{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Waiakeawaena Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":60.7,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5155872,"projectId":9776564,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of a 3D printer to our 5th grade classroom. As soon as I took the printer out of the box, the excitement in the room was immediate and contagious. Students gathered around, eager to learn how it worked and already imagining the things they could create.\r\n\r\nYour gift arrived at the perfect time during our math unit on unit conversions. Students were able to apply their learning in a meaningful, hands-on way by converting measurements into millimeters and identifying 3D shapes as part of the design process. They also developed valuable computer design skills while learning how to navigate Tinkercad, our 3D printing software. Watching them problem-solve, collaborate, and take ownership of their learning has been truly incredible.\r\n\r\nThis 3D printer has transformed our classroom into a space of creativity, innovation, and real-world learning. Your support has given my students an opportunity they will remember for years to come, and it has sparked a new level of enthusiasm for math, technology, and design.\r\n\r\nThank you again for believing in our students and investing in their education.","fullyFundedDate":1759446977335,"projectUrl":"project/print-the-future-bringing-student-ideas/9776564/","projectTitle":"Print the Future: Bringing Student Ideas to Life in 3D!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Arakaki","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5155872"},{"teacherId":9804107,"projectId":9775024,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations. I can't begin to explain how much of an impact your donations have made in my classroom as well as in the Kindergarten classroom. My students have formed strong relationships with their KinderFriends and the Kindergarteners have made lasting friendships with their fourth grade buddy. Both classes look forward to the times when we can meet for special activities. We even planned a day when we had lunch with our KinderFriends and then decorated Christmas trees with them. Both classes meet for each holiday so we can make crafts together. \r\n\r\nStudents use technology to access information, help master concepts, as well as review problems. Students can receive immediate feedback and make needed corrections. It helps with collaboration because students can work on projects simultaneously and get the work done faster.","fullyFundedDate":1759448083274,"projectUrl":"project/kinder-friends-fun-connecting-classroo/9775024/","projectTitle":"Kinder Friends' Fun: Connecting Classrooms","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Takahashi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9804107"},{"teacherId":4484004,"projectId":9734600,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my professional development in STEM. The experience of learning about teaching science with engineering practices has been truly meaningful and has strengthened the way I approach teaching and learning about science in my classroom. The strategies I have gained will surely help me to create engaging, thoughtful learning experiences for my students. These lessons will also support student growth and create confident scientific learners. I am very grateful for this professional development opportunity and am thankful for the positive impact it will have on my students for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1758639069725,"projectUrl":"project/pd-to-support-and-motivate-students-with/9734600/","projectTitle":"PD to Support and Motivate Students with STEM","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. K.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4484004_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1496684839382","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4484004"},{"teacherId":2056451,"projectId":9776775,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of our classroom carpet. Because of you, our classroom has truly become a more welcoming, comfortable, and joyful place to learn.\r\n\r\nWe use our new carpet every single day. It has quickly become the heart of our classroom—where we gather for morning meetings, read stories together, practice letter sounds, and share our thinking. One of our favorite moments happens during story time, when students sit shoulder to shoulder on the carpet, listening closely and eagerly raising their hands to participate. The carpet has created a safe, cozy space that helps our kindergarteners focus, connect, and feel at home at school.\r\n\r\nBecause of your generosity, you've become part of our learning journey. Right now, we are working on building early reading and social skills. The carpet is where we practice listening to one another, taking turns speaking, and collaborating during lessons and activities. As we continue our learning, we will use this space for small group instruction, phonics practice, and classroom celebrations as students grow in confidence and independence.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving our students a space where learning feels comfortable, meaningful, and fun. Your kindness has made a lasting difference for our classroom and our kindergarteners will benefit from it every day.","fullyFundedDate":1759451094843,"projectUrl":"project/carpet-for-kinder/9776775/","projectTitle":"Carpet for Kinder","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cabuyadao","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2056451_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1729548866687","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2056451"},{"teacherId":9471847,"projectId":9776811,"letterContent":"We sincerely thank you for your support of our Kako'o Project, which has been an integral part of our school for many years. Each month, students are selected as Student of the Month based on the values associated with that time.\r\nThanks to your generous donation, we were able to acquire nearly 50 new books for the classroom. Each month, I carefully choose books that reflect the month's value. These selected titles are showcased and serve as reading options for students during their independent reading time.\r\nI also incorporate these books into our read-aloud sessions. After reading, we engage in discussions about the book's theme, connecting it to the month's value and exploring ways to embody that value throughout the school. Ultimately, when students and teachers participate in the private vote for Student of the Month, we reference the themes and values from the books we've shared.\r\nThe books have proven to be an invaluable addition to our classroom. Not only do they enhance our decor by making literacy a central theme, but they also play a crucial role in our class discussions. This has fostered an open and welcoming classroom community, both within our walls and throughout the wider school environment. Furthermore, it has ignited a passion for literacy among the students. I frequently observe them returning to the books throughout the month, eagerly anticipating the arrival of new titles to explore. Your generous contributions have truly enriched our educational atmosphere, nurturing a love for reading and a deeper appreciation of important values among our students. The effects of your donations go beyond simply adding new books; they act as catalysts for meaningful conversations, critical thinking, and personal development.\r\nAs we continue to nurture this vibrant culture of literacy and values, we are immensely grateful for your ongoing support. Your commitment to our students' education is shaping them into thoughtful, empathetic individuals who carry these lessons into their daily lives. Thank you for being such an integral part of our journey. Your kindness is making a difference, one book at a time","fullyFundedDate":1759451984206,"projectUrl":"project/kko-project/9776811/","projectTitle":"Kāko` Project","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Green","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9471847_orig.jpg?crop=800,800,x0,y101&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1719258916269","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9471847"},{"teacherId":4484004,"projectId":9773707,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity! My first graders are buzzing with excitement to start building these wind-powered robots alongside their fourth-grade buddies. This project is the highlight of our annual 'Kids Day Project,' where students don't just build kits—they build community. Because of your donation, my students and their partners will be practicing collaborative engineering and social skills that will last long after the robots are finished. You aren't just providing materials; you're helping create lifelong memories for two different grade levels!\r\n\r\nThank you again, for your amazing donation! I appreciate all that you have done to support my students and my classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1759417090239,"projectUrl":"project/stem-activities-to-support-creativity-an/9773707/","projectTitle":"STEM Activities to Support Creativity and Collaboration!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. K.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4484004_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1496684839382","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4484004"},{"teacherId":4484004,"projectId":9708892,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support! This professional development course has enabled me to learn so much in the field of elementary science and will surely elevate my teaching for years to come. My outlook has changed, by shifting my focus from delivering facts from scripted materials, to facilitating inquiry-based discovery through collaborative conversations and experiments! \r\n\r\nI am especially excited to implement all the materials that I have learned from the wonderful materials that were presented in the professional development class. This training has empowered me to create a classroom where students start thinking like true scientists. Your investment is directly responsible for the growth and engagement of my students, both today, and for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1758639067375,"projectUrl":"project/stem-pd-to-motivate-and-enrich-my-studen/9708892/","projectTitle":"STEM PD to Motivate and Enrich My Students!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. K.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4484004_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1496684839382","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4484004"},{"teacherId":8825289,"projectId":9773801,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for providing the funding to purchase the much-needed cooking and scrapbooking supplies for our enrichment class, \"Cook and Book.\" With your generous support and kindness, our students were able to experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in this class, free of charge. They were able to gain hands-on, real-world experience with cooking desserts, salads, and side dishes, as well as scrapbooking their cooking experience and recipes. \r\nAt the end of the class, students were able to take home a recipe memory book that they can use at home to continue sharpening their cooking skills. \r\nIt is because of selfless donors like you, our students were able to be inspired to pursue their passions and become lifelong learners.","fullyFundedDate":1759416993745,"projectUrl":"project/cook-and-book/9773801/","projectTitle":"Cook and 'Book","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Masaoka","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8825289"},{"teacherId":4223687,"projectId":9570229,"letterContent":"Thank you for believing in my students and their big imaginations. Because of your generosity, our classroom is now filled with new supplies that allow creativity to truly come to life.\r\n\r\nWith the help of our 3D printer and the materials you provided, my students were able to print, and paint their very own small creatures, affectionately called \"lil' chonkers,\" designed by Kellie Kawahara-Niimi, a Seattle-based artist and alumna of our elementary school here in Hawai'i. While visiting Hilo, Kellie made the time to visit our class, teach us about her journey as an artist and her artistic process, and inspire us to lean into the joy of imagination and creativity. Kellie helped my students with their designs and encouraged them to keep following their passions. It was a truly impactful experience for all of us. \r\n\r\nOur lil' chonkers quickly became more than just projects; they became characters in the stories students wrote and shared with one another, sparking excitement, collaboration, and pride. They each have their own names and personalities, sit proudly on our desks as we learn, play alongside us during indoor games and building projects, and have become important members of our classroom community. \r\n\r\nAs students worked side-by-side designing and painting their creatures, they practiced patience, problem-solving, and ownership. They took great care in their creations, celebrated one another's ideas, and strengthened our sense of classroom community. In a time when so much learning happens on screens, the opportunity to create something tangible together was both rare and incredibly powerful.\r\n\r\nArt is powerful, and so is believing in young people. By giving my students the tools to turn their ideas into something they could hold, you showed them that their imaginations matter. Your support empowered them to see themselves as creators, storytellers, and contributors to our classroom community.\r\n\r\nI can't wait to see how these incredible creatures continue to inspire creativity and storytelling throughout the year. Thank you for making this meaningful experience possible for my students.","fullyFundedDate":1755709114931,"projectUrl":"project/little-creations-big-imaginations/9570229/","projectTitle":"Little Creations, Big Imaginations","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Matsuura","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4223687_orig.png?crop=398,398,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1677011109982","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-leahmatsuura"},{"teacherId":7447629,"projectId":9778150,"letterContent":"Your generous donation has allowed my students to create projects using their own photos and photos of places around them, to bring their learning to life. They have used the new technology equipment to create scrapbooks, progressfolios, and craft projects to capture and showcase their learning to their peers, family, and friends. \r\n\r\nThese items have motivated students to stay on task in order to be able to engage in hands on projects to extend their learning and connect classroom content to real world experiences. \r\n\r\nThank you again for providing our classroom with additional tools to make learning fun and engaging.","fullyFundedDate":1759610244566,"projectUrl":"project/crafting-memories/9778150/","projectTitle":"Crafting Memories","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kaneo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7447629_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1627880878944","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7447629"},{"teacherId":8363507,"projectId":9776657,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom. Your donation has made a meaningful difference for our students.\r\n\r\nThe wobble chairs have been a game-changer — students love using them, and the movement has helped reduce distracting behaviors so they can focus better during lessons.\r\n\r\nThe watercolor paints and painting paper have brought joy and creativity to our art projects. Students are exploring color, texture, and self-expression in ways they couldn't before.\r\n\r\nThe classroom timer has improved our routines and class management; transitions are smoother and students know what to expect.\r\n\r\nThe puzzles are a big hit — the students are excited to work together to complete them, building problem-solving and cooperative skills.\r\n\r\nYour support not only supplies materials but also boosts student engagement, confidence, and a love of learning. We are deeply grateful for your kindness and the positive impact it has made on our classroom community.","fullyFundedDate":1759454935241,"projectUrl":"project/building-a-caring-classroom-social-emot/9776657/","projectTitle":"Building a Caring Classroom: Social-Emotional Learning Tools for Student Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Meixell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8363507_orig.jpg?crop=1441,1441,x816,y1088&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1759192806176","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8363507"},{"teacherId":8364982,"projectId":9782329,"letterContent":"Thank you very much for the art materials and related supplies donated to our classroom. Students are utilizing their different sized paint brushes and watercolor paper on a regular basis. They continue to expand their use of art tools, including the use of sponges for patterning. Geometry math skills are consistently integrated into our lessons with the use of 2 and 3 dimensional shapes. With the holidays here, we are going beyond our traditional watercolor projects and working with fabric paints and tote bags to create a unique holiday gift for parents. \r\n\r\nThe additional seating you have donated has allowed students to spread out in the classroom during art projects to give one another personal space. With our frequent use of art materials, the cleaning supplies are coming in handy. The students are becoming increasingly independent in cleaning their stations and keeping our classroom a fun and creative place to work and grow together. Thank you again for your generosity. It is greatly appreciated.","fullyFundedDate":1759611346866,"projectUrl":"project/textile-art/9782329/","projectTitle":"Textile Art!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Oberg","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8364982_orig.png?crop=472,472,x40,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660058800367","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/moberg"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_50786","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":669,"numTeachers":46,"percentFrplEligible":53,"percentAsian":12,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":4,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":27,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"14.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"TOWN_REMOTE"},"inStateSupporters":39.3,"schoolId":50786,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Waiakeawaena Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Waiakeawaena Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/hawaii-school-district/waiakeawaena-elementary-school/50786"}