{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Carroll M Johnston Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":50.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9823830,"projectId":10015809,"letterContent":"This project has given my students various materials to design and build a sustainable home! Students also got the opportunity to present their sustainable home and talk about why they chose the features they did and how those features help a family live and stay safe while being a steward of the environment. Thank you for giving my students materials to help their creations come to life! \r\n\r\nThe students presented their houses to other students, family members, as well as school district employees. They did an exceptional job at describing items they added to their builds that simulate how a house is designed to withstand elements depending on where it is in the world. The students had to research various materials used and describe why they used those specific materials. \r\n\r\nAgain, thank you for the materials and the opportunities provided to my students.","fullyFundedDate":1768652848963,"projectUrl":"project/design-build-engineer-sustainable-hom/10015809/","projectTitle":"Design, Build, Engineer! Sustainable Homes in 6th Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Liimatainen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9823830_orig.jpg?crop=2208,2208,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1730494639793","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9823830"},{"teacherId":9353020,"projectId":10029068,"letterContent":"Our 7th grade history classroom has already been transformed by the generous resources our donors provided. The fidgets, LEGOs, end markers, and crayons may seem like simple materials, but they have had a huge impact on student engagement, creativity, and participation in class. Middle school students learn best when they are actively involved, and these new supplies have helped create a classroom environment where students feel comfortable, focused, and excited to learn.\r\nOne of the biggest differences we noticed right away was how the fidgets helped students stay attentive during lessons and discussions. Many students in middle school struggle with sitting still for long periods of time, especially during note-taking or lectures. Having access to appropriate fidget tools has helped students channel their energy in positive ways without disrupting learning. Students who previously had difficulty focusing during historical readings or discussions are now participating more consistently and staying engaged longer. It has created a calmer classroom atmosphere and allowed students to feel more supported during instruction.\r\nThe LEGOs have become an incredible hands-on learning tool in our history classroom. One memorable project involved students creating models of ancient civilizations and historical landmarks. During our unit on Ancient Egypt, students worked in groups to design pyramids, villages, and trading systems using LEGOs. They discussed geography, architecture, and daily life while building together. It was amazing to watch students who are usually quiet become leaders during the activity. They collaborated, solved problems, and explained their historical thinking to classmates. The excitement in the room was contagious, and students were genuinely proud of their creations.\r\nThe crayons and markers have also brought a new level of creativity to our classroom projects. Students recently created illustrated historical timelines and propaganda posters connected to the events we are studying. Having colorful materials available allowed students to express themselves artistically while still demonstrating understanding of important historical concepts. Many students take greater pride in their work when they can personalize and design their projects. These materials have helped make history feel more interactive and meaningful rather than just something they read about in a textbook.\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, their reactions were immediate and heartfelt. Many students smiled, clapped, and excitedly asked when they would get to use everything. Several students commented that it felt like our classroom was becoming more \"fun\" and welcoming. What stood out most was how thankful they were. Students understood that people outside of our school cared enough to support their learning, and that realization made a real impact on them. It created a sense of community and encouragement that continues to motivate them.\r\nLooking ahead, we plan to continue using these resources in upcoming collaborative history projects. Students will soon begin a unit where they research important historical events and create interactive displays using the art supplies and building materials. We also plan to incorporate more small-group activities where students can use the fidgets to remain focused while participating in discussions and presentations. These resources are helping us build a classroom culture that values creativity, teamwork, and active learning.\r\nWe are incredibly grateful to our donors for making these experiences possible. Their generosity has provided more than just classroom supplies—it has helped create an engaging environment where students feel supported, inspired, and excited to learn history every day.","fullyFundedDate":1768686394799,"projectUrl":"project/education-is-key/10029068/","projectTitle":"Education Is Key!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Ortiz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9353020"},{"teacherId":9350987,"projectId":10005299,"letterContent":"Thank you for your incredible generosity. Your support for our project, \"Celestial Celebrations: Rockets, Rovers, and the Lunar New Year,\" has done more than just provide supplies; it has provided the \"lift\" my students needed to see themselves as part of the global history of aviation and the future of space exploration.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, our classroom library is now enriched with beautiful, high-quality books that highlight the profound Asian influence on the history of flight. My students were fascinated to learn that the principles of aerodynamics they are studying in our PLTW Flight and Space unit actually trace back centuries—from the early invention of kites in China. Reading these stories while preparing for the Lunar New Year allowed my students to connect their cultural heritage with their scientific aspirations.\r\n\r\nThe hands-on supplies you funded turned our lab into a high-energy flight hangar. We didn't just read about flight; we lived it.\r\n\r\nHot Air Balloons: Using the tissue paper and heating elements you provided, students constructed their own balloons. \r\n\r\nGliders and Paper Rockets: We used these to master Newton's Third Law. Students engaged in a \"Rocket Design Challenge,\" testing how different payloads and fin shapes affected the distance and stability of their flight. These weren't just toys; they were tools for data collection.\r\n\r\nThe Artemis Connection: We bridged the gap between ancient history and the future Artemis missions. By building rovers and testing propulsion, my students began to see the \"Critical Path\" (as we learned in our Gantt Chart lessons) that leads from the first paper glider to the next lunar landing.\r\n\r\nThe most observable outcome of this project has been the surge in STEM Identity. It's empowering when students see people who look like them in the books they read—like the story of astronauts and engineers of Asian descent.\r\n\r\nIn the movie A Million Miles Away, which we recently studied, José Hernández's father gave him five ingredients for success. Your donation provided the third ingredient: \"Draw a Roadmap.\" You have provided the materials for that roadmap, showing my students that with the right tools and a bit of \"Grit,\" they can reach the stars.","fullyFundedDate":1771014128840,"projectUrl":"project/celestial-celebrations-rockets-rovers/10005299/","projectTitle":"Celestial Celebrations: Rockets, Rovers, and the Lunar New Year","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Francis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9350987_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x443,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1698970567207","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/stephanie-francis"},{"teacherId":9350987,"projectId":10074830,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your partnership with my classroom project Urban Harvest Mentors. Your generous donation enabled middle school students to grow food, fight food insecurity and mentor elementary students across the street and the community around their school.\r\n\r\nStudents in all of my classes were able to grow food and conduct experiments about the best way to provide food to their families. They also did research on healthy and sustainable foods. \r\n\r\nAfter they grew food and studied, they were able to share their understanding with several key groups. Some of the students were able to do a field trip to the neighboring elementary school where they lead a presentation to pre-K students. Other students were able to share their produce at an after school STEM night. \r\n\r\nMy students were able to DO science because of your support and for that I am very grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1770662912442,"projectUrl":"project/urban-harvest-mentors-fighting-food-ins/10074830/","projectTitle":"Urban Harvest Mentors: Fighting Food Insecurity Through Student Leadership","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Francis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9350987_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x443,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1698970567207","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/stephanie-francis"},{"teacherId":8697736,"projectId":10011047,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of the Cricut to our classroom. Your support has made an immediate and meaningful impact on our students' learning experiences. With this new tool, students now have the opportunity to bring their ideas to life through creative, hands-on projects that enhance both their academic skills and their confidence. We are excited to use the Cricut to create engaging learning centers, classroom visuals, and student projects that make lessons more interactive and memorable.\r\n\r\nYour kindness and commitment to education truly make a difference for our students. Because of your generosity, we can provide opportunities that inspire creativity, collaboration, and make learning fun. Please know that your donation is deeply appreciated and will benefit our classroom in many ways throughout the school year and beyond. Thank you again for investing in our students and helping us create a more engaging learning environment.","fullyFundedDate":1768324261815,"projectUrl":"project/math-centers-for-students/10011047/","projectTitle":"Math Centers for Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kupfer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8697736"},{"teacherId":9350987,"projectId":9897089,"letterContent":"Because of your belief in our students, our project got an incredible upgrade. Your support has provided the critical tools our STEM lab needed to bridge the gap between environmental theory and precision engineering.\r\n\r\nFor our Sustainable House Project, students are no longer just guessing if their designs work. They are using the tools your donation provided to measure and experience thermal energy transfer through different insulation types and creating models that fit to survive any storm. This precision is the hallmark of a true engineer, and you have made that experience possible for every student in my classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1769533192201,"projectUrl":"project/climate-action-engineers-designing-sust/9897089/","projectTitle":"Climate Action Engineers: Designing Sustainable Futures with Precision Tools","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Francis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9350987_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x443,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1698970567207","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/stephanie-francis"},{"teacherId":10321406,"projectId":9845092,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my classroom has been transformed into a true Math 360 learning environment where every student is actively engaged. With the black socks serving as whiteboard erasers, Expo markers for problem-solving, and frog tape creating individual workspaces, my students now have the tools to think, move, and collaborate in meaningful ways. Instead of passively sitting, they are solving problems in real time, explaining their thinking, and building confidence in math.\r\n\r\nThis setup has increased participation, accountability, and excitement for learning. Students who once hesitated to share are now eager to contribute because they have their own space to try, revise, and succeed. Your support didn't just provide supplies—it created an interactive, student-centered classroom where learning is visible and every voice matters. Thank you for making this transformation possible!","fullyFundedDate":1769177561775,"projectUrl":"project/transform-our-math-classroom-with-a-360-/9845092/","projectTitle":"Transform Our Math Classroom with a 360-Degree Learning Experience!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wyatt-Thomas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10321406"},{"teacherId":10399724,"projectId":9996111,"letterContent":"Thank you for bringing our project to life! My 7th-grade math students are officially better equipped to tackle the Nevada state standards. From drawing complex geometry cross-sections to mastering negative number inequalities, your generosity is felt in every lesson we teach.\r\n\r\nMy students are now more focused, more driven, and—most importantly—more confident. We've been tackling tough topics like algebraic equations and proportional relationships, and having the right supplies makes those challenges feel like fun puzzles rather than chores.\r\n\r\nThank you for your generosity. These resources are well-loved and utilized.","fullyFundedDate":1768146044277,"projectUrl":"project/making-math-visible/9996111/","projectTitle":"Making Math Visible","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dixon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/dixonatjohnston"},{"teacherId":10004502,"projectId":10021714,"letterContent":"My students are incredibly grateful for the materials provided. The ease of coming to class and having everything available from the very start of the school year is something that students enjoy and makes my life easier. They feel like the materials provided are sacred, and they love knowing that an anonymous donor wanted to help them succeed. \r\n\r\nOne of my favorite things to do with the folders is write their names in cursive on the front. Many of them don't know cursive, so they adore seeing their names written in this way. A lot of them also ask me to teach them how to write their name like that, which is an added bonus of doing this. \r\n\r\nThe notebooks are the core of my classroom. We complete notes, journaling, and in-class activities in the notebooks. They house the most important information we learn, which students are able to reference throughout the year in order to think back on previous learning to apply new knowledge or review before tests. It makes a world of a difference for students to have a place to complete these tasks.","fullyFundedDate":1768617869895,"projectUrl":"project/interactive-learning-with-ela/10021714/","projectTitle":"Interactive Learning With ELA","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gotham","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10004502_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x483,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1745436567307","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10004502"},{"teacherId":9686543,"projectId":9991554,"letterContent":"I am writing to extend my sincere gratitude for your generous support of our classroom through DonorsChoose. Because of your contribution, my students were able to engage in hands-on scientific experiences that brought their learning to life in ways that simply cannot be replicated through textbooks alone.\r\n\r\nOur class recently had the opportunity to participate in activities aligned with NGSS standards MS-LS4-2 and MS-LS1-3. Students explored anatomical similarities and differences among species while dissecting starfish, applying scientific ideas to better understand how organisms are structured. Additionally, through the dissection of owl pellets, students examined how different body systems interact and function together, strengthening their understanding of organisms as complex systems.\r\n\r\nTo say the students were excited would be an understatement. From the moment the materials were introduced, curiosity filled the room. Students eagerly collaborated, asked thoughtful questions, and made meaningful connections between structure and function. For many of them, this was their first time engaging in real scientific investigation, and it left a lasting impression.\r\n\r\nYour generosity provided more than just materials—it created an experience. You helped foster curiosity, critical thinking, and a genuine enthusiasm for science in my classroom. These are the moments students remember, and they are essential in shaping confident, inquisitive learners.\r\n\r\nThank you again for investing in my students and their education. Your support truly makes a difference.","fullyFundedDate":1768685866099,"projectUrl":"project/inside-out-learning-life-science-throug/9991554/","projectTitle":"Inside Out: Learning Life Science Through Real Investigation","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Henry","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9686543"},{"teacherId":9376242,"projectId":10024100,"letterContent":"My students have already begun using these new resources in our daily classroom routines, especially as we work through reading, writing, and discussion activities. One of the most impactful additions has been the large world map. We've started using it during lessons to connect the events in our stories to real-world locations, which has helped students better visualize and understand what they are reading. It has also sparked meaningful conversations about how the themes in our texts connect to real-world events, making our discussions more engaging and relevant.\r\n\r\nThe composition notebooks have also become an essential part of our classroom. As we read Hatchet, students are using their journals to track Brian's survival journey, record key events, and reflect on how his experiences shape him as a character. This has helped students stay organized while also deepening their understanding of the story. The journals are also used for daily writing practice, allowing students to build consistency and confidence in their writing.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the materials, they were genuinely excited. For many of them, having consistent access to supplies like notebooks, folders, and writing tools makes a big difference. The classroom immediately felt more complete and ready for learning, and students were eager to begin using everything right away.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, these resources will continue to support students as we move into larger writing assignments, including informational and argumentative essays. Students will use their journals to plan, draft, and revise their work, while folders will help them stay organized throughout the writing process. The markers and whiteboard supplies are already supporting group brainstorming and collaboration, helping students share their ideas more confidently.\r\n\r\nThese materials are helping create a classroom where students feel prepared, supported, and ready to learn every day. Thank you again for making that possible.","fullyFundedDate":1768672357265,"projectUrl":"project/tracking-our-literature/10024100/","projectTitle":"Tracking Our Literature","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. LeNoir","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9376242"},{"teacherId":4409065,"projectId":9990009,"letterContent":"Your contribution is already making a meaningful difference in how our students learn, create, and engage with STEM concepts in our classroom.\r\n\r\nWith these tools, students are no longer limited to imagining ideas on paper. They are able to physically bring their designs to life. Whether they are building architectural models, engineering prototypes, or creative solutions to real-world problems, the 3D pens are helping students move from concept to creation in a way that is both exciting and deeply impactful.\r\n\r\nThese tools are especially powerful in a middle school setting, where students are developing confidence in their abilities. Many of our students have never had access to hands-on design tools like this before. The 3D pens give them an entry point into engineering and design that feels approachable, creative, and fun. They allow students to experiment, make mistakes, and improve their ideas, which is at the heart of the engineering design process.","fullyFundedDate":1768070091395,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-engineering-with-3d-design-tool/9990009/","projectTitle":"Hands-On Engineering With 3D Design Tools","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. White","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4409065"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_32155","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":967,"numTeachers":52,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":38,"percentWhite":5,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":43,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":2,"percentMultiracialImputed":6,"gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"18.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":49.4,"schoolId":32155,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Carroll M Johnston Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Carroll M Johnston Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/nevada/clark-county-school-district/carroll-m-johnston-middle-school/32155"}