{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Makaha Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":77.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":11950,"projectId":10307480,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping fill our classroom with supplies that have truly become part of our everyday learning! It has been so exciting to see these materials being used day after day and to know that they were made possible because of your generosity.\r\n\r\nOur writing paper, pencils, and pencil boxes have especially been put to good use! Every day, little hands are reaching for their pencils and getting ready to write. We are practicing everything from forming letters and stretching out sounds to writing words and beginning sentences. The pencil boxes have given each student a special place to keep their supplies organized and ready to go. These are the kinds of materials that may seem simple, but in our classroom, they are used constantly and make such a difference in keeping our students ready and excited to learn.\r\n\r\nWe have also found so many uses for the Velcro dots! Our walls and learning spaces are filled with resources students can look to when they need a little reminder or extra help. Our classroom rules, anchor charts, Secret Stories, and other important visuals are now right where students can see and use them throughout the day.\r\n\r\nThe plastic envelopes have been another classroom lifesaver! They keep our practice activities and center materials together, organized, and easy to grab. Instead of missing pieces and mixed-up materials, we can pull out what we need and jump right into learning.\r\n\r\nYour support has helped us create a classroom that is organized, inviting, and filled with materials that students are actually using every single day. There is something very special about watching students proudly open their pencil boxes, grab their writing paper, and get to work. Thank you for being a part of those everyday moments and for helping give my students the tools they need to learn and grow. We are so grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1780683858481,"projectUrl":"project/essential-tools-for-first-grade-success/10307480/","projectTitle":"Essential Tools for First Grade Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dennis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp11950_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1524112795646","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/sarah-dennis"},{"teacherId":11950,"projectId":10327866,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and providing us with new hands-on materials for reading instruction! These resources have been a wonderful addition to our small-group lessons and give my students more engaging ways to practice the foundational skills they need to become successful readers.\r\n\r\nThe magnetic letters, activity trays, and Elkonin box boards allow students to physically build, map, and manipulate words as they work with sounds and letters. Instead of only completing a worksheet, students can touch and move the letters as they practice segmenting sounds, blending, and spelling words. The finger reading pointers have also been helpful for teaching students to track print and focus on each letter or word as they read.\r\n\r\nThese materials are especially valuable because they can be used again and again as students develop new skills. They help make our reading lessons interactive, engaging, and accessible while giving students the repeated practice they need to grow.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in my students and helping provide the tools they need to build strong reading foundations. We are so grateful for your generosity and support!","fullyFundedDate":1781198689367,"projectUrl":"project/magnetic-minds-reading-finds/10327866/","projectTitle":"Magnetic Minds, Reading Finds","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dennis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp11950_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1524112795646","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/sarah-dennis"},{"teacherId":11950,"projectId":10302077,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom and helping provide my students with sensory and calming tools! Your generosity has helped create a space where my students can take a break, regulate their emotions, and prepare their bodies and minds to return to learning.\r\n\r\nThe sensory spinning chair has quickly become a favorite. My students enjoy using it when they need to release extra energy or calm their bodies. Having an appropriate way to meet their sensory needs has made our calming corner a more useful and supportive space. After a short break, students are better able to return to class activities feeling more regulated and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nThe mindful maze boards are another wonderful addition. They give students a quiet, hands-on way to slow down, focus, and practice calming strategies. Even the whiteboard eraser helps us keep our classroom materials organized and ready for all of the learning we do each day.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in my students and recognizing that children sometimes need more than pencils and paper to be successful at school. These tools are helping my students learn important self-regulation skills while giving them the support they need to get back to learning.\r\n\r\nWe are incredibly grateful for your kindness and support of our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1780442432537,"projectUrl":"project/creating-a-supportive-classroom-environm/10302077/","projectTitle":"Creating a Supportive Classroom Environment","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dennis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp11950_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1524112795646","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/sarah-dennis"},{"teacherId":11950,"projectId":10307236,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the wonderful Ninja books and sensory materials for our classroom! These resources are already helping us start the school year on the right track. \r\n\r\nAs we settle back into our routines, we are relearning and practicing important skills from kindergarten while also building new skills that we have not yet mastered.\r\n\r\nWe started with Patient Ninja to practice waiting our turn on the carpet and while playing with friends. We also read Impulsive Ninja and talked about ways we can slow down, think, and make good choices. We are so excited to read the rest of the books, meet all of the different Ninjas, and even create our own Ninja characters to help us remember the skills we are learning. We talk about practicing these skills as a way to build our \"muscles\"—the more we practice, the stronger those skills become!\r\n\r\nThe sensory mats and mazes have also been a huge help during these first few weeks of school. They give students a quiet, hands-on way to calm their bodies and emotions so they can get ready to learn again.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping us build a classroom full of Patient Ninjas, Calm Ninjas, and growing learners! Your support is giving our students fun and meaningful tools that we will be able to use all year long.","fullyFundedDate":1780257360017,"projectUrl":"project/ninja-skills-for-big-feelings/10307236/","projectTitle":"Ninja Skills for Big Feelings","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dennis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp11950_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1524112795646","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/sarah-dennis"},{"teacherId":5798797,"projectId":10117319,"letterContent":"Although summer is over, the temperatures here in Makaha are still scorching! THe students, the other adults, and I are ever grateful for the access you have provided us with. We have used the water cooler to fill our water bottles and stay hydrated. We have filled our cup of noodles with hot water fro the very same cooler. We can not thank you enough for helping our learning by staying hydrated and being able to have a full belly at the same time! Please continue to support our education and this community through your donations.","fullyFundedDate":1777979442992,"projectUrl":"project/water-the-flowers-and-by-flowers-i-mea/10117319/","projectTitle":"Water the Flowers (and by Flowers, I Mean my Students!)","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. KAAI","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5798797_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1535528271741","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kanoelaniart"},{"teacherId":2091703,"projectId":10250918,"letterContent":"This year was really rough for our fifth graders. I only saw each class once every two weeks, so we really needed to go slow to go fast. It's crazy to think that although many of our students have been together since preschool or kindergarten, the chemistry of a class can change dramatically depending on which students are put together and the temperature of their homeroom class.\r\n\r\nI was lucky to collaborate with the fifth grade team all year to ensure our students had the best STEAM experience possible. Their end of the year celebration turned out to be amazing and they really appreciated the STEAM activities we created for them with your help. Everyone loved creating their own keychains, designing their own lip balm labels, and creating their own summer survival kits.\r\n\r\nThank you for making this possible!","fullyFundedDate":1777993777867,"projectUrl":"project/celebrating-a-job-well-done/10250918/","projectTitle":"Celebrating a Job Well Done","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Mishima-Donahue","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2091703_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1458188707987","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-mishimadonahue"},{"teacherId":2091703,"projectId":10213491,"letterContent":"This was such a fun project. I'm my school's STEAM teacher and CTE coordinator. Each summer I teach an entrepreneurial class because my students love to make things, so I wanted to add economics and financial literacy to what they already love doing. I decided to do this project as a two fold. One to experiment to see if students could actually make edible art using the design process, and also to showcase what our students are capable of IF they were capable.\r\n\r\nMy students had so much fun making the chocolate covered Oreos, and we tried different ways of adding the edible paper to the cookies to find the best way to adhere it. \r\n\r\nI can't wait to continue to use these printers during the school year for my students to continue to showcase their talents!","fullyFundedDate":1777042844943,"projectUrl":"project/edible-art-and-achievements/10213491/","projectTitle":"Edible Art and Achievements","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Mishima-Donahue","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2091703_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1458188707987","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-mishimadonahue"},{"teacherId":2091703,"projectId":10180972,"letterContent":"I'm not gonna lie when I say that hydroponics takes practice. My class and I had a great idea, threw a cart together, and wrote up a project. We were so excited to grow our plants in our hydroponics system.\r\n\r\nWe learned a very valuable lesson. When trying new things, it's very important to research before doing. This is all part of the engineering design process though, so what did we do when our lilikoi (passion fruit) failed to grow? Research how to use a hydroponics system.\r\n\r\nEven as a teacher, sometimes I get so excited with student ideas, that I forget to do my due diligence to do research, but it makes for more authentic learning for them when we need to learn from our mistakes together.\r\n\r\nThank you for this opportunity for me to teach my students that when brainstorming, research is key, AND adults, and teachers don't know everything. Haha!","fullyFundedDate":1776107493101,"projectUrl":"project/farm-to-table-sustainability/10180972/","projectTitle":"Farm to Table Sustainability","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Mishima-Donahue","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2091703_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1458188707987","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-mishimadonahue"},{"teacherId":2933139,"projectId":10193820,"letterContent":"Using the sublimation supplies, shirts, tote bags, keychains, and pouches, students are creating gifts with positive sayings to share with classmates, teachers, families, and community members. This project has sparked meaningful conversations about empathy, respect, and the impact of small acts of kindness. It has been wonderful to see students encouraging one another and taking pride in creating something that spreads joy.\r\n\r\nOur next step is to share our kindness creations at school. \r\n\r\nThank you for helping our students learn that kindness is something we can create,","fullyFundedDate":1778102398900,"projectUrl":"project/kindness-is-the-way/10193820/","projectTitle":"Kindness Is the Way","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gumm","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2933139_orig.jpg?crop=1008,1008,x0,y73&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1624006146257","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2933139"},{"teacherId":10050134,"projectId":10021532,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our kindergarten classroom is more excited than ever about reading. When the new books arrived, students were immediately eager to explore them. They gathered around, flipped through the pages, and excitedly asked to read the stories together. It was a joyful moment that showed how powerful new books can be for young learners.\r\n\r\nWe are now using these books every day during read-alouds, small groups, and independent reading time. Students are practicing early literacy skills like letter recognition, vocabulary, listening, and understanding stories. Many students are now more confident and eager to participate, and several are beginning to see themselves as real readers.\r\n\r\nOne special moment has been watching students \"read\" favorite books to a partner using the pictures to retell the story. This shows their growing confidence and understanding.\r\n\r\nWe will continue using these books to build early reading and writing skills through storytelling, drawing, and class-made books. Your support has helped create excitement around reading and given my students a strong start as lifelong learners.","fullyFundedDate":1771439376250,"projectUrl":"project/opening-doors-through-books/10021532/","projectTitle":"Opening Doors Through Books","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. V","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10050134_orig.jpg?crop=1758,1758,x60,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1749090252836","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10050134"},{"teacherId":10050134,"projectId":10086180,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our students were able to turn compassion into action by assembling snack bags for members of our local homeless community. Receiving these supplies was an exciting moment in our classroom. Students eagerly sorted, counted, and packed the snacks while talking about how something as simple as a granola bar or package of crackers could brighten someone's day.\r\n\r\nAs we worked together, students practiced teamwork, organization, and responsibility while learning about empathy and the importance of serving others. One of the most meaningful moments came when students added encouraging notes to the bags and shared that they hoped each recipient would feel cared for and remembered. They took great pride in knowing their efforts would make a real difference in someone else's life.\r\n\r\nThis project has inspired our class to continue looking for ways to support our community. Our next steps include reflecting on the experience through writing activities, discussing how small acts of kindness can create positive change, and planning future service-learning opportunities. Your generosity not only helped provide food to those in need but also gave our students a powerful lesson in kindness, compassion, and civic responsibility. Thank you for helping us show our students that they truly have the power to make a difference.","fullyFundedDate":1770666418995,"projectUrl":"project/feeding-our-community/10086180/","projectTitle":"Feeding Our Community","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. V","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10050134_orig.jpg?crop=1758,1758,x60,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1749090252836","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10050134"},{"teacherId":2091703,"projectId":10186004,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donation to this project. My students and their families absolutely loved their finished products. Students who didn't finish their projects got a standard design that I created for them which was all the same. I had a bunch of students come to me the following day letting me know they went home and finished it, and asking me if there was any way I could print their designs for them. Luckily I had extra blanks and could. I encouraged my students to hold onto these until senior year and to look back at them to see how much they grew from 6th grade to senior year. I really hope they take that to heart and look back on this project and reflect on their elementary years. Thank you again for making this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1776107491425,"projectUrl":"project/design-process-meets-culminating-art-pro/10186004/","projectTitle":"Design Process Meets Culminating Art Project","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Mishima-Donahue","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2091703_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1458188707987","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-mishimadonahue"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_50800","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":356,"numTeachers":46,"percentFrplEligible":79,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":4,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":38,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":40,"percentMultiracialImputed":13,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"7.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":22.9,"schoolId":50800,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Makaha Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Makaha Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/leeward-oahu-school-district/makaha-elementary-school/50800"}