{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"McKinley Steam Academy","outOfStateSupporters":20.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9880846,"projectId":9045206,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our PBIS program! With your support, we've been able to implement a point system where students earn rewards for following the BEAR Way (Be Engaged, Be Empathetic, Be Accountable, and Be Respectful). The donated items, such as the fidgets, have become highly sought-after incentives, motivating students to participate actively in class and make positive choices. The students are so excited to earn these rewards and it's making a big difference in our classroom! Thank you again for helping us create a positive and supportive learning environment!\"","fullyFundedDate":1744457946949,"projectUrl":"project/rewarding-our-students-successes/9045206/","projectTitle":"Rewarding Our Student's Successes","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mason","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9880846"},{"teacherId":9872364,"projectId":9003416,"letterContent":"The new fridge has been a game-changer for our club, providing a reliable space to keep ingredients clean and fresh. With more organized shelving and superior cooling, we've been able to store produce, meats, and dairy more efficiently, significantly reducing waste. The larger storage capacity has also made it easier to maintain a well-stocked kitchen, ensuring that our ingredients are always at their peak quality for use in recipes. This improvement has not only helped maintain freshness but has also improved our ability to plan ahead, making it easier to manage inventory and minimize spoilage. Our kids have been ecstatic to see the new fridge and always want to have another look!\r\n\r\nIn addition to preserving ingredients, the new fridge has opened the door for us to experiment with new recipes that require larger or specialized storage spaces. We can now store bulkier items or keep multiple ingredients for intricate dishes, which was previously a challenge. This upgrade has also allowed us to maintain a higher standard of cleanliness, with easier access to items and better organization reducing clutter. The fridge's advanced features ensure that we meet food safety standards and maintain a hygienic environment for both prep and storage, ultimately raising the quality of our culinary offerings. We now don't have to worry about cross contamination or bad air coming from the fridge!","fullyFundedDate":1734813669713,"projectUrl":"project/new-fridge-for-the-culinary-kitchen/9003416/","projectTitle":"New Fridge for the Culinary Kitchen","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kate","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9872364"},{"teacherId":351391,"projectId":8649705,"letterContent":"Thank you for your donations. The students appreciate getting the bookmarks when they check out books in the library and the sensory stickers. As soon as I put them out on my desk, students are taking them.\r\nThe card games have also been a big hit for those coming in for a break. Students have enjoyed playing the games and having access to games with all the materials available. With multiple decks we can have multiple small groups having free time at the same time.\r\nThank you for your support of our students and our community.","fullyFundedDate":1733152837700,"projectUrl":"project/break-time-in-the-library/8649705/","projectTitle":"Break Time in the Library!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gardner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/351391"},{"teacherId":9157055,"projectId":8630853,"letterContent":"The resources from this project are being used as motivators for the young scientists in my class. We have an incentive system called the WOW board where students can earn a spot for outstanding behavior and work. Once we fill the board, winners are chosen to get one of the fantastic motivators/prizes. Without your donation, this would not have been possible so we thank you greatly. \r\n\r\nThe students walked in and couldn't believe their eyes when I first stocked our cabinet by the WOW board. They were absolutely thrilled and so excited about the new things they could earn and work towards. It was definitely a much needed midyear pick me up. Students were so excited to tell their friends about the new goodies and what they were most excited to work hard for. \r\n\r\nAs we lead into the end of the year, motivators are especially important for 8th graders who maybe lose motivation as they approach high school. Our last unit has lots of exciting labs, lessons, and a fun project to end with so the students will be extra grateful for fun incentives to earn. You definitely made an impact!","fullyFundedDate":1733162931377,"projectUrl":"project/nourish-and-motivate-young-minds/8630853/","projectTitle":"Nourish and Motivate Young Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Roller","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9157055"},{"teacherId":9157055,"projectId":8547852,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your thoughtful contributions of snacks, incentives, and other items for our middle school classroom. Your generosity has made a tremendous impact, providing students with not only well-deserved rewards but also an extra boost of motivation. These small gestures go a long way in fostering a positive and encouraging learning environment, and we are truly grateful for your support. \r\nThe excitement in our classroom has been amazing, with students eager to go above and beyond to earn a spot on the WOW Board for a chance to win a prize each day. Your donations are reinforcing hard work and making learning even more engaging and rewarding. It means so much that we have people in our community like you.","fullyFundedDate":1731504107862,"projectUrl":"project/keeping-students-clean-healthy-and-eng/8547852/","projectTitle":"Keeping Students Clean, Healthy, and Engaged!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Roller","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9157055"},{"teacherId":9862227,"projectId":8988721,"letterContent":"I hope this letter finds you in great spirits. On behalf of the students and staff at the middle school, I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generous contribution of healthy snacks for our lower socioeconomic students in the special education program.\r\nYour thoughtful donation has made a significant impact on our students' daily lives. Many of our students face challenges that extend beyond the classroom, and access to nutritious snacks is often one of them. Your support not only provides them with the nourishment they need to thrive but also shows them that they are valued and cared for within our community.\r\nThe healthy snacks you have provided have been instrumental in helping our students focus better in class, participate more actively in activities, and maintain their energy levels throughout the school day. It is heartwarming to see their faces light up when they receive these nutritious treats, and it reinforces the importance of healthy eating habits.\r\nWe are truly grateful for your kindness and commitment to supporting our students. Your generosity not only enhances their educational experience but also fosters a sense of belonging and encouragement that is vital to their growth and development.\r\nThank you once again for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1733941416563,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-for-brain-boosts/8988721/","projectTitle":"Snacks for Brain Boosts!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. P","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9862227_orig.jpg?crop=669,669,x358,y153&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1733323571329","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9862227"},{"teacherId":8965452,"projectId":8646693,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my gratitude for your generous contributions to our DonorsChoose project. Thanks to your support, we now have the resources we need to enhance the learning experience in our 8th grade ELA classroom at McKinley STEAM Academy.\r\n\r\nYour donations will directly impact our students by providing clorox wipes, paper towels and kleenxes. These materials help keep our rooms clean and safe for students to learn.\r\n\r\nIt means so much to me and my students that you believe in the importance of education and are willing to invest in our future. With these new resources, we are excited to dive into projects that connect language arts with the broader STEAM framework, making learning both meaningful and engaging.\r\n\r\nThank you again for making a difference in the lives of our students. Your kindness and generosity are truly appreciated, and we are eager to show you the great work we'll accomplish this year because of your support.\r\n\r\nWith gratitude,\r\n[Your Full Name]\r\n8th Grade ELA Teacher\r\nMcKinley STEAM Academy","fullyFundedDate":1725372637756,"projectUrl":"project/every-contribution-makes-a-difference-in/8646693/","projectTitle":"Every Contribution Makes a Difference in My Student's Lives.","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Milster","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8965452_orig.jpg?crop=935,935,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755046368377","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8965452"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_51647","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":426,"numTeachers":34,"percentFrplEligible":77,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":26,"percentWhite":53,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":6,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"12.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":79.6,"schoolId":51647,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about McKinley Steam Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"McKinley Steam Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/iowa/cedar-rapids-community-school-district/mckinley-middle-school/51647"}