{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Bridge Academy","outOfStateSupporters":36.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9449253,"projectId":10542709,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping bring a water distiller into our science classroom! My students are already seeing how this resource can make a difference in the way we do science. Instead of relying on purchasing gallons of distilled water for our labs, we can now produce the distilled water we need right in our classroom. This gives my students the opportunity to see the process firsthand and better understand why distilled water is important for certain scientific investigations.\r\n\r\nOne of the most exciting parts has been being able to use the distiller as part of our actual lab work. Students are able to connect what they are learning in class to a real-world process and see that the resources scientists use can come from something as simple as water. They are also beginning to think more about how we use classroom resources and how reducing our need for single-use gallon jugs can help cut down on waste. \r\n\r\nYour donation has done more than provide us with a new piece of equipment, it has expanded what is possible in our science classroom. My students now have access to a resource that we can use throughout the school year, and I am so excited to see where it takes our learning. Thank you for investing in my students and helping make hands-on science more accessible to them!","fullyFundedDate":1789740525189,"projectUrl":"project/in-need-of-a-water-distiller/10542709/","projectTitle":"In Need of a Water Distiller!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. DeFrances","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9449253_orig.jpg?crop=2735,2735,x0,y455&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753103156254","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9449253"},{"teacherId":9992275,"projectId":9749552,"letterContent":"Many of my students love books but these new texts go beyond enjoyment. They help students build essential reading skills such as close reading, making inferences, analyzing characters, identifying themes, and supporting ideas with evidence. Students are also practicing discussion skills, learning how to ask thoughtful questions, and making connections between texts and real-world issues. These books give us opportunities to teach empathy, perspective, and critical thinking, not just decoding words on a page.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is active and engaging. Students read independently, in small groups, and sometimes aloud together. You'll often see them annotating, discussing ideas with peers, responding in writing, or pausing to reflect on a powerful moment in the text. Reading is not silent and isolated it's collaborative, thoughtful, and purposeful.\r\n\r\nSeveral students have been especially excited about the new books. Reluctant readers are more willing to pick up a book because they see themselves reflected in the characters and situations. Other students who already enjoy reading are eager to dive deeper, recommend books to classmates, and lead discussions. Watching students light up, stay focused longer, and proudly talk about what they're reading has been one of the most rewarding outcomes of this project.\r\n\r\nThank you for making this meaningful learning experience possible for our students!","fullyFundedDate":1760107737720,"projectUrl":"project/last-minute-books-and-goods/9749552/","projectTitle":"Last-minute Books and Goods","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Johnson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9992275_orig.jpg?crop=1283,1284,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1770643125745","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9992275"},{"teacherId":1015959,"projectId":9754466,"letterContent":"These resources have had an immediate and meaningful impact on vocabulary acquisition across grade levels. With consistent access to age-appropriate reference tools, students are no longer limited to guessing at word meanings or relying solely on brief digital definitions. Instead, they are learning to explore multiple definitions, parts of speech, word origins, and nuanced differences between synonyms—skills that are essential for strong reading comprehension and precise writing.\r\n\r\nIn the classroom, the dictionaries and thesauruses have become an integral part of daily instruction. Students now independently consult them during reading, writing, and revision activities, which has increased both accuracy and confidence in word choice. Teachers have observed students moving beyond repetitive or vague language and experimenting with more precise vocabulary, particularly in analytical writing and narrative tasks. This practice has also strengthened students' ability to infer meaning from context, as they compare their initial understanding of a word with its formal definition.","fullyFundedDate":1759183089651,"projectUrl":"project/whats-the-meaning-of-this/9754466/","projectTitle":"\"What's the Meaning of This?\"","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Krauss","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1015959"},{"teacherId":8400662,"projectId":9760921,"letterContent":"Thank you all so much for your donations to our Caring for the Whole Student project. Thanks to your generosity, we now have a closet stocked with hygiene essentials for students to take as they need. In addition, the fidget toys have been a tremendous hit. Students come to our offices with a variety of needs, but more often than not, they simply need a quiet, safe place to collect themselves and focus on something grounding. Sitting in a comfy chair and using a fidget toy helps them calm down and creates space for meaningful conversation.\r\n\r\nWe have also been using the emotions wheel at the beginning of every group session to lay the groundwork for open and honest discussions.\r\n\r\nAs always, it takes a village. Now more than ever, we deeply appreciate the support—from those who know us well and from those we've never had the chance to meet. Every student needs support from time to time, and your generous donations have created yet another way for us to meet those needs","fullyFundedDate":1760298152154,"projectUrl":"project/caring-for-the-whole-student/9760921/","projectTitle":"Caring for the Whole Student","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Knox","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8400662_orig.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1739213246469","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8400662"},{"teacherId":9449253,"projectId":9676701,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support! The new resources have truly transformed our classroom. Recently, students used the OpenSciEd materials while playing the Serengeti board game to learn about wildebeest migration and how predators shape ecosystems. This hands-on activity sparked thoughtful discussion and helped students connect classroom learning to real-world science.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, students were genuinely excited and eager to dive in. They unpacked everything right away and started brainstorming ideas for future projects.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, we're now able to explore topics like human impact on ecosystems and national park conservation in more meaningful ways. Students are looking forward to using these resources to investigate how people affect the environment and to discuss ways to protect these important areas. Thank you for making these experiences possible—you are making a real difference for our students!","fullyFundedDate":1758224217895,"projectUrl":"project/curriculum-supplies-needed/9676701/","projectTitle":"Curriculum Supplies Needed!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. DeFrances","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9449253_orig.jpg?crop=2735,2735,x0,y455&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753103156254","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9449253"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_66497","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":281,"numTeachers":18,"percentFrplEligible":85,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":49,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":45,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":2,"gradesServed":"7 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"15.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":63.9,"schoolId":66497,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Bridge Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Bridge Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/connecticut/connecticut-department-of-education/bridge-academy/66497"}