{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Kalihi Waena Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":60.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9531319,"projectId":9904893,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our 4th-grade classroom! State testing can be a daunting milestone for nine and ten-year-olds, but your donation of earbuds, pouches, and writing supplies has fundamentally changed the environment in our room. By providing these materials, you have helped us remove the \"logistical noise\" that often contributes to test anxiety, allowing my students to focus entirely on showing off what they've learned this year.\r\n\r\nYour gift provides more than just the tools for the job—it provides confidence. The earbuds give each student a quiet \"focus bubble,\" while the mesh and clear pouches keep their desks organized and distraction-free. Even the small details, like the pencil dispenser and sharpeners, ensure that a broken lead is just a quick fix rather than a stressful interruption. My students feel truly \"pro\" heading into their exams, knowing they have a high-quality kit designed specifically for their success.","fullyFundedDate":1764674137195,"projectUrl":"project/we-are-organized/9904893/","projectTitle":"We are Organized!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Williams","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9531319_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y1008&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1715041846375","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/akanewilliams"},{"teacherId":8488517,"projectId":10108258,"letterContent":"This project has brought a new level of energy and engagement into our classroom by combining hands-on learning tools with supportive technology. The rollercoaster-building set, in particular, has helped students better understand concepts like motion, force, and problem-solving in a way that feels exciting and tangible. At the same time, classroom technology paired with student headphones allows learners to focus on individualized lessons, listen to instructions at their own pace, and fully engage without distractions. Even something as simple as a new, reliable pencil sharpener has made a difference—students spend less time dealing with broken pencils and more time staying focused on their work.\r\n\r\nStudents are especially excited about the rollercoaster set because it turns learning into an interactive experience where they can design, test, and improve their ideas. It encourages creativity, teamwork, and persistence as they experiment with different builds. The headphones have also been a favorite, giving students a sense of independence when working on computers, whether they are listening to stories, watching instructional videos, or completing digital activities. Together, these tools create an environment where learning feels both fun and accessible.\r\n\r\nSeveral students have truly thrived with these additions. Hands-on learners who may struggle with traditional instruction have found success and confidence through building and experimenting with the rollercoaster materials. Students who are easily distracted benefit greatly from the headphones, which help them stay focused and engaged during computer-based tasks. Even small improvements, like the ease of using a dependable pencil sharpener, have reduced frustration and helped students maintain their momentum throughout the day. Overall, this project has supported a more inclusive and effective learning environment for all of our students.","fullyFundedDate":1771685364459,"projectUrl":"project/hydrated-minds-inspired-classroom/10108258/","projectTitle":"Hydrated Minds & Inspired Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Mitchell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8488517_orig.jpg?crop=1568,1568,x1448,y1971&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1657752327806","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8488517"},{"teacherId":589711,"projectId":10105647,"letterContent":"My students earn kala (Hawaiian word for money) when they complete quality classwork. The classroom store is opened once a week for students to spend their kala. The store opening is always looked forward to by students of this class. However, when students saw the new items that came from this Donors Choose project, they were especially excited. My students are Newcomers to the United States and are in this special class to help accelerate their skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in English. Anything that can help my students navigate their new school system and homesickness is more than welcome!\r\nBesides the incentives that my students can buy by doing good quality classwork, they do not need to bring any supplies to this class. I supply all the notebooks, headphones, pencils, crayons, etc. from Donors Choose project. My students come from low socio-economic households, so getting supplies for school is a hardship. Since every item the students need, I create an equal start for all my students. No one feels bad if they don't have a pencil box full of the stuff they need!","fullyFundedDate":1771634497791,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-stocked-for-learning/10105647/","projectTitle":"Classroom Stocked for Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Charnin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp589711_orig.jpg?crop=320,320,x0,y40&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1659562311524","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/589711"},{"teacherId":8820433,"projectId":10103382,"letterContent":"On behalf of our students and staff, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for your incredibly generous donation of toys, erasers, marbles, and slime. It is no exaggeration to say that these items are currently the most \"high-demand\" treasures in our building!\r\n\r\nBeyond just being fun, your contribution plays a vital role in our positive behavior initiative. At our school, we utilize a \"school money\" system designed to empower students and reinforce the Choose Love Formula. Students earn this currency by demonstrating courage, compassion, forgiveness and gratitude. Additionally, we use this system to build essential life skills by rewarding students for their reliability—simply for showing up to school and being on time.\r\n\r\nWhen our students head to the school store, they aren't just \"buying a toy.\" They are experiencing the tangible result of their hard work and character development. Whether it's a vibrant container of slime or a set of marbles, these items represent a week of showing up, staying focused, and choosing love over conflict.\r\n\r\nThank you for being a partner in our mission to grow not only great students but great humans. Your kindness is a perfect example of the compassion we teach our kids every day.","fullyFundedDate":1771444967349,"projectUrl":"project/hale-kuai-liona-school-store-for-stud/10103382/","projectTitle":"Hale Ku'ai Liona - School Store for Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fukuda","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8820433"},{"teacherId":5633850,"projectId":10103548,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our project, \"Supplies for an Engaging Classroom Setting.\" Your generosity has helped create a more welcoming and organized classroom for my kindergarten students.\r\n\r\nWhen the supplies arrived, the students were excited to see the new materials and eager to start using them. These resources are now part of our daily classroom routines and help students stay engaged and focused during lessons.\r\n\r\nHaving the right supplies available makes a big difference in helping my students feel confident and ready to learn. Your support is helping create a positive learning environment where they can grow and succeed.\r\n\r\nThank you for making a difference in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1772040314819,"projectUrl":"project/supplies-for-an-engaging-classroom-setti/10103548/","projectTitle":"Supplies for an Engaging Classroom Setting","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ramilla","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5633850_orig.jpg?crop=1124,1125,x0,y202&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1627545885153","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/wivinia-ramilla"},{"teacherId":7931620,"projectId":9772251,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations to our classroom. The new books have been a blessing for our class, and I am thrilled to share the impact they have had on my students. Because of you, our reading space has been transformed from a few worn-out titles into a vibrant, exciting \"critical thinking playground. Your donation has also allowed my students to have their own books and home and start to build their own library. Their passion to reading builds as they have more access to high quality texts.","fullyFundedDate":1759455045726,"projectUrl":"project/build-my-students-home-library/9772251/","projectTitle":"Build My Students' Home Library!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kaneshiro","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7931620"},{"teacherId":7575429,"projectId":9673673,"letterContent":"Mahalo - thank you - for generously supporting my second grade students and their love of learning by donating many useful supplies!\r\n\r\nStudents have already been hard at work with their online learning, and the earbuds and headphones have played such a big part in students being able to listen to their lessons online! We appreciate the two types of devices where students are able to choose what works for them - over ear or in ear.\r\n\r\nThe students have also enjoyed the colorful pocket envelopes where they store their school money (lion kala/lion dollars), which they earn from positive behavior and good academics. They love filling their colorful envelopes so they make sure to try their best in class always.\r\n\r\nWe love outdoor learning, and our lessons often have us working with local plants in our second grade garden box. Students were able to mix the vermicomposting product from their worm bin with the coco coir bricks. Everyone is looking forward to seeing the plants flourish and the new seeds sprouting in the future!\r\n\r\nThrough your generous donation, we are able to capture special moments of learning with our cameras and printers! Memories will love on for awhile! This is such a great asset to our class, and we canʻt thank you enough! \r\n\r\nIn addition, all students are loving the snacks! Students choose a day where everyone gets to choose a snack (chips, candies, etc.), and we also have times where students get a snack incentive for good behavior and/or good academic work. Lately, weʻve been having \"Snack Tuesday\" where everyone gets to choose a snack as they make their way to the playground for recess! Itʻs been awesome. \r\n\r\nThank you so much for bringing so much joy and positive experiences to our classroom through the many items you have donated to us. We appreciate you beyond measure. Mahalo again!","fullyFundedDate":1765414021734,"projectUrl":"project/creating-successes-through-hands-on-lear/9673673/","projectTitle":"Creating Successes Through Hands-On Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kuulei","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7575429_orig.jpg?crop=2177,2177,x537,y282&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1646982052679","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7575429"},{"teacherId":7997099,"projectId":10111421,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity. When the supplies for our \"Supplies for Successful Learners\" project arrived, the energy in the room shifted immediately. My students were so excited to see the new resources that will help them stay healthy and organized.\r\n\r\nIn a time when many families and schools are facing financial strain, your support provides more than just physical items—it provides a sense of security and equity. We know that socioeconomic challenges can create barriers to learning; by ensuring every student has what they need, you've helped us reclaim valuable instructional time. Instead of searching for misplaced materials, my students are now spending those extra minutes engaged in their lessons. These supplies will serve our classroom for years to come, and we are truly grateful to be the recipients of your kindness.","fullyFundedDate":1771781408829,"projectUrl":"project/supplies-for-successful-learners/10111421/","projectTitle":"Supplies for Successful Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Chang","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7997099"},{"teacherId":9531319,"projectId":9762263,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my deepest thanks for your incredibly generous donation to our classroom. Because of your support, our students now have the high-quality tools they need to stay focused, organized, and excited about learning.\r\n\r\nYour contributions provided us with:\r\n\r\nInteractive Learning Tools: The Scribbledo individual whiteboards and bulk dry-erase markers will allow for daily \"quick-checks,\" giving every student a voice during lessons.\r\n\r\nMath Mastery: The magnetic fraction tiles and circles are a game-changer for helping our visual learners grasp complex mathematical concepts.\r\n\r\nFocus & Organization: The privacy folders will create a distraction-free environment for independent work, while the 10-tier wall organizer will keep our classroom running smoothly.\r\n\r\nEssential Supplies: With 500 new pencils, stopwatch timers for activities, and printable sticker paper for creative projects, we are fully equipped for a successful year.\r\n\r\nIt is truly heartening to see our community invest in the education and well-being of these students. Your kindness doesn't just provide \"stuff\"—it provides opportunities for growth and a sense of belonging for every child who walks through my door.","fullyFundedDate":1759058112005,"projectUrl":"project/we-are-so-cool-for-school/9762263/","projectTitle":"We Are So Cool for School!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Williams","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9531319_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y1008&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1715041846375","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/akanewilliams"},{"teacherId":7929756,"projectId":9775364,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support! Our students face many challenges and deserve the best. The materials provided through my project will support promoting positive behaviors in our school by encouraging our students to develop successful practices that will make a difference in their lives. \r\n\r\nThe students were SO EXCITED to see the new incentives in our Lion Store. It encouraged students to earn and save their lion kala to be able to earn the new incentives. It may be something small, but I love when a students finds just the right item that brings them joy and pride!","fullyFundedDate":1759430997036,"projectUrl":"project/inspiring-a-brighter-future-for-our-lion/9775364/","projectTitle":"Inspiring a Brighter Future for Our Lions!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lau","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7929756"},{"teacherId":6540988,"projectId":9777394,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity! Because of you, our classroom has been transformed into a dynamic space where every student can find their \"perfect\" way to learn. When the boxes arrived, the energy in the room was electric. My students' eyes lit up as we unpacked the flexible foldable seats and lap desks, and there were cheers for the \"fun\" additions like the magnet toys and ball coordination catching cups. Even the essential supplies, like the whiteboard cleaning spray and hot glue gun refills, were celebrated because the students realized they finally had the professional tools needed to be true creators. One student even looked at the new setup and said, \"It feels like we're in a real office now where we can actually get things done.\"\r\n\r\nA specific moment that stands out happened during our small group instruction sessions this week. Instead of struggling to find a quiet space, students grabbed their foldable seats and lap desks to create a comfortable, focused circle on the rug. We used the desk dividers to help those working independently stay in the zone, while the group at the table used their dry erase boards to map out story structures. During our break, we took the ball coordination catching cups outdoors, which created a wonderful opportunity for my students to interact with peers from other classes. It was heartwarming to see students from different grade levels laughing and playing together as they shared the new equipment. We capped off the session by using the vocabulary sort cards to categorize new words we discovered, fueled by a well-deserved round of cookies and snacks.\r\n\r\nYour contribution provided a wonderful peek into our classroom, and we are now looking forward to using these resources to bridge into future fourth grade concepts. We are beginning to plan science and social studies lessons where students will use these supplies to explore complex ideas like animal adaptations, different types of energy, and the history of Hawaiian government and the land. By using our new materials to analyze historical texts and diagram scientific cycles, my students are already building the advanced thinking skills they will need next year. Thank you for believing in our classroom and giving my students the freedom to learn in ways that truly work for them.","fullyFundedDate":1759461282904,"projectUrl":"project/literacy-flexibility-and-focus-transf/9777394/","projectTitle":"Literacy, Flexibility, and Focus: Transforming the Classroom With Essential Resources","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ramos","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6540988"},{"teacherId":5633850,"projectId":9773390,"letterContent":"The influence of \"Ready to Learn\" was immediate and practical. When the boxes came, my Kindergarteners were overjoyed to see the National Geographic animal books and couldn't wait to \"read\" about their favorite animals. We're now using dry erase sleeves as simple writing stations, with students sliding in paper to practice tracing letters, writing animal words, and constructing their first sentences. Having their own pencil cases has also given students a strong sense of responsibility, as they organize their own markers and instruments. The next step is for each student to practice writing a whole sentence about an animal they've studied to share with the class.","fullyFundedDate":1759463238460,"projectUrl":"project/ready-to-learn-supplies-to-spark-engage/9773390/","projectTitle":"Ready to Learn: Supplies to Spark Engagement and Joy","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ramilla","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5633850_orig.jpg?crop=1124,1125,x0,y202&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1627545885153","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/wivinia-ramilla"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_50845","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":432,"numTeachers":35,"percentFrplEligible":68,"percentAsian":42,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":4,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"12.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":39.4,"schoolId":50845,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Kalihi Waena Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Kalihi Waena Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/honolulu-school-district/kalihi-waena-elementary-school/50845"}