{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"South Allegheny Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":21.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":1783207,"projectId":10495760,"letterContent":"This project has reminded me why I love teaching. Some of the best learning happens when we give kids the time, space, and freedom to follow their curiosity. It has helped me let go of the idea that every learning experience needs to look a certain way and instead trust my students to surprise me with their ideas. I've learned that sometimes, the most meaningful thing I can do as a teacher is provide the tools, step back, and let kids take the lead. Watching them create, collaborate, build confidence, and discover what they're capable of is a beautiful reminder that when we give kids the opportunity to own their learning, they often show us just how much they can do.\r\nThe TV has opened up a whole new world of curiosity and wonder for my students. We can explore a yoga practice, discover how something is made, watch a science experiment, or stumble upon something that sparks a hundred new questions. These experiences build background knowledge and give students a starting point for ideas they might never have encountered otherwise. I love watching their eyes light up when they make a connection, ask a question, or suddenly want to learn more. Sometimes, a short video becomes the beginning of a project, a creative experiment, or a conversation we never expected to have. For me, that's the magic of it. The TV isn't just providing entertainment; it's helping students see what's possible, imagine beyond what they already know, and discover that learning can begin with something as simple as wondering.\r\nThank you for supporting my classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1788399938750,"projectUrl":"project/stem-up-the-heat/10495760/","projectTitle":"STEM Up the Heat","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wachs","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1783207_orig.jpg?crop=2812,2812,x0,y403&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1667248992805","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1783207"},{"teacherId":2994636,"projectId":10391254,"letterContent":"I am incredibly grateful for your support of our classroom! The 30 fast phone chargers and commercial laundry cart have already made a meaningful difference in both student focus and classroom organization.\r\n\r\nThe phone chargers have given us a creative alternative to simply placing phones in a calculator holder on the wall. Instead, students can plug their phones in and intentionally disconnect from them for our 42-minute class period. Knowing that their phones are safely charging gives students peace of mind while allowing them to put their attention where it belongs—on learning, creating, collaborating, and participating. It has been rewarding to see students recognize that they can make it through an entire class without constantly checking their notifications.\r\n\r\nThe commercial laundry cart has also been an unexpected classroom game-changer! We use it to store our large and heavy rolls of paper and other oversized materials. Because the cart is sturdy and has wheels, we can easily move these materials when needed instead of having them take up valuable classroom space or become difficult to access. It has helped us create a safer, cleaner, and much more organized workspace.\r\n\r\nThese resources may seem simple, but they have solved two very real classroom challenges: digital distractions and storage. More importantly, they have helped create an environment where students can focus, stay organized, and take greater ownership of their learning space.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our students and helping make our classroom a more focused, functional, and productive place to learn. Your generosity has made a difference that students experience every single day!\r\n\r\nWith sincere appreciation,","fullyFundedDate":1786542155917,"projectUrl":"project/organized-charged-and-ready-to-create/10391254/","projectTitle":"Organized, Charged, and Ready to Create!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Eyth","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2994636_orig.jpg?crop=1280,1280,x320,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1698194143893","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/southalleghenygraphics"},{"teacherId":10413520,"projectId":10046362,"letterContent":"Thank You for Supporting Our Students! \r\n\r\nWe are truly grateful for your generous donation of daily necessities for our students. These items are things our students use every day, and your kindness is making a meaningful difference in their lives.\r\n\r\nFor some of our students, having access to these basic necessities at school means one less thing they have to worry about. They can come to school knowing that their needs will be met and that they are cared for and supported.\r\n\r\nYour generosity helps create a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment where our students can focus on learning, growing, and being successful. More importantly, your donation reminds them that there are people in their community who care about them.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping us provide not only the necessities our students need each day, but also a sense of comfort, dignity, and belonging. We are truly thankful for your kindness and support!","fullyFundedDate":1776097296768,"projectUrl":"project/the-essentials-are-needed/10046362/","projectTitle":"The Essentials are Needed","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dolata","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10413520"},{"teacherId":2216725,"projectId":10360248,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donation to support our new teachers and their classrooms. Your kindness has helped provide essential supplies that allow our teachers to begin the school year with welcoming, organized, and healthy learning environments for their students.\r\nStarting the year in a new classroom can be both exciting and overwhelming. Because of your generosity, our new teachers have access to supplies that help keep their classrooms clean, tidy, and ready for learning. Items that may seem simple like cleaning supplies, tissues, hand sanitizer, organizational materials, and other classroom essentials make a tremendous difference in helping teachers create spaces where students can feel comfortable and cared for each day.\r\nYour donation is a message to our new teachers that our community supports them and values the important work they are beginning. Most importantly, your generosity directly benefits our students by helping provide clean, healthy, and welcoming classrooms where they can focus on learning and growing.\r\nThank you for investing in our teachers, our students, and our schools. We are incredibly grateful for your support and generosity.","fullyFundedDate":1782923415652,"projectUrl":"project/healthy-new-classrooms/10360248/","projectTitle":"Healthy New Classrooms","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Whitney","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2216725_orig.jpg?crop=400,400,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689991510616","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jenna-whitney"},{"teacherId":10416386,"projectId":10053400,"letterContent":"On behalf of our 7th grade students, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude for your generous donation of snacks and personal care items. Your kindness and thoughtfulness have made a meaningful difference in the daily lives of our students.\r\n\r\nThese items not only help meet important needs, but they also bring comfort, encouragement, and a sense of support to our students. Knowing that members of the community care about their well-being truly means a great deal.\r\n\r\nWe deeply appreciate your generosity and your commitment to helping our students succeed both in and out of the classroom. Thank you for making a positive impact on our school community.","fullyFundedDate":1769318161484,"projectUrl":"project/ready-to-learn-ready-to-thrive-comfort/10053400/","projectTitle":"Ready to Learn, Ready to Thrive: Comfort Closet","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Latini","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10416386"},{"teacherId":10413427,"projectId":10051453,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation. I teach in a low-income school district, so many of our students often need supplies and gear for school. I firmly believe when students have what they need, they are happier, more confident, and have a better chance of being successful. So thank you for allowing me to provide some essentials for my students.\r\n With the donation, I was able to purchase cold weather gear (gloves, hats, sweatshirts, hoodies, and socks) for my students during the winter months. We had a brutal winter this year in Pittsburgh, so the gear was much needed and appreciated. \r\n In addition to clothing, I was able to purchase snacks and drinks to share with my students. We used the snacks as prizes when we played review games. After state testing this year, we took students outside for recess and were able to provide them with Gatorade. \r\n Your donation put a lot of smiles on student's (and teacher's) faces, and I thank you.","fullyFundedDate":1769652265748,"projectUrl":"project/brrwere-cold/10051453/","projectTitle":"BRR...We're Cold!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kirchner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10413427"},{"teacherId":10413443,"projectId":10044153,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom has become a more comfortable and supportive place for students to learn each day. The snacks have been especially impactful. Many students come in hungry or without having eaten much, and having access to a quick snack has helped them stay focused and engaged during lessons. I've already noticed fewer distractions and more consistent participation, especially during longer class periods. The hygiene supplies have also made a meaningful difference. Students are able to discreetly access what they need, which has helped build confidence and reduce anxiety, allowing them to stay present and ready to learn.\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, their reactions were immediate and heartfelt. There was genuine excitement and relief. Some students even expressed how much it meant to them to have these resources available without needing to ask or feel uncomfortable. It has helped create a classroom environment where students feel cared for and supported beyond just academics, which has strengthened our sense of community.\r\nMoving forward, these resources will continue to support our daily routines and ongoing learning. With fewer basic needs going unmet, students are better able to focus on classroom activities and collaborate with their peers. As we continue into more challenging content, I am confident that this added support will help students stay engaged, build confidence, and reach their full potential. Your kindness has made a lasting impact on both their learning and well-being.","fullyFundedDate":1769101535784,"projectUrl":"project/caring-for-students-full-bellies-clean/10044153/","projectTitle":"Caring for Students: Full Bellies, Clean Hands, Warm Hearts","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bauman","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10413443"},{"teacherId":1783207,"projectId":9931582,"letterContent":"Your generosity has truly brought something special into our classroom, and I want you to know how much it means to our students. With the 3D printer filament and fiberfill you provided, my learners are not just completing projects; they are bringing their ideas to life. Technology like this gives students the chance to move beyond worksheets and into real creation, where problem-solving, design thinking, and persistence become part of the learning process. Many of you may use technology daily, but in our classroom, it becomes a bridge between imagination and reality, helping students see themselves as creators, engineers, and innovators.\r\nWhat has been most exciting is watching the moment when a student holds something they designed in their own hands! A custom 3D print keychain featuring their name or a hand-crafted stuffed creation ready to snuggle is the best motivation! There's a sense of pride and ownership that simply can't be replicated. The fiberfill has allowed our students to connect creativity with comfort, designing and sewing stuffies that are meaningful to them, while the filament fuels their curiosity about how digital designs become tangible objects.\r\nSome of our quieter students, and those who don't always shine in traditional academic settings, have especially come alive through these experiences. I've watched students who were once hesitant become leaders, helping peers troubleshoot designs, patiently refining their work, and beaming with confidence. Your support has given them not just materials, but a sense of capability and belonging. Thank you for making that possible.","fullyFundedDate":1768548799022,"projectUrl":"project/makers-unite-help-us-refill-our-filamen/9931582/","projectTitle":"Makers Unite: Help Us Refill Our Filament and Fiberfill","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wachs","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1783207_orig.jpg?crop=2812,2812,x0,y403&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1667248992805","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1783207"},{"teacherId":1783207,"projectId":10022817,"letterContent":"Your generosity has created something truly meaningful for our students.\r\nBecause of you, my care closet is more than just a space filled with supplies. It's a place of dignity, comfort, and quiet support. It ensures that students have access to the basic essentials they need for warmth, care, and personal comfort, allowing them to focus on what matters most: learning, growing, and simply being kids.\r\nWhat may seem like small items can make a big difference in a student's day and in their confidence. Your kindness helps remove barriers that too often go unseen, and it sends a powerful message to our students that they are valued, supported, and never alone.\r\nThank you for believing in my students and for helping me create a community where everyone feels cared for.","fullyFundedDate":1768619743150,"projectUrl":"project/care-closets-meeting-students-everyday/10022817/","projectTitle":"Care Closets: Meeting Students’ Everyday Needs with Dignity","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Wachs","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1783207_orig.jpg?crop=2812,2812,x0,y403&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1667248992805","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1783207"},{"teacherId":2227346,"projectId":10050497,"letterContent":"Our classroom is using the resources on our current lessons about ancient Egyptian times. The students created and drew sample menus for a day in the life of an Egyptian individual. The students were very excited to receive these items! We will continue these lessons with our next steps including an analysis of the methods used to construct the Great Pyramid at Giza. Students are eager to use the modeling clay for this activity!\r\n Thank you to the Tepper Foundation for providing these materials which allowed hands on learning for all students. We were able to accomplish much variety in the designs of how pyramids may have been built in ancient times.","fullyFundedDate":1769597668110,"projectUrl":"project/hearts-hands-and-hope-providing-care/10050497/","projectTitle":"Hearts, Hands, and Hope: Providing Care, Comfort & Food","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Valletto","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2227346"},{"teacherId":10413479,"projectId":10044463,"letterContent":"First and foremost, I want to thank you for the donation. It was amazing and has really helped the mood in my classroom. I have been using the snacks from the grant as a way to support their learning. Having access to snacks, I have been able to use them as part of small group work and review days, creating a more positive and engaging environment where students feel comfortable collaborating and participating. I also provide snacks to students who have after-school activities to help them make it those extra hours in the evening.. \r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the snacks, they were genuinely excited and grateful. Many of them expressed surprise that something like this was provided just for them, and it immediately boosted classroom morale. The snacks quickly became something students look forward to, and they've helped build a stronger sense of community in the classroom.\r\nAs we move forward and state testing approaches in the coming weeks, these snacks will play an important role in helping students stay focused and prepared. I plan to provide my homeroom with a snack before testing begins each day to ensure they have the energy they need to concentrate. We've talked in class about how important it is to fuel our bodies, especially on days when we are asked to do our best thinking. Providing a snack helps students feel cared for and ready to take on the challenge. With this added support, I am confident my students will be able to stay awake, focused, and put forth their best effort on the assessment.","fullyFundedDate":1769001271564,"projectUrl":"project/warm-care-and-comfort-meeting-basic/10044463/","projectTitle":"Warm, Care, and Comfort: Meeting Basic Kids' Needs","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Suckfiel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10413479"},{"teacherId":2994636,"projectId":10042060,"letterContent":"Thanks to the incredible generosity of The DonorsChoose Community, our students received a large supply of snacks, toiletries, bottled water, and essential winter items such as gloves and hats—right when they needed them most. In our area, freezing temperatures can make even getting to school a challenge, and for some students, having warm gear is not guaranteed. Being able to provide hats and gloves ensured that students could stay warm, focused, and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nThe snacks and water have been a true game-changer. Many of our students arrive early in the morning without having had adequate nutrition. Having accessible snacks allows them to refuel, stabilize their energy, and concentrate during class. What may seem small—like a granola bar or a bottle of water—can dramatically improve a student's mood, focus, and overall well-being. Our student athletes have especially benefited from the cases of water, helping them stay hydrated during long afternoons and after-school practices.\r\n\r\nThe toiletries have also made a meaningful difference. Items such as deodorant, toothbrushes, shampoo, and lotion provide students with dignity and confidence. When students feel clean, warm, and nourished, they are better able to participate, engage, and believe in themselves.\r\n\r\nThese supplies go far beyond basic necessities—they communicate care. They tell students that their community sees them, values them, and wants them to succeed. Because of The DonorsChoose Community, we were able to remove barriers that impact learning and provide support that helps students show up each day feeling prepared and empowered.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has truly changed daily life for many of our students.","fullyFundedDate":1768840054324,"projectUrl":"project/small-essentials-big-impact/10042060/","projectTitle":"Small Essentials, Big Impact!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Eyth","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2994636_orig.jpg?crop=1280,1280,x320,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1698194143893","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/southalleghenygraphics"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_88740","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":322,"numTeachers":52,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":14,"percentWhite":71,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":4,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":9,"gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"6.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":78.6,"schoolId":88740,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about South Allegheny Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"South Allegheny Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/pennsylvania/south-allegheny-school-district/south-allegheny-middle-high-school/88740"}