{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Busch Middle School of Character & Athlet","outOfStateSupporters":40.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5403216,"projectId":9475407,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations to my class. My students are in 7th and 8th grades and represent more than 13 countries and 19 languages. They bring with them a variety of experiences and a desire to learn.\r\n\r\nBy donating to our class, you have helped me provide engaging lessons where students have the materials to express knowledge in creative ways. Students have already used supplies purchased from your donations to create posters where they worked with classmates to discuss, explain, and illustrate new knowledge of vocabulary. These posters are then referred to throughout the unit as they study and interact with texts.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials arrived, the students felt gratitude and appreciative to be considered by people who they don't know. Students were eager to write thank you letters to express their gratitude which also taught them the importance of returning the favor of appreciation.\r\n\r\nYour donation will make lasting impressions on my students.","fullyFundedDate":1754879616054,"projectUrl":"project/super-supplies/9475407/","projectTitle":"Super Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Zambito","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5403216_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1666044403907","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lisazambito"},{"teacherId":9753930,"projectId":9128119,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of cajon drums to our middle school music classroom! These instruments have already brought so much energy and creativity to our lessons. My students are using the cajons to explore rhythm, ensemble playing, and world drumming traditions. During a recent project, we created a drum circle where each student contributed a unique rhythm on their cajon, layering sounds together until the room was filled with music. The sense of collaboration and pride they felt in building something as a group was inspiring to watch, and it has already sparked more interest in rhythm-based activities than ever before.\r\n\r\nMany of my students had never played this type of instrument before, and the hands-on discovery of the different tones the cajon can produce led to a lot of excitement in the classroom. Now that they've gotten comfortable, our next step is to incorporate the cajons into our current songwriting unit, where students will use percussion to support their original compositions. These drums are helping students connect rhythm to creativity in meaningful ways, and it's all possible because of your kindness and generosity. We are truly grateful for the gift you've given our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1740491613033,"projectUrl":"project/mrs-maguigads-instrument-project/9128119/","projectTitle":"Mrs. Maguigad's Instrument Project","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Merrifield","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9753930"},{"teacherId":9753930,"projectId":9265437,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our classroom's ukulele capo project! The capos have already transformed the way my middle school students approach music. With them, we've been able to explore playing songs in different keys without needing to learn entirely new chord shapes, which has boosted student confidence and opened the door to more complex musical pieces. Just last week, my students worked together on a group project arranging a familiar pop song using capos to shift the key so everyone could sing comfortably. Their teamwork and excitement in hearing the arrangement come together was a special moment that wouldn't have been possible without your support.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the capos, they were filled with curiosity. Many had never seen one before! After a quick demonstration, they couldn't wait to try them out, and the smiles on their faces were unforgettable. Right now, our next step is to use capos as part of our songwriting unit. Students will be creating original songs, experimenting with chord progressions, and using capos to expand their musical possibilities. Thanks to you, they're not only learning new skills but also experiencing the joy of making music in new and creative ways. Your gift truly made an impact in our classroom, and we are so grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1746318551004,"projectUrl":"project/ukulele-capo-project/9265437/","projectTitle":"Ukulele Capo Project","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Merrifield","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9753930"},{"teacherId":7907296,"projectId":8955247,"letterContent":"Thanks to your incredible support, our girls' basketball team had an amazing season with the help of their new shoes! When the girls first received them, they were beyond excited, and it immediately boosted their confidence. They felt like a true team, ready to take on any challenge. The shoes made a big difference in keeping them safe and comfortable on the court, allowing them to focus entirely on playing their best.\r\n\r\nI'm thrilled to share that we won our first game of the season, and it set the tone for the rest of the year. The girls worked hard, supported each other, and grew so much as players and teammates. These shoes weren't just a piece of equipment—they represented an investment in their potential and brought a sense of pride that carried them through the season.\r\n\r\nAs the season has come to an end, I can see the lasting impact this has had on my team. Your generosity helped give them a season to remember, filled with growth, confidence, and accomplishment. Thank you for being such an important part of their journey and making this season one they'll never forget!","fullyFundedDate":1735264943464,"projectUrl":"project/game-changers-helping-our-girls-shine-o/8955247/","projectTitle":"Game Changers: Helping Our Girls Shine on the Court","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hall","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7907296"},{"teacherId":9753930,"projectId":8793033,"letterContent":"As we reach the end of first semester in my middle school music classroom, the students and I have taken a lot of time to reflect on our joys and successes from the school year so far. In the first semester at my school, I only teach 8th graders (I teach 6th and 7th grade in second semester). The 8th grade curriculum heavily focuses on students playing various instruments and learning proper playing techniques. The new instruments given to our classroom through this project have been paramount in my students' success this semester. \r\n\r\nThe most successful way I have engaged students in learning to play different instruments is through a Drum Circle. The name is pretty self-explanatory - my students each pick a percussion instrument and we sit in a massive circle. Drum Circles are a wonderful way to combine game-playing and learning new skills on various instruments. It was so fun to see my students' excitement the first time we did Drum Circle with our new instruments!\r\n\r\nOne of my students, Brooke, reflected on our new instruments and how they have been useful in our classroom this semester. She told me, \"the new drums have really opened my mind to the different cultures. The xylophones have helped me practice different melodies and taught me different playing techniques. The boomwackers are no longer dented and play each pitch perfectly - it's my favorite brain break we do in Ms. Merrifield's classroom.\" \r\n\r\nThis was my first project on Donors Choose, and I was in shock at how fast the sum was fulfilled. I was also surprised at how fast the materials came to my school and how quickly my students were able to reap the benefits of the project. I will forever be grateful to everyone who donated, and so will my students!","fullyFundedDate":1726675647931,"projectUrl":"project/instrumental-to-our-success/8793033/","projectTitle":"Instrumental to Our Success!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Merrifield","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9753930"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_78039","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":361,"numTeachers":24,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":5,"percentBlack":54,"percentWhite":20,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":15,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"15.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":59.4,"schoolId":78039,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Busch Middle School of Character & Athlet on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Busch Middle School of Character & Athlet","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/missouri/st-louis-public-schools/busch-academic-athletic-ms/78039"}