{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Kendall Square K-8 Center","outOfStateSupporters":13.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6203326,"projectId":9566942,"letterContent":"The reaction when we unboxed the new poms was nothing short of electric; there were literal squeals of delight and a rush of excitement to grab a pair. For a long time, the team had been using older, tattered equipment that didn't match their energy or talent, so seeing the vibrant, shimmering new poms instantly boosted their confidence. They immediately started shaking them to test the weight and sparkle, and the pride on their faces was instantaneous. It wasn't just about getting new gear; it was about feeling like a professional, cohesive unit that was worthy of investing in. That initial joy has carried over into every practice since, changing the entire morale of the team.\r\n\r\nWe have immediately put these resources to work during our busy season of school performances and regional competitions. A specific moment that stands out was our first halftime performance with the new gear. As the lights hit the field, the poms caught the glare perfectly, creating a stunning visual effect that we simply couldn't achieve before. The uniformity and brightness of the poms made our choreography look sharper and more synchronized, earning the team their loudest applause yet. We also took them to our recent district competition, and the judges actually noted the improved presentation score. Having professional-grade materials allowed the dancers to focus entirely on their technique and expression rather than worrying about equipment falling apart.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we are taking this momentum into our preparations for the upcoming state championships and our end-of-year spring showcase. The next steps for the students involve refining a high-energy \"pom\" routine specifically designed to highlight the new equipment. We are currently breaking down complex visual ripples and tossing sequences that rely on the durability and visual pop of these new poms. Thanks to your generosity, my students are attacking these difficult new skills with enthusiasm and pride. We are so grateful that you chose to support our team; you have given them the tools to shine their brightest.","fullyFundedDate":1756093015213,"projectUrl":"project/shake-those-poms/9566942/","projectTitle":"Shake those Poms","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. V","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp6203326_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1547666246127","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mvaz"},{"teacherId":6203326,"projectId":9567027,"letterContent":"The excitement in the room was palpable when the delivery boxes first arrived; it felt like a holiday morning as we unpacked the granola bars, crackers, and healthy treats. My students often come to class hungry, which makes focusing on complex tasks nearly impossible, so seeing their faces light up at the sight of a fully stocked snack station was a heartwarming moment. Since introducing these resources, the \"mid-morning slump\" has virtually disappeared. Instead of focusing on their empty stomachs or putting their heads down due to fatigue, students are now able to grab a quick snack and get right to work, maintaining their energy and engagement throughout our most rigorous lessons.\r\n\r\nThese resources have been vital during our recent collaborative group work sessions. A specific moment that stands out occurred last week during a \"working lunch\" style activity where groups were brainstorming for their upcoming creative writing portfolios. Usually, this is when patience wears thin and focus drifts, but having the snacks available turned the atmosphere from stressful to communal and productive. One group, fueled by the new supplies, stayed focused for an entire hour debating the narrative arc of their story. The snacks provided the physical sustenance needed to power their brainpower, allowing them to collaborate effectively without the distraction of hunger pangs.\r\n\r\nNow that our students are well-fed and energized, we are ready to take our learning to the next level. Our next step involves taking their rough drafts and moving into the peer-editing and publishing phase of the unit. With the continued support of these resources to keep their stamina up, students will work on digitizing their stories to share with the rest of the school. Knowing that their basic needs are met allows them to dream bigger and work harder. Thank you for taking a peek into our classroom and for providing the essential fuel that keeps our learning community thriving; your generosity has truly made our classroom a happier, healthier place to grow.","fullyFundedDate":1756093009727,"projectUrl":"project/hungry-hungry-middle-schoolers/9567027/","projectTitle":"Hungry Hungry Middle Schoolers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. V","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp6203326_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1547666246127","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mvaz"},{"teacherId":5812737,"projectId":9453624,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support to our fifth-grade math and science classroom. Your donation of puzzle books and hands-on manipulatives has already brought so much excitement and possibility into our learning environment. These materials give my students new, engaging ways to explore challenging concepts, and they help make our lessons more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.\r\n\r\nYour contribution is especially meaningful for my English language learners and students with diverse learning needs. The tools you provided allow them to learn through movement, visuals, and problem-solving—approaches that help build confidence and deepen understanding. Because of you, my students feel more supported, more capable, and more eager to learn. We are truly grateful for your kindness and belief in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1756473351483,"projectUrl":"project/math-and-science/9453624/","projectTitle":"Math and Science","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Briceño","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5812737_orig.jpg?crop=1124,1125,x0,y509&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1602021084790","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/msbriceno"},{"teacherId":614902,"projectId":9509544,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support! Your contributions to this project have had a direct and incredibly positive impact on my students' learning environment. The new tools you funded have been instrumental in helping students manage distractions and concentrate on their work, leading to a calmer, more productive classroom.\r\n\r\nWhat Students Love Most\r\nThe items that have generated the most excitement and benefit are the fidget tools and the noise-canceling headphones. My students have shared that these items allow them to better manage their sensory input and focus during assignments and tests.\r\n\r\nThe fidgets give their hands something constructive to do, channeling excess energy so their minds can concentrate on the lesson.\r\n\r\nThe headphones create a personal bubble of quiet, which is invaluable during independent work, especially for longer reading comprehension or math tasks.\r\n\r\nEmpowering Individual Focus\r\nWe've seen some particular students thrive thanks to a creative modification using the new equipment. Some students who struggle with external distractions have really warmed up to the privacy boards.\r\n\r\nI doubled up some of the boards to make them extra tall, and the students who use them have expressed how much they appreciate the increased visual barrier. They feel more secure and less likely to be distracted by others, leading to a noticeable improvement in their ability to stay engaged and complete their work. One student, in particular, said the tall boards \"keep the trouble out\" so he can finally focus.\r\n\r\nYour donation has directly contributed to creating a more inclusive and focused learning environment where all my students can find the tools they need to succeed. Thank you again for investing in their future!","fullyFundedDate":1757611709383,"projectUrl":"project/leveling-the-learning-field/9509544/","projectTitle":"Leveling the Learning Field","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Brizuela","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp614902_orig.jpg?crop=2735,2735,x0,y319&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1714953302331","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/brizuela"},{"teacherId":336093,"projectId":9219209,"letterContent":"I am forever thankful for your generous support of this inspiring project. Thanks to your donation, my second graders celebrated their achievements with a Hollywood-themed red carpet book signing event. These young, published authors proudly shared their class-published book with parents and classmates, each child glowing with excitement and pride. \r\n\r\nAs part of the celebration, every student received a copy of the timeless book \"Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss. I had the honor of signing and dedicating each copy, hoping it would serve as a lifelong reminder of their potential dreams. \r\n\r\nThe event was truly magical. Butterflies fluttered in little bellies as each child stood in front of the audience to read their published piece, The Best Part of Me. The room fell silent, filled with admiration and emotion. Tears were shed, and many proud parents expressed how unforgettable the moment was. \r\n\r\n After the readings, we captured the joy with a class photo and celebrated with delicious treats donated by Sweet Magnolias Boards. It was a day that will stay in my heart forever, and I hope my students will always look back on their second-grade year with pride, knowing they were seen, heard, and celebrated.","fullyFundedDate":1744246763746,"projectUrl":"project/young-authors-take-the-stage/9219209/","projectTitle":"Young Authors Take the Stage","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Betancourt-Chipia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp336093_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1661020011960","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/336093"},{"teacherId":6203326,"projectId":8549133,"letterContent":"After returning from a two-hour block in their team sports class held outside, students immediately took proactive steps to freshen up before continuing with the rest of their school day. Upon entering the classroom, they were provided with deodorant and baby wipes to help remove sweat, reduce body odor, and feel more comfortable. This simple routine not only improved their personal comfort but also created a more pleasant environment for everyone in the classroom, preventing strong odors that can be distracting or uncomfortable.\r\n\r\nHygiene is especially important for middle school students, as this stage of development often brings increased perspiration and changes in body chemistry. Establishing good hygiene habits now teaches responsibility, promotes self-confidence, and helps students maintain positive social interactions with peers. By taking a few minutes to clean up after physical activity, students are learning that personal care is a sign of respect for themselves and those around them. These practices encourage a lifelong awareness of health and cleanliness, both inside and outside the classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1724603994661,"projectUrl":"project/hygiene-must-haves/8549133/","projectTitle":"Hygiene Must Haves","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. V","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp6203326_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1547666246127","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mvaz"},{"teacherId":336093,"projectId":8701020,"letterContent":"I am incredibly grateful for your generous contribution to my second-grade classroom. Thanks to your kindness, my students have been rewarded with fun tactile fidgets and sweet treats as they worked hard to reach their independent reading goals.\r\n\r\nEvery morning, I'm greeted with eager faces asking, \"May I take the AR test for the book I read last night?\" Because of your generosity, I can say \"Yes!\" and motivate my students with tremendous rewards. Your support has transformed our classroom environment and significantly boosted my students' enthusiasm for reading.\r\n\r\nWith the immediate rewards they received after passing each computerized test, my students are now more motivated than ever. During the second nine weeks, an impressive 17 out of 20 students reached their independent reading goal, compared to only six students in the first nine weeks. Your contribution has made a lasting impact on their reading levels and overall academic success.\r\n\r\nYour donations have inspired my students to work hard and strive for excellence. I truly appreciate your kindness and generosity from the bottom of my heart.","fullyFundedDate":1733691216761,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-readers-transforming-them-in/8701020/","projectTitle":"Empowering Readers: Transforming Them into Leaders","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Betancourt-Chipia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp336093_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1661020011960","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/336093"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_125133","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":638,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":39,"percentAsian":4,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":2,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":91,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":87.0,"schoolId":125133,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Kendall Square K-8 Center on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Kendall Square K-8 Center","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/florida/miami-dade-county-public-schools/kendall-square-k-8-center/125133"}