{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Mannheim Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":34.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6002940,"projectId":9901372,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your generous contributions to our project. Your support has officially brought The Cartoonist Club to life, and the impact on my students' engagement and literacy has been nothing short of transformative.\r\n\r\nI have integrated these resources into our current narrative unit, where students are developing their own original graphic novel memoir. One of the most rewarding aspects of this project is seeing how it bridges the gap for students who sometimes find traditional writing assignments intimidating. They are having so much fun being creative and working at the same time! I wanted to share a specific moment that truly highlighted the power of these materials. During a brainstorming session using prompts from Share Your Smile, one of my quieter students—who often struggles to get ideas down on paper—began sketching scenes from their own life. They became so engrossed in the process that they didn't want to stop when the bell rang. They looked up at me and asked, \"Wait... this can be my story?\" Seeing that spark of ownership and realization that their voice matters was exactly what I had hoped for.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the excitement was immediate. Kids were flipping through the books, pointing things out to each other, and honestly just pumped that they'd get to draw and write at the same time. For some of my students who don't always see themselves as readers, this was a totally different entry point—and it worked.\r\n\r\nRight now, students are in the middle of creating their own graphic novel memoirs. They are working on combining dialogue, illustrations, and narration to tell real stories about their lives. Next, we will move into revising, adding details, and preparing final drafts to share. We are planning a celebration so students can showcase their work, which will be such a meaningful moment for them. This project also helps them carry the skills they've built in Reading Intervention into their English Language Arts classrooms.\r\n\r\nThank you again for making this possible. This has been such a meaningful experience for my students, and I am so grateful for your support.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, this summer I have the opportunity to teach a summer enrichment class also centered around The Cartoonist Club, where students in grades 3–7 will create their own graphic novels. I am excited to extend this experience to even more students and continue fostering creativity and confidence through storytelling.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping make this possible for my students, both now and in the future.","fullyFundedDate":1768260412927,"projectUrl":"project/share-your-smile-starting-a-cartoonists/9901372/","projectTitle":"Share Your Smile: Starting a Cartoonists Club","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Howell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6002940_orig.jpg?crop=2217,2217,x514,y514&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1763433992163","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6002940"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_28148","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":783,"numTeachers":65,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":9,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":86,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"12.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":65.8,"schoolId":28148,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Mannheim Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Mannheim Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/mannheim-school-district-83/mannheim-middle-school/28148"}
Join the 38 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Mannheim Middle School is
a suburban public school
in Melrose Park, Illinois that is part of Mannheim School District 83.
It serves 783 students
in grades 6 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 12.0:1.
Its teachers have had 10 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Supporting this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.
Public School
Title 1
Data about Title 1 status comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education.
Grades 6 - 8
783 Students
65 Teachers
2600 Hyde Park AveContact info is sourced from our partners at MDR Education, and DonorsChoose updates our site ahead of each school year.
Boost support for this school! Share this page with friends, family, alumni, and fellow supporters. Every connection helps teachers get the supplies they need and shows how much your community cares about its students.
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Every donation funds real needs — pencils, books, lab equipment, art supplies, and more — helping students learn and thrive. We ship supplies directly to the school, and you'll see exactly where each dollar goes.
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
88%
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.
Mannheim Middle School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated May 13, 2026
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.
Mannheim Middle School
$4,465
raised using DonorsChoose
10
projects
funded
8
teachers
funded
38
donors
3
projects
for
basic supplies
1
project for
technology
1
project
for
art supplies
Mannheim Middle School has received support from
25 individuals from Illinois and
13 individuals out-of-state.
