{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Elsie Wilcox Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":22.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8365255,"projectId":6959862,"letterContent":"The addition of flexible seating cushion pads and specialized desks has transformed the small group environment into a space where students feel physically supported and mentally ready to engage. In reading and math intervention, where students often face high levels of frustration or anxiety, the ability to settle into a comfortable, ergonomic space helps lower their affective filter. The cushion pads allow students to find a posture that suits their sensory needs, reducing the constant fidgeting or discomfort that often distracts from complex tasks like decoding text or solving multi-step equations. By providing a \"defined\" personal space within the small group, these tools help students ground themselves, leading to longer periods of sustained focus and a more relaxed atmosphere for learning.\r\n\r\nThe positive impact on student learning has been significant, particularly regarding participation and peer collaboration. Because the desks are designed for proximity and the cushions create an inviting \"learning nook\" feel, students are more willing to take risks and share their thinking during math talk or guided reading discussions. This physical comfort translates into increased stamina; students who once struggled to remain engaged for ten minutes are now able to work through a full intervention block with fewer behavioral disruptions. Ultimately, these resources have shifted the classroom dynamic from a rigid, traditional setting to a responsive environment that honors student comfort, directly resulting in higher confidence and improved academic growth in core foundational skills.","fullyFundedDate":1672309085546,"projectUrl":"project/sensational-seating/6959862/","projectTitle":"Sensational Seating!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Nii","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8365255_orig.jpg?crop=1000,1000,x0,y20&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1666811599693","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8365255"},{"teacherId":7495010,"projectId":9773297,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your generous support of our third-grade classroom. When I posted this project, I knew that the end-of-year season would be a whirlwind of big emotions and high stakes, but I didn't fully realize how much your kindness would transform the atmosphere of our room during these pivotal weeks.\r\nThank you so much for your generous donation to our classroom! Your support means the world to both my students and me.\r\n\r\nIt is so heartening to see members of the community invest in our children's education and well-being. Because of your kindness, my students have the tools and resources they need to feel supported, motivated, and excited about learning every single day.\r\n\r\nWe are so grateful for your belief in our classroom and for helping us make this school year a success!","fullyFundedDate":1759249638146,"projectUrl":"project/sel-in-3rd-grade/9773297/","projectTitle":"SEL in 3rd Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kagawa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7495010_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y386&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1598904177147","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7495010"},{"teacherId":10263943,"projectId":9877254,"letterContent":"Mahalo nui loa for your generous support of our classroom. Because of you, our students are using meaningful resources that enhance both learning and classroom community. The magnet tiles have quickly become a favorite during STEM and math centers, where students build 2D and 3D shapes and work together to complete design challenges. Our Cricut supplies were used for a very special project—we created shirts for our first-grade teachers that represent \"aloha,\" reflecting our school's Hawaiian values of kindness, respect, and unity. Presenting the shirts was a proud and heartfelt moment for everyone involved.\r\n\r\nThe 10-drawer rolling cart has greatly improved teacher organization of papers and materials, allowing me to focus more on small group instruction and individualized support. Our slug night light helps create a peaceful atmosphere during small groups, reducing distractions and supporting classroom management. Students also love the teacher stamps on their graded work and are motivated by incentive stickers on their sticker charts. Connect 4 has encouraged strategic thinking and positive peer interaction during centers and indoor recess.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the materials, their excitement was unforgettable—they felt valued knowing others believe in them. As we move forward, we will continue integrating the magnet tiles into deeper STEM challenges and creating projects that reflect our school's values. Your generosity has brought creativity, organization, and aloha into our classroom, and we are truly grateful for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1762710585314,"projectUrl":"project/supplies-for-smiles-helping-first-grade/9877254/","projectTitle":"Supplies for Smiles: Helping First Graders Shine","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wakano","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10263943"},{"teacherId":9648194,"projectId":9777973,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous donation, I was able to purchase books that truly resonate with my students' passions. Many of my students are avid fans of Pokemon and Minecraft, and providing them with literature that connects to their hobbies has been a game changer. These books have encouraged their new-found love for reading but it also supports their comprehension and stamina. \r\n\r\nThe engagement has been so successful that it has led to a bit of a \"bittersweet\" challenge for me as a teacher. I will occasionally find the students so captivated by the books that they choose to read at their desk during times meant for other assignments. I remember that exact feeling and I love that my students get to experience the same feeling of getting lost in a good book.\r\n\r\nThank you again for all of your continuous support!","fullyFundedDate":1759498339461,"projectUrl":"project/feeding-minds-fueling-brains/9777973/","projectTitle":"Feeding Minds & Fueling Brains","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Matsunaga","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9648194_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723534738125","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9648194"},{"teacherId":10341724,"projectId":9875401,"letterContent":"Since receiving these materials, our classroom has truly come to life. My students use the floor cushions daily during reading centers and small-group instruction, and the calm-down corner tools like the My Feelings Bean Bags and fidget tube have helped students pause, breathe, and return to learning more confidently. The soft string lights and night light have transformed our space into a peaceful, welcoming environment that helps students feel safe and focused throughout the day.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, their excitement was immediate. They eagerly explored the magnetic tiles, math bingo game, and phonics games, working together to build, solve, and play. Several students proudly shared how the calm-down corner helped them feel better when they were upset, and others couldn't wait to sit on the new cushions during read-aloud time. Seeing their smiles and sense of ownership over our classroom has been incredibly meaningful.\r\n\r\nThese resources are also helping us build a strong sense of community beyond our classroom. We used the Cricut to create grade-level shirts for an upcoming school assembly that honors the Hawaiian value of aloha. Teachers worked together to design shirts that represent unity, kindness, and respect, helping bring our grade level together in a visible and meaningful way. This project allowed students to see collaboration, culture, and creativity in action, and it deepened their understanding of aloha as a value we live out every day at school. Thanks to our donors, my students now have a classroom that supports their learning, creativity, and emotional growth every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1762502225276,"projectUrl":"project/creating-a-cozy-and-caring-first-grade-c/9875401/","projectTitle":"Creating a Cozy and Caring First Grade Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cezar","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10341724"},{"teacherId":9648194,"projectId":9763598,"letterContent":"My students and I have absolutely loved utilizing the new resources in our classroom! Every week, the students have the opportunity to participate in \"Fun Friday\" where they can play with the different board games funded by this project. It has served as a wonderful incentive that motivates the students to work hard throughout the week so that they can \"play even harder\" as a reward for their hard work.\r\n\r\nThese board games have helped my students build stronger bonds inside and outside of the classroom. I love that it provides time away from the screens and gives them the opportunity to still play like a kid. \r\n\r\nI hope to continue expanding our \"Fun Friday\" options with more hands-on learning tools that foster creativity and critical thinking. Thank you for your continuous support!","fullyFundedDate":1758985866136,"projectUrl":"project/books-board-games-bright-futures/9763598/","projectTitle":"Books, Board Games, & Bright Futures","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Matsunaga","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9648194_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723534738125","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9648194"},{"teacherId":2957379,"projectId":9781613,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my 3rd grade inclusion students are using the magnetic building sets during STEM centers to design, build, and problem-solve together. Students collaborate to create structures, test ideas, and revise their designs, practicing critical thinking and teamwork along the way. I have seen students with a wide range of abilities confidently participate, share ideas, and take on leadership roles as they build and learn side by side.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, they were thrilled. Many immediately began planning what they wanted to build and eagerly asked when they could start using them. The foam balls, footballs, and catch sets quickly became a favorite during movement breaks, giving students safe and structured opportunities to practice coordination, communication, and turn-taking. These moments of active play have helped students regulate their energy and return to academic learning more focused and ready.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, students will continue using the building sets to support STEM lessons focused on problem-solving and collaboration, while the movement equipment will remain a key part of our daily routine for social skill development and sensory regulation. These resources are helping create an inclusive classroom where every student feels successful, supported, and engaged. Thank you for providing tools that allow my students to learn, play, and grow together.","fullyFundedDate":1759622810513,"projectUrl":"project/building-bright-minds-through-play-and-m/9781613/","projectTitle":"Building Bright Minds Through Play and Movement","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pillos","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2957379_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1454557689670","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/m-pillos"},{"teacherId":7386129,"projectId":9772613,"letterContent":"My students and I are incredibly grateful for your generosity in funding Project Praise. Thanks to your support, we were able to create meaningful family Christmas gifts using our new HP Envy Inkjet Photo Printer. The printer allowed me to efficiently and affordably produce high-quality photos for our 2026 calendar gifts. My students were thrilled to design their own calendars and eagerly looked forward to sharing them with their families.\r\n\r\nIn addition, our HP printer has been instrumental in producing \"Golden Ticket\" awards for students who met their growth goals in Reading and Math Diagnostics. These tickets grant students the opportunity to participate in fun, rewarding activities alongside their peers who also earned Golden Tickets. This incentive has proven to be highly effective in motivating students to put forth their best effort, work carefully, and double-check their work.\r\n\r\nOur Cricut has also been put to great use in creating rewards and prizes that students are genuinely excited about. So far, I have created personalized name stickers for water bottles, pencil boxes, folders, and more.\r\n\r\nOverall, Project Praise has been a tremendous success, fostering excitement, motivation, and meaningful progress in my students' academic achievement, self-confidence, and determination. I am eager to see what the second semester brings as we continue using these new technological tools—made possible by the generous support of the Hawaii Department of Education.","fullyFundedDate":1759494561570,"projectUrl":"project/let-students-shine-through-project-prai/9772613/","projectTitle":"Let Students Shine Through \"Project Praise\"","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cua","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7386129"},{"teacherId":10296423,"projectId":9782504,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding my project to help bring board games into the classroom. When I unboxed the games, the students were so excited, and couldn't wait to get a chance to play with the board games. Every week, my students get free-time, and during this time, they play various board games. Their favorite game so far has been Uno Attack, and Tic-Tac-Toe. If we have indoor recess, students are also allowed to bring the games out to play. \r\n\r\nThe students now have access to games that they do not have at home. They are also learning valuable life skills that include strategics, independence, and cooperation. They are learning to play nicely with others and learning to follow game rules and take turns. Our next step is to give more students access to board games by making it available during the morning breakfast time, recess, or even after school. Students need more fun in their lives, and it helps that they are not on an electronic device. Thank you for providing this opportunity to our students.","fullyFundedDate":1759606467884,"projectUrl":"project/game-on-board-games-for-our-schools-2n/9782504/","projectTitle":"Game On! Board Games for Our School's 2nd Graders","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Inouye","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10296423"},{"teacherId":7494869,"projectId":9520580,"letterContent":"When my students received their mini silver buckets, their faces lit up with excitement. They loved decorating them with stickers and quickly took ownership of filling them with the mini erasers they earned for showing aloha and choosing love. What was even more special was watching them \"fill\" each other's buckets—quietly dropping erasers into a classmate's bucket to celebrate an act of kindness or encouragement. It was such a beautiful, genuine expression of our Choose Love lessons in action.\r\n\r\nEach day, the heart neon signs and \"Be Kind\" light glow in our classroom, adding warmth and reminding everyone that aloha is something we live, not just talk about. The kids also cheered when I brought out the neon Velcro balls—they finally get to use their catch paddles again at recess!\r\n\r\nAcademically, it's been so rewarding to see how much more engaged students are during online work. Having their own stylus lets them circle multiple-choice answers or underline text evidence in their stories, making digital learning feel hands-on and personal.\r\n\r\nThese small additions have truly brightened our classroom and deepened the sense of community, care, and joy that I want my students to feel every single day. Mahalo again for your generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1755747317738,"projectUrl":"project/teaching-with-comfort-care-and-aloha-e/9520580/","projectTitle":"Teaching With Comfort, Care, and Aloha Everyday","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Monique Kan- Souza","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7494869_orig.jpg?crop=480,480,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1736367262739","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-kansouza"},{"teacherId":2995413,"projectId":9158642,"letterContent":"Thanks to your incredible generosity, our project is fully funded and already transforming our classroom!\r\n\r\nYour donation immediately provided our students with the essential, hands-on learning tools they need to succeed in mathematics. The Fraction and Decimal Tiles and Place Value Disks allow students to move beyond abstract numbers and physically build their understanding of complex concepts, like decimals and place value.\r\n\r\nCrucially, the multitude of clear storage containers, pencil boxes, and dry-erase pockets immediately solved our most pressing organizational challenges. These items ensure that every manipulative, game piece, and tool is neatly stored, labeled, and instantly accessible. This efficiency maximizes learning time, encourages student independence, and guarantees that this investment—including the engaging UNO games and fun academic incentives—will be protected and used effectively for years to come. You have empowered every student to become a hands-on, organized, and confident learner.","fullyFundedDate":1741971426955,"projectUrl":"project/making-math-fun-with-manipulatives/9158642/","projectTitle":"Making Math Fun With Manipulatives","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Imai","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2995413_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1648078343303","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jimenez3"},{"teacherId":9584385,"projectId":9161350,"letterContent":"My students and I are making full use of our new classroom resources, and they have quickly become part of our daily learning and play. The Lego bases and magna tiles are especially popular! Mystudents love building their own unique creations and combining pieces to make larger structures together. They are also exploring engineering concepts with the magnetic gear activity, testing how gears connect and move when arranged in different ways. Another favorite addition has been the personal drawing boards that each child receives as a birthday gift this school year. These have encouraged creative expression and given students a sense of ownership over their learning tools.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the new materials, their excitement was contagious. They could hardly wait to get their hands on them, and the joy on their faces said it all. The Lego bases were an instant hit. Students were thrilled that each of them had their very own to build on, which made the experience feel even more special. The room quickly filled with laughter, collaboration, and creativity as they began building, experimenting, and imagining together. It was a wonderful reminder of how the right resources can spark curiosity and make learning both fun and meaningful.","fullyFundedDate":1742084049998,"projectUrl":"project/kindergartners-love-to-create-and-expres/9161350/","projectTitle":"Kindergartners Love to Create and Express Themselves!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Somera","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9584385_orig.jpg?crop=2099,2099,x0,y293&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1720313250023","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9584385"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_50969","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":743,"numTeachers":51,"percentFrplEligible":50,"percentAsian":24,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":3,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":20,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"14.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"TOWN_REMOTE"},"inStateSupporters":77.1,"schoolId":50969,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Elsie Wilcox Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Elsie Wilcox Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/kapaa-kauai-waimea-school-district/wilcox-elementary-school/50969"}