{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Gardner Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":22.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8951045,"projectId":10287919,"letterContent":"Thank you all so much for the generous donations to our classroom library. The students are devouring the books that you purchased and reading constantly! \r\nEveryday as the students enter the classroom they grab their \"checked out\" book and begin their reading time. It's a good way to start be morning and settle into school. Later as they finish lessons and assignments they pick those books up again and continue reading!\r\nThere is no more dead time spent on a Chromebook anymore! You have helped bring back the art of reading to my classroom and we are all e","fullyFundedDate":1779163188082,"projectUrl":"project/reviving-the-lost-art-of-reading/10287919/","projectTitle":"Reviving the Lost Art of Reading!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wright","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8951045_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683329905179","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8951045"},{"teacherId":8951045,"projectId":10274545,"letterContent":"My students and I are so thankful for the impact of your donations on our classroom!\r\nI literally can't get my students to stop reading! They constantly have a book at their desk, picking them up when they have a moment to spare! This is exactly what I want in my classroom! Gone are the days of dead time on the Chromebook, we are bringing back old fashioned reading and loving it!!\r\n\r\nEvery day the students walk in my classroom and one of the first things they do is grab the\r\nbook they are reading from the library and start reading! It's a great way to start the day!\r\nWe love our books!!","fullyFundedDate":1778634115503,"projectUrl":"project/lets-get-reading/10274545/","projectTitle":"Let's Get Reading!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wright","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8951045_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683329905179","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8951045"},{"teacherId":7139585,"projectId":10288083,"letterContent":"We are so excited to take these disks with out with our students this Spring at Gardner's new disc golf course! We have already started working on some team building skills and activities and this group has made it a lot of fun! \r\n\r\nWe took the disks out to recess a couple of times to do some practice and toss them around a bit. The kids had a blast and are very excited to get to go on our field trip. We've tied it to our talks about responsibility as it is one of our schools core values.\r\n\r\nWe've told them we were planning on this field trip at the end of the year and have told them that in order to go on this trip we need to trust they will make responsible choices and why that's important. Applying these conversations about responsibility this year to a concrete example I think has helped them really internalize and take it more seriously!","fullyFundedDate":1784250968726,"projectUrl":"project/teamwork-takes-flight-discs-for-our-dis/10288083/","projectTitle":"Teamwork Takes Flight: Discs for Our Disc Golf Challenge","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Connell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7139585_orig.png?crop=828,827,x0,y350&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1618506425847","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7139585"},{"teacherId":7139585,"projectId":10162130,"letterContent":"Our kids have gone bonkers over having access to this set in class. A lot of them were unaware that the TV show on Netflix was originally a book series. Many of them have even taken to talking about the differences between the show and the books while eating lunch. Things like this make my heart happy. \r\n\r\nThis may be an unpopular opinion, but I think too often we look at books as only tools to teach skills for reading and comprehension, and we forget that half the battle with getting kids to read is helping them learn to LOVE it like many of us do. \r\n\r\nSo with that in mind, that is what these books been used for primarily, and it's working! We do a lot of independent reading in class rather than bogging them down with busy work or random extension activities. There are still places for these things in my class, but reading something that you want to read is something I make sure my students know the importance of. Some of my most unlikely students are opening their books out of choice rather than necessity.","fullyFundedDate":1777052315447,"projectUrl":"project/last-kids-on-earth-series/10162130/","projectTitle":"Last Kids on Earth Series","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Connell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7139585_orig.png?crop=828,827,x0,y350&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1618506425847","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7139585"},{"teacherId":5970126,"projectId":10321010,"letterContent":"On behalf of the school's students, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation of sports balls and jumpropes. Your support will undoubtedly make a positive impact on our athletes' performance and training.\r\nAs you may know, these sports equipment are essential for our teams to maintain their fitness and agility levels, and to develop their skills for the upcoming season. Your donation has helped to ensure that our athletes have access to the necessary tools to excel in their respective sports.\r\n\r\nYour generosity and commitment to our school's athletic program are truly appreciated. We are grateful for individuals like you who understand the value of sports and their impact on our student's growth and development. With your support, we are one step closer to achieving our goals.\r\n\r\nOnce again, thank you for your contribution to our school's sports teams. We look forward to keeping you updated on our progress and achievements.\"","fullyFundedDate":1784245934819,"projectUrl":"project/lets-get-moving/10321010/","projectTitle":"Let's Get Moving!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Renzi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5970126_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1539265218031","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5970126"},{"teacherId":5970126,"projectId":9983124,"letterContent":"This project was probably not only my favorite but my students also. We have had so much fun bringing with technology. The ipad will help us learn about historical events with technology. So many kids play video games but now we can learn instead of games. Your donation has inspired us in so many ways. You have shown us that society values education and bringing teaching and technology together. Thank you so much for your kindness. We are forever grateful to your kindness and hope to pay it forward.\"","fullyFundedDate":1778004455223,"projectUrl":"project/ipad-for-education/9983124/","projectTitle":"Ipad For Education","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Renzi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5970126_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1539265218031","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5970126"},{"teacherId":8951045,"projectId":7354350,"letterContent":"My students are constantly reading even when they aren't supposed to and I love\r\nIt! We are all so thankful for the treasures we have received with all of the donations giving by each of you!\r\nAs part of our morning routine the students come into my room and immediately grab the book they have \"checked out\" and begin reading to start the day! It's a wonderful way to settle into a day of learning. As the lessons and assignmen are completed students return to their books! In my classroom we are done with occupying dead time with Chromebooks. We are going old fashioned and loving it!!","fullyFundedDate":1688218723181,"projectUrl":"project/bonding-with-books/7354350/","projectTitle":"Bonding with Books!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wright","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8951045_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1683329905179","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8951045"},{"teacherId":5970126,"projectId":10140383,"letterContent":"On behalf of my students and our entire classroom community, thank you for your incredibly generous donation. Your support has made it possible for us to add a wonderful collection of new books to our classroom library, and the impact is already being felt in so many meaningful ways.\r\n\r\nFor many of my students, access to high-quality, engaging books is not always guaranteed outside of school. Because of your kindness, they now have the opportunity to explore new worlds, discover diverse perspectives, and develop a deeper love of reading. The excitement was immediate—students eagerly browsed the new titles, shared recommendations with one another, and couldn't wait to dive into their next story.\r\n\r\nThese books are more than just resources; they are tools for imagination, confidence, and growth. They support literacy development, encourage independent reading, and help students see themselves reflected in the stories they read. Your contribution is helping to foster lifelong learners and curious thinkers.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has truly made a difference in our classroom, and we are deeply grateful for your support. Thank you for believing in our students and investing in their future.\r\n\r\nWith sincere appreciation,","fullyFundedDate":1773878872328,"projectUrl":"project/lets-get-reading/10140383/","projectTitle":"Let's Get Reading!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Renzi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5970126_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1539265218031","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5970126"},{"teacherId":5970126,"projectId":9751749,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donations. Playground equipment is essential in an school because it supports children's physical, social, and emotional development. Active play helps students build strength, coordination, and balance while promoting overall health and fitness. Beyond physical benefits, playgrounds encourage cooperation, communication, and problem-solving as children learn to share space, take turns, and work together. These interactions help develop empathy, teamwork, and conflict-resolution skills that are vital for success both in and out of the classroom. We have enjoyed using the equipment as we have transitioned back out to outdoor recess.","fullyFundedDate":1769041507135,"projectUrl":"project/recess-necessities/9751749/","projectTitle":"Recess Necessities","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Renzi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5970126_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1539265218031","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5970126"},{"teacherId":5970126,"projectId":9778354,"letterContent":"I want to express my deepest thanks for your generous support of our classroom project. Because of you, our 5th-grade room has been transformed into a living laboratory. The arrival of the AeroGardens and seed pods created an immediate buzz of excitement that hasn't faded.\r\n\r\nHow the Materials Are Being Used: The AeroGardens have provided a unique, high-tech way for students to observe the life cycle of plants right from their desks. We have used the seed pods to experiment with different plant varieties, allowing students to track growth rates and water consumption.\r\n\r\nTo deepen their understanding, the gardening books have been essential. Students are using them to research the science behind hydroponics and the history of agriculture, bridging the gap between hands-on experience and literacy.\r\n\r\nThe Impact on Students: This project has reached beyond just science. It has taught my students responsibility and patience. One student, who previously struggled to stay engaged during ELA, now eagerly reaches for our new gardening books to find tips on why our lettuce is thriving. You haven't just provided supplies; you've provided a reason for my students to be curious about the world around them.","fullyFundedDate":1764787705752,"projectUrl":"project/lets-get-growing/9778354/","projectTitle":"Lets Get Growing!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Renzi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5970126_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1539265218031","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5970126"},{"teacherId":8497308,"projectId":6512095,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and kindness in helping our classroom secure a laser engraver. As a middle school sub-separate special education program, we are always looking for creative ways to make learning more meaningful, accessible, and engaging for our students. This tool will open doors for hands-on projects that build confidence, independence, and real-world skills.\r\n\r\nOur students will use the engraver to create personalized items, and classroom projects that help them express themselves in new ways. For many of them, this will be the first time they get to see their ideas come to life through technology—and that excitement is truly priceless.\r\n\r\nYour support has given our students an opportunity they would not have had otherwise. We are deeply grateful for the belief you have shown in our classroom and in the potential of every learner. Thank you for helping us make school a place where creativity, joy, and possibility thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1660098167755,"projectUrl":"project/special-education-excited-learning-edu/6512095/","projectTitle":"Special Education Excited Learning, Educating With Erin","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mack","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8497308_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y120&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1655206648274","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8497308"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_63621","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":514,"numTeachers":42,"percentFrplEligible":91,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":4,"percentWhite":57,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":31,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":5,"gradesServed":"5 - 7","studentTeacherRatio":"12.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":77.6,"schoolId":63621,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Gardner Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Gardner Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/massachusetts/gardner-public-schools/gardner-middle-school/63621"}