{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Mike O'Callaghan Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":56.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9373022,"projectId":10001458,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my students were able to take on a hands-on bridge building project that turned abstract science ideas into something real they could see and test. Many of my students had never built anything like this before, so this was a completely new experience. Using the materials you provided, they designed and constructed bridges while applying concepts like force, load, and structural strength. One moment that stood out was when students began testing their bridges—watching carefully as weight was added, cheering when designs held, and quickly going back to improve them when they didn't. That cycle of testing and redesign became real learning in action.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials were first introduced, there was a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Some students weren't sure where to start because they had never had the chance to build something with their own hands. Very quickly, that hesitation turned into curiosity and determination. Students began collaborating, sharing ideas, and taking pride in their designs. It was powerful to see students who don't always shine in traditional academic settings step up and succeed through problem-solving and creativity.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, we are building on this experience by having students refine their designs and apply what they learned to future engineering challenges. They are beginning to think more like engineers—planning, testing, and improving rather than giving up when something doesn't work the first time. Your support didn't just provide materials; it gave my students confidence and a new way to engage with learning. For many of them, this was the first time they truly felt like creators.\r\n\r\nThank you for making this experience possible.","fullyFundedDate":1768662317126,"projectUrl":"project/exploring-stem-concepts-through-bridge-d/10001458/","projectTitle":"Exploring STEM Concepts Through Bridge Design","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Waters","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9373022"},{"teacherId":8142052,"projectId":9993838,"letterContent":"Thanks to this project, my students were able to experience science in a way that goes far beyond a textbook. The spectrograph transformed abstract concepts about light, energy, and atomic structure into something tangible and exciting. Instead of simply learning that elements emit specific wavelengths of light, students were able to observe emission spectra firsthand and make real connections to the content.\r\n\r\nThis hands-on experience significantly increased student engagement. Many of my students, who typically struggle to stay focused during traditional instruction, were actively participating, asking questions, and making predictions. The spectrograph sparked curiosity and encouraged a deeper level of inquiry as students compared different light sources and analyzed the unique spectral patterns they observed.\r\n\r\nAcademically, students demonstrated improved understanding of key concepts related to electromagnetic radiation and atomic theory. They were better able to explain how energy levels in atoms relate to the light we see and could apply this knowledge in both class discussions and assessments. The ability to see real data made the learning more meaningful and helped solidify concepts that are often difficult to grasp.\r\n\r\nBeyond content knowledge, this project also helped students build important scientific skills such as observation, data analysis, and critical thinking. They practiced thinking like scientists—forming hypotheses, testing ideas, and drawing conclusions based on evidence.\r\n\r\nOverall, the spectrograph has had a lasting impact on my classroom by increasing engagement, deepening understanding, and fostering a genuine excitement for science. My students now see science not just as something to memorize, but as something to explore and experience firsthand.","fullyFundedDate":1768110905472,"projectUrl":"project/making-waves/9993838/","projectTitle":"Making Waves","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Kofford","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8142052"},{"teacherId":7753873,"projectId":9992256,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous contribution to our hydroponic garden project. Because of your support, our middle school students have been able to experience hands-on learning that brings science, sustainability, and nutrition to life in the classroom. Students have observed plant growth up close, explored concepts such as ecosystems and resource conservation, and developed a deeper understanding of how food can be grown in innovative ways. The garden has also sparked curiosity and collaboration, encouraging students to ask questions, experiment, and take ownership of the growing process. Many students have shared excitement about harvesting and tasting what they helped grow, making the experience both educational and memorable. \r\n\r\nIn addition, the step stool and swivel chair has made our classroom more accessible and the vacuum cleaner and humidifier helps us maintain a clean and healthy learning environment. \r\n\r\nYour generosity has helped create an engaging learning environment that will continue to inspire our students for years to come.\r\n\r\nWith gratitude,","fullyFundedDate":1768097104152,"projectUrl":"project/tools-for-learning-growth-and-accessib/9992256/","projectTitle":"Tools for Learning, Growth, and Accessibility","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. B","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7753873_orig.jpg?crop=864,864,x0,y161&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1767889991298","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7753873"},{"teacherId":9720605,"projectId":9998021,"letterContent":"We're incredibly grateful for your support of \"The Write Way: ELA Organization and Inspiration.\" Your generosity has provided new resources that are transforming how our students plan, draft, and revise their writing, and you've given them a clearer path to confident communication. When the materials arrived, the room lit up, students explored the organizers and brightened prompts with enthusiasm, immediately diving into a hands-on mini-lesson on idea maps and revision checklists. Next, we're moving into a collaborative writing project where students craft short narratives using the new organizational tools, peer-critique with guided feedback, and a final publish-and-share moment that highlights each student's growth.","fullyFundedDate":1769084938444,"projectUrl":"project/the-write-way-ela-organization-and-insp/9998021/","projectTitle":"The Write Way: ELA Organization and Inspiration","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cortez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9720605_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y362&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752783739139","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9720605"},{"teacherId":8121498,"projectId":9992674,"letterContent":"Thank you for all the help and support! My students were very surprised and excited for the packages showing up to the classroom. We are always in need of basic supplies! The pencils and notebooks really help when it comes to math! We take notes almost everyday.\r\n\r\nThe candy and fridge/microwave is a great support for incentives for students to do their work and earning prizes. They are really motivated to work hard to earn them. Also a lot of students don't eat the school lunch, so being able to provide snacks for them is a huge help.","fullyFundedDate":1768233767955,"projectUrl":"project/help-make-math-fun/9992674/","projectTitle":"Help Make Math Fun!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Latta","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8121498"},{"teacherId":9375601,"projectId":8053565,"letterContent":"My students saw the new materials and couldn't wait to start using them. I had to remind them that project research comes first, but the materials available just made them want to start working. If you know anything about middle school students, motivation is one of the most difficult things. \r\n\r\nThe students were quick to choose a problem in Nevada, research the problem, and then come up with ways to solve the problem. They diligently wrote their essays, and then were more than excited to present their findings using all the materials available to them. Some students commented that they hadn't ever seen or used these materials such as the laminator. \r\n\r\nThe materials made them feel as if their research into the solutions of the problems mattered, and the presenting of their findings mattered. Seeing the pride on the students faces was truly priceless.","fullyFundedDate":1700512693980,"projectUrl":"project/minds-in-motion-cultivating-creativity/8053565/","projectTitle":"Minds in Motion: Cultivating Creativity With Project Based Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ward","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9375601"},{"teacherId":1926652,"projectId":8057533,"letterContent":"My students have thoroughly enjoyed the literary materials we received. Allowing a student's world to expand through quality literature is a gift. Some of these books have been read out loud to the entire class, and some of the students have waited turns to check them out and read them independently. When we read the books out loud together as a class, it lends itself to deep conversations and allows personal connections to be made. Having community conversations allows students access to perspectives they may not have thought about otherwise.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThank you so much for your kind donation.","fullyFundedDate":1701012231220,"projectUrl":"project/literature-lighthouse/8057533/","projectTitle":"Literature Lighthouse","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Long","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1926652_orig.png?crop=141,141,x0,y3&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1767894708610","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1926652"},{"teacherId":6620104,"projectId":9576175,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations that provided headphones for my students. Your kindness is already making a meaningful difference in our classroom. With these headphones, students are able to focus more effectively, engage more deeply with audio and visual lessons, and work independently without unnecessary distractions. This support directly enhances their ability to learn and succeed.\r\n\r\nIn addition, the headphones have helped create a more inclusive learning environment for students with different learning needs. Many students benefit from being able to replay instructions, listen at their own pace, or block out background noise so they can stay on task. Your generosity has given them a tool that supports confidence, independence, and academic growth.\r\n\r\nWe are truly grateful for your commitment to education and for investing in our students' success. Your support has had a lasting impact, and it is sincerely appreciated.","fullyFundedDate":1759264772840,"projectUrl":"project/audiovisual-to-improve-reading-comprehen/9576175/","projectTitle":"Audiovisual to Improve Reading Comprehension and Fluency","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Gundlach","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6620104"},{"teacherId":8142052,"projectId":9758218,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom project. Your donation made a meaningful impact on my students and our learning environment.\r\n\r\nOriginally, this project was designed around building and testing catapults to explore forces and motion. However, after reviewing our curriculum needs and student interests, I adjusted the project to focus on rockets instead. This change allowed students to more directly engage with key concepts such as Newton's Laws of Motion, thrust, mass, and aerodynamics in a hands-on and highly engaging way.\r\n\r\nUsing the materials you provided, students designed, built, and tested their own rockets. They collected data, made predictions, analyzed results, and worked collaboratively to improve their designs. The excitement in the classroom was incredible—students were fully invested, asking thoughtful questions, and making real-world connections to science and engineering.\r\n\r\nMany students told me this was one of their favorite activities of the year. For some, it was the first time they truly felt like scientists and engineers. Your support helped transform abstract concepts into an unforgettable learning experience and gave students the confidence to think critically and creatively.\r\n\r\nThank you again for investing in my students and helping make science come alive in our classroom. We are incredibly grateful for your generosity and belief in education.\r\n\r\nWith sincere appreciation,\r\nKaleb Kofford","fullyFundedDate":1759264773093,"projectUrl":"project/bright-ideas-take-flight/9758218/","projectTitle":"Bright Ideas Take Flight","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Kofford","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8142052"},{"teacherId":6083460,"projectId":9530474,"letterContent":"These snacks went so quickly. Kids come to to class hungry! I love that I was able to support their needs with providing them a safe space to come to, and some great snacks on those days when they diddn't have money to buy lunch (or they just didn't like the lunch that was provided.\r\n\r\nUnless you are in the classroom, you would never understand how many kids come to school hungry every day & how much of a distraction that is for students. I know when I am hungry, sometimes all I can think about is what am I going to eat!? The kids feel that too.\r\n\r\nThey are so thankful and so am I .","fullyFundedDate":1754420221464,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-for-the-kiddos-birthdays-hung/9530474/","projectTitle":"Snacks for the Kiddos! (Birthdays, Hungry Kids, and Incentives)","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Davis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp6083460_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1543096987235","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6083460"},{"teacherId":9720605,"projectId":9475525,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support of \"A World to See: Diversity Is Key.\" Your gift has directly enriched our classroom. Thank you for helping expand our students' worldviews and investing in a more inclusive classroom!\r\n\r\nYour support helps foster cultural awareness, inclusive dialogue, and validated student identities by integrating diverse perspectives into resources and activities. It promotes equitable participation through structured collaboration and rotating roles, supports critical thinking as students compare sources and acknowledge bias, and builds empathy and social-emotional skills as they engage with stories different from their own, while expanding cultural literacy, strengthening community connections with families and local members, encouraging reflective practice on identities and assumptions, and enhancing literacy through diverse voices and formats, all of which contribute to a more inclusive classroom culture and, ultimately, stronger academic achievement and preparation for global citizenship. \r\n\r\nOnce again, thank you for helping us create a learning environment where every student can see themselves and others represented and valued.","fullyFundedDate":1761789329900,"projectUrl":"project/a-world-to-see-diversity-is-key/9475525/","projectTitle":"A World to See: Diversity Is Key!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cortez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9720605_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y362&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752783739139","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9720605"},{"teacherId":3031253,"projectId":9582831,"letterContent":"We are so appreciative of each of you and your contributions to our project. With your help, we have cut, tied and donated over 100 blankets to our local homeless shelters just in time for the cold winter months. We know the results of this project will benefit many people, and we couldn't have done it without your help.\r\n\r\nIn addition, many of my students have expressed interest in continuing this project within their own homes. Some have asked their parents for fleece so they can make blankets of their own, for their family members, or continue our goal to help the community. It has been so uplifting to see my students see the joy of caring for others and gain a desire to continue to do so with their families. I am very grateful for the role each of you have played to give my students the opportunity to learn a new skill and help take care of our community.","fullyFundedDate":1758822642983,"projectUrl":"project/keep-our-community-warm/9582831/","projectTitle":"Keep Our Community Warm","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Reeser","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3031253_orig.jpg?crop=2604,2604,x35,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757435679069","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3031253"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_56246","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1419,"numTeachers":52,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":3,"percentBlack":4,"percentWhite":9,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":77,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"27.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":44.0,"schoolId":56246,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Mike O'Callaghan Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Mike O'Callaghan Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/nevada/clark-county-school-district/mike-o-callaghan-middle-school/56246"}