{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Makalapa Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":37.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8826791,"projectId":10104668,"letterContent":"Thank you for providing our school with high-quality chess boards and clocks. For the past 5 years, our upper-grade students have had access to our school's chess club. Sometimes there are not enough chessboards for students to play on, so we ask for donations or for students to bring their own to class. Now, students have enough chessboards to practice with and to run an end-of-the-year chess tournament with more than 30 participants!\r\n\r\nChess clocks are also important for students to practice their timed skills. Students can now play blitz and rapid chess games. The chess club helps our students gain a sense of belonging and problem-solving and critical thinking skills.","fullyFundedDate":1771526536009,"projectUrl":"project/chess-club-materials/10104668/","projectTitle":"Chess Club Materials","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Au","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8826791_orig.jpg?crop=639,639,x0,y104&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746577025665","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8826791"},{"teacherId":10295720,"projectId":10104342,"letterContent":"The arrival of our Japanese Club materials was met with pure excitement! When the students first saw the authentic Den Den drums and the colorful stacks of origami paper, the room was buzzing with \"Sugoi!\" (Amazing!) and \"Konnichiwa!\" Greetings. Our 4th and 5th graders were especially drawn to the sushi rolling kits and the beautiful calligraphy brushes. These resources have turned our small Resource Room into a vibrant cultural hub where students feel like true explorers rather than just spectators.\r\n\r\nWe have already put these resources to work during our weekly meetings. The students recently used the bamboo rolling mats to create their very own onigiri and sushi rolls. It was a wonderful moment to see them carefully following the traditional steps and then proudly showing off their creations before the first bite. One student mentioned that they had always seen sushi in stores but never realized the art and patience required to make it. This hands-on experience has built a level of confidence and cultural appreciation that a textbook simply could not provide.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, our next big step is preparing for our end of the semester Matsuri (Festival). The students will be using the art supplies to create traditional decorations and practicing their performance skills with the traditional instruments you provided. Because of your generosity, these students are not just learning about Japan; they are experiencing it. They are becoming more globally minded citizens with every meeting, and we are so grateful for the role you played in making this pilot program a success.","fullyFundedDate":1771534318683,"projectUrl":"project/exploring-japan-a-hands-on-cultural-adv/10104342/","projectTitle":"Exploring Japan: A Hands-On Cultural Adventure","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Ahue","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10295720_orig.jpg?crop=8092,8092,x0,y539&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1759542632999","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10295720"},{"teacherId":8264827,"projectId":9780289,"letterContent":"We have officially integrated the Math Folder Game Libraries and the Multiplying Fractions Hands-On Student Packs into our daily math centers. Instead of just memorizing procedures, my students are using the manipulatives to physically see how fractions \"break down\" and grow. We recently had a \"Math Game Jam\" where students rotated through stations using the Bridge the Gap! Math Practice Cards, allowing them to practice complex problem-solving in a low-stakes, collaborative environment.\r\n\r\nThe day the boxes arrived, the excitement was palpable! When I opened the Ready to Write! Prompt Box, a group of my students who usually struggle with writing anxiety, was immediately drawn to the visual prompts. One student exclaimed, \"Wait, we get to play games for math today?\" Seeing their faces light up—especially my English Learners who saw the rich visuals in the Nonfiction Reading Comprehension cards—was a reminder of how much these high-quality materials validate their hard work.\r\n\r\nNow that we have established our center routines, our next big step is a \"Citizen Scientist\" integration. We are using the Hi-Lo Nonfiction Passages to build the background knowledge and reading stamina needed for our upcoming research project. Students will take the vocabulary they've learned through these kits and apply it as they begin reporting on local environmental issues, bridging that final gap from classroom concept to real-world application.","fullyFundedDate":1759594684389,"projectUrl":"project/bridging-the-gap-from-concept-to-applic/9780289/","projectTitle":"Bridging the Gap: From Concept to Application","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Thorpe","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8264827_orig.jpg?crop=981,981,x1814,y336&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1704142991955","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8264827"},{"teacherId":9371804,"projectId":9773227,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for bringing our DonorsChoose project, A Happy, Organized Place to Grow, to life! Your generous support has made a meaningful difference in our classroom environment and in the daily learning experiences of my third-grade students.\r\n\r\nSince the materials arrived, we've been using them every day to support routines, foster independence, and make learning more joyful. My students were excited to see the new carpet and sit on it during our lessons. It has made our classroom environment a whole lot brighter! \r\n\r\nThanks to your support, we're already moving forward with new learning plans. With such a well-organized space, students are more confident and ready to dive deeper into current lessons in reading and math. We're planning to use our organized materials as we launch more independent centers and project-based learning activities. Your donation didn't just give us supplies — it helped build a learning environment where students feel empowered to grow.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our classroom community. Your generosity has made lasting impact!","fullyFundedDate":1759447270701,"projectUrl":"project/a-happy-organized-place-to-grow/9773227/","projectTitle":"A Happy Organized Place to Grow","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Chang","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9371804"},{"teacherId":8170409,"projectId":9772915,"letterContent":"Sincerely apologies for this late impact thank you. The items that were donated to my classroom has allowed my students to have the necessary tools and resources to successfully help them go about their day. Along with the necessary tools, students have had to opportunity to utilize Tapple, which is an amazing game for rainy day recess as well as building word recognition and vocabulary for our RTI (Response to Intervention) groups.\r\n\r\nThrough implementing PBL (project-based learning) students have gotten the opportunity to create poster boards to enhance their presentations with the mini poster boards. It is a great size to help our students not feel so overwhelmed when placing information on the board and/or knowing what points to talk about during their presentation. Because PBL is becoming more apparent in our school day and curriculum, students are gaining confidence in real-world learning. \r\n\r\nMahalo again for your generosity to help benefit our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1759540095350,"projectUrl":"project/project-best-classroom-ever/9772915/","projectTitle":"Project: Best Classroom Ever!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. de Guzman-Arakaki","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8170409_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y504&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1741805270221","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8170409"},{"teacherId":9800720,"projectId":9781762,"letterContent":"We are so grateful for the new resources in our classroom! The fans have been a lifesaver during the hot summer days, keeping the air circulating and helping the students stay focused on their work rather than the heat. Additionally, the new board games have become a favorite staple in our room; they are the perfect activity for students to engage in during indoor recess or as a rewarding \"fast-finisher\" task after completing their lessons.\r\nThe energy in the room was electric when the materials arrived! When I first unboxed the supplies, there were audible \"oohs\" and \"aahs\" from the students. One student specifically mentioned how \"professional\" the classroom felt with the new gear, and that sense of ownership and excitement immediately translated into higher engagement during our very first lesson with the materials. \r\nMoving forward, we plan to use the board games to help build our classroom community by practicing sportsmanship and strategic thinking during our weekly \"Friday Game Brainstorm\" sessions. As for our classroom environment, having the fans ensures we can maintain a comfortable learning space for the remainder of the warm months, allowing us to dive deep into our upcoming science and social studies projects without distraction.\r\nThank you again for your incredible generosity!\r\nAloha!","fullyFundedDate":1759598912981,"projectUrl":"project/a-calm-organized-and-engaged-classroom/9781762/","projectTitle":"A Calm, Organized, and Engaged Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hyland","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9800720"},{"teacherId":1959644,"projectId":9776391,"letterContent":"Thank you very much, Donors, who have gifted our school with Street Hockey pucks and hockey sticks. I couldn't believe their excitement and how all of the students learned the game of hockey. How happy are our students to recieve these new equipment and learning the game of Street Hockey? At every PE class since the introduction of this new sport, the students always asked to play Street Hockey! \r\n\r\nThe game of Street Hockey teaches strategy and makes the students work more as a team, all the while having the students move more and exercise. At the end of classes, I see that most students have sweat stains all over their school shirts. This tells me that they enjoyed the game while getting a much-needed workout. All of my students - kindergarten through 6th graders - love it! The animated, happy screams of students as they play Street Hockey warms my heart, and I know this Street Hockey curriculum will forever be in our PE program. Thank you for your kind blessings! We love you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1759515145477,"projectUrl":"project/hockey-in-hawaii-yes-please/9776391/","projectTitle":"Hockey in Hawaii? Yes, Please!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Kawatachi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1959644_orig.jpg?crop=1079,1079,x515,y5&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1596048293186","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1959644"},{"teacherId":10248504,"projectId":9772316,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the ability to be able to provide the necessary materials for my students. I have a laundry list of projects I can accomplish with the materials you helped fund for. A few that I have included in my thank you letter are: Kente Cloth (we used the colorful cardstock for this project) and Yayoi Kusama (we used cardstock, paint, and brushes for this project). We will be doing a project on Claude Monet (in which we will use cardstock and the oil pastels to mimic his art style). I am super excited for our second semester, when we will be able to really get into our supplies. Thank you again for helping us supply art materials for our 2025-2026 4th grade art school year.","fullyFundedDate":1759195624038,"projectUrl":"project/art-25-26-redo/9772316/","projectTitle":"Art 25-26 Redo","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Josie","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/makalapa4thart25-26"},{"teacherId":8389527,"projectId":9783921,"letterContent":"My students are loving the art cart. When they first saw it in our class, they were just really happy and wanted to know what it was for. They are always chosing to go there during their center time. It is one of their favorite centers and it is always the one that fills up first. They are also excited about learning heart words. Thanks to these resources they can see the heart words that they already learned on our word wall. When I read the story to them, they were very attentive to it and wanted to learn more about heart words. It was a great story to help them understand what heart words are.\r\nThe next steps for our heart word learning journey is to start our heart word journals and we can always reference the heart word cards to know where the heart goes above every word we learned. These journals will help them to remember all of the heart words that they learned in class. Hopefully, it will serve as a tool for them to use while reading books. My students will become better readers because of your generous donations to our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1759631110865,"projectUrl":"project/kinder-readers-with-heart/9783921/","projectTitle":"Kinder Readers With Heart","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Suzuki","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8389527"},{"teacherId":8826791,"projectId":9772728,"letterContent":"Students received high-quality education with your generous gift. Students used the lamps to learn about the water cycle. They heated up ziploc bags that were placed on the leaves of plants. The bags collected water vapor escaping from the small openings in leaves. The lamps were also used to heat bags filled with water and sand to imitate the effects of the sun on our Hawaii beaches.\r\n\r\nDuring another activity, students used the provided microscope slides to view parts of animals and plants. Students learned about animal and plant cells and were able to see the difference in structure under magnification. Please continue to support our keiki here in Hawaii!","fullyFundedDate":1759199043744,"projectUrl":"project/art-and-science-for-kids/9772728/","projectTitle":"Art and Science for Kids!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Au","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8826791_orig.jpg?crop=639,639,x0,y104&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1746577025665","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8826791"},{"teacherId":10253032,"projectId":9704591,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my students in such an impactful manner. I began implementing the new materials as soon as I received them and saw just how immediate the impact was on students and the overall classroom dynamic. Items including the mailbox, staple gun, and baskets greatly improved organization and classroom decor. Students noticed the effect of having these items and were able to see firsthand how essential organization and taking care of communal spaces is. They also were able to benefit from having more personal supplies such as binder clips that reduced the friction of using composition books and post it notes that allowed for class anchor chart activities. Having a supply of snacks has made such a difference in students' awareness and attention when they don't have to worry about being hungry while learning.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, I noticed just how excited students were to have received all the fun things as a result of our generous donors. Not only were students excited to have the opportunity to earn rewards from our new prize box, they were more motivated to engage in our normal activities. Rather than simply reading on the carpet, students asked if they could have time to read on the new fruit cushions. Playing with the new Play-doh and kinetic sand and bringing their work to me for a fun stamp became a motivator for students to complete their assigned tasks.\r\n\r\nI would also like to thank donors for how I have personally benefitted. Not only have I been able to see the positive impact of these donations in students, but I can also teach better as a result of a fully funded project. Being able to sit in a comfortable chair during the day allows me to direct all my focus towards students, and my new activity books give me time to reset after a long day and give my all to students when they come in the next morning.\r\n\r\nThis project has supported our classroom in developing a routine and environment that strengthens the educational foundation students continue to build upon in the future. Thank you for making that happen.","fullyFundedDate":1759340466463,"projectUrl":"project/first-year-teacher-class-setup/9704591/","projectTitle":"First-Year Teacher Class Setup","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Chu","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10253032"},{"teacherId":3685830,"projectId":9690668,"letterContent":"Our classroom has been buzzing with activity! We have successfully used the new materials to complete our pollinator models, bringing our science lessons to life. Most recently, during our Gingerbread unit, students used the resources to build their own gingerbread houses while enjoying stories about the gingerbread man.\r\nThe atmosphere in the classroom was electric when the materials arrived. The students were especially thrilled to have a fresh supply of art materials and were very excited about the extra snacks provided through your generosity.\r\nAs we head into the new year, our focus will shift to studying habitats. Using the remaining materials, students will design and build dioramas to showcase their learning. We are even planning a special presentation where students can share their finished projects with members of the community. Thank you so much for donating to our classroom. It means so much!","fullyFundedDate":1759507558031,"projectUrl":"project/stemquest-journey-to-explore-science/9690668/","projectTitle":"STEMQuest – Journey to Explore Science, Tech, Engineering, and Math","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sutton","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3685830"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_50895","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":579,"numTeachers":35,"percentFrplEligible":46,"percentAsian":26,"percentBlack":6,"percentWhite":21,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":19,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"16.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":62.5,"schoolId":50895,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Makalapa Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Makalapa Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/central-oahu-school-district/makalapa-elementary-school/50895"}