{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Hays Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":24.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":4958732,"projectId":9249039,"letterContent":"I can't thank you enough for supporting our classroom and helping bring Magna-Tiles to life for my students. What may seem like simple magnetic blocks have made a huge difference in our room helping students build not just towers and castles, but also confidence, friendships, and important skills they'll use for years to come.\r\n\r\nFrom the first day we opened the box, the excitement was contagious. Students who are usually hesitant to try new things jumped right in. Some worked quietly, testing how tall they could build before it toppled, while others started collaborating and giving each other ideas. It's been amazing to watch the level of communication, teamwork, and motivation grow through something as fun and hands-on as building together.\r\n\r\nThe social connections these tiles have sparked are what stand out the most. I've seen students who rarely interact suddenly working side-by-side, laughing, planning, and solving problems together. They're learning how to take turns, share materials, and even compromise when visions differ—all things we practice daily in class, but that now happen naturally because they're so engaged in what they're doing. It's become one of our most powerful tools for building community in our classroom.\r\n\r\nBeyond the social growth, the fine motor practice these tiles provide has been incredible. Many of my students are still developing those small-muscle skills, and the magnetic connections give them immediate feedback and success. They're strengthening their coordination, improving precision, and gaining a sense of control and accomplishment with every creation. You can literally see their confidence growing piece by piece.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite moments came from a student who doesn't usually like group work. He quietly began building a small city, and soon two others joined in. By the end, they'd worked together to create an entire \"Prosper town,\" complete with schools and a stadium. The pride on their faces said it all. It wasn't about the finished product—it was about belonging, creativity, and working together toward something meaningful.\r\n\r\nWhat's most rewarding is how the skills developed during Magna-Tile time are carrying over into other areas of the day. Students are more engaged, more willing to help one another, and more confident in taking on challenges. Something as simple as magnetic tiles has become a daily reminder that learning can be joyful, collaborative, and full of discovery.\r\n\r\nYour generosity made that possible. You've helped create a space where students can grow socially, emotionally, and academically—while having an absolute blast doing it. Thank you for believing in our classroom, for investing in our kids, and for being a part of their story.","fullyFundedDate":1754682131965,"projectUrl":"project/magnetically-pulled-to-more-stem/9249039/","projectTitle":"Magnetically Pulled to More STEM!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Bryner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4958732_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1510492286703","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-bryner"},{"teacherId":9517585,"projectId":9289246,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous gift of flexible seating for our classroom. These new seating options have given my students more choice throughout their day and the opportunity to regulate their sensory needs in ways that work best for them. For many of my students, having the freedom to move, rock, or choose a different space has made a huge difference in their ability to stay focused and engaged during lessons.\r\n\r\nI've seen students who once struggled to sit through group activities now join in with excitement, simply because they feel comfortable and supported in their seats. The flexible seating has truly transformed our classroom into a space where learning feels welcoming and accessible for everyone. Your kindness has given my students not just chairs, but opportunities to succeed on their own terms.","fullyFundedDate":1746785723509,"projectUrl":"project/seating-for-success/9289246/","projectTitle":"Seating for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mestan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9517585_orig.jpg?crop=1203,1203,x0,y200&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1745804343591","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9517585"},{"teacherId":9517585,"projectId":9289266,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous gift of a Teachers Pay Teachers gift card. Because of you, my students have been able to enjoy activities that are more personalized to their needs and interests. It has been such a joy to see them light up with excitement when working on materials that truly connect with them.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has given me the chance to make learning more fun, engaging, and meaningful for every student in my classroom. We are so grateful for the way you've helped bring more joy and creativity into our learning each day.","fullyFundedDate":1746785274213,"projectUrl":"project/meeting-student-needs-one-download-at-a/9289266/","projectTitle":"Meeting Student Needs One Download at a Time","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mestan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9517585_orig.jpg?crop=1203,1203,x0,y200&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1745804343591","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9517585"},{"teacherId":4958732,"projectId":9156782,"letterContent":"When the LEGO sets arrived, my students' faces lit up with pure excitement. They could hardly believe that these materials were really for our classroom. We are using them as part of a classroom economy system—students earn \"classroom dollars\" for positive choices, responsibility, and effort, and then have the opportunity to purchase LEGO sets as rewards.\r\n\r\nThis has been such a powerful motivator. One student who usually struggles to stay engaged told me, how excited he is to earn enough for a lego set. Watching them set personal goals, manage their \"money,\" and then proudly buy their LEGO kits has been an incredible way to tie together responsibility, math skills, and motivation.\r\n\r\nThe Legos have also become a social and creative outlet. Students work together to build, problem-solve, and even trade ideas for their creations. It has sparked conversations about teamwork, persistence, and imagination in ways that go far beyond a typical lesson.\r\n\r\nOur next steps are to keep expanding this classroom economy and connect it more directly to academic goals. For example, students will be able to earn dollars for demonstrating math strategies or for writing strong paragraphs, linking their hard work in academics to meaningful rewards.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving us this opportunity. Your generosity has transformed our classroom into a place where learning feels rewarding, motivating, and fun.","fullyFundedDate":1744032952914,"projectUrl":"project/building-blocks-to-a-stronger-stem-class/9156782/","projectTitle":"Building Blocks To a Stronger STEM Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Bryner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4958732_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1510492286703","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-bryner"},{"teacherId":9247051,"projectId":8810369,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donation of sanitary supplies to our special education program. Your support has made a real difference by helping us maintain clean, healthy classrooms and reduce the spread of illness. Many of our students have health vulnerabilities, so this is especially meaningful. You've also lifted a financial burden from our dedicated teachers, who often purchase these items out-of-pocket. Because of you, our students can thrive in a safe, supportive environment. We are sincerely grateful for your kindness.","fullyFundedDate":1735424859564,"projectUrl":"project/special-ed-sanitary-supplies/8810369/","projectTitle":"Special Ed Sanitary Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Reed","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9247051"},{"teacherId":4958732,"projectId":8999176,"letterContent":"We can't thank you enough for your incredible support in bringing trampolines into our classroom through your generous donations. Because of you, my students now have a dynamic and engaging tool that's transforming our learning environment in ways I could only have dreamed of before. I'm so excited to share with you what your gift has done for us!\r\n\r\nThe two Trampolines you helped us purchase have quickly become a cornerstone of our daily routine. We're using them as both a sensory and movement-based intervention, giving my students a safe and fun way to release energy, sharpen their focus, and build essential motor skills. One specific moment that stands out happened just last week: we incorporated the trampolines into a math activity where students counted their bounces while practicing skip-counting by twos and fives. The room was filled with laughter, concentration, and a sense of accomplishment as they bounced their way through the lesson. It was pure joy to see how movement turned a typically challenging task into something they couldn't wait to try again.\r\n\r\nWhen the trampolines first arrived, my students' reactions were unforgettable. Their eyes lit up, and I heard an excited chorus of \"Whoa!\" and \"Is this really for us?\" Many of them couldn't resist hopping on right away, testing out the bounce with huge grins. For my students—resilient, curious, and determined learners who often face unique behavioral and emotional challenges—that moment of pure excitement was a testament to how much this gift means to them. They felt seen, supported, and ready to take on anything.\r\n\r\nThanks to you, our classroom is now a place where every child has a better chance to succeed. The trampolines are helping them regulate their emotions and refocus their energy, which has made such a difference during academic tasks. Just the other day, one of my students, who often struggles to settle in, used the trampoline for a quick break and came back to his seat noticeably calmer and ready to tackle his reading. It's moments like these that remind me how your generosity is empowering these remarkable kids to reach their full potential.\r\n\r\nYou've given us more than just trampolines—you've opened a window into a more inclusive, engaging classroom where my students' diverse needs are met with creativity and care. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for believing in them and in me. We couldn't do this without you.","fullyFundedDate":1742818181511,"projectUrl":"project/jumping-our-way-to-better-sensory-output/8999176/","projectTitle":"Jumping Our Way to Better Sensory Output","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Bryner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4958732_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1510492286703","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-bryner"},{"teacherId":4958732,"projectId":8557791,"letterContent":"I cannot thank you enough for your generous contributions to My Project. Thanks to you, my students now have access to an incredible collection of books and resources that are opening windows into diverse worlds and helping them grow in ways I could only have dreamed of before. These stories and activities are more than just reading material—they're tools that are cultivating empathy, communication, and problem-solving skills in my vibrant group of young learners. Your support has made it possible for us to build a classroom community rooted in understanding and respect, and I'm so excited to share with you what this means for my students.\r\nMany of you love reading books as much as we do, and I know you'd be thrilled to see how these new texts are teaching essential lessons. Titles like I Just Don't Like the Sound of No! and My Mouth Is a Volcano introduce skills like accepting boundaries gracefully and managing the urge to interrupt—skills that can be tricky to teach directly but come alive through engaging stories. In our classroom, reading looks like a lively mix of shared discussions and quiet reflection. We'll gather in a circle to talk about how Decibella learns to control her 6-inch voice or how Wilma Jean tackles her worries, and the students eagerly connect these tales to their own lives. These books spark meaningful conversations about friendship, conflict resolution, and emotional intelligence, helping them navigate their social world with confidence. Meanwhile, our social skills games have turned learning into play, reinforcing these lessons in a fun, hands-on way.\r\nI wish you could see the joy on my students' faces as they dive into these stories. One student, who used to struggle with frustration, has latched onto Baditude! What to Do When Life Stinks!—he proudly told me he's learning to \"find the flipside\" when things don't go his way. Then there's another student , a quiet soul who lights up during Wilma Jean the Worry Machine, sharing how she's trying new ways to calm her test anxiety. These books resonate with their curiosity and enthusiasm, and it's heartwarming to watch them grow—not just as readers, but as thoughtful, empathetic individuals ready to thrive in school and beyond. None of this would be possible without your kindness, and for that, my students and I are endlessly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1733273590772,"projectUrl":"project/reading-our-way-to-better-social-skills/8557791/","projectTitle":"Reading Our Way to Better Social Skills","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Bryner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4958732_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1510492286703","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-bryner"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_125683","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1913,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":8,"percentAsian":41,"percentBlack":10,"percentWhite":28,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":12,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":75.9,"schoolId":125683,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Hays Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Hays Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/texas/prosper-independent-school-district/hays-middle-school/125683"}