{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":46.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8826146,"projectId":10017214,"letterContent":"Mahalo for all of your generous donations for our students here in my classroom. Giving students the ability to pick up supplies when they need them without having to be embarrassed or ask for basic things like pencils, gives them the confidence to know that they an set themselves up for success.\r\n\r\nWhen students come into 6th grade they are just learning to carry all their supplies with them, use lockers, and are asked to provide things like pencils and notebooks to certain classes that need them. Being able to have a bank of these things for students to pick up when necessary gives them the ability to be just like their friends, not feel shame, and learn that people believe in them past their financial status. \r\n\r\nThank you again for supporting our students. We know they are going to change the world someday, and my job here is to make sure they also know and believe that. You have given them the stepping stones to reach higher!","fullyFundedDate":1777829839895,"projectUrl":"project/help-me-give-my-students-basic-supplies/10017214/","projectTitle":"Help Me Give My Students Basic Supplies","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":3167239,"projectId":10104151,"letterContent":"My classroom space is beginning the year refreshed as a result of your generous donations. I was able to revamp the classroom library space with the neon sign spreading a positive message to my students of \"you are amazing.\" I have also hung fairy lights that have further enhanced the mood of the reading space. Everyone who has seen the new space speaks of the calming and welcoming environment that has been created.\r\n\r\nI also am eager to begin using the classroom art supplies to enhance the reading and writing assignments throughout the upcoming school year. On the first day, the new colorful pens and markers will be put to good use by parents and students to write letters of inspiration and construct a wall of encouraging words. This would not have been made possible without your kind assistance.","fullyFundedDate":1778296319756,"projectUrl":"project/art-literacy/10104151/","projectTitle":"Art & Literacy","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":8826146,"projectId":10097974,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the resources you have provided for my students to help them feel safe in the classroom. \r\nMany of my students need not only academic support but emotional as well, and I have found that before they can open up, they have to learn to trust me, trust the space, and let themselves be vulnerable. The weighted blankets, beanbags, and lap pads give them an extra layer of comfort while embarking on their adventure with me. \r\nMy students have amazing futures. You have helped them see that we believe in them!","fullyFundedDate":1776971328605,"projectUrl":"project/help-my-sensory-students-feel-safe/10097974/","projectTitle":"Help My Sensory Students Feel Safe","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":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://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8823807_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1785130392096","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://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8823807_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1785130392096","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"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_69801","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":824,"numTeachers":62,"percentFrplEligible":51,"percentAsian":26,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":8,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":19,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":19,"percentMultiracialImputed":26,"gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"13.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"TOWN_REMOTE"},"inStateSupporters":54.0,"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"}