{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Miami Lakes K-8 Center","outOfStateSupporters":39.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":490110,"projectId":9334999,"letterContent":"I am beyond grateful for your generosity in fully funding our project \"Kickstart Our Year: Transform Our Classroom into a Welcoming Adventure\" through Miami Loves Teachers. Because of your kindness, our classroom has been transformed into a space that truly feels bright, organized, and inviting.\r\n\r\nThe LED strip lights immediately brought a sense of warmth and excitement—my students lit up with smiles when they first walked in and saw the colorful glow. The magnetic file holder, large desk calendar, and flip calendar bulletin board set have already made our daily routines smoother and more organized. Even the simple addition of our classroom doorbell has quickly become a useful tool, helping with transitions and keeping us on track in a calm and engaging way.\r\n\r\nThese resources may seem small individually, but together they have created a learning environment where my students feel excited, welcomed, and ready to learn each day. The impact was clear the very first morning: students walked in wide-eyed, whispering \"Wow!\" and asking if we could always keep the lights on. That spark of joy has set the tone for our year—it feels like their classroom, a place they're proud to call their own.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and helping us start the year with so much positivity and enthusiasm. Your support is not only seen but truly felt every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1756473349570,"projectUrl":"project/kickstart-our-year-transform-our-classr/9334999/","projectTitle":"Kickstart Our Year: Transform Our Classroom into a Welcoming Adventure!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Leslie Diaz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp490110_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1472916373164","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/490110"},{"teacherId":490110,"projectId":9282281,"letterContent":"I am truly grateful for your generosity in making our Western-themed classroom dream a reality. My students are incredibly kind, resilient, and full of curiosity, and they arrive each morning eager to learn, grow, and support one another. Thanks to your support, they now step into a space that feels like more than just a classroom—it's a warm, welcoming adventure that reflects their energy and spirit.\r\n\r\nThese decorations have transformed the classroom into a place where learning feels like an adventure. Students talk about \"riding into the day\" ready for new challenges and discoveries. The Western theme has also given us new ways to celebrate accomplishments—earning a \"gold nugget\" for hard work, being recognized as a \"star ranch hand\" for teamwork, or seeing their faces displayed proudly on our \"wanted for great work\" wall. These little touches spark joy and motivate students to give their best effort.\r\n\r\nThe impact on our classroom culture has been incredible. Before, our space was functional but lacked a sense of identity. Now, it's a place where students feel they are part of something special. They enter with smiles, they take pride in keeping the classroom neat, and they often invite others to \"come see our room.\" The decorations have become conversation starters, creative prompts, and even a source of comfort for students who need a little encouragement during the day.\r\n\r\nMore importantly, the theme has helped foster community and collaboration. Just as cowboys and cowgirls work together on the range, my students are learning the value of teamwork and perseverance. They celebrate each other's successes, help when a peer is struggling, and approach learning with curiosity and determination. The Western backdrop serves as a reminder that we're all on this journey together, facing challenges with courage and celebrating milestones along the way.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has made all of this possible. You've helped create a space where my students feel valued, inspired, and excited to learn—a space that reflects who they are and who they are becoming. This classroom transformation is more than decoration; it's an investment in their confidence, creativity, and love for school.\r\n\r\nOn behalf of my students and myself, thank you for believing in them and for giving them a place where they can dream big, work hard, and know they belong. Your kindness has created a lasting impact that will be felt not only this year but for many years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1746574467262,"projectUrl":"project/rounding-up-supplies-for-a-western-welco/9282281/","projectTitle":"Rounding Up Supplies for a Western Welcome!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Leslie Diaz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp490110_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1472916373164","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/490110"},{"teacherId":490110,"projectId":9107622,"letterContent":"I want to sincerely thank you for your generosity in fully funding my DonorsChoose project. Your contributions have brought an immediate and meaningful impact to my 5th grade supportive education classroom. The snacks, light strings, and LED board lights you helped provide have transformed the atmosphere in our room into one that is warm, motivating, and full of positive energy. These simple yet powerful tools are doing more than just decorating the classroom—they are creating a space where my students feel celebrated for their efforts and excited to engage with their learning. Each week, as they strive to meet their iReady goals, they look forward to the rewards that acknowledge their hard work and determination. The glow of the lights and the joy of a well-earned snack are small moments that have made a big difference in helping them feel valued and capable.\r\n\r\nYour support is fueling more than academic growth—it's inspiring perseverance, teamwork, and confidence. I've watched students who once hesitated to take on challenges now approach their lessons with enthusiasm, encouraging one another to keep going. They've learned that their effort matters, and that success is something worth working toward. This change in mindset is priceless, and it's because of donors like you who believe in their potential. From my heart and on behalf of my incredible students, thank you for investing in their learning journey. Your kindness is leaving a lasting mark on their education and their lives.","fullyFundedDate":1746698808418,"projectUrl":"project/rewarding-perseverance-motivating-young/9107622/","projectTitle":"Rewarding Perseverance: Motivating Young Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Leslie Diaz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp490110_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1472916373164","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/490110"},{"teacherId":9496068,"projectId":8617878,"letterContent":"Our class was thrilled to welcome two exciting new additions—a fish tank and an ant farm! When the students first saw the materials, their eyes lit up with excitement and curiosity. We kicked off the project by discussing ecosystems and how different species interact within their environments. The fish tank became a living example of aquatic life, where students observe the fish's behaviors, feeding habits, and water quality. Meanwhile, the ant farm sparked engaging conversations about teamwork, colony structure, and the intricate tunnels the ants build. These hands-on experiences have transformed our science lessons, making abstract concepts come to life right before their eyes.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, we plan to deepen our exploration of ecosystems by introducing student-led experiments. For the fish tank, students will monitor water pH levels and track fish growth, documenting their findings in science journals. With the ant farm, they will observe changes in tunnel patterns and analyze how the ants respond to different variables, like light and food sources. These projects will not only enhance their understanding of biology but also strengthen their skills in data collection and critical thinking. We are incredibly grateful for these resources, as they have truly enriched our learning environment.","fullyFundedDate":1723640833538,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-the-outdoors-in-a-science-clas/8617878/","projectTitle":"Bringing the Outdoors In: A Science Classroom Enhancement","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Diaz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9496068"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_45715","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1196,"numTeachers":80,"percentFrplEligible":48,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":4,"percentWhite":2,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":92,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"15.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":60.3,"schoolId":45715,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Miami Lakes K-8 Center on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Miami Lakes K-8 Center","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/florida/miami-dade-county-public-schools/miami-lakes-k-8-center/45715"}