{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Ellen Ochoa Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":68.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":650279,"projectId":9958915,"letterContent":"Thank you for fully funding our \"Habits of a Successful Beginner Band Musician (Part 2)\" project! Since being funded, I have taken concepts and skills from this method book and have used them in class. I plan on using it more in-depth next school year.\r\n\r\nThe method book is built different than other method books. I like how it starts with exercises on the mouthpiece, mouthpiece and barrel, reed, bocal and reed, and headjoint before playing the first notes in the book. It then has sequential rhythm charts. These same rhythms are then presented with pitches for a seamless transfer to the music students are performing.\r\n\r\nThe sequential introduction of the one-handed breakdown of a percussion rudiment before introducing the rudiment itself.\r\n\r\nThe use of the \"enharmonic ladder\" and the \"call-and-response game\" to learn enharmonic notes.\r\n\r\nTwo pages of slow \"clarinets only\" work that focuses on going over the break and throat tones.\r\n\r\nI truly appreciate you for taking the time to scroll past our project and show my students how much you care about them and music.\r\n\r\nI appreciate DonorsChoose and what they do to help teachers like me get the necessary resources we need to make wonderful music every day.\r\n\r\nThank you for your support!\r\n\r\nWith gratitude,\r\nMr. Dignen","fullyFundedDate":1771091719118,"projectUrl":"project/habits-of-a-successful-beginner-band-mus/9958915/","projectTitle":"Habits of a Successful Beginner Band Musician (Part 2)","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Dignen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp650279_orig.jpg?crop=1346,1346,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1692936778690","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tdignen"},{"teacherId":650279,"projectId":9958931,"letterContent":"Thank you for fully funding our \"Habits of a Successful Beginner Band Musician (Part 1)\" project! Since being funded, I have taken concepts and skills from this method book and have used them in class. I plan on using it more in-depth next school year. \r\n\r\nThe method book is built different than other method books. I like how it starts with exercises on the mouthpiece, mouthpiece and barrel, reed, bocal and reed, and headjoint before playing the first notes in the book. It then has sequential rhythm charts. These same rhythms are then presented with pitches for a seamless transfer to the music students are performing. \r\n\r\nThe sequential introduction of the one-handed breakdown of a percussion rudiment before introducing the rudiment itself. \r\n\r\nThe use of the \"enharmonic ladder\" and the \"call-and-response game\" to learn enharmonic notes.\r\n \r\nTwo pages of slow \"clarinets only\" work that focuses on going over the break and throat tones. \r\n\r\nI truly appreciate you for taking the time to scroll past our project and show my students how much you care about them and music. \r\n\r\nI appreciate DonorsChoose and what they do to help teachers like me get the necessary resources we need to make wonderful music every day. \r\n\r\nThank you for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1768446809232,"projectUrl":"project/habits-of-a-successful-beginner-band-mus/9958931/","projectTitle":"Habits of a Successful Beginner Band Musician (Part 1)","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Dignen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp650279_orig.jpg?crop=1346,1346,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1692936778690","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tdignen"},{"teacherId":650279,"projectId":9615846,"letterContent":"Thank you for fully funding our \"Reed Guards\" project! Since being funded, I have given out reeds to students to replenish the ones that were no longer useful due to cracks or simply worn out, and also gave them a reed guard. \r\n\r\nA quality reed goes a long way, and with their reed guards, they are learning how to take care of their reeds so that they last a lot longer. The reed guards hold 4 reeds, and they rotate one reed each time they play. I truly appreciate you for taking the time to scroll past our project and show my students how much you care about them and music. \r\n\r\nI appreciate DonorsChoose and what they do to help teachers like me get the necessary resources we need to make wonderful music every day. \r\n\r\nThank you for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1765683516779,"projectUrl":"project/reed-guards-needed-for-woodwind-students/9615846/","projectTitle":"Reed Guards Needed for Woodwind Students!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Dignen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp650279_orig.jpg?crop=1346,1346,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1692936778690","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tdignen"},{"teacherId":650279,"projectId":9615832,"letterContent":"Thank you for fully funding our \"Trumpets need Mutes\" project! Since being funded, I showed the trumpets our mutes, and one of them asked, \"What is that?\" I chuckled and showed them on my own trumpet what it was and what it does to their sound. I then let them try it on their own instrument. \r\n\r\nThese are quality straight mutes. Music that we currently play includes straight mutes. We were unable to play the music with the mutes until now. I truly appreciate you for taking the time to scroll past our project and show my students how much you care about them and music. \r\n\r\nI appreciate DonorsChoose and what they do to help teachers like me get the necessary resources we need to make wonderful music every day. \r\n\r\nThank you for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1765684408458,"projectUrl":"project/trumpets-need-mutes/9615832/","projectTitle":"Trumpets need Mutes!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Dignen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp650279_orig.jpg?crop=1346,1346,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1692936778690","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tdignen"},{"teacherId":650279,"projectId":9615805,"letterContent":"Thank you for fully funding our \"Shoulder Rests & Stoppers for Excellent Orchestra Posture\"! Since being funded, I have given shoulder rests and stoppers to all violin, viola, and cellists in our two orchestras. \r\n\r\nQuality shoulder rests and stoppers go a long way. I truly appreciate you for taking the time to scroll past our project and show my students how much you care about them and music. \r\n\r\nI appreciate DonorsChoose and what they do to help teachers like me get the necessary resources we need to make wonderful music every day. \r\n\r\nThank you for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1765684027341,"projectUrl":"project/shoulder-rests-stoppers-for-excellent/9615805/","projectTitle":"Shoulder Rests & Stoppers for Excellent Orchestra Posture!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Dignen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp650279_orig.jpg?crop=1346,1346,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1692936778690","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tdignen"},{"teacherId":650279,"projectId":9504912,"letterContent":"Thank you for fully funding our \"Our Printer Needs Toner\" project! Since being funded, I have printed and copied numerous sheets of music and material for the students that were not able to be taken care of before this project due to the toner running extremely low. \r\n\r\nIt's important to have a good stock of toner for printing and copying so that the music can be seen clearly. I cannot tell you how many times I've copied music and you can barely see the lines of the staff because the copier is almost empty or there are streaks across the paper because the copier is dirty. \r\n\r\nI truly appreciate you for taking the time to scroll past our project and show my students how much you care about them and music. \r\n\r\nI appreciate DonorsChoose and what they do to help teachers like me get the necessary resources we need to make wonderful music every day. \r\n\r\nThank you for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1765684505737,"projectUrl":"project/our-printer-needs-toner/9504912/","projectTitle":"Our Printer Needs Toner!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Dignen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp650279_orig.jpg?crop=1346,1346,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1692936778690","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tdignen"},{"teacherId":10060415,"projectId":9878998,"letterContent":"Our classroom technology project has transformed the way my 6th grade students engage with learning by turning them into creators rather than just consumers of content. Using the iPad, tripod, ring light, and microphones, students are now able to plan, record, and edit their own videos as part of our Technology class. This process integrates multiple skills at once: writing scripts, organizing ideas, collaborating in teams, and developing digital literacy. Instead of completing traditional assignments, students bring their ideas to life through video projects, which has significantly increased both their motivation and the quality of their work.\r\n\r\nWhat excites students most about this new equipment is the sense of professionalism it brings to their projects. They take pride in setting up their \"studio,\" experimenting with camera angles, and improving sound quality. Editing their videos is often their favorite part, as they can add effects, transitions, and refine their storytelling. This hands-on experience helps them better understand how media is created and encourages creativity in a way that traditional tools simply cannot match.\r\n\r\nI have seen particularly strong engagement from students who do not always excel in more traditional academic tasks. This technology has created an inclusive environment where every student can contribute in a meaningful way and discover new strengths.","fullyFundedDate":1769178280198,"projectUrl":"project/future-filmmakers-telling-stories-throu/9878998/","projectTitle":"Future Filmmakers: Telling Stories Through Video","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Serra Garcia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10060415_orig.jpg?crop=1056,1056,x309,y144&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1750433278257","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10060415"},{"teacherId":650279,"projectId":9578490,"letterContent":"Thank you for fully funding our reeds for woodwind students project! Since being funded, I have given out reeds to students to replenish the ones that were no longer useful due to cracks or simply worn out. \r\n\r\nA quality reed goes a long way, and with their reed guards, they are learning how to take care of their reeds so that they last a lot longer. I truly appreciate you for taking the time to scroll past our project and show my students how much you care about them and music. \r\n\r\nI appreciate DonorsChoose and what they do to help teachers like me get the necessary resources we need to make wonderful music every day. \r\n\r\nThank you for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1760693808460,"projectUrl":"project/reeds-for-woodwind-students/9578490/","projectTitle":"Reeds for Woodwind Students!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Dignen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp650279_orig.jpg?crop=1346,1346,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1692936778690","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tdignen"},{"teacherId":9812009,"projectId":9425155,"letterContent":"The \"Flamenco\" project has been an inspiring success. Our students were deeply engaged and delighted by the opportunity to explore guitar chords using tablets and to experience the music in a rich, immersive way. By dividing the class into groups, with some students learning the guitar parts while others expressed themselves through dance, we created a vibrant and memorable experience that blended music, movement, and culture.\r\n\r\nWe are profoundly grateful for your generosity, which has made it possible for our students to learn, grow, and connect through the beauty of flamenco. Your support has brought joy and motivation into our classroom, and it will continue to inspire our students long after this project.","fullyFundedDate":1752586547979,"projectUrl":"project/feel-the-passion-of-flamenco-music-cul/9425155/","projectTitle":"Feel the Passion of Flamenco: Music, Culture and Connection","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Palacios","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9812009_orig.jpg?crop=3189,3189,x0,y659&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758648421391","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9812009"},{"teacherId":650279,"projectId":8663150,"letterContent":"We want to thank you for your support in fully funding this project!\r\n\r\nThe stools for the bass players come in handy. Not only can bass players play standing up, but they can also play sitting down (on a stool). There is a specific way to sit on the stool, but it allows the student to play for longer periods without fatigue. \r\n\r\nThey are also great because they are adjustable. Each new school year, students are fitted for a bass and a stool. They are then labeled so that there is no guessing whose stool is whose.\r\n\r\nThank you for making orchestra and bass playing a bit easier for our students!","fullyFundedDate":1724088526825,"projectUrl":"project/bass-players-in-need-of-stools/8663150/","projectTitle":"Bass Players in Need of Stools!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Dignen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp650279_orig.jpg?crop=1346,1346,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1692936778690","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tdignen"},{"teacherId":650279,"projectId":8662987,"letterContent":"Wow! Thank you for your support! This paper came just in time for our brand new building and school year! We needed this paper because paper was hard to come by as we opened the new building. \r\n\r\nThe students have the resources they need to succeed due to having enough paper to make the copies that I needed. We really appreciate your kindness and donations to each and every one of our projects. \r\n\r\nI hope you continue to follow us as we start our new school year. We are always looking to take things to the next level. \r\n\r\nThank you!","fullyFundedDate":1724110728874,"projectUrl":"project/paper-paper-we-need-paper/8662987/","projectTitle":"Paper! Paper! We Need Paper!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Dignen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp650279_orig.jpg?crop=1346,1346,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1692936778690","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tdignen"},{"teacherId":650279,"projectId":8662103,"letterContent":"We want to thank you for donating to this project. The band program had many beginners last year, and the reeds and spray came in handy last year. \r\n\r\nI have all the beginners fill out a form with their top three choice instruments that they would like to play with some other information. Once they do that, I have them play test each mouthpiece (even the ones that they didn't pick). \r\n\r\nThey may surprise themselves, whereas they may have picked a clarinet, but cannot get a sound out of the mouthpiece/barrel. However, they are good at buzzing on a trumpet mouthpiece.\r\n\r\nIn the end, the decision is still theirs, but we do have a decent success rate of picking students and the best instrument for them when we do it this way. \r\n\r\nThank you again for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1723843374180,"projectUrl":"project/woodwind-reeds-mouthpiece-cleaner-for/8662103/","projectTitle":"Woodwind Reeds & Mouthpiece Cleaner for Instrument Tests!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Dignen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp650279_orig.jpg?crop=1346,1346,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1692936778690","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tdignen"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_133923","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":401,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":72,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":51,"percentWhite":3,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":40,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR District Weighted Average","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":null},"inStateSupporters":31.3,"schoolId":133923,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Ellen Ochoa Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Ellen Ochoa Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/maryland/prince-george-s-county-public-schools/ellen-ochoa-middle-school/133923"}