{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Pleasantville Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":39.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6163793,"projectId":10056732,"letterContent":"Our students immediately gathered around the new resources with excitement and curiosity. During our recent project, they worked in small groups to analyze, organize, and create meaningful presentations using the materials. Their enthusiasm was contagious. Next, students will deepen their learning through research, reflection, and collaborative problem-solving activities, while building confidence, creativity, communication skills, and a strong sense of responsibility. Thank you so much it is so exciting","fullyFundedDate":1770317413325,"projectUrl":"project/students-taking-action-combating-hunger/10056732/","projectTitle":"Students Taking Action: Combating Hunger with Snack Packs","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Mierzwinski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp6163793_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1548956953675","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mattmierzwinski"},{"teacherId":9437654,"projectId":10021779,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donations, without them this project would not have been possible. People like you along with Donors Choose help keep the cheer up in the classroom and continue to make students happy! When they are happy it makes our job as teachers much easier. Thanks again and we look forward to working with Donors Choose in the future. We cannot wait to participate in future donation projects and the students are thrilled to have the chance to get to do this again and again! We are truly thankful.","fullyFundedDate":1768616386932,"projectUrl":"project/cards-for-care/10021779/","projectTitle":"Cards for Care","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. LeCras","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9437654"},{"teacherId":6163793,"projectId":10021098,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and helping bring these new resources to life. Since receiving the materials, my students have been using them daily during small-group activities and hands-on projects. One of our favorite moments was watching students work together to build ROKR puzzles, taking on roles like reader, builder, and encourager. They practiced patience, problem-solving, and teamwork while supporting one another through challenges.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, their excitement was contagious. They couldn't wait to explore everything and immediately began asking thoughtful questions about how the tools worked. Many students shared how proud they felt completing projects as a team, especially when they helped a classmate who felt stuck. These moments have helped build confidence, empathy, and a stronger sense of community in our classroom.\r\n\r\nNext, we will continue using these resources to deepen our lessons on collaboration, perseverance, and reflection. Students will work on more complex group projects and write about how working together helps them grow. Your generosity has made a lasting impact, and we are so grateful for the opportunities you've given our students to learn, connect, and succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1768614090939,"projectUrl":"project/cards-for-care/10021098/","projectTitle":"Cards for Care","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Mierzwinski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp6163793_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1548956953675","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mattmierzwinski"},{"teacherId":6163793,"projectId":9959821,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom. Because of you, my students now have access to resources that make learning more engaging, meaningful, and fun. When the materials arrived, the excitement in the room was immediate—students were eager to dive in and put them to use right away.\r\n\r\nThese resources are already helping students deepen their understanding and build confidence, and they will continue to make a lasting impact throughout the year. Your kindness has truly made a difference in our classroom, and we are incredibly grateful for your support.\r\n\r\nWith sincere thanks,\r\nMatt Mierzwinski","fullyFundedDate":1765837579554,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-learning-with-baseball-cards-an/9959821/","projectTitle":"Hands-On Learning With Baseball Cards and Rokr Puzzles","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Mierzwinski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp6163793_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1548956953675","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mattmierzwinski"},{"teacherId":6163793,"projectId":9955328,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, my students have been actively using these new resources during hands-on STEM time. One of our favorite moments was watching students work through the ROKR puzzles in small groups, testing ideas, making adjustments, and problem-solving together. They weren't just following instructions—they were thinking critically, collaborating, and learning from trial and error in a way that traditional lessons don't always allow.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the excitement was immediate. Students were eager to open the boxes, explore the pieces, and guess how everything would come together. Many students who are usually quiet in class became leaders during the building process, offering ideas and helping peers. It was incredibly rewarding to see their confidence grow as they completed each step and proudly shared their finished work.\r\n\r\nNext, students will build on these experiences by connecting their projects to lessons on engineering, design, and perseverance. We plan to reflect on what worked, what didn't, and how redesigning can lead to better outcomes. Your support has given my students meaningful, real-world learning experiences they'll remember—and it has made a lasting impact on our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1765798307970,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-learning-with-baseball-cards-an/9955328/","projectTitle":"Hands-On Learning With Baseball Cards and Rokr Puzzles","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Mierzwinski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp6163793_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1548956953675","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mattmierzwinski"},{"teacherId":6163793,"projectId":9909879,"letterContent":"When our new materials arrived, my students lit up. They crowded around the boxes, excited to explore everything inside. We put the resources to use right away—most recently during a hands-on project where students rotated through stations to solve real-world problems using the new tools. One student told me, \"This makes learning so much easier,\" and the entire class dove in with incredible focus and enthusiasm.\r\nThese materials have already made a noticeable impact. Students who were hesitant before are now more confident and eager to participate because they have what they need at their fingertips.\r\nNext, we're using these resources to begin a collaborative project where students apply what they've learned to create their own presentations and demonstrations. They're already brainstorming ideas and can't wait to get started.\r\nThank you again for making such a meaningful difference in our classroom. Your generosity gave my students not just supplies, but motivation, excitement, and a sense of being supported.","fullyFundedDate":1764363845599,"projectUrl":"project/connecting-anime-to-baseball-cards/9909879/","projectTitle":"Connecting Anime to Baseball Cards","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Mierzwinski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp6163793_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1548956953675","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mattmierzwinski"},{"teacherId":8890635,"projectId":9780280,"letterContent":"With you donation, we were able to greatly assist the community around us. Our class created hygiene kits, consisting of toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, and wipes to provide to those who needs it. Students were very pleased with these important goods because they understand how expensive these things can be for families. \r\n\r\nAs a class we took paper bags and filled each with the materials. This created many hygiene kits to give out. The extra deodorants were very useful as well. It can be awkward reminding middle schoolers the importance of hygiene as they grow up. It is nice to have a space where if students needed more deodorant they could ask me in private and I could help them. This would make things not awkward between the students and myself. \r\n\r\nI am grateful for the donation as it has really helped an aspect of our community.","fullyFundedDate":1760364263224,"projectUrl":"project/hygiene-kits-for-school-community/9780280/","projectTitle":"Hygiene Kits for School Community","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Hegenbart","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8890635_orig.png?crop=272,272,x7,y37&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1700232114559","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8890635"},{"teacherId":6163793,"projectId":9886721,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my students have been fully engaged with our new ROKR mechanical puzzles. We've been using the kits as part of our hands-on STEM lessons, where students work in teams to analyze diagrams, follow multi-step instructions, and problem-solve as their models come to life.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite moments was watching a group of students celebrate when their wooden gear mechanism finally turned smoothly after several trial-and-error attempts. Their excitement filled the room—they were amazed that they could build something so intricate with their own hands. Many students said it felt like \"real engineering.\"\r\n\r\nSeeing the materials for the first time brought a mix of curiosity and awe. Students couldn't stop examining the laser-cut pieces and immediately started discussing which puzzles they wanted to build first.\r\n\r\nOur next steps involve using the completed puzzles to explore motion, energy transfer, and design improvements. Students will also reflect on their building process and compare strategies with their classmates.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving my students such a meaningful STEM experience. Your support continues to inspire creativity, perseverance, and confidence in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1763566105424,"projectUrl":"project/stem-in-motion-building-engineering-ski/9886721/","projectTitle":"STEM in Motion: Building Engineering Skills with ROKR Puzzles","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Mierzwinski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp6163793_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1548956953675","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mattmierzwinski"},{"teacherId":9437654,"projectId":9860353,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom! My students have been putting the new snack donations to great use during our community service project. One of our favorite moments was when students gathered to assemble \"Snack Packs\" for families in need—everyone worked together, counted items, and proudly filled each bag with care.\r\nWhen the students first saw the boxes of snacks, their faces lit up. Many were amazed by the variety and immediately started talking about how many people they could help. Your generosity truly made them feel empowered and capable of making a real difference in our community.\r\nOur next steps are to continue assembling and organizing more snack packs, tracking how many families we're able to support, and preparing for our upcoming service event. Students are excited to improve their process, create posters to raise awareness, and deliver the packs to community partners.\r\nThank you again for giving them the chance to serve others in such a meaningful way!","fullyFundedDate":1762382271260,"projectUrl":"project/students-taking-action-combating-hunger/9860353/","projectTitle":"Students Taking Action: Combating Hunger with Snack Packs","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. LeCras","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9437654"},{"teacherId":6163793,"projectId":9801951,"letterContent":"Our new snacks have already helped my students feel empowered to give back! Thanks to your generosity, students are organizing and donating snacks to support others in our community who may not have access to food throughout the day. This project has helped them understand the impact that even a small act of kindness can have.\r\n\r\nOne standout moment was when students formed an assembly line to sort, bag, and label snack packs for donation. They were so focused and proud, especially when they realized how many people they would be helping. A few students even asked if they could stay after school to finish \"just a few more\" snack packs — a sign of the excitement and ownership they feel.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials arrived, the classroom buzzed with energy! Students cheered as they unpacked boxes of snacks and immediately began brainstorming creative ways to reach more people in need. Their motivation to serve others has grown stronger than ever.\r\n\r\nAs we continue this project, students will track their donations, write messages of encouragement to include in future snack packs, and work on presentations about food insecurity to build awareness among their peers.\r\n\r\nThank you for making this meaningful community service work possible. You are helping our students learn that they can be leaders and change makers — one snack at a time!","fullyFundedDate":1761245324642,"projectUrl":"project/students-taking-action-combating-hunger/9801951/","projectTitle":"Students Taking Action: Combating Hunger with Snack Packs","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Mierzwinski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp6163793_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1548956953675","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mattmierzwinski"},{"teacherId":6163793,"projectId":9779663,"letterContent":"When our new resources arrived, my students were beyond excited! The moment I opened the boxes, their faces lit up with curiosity and anticipation. They couldn't wait to explore everything and start using the materials right away.\r\n\r\nWe've been using the new resources to support hands-on learning in our current classroom projects. For example, students recently worked together on a collaborative activity where they applied problem-solving and critical thinking skills using the new materials. It's been amazing to see how much more engaged and confident they've become now that they have the proper tools.\r\n\r\nThe next steps for my students involve taking what they've learned and applying it to real-world challenges. We're planning to build on this momentum by incorporating these resources into our upcoming unit, where students will create their own projects and share their learning with others.\r\n\r\nThank you again for helping us create an inspiring and well-equipped classroom. Your generosity is making a lasting impact every single day!","fullyFundedDate":1760569331750,"projectUrl":"project/level-up-learning-designing-games-buil/9779663/","projectTitle":"Level Up Learning: Designing Games, Building Futures","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Mierzwinski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp6163793_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1548956953675","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mattmierzwinski"},{"teacherId":6163793,"projectId":9747750,"letterContent":"When the new resources arrived, my students were immediately curious and excited. One of the first projects we started was using the baseball cards as part of a math and design challenge. Students worked in groups to sort and analyze the cards, looking at player stats and then brainstorming ways those numbers could connect to a baseball-themed video game they want to design. This gave them a chance to merge their love of games with hands-on problem-solving, while also practicing critical thinking and collaboration.\r\n\r\nWhen they first saw the cards, there was a real buzz in the room—students were trading, comparing, and imagining how these could become part of their own creative projects. It was a wonderful moment of engagement that went beyond just collecting; they were seeing the cards as tools for learning.\r\n\r\nThe next step is for my students to take the stats and designs they've been working on and start building storyboards and early prototypes for their baseball game idea. They'll use the data to influence character abilities and game mechanics, and eventually, they'll share their creations with the class. This will help them practice not only math and design skills but also communication and presentation as they bring their ideas to life.","fullyFundedDate":1758855283395,"projectUrl":"project/connecting-anime-to-baseball-cards/9747750/","projectTitle":"Connecting Anime to Baseball Cards","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Mierzwinski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp6163793_272x272.png?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1548956953675","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mattmierzwinski"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_66926","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":803,"numTeachers":71,"percentFrplEligible":80,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":27,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":70,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"11.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":60.4,"schoolId":66926,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Pleasantville Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Pleasantville Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-jersey/pleasantville-public-schools/pleasantville-middle-school/66926"}