{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"East Hartford Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":35.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5263474,"projectId":10214566,"letterContent":"I want to send a heartfelt thank you for the support in allowing my students to reflect on their middle school experience and the people who helped make it memorable. I was overwhelmed and impressed by the reaction of my 8th graders to these supplies. They were so excited to thank the staff members at our school that have made a difference in their lives. I asked students to write 2 notes and was pleasantly surprised to see students exceed this. Many students thanked 5 or more teachers and staff members with sincere notes with memories of middle school. \r\n I collected over 400 thank you notes to distribute to staff. I think students were amazed when they saw the pile of notes, with bundles for each teacher they appreciated. After sorting the cards students had written letters to over 50 staff members ranging from their content area teachers, elective teachers, librarians, secretaries, principals, social workers, custodians, tutors, paraprofessionals and even former elementary teachers. The reaction of staff members was also incredible. Many teachers didn't know that a student had a specific memory, appreciated a lesson, or felt such a strong connection to them. I got countless emails and calls from teachers and staff thanking me for improving their mood, brightening their day, and ending their school year on such a positive note. \r\n Overall this project was intended to allow students to show appreciation for staff and it definitely accomplished this and so much more. With the success of this project in 2026 I know its something that should continue in the future. Giving staff and students one more chance to connect before 8th grade graduation was an honor and I can't be more happy with its results. Thank you for the donations to my students and our whole school community. Because of you the year ended with so many smiles.","fullyFundedDate":1778517581309,"projectUrl":"project/words-that-matter-thanking-the-teachers/10214566/","projectTitle":"Words That Matter: Thanking the Teachers Who Made a Difference","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Buccheri","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5263474_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1550691648976","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-buccheri"},{"teacherId":2917771,"projectId":10232161,"letterContent":"The Nutmeg Nominees have been processed and ready for the students to check out! I've had a bunch of students come in for their first library class of this school year to repeat their success from last school year. I offer a Nutmeg Nominee challenge if you read all 10 books and fill out the form for each book, you can earn yourself a pizza party in May! One student has shown she's looking to repeat her victory from last year, and in her accomplishment that encouraged another few students to join in for this year. This also inspired some students in 8th grade students to try their luck. \r\n\r\nI'm thrilled to see how this year will progress! 6th graders will get introduced soon to the challenge, and we'll soon see who rises to the top and gets their Nutmeg (pizza) pie!","fullyFundedDate":1778439559627,"projectUrl":"project/sprinkling-nutmeg-nominees-on-our-librar/10232161/","projectTitle":"Sprinkling Nutmeg Nominees on Our Library Pie","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Carbonell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2917771_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1568940866005","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ccarbonell"},{"teacherId":3456531,"projectId":10357779,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my students! They have been enjoying the pickleball equipment during our activities, sharing snacks, and using the cleaning supplies to take care of the equipment. The treats have also been a fun way to celebrate their participation and effort. When my students first saw the materials, they were excited and eager to get started. Your generosity has provided my students with opportunities to be active, have fun, work together, and feel valued. \r\n\r\nWe truly appreciate your kindness and support!","fullyFundedDate":1782810624347,"projectUrl":"project/essential-classroom-essentials/10357779/","projectTitle":"Essential Classroom Essentials","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Douglas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3456531_orig.jpg?crop=200,200,x0,y33&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1764003112320","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3456531"},{"teacherId":3456531,"projectId":10178242,"letterContent":"Thank you, thank you, thank you. The new resources have made a wonderful difference for our students! The pickleball sets have given students opportunities to be active, build friendships, and learn a new sport that they can enjoy both in and out of school. \r\n\r\nThe snacks have been a great addition to our intramural program as well. My students love to eat, and having a small snack during play time, yeah...Let's gooo! The paper towels are also being put to good use as students clean their hands and wipe down their paddle handles and equipment after playing. One of the biggest student reactions came when they first saw all of the new equipment and resources. They immediately said things like, \"OMG! We got all of this?\" and \"Can we play pickleball today?\" The gumball machine has been another fun surprise. They also love receiving a gumball as well as a special treat for participating.\r\n\r\nThank you for supporting this project and my students. Your generosity has created opportunities for students to be active, connect with others, try something new, and build positive memories at school. We are incredibly grateful for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1780194387538,"projectUrl":"project/paddles-up-game-on-pickleball-active/10178242/","projectTitle":"Paddles Up, Game On! Pickleball: Active Fun for Everyone","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Douglas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3456531_orig.jpg?crop=200,200,x0,y33&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1764003112320","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3456531"},{"teacherId":8038735,"projectId":8194060,"letterContent":"The headphones have made a big difference in how my students are able to use technology for learning. In our science classroom, students frequently watch instructional videos, explore interactive lessons, and listen to explanations that help bring difficult science concepts to life. Having their own headphones allows students to focus on what they are learning without being distracted by the sound from other students' devices.\r\n\r\nThe students are especially excited about being able to work at their own pace. They can listen closely, pause a video, replay an explanation, or go back to something they did not understand the first time. The headphones make our technology feel much more useful and personal rather than having an entire classroom of devices playing audio at once!\r\n\r\nI have especially noticed the impact on students who need a little extra time to process information or who learn best by hearing and seeing something together. Some students are much more willing to independently revisit a video or explanation when they have headphones on and do not have to worry about other students noticing. It gives them a little more independence and confidence while learning.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, something as simple as a pair of headphones helps make our classroom technology truly accessible and useful for every student. We are so grateful to have tools that allow our students to learn, explore, and engage with science in ways that work best for them!","fullyFundedDate":1707217162045,"projectUrl":"project/self-pacing-media-analyzing/8194060/","projectTitle":"Self Pacing Media Analyzing","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lombardi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8038735_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1630774645342","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8038735"},{"teacherId":9459163,"projectId":10162275,"letterContent":"Receiving a DonorsChoose grant to fund class sets of Anne Frank books has had a meaningful impact on both my teaching and my students' learning experience.\r\n\r\nFor me as a teacher, it has transformed the way I deliver this unit. Instead of relying on shared copies or excerpts, every student having their own book has allowed for deeper, more intentional instruction. I've been able to slow down, ask more thoughtful questions, and incorporate strategies like annotation, close reading, and independent reflection. It's also increased my ability to differentiate... students can move at their own pace, revisit passages, and engage more personally with the text. The donation has reinforced my belief in the importance of access and equity in the classroom; when students have their own materials, the level of engagement and accountability rises significantly.\r\n\r\nFor my students, the impact has been even more powerful. Having their own copy of the book creates a sense of ownership and pride. They are more willing to write in the margins, highlight meaningful quotes, and truly interact with the text rather than passively read it. This has led to richer discussions and deeper connections... not only to the historical context of the Holocaust but also to themes of resilience, identity, and empathy.\r\n\r\nMany students who might typically feel disconnected from reading have found themselves drawn into Anne Frank's story. They see her as a real person rather than just a historical figure, which helps humanize a complex and difficult period in history. I've noticed increased participation, more thoughtful written responses, and stronger critical thinking skills as students analyze her perspective and the world around her.\r\n\r\nOverall, this DonorsChoose donation has elevated both my teaching practice and my students' learning. It has made the classroom more inclusive, more engaging, and more impactful, turning a standard unit into a meaningful, memorable experience that students will carry with them beyond the classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1776448371648,"projectUrl":"project/through-annes-eyes-lessons-of-hope-and/10162275/","projectTitle":"Through Anne's Eyes: Lessons of Hope and Humanity","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pentore","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9459163_orig.jpg?crop=455,455,x0,y63&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1707238673091","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/misspentore"},{"teacherId":2917771,"projectId":10130842,"letterContent":"My students have hearts ablaze with the amount of incoming manga. Many of these same students were asking about the next numbered in their favorite titles like \"Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun\" a humorous scary school story. My paraprofessional has been showing kids as they come in the stack books in processing (the next step in getting books out to the students!), creating excitement behind the scenes.\r\n\r\nReading can come across as a job, and the idea is to make it much more fun! When my students have the ability to weigh in and choose what they want, they take ownership in their literacy and cultural awareness. Thank you again for your donations to support our journey in literacy.","fullyFundedDate":1773876689494,"projectUrl":"project/maniacs-for-multiple-manga/10130842/","projectTitle":"Maniacs for Multiple Manga!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Carbonell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2917771_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1568940866005","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ccarbonell"},{"teacherId":5263474,"projectId":9751921,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our DonorsChoose project! Because of your generosity, our 8th grade classroom now has a paper cutter, boxes of bandages, and a case of hand sanitizer.\r\n\r\nThe paper cutter helps us prepare materials quickly and efficiently for lessons and projects. In a school that has historically run into paper shortages, I'm trying to conserve as much as possible. I'm also extremely concerned about student skill building so I am trying to keep a balance of physical work and tasks on paper with screen time for students. \r\n\r\nThe bandages and hand sanitizer help us keep students safe, healthy, and ready to learn each day. The valuable learning minutes saved by keeping students in the classroom is invaluable. A simple cart supplied with Band-Aids cuts down on nurse requests by over half. A bottle of hand sanitizer cuts down on bathroom requests. Both sound simple and meaningless, but it's teaching my students so many lessons. It teaches kids to create systems in their own lives for troubleshooting common challenges. If I model organization, routines and systems, students will begin to create their own. These supplies make a meaningful difference in our daily classroom routines and help students be more independent as they work through academic challenges in the classroom.\r\n\r\nWe are truly grateful for your kindness and for investing in our students' learning environment. Thank you for helping us create a classroom where students can focus, grow, and succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1767797154410,"projectUrl":"project/independent-historians-safe-clean-and/9751921/","projectTitle":"Independent Historians: Safe, Clean, and Self-Sufficient","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Buccheri","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5263474_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1550691648976","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-buccheri"},{"teacherId":5263474,"projectId":9746447,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our DonorsChoose project. Because of you, our 8th grade classroom now has much-needed supplies, including a box of copy paper, cases of facial tissues, and containers of disinfecting wipes.\r\n\r\nThese items may seem simple, but they make a big difference in our daily learning environment. The copy paper helps us print assignments, activities, and resources that keep students engaged. I have created reusable materials, built unit resources, and have begun to construct a US Government and Civics resource binder for students to reference during our current unit of study. \r\n\r\nThe tissues and disinfecting wipes help us maintain a clean, healthy classroom where students can focus on learning. Cold and flu season is in full effect and having the resources to help my students become more self-sufficient and self-reliant as they get closer to high school is great. This is helping them take on more responsibility in the classroom and take pride in caring for our space. \r\n\r\nYour kindness and generosity directly impact our students each day. We are truly grateful for your support and for believing in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1764688182708,"projectUrl":"project/clean-safe-and-engaged-with-resources/9746447/","projectTitle":"Clean, Safe and Engaged with Resources!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Buccheri","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5263474_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1550691648976","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-buccheri"},{"teacherId":2917771,"projectId":9878501,"letterContent":"These long awaited books are being happily devoured by the students! The moment these books went out onto the shelf, they flew off the shelves within that day. There were a few holds for some of the kids who specifically requested them, so those are waiting to get picked up. It's always illuminating to see which books get picked first when there's a new set for students to read. I love having the students pick out books they want to read, and then sharing that love with another student in their class! Thank you all for you donations and commitment to literacy in our school.","fullyFundedDate":1767193183425,"projectUrl":"project/gimmie-a-good-read/9878501/","projectTitle":"Gimmie a Good Read!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Carbonell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2917771_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1568940866005","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ccarbonell"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_43645","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":960,"numTeachers":92,"percentFrplEligible":90,"percentAsian":3,"percentBlack":30,"percentWhite":5,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":54,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":4,"gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"10.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":64.3,"schoolId":43645,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about East Hartford Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"East Hartford Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/connecticut/east-hartford-public-schools/east-hartford-middle-school/43645"}