{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Comprehensive Model School Project M.S. 327","outOfStateSupporters":46.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10012739,"projectId":9787612,"letterContent":"Your generosity has truly brought Latino stories to life in our classroom. Because of you, each of my students now has their own copy of Cajas de cartón by Francisco Jiménez—and that has transformed the way we learn.\r\n\r\nInstead of reading isolated excerpts or projecting passages on the board, my students are now holding the text in their hands, annotating it, writing in the margins, and engaging deeply with Panchito's journey. We are using the novels for a literacy unit centered on identity, voice, and resilience. Students are tracking themes such as migration, family sacrifice, education, and belonging. One powerful moment happened during our discussion of the story \"La noche buena.\" Several of my heritage Spanish speakers paused and said, \"This feels like my parents' story.\" Because they each had a copy, they were able to highlight specific lines that resonated with them and share those passages aloud. The conversation that followed was authentic, emotional, and entirely student-driven.\r\n\r\nWhen the books first arrived, the excitement was immediate. My students—many of whom are Latino and from immigrant families—lit up when they saw a novel that reflected their language and lived experiences. One student hugged the book and said, \"We never read books about us.\" That moment alone reminded me why representation matters. For many of them, this is the first time they see their culture centered in an academic text rather than treated as a side note. It validated their identities and affirmed that their stories belong in rigorous, literary study.\r\n\r\nWe are currently working on a literary analysis project in which students are examining how Jiménez uses imagery and first-person narration to build empathy and highlight injustice. Because they each have a copy, they are practicing close reading skills—annotating figurative language, identifying tone shifts, and citing textual evidence directly from their books. This has strengthened not only their Spanish literacy skills but also their confidence as analytical thinkers.\r\n\r\nOur next steps include a culminating community-based project. Students will write personal narratives inspired by Cajas de cartón, connecting Panchito's experiences to their own family histories. They will interview a family or community member about sacrifice, migration, or perseverance and craft a bilingual narrative that blends storytelling with literary techniques we've studied. We also plan to host a small classroom \"Literary Café,\" where students will read excerpts of their work aloud. This will allow them to step into the role of authors—just like Jiménez—and see their voices as worthy of being heard.\r\n\r\nYour support did more than provide books. You created access, representation, and ownership. You helped my students see that their stories matter in academic spaces. You strengthened their literacy skills while honoring their cultural identities. Most importantly, you gave them the opportunity to hold a mirror and a window in their hands—both reflecting their lives and expanding their understanding of others.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and for helping us bring Latino stories to life.","fullyFundedDate":1763738749795,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-latino-stories-to-life/9787612/","projectTitle":"Bringing Latino Stories to Life","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jimenez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10012739_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746415791074","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msjimenezcmsp"},{"teacherId":10358962,"projectId":9913388,"letterContent":"Your donations have brought so much joy to the girls every time we have practice. The girls especially enjoy try to hit off the pitching machine. Whether they are successful at it or not, they can't get enough and they have so much fun with it. \r\n\r\nWhile the girls enjoy and have much fun with the equipment, I think what I notice more is the deeper impact it is playing on the girls. They are not just showing more confidence, they are speaking to it. They mention that they feel like they will perform better now when they start playing and have to hit and bunt. The catcher with the new gear has an even better attitude. She says she feels official now and like a pro. \r\n\r\nWhile the girls are having fun, they are also working incredibly hard to prepare for their first softball season. With your donations, they got equipment that will help them better prepare. This will also build everlasting memories. Thank you so much for being a part of that.","fullyFundedDate":1766508996461,"projectUrl":"project/brand-new-hs-softball-team-needs-help-ge/9913388/","projectTitle":"Brand New HS Softball Team Needs Help Getting Started","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Mike","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10358962_orig.png?crop=889,889,x6,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1763986808828","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10358962"},{"teacherId":5588727,"projectId":9390396,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contributions to my school's tech project. Instead of the follow-spot, we ended getting two wonderful handheld wireless mics. The mics will free us from the tyranny of the cord! They will give us a much more professional feel to our shows and events, and they're perfect for singers and hosts. We produced our first musical last spring and are moving forward with a talent show this year. With these new mics, our singers don't need to watch out for the cords while they're moving around the stage. Plus, our talent shows and multicultural events use multiple hosts--giving students who don't necessarily want to act or sing a wonderful opportunity to be onstage--and the wireless mics let them lean into their hosting duties in a really fun way. And since these are high-quality mics, the sound for singing is superb, and each new piece of equipment allows our tech students to gain experience working with professional-quality equipment.","fullyFundedDate":1753290905336,"projectUrl":"project/follow-spot-for-student-theater-producti/9390396/","projectTitle":"Follow Spot for Student Theater Productions","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Kleiner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5588727_orig.jpg?crop=853,853,x109,y226&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1557235980550","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5588727"},{"teacherId":10012739,"projectId":9315945,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom has been transformed with the addition of 30 VR headsets. This technology has opened a new world of learning for my students—one that feels alive, immersive, and deeply engaging.\r\n\r\nMany of my students are familiar with technology at home, but VR in school offers them something completely different: the ability to experience what we're learning. Instead of simply reading about ancient civilizations, ecosystems, or global cultures, they can now step into these environments and explore them firsthand. This has made our lessons more interactive, more memorable, and more accessible to all learners, especially those who benefit from visual and hands-on experiences.\r\n\r\nThe excitement in the room each time the VR headsets come out is undeniable. Students who are usually shy or hesitant have become enthusiastic explorers, eager to participate and share what they discover. One student in particular, who often struggles to stay engaged during traditional lessons, has completely lit up during VR sessions—asking questions, making connections, and showing confidence I hadn't seen before. Moments like these remind me how powerful the right tools can be.\r\n\r\nYour donation has not just provided equipment; it has provided opportunity, curiosity, and joy. Thank you for believing in my students and supporting their learning in a way that feels magical to them. We are truly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1750882521454,"projectUrl":"project/from-the-bronx-to-latin-america-a-vr-im/9315945/","projectTitle":"From the Bronx to Latin America: a VR Immersion","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jimenez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10012739_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746415791074","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msjimenezcmsp"},{"teacherId":2825322,"projectId":9150323,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our \"Plant and Paint: A Calming Space for Creativity and Growth\" project. The moment the materials arrived, my students lit up with excitement! They couldn't wait to get their hands in the soil and pick up a paintbrush. We transformed a corner of our classroom into a peaceful oasis filled with greenery and student artwork — a space where they now go to decompress, reflect, and create.\r\n\r\nOne especially moving moment was watching a group of students quietly collaborate on painting pots for their plants while discussing their day. These are students who typically struggle with focus and regulation, yet in this space, they were calm, engaged, and genuinely joyful. The sensory experience of nurturing a plant while expressing themselves through art has already begun to make a noticeable difference in their moods and behavior.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, students will be designing plant care journals and contributing to a classroom mural that reflects their growth, both personal and botanical. This project planted more than seeds — it cultivated confidence, care, and community. Thank you for making this possible!","fullyFundedDate":1741623915907,"projectUrl":"project/plant-and-paint-a-calming-space-for-cre/9150323/","projectTitle":"Plant and Paint: A Calming Space for Creativity and Growth","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Castro","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2825322_orig.jpg?crop=320,320,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1557076988077","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/lena-castro"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_28500","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":669,"numTeachers":47,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":17,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":80,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"14.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":53.6,"schoolId":28500,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Comprehensive Model School Project M.S. 327 on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Comprehensive Model School Project M.S. 327","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-york/new-york-city-dept-of-ed/ms-327-comp-model-school/28500"}