{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Harold B Dawson Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":34.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9640594,"projectId":10457043,"letterContent":"Thank you for donating the **Clarinet and Saxophone** along with **reeds** to our music program. Your support immediately expands what our students can learn and experience. With these instruments now available in our classroom, students are able to practice proper instrument care, build foundational sound production skills, and take part in more complete ensemble work that includes the \"wind\" sound families. This donation also helps us meet students where they are—because access to the correct reeds and playable parts means fewer delays, more hands-on practice time, and more confidence when it's time to perform.\r\n\r\nThe first time our students saw the new clarinet and saxophone materials, the energy in the room was instant. Many students were excited simply by the opportunity to hold an instrument that feels \"real\" and professional, and you could see their curiosity as they asked questions about how reeds work, how to assemble and maintain the instruments, and how breath and posture affect tone. After our initial demo, we moved quickly into a short lesson on basic setup and sound—then students lined up to try their first notes under guidance. Even during that first day, the room felt different: more students were engaged, and those who had previously been hesitant became eager to participate.\r\n\r\nIn the classroom, we are using your donation for a current unit on **breath control, embouchure (mouth position), and musical phrasing**. A specific moment that stands out was when we put students into small groups and had them practice short call-and-response patterns. Because they had access to the clarinet and saxophone (not just recordings or pictures), they were able to hear how their individual sound blends with others in real time. Your reeds made this possible—students could begin practicing right away and improve across the lesson instead of waiting for parts or struggling with equipment that doesn't respond well.\r\n\r\nOur next steps build directly from this lesson. Over the next few weeks, students will continue practicing using the new instruments as we work toward a short classroom performance. We're also introducing rotating stations that focus on technique (tone, finger placement, and rhythm accuracy) and one \"refinement day\" focused on expressive playing—so students can take what they learn and apply it musically, not just technically. Your support gives students the chance to progress from first notes to meaningful musical participation, and we're committed to keeping that momentum going throughout the remainder of the unit. Thank you again for helping our students sound, learn, and grow in ways they can be proud of.","fullyFundedDate":1786541648790,"projectUrl":"project/our-school-band/10457043/","projectTitle":"Our School Band","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Adane Mamo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9640594_orig.jpg?crop=460,460,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724240901995","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9640594"},{"teacherId":9640594,"projectId":9914949,"letterContent":"I hope this message finds you well. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your generous support in providing clarinet and sax reeds, cork grease, and trombone slide cream to the Harold B. Dawson Middle School band.\r\n\r\nThese essential supplies will significantly enhance our students' musical experiences and improve their performance skills. Your kindness helps foster a love of music and encourages our young musicians to strive for excellence.\r\n\r\nThank you once again for believing in our program and investing in our students' futures. We appreciate your commitment to supporting arts education.","fullyFundedDate":1764726986977,"projectUrl":"project/clarinet-and-sax-reeds-cork-grease-and/9914949/","projectTitle":"Clarinet and Sax Reeds, Cork Grease and Trombone Slide Cream","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Adane Mamo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9640594_orig.jpg?crop=460,460,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724240901995","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9640594"},{"teacherId":316062,"projectId":9531046,"letterContent":"Thank you! My students loved their new books! They were excited to choose a novel in verse to read for class. The wide variety of subjects, novel lengths, and backgrounds represented by the new books was so appreciated. \r\nNovels in verse are approachable, even for reluctant readers, and helped all of mt students build their confidence and reading stamina. My favorite part of this experience was listening to the book conversations sparked by your generous donations! My kids were sharing parts of their books that meant something to them, and were recommending novels to others. Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1755730653771,"projectUrl":"project/novels-in-verse/9531046/","projectTitle":"Novels in Verse","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Melendy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/leah-melendy"},{"teacherId":9640594,"projectId":9137765,"letterContent":"I hope this message finds you well.\r\n\r\nI wanted to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your incredible support in helping my students at Harold B. Dawson Middle School receive funding for clarinet and saxophone reeds, as well as clarinet ligatures. Your generosity has made a significant difference in the lives of my students, many of whom cannot afford these essential materials.\r\n\r\nThis support is not just about the instruments; it's about empowering my students on their musical journey. With your help, they can now practice and perform with the necessary tools, fostering their growth and passion for music.\r\n\r\nI will be attaching some videos of my students in action, showcasing the joy and progress they have made thanks to your kindness.\r\n\r\nThank you once again for believing in our students and for your commitment to supporting music education.\r\n\r\nWarm regards,\r\n\r\nAdane Mamo\r\nBand Teacher\r\nHarold B. Dawson Middle School","fullyFundedDate":1746716469552,"projectUrl":"project/middle-school-band-program/9137765/","projectTitle":"Middle School Band Program","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Adane Mamo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9640594_orig.jpg?crop=460,460,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724240901995","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9640594"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_25463","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":318,"numTeachers":27,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":66,"percentWhite":11,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":7,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":13,"gradesServed":"5 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"11.8:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"UNCLASSIFIED","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":65.4,"schoolId":25463,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Harold B Dawson Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Harold B Dawson Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/peoria-public-school-district-150/calvin-coolidge-middle-school/25463"}