{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Curran Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":39.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":3251282,"projectId":9597793,"letterContent":"The purchase of IXL has made a meaningful impact on my students by providing them with individualized practice that meets them at their current skill levels. In reading intervention, my students come to me with a wide range of strengths and needs. Some students need additional support with foundational reading skills, while others need targeted practice with vocabulary, comprehension, and grade-level standards. IXL has allowed me to provide each student with practice that is specific to their individual needs.\r\n\r\nOne of the greatest benefits of IXL is the immediate feedback students receive while they are working. Instead of completing an entire assignment and waiting to find out what they misunderstood, students can identify mistakes and receive additional support in the moment. This allows them to correct misconceptions, learn from their errors, and continue practicing until they better understand the skill.\r\n\r\nIXL has also helped me differentiate instruction more effectively. Assessment data can show that two students are below grade level, but those students may have very different learning gaps. With IXL, I can assign skills based on what each student actually needs rather than giving every student the same activity. This has been especially valuable in a reading intervention classroom because targeted instruction is essential for helping students close learning gaps.\r\n\r\nA specific impact I have seen is increased student independence. Students who once immediately asked for help when they encountered a difficult question are beginning to use the explanations and feedback available within the program to work through problems themselves. This is helping students develop persistence and take greater ownership of their learning.\r\n\r\nIXL also gives students opportunities to experience success. Many struggling readers have spent years completing work that feels too difficult. When students are able to begin with skills they can successfully complete and gradually move toward more challenging material, they can see their own progress. Those small successes matter. They help students build confidence and recognize that growth is possible.\r\n\r\nThe program has also provided valuable information that helps guide my instruction. I can identify skills that students have mastered as well as areas where they continue to need support. This information allows me to make more purposeful decisions about small-group instruction, individual conferences, and future lessons. Rather than guessing where students need additional practice, I can use their performance to help determine our next instructional steps.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, IXL has provided another way for my students to receive instruction and practice at a level that is appropriate for them while still working toward grade-level expectations. For students who have experienced reading difficulties for several years, having instruction that responds to their individual needs can make a significant difference in both achievement and confidence.\r\n\r\nThank you for making access to IXL possible for my students. Your support has provided us with a resource that allows students to practice essential skills, receive immediate feedback, work independently, and see their growth over time. This investment is helping my students strengthen their academic skills while building the confidence and perseverance they need to become more successful learners.","fullyFundedDate":1755730697995,"projectUrl":"project/ixl-our-way-to-reading-success/9597793/","projectTitle":"IXL Our Way to Reading Success!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Yoakum","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3251282_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753144547417","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsyoakum"},{"teacherId":3251282,"projectId":9043475,"letterContent":"The Rime Magic reading program has had a meaningful impact on my students by providing structured, targeted support for some of our most struggling readers. Many of the students I work with have experienced difficulty with reading for several years. By the time students reach middle school, these challenges can affect not only their reading achievement but also their confidence and willingness to participate in reading activities. This program has given me another tool to help address those foundational skills while meeting students where they are.\r\n\r\nOne of the greatest benefits of Rime Magic has been its focus on helping students recognize patterns within words. Instead of relying only on memorization, students are learning to look closely at how words are constructed and identify familiar patterns they can use when approaching unfamiliar words. This is especially important for my students who continue to struggle with decoding despite being in middle school.\r\n\r\nThe program has allowed us to slow down and explicitly work with word patterns in a way that feels manageable for students. Students can practice manipulating sounds, recognizing similarities between words, and applying what they have learned when they encounter new words. As these skills become more automatic, students are able to devote more of their attention to understanding what they are reading rather than using all of their energy trying to figure out individual words.\r\n\r\nI have also seen an important impact on student confidence. Struggling readers are very aware when reading is more difficult for them than it is for their peers. Some students enter intervention hesitant to read aloud or quickly say they do not know a word because they are afraid of making a mistake. Providing systematic practice in a small-group setting gives students a safe place to take risks, practice strategies, and experience success.\r\n\r\nA particularly meaningful impact is seeing a student recognize a word pattern we have practiced and independently use it to work through a new word. Instead of immediately looking to an adult for the answer, the student has a strategy to try. Those small moments of independence are significant because they help students understand that they have tools they can use when reading becomes difficult.\r\n\r\nRime Magic also complements the other reading instruction my students receive. I am able to use the program as part of targeted intervention while continuing to work on fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and reading stamina. Strengthening foundational word-reading skills gives students a stronger base for all of these areas.\r\n\r\nFor middle school students who are reading below grade level, closing reading gaps takes time, consistency, and access to appropriate instructional resources. There is no single program that addresses every student's needs, but Rime Magic has added another valuable layer of support to our reading intervention program.\r\n\r\nThank you for making the purchase of these materials possible. Your generosity has provided my students with more than a reading program. You have provided them with additional opportunities to strengthen foundational skills, experience success, become more independent when encountering unfamiliar words, and build confidence in themselves as readers. These materials will continue to support current and future students as we work toward helping every student make meaningful reading growth.","fullyFundedDate":1737045968306,"projectUrl":"project/unlocking-the-power-of-rime-to-empower-s/9043475/","projectTitle":"Unlocking the Power of Rime to Empower Struggling Readers!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Yoakum","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3251282_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753144547417","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsyoakum"},{"teacherId":3251282,"projectId":7254077,"letterContent":"The books provided through this project have made a meaningful impact on my students and our classroom reading culture. Many of my students come into the classroom viewing reading as something they have to do rather than something they can enjoy. Some have struggled with reading for years, while others simply have not had access to books that reflect their interests. Having new, engaging books available has helped us begin changing that mindset.\r\n\r\nOne of the biggest impacts I have seen is students becoming more willing to pick up a book and actually give it a chance. Students who would normally spend independent reading time avoiding a book, flipping through pages, or saying, \"I don't like reading,\" are now taking time to look through our selections and find something that interests them. It is exciting to see a student discover a book, become invested in the story, and then ask if they can continue reading it later. Those moments may seem small, but for a student who has struggled to see themselves as a reader, they are incredibly important.\r\n\r\nThe books have also given my students more opportunities to experience choice. Middle school students have strong opinions about what they like and do not like, and having a variety of books allows them to explore different genres, characters, topics, and authors. Instead of assigning every student the same book, I can help students find something that matches their interests and reading needs. That choice has increased student engagement and helped make reading feel more personal.\r\n\r\nI have also noticed students talking to one another about books more often. When one student enjoys a book, another student wants to know what it is about or asks to read it next. These conversations are helping create a classroom environment where reading is something students can share with one another. Seeing a classmate excited about a book can sometimes be more powerful than an adult recommending it.\r\n\r\nFor my students who need additional reading support, these books are especially valuable. Building reading skills requires students to spend time actually reading, but it can be difficult to build stamina when students are not interested in the material in front of them. High-interest books give my students a reason to keep going. Each additional page they read gives them another opportunity to practice fluency, strengthen vocabulary, improve comprehension, and build confidence.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, this project has helped my students experience success with reading. When a student who has struggled finishes a book, that accomplishment matters. When a student asks for another book by the same author or wants to know what they should read next, I know we are building something beyond an academic skill. We are helping students develop an identity as readers.\r\n\r\nThe impact of this project will continue far beyond one lesson or one school year. These books will remain available for students to discover, enjoy, discuss, and share. Each book has the potential to reach many students over time.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving my students access to books that can capture their attention and encourage them to keep reading. Your support has helped us create more opportunities for students to experience the excitement of finding the right book, the pride of finishing it, and the confidence to pick up another one. You have helped us show our students that reading can be something they enjoy and that there truly is a book out there for every reader.","fullyFundedDate":1680213980856,"projectUrl":"project/i-love-big-books-and-i-cannot-lie/7254077/","projectTitle":"I Love Big Books And I Cannot Lie","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Yoakum","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3251282_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753144547417","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsyoakum"},{"teacherId":3251282,"projectId":6933263,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in providing our students with LCD tablets. Your contribution has made a significant impact on their learning experience. Our students absolutely loved using the LCD tablets for writing, as it transformed their assignments into engaging and interactive activities. Instead of facing another monotonous task, they were excited and motivated to participate, which has greatly enhanced their enthusiasm for learning. We truly appreciate your kindness and commitment to helping our students succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1676558904633,"projectUrl":"project/writing-thinking-through-my-fingers/6933263/","projectTitle":"Writing! Thinking Through My Fingers!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Yoakum","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3251282_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753144547417","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsyoakum"},{"teacherId":3251282,"projectId":7184324,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity. Your support in providing our students with a safe and comfortable space to be themselves is truly invaluable. This space allows them to relax, express their individuality, and build meaningful connections with their peers. Additionally, the provision of snacks is a simple yet significant gesture that ensures they have the energy and nourishment needed to focus on their studies and personal growth. Your kindness and commitment to their well-being make a profound difference in their lives, and we are deeply grateful for your continued support. Your contribution not only enhances their educational experience but also helps them develop into confident and well-rounded individuals. We cannot thank you enough for making such a positive impact on their journey.","fullyFundedDate":1676558904825,"projectUrl":"project/hip-hop-hooray-we-have-snacks-for-gsa/7184324/","projectTitle":"Hip Hop Hooray! We Have Snacks For G.S.A.","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Yoakum","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3251282_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753144547417","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsyoakum"},{"teacherId":3251282,"projectId":7322170,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations. The ability to offer engaging and educational games to my students is incredibly important, as it not only enhances their learning experience but also keeps them motivated and interested in the subject matter. By incorporating incentives into these activities, we create an even more dynamic and rewarding environment for the students. This approach has proven to be highly effective, as my students were absolutely thrilled to participate in the games and eagerly anticipated the rewards. Your support has made a significant impact on their educational journey, and I am truly grateful for your contribution.","fullyFundedDate":1683635689409,"projectUrl":"project/every-year-comes-to-an-endtherefore/7322170/","projectTitle":"\"Every Year Comes to an End…Therefore, Let's Finish Strong!\"","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Yoakum","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3251282_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753144547417","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsyoakum"},{"teacherId":8497563,"projectId":9907790,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom library! Your generosity has made a meaningful difference in the way my students experience reading at school.\r\n\r\nStudents from all grade levels regularly come in to browse the shelves, recommend books to one another, and spend their breaks reading. I have truly enjoyed seeing students who did not previously consider themselves \"readers\" become excited about finishing a book and finding another one to read.\r\n\r\nStudents across different grade levels discover that there is a book for them. Some students gravitate toward action and adventure, while others enjoy realistic fiction, humor, fantasy, or stories that allow them to see themselves and their experiences represented. The choice and variety have helped students become more independent and confident readers.\r\n\r\nYour support has helped create a classroom where students can take a break, pick up a book, and become completely immersed in another world. More importantly, it has helped make reading feel enjoyable rather than something students simply have to do for an assignment.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping our students discover new stories, build important academic skills, and develop a love of reading that can stay with them long after they leave my classroom. Your generosity is helping students imagine, grow, and succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1773858097288,"projectUrl":"project/books-to-develop-fluency-imagination-a/9907790/","projectTitle":"Books to Develop Fluency, Imagination, and Love for Literature","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Barajas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8497563_orig.jpg?crop=1158,1158,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1663978281895","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8497563"},{"teacherId":8721462,"projectId":10253988,"letterContent":"Thank you for donating to my 6th and 7th grade World History classroom. The supplies you provide make a meaningful difference in our students' learning experiences. These materials allow students to create maps, design hands-on projects, and work together to explore the people, places, cultures, and events that have shaped our world. Having access to these supplies encourages students to collaborate, share ideas, and actively participate in their learning rather than simply reading about history from a textbook. Your generosity helps make history more engaging, interactive, and meaningful for our students.\r\n\r\nWe are truly grateful for your investment in our students and their education. Your donations provide opportunities for students to develop important skills such as teamwork, creativity, communication, and critical thinking while learning about the past. Thank you for helping us create a classroom where students can learn from one another, explore history through hands-on experiences, and bring the world of history to life. Your support is greatly appreciated and has a lasting impact on our students!","fullyFundedDate":1779384912112,"projectUrl":"project/history-projects/10253988/","projectTitle":"History Projects","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Esqueda","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8721462_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1777794713934","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8721462"},{"teacherId":8711722,"projectId":9922506,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our student-led Warhammer literacy project. Your contribution has made an incredible impact on our school and local community by helping us bring together creativity, storytelling, and hands-on learning.\r\n\r\nThis initiative uses the rich and immersive world of Warhammer to inspire students to develop stronger literacy skills and a passion for reading. Through student-led read-aloud sessions, younger students are introduced to exciting narratives, characters, and themes from Warhammer books and lore. These sessions have sparked meaningful conversations and increased engagement with reading in ways we've never seen before.\r\n\r\nIn addition to promoting literacy, the project also includes miniature building and painting workshops. These activities help develop fine motor skills, patience, and creativity. Most importantly, they create opportunities for older students to mentor younger ones, building leadership, communication, and teamwork.\r\n\r\nThanks to your support, we've been able to purchase Warhammer novels, graphic novels, miniatures, paints, and brushes—resources that are essential for our students to take full ownership of the project. They plan the events, design the activities, and manage the materials themselves, gaining valuable organizational and leadership experience.\r\n\r\nYour donation has helped us create a program that is not only fun and educational but also meaningful and community-focused. Younger students are excited to read and create, while older students are growing into confident leaders.\r\n\r\nWe're deeply grateful for your belief in this project. You've helped us build something truly special that bridges imagination and education.","fullyFundedDate":1772807505154,"projectUrl":"project/exploring-science-and-strategy-through-w/9922506/","projectTitle":"Exploring Science and Strategy Through Warhammer 40k!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Boss","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8711722"},{"teacherId":8711722,"projectId":9922528,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our student-led Warhammer literacy project. Your contribution has made an incredible impact on our school and local community by helping us bring together creativity, storytelling, and hands-on learning.\r\n\r\nThis initiative uses the rich and immersive world of Warhammer to inspire students to develop stronger literacy skills and a passion for reading. Through student-led read-aloud sessions, younger students are introduced to exciting narratives, characters, and themes from Warhammer books and lore. These sessions have sparked meaningful conversations and increased engagement with reading in ways we've never seen before.\r\n\r\nIn addition to promoting literacy, the project also includes miniature building and painting workshops. These activities help develop fine motor skills, patience, and creativity. Most importantly, they create opportunities for older students to mentor younger ones, building leadership, communication, and teamwork.\r\n\r\nThanks to your support, we've been able to purchase Warhammer novels, graphic novels, miniatures, paints, and brushes—resources that are essential for our students to take full ownership of the project. They plan the events, design the activities, and manage the materials themselves, gaining valuable organizational and leadership experience.\r\n\r\nYour donation has helped us create a program that is not only fun and educational but also meaningful and community-focused. Younger students are excited to read and create, while older students are growing into confident leaders.\r\n\r\nWe're deeply grateful for your belief in this project. You've helped us build something truly special that bridges imagination and education.","fullyFundedDate":1772807505313,"projectUrl":"project/exploring-science-and-strategy-through-w/9922528/","projectTitle":"Exploring Science and Strategy Through Warhammer 40k!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Boss","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8711722"},{"teacherId":8711722,"projectId":9971779,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our student-led Warhammer literacy project. Your contribution has made an incredible impact on our school and local community by helping us bring together creativity, storytelling, and hands-on learning.\r\n\r\nThis initiative uses the rich and immersive world of Warhammer to inspire students to develop stronger literacy skills and a passion for reading. Through student-led read-aloud sessions, younger students are introduced to exciting narratives, characters, and themes from Warhammer books and lore. These sessions have sparked meaningful conversations and increased engagement with reading in ways we've never seen before.\r\n\r\nIn addition to promoting literacy, the project also includes miniature building and painting workshops. These activities help develop fine motor skills, patience, and creativity. Most importantly, they create opportunities for older students to mentor younger ones, building leadership, communication, and teamwork.\r\n\r\nThanks to your support, we've been able to purchase Warhammer novels, graphic novels, miniatures, paints, and brushes—resources that are essential for our students to take full ownership of the project. They plan the events, design the activities, and manage the materials themselves, gaining valuable organizational and leadership experience.\r\n\r\nYour donation has helped us create a program that is not only fun and educational but also meaningful and community-focused. Younger students are excited to read and create, while older students are growing into confident leaders.\r\n\r\nWe're deeply grateful for your belief in this project. You've helped us build something truly special that bridges imagination and education.","fullyFundedDate":1772807494559,"projectUrl":"project/exploring-science-and-strategy-through-w/9971779/","projectTitle":"Exploring Science and Strategy Through Warhammer 40k!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Boss","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8711722"},{"teacherId":8711722,"projectId":9971780,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our student-led Warhammer literacy project. Your contribution has made an incredible impact on our school and local community by helping us bring together creativity, storytelling, and hands-on learning.\r\n\r\nThis initiative uses the rich and immersive world of Warhammer to inspire students to develop stronger literacy skills and a passion for reading. Through student-led read-aloud sessions, younger students are introduced to exciting narratives, characters, and themes from Warhammer books and lore. These sessions have sparked meaningful conversations and increased engagement with reading in ways we've never seen before.\r\n\r\nIn addition to promoting literacy, the project also includes miniature building and painting workshops. These activities help develop fine motor skills, patience, and creativity. Most importantly, they create opportunities for older students to mentor younger ones, building leadership, communication, and teamwork.\r\n\r\nThanks to your support, we've been able to purchase Warhammer novels, graphic novels, miniatures, paints, and brushes—resources that are essential for our students to take full ownership of the project. They plan the events, design the activities, and manage the materials themselves, gaining valuable organizational and leadership experience.\r\n\r\nYour donation has helped us create a program that is not only fun and educational but also meaningful and community-focused. Younger students are excited to read and create, while older students are growing into confident leaders.\r\n\r\nWe're deeply grateful for your belief in this project. You've helped us build something truly special that bridges imagination and education.","fullyFundedDate":1772807496473,"projectUrl":"project/exploring-science-and-strategy-through-w/9971780/","projectTitle":"Exploring Science and Strategy Through Warhammer 40k!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Boss","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8711722"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_79302","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":912,"numTeachers":41,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":11,"percentWhite":5,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":79,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":2,"gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"22.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":60.3,"schoolId":79302,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Curran Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Curran Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/bakersfield-city-school-district/curran-middle-school/79302"}