{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Somerset Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":40.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":949451,"projectId":9939287,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for bringing the magic of \"Curses, Magic, & Crushes\" to our middle school library! Because of your generosity, our reading space has been transformed into a buzzing hub of excitement. It is incredible to watch my students rush in to see if the books they've been seeing all over \"BookTok\" are finally on the shelves. Reading in my classroom right now looks like groups of students huddled over the Once Upon a Broken Heart or Caraval box sets, excitedly debating plot twists and trading their favorite titles as soon as they finish the last page. You have provided them with the perfect magical escapism they need to decompress during a very transitional time in their lives.\r\n\r\nWhile these \"romantasy\" books are undeniably fun, they also provide an incredible foundation for teaching advanced literary skills. When my students dive into the complex, intricate worlds of Six of Crows or the Renegades trilogy, they are actually practicing how to track multiple plotlines, analyze shifting character motivations, and understand complex world-building. Furthermore, because these characters are navigating intense friendships, shifting identities, and high-stakes dilemmas, the students are naturally engaging in deep character analysis and building emotional intelligence. These books teach them to look for themes of \"found family\" and resilience, which perfectly mirror the real-life social dynamics they are figuring out in middle school.\r\n\r\nThe impact on my students has been truly wonderful to witness, particularly for those who have struggled to find joy in reading. I have a group of eighth-grade students who were completely disengaged from our traditional curriculum, but the moment I handed them the Powerless series and Marissa Meyer's Heartless, everything changed. They are now reading voraciously, carrying their books to every class, and constantly asking me when the next sequel is coming out. Seeing them gain the confidence to tackle these thick, complex novels and proudly call themselves readers is the greatest gift.","fullyFundedDate":1773962861078,"projectUrl":"project/curses-magic-crushes-engaging-roman/9939287/","projectTitle":"Curses, Magic, & Crushes: Engaging Romantasy Books","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Csizmesia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp949451_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1504117549544","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/csizmesia"},{"teacherId":949451,"projectId":9939212,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for bringing \"Slaying Boredom: A Manga Collection Update\" to life for my middle schoolers! Because of your generosity, reading in my classroom has become an incredibly active, joyful, and communal experience. Instead of seeing students staring blankly at heavy textbooks, I see them huddled together, eagerly discussing the latest plot twists in Demon Slayer or laughing over the antics in The Evil Secret Society of Cats. You have completely eliminated the dreaded \"reading slump\" that happens when a student finishes a book and can't find the sequel. Now, when a student rushes to my desk asking, \"Do you have the next one?\" I can enthusiastically say, \"Yes!\"\r\n\r\nMany people wonder how teachers \"teach\" manga, but these texts actually introduce highly sophisticated literacy skills. Manga requires students to synthesize visual and textual information simultaneously, building crucial inference skills as they deduce character emotions and plot points through the artwork. Because traditional manga, like the Pokémon Adventures set you provided, is read from right to left, it also builds cognitive flexibility and spatial awareness. Furthermore, titles like Cells at Work! brilliantly weave actual human biology into the narrative, allowing students to learn complex science concepts—like how white blood cells function—while completely engrossed in a fast-paced story.\r\n\r\nThe impact on my most reluctant readers has been profound, and it is so beautiful to watch. One student in particular, who usually avoids independent reading time, discovered the Yu-Gi-Oh! and Warriors series and read three volumes in a single week—a massive milestone for his reading stamina! Another group of students has been so inspired by the diverse artistic styles that they are constantly using the How to Draw Manga & Anime book to sketch their own original characters. You have helped them blend their newfound love of reading with their passion for art.","fullyFundedDate":1773881920658,"projectUrl":"project/slaying-boredom-a-manga-collection-upda/9939212/","projectTitle":"Slaying Boredom: A Manga Collection Update","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Csizmesia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp949451_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1504117549544","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/csizmesia"},{"teacherId":949451,"projectId":9938805,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for bringing \"Visualizing Adventure\" to life in our middle school. Because of your incredible generosity, reading in our library has transformed into a dynamic, highly engaging experience. Instead of seeing students staring blankly at pages or abandoning a novel after the first chapter, I now see them rushing to the shelves to grab the newest Alex Rider or Minecraft graphic novel. Reading in our space isn't always silent; it's active and social. Students are eagerly pointing out art details to their peers and recommending titles to friends who previously claimed they \"hated reading.\" The books you provided are literally flying off the shelves!\r\n\r\nMany people who love traditional books often wonder how teachers \"teach\" graphic novels, sometimes assuming they are just \"easy reading.\" In reality, these texts require highly sophisticated literacy skills! For my students—especially those with learning disabilities—graphic novels serve as the perfect bridge to deep comprehension. When students read titles like Parachute Kids or Jason Reynolds' Long Way Down, they are learning visual literacy. They have to infer a character's tone from the art style, understand pacing by how panels are arranged, and deduce what happens in the blank spaces (the \"gutters\") between the panels. These books are teaching them to track complex, multi-layered plots without being overwhelmed by a wall of text, building the reading stamina they so desperately need for high school.\r\n\r\nThe impact on my most reluctant readers has been profound. One particular group of students, who are avid gamers and usually find traditional texts \"too slow,\" have been absolutely captivated by The Cardboard Kingdom and the Minecraft boxed set. Watching a student who usually avoids the library proudly slam a closed book on my desk and announce, \"I just finished this whole book in two days! Do you have the next one?\" is the greatest reward a teacher can ask for. Thank you for validating their interests, lowering the barrier to entry, and sparking a genuine love of reading that will carry them into the future.","fullyFundedDate":1773880609214,"projectUrl":"project/visualizing-adventure-graphic-novels-to/9938805/","projectTitle":"Visualizing Adventure: Graphic Novels to Spark a Love of Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Csizmesia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp949451_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1504117549544","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/csizmesia"},{"teacherId":949451,"projectId":10274323,"letterContent":"I cannot thank you enough for supporting \"Page-Turners for All: Empowering Diverse Summer Readers.\" I am thrilled to share that these amazing books arrived just before the end of the school year, allowing us to send our students off for summer vacation with incredible stories in their hands.\r\n\r\nThe timing could not have been better. When I revealed the new collection to my students, their faces lit up. For my diverse learners and students with disabilities, independent reading can sometimes feel like a daunting chore. But seeing high-interest, suspenseful titles like It Came from the Trees and Small Spaces completely shifted their mindset. I was especially grateful for the inclusion of graphic novel versions of The Crossover and Spy School. Having those visual adaptations available right next to the traditional novels allowed every student to choose a format that matched their learning profile, instantly lowering the barrier to entry and making them feel like capable, successful readers.\r\n\r\nAs we are currently on summer vacation, it gives me so much peace of mind knowing my students are armed with \"unputdownable\" books to help fight off the summer slide. Because the plots are fast-paced and feature relatable protagonists, like in Jason Reynolds' Ghost, the kids were actually motivated to pack these books in their bags.\r\n\r\nWhen we return in the fall, our first step will be collecting reading logs and having raffles. These titles will then become a permanent staple in our library.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving my students the gift of confidence and a spectacular summer of reading!","fullyFundedDate":1778521515009,"projectUrl":"project/page-turners-for-all-empowering-diverse/10274323/","projectTitle":"Page-Turners for All: Empowering Diverse Summer Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Csizmesia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp949451_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1504117549544","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/csizmesia"},{"teacherId":949451,"projectId":9939134,"letterContent":"I am so incredibly grateful for your support of our \"Future Shock\" project. I am thrilled to share that these materials arrived just before the end of the school year—with perfect timing to support our 8th grade dystopian project for ELA!\r\n\r\nWhen I unboxed this new collection, my students were ecstatic. Dystopian fiction is already a favorite genre in our library, but seeing brand-new copies of The Testing, The Maze Cutter, and the Dune graphic novels truly elevated their excitement. My visual learners were especially drawn to Nimona, which allowed them to engage in complex sci-fi narratives alongside their peers reading traditional novels.\r\n\r\nHaving these fresh, high-interest books completely transformed our final ELA unit. Instead of just reading a standard text, students were able to select stories that appealed to them and dive deep into \"what if\" scenarios. Our classroom discussions about justice, survival, and societal structures were richer and more passionate than ever because the students were genuinely invested in their chosen books.\r\n\r\nWhile we are currently on summer vacation, knowing these incredible resources are waiting on our library shelves for the next group of 8th graders brings me so much joy. Thank you for giving my students the gripping stories they need to build their reading stamina and think critically about the future!","fullyFundedDate":1774021849587,"projectUrl":"project/future-shock-dystopian-reads-for-critic/9939134/","projectTitle":"Future Shock: Dystopian Reads for Critical Thinkers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Csizmesia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp949451_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1504117549544","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/csizmesia"},{"teacherId":949451,"projectId":10159116,"letterContent":"I am so incredibly grateful for your support of \"Coaching Confidence: a Middle School Career & Communication Club.\" Because of your generosity, our multi-grade Leadership Lunch Bunch has the exact resources we need to help our \"hidden leaders\" find their voices and build their social bravery.\r\n\r\nWhen the boxes arrived, the students were absolutely thrilled to receive their own brand-new copies of Awkward. They had the best time picking out their favorite magnetic bookmarks—debating between the inspirational nature scenes and the cute dogs and cats! Giving them ownership over these small \"milestone markers\" immediately made them feel invested in the club and valued as members of our professional huddle.\r\n\r\nWe have been using our lunch hours to dive into the graphic novel, acting as a team to break down the \"social static\" the characters face. Awkward has been the absolute perfect mentor text. Recently, we used the protagonist's struggles as a jumping-off point to discuss assertive communication. It was amazing to see my 6th, 7th, and 8th graders open up about their own middle school challenges, coaching one another on how to network, resolve conflicts, and build a successful, supportive creative team.\r\n\r\nWe're on summer break right now but we can't wait to start up again in the fall while inviting a whole new group of 6th graders. \r\n\r\nThank you for giving my students the professional playbook they need to transform their awkward moments into lifelong leadership skills!","fullyFundedDate":1774021849033,"projectUrl":"project/coaching-confidence-a-middle-school-car/10159116/","projectTitle":"Coaching Confidence: a Middle School Career & Communication Club","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Csizmesia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp949451_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1504117549544","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/csizmesia"},{"teacherId":949451,"projectId":10158485,"letterContent":"I am so thrilled to report that thanks to your generosity, our \"Quest for Leadership\" project materials arrived just in time for us to launch our multi-grade Leadership Lunch Bunch before the school year ended!\r\n\r\nWhen I first handed out the copies of All's Faire in Middle School and let the students choose their own magnetic bookmarks, they were absolutely beaming. For many of these creative, visual thinkers, being invited to a professional \"huddle\" gave them a huge boost of confidence to finish the school year strong. They immediately started flipping through the pages, excited to have a project to call their own.\r\n\r\nDuring our spring lunch hours, we started diving right into the story. We used the book's Renaissance Faire setting as a metaphor for navigating middle school dynamics and future workplace culture. We used the magnetic bookmarks to mark our reading milestones, and it was incredible to watch our 6th, 7th, and 8th graders practice high-level empathy and collaboration over competition.\r\n\r\nWhile we are currently on summer break, I cannot wait to start the club up again in the fall! \r\n\r\nThank you for giving my students the social armor, mentorship, and professional playbook they need to succeed. You have given us a resource that will benefit these hidden leaders for years to come!","fullyFundedDate":1774021848824,"projectUrl":"project/quest-for-leadership-middle-school-care/10158485/","projectTitle":"Quest for Leadership: Middle School Career & Life Skills Club","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Csizmesia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp949451_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1504117549544","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/csizmesia"},{"teacherId":949451,"projectId":9941332,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping us \"Enter the Upside Down!\" Because of your incredible generosity, our library has been transformed into a hub for Hawkins fans, and the response from the students has been nothing short of ecstatic.\r\n\r\nThe moment we set up the Stranger Things book display, the energy in the library shifted. Students who usually walk right past the shelves were suddenly stopping in their tracks, buzzing with excitement. Every single title from the graphic novel sets to the junior novelizations has been flying off the shelves. It is a librarian's dream to see a crowd of students eagerly debating fan theories while holding books they can't wait to start reading.\r\n\r\nThe impact on our reluctant readers and students with disabilities has been especially profound. The graphic novels and the Choose Your Own Adventure books have provided an accessible, low-pressure way for them to engage with complex storytelling. By connecting the show they love to the books in their hands, you have helped me prove that reading isn't just a classroom requirement—it's a way to dive deeper into the worlds they care about most.\r\n\r\nWhether they are exploring the backstories of Max and Robin or navigating the terrifying tales in Hawkins Horrors, my students are building reading stamina and critical thinking skills without even realizing it. You have turned their fandom into a bridge toward lifelong literacy.\r\n\r\nThank you for making our library the coolest place in school and for showing my students that \"friends don't lie\"—and they certainly don't let friends run out of great things to read!","fullyFundedDate":1774021670561,"projectUrl":"project/enter-the-upside-down-stranger-things-b/9941332/","projectTitle":"Enter the Upside Down: Stranger Things Books","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Csizmesia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp949451_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1504117549544","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/csizmesia"},{"teacherId":949451,"projectId":10137220,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for investing in the incredible potential of my students! Because of your generous support, our \"Leadership Lunch Bunch\" has officially launched, and the transformation I am seeing in these young creators is truly inspiring. When the box of The Cartoonist's Club books arrived, my students were absolutely thrilled to realize that this club was designed specifically for them. It has been incredibly heartwarming to see just how enthusiastic they are to meet each week; having a meaningful purpose and a dedicated place for this specific group of \"hidden leaders\" has meant the world to them.\r\n\r\nWe immediately began using the graphic novel not just as a story, but as our official team playbook. The students are making deep personal connections with the text and love talking about what they have read. Because they are visual thinkers, they spend so much time pouring over the artwork, eagerly discussing the finer details and nuances they find in the illustrations.\r\n\r\nThrough this shared reading experience, we have been able to dive deeply into the art of professional collaboration. They are absolutely fascinated by learning exactly how graphic novels are made behind the scenes. We use the narrative to pull back the curtain on the publishing industry, discussing the realities of deadlines, project management, and creative teamwork. Best of all, they are already putting these lessons into practice and have started creating their very own graphic novels!\r\n\r\nFurthermore, during our weekly leadership huddles, we talk extensively about the resilience required to succeed in high-stakes creative careers. Seeing the characters navigate failures and bounce back has given my students the confidence to accept constructive feedback on their own work without giving up. They are actively developing the growth mindset and communication skills necessary for long-term success.\r\n\r\nYou provided us with so much more than a classroom set of books; you gave these students a roadmap for their futures and a space to belong. Thank you for stepping up to mentor our next generation of innovators, helping them turn their natural talents into a viable, professional reality!","fullyFundedDate":1773621875252,"projectUrl":"project/coaching-future-creators-a-graphic-nove/10137220/","projectTitle":"Coaching Future Creators: A Graphic Novel Career Club","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Csizmesia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp949451_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1504117549544","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/csizmesia"},{"teacherId":949451,"projectId":9960488,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for bringing the magic of visual storytelling and cultural celebration to our media center! Thanks to your incredible generosity, our Lunar New Year book display was a massive success, and the new graphic novels have barely spent any time on the shelves before being checked out again.\r\n\r\nBecause middle school is such a critical time for students to figure out who they are, having books that validate their experiences is life-changing. Here is how your donation has directly impacted our classroom community over the last few weeks:\r\n\r\nHooking Reluctant Readers: The visual format of these books has been the perfect bridge for my hesitant readers. Students who typically shy away from chapter books immediately gravitated toward the vibrant artwork and fast-paced narratives.\r\n\r\nSparking Meaningful Conversations: Titles like Measuring Up and Stargazing have prompted wonderful, organic discussions among the students about their own family traditions, the pressure of expectations, and the complexities of middle school friendships.\r\n\r\nBuilding Empathy and Pride: For my Asian-American students, seeing characters who look like them and share their cultural heritage front-and-center has been a moment of immense pride. For other students, American Born Chinese provided a brilliant, accessible window into the universal struggle to belong, fostering a deep sense of empathy across diverse backgrounds.\r\n\r\nYou have given my students so much more than just books; you have given them mirrors to see themselves and windows to understand others. Thank you for helping me ring in the new year by proving to my students that their stories matter, and that reading can be an absolute joy.","fullyFundedDate":1767230832675,"projectUrl":"project/ringing-in-the-lunar-new-year-with-readi/9960488/","projectTitle":"Ringing in the Lunar New Year with Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Csizmesia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp949451_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1504117549544","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/csizmesia"},{"teacherId":949451,"projectId":9888495,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for bringing an explosion of excitement to our media center! When we introduced our latest reading challenge, I wanted to offer incentives that were just as engaging as the books themselves. Thanks to your generosity, we were able to display an incredible spread of STEM prizes. The reaction was immediate; students whose eyes normally glaze over at the mention of a reading contest were suddenly asking how many books they needed to read to earn the DIY Solar Car Kit or the Build-Your-Own Bluetooth Speaker.\r\n\r\nThe impact of these materials goes far beyond a simple reward system. When students cash in their reading achievements for items like the Discovery Extreme Chemistry Kit or the brain-teasing Kanoodle games, they aren't just taking home a toy—they are taking home a new learning experience. Just last week, a student who had worked incredibly hard to finish his reading goal proudly showed off the Glow-in-the-Dark Powerballs he engineered. The pride on his face was a direct result of your donation.\r\n\r\nOur next step is to keep this incredible momentum going for our end-of-the-year reading push. You have helped me completely transform the reading culture in our school by proving that literacy and STEM go hand-in-hand. Thank you for helping my students see themselves as both avid readers and confident inventors!","fullyFundedDate":1764689870768,"projectUrl":"project/read-explore-discover-stem-prizes-for/9888495/","projectTitle":"Read, Explore, Discover: STEM Prizes for Curious Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Csizmesia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp949451_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1504117549544","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/csizmesia"},{"teacherId":949451,"projectId":9938770,"letterContent":"I cannot begin to thank you enough for bringing \"Bright Ideas & Cozy Vibes\" to life in our middle school media center. Thanks to your generosity, our library has truly transformed into the welcoming, dynamic \"third space\" our students crave.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first walked in and saw the new Smart Curtain Lights framing our reading nook, their eyes absolutely lit up. Middle schoolers are notoriously hard to impress, but they immediately recognized that this space was designed for them. They love the aesthetic, and we have been putting the lights to great use—most recently programming them with bright, celebratory colors for Read Across America month to make the library feel extra festive! Of course, the command clips and flat plug extension cords you provided mean the entire setup is completely safe and free of tripping hazards.\r\n\r\nWhile the lights set the perfect mood, the biggest surprise has been our most-used item: the magnetic wall reference system. It has become an absolute game-changer for independent reading! I filled the panels with \"Read-Alike\" lists. Now, if students are stumped for their next read, they simply walk over and flip through the panels to find books similar to their favorites. It empowers them to browse independently and discover new titles they might have otherwise missed.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, I am handing some of the creative control over to the students. Our next step is having a student library advisory group take charge of updating the magnetic reference panels with their own peer recommendations, as well as choosing the lighting colors for our upcoming monthly book displays.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving us the tools to create a space where students feel safe, welcomed, and excited to read!","fullyFundedDate":1765825755549,"projectUrl":"project/bright-ideas-cozy-vibes-library-upgra/9938770/","projectTitle":"Bright Ideas & Cozy Vibes: Library Upgrades","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Csizmesia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp949451_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1504117549544","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/csizmesia"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_60448","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":610,"numTeachers":48,"percentFrplEligible":44,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":87,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":5,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":3,"gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"12.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":59.3,"schoolId":60448,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Somerset Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Somerset Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/massachusetts/somerset-public-schools/somerset-middle-school/60448"}