{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Felix Varela Senior High School","outOfStateSupporters":25.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8005848,"projectId":10030798,"letterContent":"Thanks to the generous support of our donors, this project has made an immediate and meaningful impact on my students' learning experience. The new resources, along with the treats and pens, transformed our classroom into an exciting and motivating learning environment. Students were eager to participate, proud to use their new materials, and motivated to complete reading activities with greater focus and persistence. The simple joy of receiving tools that were just for them made students feel valued and celebrated as learners.\r\nThe students' reactions were truly heartwarming. Smiles, excitement, and positive comments filled the room as they explored the resources and enjoyed the treats. Many students expressed how much they loved reading time even more now and asked when we would be able to use the materials again along with obtaining more treats. These tools helped increase student engagement, improve attention during reading tasks, and build confidence—especially for students who often struggle and need extra encouragement.\r\nBecause of this project, my students are more motivated to learn and more open to challenging themselves as readers. They are beginning to ask questions, show curiosity about new books, and express a desire to learn more. The next steps toward reading achievement include continued exposure to engaging reading materials, targeted small-group instruction, and reinforcing positive reading behaviors using these tools. This project has laid an important foundation for growth, showing students that reading can be rewarding, enjoyable, and achievable. Thank you for investing in their success and helping foster a love for learning that will continue to grow.","fullyFundedDate":1772563893095,"projectUrl":"project/tools-and-treats-to-keep-our-learners-en/10030798/","projectTitle":"Tools and Treats to Keep Our Learners Engaged","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Zayas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8005848_orig.jpg?crop=640,640,x0,y93&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1629644237439","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8005848"},{"teacherId":3578355,"projectId":10066070,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in funding our \"Strategic Play in AP Capstone\" project. Because of your support, my students now have a dedicated \"laboratory\" for team-building and collective inquiry. In a high-stakes coursework like in AP Capstone, where students are tasked with solving complex, real-world problems, the ability to work effectively in a team is just as important as the research itself. These strategic games have provided a much-needed bridge between individual academic rigor and collaborative success.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived—especially games like Codenames, Wavelength, and The Resistance—the energy in the room was electric. My students were immediately curious and eager to dive in. One of the most impactful moments occurred last week during a session of The Resistance. The game allowed them to practice \"productive conflict\" and logical defense in a low-stakes, fun environment. Seeing them laugh while simultaneously sharpening their argumentation skills was exactly what I had hoped for.\r\n\r\nIn the future, these resources will remain a staple in our classroom as we transition into the intensive research and presentation phase of the AP Seminar and Research exams. The teamwork foundations built through these games are now being applied as students conduct peer reviews and practice their oral defenses. By helping these future leaders move beyond individual achievement toward collaboration, you have made a lasting impact on their academic journey. Thank you for investing in my students!","fullyFundedDate":1769863410172,"projectUrl":"project/strategic-play-in-ap-capstone/10066070/","projectTitle":"Strategic Play in AP Capstone","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Castillo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3578355_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1472829846028","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/natcastillo"},{"teacherId":8005848,"projectId":9672088,"letterContent":"This project contributed to a healthy, germ-free classroom environment, which enabled learning and combined with technology, produced student-produced work product that showcased collaboration, imagination, and efficiency.\r\n\r\nDigitizing student work, creations, and reading diagrams helped build a portfolio that serves as a dynamic record of student growth throughout the school year. The scanner saved valuable classroom time and resources by reducing the need for copying and allowing students to share classroom materials and resources.\r\n\r\nThank you for your generosity and for enabling students with important classroom tools for the students to thrive, learn and progress with their academic goals.","fullyFundedDate":1758796573944,"projectUrl":"project/clean-environment-right-classroom-tools/9672088/","projectTitle":"Clean Environment, Right Classroom Tools!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Zayas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8005848_orig.jpg?crop=640,640,x0,y93&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1629644237439","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8005848"},{"teacherId":8005848,"projectId":9582751,"letterContent":"Your donations contributed to snacks and blue ballpoint pens during instructional time and are simple yet powerful tools that help teens stay focused during class assignments. The nutritious snacks help curb hunger and boost energy, allowing students to concentrate and build reading endurance without distraction. The students use the resources to help them stay focus during instructional time. The students love the snacks and always request them. The snacks provide motivation and student engagement as they focus on their reading digital assigned lessons from their student application program. \r\nWe are truly thankful for your support by providing these engagement resources that fuel success, motivation and academic progress. \r\n\r\nSincerely,","fullyFundedDate":1758796885199,"projectUrl":"project/fuel-for-engagement/9582751/","projectTitle":"Fuel for Engagement!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Zayas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8005848_orig.jpg?crop=640,640,x0,y93&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1629644237439","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8005848"},{"teacherId":9222352,"projectId":9420320,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous donations, our students now have a variety of engaging tools that help them build focus, coordination, and self-regulation skills. The yoga mats, stability balls, exercise dice, and hula hoops have become part of our weekly classroom routine. We use them for movement breaks, sensory regulation activities, and group games that encourage teamwork and communication. One of our favorite activities is rolling the exercise dice during our \"Movement and Mindfulness\" sessions—students love seeing which stretch or movement comes up next!\r\n\r\nWhen our students first saw the new materials, their faces lit up with excitement. Many immediately wanted to unroll the yoga mats and show off their favorite stretches, while others were eager to balance on the stability balls. For our learners, these tools aren't just fun—they provide meaningful sensory input that helps them stay calm, focused, and ready to learn throughout the day.\r\n\r\nOur next step is to continue incorporating these resources into our life skills and science lessons, emphasizing the importance of physical health, mindfulness, and emotional regulation. Your support has created a positive, inclusive space where our exceptional learners can grow stronger—both in body and mind. Thank you for helping make that possible!","fullyFundedDate":1757078346367,"projectUrl":"project/supporting-strength-and-self-regulation/9420320/","projectTitle":"Supporting Strength and Self-Regulation for Exceptional Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Peña","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9222352_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1693009706267","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-jesspena"},{"teacherId":9720834,"projectId":9396960,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our math lessons have truly come to life! My students are now using their individual whiteboard kits every day to solve problems, share their thinking, and collaborate with one another. During our recent fractions unit, I asked a question, and within seconds, the room was filled with students eagerly holding up their whiteboards to show their answers. The instant feedback helped me quickly spot who needed extra support, and the excitement in their faces showed how much they enjoyed being part of the learning process.\r\n\r\nWhen the boxes first arrived, my students couldn't contain their excitement — they tore them open with huge smiles and immediately began drawing, writing, and testing out their new materials. Many of them said it made math feel like a game rather than an assignment. The dry-erase boards have become a classroom favorite, turning even challenging lessons into fun, hands-on experiences.\r\n\r\nWe're now using the whiteboards to practice word problems, mental math, and even team challenges where students race to solve multi-step equations. The cleaning materials have kept everything tidy and easy to reuse, so our classroom stays organized and welcoming. Thank you for helping me create an engaging, interactive, and safe math environment where students feel confident taking risks and showing what they know. Your generosity has truly made a difference in how my students see and experience math every day.","fullyFundedDate":1753362454473,"projectUrl":"project/bright-boards-bright-minds-interactive/9396960/","projectTitle":"Bright Boards, Bright Minds: Interactive Math Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Alzugaray","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9720834_orig.jpg?crop=1440,1440,x0,y321&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1728784301543","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9720834"},{"teacherId":6252877,"projectId":9206434,"letterContent":"Thanks to your donations my students got to graduate with their hi or cords. They also had some special treats from you that they absolutelyloved! \r\nWhen my students first saw the graduation cords, the decorations for the party, and all of the treats prepared for them, their reaction was truly unforgettable. The moment they walked in the room, their faces lit up with surprise and excitement. Many of them gasped, clapped, and hugged one another, thrilled that this celebration was just for them. :)","fullyFundedDate":1746488208915,"projectUrl":"project/celebrate-our-students-hard-work-with-a/9206434/","projectTitle":"Celebrate Our Students' Hard Work with an Unforgettable Graduation Party","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Elizabeth Morales","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6252877_orig.jpg?crop=433,433,x0,y20&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1691548967204","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6252877"},{"teacherId":8005848,"projectId":9279544,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom project. Your contributions have made a meaningful impact providing students with the resources they need that contribute to classroom engagement and motivation. The snacks help keep energy and focus high during long learning sessions, while the pens ensure every student has the tools they need to express themselves and engage fully. The students look forward to their classroom treat while they read and the snacks help keep the students focused, engaged and motivated with their classwork.\r\nI am deeply grateful for your commitment to education and equity.","fullyFundedDate":1748023734297,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-and-write-and-create/9279544/","projectTitle":"Snacks and Write and Create!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Zayas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8005848_orig.jpg?crop=640,640,x0,y93&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1629644237439","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8005848"},{"teacherId":9222352,"projectId":9297734,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom now has a charging station that keeps every tablet fully charged, organized, and ready for learning. This simple addition has made a huge difference—students no longer waste time looking for chargers or waiting for a device to be ready. Instead, they can dive right into lessons and activities.\r\n\r\nThe charging station has also given students a sense of responsibility. Each student is in charge of returning their assigned tablet to its spot and making sure it's plugged in. This routine has built accountability and pride in taking care of our shared technology.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, our classroom runs more smoothly, and students can maximize their learning time with reliable access to charged tablets. Thank you for powering possibilities in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1746472564552,"projectUrl":"project/powering-possibilities-a-charging-stati/9297734/","projectTitle":"Powering Possibilities: A Charging Station for Our Classroom Tablets","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Peña","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9222352_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1693009706267","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-jesspena"},{"teacherId":9720834,"projectId":9191240,"letterContent":"When my students first received the new supplies, their faces lit up with excitement. Many of them immediately picked up their rulers and notebooks, eager to use them. For some, simply having their own set of tools created a sense of ownership and independence in their learning. One student told me, \"Now I can really see the problems,\" as they used their ruler to line up equations neatly. Even the Lysol wipes became part of our routine, with students proudly taking turns to keep our classroom clean and comfortable for everyone.\r\n\r\nWe have already begun using the supplies in a hands-on project where students create interactive foldables to organize algebra concepts like solving equations and graphing. With glue sticks, scissors, and notebooks, they're building personalized math journals that allow them to reference past lessons and feel more confident tackling new problems. The act of building these journals has given my students a sense of pride in their work, while helping them stay organized and engaged.\r\n\r\nOur next steps are to dive deeper into solving multi-step equations and graphing linear functions. Thanks to these resources, students can keep their work structured, clean, and easy to follow. Having the right tools may seem simple, but in our classroom it has made a big difference—it allows my students to focus on learning instead of worrying about what they don't have. Your support is helping them build confidence in algebra and showing them that they are capable of success.","fullyFundedDate":1742913807899,"projectUrl":"project/algebra-aid-project/9191240/","projectTitle":"Algebra Aid Project","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Alzugaray","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9720834_orig.jpg?crop=1440,1440,x0,y321&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1728784301543","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9720834"},{"teacherId":6252877,"projectId":9031104,"letterContent":"My students are now using the drumsticks and bongos to practice rhythms in music class and prepare for performances, and the excitement they felt when first seeing the instruments was unforgettable. Their faces lit up with joy, and many immediately began tapping out rhythms on their desks before we even started. For several students, it was their very first time holding real percussion instruments, and the pride and curiosity they showed was inspiring.Thanks for all your support much appreciated","fullyFundedDate":1742241419347,"projectUrl":"project/help-my-students-shine-with-instruments/9031104/","projectTitle":"Help My Students Shine With Instruments and Supplies!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Elizabeth Morales","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6252877_orig.jpg?crop=433,433,x0,y20&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1691548967204","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6252877"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_69681","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1935,"numTeachers":112,"percentFrplEligible":55,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":4,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":92,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":0,"gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"17.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":74.8,"schoolId":69681,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Felix Varela Senior High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Felix Varela Senior High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/florida/miami-dade-county-public-schools/felix-varela-senior-high-school/69681"}