{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Washington Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":28.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9499328,"projectId":9643705,"letterContent":"Thanks to Supplies for Success: Supporting Young Scientists & Scholars, my classroom has become a more welcoming, engaging, and functional learning space. The LED lights and light covers have made a tremendous difference in creating a calm, focused ambiance; something especially important for students who struggle with sensory overload or high-stress moments during the school day. The softer lighting has helped students stay grounded and comfortable, which naturally improves their attention and willingness to participate. The fossils and hands-on materials have elevated our science lessons by allowing students to explore real specimens and make meaningful connections to Earth science concepts. The basic supplies, including markers, have supported everything from interactive note-taking to group projects, ensuring that every student can fully participate without worrying about having the \"right\" materials.\r\n\r\nOne of the most exciting additions for both me and my students has been the Teachers Pay Teachers gift card. It has allowed me to bring fresh, high-quality resources into the classroom, activities, labs, and organizers tailored to my students' needs that I otherwise would not have been able to access. Several students who don't typically engage deeply in science have become especially captivated by the fossils, often asking to revisit them or sharing new observations with classmates. Others have noticeably relaxed into the improved lighting environment, showing increased focus and fewer behavior escalations. Even something as simple as having snacks available has helped students stay energized and cared for throughout the day. Your generosity has created a brighter, calmer, and more inspiring learning environment, and it truly shows in my students' growth and enthusiasm.","fullyFundedDate":1758648009080,"projectUrl":"project/supplies-for-success-supporting-young-s/9643705/","projectTitle":"Supplies for Success: Supporting Young Scientists & Scholars","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Czajkowski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9499328_orig.jpg?crop=2048,2048,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1725133135586","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9499328"},{"teacherId":9458467,"projectId":9600095,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations to my classroom. The school year has started with such a positive tone, and a lot of that is thanks to your generous support!\r\n\r\nOur mindfulness initiatives are in full swing. Not only am I providing students with lessons on topics like empathy, friendship, forgiveness, and positive self-talk (to name a few), the students are able to appreciate these lessons with snacks, mindful coloring, and mindful decor surrounding them. Additionally, students are given opportunities to connect beyond curriculum, having fun playing games and building positive social relationships with their peers. \r\n\r\nWith funds being low, I am so grateful for the classroom supplies like tape, pens, markers, headphones, and notebooks that keep my classroom running smoothly. \r\n\r\nThank you again for your generosity and kindness. My students and I are so incredibly grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1757113591920,"projectUrl":"project/new-year-new-opportunities-for-connecti/9600095/","projectTitle":"New Year, New Opportunities for Connection!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Mendes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9458467"},{"teacherId":3823870,"projectId":9168697,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting my project \"Creative Crafts for Hands-On Fun.\" At the end of the first quarter teachers in each grade chose students who they thought earned a reward or needed a little confidence boost to participate in our craft sessions. I cannot begin to tell you how much fun the students had! Students were laughing and enjoying themselves and had fun being able to express their creativity. I heard comments like \"this is SO much fun!\" \"I wish we could do this all the time.\" \"I love doing this so much.\" I could tell by the smiles on their faces that they were being very genuine about their comments. Many of the students also found the media center an enjoyable space to spend their free moments in and now I have a few more \"customers\" I get to chat with and recommend books to. \r\n\r\nAs a bonus a few teachers also joined in on the craft fun. They heard about the projects and came down during their free time to assist the students and work beside them. It was really nice seeing students and teachers connect outside of a classroom setting just having fun chatting, smiling and laughing. \r\n\r\nThank you for your donations of the crafts and for bringing so much fun and joy to our school!","fullyFundedDate":1750256192305,"projectUrl":"project/creative-crafts-for-hands-on-fun/9168697/","projectTitle":"Creative Crafts for Hands-On Fun!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Roman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3823870_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1521418254258","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3823870"},{"teacherId":9499328,"projectId":9280355,"letterContent":"My 8th-grade students and I are exploring the cosmos, thanks to the amazing donors who funded our \"Walls That Teach: Transforming Our Science Classroom\" project. We've used a creative mix of resources, from galaxy light covers to fossils, to bring science to life! \r\n\r\nThe new resources have made our space unit incredibly engaging. We used the galaxy light covers to transform our ceiling lights, creating an immersive, starry-night atmosphere that instantly shifts the mood for astronomy lessons. It truly sets the stage! The new posters depicting planets, nebulae, celestial bodies and other relevant science concepts are used daily as visual anchors when discussing concepts like the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram or galaxy classification.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials arrived, the students were immediately drawn to the galaxy light covers; they spent the first five minutes just staring up at the patterned light on the ceiling! The hand sanitizer ensures our hands are clean before and after handling shared materials, promoting safe and clean exploration. We discussed how the methods paleontologists use to study Earth's distant past (through fossils) are similar to how astronomers study the universe's past (looking at light from distant objects).\r\n\r\nThank you again for your generous support!","fullyFundedDate":1746785939310,"projectUrl":"project/walls-that-teach-transforming-our-scien/9280355/","projectTitle":"Walls That Teach: Transforming Our Science Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Czajkowski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9499328_orig.jpg?crop=2048,2048,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1725133135586","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9499328"},{"teacherId":9841179,"projectId":9163919,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation for my students! The fidgets helped calm students down, and the pencils were constantly being used by almost all of the students about 100! I never knew that a simple thing such as a pencil could make such a difference, but it does! The students always knew that I had a supply so they would come from several other teachers rooms to get one in the morning to start their day equipped to learn. I let the students know that the pencils that they were using were bought by people like you who were generous enough to donate to them without even knowing them, and they were amazed by that! It was a great lesson to teach them about generosity of others!","fullyFundedDate":1743108842111,"projectUrl":"project/much-needed-supplies/9163919/","projectTitle":"Much Needed Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ward","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9841179"},{"teacherId":3823870,"projectId":9161452,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donations to make \"Whiteboard Wonders\" come to life! The students and staff have had way more fun than I anticipated writing on the whiteboard. So far I have asked about BBQ side dishes and favorite summer activities. Both times the board filled up quickly with students and staff laughing and interacting together. It was fun hearing their comments and seeing them having a good time expressing their opinions. I cannot wait to continue asking fun, interactive questions. The staff is already asking for more! Thank you for bring this new resource to our school!","fullyFundedDate":1746545915837,"projectUrl":"project/whiteboard-wonders/9161452/","projectTitle":"Whiteboard Wonders","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Roman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3823870_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1521418254258","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3823870"},{"teacherId":4844963,"projectId":9044796,"letterContent":"Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors, my 7th-grade classroom has been transformed into a more engaging and supportive learning environment, directly fostering student growth in several key areas. For example, the $100 Teachers Pay Teachers gift card opened up a world of high-quality, tailored resources that directly addressed the diverse learning needs within my classroom. I was able to access engaging activities, differentiated materials, and innovative lessons that sparked curiosity and deepened understanding across various subjects. This access to targeted resources has empowered my students to take ownership of their learning and achieve greater academic success. Practical supplies like the Bounty paper towels and Scotch laminating pouches have contributed to a more organized and functional classroom. The paper towels help us maintain a clean and healthy learning space, while the laminating pouches allow us to create durable learning materials that can be used and reused, saving valuable resources and ensuring long-lasting engagement with key concepts. The assorted candy have served as positive reinforcement and small rewards for hard work, participation, and acts of kindness. These small treats provide a tangible way to acknowledge student effort and build a positive classroom culture where students feel appreciated and motivated. Overall, the resources provided through this Donors Choose project have had a significant and multifaceted impact on my 7th-grade students. They have fostered creativity, supported focus and emotional well-being, provided access to tailored learning materials, and cultivated a more positive and engaging learning environment. Thank you for investing in my students' growth and empowering them to reach their full potential!","fullyFundedDate":1746653537166,"projectUrl":"project/refresh-in-motivation/9044796/","projectTitle":"Refresh In Motivation","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Deane","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4844963_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y534&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1651429326416","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4844963"},{"teacherId":8673436,"projectId":6794492,"letterContent":"On behalf of Washington Middle School, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generosity and support in helping us provide essential toiletries, extra clothes, coats, and shoes to our students in need. Because of your kindness, the Kindness Closet has made a tremendous impact, ensuring that every student has access to the basic necessities that contribute to their confidence, comfort, and overall well-being.\r\n\r\nSince launching this initiative, we have been able to assist so many students, giving them not only the items they need but also a sense of dignity and belonging. Your contributions have made a real difference, allowing our students to focus on learning without the added stress of worrying about essential items.\r\n\r\nThank you for being a part of this incredible effort. Your kindness and generosity continue to make Washington Middle School a place where every student feels cared for and supported. We are deeply grateful for your commitment to our students and community.\r\n\r\nWith appreciation,\r\nWashington Middle School","fullyFundedDate":1662762259565,"projectUrl":"project/washington-middle-school-kindness-closet/6794492/","projectTitle":"Washington Middle School Kindness Closet","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bessonett","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8673436"},{"teacherId":9461270,"projectId":8786333,"letterContent":"Watching my students confidence in reading grow is the greatest accomplishment that I personally feel as a teacher. Thanks to your generous donation, I can see the sense of pride that my students feel when they are able to build words with the tiles and picture cues in a game like activity that keeps them working and learning while having fun.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first opened up the flip chart activity, they immediately begged me to let them set it up so they could \"play.\" This is not the typical reaction I get from 6th graders who know that they are about to do a reading activity with me. However, their excite about using the flip books to read word family patterns continues week after week. It is truly remarkable to see how engaged my group of pre-teens, who are just learning how to \"crack the code\" of reading, are when they \"play\" the flip chart game with each other and me.","fullyFundedDate":1728318825037,"projectUrl":"project/we-want-to-learn-we-want-to-read/8786333/","projectTitle":"We Want to Learn, We Want to Read","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dow","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9461270"},{"teacherId":8121678,"projectId":6459560,"letterContent":"The headphones and Chromebook chargers you so generously donated have truly become essential in my classroom, making a tangible difference in how my students learn every day. With individual headphones, students can now dive into personalized learning experiences, focusing on digital resources tailored to their unique needs without the distractions of a busy classroom. This allows them to work at their own pace, whether they need extra support in a particular area or are ready to explore more advanced concepts. The consistent access to charged Chromebooks has also opened up a world of information and interactive learning tools. My students can now seamlessly conduct research, embark on virtual field trips, and engage with educational apps that make learning come alive. Beyond the immediate academic benefits, they are also developing crucial digital literacy skills that will serve them well in their future endeavors. The technology even fosters collaboration and creativity, allowing them to work together on projects and express themselves in exciting new ways.\r\n\r\nThe excitement from my students about the headphones and always-ready Chromebooks has been wonderful to witness! They especially appreciate the sense of independence and focus the headphones provide, allowing them to truly concentrate on their tasks and engage deeply with audio-based learning. The reliability of the chargers has also been a huge plus, eliminating the frustration of dead batteries and ensuring uninterrupted access to the resources they need. It's been particularly rewarding to see how certain students have really blossomed with this new technology. For some who benefit from more individualized attention, the headphones allow them to work with tailored programs at their own speed. For my naturally curious learners, the constant access to information has fueled their independent exploration and allowed them to delve into subjects that truly captivate them. And for those who express themselves best through digital mediums, the Chromebooks have become powerful tools for creativity and communication. Your thoughtful donations have truly empowered my students in meaningful ways, and I am so grateful for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1651950972367,"projectUrl":"project/testing-with-confidence/6459560/","projectTitle":"Testing with Confidence","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Salafia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8121678_orig.jpg?crop=1189,1189,x806,y655&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1651671605480","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8121678"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_43985","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":536,"numTeachers":61,"percentFrplEligible":91,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":13,"percentWhite":17,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":61,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"8.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":71.4,"schoolId":43985,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Washington Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Washington Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/connecticut/meriden-public-schools/washington-middle-school/43985"}