{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Miami Lakes K-8 Center","outOfStateSupporters":38.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":490110,"projectId":10206089,"letterContent":"Because of your incredible generosity, our classroom has been transformed into an exciting hands-on STEAM learning environment where students are designing, building, and creating with confidence. The new resources have allowed students to move beyond traditional assignments and truly engage in meaningful, real-world learning experiences. Every day, students are using the tools to design visual models, create academic supports, and develop projects that connect science, math, literacy, and engineering concepts together in creative ways.\r\n\r\nOne of the most exciting classroom moments happened when students were introduced to the new materials and design tools for the very first time. Their faces immediately lit up with excitement, curiosity, and anticipation. Many could not believe they would have the opportunity to use real design tools in their classroom. Students eagerly began brainstorming ideas and asking questions about what they could create. During one recent project, students designed and created interactive vocabulary visuals and labeled science diagrams that helped deepen their understanding of key concepts while allowing them to take ownership of their learning. Watching students collaborate, problem-solve, and proudly share their finished creations was truly unforgettable.\r\n\r\nThese resources are continuing to inspire creativity and innovation in our classroom. The next steps for students include using the tools to create more advanced prototypes, hands-on literacy supports, and cross-curricular STEAM projects connected to real-world problem solving. Students are already planning future projects where they will design interactive learning materials and engineering-based creations that demonstrate both academic understanding and creativity. Thanks to your support, students now see themselves as designers, engineers, and innovators capable of bringing their ideas to life.\r\n\r\nThank you again for believing in my students and investing in their future. Your generosity is making a lasting impact each and every day.","fullyFundedDate":1777990641592,"projectUrl":"project/launch-our-steam-design-lab-tools-for-s/10206089/","projectTitle":"Launch Our STEAM Design Lab: Tools for Student Innovation","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":10157007,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity and support of our classroom STEAM project. Because of your kindness, my students will now have access to meaningful hands-on learning experiences that will inspire creativity, innovation, and confidence. Your donation is helping transform our classroom into a space where imagination and learning come together in powerful ways.\r\n\r\nWith the new sewing and design machine, acrylic silicon molds, and other materials, my students will be able to fully engage in the engineering design process by planning, creating, testing, and improving their own projects. These tools will allow them to move beyond traditional classroom activities and experience real-world problem solving, design thinking, and engineering in exciting and meaningful ways.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, your support is giving my students opportunities to believe in their ideas and see their creativity come to life. They will now be able to design lasting projects that connect science, math, literacy, and innovation while building critical thinking, perseverance, and collaboration skills that will benefit them far beyond the classroom.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in my students' future and for helping create a learning environment where they can dream big, create with purpose, and grow into confident innovators. Your generosity will make a lasting impact on their educational journey for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1778005288793,"projectUrl":"project/from-design-to-reality-building-an-adva/10157007/","projectTitle":"From Design to Reality: Building an Advanced STEAM Fabrication Lab","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":10130285,"letterContent":"I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous support of this project. Your contribution has already begun transforming the way my students think about empathy, kindness, and their ability to positively impact others. With the new resources, we have been engaging in meaningful discussions around real-life situations where individuals face challenges such as illness, loss, and bullying. Students are actively using empathy journals to reflect on emotions, identify needs, and consider thoughtful, compassionate responses. One of the most powerful moments so far has been watching students naturally move from awareness to action, independently suggesting ways they could support others beyond the classroom.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the materials, their excitement was immediate and genuine. They were especially inspired by the hands-on creative components and eager to learn how they could design items that would be shared within our school community. The idea that their work could uplift and encourage someone else gave them a deep sense of purpose and pride. Many students shared that they had never thought of kindness as something they could \"design\" or \"build,\" and this experience is helping them see themselves as active contributors to a more compassionate school environment.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, students will begin creating their kindness-based projects, including encouragement cards, campaign materials, and 3D-printed tokens of support once all materials are fully implemented. We will also launch our \"Compassion Connection\" activities, where students apply their learning through intentional acts of service and reflection. As we continue, students will evaluate the impact of their actions through reflection journals and feedback, deepening their understanding of how empathy can translate into real-world change for others.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students and for helping make this meaningful work possible.","fullyFundedDate":1773005800680,"projectUrl":"project/cutting-with-compassion-creating-for-a/10130285/","projectTitle":"Cutting with Compassion: Creating for a Cause","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":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"}],"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","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":0,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"15.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":61.4,"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"}