{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Mario Umana Academy","outOfStateSupporters":35.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2724600,"projectId":9793637,"letterContent":"It was a great joy to add our new books to the collection and show them off to students. Manga has become the most widely requested and circulated genre in our library. Students are consistently checking our (still small) Manga section for new titles and sometimes requesting specific series. Recently, younger students have become interested, too, so it was especially wonderful to find some titles that were appropriate for younger elementary students. Anything that gets books into kids' hands is a huge win, as screens take away reading time more and more\r\n\r\nThe place value chart has become a tool for highlighting the number of books that have been checked-out so far this year. Kids and adults are always curious about why we have a number display near our readaloud area, and it's so much fun to have them guess and then gape with surprise to hear that over 3,000 books (as of January 30) have been checked out of our library. I remind them that our big goal in the library is to discover books we love, and to model a positive reading life for our peers and teachers. \r\n\r\nThank you for supporting our library in ways that make students happy to be in our space and excited about the space and the collection.","fullyFundedDate":1762402578903,"projectUrl":"project/manga-additions/9793637/","projectTitle":"Manga Additions","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Shirman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2724600_orig.png?crop=680,680,x0,y97&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756993754788","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/hagar"},{"teacherId":6477290,"projectId":9864190,"letterContent":"Thank you so very much for the generous donation to our project. I am always amazed and heartened by the DonorsChoose community and how they always rally together to support our students.\r\n\r\nWith this project, I am constantly able to provide my students with healthy snacks that help them get through their day. Being able to provide a healthy snack and food source, especially for students who may not always have that access, is invaluable. My students and I are very appreciative of this resource and support.","fullyFundedDate":1763494141893,"projectUrl":"project/snack-attack/9864190/","projectTitle":"Snack Attack!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Harris","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6477290"},{"teacherId":9044729,"projectId":9643104,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of headphones for my 4th grade classroom. I am incredibly grateful for your support and kindness.\r\n\r\nBecause of your donation, my students now have reliable access to technology in a way that truly supports their learning. The headphones have made a meaningful difference during independent reading, small-group instruction, assessments, and online learning programs. Students are better able to focus, work at their own pace, and engage more confidently without distractions.\r\n\r\nThe impact has been especially powerful for students who benefit from listening to text, language supports, or repeated directions. Having their own headphones has helped them feel more independent and successful, and it has allowed me to better differentiate instruction to meet the diverse needs of my classroom.\r\n\r\nThank you for your generosity towards my students and for being a part of their learning journey.\r\n\r\nWith sincere appreciation,\r\nJoseline Montes Ruiz","fullyFundedDate":1756432249204,"projectUrl":"project/headphones-to-amplify-learning/9643104/","projectTitle":"Headphones to Amplify Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Montes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9044729_orig.png?crop=1255,1255,x0,y62&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683847435444","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/montesruiz"},{"teacherId":10037581,"projectId":9680586,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our Unified Soccer Team. Because of you, our students now have new soccer balls and cones that are already making a meaningful impact on our practices and our team culture.\r\nWe have been using the new soccer balls and cones during Unified Soccer practices to prepare for the Special Olympics Unified Soccer Tournament we participated in this fall. The balls allowed every student to fully participate in dribbling, passing, and shooting drills, while the cones helped us set up structured stations, small-sided games, and clear boundaries to support safe and successful participation for all. One of my favorite moments was watching students from our ESD, ABA, and general education classes working together in a passing drill, encouraging one another, celebrating successful passes, and problem-solving as a team. Those moments of connection and teamwork truly defined our season.\r\nWhen the students first saw the new equipment, they were beyond excited. There were smiles, cheers, and lots of \"Can we use them today?\" right away. Many students took pride in knowing that these materials were just for them and their team. The excitement carried into practice, where students were more engaged, confident, and motivated to try new skills.\r\nOur Unified Soccer Team is all about inclusion, students with and without disabilities coming together to learn, play, and support one another. These resources helped us build confidence as athletes while also strengthening communication, teamwork, and friendships. Students from different programs formed new connections, played side by side, and made memories that extended far beyond the soccer field.\r\nNext, we will continue using these materials to build on the skills we learned this season and to grow our Unified Sports program. The soccer balls and cones will remain an essential part of future practices, skill-building lessons, and inclusive team activities as we continue fostering a culture of acceptance, pride, and unity within our school.\r\nThank you for giving our students the opportunity to shine together. Your generosity made a lasting difference in their experience, their confidence, and their friendships.\r\nWith sincere gratitude,\r\nA very thankful Unified Soccer Team and teacher","fullyFundedDate":1758017634578,"projectUrl":"project/building-unity-through-soccer-equipment/9680586/","projectTitle":"Building Unity Through Soccer: Equipment for All","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Capra","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10037581_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1764648382957","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10037581"},{"teacherId":4964593,"projectId":9591790,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity.\r\nYour support has directly impacted all of my elementary school students. They love coming to art class! I'm building in language development and social emotional learning and critical thinking and problem solving, but the kids are feeling like it's a super fun hour of their week and the whole room is full of cool colorful materials and supplies, building games and varieties of tools and ways of using them. Thanks to your generosity there are painting materials to meet the needs and abilities of students, from sensory exploration to detailed precise and symbolic work.\r\nThis year has been a lot of work, but so much fun. \r\nI am very thankful that I was able to start the year with a complete studio so that I can spend my energy through the week in focusing on students' needs, learning and growth in real time.\r\nThanks again!","fullyFundedDate":1758039356793,"projectUrl":"project/ms-vs-bilingual-elementary-art-studio/9591790/","projectTitle":"Ms V’s Bilingual Elementary Art Studio!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. V","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4964593"},{"teacherId":10061950,"projectId":9600096,"letterContent":"My students have enjoyed having all these supplies in the classroom. \r\nAs a new teacher, I had the joy of starting in a space with just 4 walls and a bit of hope.\r\nNow, thanks to volunteers and donors like you, there are decorations up, some instruments, teaching equipment, and a bunch of students coming in every day to sing, dance, and play while they experience the joy of making music.\r\n\r\nThank you so much for bringing us this joy! \r\nWe will have our first concert soon, and I cannot wait to share the photos and videos with you. \r\n\r\nI currently have another fundraising project going because not all of the products I chose in the previous fundraiser were available for shipping within the required timeframe. Thus, I have had to pivot and select a few different items instead, as well as add a few things to the list. If you are able to participate in my new funding project for general supplies, please do. \r\n\r\nAs time goes on, there will be more needs for the classroom and continue to reach out as we progress.","fullyFundedDate":1756604041182,"projectUrl":"project/can-you-hear-me/9600096/","projectTitle":"Can You Hear Me?","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Flora","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10061950_orig.jpg?crop=840,840,x57,y294&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756425747540","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10061950"},{"teacherId":6477290,"projectId":9419670,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your amazing generosity! My students and I really appreciate your support in providing the individual headsets, plastic bags (for storage), and the always needed dry-erase markers! They have all been put to really good use.\r\n\r\nThe headsets in particular are extremely useful. There is a wide range of language learners in each of my classes, and the use of headphones really helps me give each student the individualized and targeted instruction they need to practice and improve their language skills.\r\n\r\nAs always, the DonorsChoose community has come through to help all of my students and it is appreciated.","fullyFundedDate":1750854355568,"projectUrl":"project/lets-hear-it-for-school/9419670/","projectTitle":"Let's Hear It for School!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Harris","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6477290"},{"teacherId":4964593,"projectId":9379447,"letterContent":"Thank you for your support for all of the fabulous creative students in my art room. Thanks to your generosity we are building creative habits with sketchbooks, exploring symmetry, constructing culturally themed decorations for our hallways and upcoming concert, running extra art club time for students who want to work on independent and self directed projects, planning our third annual family lantern making event, and of course painting painting painting!\r\nYour donation funded a wide selection of art materials so all of my grade levels have plenty. I am including a few photos of student artwork made in the past few weeks.\r\nMuchas gracias,","fullyFundedDate":1750027216004,"projectUrl":"project/a-deep-art-studio-for-my-fabulous-studen/9379447/","projectTitle":"A Deep Art Studio for My Fabulous Students!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. V","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4964593"},{"teacherId":4594193,"projectId":9483984,"letterContent":"Your donation to my project brought us closer to a world where every child has the tools necessary for success. My students were so excited to walk into the classroom on the first day of school and see new writing and coloring tools available to begin working on their beginning of the year projects. All of these resources and tools have helped my second grade students maintain their interest and enthusiasm for writing and, most importantly, prepare them for success in this new school year.\r\nThank you.","fullyFundedDate":1755532303757,"projectUrl":"project/setting-up-for-student-success/9483984/","projectTitle":"Setting Up for Student Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mejia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4594193_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1503407304205","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-mejiaskids"},{"teacherId":10037581,"projectId":9361874,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my classroom. My students and I really appreciate your kindness and generosity. \r\nWe have been playing with our gagabll pit and the kids absolutely love it. They had never played the game and their first reaction was pure joy! My 7th grade students are so excited to play volleyball this year. Our new balls will help everyone be able to participate. Having enough supplies for everyone means everyone gets the same amount of practice and skill building. \r\nMy students are most excited about the soccer balls. They are a hot commodity at our school so being able to supply students with equipment has made my job a lot easier, and more fun!","fullyFundedDate":1751041073579,"projectUrl":"project/keeping-kids-moving/9361874/","projectTitle":"Keeping Kids Moving","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Capra","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10037581_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1764648382957","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10037581"},{"teacherId":9636953,"projectId":9406349,"letterContent":"The donated materials have had a significant impact on advancing equity within our community by directly supporting students and families who face systemic barriers to access. Many of the recipients come from under-resourced backgrounds where basic educational supplies or tools are often out of reach. These donations helped ensure that every student regardless of their socioeconomic status have what they need to fully participate and engage in their learning. By addressing these gaps, the materials are supporting and creating a more level learning environment where all students have an equal opportunity to succeed.\r\n\r\nAs a result of the donations, we've seen increased engagement, confidence, and academic success among students. The students were very excited to receive the materials! The materials not only met immediate needs, but also sent a powerful message of inclusion and support. In this way, the donations have gone beyond material support. The materials have contributed to a more equitable, empowering, and affirming learning environment for all.","fullyFundedDate":1749770507548,"projectUrl":"project/ms-sanchezs-project/9406349/","projectTitle":"Ms. Sanchez's Project","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sanchez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9636953_orig.jpg?crop=1165,1166,x0,y774&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1749649952700","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9636953"},{"teacherId":8677406,"projectId":9102261,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom is now full of joy, movement, and meaningful play! The sensory materials you provided—like the crash pad, stepping stones, large play building blocks, and sensory sand—have quickly become student favorites and essential tools in our daily routine.\r\n\r\nThe very first day the materials arrived was like a celebration! My students' eyes lit up with excitement, and they couldn't wait to explore. One student ran straight to the crash pad and let out the happiest giggle as he jumped, rolled, and flopped safely onto it. For a child who usually struggles with body awareness, this has been a game changer. He's now able to get the sensory input he craves, which helps him stay regulated, keep his body safe, and play more successfully with his friends. It's been such a joy to see his confidence and connection with peers grow.\r\n\r\nWe're using these materials every day to support sensory breaks, cooperative play, and hands-on learning. Whether they're building towers with the giant blocks or practicing balance on the stepping stones, my students are developing physical coordination, social skills, and emotional regulation—all through sensory exploration!\r\n\r\nWe will continue to use these materials to support self-regulation and inclusive practices in our classroom. They help each of my students access learning in their own unique way and create an environment where every child can feel safe, successful, and included. Your support has made a lasting impact, and we're so grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1746786028221,"projectUrl":"project/help-my-aba-preschool-students-get-senso/9102261/","projectTitle":"Help My ABA Preschool Students Get Sensory Input They Need!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Khachadourian","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8677406_orig.png?crop=672,672,x0,y114&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1738866364873","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8677406"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_62892","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":634,"numTeachers":74,"percentFrplEligible":81,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":3,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":92,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"8.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":64.4,"schoolId":62892,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Mario Umana Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Mario Umana Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/massachusetts/boston-public-schools/umana-middle-school-academy/62892"}