{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Elmhurst United Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":28.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8635783,"projectId":9598211,"letterContent":"This project has made a powerful difference in my SPED Extensive Support Needs classroom. The additional books we received opened up new opportunities for engagement, communication, and literacy development in ways that were not possible before.\r\n\r\nFor many of my students, reading is more than an academic task; it's a bridge to connection, independence, and confidence. The new books allowed me to build a more inclusive and accessible library with multiple reading levels, visual supports, and high-interest topics that truly meet my students where they are. Because of this project, students who typically avoid reading activities began choosing books during their break times, initiating shared reading moments with staff, and showing excitement when it was time for literacy rotations.\r\n\r\nHaving such a wide variety of texts also supported our classroom goals around communication. Several of my non-verbal and low-verbal learners used the books to practice labeling, commenting, requesting, and building simple sentences on their AAC devices. Books became a tool for expressive language, not just comprehension.\r\n\r\nThe updated library also strengthened our Community-Based Instruction (CBI) curriculum. We used the stories to teach real-life concepts like shopping, crossing the street, preparing food, and interacting in the community. Students are able to connect the content from the books to actual trips we take off-campus, which helped reinforce safety, social expectations, and independence.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, this project helped foster joy. My students lit up when new books arrived. They touched them, smelled them, explored the pictures, chose favorites, traded with friends, and took pride in having a classroom library that finally reflected their interests and their abilities.\r\n\r\nThanks to this project, my students have more access, more voice, and more opportunities to grow academically, socially, and personally. Your generosity gave them tools that matter every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1759186301876,"projectUrl":"project/reading-without-limits/9598211/","projectTitle":"Reading Without Limits","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Pratt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8635783"},{"teacherId":7962122,"projectId":8476265,"letterContent":"I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your amazing generosity and support. The headphones, index cards, and books you provided have made such a big difference in helping our students stay engaged and excited about reading and learning. It's been wonderful to see them dive into their work with the right tools at hand.\r\n\r\nThe clay and art supplies have also brought a whole new level of creativity to our classroom! Students love using them to bring their readings to life—it's made learning more fun, interactive, and meaningful. And your donations of snacks and feminine products have truly helped our students stay comfortable and focused throughout the day.\r\n\r\nThanks to your kindness, our classroom feels more supportive, energized, and full of possibility. We're so grateful to have people like you who care about helping students learn, create, and thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1723192888786,"projectUrl":"project/enhancing-equipment-for-eighth-grade-exp/8476265/","projectTitle":"Enhancing Equipment for Eighth Grade Experiences","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Swarn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7962122_orig.jpg?crop=1980,1980,x0,y330&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660191325177","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7962122"},{"teacherId":7962122,"projectId":9193619,"letterContent":"On behalf of cheerleaders in the entire district, we want to give a huge thank-you for your generous donations that made it possible for us to purchase new mats. Your support means so much to us — these mats allow us to practice safely while building our stunting and tumbling skills with confidence for teams around the district. Knowing that our community believes in us and our goals gives us even more motivation to work hard and keep improving.\r\n\r\nBecause of your kindness, we can focus on what we love most — cheering, growing as athletes, and supporting one another as a team. Your contribution is helping us take our routines to the next level while staying safe, strong, and spirited. Thank you for investing in our team's safety, progress, and future success. We truly couldn't do it without you!","fullyFundedDate":1745496336890,"projectUrl":"project/safe-landings-for-safe-learning/9193619/","projectTitle":"Safe Landings for Safe Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Swarn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7962122_orig.jpg?crop=1980,1980,x0,y330&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660191325177","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7962122"},{"teacherId":9169998,"projectId":9393759,"letterContent":"Thank you for bringing these amazing decorations into our school for students to feel represented. Students definitely noticed the flags in our hallways and could not stop talking about it. Not only is the main entrance of the school a more welcoming environment, it has sparked students curiosity. Asking if there will be displays for all our cultural months and the meaning behind the displays. \r\n\r\nThere is a deep appreciation from our school community to having these materials. It brings care into our learning environment and a sense of belonging/pride. The displays allow for everyone to know how diverse our campus is and welcomes everyone. Thank you for making this project a reality.","fullyFundedDate":1750860446034,"projectUrl":"project/celebrating-heritage-building-unity-in/9393759/","projectTitle":"Celebrating Heritage, Building Unity: Inclusive Cultural Month Displays","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Karina","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9169998_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754015098764","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9169998"},{"teacherId":9169998,"projectId":9521850,"letterContent":"Thank you for bringing comfy seating into my space, students have loved the opportunity to have flexible seating. You have allowed for students to have options in my space and also other spaces. I shared some of the seating options with other team members to make sure that all spaces feel inclusive and safe for everyone. \r\n\r\nStudents favorite have been the small wobble seats, they love moving around and fidgeting while they sit. Also, our chair with the exercise ball! They cannot get enough of it! It moves and allows for students to fidget around while doing their work, also bounce around.","fullyFundedDate":1754877287558,"projectUrl":"project/comfy-seating/9521850/","projectTitle":"Comfy Seating","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Karina","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9169998_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754015098764","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9169998"},{"teacherId":1044388,"projectId":9628313,"letterContent":"These materials have transformed the physical space I was given for my office. It has gone from a small closet containing old files and cleaning supplies, to a warm and welcoming space where students feel comfortable to come, sit down, and check in. \r\n\r\nNot only has the environment been positively changed, but the materials themselves have facilitated meaningful connections between myself and my students. For example, yesterday, a student who has frequently been out of class stopped by my office to check in. He chose for us to play card game that included \"get to know you questions.\" I was pleasantly surprised at how open and vulnerable he was while engaging with the game. The card game created a window into this student's life, and the foundation for continuing to foster a positive and safe space for him. This has given me hope and excitement around using these tools to build community between myself and students, as well as between themselves and their peers.\r\n\r\nIn the coming weeks my colleagues and are I starting social emotional skills groups for students to connect with one another and learn new skills. We are excited to use these tools to foster meaningful relationships!","fullyFundedDate":1758133220104,"projectUrl":"project/dive-deep-explore-your-emotional-depth/9628313/","projectTitle":"Dive Deep! Explore Your Emotional Depth!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Duvivier","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1044388_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1529445327229","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-duvivier"},{"teacherId":2604106,"projectId":8260565,"letterContent":"On behalf of our entire school community, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks for your generous donations toward building supplies for our school garden. Your support has made a lasting impact, not just on our garden beds and soil, but on the students who now have a hands-on opportunity to learn about sustainability, responsibility, and the beauty of nurturing life from the ground up.\r\n\r\nThanks to your contributions, we were able to purchase essential materials. Initially our plan was to build more planter boxes, but after heavy rains we needed to replace some that were damaged or destroyed. These supplies have returned the space into a vibrant outdoor classroom once again. Our students are already planting seeds (both literally and figuratively) as they develop new skills, connect with nature, and take pride in a project that they helped bring to life. We are truly grateful for your belief in this vision and for helping us grow something meaningful together.","fullyFundedDate":1712257499233,"projectUrl":"project/this-is-how-our-garden-grows/8260565/","projectTitle":"This Is How Our Garden Grows!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Psiaki","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2604106_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x0,y60&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1600711936638","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2604106"},{"teacherId":3063014,"projectId":9545908,"letterContent":"This year has been off to a busy and exciting start! Students have been creating dioramas to compare and contrast the Paleolithic and Neolithic Eras, filming videos where they are rewriting the laws of Hammurabi's Code to make them more restorative, and writing original historical fiction narratives that take place in ancient Egypt. And thanks to your generosity, all students - including emergent bilinguals and students with learning disabilities - have been able to learn the material and complete these projects. \r\n\r\nWith these headphones, students who struggle with decoding independently are able to listen to the grade level text read aloud. Bilingual students are able to use translation tools to support them with understanding the text and producing their own writing. Your gift has made a massive difference in ensuring that all students are able to be academically successful, and for that I thank you - deeply.","fullyFundedDate":1754967460813,"projectUrl":"project/listening-to-advance-literacy/9545908/","projectTitle":"Listening to Advance Literacy!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ullman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3063014_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1649220434798","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msullman"},{"teacherId":3063014,"projectId":8891409,"letterContent":"This project was funded right as I went on my maternity leave, so apologies for the late response! However, I had an amazing substitute who is now a full-time History teacher at my school and she reported to me that the students were thrilled with the new headphones! They were able to access video content and listen to text read aloud, which was a major support for my students with disabilities and emergent readers. When I returned from my leave this August, the headphones were in excellent condition and are now being enjoyed by a new group of students!\r\n\r\nThank you for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1733253723951,"projectUrl":"project/listening-to-advance-literacy/8891409/","projectTitle":"Listening to Advance Literacy!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ullman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3063014_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1649220434798","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msullman"},{"teacherId":10111606,"projectId":9537726,"letterContent":"On behalf of my students and myself, I want to express our most sincere thanks for your incredible support in funding a portable air conditioning unit for our classroom. As the weather gets warmer, we've often struggled to stay focused and comfortable, and this gift will make a tremendous difference. Your thoughtfulness and generosity mean so much to us and will create a much-needed oasis from the heat, allowing my students to focus on learning and thrive in a comfortable environment.\r\n\r\nDuring the hot summer months, our classroom can reach over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, making it difficult for students to concentrate on their lessons. This new AC unit has made a huge impact on that problem, providing a cool and calm space that is conducive to learning. Your contribution is more than just a piece of equipment; it's a direct investment in the education and well-being of my students. They will feel your care and support every day, and it will help ensure they have the best possible chance to succeed.\r\n\r\nWe are truly touched by your kindness and the commitment you have shown to our school community. This act of generosity is a powerful lesson for my students about the importance of giving back. Thank you again for your remarkable support. We are so grateful for your contribution and the lasting impact it will have on our classroom for many summers to come.","fullyFundedDate":1754675066975,"projectUrl":"project/help-its-hot-in-here/9537726/","projectTitle":"Help, It's Hot in Here!","teacherDisplayName":"Mx. LaFortune","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10111606"},{"teacherId":118423,"projectId":9186795,"letterContent":"Mars Project THANK YOU \r\n\r\nOur students had SO MUCH fun creating their MARS project. Students wrote narratives about a Mars colonist in English class after studying the geology of Mars in science. They studied the problems of creating a colony on Mars and figured out how many calories their colony would need in math, and debated the pros and cons of colonization in history. As the culminating project, they spent three full days in homeroom creating a Mars colony from scratch using their math blueprint as a base. \r\n\r\nWe provided them with enough cardboard, paint, glue guns, glue gun sticks, foil, bubble wrap, brushes and enough time to create amazing Mars colonies. I've attached some photos so you can see the process from plain cardboard boxes to elaborate 3D models! Students were covered in paint and glitter by the end, and the hot glue will never come off my desks, but they will remember this project forever. \r\n\r\nSixth and eighth graders are invited every year to spend \"space bank\" money after seeing all the projects and asking groups to explain the science and reasoning behind their building choices for investor \"money.\" The group that earned the most \"space bank\" money from the 6th graders who came to \"invest\" earned their bragging rights as the top space company. \r\n\r\nAlready 6th graders have come up to me to ask when they get to build their Mars colony for next year! Thank you so much for your contribution to our end of year culminating projects: this is the project that 8th graders come back to peek in and see the 7th graders' work because they love it so much.","fullyFundedDate":1745496318851,"projectUrl":"project/making-a-mars-colony-the-best-project-o/9186795/","projectTitle":"Making a Mars Colony: The Best Project of the Year!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Flores Schustack","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp118423_orig.jpg?crop=1585,1585,x349,y685&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1557177590709","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mara-flores"},{"teacherId":118423,"projectId":9283275,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your contribution to my classroom decor! I have enough headphones for all of my students to have high quality sound when they listen to videos on the computers or would like to record their own voices when reading stories. Students now don't complain that the headphones hurt their ears or that only one headphone works. This year our school has barely enough money to buy paper, so having actual working headphones to replace my old broken headphones is luxurious! \r\n\r\nEven better is the fact that my new headphones are so colorful and easy to spot. Students can use them to listen to Edpuzzles (little videos that I can record with embedded questions), or do self-paced computer work. Using videos frees me to do more small group intervention work while knowing that all of my students are getting quality instruction (from me!) at the time that they most need it. Headphones unfortunately do not last forever, and they take a beating from my 7th graders, so it is essential to their learning to be able to have new ones.\r\n\r\nWith access to headphones, students are able to work at an independent pace: I can work with a small group of students, while others students are all working on separate tasks, including some students working on research projects that are self-paced because everyone can take their time where they need it. Having headphones means that students can listen to music while they work, listen to podcasts or videos as part of their research, or even just watch a lesson I've embedded questions into for them. We are living in a high technology world, but without the proper tools I couldn't train my students to take advantage of all the information that exists on the internet. Thank you for your generous donation!\r\n\r\nNext week we start writing our narrative stories, and I am so grateful to you that students will be able to record their own voices and listen to their own stories. Thank you again!","fullyFundedDate":1746787275087,"projectUrl":"project/testing-1-2-3-mic-drop/9283275/","projectTitle":"Testing, 1, 2, 3: Mic Drop!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Flores Schustack","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp118423_orig.jpg?crop=1585,1585,x349,y685&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1557177590709","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mara-flores"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_3967","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":752,"numTeachers":24,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":20,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":71,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"31.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":71.4,"schoolId":3967,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Elmhurst United Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Elmhurst United Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/oakland-unified-school-district/elmhurst-community-prep/3967"}