{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Early Career Academy at Rise","outOfStateSupporters":43.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10256869,"projectId":10247103,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for purchasing bocce, ladder toss, corn hole, and velcro toss for my students! Movement breaks are essential to keep our students engaged throughout a long school day and your donation transformed our time outside into a space for students to strengthen their social skills and bonds with one another. Each of these games is accessible to all of our students, ensuring that non-verbal and/or reserved students who may not participate in conversation can still have fun, practice turn-taking, and make social connections at school. \r\nWe use these games multiple times a week when we have nice weather. They have been a core part of introducing new students to our classroom this August as well. Playing these games in teams has allowed us to blend returning students with brand new students and create a feeling of community and comradely off the bat!\r\nThank you for all that you do, always.","fullyFundedDate":1777991269002,"projectUrl":"project/yard-games-for-our-academy/10247103/","projectTitle":"Yard Games for Our Academy","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Widmann","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10256869_orig.jpg?crop=240,240,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1759702169330","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10256869"},{"teacherId":10256869,"projectId":10183168,"letterContent":"Thank you again for your kind donation! I am excited to let you know how we have made use of the gloves, tools, and hose that you so kindly purchased for us. After receiving the supplies, we immediately got to work planning the garden. They worked together to make a list of the fruits and vegetables they would like to grow. As they brainstormed different recipes they could make with our future harvests, I saw them become invested in the project. \r\n\r\nWe spent multiple mornings outside in our building's courtyard working in teams to build the raised beds and fill them with the soil and compost. We used the gloves to keep students hands clean (which believe me, was a big concern of theirs going into this) and the hand shovels to remove moss and turn the soil we were building raised beds upon. The hands-on task was perfect for engaging students of all abilities and encouraging them to collaborate. We spent a couple of weeks watering our empty beds to create a healthy soil ecosystem before we planted our seeds and starters. We used a grant from Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom to purchase started for the plants students had agreed upon earlier (potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers, jalapeños, strawberries, and various herbs) from a local gardening store. Students participated in activities to learn how deep and how far apart to plant each one of the crops. \r\n\r\nAfter planting, students watered, weeded, and monitored the plants throughout summer school and into the new school year. We have made salsa with our cherry tomatoes and cilantro, pizza sauce with our basil and san Marzano tomatoes, and are planning to use our potatoes to make hash browns for brunch this week. Students find it just as cool as I do that we put in the work to bring the ingredients to existence. \r\n\r\nI am planning to make the most of student's interests by planning tours of local community gardens and farms that employ people with intellectual disabilities. This way we can translate our in-class work to possible hobbies, careers, and healthy lifestyles. \r\n\r\nWe could not have done this without your contributions- we sincerely thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1775654780699,"projectUrl":"project/garden-tools-for-the-academy-in-massachu/10183168/","projectTitle":"Garden Tools for the Academy in Massachusetts","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Widmann","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10256869_orig.jpg?crop=240,240,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1759702169330","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10256869"},{"teacherId":10256869,"projectId":10117018,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for purchasing an authentic cash register for our classroom! The cash register has taken our Coffee and Cookie Cafe and vocational programming to the next level. Students were excited and admittedly intimidated when I unveiled our new tool- the cash register can be complex and student's knew it would be a commitment to learn. However, multiple students hope to pursue a career in retail and grocery and were immediately motivated to master use of the machine and making change. \r\nWe have had multiple in-class practice opportunities to learn the routine of operating the cash register and making change for customers. We also bring the cash register to our Friday afternoon Coffee and Cookie Cafe to use with our customers in real time. The educators who frequent our Friday cafe were immediately impressed and proud of our students for mastering the machine and making change with a professional stature. \r\nOur students have been able to add this concrete skill to their resumes. This type of learning is exactly what transition programs are all about and we are so grateful that donors are able to help us get the resources to provide these concrete skill-building opportunities.","fullyFundedDate":1775657535073,"projectUrl":"project/cash-register-for-a-transitions-coffee-c/10117018/","projectTitle":"Cash Register for a Transitions Coffee Cart in Springfield, MA","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Widmann","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10256869_orig.jpg?crop=240,240,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1759702169330","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10256869"},{"teacherId":10256869,"projectId":9946863,"letterContent":"It is my pleasure to be providing an update on the school garden we built thanks to the beds, soil, and compost you provided us. After receiving the supplies, I immediately got to work planning the garden with my students. They worked together to make a list of the fruits and vegetables they would like to grow. As they brainstormed different recipes they could make with our future harvests, I saw them become invested in the project. \r\nWe spent multiple mornings outside in our building's courtyard working in teams to build the raised beds and fill them with the soil and compost. The hands-on task was perfect for engaging students of all abilities and encouraging them to collaborate. We spent a couple of weeks watering our empty beds to create a healthy soil ecosystem before we planted our seeds and starters. We used a grant from Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom to purchase started for the plants students had agreed upon earlier (potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers, jalapeños, strawberries, and various herbs) from a local gardening store. Students participated in activities to learn how deep and how far apart to plant each one of the crops. \r\nAfter planting, students watered and monitored the plants throughout summer school and into the new school year. We have made salsa with our cherry tomatoes and cilantro, pizza sauce with our basil and san Marzano tomatoes, and are planning to use our potatoes to make has browns for brunch this week. Students find it just as cool as I do that we put in the work to bring the ingredients to existence. \r\nI am planning to make the most of student's interests by planning tours of local community gardens and farms that employ people with intellectual disabilities. This way we can translate our in-class work to possible hobbies, careers, and healthy lifestyles. \r\nWe could not have done this without your contributions- we sincerely thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1774914377274,"projectUrl":"project/school-garden-for-the-springfield-transi/9946863/","projectTitle":"School Garden for the Springfield Transition Academy in Massachusetts","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Widmann","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10256869_orig.jpg?crop=240,240,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1759702169330","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10256869"},{"teacherId":10256869,"projectId":9994909,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for contributing to our coffee cart and cafe! The K-Cups that I requested were out of stock, so we ended up receiving a combination of Dunkin Donuts K-Cups, Bigelow Tea Bags, and more disposable coffee cups. Since we began our coffee business, these brands have been our most popular items by far! Be helping us restock, you allow us to continue running our cafe until the end of the school year and hopefully beyond! \r\n\r\nOur cafe serves many purposes- it builds community, allows students to practice social skills, lean vocational skills, and fundraise for our community and nutrition programming. On Tuesday mornings, we deliver coffee right to teacher's doors and on Fridays we set up a cafe outside of the cafeteria selling hot drinks, freshly baked goods, and snacks! Many of my students aim to work in a kitchen or as a cashier when they turn 22 and finish their time at the Transition Academy. Your help allows us to prepare them to apply for these jobs!","fullyFundedDate":1769983405155,"projectUrl":"project/k-cups-for-transition-academy-coffee-car/9994909/","projectTitle":"K-Cups for Transition Academy Coffee Cart","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Widmann","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10256869_orig.jpg?crop=240,240,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1759702169330","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10256869"},{"teacherId":10256869,"projectId":9708679,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for providing my classroom with cleaning supplies! The Transition Academy is a hands-on learning experience that aims to provide students with valuable vocational and life skills. These cleaning supplies have allowed us to teach students to identify cleaning chemicals and practice safe use of them, particularly around their skin and food. \r\n\r\nAdditionally, these cleaning supplies have done wonders for our nutrition education programming and our school coffee cafe! The hand gloves allow us to prepare food as a group for our school community in line with food safety standards- preparing students to keep themselves healthy at home or work in a kitchen. The dish soap and sponges were critical to opening up our use of the kitchen, as we were unable to do our dishes without them. Thanks to the combination of the cleaning supplies you donated, we have been able to cook at least once a week. Two of my students even advanced to the finals and placed third in a district-wide cooking competition!\r\n\r\nYour donation made all of this possible and we are very grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1766785202674,"projectUrl":"project/help-us-keep-a-tidy-transitions-kitchen/9708679/","projectTitle":"Help Us Keep a Tidy Transitions Kitchen!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Widmann","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10256869_orig.jpg?crop=240,240,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1759702169330","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10256869"},{"teacherId":10256869,"projectId":9942657,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your kind donation of K-Cups for my classroom! Thanks to your help, we have started two projects! On Tuesdays, we operate a mobile coffee cart and deliver custom-made orders to teachers all over campus. On Fridays, we pair our K-Cups with baked good and operate a cafe outside the cafeteria for students. For Transition Academy students, projects like these allow them gain vocational skills and social confidence as they navigate the campus and build connections. \r\n\r\nStudents are tasked with preparing coffees to order (including creamer and sugar!), bring them to teachers or students, and making change for them with our cash box. Completing this from start to finish requires following directions, making decisions, practicing customer service, and handling money- all of which are invaluable skills for the Transition Academy. \r\n\r\nThe money we earn operating our coffee cart and cafe goes to Transition Academy fund that we can draw from to purchase ingredients, cooking and cleaning supplies, and put toward community outings. We hope that the money we fundraise will allow us to go bowling or mini-golfing this spring!\r\n\r\nThank you again for helping us provide meaningful experiences for our students.","fullyFundedDate":1766067736589,"projectUrl":"project/k-cups-for-a-transition-academy-coffee-c/9942657/","projectTitle":"K-Cups for a Transition Academy Coffee Cart","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Widmann","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10256869_orig.jpg?crop=240,240,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1759702169330","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10256869"},{"teacherId":10256869,"projectId":9793489,"letterContent":"Thank you sincerely for contributing to our Transitions classroom. Your purchase of disposable coffee cups, sugar, creamer, hot cocoa and tea has allowed us to launch a Transition Academy Treats program! On Tuesdays, we use the materials to operate a mobile coffee cart serving teachers at multiple schools. On Fridays, we set up our coffee cart alongside a bake sale and allow teachers and students alike to purchase drinks and snacks during their lunch hour. The materials you purchased for us power what is now a core part of our educational program. \r\n\r\nFor my students, this coffee cart helps them practice their social, vocational, and daily living skills. Running the Tuesday mobile coffee cart and Friday cafe involves maintaining a project budget, making change with a cash register, following orders to make specialized coffees, and interfacing with customers. I have seen my student's confidence grow as our coffee cart and cafe gain traction on campus- they are building relationships with other students and teachers, feeling pride in their ability to create delicious drinks according to unique orders, and to earn money that fuels our operations. \r\n\r\nThe funds we raise from operating our coffee cart are put into a district-wide transition academy fund that we can draw from to purchase materials for our classroom and plan community outings. Already the funds we have raised have allowed our students to go bowling and purchase ingredients for our nutrition education program. Your donation to our coffee cart has opened doors to pother opportunities for my students. \r\n\r\nThank you so much for making this a reality for my students!","fullyFundedDate":1764630170110,"projectUrl":"project/transitions-treats-cafe-in-springfield/9793489/","projectTitle":"Transitions Treats Cafe in Springfield, MA","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Widmann","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10256869_orig.jpg?crop=240,240,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1759702169330","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10256869"},{"teacherId":7455659,"projectId":9387468,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of the robotics kits to our STEM program. Because of your support, our STEM teacher has been able to introduce students to the foundational skills needed to build and program robots. These hands-on materials have brought learning to life and allowed students to actively engage in problem-solving, teamwork, and critical thinking in ways that traditional instruction cannot.\r\nMany of our students had never been exposed to a robotics lab before, and they found the kits extremely interesting and exciting. The opportunity to work with real robotics materials sparked curiosity and enthusiasm, especially among students who may not typically see themselves represented in STEM spaces. The robotics lab has also played an important role in supporting at-risk students by giving them a reason to stay in school after lunch—students who might otherwise have left the building now remain engaged, focused, and motivated to participate.\r\nMost importantly, these robotics materials are helping expose future scientists, engineers, and innovators to the wide range of exciting careers available in the STEM world. By providing early exposure to robotics and technology, you are helping our students imagine new possibilities for their futures. Thank you for believing in our students and for making a lasting impact on their educational journey.","fullyFundedDate":1757519993286,"projectUrl":"project/robotics-for-all-creating-stem-equity/9387468/","projectTitle":"\"Robotics for All: Creating STEM Equity in Our Classroom\"","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bromberg","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7455659_orig.jpg?crop=389,389,x289,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1697634174961","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7455659"},{"teacherId":7455659,"projectId":9387270,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our classroom. Because of you, our students now have access to a new smart board that is transforming the way they learn and engage with academic content.\r\nAs a Title I school, many of our students have limited access to modern technology. This smart board has allowed us to teach physics in a more interactive and visual way, helping students better understand complex concepts through simulations, diagrams, and real-time problem solving. In mathematics, lessons have become more dynamic—students can see problems worked out step by step, manipulate graphs, and actively participate in solving equations together.\r\nBeyond academics, the smart board has had a powerful impact on our students' mindset. The technology helps create a learning environment that feels more like a college classroom, which encourages students to take pride in their learning and envision themselves in higher education. Students are more engaged, more motivated, and more inclined to stay focused and present in the classroom because the technology captures their attention and makes learning exciting.\r\nYour support has made a meaningful difference in our students' daily experience and confidence as learners. Thank you for investing in their education and helping us bring modern, engaging instruction into our classroom. We are truly grateful for your generosity.\r\nWith sincere appreciation,","fullyFundedDate":1757547156592,"projectUrl":"project/smartboard-launches-the-physics-classroo/9387270/","projectTitle":"Smartboard Launches the Physics Classroom Into the Future!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bromberg","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7455659_orig.jpg?crop=389,389,x289,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1697634174961","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7455659"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_110436","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":140,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":86,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":17,"percentWhite":7,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":66,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":3,"gradesServed":"10 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR District Record","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":null},"inStateSupporters":56.1,"schoolId":110436,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Early Career Academy at Rise on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Early Career Academy at Rise","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/massachusetts/springfield-public-school-district/van-siclke-international-baccalaureate/110436"}