{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Horton Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":36.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6875893,"projectId":9812306,"letterContent":"As an AVID teacher, I work with students across all their content areas, and I've seen firsthand how these Spanish-English dictionaries have become essential tools during our tutorial sessions. When students come to AVID tutorials struggling with their Spanish work, they now have immediate access to the resources they need to push through challenges independently.\r\n\r\nThese dictionaries are teaching my students critical skills that go far beyond just looking up words. They're learning how to break down complex problems, use resources strategically, and advocate for their own learning—all core principles of AVID. During tutorials, I watch students collaborate with their tutors and peers, dictionaries open, working through Spanish reading passages or trying to express ideas for writing assignments. They're developing the inquiry skills and self-reliance that will serve them in high school, college, and beyond.\r\n\r\nIn our AVID classroom, learning is collaborative and student-driven. During tutorials, students present their Points of Confusion and work with their tutorial groups to find solutions. Now, instead of being stuck on vocabulary that blocks their understanding, they can quickly reference their dictionaries and move forward with the actual content. This keeps the momentum going and helps them focus on higher-level thinking rather than getting derailed by unknown words.\r\n\r\nI've particularly noticed the impact on students who are working hard to succeed in rigorous courses. One student recently told me she feels \"more prepared\" for Spanish class now because she can preview vocabulary and review on her own time. Another student, who used to avoid bringing Spanish homework to tutorials because he felt embarrassed about not understanding, now actively participates and helps his peers.\r\n\r\nThank you for supporting our AVID students. These dictionaries represent more than language support—they're tools for building confidence, independence, and the determination to succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1761145977062,"projectUrl":"project/give-my-students-the-gift-of-words/9812306/","projectTitle":"Give My Students the Gift of Words","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Terry","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6875893_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1570376031757","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6875893"},{"teacherId":6979938,"projectId":9622522,"letterContent":"We are so grateful for your generous support of our music classroom through DonorsChoose! Thanks to your kindness, our students now have high-quality headphones that will make an incredible difference in their learning. These headphones allow every student to focus on their individual music projects, explore composition and recording with clarity, and develop stronger listening skills without distractions. You've helped create a more engaging and professional learning environment where students can truly hear and appreciate the details of their music.\r\n\r\nYour contribution goes far beyond just equipment—it's an investment in creativity, confidence, and the joy of music-making. Each time my students put on their headphones to compose, record, or listen critically, they are reminded that someone believes in their potential. Thank you for helping us make music education more inspiring, inclusive, and hands-on for every learner in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1755738645581,"projectUrl":"project/headphones-for-listening-and-learning/9622522/","projectTitle":"Headphones for Listening and Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Vaughan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6979938_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1702412631621","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6979938"},{"teacherId":6875893,"projectId":9667220,"letterContent":"Your incredible support has transformed our classroom into a space where learning, connection, and growth happen every single day. The snacks, board games, and instructional supplies you provided have made such a meaningful difference for my middle schoolers.\r\n\r\n**How We'll Be Using Your Gifts:**\r\n\r\nThe snacks will be a game-changer for ensuring no student has to struggle with focus due to hunger. When I see a student having difficulty concentrating, I'll be able to quietly offer them a granola bar or crackers so they can fully engage in our lessons. Having these healthy options available means that basic needs won't be a barrier to participating in our discussions about advocacy strategies and collaborative projects.\r\n\r\nThe board games will become our secret weapon for building collaboration skills. We'll use them during our \"Relationship Building Fridays,\" where students will learn to strategize together, negotiate fairly, and communicate respectfully even when they disagree. Through games like Settlers of Catan, students will practice real-world collaboration skills—working together, creating agreements, and learning to resolve conflicts constructively.\r\n\r\nThe instructional supplies will support our hands-on learning activities and help students create visual presentations for their advocacy projects. These materials will give students the tools they need to express their ideas creatively and professionally as they develop their leadership skills.\r\n\r\n**Student Reactions:**\r\n\r\nWhen the supplies first arrived, my students were genuinely excited and incredibly grateful for the new snacks. Their faces lit up when they saw the variety of options, and I could see how much it meant to them to know that people cared enough to make sure they had what they needed to succeed. That sense of being valued and supported has already begun to show in their engagement and the way they're building our classroom community.\r\n\r\n**What's Next:**\r\n\r\nWe're currently working on a project where students are identifying issues in our school community and developing advocacy campaigns. The collaboration and communication skills they will build through our games will translate into real leadership. Next month, they'll present their advocacy projects to school administration—using the confidence and relational skills that your support will help nurture.\r\n\r\nThank you for seeing the potential in these young people and for understanding that sometimes the path to academic success includes ensuring basic needs are met and building the human connections that make learning meaningful.","fullyFundedDate":1758202844085,"projectUrl":"project/games-snacks-and-success-for-my-studen/9667220/","projectTitle":"Games, Snacks, and Success for My Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Terry","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6875893_orig.jpg?crop=720,720,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1570376031757","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6875893"},{"teacherId":9801728,"projectId":9196949,"letterContent":"Thank you all for your generous donations last school year towards a new tambourine and case. As I mentioned in the project, the previous tambourine at our school was in very bad condition, and the percussion sections in 7th and 8th grade were so excited to see that they got a new one! They got to use it at our spring concert and were impressed and pleased with how high quality it looks and sounds.\r\n Since we received the tambourine, our percussion students have learned the importance of proper instrument care, including how to store percussion instruments safely and even learned how to apply tambourine wax if it's ever needed! This way we can continue to use this new tambourine for years and years to come. We are also using the tambourine bag that we requested to protect another tambourine that we have at the school. I am so grateful for your support and for helping these students to have a quality experience, and quality instruments, throughout their time in our band program.","fullyFundedDate":1744299533973,"projectUrl":"project/shake-it-out/9196949/","projectTitle":"Shake It Out!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Parsons","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9801728_orig.jpg?crop=2418,2418,x0,y499&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1728825263639","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9801728"},{"teacherId":6979938,"projectId":9162358,"letterContent":"This was such a rewarding project to see completed. These books are treasures for the students I read and sing them to. They have so much fun selecting their favorite and it is a great way to make connections with other subject areas. It's been a great way to teach them about animal habitats to listening for rhyming. \r\nThe colorful pictures are captivating and as time goes on my plan is to put the books in the hands of the students. \r\nThank you so much for contributing to my music classroom and meeting the needs of these wonderful students.","fullyFundedDate":1742482117558,"projectUrl":"project/sing-a-book-or-two/9162358/","projectTitle":"Sing a Book or Two","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Vaughan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6979938_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1702412631621","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6979938"},{"teacherId":9801728,"projectId":9133173,"letterContent":"Thank you all so very much for your generous donations! These new mouthpieces and ligatures are already being put to use in our band program this year. By getting new clarinet mouthpieces, I have been able to reinstate some clarinets for use in class that were previously unusable. \r\nStudents who have wanted to try clarinet now have this brand new opportunity and were very excited to be given the chance. What excites me even more is being able to give even more rising 6th graders next year an opportunity to try clarinet and potentially fall in love with it for years to come. Having a quality mouthpiece and ligature helps these students to produce wonderful sounds and be confident in the music that they are playing. Your support means the world!","fullyFundedDate":1742144749525,"projectUrl":"project/making-merry-music/9133173/","projectTitle":"Making Merry Music","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Parsons","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9801728_orig.jpg?crop=2418,2418,x0,y499&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1728825263639","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9801728"},{"teacherId":9801728,"projectId":8873410,"letterContent":"I am so grateful to every one of you for your donations which have provided us with a new set of classroom speakers. Their high quality provides strong enough audio to enhance our learning environment, allowing students to hear everything clearly, whether we are listening to music or engaging in play-alongs. It makes a significant difference in our classroom experience, enriching our lessons with vibrant sounds that keep everyone engaged.\r\n Although it has taken some time to find just the right space for them in the classroom, I want to share how much we appreciate these speakers. They elevate our classroom activities, and I am excited to see how they will continue to enhance our musical learning and enjoyment as we incorporate more audio elements into our lessons. Thank you all once again for your thoughtful contributions!","fullyFundedDate":1732839563151,"projectUrl":"project/listening-to-hear/8873410/","projectTitle":"Listening to Hear","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Parsons","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9801728_orig.jpg?crop=2418,2418,x0,y499&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1728825263639","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9801728"},{"teacherId":4575471,"projectId":7266522,"letterContent":"I want to extend a heartfelt thank-you to each of you who contributed to our DonorsChoose project. Your generosity has brought big books and puppets into our extended content standards classroom, transforming how our students engage with literacy. These resources have opened up new and exciting ways for our students to connect with stories, characters, and concepts. The large print and vibrant illustrations of the big books make them accessible and captivating, ensuring that every student, regardless of their abilities, feels included and empowered to explore the joy of reading. \r\n\r\nThe addition of puppets and other manipulatives has been equally impactful, offering a hands-on, interactive way for students to bring stories to life. These tools have turned reading sessions into dynamic, engaging experiences, allowing students to express themselves, build confidence, and deepen their comprehension in ways that traditional methods might not. Watching their faces light up as they act out stories with puppets or eagerly point to the pictures in the big books has been a joy to witness. Thanks to your support, these students now have opportunities to connect with texts in meaningful and memorable ways, fostering a love for reading that will stay with them for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1683674718028,"projectUrl":"project/there-was-a-librarian-who-loved-books/7266522/","projectTitle":"There Was a Librarian Who Loved Books!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hoop","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4575471_orig.png?crop=320,320,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1666549072351","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/melissa-hoopingarner"},{"teacherId":6979938,"projectId":8892718,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping our music and chorus students receive these great music instruments and tools. We have already recorded the band and chorus concerts with the tripod and look forward to continuing to use it in years to come. \r\nThe boomwhackers are an amazing addition to the existing ones and it gives us a better opportunity to play and enjoy making music. \r\nWe were also able to get some music arrangement music and it's so fun to play. They really enjoyed playing Wipeout. \r\nThanks for helping support our music class and the arts at Horton.","fullyFundedDate":1729536975336,"projectUrl":"project/boomwhackers-and-recording-tripod/8892718/","projectTitle":"Boomwhackers and Recording Tripod","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Vaughan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6979938_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1702412631621","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6979938"},{"teacherId":6979938,"projectId":8891426,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity in helping students at Horton to have new tables for music class. It's been great to have these tables for working on and placing our barred instruments on. \r\n\r\nThe tables were set up almost immediately and they work perfectly for small group work. They are perfect for our class and we are thankful to have them. \r\n\r\nOur school struggled to have the necessary tables for the elective class, so it was very nice to retire the tables on wheels and use these sturdy stables instead.","fullyFundedDate":1729437363056,"projectUrl":"project/tables-for-positive-music-experiences/8891426/","projectTitle":"Tables for positive music experiences","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Vaughan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6979938_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1702412631621","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6979938"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_2471","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":415,"numTeachers":26,"percentFrplEligible":39,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":17,"percentWhite":56,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":15,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"5 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"16.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_DISTANT"},"inStateSupporters":63.9,"schoolId":2471,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Horton Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Horton Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/north-carolina/chatham-county-school-district/horton-middle-school/2471"}