Markers make learning more interactive and engaging, encouraging students to visually represent their thinking, collaborate with peers, and actively solve problems. Rulers support accuracy and precision in math, helping students build essential measurement and geometry skills.","fullyFundedDate":1764697340435,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-enhancement-supplies/9743550/","projectTitle":"Classroom Enhancement Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Chen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1907829_orig.jpg?crop=413,413,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758469858673","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1907829"},{"teacherId":1907829,"projectId":9148541,"letterContent":"Classroom supplies like headphones, markers, and rulers have a direct and meaningful impact on student learning by ensuring every child has the tools they need to fully participate. Headphones allow students to focus on digital lessons, minimize distractions, and work at their own pace, especially during independent or small-group instruction. Markers make learning more interactive and engaging, encouraging students to visually represent their thinking, collaborate with peers, and actively solve problems. Rulers support accuracy and precision in math, helping students build essential measurement and geometry skills","fullyFundedDate":1751552697761,"projectUrl":"project/digital-works-wonders/9148541/","projectTitle":"Digital Works Wonders","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Chen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1907829_orig.jpg?crop=413,413,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758469858673","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1907829"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_7350","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1464,"numTeachers":80,"percentFrplEligible":75,"percentAsian":14,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":17,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":60,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":4,"gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"18.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":87.4,"schoolId":7350,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Thomas Starr King Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Thomas Starr King Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/los-angeles-unified-school-district/thomas-starr-king-middle-school/7350"}