{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"PS 97 Harvey Austin School","outOfStateSupporters":26.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10539679,"projectId":10355294,"letterContent":"I cannot accurately put into words how much I truly appreciate your generosity. The new rug has made a huge impact in my speech therapy room. I work with many students who prefer to sit on the floor, and having a clean, plush rug to sit on makes a big difference to me and my students. \r\n\r\nThe first time my students entered the room after I received the rug, they all noticed immediately. Many of them dropped to the floor and expressed how comfortable and soft the rug is. Actually, some of them make a point to comment on their love of the rug on a daily basis. \r\n\r\nAgain, thank you so much for caring enough to donate. Not only does the new carpet add to the appearance of my room, but it brings so much comfort to my students. We truly appreciate you and your generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1789618598364,"projectUrl":"project/a-carpet-for-play-comfort-and-sensory/10355294/","projectTitle":"A Carpet for Play, Comfort, and Sensory Support","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dombrowski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10539679"},{"teacherId":4569382,"projectId":10726512,"letterContent":"My project has made a wonderful impact on my students by providing food, snacks, and toys that help make our classroom a happy, welcoming, and supportive place to learn. Having snacks available helps students feel cared for and gives them the energy they need to focus and participate in classroom activities. Knowing that their needs are being met allows them to feel more comfortable, supported, and ready to learn each day.\r\n\r\nThe toys have also made a positive difference by giving my students opportunities to play, use their imaginations, build friendships, and practice sharing and cooperation. Seeing their excitement and smiles reminds me how meaningful even the smallest things can be. I am incredibly grateful to the generous donors who made this project possible. Your kindness has helped create joyful experiences for my students and has shown them that there are people who care about their happiness and success. Thank you for making a difference in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1791645985446,"projectUrl":"project/safe-loved-and-valued/10726512/","projectTitle":"Safe, Loved, and Valued","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Buscaglia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4569382_orig.jpg?crop=719,720,x369,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1791567747052","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4569382"},{"teacherId":1160144,"projectId":10723461,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and support it means the world to my students and I. We were in the middle of math class when I got the call that I had packages in the front office so of course we went to go get them. When we got back to the class and opened the packages the students were overwhelmed with excitement! They loved everything that was in the packages and they also thought it was so cool that people that didn't even know them were donating things to our classroom! We unboxed everything and put it all away. We then discussed as a class how and when we should use the items to help us with our learning and productivity inside the classroom. We came up with a system for the snacks, fidgets, and hats and gloves. The students didn't want to use everything at once which I thought was interesting! They want to spread it out throughout the year because they were so thankful for all the donations.\r\nThe snacks have really helped with the food insecurities that a lot of my students struggle with. They know that if they get hungry or just need a pick me up during the day they are able to get a snack. This has helped with their learning because it alleviates their hunger during the day. Students can also take a snack home which really helps them!\r\nThe fidgets have been amazing and the students do such a good job sharing. They love getting a fidget during small group or independent work time and I've seen their productivity and attention to their work increase!\r\nAs a class we decided to wait to give out the hats and gloves until it gets closer to winter, but of course we already picked out favorite colors.\r\n\r\nSeeing my students reaction to these donations was truly the coolest thing! They were so grateful and their gratitude continues to show with how they use the items.\r\n\r\nThank you so so much!","fullyFundedDate":1791331193353,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-our-learning/10723461/","projectTitle":"Fueling our Learning!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tate","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1160144_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1731504958740","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1160144"},{"teacherId":6374471,"projectId":10266295,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of headphones for our classroom! Your thoughtful contribution will make a tremendous difference in supporting our students' learning experiences. Headphones are an essential tool that allows each student to access individualized educational content while maintaining a focused and calm classroom environment. With headphones, our students can engage with adaptive technology programs, audiobooks, and skill-building apps at their own pace without disturbing their peers. This is especially important in our special education setting, where students have diverse learning needs and benefit greatly from personalized instruction. Your donation helps create a more inclusive space where every learner can thrive while minimizing sensory distractions that might otherwise interfere with their concentration.\r\nThe headphones you've provided will directly enhance our students' ability to use educational technology effectively throughout the school day. Our 7th and 8th graders will be able to access text-to-speech programs for reading support, participate in interactive learning platforms with audio feedback, and engage with video-based instruction—all tools that are crucial for building their academic skills and independence. This technology access empowers students to take ownership of their learning by allowing them to replay instructions, control audio speed, and revisit challenging content as needed. As our students prepare for high school and beyond, these experiences with technology and self-directed learning are invaluable for their future success.\r\nYour generosity goes far beyond simply providing equipment—you're investing in our students' confidence, independence, and educational growth. Thank you for believing in our students and supporting their journey toward reaching their full potential.\r\nWith sincere gratitude,","fullyFundedDate":1779192968297,"projectUrl":"project/headphones-for-students/10266295/","projectTitle":"Headphones for Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Schmidt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6374471"},{"teacherId":9787483,"projectId":10230444,"letterContent":"Your generosity has made a meaningful difference for my students! The soccer balls will give our students an opportunity to stay active, build teamwork skills, and enjoy positive experiences together. The snacks and personal items are just as important. Granola bars and Slim Jims give students a quick source of energy when they need it, helping them stay focused and ready to learn throughout the school day. The deodorant provides an important resource and helps students feel comfortable and confident. Thank you again for donating to my class.","fullyFundedDate":1781547166976,"projectUrl":"project/fuel-for-the-game/10230444/","projectTitle":"Fuel for the Game","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Samulski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9787483"},{"teacherId":9787483,"projectId":10022654,"letterContent":"Our students rely on headphones every day to access digital learning programs, complete assessments, and participate fully in classroom activities. Unfortunately, our current supply was thrown away leaving many students without access to a text to speech feature. For our special education students in particular, headphones help minimize distractions and provide the support they need to access the general education curriculum. \r\nYour generosity has made an immediate difference in our classroom. The headphones will help ensure that every student has the opportunity to learn, focus, and succeed. We appreciate your investment in our students' future. Thank you for helping us create an inclusive and productive learning environment.","fullyFundedDate":1778006543097,"projectUrl":"project/headphones-for-students/10022654/","projectTitle":"Headphones for Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Samulski","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9787483"},{"teacherId":6374471,"projectId":10022014,"letterContent":"The new resources have been a great addition to our daily routines and the overall comfort of the students. Here's how we've been utilizing them:\r\n\r\nSnacks: The availability of snacks has made a noticeable difference. Students can grab a snack when they're hungry, ensuring they have the energy and focus needed for their studies.\r\n\r\nSneakers: The new sneakers have been a hit during gym class and recess. They provide comfort and support, which is particularly important during physical activities.\r\n\r\nRaincoats: On rainy days, the raincoats have been indispensable. Students can now stay dry and comfortable, which aids in maintaining their focus and mood throughout the day.","fullyFundedDate":1768614055850,"projectUrl":"project/keeping-students-warm-and-fed/10022014/","projectTitle":"Keeping Students Warm and Fed","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Schmidt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6374471"},{"teacherId":7854077,"projectId":9219060,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our project, \"Write-On!\". Your donation has helped to purchase dry erase markers and pencils to use in our math class. The majority of students in our school come from low-income households and often come to school without the necessary school supplies. Therefore, I keep a supply of pencils and dry erase markers available for those students that need them. (No questions asked.) This way all of my students can focus on solving their problems and improving their math skills without feeling embarrassed or having to ask to borrow something to write with.","fullyFundedDate":1755531509580,"projectUrl":"project/write-on/9219060/","projectTitle":"Write On!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Scott","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7854077_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1714322801520","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/sheilascott"},{"teacherId":7854077,"projectId":10036469,"letterContent":"Thank you for your donation to our project \"Getting Centered in Math RTI\". Your donation has help fund our project for a Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) gift card. TPT is a great online tool for finding high interest, engaging, hands-on math activities for our Math Centers. I have found that Math Centers are a great way to organize my classroom because they motivate student learning. The centers allow students to choose their own math activities based on their individual academic levels and interests. These centers allow my students to build their math skills, while also building their math confidence.","fullyFundedDate":1774634054640,"projectUrl":"project/getting-centered-in-math-rti/10036469/","projectTitle":"Getting Centered in Math RTI","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Scott","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7854077_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1714322801520","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/sheilascott"},{"teacherId":7854077,"projectId":10169384,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to my project, \"Write-On!\". Your donation has helped to purchase dry erase markers and pencils to use in our math class. The majority of students in our school come from low-income households and often come to school without the necessary school supplies. Therefore, I keep a supply of pencils and dry erase markers available for those students that need them. (No questions asked.) This way all of my students can focus on solving their problems and improving their math skills without feeling embarrassed or having to ask to borrow something to write with.","fullyFundedDate":1776890489337,"projectUrl":"project/write-on/10169384/","projectTitle":"Write On!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Scott","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7854077_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1714322801520","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/sheilascott"},{"teacherId":9251639,"projectId":10027982,"letterContent":"I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your incredibly generous donation of classroom supplies. Your gift of expo markers, whiteboard erasers, pens, laminating sheets, and pencils has made a meaningful difference in our classroom. They are essential tools that directly support our daily learning activities and help create an engaging, functional learning environment for my students.\r\n\r\nYour thoughtfulness comes at a time when classroom resources are stretched thin, and donations like yours truly make an impact. The expo markers and erasers will brighten our collaborative learning sessions, allowing students to work together on the board and share their ideas freely. The laminating sheets will help preserve important materials and classroom displays, extending their usefulness throughout the year. The pens and pencils ensure that every student has the writing tools they need to succeed academically.\r\n\r\nWhat means the most to me is knowing that your donation reflects a genuine commitment to supporting education and our students' success. When donors like you step up, it sends a powerful message to our students about community care and the importance of investing in learning. Your generosity allows me to spend less time worrying about supplies and more time focusing on what I do best—teaching and nurturing young minds.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your remarkable kindness and support. Please know that your contribution is deeply appreciated and will benefit our classroom throughout the school year. I am delighted to be able to share updates about how your donation is being used to enhance our learning community.","fullyFundedDate":1769010339256,"projectUrl":"project/giving-every-student-the-opportunity-to/10027982/","projectTitle":"Giving Every Student the Opportunity to Shine","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dugan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9251639"},{"teacherId":7854077,"projectId":9700312,"letterContent":"We are so grateful to the London Stock Exchange Group and Ripple for donating to our project, \"Getting Centered in Math RTI\". This project has provided our class with a gift card for Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT). TPT is a great online tool for finding high interest, engaging, hands-on math activities for our Math Centers. I have found that Math Centers are a great way to organize my classroom because they motivate student learning. The centers allow students to choose their own math activities based on their individual academic levels and interests. These centers allow my students to build their math skills, while also building their math confidence.","fullyFundedDate":1758820179511,"projectUrl":"project/getting-centered-in-math-rti/9700312/","projectTitle":"Getting Centered in Math RTI","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Scott","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7854077_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1714322801520","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/sheilascott"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_23710","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":510,"numTeachers":51,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":31,"percentBlack":52,"percentWhite":2,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":9,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":3,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"10.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":73.3,"schoolId":23710,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about PS 97 Harvey Austin School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"PS 97 Harvey Austin School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-york/buffalo-public-schools/ps-97-harvey-austin-middle-school/23710"}
Join the 285 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
PS 97 Harvey Austin School is
an urban public school
in Buffalo, New York that is part of Buffalo Public Schools.
It serves 510 students
in grades Pre-K - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 10.0:1.
Its teachers have had 102 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Supporting this school will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.
Public School
Title 1
Data about Title 1 status comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education.
Grades Pre-K - 8
510 Students
51 Teachers
1405 Sycamore StContact info is sourced from our partners at MDR Education, and DonorsChoose updates our site ahead of each school year.
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of students receive free or reduced price lunch
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Source: the National Center for Education Statistics
92%
of students are Black, Latino, Native
American, or Asian
Data about school demographics comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. The numbers in this chart may not add up to 100% because of limitations in the available data.
PS 97 Harvey Austin School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Nov 10, 2026
DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students
in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.
PS 97 Harvey Austin School
$38,342
raised using DonorsChoose
102
projects
funded
37
teachers
funded
285
donors
15
projects
for
basic supplies
14
projects for
technology
3
projects for
books
12
projects
for
art supplies
PS 97 Harvey Austin School has received support from
209 individuals from New York and
76 individuals out-of-state.