{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Catherine & Count Basie Middle School 72","outOfStateSupporters":26.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9595062,"projectId":9516271,"letterContent":"We would like to thank you for your contributions to our project teaching clean renewable energy using solar power. When our students received your package, our students were smiling as they opened the boxes to see a solar battery generator. Using a solar battery generator, with a solar panel is much cleaner, quieter, and less hazardous to use for the garden tools, and our mobile kitchen in our school garden to teach from farm to table. Solar energy is much more sustainable and helps our school's budget on electricity. Thank you so much for the solar generators and solar panels are essential resources that will help instruct our students (STEM) Science, Technology, Engineering and Math when we use the solar generator battery in our rain garden, and hydroponic lab. Your contribution also serves as a resource to continue for years to come beyond the classroom, to teach sustainability, by providing an alternative electric resource that we can teach students to use in case of emergencies for preparation in real life situations. Solar energy is much safer for our students without long extension hazardous electric cords. We are planning to have a team-teaching lesson with Solar one, a residency grant where teachers in the Solar Energy field come in and team teach with our students to provide more Solar energy lessons. Our students have already constructed small demonstration projects such as building batteries, and solar powered windmills for our science fair projects this year. Our school will now be able to teach our special education students year-round on the importance of using solar energy thanks to your contributions. Our students would like to share a picture of our rain garden so you can see how valuable your contribution means to our garden, which has no electricity to power our garden tools. It is now December, but we plan to go out when the weather permits us to continue our lessons on solar energy. On behalf of our students, staff, and administration we want to thank you so much for your contribution. We hugely appreciated it.","fullyFundedDate":1762265322908,"projectUrl":"project/the-importance-of-solar-energy/9516271/","projectTitle":"The Importance of Solar Energy","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Angela Everett","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9595062_orig.png?crop=256,256,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1730834499789","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9595062"},{"teacherId":9595062,"projectId":9797419,"letterContent":"Our student government cannot thank you enough for the seeds that we are planting on our hydroponic tower to use in our salads to help fight hunger in our school community. When your packaged arrived the students face were so happy to recieve your seeds and began planting them on our hydroponic tower, and could not wait to get started growing more food indoors. Our students are intrigued We are eager & inspired to join The Time Kids Service Stars Mission to continue to have students fight & end hunger in our school community. Our students are also happy to get more seeds for our New York City birds. In our school's rain garden, we have created a bird conservation area to help end hunger for our birds for the winter when bugs are not available for our fury friends. Your contribution has impacted on our students wanting to grow more foods to serve in our school community. The teachers and parents are pleased to get more fresh seasonings and fresh salads their children grew at school. Thanks to your contribution of seeds, we are also helping parents save money on groceries, which they are grateful. Our students are proud of the food we grow indoors and cannot wait until spring to transplant and flourish our school's rain garden to grow more food to share with the community that walks by and admire our garden. Your contribution has made a tremendous impact on our staff, students, school community, parents, and the people who live in this community to join with the Time Kids Service Stars Mission to continue to have students help in ending hunger from the beyond the classroom and we cannot thank you enough ! Much appreciation.","fullyFundedDate":1760987578352,"projectUrl":"project/joining-time-kids-service-stars-mission/9797419/","projectTitle":"Joining Time Kids Service Stars Mission to Fight Hunger","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Angela Everett","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9595062_orig.png?crop=256,256,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1730834499789","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9595062"},{"teacherId":312581,"projectId":9496464,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and support of our classroom. Because of you, my students now have access to engaging, hands-on science materials and a small hydroponics garden that has transformed the way they experience learning.\r\nWith these new resources, students are actively exploring scientific concepts instead of just reading about them. They are planting, observing, measuring growth, and making real-world connections to topics such as plant life cycles, systems, and how humans can grow food sustainably. The hydroponics garden has sparked curiosity, excitement, and meaningful conversations, especially for students who learn best by doing.\r\nFor many of my students, hands-on materials are essential for understanding complex ideas. These resources help build confidence, independence, and a genuine love of science. Watching their faces light up as they care for their plants and track progress has been incredibly rewarding.\r\nYour kindness has made a lasting impact on our classroom and has given my students an opportunity they will remember. Thank you for believing in our learners and for investing in their education.\r\nWith heartfelt gratitude,\r\nKatie Sessa","fullyFundedDate":1763598290493,"projectUrl":"project/special-needs-science-class/9496464/","projectTitle":"Special Needs Science Class","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sessa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp312581_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1448400561432","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ksessa"},{"teacherId":8620240,"projectId":9796911,"letterContent":"On behalf of our classroom, I want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your generous donations of hygiene supplies. Your contributions of socks, shirts, toothbrushes, toothpaste, feminine care products, and deodorant will make a tremendous difference in the lives of our students. These essential items help ensure that every child feels comfortable, confident, and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nYour kindness goes beyond providing physical items, it sends a powerful message of care and community. By supporting this project, you have helped create an environment where students can focus on their education without worrying about basic needs. This act of generosity truly reflects the spirit of compassion and support that makes our community so special.\r\n\r\nThank you once again for your thoughtfulness and commitment to our students' well-being. We deeply appreciate your partnership in helping us nurture not only academic success but also dignity and self-esteem. Your support means the world to us!","fullyFundedDate":1761250286645,"projectUrl":"project/helping-students-with-disabilities-stay/9796911/","projectTitle":"Helping Students with Disabilities Stay Fresh and Confident","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mejia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8620240_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1739814329282","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8620240"},{"teacherId":2614959,"projectId":9794466,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations. It is greatly appreciated. Your donations will allow me to provide my students with chapter books to read. Many of my students express an interest in reading chapter books. I am know able to provide them with that opportunity. \r\nEach of my students will be able to have their own books to hold. I am now able to hold read a louds in my class. My students will be able to participate in class readings. My students can break up into groups and read with a group or partner. They will be able to participate in group discussions.\r\n\r\nAgain this would not be possible without your generous donations.","fullyFundedDate":1765471851727,"projectUrl":"project/eager-readers/9794466/","projectTitle":"Eager Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gambino","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2614959_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1694798550739","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ggambino"},{"teacherId":2614959,"projectId":9909776,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations. It is greatly appreciated. Your donations will allow me to provide my students with chapter books to read. Many of my students express an interest in reading chapter books. I am know able to provide them with that opportunity. \r\nEach of my students will be able to have their own books to hold. I am now able to hold read a louds in my class. My students will be able to participate in class readings. My students can break up into groups and read with a group or partner. They will be able to participate in group discussions.\r\n\r\nAgain this would not be possible without your generous donations.","fullyFundedDate":1764632577086,"projectUrl":"project/ready-readers/9909776/","projectTitle":"Ready Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gambino","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2614959_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1694798550739","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ggambino"},{"teacherId":2614959,"projectId":9694936,"letterContent":"This project has impacted my classroom greatly. With your generous donations I am able to provide white boards to my students. Having white boards in the classroom allows me to write lesson objections. It allows me to post our daily lessons for my students to see. It allows my students opportunities to participate and interact during classroom lessons. I am able to provide examples for my students to solve using the white board. \r\nMy students were super excited to receive these items. They are happy to have these resources in the classroom. It has given them opportunites to interact in the classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1758899067647,"projectUrl":"project/white-board-displays/9694936/","projectTitle":"White Board Displays","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gambino","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2614959_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1694798550739","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ggambino"},{"teacherId":8533521,"projectId":9350306,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity our \"Calm Down Corner\" is open and already changing how my students move through the school day. The two bean bag chairs and sensory liquid tiles give students a predictable, soothing place to step away from a busy classroom and regulate their emotions without missing instruction. The touchscreen HP laptop provides quick access to visual schedules, calming apps, and individualized learning programs so students can practice coping strategies and academic skills in a low pressure setting. For students who struggle with transitions or sensory overload, having tools on hand means fewer outbursts, faster returns to learning, and more time engaged with peers and lessons.\r\n\r\nWhat excites my students most is how interactive and immediate the laptop is, they love choosing a calming activity, watching a visual timer, or tapping through a preferred learning app. The liquid tiles invite hands on exploration and give sensory seekers an appropriate outlet that helps them stay focused in class. A few students who previously shut down during loud or crowded moments now use the Calm Corner independently; one nonverbal student reliably goes to a bean bag and a favorite app to self soothe, then returns to group work calmer and ready to participate. Your support has created a small, consistent practice of self‑regulation that builds confidence, reduces disruptions, and directly improves these students' academic and social success. Thank you for making this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1753291109877,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-calm-a-supportive-space-for/9350306/","projectTitle":"Empowering Calm: A Supportive Space for Student Growth","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Eisenstein","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8533521_orig.jpg?crop=1080,1080,x0,y136&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1719285420093","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrseisenstein"},{"teacherId":9627990,"projectId":9206827,"letterContent":"On behalf of my students and myself, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation! Thanks to your support, our classroom now has a vibrant library filled with a variety of books that will spark a love for reading. The multi-level selections ensure that every student—no matter their reading level—has access to engaging and appropriate material.\r\nWhen the books arrived, the excitement was incredible! Students crowded around the boxes, eager to explore. One student whispered, \"I've never had this many choices before!\" Another immediately grabbed a book and started reading during recess instead of playing outside. Seeing their faces light up as they discovered stories that spoke to them was truly magical. Your kindness is making a real difference in their learning journey!","fullyFundedDate":1746699561986,"projectUrl":"project/help-me-give-my-students-a-organized-cla/9206827/","projectTitle":"Help Me Give My Students a Organized Classroom Library","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Abernathy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9627990_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723731626930","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9627990"},{"teacherId":9848505,"projectId":9733155,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my classroom has been transformed! The printer and laminator allowed me to create vibrant, durable picture symbols and visual labels that have truly changed the way my autistic students learn and interact.\r\nBefore this project, many of my students struggled to express themselves and understand routines. Now, they have clear visual supports that help them communicate their needs, follow schedules, and work independently. I've seen smiles replace frustration, and confidence grow where there was once uncertainty.\r\nOne of my favorite moments was watching a student proudly use a laminated choice board to tell me what activity they wanted—something they couldn't do before. These tools have given my students a voice and a sense of control in their learning environment.\r\nYour support didn't just fund supplies—it gave my students freedom, confidence, and joy. Thank you for believing in them and helping create a classroom where every child feels understood and empowered.","fullyFundedDate":1758898859051,"projectUrl":"project/print-for-progress-supporting-autism-le/9733155/","projectTitle":"Print for Progress: Supporting Autism Learning with Picture Symbols","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sultana","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9848505"},{"teacherId":10052709,"projectId":9404108,"letterContent":"On behalf of our team and the incredible students we serve, I extend our deepest gratitude for your generous donation of nutritious snacks, social-emotional learning materials, sensory toys, and a printer. These gifts couldn't have come at a more vital time for our non-verbal students with special needs, many of whom arrive at school each day feeling hungry and overwhelmed, which can make regulating their emotions and behaviors a real challenge. Your thoughtful contributions help them focus without the distraction of empty tummies; the SEL materials offer gentle, visual tools to name and navigate big feelings; and the sensory toy has become a quiet anchor for those moments when the world feels too loud. \r\nFor students who are not yet able to navigate a device, we are grateful for the printer you provided, as we offer symbol charts and icons for use on a portable device. What excites our students most is the sensory feedback—the vibrant colors, gentle vibrations, and the immediate responses that make learning feel like play. Seeing their little faces light up with a sense of security and joy is a reminder of why we do this work, and it's all thanks to supporters like you.","fullyFundedDate":1758803442270,"projectUrl":"project/my-spidey-senses-are-on-overload/9404108/","projectTitle":"My Spidey Senses Are On Overload!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dee Lewis (Q993)","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10052709"},{"teacherId":9595062,"projectId":9473408,"letterContent":"Without great Donors like you our classroom would not have the daily essential classroom supplies we need to thrive in. When we are teaching pre vocational culinary arts for cooking we have spills. The essential classroom supplies of wipes and cleaning products get used up very quickly with just one class throught the day. The lamination supplies you provided us for our recipe sheets are now protected from water and Juice spills saving our paper and color ink . We do not have to keep reprinting the recipie cards for our daily use anymore. The lamination sheets today are so expensive to buy on a daily basis, and without your support we would not have been able to laminate all of the items we needed to protect from liquid. The hands on projects that our students are engaged in requires glue sticks, markers, and pencils which also get used up and dryed out so quickly. Thank you so much for helping supply fresh markers and glue sticks that often gets dried out that our students use on a daily basis . I cannot thank all the Donors on Donors Choose for helping myself, all of the students,parents and the teachers from around the world with you impact on Donors Choose. On behalf of the staff, students, administration and myself we want to say, Thank you so much we are truly appreciative of your contributions of essential supplies we really needed ! Thank you","fullyFundedDate":1758202892726,"projectUrl":"project/basic-everyday-classroom-supplies/9473408/","projectTitle":"Basic Everyday Classroom Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Angela Everett","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9595062_orig.png?crop=256,256,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1730834499789","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9595062"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_999","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":327,"numTeachers":34,"percentFrplEligible":83,"percentAsian":6,"percentBlack":61,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":4,"percentLatinx":22,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"9.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":74.0,"schoolId":999,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Catherine & Count Basie Middle School 72 on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Catherine & Count Basie Middle School 72","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-york/new-york-city-dept-of-ed/jhs-72-count-catherine-basie/999"}