{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Donald McKay K-8 School","outOfStateSupporters":38.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2001020,"projectId":9026368,"letterContent":"What a difference these supplies have made in our classroom! In the past, we didn't have enough caddies to go around. Kids often had to wait to share materials with 3 or 4 other students. Now, we have enough caddies so that every 2 kids sitting at desks has a caddy to share. There are also enough caddies so that students can take them to our flexible seating spots around the room. \r\n\r\nIn our new caddies, one of the things the kids were very excited about was having enough skin-colored colored pencils to put a full set in every caddy. So, students always have the tools they need to represent themselves accurately. I don't think I can truly communicate how much this bolsters students' sense of their own value. Instead of calling the peach crayon \"skin-colored,\" students know that there are many skin colors, and none of them is better than another.\r\n\r\nAnother really exciting addition to our classroom was the monster pencil sharpeners. These sharpeners are so awesome. Not only do they look like robots (which the kids love), but they automatically sharpen pencils to the right size and then push them out so kids can grab them. Since they are meant to handle the softer leads of colored pencils, I don't have to worry about the leads getting stuck in the sharpeners and jamming them. Since they are rechargeable, students can take the sharpeners with them if needed.\r\n\r\nThese materials have really made a difference in the everyday workings of our classroom. Students are able to represent themselves well and have the tools they need right at their fingertips. \r\n\r\nThank you so much for helping my students to have everything they need to be and FEEL successful and worthy.","fullyFundedDate":1746751699122,"projectUrl":"project/skin-like-mine/9026368/","projectTitle":"Skin Like Mine!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ruhling","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2001020_orig.jpg?crop=1756,1756,x0,y1468&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1673456593091","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/tanyaruhling"},{"teacherId":3768077,"projectId":9826410,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to my classrooms! Your generosity has allowed for my 4 and 5 year olds to have much needed flexibility in the ways they sit in our classroom.\r\n As you know, it's not always easy to sit in one place for a long time. Imagine how hard that is for the little ones! They work so hard every day, and having the options to sit on our new seats makes their day just a tiny bit easier. \r\n Once, again, thank you so so much for supporting our public school students. Your generosity is so appreciated.","fullyFundedDate":1761934395366,"projectUrl":"project/seating-options-for-the-tiniest-learners/9826410/","projectTitle":"Seating Options for the Tiniest Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tritto","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3768077_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1760392332634","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-tritto"},{"teacherId":9331920,"projectId":9785753,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our chess club! Because of your generosity, our students now have four complete chess sets to use every week at chess club, and they are making the most of them.\r\n\r\nFrom the moment the materials arrived, the excitement was clear. Students were eager to open the boxes, set up the boards, and start playing right away. Each week at chess club, they gather around the boards to practice their moves, try out opening strategies, and challenge one another. It has been amazing to watch their confidence grow as they begin to think ahead, solve problems, and learn from each game they play.\r\n\r\nBeyond the game itself, these chess sets are helping students build important skills like concentration, spatial reasoning, and patience. They are also learning to show good sportsmanship and respect, celebrating each other's progress and encouraging one another to keep improving. The quality of the boards has made a big difference, and students take pride in using them carefully and thoughtfully.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, students will continue to develop their skills and strategies. They are already beginning to recognize patterns, plan their moves more carefully, and explore new tactics together. Our goal is to keep building a strong, supportive chess community where students feel challenged and excited to learn.\r\n\r\nThank you again for helping create this opportunity. Your support has truly made a meaningful impact in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1765555134770,"projectUrl":"project/checkmate-starting-up-a-chess-club/9785753/","projectTitle":"Checkmate! Starting Up a Chess Club","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Huynh","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9331920_orig.jpg?crop=576,576,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1734824850563","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9331920"},{"teacherId":1507863,"projectId":9331062,"letterContent":"I started this school year with 10 mats that were of decent quality for 20 students. Those that I had were not regulation size (2 in) and I was worried how I would be able to find more for the students I had. With your donation, I could provide 20 mats that are regulation size, have slots for name tags, and are cozy and comfortable for my 20 students. Each of the students can sleep in peace, off of the floor, and you also provided sheets for every student to use so they feel at home. Little things like this make an inclusion prek classroom a little but kinder and safer. I am forever grateful for your donations!","fullyFundedDate":1746814471839,"projectUrl":"project/sleeping-like-superstars/9331062/","projectTitle":"Sleeping like Superstars!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dana","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1507863_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1485789627559","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-dana"},{"teacherId":1507863,"projectId":9242878,"letterContent":"I can't thank you enough for the generosity you have shown my students this school year. I was entering a new classroom that had not enough cubbies, mats, and storage for all of my students, a full class of 20 with only 10 mats and 12 cubbies for everyone to share. Having the extra materials and space for everyone has been so wonderful, and keeps our things separate and makes all the students feel at home. Additionally, being a new teacher at a school and being able to create a beautiful and inviting space for all my students after being out of the classroom for 2 years in a coach role has made me feel at peace. You are all amazing!","fullyFundedDate":1746787385409,"projectUrl":"project/everybody-needs-their-own-space/9242878/","projectTitle":"Everybody Needs Their Own Space","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dana","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1507863_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1485789627559","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-dana"},{"teacherId":3785523,"projectId":9869351,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our balloon-powered buggy project! Your generosity provided the materials my students needed to design, build, and test vehicles as they applied their knowledge of forces and motion. Having real supplies like balloons, wheels, axles, and sturdy building materials, allowed them to move from theory to hands-on experimentation.\r\n\r\nStudents were fully engaged as they worked to create the fastest, most efficient balloon-powered vehicle. They tested different designs, analyzed why some moved farther or faster, and made revisions based on their observations. This project helped them see how unbalanced forces, friction, and mass directly affect motion in a way that simply isn't possible through worksheets or demonstrations alone.\r\n\r\nThank you again for making this exciting learning experience possible. Your support truly brought science to life for my students!","fullyFundedDate":1763563267130,"projectUrl":"project/ready-set-inflate-engineering-in-acti/9869351/","projectTitle":"Ready, Set, Inflate! Engineering in Action","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Thayer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3785523_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1472072826429","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3785523"},{"teacherId":3785523,"projectId":9856714,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for providing our classroom with new digital scales and the batteries to power them. My students were excited the moment they saw the scales and enjoyed learning how to properly use and care for them.\r\n\r\nWe are already using the scales to find the mass of different objects so students can make accurate calculations about force in our upcoming lessons. They will also use them to explore the relationship between mass and volume as we move into density investigations.\r\n\r\nYour support gave my students tools that make abstract concepts hands-on and understandable. Thank you for making this possible for our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1761945927255,"projectUrl":"project/mass-tering-science-one-scale-at-a-time/9856714/","projectTitle":"Mass-tering Science, One Scale at a Time","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Thayer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3785523_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1472072826429","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3785523"},{"teacherId":303508,"projectId":9660157,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation and for giving us the opportunity to enhance our classroom with these incredible reading resources. Your support has truly made a difference in our students' learning experiences.\r\n\r\nWe are using the new materials every day during our foundational reading block. Students rotate through small-group stations using the whiteboards, dry erase markers, erasers, alphabet magnets, and manipulatives to build phonics and early reading skills. One especially meaningful moment was watching a student who typically struggles with letter–sound correspondence confidently segment and blend a word using the alphabet magnets. Being able to manipulate letters, erase mistakes, and try again has helped build both skill and confidence.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, their excitement was immediate. They were eager to explore everything and proud to have their own tools to use during reading time. Several students asked if we could begin reading right away. The new resources made literacy instruction feel special and engaging, and the enthusiasm carried through our entire lesson.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, students will continue strengthening phonics, decoding, and word-building skills through guided reading groups and independent practice. They will use these materials to build words, write sentences, and apply their skills to reading simple texts with greater accuracy and confidence. These resources will also support differentiated instruction, allowing each student to progress at their own pace.\r\n\r\nThank you again for giving our students hands-on tools that support their growth as readers. Your generosity has created meaningful learning opportunities that will have a lasting impact.","fullyFundedDate":1762923045018,"projectUrl":"project/multi-sensory-reading/9660157/","projectTitle":"Multi Sensory Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. D.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp303508_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1474720282611","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/missdiprizio"},{"teacherId":10246635,"projectId":9694472,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our school nurse's office now has a wheelchair that is already helping students in moments of need. We use it to safely transport students who are injured, dizzy, or experiencing medical emergencies, allowing them to remain calm and comfortable when walking isn't safe.\r\n\r\nWhen the wheelchair arrived, students were curious and excited to see it, and it sparked conversations about helping others and caring for one another. Most importantly, it reassured them that support is always available when they need it.\r\n\r\nYour support has made our school a safer, more compassionate place. This wheelchair will continue to play an important role in caring for our students every day.","fullyFundedDate":1758834025984,"projectUrl":"project/a-wheelchair-for-student-safety-in-medic/9694472/","projectTitle":"A Wheelchair for Student Safety in Medical Emergencies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jess","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10246635"},{"teacherId":5187020,"projectId":9831627,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom library project! My 6th grade students are endlessly curious, energetic, and full of imagination—and because of your generosity, they now have access to books that truly speak to who they are and who they are becoming.\r\n\r\nWhen our new titles arrived, the excitement was immediate. Students gathered around the boxes, pointing out books they recognized, eagerly grabbing ones that matched their interests, and discovering stories they can't wait to dive into. Even some of my more reluctant readers—those who often struggle to find books that feel \"just right\"—were suddenly asking, \"Can I read this one next?\"\r\n\r\nYour contribution didn't just add books to a shelf; it opened doors. These books give students the chance to choose stories that make them laugh, think deeply, see themselves reflected, and explore worlds far beyond our classroom. Each new title helps build their confidence as readers and strengthens our growing community of learners who read because they want to, not because they have to.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in the power of choice, curiosity, and imagination. Your support made a real and lasting impact, and my students feel it every time they pull a new book from the shelf.","fullyFundedDate":1760923816227,"projectUrl":"project/books-our-readers-cant-wait-to-read/9831627/","projectTitle":"Books Our Readers Can’t Wait to Read!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mele","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5187020_orig.png?crop=469,469,x20,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1572371447160","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5187020"},{"teacherId":9564412,"projectId":9757068,"letterContent":"I cannot thank you enough for your incredible generosity and support! Thanks to your donation, our theater classroom now has a water-cooled air conditioner unit, and it has already transformed our learning environment.\r\n\r\nBefore this project was funded, our classroom often became uncomfortably warm, especially during rehearsals and performance-based activities. Theater is a very physical art form; my students are constantly moving, using their bodies, voices, and imaginations to bring stories to life. On hot days, the heat made it difficult for them to focus, stay energized, and fully engage in their creative work. Now, with our new cooling system, the room stays comfortable and calm no matter what the weather is outside.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has not only improved the physical environment of our classroom but it has strengthened our sense of community. You've shown my students that there are people beyond our school who believe in them and in the power of the arts. Thank you for helping our young artists dream big!","fullyFundedDate":1760359797590,"projectUrl":"project/keep-ms-ms-classroom-cool/9757068/","projectTitle":"Keep Ms. M's Classroom Cool","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. M","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9564412"},{"teacherId":2216807,"projectId":9545060,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating to our project! We use the materials daily in our classroom and they have already made a huge impact on our year. Our students love reading in the new chairs, using the Dustbuster to clean up their spills, sharpening their colored pencils in our new sharpener, learning their trick words with index cards, and creating art projects that align with their learning using the paint and clay. They have also thoroughly enjoyed reading the new books and reread them frequently during independent reading. As teachers, we greatly appreciate the labels, so we are able to organize materials and student work. \r\n\r\nThank you again for your support! It is truly appreciated!","fullyFundedDate":1755704405518,"projectUrl":"project/engaging-start-to-the-new-school-year/9545060/","projectTitle":"Engaging Start to the New School Year!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Antonucci","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2216807"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_62854","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":640,"numTeachers":52,"percentFrplEligible":78,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":3,"percentWhite":8,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":87,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"12.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":61.6,"schoolId":62854,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Donald McKay K-8 School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Donald McKay K-8 School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/massachusetts/boston-public-schools/mckay-elementary-school/62854"}