{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":46.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7500797,"projectId":10116201,"letterContent":"I wish you could step into our classroom for just five minutes to see the incredible impact your generosity has provided. Thanks to your support, our room now has more options for our students to stay regulated, and help them have a better place for learning, focus, and growth. Also, we can now provide these options to more students:\r\n\r\nThe Noise-Canceling Headphones have become a vital \"quiet oasis.\" Students who used to experience anxiety or sensory overload from the standard classroom hum can now slip these on and instantly find their focus. It has given them a profound sense of control over their environment. They also like taking them with them to other classrooms or whole school activities where the intensity of the sensory impact is often greater. We have also had other teachers ask to borrow the headphones for their students. \r\n\r\nThe Wobbly Stools are an absolute game-changer for our students who need to move to think. They can now get the sensory input their bodies crave through \"active sitting,\" allowing them to stay engaged and safe at their desks during lessons. Our students enjoy these stools so much that sometimes there is a \"fight\" for who can sit on them. So these stools have also helped our students practice sharing and compromising. \r\n\r\nThe Ergonomic Chairs have provided the physical stability and comfort our students desperately needed. Physical discomfort is no longer a barrier, clearing the way for so many beautiful \"Aha!\" moments.\r\n\r\n\"When a student feels regulated and safe, they stop surviving the school day and start thriving.\"\r\n\r\nBy funding this project, you didn't just buy furniture and headphones—you gave these resilient middle schoolers agency. You sent a clear, powerful message to our students that their comfort matters, their unique needs are valid, and their community believes in them.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping us create a learning space that respects their neurological blueprints and feels like home. We are profoundly grateful for your kindness.\r\n\r\nMahalo Nui Loa (Thank you very much)!","fullyFundedDate":1773025099474,"projectUrl":"project/tools-for-sensory-needs/10116201/","projectTitle":"Tools for Sensory Needs","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fretto","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7500797"},{"teacherId":9696602,"projectId":10111316,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for bringing this awesome technology into our classroom! Your generous donation of a new 3D printer and all that colorful filament has created a fun and hands-on element to my computer science class on Kauai.. You should have seen the kids the day we unboxed it—the energy in our middle school computer science lab was just off the charts. Even my quietest students were crowding around the machine, totally mind-blown that the stuff they were designing on their screens could actually come to life right in front of them. You didn't just buy us a piece of equipment; you gave these kids a real, hands-on way to see what engineering is all about.\r\nThe difference this has made in my teaching is huge. Instead of just talking about abstract coding and 3D modeling, my students are actually making things—testing out their ideas, figuring out what went wrong, and getting to physically hold their hard work in their hands. Whether they're printing out custom game pieces, trying to build solutions for everyday problems, or just making something cool, they're learning that a messed-up design is just a chance to try again and make it better. Your amazing support turned our classroom from a place where we just talk about technology into a space where we actively create it. Thank you so much for believing in our keiki and giving them such a fun way to learn!","fullyFundedDate":1771780201823,"projectUrl":"project/3-d-for-computer-science/10111316/","projectTitle":"3-D for Computer Science","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Whetsell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9696602"},{"teacherId":9787356,"projectId":10106771,"letterContent":"Our classroom has been transformed into a more engaging, student-centered learning environment thanks to the generous support of our donors for the \"Flexible Seating & Hands-On Creativity for Student Engagement\" project. The new resources have allowed my students to work more comfortably, collaborate more effectively, and stay focused during lessons and activities.\r\n\r\nOne memorable moment happened during a science group activity where students were designing simple models and sharing ideas with their classmates. Instead of remaining in traditional desk rows, students naturally moved into collaborative groups using the flexible seating options. I noticed even my quieter students becoming more involved in discussions, asking questions, and confidently participating. The hands-on materials also encouraged creativity and problem-solving, making learning feel exciting and interactive rather than routine.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, their excitement was immediate. Many students smiled, cheered, and eagerly asked when they could start using them. Some students who normally struggle with staying attentive were especially excited about having seating choices that helped them feel more comfortable and focused. They truly felt that the classroom was designed with their needs in mind.\r\n\r\nThese resources continue to support our daily lessons in science and collaborative learning activities. Our next steps include using the flexible seating and creative materials for more project-based learning opportunities, student presentations, and interactive STEM activities. Students are becoming more independent learners, better collaborators, and more confident in expressing their ideas. Your generosity has not only provided materials—it has helped create a classroom atmosphere where students feel motivated, valued, and excited to learn every day.","fullyFundedDate":1771625252730,"projectUrl":"project/flexible-seating-hands-on-creativity-f/10106771/","projectTitle":"Flexible Seating & Hands-On Creativity for Student Engagement","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Pastor","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9787356_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y967&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1728953977492","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9787356"},{"teacherId":3533555,"projectId":10092980,"letterContent":"Thank you. Because of your generosity, our middle school STEM lab has officially jumped from 2D planning to 3D reality. The impact of the 3Doodlers and filaments you provided goes far beyond just adding a cool new tool to our shelves—it has completely transformed how our students approach problem-solving, engineering, and spatial design.\r\n\r\nBringing Concepts to Life: Calculating and Creating\r\nWe are using the 3Doodlers to bridge the gap between flat coordinate planes and physical spatial geometry. In middle school, transitioning from two-dimensional area to three-dimensional volume is a notoriously difficult conceptual leap. These pens have become the ultimate manipulative tool.\r\n\r\nThank You for Investing in Our Future Innovators\r\nBy contributing to this project, you didn't just buy plastic and heating elements; you funded a hands-on environment where math is the language and STEM is the application. You gave our students permission to calculate, design, and build in three dimensions, and for that, we are incredibly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1778296319257,"projectUrl":"project/lets-doodle-with-3d-doodler/10092980/","projectTitle":"Let's Doodle with 3D Doodler","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. H","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3533555_orig.jpg?crop=225,225,x73,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1741806957030","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/misterhscigui"},{"teacherId":9343605,"projectId":10104747,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredibly generous donation of the iPad, cleaning supplies, and everyday program essentials. The iPad has already become an absolute game-changer for our daily operations, allowing us to streamline student check-ins, manage attendance in real time, and communicate instantly with parents.\r\n\r\nEqually vital are the cleaning and basic everyday supplies, which keep our environment safe, organized, and fully functional. Having a steady stock of sanitizing products ensures we can maintain a healthy space for the kids to learn and play, while the daily essentials mean no activity is cut short for lack of materials. Your thoughtfulness has not only made our after-school program run significantly smoother, but it has also directly enhanced the daily experience for every child who walks through our doors. We are profoundly grateful for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1771526399064,"projectUrl":"project/keeping-our-afterschool-clean-equipped/10104747/","projectTitle":"Keeping Our Afterschool Clean, Equipped, and Connected","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bragg","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9343605"},{"teacherId":8823807,"projectId":10104211,"letterContent":"These resources have allowed me to create a classroom environment that is both technologically advanced and supportive of our students' basic needs.\r\n\r\nThe 3Doodler EDU Start+ kits have been a transformative addition to our curriculum. We recently utilized these pens to allow students to bring their designs to life by creating 3D robots. This hands-on experience bridged the gap between abstract geometric concepts and physical engineering, allowing students to see the immediate results of their spatial reasoning and design work.\r\n\r\nThe 16-inch digital wall clock has been a game-changer for our daily flow. By having a large, clear timer visible to everyone, I am no longer forced to use a portion of the digital whiteboard for a clock. This frees up the entire board to display pertinent lesson information, formulas, and instructional diagrams, ensuring that students have constant access to the visual aids they need while still staying on track with their pacing.\r\n\r\nThe enhancements to our classroom aquarium have created a thriving, peaceful focal point in the room. The students enjoy watching the fish, which serves as a vital \"brain break\" and helps reduce anxiety during challenging lessons. Additionally, the variety of snacks has served as a powerful motivator, rewarding hard work and ensuring that hunger never stands in the way of a student's ability to concentrate.\r\n\r\nFinally, providing personal care items like toothbrushes, lip balm, and lotion ensures that every student feels prepared and comfortable. By meeting these basic needs within the classroom, we remove potential distractions and foster a sense of community where every child feels cared for as an individual.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our 8th-grade classroom. These supplies do more than fill shelves; they build a foundation for success and a love for learning.","fullyFundedDate":1771527951593,"projectUrl":"project/create-hydrate-and-learn/10104211/","projectTitle":"Create, Hydrate, and Learn","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Madruga","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8823807"},{"teacherId":8823807,"projectId":10032735,"letterContent":"These supplies are more than just functional items; they are essential tools that directly contribute to a more focused, efficient, and inclusive learning environment for my students.\r\n\r\nThe bulk aluminum water bottles have become a cornerstone of our classroom management. By providing students with the opportunity to have a high-quality, reusable bottle labeled with their name, we have significantly reduced the frequency of students needing to leave the room for water fountain breaks. This keeps students in their seats during critical instruction, maximizing our \"time on task\" and ensuring that fewer students miss out on key mathematical concepts. The students take great pride in having their own dedicated bottle stored in the classroom.\r\n\r\nThe \"Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down\" voting paddles have transformed our daily check-ins. These tools allow for immediate, non-verbal formative assessment. I can quickly scan the room to gauge the entire class's understanding of a concept, ensuring that no student's confusion goes unnoticed. This creates a safe space for students to participate without the pressure of speaking aloud, increasing overall engagement.\r\n\r\nThe inclusion of personal care items, such as the travel-sized lotions and detangling brushes, allows us to address the \"whole child.\" When students feel comfortable and cared for, they are better able to focus on their academic work. Having these supplies readily available ensures that minor physical distractions don't become barriers to their learning.\r\n\r\nThese items foster a sense of belonging and provide my students with the dignity and resources they need to succeed. Thank you for your continued support of our 8th-grade classroom and for investing in the daily success of our students.","fullyFundedDate":1776098551265,"projectUrl":"project/hydrated-healthy-and-ready-to-learn/10032735/","projectTitle":"Hydrated, Healthy, and Ready to Learn!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Madruga","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8823807"},{"teacherId":9428763,"projectId":10103138,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our project, \"Help Us Stay Focused, Healthy, and Equipped for Success.\" Your generosity has made a meaningful difference in our classroom every single day.\r\n\r\nSince receiving these resources, my students have been able to stay more focused, comfortable, and engaged in their learning. The snacks have been especially impactful—students are able to grab something when they need it, which has helped improve concentration and reduce distractions. I've also used the snacks as positive incentives, and it has been amazing to see how motivated students are to stay on task and make good choices. One memorable moment was during a recent lesson when students were working independently on a challenging activity; having both the incentive and the ability to stay focused made a noticeable difference in their perseverance and confidence.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, my students were genuinely excited and grateful. They immediately noticed the difference—not just in having snacks available, but also in how clean and organized our classroom felt with the new supplies. It created a sense of pride and ownership in our space, and students have been more mindful about keeping it that way.\r\n\r\nThe classroom technology tools have also made instruction smoother and more efficient. Transitions between activities are quicker, and I'm able to present lessons more clearly, which keeps students engaged and maximizes our learning time.\r\n\r\nAs we move forward, my students are continuing to build on these positive routines. We are currently working on strengthening independent learning skills and goal-setting, and these resources are helping support that growth. Students are more motivated, more focused, and more confident in their ability to succeed.\r\n\r\nThank you again for investing in my students and helping create a classroom environment where they feel supported, prepared, and ready to learn. Your kindness truly makes a difference!","fullyFundedDate":1771604515305,"projectUrl":"project/help-us-stay-focused-healthy-and-equip/10103138/","projectTitle":"Help Us Stay Focused, Healthy, and Equipped for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Avila","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9428763_orig.jpg?crop=959,959,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1704934430354","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9428763"},{"teacherId":3167239,"projectId":10103370,"letterContent":"My students have been enjoying the nutritious snacks so generously donated. The snacks have served as wonderful motivation when completing learning tasks. Students who often come to school without snacks at recess time have also benefitted. \r\n\r\nIn the past, students would often struggle to learn when hunger was on their mind. It became a barrier to their learning. Thankfully, with the help of you all, this hasn't been the case this school year. It has been a wonderful thing to witness. \r\n\r\nThank you so much for all the love shown to my students.","fullyFundedDate":1771440088582,"projectUrl":"project/brain-fuel/10103370/","projectTitle":"Brain Fuel","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Motosue","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3167239_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y645&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1709064485208","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3167239"},{"teacherId":2681562,"projectId":10106267,"letterContent":"These items have been great for helping my students and I with a few projects, and they will continue to impact us positively in the years to come! While we haven't had a chance to use the vertical whiteboard to its full potential yet, the paper cutter has been busy creating the covers and labels for multiple projects. Our school recently opened a time capsule that was buried 25 years ago and we used the paper cutter to make all of the display signage, which wouldn't have looked as nice if we had to cut it by hand. Eventually, the whiteboard will be used to implement strategies from Building Thinking Classrooms, which is an instructional approach that our school is adopting next year for all core classes.\r\n\r\nThe plastic drawers and bins have also been really crucial to us all getting more organized! Our pens, colored pencils, scissors, highlighters, and glue sticks all have their own designated drawer now, clearly labeled (thanks paper cutter) so that materials are more likely to make it back to where they came from.\r\n\r\nMahalo nui loa!","fullyFundedDate":1771634838803,"projectUrl":"project/smooth-transitions-into-a-welcoming-spac/10106267/","projectTitle":"Smooth Transitions into a Welcoming Space","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kern","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2681562_orig.jpg?crop=966,966,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1598747122906","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2681562"},{"teacherId":8826146,"projectId":10103588,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping and understanding that my students start to learn when their emotional needs are met. The weighted blankets, lap pads, rewards, and items just to give them an area to call their own is the first step to opening the world for our keiki and you have done that by supporting them and giving them these supplies. \r\nMy students are brilliant, creative, and will be the leaders of the world someday, and it begins here, on our tiny little island. You have impacted their lives in ways they don't even understand yet, but their paths are brighter because of you.","fullyFundedDate":1771439363418,"projectUrl":"project/help-my-sensory-students-feel-safe-while/10103588/","projectTitle":"Help My Sensory Students Feel Safe While They Learn","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Abe","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8826146_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1738051421736","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8826146"},{"teacherId":7497531,"projectId":10105943,"letterContent":"​On behalf of my 8th grade students at at Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School, I am writing to express our sincere gratitude for your generous donation of the rolling business chairs for our 8th-grade inclusion classroom.\r\n\r\n​In an inclusion setting, creating an environment that supports diverse learning needs is vital. These chairs provide the ergonomic comfort and stability my students need to maintain focus during collaborative lessons and independent work. By ensuring that every student has a supportive seat, you helped us foster a classroom culture where everyone feels comfortable, ready to participate, and empowered to do their best work.\r\n\r\n​When all of the boxes of rolling chairs arrived in our classroom, my students were shocked! I explained to them that after writing an essay request for the chairs, generous donors wanted to help us out. Not only did this show my students that our community supports their learning, but it also showed them that writing is a practical skill not just used at school, but also in everyday life.\r\n\r\nSince we now have an entire classroom in which every student can sit in a comfortable, rolling business chair, I plan to hold Socratic Seminars about our current novel, Maus, which is a true story about a Holocaust survivor, written in graphic novel form. The Socratic Seminars will help students make connections to current world events and show them how they can become responsible voters in the future. Your business chairs will help to foster a classroom environment in which we can hold these deep and meaningful conversations. Mahalo again for your donation!","fullyFundedDate":1771620222523,"projectUrl":"project/building-a-comfortable-learning-environm/10105943/","projectTitle":"Building a Comfortable Learning Environment","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Goodrich","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7497531_orig.jpg?crop=1121,1121,x0,y44&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1627981911775","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7497531"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_69801","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":826,"numTeachers":62,"percentFrplEligible":48,"percentAsian":25,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":7,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":20,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":19,"percentMultiracialImputed":25,"gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"13.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"TOWN_REMOTE"},"inStateSupporters":53.8,"schoolId":69801,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/kapaa-kauai-waimea-school-district/chiefess-kamakahelei-mid-school/69801"}