{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Helemano Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":38.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9344359,"projectId":10732127,"letterContent":"Words cannot truly express how grateful my students and I are for your incredible generosity. Because of your support, our DonorsChoose project was fully funded, and our classroom recently welcomed a brand-new class pet!\r\n\r\nFrom the moment our new furry (or scaly!) friend arrived, the energy in our room completely shifted. The students have already taken on daily care routines with such enthusiasm, proving just how much they value this opportunity. Having this pet in our classroom is doing so much more than just bringing joy—it is teaching them genuine responsibility, empathy, and patience as they learn to look after another living creature. Furthermore, it has united our classroom into a tighter-knit community, giving everyone a shared goal, daily conversations, and a collective sense of pride.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and for investing in experiences that teach life lessons far beyond the standard curriculum. You have made a lasting, positive impact on our classroom family.","fullyFundedDate":1791735971608,"projectUrl":"project/stem-classroom/10732127/","projectTitle":"STEM Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tachibana","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9344359"},{"teacherId":10273828,"projectId":10362666,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous contributions to our DonorsChoose classroom project. The students were so excited to receive these packages and couldn't wait to see what was inside. \r\n\r\nOur bright green carpet has created a comfortable seating area and made our circle time so much more enjoyable, and has even served as a \"stage\" for student presentations. The laminator allows students to preserve their hard work and take it home to display. The magnetic dots make it possible to play interactive whiteboard games that the students have enjoyed.","fullyFundedDate":1785545368511,"projectUrl":"project/creating-a-classroom-that-inspires/10362666/","projectTitle":"Creating a Classroom That Inspires","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dureg","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10273828"},{"teacherId":9468664,"projectId":10375251,"letterContent":"The new resources have already begun transforming my daily classroom instruction across reading, writing, and math. For reading, students are placed into groups based on their reading levels for small-group read-alouds. Higher-level readers are diving into Front Desk, a realistic fiction novel that directly aligns with my Social Studies unit on Migration. This novel illustrates the experience and hardships of migrating to the U.S. Meanwhile, readers in my lower Lexile tier are reading Zoey and Sassafras, a STEM-infused fantasy that has hooked their interest and boosted their reading fluency. Each student uses a dedicated folder of response questions designed to integrate 3rd-grade English Language Arts standards, checking comprehension while reinforcing core writing skills. Beyond text, hands-on learning has expanded their horizon. By bringing in fresh kale, the students had a firsthand experience with a new vegetable, broadening nutritional awareness in a community where fresh produce isn't widely consumed.\r\n\r\nInteractive tools have significantly elevated student focus and collaboration during core subjects. During writing blocks, students used large magnetic whiteboards to draft topic sentences for informational essays.This concept is often challenging due to their limited vocabulary and difficulty structuring sentences. However this challenge was manageable with the use of the interactive wipeboards. In math, these same whiteboards paired with multi-faced dice turn routine computation practice into an exciting activity. Generating multi-digit addends with the dice boosted student engagement to exceptional levels. My classroom was filled with pure joy and excitement as students eagerly explored each new item that was brought out. The remaining materials will be used throughout the year as other concepts and skills are introduced.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, the goal is to continue to foster long-term student engagement and meaningful learning. By integrating high-interest novels, my goal is to help students develop a genuine love for reading, deepen their comprehension, and support their overall reading stamina. I also aim to shift struggling students' mindset from believing they are not good in math to equipping them to view math as a solvable puzzle. The shift in classroom culture is already taking root, best seen when my students ask, \"Are we going to read in our groups today?\" or \"Is it our turn to create the (math) problems?\"","fullyFundedDate":1784959458013,"projectUrl":"project/beyond-the-textbook-rich-literature-t/10375251/","projectTitle":"Beyond the Textbook: Rich Literature & Thinking Classrooms","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Patti Anne Tamura","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9468664_orig.jpg?crop=652,652,x28,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1709494208642","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9468664"},{"teacherId":9076510,"projectId":10225396,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for donating to this project! Your support gave us the bookcase for our Kimochis' corner! The cute tree shaped bookcase symbolizes where these characters \"live\" on Kimochis Way in the social emotional stories. It also makes a cute way for the kids to have access to them!\r\nThe storage bins have brought some MUCH needed organization to our room so I can organize our incentive area in a cabinet in containers. It's been amazing!! \r\nWe are also enjoying the new treasure box, which was previously a clear container so it's fun to have an actual treasure box now. \r\nWe truly appreciate your donations! These have made a big difference in our room!","fullyFundedDate":1787344702171,"projectUrl":"project/seating-and-storage-solutions/10225396/","projectTitle":"Seating and Storage Solutions","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Amy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9076510_orig.jpg?crop=755,755,x54,y524&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1787793984625","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9076510"},{"teacherId":9378247,"projectId":8693346,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for helping make this project possible! Having these everyday classroom supplies has made such a meaningful difference in our classroom. I can now create colorful visual supports, individualized materials, and other resources that help my students access their learning in ways that work for them. Having reliable supplies on hand has also made our classroom more organized and allowed me to spend less time trying to make do and more time focusing on my students. These may seem like small things, but they make a big difference in our day-to-day classroom. I am incredibly grateful for your generosity and support!","fullyFundedDate":1726642994123,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-materials/8693346/","projectTitle":"Classroom Materials","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kelly","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9378247"},{"teacherId":9380468,"projectId":10103046,"letterContent":"The arrival of these new resources has completely transformed our daily classroom dynamic, and the student reactions were pure joy! When the boxes arrived, the kids were instantly mesmerized by the swirling colors of the hand2mind Sensory Tubes, and there was an immediate rush of curiosity to try out the active ECR4Kids Wobble Stool. We immediately put the items to use during our literacy block; while a small group enthusiastically built vocabulary structures using the Tower of Sight-Words Games, other students grabbed their individual Kisston Lap Desks to find comfortable, independent working spots on the rug. We even used the JBL Flip 5 Speaker to play soft, instrumental concentration music, creating a focused and calming environment where students could thrive.\r\n\r\nThese tools have already proven invaluable for emotional regulation and academic focus. For instance, during a challenging reading task, a student who started feeling overwhelmed was able to quietly retreat to our new \"Calm Down Corner,\" using the primary emotions sensory bottle to take deep breaths and successfully reset. Moving forward, our next steps are to launch a \"Sight-Word Championship\" using the Lakeshore learning games and to teach the students how to self-advocate for their learning needs—learning to recognize when they need a lap desk for isolation versus when they need a wobble stool to burn off extra energy. Your investment has given these children a comfortable, supportive place to grow, and we are so grateful for your generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1771438769175,"projectUrl":"project/flexible-seating-for-all/10103046/","projectTitle":"Flexible Seating for All","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Takafuji","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9380468"},{"teacherId":7936826,"projectId":10104445,"letterContent":"The impact of this project has been immediate and meaningful for my students. With the introduction of classroom money and a classroom store, students are highly motivated to demonstrate positive behavior, perseverance, and responsibility. They earn classroom money throughout the week and use it to shop or save for rewards, which has helped them make strong connections between their choices and outcomes. The organized shelf allows students to independently browse and make thoughtful decisions, reinforcing ownership and independence. One powerful moment was seeing a student choose to save his money for a larger reward—something he proudly shared with his classmates, who encouraged him. Moments like this highlight growth in self-control and goal-setting.\r\n\r\nStudents were incredibly excited when they first saw the materials, and that excitement has continued to drive engagement. Beyond motivation, the classroom store has created meaningful academic connections. Students practice real-world math skills like counting, adding, and budgeting, and they reflect on their goals through discussions and writing. The system has strengthened our classroom community and created a positive environment where effort is recognized and celebrated.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, students will take on leadership roles in managing the store and help design new reward options. We are also connecting this system to a goal-setting unit where students track their progress and reflect on their growth. This project has become more than just a reward system—it is helping students build responsibility, confidence, and lifelong skills.","fullyFundedDate":1771619845283,"projectUrl":"project/rewards-that-inspire-our-classroom-stor/10104445/","projectTitle":"Rewards That Inspire: Our Classroom Store","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. M-M","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7936826"},{"teacherId":9804010,"projectId":10104973,"letterContent":"Thank you for recognizing that 7- and 8-year-olds aren't meant to sit still all day! The wobble chairs and standing desks have given my students a sense of agency over their own learning. They are learning to recognize when their bodies need movement and are choosing the workspace that helps them succeed. The sensory toys have been a game-changer for my students who struggle with transitions, providing a calm way to reset. Our classroom is a much more inclusive, joyful place because of your support.","fullyFundedDate":1771550983650,"projectUrl":"project/flexible-seating-for-all-students/10104973/","projectTitle":"Flexible Seating for All Students","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Trevino","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9804010"},{"teacherId":10437999,"projectId":10105497,"letterContent":"Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity and thoughtfulness. We were really excited to open our deliveries and start using our new resources! \r\n\r\nThe Grade 1 students we service were so excited to open the magnetic phonics kits and couldn't wait to start spelling and decoding their words. Your donation has helped us to bring fun into our classroom with the use of the magnetic boards for hands on learning. The students find it so much more engaging than just writing on paper or even using whiteboards. Each student has been eagerly participating and excited to learn. You helped us do that!!\r\n\r\nThe incentives that you helped us purchase has really helped in motivating our students to try their best in class and provide their maximum effort. When they participate, work hard, and show their thinking, we reward them with stars. When they reach 10 stars, they are able to trade them in for a ball in our ball machine. Your donation has helped us fill those balls with rewards. Not only does your donation reward students with incentives, but it also teaches them a life lesson that if you work hard, and have a good attitude, good things will come your way. \r\n\r\nThank you again for all of your support of our students.","fullyFundedDate":1771783603345,"projectUrl":"project/reinforcing-and-building-literacy-skills/10105497/","projectTitle":"Reinforcing and Building Literacy Skills","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Shimoda","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10437999"},{"teacherId":10273828,"projectId":10095696,"letterContent":"Since receiving the most recent donations, our classroom library has truly flourished. The new collection of chapter books has generated great excitement among students, who are eagerly borrowing and reading them. These additions have not only refreshed the classroom environment but have also fostered a culture of reading, with students encouraging one another to explore new series. Providing access to engaging, grade-level chapter books has been especially rewarding.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, the other donated supplies have significantly supported classroom organization. For example, the 2-inch binders are being used to store curriculum materials and instructional resources, as well as to organize worksheets for early finishers.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your generous support of both teachers and students—it is making a meaningful impact in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1771785072770,"projectUrl":"project/books-rewards/10095696/","projectTitle":"Books & Rewards!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dureg","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10273828"},{"teacherId":9076510,"projectId":10111034,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my project! This project helps us run our Kindness Rocks project that we do every fall. This is a campus wide event where my counseling students paint kindness rocks and hide them around campus for others to find. It has grown every year and teachers and staff now help paint extra rocks for us to hide. This coming year, we will also be handing out one of the affirmation cards to each student on campus that week. \r\nIn addition to the Kindness Rocks project, I also requested some fun new fidgets, snacks, and fun updates for the counseling office. The pluffle and the new slime where they can find objects hidden within have been huge hits! These type of items help kids relax and they are often more likely to open up and share during sessions when they are just playing with things like this in a no pressure environment. \r\nAgain, your support is greatly appreciated not only by myself but my students as well!!","fullyFundedDate":1772039405644,"projectUrl":"project/kindness-matters/10111034/","projectTitle":"Kindness Matters","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Amy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9076510_orig.jpg?crop=755,755,x54,y524&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1787793984625","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9076510"},{"teacherId":10379691,"projectId":9952611,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generosity and support of my students. Because of you, our school now has social emotional learning tools that are already making a meaningful difference in students' daily experiences. \r\n\r\nThe fidgets, wiggle cushions, and headphones are being used both during counseling sessions and in classroom settings. These tools help regulate their bodies, calm their minds, and stay focused during instruction. The calm down corners are used to reset, ground themselves, and ease anxiety before retuning to learning. The incentives are also motivating students to meet daily classroom goals and celebrate positive growth. \r\n\r\nYour kindness has helped my students feel safe, confident, and ready to succeed. I am deeply grateful for your support and for the lasting impact you've made on our school community.","fullyFundedDate":1769177436377,"projectUrl":"project/helping-students-feel-calm-confident-a/9952611/","projectTitle":"Helping Students Feel Calm, Confident, and Ready to Learn","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Higa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10379691"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_50888","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":429,"numTeachers":42,"percentFrplEligible":59,"percentAsian":27,"percentBlack":3,"percentWhite":7,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":22,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":13,"percentMultiracialImputed":25,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"10.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":61.6,"schoolId":50888,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Helemano Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Helemano Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/central-oahu-school-district/helemano-elementary-school/50888"}