{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Sport & Medical Sciences Academy","outOfStateSupporters":48.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6338410,"projectId":9393052,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for your support of my DonorsChoose project on Boosting SEL and EQ in my middle school classroom. Your kindness has truly transformed not only my teaching practice but will have a lasting impact on my students' lives.\r\n\r\nAs an educator, I am very much an introverted, independent learner who thrives on diving deep into topics for hours at a time. You'll often find me curled up in my reading corner at home with a highlighter in hand, marking key passages and jotting notes in the margins. I take short breaks to process what I've learned, then return to immerse myself fully in the material. This intensive study approach has allowed me to truly absorb the powerful lessons from these new SEL and EQ texts.\r\n\r\nThe skills and lessons introduced by these resources have been game-changing for my classroom. The texts have taught me evidence-based strategies for helping students identify and regulate their emotions, develop empathy and social awareness, and build stronger relationships with their peers. I've learned how to create a classroom environment where students feel psychologically safe to express themselves and take academic risks. The materials have also provided me with concrete tools for teaching conflict resolution, active listening skills, and responsible decision-making.\r\n\r\nI'm already applying these lessons in meaningful ways with my middle schoolers. We now start each day with a brief emotional check-in circle where students can share how they're feeling and what support they might need. I've implemented \"cool-down corners\" where students can practice self-regulation strategies when they feel overwhelmed. During group work, we use specific protocols I learned from these texts to help students communicate more effectively and resolve disagreements constructively. Perhaps most importantly, I'm modeling emotional intelligence myself—narrating my own thinking processes and showing students that adults also experience big emotions and need strategies to manage them.\r\n\r\nThe ripple effects are already visible. My students are more willing to ask for help, more patient with each other's mistakes, and more engaged in their learning because they feel emotionally supported. These skills will serve them far beyond my classroom—they're building the foundation for healthier relationships, better decision-making, and greater resilience throughout their lives.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in the power of social-emotional learning and for investing in my students' futures. Your generosity has given me the tools to not just teach academic content, but to nurture the whole child.","fullyFundedDate":1749215131322,"projectUrl":"project/social-emotional-learning-to-boost-eq-in/9393052/","projectTitle":"Social Emotional Learning to Boost EQ in the Art Room","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jacocks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6338410_orig.jpg?crop=1531,1531,x161,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755624836928","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tawnyajacocks"},{"teacherId":6338410,"projectId":9136303,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for making our \"Bulletin Board Supplies for Student Art Curators\" project a reality! Your thoughtful donation of rock wall bulletin board paper and various sized Post-it notes is already transforming our classroom into a dynamic gallery space where students can showcase their creativity and engage in meaningful peer feedback. The waterproof, durable bulletin board paper will serve our student curators for the next two years, providing a professional backdrop for displaying artwork, while the Post-it notes in different sizes give our young art critics the perfect tools to share constructive feedback and celebrate each other's artistic achievements. Your investment in these supplies goes far beyond materials—you've empowered our students to take ownership of their learning environment, develop critical thinking skills through art curation, and build confidence as both artists and thoughtful critics. We are deeply grateful for your belief in our students and your commitment to supporting innovative classroom experiences that will inspire creativity for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1746731103916,"projectUrl":"project/bulletin-board-supplies-for-student-art/9136303/","projectTitle":"Bulletin Board Supplies for Student Art Curators","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jacocks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6338410_orig.jpg?crop=1531,1531,x161,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755624836928","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tawnyajacocks"},{"teacherId":6338410,"projectId":9359016,"letterContent":"I am deeply grateful for your generous support that enabled me to access three transformative professional development courses through the Teaching Channel. The classes on AI tools, Google Classroom tools, and creativity and sense of belonging have already begun to reshape my approach to education in profound ways. As I plan for the new school year, I'm excited to integrate AI-powered resources to personalize learning experiences for each of my students, while leveraging Google Classroom's advanced features to create more streamlined and engaging digital learning environments. Most importantly, the creativity and belonging course has equipped me with innovative strategies to foster an inclusive classroom culture where every student feels valued and empowered to express their unique voice. Your investment in my professional growth directly translates to enhanced learning opportunities for my students, and I cannot thank you enough for believing in the power of education and supporting teachers like me who are committed to evolving our practice. This support has not only expanded my toolkit but reignited my passion for creating meaningful, student-centered learning experiences.THANK YOU!!!!","fullyFundedDate":1747601552271,"projectUrl":"project/innovative-classes-on-ai-google-classro/9359016/","projectTitle":"Innovative Classes on AI, Google Classroom Tools and Creativity =Innovative Instruction","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jacocks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6338410_orig.jpg?crop=1531,1531,x161,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755624836928","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tawnyajacocks"},{"teacherId":6338410,"projectId":8934081,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding our terrarium aquarium project! This amazing addition to our art room has completely changed how my students learn and create. Every day, they gather around the terrarium to observe the plants and aquatic life, then use what they see to create beautiful nature drawings and paintings. Students who were once hesitant to participate are now excited to sketch and share their observations. The terrarium has taught them to slow down, look closely, and appreciate the natural world while developing their artistic skills. Beyond art, they've learned responsibility by caring for our classroom ecosystem together. Your generosity has given my students a living inspiration that sparks their creativity every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1733498459336,"projectUrl":"project/terrarium-aquarium-for-nuturing-natural/8934081/","projectTitle":"Terrarium Aquarium for Nuturing Naturalistic Intellegence in the Art Room","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jacocks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6338410_orig.jpg?crop=1531,1531,x161,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755624836928","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tawnyajacocks"},{"teacherId":6338410,"projectId":9300066,"letterContent":"Your incredible support has transformed our classroom into a space where art meets mindfulness. Thanks to your kindness, my students are now exploring the ancient practice of stone balancing while developing their artistic skills through careful observation and shading techniques. Watching them stack river rocks with patience and intention, then translate those balanced forms onto paper, has been truly magical. This project goes far beyond art instruction – as students focus on creating stability with stones and capturing light and shadow in their drawings, they're discovering a sense of inner calm and concentration that carries into all areas of their learning. Your belief in the power of creative education is helping these young artists develop not just technical skills, but also mindfulness, patience, and emotional balance that will serve them throughout their lives. We are deeply grateful for your investment in their growth as both artists and thoughtful students.","fullyFundedDate":1746798830234,"projectUrl":"project/finding-balance-rock-stacking-art-for-m/9300066/","projectTitle":"Finding Balance: Rock Stacking Art for Mindful Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jacocks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6338410_orig.jpg?crop=1531,1531,x161,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755624836928","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tawnyajacocks"},{"teacherId":6338410,"projectId":9020866,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our laminator project! Your generosity has made such a difference in our classroom.\r\n\r\nThanks to your donation, we now have a laminator that helps us preserve student artwork and create reusable learning materials. My students are so excited to see their work protected and displayed, and we're able to make durable games and activities that will last for years.\r\n\r\nThe laminator allows us to create hands-on learning materials that engage students in new ways. Your gift will keep benefiting students long after this school year ends.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students and supporting their education. Your kindness means the world to us!","fullyFundedDate":1740700405255,"projectUrl":"project/laminator-for-preserving-art-and-creatin/9020866/","projectTitle":"Laminator for Preserving Art and Creating Interactive, Reusable Instructional Resources","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jacocks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6338410_orig.jpg?crop=1531,1531,x161,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755624836928","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tawnyajacocks"},{"teacherId":6338410,"projectId":9016807,"letterContent":"This project has been the best donors choose project that I have ever shared with my students! It was great to see hoew curious the students were about the terrarium each day upon arrival and when leaving class. I was lucky enough to catch a pregnant guppie from my fish tank at home.I then placed it in the classroom aquarium that was inside the terrarium, and they watched the whole process. We counted over 17 little fish that are about 3 months old and 2 students are taking the fish home at the the end of the year. The students love feeding the fish and watering the plants. The tank has made the artroom even more beautiful and relaxing.THANK YOU again for you donations.This project sparked joy in myself and so many students.","fullyFundedDate":1739574733247,"projectUrl":"project/paludarium-supplies-for-nurturing-natura/9016807/","projectTitle":"Paludarium Supplies for Nurturing Naturalistic Intelligence in the Art Room","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jacocks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6338410_orig.jpg?crop=1531,1531,x161,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755624836928","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tawnyajacocks"},{"teacherId":6338410,"projectId":9007323,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donation! My students love the :Treasure box of choices raffle we do every Friday.It is a great way to end the week on an exciting positive note. The students earned many raffle tickets through out the week and looked forward to winning a chance to reach in the treasure box and feel around for snacks, bracelets, stickers and suprises placed in the student made box.\r\n The raffle was a great way to reward students that do great things consistantly while still providing an oppertunity for everyone to shine.This project has helped 6th grade students adjust to the new school by making it fun to earn tickets for the raffle. Thank you again for all the positivity you helped spread by choosing this project!","fullyFundedDate":1734712076573,"projectUrl":"project/art-room-high-expectations-treasure-ches/9007323/","projectTitle":"Art Room High Expectations Treasure Chest of Choices","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jacocks","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6338410_orig.jpg?crop=1531,1531,x161,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755624836928","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tawnyajacocks"},{"teacherId":387506,"projectId":7105563,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donation. When covid hit, our school had limited techonolgy, not nearly enough for the situation. Through the past couple of years, we have had to buy and replace laptops that have either gone missing or damaged. One of the biggest issues was broken and/or damaged screens. Without the screen, the laptops were unusable which led to a phlethorea of other problems because we didn't have any spares.\r\n\r\nAs a result of your generious donation, I was able to restore laptops that are extras in my classroom. This allowd for students who either forgot their laptop to complete their assignments for the day, or for students whose laptops stopped working for whatever reason. To often students site the lack of technology as a reason for not completing assignments. Havin a couple of extra computers has reduced the number of times this excuse is used. \r\n\r\nThank you again,\r\nLorri Weimer","fullyFundedDate":1683587090339,"projectUrl":"project/replacement-screens/7105563/","projectTitle":"Replacement Screens","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Weimer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp387506_orig.jpg?crop=1616,1616,x312,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597086032741","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/387506"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_66170","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":463,"numTeachers":46,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":25,"percentWhite":13,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":54,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"10.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":51.8,"schoolId":66170,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Sport & Medical Sciences Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Sport & Medical Sciences Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/connecticut/hartford-public-school-district/sports-medical-sciences-acad/66170"}