{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Catherine & Count Basie Middle School 72","outOfStateSupporters":26.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"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"},{"teacherId":8620240,"projectId":9760988,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom through DonorsChoose! Because of your kindness, we now have an iPad charging station that's already making a huge difference in our daily learning.\r\n\r\nWith this new addition, students can keep their devices powered and ready to go—whether they're researching, collaborating, or diving into interactive lessons. It's helping us stay organized, reduce downtime, and maximize every moment of learning. The excitement on their faces when they saw the charging station was priceless!","fullyFundedDate":1760469693611,"projectUrl":"project/help-my-students-with-autism-stay-powere/9760988/","projectTitle":"Help My Students with Autism Stay Powered to Learn","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":8620240,"projectId":9469504,"letterContent":"On behalf of my students and myself, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for your generous donation of classroom essentials. Your support has made a meaningful difference in our learning environment, and we are truly grateful.\r\n\r\nMany of my students face unique challenges and come from diverse backgrounds, including low-income households. Your contribution has helped ensure that every child in our classroom has access to the basic tools they need to learn, grow, and thrive. From laminating sheets and games to classroom labels, items, and organizational supplies, each item has played a role in creating a space where students feel supported, confident, and ready to succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1758899082790,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-essentials-and-supportive-spac/9469504/","projectTitle":"Classroom Essentials and Supportive Space for Students With Autism","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":9728937,"projectId":9670349,"letterContent":"P993Q STUDENTS SENDS A BIG THANK YOU!!!!\r\n\r\nThank you so much for your incredible support of our \"Student Wellness & Hygiene Kits for Learners with Disabilities\" project! Your generosity has made a meaningful difference in our classroom and in the lives of our students.\r\nWhen the wellness and hygiene kits arrived, my students were thrilled. Their faces lit up with excitement and curiosity as they explored the items — from toothbrushes and deodorant and the other essential hygiene products. For many of our learners, these kits provided not only essential supplies but also a sense of dignity and care.\r\nWe've been using the kits to support daily routines and build independence. For example, during our life skills lessons, students practice personal hygiene habits using their own items. This hands-on experience has helped reinforce important concepts and made the learning more meaningful. It's also sparked conversations about self-care, confidence, and responsibility.\r\nThanks to your support, our students are more comfortable and confident in their learning environment. They're able to focus better, participate more actively, and feel proud of themselves. As we continue working on our social-emotional learning goals, these kits are helping us build a foundation of self-respect and healthy habits.\r\nWe are deeply grateful for your kindness and belief in our students. Your gift has empowered them in ways that go far beyond the classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1757988211691,"projectUrl":"project/student-wellness-hygiene-kits-for-lear/9670349/","projectTitle":"Student Wellness & Hygiene Kits for Learners with Disabilities","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Miller","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9728937"},{"teacherId":9728937,"projectId":9689981,"letterContent":"P993Q@ M.S. 72 SAYS A BIG THANK YOU!!!!\r\n\r\nThank you so much for supporting our classroom through the \"Learning That Last: Protecting Progress\" project! The laminator and laminating sheets have already made a huge impact on how we teach, learn, and preserve our progress.\r\nIn our classroom, we use the laminator to create reusable learning tools — from vocabulary flashcards and math games to visual schedules and anchor charts. These materials are now durable enough to be used again and again, which means students can revisit key concepts without worrying about wear and tear. It's especially helpful for small group work and independent learning centers.\r\nThe most exciting part for my students? Seeing their own work laminated! They love when their projects are preserved and displayed around the room — it gives them a sense of pride and ownership. One student even said, \"It feels like my work is important now!\" That moment really captured the spirit of this project.\r\nSome of my students who benefit from extra visual support have especially warmed to the laminated materials. They're able to use these tools daily without them getting damaged, which helps reinforce learning and build confidence.\r\ngrateful.","fullyFundedDate":1758202647347,"projectUrl":"project/learning-that-last-protecting-progress/9689981/","projectTitle":"Learning That Last: Protecting Progress","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Miller","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9728937"},{"teacherId":9728937,"projectId":9693898,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom has been transformed in a way that goes far beyond snacks — you've helped fuel our focus, energy, and learning!\r\nWhen the snack supplies arrived, the excitement was palpable. My students gathered around the boxes with wide eyes and huge smiles, asking, \"Is this really for us?\" For many of them, having access to healthy snacks during the day has made a noticeable difference in their ability to concentrate and stay engaged. They especially appreciate being able to grab a snack when they need it — whether it's to recharge after recess or stay focused during a long reading block.\r\nThese snacks have become a vital part of our daily routine. They've helped create a classroom environment where students feel cared for and ready to learn. As we move forward, we're diving into a hands-on learning. With your support keeping our energy up, we're excited to explore, experiment, and grow together.\r\nThank you for believing in us and for making a real difference in our learning journey. Your kindness is deeply appreciated — and felt every single day","fullyFundedDate":1758842443867,"projectUrl":"project/fuel-for-focus-snack-time/9693898/","projectTitle":"Fuel for Focus: Snack Time!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Miller","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9728937"},{"teacherId":8620240,"projectId":9325295,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in providing STEM toys for my classroom of students with autism. The Magna-Tiles, kinetic sand, and other hands-on materials have made a tremendous difference in our daily learning environment. These tools not only spark curiosity and creativity, but they also help my students engage in meaningful play that supports their sensory needs, fine motor development, and social interaction. Watching them build, explore, and collaborate with joy and confidence has been truly heartwarming.\r\nYour donation has created a more inclusive and stimulating space where every child feels empowered to learn in their own way. These STEM toys have become essential tools in helping my students regulate their emotions, express themselves, and develop critical thinking skills. I am deeply grateful for your kindness and belief in our classroom. Your impact goes far beyond the toys- you've helped create moments of growth, connection, and joy that we will carry with us every day.","fullyFundedDate":1756673285890,"projectUrl":"project/stem-sational-senses/9325295/","projectTitle":"STEM-sational Senses!","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"}],"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":73.9,"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"}
Join the 249 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Catherine & Count Basie Middle School 72 is
an urban public school
in Jamaica, New York that is part of New York City Dept Of Ed.
It serves 327 students
in grades 6 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 9.6:1.
Its teachers have had 107 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
Boost support for our school's classrooms. Share this page with friends and family who want to make a difference. If you're a teacher, sign up to get started!
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. Each classroom request for funding was created by a classroom teacher and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
Catherine & Count Basie Middle School 72 Demographics
83%
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
93%
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.
Catherine & Count Basie Middle School 72 Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 4, 2025
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.
Catherine & Count Basie Middle School 72
$49,026
raised using DonorsChoose
107
projects
funded
33
teachers
funded
249
donors
8
projects
for
basic supplies
19
projects for
technology
7
projects for
books
6
projects
for
art supplies
Catherine & Count Basie Middle School 72 has received support from
184 individuals from New York and
65 individuals out-of-state.