{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Union Hill Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":60.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9020438,"projectId":9253363,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom story took a beautiful turn! With your help, students dove into new novels, shared lively discussions, and enjoyed snacks that kept both their minds and hearts full. Our little \"book club meets snack bar\" thrived because you believed in the magic of good stories—and well-timed granola bars. Your support filled our shelves, fueled curiosity, and reminded us that every great story deserves a strong ending (and maybe a snack break). Thank you for helping us close this chapter with joy, connection, and plenty of good reads ahead!","fullyFundedDate":1746709883883,"projectUrl":"project/plot-twists-popcorn-purell-support-o/9253363/","projectTitle":"Plot Twists, Popcorn & Purell: Support Our Final Chapters!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cummings","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9020438_orig.jpg?crop=638,638,x229,y82&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1714939366798","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9020438"},{"teacherId":1625544,"projectId":9036790,"letterContent":"Thank you again for supporting the arts in our school. We are very fortunate to have people like you who value what our students are capable of. \r\n\r\nYour very generous gift came in just in time for our spring showcase. Students have been preparing for weeks. Our bucket group was able to use their new drumsticks and stands to prepare for their performance. It went amazingly. Our students learned several new skills, have learned that it's OK to make mistakes, and put on an amazing performance.\r\n\r\nFrom the bottom of our hearts, thank you for supporting our program.","fullyFundedDate":1746787185688,"projectUrl":"project/bucket-bonanza/9036790/","projectTitle":"Bucket Bonanza!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kay","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1625544_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1502800422159","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mkaymusic"},{"teacherId":9020438,"projectId":9062358,"letterContent":"Due to your generosity and kindness, I've been able to keep student reading engagement steady for over two years now. Our school library has officially been renovated, but many books had to be thrown out due to water damage, and black mold. Classes have not had a book fair this year, nor have they've been invited in with a schedule in order to check out which books are available to them.\r\n\r\nStudents—whether from my classes or those I mentor after school—are constantly checking out books, not out of obligation, but out of genuine interest. Because of your support, they now have access to titles that complement and expand on the core novels we read together in class. In addition, students outside of my class, have had more access to popular young adult literature, as well as other books to series they love, and have started outside of school. \r\n\r\nHaving a classroom library has ultimately deepened students understanding of themes and sparked richer class discussions that bridge connections to real world events, as well as serve as mentor texts for our own narrative writing. I've seen students light up when they find a book that speaks uniquely to them, and their interests, and for that we are eternally grateful for your help in donating.\r\n\r\nWe're about to begin our dystopian independent reading novel projects this marking period, and thanks to you, students now have a wider selection of engaging titles to choose from, as well as multiple copies of popular books that allow them to form their own book clubs. These small changes have made a big impact—reading stamina is increasing, curiosity is growing, and students are more engaged than ever before. \r\n\r\nOur library isn't just a place to check out books; it's become a space where students see themselves as readers, thinkers, and collaborators. Thank you for making this possible. Your support is nurturing a lifelong love of reading.","fullyFundedDate":1737735793449,"projectUrl":"project/tissues-always-pair-well-with-a-great-bo/9062358/","projectTitle":"Tissues Always Pair Well With a Great Book","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cummings","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9020438_orig.jpg?crop=638,638,x229,y82&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1714939366798","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9020438"},{"teacherId":1492335,"projectId":8478120,"letterContent":"Thank you! The arrival of my small group reading books has significantly transformed my middle school classroom, fostering a more personalized and engaging reading experience. Students have just begun reading independently with these books, allowing them to take ownership of their learning while meeting in small groups to discuss and analyze the texts. These small group discussions have become a space for deeper comprehension and critical thinking, as students collaborate to complete standard-based assessments tied to their reading. The shift from whole-class novels to individualized book selections has created a more student-centered learning environment where discussions feel more meaningful and tailored to each group's reading level and interests.\r\n\r\nOne of the most notable impacts of incorporating these books has been the boost in student motivation. Allowing students to choose their own reading material has given them a sense of autonomy, making them more eager to participate in discussions and complete their assignments. Instead of a one-size-fits-all model, students now engage in literature that resonates with them personally, leading to higher engagement and a more positive attitude toward reading. The addition of these books has not only enhanced literacy skills but has also created a culture of enthusiastic, self-driven readers.","fullyFundedDate":1727976668514,"projectUrl":"project/hey-we-just-love-to-read/8478120/","projectTitle":"Hey! We Just Love to Read!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Papa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1492335"},{"teacherId":9020438,"projectId":8907800,"letterContent":"My first goal of maintaining an independent library has always been to open up more conversations around books with my students. Books they might not have known existed in schools. Books that inspired mass attendance at theaters, or remained at the top of a streaming platform, and lastly, books that they can highly relate to, because they offer stories that bridge our humanity. \r\n\r\nMost of my lessons offer students another way of tuning in to their inner worlds, while still thinking about how these books offer a closer perspective of others' and their worlds. For this reason, I often do book talks that pair with our curriculum. I especially love to fill in the gaps where a perspective by a particular character isn't given as much attention as the characters we read about throughout the year. \r\n\r\nThe library that I have been able to curate, thanks to generous donors, has also enabled me to include stories of migrant families, oppressive governments, suspenseful plots, different perspectives on police brutality, and how to navigate more complex relationships with one's own identity, or family system.\r\n\r\nOther lessons include, independent reading time, and journaling where students can bridge ideas between the curriculum text, and their extracurricular novel. What has excited me most about this ongoing initiative of giving kids more access to high interest texts is that even when I host after school clubs in my room, kids in the earlier grades, and kids from other classes, ask to check out books from my library.\r\n\r\n Being that our media center is still not in working order, I am delighted that I can hold a safe space for students to have the opportunity to choose a book that excites them. Most students who borrow books also happen to be returning readers, and even donators to the library. It's been a gift that has continuously given back to all students with varying interest in the past couple of years. We truly are all so grateful for The Donors Choose community.","fullyFundedDate":1730205964914,"projectUrl":"project/grateful-for-good-literature/8907800/","projectTitle":"Grateful for Good Literature","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cummings","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9020438_orig.jpg?crop=638,638,x229,y82&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1714939366798","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9020438"},{"teacherId":6543299,"projectId":8737789,"letterContent":"The new chairs have truly transformed our esports program! Students now have the comfort and support they need during long practice sessions, strategy meetings, and gameplay. The ergonomic design allows them to focus on their performance without distractions, making a huge difference during intense gaming marathons. When they first saw the chairs, there was an immediate buzz of excitement—many even mentioned how the new setup made them feel like real esports professionals. The upgrade has definitely boosted their motivation and enthusiasm for the team.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we'll be using the chairs for everything from team scrimmages to tournament preparations. They'll provide the stability and comfort needed to maintain focus during both practice and competition. The flexibility of the seating also supports teamwork, as students can easily collaborate during strategy sessions. These chairs are helping to create a more professional and engaging environment, which will no doubt enhance both their skills and overall experience in esports.","fullyFundedDate":1734534705308,"projectUrl":"project/esports-for-sel/8737789/","projectTitle":"Esports for SEL","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Campodonico","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6543299_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1702384535355","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6543299"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_98679","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":902,"numTeachers":63,"percentFrplEligible":89,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":97,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"7 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"14.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":40.0,"schoolId":98679,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Union Hill Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Union Hill Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-jersey/union-city-public-schools/union-middle-school/98679"}