{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"South Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":28.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":3649923,"projectId":9420211,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our new GoPro has already transformed how my yearbook students capture and tell the story of our school year.** While many people use technology like this in their personal lives, seeing it in the hands of middle school students has been truly inspiring.\r\n\r\nThe GoPro allows my yearbook staff to experience learning in a more hands-on, authentic way. They're not just taking pictures—they're documenting real events, experimenting with camera angles, testing stabilization features, and learning how video storytelling works in a professional setting. They've also begun discussing concepts like framing, lighting, transitions, and perspective, all skills that bring ELA standards and media-literacy to life. Instead of simply hearing about it, they're *doing* it.\r\n\r\nStudents are absolutely obsessed with the motion footage they can now capture. Whether it's recording videos for our social media, taking it out to cross-country practice, or walking the halls during Spirit Week, they love the creative possibilities. The wide-angle view and smooth video make every shot look cinematic, and they can't believe *they* are the ones capturing it. It has boosted motivation, pride, and ownership in their work like nothing else.\r\n\r\nI truly appreciate your help in providing an amazing opportunity for my students.","fullyFundedDate":1755748795607,"projectUrl":"project/yearbook-in-motion-a-gopro-project/9420211/","projectTitle":"Yearbook in Motion: A GoPro Project","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Jennings","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3649923_orig.jpg?crop=640,640,x0,y21&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1750818322917","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3649923"},{"teacherId":10306601,"projectId":9811528,"letterContent":"Thank you for your support of my project! What a gift it is for us to have these supplies provided so generously. The speaker stand and extension cord were put to use right away, with the cord being plugged into the piano we use for choir rehearsals. That cord replaced one I had been borrowing from a colleague and was finally able to return. Both items have been so practical and helpful!\r\n\r\nThe hand sanitizer is about to see its debut, as our current bottle is almost gone. Students sanitize their hands as they enter the piano lab to help keep our keyboards clean and everyone a little healthier. \r\n\r\nI am especially looking forward to breaking out the headphones and colored pencils! The headphones were inspired by a unit I did this semester where students completed a project on a particular jazz tune. Several of them did not have their own headphones to use while listening to the music, so I'm looking forward to next semester when I do the project with a new set of students, being able to offer headphones for those who don't have them. The colored pencils are going to enhance several different projects, including an upcoming one where my select choir students will be writing/drawing encouraging messages for their younger peers.\r\n\r\nAll of this would not be possible without your support and generosity. Thank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1760693557257,"projectUrl":"project/beyond-the-notes-music-supplies/9811528/","projectTitle":"Beyond the Notes- Music Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kraus","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10306601"},{"teacherId":7931615,"projectId":9420077,"letterContent":"When our new rug arrived, my students were beyond excited to finally have a cozy, shared space in our classroom. During our advisory time, they rushed to sit down together, smiling and commenting on how soft and fun it was. That day, we used the rug for morning choice games, and I immediately noticed how much more engaged and comfortable they were. Having a dedicated gathering space has helped bring us closer as a class community.\r\n\r\nSince then, the rug has become the focal point of our classroom. We use it daily for independent work, small group discussions, and collaborative lessons. Students anxiously wait for times throughout the day when they can move around the room and gather on the rug. It has turned our classroom into a more welcoming and interactive environment.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we'll continue using the rug as the central spot for many of our units, from literature circles to collaborative projects and games. My students are already asking when they'll get to meet on the rug next, and it's clear that this space has transformed the way we learn together. Thanks to your generosity, our classroom now has a gathering place that will support both learning and community-building for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1755693120883,"projectUrl":"project/gathering-rug/9420077/","projectTitle":"Gathering Rug","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Alley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7931615_orig.png?crop=160,160,x0,y4&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1750190241427","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7931615"},{"teacherId":4837176,"projectId":9296880,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my sincere appreciation for the recent addition of new on-stage gear—specifically guitar racks and microphone stands—which has made a significant impact on the success and professionalism of our student performances in the community.\r\n\r\nBefore receiving this equipment, our setup for gigs often felt disorganized. Students had to lay guitars on the ground between songs, increasing the risk of damage and causing unnecessary stress during transitions. We also struggled with outdated or unstable microphone stands, which disrupted performances and affected students' confidence on stage.\r\n\r\nThe new guitar racks have been a game-changer. They allow students to safely and efficiently store multiple instruments during a set, which is particularly helpful during performances that involve switching between guitars. This small but essential improvement has helped performances flow more smoothly and has taught students the importance of gear care and stage readiness.\r\n\r\nThe sturdy, adjustable microphone stands have also greatly enhanced our performances. They're easy to set up, adjust, and transport, which reduces setup time and allows students to focus on their music rather than technical difficulties. Most importantly, the stands provide a professional stage presence that reinforces the seriousness and pride our students bring to their craft.\r\n\r\nHaving reliable, quality gear has empowered our students to take more ownership of their performances. It has also made it easier to accept and plan community gigs, knowing we can deliver polished, organized, and safe shows for both performers and audiences.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping us provide our students with the tools they need to grow as confident musicians and positive representatives of our program in the community.","fullyFundedDate":1746446832763,"projectUrl":"project/new-on-stage-gear-for-our-guitar-concert/9296880/","projectTitle":"New On Stage Gear for Our Guitar Concerts","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Gerry","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4837176_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1506518786747","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4837176"},{"teacherId":4837176,"projectId":9289251,"letterContent":"I am writing to share the positive impact the Positive Grid guitar amplifier has had on my guitar classes, particularly when we perform in community settings. As an instructor dedicated to providing enriching musical experiences for my students, I've found that having access to this amplifier has significantly improved both the quality and logistics of our performances.\r\n\r\nBefore using the Positive Grid amp, setting up for community gigs was often a challenge. Traditional amps were bulky, required extensive cabling, and didn't always offer the flexibility we needed in outdoor or non-traditional venues. With the Positive Grid amplifier, these issues have been effectively resolved.\r\n\r\nThe amplifier's compact size and portability make transportation easy, even when we're setting up in spaces like libraries, parks, or community centers. Its user-friendly interface allows students to quickly adjust tones and settings to match different songs or playing styles, fostering their independence and confidence on stage. In addition, the amp's built-in effects and Bluetooth capability allow us to enhance performances without needing extra gear, which is incredibly helpful when we're limited on space or time.\r\n\r\nPerhaps most importantly, the sound quality is exceptional. It ensures that our music reaches the audience clearly and professionally, which helps validate the hard work and practice my students put into each performance. This has led to an increase in community invitations and more opportunities for students to engage with local audiences, boosting their motivation and sense of purpose as musicians.\r\n\r\nThe Positive Grid amplifier has truly elevated our outreach efforts and made student performances more successful and enjoyable for everyone involved. I'm grateful for the innovation and accessibility this equipment brings to our program.","fullyFundedDate":1746446771370,"projectUrl":"project/positive-grid-live-number-2-for-our-bass/9289251/","projectTitle":"Positive-Grid-Live Number 2 for our Bass Rig and Touring","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Gerry","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4837176_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1506518786747","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4837176"},{"teacherId":4837176,"projectId":9289034,"letterContent":"I am writing to share the positive impact the Positive Grid guitar amplifier has had on my guitar classes, particularly when we perform in community settings. As an instructor dedicated to providing enriching musical experiences for my students, I've found that having access to this amplifier has significantly improved both the quality and logistics of our performances.\r\n\r\nBefore using the Positive Grid amp, setting up for community gigs was often a challenge. Traditional amps were bulky, required extensive cabling, and didn't always offer the flexibility we needed in outdoor or non-traditional venues. With the Positive Grid amplifier, these issues have been effectively resolved.\r\n\r\nThe amplifier's compact size and portability make transportation easy, even when we're setting up in spaces like libraries, parks, or community centers. Its user-friendly interface allows students to quickly adjust tones and settings to match different songs or playing styles, fostering their independence and confidence on stage. In addition, the amp's built-in effects and Bluetooth capability allow us to enhance performances without needing extra gear, which is incredibly helpful when we're limited on space or time.\r\n\r\nPerhaps most importantly, the sound quality is exceptional. It ensures that our music reaches the audience clearly and professionally, which helps validate the hard work and practice my students put into each performance. This has led to an increase in community invitations and more opportunities for students to engage with local audiences, boosting their motivation and sense of purpose as musicians.\r\n\r\nThe Positive Grid amplifier has truly elevated our outreach efforts and made student performances more successful and enjoyable for everyone involved. I'm grateful for the innovation and accessibility this equipment brings to our program.","fullyFundedDate":1746446655709,"projectUrl":"project/positive-grid-live-for-our-guitar-class/9289034/","projectTitle":"Positive-Grid-Live for Our Guitar Class to Use for Live Gigs","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Gerry","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4837176_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1506518786747","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4837176"},{"teacherId":4837176,"projectId":8773207,"letterContent":"On behalf of my students and myself, I want to express our heartfelt thanks for your generous donation to our classroom. The beautiful red Hagstrom Viking electric guitar has already made a profound impact on our music program. The quality of the instrument is outstanding, and it has quickly become a favorite among our students. The crisp sound, smooth playability, and striking design have not only inspired our musicians but have also brought a sense of pride to our classroom.\r\n\r\nThe students absolutely love the guitar, and it has elevated their playing to new levels. Whether they are practicing chords, learning solos, or exploring different genres, the guitar's rich tone and versatility have made every practice session more exciting and engaging. I've noticed an increase in confidence and enthusiasm among the students, as they feel truly connected to this high-quality instrument. It has been amazing to witness their growth and see their musical abilities flourish thanks to your generous contribution.\r\n\r\nWe are so incredibly grateful for your donation. It's people like you who make a lasting difference in the lives of students and help create opportunities that otherwise wouldn't exist. Your support is not just an investment in an instrument, but an investment in the dreams and future of these young musicians. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for believing in our students and our program.","fullyFundedDate":1730400195408,"projectUrl":"project/a-semi-hollow-bodied-electric-guitar-bea/8773207/","projectTitle":"A Semi-Hollow Bodied Electric Guitar Beauty for Our Guitar Class!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Gerry","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4837176_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1506518786747","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4837176"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_57354","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":782,"numTeachers":56,"percentFrplEligible":62,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":51,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":34,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"14.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"TOWN_REMOTE"},"inStateSupporters":71.7,"schoolId":57354,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about South Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"South Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/kansas/salina-unified-school-district-305/south-middle-school/57354"}