{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"John R Lewis Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":26.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8723086,"projectId":10278232,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donation and support to the John Lewis Middle School Botany / Culinary Art Learning Farm. Without support like yours there is no way that we would be able to provide a program like this to our students. Your generosity will reach thousands of students and make a lasting impact on each of them.\r\nWe were able to get so much accomplished at the beginning of the summer. The new tomato and cucumber trellis let us expand our growing garden. The trimmer helps us keep the entire garden looking great. The storage cabinet allows us to keep our cooking materials organized and in one place. And we are excited to be able to hang banners from companies that donate using the grommet maker.\r\nThank you so much for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1778528208388,"projectUrl":"project/the-summer-starter/10278232/","projectTitle":"The Summer Starter","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Greene","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8723086_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673370436882","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lewis-greenhouse"},{"teacherId":8723086,"projectId":10263777,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donation and support to the John Lewis Middle School Botany / Culinary Art Learning Farm. Without support like yours there is no way thsat we would be able to provide a program like this to our students. Your generosity will reach thousands of students and make a lasting impact on each of them.\r\nEarlier this year, we experienced a huge storm. The winds were so strong they blew away our first two gazebos. With your donation, we were able to purchase two new gazebos and get them installed this summer. Our outdoor learning space looks absolutely amazing. All the students in the school want to come out and learn under the gazebos.\r\nThank you so much for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1777998597250,"projectUrl":"project/outdoor-classroom-take-3/10263777/","projectTitle":"Outdoor Classroom Take 3","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Greene","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8723086_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673370436882","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lewis-greenhouse"},{"teacherId":8723086,"projectId":10230856,"letterContent":"Thank you very much for your generous support and donation to the John Lewis Greenhouse Botany/Culinary Arts program. This is a truly unique program especially for students in our area. There is no way we would be able to have a program like this without your support.\r\nAs we have expanded our botany program, students are now going in to the community to present what they are learning. When we bring the two slushy machines we are able to attract a huge audience which in turn helps students practice their communication skills. These amazing slushies even help bring in more donations. \r\nThank you once again for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1777987452227,"projectUrl":"project/keepin-it-cool/10230856/","projectTitle":"Keepin' It Cool","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Greene","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8723086_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673370436882","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lewis-greenhouse"},{"teacherId":8723086,"projectId":10234180,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donation and support to the John Lewis Middle School Botany / Culinary Art Learning Farm. Without support like yours there is no way thsat we would be able to provide a program like this to our students. Your generosity will reach thousands of students and make a lasting impact on each of them.\r\nEarlier this year, we experienced a huge storm. The winds were so strong they blew away our first two gazebos. With your donation, we were able to purchase two new gazebos and get them installed this summer. Our outdoor learning space looks absolutely amazing. All the students in the school want to come out and learn under the gazebos.\r\nThank you so much for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1778004730222,"projectUrl":"project/outdoor-classroom-take-2/10234180/","projectTitle":"Outdoor Classroom Take 2","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Greene","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8723086_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673370436882","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lewis-greenhouse"},{"teacherId":8723086,"projectId":10158530,"letterContent":"We can't thank you enough for your generous donation and your support to the John Lewis Middle School Greenhouse Learning Farm. This is a truly unique program and we could not do all the incredible things we do without support like yours. \r\nThe landscape drain pieces have made a huge impact on the food forest islands. Not only does it help define each island but the tubes help prevent the grass from penetrating in to the island. This makes managing each of the islands much easier.\r\nWe will continue to use this for all of the islands.\r\nOnce again, thank you for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1777987553383,"projectUrl":"project/completing-the-islands/10158530/","projectTitle":"Completing the Islands","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Greene","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8723086_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673370436882","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lewis-greenhouse"},{"teacherId":9848733,"projectId":8975478,"letterContent":"The books we received are absolutely amazing! I was so excited to see how interested and engaged the students were as they explored the collection. They were especially excited to find books about their countries and bilingual books that they had never had access to before. Students naturally engaged with the materials independently and with partners, creating meaningful opportunities for active reading around topics that genuinely interested them.\r\n\r\nI strongly believe that reading is an essential life skill. When children are offered a variety of books and reading materials that reflect their interests, experiences, cultures, and backgrounds, they are much more likely to take a chance on reading rather than shy away from it.\r\n\r\nI have seen this firsthand with my students. I have watched students who initially refused to try reading become confident enough to read aloud proudly in front of their classmates—all because they were given the opportunity to connect with books they wanted to read, rather than only reading what they were told to read.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has helped create those opportunities for my students. Thank you for helping us build a classroom library that not only gives students access to books, but also helps them see themselves in what they read and discover the joy of reading.\r\n\r\nI hope to continue building a library filled with books that engage, inspire, and empower my students while fostering a lifelong love of reading. Thank you for being a part of that journey!","fullyFundedDate":1733332688170,"projectUrl":"project/bilingual-library-needed-se-necesita-b/8975478/","projectTitle":"Bilingual Library Needed! ¡Se Necesita Biblioteca Bilingüe!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wallace","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9848733_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732879719689","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9848733"},{"teacherId":8723086,"projectId":10011859,"letterContent":"We can not thank you enough for your generous donation to Kaitlin's Kitchen @ John Lewis Middle School in Waukegan, Illinois. We think we are the only public middle school that has a class where we not only plan, plant, cultivate and harvest but now also cook what we grow. Kaitlin's Kitchen will be dedicated this August in memory of a teacher we lost during Covid. The sink that was purchased with your donation will be part of a truly unique opportunity for John Lewis Middle School students. The real sink will help complete a four station kitchen. We will now be able to clean the dishes afetr we cook with them. Adding yet another real life skill!","fullyFundedDate":1768406280858,"projectUrl":"project/even-the-kitchen-sink/10011859/","projectTitle":"Even The Kitchen Sink","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Greene","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8723086_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673370436882","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lewis-greenhouse"},{"teacherId":9847727,"projectId":9475243,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity! Because of your support, our classroom is now fully equipped with the essential supplies my students need to thrive.\r\n\r\nWhen the boxes first arrived, the room filled with pure excitement—it felt like Christmas morning! The students couldn't wait to organize their new notebooks and try out the fresh markers. One of my students looked up with a huge smile and asked, \"We get to keep these for the whole year?!\" It was a powerful reminder of how much these resources truly mean to them.\r\n\r\nWe put the supplies to use right away. Last week, we used the new journals and art materials to kick off a creative writing and illustration project. Having their own high-quality tools allowed every student to dive in without hesitation, focusing entirely on bringing their stories to life.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we are moving into a major hands-on research project. Thanks to your donation, we have all the presentation boards, markers, and drafting supplies needed to bring their learning to reality.\r\n\r\nYour investment has sent a wonderful message to my students: that their education matters and that people believe in them. Thank you for making a tangible difference in our daily classroom life.","fullyFundedDate":1755711357059,"projectUrl":"project/help-my-students-learn/9475243/","projectTitle":"Help My Students Learn!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Liggins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9847727"},{"teacherId":10398547,"projectId":9989044,"letterContent":"our generous school supply donations have directly transformed the daily educational experience for almost 100 of students, breaking down financial barriers and creating a classroom environment where everyone can thrive. \r\nBy equipping students with essential learning tools like notebooks, backpacks, pencils, and art supplies, you have provided more than just physical items; you have delivered confidence, dignity, and a sense of belonging. \r\nStudents who previously arrived unprepared now walk into their classrooms with their heads held high, fully ready to participate alongside their peers from day one.\r\nThe impact of your giving extends far beyond individual students to lift the entire school ecosystem. Teachers no longer need to spend their own personal funds to stock their classrooms, allowing them to focus entirely on instructional quality and creative lesson planning. \r\nFurthermore, access to proper supplies has visibly boosted student engagement, fostered a deeper excitement for learning, and improved daily attendance rates. Your investment in these young learners sends a powerful message that their community believes in their potential, turning simple classroom materials into the foundations for long-term academic success.","fullyFundedDate":1773679223292,"projectUrl":"project/health-stuff-health-smart-hshs-projec/9989044/","projectTitle":"Health Stuff, Health Smart (HSHS) Project","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mae Almirez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10398547_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1767827952643","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10398547"},{"teacherId":9493078,"projectId":10132353,"letterContent":"I am thrilled to share the incredible impact your generosity has had on our daily learning. Before these high-quality external speakers arrived, our lessons were often hindered by tinny, distorted audio that left students straining to hear. Now, the atmosphere in our classroom has completely shifted. Whether we are watching a historical documentary as a whole group or diving into interactive phonics games, the sound is crisp and immersive. This technology bridges the gap between simply \"watching\" a video and truly experiencing the content, ensuring that no student misses a vital detail due to poor equipment.\r\n\r\nThe most exciting part for the students has been the \"theatrical\" feel the speakers bring to our read-alouds and educational programs. Their eyes light up when they can hear the subtle nuances of a narrator's voice or the clear pronunciation of new vocabulary words. This clarity has been a game-changer for my students with learning disabilities and English Language Learners; for them, being able to distinguish specific sounds is the difference between confusion and a \"lightbulb\" moment. It has turned our digital learning programs from a source of frustration into a source of confidence.\r\n\r\nOne particular group of students who has truly blossomed with this new setup is my small-group reading circle. Previously, they struggled to stay focused during digital phonics drills because the laptop speakers couldn't project clearly over the hum of the classroom. Now, they are more engaged and eager to participate, often mimicking the clear audio they hear. Seeing their increased focus and hearing their laughter during interactive lessons is a testament to how much of a difference quality audio makes. Thank you for giving my students the gift of clear communication and a more accessible education!","fullyFundedDate":1773624406456,"projectUrl":"project/clear-sound-for-clear-learning/10132353/","projectTitle":"Clear Sound for Clear Learning!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nizza Wale","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9493078_orig.jpg?crop=512,512,x0,y69&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1719322186874","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/nmewale"},{"teacherId":8723086,"projectId":10080281,"letterContent":"This year the students in the John Lewis Middle School Greenhouse Botany / Culinary Arts class decided that they wanted to try to grow their own grapes. We have never grown grapes so we spent some time learning about how they grow and put a plan into action. The students learned that they grow best using a raised bed and trellis. This is where your support helped us get our first grapes into the ground. With the rest of the materials we were able to purchase, we will create a new Grape Bed where we will grow three different types of grapes. Thank you for making this possible!","fullyFundedDate":1773679221064,"projectUrl":"project/a-grape-archway/10080281/","projectTitle":"A Grape Archway","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Greene","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8723086_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673370436882","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lewis-greenhouse"},{"teacherId":8723086,"projectId":10080228,"letterContent":"We are so fortunate and thankful for your donation. As the weather starts to get warmer, it will be so much better to be able to keep the doors to the greenhouse open and get some fresh air inside. We now have a screen on the front and back door. The seed container will allow us to not only keep the seeds separate but will allow us to track which seeds we need to order. Our tables have been set up to replace the old ones and the students have already started to doodle on them.\r\nThank you so much for being a part of our program!","fullyFundedDate":1773679222965,"projectUrl":"project/spring-ready/10080228/","projectTitle":"Spring Ready","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Greene","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8723086_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673370436882","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lewis-greenhouse"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_30037","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":715,"numTeachers":59,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":14,"percentWhite":3,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":78,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":1,"gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"12.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":73.2,"schoolId":30037,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about John R Lewis Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"John R Lewis Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/illinois/waukegan-community-unit-school-district-60/thomas-jefferson-middle-school/30037"}