{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Dean Leaman Junior High School","outOfStateSupporters":21.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2996676,"projectId":9293841,"letterContent":"Thank you for believing in our students and supporting our project, Local Voices, Big Dreams: Reading Indifferents by Our Former Student. Because of your generosity, my students each received a copy of Indifferents by Casey Giles, a novel written when she was just 13 years old while attending the very same school they do now.\r\n\r\nYour support created something truly special. This project went far beyond providing books. It gave students a living example of what is possible. They read a powerful story written by someone who once walked their same halls, sat in similar classrooms, and had big dreams just like theirs. That connection was transformative. It helped them see themselves not only as readers, but as thinkers, creators, and future authors.\r\n\r\nThroughout the unit, this novel became a cornerstone of our reading and writing instruction. Students analyzed character development and themes, reflected on how personal experiences shape storytelling, and used Casey's work as inspiration for their own writing. They discussed how local voices can create meaningful change and how their own stories deserved to be told. Engagement increased, and students approached reading and writing with a new sense of ownership and pride.\r\n\r\nBecause of you, my students feel seen, valued, and empowered. You helped them realize that success is not something far away; it can begin right here, right now, in their own community.","fullyFundedDate":1755733794770,"projectUrl":"project/local-voices-big-dreams-reading-indiff/9293841/","projectTitle":"Local Voices, Big Dreams: Reading Indifferents by Our Former Student","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Melson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2996676_orig.jpg?crop=497,497,x0,y154&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1690665834493","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/margo-melson"},{"teacherId":2996676,"projectId":9281813,"letterContent":"I am thrilled to share the incredible impact that Indifferents by Casey Giles has had on our students. Thanks to your generous contributions, we have been able to introduce this thought-provoking novel into our curriculum, opening new doors for discussion, critical thinking, and personal connection to literature. As an alumni of our school, Giles' work resonates deeply with our students, demonstrating firsthand how storytelling can shape perspectives and ignite curiosity. \r\n\r\nThrough Indifferents, students have engaged with complex themes of identity, resilience, and societal expectations. The book has served as a springboard for conversations about empathy, self-reflection, and the power of literature to challenge preconceived notions. Our classroom discussions have been lively, with students analyzing character development, exploring literary techniques, and drawing parallels between the novel's messages and their own experiences. The interactive approach we take through group discussions and creative projects has fostered a richer, more dynamic reading experience for my students. \r\n\r\nI have seen remarkable engagement from students who previously struggled to connect with literature. One student, in particular, shared how this book made reading feel personal for the first time with its themes mirroring their own challenges and helping them find solace and inspiration within its pages. Another group of students initiated a peer-led discussion, eager to unpack the novel's deeper meanings together. These moments affirm the transformative power of books and reinforce why your support matters. Your generosity allows us to continue providing meaningful literary experiences that shape young minds and cultivate lifelong readers. \r\n\r\nThank you for believing in the importance of literature in education. Your support enriches our classrooms in ways that extend far beyond the pages of a book.","fullyFundedDate":1746629050231,"projectUrl":"project/past-meets-present-a-local-author-inspi/9281813/","projectTitle":"Past Meets Present: A Local Author Inspires Future Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Melson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2996676_orig.jpg?crop=497,497,x0,y154&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1690665834493","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/margo-melson"},{"teacherId":2996676,"projectId":8977958,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donations to our classroom book clubs. The books that were funded are having a tremendous impact on our reading. The students have truly enjoyed having sci-fi book clubs. It is incredible to observe students becoming wild readers and conferring with each other about books. \r\n\r\nThe impact that the novels are having on my students is truly teaching them the love of reading. It is amazing to watch the transformations throughout the school year. Students do not grow from teaching to a test, but rather they grow from having real purpose, community, and identity. They learn that becoming a reader involves connections, celebrations, and choice. This grant has provided this for the students. In the words of Dr. Seuss, \"The more that you read, the more things you'll know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.\"\r\n\r\nThank you for such an amazing donation and for believing in my students!","fullyFundedDate":1733284553083,"projectUrl":"project/blasting-student-reading-into-the-outer/8977958/","projectTitle":"Blasting Student Reading Into the Outer Limits of the Universe","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Melson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2996676_orig.jpg?crop=497,497,x0,y154&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1690665834493","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/margo-melson"},{"teacherId":9628312,"projectId":8671187,"letterContent":"Thank you again for donating these resources to my classroom! My students are using the resources in a variety of ways. The tissues have come in handy with spills and small messes a long with helping out during the cold season :). The candies have helped with getting students motivated to participate during warm ups and small activities. I have also used them as rewards for staying on task. The colored pencils and markers have come in handy with assignments that require students to design something and write.\r\n\r\nMy students were VERY excited when they saw the materials. Especially the candy because candy is the way to their heart sometimes :)!\r\n\r\nMy students are going to be working on a Socratic seminar for their final exam. The candy will be helpful during that time! The Clorox wipes will also come in handy for cleaning the classroom prior to winter break!","fullyFundedDate":1730394954522,"projectUrl":"project/help-me-get-students-charged-up-for-the/8671187/","projectTitle":"Help Me Get Students Charged Up for the Year!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kapalko","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9628312_orig.jpg?crop=272,272,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1722960210696","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9628312"},{"teacherId":9628312,"projectId":8600582,"letterContent":"My students have very much enjoyed reading the books you helped purchase. While this books are not used in \"lessons\" they have been used for independent reading time and reading when done early with classwork. With your purchase, my students have practiced important reading skills such as reading stamina, fluency, and overall fostering the joy of reading for fun.\r\n\r\nReading in my classroom looks like a variety of things. It can be reading when done with an assignment early or it can be 10 minutes of independent reading to begin class. With the independent reading, students complete journal questions once done. This helps them practice skills like looking at character, setting, plot, etc.\r\n\r\nMany of my students enjoy reading! Some of them even discovered series they did not know existed and ended up liking them! Some of them even re-read some old favorites they had not read in a long time!\r\n\r\nThank you again for fostering the love of reading in my classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1723491382165,"projectUrl":"project/help-me-help-students-love-reading/8600582/","projectTitle":"Help Me Help Students LOVE Reading!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kapalko","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9628312_orig.jpg?crop=272,272,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1722960210696","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9628312"},{"teacherId":9638342,"projectId":8600550,"letterContent":"This project has significantly enriched our students' learning experiences by giving them a goal to achieve. They are developing critical thinking as they analyze themes, enhancing their vocabulary through rich language, and improving their comprehension skills as they connect the stories to their own lives.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, students engage in discussions, participate in group projects, and share personal reflections on what they've read. Their excitement for reading has not only boosted their confidence but also fostered a collaborative and supportive classroom environment.","fullyFundedDate":1723490555953,"projectUrl":"project/reading-beyond-the-pages/8600550/","projectTitle":"Reading Beyond the Pages","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nieto","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9638342_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723149146373","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9638342"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_109458","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":2419,"numTeachers":47,"percentFrplEligible":31,"percentAsian":10,"percentBlack":22,"percentWhite":30,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":31,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"51.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":78.9,"schoolId":109458,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Dean Leaman Junior High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Dean Leaman Junior High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/lamar-consolidated-independent-school-district/leaman-junior-high/109458"}