{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"PS 363 Lewis J Bennett School of Innovation Technology","outOfStateSupporters":38.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6445889,"projectId":9099529,"letterContent":"Implementing new class materials can lead to numerous benefits for students, enhancing their learning experience in various ways. When students see how the material relates to their lives and current events, they become more invested in learning. High-quality materials can encourage students to engage more deeply and meaningfully with the subject matter, fostering a stronger grasp of concepts.\r\n\r\nNew materials often promote skills crucial for success in the future, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, collaboration, and digital literacy.","fullyFundedDate":1745847028307,"projectUrl":"project/making-science-come-alive/9099529/","projectTitle":"Making Science Come Alive","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. OKussick","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6445889"},{"teacherId":6445889,"projectId":9056601,"letterContent":"These are the materials which the student is likely to find more interesting and engaging. This helps them to learn more effectively as they are able to absorb this information more easily than through a lecture or reading assignment. We use the resources for note-taking and active learning: Quickly jotting down notes, outlining thoughts, and physically writing things out can aid in understanding and memory retention, particularly in science. \r\n Developing handwriting fluency through pen and paper activities can positively impact the quality of writing, even when students are using computers. In conclusion, pens and pencils remain valuable tools for both teachers and students, playing a role in academic achievement, creative expression, and fostering responsibility within the classroom environment.","fullyFundedDate":1737737069406,"projectUrl":"project/having-the-basic-needs/9056601/","projectTitle":"Having the Basic Needs","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. OKussick","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6445889"},{"teacherId":9801788,"projectId":8873642,"letterContent":"Perhaps the coolest part of my Donors Choose experience, besides seeing the happiness it brought to our school library patrons, was the amount of donations it took to hit my project goal. My goal was high, about $700 and right off the bat- google technology sent a large donation covering about half. Then, shortly later, one more donor, this time anonymous, from Arizona stepped in and gave the rest. \r\n\r\nThe chairs themselves are spectacular, there were eight gaming chairs and six beanbag chairs in my project, and the students took to them immediately. In fact, they seemed like cats taking to whatever new is brought into their environment. As soon as the chairs were put in the library, they were used. Today, the first spot our students go to when coming to the library is where I have those chairs. The chairs are a hit, as I write this and look over to them- they're in use and that makes for a happy library. The library, so I'm told, has become the \"place to be\" in our building. The chairs play a big role in that. \r\n\r\nThe chairs have enabled me to create a safe space for the students that foster literacy in the process. Often, I see the students pull a book from the shelves and read it on those chairs. My experience with Donors Choose was a very positive experience. I look forward to putting tighter another project for my building's library next year. More chairs will be sought after, more supplies will be ordered, and more students will","fullyFundedDate":1734553179835,"projectUrl":"project/help-make-bennetts-library-better/8873642/","projectTitle":"Help Make Bennett's Library Better","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. J. Brace","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9801788"},{"teacherId":9316662,"projectId":8167006,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping me bring real gel electrophoresis experiences into my classroom. It is a hard concept to understand, and seeing and experiencing it greatly helps them grasp the concept better so they remember how to do it long into the future! Many of my students are also English language learners who don't speak any English yet. Being able to do hands-on experiences like this has helped them learn the concept without the language barrier getting in the way. Thank you again for your generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1715260698599,"projectUrl":"project/learn-about-gel-electrophoresis-and-dise/8167006/","projectTitle":"Learn About Gel Electrophoresis and Diseases","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tanner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9316662_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1696499980239","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9316662"},{"teacherId":9769592,"projectId":8807745,"letterContent":"January 23, 2025\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWith the many growing challenges of today, students are finding it more and more difficult to navigate getting a quality and meaningful education. Special education students have it even harder because they are already starting at a learning disadvantage. Due to this, they often underperform compared to their peers and are well aware of it. \r\n\r\nI just want to thank you for supporting special education students to feel just a little bit better about their small gains and goals they have strived to achieve. These gains often go unnoticed or unappreciated in the mainstream, but are far more meaningful than meets the eye in special education. The snacks that you have provided have really helped keep my students motivated to work hard for themselves. We want to thank you for your generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1727050917581,"projectUrl":"project/ms-ps-self-esteem-project/8807745/","projectTitle":"Ms. P's Self-Esteem Project","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Piekarski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9769592"},{"teacherId":9790097,"projectId":8854895,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for giving my students \"Pens Galore\" and more! I really needed pens and your generous donation is greatly appreciated! I also want to thank you for lined paper and snacks. \r\n\r\nMy students write in English class...pen to paper and you provided both! I teach in the tutoring program, at my school, and the kids loved all the snacks.\r\n\r\nTeaching is so much more than pen and paper. It's people like all of you who helped me provide the \"basics\" of the classroom. There is no substitution for writing. Actual writing!\r\n\r\nAgain, THANK YOU!!!","fullyFundedDate":1728183681504,"projectUrl":"project/pens-galore/8854895/","projectTitle":"Pens Galore!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Visniesky","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9790097"},{"teacherId":6445889,"projectId":8789209,"letterContent":"My students really appreciate the support that you provided for my classroom. The supplies are used daily for our before school program. Students come in daily to discuss their home lives and stressors in their lives and look for ways to deal with them. We use the snacks, schools supplies etc to help them overcome obstacles of not having these comforts.\r\nThe students enjoy the supplies and know on a daily basis that if they need a quick snack, school supplies, a relaxing place to learn and people that will listen.\r\nMy next project is to have a before school tutoring and meditation program. Student can decompress from their home life and school stresses to get help and to learn better ways to cope with their stressors","fullyFundedDate":1726599924951,"projectUrl":"project/ways-to-deal-with-stress-managing-menta/8789209/","projectTitle":"Ways to Deal With Stress, Managing Mental Health","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. OKussick","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6445889"},{"teacherId":9756627,"projectId":8797772,"letterContent":"The materials purchased for our Mindfulness and Yoga program have been essential in our after-school program. Every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30-5:00 we have a small group of high school students practicing together. There was an initial bit of reluctance to join a group where the activities were unfamiliar to the students but once word spread, popularity of the class grew and now we have to work on sourcing more materials due to student interest.\r\n\r\nMany of our students have expressed how they were feeling uncertain and worried about being vulnerable during practice but after speaking with friends and being allowed to watch a class prior to committing to joining a session they felt at ease. Now we have classes twice a week with many repeat customers.\r\n\r\nStudents report an increased sense of calm, a decrease in anxiety and gratitude for the opportunity to do something for themself that makes them feel good and is actually good for them. I am honored to introduce them to this lifelong skill!","fullyFundedDate":1727128196826,"projectUrl":"project/mindfulness-and-yoga-for-mental-health-i/8797772/","projectTitle":"Mindfulness and Yoga for Mental Health in High School","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kelkenberg","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9756627_orig.jpg?crop=484,484,x456,y452&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1734631237472","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9756627"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_21881","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":468,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":10,"percentBlack":63,"percentWhite":6,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":15,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":61.2,"schoolId":21881,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about PS 363 Lewis J Bennett School of Innovation Technology on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"PS 363 Lewis J Bennett School of Innovation Technology","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-york/buffalo-public-schools/ps-200-bennett-high-school/21881"}