{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Junior High School 118 William W Niles","outOfStateSupporters":45.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9697861,"projectId":9728598,"letterContent":"My students were so excited to use the modeling clay to bring math to life! They used the clay to create their favorite foods, including burgers, pizza, sushi, donuts, hot dogs, and desserts. Once they finished creating their food models, they connected their creativity to our math lesson by identifying and calculating the area and volume of their shapes. This hands-on activity gave students an opportunity to see how math connects to real-life objects while making learning more interactive and engaging.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the modeling clay and realized they could create their own food designs, they were eager to get started. They enjoyed personalizing their creations, sharing their ideas with classmates, and using their imagination while practicing important math skills. The activity encouraged collaboration, problem-solving, and participation from students who benefit from learning through hands-on experiences rather than only completing problems on paper.\r\n\r\nOur next step is to continue building on this experience by having students analyze the shapes they created, identify their dimensions, and explain how to calculate area and volume. By combining creativity with mathematical reasoning, students are developing a deeper understanding of these concepts and learning to apply them beyond the classroom. Thank you to our donors for providing these resources and helping make math a memorable, engaging experience for our students!","fullyFundedDate":1758636485946,"projectUrl":"project/shaping-math-hands-on-learning-with-cla/9728598/","projectTitle":"Shaping Math: Hands-On Learning with Clay","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sundersingh","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9697861"},{"teacherId":8952192,"projectId":10173630,"letterContent":"Your generosity has made a meaningful difference in the way my students access learning each day. The new headphones allow students to listen to reading passages, educational videos, digital lessons, and interactive learning programs without the distractions of a busy classroom. Students can work at their own pace, replay directions when needed, and concentrate on the specific skills they are practicing. This has been especially helpful during independent work because students can stay engaged with their assignments while I provide small-group instruction and additional support to other learners.\r\n\r\nMy students were excited to use the headphones and quickly discovered how much easier it can be to focus when they can hear their lessons clearly. Some students who previously became distracted during independent technology activities have been able to work for longer periods and complete their assignments with greater independence. As we continue using digital learning activities, students will have more opportunities to practice reading, listening, and academic skills while building responsible technology habits. Thank you for providing a resource that helps my students stay focused, confident, and engaged while giving them greater access to meaningful learning experiences.","fullyFundedDate":1783343236564,"projectUrl":"project/set-of-classroom-headphones/10173630/","projectTitle":"Set of Classroom Headphones","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Poler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8952192_orig.jpg?crop=2308,2308,x292,y231&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755301242288","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8952192"},{"teacherId":8952192,"projectId":10173626,"letterContent":"Your generosity has brought excitement and motivation into our classroom! My students are using the new games as incentives for staying focused, completing their work, making positive choices, and demonstrating teamwork. When the games arrived, my students were thrilled to see the variety of options and immediately began talking about which ones they wanted to play. These moments of structured play have become more than just a reward—they give students opportunities to practice communication, problem-solving, patience, and cooperation while having fun with their classmates.\r\n\r\nThe games have also helped me create a positive balance between academic responsibilities and rewarding experiences. Students are learning that perseverance and responsible choices can lead to enjoyable opportunities, while I am able to use game time to strengthen classroom relationships and reinforce important social skills. As we continue our current lessons and projects, I will incorporate the games as meaningful incentives and opportunities for collaboration. Thank you for helping make our classroom a place where students can work hard, celebrate their progress, and learn that teamwork and perseverance can make learning both rewarding and fun!","fullyFundedDate":1783343232719,"projectUrl":"project/game-time/10173626/","projectTitle":"Game Time!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Poler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8952192_orig.jpg?crop=2308,2308,x292,y231&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755301242288","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8952192"},{"teacherId":8952192,"projectId":10173616,"letterContent":"Your generosity has brought new opportunities for my students to feel calm, focused, and ready to learn. We are using the fidgets and squishy tools throughout the school day as quiet supports during lessons, independent work, transitions, and moments when students need help managing big emotions or excess energy. When the materials arrived, my students were excited to see the variety of tools available and eager to learn how they could use them appropriately. It was wonderful to see students recognize that they had a safe and positive way to help themselves refocus without interrupting their classmates or missing valuable learning time.\r\n\r\nThese tools have also allowed me to better meet the individual needs of my students while continuing to maintain a positive and productive learning environment. Students are learning to recognize when they need a tool, use it responsibly, and return their attention to the task at hand. As we move forward with our current lessons and classroom projects, I will continue encouraging students to practice self-regulation, perseverance, and independence. Thank you for providing resources that help my students feel supported, understood, and confident as they navigate each school day. These simple tools are making a meaningful difference in helping my students stay engaged and reach their full potential.","fullyFundedDate":1782316008534,"projectUrl":"project/fidgets-and-squishes/10173616/","projectTitle":"Fidgets and Squishes!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Poler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8952192_orig.jpg?crop=2308,2308,x292,y231&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755301242288","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8952192"},{"teacherId":8952192,"projectId":10173615,"letterContent":"Your generosity has helped create a classroom environment where students feel recognized, encouraged, and motivated to make positive choices. We are using the snacks as small rewards for students who demonstrate behaviors such as staying focused, helping a classmate, showing kindness, and persevering through challenging work. My students were excited when they first saw the rewards, and it was wonderful to see how something so simple could bring smiles to their faces and create opportunities to celebrate their accomplishments. These moments have helped reinforce the idea that effort, responsibility, and kindness are all worth recognizing.\r\n\r\nThe snack incentives have also helped me build a more consistent positive-behavior system in our classroom. Students are learning that their daily choices matter and that their effort and growth are noticed. As we continue with our lessons and upcoming projects, I will use these incentives to encourage students to stay engaged, work collaboratively, and challenge themselves academically. Most importantly, these rewards are helping us build a classroom culture where students celebrate not only their own successes, but the successes and efforts of their classmates as well. Thank you for helping me create a classroom where every student has a reason to feel proud of their progress.","fullyFundedDate":1783343231974,"projectUrl":"project/earned-snacks/10173615/","projectTitle":"Earned Snacks!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Poler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8952192_orig.jpg?crop=2308,2308,x292,y231&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755301242288","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8952192"},{"teacherId":8952192,"projectId":10173611,"letterContent":"Your generosity has made an immediate difference in our classroom. With access to pencils, erasers, folders, paper, and project materials, my students are able to begin their work prepared and confident. Instead of worrying about whether they have the supplies they need, they can focus their energy on learning, creating, and participating. We have been using these materials during daily lessons, collaborative activities, and creative projects, giving students opportunities to share their ideas and demonstrate their learning in meaningful ways. One of the most rewarding moments has been watching students work together on projects, sharing materials and encouraging one another as they bring their ideas to life.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the new supplies, they were excited to have materials that were fresh, organized, and ready to use. Something as simple as having their own pencil, folder, or project materials can make a student feel prepared and valued. These resources have helped create a classroom where students can take greater ownership of their learning and feel proud of the work they produce. As we continue our current lessons and projects, students will use these materials to explore new ideas, collaborate with classmates, and complete creative hands-on activities. Thank you for helping remove a barrier to learning and for giving my students the tools they need to participate, grow, and shine each day.","fullyFundedDate":1779371974936,"projectUrl":"project/basic-classroom-supplies/10173611/","projectTitle":"Basic Classroom Supplies!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Poler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8952192_orig.jpg?crop=2308,2308,x292,y231&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755301242288","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8952192"},{"teacherId":7051851,"projectId":9787575,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, I was able to create a calm corner resource station in our classroom that supports students in managing their emotions while staying engaged in learning. Rather than being a space where students remain for long periods of time, it serves as a quick-access area where they can pick up what they need—whether it's a sensory tool, calming item, or strategy—and then return to their seats ready to refocus.\r\n\r\nWhen students were first introduced to the calm corner, they were excited and curious about the different tools available to them. It didn't take long for them to begin using the station with purpose. I've already seen students independently recognize when they need support, walk over, choose a resource, and transition back to their work with improved focus and self-control. It has been empowering for them to take ownership of their emotions in such a simple, structured way.\r\n\r\nAs we continue building these routines, students are strengthening their self-awareness and learning how to regulate themselves without disrupting their learning time. This station has become a seamless part of our classroom environment, supporting both emotional well-being and academic success. Thank you for helping create a classroom where students feel supported, capable, and ready to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1767196923241,"projectUrl":"project/from-overwhelmed-to-empowered-building/9787575/","projectTitle":"From Overwhelmed to Empowered: Building a Calm Corner for Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Luke","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7051851_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1759444494228","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7051851"},{"teacherId":7051851,"projectId":9787795,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom has been able to expand both our SEL (social-emotional learning) station and our student self-care station with a variety of snacks. These resources have quickly become an important part of our daily routine. Students are able to independently access a snack when they are feeling overwhelmed, distracted, or simply need a quick reset. We've also incorporated the snacks into structured SEL moments, where students practice identifying their feelings and choosing strategies—like taking a mindful break paired with a small snack—to help regulate themselves and return ready to learn.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new additions, their excitement was immediate. For many of them, it wasn't just about the snacks—it was about feeling seen, supported, and cared for. Several students expressed gratitude and eagerly began engaging more with the SEL station, using it as a safe space to regroup. It has already helped reduce disruptions and has increased students' ability to refocus and participate in lessons more productively.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, we are continuing to build strong self-regulation habits and independence. Students are learning to recognize when they need a break, make thoughtful choices, and return to learning with a clearer mindset. These resources are supporting not just their academic growth, but their emotional well-being, and we are so grateful for the role you've played in making that possible.","fullyFundedDate":1767196112847,"projectUrl":"project/feeding-focus-snacks-to-keep-us-learnin/9787795/","projectTitle":"Feeding Focus: Snacks to Keep Us Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Luke","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7051851_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1759444494228","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7051851"},{"teacherId":8952192,"projectId":9607889,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and support of our classroom! Because of you, my students now have access to a variety of fun and meaningful incentives like stress balls, fidgets, pencils, small toys, and erasers. We've been using these items to celebrate positive behavior, perseverance, and academic growth. One of my favorite moments was watching a student who had been struggling stay focused throughout a lesson, proudly earning a small reward and beaming with confidence. These tools have become a powerful way to reinforce effort and build a positive, encouraging classroom environment.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, their excitement was immediate and contagious. They were eager to participate, stay on task, and support one another. Even small achievements are now celebrated, helping students feel recognized and motivated every day. The incentives have also sparked conversations about goal-setting, kindness, and personal growth, strengthening our classroom community.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, we will continue using these resources to support our current lessons and encourage positive habits. Students are already setting personal goals and working hard to achieve them, knowing their efforts will be acknowledged. Your kindness has truly made a lasting impact, turning everyday learning into joyful and meaningful experiences. Thank you for helping us create a classroom where every student feels valued and inspired.","fullyFundedDate":1762267599571,"projectUrl":"project/motivation-matters/9607889/","projectTitle":"Motivation Matters!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Poler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8952192_orig.jpg?crop=2308,2308,x292,y231&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755301242288","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8952192"},{"teacherId":10242510,"projectId":9684879,"letterContent":"Thanks to your incredible generosity, our middle school special education science classroom has become a more vibrant, organized, and supportive space where every student can thrive. The new materials have made hands-on learning more accessible and engaging for my learners, many of whom benefit from visual supports, structured workspaces, and multisensory tools.\r\n\r\nOne of our first uses of the materials was during our \"Modeling Matter\" and \"Energy in Motion\" labs, where students created illustrated explanations to show phenomena like melting, dissolving, and force interactions. The Crayola triangular crayons and colored pencils have been especially helpful for students who need adaptive grips—the triangular shape makes them easier to hold and control. \r\n\r\nThe laminator has already become essential for our classroom. We've been able to laminate visual schedules, communication boards, lab direction cards, and step-by-step checklists that help students stay on track and reduce anxiety during science activities. \r\n\r\nOur large digital timer has been a huge support for students who rely on predictable routines and visual countdowns to manage transitions. It has helped reduce stress during labs and allowed students to monitor their time more independently — something several of them have mentioned makes them \"feel like actual scientists.\"\r\n\r\nThe LED corner lamp and essential oil diffuser have transformed part of our room into a quiet, sensory-friendly space. This area has quickly become a go-to spot for students who need a moment to regulate before returning to challenging tasks. Multiple students have commented that the room \"feels calmer now.\" \r\n\r\nAs we move into our next science units on ecosystems, weather, and engineering, these materials will continue to support multisensory learning, scaffolded tasks, and hands-on investigations. My students will use the drawing supplies for model-building, the laminator for durable visual tools, and the timer to support self-management during longer labs.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has done more than supply our classroom — it has created new opportunities for independence, creativity, and joy. My students feel valued, capable, and seen because of you.","fullyFundedDate":1757247538228,"projectUrl":"project/6th-grade-special-education-science-clas/9684879/","projectTitle":"6th Grade Special Education Science Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. K","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10242510_orig.jpg?crop=718,718,x185,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757270618577","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-k-science"},{"teacherId":10235330,"projectId":9670170,"letterContent":"My students were able to use the supplies to create letters to their future selves. These served as my first classroom display of their work.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, I was able to make a word wall to support their ongoing learning with the hanging pockets. The laminator is being used around the room to make whiteboards, create decorations, and secure materials on their desks. The pins are being used to hang things around the room for display, and are especially useful with the new bulletin board being installed.","fullyFundedDate":1756762090979,"projectUrl":"project/first-year-teacher-basic-supplies-neede/9670170/","projectTitle":"First Year Teacher! Basic Supplies Needed!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Liu","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/c-liu"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_371","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":430,"numTeachers":83,"percentFrplEligible":94,"percentAsian":14,"percentBlack":22,"percentWhite":2,"percentIndigenous":2,"percentLatinx":55,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":1,"percentMultiracialImputed":0,"gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"5.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":54.4,"schoolId":371,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Junior High School 118 William W Niles on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Junior High School 118 William W Niles","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-york/new-york-city-dept-of-ed/jhs-118-william-w-niles/371"}