{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"CREC Academy of International Studies (MLC)","outOfStateSupporters":54.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9813415,"projectId":9659874,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of board games for our classroom. Because of your support, my students now have access to engaging, screen-free activities like Clue and UNO that help create a balanced and focused learning environment.\r\n\r\nThese games provide students with meaningful opportunities to unplug from technology and interact face-to-face with their peers. They have been especially valuable during community-building time, after assessments, and on days when students need a mental break while still staying engaged and productive.\r\n\r\nHaving non-digital activities available helps students practice collaboration, communication, and patience in a relaxed setting. The games also contribute to a calmer classroom atmosphere and give students a healthy way to recharge without relying on screens.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has helped create a classroom space that values connection, balance, and student well-being. Thank you for investing in resources that support both learning and positive classroom culture. We truly appreciate your support.","fullyFundedDate":1762266309559,"projectUrl":"project/unplug-engage-board-games-for-brighte/9659874/","projectTitle":"Unplug & Engage: Board Games for Brighter Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lepak","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9813415_orig.jpg?crop=1333,1333,x0,y4&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1742840542577","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9813415"},{"teacherId":9813415,"projectId":9485062,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of student essentials for our classroom. Because of your support, my students began the school year with the supplies they needed to feel prepared, confident, and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nThese essentials helped ensure that every student had access to basic materials from day one. Instead of worrying about missing supplies, students were able to focus on learning, participating, and building positive routines. This created a more equitable classroom where all students could start the year on equal footing.\r\n\r\nHaving these materials available also helped our classroom run more smoothly. Students were able to stay organized, complete their work, and take pride in their learning space. This support set a positive tone for the entire school year and helped students feel cared for and valued.\r\n\r\nYour generosity made a meaningful impact on both my students and me. Thank you for helping create a strong, supportive start to the school year and for investing in our classroom community. We are truly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1756407521179,"projectUrl":"project/stocking-up-for-student-success/9485062/","projectTitle":"Stocking up for Student Success!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lepak","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9813415_orig.jpg?crop=1333,1333,x0,y4&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1742840542577","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9813415"},{"teacherId":9813415,"projectId":9903651,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of cleaning supplies for our classroom. Because of you, my students now have access to hand sanitizer, Clorox wipes, air fresheners, and paper towels every day.\r\n\r\nThese supplies have made a real difference in our learning environment. Students are able to clean their desks and shared materials regularly, which helps keep everyone healthier and more comfortable. Having hand sanitizer readily available also helps students build good hygiene habits and take responsibility for their space.\r\n\r\nThe air fresheners and paper towels have helped create a classroom that feels clean, welcoming, and cared for. When students walk into a space that is well maintained, they feel safer and more ready to learn. This has helped improve focus, comfort, and overall classroom morale.\r\n\r\nYour support has taken a big worry off my plate and allowed me to focus more on teaching and supporting my students. Thank you for investing in their health, well-being, and success. We are truly grateful for your kindness","fullyFundedDate":1764692044891,"projectUrl":"project/clean-space-clear-minds-supplies-for-a/9903651/","projectTitle":"Clean Space, Clear Minds: Supplies for a Healthy, Clean Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lepak","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9813415_orig.jpg?crop=1333,1333,x0,y4&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1742840542577","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9813415"},{"teacherId":6109788,"projectId":9848252,"letterContent":"We just finished out Balloon Power Car unit in my 9th grade Design class. It was such fun unit. The learning goals included practicing critical thinking and creative skills that are necessary for building a car run only on balloon power and creating the car that goes the fastest and furthest. It also included data collection, comparison and deep analysis. This unit was not only super fun, but the students experiences lots of frustration, trial and error and showed extreme perseverance. The amount of materials (balloons, axles, cardboard etc.) We went through so many of the materials provided by Donor's Choose. Balloons were popping everywhere! \r\n\r\nBy the end of the project, the students (based on the data we collected) determined that using the CD tires, metal axels, cardboard tubes and the medium size balloon proved to be the best combinations. The car the cars that went the fastest often ran into the wall before they were able to get very far. We were not able to determine if they would have gone a long distance due to alignment issues. The car that wen the furthest (pictured in one of the submitted photos, went almost 50 feet. The fastest car traveled 10 feet per second.\r\n\r\nI can't tell you how appreciate your support. This project was a huge success thanks to students hard work and your donations.","fullyFundedDate":1763577952958,"projectUrl":"project/full-steam-ahead-balloon-powered-car-de/9848252/","projectTitle":"Full STEAM Ahead: Balloon-Powered Car Design Challenge","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Petroski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6109788_orig.jpg?crop=2432,2432,x1330,y376&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1729702773799","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6109788"},{"teacherId":3385191,"projectId":9528584,"letterContent":"WOW! Thank you for making our theatre dreams come true! Your generous support means our students are about to become total backstage rockstars with real carpentry tools in their hands. We are absolutely thrilled that you believed in our project! You didn't just fund a project; you opened up a whole new world where our students can build actual castles, city streets, living rooms, and whatever wild scenery their imaginations dream up. The excitement in our classroom is through the roof!\r\nEvery set piece they hammer together and every platform they construct will happen because YOU made it possible. These skills are going to stick with them forever, whether they end up on Broadway or building their own bookshelves at home. You've given them confidence, creativity, and the pure joy of making something amazing with their own two hands. Thank you for being such incredible champions of arts education and for showing these young people that their passions matter. You've made us one very happy theatre family!","fullyFundedDate":1754554526317,"projectUrl":"project/learn-to-build-build-to-learn/9528584/","projectTitle":"Learn to Build, Build to Learn!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Campbell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3385191_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1453742263397","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/campbellmlc"},{"teacherId":6767372,"projectId":9760963,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support of our classroom project, \"From Numbers to Nature.\" Your contribution has made an immediate and meaningful difference in the learning experiences of my students.\r\n\r\nBecause of your kindness, my students now have access to hands-on materials that help them connect mathematical concepts to the natural world. These resources have transformed our lessons—abstract ideas like patterns, ratios, population changes, and ecological relationships are now something students can touch, see, and explore.\r\n\r\nFor many of my learners, especially those who thrive with visual and tactile support, this project has opened new pathways to understanding. I watched students who once hesitated during math or science class suddenly light up as they modeled population growth with manipulatives, graphed real-world wildlife data, and used nature-based tools to explain phenomena they see in ecosystems around them. Students began asking deeper questions, taking ownership of their learning, and making connections across disciplines with confidence.\r\n\r\nOne of the most powerful outcomes has been the increase in engagement from students who often feel disconnected from traditional lessons. With these materials, they are not just learning content—they are seeing themselves as scientists, problem solvers, and curious thinkers who can make sense of real-world challenges. Your donation helped create a classroom environment where every learner has an entry point into complex ideas.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and in the importance of hands-on, inclusive learning. Your generosity extends far beyond supplies; it has created joyful moments, empowered learners, and helped open doors to new ways of thinking. We are profoundly grateful for your support.\r\n\r\nWith appreciation,\r\nMrs. Caitlin Tenney","fullyFundedDate":1758915196813,"projectUrl":"project/from-numbers-to-nature-building-strong/9760963/","projectTitle":"“From Numbers to Nature: Building Stronger Scientists”","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tenney","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6767372_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1566864436881","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6767372"},{"teacherId":944909,"projectId":9385388,"letterContent":"Thank you so much! Adding an extra station in our music lab is going to afford extra opportunities to many students going forward. We're getting the teacher station converted to a student station, which will already help my overbooked classes. Additionally, I will be able to have more students in each of my classes going forward which is an excellent result all the way around. \r\n\r\nMy students use our lab to learn about and create their own music. Music theory, listening, arrangement, and composition are all part of what we do. Your help has made even more of this possible! Thank you.","fullyFundedDate":1752586454666,"projectUrl":"project/the-building-of-a-music-lab-2025-26/9385388/","projectTitle":"The Building of a Music Lab 2025-26","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Ferguson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp944909_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1706898857784","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/944909"},{"teacherId":9813415,"projectId":9301717,"letterContent":"This table has already been a hub for student collaboration, community, and small group settings. I have many students that work better sitting at the table, and using its white board features to keep track of their research or task for the day. This table hasn't just replaced an old piece of furniture; it has created a dedicated space for engaging in the complex, high-stakes political analysis that defines our Global Politics course.\r\n\r\nMany of my students that I had last year were shocked to see such a change to my classroom, and they love it. They were excited to have a place to sit alternatively. Previously, our small group activities were often constrained by traditional desk arrangements, making genuine collaboration feel forced and awkward. Now, the new collaborative table stands as a vibrant centerpiece that immediately signals a shift to active, student-led political inquiry. When students walk in, the sight of the table invites them to connect, debate, and strategize.\r\n\r\nYour contribution has truly made a huge difference in my classroom space. My room feels more welcoming, homey, and a more effective environment for simulating complex political interactions. In Global Politics, we study power, sovereignty, rights, and legitimacy, concepts that are best understood when students must actively negotiate and grapple with them in a shared space. The versatility of this table has solved a major pedagogical challenge, allowing me to seamlessly transition from lecture to intensive, small-group simulation.\r\n\r\nFurthermore, we heavily rely on the table for our Political Engagement Activity (PEA) work. The PEA requires students to engage with a local political issue and link it to a global theme. Students use the white board surface to organize their research, mapping out stakeholder perspectives, identifying the application of core concepts, and charting evidence from their engagement. They can literally draw a diagram showing how a local issue of, say, justice relates to global development goals. This shared, flexible workspace makes the crucial step of synthesis, connecting local observations to global theory, significantly clearer and more rigorous.\r\n\r\nYour donation has done more than provide furniture; it has amplified our mission to cultivate globally engaged citizens. The very presence of this high-quality, specialized learning tool sends a powerful message to my students: that people outside their immediate community—people like you—value their critical thinking and their future contributions to global society. This tangible act of support reinforces the concept of global citizenship we discuss daily.\r\n\r\nWe are truly grateful for the trust you placed in me and in my students by funding this project. The table is a daily reminder that we are supported, valued, and connected to a wider network of generous, forward-thinking individuals. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving my Global Politics students a space where negotiation is rigorous, analysis is visible, and the critical skills necessary for understanding our complex world are built every day. We promise to put it to excellent use for many years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1746786001808,"projectUrl":"project/enhancing-engagement-kidney-table-st/9301717/","projectTitle":"\"Enhancing Engagement: Kidney Table & Stools for Small Group Success\"","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lepak","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9813415_orig.jpg?crop=1333,1333,x0,y4&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1742840542577","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9813415"},{"teacherId":3385191,"projectId":9448424,"letterContent":"Because of your donation, we now have a full class set of Korg tuners, and they are already making a huge difference. Students are using them to quickly tune their trumpets before sectionals, check their intonation on clarinets during warm-ups, and even help each other adjust bass guitars and cellos in the back row. The improvement in confidence and sound is noticeable every rehearsal, and the students are loving having the tools to take ownership of their playing.\r\n\r\nYour support is helping our band grow stronger, more cohesive, and more confident as musicians. By providing these essential tools, you've made it possible for every student to experience the joy of playing in tune and making music that really shines.","fullyFundedDate":1752586433684,"projectUrl":"project/tune-up-keep-in-time/9448424/","projectTitle":"Tune Up & Keep In Time!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Campbell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3385191_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1453742263397","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/campbellmlc"},{"teacherId":3385191,"projectId":9152510,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, we now have two beautiful new bass amps that are already making a huge difference in our music program. Our bass guitarist finally has the power and clarity to be heard, and our one and only cello player is absolutely thrilled to have a rich, full sound that fills the room! The look on their faces the first time they plugged in said it all: pure joy!!! These amps are more than just equipment; they're a way for our students to feel confident and connected in their music-making. Every rehearsal and performance now feels more balanced, professional, and exciting. You've helped us give every student, from rhythm section to strings, the chance to truly shine.\r\n\r\nWe're so grateful to you for believing in our students, their talent, and the magic of live music. Because of you, the low end has never sounded better!","fullyFundedDate":1751850450841,"projectUrl":"project/all-about-that-bass/9152510/","projectTitle":"All About That Bass!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Campbell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3385191_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1453742263397","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/campbellmlc"},{"teacherId":3385191,"projectId":9353823,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, we now have the tools to make our musical ideas real. The digital audio interface and Blue Yeti mic mean our students can record crisp, professional-quality sound, while the sound panels are turning our little classroom corner into a true creative space. And the \"On Air\" sign? Instant magic! It makes every student who walks in feel like a real artist or podcaster. You didn't just fund equipment; you opened the door for students to explore music technology, storytelling, production, and collaboration in brand-new ways. We can't wait to see the confidence that grows as students hear their own work played back and realize they made that. Thank you for believing in our students, their creativity, and the power of giving them a voice. You've helped us build something that will keep inspiring young artists for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1751655064356,"projectUrl":"project/hear-us-out-building-a-recording-studio/9353823/","projectTitle":"Hear Us Out! Building a Recording Studio From Scratch!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Campbell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3385191_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1453742263397","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/campbellmlc"},{"teacherId":3494198,"projectId":9274675,"letterContent":"Thank you again for donating to my 8th grade classroom to allow us to get a new small-group table. So far we have been enjoying our new materials as I am able to teach small groups of students targeted skills, conference with students about their strengths and areas for improvement and allow students to work collaboratively together on assignments. Students have loved the large workspace the table provides and the cool factor of the folding stools. I am looking forward to all the possibilities that this table and chairs will provide us as we continue on in this school year and beyond. Know that your support will not only support my students this year but the students who I teach for years to come!","fullyFundedDate":1748209929401,"projectUrl":"project/gather-round-for-growth/9274675/","projectTitle":"Gather Round for Growth!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. DeAngelis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3494198_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1456850719644","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/dria-deangelis"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_108511","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":null,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":59,"percentAsian":4,"percentBlack":53,"percentWhite":31,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":8,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"US Census Data for the surrounding geographic area","gradesServed":"Not specified","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"Census ZCTA","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"UNCLASSIFIED","ncesMetroType":null},"inStateSupporters":45.2,"schoolId":108511,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about CREC Academy of International Studies (MLC) on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"CREC Academy of International Studies (MLC)","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/connecticut/-county-run-/crec-metropolitan-learning-center/108511"}