{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Waimea Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":46.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7567942,"projectId":9902498,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom project and helping us bring hands-on learning to life. Your generosity has had an immediate and meaningful impact on my students.\r\n\r\nWhen the IGIVI Magnetic Blocks arrived, the excitement in our classroom was incredible. As soon as the students saw the colorful blocks, they eagerly gathered around and began imagining all the possibilities. They were excited to get some playing time with the blocks before the actual project started. They could not wait to start creating, even though the project was scheduled for four months out.\r\n\r\nWe used the magnetic blocks to build a miniature version of our school community while learning important math concepts such as area, perimeter, and volume. The students had many ideas about what should go into a community, and because of that, I was forced to scale the project down based on the actual materials we had on hand. I suggested that we redesign our school instead, and that made them cheer as if they had won a big game. \r\n\r\nThe students worked with partners to learn about area, perimeter and volume. As they built, students measured the area and perimeter of their structures and discussed how each building contributed to the needs of the school. The project naturally encouraged collaboration, problem-solving, and critical thinking. It was exciting to hear students using mathematical vocabulary while enthusiastically debating where to place each grade level, and the different ancillary classrooms & buildings they typically visit throughout the school day.\r\n\r\nThe hands-on nature of the materials has helped students better understand abstract math concepts. Instead of simply solving problems on paper, they are physically constructing and measuring spaces, making learning more engaging and meaningful. The blocks also introduced students to basic engineering and design principles as they experimented with different structures, layouts, and the limited space in which to build.\r\n\r\nThe students ended the project by presenting their model to the other three classes of the third grade, the Principal, and other teachers who would visit the classroom. They answered questions from their peers that explained their thinking about the magnetic block school campus. The students were proud and had lots of fun. One student exclaimed \"Ms. Jones, I like this kind of math!\" All of his classmates agreed with him.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, our classroom has become a place where creativity, collaboration, learning, and fun are the standard . Thank you and Young Sheldon for investing in our students and providing them with an opportunity to explore, create, and discover in ways that would not have been possible without you.","fullyFundedDate":1764601510055,"projectUrl":"project/crafting-a-community-with-magnetic-block/9902498/","projectTitle":"Crafting a Community With Magnetic Blocks","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Jones","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7567942"},{"teacherId":7714877,"projectId":10102295,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our classroom project and investing in our students' emotional well-being. Because of your generosity, our students gained access to sensory tools, creative materials, STEM activities, gardening supplies, and comfort items that have made a meaningful difference in our classroom.\r\n\r\nThese materials helped create a learning environment where students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. Sensory tools such as stress balls, fidgets, drawing boards, and calming materials gave students healthy ways to manage big feelings, reduce anxiety, and improve focus. Creative supplies, journals, puppets, games, and hands-on activities encouraged self-expression, communication, confidence, and positive peer connections.\r\n\r\nSTEM projects, robotics, and gardening experiences helped students build resilience, problem-solving skills, and a sense of accomplishment through exploration and hands-on learning. Even simple supports like tissues, snacks, and classroom organization materials contributed to a caring environment where students' needs could be met with compassion.\r\n\r\nYour generosity provided much more than classroom supplies—it helped strengthen emotional wellness, build confidence, and create meaningful opportunities for students to grow socially, emotionally, and academically.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping our students thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1776451180929,"projectUrl":"project/fidgets-food-farming-and-focus/10102295/","projectTitle":"Fidgets, Food, Farming and Focus","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cristy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7714877_orig.jpg?crop=439,439,x74,y12&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1647034175434","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-athan"},{"teacherId":7714877,"projectId":10256192,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our classroom garden project. With your generosity, our students gained access to raised garden beds and high-quality potting soil that helped transform a simple outdoor space into a living classroom focused on growth, wellness, and connection.\r\n\r\nOur project included organic potting soil, nutrient-rich soil blends with worm castings, and an elevated wooden raised garden bed that allowed elementary students to grow flowers, herbs, and vegetables in a safe, accessible environment.\r\n\r\nGardening offers children much more than lessons in science and nutrition—it powerfully supports emotional well-being. In elementary school, students are learning how to manage big feelings, build confidence, and develop healthy relationships. Gardening provides a calming, hands-on outlet that helps children slow down, regulate emotions, and experience success through nurturing living things.\r\n\r\nWhen students dig, plant, water, and care for a garden, they practice patience, responsibility, and mindfulness. The sensory experience of touching soil, observing growth, and working outdoors can reduce stress and anxiety while promoting feelings of calm and belonging. For many children, especially those who struggle with emotional regulation, the garden became a peaceful place where they could reconnect, reset, and feel capable.\r\n\r\nOur raised garden beds helped create opportunities for students to:\r\n\r\nDevelop emotional regulation through calming, sensory-rich gardening experiences\r\nBuild confidence and self-esteem by caring for plants and seeing tangible results from their efforts\r\nStrengthen teamwork, communication, and empathy through collaborative garden care\r\nIncrease connection to nature, which research shows supports positive mental health and reduced stress in children\r\nExperience joy, curiosity, and accomplishment through hands-on learning\r\n\r\nThe organic potting soils and nutrient-rich growing materials helped ensure our plants thrived, giving students meaningful opportunities to witness growth, resilience, and the rewards of consistent care. The elevated wooden garden bed created a welcoming, organized gardening space where every child could participate comfortably.\r\n\r\nYour support was not simply funding gardening supplies—it helped cultivate a space where students strengthened their emotional wellness, developed life skills, and discovered the healing power of nature.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping our young learners grow—inside and out.","fullyFundedDate":1777989592904,"projectUrl":"project/watch-me-grow/10256192/","projectTitle":"Watch Me Grow","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cristy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7714877_orig.jpg?crop=439,439,x74,y12&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1647034175434","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-athan"},{"teacherId":9355849,"projectId":10185646,"letterContent":"Our first grade classroom is so grateful for your generosity and support! Thanks to your donations, our students now have the card stock and ink needed to create colorful anchor charts, engaging class posters, and meaningful learning displays throughout our room. These materials will help bring lessons to life and provide students with visual supports they can reference every day as they grow in reading, writing, math, and teamwork skills.\r\n\r\nYour kindness is making a direct impact on our young learners by helping create a classroom environment that is organized, interactive, and inspiring. First graders thrive when they can see their learning celebrated around them, and these resources will help us build tools that encourage confidence and independence all year long. Thank you for believing in our students and investing in their success!","fullyFundedDate":1775865179789,"projectUrl":"project/coloring-creativity/10185646/","projectTitle":"Coloring Creativity","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Chanley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9355849"},{"teacherId":9357626,"projectId":10106865,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donation! When my students saw all of the new math tools, they were overjoyed! Before receiving these resources, many of my students struggled to engage with abstract math concepts. Now, they are completely transformed into active, hands-on mathematicians! During our rotations, I see and hear them collaborating and problem-solving in the math centers and they are engaged! Your contribution has done much more than provide classroom supplies; it has built a foundation of confidence that these students will carry with them into 2nd grade. \r\nThank you again for making this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1771768780197,"projectUrl":"project/sum-fun-math-centers/10106865/","projectTitle":"Sum Fun Math Centers!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Reyes","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9357626"},{"teacherId":7934575,"projectId":9160884,"letterContent":"Thank you for the class carpet! Your kind and generous donation is greatly appreciates and used daily. My students and I appreciate having a soft and comfortable safe space for them to learn and play. \r\nThe carpet is where we gather for circle time in the morning to learn as a group and they dance to all their movement songs. The students play on the carpet and build with blocks and enjoys reading books. The class carpet is the center of the classroom. Thank you for generous donation to my classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1742145788976,"projectUrl":"project/class-carpet-for-students-to-play-and-le/9160884/","projectTitle":"Class Carpet for Students to Play and Learn!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kristin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7934575"},{"teacherId":7939705,"projectId":10104392,"letterContent":"Thank you for Math in the Real World. My Donor Choose Math in the Real World was very successful. The students love when packages start arriving into the classroom and enjoyed working with the math manipulatives as soon as we opened them.\r\n\r\nStudents with special needs tend to learn better when concrete math manipulatives are used to introduce math concepts. Math manipulatives allow students to develop number sense before introducing abstract equations. Students are able to move each math manipulative and each student can use their own manipulative verse having to watch someone else move the manipulative. \r\n\r\nThe students enjoyed having the math book read to them and how real people use math in their daily life. \r\n\r\nThank you again for funding my project.","fullyFundedDate":1771547474924,"projectUrl":"project/math-in-the-real-world/10104392/","projectTitle":"Math in the Real World","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Salfen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7939705"},{"teacherId":8844829,"projectId":10106946,"letterContent":"Your support helped transform our classroom into a \"learning sanctuary\" for 15 resilient and energetic fifth graders! By providing flexible floor seating, you gave these students the physical freedom to choose how they learn best, whether they are diving into a book or collaborating in small groups.\r\n\r\nBeyond comfort, the addition of calming scents and organizational tools reduced environmental stress and fostered a sense of ownership and pride in our shared space. This project helped empower students from a high-need community to regulate their emotions and find focus, ensuring they walk into a room every day that feels safe, supportive, and ready for growth. Mahalo nui for helping these young learners thrive!","fullyFundedDate":1771684675723,"projectUrl":"project/a-breath-of-fresh-air-creating-a-calm-c/10106946/","projectTitle":"A Breath of Fresh Air: Creating a Calm Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Alanna","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8844829_orig.jpg?crop=1350,1350,x0,y337&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1757922742464","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-alanna-lk-saulibio"},{"teacherId":2004485,"projectId":10047002,"letterContent":"Thank you very much for allowing us to level up our learning environment through your incredibly generous donations. \r\n\r\nI was thrilled to receive a brand new document camera. This is used everyday and will make a world of difference in allowing me to run my lessons much more seamlessly. \r\n\r\nThe colored paper makes everything more atrractive, and is used for everything from newsletters, spelling list, and publications. The tagboard allows the students to do feel proud and value their art projects as they know we are using \"the nice paper.\"\r\n\r\nWe are in the midst of end of the year testing, and the kids have been so happy to have treats to fuel them through the rigorous academic demands. Also, we are looking forward to sharing our learning incentive soccer balls. They treasure these keepsakes and use them to get outside and stay active. \r\n\r\nYour donations makes everything better and your genrosity is sincerely appreciated!","fullyFundedDate":1776451179164,"projectUrl":"project/see-things-clearly/10047002/","projectTitle":"See Things Clearly!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Perry","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2004485_orig.jpg?crop=652,652,x1128,y391&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720858657234","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2004485"},{"teacherId":3257392,"projectId":10155056,"letterContent":"We so appreciate your support in providing these amazing reading resources for our Rookie Readers. \"Ohhhhh! I want to read book!\" says my English Language Learner student who saw an array of colorful, eye-catching books spread across the table. His eyes were sparkling with excitement as he actually was able to read the title and most of the book with very little assistance. He was so excited about reading an engaging book with colorful, educational pictures and simple sentences about whale facts! My other student was thrilled when she saw my new reading kit with flip books. \"What is that?\" she asks with curiosity. She eagerly grabbed the flip book by herself and started sounding out the letters, looking at the helpful illustrations, and then putting the letters together to read the words! Having these new, engaging reading materials have added so much exciting into their lessons! Thank you so much for helping my Rookie Readers become future Incredible Readers!","fullyFundedDate":1776451179387,"projectUrl":"project/rookie-readers/10155056/","projectTitle":"Rookie Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lawson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3257392_orig.jpg?crop=410,410,x352,y75&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597003767576","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/g-lawson"},{"teacherId":9363445,"projectId":8648688,"letterContent":"Thank you for your kind donation to my classroom. Being in fourth grade, I have students who constantly feel the need to snack or burn through their energy much faster. Everyone needs a quick pick-me-up, and that is exactly what these snacks did.\r\nMy students who did not have a snack to take out to recess now had a little something to eat, and the students who did not eat lunch or breakfast had something as well. Focusing all day is hard on an empty stomach, and having these snacks has helped ensure my students are not hungry and that their learning is not impacted.","fullyFundedDate":1723599065222,"projectUrl":"project/snacking-students/8648688/","projectTitle":"Snacking Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tarpley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9363445_orig.png?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1704004497280","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9363445"},{"teacherId":2815811,"projectId":10084153,"letterContent":"My students are loving their fidgets that they won guessing the careers of other students. So many different careers were represented by the students and so many happy faces receiving fidgets for prizes. One student showed me where he keeps his fidget to use at appropriate times in his pocket. He said it helped him listen to the other students!\r\n\r\nStudents ooed and awed when they got a career answer correct and saw the prize fidget choices. They were inspired to play guess my career another round!\r\n\r\nWe will continue to grow our career games with our students. They loved sharing their dream occupation and guessing the careers of others from their pictures. The Guess My Career game was very successful especially because of the prizes.","fullyFundedDate":1770565285332,"projectUrl":"project/college-and-career-inspirations/10084153/","projectTitle":"College and Career Inspirations","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Amber","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2815811_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1466713402405","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2815811"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_50787","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":474,"numTeachers":34,"percentFrplEligible":60,"percentAsian":9,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":6,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":20,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":39,"percentMultiracialImputed":23,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"13.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_DISTANT"},"inStateSupporters":53.8,"schoolId":50787,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Waimea Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Waimea Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/hawaii-school-district/waimea-elementary-school/50787"}