{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Intermediate School 254","outOfStateSupporters":41.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9830457,"projectId":10030719,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom library has become a place of excitement, curiosity, and growth. These new books have helped students strengthen important literacy skills such as comprehension, vocabulary development, making predictions, identifying character traits, and connecting themes to their own lives. Because the books reflect a wide range of interests and reading levels, students are more willing to take risks as readers and engage in meaningful discussions with one another. The variety of texts has also allowed us to introduce lessons on empathy, perseverance, and understanding different perspectives.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is now one of the most anticipated parts of the day. Students eagerly browse the shelves, recommend books to classmates, and often ask for \"just a few more minutes\" to finish a chapter. During independent reading time, the room is filled with focused, enthusiastic readers who are excited to share what they discover. Small group discussions and partner conversations have become richer because students feel more connected to the stories they are reading.\r\n\r\nSeveral students who were previously hesitant readers have especially benefited from these new books. Having access to engaging, high-interest texts has helped them build confidence and develop a stronger love for reading. One student who rarely picked up a book is now excited to talk about characters and storylines each day, while another has begun exploring genres they had never tried before. Your support has made a lasting impact on our classroom community, and we are so grateful for the opportunities these books continue to provide for our students.","fullyFundedDate":1778526838655,"projectUrl":"project/seeing-ourselves-in-stories-spanish-voi/10030719/","projectTitle":"Seeing Ourselves in Stories: Spanish Voices That Matter","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. L.Martinez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9830457_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y53&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754083312614","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9830457"},{"teacherId":9830457,"projectId":9520709,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, Historia y Cuento That Celebrate Our Heritage. Your generosity has brought meaningful, culturally rich books into our classroom that have helped students feel proud of their identities while strengthening their reading skills. These new texts have introduced students to important literacy lessons such as making connections between texts and personal experiences, identifying themes, comparing perspectives, and building vocabulary in both English and Spanish. Through these stories, students are not only becoming stronger readers, but also developing empathy, confidence, and a deeper appreciation for diverse cultures and traditions.\r\n\r\nReading time in our classroom has become even more engaging and joyful. Students eagerly gather together to listen to stories, participate in discussions, and share personal connections inspired by the books. Many students are excited to see characters, families, traditions, and languages that reflect their own experiences. Others are learning about cultures different from their own and asking thoughtful questions during our class conversations. The books have sparked meaningful dialogue and created a stronger sense of belonging within our classroom community.\r\n\r\nSeveral students have especially connected with these new stories. Some bilingual students light up when they recognize familiar words, traditions, or experiences represented in the books, and they proudly help classmates with pronunciation or translations during read-alouds. I have also noticed reluctant readers becoming more engaged because the stories feel relatable and meaningful to them. These books have truly helped students feel seen, valued, and celebrated while building important literacy skills every day. Thank you for helping create a classroo","fullyFundedDate":1758899089129,"projectUrl":"project/historia-y-cuento-that-celebrate-our-her/9520709/","projectTitle":"Historia y Cuento That Celebrate Our Heritage","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. L.Martinez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9830457_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y53&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754083312614","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9830457"},{"teacherId":9830457,"projectId":9385521,"letterContent":"Your generosity has made a meaningful difference in our classroom through the Sharpening Success: Simple Tools, Big Impact project. The new supplies may seem simple, but for my students, they have had a huge impact on both learning and confidence. Having access to sharpened pencils, reliable classroom tools, and everyday learning materials has helped our classroom run more smoothly and allowed students to stay focused on learning instead of worrying about whether they have the supplies they need. When the materials first arrived, students were genuinely excited and eager to help organize everything. Something as small as having fresh pencils and ready-to-use supplies made them feel prepared, capable, and excited to learn.\r\n\r\nWe immediately began using the new resources during writing workshops, math practice, and small-group activities. One memorable moment happened during a collaborative writing project when every student was able to fully participate without interruptions for missing supplies. Students were able to brainstorm, draft, revise, and share their work confidently because they had the tools they needed right at their fingertips. The classroom environment has become more productive, and students are taking greater ownership of their work because they feel equipped for success each day.\r\n\r\nAs we continue through the school year, these supplies will support upcoming projects, independent learning activities, and daily classroom routines. Students are currently working on strengthening their writing and problem-solving skills, and these materials will help ensure they can fully engage in every lesson and activity ahead. Your kindness has helped create a classroom where students can focus on learning, collaborating, and growing academically with confidence. Thank you for supporting my students and helping set them up for success each and every day.","fullyFundedDate":1758898889858,"projectUrl":"project/sharpening-success-simple-tools-big-im/9385521/","projectTitle":"Sharpening Success: Simple Tools, Big Impact","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. L.Martinez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9830457_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y53&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754083312614","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9830457"},{"teacherId":9830457,"projectId":9985918,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom library project, Books That Help Students Feel Seen. Because of your generosity, my students now have access to books that reflect their identities, experiences, families, and cultures in meaningful ways. The excitement these new texts brought into our classroom was immediate—students eagerly searched the shelves for characters who looked like them, spoke like them, or shared similar life experiences. For many students, this was the first time they truly felt represented in the books they were reading.\r\n\r\nThese books have helped us build important literacy skills while also strengthening empathy, confidence, and classroom community. During reading time, students are practicing comprehension strategies like making connections, identifying themes, and discussing character growth. Our classroom conversations have become richer and more thoughtful because students feel personally connected to the stories. Reading in our classroom now looks like students gathered together sharing favorite passages, recommending books to one another, and excitedly discussing how stories relate to their own lives.\r\n\r\nSeveral students have especially connected with these new books. Some of my more reluctant readers are now choosing to read independently because they finally found stories that feel relevant and engaging. Other students have proudly shared details about their families or traditions after seeing similar experiences represented in a book. These moments have helped create a more inclusive, welcoming classroom where every student feels valued and seen. Thank you for helping make that possible and for investing in both the academic and emotional growth of my students.","fullyFundedDate":1768506706451,"projectUrl":"project/books-that-help-students-feel-seen/9985918/","projectTitle":"Books That Help Students Feel Seen","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. L.Martinez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9830457_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y53&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754083312614","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9830457"},{"teacherId":9734837,"projectId":9885448,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping us build up our readers and writers up! Because of your generosity, our students now have the tools they need to strengthen their reading and writing skills in a more organized and engaging environment. The laminator and pouches have already helped us protect and reuse many of our most important literacy resources, including sight word cards, sentence starters, word banks, reading prompts, and even student-created posters. These materials are now durable and ready to be used again and again in learning centers throughout the classroom.\r\n\r\nThe clipboards and loose-leaf paper have made a meaningful difference in our students' learning. The loose-leaf paper has helped our students practice their paragraph writing as they prepare for their state exams, giving them space to draft, revise, and build their writing stamina. The clipboards have also allowed students to write and take notes wherever learning happens: at their desks, during small group work, and even during museum visits where they record observations and reflect as they explore art, anthropology, and research while discovering more about their own identities.\r\n\r\nWe also recently received a donation of books and have continued building our classroom library. With the help of the bookends, we were able to organize our growing collection so students can easily browse and find stories that spark their curiosity. Your support helped create a classroom where learning feels hands-on, organized, and exciting. Thank you for making this possible for our students!","fullyFundedDate":1763738749520,"projectUrl":"project/words-that-last-building-strong-readers/9885448/","projectTitle":"Words That Last: Building Strong Readers and Writers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bunch","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9734837_orig.jpg?crop=2268,2268,x0,y453&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1730464317757","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/miss-bunch"},{"teacherId":9208052,"projectId":9768536,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of classroom supplies. Your support has made a meaningful difference for my students and our learning environment.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, my classroom is better equipped with the materials students need to stay engaged, organized, and focused throughout the school day. These supplies are used daily during reading, writing, and collaborative activities, helping students feel prepared and confident as learners.\r\n\r\nMy students and I are incredibly grateful for your kindness and support. Thank you for investing in their education and helping create a positive and productive classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1761171209323,"projectUrl":"project/ready-to-learn-equipping-every-student/9768536/","projectTitle":"Ready to Learn: Equipping Every Student","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Colon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9208052_orig.jpg?crop=1246,1246,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1759003484802","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9208052"},{"teacherId":9208052,"projectId":9516727,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our DonorsChoose project. Because of your support, my students now have access to headphones that will make a meaningful difference in their daily learning experience.\r\n\r\nThe headphones allow students to fully engage in lessons, focus during independent work, and access digital resources without distractions. They are especially helpful during reading activities, assessments, and technology-based programs where concentration is key. Your kindness is helping create a more supportive and inclusive classroom environment for all learners.\r\n\r\nMy students and I are incredibly grateful for your generosity and belief in our classroom. Thank you for investing in their education and helping them succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1758899067031,"projectUrl":"project/voices-of-the-page-hearing-literature-c/9516727/","projectTitle":"Voices Of The Page: Hearing Literature Come Alive","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Colon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9208052_orig.jpg?crop=1246,1246,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1759003484802","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9208052"},{"teacherId":184294,"projectId":9967175,"letterContent":"The plant LEGO sets are being used during our garden Club time, where students are building and labeling plant structures and discussing what plants need to grow. The Chinese calendar book has supported our learning about culture and traditions, helping students make connections between reading, social studies, and real-world celebrations. The live plants have become part of our daily routine as students take responsibility for watering and observing changes over time.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, they were thrilled. They were eager to explore, ask questions, and jump right into hands-on learning. The fortune cookies were a fun and memorable moment, sparking curiosity and conversations about traditions, language, and meaning.\r\n\r\nNext, students will continue observing and caring for the plants while recording their growth through writing and drawing. We will also expand our cultural studies by using the Chinese calendar book to explore holidays and traditions, tying everything together through reading, discussion, and project-based learning. Thank you so much for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1766600619276,"projectUrl":"project/galloping-into-the-lunar-new-year/9967175/","projectTitle":"Galloping Into the Lunar New Year","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bridgemohan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp184294_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1505849138558","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msbridgemohan"},{"teacherId":10243532,"projectId":9707026,"letterContent":"Thank you so so much for your generous donation. Part of our school mission this year was to improve students reading levels. Supporting students who are older with reading is no easy task, especially when so many supplies are made for students at the elementary level. Your donation to this project not only provided our classroom with great resources to strengthen their literacy levels, but also with resources that were age appropriate and engaging for the students. \r\nLearning is most productive when students are comfortable and happy, and your donation has helped to ensure that.","fullyFundedDate":1758898943030,"projectUrl":"project/phonics-materials-to-boost-reading-skill/9707026/","projectTitle":"Phonics Materials to Boost Reading Skills","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Egan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10243532"},{"teacherId":9830457,"projectId":9290643,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, Voices of Identity, Diversity, and Courage in Spanish has transformed the way my students experience reading. These books do much more than build language skills—they help students see themselves, their families, and their communities reflected in powerful, meaningful stories.\r\n\r\nThrough these texts, students are developing key literacy skills such as reading comprehension, vocabulary acquisition, and inferencing, all while engaging with authentic Spanish. Just as importantly, they are learning how to analyze characters, discuss themes of identity and resilience, and make personal and cultural connections to what they read. These books invite thoughtful conversations about diversity, courage, and belonging—topics that truly resonate with my students.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is active and collaborative. Students read independently, in pairs, and in small groups, often stopping to discuss ideas, ask questions, and share reflections. Many students are eager to participate because the stories feel relevant and meaningful to their lives. Reading has become something they look forward to, not just an academic task.","fullyFundedDate":1746393141447,"projectUrl":"project/voices-of-identity-diversity-and-coura/9290643/","projectTitle":"Voices of Identity, Diversity, and Courage in Spanish","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. L.Martinez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9830457_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y53&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754083312614","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9830457"},{"teacherId":9830457,"projectId":9253782,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom is now a cleaner, healthier, and more welcoming place for learning. The new hygiene and cleaning supplies are being used daily to help protect students' health and keep our shared space safe. Students regularly sanitize their hands when entering the room, clean their desks before activities, and take pride in maintaining a tidy environment. One especially meaningful moment was watching students independently remind one another to wipe down their workspaces—showing responsibility and care for the whole classroom community.","fullyFundedDate":1746785631721,"projectUrl":"project/adi-bye-bacteria/9253782/","projectTitle":"\"¡Adió-Bye, Bacteria!\"","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. L.Martinez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9830457_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y53&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754083312614","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9830457"},{"teacherId":9830457,"projectId":9520711,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom is truly starting the year strong and organized. The new supplies are being used every day to help students stay focused, prepared, and confident in their learning. From organized binders and folders to essential classroom materials, students now have what they need to keep their work neat, accessible, and easy to reference. One meaningful moment came during our first major lesson, when students were able to quickly locate notes, organize practice activities, and transition smoothly between tasks—something that can be challenging at the start of the year without the right tools.","fullyFundedDate":1758898951186,"projectUrl":"project/starting-the-year-strong-and-organized/9520711/","projectTitle":"Starting the Year Strong and Organized!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. L.Martinez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9830457_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y53&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754083312614","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9830457"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_381","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":408,"numTeachers":35,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":13,"percentWhite":2,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":81,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":0,"gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"11.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":58.7,"schoolId":381,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Intermediate School 254 on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Intermediate School 254","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-york/new-york-city-dept-of-ed/is-254/381"}