{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"John Duggan Academy","outOfStateSupporters":37.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10073205,"projectId":9451585,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom during my first year of teaching. Because of your generosity, my students are using the new materials every day. They love the cozy reading corner with the bean bag chairs and rug, and it has helped them enjoy reading more. The headphones have also helped students stay focused during independent work. Even simple supplies like pencils and glue sticks have made a big difference in helping everyone stay prepared.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the materials, they were very excited. Many said the classroom felt more comfortable and welcoming. It made them more eager to learn and participate.\r\n\r\nAs we continue learning, students will keep using these resources to grow their reading and writing skills. They are beginning to work more independently and share their ideas with confidence. Your support has helped create a positive classroom where all students can succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1762128991235,"projectUrl":"project/mind-makers/9451585/","projectTitle":"Mind Makers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Washington","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10073205_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753069389885","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10073205"},{"teacherId":10159052,"projectId":9635501,"letterContent":"In my classroom, students are far more engaged when they can see, hear, and experience the past rather than just read about it in a textbook. This project will transform our classroom into a space where history is interactive, accessible, and welcoming to every learner.\r\n\r\nThe expanded classroom library will provide high-interest, diverse books that allow students to explore topics beyond the textbook — from civil rights movements to immigration stories to the evolution of American democracy. When students can choose books that reflect their interests and identities, reading becomes ownership rather than obligation.\r\n\r\nThe addition of technology will allow students to analyze primary sources, watch historical footage, listen to speeches, and conduct deeper research. Instead of memorizing dates, students will evaluate evidence, compare perspectives, and think critically about how the past shapes the present.\r\n\r\nA welcoming classroom library space sends a powerful message: this is a place where learning matters and where you belong. Comfortable, organized, and student-centered environments increase reading stamina, discussion quality, and overall academic confidence.","fullyFundedDate":1764255645877,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-history-to-life-books-technol/9635501/","projectTitle":"Bringing History to Life: Books, Technology, and Welcoming Classroom Library","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Hanson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10159052"},{"teacherId":10159052,"projectId":9635261,"letterContent":"Sports are the hook — history is the outcome.\r\n\r\nMy students light up when they see athletes they recognize in our classroom library. Whether it's stories about Jackie Robinson breaking baseball's color barrier, Serena Williams redefining dominance, or the evolution of basketball from peach baskets to the modern NBA, these books immediately capture their attention. For many of my students, sports are their entry point into learning.\r\n\r\nThis collection does more than celebrate athletes. It helps students understand civil rights, gender equity, immigration, economics, leadership, and perseverance through real-world examples they care about. When students read about Muhammad Ali's stance on the Vietnam War or Title IX's impact on women's athletics, history becomes personal and relevant.\r\n\r\nThe impact is visible:\r\n\r\nIncreased independent reading\r\n\r\nHigher engagement during discussions\r\n\r\nStronger connections between past and present\r\n\r\nStudents who previously resisted reading now asking to borrow books\r\n\r\nFor some students, these are the first books they choose to read on their own.\r\n\r\nBy funding this project, donors aren't just adding books to a shelf — they are helping students see themselves in history, understand the power of social change, and build a lifelong connection between sports and the world around them.","fullyFundedDate":1764255645724,"projectUrl":"project/history-in-motion-sports-and-society/9635261/","projectTitle":"History in Motion: Sports and Society","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Hanson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10159052"},{"teacherId":10397706,"projectId":9985687,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous support of our classroom. Because of you, our students now have access to materials that have truly transformed their daily experience at school. Your donations of weighted stuffed animals, sensory fidget tools, a white noise machine, a yoga posture ball chair, and motivational stickers have made a meaningful and lasting impact.\r\n\r\nThe weighted stuffed animal and sensory fidget tools have become essential supports for many of our students. For those who experience anxiety, difficulty focusing, or sensory overwhelm, these tools provide comfort and regulation. These simple yet powerful tools help students feel safe, grounded, and in control of their emotions, allowing them to fully participate in learning.\r\n\r\nThe white noise machine has also made a noticeable difference in our classroom environment. By softening distracting background sounds, it creates a calmer, more predictable atmosphere. Students who were previously distracted by hallway noise or classroom chatter are now able to concentrate for longer periods of time. This has increased not only their productivity, but also their confidence in their ability to complete tasks successfully.\r\n\r\nEven the stickers have had a powerful impact. They serve as small but meaningful reinforcements that celebrate effort, perseverance, and growth. Students beam with pride when they earn one, and it has strengthened our positive classroom culture. They are more motivated to try challenging tasks, take academic risks, and push through frustration because their hard work is recognized and valued.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students and for investing in their success. Your support truly makes a difference every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1768178193551,"projectUrl":"project/helping-kids-feel-calm-confident-and-c/9985687/","projectTitle":"Helping Kids Feel Calm, Confident, and Connected","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ryan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10397706"},{"teacherId":9508632,"projectId":9794477,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donation. This project has brought so much life to teachers and students, alike. Talking about our shared humanity, laughing about our stinkiness; it's all been so impactful. I've shared lots of laughs with students, and this has been the window into lots of lovely conversations, both one-on-one, but also has groups. I hadn't realized how much this project would be composed of social-emotional learning for students. \r\n\r\nThank you for making this possible! We're using the resources, having meaningful conversations, and (ironically) increasing joy and work and school. It's simply amazing!","fullyFundedDate":1764204710443,"projectUrl":"project/habits-of-hygiene-deodorant/9794477/","projectTitle":"Habits of Hygiene (Deodorant)","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Azinheira","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9508632_orig.jpg?crop=2033,2033,x0,y399&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1742561642212","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9508632"},{"teacherId":9566571,"projectId":9568037,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of food items, sensory materials, and fidgets, and beanbag chair to support our students. Your kindness has made an immediate and meaningful impact within our school community. These resources provide comfort, nourishment, and a sense of safety for students who may be experiencing emotional or sensory challenges, and they help create a more supportive environment where students feel seen and cared for. The students finished all of the snacks already and it had been wonderful for students who skip breakfast or lunch. The beanbag chair got so many students excited when they first delivered it! \r\n\r\nAs a school counselor, I see firsthand how small tools can make a big difference. The items you donated help students regulate their emotions, manage stress, and focus more effectively throughout the school day. Your thoughtfulness and commitment to supporting student well-being truly means more than words can express. Thank you for investing in our students and for being a vital part of their success and emotional growth.","fullyFundedDate":1764271312088,"projectUrl":"project/emotional-support/9568037/","projectTitle":"Emotional Support","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Waite","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9566571"},{"teacherId":4245362,"projectId":9484841,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating an iPad to our classroom. This iPad is used daily to support our math instruction and has truly transformed the way we learn. I use it every day to teach math lessons while moving freely around the classroom, allowing me to stay engaged with students instead of standing at the front board with my back turned.\r\n\r\nMy students also use the iPad daily to share their thinking and explain their understanding of math problems. They absolutely love using it to show their work, model strategies, and talk through their reasoning. This has increased student engagement and confidence, and it allows me to better assess understanding in real time.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, our classroom is more interactive, student-centered, and responsive to learning needs. Your support has made a meaningful and lasting impact on both my teaching and my students' learning—thank you for investing in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1757544375262,"projectUrl":"project/math-in-motion-empowering-learning-with/9484841/","projectTitle":"Math In Motion: Empowering Learning With An iPad","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kristine Lessard","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4245362_orig.jpg?crop=2320,2320,x0,y185&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1690054350280","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4245362"},{"teacherId":4245362,"projectId":9373553,"letterContent":"Because of your support, my students now have access to LEGO sets that we use as hands-on math manipulatives, helping them visualize and better understand math concepts in an engaging way. The dry erase boards and markers are used every day for problem-solving, practice, and quick checks for understanding, making learning more interactive and accessible for all students. The cleaning supplies you provided help us maintain a safe, organized, and welcoming learning environment where students can focus and feel comfortable. Your generosity has made a meaningful difference in our daily classroom experience, and my students and I are truly grateful for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1748827179880,"projectUrl":"project/help-build-a-math-ready-classroom-for-ex/9373553/","projectTitle":"Help Build a Math-Ready Classroom for Exceptional Learners!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kristine Lessard","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4245362_orig.jpg?crop=2320,2320,x0,y185&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1690054350280","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4245362"},{"teacherId":9838124,"projectId":9701429,"letterContent":"We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the donors who generously provided a water dispenser, laminator, and other much needed supplies for our students. Your kindness and support have made a meaningful difference in our school community, and we truly appreciate your commitment to helping create a positive and supportive learning environment.\r\n\r\nThese items have had an immediate and lasting impact for the counselors office. The water dispenser ensures that students have access to clean drinking water throughout the day, supporting their health and ability to stay focused. The laminator and additional supplies have allowed counselors to better prepare instructional materials, create reusable learning tools, and maintain organized and engaging classrooms that enhance student learning.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, our students are better equipped to succeed both academically and personally. Your support shows them that their education matters and that they are surrounded by people who care about their growth and well being. Thank you for making such a meaningful impact on our students and our school as a whole.","fullyFundedDate":1764271312005,"projectUrl":"project/counselor-corner-for-support/9701429/","projectTitle":"Counselor Corner for Support","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Williams","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9838124"},{"teacherId":6143000,"projectId":9881948,"letterContent":"Here's a polished, warm thank-you note right around 200 words:\r\n\r\n---\r\n\r\nThank you so much for your generous support of our DonorsChoose project. Because of you, our classroom now has a new projector and whiteboard—tools that will truly transform how students learn every single day.\r\n\r\nThe projector has already made lessons more engaging and accessible. Students can clearly see visuals, diagrams, primary sources, and exemplars that bring abstract ideas to life. The whiteboard gives us a shared space to think, problem-solve, annotate, and collaborate in real time. Together, these tools allow for more interactive lessons, clearer instruction, and stronger student participation.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, your donation helps create a classroom environment where students feel excited to learn and confident that their work matters. For many of our students, having access to updated, reliable technology makes school feel more equitable and empowering. It sends a powerful message that people beyond our school believe in them and are invested in their success.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has an immediate and lasting impact—not just on instruction, but on student motivation and engagement. On behalf of my students and our classroom community, thank you for making this possible. We are incredibly grateful for your support and belief in our work.","fullyFundedDate":1764204224132,"projectUrl":"project/transforming-our-forensics-and-chemistry/9881948/","projectTitle":"Transforming Our Forensics and Chemistry Lab for Better Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Freedman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp6143000_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1544644775111","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrfreedman"},{"teacherId":9508632,"projectId":9864293,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support of our STEM projects. It has been incredible to see how students and teachers have used such simple resources! The popsicle sticks have been used in many ways, including catapults (to study projectiles) in our science classes, birdhouse feeders (in gardening class), calling sticks (in ELA + math classes), and number line tools (for integer operations with positive and negative numbers, in math class). The white boards have been used in all the classes, most notably science, math, and ELA, for students to project their answers and teachers to quickly check for understanding. \r\n\r\nYour financial support of our priorities of STEM and giving students equitable opportunities for communicating ideas has been incredible. Thank you so very much!","fullyFundedDate":1763593648311,"projectUrl":"project/tools-to-boost-learning-communication/9864293/","projectTitle":"Tools to Boost Learning & Communication in the Middle School","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Azinheira","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9508632_orig.jpg?crop=2033,2033,x0,y399&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1742561642212","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9508632"},{"teacherId":10159052,"projectId":9644897,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, these new books have deepened the way my students read, think, and talk about history and literature. Beyond simply enjoying the stories, students are building critical skills—analyzing authors' perspectives, identifying themes, evaluating evidence, and making connections between texts and real-world events. Many of the books also introduce complex ideas like identity, power, and social change, helping students strengthen empathy while sharpening their ability to support claims with textual evidence.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is active and student-centered. You'll see students annotating texts, pausing to ask questions, debating interpretations with classmates, and writing reflections that connect what they read to history, current events, or their own lives. The books are used for small-group discussions, independent reading, and whole-class lessons, creating a culture where reading isn't passive—it's something students do together.\r\n\r\nSeveral students who were previously reluctant readers have been especially energized by these new texts. Some are drawn in by seeing characters and experiences that reflect their own lives, while others are excited by challenging ideas that push them to think more deeply. I've had students ask to take books home, recommend titles to classmates, and even reread sections to better understand them—clear signs that these books are making a meaningful impact. Your support didn't just add books to our shelves; it helped create confident, engaged readers who feel seen and motivated to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1764255645824,"projectUrl":"project/us-history-library-wish-list/9644897/","projectTitle":"US History Library Wish List","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Hanson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10159052"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_60888","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":823,"numTeachers":65,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":24,"percentWhite":10,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":58,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"12.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":62.9,"schoolId":60888,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about John Duggan Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"John Duggan Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/massachusetts/springfield-public-school-district/john-duggan-middle-school/60888"}