{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Hays Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":19.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":4958732,"projectId":10506161,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting \"Sensing Our Way Into the New Year\"! Your generosity has brought new opportunities for hands-on exploration into our classroom. These sensory resources give my students more ways to explore, make choices, and practice skills together. When the materials first arrived, our students went crazy. These items all have been or are major reinforcers or sensory interventions for our students. It was a special opportunity to introduce resources made possible by people who believe in their learning.\r\n\r\nWe have been using the materials during our day in many ways; when our students either need sensory stimulation or to release overstimulation, we can prompt them to use the spinny chair. It works so well. Experiences like these provide opportunities to practice communication, taking turns, and following directions while exploring different textures and materials. Your support helps us make these learning opportunities accessible and engaging for our students.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, we plan to incorporate the resources into activities that encourage students to describe what they notice, share materials, and make increasingly independent choices. Thank you for investing in our classroom and helping our students begin the year with new possibilities. We are grateful for your kindness and support!","fullyFundedDate":1787670553976,"projectUrl":"project/sensing-our-way-into-the-new-year/10506161/","projectTitle":"Sensing Our Way Into the New Year","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":1594526,"projectId":10026970,"letterContent":"A huge thank you again for supporting our special education kiddos at Hays Middle School! They love our \"Popcorn Friday\" routine and have so many opportunities for learning within the routine. Their favorite part is of course getting to enjoy their popcorn after sharing with the school. We even have our medically fragile class that are tube fed so no popcorn for them but they enjoy the interaction of their peers when they come visit the room for the popcorn. It's a fine line if the kids or adults enjoy Popcorn Friday more! Today was our first \"Popcorn Friday\" back for this new school year. It was so fun to share with our newcomers! Thanks again!","fullyFundedDate":1776207903908,"projectUrl":"project/fun-friday-popcorn-orders/10026970/","projectTitle":"Fun Friday Popcorn Orders!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kim","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1594526_orig.png?crop=396,396,x0,y23&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1768422673741","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1594526"},{"teacherId":9517585,"projectId":9821911,"letterContent":"My students were beyond excited when they saw our new sensory swing and crash pad cover! Their faces lit up with huge smiles, and it has quickly become the most popular spot in the room. Now, \"swing time\" is the number one request during breaks. Whether they are diving onto the crash pad or taking a quiet moment in the swing, it was clear from day one that these resources were exactly what they needed to feel comfortable and happy at school.\r\n\r\nWe use these tools all day long to provide essential sensory input. Whenever a student feels overwhelmed or wiggly, they head to the swing to reset. This constant access helps them stay regulated and ready to learn, no matter what time of day it is. It's been amazing to see a student go from frustrated to calm and focused after just a few minutes of swinging.\r\n\r\nOur next step is using the swing to work on important social skills like requesting and taking turns. Since it is such a high-interest item, it provides the perfect opportunity for students to practice using their words (or communication devices) to ask for a turn and learning to wait patiently while a friend finishes. Your gift isn't just helping them stay calm—it's helping them learn how to communicate and share with one another!","fullyFundedDate":1770171664847,"projectUrl":"project/swing-crash-and-calm-building-our-sen/9821911/","projectTitle":"Swing, Crash, and Calm: Building Our Sensory Space","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":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"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_125683","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1145,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":7,"percentAsian":53,"percentBlack":9,"percentWhite":19,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":9,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":7,"gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":80.4,"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"}