{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Mercer International Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":25.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":791092,"projectId":9491140,"letterContent":"Starting the year off with new books for students feels like we've given them keys to countless new worlds and adventures! The days students got to explore and check books out from the class library was so special! Students were visibly excited and said things like, \"I can't believe you have The Sun and the Star!\" I had to limit the number of books students checked out so there would be enough for everyone! \r\n\r\nStudents have time to read independently every day in class and thanks to your generosity, students have in-class access to books that truly excite them. We've started writing book reviews and recommending titles to classmates. Many of the books with 5 star reviews are from your donation! Students are trying out new titles and pushing themselves to read genres they haven't read before. One student, a self-proclaimed \"humor books only\" reader tried out Pandamonium (from the FunJungle series) and has now read six books in the series. He has proclaimed himself a mystery reader now! Another student is gobbling up historical fiction stories after reading Max in the House of Spies. \r\n\r\nYour support has done more than build a library—it has built a community of readers. Thank you for believing in the power of books and for giving my students stories that will shape their hearts and minds for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1753644350274,"projectUrl":"project/books-the-reflect-us-building-a-robust/9491140/","projectTitle":"Books the Reflect Us - Building a Robust Classroom Library","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Blanco","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp791092_orig.jpg?crop=1536,1536,x0,y30&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720471345577","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/nicole-blanco"},{"teacherId":791092,"projectId":9425621,"letterContent":"When students walked into our classroom during the first week of school they noticed the bin of sensory tools in our calm down space and were visibly excited. One student exclaimed, \"She's got koosh balls in here!\" There hasn't been a day this school year where students haven't used the tools from this project. Students choose items from our sensory bin to help regulate their emotions and prepare for learning.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, we are now incorporating sensory regulation strategies into academic learning. We are working on self-awareness skills—identifying when they need a break, choosing the right sensory tool, and tracking how it helps them learn. Your donation did more than provide materials—you created a classroom where students feel seen, supported, and ready to learn. Thank you for believing in my students and helping make our classroom a place where learners can thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1752883586650,"projectUrl":"project/focus-and-thrive-sensory-tools-for-calm/9425621/","projectTitle":"Focus and Thrive: Sensory Tools for Calm, Confident Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Blanco","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp791092_orig.jpg?crop=1536,1536,x0,y30&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720471345577","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/nicole-blanco"},{"teacherId":1074374,"projectId":9338684,"letterContent":"My students are thrilled to have popcorn while they are getting work done. They love getting to choose their own toppings and the first round a few students made sampler piles of all of the flavors and dipped popcorn into each to decide their favorite. Some students who can't have dairy usually miss out on popcorn parties because most bulk microwaveable popcorn bags have butter on them. They were excited to not only be included but also have a few flavor options. I've always hated how much plastic waste was produced from previous popcorn parties, so I absolutely love the reusable poppers. They work perfectly and after making popcorn for 135 teens I don't end the day with a garbage bin full of plastic.","fullyFundedDate":1748885155648,"projectUrl":"project/popcorn-for-teens/9338684/","projectTitle":"Popcorn for Teens","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Elasky","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1074374_orig.jpg?crop=1512,1512,x107,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1745774526273","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-elasky"},{"teacherId":1074374,"projectId":9284158,"letterContent":"The pedal systems were an instant hit. A few girls in my STEM class immediately started assembling them and they had a great time working together to get everything tightened. There were a handful of students who used them every day and almost everyone tried them at least once.\r\n\r\nThe cups were also a delight for students. I set up a water filter next to the sink, and students would fill their cups until the jug was empty, refill the filter, and then refill their water cups again...sometimes half a dozen times in one class period! The afternoon classes thoroughly enjoyed access to a water station, after running around at lunch or afternoon PE.","fullyFundedDate":1746452533882,"projectUrl":"project/moving-while-learning/9284158/","projectTitle":"Moving While Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Elasky","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1074374_orig.jpg?crop=1512,1512,x107,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1745774526273","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-elasky"},{"teacherId":7810841,"projectId":9308208,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom. With your donation. I was able to stock my library with books my students are excited about at their level! Our classroom library is so full! We are also learning how to use tools to keep our bodies busy but our mind focused! Students get excited for reading cafe times where they get to read their books with a snack!\r\n\r\nPlease consider to donate to us in the future to support the learning and independence of my students! We take nothing for granted and look forward to the various gifts that are provided!","fullyFundedDate":1746525303891,"projectUrl":"project/books-snacks-and-tools-oh-my/9308208/","projectTitle":"Books, Snacks, and Tools, Oh My!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tayler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7810841_orig.png?crop=271,271,x112,y128&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1617284994518","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mstayler"},{"teacherId":9220897,"projectId":8980856,"letterContent":"Bringing board games and mental health breaks into my classroom has really changed the way students connect with each other. When they play games like Chess, Checkers, Jenga, Connect Four, or Candy Land, I see them laughing, talking, and working together. It gives them a chance to slow down, enjoy each other's company, and build real friendships. For me, it's been a great way to see students open up and create a stronger sense of community in the room.\r\n\r\nI've also noticed how much students benefit from mental health breaks. I can feel the classroom calm down and shift into a better balance. Making time for both games and mental wellness has made the room feel like a safe, supportive space where students can be themselves and really thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1742861119582,"projectUrl":"project/social-emotional-learning/8980856/","projectTitle":"Social Emotional Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Solis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9220897_orig.jpg?crop=864,864,x249,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1692937649467","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9220897"},{"teacherId":9935152,"projectId":9142752,"letterContent":"I wish there was a way to capture the excitement my students expressed when boxes and boxes of new books arrived! Their joy continued when they explored these books and noted that they came from authors who reflected their lived experiences and were about characters they could relate too.\r\n\r\nMany of my queer students have now had the chance to read realistic fiction, thriller, and dystopian novels that feature LGBTQ characters such as \"Tim Te Mao and the Subterranean Heartsick Blues\" by H. S. Valley, \"Lake Lore\" by Anna-Marie McLemore, and \"Until We Fall\" by Nicole Zeliker. A Somali student in my class got to read \"Black Mamba Boy\" by Somali author Nadifa Mohamed, featuring a Somali kid, and said it was the best books he has ever read. There have been many more encounters with these new books that speak to the value of having stories that reflect the lives of my students.\r\n\r\nHaving a diverse set of books is something I do not take for granted, and something I will continue to advocate for as a teacher. I believe it to be a necessity; a critical piece in creating a positive learning environment. Thank you for your part in making my students feel more seen in my classroom, for years to come!","fullyFundedDate":1741650139612,"projectUrl":"project/help-diversify-my-class-library/9142752/","projectTitle":"Help Diversify my Class Library!","teacherDisplayName":"Mx. Teacher Raine","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9935152_orig.jpg?crop=1440,1440,x0,y172&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1741364424385","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/teacher-raine"},{"teacherId":1074374,"projectId":9283796,"letterContent":"My students absolutely love these treats and toys. Cheez-its are super popular and my students all cheered when I brought out the box. Everyone got a snack the first day, then by request daily until the snacks ran out. They loved the granola bars and a few students enjoyed carrying around the empty boxes almost as much as eating the granola bars. It was incredibly satisfying every time I was able to provide a snack for a student who said they were hungry and then later hear them confidently tell a friend, \"Science is the best!\"\r\n\r\nHaving the option of the stress balls has been great. After a family meeting when a parent asked if their child could have a fidget, I was able to give the student a stress ball in the color of his choosing that very morning.\r\n\r\nStudents used a lot of the tissue with spring allergies and there are some left for the fall sniffles. Thank you so much for helping my students feel welcome in Science class!","fullyFundedDate":1745766415310,"projectUrl":"project/healthy-snacks-treats-and-toys-for-hung/9283796/","projectTitle":"Healthy Snacks, Treats and Toys for Hungry Kids","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Elasky","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1074374_orig.jpg?crop=1512,1512,x107,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1745774526273","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-elasky"},{"teacherId":9319209,"projectId":8531845,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your contribution to my class!\r\n\r\nIt makes it for a much a much more seamless year when we have plenty of supplies like tissues and pencils for our students!\r\n\r\nAlso, we have begun, slowly, to build a reading area, and we have a well-decorated classroom that reflects my students' various cultural backgrounds.\r\n\r\nThank you for you contribution in making Mercer a great place to teach! It has been a wonderful year so far! Your help makes it to where we can better support our students and provide them a great enviroment to learn in. \r\n\r\nBest,\r\n\r\nBruno Barbosa","fullyFundedDate":1728846983623,"projectUrl":"project/a-new-place-to-call-home/8531845/","projectTitle":"A New Place to Call Home","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Barbosa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9319209_orig.jpg?crop=604,604,x0,y93&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1698006665717","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9319209"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_35985","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":755,"numTeachers":65,"percentFrplEligible":55,"percentAsian":39,"percentBlack":16,"percentWhite":11,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":21,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"11.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":74.4,"schoolId":35985,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Mercer International Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Mercer International Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/washington/district-one-seattle-public-schools/asa-mercer-middle-school/35985"}