{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"John A Sutter Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":22.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10107573,"projectId":9845280,"letterContent":"My students are increasingly enjoying activities where they build and use their minds to create new ideas. In my special day class, students usually play alongside one another rather than directly with each other, so watching them interact differently has been especially encouraging. With these new materials and open-ended projects, I've noticed a shift: students who typically engage in parallel play are beginning to communicate, collaborate, and share ideas.\r\n\r\nThe change began when I introduced hands-on resources that invite experimentation and imagination. Simple, flexible tools—building sets, sensory materials, and creative prompts—give children the chance to explore at their own pace while still inviting peer interaction. Because the activities emphasize discovery rather than strict rules or competitive outcomes, students feel safe to try things, make mistakes, and adjust their thinking. That environment nurtures curiosity and supports the development of higher-level thinking skills.\r\n\r\nAs students work side by side, I observe them commenting on each other's creations, imitating successful strategies, and requesting materials or assistance. Small exchanges—pointing to a structure, offering a block, or saying a few words about what they're building—are meaningful steps toward more intentional social engagement. For some learners who struggle with direct social interaction, these brief, low-pressure moments are often the beginning of broader communication. They allow students to practice turn-taking, share attention, and express preferences without the stress of face-to-face conversations.\r\n\r\nCreativity flourishes in these settings as well. Open-ended tasks invite students to generate ideas, test possibilities, and adapt plans based on results. I've seen children invent imaginative narratives to explain their constructions, repurpose materials in unexpected ways, and combine elements from different projects. Those creative acts are more than play; they're opportunities to practice problem-solving, flexible thinking, and persistence. When a structure collapses, students consider why it happened and try a new approach—skills that translate well to academic tasks and everyday challenges.\r\n\r\nEqually important is the effect on friendships and classroom community. Shared projects create natural reasons for interaction: to compare work, to collaborate on a larger design, or to celebrate a successful build. These interactions strengthen bonds and foster a sense of belonging. Students begin to notice and appreciate each other's strengths, whether someone is especially careful, imaginative, or good at solving structural problems. That recognition supports empathy and positive peer relationships.\r\n\r\nCommunication grows hand in hand with social connection. Children who previously used very few words are now offering short explanations, asking simple questions, and narrating their process aloud. Those verbalizations help teachers assess understanding and scaffold language development. Over time, we see progress: richer vocabulary, more descriptive comments, and increased willingness to engage in joint activities.\r\n\r\nOverall, introducing creative, open-ended materials into the special day class has been transformative. It supports cognitive development, encourages social interaction, builds friendships, and promotes communication. The classroom feels livelier and more collaborative, and students are gaining skills that will benefit them inside and outside school. I look forward to continuing these practices and observing how my students' creativity and relationships develop further.","fullyFundedDate":1762194181888,"projectUrl":"project/exploring-minds/9845280/","projectTitle":"Exploring Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ebbets","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10107573_orig.jpg?crop=1158,1158,x0,y386&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757468898960","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-ebbets"},{"teacherId":9654242,"projectId":9633477,"letterContent":"I can't thank you enough for supporting my \"Every Voice Matters\" classroom project. When the materials arrived, my students' excitement filled the room, they couldn't wait to explore and use everything. 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John A Sutter Middle School

Join the 272 supporters who believe in this school.

About this school

John A Sutter Middle School is an urban public school in Canoga Park, California that is part of Los Angeles Unified School District. It serves 849 students in grades 6 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 23.6:1. Its teachers have had 44 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Equity Focus School

Support towards this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Public School

Title 1

Grades 6 - 8

849 Students

36 Teachers

7330 Winnetka Ave

Canoga Park, CA 91306 View local requests

http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/sutter_ms

Evidence-based impact

Inspire teachers to stay in the classroom and boost student achievement.¹

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Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

John A Sutter Middle School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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John A Sutter Middle School Demographics

95%

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

89%

of students are Black, Latino, Native American, or Asian

Schools in districts that mainly serve students of color receive substantially less state and local support than similar districts that serve primarily White students. Learn more about this gap, why it exists, and how you can help close it.

John A Sutter Middle School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 5, 2025

DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.

John A Sutter Middle School

$24,880

raised using DonorsChoose

projects funded

teachers funded

272

donors

projects for basic supplies

projects for technology

project for books

project for art supplies

John A Sutter Middle School has received support from 211 individuals from California and 61 individuals out-of-state.

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season! Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

John A Sutter Middle School

About this school

Equity Focus School

John A Sutter Middle School Teachers on DonorsChoose

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John A Sutter Middle School Demographics

John A Sutter Middle School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Dec 5, 2025

John A Sutter Middle School

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.