{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Lou Mendive Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":31.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9449218,"projectId":9989129,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my gifted middle school students have been fully immersed in hands-on, creative learning experiences that bring their ideas to life. When the materials first arrived, the excitement was immediate. Students were eager to explore, build, and create. The KEVA Structures set quickly became a favorite, with students working in small teams to design towers, bridges, and original structures. I watched them naturally move through the engineering design process (including planning, testing, failing, and redesigning) while discussing strategy, balance, and structure in ways that felt authentic and student-driven.\r\n\r\nThe adjustable iPad tripod stands have allowed us to take creativity even further through LEGO stop-motion projects. Students have been planning scenes, sequencing movements, and bringing their stories to life frame by frame. One group recently created a short animation showing a structure being built and collapsing, then rebuilt stronger. This was an incredible visual representation of perseverance and problem-solving. These projects have strengthened not only their creativity, but also their communication, organization, and critical thinking skills.\r\n\r\nIn addition to these projects, students have enjoyed using the games to build collaboration and communication skills in a fun, low-pressure way. Looking ahead, we are excited to begin working with the TeacherGeek Wiggle Bots, where students will design and build moving creations while exploring motion, circuitry, and iteration. Your support has created a classroom environment where curiosity is encouraged, creativity is celebrated, and students are empowered to think deeply and take ownership of their learning. Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1768609565281,"projectUrl":"project/big-brains-at-work/9989129/","projectTitle":"Big Brains at Work!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Price","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9449218"},{"teacherId":8105891,"projectId":10004704,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my students have been actively using the new equipment during both structured lessons and free-choice activity time. One standout moment was on a day we weren't able to be in the gym, we took the juggling balls outside and students challenged themselves to keep the balls in motion, celebrating small victories and encouraging each other. It was incredible to see their perseverance and how quickly their confidence grew with practice.\r\nWhen the students first saw the new equipment, their excitement was immediate and contagious. There were smiles, cheers, and lots of \"Can we try them now?\" They were especially intrigued by the juggling balls and hacky sacks since many had never used them before. The newness of the materials sparked curiosity and enthusiasm, which translated into high engagement right from the start.\r\nMoving forward, students will continue building their coordination, teamwork, and goal-setting skills through more structured challenges and small-group activities. We are beginning to incorporate mini skill-building goals, such as juggling a certain number of catches or completing a sequence of passes with a partner using the volleyball or soccer ball. Ultimately, these activities will lead into student-designed games, where they apply what they've learned to create and lead their own collaborative activities.","fullyFundedDate":1768183057136,"projectUrl":"project/classic-pe-games-and-more/10004704/","projectTitle":"Classic PE Games and More","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Verdi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8105891"},{"teacherId":9092726,"projectId":10035962,"letterContent":"Your generous support of our DonorsChoose project has made a meaningful impact on our music classroom. The printer ink you provided allows me to print the sheet music, learning materials, and resources that students rely on every day to practice, perform, and grow as musicians. Having consistent access to printed music ensures that every student can fully participate in rehearsals and lessons without worrying about sharing or going without the materials they need.\r\n\r\nThe snacks have also been a wonderful motivator and support for our students. They serve as positive incentives that help encourage effort, focus, and teamwork during rehearsals and performances. For many students, these small rewards make a big difference in keeping them engaged and excited about learning music. Your generosity helps create a supportive, well-equipped classroom where students can focus on building their skills, confidence, and love of music. Thank you for helping make this possible! 🎶","fullyFundedDate":1768744364546,"projectUrl":"project/tools-for-focus-calm-and-success/10035962/","projectTitle":"Tools for Focus, Calm, and Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Bartsch","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9092726_orig.jpg?crop=537,537,x281,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1688681666743","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9092726"},{"teacherId":8133506,"projectId":10002849,"letterContent":"Your generous support of our DonorsChoose project has made a meaningful difference for the students I work with every day. As a school counselor, I strive to create a calm, welcoming space where students feel safe talking about their feelings and challenges. The fidgets, coloring books, pencils, and mints have become helpful tools that allow students to regulate their emotions and stay engaged during counseling sessions. Many students find it easier to open up when their hands are busy with a fidget or when they can color while we talk.\r\n\r\nThe diffuser and water fountain have also helped transform the counseling space into a more soothing environment. The gentle sounds of the water and calming scents create a peaceful atmosphere that helps students relax, slow down, and focus on their well-being. Because of your generosity, students now have access to simple but powerful supports that help them manage stress, practice coping skills, and feel more comfortable seeking help when they need it most. Thank you for helping make our counseling space a place of calm and care for every student who walks through the door.","fullyFundedDate":1769192138167,"projectUrl":"project/a-peaceful-counseling-space-for-middle-s/10002849/","projectTitle":"A Peaceful Counseling Space for Middle School Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hendrixson-Metcalf","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8133506"},{"teacherId":9373780,"projectId":10034462,"letterContent":"I cannot thank you enough for your donation of graphic novels to my middle school class. The students were so excited to see the stacks of new books on my table when they entered the room. They were even more thrilled when I told them to each pick one they wanted to start on. They were quickly looking through them and commenting on how much they liked the topics and graphics.\r\n I have many students who are reluctant to read, so to see this spark of excitement for reading was truly awesome. They are now often asking me when they can read the new books. They are also excited to finish their books so they can trade with each other and start new books. Thank you for giving my class books they enjoy and look forward to reading.","fullyFundedDate":1768716162180,"projectUrl":"project/books-my-middle-school-students-will-enj/10034462/","projectTitle":"Books My Middle School Students Will Enjoy!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Williams","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9373780_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x510,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720546648267","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9373780"},{"teacherId":7335375,"projectId":10029241,"letterContent":"Thank you for the donations. You have helped build a positive reward system for our SIP students. They now have more options in what they are working for, which gives them more buy in on our positive behavior supports. It also is helping them learn budgeting by giving them more things to save for. \r\nOur SIP students have had several days of student store days and they have been excited to see new items in the store. \r\nThese bigger ticket items have become a great motivator for students to earn more points for positive behaviors.","fullyFundedDate":1768687591969,"projectUrl":"project/behavior-incentives/10029241/","projectTitle":"Behavior Incentives","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Gibson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7335375"},{"teacherId":9349852,"projectId":10004326,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our classroom project through Donors Choose. Your support will directly impact our students by providing materials or and resources we desperately needed. We were able to purchase products such as pens and calculators we were able to purchase an air purifier.\r\n\r\nBecause of your kindness, our students will have new opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed. We are truly grateful for your commitment to education and for helping make our project a reality.\r\n\r\nWith sincere appreciation,\r\nShawn Williams\r\nCLS 6-8\r\nMendive MS","fullyFundedDate":1768359924969,"projectUrl":"project/support-for-special-education-comprehens/10004326/","projectTitle":"Support for Special Education Comprehensive Life Skills Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Williams","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9349852"},{"teacherId":9349868,"projectId":10001473,"letterContent":"My students have jumped right into using The Hobbit novels during our new novel study unit, and it has transformed the way they engage with reading. Instead of sharing a few worn‑out copies, every student now has their own book in hand. During our first close‑reading activity, the room was completely absorbed—students annotating, discussing character motivations, and making connections between Bilbo's journey and the idea of heroism in world cultures, which ties beautifully into our social studies curriculum.\r\n\r\nThe Cricut has already become a creative hub in our classroom. Students are using it to design visual elements for their social studies projects—everything from custom‑cut symbols for interactive maps to beautifully crafted labels for our classroom timelines and posterboards.","fullyFundedDate":1768176647397,"projectUrl":"project/where-history-meets-creativity/10001473/","projectTitle":"Where History Meets Creativity","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Aeschlimann","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9349868_orig.jpg?crop=1280,1280,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1767997565843","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9349868"},{"teacherId":9549885,"projectId":10005254,"letterContent":"My students have really been using the conversation cubes and the categories activity. We have had many great conversations using the conversational cubes therapy. The bingo with a twist game has been great for students to give descriptive sentences using sentence structure, and following multi step directions.\r\nFor my students who are working on their articulation improvement, the model of the mouth has been very useful.\r\nAll students are enjoying the reinforcers of chips, crackers, and cookies.\r\nThank you so much for your donation and making this all possible for the students.","fullyFundedDate":1768180254764,"projectUrl":"project/stuff-for-speech-and-language-therapy/10005254/","projectTitle":"Stuff for Speech and Language Therapy","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Polo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9549885_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1722748179688","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9549885"},{"teacherId":8176292,"projectId":9991386,"letterContent":"Thank you!\r\n\r\nYour support has already transformed our classroom in small but powerful ways. Before this project, we struggled with broken headphones, books with pages falling out, and not enough basic supplies for every student. Now students have working headphones for individualized lessons on the computer, notebooks and books that hold together, and ready access to pencils and pens so learning isn't interrupted when someone forgets a supply. Even everyday classroom chores feel different: students are volunteering to tidy with our new cordless vacuum because taking care of their space is easier and more satisfying.\r\n\r\nYour gift didn't just replace items—it restored routines, reduced teacher expenses, and helped students focus, collaborate, and take pride in their classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1768706690575,"projectUrl":"project/empower-6th-grade-readers-and-writers/9991386/","projectTitle":"Empower 6th Grade Readers and Writers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lundy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8176292"},{"teacherId":8017243,"projectId":9711597,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for providing new water basins and brushes for our middle school art classroom. Your generosity has already made a noticeable difference: students are more confident trying new painting techniques, cleanup is faster and more organized, and we can maintain the quality of our materials so every learner has a fair chance to create their best work.\r\n\r\nYour support does more than supply tools, and it helps nurture creativity, collaboration, and confidence in our students. We are deeply grateful for your investment in their artistic growth and for helping make our classroom a brighter, more productive space. Thank you for believing in our students and in the power of art education.","fullyFundedDate":1760768890029,"projectUrl":"project/splash-of-creativity-water-basins-bru/9711597/","projectTitle":"Splash of Creativity: Water Basins & Brushes for Young Artists","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Oriel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8017243_orig.jpg?crop=1240,1240,x0,y62&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1687648061774","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mendiveart"},{"teacherId":7767048,"projectId":8024383,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and for fully funding our project. Because of your support, my students are now able to take their work with audio engineering and music creation to a level that simply was not possible at the beginning of the school year. With the microphones, cables, interfaces, and now a performance-ready laptop, students finally have the tools they need to record, edit, and produce their own music in a real Digital Audio Workstation environment.\r\n\r\nMany of my students have creative ideas and stories they want to share, but limited technology had been a major barrier. Our existing laptops are over eight years old and cannot run the software required for modern audio production. This new laptop removes that barrier entirely. Students can now focus on learning recording techniques, experimenting with sound, collaborating with classmates, and expressing themselves creatively without technical limitations getting in the way.\r\n\r\nYour donation directly empowers students by giving them access to professional-level tools and new learning opportunities. You are helping them build confidence, develop technical and creative skills, and see themselves as capable creators. Thank you for believing in my students and for investing in their voices and their futures.","fullyFundedDate":1699838848521,"projectUrl":"project/audio-recording-and-engineering-laptops/8024383/","projectTitle":"Audio Recording and Engineering Laptops Needed for Student Projects","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Eschaton","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7767048_orig.jpg?crop=1215,1215,x0,y202&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1661776645674","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7767048"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_62386","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":964,"numTeachers":40,"percentFrplEligible":35,"percentAsian":3,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":39,"percentIndigenous":2,"percentLatinx":42,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"24.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":68.4,"schoolId":62386,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Lou Mendive Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Lou Mendive Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/nevada/washoe-county-school-district/lou-mendive-middle-school/62386"}