{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Waiakea Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":34.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":1989844,"projectId":9614912,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our fourth-grade classroom and helping bring science and social studies to life. With your generosity, students were able to move beyond textbooks and learn through hands-on model building.\r\n\r\nUsing materials like clay, craft sticks, miniature plants, rocks, paint, and glue, students created models that helped them understand how volcanic eruptions shape islands and how ancient Hawaiian societies built thriving communities. Students thought deeply about each part of their models, carefully considering details and explaining their thinking to peers.\r\n\r\nThese projects sparked meaningful academic discussions, encouraged teamwork, and increased student engagement. Most importantly, they made learning exciting and meaningful, inspiring curiosity and confidence in the classroom.\r\n\r\nWe are truly grateful for your support and for making these powerful learning experiences possible.","fullyFundedDate":1757512293848,"projectUrl":"project/building-models-to-explore-science-and-h/9614912/","projectTitle":"Building Models to Explore Science and Hawaiian History","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. L. Walker","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1989844_orig.jpg?crop=803,803,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1559429345636","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/leslie-walker"},{"teacherId":4720391,"projectId":9747960,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity in funding my project, \"Reading like a Rockstar!\". The new bulletin board provides us with a space to display our artwork as well as exemplary academic work. It is further highlighted with our new LED lighting strip. Our new \"we can do hard things\" is also an inspirational quote to encourage learning.\r\nThe decorative pencils, gummy crawlers and cute stickers have helped to provide incentives for our reading journey. \r\nOur new dry erase table spots, dry erasers, pencil sharpeners and timers are supplies that are being put to good use.\r\nThanks again!","fullyFundedDate":1759199082907,"projectUrl":"project/reading-like-a-rockstar/9747960/","projectTitle":"Reading like a Rockstar!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Hashizaki","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4720391_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1504737338366","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4720391"},{"teacherId":9372451,"projectId":9777952,"letterContent":"Thank you for the kidney table and chairs for collaboration! We really appreciate you donating to allow us to receive such an important tool for the students learning. We would not have been able to get the money without your help. The students were really happy when they saw the new kidney table and chairs. \r\n\r\nThe students enjoy working with their learning partners on projects and meeting with me in order to get supported in their learning. The students are able to meet with me throughout the day. We will continue to use the kidney table and chairs to meet in small groups on a daily basis. \r\n\r\nThank you again for the your generosity and kindness to help our students at our school. The kidney table and chairs will benefit not only the students this year but for future classes at Waiakea Elementary School.","fullyFundedDate":1759458879175,"projectUrl":"project/a-kidney-table-for-collaboration/9777952/","projectTitle":"A Kidney Table for Collaboration!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Fujiyama","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9372451"},{"teacherId":10088236,"projectId":9489305,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity in bringing these social-emotional learning (SEL) books into our classroom library! While we all love a good story, these texts are much more than just entertainment; they are essential tools for building \"emotional literacy.\" They introduce our students to complex skills like self-regulation (learning how to pause when they feel frustrated), perspective-taking (understanding that two people can experience the same event differently), and conflict resolution. By following a character through a difficult friendship or a moment of self-doubt, my students are learning the vocabulary to name their own \"big feelings\"—moving beyond just \"mad\" or \"sad\" to more nuanced words like \"overwhelmed,\" \"excluded,\" or \"determined.\"\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, reading now looks like a vibrant, safe harbor for exploration. During our interactive read-alouds, we don't just read the words; we stop to analyze a character's facial expressions or predict how a choice might affect others, turning the book into a \"social rehearsal\" for real life. It has been truly moving to see a student who usually stays on the sidelines pick up a book about courage and later that day find the words to ask a friend to play.\r\n\r\nThank you for providing the stories that are helping my students grow into kinder, more self-aware humans.","fullyFundedDate":1764686128055,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-library/9489305/","projectTitle":"Classroom Library","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Castaneda-Sako","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10088236_orig.jpg?crop=1632,1633,x0,y174&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754800556630","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10088236"},{"teacherId":10088236,"projectId":9724207,"letterContent":"When the boxes arrived, the classroom felt like it was under a holiday spell. My students were wide-eyed as we unpacked the cubby organizers and class mailbox, with several students asking if these brand-new items were really ours to keep. They took such care in labeling their pencil pouches and choosing which folders would hold their most important work; it was clear that having high-quality, dedicated materials made them feel valued and respected as learners.\r\n\r\nThe impact on our daily rhythm has been transformative. The most significant shift happened during our first mailbox. In the past, handing out graded papers was a chaotic scramble, but now, students move with purpose to their assigned slots in the mailbox. I watched one student, who usually loses his assignments before they even make it home, carefully file his math test into his new folder and tuck it safely into his cubby. This system has replaced \"where is my paper?\" with a calm, independent routine that allows us to spend more time on actual instruction and less on managing clutter.","fullyFundedDate":1760310223360,"projectUrl":"project/sorting-success/9724207/","projectTitle":"Sorting Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Castaneda-Sako","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10088236_orig.jpg?crop=1632,1633,x0,y174&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754800556630","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10088236"},{"teacherId":9931507,"projectId":9778106,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations of snacks and candies for our Royal Store! Our students work hard every day to earn points by making positive choices and demonstrating respectful behavior on campus. They are always excited to shop at the Royal Store every two weeks using the points they've earned—it's a powerful motivator that reinforces positive behavior in a meaningful way.\r\n\r\nWe are also incredibly thankful for the balance boards, which have been a wonderful addition to the Energizing Jungle section of our Royal Reset Room. Students were eager to try them out, and the balance boards have helped them release energy, refocus, and return to their classrooms ready to learn.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has truly enhanced both our Royal Store and Royal Reset Room at Waiakea Elementary School. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for supporting our students and helping create a positive, nurturing learning environment!","fullyFundedDate":1759458822961,"projectUrl":"project/building-focus-and-kindness-with-tools-a/9778106/","projectTitle":"Building Focus and Kindness with Tools and Rewards","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Silva","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9931507"},{"teacherId":1622538,"projectId":9771958,"letterContent":"The students in my class were super excited to see their classroom with the light covers. There were many oooos and ahhhhs and one child said \"this must be what heaven is like.\" I was pleasantly surprised at how they reacted. Thank you so much for helping give us a magical learning environment. \r\n\r\nThe neon lights were such a cool addition to our homework check in table. It is nice to have a positive vibe to help alleviate some of the anxiety that may be connected to homework for some students. I'm very thankful to have this project funded through your generous donations.","fullyFundedDate":1759418630450,"projectUrl":"project/cool-classroom-enhancers/9771958/","projectTitle":"Cool Classroom Enhancers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Perry","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp1622538_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1500086755836","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/wesperry"},{"teacherId":5102856,"projectId":9772014,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our classroom now has access to iPads and Apple Pencils that are transforming how students learn and create. These tools give students new ways to express their thinking. Which is making learning more engaging, interactive, and accessible for all learners. Students are more motivated, focused, and confident as they use technology that mirrors the tools of today's world.\r\n\r\nWith iPads and Apple Pencils, students can easily revise their work, receive immediate feedback, and demonstrate understanding in ways that match their learning styles. The Pencil allows for precise drawing, handwriting, and problem-solving, which is especially helpful for visual and hands-on learners. These tools also promote creativity, collaboration, and digital literacy skills that will support students far beyond our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1759192349466,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-coding-to-life/9772014/","projectTitle":"Bringing Coding to Life","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nishimura","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5102856"},{"teacherId":4428015,"projectId":9757917,"letterContent":"Our Student Council students are using the new slushi machine and supplies as part of our weekly leadership meetings.\r\n\r\nOne special moment was during our first Student Council meeting after the materials \r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the slushie machine, they were so excited to know what flavors we would be trying. \r\n\r\nNext, our Student Council students will use these resources to support upcoming spirit days and special events, including opportunities to serve staff as a way to say thank you. They are also learning how to plan ahead, assign roles, manage time, and reflect on what worked well after each event. These experiences are helping our students grow as confident leaders while building a stronger, more connected school community.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving our donors a meaningful way to be part of our classroom and for supporting experiences that make leadership come alive for our students.","fullyFundedDate":1758819848201,"projectUrl":"project/student-council-spirit-serving-up-leade/9757917/","projectTitle":"Student Council Spirit: Serving Up Leadership & Frozen Fun!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Shigenaga","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4428015_orig.jpg?crop=180,180,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1766088782518","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/teachingwithloveandsparkle"},{"teacherId":5357502,"projectId":9773938,"letterContent":"Thanks to your support, our classroom technology and materials are being used more effectively and purposefully to support student learning every day. These tools help students see, share, and preserve their learning in meaningful ways.\r\n\r\nThe HDMI cables and USB-C hubs allow us to reliably connect laptops, tablets, and other devices to classroom displays. This makes lessons more interactive and visual, helping students better understand new concepts. Instead of just hearing information, students can see examples, model problem-solving, view student work, and participate in discussions as a class. The USB-C hubs are especially helpful because they allow multiple devices to connect easily, saving instructional time and keeping lessons flowing smoothly.\r\n\r\nThe laminating pouches have been just as impactful. Laminating student materials allows us to reuse learning tools such as reference sheets, task cards, graphic organizers, and hands-on activities. Students can write on them with dry-erase markers, practice skills multiple times, and correct mistakes without fear of \"messing up.\" This encourages risk-taking, independence, and repeated practice—key components of strong learning.\r\n\r\nStudents are most excited about how professional and permanent their work feels when it's laminated and displayed or used repeatedly. They love seeing their ideas preserved and respected. Several students who struggle with confidence have especially warmed to these materials because they allow for low-pressure practice and easy corrections. Others enjoy taking leadership roles by helping set up technology connections or assisting classmates during interactive lessons.\r\n\r\nOverall, this project has helped create a more engaging, organized, and student-centered learning environment. Your generosity has supported smoother instruction, increased student participation, and tools that will benefit our students long into the future. Thank you for investing in their learning and success.","fullyFundedDate":1759416766701,"projectUrl":"project/power-up-level-2/9773938/","projectTitle":"POWER UP LEVEL 2","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Michael","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5357502_orig.jpg?crop=800,800,x0,y61&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1759180455621","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5357502"},{"teacherId":4604227,"projectId":9522881,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our DonorsChoose project. Because of you, our students were able to enjoy special gifts for the holidays, fun treasure chest items, and so much more.\r\n\r\nThe kids have been incredibly excited and truly grateful. At Thanksgiving, they were thrilled to receive special treats, and now with Christmas approaching, they are enjoying extra goodies that help kick off the holiday season in such a joyful way.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has made a meaningful difference in our classroom and brought big smiles to many little faces. We are so thankful for your generosity and support of our students.","fullyFundedDate":1760811645895,"projectUrl":"project/treasure-chest-reading-incentives-for-m/9522881/","projectTitle":"Treasure Chest Reading: Incentives for Morning Reading Success!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Curry","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4604227_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1521217999370","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/heathercurryg102"},{"teacherId":10111948,"projectId":9777909,"letterContent":"The social-emotional learning books introduced important skills that we explicitly teach and practice in our classroom. Through these texts, students are learning how to identify and name their emotions, understand how feelings affect behavior, and explore healthy strategies for self-regulation such as deep breathing, taking breaks, and using positive self-talk. The stories also help students build empathy by seeing situations from different perspectives and discussing how characters handle challenges, conflicts, and big emotions.\r\n\r\nReading in our classroom is interactive and purposeful. We read SEL books together during morning meetings and dedicated social-emotional lessons, pausing often to discuss feelings, make connections, and practice strategies from the stories. Students also revisit the books independently or with a partner, using them as tools when they need help calming down or solving a problem. The books have become part of our daily routines, not just something we read once and put away.\r\n\r\nSeveral students are especially enjoying the new books—particularly those who sometimes struggle with managing emotions or expressing how they feel. These students often choose the SEL books on their own and refer back to the strategies when they are upset or overwhelmed. It has been incredibly meaningful to hear students say things like, \"This book helped me calm down,\" or to see them use a strategy they learned from a story in real time.\r\n\r\nMahalo for supporting our students' emotional growth and helping create a classroom where learning includes both the heart and the mind.","fullyFundedDate":1759457899578,"projectUrl":"project/social-and-emotional-learning/9777909/","projectTitle":"Social and Emotional Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. O'Dell-Lambeth","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10111948_orig.jpg?crop=1079,1079,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1761155268369","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/odell-lambeth"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_50783","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":706,"numTeachers":58,"percentFrplEligible":54,"percentAsian":14,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":3,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":22,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"12.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"TOWN_REMOTE"},"inStateSupporters":65.4,"schoolId":50783,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Waiakea Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Waiakea Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/hawaii-school-district/waiakea-elementary-school/50783"}