{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"McCombs Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":66.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9893816,"projectId":9850422,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and support of our DonorsChoose project. Because of you, my 8th graders will finally have the opportunity to fully engage with the multimedia resources that bring science to life in our classroom. Your donation ensures that students won't have to wait, share, or miss out on key content—they'll be able to dive into simulations, documentaries, and interactive lessons with the focus and independence they deserve.\r\nHaving a full class set of headphones will truly transform our learning environment. With reliable access to audio, students can learn at their own pace, revisit explanations when needed, and stay immersed in the scientific concepts we explore. \r\n\r\nOn behalf of my entire class, thank you for believing in the power of equitable access. Your generosity removes barriers and creates meaningful opportunities for every student in our room. We are incredibly grateful for your support, and I can't wait to share the moments of engagement, excitement, and discovery that your gift will make possible.","fullyFundedDate":1761953183522,"projectUrl":"project/class-set-of-headphones/9850422/","projectTitle":"Class Set of Headphones","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Russell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9893816_orig.jpg?crop=1088,1088,x81,y319&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754011586301","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9893816"},{"teacherId":937551,"projectId":9900064,"letterContent":"We are so very grateful for your generous donations to our classroom! We can't thank you enough for your generosity and support!! \r\n\r\nWe were completely out of pencils, Kleenex, and disinfecting wipes for our classroom, so your donation came at just the right time!! We now have plenty of Kleenex to get us through cold and flu season (and hopefully the rest of the school year), wipes to disinfect our desks and counters regularly, and pencils to lend to any students who need them!! It feels so great being able to provide these essentials to my students and our classroom and we are so grateful for all of you!! \r\n\r\nThank you again so very much!! We really appreciate it!!","fullyFundedDate":1766330767499,"projectUrl":"project/more-kleenex-and-pencils-please/9900064/","projectTitle":"More Kleenex and Pencils Please!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Overturf","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp937551_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753109382688","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/937551"},{"teacherId":8432917,"projectId":9458785,"letterContent":"I am incredibly grateful for your generous grant and support. Because of your kindness, I was able to purchase essential hygiene supplies such as menstrual products, deodorant, body spray, and hair care items; as well as healthy snacks for those in need.\r\n\r\nThese items may seem small, but they make a meaningful difference. Access to basic hygiene products helps students feel comfortable, confident, and cared for, while snacks provide both nourishment and encouragement during the day. Your generosity directly supports dignity, wellness, and a sense of belonging within our McCombs community.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in the importance of meeting these everyday needs and for investing in the well-being of others. Your support has had a positive and lasting impact, and it is truly appreciated.","fullyFundedDate":1760832931861,"projectUrl":"project/supporting-health-hygiene-hunger-rel/9458785/","projectTitle":"Supporting Health, Hygiene, & Hunger Relief","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jasek","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8432917_orig.jpg?crop=2999,2999,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1651163271675","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8432917"},{"teacherId":4485102,"projectId":9324373,"letterContent":"Thank you for providing the necessary resources to make the classroom store a reality. Students look forward to placing orders each week with their weekly earnings. \r\n\r\nNot only does your generosity provide the valuable resources to bring the store to life, and provide the tangible products, but students also learn the skills of budgeting, proper ways to complete order forms and holding themselves accountable for thier behavior.\r\n\r\nThis is the fifth year I have used the store approach in the classroom, without the support of donors like you, the success wouldn't be possible.","fullyFundedDate":1755743948401,"projectUrl":"project/fill-the-classroom-store-2025/9324373/","projectTitle":"Fill the Classroom Store 2025","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. McKasson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4485102_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1496756330587","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4485102"},{"teacherId":9893816,"projectId":9523538,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my classroom! We've already put everything to good use. \r\nThe clock has helped us stay on track during transitions, and the tissues have been a lifesaver during cold season. The erasers are constantly in motion—my students love having clean work and feel more confident turning in assignments. The fidget holder has helped keep our learning environment calm and focused, especially for students who benefit from sensory tools. \r\nWith the classroom better organized and stocked, students are more engaged and able to focus on their group projects.Thanks again for giving us the tools to succeed. Your generosity truly made a difference!","fullyFundedDate":1754269812823,"projectUrl":"project/help-stock-my-first-classroom/9523538/","projectTitle":"Help Stock my First Classroom!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Russell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9893816_orig.jpg?crop=1088,1088,x81,y319&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754011586301","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9893816"},{"teacherId":9893816,"projectId":9539280,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom! Thanks to your generosity, our new turn-in cart has completely transformed how we manage classroom materials. Each class period now has its own labeled bin, making it easy for students to turn in work, find handouts, and stay organized. We also have dedicated sections for late work and papers to hand back, which has helped streamline our routines and reduce confusion. The organized system has made it easier for students to keep track of their assignments and focus more on the learning. Thank you again for making this possible. Your support has made a real difference in our daily classroom experience!","fullyFundedDate":1754922968417,"projectUrl":"project/student-center/9539280/","projectTitle":"Student Center","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Russell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9893816_orig.jpg?crop=1088,1088,x81,y319&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754011586301","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9893816"},{"teacherId":9334040,"projectId":9187463,"letterContent":"Thank you for your support for this project. \r\n\r\nLast year, my students ended the year with huge growth on the state assessments. The work we put into preparing for this was made possible by your generous donations. \r\n\r\nSimple things such as colored paper or sticky note reminders can go a long way with building confidence with young people who are intimidated about writing. We appreciate the assistance, and for me, I appreciate having the tools I need to help my students succeed. They deserve it. \r\n\r\nThank you again.","fullyFundedDate":1746553393221,"projectUrl":"project/writing-new-beginnings/9187463/","projectTitle":"Writing New Beginnings","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Jungck","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9334040_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1759631260016","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9334040"},{"teacherId":581889,"projectId":9268868,"letterContent":"Your contribution has made a meaningful difference. Without your help, it would be challenging to provide all the resources needed to create an engaging and supportive learning environment for every student.\r\n\r\nAlthough the school year has just begun, your donation has already had a positive impact. Students are actively using many of the items your support helped us purchase. One of the most popular additions so far has been the Amazon Echo. It's been a great tool—students enjoy playing music to help them relax and using it to quickly look up information they're curious about.\r\n\r\nThey've also started working on the classroom puzzle and have been using some of the fidget tools. Several students have even taken them to their core classes to help stay focused and minimize distractions.\r\n\r\nOnce again, I want to express my heartfelt thanks. Every dollar donated truly makes a difference and is deeply appreciated.","fullyFundedDate":1746787047169,"projectUrl":"project/helping-students-thrive-with-sel-tools-a/9268868/","projectTitle":"Helping Students Thrive With Sel Tools and Resources","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Aylsworth","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp581889_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1690660336250","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/aaylsworth"},{"teacherId":8633270,"projectId":8899554,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the support to provide tissues in our classrooms. Due to your generosity, we were able to purchase so many boxes of tissues that we still have access to! \r\n\r\nKleenex are not something that we can purchase with our budget money here at McCombs and, unfortunately, students did not bring very many tissues in this year with their school supplies. \r\n\r\nWe are all so grateful here at McCombs. The alternative was that we purchase Kleenex with our own money, which is not ideal. Thank you so much, again, from the bottom of all of our hearts!","fullyFundedDate":1729957359578,"projectUrl":"project/kleenex-desperately-needed/8899554/","projectTitle":"Kleenex Desperately Needed!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Babe","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8633270_orig.jpg?crop=2048,2048,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1678397283702","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-babe"},{"teacherId":4485102,"projectId":8802603,"letterContent":"Allowing students to have two connected desks has given them the freedom to spread out when working while giving the freedom to have all of their materials within hands reach.\r\n\r\nAs a teacher I no longer worry about them moving one of their assigned desks too far from the other. Things are no longer out of their reach when completing necessary tasks in the classroom.\r\n\r\nStudents see the benefit of this as well. They are spreading out more in the work space as they know things will remain within reach.","fullyFundedDate":1736398518949,"projectUrl":"project/efficient-workspace/8802603/","projectTitle":"Efficient Workspace!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. McKasson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4485102_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1496756330587","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4485102"},{"teacherId":937552,"projectId":8765024,"letterContent":"Thank you for the affirmation cards as well as the gift card to buy more awards. I am really enjoying having these extra ways to recognize students. I have the cute cards, which are colorful, and have cute envelopes that the students enjoy. It is my goal to try to pick at least one student a day to pass a \"special note\" to after class. I look through the box and select saying, or phrase that I think represents the student.\r\nMy goal this year is to do end of the year awards, which will come in really handy with the gift card, to find some that have already been created.\r\nI am sure these feel-good items will continue to impact students in the future as well. Thank you for helping me recognize and appreciate my kiddos even more.","fullyFundedDate":1735605347538,"projectUrl":"project/reminding-students-they-rock/8765024/","projectTitle":"Reminding Students They Rock!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Leveke","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp937552_orig.jpg?crop=1034,1034,x0,y68&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1630507238402","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsleveke"},{"teacherId":9500019,"projectId":8801005,"letterContent":"Our athletes were very excited for the large variety of snacks they were able to choose from. They were able to pick a snack to eat before and after their tough practice and games. Some of the students ate lunch at 10:30 am so by time school was over and it was time for practice, the kids were starving! \r\n\r\nSome of the athletes had practices on Saturday, and games on Sundays, I felt good knowing that there was always snacks available for them on the weekends too. My flag football team considered the snacks like a treasure box. They were aways excited to dig through the box of snacks after practices and games! \r\nAndrea said \"these people hooked us up\"! \r\n\r\nThank you from the bottom of their bellies!","fullyFundedDate":1729699970949,"projectUrl":"project/help-feed-our-school-athletes/8801005/","projectTitle":"Help Feed Our School Athletes!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Reyna","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9500019_orig.jpg?crop=356,356,x548,y432&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1711486480462","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9500019"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_51906","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":670,"numTeachers":47,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":9,"percentBlack":19,"percentWhite":26,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":37,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"14.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":33.1,"schoolId":51906,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about McCombs Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"McCombs Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/iowa/des-moines-public-schools/mccombs-middle-school/51906"}