{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Elmhurst United Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":28.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":1707062,"projectId":10315058,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support of my classroom! The supplies that you helped purchase for my classroom are already up and being used.\r\n\r\nWe just started our first experiment about chemical reactions. Students are already referring to our colorful world wall, which I have created using the thermal laminating pouches and ink from this project. During class, students frequently walk up to the word wall to review vocabulary words we are learning and check their knowledge.\r\n\r\nStudents were extremely excited to get to use the new headphones. When studying chemical reactions, I assign several Chromebook assignments that use videos of chemical reactions. Students have been wearing the headphones to listen to the lessons and are so excited to watch things explode, change color, and release gases.\r\n\r\nThank you so much for support of STEM education!","fullyFundedDate":1781110665008,"projectUrl":"project/stock-the-science-lab/10315058/","projectTitle":"Stock the Science Lab","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pandolfi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1707062_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1470258903219","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mspando"},{"teacherId":9606350,"projectId":9537860,"letterContent":"This project has helped us build a classroom where students have the tools they need to learn, collaborate, and care for our shared space. We have been able to continue using whiteboards for quick fluency drills, practice problems, and sharing mathematical strategies without the pressure of getting every answer perfect on paper.\r\n\r\nThe colored markers have also helped students move beyond simply filling in worksheets. They use color to organize their thinking, create collaborative posters, explain their strategies, and make their mathematical ideas visible to others. Students have what they need to participate fully in our learning routines, and they are also learning that taking care of our materials and classroom is a shared responsibility.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, these resources allow me to pair high expectations for rigorous math learning with intentional care for my students. They know that I expect them to think deeply, participate, and keep growing, and that I will also make sure they have the resources and support they need to do so.","fullyFundedDate":1754675066744,"projectUrl":"project/back-to-school-math-collaborative-commun/9537860/","projectTitle":"Back to School Math Collaborative Community Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Loza","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9606350_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y185&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1740622212474","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9606350"},{"teacherId":9606350,"projectId":9639315,"letterContent":"The ice machine has quickly become a favorite resource in our classroom and has had an unexpected impact on both student motivation and independence. Students can use our classroom economy system, CARE Dollars, to earn and purchase a cup of ice by demonstrating positive classroom behaviors such as participating in discussions, helping others, staying engaged, and following our classroom agreements.\r\n\r\nWhen the ice machine first arrived, students were incredibly excited to see it become part of our classroom! It has been especially helpful during our hot afternoons, when our classroom can reach 85 degrees or more. During partner instruction and independent practice, students can purchase a small cup of ice, which has helped them stay comfortable and independently engaged even when the heat makes learning more challenging.\r\n\r\nBeyond being a fun incentive, the ice machine has helped reinforce the idea that positive contributions to our classroom community matter. As we continue our math units, students will keep using CARE Dollars to practice these behaviors while working collaboratively, participating in mathematical discussions, and persevering through challenging problems. What started as a way to help students stay cool has become a meaningful part of our classroom community and economy.","fullyFundedDate":1757599653475,"projectUrl":"project/cool-math-minds-with-classroom-ice-machi/9639315/","projectTitle":"Cool Math Minds with Classroom Ice Machine","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Loza","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9606350_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y185&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1740622212474","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9606350"},{"teacherId":9606350,"projectId":9111769,"letterContent":"For the past two years, donations of paint and classroom supplies have helped make our school's interdisciplinary Mars Colony Project possible. What began as an end-of-year project has become a meaningful opportunity for students to bring together their learning from across the curriculum and experience what it means to build something together.\r\n\r\nThroughout the project, students imagine what life on Mars could look like and take on different roles as members of a future colony. They write narratives about life on Mars, design systems of government, work in teams to create company websites, logos, and mission statements, and develop plans for their missions. In math, students use probability and data to make decisions about their Mars gardens, giving them an authentic opportunity to see how mathematics can help people make informed choices.\r\n\r\nThe project culminates with students creating posters and dioramas of their colonies, working together to raise funding for their missions, and presenting their ideas to sixth graders to earn additional \"funding.\" These presentations give students a chance to communicate their thinking, defend their decisions, and see their hard work become something tangible.\r\n\r\nEach year, I have continued to refine the math component of the project. My goal is not simply for students to complete calculations, but to give them a small glimpse of what it means to use data, probability, and evidence to make decisions in the real world.\r\n\r\nThe supplies made possible through this project do more than fill a classroom. They give students the materials to create, collaborate, take risks, and turn their ideas into something they can see and share. Most importantly, they help us end the year with an experience that students will remember, and one that shows them just how much they have learned.","fullyFundedDate":1745496318658,"projectUrl":"project/scale-models-and-mars-project/9111769/","projectTitle":"Scale Models and Mars Project!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Loza","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9606350_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y185&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1740622212474","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9606350"},{"teacherId":8557043,"projectId":10186820,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my classroom at the end of the school year. The supplies were essential for the final push to get through the last projects, assignments, and state testing prep. \r\n\r\nAdditionally, my students were extremely excited to get their hands on the new books that were bought \"specifically for them.\" When they opened the books, they realized that their own identities were reflected back to them. As a young adult, it is incredibly important to have one's own experiences represented in stories they are around to help grow their identity (especially while navigating the confusing middle school era). \r\n\r\nThank you again for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1776453679230,"projectUrl":"project/finishing-strong-end-of-year-supplies-f/10186820/","projectTitle":"Finishing Strong: End-of-Year Supplies for 6th Graders!","teacherDisplayName":"Mx. Ko","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8557043_orig.png?crop=674,674,x71,y244&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1662331019882","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/teacherko"},{"teacherId":2052125,"projectId":9238191,"letterContent":"Thank you for your amazing donation of graphic novels to our classroom. Students were excited when they saw them in our class library. \r\n\r\nMany students, especially those who are English Language Learners, struggle with the complex science text. Graphic novels took away a lot of stress when it came to reading content. In addition, students who don't like to read found themselves enjoying their class set of novels. As you can imagine, the graphic novel \"Dinosaurs\" was their favorite. \r\n\r\nThank you again for your kind donation that allowed all my students access to the science content of their choosing.","fullyFundedDate":1745496327163,"projectUrl":"project/graphic-novels-exploring-science-in-a/9238191/","projectTitle":"Graphic Novels! Exploring Science in a Unique Way","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. G.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2052125_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1481993071630","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2052125"},{"teacherId":2052125,"projectId":9170949,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our class. With your funding I was able to purchase items for the classroom and students themselves. Students were excited to design projects and test them out. \r\n\r\nYou donation helped me beautify the room making it a welcoming environment for students and visitors. We added more up to date science posters to the walls, changed out bulletin boards to a space theme and we created a reflection corner that students could if they needed a quiet place to relax. In addition, we were able to purchase many items to replace missing or broken equipment. We now have tuning forks, magnifying class and thermal thermometers to explore different phenomena.\r\n\r\nAgain, thank you so much for your kind and generous donation. My students had a magical year and are heading to high school ready to take on their next scientific adventure.","fullyFundedDate":1745496312383,"projectUrl":"project/stem-supplies-for-future-scientists/9170949/","projectTitle":"STEM Supplies for Future Scientists","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. G.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2052125_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1481993071630","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2052125"},{"teacherId":8563559,"projectId":9994485,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and support of our classroom. Thanks to your donations, my students now have access to new headphones that are already making a huge difference in our daily learning environment.\r\n\r\nThese headphones have helped students stay focused, engaged, and confident while using technology in class. Whether they are listening to instructional videos, completing independent assignments, participating in online activities, or receiving extra academic support, students are now able to learn with fewer distractions and greater independence. Having enough working headphones for everyone has also helped create a calmer and more productive classroom atmosphere.\r\n\r\nMy students were genuinely excited and grateful to receive these resources. Your kindness shows them that people outside of our classroom care about their education and believe in their success. Thank you for investing in my students and helping create meaningful learning opportunities for them every day.","fullyFundedDate":1769194767698,"projectUrl":"project/headphones-for-focused-independent-lear/9994485/","projectTitle":"Headphones for Focused, Independent Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Molly Roa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8563559_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1691867784151","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-roa"},{"teacherId":8563559,"projectId":9389137,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our classroom has become a more comfortable, organized, and supportive place for learning. The new shelving has helped us create a cleaner and more functional space where students can easily access materials, stay organized, and take pride in their classroom environment. In a smaller classroom with limited storage, this has made a huge difference in our daily routines.\r\n\r\nThe chair bands have also had an incredible impact on student focus and engagement. Many of my students benefit from movement while learning, and these simple tools allow them to stay active in a quiet, non-disruptive way. Students who once struggled to sit through lessons are now more focused, calm, and confident during class activities.\r\n\r\nFinally, the fan has made our classroom much more comfortable during the hot autumn months. Without air conditioning, warm afternoons can make it difficult for students to concentrate, but the added airflow has helped students stay cool and ready to learn. Thank you for investing in my students and helping create a classroom where they can truly thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1754077785963,"projectUrl":"project/cool-calm-and-classroom-ready/9389137/","projectTitle":"Cool, Calm, and Classroom-Ready!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Molly Roa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8563559_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1691867784151","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-roa"},{"teacherId":10111606,"projectId":10092392,"letterContent":"This project has been a huge improvement for our classroom environment. Our Computer Science classroom sees students from all grade levels and language backgrounds in one place, and it's important that all those students have a safe, calm, regulated place to learn this cognitively demanding subject.\r\n\r\nThe lamp has allowed me to keep the Evil Big Lights (enemy of all neurodivergent and overstimulated kids) off during class, replacing their light with a warm, relaxing glow. This became the foundation of the classroom's Calm Corner. From there, I added the essential oil diffuser, a fan favorite of middle school students. Tubs of fun prizes help increase motivation, and stickers keep things organized. \r\n\r\nThank you for this small but necessary infusion of dignity.","fullyFundedDate":1772049506444,"projectUrl":"project/beyond-the-basics/10092392/","projectTitle":"Beyond the Basics","teacherDisplayName":"Mx. LaFortune","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10111606_orig.jpg?crop=925,925,x154,y205&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1788041161694","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10111606"},{"teacherId":3063014,"projectId":9555267,"letterContent":"We just received the results back from our end of year reading test and the results are clear - your donations caused my students to make 136% of typical growth in their reading! With their favorite series now complete, students began eagerly checking out and completing entire series in just a month or two! Some students from other classes even returned daily for their next book fix. These books were especially helpful for kids reading below grade level due to their pictures and simpler content. Thank you for supporting my kids' literacy growth!","fullyFundedDate":1766035855835,"projectUrl":"project/missing-our-manga/9555267/","projectTitle":"Missing Our Manga","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":9987181,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support in getting my students working sets of headphones! With so many of our old headphones breaking, it was becoming impossible for all kids to use them. They were especially helpful for our homeroom unit on Planning Our Futures, which I designed. Students took career quizzes, watched videos on different careers of interest, learned about college life and watched videos of different types of colleges, and then explored their local high schools before making a vision board of their future plans. All of this was made possible with your generous gift!","fullyFundedDate":1768268824128,"projectUrl":"project/listening-to-advance-literacy/9987181/","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"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_3967","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":743,"numTeachers":24,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":17,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":73,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":2,"percentMultiracialImputed":2,"gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"31.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":71.8,"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"}