{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Kelly Steam Magnet Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":42.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9893230,"projectId":9707229,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my students and helping bring a little extra joy to our school days. My 8th graders are full of energy, curiosity, and a genuine desire to be together, and your generosity has given them the perfect outlet.\r\n\r\nWhen the footballs, soccer balls, and volleyballs arrived, the excitement was immediate. Students were eager to head outside and get moving, and the equipment has quickly become a highlight of our outdoor reward time. Having enough balls for everyone—and a bag to keep them organized—has made these moments smoother, more inclusive, and more fun.\r\n\r\nWe primarily use these items during outdoor reward time, where students can enjoy free play, relax, and connect with one another. These unstructured moments are powerful. They allow students to build friendships, include one another, work through disagreements naturally, and simply enjoy being kids. I've seen students invite others into games, cheer each other on, and strengthen bonds that carry back into the classroom.\r\n\r\nThese supplies may seem simple, but they support something essential: relationships. Because of you, my students have a space to move, laugh, and build community together. Thank you for helping create moments that matter and for supporting the well-being of my students in such a meaningful way.","fullyFundedDate":1758136490544,"projectUrl":"project/play-together-grow-together/9707229/","projectTitle":"Play Together, Grow Together","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Trost","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9893230_orig.jpg?crop=1976,1976,x200,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754743523866","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9893230"},{"teacherId":9893230,"projectId":9540310,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my classroom and my students. I recently returned to the 8th grade U.S. History classroom, and your generosity is already making a meaningful difference in how our days begin and flow.\r\n\r\nEach day, students often ask for basic supplies like pencils or a safe place to keep their materials organized. When the new resources arrived, there was immediate excitement—and relief. Having pre-sharpened pencils, binders, and a central pencil holder has helped students feel prepared and confident as they walk into class. Instead of starting the period searching for supplies, we can jump right into learning. These small moments add up, creating a calmer, more focused classroom where students can take ownership of their work.\r\n\r\nThe large laminated calendar has quickly become a classroom staple. Students refer to it daily to track assignments, assessments, and upcoming projects. It's helping them build planning and time-management skills—habits that are especially important in middle school and that extend far beyond my classroom.\r\n\r\nThe U.S. History poster sets have brought our curriculum to life. Students are naturally drawn to the visuals, which spark questions, discussion, and connections to the content we're studying. They've already helped deepen engagement during lessons and group activities.\r\n\r\nNext, students will continue using these tools as we move into upcoming units and longer-term projects that require planning, organization, and collaboration. These resources may seem simple, but they are truly foundational. Because of you, my students are more organized, more prepared, and more ready to learn each day.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving my students the tools they need to start strong and grow—not just as historians, but as responsible, confident learners.","fullyFundedDate":1754822422856,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-kickstart/9540310/","projectTitle":"Classroom Kickstart","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Trost","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9893230_orig.jpg?crop=1976,1976,x200,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754743523866","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9893230"},{"teacherId":4697400,"projectId":9749924,"letterContent":"Students were thrilled to see the boxes arrive with their new goodies. They are always so grateful when they hear about donors like you. I explain to them that you could choose to sponsor any project, yet you used your time and resources to support our project and our classroom. \r\nOn our Cougar Pride Day students were able to use some of the donations to partake in a craft room. They so enjoyed putting together the diamond art kits and paint by sticker sheets. I know you helped them make some core memories on days like these. \r\nYour support is very much appreciated!","fullyFundedDate":1759393418919,"projectUrl":"project/fuel-freshness-and-fun-helping-studen/9749924/","projectTitle":"Fuel, Freshness, and Fun: Helping Students Thrive","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Combs","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4697400_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1534801948882","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrscombsksmms"},{"teacherId":9557862,"projectId":9420773,"letterContent":"My students have benefited directly from your generosity! The supplies you helped provide have allowed them to create posters \"advertising\" the colonies they researched to prospective migrants. They enjoyed the project and their educational experiences \r\ncontinue to be enriched through the everyday use of the classroom supplies your donation has provided. We use our binders and pencils every day to complete and store classwork. The practice teaches them note taking skills and instills in them responsibility and accountability for their classwork and materials.\r\nOn behalf of my students, thank you very much!","fullyFundedDate":1750773628729,"projectUrl":"project/make-history-fun/9420773/","projectTitle":"Make History Fun!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Thompson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9557862_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753184159274","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9557862"},{"teacherId":8082215,"projectId":9576020,"letterContent":"Once again, thanks to the generous donations made to our 8th grade classroom, we were able to provide students with essential supplies that directly supported their learning and personal growth. These contributions ensured that every student had access to the tools they needed to fully engage in lessons, complete assignments with confidence, and take pride in their work.\r\n\r\nFrom basic necessities like highlighters and pencils to more enriching materials such as art supplies, these donations created a more equitable and empowering learning environment. For many students, having reliable access to supplies helped reduce stress and boost their participation and creativity in class.\r\n\r\nBeyond the materials themselves, the donations sent a powerful message to our students—that their education matters, and that there are people in their community who believe in their potential. The impact of that message cannot be overstated.","fullyFundedDate":1755706017427,"projectUrl":"project/support-supply-succeed/9576020/","projectTitle":"Support, Supply, Succeed!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Valente","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8082215_orig.png?crop=182,182,x0,y1&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754938017760","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8082215"},{"teacherId":10246869,"projectId":9694804,"letterContent":"I want to give you a little insight into my eighth graders, who were the recipients of classroom folders, anchor charts, and cursive books.\r\nFirst, let me talk about the pocket folders. Because families do not send their students to school with supplies, and we are now required to give homework, these students who were once putting their homework in their pockets, now have a place to put it. They have no experience in organizing their work or the simple skill of remembering their nightly homework worksheets. I only received the folders at the end of September, so this simple practice has been incorporated into my class. Many of them are resisting! But many of them were so grateful to clean out their pockets, put all their wrinkles worksheets into their folders. It really is the little things. Secondly, when reading primary sources, the kids tell me they can't read cursive. Although it is not part of my daily classroom, I work with students in an after school program helping with homework and they love the opportunity to practice their cursive after their homework is complete. And lastly, the anchor charts: the school doesn't provide a whiteboard because the SmartBoard covers them. I bought some whiteboard material to create my own whiteboard, but it's quite small. To have an anchor chart is surprisingly effective because I can't implement the I do, we do, you do strategy. \r\nThanks again for all of your support!","fullyFundedDate":1758833892402,"projectUrl":"project/please-help-my-classroom/9694804/","projectTitle":"Please Help my Classroom!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Romano","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10246869_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757275824394","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10246869"},{"teacherId":228676,"projectId":9148745,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom is now filled with excitement, confidence, and joyful learning. The multisensory reading tools you helped fund have made a remarkable difference for my students—especially those who struggle most with traditional reading instruction.\r\n\r\nThe moment the materials arrived, my students were eager to explore them. They love tracing letters in sand, building words with textured tiles, tapping out sounds with rhythm sticks, and using color-coded tools to break apart syllables. What once felt frustrating or \"too hard\" has become engaging, hands-on, and even fun. I've watched reluctant readers sit up straighter, take risks, and celebrate their own progress.\r\n\r\nOne of my students who previously avoided reading activities now asks, \"Can we use the new tools today?\" His confidence has grown as he's been able to feel sounds, see patterns, and move as he learns—support he truly needed to shine. Several others have already jumped an entire reading level, and they are so proud of themselves.\r\n\r\nYour donation didn't just provide materials—you provided access, equity, and opportunity. You gave my students the chance to learn in the ways their brains learn best. The impact is real, visible, and deeply appreciated every single day.\r\n\r\nFrom the bottom of our hearts, thank you for believing in my students and supporting their journey as growing readers.","fullyFundedDate":1751609391115,"projectUrl":"project/please-help-me-provide-students-multisen/9148745/","projectTitle":"Please Help Me Provide Students Multisensory Reading Instruction","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gray","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp228676_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y386&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724607788223","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/228676"},{"teacherId":1026313,"projectId":9359919,"letterContent":"I really can't tell you how much these tools have contributed to my students learning this year. My students are thriving in my classroom. I have such different levels of students in terms of language proficiency this year and these tools have allowed me to differentiate in meaningful ways. They provide a tangible way to keep them engaged and check for understanding.\r\n\r\nI am truly just so grateful to have individuals like you care about my students and their development as English language learners. They are so proud of themselves when they reach new learning targets. It provides me so much hope to see their gains and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.","fullyFundedDate":1747753082840,"projectUrl":"project/sustainable-and-reusable-literacy-tools/9359919/","projectTitle":"SUSTAINABLE and REUSABLE Literacy Tools!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Budzinsky","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1026313_orig.jpg?crop=432,432,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718130528681","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1026313"},{"teacherId":4697400,"projectId":9449817,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for contributing to this project. Students come to class and have necessary supplies ready and waiting for them which allows them to quickly get settled in and maximize their learning time. \r\nWhen I tell them that supplies were donated just for them they feel so special. They never have to worry about feeling \"less than\" when they enter their classroom. I often tell them that it is my name outside the door but inside the classroom is all theirs. They can truly feel this when they have their things waiting for them after they enter.","fullyFundedDate":1752704594498,"projectUrl":"project/pencils-folders-and-peace-of-mind/9449817/","projectTitle":"Pencils, Folders and Peace of Mind","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Combs","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4697400_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1534801948882","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrscombsksmms"},{"teacherId":1026313,"projectId":9300126,"letterContent":"It is with my sincerest gratitude that I share about the impact that these headphones have had on my students thus far this year. \r\n\r\nMy class sizes have doubled this year due to an influx MLLs and the need for small group, station activities has become essential. We have been utilizing Listenwise and other tools to support growth in the \"Listening\" domain. Without these headphones my students would not have access to this individualized instruction.\r\n\r\nFurthermore, the microphone on the headphones has made it possible for me to capture formative data on my students in the \"Speaking\" domain. Many are extremely shy about taking risks in this area, but it offers a degree of privacy that is so very appreciated.\r\n\r\nThank you, thank you, for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1746806610836,"projectUrl":"project/an-ear-esistable-classroom-tool/9300126/","projectTitle":"An Ear-esistable Classroom Tool!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Budzinsky","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1026313_orig.jpg?crop=432,432,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718130528681","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1026313"},{"teacherId":9359433,"projectId":9305806,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donation to our school-community garden. Students worked on planting vegetables in the Spring and were able to tend to them during the summer. Because of your contribution, we were able to install a watering system which allowed the growth of both flowers and vegetables, which we are still harvesting. Students are continuing to utilize the garden with lessons in the fall involving pollination and genetics!\r\n\r\nWith the opening of our attention center, a project to work with students on developing focus to increase mindfulness, students are spending time in the garden paying attention to their senses. One sense at a time, they are able to listen to the sounds in the garden, notice the insects and smell and touch the herbs that are growing. Students are developing the skill of paying close attention to their surroundings, as well as quiet their minds, both improving their mental health and their relationship to making things grow. Your gift will keep on giving through the years, as the native pollinators grow and their native habitat develops alongside growing vegetables for harvest each summer.","fullyFundedDate":1748209998478,"projectUrl":"project/community-garden-growth/9305806/","projectTitle":"Community Garden Growth","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kuczkowski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9359433_orig.jpg?crop=2019,2020,x0,y100&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1700154536586","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9359433"},{"teacherId":7267842,"projectId":8968158,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting my project to buy a set of classroom calculators. My students have been able to access the calculators to help them with grade level math skills while they may be missing some of the foundational skills (multiplying and dividing) necessary to complete the work. So while the students may not know how to multiply and divide, they can use the calculator to correctly solve a ratio/ proportion equation. \r\nThe classroom set has provided students with a calculator they can take to class as well as spares to keep in our Resource classroom. \r\nThank you for your support for my students...it is truly appreciated!","fullyFundedDate":1736956338867,"projectUrl":"project/calculators-to-the-rescue/8968158/","projectTitle":"Calculators to the Rescue","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cassata","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7267842_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683841091328","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7267842"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_44179","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":593,"numTeachers":55,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":8,"percentBlack":18,"percentWhite":24,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":39,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"10.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":57.5,"schoolId":44179,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Kelly Steam Magnet Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Kelly Steam Magnet Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/connecticut/norwich-public-schools/kelly-middle-school/44179"}