{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Worcester Alternative School","outOfStateSupporters":0.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":3097349,"projectId":9722733,"letterContent":"Happy New Year! \r\n\r\nOn behalf my inner-city, alternative school colleagues and the students we serve, I want to thank you for supporting our Craftin Cart! The students were very excited when the materials started to trickle in. A team of middle schoolers worked with the math teacher to build the cart. Another group organized our materials which sparked all sorts of ideas on what we might design. Once organized, I set up centers where the students (and teachers) could explore our new tools. This exploration allowed us to both develop our ground rules and show students that positive behavior could be rewarded with meaningful experiences.\r\n\r\nWe developed a positive behavior system where students who exemplified our school's core values were invited to a special weekly craftin' enrichment class. Our first theme was pinecones. My 78 year old mom volunteered to teach some students how to make pine cone wreaths. This was a nice exchange between an active senior citizen and our students. Some students used beads and pinecones to make wine bottle charms that were sold in our building and at a local craft fair. We let the students keep the profits!\r\n\r\nThe Craftin Cart has allowed a powerful outlet for creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving. It has helped channel extra energy into meaningful projects and given students incentive to improve their effort and conduct in core classes. Your generosity has already made a visible difference in our classrooms, and the impact will continue into 2026 and beyond. \r\n\r\nI want to give a special shout-out to the Maxwell/ Hanrahan Foundation who matched donations to our project. Their support reflects a deep commitment to education, equity and to making sure students in under-resourced schools have the same opportunities to create, explore, and learn as any other student. You can check them out at www.maxwell-hanrahan.org!\r\n\r\nThank you again to all our donors!","fullyFundedDate":1758839295638,"projectUrl":"project/craftin-cart/9722733/","projectTitle":"Craftin' Cart","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hamm","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3097349_orig.jpg?crop=384,384,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758296496447","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3097349"},{"teacherId":5791137,"projectId":9053335,"letterContent":"The new 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 chip has completely changed how our students approach music production and recording. In our classroom, this powerful laptop allows them to run professional-level recording sessions, edit complex audio tracks, and experiment with digital instruments in real time. It gives students hands-on experience with industry-standard tools, preparing them for careers in the music industry and giving them a competitive edge as they transition from high school to college or the workforce.\r\n\r\nStudents are most excited about creating high-quality recordings that capture live performances and bring their musical ideas to life. From recording peers' solo projects to mentoring younger students and producing audio/video content ready for distribution, they take full ownership of the creative process. The MacBook Pro's speed and storage let them work on multiple projects at once without interruptions, freeing their creativity.\r\n\r\nSome students who were shy about sharing their music are now confidently producing, mixing, and mastering tracks. They're building real-world portfolios and gaining the skills needed for professional careers—all before graduation.","fullyFundedDate":1746460669164,"projectUrl":"project/giddy-up-giddy-up-giddy-up-409/9053335/","projectTitle":"Giddy up Giddy up Giddy up 409","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Mott","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5791137_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1536284358178","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-mott-mr-mott"},{"teacherId":5791137,"projectId":8708074,"letterContent":"I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all the incredibly generous donors who have supported my project, \"Drumkit Setup In Urgent Care Clinic? Hmmm...Sadly, Not Doing Well.\" Your thoughtful contribution of The Alesis Nitro Max Kit Electric Drum Set, complete with Quiet Mesh Pads, volume control, and a headset connection, has opened an incredible opportunity for my students to engage with the transformative powers of rhythm and steady pulse. The introduction of this state-of-the-art Alesis electronic drum set enables me to inspire my students to work on essential physical skills, incorporating control of their arms and legs, strengthening fine motor skills, fostering cross-lateral movement, and enhancing their whole-brain thinking as their left and right hemispheres collaborate in harmony.\r\n\r\nMoreover, we've successfully integrated the Alesis Nitro Max into our existing audio interface and DAW workstation, allowing us to meticulously record original compositions and engaging student exercises. This innovative platform serves as a valuable tool for students to evaluate their performances, providing them with real-time feedback and promoting self-reflection. The most remarkable aspect is that my students feel an unmatched freedom to express themselves on the drum kit—after all, with the headphones on, they can lose themselves in their creativity without concern for outside noise.\r\n\r\nBeyond the technical benefits that have come to life, your generous support has had a profound effect on the cognitive development and thought processes of many students. You have equipped us with empowering tools that not only enrich our knowledge but also broaden our experiences, leveling the playing field in an increasingly competitive environment. Every day, my classroom is filled with youthful energy and creative fervor, manifesting in enthusiastic greetings as students walk by: \"Hey Mister, I'm working in the studio today,\" \"Hey Mister, I've got a beat,\" \"Hey Mister, I have an idea,\" or \"Hey Mister, I want to continue working on...\" Their excitement is palpable.\r\n\r\nI have also witnessed a remarkable shift in the atmosphere of tolerance and collaboration among my students. A newfound mutual respect and understanding permeates the room, allowing all of them to create and practice together in the same space—an environment where the sound quality may deviate from professional standards, but the spirit of creativity thrives nonetheless.\r\n\r\nTogether, we have crafted a uniquely supportive experience, one that recognizes and addresses the myriad challenges my students face. This space allows them to release their burdens, overcome setbacks, and unearth the resilience necessary to pursue promising futures. These futures are brimming with opportunities worth striving for, making my classroom more vibrant, rewarding, inspiring, and motivating than ever before. The simple inclusion of The Alesis Nitro Max Kit Electric Drum Set has transformed my room into a warm and inviting recording studio, nurturing the creative environment I am passionately dedicated to cultivating.\r\n\r\nBy sharing my donorschoose projects, both new and fully funded, along with the extraordinary equipment and materials I've received, I provide my students with a perspective that highlights the care and support from the community. Thank you immensely for your invaluable contributions in shaping my classroom into a distinctive and nurturing place, where we are well-equipped to meet the diverse needs of my students beyond just academics.","fullyFundedDate":1733222014862,"projectUrl":"project/drumkit-setup-in-urgent-care-clinic-hmm/8708074/","projectTitle":"Drumkit Setup In Urgent Care Clinic? Hmmm…Sadly, Not Doing Well.","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Mott","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5791137_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1536284358178","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-mott-mr-mott"},{"teacherId":5791137,"projectId":8678249,"letterContent":"I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the generous donors who contributed to my project, \"...You Don't Eat Your Meat, How Can You Have Any Pudding?\" Your thoughtful donations of countless packets of Ramen, rich herbal tea, decadent hot chocolate powder, biodegradable bowls, and 500 sets of insulated Kraft ripple paper hot cups have fulfilled a vital daily necessity among my students, especially during these bitterly cold months. As teachers, we provide more than just educational materials; we strive to connect with our students and address their genuine needs. \r\n\r\nMany times, students arrive in our classrooms literally hungry, their stomachs in knots. The pangs of hunger can lead to a cascade of interruptions in their lives, manifesting as uncontrollable behaviors, sleepless nights, emotional instability, and anxiety, all of which make it incredibly difficult for them to focus on their studies. This often results in lost opportunities for essential educational growth. Because of your generous donations, I was able to reach out and say, \"Can I make you a Ramen or a hot chocolate?\"\r\n\r\nI didn't capture photos or videos of my students savoring their warm bowls of soup or sipping their steaming cups of cocoa, but if I could have, you would have seen the instant transformation in their demeanor. Their energy seemed to drain away, and they melted into the comforting atmosphere of my classroom, as if my invitation had graciously disarmed their defenses. I observed a profound shift in their behavior—students became more respectful, genuinely thankful, and increasingly thoughtful. They began to support one another more openly, as well as appreciate what I had to offer them within our learning space. More importantly, we changed the outcome of their day. \r\n\r\nTogether, we have cultivated a truly unique and supportive experience that acknowledges the myriad challenges students face, allowing them to release their burdens, overcome setbacks, and discover the resilience needed to pursue brighter futures. These futures are filled with positive possibilities truly worth striving for. My classes have never felt this vibrant, rewarding, inspiring, and motivating. The simple addition of Ramen, hot chocolate, and herbal teas to my classroom, which I've set up as a warm and inviting Recording Studio, has nurtured the creative environment I am dedicated to fostering. Thank you for your invaluable contributions in making my classroom a distinctive place, ready to meet the needs of my students beyond mere academics.","fullyFundedDate":1733276174363,"projectUrl":"project/you-dont-eat-your-meat-how-can-you-h/8678249/","projectTitle":"“…You Don’t Eat Your Meat, How Can You Have anyPudding?”","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Mott","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5791137_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1536284358178","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-mott-mr-mott"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_53727","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":100,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":6,"percentBlack":16,"percentWhite":24,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":43,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"7 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR District Record","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":null},"inStateSupporters":100.0,"schoolId":53727,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Worcester Alternative School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Worcester Alternative School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/massachusetts/worcester-public-schools/alternative-school/53727"}