{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Denver School of Science and Technology - Cole Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":40.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7712396,"projectId":9667292,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my students now have the resources they need to learn math with clarity, confidence, and excitement. These materials have transformed our classroom environment—making it more organized, more accessible, and much more engaging for students with diverse learning needs.\r\n\r\nWe've already begun using the math anchor chart posters, and they have become a daily reference point for students. During a recent lesson on fractions, I watched several students walk over to the fraction poster, compare visuals, and return to their work with renewed understanding. For students who struggle with memory or processing, having these visual supports available at all times is a game changer.\r\n\r\nThe addition of Flexi Rulers and foam dice has made hands-on practice fun and meaningful. One of my favorite moments so far happened during a warm-up where students rolled dice to generate multiplication problems. Instead of dreading fluency work, students were laughing, challenging themselves, and even asking to play again. The flexi rulers were immediately a hit—students stretched and bent them with delight, amazed they couldn't break them. It made measurement feel approachable rather than intimidating.\r\n\r\nThe calculators have had perhaps the biggest impact on students with disabilities. When I handed them out, one student held theirs gently and said, \"Now I can actually do the work everyone else is doing.\" These calculators allow students with documented math calculation disabilities to participate fully in grade-level lessons without getting stuck on the barriers their disability creates. It has already increased their independence and confidence tremendously.\r\n\r\nThe organizational furniture—especially the file cabinet and small organizer—has helped transform our classroom into a space where everything has a place. Students know where to find what they need, and I can pull materials quickly during small-group lessons. This structure helps our classroom run smoothly and supports students who rely on predictable routines.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, students will be using these materials daily in projects involving measurement, geometry, number operations, and real-world problem solving. Our next big unit will involve hands-on geometry, where students will use rulers, dice, and anchor charts to build shapes, classify figures, explore angles, and apply measurement concepts in meaningful ways.\r\n\r\nYour support has done more than provide supplies—it has created an environment where students with disabilities feel empowered, capable, and excited to learn math. Thank you for helping us build a classroom where every student can succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1758661688723,"projectUrl":"project/improving-math-for-students-with-disabil/9667292/","projectTitle":"Improving Math for Students with Disabilities","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gish","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7712396_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1690580817162","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-lindsey-gish"},{"teacherId":7712396,"projectId":9817214,"letterContent":"Thanks to this project, math has truly come alive in our classroom. The materials you helped provide—especially the hands-on Illustrative Math Kits and the essential tools that accompany them—have transformed the way my students learn, explore, and interact with mathematical ideas each day.\r\n\r\nThe Illustrative Math Kits have been especially powerful. These resources encourage students to think deeply, justify their reasoning, and collaborate with one another. Instead of simply memorizing steps, students now explore concepts through activities and discussions that help them understand why math works the way it does. I've watched students who once hesitated to participate become eager to share their ideas with the class.\r\n\r\nThe 3D geometric shapes, folding figures, and compasses have allowed students to see and touch concepts that can otherwise feel abstract. Geometry has become a favorite unit—students love building shapes, unfolding nets, and discovering patterns for themselves. Several students who used to struggle with spatial reasoning now light up when they can physically manipulate objects to understand new concepts.\r\n\r\nThe calculators and rulers have made a noticeable difference in both accuracy and confidence. Many donors use calculators at home, but in school they are essential tools that level the playing field. Some of my students have disabilities that make calculations extremely difficult, and having their own calculators has allowed them to access grade-level work for the first time without feeling frustrated or left behind. This boost in confidence shows in their willingness to participate and take academic risks.\r\n\r\nEven the megaphone has made a positive impact. With a large and energetic group of middle schoolers, getting students' attention quickly allows us to transition smoothly, maximize learning time, and maintain an organized, positive environment. It may seem small, but it makes a big difference in keeping our classroom running efficiently.\r\n\r\nWhat excites students most is how interactive math has become. Whether they're rolling plastic coins to explore probability, building 3D structures, or using compasses to create perfect circles, they feel like mathematicians—problem solvers and creators, not just worksheet-completers.\r\n\r\nOne student who used to quietly avoid participating now proudly volunteers to demonstrate geometric constructions to the class, simply because the hands-on tools helped everything \"finally click.\" Another student, who has always struggled with math anxiety, told me, \"It's easier when I can see it and touch it. I actually get it now.\"\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, students who once saw math as intimidating now see it as something they can explore, question, and enjoy. You've helped us build a classroom where curiosity thrives and every student feels capable of success.\r\n\r\nThank you for making this kind of learning possible.","fullyFundedDate":1760704944303,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-math-alive-with-im-kits/9817214/","projectTitle":"Bringing Math Alive with IM Kits!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gish","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7712396_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1690580817162","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-lindsey-gish"},{"teacherId":7712396,"projectId":9783774,"letterContent":"Thanks to this project, my classroom has become a more organized, engaging, and accessible space for learning math. Each material—whether it's a simple foam die or a large piece of furniture—has made a meaningful difference in helping my students grow as confident mathematicians.\r\n\r\nThe math anchor chart posters are now proudly displayed around the room, giving students a visual reference they can rely on every day. Middle schoolers often need to revisit concepts as they practice, and these charts help them strengthen their foundational skills independently. I see students glancing at them during work time, checking their thinking, and using them as a tool to keep moving forward rather than getting stuck.\r\n\r\nThe Flexi Rulers have brought measurement to life in a way that meets kids where they are. Students love how the rulers bend, twist, and snap back into place without breaking—something that happens far too often with traditional rulers. Instead of worrying about damaging materials, students are free to explore, experiment, and actually enjoy hands-on measurement activities.\r\n\r\nThe foam dice have become one of the most popular tools in the classroom. Rolling dice to generate numbers for daily practice has made math fluency fun and interactive. Students are excited to see what numbers they'll get, and they often challenge themselves to calculate faster or try more complex combinations. They're practicing essential math skills without it feeling like a drill—just play with purpose.\r\n\r\nFor some of my students, the calculators have been truly transformative. These are students who have \"math calculation\" listed as a disability in their IEPs. While they work on improving their calculation skills in my class, they also need access to grade-level math and science content without their disability holding them back. Having their own calculator empowers them to participate fully, focus on higher-level thinking, and experience success alongside their peers. It has boosted their confidence tremendously.\r\n\r\nFinally, the organizational furniture—the file cabinet and plastic organizer—has helped create a calmer, more structured environment. Materials are stored neatly, easily accessible when needed, and safely out of the way when they're not. This organization saves valuable instructional time and helps students know exactly where to find the tools they need to learn.\r\n\r\nEach of these items has contributed to a classroom that feels more efficient, more joyful, and more supportive of every learner. My students are excited, engaged, and better prepared to take on new math challenges every single day. Thank you for making that possible!","fullyFundedDate":1759789684458,"projectUrl":"project/materials-for-small-group-instruciton/9783774/","projectTitle":"Materials for Small Group Instruciton","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gish","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7712396_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1690580817162","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-lindsey-gish"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_101755","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":269,"numTeachers":27,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":22,"percentWhite":3,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":69,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":1,"percentMultiracialImputed":1,"gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"10.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":60.0,"schoolId":101755,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Denver School of Science and Technology - Cole Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Denver School of Science and Technology - Cole Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/colorado/denver-public-school-district-1/dsst-cole-middle-school/101755"}