{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Badger Rock Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":32.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10274695,"projectId":10457492,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding our team-building equipment! The hula hoops, scooter carts, bounce balls, and pool noodles have given our students new opportunities to have fun, step outside their comfort zones, and build connections with classmates they may not know well. When students first saw the materials, they were excited to try them out and discover all the different games they could create. One of my favorite moments was watching a sixth grader invent a game while an eighth grader stepped up to help clarify the rules and add new ideas. It was wonderful to see students of different ages working together, sharing leadership, and learning from one another in a low-pressure environment. These activities have helped students practice communication, teamwork, and expressing their needs while building confidence and friendships.\r\n\r\nOne of our favorite activities is a ball-tossing name game that gradually becomes more complicated as we introduce additional balls. Once students learn the pattern, we add meaning to the balls by connecting them to the different responsibilities, challenges, and emotions they juggle in their daily lives. As the circle becomes more chaotic, with balls flying in every direction, students begin to understand how overwhelming life can sometimes feel. Afterward, we reflect on how the activity felt and how those feelings compare to the challenges they experience outside the classroom. These conversations allow students to share their struggles and remind them that no one has to show up to class feeling perfect every day. We want them to know that our classroom is a safe space where they can communicate what they need and receive support. Thanks to your generosity, we can continue using these games to strengthen relationships, develop social-emotional skills, and create a classroom community where students feel comfortable being themselves. Moving forward, we will continue incorporating these materials into team-building activities that encourage students to collaborate with new classmates, practice leadership, and support one another. Your donation has provided so much more than equipment; it has helped us create meaningful moments of connection, belonging, and growth. Thank you for investing in our students and helping us build a stronger classroom community!","fullyFundedDate":1788474143087,"projectUrl":"project/building-a-positive-classroom-one-game/10457492/","projectTitle":"Building a Positive Classroom, One Game at a Time","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ortiz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10274695_orig.png?crop=398,398,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758570602688","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10274695"},{"teacherId":10274695,"projectId":10482632,"letterContent":"Thank you for helping make our classroom a more organized, engaging, and welcoming place for our students! These materials have made a difference in both our daily routines and our students' learning experiences. One of the biggest game changers has been the large mesh zipper pouches for our science notebooks. Previously, students had to grab both their notebooks and separate pencil pouches, and it was easy for something to get left behind. Now, students can keep their supplies and loose papers together in one place. If they run out of time gluing a diagram or completing an interactive notebook activity, they can safely save the pieces for another day instead of losing them in the classroom crate. The colorful dry-erase markers have also helped students see our notes more clearly and use color coding to better organize and understand science concepts.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has also helped us improve classroom organization and build a more positive learning environment. We use carabiners and labeled tags to help take attendance during emergency drills, magnetic labels and colorful magnets to display student work by class, and address labels to keep track of borrowed technology. The storage bags help organize classroom supplies, while cardstock and beads give students quality materials for creative projects, including the keychains and bracelets they love making during project time. Even these small organizational tools make a big difference in helping our classroom run smoothly!\r\n\r\nOne of the most exciting changes has been our classroom prize selection! My students still remember when our prize bin consisted of a few fun pencils and leftover candy with science stickers. They were often less than impressed! Now, the squishies, fidget toys, fun glasses, stickers, and candy have brought a whole new level of excitement and motivation. Some students have spent a surprising amount of time deciding which sticker they love most because there are so many great choices! Thank you for investing in our students and helping provide the supplies that make our classroom more organized, creative, and fun. Your support reminds our students that their learning environment matters and that they deserve tools and experiences that help them succeed.","fullyFundedDate":1787575422236,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-treasure-hub-building-an-orga/10482632/","projectTitle":"Classroom Treasure Hub: Building an Organized, Engaging, and Student-Friendly Space","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ortiz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10274695_orig.png?crop=398,398,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758570602688","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10274695"},{"teacherId":10274695,"projectId":9984267,"letterContent":"Our students have been putting their new hot plates and magnetic stirrers to work in our science classroom, and they are already making a difference! Before this project, we relied on old, outdated range stoves that took a long time to heat up and took up valuable classroom space. Our new hot plates are compact, efficient, and much better suited for our science labs. One of our favorite activities so far has been our volcano lab, where students simulated rock crystallization by observing how crystals form under different conditions inside and outside a volcano. The magnetic stir bars were a big hit with students, adding an exciting, hands-on element to their investigations!\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the new equipment, they were excited to use materials that made them feel like real scientists. Having proper lab equipment helps build that sense of confidence and excitement while giving students opportunities to practice important scientific skills. As they work with the hot plates, they are also learning how to handle heat sources responsibly, follow lab safety procedures, and care for scientific equipment. These are skills that will serve them well in future science classes and beyond.\r\n\r\nNext, our students will continue using the hot plates and stirrers as we explore Earth's processes and the science behind the world around us. We will build on what they learned in our volcano lab by connecting crystal formation to how rocks form and change. As we move into future investigations, students will have more opportunities to make observations, test ideas, and learn through hands-on experimentation. Thank you for helping us provide our students with the tools they need to explore, discover, and feel like scientists. Your generosity is helping make science more engaging, accessible, and exciting for our students!","fullyFundedDate":1778023946605,"projectUrl":"project/the-perfect-swirl-equipping-my-mad-scie/9984267/","projectTitle":"The Perfect Swirl: Equipping My Mad Scientists","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ortiz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10274695_orig.png?crop=398,398,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758570602688","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10274695"},{"teacherId":10274695,"projectId":10181642,"letterContent":"Because of your generous support, my students had the opportunity to use Dremel tools to sand, shape, and bring their derby car designs to life. What may seem like a simple tool made a tremendous difference in what my students were able to create and, more importantly, what they were able to learn throughout the process.\r\n\r\nFor many of my students, this was their first time using a Dremel. They learned how to safely handle a power tool, how to select and change different sanding tips, and how to control the tool as they worked with the wood. At first, some students were hesitant, but as they practiced, their confidence grew. It was wonderful to watch students realize, \"I can do this.\"\r\n\r\nThe Dremels also gave students a level of creative freedom that was incredibly meaningful. Each student had the opportunity to design their own derby car and make choices about its shape and appearance. The different sanding tips allowed them to experiment and make adjustments that helped turn their original ideas into something they could actually hold in their hands. Students were not simply following a set of directions—they were designers, builders, and problem-solvers.\r\n\r\nThe collaboration that happened throughout the project was just as important. Students shared ideas, helped one another figure out how to use the tools, gave suggestions about designs, and celebrated each other's successes. They learned that creating something doesn't always happen perfectly the first time. Sometimes you have to rethink your design, try a different approach, or ask a friend for help.\r\n\r\nPerhaps the greatest impact was seeing the pride students felt when they looked at their finished cars. They could point to something they had imagined, designed, shaped, and created themselves. The Dremels helped remove some of the limitations of what they could do with the materials and allowed their creativity to take the lead.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving my students the opportunity to learn through hands-on experiences, creativity, choice, collaboration, and safe tool use. Your generosity provided much more than classroom supplies. It gave my students the chance to try something new, develop confidence, and discover that they are capable of creating things they once may have thought were beyond their reach.\r\n\r\nYour support truly made an impact, and I am so grateful that my students had the opportunity to experience it.","fullyFundedDate":1778062018199,"projectUrl":"project/build-it-shape-it-race-it-dremels-for/10181642/","projectTitle":"Build It, Shape It, Race It: Dremels for Dreamers!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ortiz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10274695_orig.png?crop=398,398,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758570602688","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10274695"},{"teacherId":10274695,"projectId":10087970,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our classroom was able to upgrade Charlie's habitat, and the impact was immediate. When students first saw her new, larger tank, their faces lit up with excitement—there were gasps, big smiles, and so many questions. They couldn't wait to help set it up, carefully arranging her space and making sure everything was just right. Since then, students have taken an even greater role in her care—feeding her, observing her, and making sure her environment is clean and comfortable. It has turned into a daily, hands-on experience they truly look forward to.\r\n\r\nCharlie has become an even more meaningful part of our classroom community. Students are building responsibility and teamwork as they help care for her each day. Some students even took initiative to create a color-coded system for her supplements, making the process more efficient and helping everyone stay consistent with her care. We also used her basking lamp to model how sun intensity changes based on angle, helping students better understand how Earth's tilt causes the seasons. In addition, students are measuring Charlie's length and weight in grams, giving them a hands-on way to track her growth over time.\r\n\r\nNext, we're continuing to build on these routines by having students regularly participate in her care and track her growth. Your support has made all of this possible, and we are so grateful for the opportunities you've created for our students.","fullyFundedDate":1771003485168,"projectUrl":"project/learning-through-caring-for-our-environm/10087970/","projectTitle":"Learning Through Caring for Our Environment","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ortiz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10274695_orig.png?crop=398,398,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758570602688","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10274695"},{"teacherId":10274695,"projectId":9765225,"letterContent":"The transformation in our classroom has been incredible. My students are now using the high-quality glassware and drying mats to practice the foundational skills of a scientist: accuracy and care. Having enough safe, durable glassware means every student gets the hands-on experience they need.\r\n\r\nThe document camera has been a total game-changer for our guided work. It allows me to model focused note-taking and walk through complex math strategies like carbon dating problems or other worksheets in real-time. Students can follow along at their desks, seeing exactly how to set up a problem or annotate a diagram, which has made our \"I do, we do, you do\" sessions much more effective and engaging.\r\n\r\nHow did your students react when they first saw the materials? The reaction was pure excitement! When they saw the new glassware, the first thing they asked was, \"When do we get to do more labs?\" There was a visible sense of relief and eagerness to get started, because they felt like they were finally using the tools that actual scientists use.\r\n\r\nThe drying mats have been super helpful in streamlining the clean up process instead of trying to use many paper towels on our counters to dry our glassware.\r\n\r\nNext up, we are diving into a skills of accurate measuring. The doc camera will be a great tool for showing students where the meniscus on a graduated cylinder would be. The students are excited to be doing a lava lab where they get to simulate the creation of igneous rock formation with epsom salt and boil it on the hot plates.","fullyFundedDate":1760638897758,"projectUrl":"project/pouring-into-science-tools-for-tomorrow/9765225/","projectTitle":"Pouring Into Science: Tools for Tomorrow’s Experiments","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ortiz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10274695_orig.png?crop=398,398,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758570602688","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10274695"},{"teacherId":10274695,"projectId":9748590,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom through DonorsChoose. The Everything You Need to Ace Science and Everything You Need to Ace Biology Big Fat Notebooks have already become invaluable reference tools. Students use them to look up new topics, clarify concepts, and build confidence in their understanding. Having accessible, student-friendly reference books has encouraged more independent exploration during lessons and helped students feel empowered to seek answers on their own.\r\n\r\nThe additional materials have also made a significant difference in our day-to-day learning. The laminator sheets allow us to turn printed diagrams and activities into reusable whiteboards, giving students the chance to practice marking up illustrations, labeling processes, and revising their thinking without wasting paper. The new classroom whiteboard has opened a flexible space for collaborative group work, brainstorming, and displaying student thinking. Its portability has allowed us to integrate it into a variety of activities, making lessons more interactive and engaging. Finally, the Earth Science interactive notebook activities have provided students with helpful visual supports and hands-on cutouts that make complex concepts more approachable and memorable.\r\n\r\nYour donation has truly elevated the learning experience in our classroom. We are deeply grateful for your support and the opportunities you've helped create for our students.","fullyFundedDate":1758900112552,"projectUrl":"project/tools-for-tomorrows-thinkers/9748590/","projectTitle":"Tools for Tomorrow’s Thinkers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ortiz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10274695_orig.png?crop=398,398,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1758570602688","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10274695"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_103012","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":87,"numTeachers":10,"percentFrplEligible":92,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":21,"percentWhite":28,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":35,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":8,"gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"8.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":68.0,"schoolId":103012,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Badger Rock Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Badger Rock Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/wisconsin/madison-metropolitan-school-district/badger-rock-middle-school/103012"}