{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Explore Academy Las Cruces","outOfStateSupporters":16.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":3447821,"projectId":9608352,"letterContent":"My students' eyes lit up with pure excitement when our new sensory items and space themed building sets arrived. It was as if they had their very own space station! The moment we opened the astronaut costumes and dramatic play kits, they immediately began imagining themselves exploring planets, building rockets, and discovering stars. \r\n\r\nWe've been using the sensory bins filled with colorful rice and play foam to strengthen fine motor skills, practice sorting and spark creativity during centers. Our light box has become a favorite tool for tracing letters exploring stencils, and making \"glowing words,\" helping students build early writing confidence. \r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our \"little dragons\" are not just learning they're discovering They are more confident, creative, and eager to explore than ever before. Your support has helped us build a classroom filled with wonder and laughter. We are so grateful for your kindness and belief in the power of play-based learning.","fullyFundedDate":1755532103100,"projectUrl":"project/mission-dragon-sensory-play-that-sparks/9608352/","projectTitle":"Mission Dragon: Sensory Play that Sparks Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Barrio","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3447821_orig.jpg?crop=509,509,x1,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1646867725212","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3447821"},{"teacherId":3447821,"projectId":9288841,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity, Our Dragons have been soaring with excitement! The moment our students saw the new outdoor toys and foam builders, their faces lit up with pure joy. They couldn't wait to dive in, building, creating, and playing together in ways that brought out their teamwork and imagination. They worked hard to build forts and obstacle courses all while learning how to share ideas and take turns. \r\n\r\nThese new resources have transformed our outdoor time into a blend of active play and social learning. Students are developing stronger communication and problem-solving skills as they navigate group challenges, cheer each other on, and practice teamwork. We've also noticed how much more confident and connected they feel during playtime especially our quieter Dragons, who are now joining in and finding their voices within their teams in sports games such as basket ball and soccer. \r\n\r\nThanks to your support, our learning has become even more meaningful. Our next steps are to continue integrating these materials into structured teamwork activities and STEM-based outdoor challenges that encourage creative thinking and collaboration. Your donation has made a lasting difference for our students, helping them grow not just as learners but as caring cooperative classmates. From all of us at Explore-thank you for helping our Dragons play, learn, and shine!","fullyFundedDate":1746787390670,"projectUrl":"project/unleash-the-dragons-active-play-for-you/9288841/","projectTitle":"Unleash the Dragons: Active Play for Young Explorers!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Barrio","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3447821_orig.jpg?crop=509,509,x1,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1646867725212","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3447821"},{"teacherId":9810184,"projectId":9412586,"letterContent":"The new pencil electric sharpeners have made a huge difference in our daily routines. My students are now able to quickly and quietly sharpen their pencils without interrupting lessons—something that used to take up valuable learning time. The laminating sheets have been especially helpful for creating durable, reusable learning materials like flashcards and center activities. One exciting moment was during our science unit when we used the Grow and Show Roots experiment. Students were able to plant seeds and actually see how roots grow and develop through the transparent containers. It brought our plant life cycle lesson to life in a way textbooks never could!\r\n\r\nThe kids were so excited when the new supplies arrived! They were fascinated by the root-view growing containers and couldn't wait to start planting. Several of them said things like, \"This is so cool—we can actually see what's happening underground!\" The electric sharpeners also got a lot of attention—believe it or not, sharpening pencils became a highlight of the day for a while!\r\n\r\nNow that our root plants are growing, students are beginning to document changes in their plant journals. We're taking measurements, drawing observations, and comparing root systems among different types of seeds. With the help of the laminated guides and reusable charts, we'll soon be analyzing our findings and presenting them in small groups. This experiment is also preparing us for a unit on ecosystems, where students will explore how plants interact with their environment.","fullyFundedDate":1750773672700,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-essentials/9412586/","projectTitle":"Classroom Essentials","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Topmiller","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9810184"},{"teacherId":9803676,"projectId":9104565,"letterContent":"On behalf of Explore Academy-Las Cruces, I want to extend our deepest gratitude for your generous support of our hygiene education initiative for elementary students. Thanks to your thoughtful donation, we were able to provide vital hand hygiene education to students in kindergarten through 3rd grade and supply feminine hygiene products to our 5th-grade students as part of their puberty education presentation.\r\n\r\nYour contribution made a meaningful difference in two critical areas of health education:\r\n\r\nFor K-3 students, age-appropriate lessons on handwashing and germ prevention empowered our youngest learners with the knowledge and habits to stay healthy. Students enthusiastically participated in interactive sessions and now better understand the importance of personal hygiene and preventing the spread of illness—skills that benefit both their classroom and their families at home.\r\n\r\nFor 5th-grade students, your support ensured every child receiving puberty education had access to essential feminine hygiene products. This provision helped remove the stigma and anxiety that can surround the topic of menstruation, giving students the confidence and tools they need to navigate this life stage with dignity and understanding.\r\n\r\nBecause of your investment in their well-being and education, over 165 students were positively impacted. From your generosity, we still have enough supplies to continue this through the next school year. Your support not only provided tangible resources but also sent a powerful message to our students—that their health and dignity matter.\r\n\r\nThank you once again for your commitment to the health and education of our children. Your partnership plays a vital role in helping us build a stronger, healthier, and more informed future generation.","fullyFundedDate":1739502868658,"projectUrl":"project/germ-busters/9104565/","projectTitle":"Germ Busters!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jasmyn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9803676"},{"teacherId":6718969,"projectId":8984267,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom project, Dinosaur Disaster Investigators! Your kindness and contribution brought an incredible energy and excitement to our learning environment that my students will never forget.\r\n\r\nWe kicked off the unit with a dinotastic Flavor Day, and thanks to the amazing materials you helped provide, it was truly an unforgettable experience. Scholars cracked open dinosaur eggs, painted dinosaurs by number with stickers, created fossils and tracks using kinetic sand, and contributed to a vibrant class dinosaur mural. We also dove into our new books, which have sparked so many wonderful questions and discussions about Earth's history, geology, and ecosystems.\r\n\r\nYour support didn't just provide supplies—it helped transform our classroom into a hands-on, immersive learning space where students could explore, create, and connect with science in meaningful ways. From wide-eyed wonder at real fossils to the excitement of building and engineering solutions for dino-themed challenges, these moments have ignited a deep curiosity in my students and brought so much joy to our STEM time.\r\n\r\nThank you again for making all of this possible. Your generosity has made a real impact—and it means the world to all of us!","fullyFundedDate":1734461101913,"projectUrl":"project/dino-disasters-exploring-earths-dynami/8984267/","projectTitle":"Dino Disasters: Exploring Earth’s Dynamic Past and Present","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gutierrez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6718969_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1583958330112","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6718969"},{"teacherId":9894557,"projectId":9060813,"letterContent":"I hope this message finds you well. I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous contributions that made it possible for our 3rd-grade class to acquire a wonderful selection of books. The impact of your support is truly remarkable, as our students are now able to dive into the fascinating world of dinosaurs. They are not only enjoying the stories but are also making meaningful connections about the past and present of these incredible creatures.\r\n\r\nThe enthusiasm in the classroom has been palpable, with students eagerly discussing why we see certain animals today and the reasons behind the absence of dinosaurs. Your generosity has not only provided them with books but has also sparked their curiosity and imagination. Thank you once again for your support; it is making a significant difference in their learning experience.","fullyFundedDate":1738814017559,"projectUrl":"project/what-do-we-see-squirrels-but-not-stegasa/9060813/","projectTitle":"What Do We See Squirrels but Not Stegasauruses?","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Black","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9894557"},{"teacherId":9810184,"projectId":9087956,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for the generous STEM donations and teacher resources provided to our classroom. The impact of your support has been truly transformative for both my students and me, and I am excited to share how it has positively influenced our learning environment.\r\n\r\nThe resources and materials you donated have directly enhanced our ability to engage with the STEM curriculum in dynamic and interactive ways. From hands-on science experiments to coding activities and engineering projects, the students have been able to explore STEM concepts through real-world applications. The availability of these tools has sparked their curiosity, ignited their passion for learning, and opened new pathways for critical thinking and problem-solving.\r\n\r\nOne of the most profound outcomes has been the increased engagement in classroom activities. Students who were previously disengaged or struggled with abstract concepts are now actively participating, asking insightful questions, and collaborating with their peers. They are not just learning the content—they are excited to dive deeper, experiment, and discover how STEM knowledge can be applied to real-world challenges.\r\n\r\nIn addition, the teacher resources you provided have empowered me to create more engaging lesson plans and teaching strategies. With access to high-quality materials and professional development tools, I've been able to tailor lessons to the diverse needs of my students, ensuring that every child, regardless of their background or learning style, has the opportunity to succeed.\r\n\r\nThanks to your support, I have witnessed a noticeable increase in my students' confidence in STEM subjects. Many students who were initially apprehensive about science and math are now excited to take on new challenges. Furthermore, I've observed a growing interest in pursuing careers in STEM fields, with some students even expressing a desire to pursue engineering, computer science, or research.\r\n\r\nYour generous contributions have not only helped me as an educator but also inspired my students to dream big and think critically. I truly believe that the skills and knowledge they are gaining through these resources will have a lasting impact on their futures.\r\n\r\nOnce again, thank you for your support. Your donation has made a world of difference in our classroom, and I look forward to seeing how these resources continue to shape the educational experiences of my students.","fullyFundedDate":1738525078214,"projectUrl":"project/exploring-2nd-grade-through-books/9087956/","projectTitle":"Exploring 2nd Grade Through Books","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Topmiller","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9810184"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_128815","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":94,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":44,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":30,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":62,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":83.3,"schoolId":128815,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Explore Academy Las Cruces on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Explore Academy Las Cruces","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-mexico/new-mexico-department-of-education/explore-academy-las-cruces/128815"}