{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"David Wooster Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":27.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":4859765,"projectId":10278168,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity in funding our \"Fidgets to Fix It\" project! As a middle school counselor, my office is often the first stop for students who are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or emotionally dysregulated during the school day. Middle school is a time of immense growth and change, and learning how to navigate big feelings can be tough. The sensory tools and fidgets you provided have transformed my office into a warm, supportive haven where students feel safe to pause, decompress, and ground themselves.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the box of new fidgets, their eyes lit up with excitement and relief. Many immediately reached for the tactile tools, and I could instantly see physical tension melt away from their shoulders. Having these tools readily available gives students a concrete, tactile anchor when words are too difficult to find. Instead of feeling self-conscious about their distress, they now have a productive outlet that offers immediate comfort and physical support, helping them transition from a state of frustration or anxiety to one of calm reflection.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, these fidget tools will remain an essential part of our daily social-emotional learning and counseling sessions. I am teaching students how to identify their internal warning signs of dysregulation and proactively select the sensory tools that work best for them. Thanks to your support, my students are not only finding peace in moments of crisis, but they are also building self-regulation skills that will benefit them throughout their academic journey and beyond.","fullyFundedDate":1785331525306,"projectUrl":"project/fidgets-to-fix-it/10278168/","projectTitle":"Fidgets to Fix It","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ciccarini","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4859765"},{"teacherId":10214731,"projectId":10186366,"letterContent":"Thank you so much to everyone who donated to my classroom! Because of your generosity, we were able to receive two air conditioners, and we have been using them so much already! Our classroom can get extremely hot, especially during these first weeks of school, and having the ACs has made such a big difference. My students are able to feel comfortable, focus, and enjoy learning without being distracted by the heat.\r\n\r\nThe ACs work so well that some of my students are even coming to class wearing sweaters on hot days! 😂 It makes me happy to see them comfortable and ready to learn. These air conditioners have been incredibly helpful to us, and we truly appreciate everyone who helped make this possible. Thank you so much for supporting my students and our classroom! ❤️","fullyFundedDate":1779641490695,"projectUrl":"project/too-hot-to-learn-help-us-stay-cool/10186366/","projectTitle":"Too Hot to Learn: Help Us Stay Cool!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Montalvan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10214731_orig.jpg?crop=752,752,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755830238646","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10214731"},{"teacherId":4859765,"projectId":10160180,"letterContent":"I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to DonorsChoose for generously supporting my project, Good Start to the Day. As a school counselor, I see firsthand how students' emotional well-being and academic success are closely connected to their basic needs being met. Your generosity in providing snacks for our students is making a meaningful difference in their daily lives and helping create a more supportive school environment.\r\n\r\nMany students come to school carrying stress, anxiety, or challenges from outside of the classroom. Some arrive without having had breakfast or access to snacks during the day. Hunger can affect concentration, mood, behavior, and a student's ability to fully engage in learning. Thanks to your donation, we are able to provide students with nutritious snacks that help them feel cared for, comfortable, and ready to participate in school activities.\r\n\r\nThe Good Start to the Day project is about much more than food. It is about creating connections, building trust, and supporting students socially and emotionally. Sometimes a simple snack can open the door to conversation, comfort a student having a difficult day, or help a child feel seen and supported. These moments matter deeply in a school counseling setting. Your generosity allows us to meet students where they are and provide small acts of care that can have a lasting impact.\r\n\r\nAs a counselor, I work every day to help students feel safe, valued, and supported within the school community. Having snacks available has already helped create a welcoming space where students feel more comfortable coming in to talk, regulate emotions, or simply take a moment to reset during a challenging day. Your support strengthens our ability to care for the whole child — academically, emotionally, and socially.\r\n\r\nOur students were incredibly excited and grateful when the snacks arrived. For some students, knowing there is something available if they are hungry provides comfort and security throughout the school day. Your kindness sends an important message to our students: that there are people who believe in them and care about their success and well-being.\r\n\r\nThank you again for supporting our students and recognizing the importance of meeting both educational and emotional needs within schools. Your generosity has helped create a more positive and compassionate environment for the children we serve each day.\r\n\r\nOn behalf of our students and school community, thank you for helping us give students a truly good start to the day. Your support is deeply appreciated and will have a lasting impact on the lives of our students.","fullyFundedDate":1778186063836,"projectUrl":"project/good-start-to-the-day/10160180/","projectTitle":"Good Start to the Day!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ciccarini","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4859765"},{"teacherId":10214731,"projectId":10005369,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom. Because of your generosity, my students now have access to important supplies like wipes, tissues, hand sanitizer, pencils, colored pencils, and a pencil sharpener.\r\n\r\nThese materials have made a big difference in our daily routine. We are able to keep our classroom clean and do our best to reduce the spread of germs. Even though we can't prevent every illness, having these supplies helps us maintain a healthier and more comfortable learning environment. Students are also more prepared and ready to learn because they always have the materials they need.\r\n\r\nMy students were very excited when they saw the new supplies. It made them feel supported and cared for, and they take pride in using them responsibly. Because of you, we can focus more on learning and less on what we are missing.\r\n\r\nThank you again for making a difference in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1774036423801,"projectUrl":"project/simple-supplies-that-make-a-big-differen/10005369/","projectTitle":"Simple Supplies That Make a Big Difference for My Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Montalvan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10214731_orig.jpg?crop=752,752,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755830238646","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10214731"},{"teacherId":4860622,"projectId":9371600,"letterContent":"I (we) can not thank you enough for the impact you have made in our school! \r\nWe had our first week at the school store at the start of November, and it was a huge hit! \r\nIt's so funny how excited the students get over the seemingly smallest things- a stress ball, a fuzzy pencil, a plush axolotl....they just love the chance to shop around and find something that brings their day a little joy. They love the little lime-light they get when they turn in their hard earned cats-cash, and the smiles are contagious. \r\nI think many people forget that middle schoolers are still kids. It's a super tough age, where they are between wanting independence and responsibility, but also wanting to hunt for pikemon or play Roblox. \r\nThey have adults all day telling them, \"no- you're not old enough for that responsibility!\" but then also telling them to \"act your age!\" asking for a maturity and calmness that they don't fully possess yet. Our goal is ultimately to get the kids to switch to intrinsic motivation, but while they are figuring out the adult world that is quickly approaching, having a tangible reminder that they were awesome and successful at least once during the day, is extremely beneficial. \r\nThis is helping the middle schoolers gain confidence and self-awareness. They are making better choices in their classes and hallways, hoping to earn cats-cash to add to their savings. \r\nTeachers have been so grateful for the extra incentive that you provided us with- we see the difference it's making in their social-emotional growth for SURE. \r\nWE CAN NOT THANK YOU ENOUGH! Without you, this idea would have never taken off the ground.","fullyFundedDate":1757981671134,"projectUrl":"project/wildcat-school-store/9371600/","projectTitle":"Wildcat School Store","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ayres","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4860622_orig.jpg?crop=200,200,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1788058654198","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4860622"},{"teacherId":4859765,"projectId":9828948,"letterContent":"Middle school is a unique, often chaotic bridge between childhood and young adulthood. It is a time defined by rapid growth, a search for identity, and, unfortunately, the high-stakes social arena of the school cafeteria. For many students, walking into a crowded lunchroom can feel like navigating a minefield. This is why the Lunch Buddies program is so vital—and why your contributions have been nothing short of transformative. Thank once again for your contributions it's was so appreciated for students to connect with others and feel connected to the school","fullyFundedDate":1765426796743,"projectUrl":"project/good-day-at-school/9828948/","projectTitle":"Good Day at School","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ciccarini","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4859765"},{"teacherId":4859765,"projectId":9727376,"letterContent":"Middle school is a unique, often chaotic bridge between childhood and young adulthood. It is a time defined by rapid growth, a search for identity, and, unfortunately, the high-stakes social arena of the school cafeteria. For many students, walking into a crowded lunchroom can feel like navigating a minefield. This is why the Lunch Buddies program is so vital—and why your contributions have been nothing short of transformative. Thank once again for your generous contributions and my students appreciate it","fullyFundedDate":1765568518840,"projectUrl":"project/lunch-buddies/9727376/","projectTitle":"Lunch Buddies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ciccarini","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4859765"},{"teacherId":9017761,"projectId":8788484,"letterContent":"When our new resources arrived, my students were so excited—they couldn't wait to dive in! Students work together to meet shared goals and celebrate milestones as a group. The new materials have sparked so much energy, and students are eager to explore new stories.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the resources, their eyes lit up. It was such a joyful moment to see their excitement and curiosity come alive.\r\n\r\nRight now, we're building on that momentum with a classroom-wide SEL project. Each team is tracking their progress, discussing books, and sharing what they've learned. The next step will be having students present their favorite reads to their peers, helping them practice speaking skills while also inspiring others to pick up a book and share SEL strategies.","fullyFundedDate":1736536472802,"projectUrl":"project/creating-an-equitable-safe-and-welcomi/8788484/","projectTitle":"Creating an Equitable, Safe, and Welcoming Classroom for All Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ruback","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9017761_orig.jpg?crop=1373,1373,x2093,y1840&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1716905196094","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9017761"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_43581","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":516,"numTeachers":45,"percentFrplEligible":58,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":29,"percentWhite":17,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":44,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":5,"gradesServed":"7 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"11.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":72.9,"schoolId":43581,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about David Wooster Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"David Wooster Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/connecticut/stratford-public-schools/david-wooster-middle-school/43581"}