{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"West Rocks Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":28.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9773246,"projectId":9593934,"letterContent":"For a school technology program to be truly effective, it needs to be sustainable, and that is exactly what this project has achieved for us. Many donors understand the initial excitement of buying a piece of hardware, like a 3D printer, but fewer realize that without a steady supply of resin and paints, that technology becomes a museum piece gathering dust. By funding \"Year Two,\" you have transformed our club from a one-time experiment into a reliable institution. This consistent access to materials allows students to learn through iteration. If a print fails or a paint job doesn't look right, they don't have to stop because of resource scarcity; they can analyze the failure, re-slice the file or strip the paint, and try again. They are learning resilience and the engineering design process in real-time, understanding that mistakes are just data points on the path to success.\r\n\r\nThe most exciting aspect of this project for the students is the sheer freedom of choice it provides. Because we are fully stocked, they aren't limited to a single, uniform class assignment. They can explore history, fantasy, or sci-fi, finding models that speak to their specific interests. The excitement in the room when a fresh supply of grey resin or a new set of paints is opened is palpable—to them, it represents pure potential. They immediately start collaborating and planning: \"Now we can finally print that dragon!\" or \"We can make enough terrain for the tournament!\" It turns the technology into a vehicle for their personal expression.\r\n\r\nThis continuity has been especially impactful for my returning 8th-grade students, who have now transitioned from learners to leaders. One student in particular, who started with us last year as a quiet novice, has blossomed into a confident mentor because of these resources. Since he doesn't have to worry about rationing supplies, he spends his time teaching the incoming 6th graders how to support their 3D files and how to mix their paints. He has taken ownership of the technology, not just as a user, but as a teacher. This project didn't just buy supplies; it bought him the opportunity to become a leader in our community.","fullyFundedDate":1755809866895,"projectUrl":"project/tabletop-titans-year-two-of-printing-p/9593934/","projectTitle":"Tabletop Titans: Year Two of Printing, Painting, and Playing","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Frajndlich","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9773246"},{"teacherId":9773246,"projectId":9305244,"letterContent":"For many of my students, \"technology\" usually means a screen they consume content on. This resin 3D printer has completely inverted that relationship, turning them from consumers into creators. Unlike the standard 3D printers some might be familiar with, which use melted plastic, this machine uses light to harden liquid resin into incredible, high-fidelity objects. This technology is teaching my students the complete engineering design lifecycle: they learn to find or modify digital files, understand the physics of \"slicing\" a model into layers, and manage the delicate geometry required to print a successful object. It bridges the gap between the virtual worlds they love and the physical world they live in, showing them that if they can imagine it (and find the file for it), they can hold it in their hands a few hours later.\r\n\r\nThe most exciting aspect for the students is, without a doubt, the level of detail. When a print finishes and rises out of the resin vat, there is a collective gasp. They are used to seeing pixelated blocks or rough plastic, but this machine produces smooth, professional-quality miniatures with details as fine as a human hair—buckles on armor, texture on capes, and expressions on faces. It creates a massive sense of value and ownership; they treat these models like treasures because they witnessed their birth from a pool of liquid.\r\n\r\nI have seen a profound impact on one specific group of students: the storytellers. I have a student who loves Dungeons & Dragons but is very shy and often struggles to articulate his ideas verbally. Since we got this printer, he has spent hours searching for the perfect representation of his character. When he finally printed his hero, he wasn't just holding a piece of plastic; he was holding a physical anchor for his imagination. Having the exact model he envisioned gave him the confidence to speak up and roleplay more boldly during our game sessions. This technology didn't just give him a toy; it gave him a voice.","fullyFundedDate":1746390957075,"projectUrl":"project/from-resin-to-reality-where-sci-fi-come/9305244/","projectTitle":"From Resin to Reality: Where Sci-Fi Comes to Life","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Frajndlich","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9773246"},{"teacherId":9773246,"projectId":9641512,"letterContent":"While many people are familiar with 3D printing, fewer realize that with high-detail resin printing, the job isn't done when the printer stops. The raw models come out covered in uncured resin, which is sticky and unsafe to touch. The Wash and Cure station you funded has revolutionized our workflow by automating this critical safety step. This technology is teaching my students that engineering is not just about the digital design; it is about the entire lifecycle of a product, including safety protocols and chemical processing. It transforms a hazardous, messy manual chore into a clean, professional, and scientific process, allowing the students to focus on the art rather than the cleanup.\r\n\r\nThe most exciting aspect for the students is undeniably the \"sci-fi\" factor of the machine itself. When the UV lights turn on and the turntable begins to spin, the students are glued to the window, watching their creations transform from soft, sticky gray blobs into hardened, durable artifacts ready for painting. It validates their work instantly. One student in particular, who initially struggled with the patience required for the 3D printing process, has completely warmed to this new technology. He has taken ownership of the \"finishing station,\" treating it like a professional laboratory. He loves being the one to hand a freshly cured, safe-to-handle miniature to a classmate, taking immense pride in managing the final, critical step of our production line.","fullyFundedDate":1756070673535,"projectUrl":"project/leveling-up-our-lab-safe-finishing-for/9641512/","projectTitle":"Leveling Up Our Lab: Safe Finishing for Student Creations","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Frajndlich","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9773246"},{"teacherId":785539,"projectId":9818657,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and for supporting my students. Your support has provided students with a meaningful way—beyond paper and pencil—to share and express their ideas, creativity, and voices. This project allows students to showcase their stories and growth as readers, writers, and thinkers.\r\n\r\nThe DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo enables students to capture their learning by recording book talks, reading reflections, and personal stories in authentic and engaging ways. This hands-on, visual approach helps students feel more confident and invested in their learning, especially those who are developing their English language skills.\r\n\r\nI am grateful for the opportunity to use this technology to document student learning and celebrate their successes with families and our school community. Thank you for helping create learning experiences that empower and uplift my students.","fullyFundedDate":1761932805200,"projectUrl":"project/stories-in-motion-capturing-learning-th/9818657/","projectTitle":"Stories in Motion: Capturing Learning Through the Lens","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Walters","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp785539_orig.jpg?crop=1326,1326,x460,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1599937407870","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/785539"},{"teacherId":785539,"projectId":9644337,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting this project, Read, Create, Connect, and Collaborate with a Mac mini. By serving as a central hub for connecting and managing devices such as additional monitors, laptops, iPads, and speakers, the Mac mini allows me to bring instructional tools together in one shared space. This makes it easier to display reading, writing, and listening materials, helping to create a more engaging and organized learning experience for students.\r\n\r\nThank you for providing my students with a resource that serves as a learning center, supports their growth, and makes learning an exciting experience.\r\n\r\nWe sincerely appreciate your support and the positive impact it has had on our students.","fullyFundedDate":1758836842748,"projectUrl":"project/read-create-connect-collaborate-lite/9644337/","projectTitle":"Read, Create, Connect, Collaborate: Literacy with a Mac Mini","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Walters","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp785539_orig.jpg?crop=1326,1326,x460,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1599937407870","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/785539"},{"teacherId":3827181,"projectId":9268917,"letterContent":"I am writing again to express my profound gratitude for your incredible donation! The new supplies have already made a significant, positive impact on my students and their learning. The dry-erase folders and markers you provided have transformed how I approach teaching writing. They are now central to my new four-step routine where students use the folders as a low-stakes drafting space to Think, Write, and Share. I hot-glued pompoms to the markers for easy erasing, and students use this tool to take a minute to think before they write their draft. They then share their work with a peer for immediate feedback, allowing them to make revisions before writing their final answer on paper. This process has allowed them to take risks and practice freely, and I have already seen a noticeable improvement in the quality and clarity of their writing.\r\n\r\nBeyond the academic improvements, your contribution has provided immense peace of mind. Students are always fascinated to know they are using materials that were donated to our classroom. The most heartwarming moment was realizing I had everything I needed when a few students came unprepared without notebooks this year. Thanks to your generosity, I could immediately provide them with supplies, removing that common barrier and allowing us to focus entirely on learning.\r\n\r\nAs I build on this success, my next steps will involve applying these revision skills to our upcoming creative narrative project on cave art, challenging the students to incorporate richer descriptive language and stronger evidence into their stories. Thank you once more for being such a vital partner in my students' success. I am truly grateful for your kindness and support.","fullyFundedDate":1754319776075,"projectUrl":"project/supplies-our-classroom-success/9268917/","projectTitle":"Supplies + Our Classroom = Success!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Figueroa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3827181_orig.jpg?crop=1280,1280,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1599064082409","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-figueroa24"},{"teacherId":8977782,"projectId":9140816,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my deepest thanks for your generous donation to my classroom project! Your support allowed me to purchase over 100 new books for my classroom library, and the impact is already substantial.\r\n\r\nWe all know how vital it is to develop good reading habits early, but in the age of endless digital distraction, it's a huge challenge to get a great book into a student's hands. Your donation directly addresses this by giving my students the opportunity to find that \"one great book\" that can hook them on reading for life. My library has quickly become a hot spot, with current and former students frequently finding their next new adventure.\r\n\r\nThe effect of having a rich, accessible classroom library is showing in our results:\r\n\r\nOur school recently demonstrated the highest growth on the SBA state testing among all middle schools in the district.\r\n\r\nOur district was also just recognized for having the highest scores among all city schools in Connecticut.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your incredible kindness and generosity. Your support allows me to share my love of reading and help foster a lifelong passion for learning in my students.","fullyFundedDate":1742954368143,"projectUrl":"project/book-and-supplies-reload/9140816/","projectTitle":"Book and Supplies Reload","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Robert Ceccarini","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8977782_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756758292899","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8977782"},{"teacherId":3827181,"projectId":9036920,"letterContent":"From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your generosity and support of my 6th-grade Social Studies classroom. Your donation of a Teachers Pay Teachers gift card has made an incredible impact on my students' learning experience.\r\n\r\nThis is my first year teaching Ancient China, and your contribution allowed me to purchase engaging activities and decorations that brought history to life. We celebrated the Chinese New Year with zodiac images and descriptions, helping students connect with the traditions and cultural significance of the holiday. I was also able to get valuable resources on the Shang Dynasty, the Silk Road, the Han Dynasty, and the three philosophies—Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism. These materials enriched our lessons, fostering critical thinking and deep discussions among my students.\r\n\r\nNot only did the resources enhance their learning, but they also helped create a welcoming and immersive classroom environment. My students love walking into a space where they can see the effort put into making history come alive for them. The engagement and curiosity sparked by these materials have been truly rewarding to witness.\r\n\r\nYour kindness and generosity have made a difference in my students' education, and I am incredibly grateful. Thank you for believing in teachers and supporting our classrooms. Your gift has had a lasting impact, and I appreciate it more than words can express!","fullyFundedDate":1737661767275,"projectUrl":"project/teachers-pay-teachers-gift-card/9036920/","projectTitle":"Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Figueroa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3827181_orig.jpg?crop=1280,1280,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1599064082409","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-figueroa24"},{"teacherId":9773246,"projectId":8923516,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation and effort towards helping me get my club off the ground. Since its inception, the club has grown from only five students to over twenty, spanning grades six, seven and eight. Our club is fully co-ed and has representation from students with special needs.\r\n\r\nThrough the first eight weeks I am seeing confidence, excitement and genuine interest in not only the hobby, but the group-work skills, storytelling, and basic math that is involved. The students come to club each Wednesday and are excited to check in on the new parts, and pieces that I have 3d printed from the printer that was purchased through this donation effort. Once they see the parts that have been printed, some students are more excited to start building, while others are more excited to paint already assembled miniatures, and others are most interested in playing the games and telling the stories that come with the miniatures.\r\n\r\nThe next thing we can expect is to continue our club in March after a two week break, and finish the year strong with more building, painting and playing. Again, I truly cannot thank you enough for your generous donation, and all the help that has gone into our fun little club.","fullyFundedDate":1731165897027,"projectUrl":"project/building-critical-thinking-skills-throug/8923516/","projectTitle":"Building Critical Thinking Skills Through Playing Tabletop Strategy Games","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Frajndlich","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9773246"},{"teacherId":8988197,"projectId":8195454,"letterContent":"The supplies my classroom received allowed us to go above and beyond with our classroom projects. We were able to make sure that National History Day projects looked cohesive and on theme! The items allowed me to increase access to students so that all projects could be decorated.\r\n\r\nStudents were thrilled to have paper and tools to include in their projects outside of what I normally provide. The headphones have allowed us to unlock videos and concepts for different projects. The markers and pencils will allow us to decorate our projects.","fullyFundedDate":1707319441864,"projectUrl":"project/taking-student-research-projects-to-the/8195454/","projectTitle":"Taking Student Research Projects to the Next Level","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mouland","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8988197_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1679275729972","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8988197"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_43535","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":657,"numTeachers":59,"percentFrplEligible":66,"percentAsian":3,"percentBlack":14,"percentWhite":17,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":61,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"11.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":71.2,"schoolId":43535,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about West Rocks Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"West Rocks Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/connecticut/norwalk-public-schools/west-rocks-middle-school/43535"}