{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"South Allegheny Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":19.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":1783207,"projectId":9629298,"letterContent":"What I love most about my students is their curiosity, creativity, and willingness to try new things. Their hands may be small today, but their ideas are huge, and they are eager to grow into the leaders and workers of tomorrow. Every opportunity we create gives them one more step forward. It is one more chance to explore, to problem-solve, and to discover what lights them up. From tools that strengthen collaboration to materials that spark innovation, you're helping them learn in ways that truly matter. With equipment like snap circuits, they can explore emerging fields like renewable energy. With vinyl cutters and heat presses, they can dive into the modern world of digital design, millwork, and textiles. These kids are bursting with ideas, and nothing compares to watching them bring those ideas to life.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, my learners are exploring STEM, skilled trades, entrepreneurship, and creative design in our newly created middle school makerspace. These materials give students the chance to build real skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, craftsmanship, and technical know-how that translates into authentic career pathways. The tools and experiences they now have access to mirror what professionals use, allowing students to understand what these jobs require and imagine themselves in those roles. You're not just funding materials; you're helping students see themselves as capable, creative, and future-ready. I am incredibly grateful for your generosity and the doors you're helping open for every child who walks into this space.","fullyFundedDate":1755711873043,"projectUrl":"project/from-little-hands-today-to-big-futures-t/9629298/","projectTitle":"From Little Hands Today to Big Futures Tomorrow","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":9314167,"letterContent":"When our Chompsaw first arrived, it was the beginning of the school year and I was working on building a makers space. My excitement to add the Chompsaw was hard to contain. i knew the moment students realized they could safely and confidently cut and shape their own cardboard pieces, their imaginations would go into overdrive.\r\n\r\nAt this point, my makers have put the Chompsaw to use building everything from sturdy bridges to prototypes of inventions they've dreamt up. One group even designed a cardboard arcade game, cutting the ramps and levers themselves. This project was an experience that combined engineering, creativity, and teamwork in a way no worksheet ever.\r\n\r\nYour gift has truly amplified their sense of possibility.\r\nNext, we're planning a design challenge where students will use the Chompsaw to create functional furniture pieces. I am thinking cardboard stools and organizers that they can test for strength and usability. This will let them see firsthand how design thinking, problem-solving, and persistence can transform an ordinary material into something purposeful.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving my students the tools to bring their ideas to life. With your support, they're learning that creativity and innovation are within their reach. Sometimes all it takes is a piece of cardboard and the right tool to unlock their potential.","fullyFundedDate":1746493762657,"projectUrl":"project/chompsaw-a-kid-and-a-teachers-dream/9314167/","projectTitle":"Chompsaw - a Kid (and a Teacher’s) Dream.","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":9330562,"letterContent":"When my Gladiators first saw the box of glue sticks and glue guns, the room filled with smiles. It might sound small, but to them it meant they could keep building, designing, and dreaming without having to stop mid-project. Right away, students jumped into their golf course challenges and model-building, knowing they had what they needed to bring their ideas to life.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite moments was watching a group of students working on a tricky prototype. In the past, they would have had to pause or share supplies sparingly. This time, they kept going, testing out ideas, fixing mistakes, and proudly showing off their finished design. The smiles on their faces said it al felt.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has given my students the freedom to stay in their creative flow. From building strong bridges to crafting artistic pieces, they now have the resources to push their imaginations even further. Next, they're excited to start a project that combines art and engineering, where they'll design solutions for real-world problems. Thank you for giving them the chance to dream big and make dreams stick.","fullyFundedDate":1753999682922,"projectUrl":"project/gladiators-stick-together/9330562/","projectTitle":"Gladiators Stick Together","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":9085518,"letterContent":"The sticker maker was a big hit in my classroom! As soon as we got the sticker maker, our basketball team was going to the playoffs. Everyone in the district was looking for South Allegheny themed merchandise (shirts, hats, earrings, etc.). I had a contest in my classroom where kids had to come up with a sticker design to sell. One of our basketball players actually won that design contest and we sold those stickers to staff. We see the stickers on teacher laptops, walls, doors and windows around the school. Kids also created stickers with mascots of the opposing team and other stickers to cheer on the Gladiator basketball team. They had a really great time making them and it definitely helped create a greater sense of community in our school! \r\n\r\nExpect Respect, one of the student groups I sponsor, had a self-care day where they made essential oil scents. They used the sticker maker to label their containers and come up with creative names for their new scents. \r\n\r\nEradicate Hate, another student group I sponsor, hosted a student summit at school called \"Unity through Legacy\". We were able to create stickers to commemorate our event and gave the stickers to the attendees. \r\n\r\nShortly after basketball season was over, our gym teacher was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. At that time, students rallied around him creating shirts in support. We sent the shirt design to the sticker maker and were able to create another item in support of their teacher. \r\nOnce again, thank you from all of us. The sticker maker encouraged creativity, created a greater sense of community and we had some fun with it for sure. This would not have been possible without your support!","fullyFundedDate":1740486986175,"projectUrl":"project/lets-get-stuck-on-creativity/9085518/","projectTitle":"Let's get Stuck on Creativity!","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":2216725,"projectId":9206204,"letterContent":"On behalf of the students in our school and community, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks for your generous donation to our recent project supporting student engagement through games, brain teasers, and puzzles. Your contribution made it possible for us to provide enriching and stimulating materials for students from elementary through high school, creating opportunities for critical thinking, collaboration, and joyful learning across all grade levels.\r\nThese resources have not only sparked curiosity but have also fostered problem-solving skills and creative thinking in ways that traditional classroom tools often cannot. It's been inspiring to watch students light up with excitement as they tackle new challenges, work together to solve puzzles, and build resilience through play. Your support is making a lasting difference, and we are deeply grateful for your commitment to our students' growth and development.","fullyFundedDate":1745202753037,"projectUrl":"project/games-and-good-times/9206204/","projectTitle":"Games and Good Times","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":1783207,"projectId":9041893,"letterContent":"The new storage and organizing materials the shelves, magnets, hooks, and timers, have transformed our STEM classroom. We've been able to create clearly labeled stations for different activities, which has improved both the flow of lessons and students' ability to independently manage their materials. During a recent engineering design challenge, students used the timers to track their build-and-test iterations, and the new magnetic boards and hooks helped groups visually display their prototypes and ideas. \r\nWhen the materials arrived, there was a wave of excitement! Students immediately began brainstorming how we could use the hooks and shelves to make \"idea zones\" and quick-access tool areas. One student said, \"I feel like a real inventor now!\" The improved organization gave them a sense of ownership and pride in their learning space.\r\nWe're now diving into a collaborative project where students create eco-friendly solutions to everyday problems. The materials you provided allow us to keep tools and works-in-progress neatly organized, which gives students more time to focus on creativity and problem-solving. The magnets create visual displays turning our classroom walls into interactive galleries of innovation.","fullyFundedDate":1740697482882,"projectUrl":"project/lets-get-organized/9041893/","projectTitle":"Let’s Get Organized!","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":2216725,"projectId":8988696,"letterContent":"Thank you for your incredibly kind donation of Puffs Plus to our classroom. This time of year we go through them rather quickly and we all know having those nicer softer tissues can make all the difference in the world. Our students often see these type of tissues as a luxury item because of their quality. Your donation will get us through the rest of cold and flu season by helping to mitigate germs and keep our students healthy and safe. I appreciate your never-ending kindness to our classrooms at South Allegheny and am so lucky to have your continued support.","fullyFundedDate":1733320835849,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-essentials-shipment-2024-12-0/8988696/","projectTitle":"Classroom Essentials Shipment: 2024-12-04","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":2216725,"projectId":8868005,"letterContent":"You have once again come through for us in Kindness Campaign and the students of South Allegheny as a whole. We are so appreciative of your generosity. Your support plays a crucial role in fostering a culture of compassion and empathy among our students. Thanks to your donation we have been able to provide essentials for learning among other treats and specialty items that make our students feel included and cared about in our school environment. the kindness campaign has had a significant impact on our students, promoting positive interactions and a supportive school system. Your commitment to encouraging kindness not only enriches the lives of our students but also strengthens our entire community. We are honored to have you as a partner in continuing this important work.","fullyFundedDate":1730409372667,"projectUrl":"project/building-a-kind-and-caring-school/8868005/","projectTitle":"Building a Kind and Caring School","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":1783207,"projectId":8933931,"letterContent":"Dear Donors, \r\n\r\nThank you for your generous support in providing STEM supplies for our classroom! As soon as the materials arrived, my students were eager to dive in. We recently started a hands-on engineering challenge where students are designing and building small-scale structures to test principles of engineering design process. Watching them collaborate, problem-solve, and refine their designs has been incredible. The excitement and curiosity they bring to each step of the process show just how impactful these resources are in strengthening their STEM skills. \r\n\r\nWhen they first saw the supplies, their faces lit up with enthusiasm. Many students immediately began brainstorming ideas, sketching designs, and experimenting with the materials. These resources are not just tools—they are sparking creativity and confidence in our young engineers. Moving forward, we will be expanding on these skills by incorporating coding and technology elements, allowing students to bring their designs to life through interactive projects. Your support has truly made a difference, and we can't wait to share more of our progress!","fullyFundedDate":1731595480740,"projectUrl":"project/stemsational-supplies/8933931/","projectTitle":"STEMsational Supplies","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":8863519,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous monetary donation. Without your support, the National Honor Society scholars would not have been able to carry out their meaningful mission to support early literacy for young learners. Inspired by the power of play and education, they carefully selected engaging games and toys designed to build foundational literacy skills. These treasures will soon find their home with children, bringing joy and opportunity to those who need it most. \r\nJust today, my students organized a project around preparing these materials for donation that included holiday wrapping. Previously, when writing for your support, they researched items that would foster letter recognition, phonemic awareness, and early reading skills through interactive and age-appropriate play. Not only did this project give them a chance to directly impact their community, but it also taught them about empathy, service, and the long-lasting impact of giving back.\r\nAt today's NHS meeting, my students saw the materials for the first time and their excitement was felt! They were proud of the choices they made and eager to imagine the smiles on the faces of the children who would use the toys. One student remarked, \"This is more than a donation; we're giving kids the tools to love learning.\"\r\nThe next step is delivering these resources to the nearby facility who serves families in need, where the scholars will meet with staff to share how the materials can be used effectively. Additionally, they're brainstorming ways to keep the spirit of this project alive, such as fundraising for for future donations.\r\nYour support has not only provided resources but also sparked a movement of kindness and learning among our students. Thank you for believing in their potential to make a difference.","fullyFundedDate":1729696214095,"projectUrl":"project/kids-helping-kids-nhs-ensuring-a-bright/8863519/","projectTitle":"Kids Helping Kids: NHS Ensuring a Bright Future.","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"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_88740","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":322,"numTeachers":52,"percentFrplEligible":95,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":11,"percentWhite":73,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":2,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"6.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":80.4,"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"}