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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Gross from Waipahu, HI is requesting books through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Gross is requesting

Connecting Hearts and Cultures: Empowering Students Through Books

Help me give my students a collection of engaging books focused on social-emotional learning and diverse cultures to help them understand themselves, connect with others, and see the richness of our world.

  • $979 goal

This project expired on August 6, 2025.

This project expired on August 6, 2025.

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

Celebrate Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.

My Project

My students at our Elementary are truly remarkable, brimming with curiosity and open hearts. Growing up in our vibrant, diverse Waipahu community fuels their natural interest in different cultures. I aim to nurture these qualities through this project.

The social-emotional learning books will be invaluable tools, offering a safe space for students to explore their emotions.

Imagine a child finding a story that helps them manage frustration or a lonely student connecting with a character who discovers friendship. These books will teach them the language of emotions, fostering self-awareness, resilience, kindness, and peaceful conflict resolution, leading to healthier relationships.

The diverse culture books will serve as both windows and mirrors. Students seeing their own cultures reflected will feel affirmed and a sense of belonging. For others, these books will open new worlds, building empathy and understanding for different backgrounds and traditions. They'll learn to appreciate the richness of human diversity, challenge stereotypes, and become global citizens. Reading about varied families and celebrations will deepen their understanding of our interconnected world and the value of every individual.

Ultimately, these resources will empower my Honowai students to become compassionate, empathetic, and culturally aware individuals, ready to thrive in our diverse world by connecting with their own hearts and the hearts of others.

Mrs. Gross Honowai Elementary School Grades 3-5

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Waipahu, HI View local requests

More than half of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

612 students impacted

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Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Mrs. Gross is requesting.

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TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
6 Book Set: Lee & Low PRETEEN Mental Health Bundle #2 (ages 8-12) YA Books for Classroom Library - social emotional learning • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $90.00 1 $90.00
Kaplan Early Learning Explore Your World: Multicultural Foods Books - Set of 4 • Kaplan Early Learning Company $71.96 1 $71.96
4 Book Set: Graphic Novels #6 - Underrepresented Stories in Sports (paperback, ages 8-12) Swim Team, Gamerville, Hoops, Change the Game • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $62.00 1 $62.00
3 Book Set: Native American Stories - Bowwow Powwow, Fry Bread, Remember (hardcover picture books) • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $60.00 1 $60.00
Kaplan Early Learning Spread Kindness Books - Set of 4 • Kaplan Early Learning Company $55.76 1 $55.76
3 Book Set: 2024 Award Winners - The First State of Being, Mid-Air, Wild Dreamers (3 hardcover fiction stories from underrepresented authors) • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $52.00 1 $52.00
3 Book Set: PRIDE VOICES Bundle: Calvin, Stella Brings the Family, Love, Violet (hardcover picture books, underrepresented authors) • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $48.00 1 $48.00
3 Book Set: LATINO VOICES Bundle: Alma,Growing An Artist,Julián Is a Mermaid (hardcover picture books,underrepresented authors) • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $48.00 1 $48.00
3 Book Set: GRIEF Bundle: One Wave at a Time, Still Mine, Saturdays Are for Stella (hardcover picture books, compassion social emotional learning) • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $48.00 1 $48.00
3 Book Set: Let's Talk About Race Bundle: I Am Golden, The Talk, Marisol Doesn't Match (hardcover picture books, underrepresented voices) • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $48.00 1 $48.00
Capstone Press First Manners Board Books - Set of 4 Engaging Children's Books for Toddlers - Teaching Social Skills, Sharing, and Politeness • Kaplan Early Learning Company $28.76 1 $28.76

Materials cost

$612.48

Vendor shipping charges

 $153.12

Sales tax

 $26.95

3rd party payment processing fee

$9.19

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$831.74

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$146.78

Total project goal

$978.52

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Gross and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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