{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"West Mifflin Area Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":14.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":915321,"projectId":10274723,"letterContent":"We are incredibly grateful to our generous donors for providing all seven of our fourth grade teachers with special birthday gifts for our students! These thoughtful donations have helped us create a wonderful birthday tradition that makes each child feel celebrated, valued, and special on their big day.\r\n\r\nEach student receives a birthday pencil, a special birthday certificate, and a large Pixy Stix to enjoy. While these gifts may seem simple, they mean so much to our students. Their faces truly light up when they walk into the classroom and see their special birthday surprise waiting for them. It is such a joy to see their excitement as they realize that their teacher and classmates are celebrating them!\r\n\r\nFor many children, birthdays are a day they look forward to all year. Having a special moment created just for them at school helps make their birthday even more memorable. Our birthday certificates give students something they can proudly take home and share with their families, while the birthday pencil is a fun keepsake they can use at school. Of course, the large Pixy Stix is always a favorite and adds an extra bit of sweetness to their celebration!\r\n\r\nHaving enough birthday supplies for all seven fourth grade classrooms allows every student to receive the same special recognition throughout the school year. This helps us create a sense of community across our grade level while making sure that every child has the opportunity to feel celebrated. We love being able to pause from our busy school day to recognize each student and remind them just how important they are to our classroom family.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFrom all seven fourth grade teachers and our students, thank you for helping make birthdays at school extra special! Your kindness and generosity truly make a difference, and we are so thankful for the smiles you help put on our students' faces throughout the year.","fullyFundedDate":1787182424449,"projectUrl":"project/birthday-joy/10274723/","projectTitle":"Birthday Joy","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. George","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp915321_orig.jpg?crop=600,600,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1615494215625","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/915321"},{"teacherId":6934880,"projectId":10271414,"letterContent":"The Teachers Pay Teachers resources have made a meaningful difference in my 4th-grade ELA classroom by allowing me to extend learning beyond our core lessons. These resources give my students additional opportunities to practice reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, writing, and other important ELA skills in engaging and varied ways. I can use them to provide extra practice for students who need reinforcement while also offering enrichment and more challenging activities for students who are ready to take their learning further. This flexibility helps me meet the different learning needs in my classroom and gives every student an opportunity to experience success.\r\nStudents are especially excited when they get to learn through activities that feel different from a typical worksheet or textbook assignment. The variety of resources keeps them engaged and gives them opportunities to show what they know through games, creative activities, reading tasks, and writing. Students who are sometimes reluctant to participate become more confident and willing to take risks when learning feels fun and approachable. Your support is helping me provide meaningful ELA experiences that build both academic skills and a genuine love of learning.","fullyFundedDate":1778116328125,"projectUrl":"project/extending-learning-beyond-core-lessons/10271414/","projectTitle":"Extending Learning Beyond Core Lessons","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bishop","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6934880_orig.jpg?crop=398,398,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1600202271532","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/bishops"},{"teacherId":915321,"projectId":10187752,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in providing new recess toys for our students. Your kindness made a tremendous difference during the final weeks of last school year. The excitement on our students' faces as they explored the new equipment was unforgettable. The toys encouraged teamwork, creativity, and active play, giving students a fun and positive way to connect with their classmates while enjoying time outdoors.\r\nAs we begin a new school year, your thoughtful donation continues to make an impact every single day. The recess toys have given our students a fresh start by creating opportunities to build friendships, practice sharing and cooperation, and stay active during their breaks. Recess has become an even more welcoming and engaging part of the school day, helping students return to the classroom refreshed and ready to learn.\r\nYour generosity has provided much more than toys—it has created joyful memories, strengthened our school community, and supported the social and emotional well-being of our students. On behalf of our entire class, thank you for investing in our children and helping make both the end of last year and the beginning of this one so special. We are truly grateful for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1778163479634,"projectUrl":"project/refresh-on-recess-supplies/10187752/","projectTitle":"Refresh on Recess Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. George","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp915321_orig.jpg?crop=600,600,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1615494215625","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/915321"},{"teacherId":4408336,"projectId":9878554,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping us fund this project. Especially at the end of the year, it is hard to sustain a student's attention. By introducing new and relevant material, they are able to continue learning throughout the end of the school year.\r\nWith First Chapter Friday, students are exposed to new material that they may not otherwise have read. By analyzing the first chapter, they are reinforcing their comprehension skills as well as sharing opinions on whether or not they would continue to read the material. They are able to make inferences from and connections to the text in order to predict what the novel will be like. This has been an engaging activity that has sparked much discussion, and hopefully some curious readers.","fullyFundedDate":1764598434727,"projectUrl":"project/first-chapter-cafe/9878554/","projectTitle":"First Chapter Cafe","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Zebrowski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4408336_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1747966524124","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mzebrowski"},{"teacherId":915321,"projectId":9908738,"letterContent":"We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to DonorsChoose for your generous support in providing a train set and four baby dolls for our 4th grade classroom. Your kindness has given our students something truly special—opportunities for joy, creativity, and connection during their school day.\r\n\r\nIndoor recess can sometimes be a challenge for students, especially when they are full of energy and eager to move, explore, and socialize. Thanks to your donation, our classroom now has engaging, hands-on options that encourage meaningful play. The train set will quickly become a favorite, allowing students to work together to build tracks, design routes, and imagine new adventures. This kind of play naturally supports problem-solving, teamwork, and creativity, all while giving students a chance to relax and recharge.\r\nThank you again to DonorsChoose for helping us create a classroom environment that supports not only academic growth, but also creativity, kindness, and joy. The train set and baby dolls will be used and appreciated every day, especially during those indoor recess moments when students need it most. Your support has truly made a difference in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1773073234398,"projectUrl":"project/playful-pretend/9908738/","projectTitle":"Playful Pretend","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. George","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp915321_orig.jpg?crop=600,600,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1615494215625","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/915321"},{"teacherId":915321,"projectId":10148499,"letterContent":"We are incredibly grateful to DonorsChoose for making our LEGO Simba project possible. Your generosity has brought something truly special into our classroom, and we cannot thank you enough for supporting both our students and their learning experiences. This project is more than just building a LEGO set—it is an opportunity to create lasting memories, strengthen our classroom community, and inspire creativity in ways that will stay with our students long after the school year ends.\r\n\r\nDuring the final week of the school year at the end of May, we will begin working on this exciting project together. Each student will be called up one by one to complete a step of the build alongside me, their math and science teacher. This approach allows every child to feel involved, valued, and proud of their contribution. It transforms the experience into something deeply personal and meaningful, rather than just a group activity. Every piece placed will represent teamwork, patience, and shared accomplishment.\r\n\r\nTo make the experience even more magical, we will be watching The Lion King as we build. The students are going to be filled with excitement at the thought of combining a beloved story with hands-on learning. For many of them, this will be a moment where imagination and learning come together—where they can see a character they love come to life piece by piece through their own efforts. It creates a bridge between storytelling, creativity, and STEM learning in a way that feels natural and joyful.\r\n\r\nWhat makes this project even more special is the sense of \"class family\" it fosters. Throughout the year, we work hard to build a supportive and inclusive environment, and this activity will be a celebration of that bond. Students will cheer each other on, eagerly watch as the build progresses, and take pride in something they created together. These shared experiences help strengthen relationships and create a classroom atmosphere where every student feels connected and valued.\r\n\r\nOnce completed, Simba will hold a permanent place in our classroom. It will be proudly displayed for years to come as a symbol of collaboration, creativity, and kindness. Future students will hear the story of how it was built—how each child played a role—and it will serve as inspiration for what can be achieved when people come together with a shared goal.\r\n\r\nYour support has made all of this possible. You have given our students not just materials, but an experience filled with joy, learning, and connection. Thank you for believing in our classroom and for helping us create a moment that will be remembered for years.","fullyFundedDate":1775827635502,"projectUrl":"project/simba-celebration/10148499/","projectTitle":"Simba Celebration","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. George","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp915321_orig.jpg?crop=600,600,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1615494215625","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/915321"},{"teacherId":783087,"projectId":9729818,"letterContent":"Thanks you so much for your generous support! Our classroom environment has been transformed into a space that truly supports student comfort, focus, and emotional well-being. The ocean-themed light covers has softened the harsh fluorescent lighting, creating a calmer visual atmosphere that helps students feel more relaxed and ready to learn. The LED clock provides students with a clear, consistent sense of time, supporting independence and smoother transitions throughout the day.\r\nThe weighted sloth stuffed animal has quickly become a favorite calming tool for students who need extra sensory support. It offers comfort during independent work, small-group instruction, or moments when students need help regulating their emotions. The rolling shelf has improved classroom organization and accessibility, allowing materials to be easily moved and stored in a way that keeps the learning space clutter-free and student-friendly.\r\nFinally, the vinyl decals and cozy design elements in our reading corner have made it an inviting, peaceful space where students feel excited to read and relax with a book. Together, these items have created a warm and welcoming classroom that meets students' sensory and emotional needs, helping them feel safe, supported, and ready to engage in learning each day.","fullyFundedDate":1768072367743,"projectUrl":"project/a-place-to-grow-and-glow/9729818/","projectTitle":"A Place to Grow and Glow","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. McCall","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp783087_orig.jpg?crop=1815,1815,x0,y266&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1700406977160","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-mccall"},{"teacherId":9973956,"projectId":9968201,"letterContent":"Words cannot express the immense gratitude I feel for all of the items donated to my classroom. As a teacher who is in the habit of buying whatever I want for my classroom, it was difficult to decide on what was needed for my students and me. But with this trying economy, it occurred to me how much money I spent on motivational items, so I considered those types of things. One of the items was fun motivational pens. A simple gift like that makes a middle school student feel special and noticed. Middle school students need much in the way of motivation, and things as simple as mood lighting can make a difference. So I requested LED lights to wrap around my boards. My students enjoy picking different colors everyday. This often leads to conversations about their feelings and why they chose certain colors. Making connections with kids through something so simple is invaluable. \r\n\r\nThe largest part of my request was individual white boards with a plain side and a coordinate plane on the other, and markers and erasers to go with them. I requested enough for my fellow 8th grade math teachers so we could all have a classroom set. When possible, we put our classes together for activities. Our students enjoy combining math classes and they get so excited to work with friends in other classes. This item pairs well with the Teachers Pay Teachers gift card. I find many fun and engaging activities that my students enjoy. They are always motivated when they can get up and move around the classroom or the hallway while applying math skills. The boards and activities are things that I can use in the years to come and are greatly appreciated.\r\n\r\nThe rulers get used all of the time because we do quite a bit of graphing in 8th grade math. The sticky notes of graph paper are helpful when students take notes but need to insert a graph in the notes. My algebra class uses them all of the time. I have a few different activities where I can use the long tape measure. I did one just yesterday with my advanced Geometry class where we went outside to measure the height of our school using the trigonometric tangent function and we needed to measure a distance from the base of the building. The students had so much fun doing this simple activity. There is nothing like seeing my students laugh, have fun and learn at the same time. \r\n\r\nThese are items that I could not afford all on my own. I will be forever grateful for these items and other items that generous donors continue to contribute to our school.","fullyFundedDate":1766410892802,"projectUrl":"project/lets-learn/9968201/","projectTitle":"Let's Learn!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Minydzak","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9973956"},{"teacherId":8424093,"projectId":10059265,"letterContent":"When students come to school hungry, it becomes incredibly difficult for them to focus on reading and writing. Their minds are distracted by physical discomfort, making it hard to concentrate on the words in front of them or follow along during lessons. Once they receive nutritious food, their bodies relax and their energy levels rise. With their basic needs met, students are finally able to turn their attention to learning. They become more alert, more willing to participate, and more capable of understanding what they read.\r\n\r\nHaving access to regular snacks also helps students build confidence in their academic abilities. When they aren't worried about where their next meal is coming from, they can fully engage in writing activities, express their ideas clearly, and take pride in their work. Teachers often notice that well-fed students show improved stamina during independent reading and writing tasks, stronger comprehension, and a greater willingness to take on challenges. In this way, consistent access to food doesn't just fill a stomach—it opens the door to stronger literacy skills and academic success.","fullyFundedDate":1772550443039,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-focus/10059265/","projectTitle":"Fueling Focus","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kosht","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8424093_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1733281898361","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8424093"},{"teacherId":9774966,"projectId":10027281,"letterContent":"Our students in need are benefitting from our new resources of pants, shirts, and underwear daily. It was so relieving on \"Day 1\" of unboxing our shipment, when a student, that came to school on a freezing day, with soiled pants to have a brand new, clean and decent looking pair of pants to give them. They were excited to change their clothing so we could wash their soiled pants for them. They have thanked me almost daily when they see me and have worn the pants several times since receiving. We normally collect gently used hand me downs, to house in our Kind Closet, which are great, but being able to provide something new, that is the correct size, fit, and style for a kid, really makes a difference. We are also so grateful to have a multitude of different sizes to choose from as we educate students from grades 4 through 8 that require a wide range of sizes. We also have students that are in dire, daily need of underwear. This new \"refresh\" for our Kind Closet, has been a lifesaver. Before receiving this new underwear, we were completely out of new underwear to provide to our kids that have accidents during the school day, so we had to actually send them home for the day. After our \"refresh\" we are so grateful to allow them to get cleaned up, changed and not miss out on learning, which is our ultimate goal as educators.\r\n\r\nThe Kind Closet is an initiative that runs strictly on donations. Our plan is to continue to help meet the basic needs of our students by applying for grants, reaching out to the community, and local resources to continue our daily mission for the students in need within our school. Thank you so much for your contributions.","fullyFundedDate":1769116936622,"projectUrl":"project/clothing-essentials-for-our-students-in/10027281/","projectTitle":"Clothing Essentials for our Students in Need","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Galiyas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9774966_orig.jpg?crop=240,240,x24,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1787669441527","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9774966"},{"teacherId":6934880,"projectId":10027694,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, Clean, Confident and Ready to Learn. Because of your generosity, my students now have access to essential personal care items like deodorant, soap, hair brushes, combs, and cleansing wipes. These resources are being used daily and have made an immediate difference. One meaningful moment was seeing students quietly and respectfully take care of their personal needs before starting class, allowing them to settle in and fully focus on learning without distraction or embarrassment.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the materials, their reactions were a mix of excitement and relief. Several students expressed gratitude and shared how much it meant to have these items available at school. Knowing they could access what they needed helped students feel more comfortable, confident, and supported. The atmosphere in our classroom has become more positive, with students more engaged and willing to participate because they feel prepared and cared for.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, this increased sense of confidence is directly supporting our current lessons and classroom goals. As students feel better about themselves, they are more focused, collaborative, and ready to take on academic challenges. Your support has gone far beyond providing supplies—you've helped create a safe, respectful learning environment where students can focus on growth and success. Thank you for giving our students dignity, confidence, and a strong foundation for learning.","fullyFundedDate":1768682869988,"projectUrl":"project/clean-confident-and-ready-to-learn/10027694/","projectTitle":"Clean, Confident and Ready to Learn","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bishop","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6934880_orig.jpg?crop=398,398,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1600202271532","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/bishops"},{"teacherId":6934855,"projectId":9836330,"letterContent":"Thanks to this project, our classroom has transformed into a hub of focused, joyful reading practice. Students are using the individual reading tent pods to create quiet, distraction-free spaces where they can truly concentrate on building fluency. Equipped with flashlights and pencils, students read passages aloud, track words, underline tricky vocabulary, and practice rereading with purpose. One especially powerful moment was watching a hesitant reader confidently whisper-read inside their pod, then emerge eager to read the same passage aloud to a partner with improved accuracy and expression.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the materials, their excitement was immediate. The reading tent pods felt special and empowering—students were thrilled to have a space that felt \"just for them.\" The flashlights added an element of fun while also helping students stay focused on the text, and the simple act of using pencils to mark their progress made them feel like real readers at work. Many students asked, \"When do we get to use the pods again?\"—a question that speaks volumes about their engagement.\r\n\r\nBy contributing to this project, our donors gave students more than supplies—they gave them confidence, ownership, and motivation. The next steps include using the pods during small-group fluency rotations, poetry readings, and repeated reading practice tied to our literacy lessons. Students will continue setting personal fluency goals, tracking their growth, and celebrating improvements in accuracy, pace, and expression. Because of this project, fluency is no longer just a skill we practice—it's an experience our students look forward to every day.","fullyFundedDate":1769096803383,"projectUrl":"project/pod-power-readers-fluency-in-action/9836330/","projectTitle":"Pod Power Readers: Fluency in Action","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hilligsberg & Mrs. Bishop & Mrs. Rader","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6934855_orig.jpg?crop=901,901,x272,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597419335815","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/hilligsberg"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_88773","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":776,"numTeachers":66,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":21,"percentWhite":57,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":5,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":12,"gradesServed":"4 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"11.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":85.7,"schoolId":88773,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about West Mifflin Area Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"West Mifflin Area Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/pennsylvania/west-mifflin-area-school-district/west-mifflin-area-middle-school/88773"}