{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Benton Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":42.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10388527,"projectId":9967930,"letterContent":"Many of the students I serve have complex sensory and visual needs that require intentional, hands-on instruction. Sensory and tactile materials help students regulate their bodies, build attention, and actively engage in learning. For students with visual impairments, learning is often supported through touch, movement, and sensory exploration, especially when vision alone is not reliable.\r\nThe sensory and tactile items in this project support foundational skills such as exploration, cause-and-effect understanding, fine motor development, and sustained engagement. These materials allow students to safely explore objects through touch while pairing tactile information with visual input.\r\nI also work with students who have low vision and rely on their remaining vision to access instruction. The handheld magnifiers included in this project allow students to read print, view classroom materials, and participate more independently. Magnifiers support visual efficiency and reduce eye fatigue.\r\nMany students I serve have cerebral (cortical) visual impairment (CVI), a neurological condition in which the eyes may be healthy, but the brain has difficulty processing visual information. For students with CVI, vision must be intentionally taught using materials that reduce visual complexity and strengthen visual processing.\r\nThe items in this project support visual attention, visual recognition, and visual-motor integration. Light-up, brightly colored, and high-contrast toys help attract visual attention and encourage intentional visual use. Switch-activated toys allow students to activate lighted or high-contrast objects, reinforcing visual engagement.\r\nBooks designed for students with CVI feature simplified images, high contrast, and reduced clutter, supporting early literacy and visual recognition. Large-knob puzzles are used to develop visual-motor skills; we paint puzzle backgrounds black to eliminate clutter and increase contrast, a well-established CVI strategy.\r\nA classroom chair supports instruction at eye level, which is critical for students using wheelchairs or specialized seating.\r\nThese materials are intentional instructional tools and are essential for helping students with CVI and other visual impairments access learning and build independence.","fullyFundedDate":1767118230045,"projectUrl":"project/low-vision-cvi/9967930/","projectTitle":"Low Vision/ CVI","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Westfall","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10388527"},{"teacherId":6218790,"projectId":9987076,"letterContent":"Your generous support has made a meaningful difference in the daily lives of our middle school students. The hygiene items you helped provide—such as deodorant and feminine care products—are being used regularly by students who may not otherwise have access to them. These essentials are discreetly available in the library and restrooms, allowing students to take what they need with dignity and privacy. By meeting these basic needs, you are helping remove barriers to learning and allowing students to focus more fully on their education.\r\n\r\nThe impact has been immediate and deeply positive. Students have expressed gratitude, often quietly but sincerely, and there has been a noticeable increase in confidence among those who benefit from these items. Some students who were previously self-conscious are now more comfortable participating in class and social interactions. Others have shared how relieved they feel knowing these supplies are available when they need them.\r\n\r\nBecause of your kindness, our school environment is more supportive, inclusive, and compassionate. You've helped create a space where students feel cared for and respected, and that sense of security carries over into their academic success and personal growth. Thank you for investing in our students' well-being and helping them show up each day ready to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1773751064845,"projectUrl":"project/clean-confident-and-ready-to-learn/9987076/","projectTitle":"Clean, Confident, and Ready to Learn","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bean","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6218790_orig.jpg?crop=2320,2320,x0,y487&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1614262991370","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6218790"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_10759","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":813,"numTeachers":51,"percentFrplEligible":30,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":13,"percentWhite":74,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":7,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":2,"gradesServed":"7 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"15.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":57.1,"schoolId":10759,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Benton Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Benton Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/louisiana/bossier-parish-school-district/benton-middle-school/10759"}