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{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"South Tahoe Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":26.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":1038459,"projectId":9805891,"letterContent":"The addition of new materials—acrylic, wood, hot glue sticks, felt, and craft sticks—has significantly expanded what students can create and how they learn in our maker lab. These materials give students the freedom to laser-cut, sew, build, and engineer more complex and creative projects, transforming abstract ideas into tangible prototypes.\r\nWith acrylic and wood, students can now design precise, professional-looking pieces on the laser cutter, which helps them understand digital design, measurement, and iteration. Felt and other fabrics have opened the door to sewing projects that teach pattern-making, problem-solving, and fine-motor skills. Craft sticks, hot glue, and wood encourage hands-on engineering as students build structures, mechanisms, and prototypes that support lessons in design thinking.\r\nOverall, these materials make the maker lab a more dynamic, engaging, and accessible space for all learners. Students are more motivated to experiment, take creative risks, and persist through challenges because they have the tools and supplies to bring their ideas to life. The new materials are not just additions—they've elevated the entire learning experience by helping students think, design, and build like real engineers and creators.","fullyFundedDate":1760715562002,"projectUrl":"project/laser-cutting-in-the-maker-lab/9805891/","projectTitle":"Laser Cutting in the Maker Lab","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Culler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1038459_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1474154462242","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jculler"},{"teacherId":1038459,"projectId":9684234,"letterContent":"The technology is transforming our hands-on projects into deeper learning experiences. When students build tiny houses, catapults, and other creations using hot glue, straws, pom poms, and popsicle sticks, they're not just crafting—they're engineering. Adding coding and Micro:bits allows them to test ideas, gather data, automate movement, and bring their designs to life. This combination of building and technology strengthens their problem-solving skills, boosts creativity, and helps them see how engineering and coding work together in the real world.\r\n\r\nStudents are most excited by how these materials let their ideas actually work. They love that simple supplies can be turned into functioning structures or machines, and that adding Micro:bits lets them incorporate lights, sensors, or movement. The moment when a project they designed begins to light up, move, or react is incredibly motivating—and it makes the learning feel magical.\r\n\r\nSeveral students who are usually quiet or hesitant during traditional lessons have really opened up through these hands-on projects. The building materials give them an accessible starting point, while the coding components give them a chance to show creativity and technical skill. A few students who typically avoid group work have become leaders during these activities, confidently explaining code, redesigning builds, or helping classmates troubleshoot. It's been inspiring to watch them discover their strengths and take pride in their work.","fullyFundedDate":1757305630414,"projectUrl":"project/maker-lab-materials/9684234/","projectTitle":"Maker Lab Materials","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Culler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1038459_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1474154462242","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jculler"},{"teacherId":9199462,"projectId":9700949,"letterContent":"This project has improved our classroom in a few very meaningful ways. Without this table it would be quite difficult to navigate and manage small groups or one on one intervention time. However, with this table I have seen an improvement in my students' social connections both with myself and their peers, in my students academic performance, and in my ability to differentiate instruction in a small group setting. \r\n\r\nThe small group setting allows students to work with each other in a more structured capacity as I facilitate. They are able critique each other's work, justify their own, and build empathy for their peers as they struggle and succeed together. This setting has also led to improved student success, as they receive immediate feedback and support as they navigate new and challenging material. Without this table in our classroom we would not be able to work together with such ease and it has made a considerable difference in what our small group time looks and sounds like. \r\n\r\nWithout the kind and generous support of the Donors Choose community these things would not be possible. From my students and I, a very heartfelt thank you.","fullyFundedDate":1758388662133,"projectUrl":"project/the-pi-fect-table/9700949/","projectTitle":"The Pi-fect Table","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cross","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9199462_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757796906915","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9199462"},{"teacherId":6839746,"projectId":9784875,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible support of our 7th grade English classroom. The storage bins you helped us purchase have already made a tremendous difference—our materials are now organized, accessible, and easy for students to use independently. This simple improvement has brought more calm, efficiency, and joy into our daily routines.\r\n\r\nEqually meaningful is your contribution toward new books. Having engaging, high-quality titles on our shelves has energized our readers and opened doors to stories they might never have discovered otherwise.","fullyFundedDate":1759693491981,"projectUrl":"project/part-2-lets-read/9784875/","projectTitle":"Part 2 - Let's Read!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Moyer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6839746_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x0,y294&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1596311924885","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6839746"},{"teacherId":6839746,"projectId":9757856,"letterContent":"When I was in middle school, I never finished a book. I think that is why I feel so passionate about trying to help students find engaging book titles. Whether it is reading a graphic novel or being able to follow along with the book as it is being read to the student, these are all powerful steps to literacy. \r\n\r\nAll of these titles are exciting new reads for my 150 6th and 7th graders. I feel so moved when people are willing to help me and my students; it chokes me up everytime. When I wonder why, I believe it is because teaching is such a challenging job at times and when people on the outside 'cheer us on' in this way, it feels really lovely. \r\n\r\nFrom the bottom of my heart, thank you.","fullyFundedDate":1758766319983,"projectUrl":"project/lets-read/9757856/","projectTitle":"Let's Read!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Moyer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6839746_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x0,y294&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1596311924885","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6839746"},{"teacherId":6839746,"projectId":9595124,"letterContent":"I want to personally thank you for what you have given to our classroom! All of the books, glue and power charging cords help us feel like we can do our best work while staying engaged. As for the books, we never have enough copies of the best reads! I call them 'Rad Reads' and students are begging for more copies. When some of these favorites (Number the Stars) and new reads showed up (Space Case), the kids were thrilled to be able to dive into them. For some kids they are trying to ignite a love of reading while others are well on their way. Thank you for making our classroom feel relevant and up to date!\r\n\r\nEverytime one of these grants are funded I get choked up. It sometimes feels hard to believe that so many people are willing to support us! It means the world.","fullyFundedDate":1755782095895,"projectUrl":"project/a-fresh-start/9595124/","projectTitle":"A Fresh Start!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Moyer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6839746_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x0,y294&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1596311924885","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6839746"},{"teacherId":729049,"projectId":9235818,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our shelves are full again! Students no longer have to wait weeks for the next book in their favorite series—new copies are ready for eager hands. These texts give us chances to practice critical skills like tracking themes, analyzing characters, and building stamina with longer novels. The excitement is contagious: one student proudly carried around a long-awaited sequel all day, while another reluctant reader finished an entire series for the first time. Your support keeps the joy of reading alive every day!","fullyFundedDate":1746448626471,"projectUrl":"project/keeping-our-bookshelves-full/9235818/","projectTitle":"Keeping Our Bookshelves Full","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rios","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp729049_orig.jpg?crop=1584,1584,x816,y8&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1647990712951","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/729049"},{"teacherId":729049,"projectId":9098756,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our project, \"Creating Connections Through Reading.\" Because of you, our classroom has become an even more inspiring and nurturing space for young readers. The new titles you helped provide were selected with intention—many were specifically requested by students or chosen to match their growing interests and reading identities. Watching my students explore nonfiction topics with curiosity, dive into their favorite genres, and discover books that bring them peace during difficult times has been incredibly powerful. They're not just reading—they're growing into thoughtful, passionate, and independent readers.\r\n\r\nOur daily reading time has become a sacred part of the day, offering students both comfort and connection. Some students have started creating \"bucket lists\" of books they hope to read, while others are exploring styles they never imagined they'd enjoy. Their journals—also supported by your donations—have become creative havens, full of personal reflections, illustrations, questions, and observations that deepen their reading experiences. We're so grateful for this outlet and the way it helps students process and express what they read in meaningful ways.\r\n\r\nThanks to you, our classroom library is expanding in all the right directions. You've helped fill critical gaps, fuel new passions, and provide students with the tools to find joy, understanding, and even healing through reading. We are deeply thankful!","fullyFundedDate":1739375271354,"projectUrl":"project/creating-connections-through-reading/9098756/","projectTitle":"Creating Connections Through Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rios","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp729049_orig.jpg?crop=1584,1584,x816,y8&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1647990712951","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/729049"},{"teacherId":3968804,"projectId":9100101,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, something beautiful happened!\r\n\r\nBecause of your donation, students at South Tahoe Middle School were able to create hundreds of colorful friendship bracelets—but more importantly, they built lasting connections, expressed their creativity, and learned the value of kindness and inclusion.\r\n\r\nThe bracelet-making classes over the past few months gave our students a unique chance to slow down, work with their hands, and use positive and meaningful words to create bracelets to share. For many, this was more than just a craft—it was a way to say, \"You matter.\"\r\n\r\nHere's what your support made possible:\r\n\r\n💬 250+ bracelets made and exchanged so far, with many supplies to still make more \r\n\r\n🎨 Supplies for over 150 students to participate so far—many for the first time\r\n\r\n🤝 New friendships sparked and strengthened across grades\r\n\r\n😊 Countless smiles, proud moments, and creative joy\r\n\r\nFrom all of us, thank you for making this simple but powerful experience possible. You're helping our students feel seen, supported, and inspired.","fullyFundedDate":1739367377952,"projectUrl":"project/help-6th-graders-spread-kindness-and-cre/9100101/","projectTitle":"Help 6th graders spread kindness and create a positive culture!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Von Bargen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3968804_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1475452026395","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3968804"},{"teacherId":729049,"projectId":8904728,"letterContent":"Since receiving the materials funded by your generous donations, the atmosphere in my classroom has been transformed. The small rewards, though simple, have become a symbol of recognition and encouragement for my students. These tokens of appreciation aren't just physical prizes—they represent love, care, and acknowledgment of the hard work my students put in each day, despite the challenges they face outside of school.\r\n\r\nThe new resources also make a huge difference in how I'm able to support students academically. I've been able to implement more structured goal-setting, and these rewards serve as incentives for students to continue striving for personal and academic growth. They can track their progress and celebrate the small victories along the way, reinforcing the importance of perseverance and self-improvement.","fullyFundedDate":1733264857008,"projectUrl":"project/prizes-that-say-i-see-you/8904728/","projectTitle":"Prizes That Say \"I See You\"","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Rios","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp729049_orig.jpg?crop=1584,1584,x816,y8&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1647990712951","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/729049"},{"teacherId":1038459,"projectId":8936815,"letterContent":"Thank you for your donation to my Maker Lab class! Students designed a LED night light. They selected an image from thenounproject.org and used cuttle.xyz to edit the image. It was cut out on the Glowforge laser cutter. \r\nYour donation allowed students to take home their projects to enjoy at home! The lights are controlled by a remote control and can be changed and programmed. \r\nStudents that have been hesitant to use technology were excited to try this project! One student liked the lights and the ability to take it home and use it to light up his room while doing homework.","fullyFundedDate":1733264857232,"projectUrl":"project/maker-lab-led-night-light/8936815/","projectTitle":"Maker Lab LED Night Light","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Culler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1038459_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1474154462242","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jculler"},{"teacherId":9199462,"projectId":8767730,"letterContent":"My students are simply loving the new resources in their classroom. Any spare moment they get, they are asking to use the manipulatives and fun board games this project has provided for them. I have seen several of my more reserved students show so much personality and character and interact with their peers in ways I have yet to see because of the social opportunities these games create. These materials provide a much deserved brain break as well as opportunities to build social skills, resolve conflicts, and problem solve while they play. \r\n\r\nWhen the materials were first introduced in the classroom I don't think I have ever seen my students as excited as they were to see the MagneTiles in particular. The Connect4 game has also been a HUGE hit and has even created opportunities for me to play with my students and build my relationships with them. \r\n\r\nAt the moment we are learning about Transformations and many students have been quite successful with this topic. We typically end up with extra time at the end of class and the first thing many of them ask to do is play with the games, whether it be the highly sought after MagneTiles, the Battleship set, or the TicTacToe boards. \r\n\r\nFrom my classroom to you, THANK YOU!","fullyFundedDate":1733264856788,"projectUrl":"project/mrs-cross-not-so-bored-board-games/8767730/","projectTitle":"Mrs Cross' Not So Bored Board Games","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cross","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9199462_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757796906915","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9199462"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_39617","uses�ǿմ�ý":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":765,"numTeachers":41,"percentFrplEligible":54,"percentAsian":3,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":46,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":46,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"18.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"TOWN_DISTANT"},"inStateSupporters":73.8,"schoolId":39617,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about South Tahoe Middle School on @�ǿմ�ý:","schoolName":"South Tahoe Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/california/lake-tahoe-unified-school-district/south-tahoe-middle-school/39617"}