{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Talley Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":29.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10343110,"projectId":9878475,"letterContent":"While my focus is on supporting students' academic, social, and emotional growth, literacy is deeply connected to all three, and these tools make a meaningful difference in how students engage with reading.\r\n\r\niPads provide students with access to digital books, audiobooks, reading apps, and research tools that meet a wide range of learning needs. Students can enlarge text, listen to passages, annotate articles, and explore vocabulary in ways that support both comprehension and confidence. For reluctant or struggling readers, interactive features make reading feel accessible rather than overwhelming, empowering them to take ownership of their learning.\r\n\r\nFlexible seating further supports literacy by creating a comfortable, stress-free environment where students can focus. Many students read more effectively when they can choose a spot that helps them feel calm and regulated. As a counselor, I see firsthand how comfort and emotional safety positively impact engagement, persistence, and the willingness to try challenging tasks such as reading complex texts.\r\n\r\nSnacks also contribute to improved literacy by supporting students' basic needs. A student who is hungry may struggle to concentrate, decode text, or stay engaged during reading activities. Offering small snacks ensures that students feel cared for and are better able to focus on their learning. In counseling sessions, snacks can also help build rapport, encouraging students to open up about their academic challenges, and giving them the confidence to work toward improvement.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping us provide these valuable resources for our students.","fullyFundedDate":1762782204388,"projectUrl":"project/mindfulness-meets-literacy/9878475/","projectTitle":"Mindfulness Meets Literacy","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Milionis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10343110"},{"teacherId":10349647,"projectId":9893891,"letterContent":"Although STEM is often associated with technology and problem-solving, strong literacy skills are essential for students to read instructions, interpret data, communicate ideas, and engage with complex concepts.\r\n\r\niPads provide students with access to digital texts, interactive reading tools, and research platforms that strengthen both comprehension and technical literacy. Students can annotate articles, explore scientific vocabulary, and read STEM-related texts at levels that meet their individual needs. These devices also allow students to access multimodal resources—videos, diagrams, and simulations—that reinforce understanding and help them connect reading to real-world applications.\r\n\r\nHeadphones further support literacy by creating a focused and personalized reading environment. With headphones, students can listen to audiobooks, text-to-speech tools, and instructional videos without distraction. This is especially valuable for emerging readers, English language learners, and students who benefit from hearing text read aloud while following along. The ability to concentrate helps them build fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension skills.\r\n\r\nCandy, used sparingly as a classroom motivator, can also encourage positive reading habits. Small treats can be part of reward systems that celebrate milestones such as completing a reading passage, mastering new vocabulary, or finishing a STEM-related article or project. When students feel motivated and supported, they are more likely to engage with reading tasks and build confidence in their literacy abilities.\r\n\r\nTogether, iPads, headphones, and candy help create an engaging, supportive, and effective learning environment where students can strengthen both their literacy and STEM skills. Thank you for helping us provide these valuable resources and for supporting our students' success.","fullyFundedDate":1763153452194,"projectUrl":"project/building-literacy-through-stem-the-powe/9893891/","projectTitle":"Building Literacy Through STEM: The Power of iPads and Engagement","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Howe-Consiglio","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10349647"},{"teacherId":8161851,"projectId":9833581,"letterContent":"I am writing to share how essential tools such as books, highlighters, and bookmarks play a powerful role in strengthening literacy skills in our ELA classroom. These simple resources create meaningful learning opportunities that help students grow as readers, thinkers, and communicators.\r\n\r\nBooks are at the heart of literacy development. They give students access to rich stories, new vocabulary, and diverse perspectives. When students read regularly, they strengthen comprehension, build background knowledge, and learn to analyze text more deeply. A well-stocked classroom library encourages choice, independence, and a genuine love for reading.\r\n\r\nHighlighters also contribute significantly to stronger literacy. When students highlight key ideas, new terms, or evidence from a text, they learn to read with purpose. This active reading strategy helps them notice details, make connections, and understand the structure of what they're reading. Highlighters turn reading into an engaging, hands-on process that increases retention and comprehension.\r\n\r\nBookmarks support literacy by helping students stay organized and focused. With a bookmark, students can easily return to their reading spot and continue without confusion or lost time. Bookmarks also promote responsibility and make reading feel more personal. When students track their progress with pride, they are more likely to remain motivated and continue reading consistently.\r\n\r\nTogether, books, highlighters, and bookmarks create a powerful combination that boosts confidence, increases engagement, and builds essential literacy skills. These tools ensure that every student has what they need to succeed as thoughtful, capable readers.\r\n\r\nThank you for supporting our classroom and helping us create an environment where literacy can thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1760783419656,"projectUrl":"project/the-literacy-ferry-every-book-a-new-des/9833581/","projectTitle":"The Literacy Ferry: Every Book a New Destination","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ferry","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8161851"},{"teacherId":10350955,"projectId":9896535,"letterContent":"ELA games turn reading and language practice into something active, engaging, and fun. When students play vocabulary challenges, word-building activities, comprehension puzzles, or grammar games, they practice essential literacy skills without the pressure of traditional worksheets. Games naturally encourage collaboration, discussion, and problem-solving—skills closely tied to deeper reading comprehension. This playful approach helps students remember concepts more effectively and participate more eagerly.\r\n\r\nBooks remain at the heart of all literacy development. By offering a variety of genres, reading levels, and topics, we create opportunities for every student to find something that sparks their curiosity. Whether it's graphic novels, nonfiction texts, short stories, or chapter books, the right reading material helps students expand vocabulary, build background knowledge, and strengthen independent reading stamina. Access to diverse and appealing books nurtures a genuine love for reading.\r\n\r\nSnacks may seem small, but they serve an important purpose: helping students stay focused, calm, and ready to learn. A quick snack break can boost energy and attention, especially during reading activities that require concentration. When students feel physically comfortable and supported, they are more willing to participate, persist through challenging texts, and engage in discussions. Snacks also help create a warm, welcoming classroom environment where students feel cared for—and students who feel supported are more confident readers.","fullyFundedDate":1763256364944,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-literacy-creating-a-classroom-w/9896535/","projectTitle":"Fueling Literacy: Creating a Classroom Where Readers Thrive","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Hunter","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10350955"},{"teacherId":2185122,"projectId":9826286,"letterContent":"Receiving classroom sets of novels in a small self-contained classroom has a powerful impact on student learning and engagement. When every student has a copy of the same book, it creates a shared reading experience that encourages discussion, deeper comprehension, and stronger classroom community. Students can follow along together, make connections in real time, and participate in meaningful conversations about characters, themes, and personal experiences. This shared access helps build confidence, especially for students who may struggle, because they no longer feel left out or behind—they have the same materials and opportunities as their peers.\r\n\r\nFor many students who lack access to books at home, a fully stocked classroom library levels the playing field and opens doors that may have otherwise remained closed. Having a variety of novels to choose from allows them to explore stories that reflect their identities, interests, and lived experiences, building both motivation and a sense of belonging. With these resources, students are more likely to develop a genuine love for reading—one that can shape their academic success and personal growth for years to come. Your support in making these novels available doesn't just fill shelves; it fosters curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong connection to literature.","fullyFundedDate":1760490594398,"projectUrl":"project/for-the-love-of-reading/9826286/","projectTitle":"For the Love of Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Graham","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2185122_orig.jpg?crop=1882,1882,x0,y119&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1760393303134","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2185122"},{"teacherId":10233640,"projectId":9832366,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our classroom. Your contribution has already had an immediate and meaningful impact on the way my students learn and work together.\r\n\r\nIn our class, we use Building Thinking Classrooms while problem solving, and the resources you've provided have supported far more than just math skills. These materials will strengthen students' social awareness, relationship skills, self-management, perseverance, decision-making, and overall self-awareness.\r\n\r\nWith these tools, students will collaborate with a wide variety of peers, learning to communicate clearly, develop empathy, and work effectively as a team. Using whiteboards encourages them to take academic risks and build resilience—they can erase mistakes easily and try again, turning errors into learning opportunities. They'll also have more chances to analyze strategies, plan their approaches, reflect on their thinking, and take ownership of their learning.\r\n\r\nWhat I love most about Building Thinking Classrooms is that it naturally nurtures social-emotional learning without needing separate lessons. Through meaningful mathematical discussions and collaboration, students build confidence, empathy, and perseverance every day.\r\n\r\nYour support makes all of this possible. Thank you for believing in my students and helping create a learning environment where they can grow—both as mathematicians and as people.","fullyFundedDate":1760796351230,"projectUrl":"project/building-thinking-classroom-with-an-sel/9832366/","projectTitle":"Building Thinking Classroom With an SEL Focus","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ratay","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10233640"},{"teacherId":10233640,"projectId":9666135,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our classroom. Many of my students face academic hurdles, and some don't have the resources at home to support their learning as much as they'd like. Even so, they show up every day ready to try, grow, and push themselves in math.\r\n\r\nYour support means more than you know. Scientific calculators are truly essential for my students—not just to complete assignments, but to help them focus on the bigger picture of problem-solving and understanding math concepts without getting stuck on basic computations. Having calculators available in the classroom gives every student a fair chance to succeed, whether or not they can afford one on their own.\r\n\r\nBecause of your donation, my students will be able to approach grade-level work with more confidence, prepare for assessments, and build skills they'll rely on for years to come. You're helping reduce math anxiety and opening the door to more \"I get it!\" moments—something every teacher loves to see.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and giving them the tools they need to feel capable and supported. Your kindness truly makes a difference.","fullyFundedDate":1758850240984,"projectUrl":"project/class-set-of-scientific-calculators/9666135/","projectTitle":"Class Set of Scientific Calculators","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ratay","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10233640"},{"teacherId":7667390,"projectId":9836326,"letterContent":"Thank you so very much for funding my classroom project. All items received have excited students and helped them in their every day learning. The highlighters have helped students annotate the text. The anxiety strips and fidget toys have helped students be able to focus more. The folders have helped keep the students organized, which is also a part of WICOR. The magnetic strips help students be aware of academic vocabulary and be able to see them every day on the board. The neon colored paper adds a pop of color and is used for important information. The list goes on. We are very appreciative of your generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1760813315820,"projectUrl":"project/supporting-literacy-in-the-math-classroo/9836326/","projectTitle":"Supporting Literacy in the Math Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Baldini","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7667390_orig.png?crop=389,389,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1606847916104","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7667390"},{"teacherId":6830167,"projectId":9858062,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom project! Your contribution will make a meaningful difference in the lives of my middle school students with emotional and behavioral challenges by providing them with the sensory, movement, and technology tools they need to succeed in literacy. Because of your kindness, these students will have a more engaging and supportive learning environment where they can build confidence and grow their reading and writing skills.\r\n\r\nI am deeply grateful for your belief in their potential and your commitment to helping them overcome barriers to learning. Your donation is not just an investment in classroom resources—it is an investment in the futures of these deserving students. Thank you for partnering with me to create a positive and empowering space where every student can thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1761526464085,"projectUrl":"project/delaware-classroom-literacy-boost-essen/9858062/","projectTitle":"Delaware Classroom Literacy Boost: Essential Tools for Student Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Woodock","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6830167_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1762278733977","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6830167"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_44514","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":900,"numTeachers":59,"percentFrplEligible":28,"percentAsian":6,"percentBlack":36,"percentWhite":38,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":11,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"5 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"15.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":70.3,"schoolId":44514,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Talley Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Talley Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/delaware/brandywine-school-district/talley-middle-school/44514"}