{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"West Middle Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":40.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7361115,"projectId":9642229,"letterContent":"Since adding the computers to my classroom, students are more engaged and eager to learn especially when they are developing their early literacy skills which is important in kindergarten. Students are using the computers to build their individual skills as well as use the technology in groups. If have seen students make major growth on assessments and I am positive it's due to being able to reinforce skills taught using the computers. Students love playing the letter games and showing me when they get an answer correct or when they can identify a new sound or word we learned earlier in class. We all understand the desperate need to increase literacy in our schools and this technology is aiding us in doing so.","fullyFundedDate":1759426239627,"projectUrl":"project/pixel-partners/9642229/","projectTitle":"Pixel Partners","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Clayton","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7361115_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1636410115952","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7361115"},{"teacherId":248974,"projectId":9043493,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the opportunity to let my students explore coding with Robots! They are learning coding and being able to apply that knowledge to coding an actual robot was a challenge and a learning opportunity that all our students don't always get! I'm excited to start an after school robotics club with these kids!! \r\n\r\nI was able to accomplish so much with these robots. Students were able to become peer leaders and able to teach other students how to use these. It also motivated my students to learn code as well as investigate other types of coding language. Some decided torture other languages and code them in other ways. They were proud of their learning and wanted to show other educators and family members! \r\n\r\nAgain - thank you for your generous donation to give my students opportunities they wouldn't have without people like you!","fullyFundedDate":1745263820943,"projectUrl":"project/make-stem-exciting-with-robots/9043493/","projectTitle":"Make STEM exciting with Robots!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jacques","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp248974_orig.jpg?crop=902,902,x0,y360&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597085438928","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jill-jacques"},{"teacherId":7760200,"projectId":9330789,"letterContent":"Thank you for the two standing stations for my math classroom. Sometimes it is very challenging for students to sit quietly at their seats and complete their work. Since I employ a \"Thinking Classroom\" approach to teaching math, students are accustomed to standing and working at walk stations in my classroom. The standing stations you provided help them to continue that \"thinking on my feet\" philosophy when it's time to do independent work. Now, with the stations, those students who need to move while they think, can do so. It has changed their lives.","fullyFundedDate":1750256118619,"projectUrl":"project/thinking-classroom-standing-stations/9330789/","projectTitle":"Thinking Classroom Standing Stations","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hunt-LaKose","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7760200"},{"teacherId":9324603,"projectId":9293815,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations. The school supplies funded by this project allowed my students to have a fantastic ending to their school year! We were able to complete projects and activities that wouldn't be possible without these fantastic supplies. Even something as simple as glue or pencils makes a huge difference in a kindergarten classroom. Your generosity is so incredibly appreciated by both me and my students. The funding of classrooms is very limited, so any help is appreciated and makes such a difference in each child's learning.","fullyFundedDate":1747346771949,"projectUrl":"project/school-supplies-to-help-us-finish-out-th/9293815/","projectTitle":"School Supplies to Help Us Finish Out the School Year!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Renna","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9324603_orig.jpg?crop=2007,2007,x0,y804&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755050640135","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9324603"},{"teacherId":248974,"projectId":8871828,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation. My students were so excited when they got to see the brand new items that were purchased for their learning stations. They are able to work together and use all their skills and knowledge about what they are learning in science and technology. They are able to demonstrate their knowledge through play and creativity with all these materials! Our students have so much emphasis on reading and writing in the classroom that being able to use these materials during their STEM time has been such a beneficial addition to their day.","fullyFundedDate":1733754191301,"projectUrl":"project/kindergarten-stem-experiences-in-ct/8871828/","projectTitle":"Kindergarten STEM Experiences in CT","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jacques","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp248974_orig.jpg?crop=902,902,x0,y360&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597085438928","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jill-jacques"},{"teacherId":463714,"projectId":8643374,"letterContent":"The drum thrones that you helped us purchase are strong and stable. -Perfect for our budding drummers. Students use them on a daily basis to explore drumming in my music classroom. I am so happy that they can use them with confidence - they will not fall apart or readjust for height while they are drumming. How about that? Lol.\r\nI approach general music education in a somewhat different manner than most elementary teachers. I teach music as a mother tongue and aim to allow students to have ample time to explore music and instruments without a lot of parameters. They are taught to take care of the instruments from an early age and they flow from full size, chromatic xylophones to professional keyboards, (electronic and acoustic) drumsets to ukes, etc. on their own, as they wish for limited periods (10-15 minutes). I call this \"music centers.\" They begin doing this when they are in 2nd grade (7 years old). It's incredibly impactful. These are urban students with little to no access to the possibility of playing/developing music as an art form and expression.\r\nSafe, quality equipment is essential to my program and to the opportunities afforded in my music classroom. You are a hero for me and for my students. -Opening doors for those in need.","fullyFundedDate":1724083750998,"projectUrl":"project/safe-drum-thrones-for-my-budding-drummer/8643374/","projectTitle":"Safe Drum Thrones for My Budding Drummers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Petkaitis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp463714_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1474586796639","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/musicwithmrs-petkaitis"},{"teacherId":8951706,"projectId":8502427,"letterContent":"Thank you for the stools and the headphones that you donated to our classroom. These materials have helped my students to better access their learning.\r\n\r\nThe stools allow for them to have amply seating in the classroom, and have the opportunity to choose a flexible seat. When we have small group instruction, I am able to fit more students at the back table. This allows them to sit and work comfortably.\r\n\r\nThe headphones allow the students to independently work on their computers. They enjoy the colorful designs and the durability. This allows for my students to have the opportunity to focus on their assignments and not be distracted by the sounds of other computers.\r\n\r\nWe are very grateful for the donations to our classroom, and utilize these materials every day.","fullyFundedDate":1721683927547,"projectUrl":"project/small-group-support/8502427/","projectTitle":"Small Group Support!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. H","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8951706_orig.jpg?crop=1169,1170,x0,y163&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1675689397918","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8951706"},{"teacherId":463714,"projectId":2919568,"letterContent":"Some time ago, you donated to my project to get guitars for my urban school.\r\nI thank you from the bottom of my heart.\r\nMy students are playing music and deeply immersed in playing and creating. This is, in large part, because of you. Thank you for being our champion.\r\nI now have a program where I teach both general music and instrumental music during any extra time that I have in my day. I have 10 young guitarists working on the basics in a small group. You can see the sense of accomplishment on their faces and the joy that it brings them. In some cases, it changes their school experience entirely. There are some who may not excel in academics but can find a place to sore in my classroom. They feel accepted, valued and safe. It's a joy to witness.\r\nOpportunities such as playing instruments of quality are rare for my impoverished students. They might have never had such experiences without your help.\r\nYou are a hero.","fullyFundedDate":1512068814984,"projectUrl":"project/get-gear-to-giddy-guitar-gang/2919568/","projectTitle":"Get Gear to Giddy Guitar Gang!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Petkaitis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp463714_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1474586796639","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/musicwithmrs-petkaitis"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_43712","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":296,"numTeachers":33,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":5,"percentBlack":45,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":45,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"9.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":59.7,"schoolId":43712,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about West Middle Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"West Middle Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/connecticut/hartford-public-school-district/west-middle-school/43712"}