{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Kelly Steam Magnet Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":42.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"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":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"},{"teacherId":7267842,"projectId":9101565,"letterContent":"Thank you once again for supporting my classroom. Your support makes such a difference in the variety of instruction I can provide. My students love using games to reinforce instruction and demonstrate proficiency. \r\nWith this grant, I purchased materials to make task boxes for a variety of reading comprehension skills such as main idea, compare/contrast, making inferences and story elements. I also bought and created games to reinforce multiplication and division skills, telling time, and money skills bingo. \r\nYour support is truly appreciated!","fullyFundedDate":1741351967807,"projectUrl":"project/enrichment-can-be-fun-part-2/9101565/","projectTitle":"Enrichment Can be Fun, Part 2","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"},{"teacherId":4697400,"projectId":8965784,"letterContent":"Due to your generosity, we have been able to successfully implement a PBIS system for our 8th Grade Students. The excitement that our students show when they earn points is even greater than anticipated. Many save their points and are simply intrinsicly motivated to earn more while others excitedly go to our \"store\" every chance they get to cash in on some of their earnings. \r\nWe are so grateful for donors like you who chose our classroom to donate to! We couldn't make things like this happen without your support!","fullyFundedDate":1735568879070,"projectUrl":"project/positive-rewards-for-positively-awesome/8965784/","projectTitle":"Positive Rewards for Positively Awesome Students!","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":228676,"projectId":8953342,"letterContent":"Our classroom and students want to thank you for your generosity. The calculators have really helped our students feel successful. Having the proper tool to help the students meet the challenges of the curriculum. \r\n\r\nStudents have also been extremely thankful for pencils. They live in a community that is low income and some do not have the resources to provide basic essentials. \r\n\r\nWe want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping to fund this project. The children are thankful and we are too!","fullyFundedDate":1733233019768,"projectUrl":"project/please-help-with-having-headphones-for-s/8953342/","projectTitle":"Please Help with Having Headphones for Students with Assistive Technology","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"}],"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"}
Join the 207 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Kelly Steam Magnet Middle School is
an urban public school
in Norwich, Connecticut that is part of Norwich Public Schools.
It serves 593 students
in grades 6 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 10.8:1.
Its teachers have had 85 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Boost support for our school's classrooms. Share this page with friends and family who want to make a difference. If you're a teacher, sign up to get started!
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. Each classroom request for funding was created by a classroom teacher and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
of students receive free or reduced price lunch
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Source: the National Center for Education Statistics
65%
of students are Black, Latino, Native
American, or Asian
Data about school demographics comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. The numbers in this chart may not add up to 100% because of limitations in the available data.
Kelly Steam Magnet Middle School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 5, 2025
DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students
in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.
Kelly Steam Magnet Middle School
$45,960
raised using DonorsChoose
85
projects
funded
25
teachers
funded
207
donors
20
projects
for
basic supplies
14
projects for
technology
12
projects for
books
4
projects
for
art supplies
Kelly Steam Magnet Middle School has received support from
119 individuals from Connecticut and
88 individuals out-of-state.