{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Helemano Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":34.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":7936826,"projectId":9777388,"letterContent":"Aloha and Thank You!\r\n\r\nI am deeply grateful for your generosity and support of our classroom project! When my students first saw the new materials, their eyes lit up with excitement and curiosity. They couldn't wait to explore, build, and learn. Many immediately began creating number towers with the linking cubes and testing out the magnetic blocks to design patterns and structures — transforming math time into hands-on exploration.\r\n\r\nWe've already begun using the Sensational Math Place Value Discs, Cuisenaire Rods, and polyhedral dice during small-group lessons to strengthen number sense and problem-solving. Students are collaborating, comparing strategies, and explaining their thinking with greater confidence. The Surf Lap Desks have been a huge hit too — students love choosing their own learning space for reading, partner work, or independent reflection.\r\n\r\nOne special moment came when a group of students used the magnetic blocks to model arrays for multiplication. They proudly shared their creations and explained how each layer represented a repeated addition sentence — a perfect blend of creativity and math reasoning!\r\n\r\nOur classroom store continues to motivate positive behavior and perseverance. Students earn M&M Bucks for demonstrating effort and teamwork, and they love exchanging them for fun rewards like bouncy balls and bracelets. These incentives have helped build responsibility, patience, and goal-setting skills.\r\n\r\nNext, we'll be using these same manipulatives and flexible seating tools to explore measurement, geometry, and STEM challenges. Thanks to you, my students are not only learning important academic skills but also discovering the joy of collaboration, curiosity, and self-directed learning.","fullyFundedDate":1759495660186,"projectUrl":"project/3m-math-move-and-market/9777388/","projectTitle":"3M: Math, Move, and Market","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. M-M","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7936826"},{"teacherId":7936826,"projectId":9277883,"letterContent":"Mahalo for your generous donation to our classroom! My students are absolutely loving the new math manipulatives. Every day, they use the place value tiles to build and regroup numbers, the Cuisenaire rods to compare values, and the colorful dice to make math games that strengthen their number fluency.\r\n\r\nThese hands-on tools have transformed our math lessons. Students who once felt unsure about regrouping are now eager to explain their thinking and work together to solve problems. They're developing stronger problem-solving skills and growing in confidence with each activity.\r\n\r\nYour kindness has turned our classroom into a space filled with curiosity, teamwork, and excitement for learning. Thank you for making math meaningful and fun for our young learners!","fullyFundedDate":1746737320967,"projectUrl":"project/building-math-confidence-with-hands-on-l/9277883/","projectTitle":"Building Math Confidence with Hands-On Learning Tools!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. M-M","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7936826"},{"teacherId":3715113,"projectId":9165020,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom project. Your contribution has made a tangible difference in our students' learning environment, and we're so excited to share the impact with you.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new materials, their eyes lit up with excitement. The collective gasp and buzz of chatter was amazing to witness, and the collaborative board games and STEM toys quickly became the most sought-after items during our learning centers. We've been using the STEM toys for a \"Build a Bridge\" challenge, and it's been incredible to watch the students at work. I recently saw a group of four students, who sometimes struggle with working together, tackle the challenge head-on. After an initial moment of frustration, they used the skills we've been practicing—listening and taking turns—to re-evaluate their plan and collectively build a single, collaborative bridge. The moment they successfully connected the final piece, they all cheered together, showing me that these resources are truly fostering teamwork and problem-solving. Our next step is to integrate these collaborative skills into our upcoming science unit on simple machines. The students will be working in groups to design and build their own functioning machines, applying their social-emotional learning in a more structured, long-term context.\r\n\r\nThank you again for helping us create a dynamic and supportive space for our students to learn and grow.","fullyFundedDate":1742055238443,"projectUrl":"project/develop-social-skills-through-play/9165020/","projectTitle":"Develop Social Skills Through Play","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Tochiki","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3715113"},{"teacherId":9076510,"projectId":9298208,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our school wide Kindness Rocks Project!! We launch this project in November each year in conjunction with World Kindness Day. Students paint rocks with positive messages and cute designs that spark joy. Then they \"hide\" them all over our campus for others to find. \r\nThis year, thanks to your donation, we will also be handing out kindness stickers and bracelets to our entire school community. It has been amazing watching this project grow over the last 2 years and we are looking forward to celebrating our 3rd year with your donation!","fullyFundedDate":1746785871226,"projectUrl":"project/spread-kindness-to-our-school/9298208/","projectTitle":"Spread Kindness to Our School","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Amy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9076510_orig.jpg?crop=1257,1257,x91,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1686860333496","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9076510"},{"teacherId":9076510,"projectId":9298626,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our school wide Kindness Rocks Project!! We launch this project in November each year in conjunction with World Kindness Day. Students paint rocks with positive messages and cute designs that spark joy. Then they \"hide\" them all over our campus for others to find. \r\nThis year, thanks to your donation, we will also be handing out kindness stickers and bracelets to our entire school community. It has been amazing watching this project grow over the last 2 years and we are looking forward to celebrating our 3rd year with your donation!","fullyFundedDate":1746469737978,"projectUrl":"project/spread-kindness-to-our-school/9298626/","projectTitle":"Spread Kindness to our School","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Amy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9076510_orig.jpg?crop=1257,1257,x91,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1686860333496","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9076510"},{"teacherId":9804010,"projectId":9170127,"letterContent":"Our second-grade classroom has been truly transformed into a more engaging and effective learning environment. The individual desk lights have empowered each student to create their ideal workspace, reducing eye strain and boosting concentration during independent tasks like reading and writing. This personalized lighting helps them feel more in control of their learning.\r\n\r\nThe addition of comfortable floor chairs has brought a wonderful sense of flexibility and choice to our room. Students can now choose a seating option that best suits their learning style, whether they prefer to lean back, sit upright, or even gently fidget. This adaptability has not only improved their focus but also encouraged more collaborative interactions among classmates.\r\n\r\nFurthermore, incorporating subtle classroom scents has added another sensory layer to our learning space. These calming aromas help create a more pleasant and less stressful atmosphere, subtly enhancing focus and contributing to a positive and inviting experience for all my students. We've seen a noticeable difference in their engagement and overall well-being","fullyFundedDate":1742136038783,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-learning-space/9170127/","projectTitle":"Sensory Learning Space","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Trevino","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9804010"},{"teacherId":9804010,"projectId":9334168,"letterContent":"I'm so thrilled to share how much the donations have transformed our classroom! We wrapped up the school year with wonderful new lighting, comfy seating choices, and engaging math learning materials.\r\n\r\nThe clip lights are truly fantastic for giving the kids the freedom to move about the room while still having plenty of light to continue their work. The new seating arrangements have been a huge success, empowering my students to find the perfect spot where they can learn most effectively, which has led to noticeable improvements in their work. And with the addition of the math dice for games, their understanding of place value has really blossomed.\r\n\r\nInitially, the students were quite intrigued by the new materials. However, after using them for just a short while, the new seating options quickly became one of their top choices. And the math games, especially with those dice, became a fast favorite among all my students!","fullyFundedDate":1746952072763,"projectUrl":"project/unlock-their-potential-supporting-innov/9334168/","projectTitle":"Unlock Their Potential: Supporting Innovative Learning for Second Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Trevino","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9804010"},{"teacherId":9380468,"projectId":9152126,"letterContent":"Your generosity has truly transformed our classroom! The new materials you helped us acquire have opened up a world of possibilities for my students, and we're already seeing incredible results.\r\n\r\nHow We're Using the New Resources\r\nThe impact of these new materials is palpable every single day. The Zilpoo book bins have helped us create a much more organized and accessible classroom library, making it easier for students to browse and choose books independently. The Tinideya floor cushions have revolutionized our learning environment, providing flexible seating options that cater to different learning styles and allow for more collaborative group work. Students love having the choice to sit comfortably on the floor while they read or work on projects.\r\n\r\nOur new headphones have been a game-changer for independent learning and small group activities, especially during our \"listening center\" time where students engage with audiobooks or educational videos without disturbing others. The laminating sheets have been incredibly useful for preserving student work, creating durable learning games, and making reusable classroom visuals. We're also getting creative with the magnetic bookshelves on our whiteboards, using them to display student-authored books or hold important reference materials during lessons.\r\n\r\nA particularly exciting project has been incorporating the ThinkFun Gravity Maze Marble Run and Liquid Motion Bubbler Sensory Toys. These aren't just toys; they're powerful tools for developing critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and self-regulation. We've used the Gravity Maze in our STEM challenges, with students working together to design complex marble runs, while the bubblers have become a go-to for quiet focus time, helping students regulate their emotions and return to their work feeling refreshed. The highlighters, cardstock, glue sticks, and erasers are all those essential supplies that keep our creative and academic projects flowing smoothly every day!\r\n\r\nStudent Reactions to the Materials\r\nYou should have seen their faces when the boxes of new materials arrived! There was an audible gasp and then a burst of excited chatter.\r\n\r\nThe floor cushions were an immediate hit; students were practically bouncing with excitement to try them out. The new headphones brought a sense of individual focus and responsibility, and they loved picking their favorite color. They were equally fascinated by the Gravity Maze, immediately gathering around to figure out how it worked, and there was a palpable buzz of curiosity and problem-solving energy in the room. The book bins brought a sense of order, and they took pride in helping to organize our books in their new, colorful homes. Even the simple act of having plenty of new glue sticks, highlighters, and erasers brought smiles, as they often worry about supplies running out. They saw these as \"tools for learning and creating,\" and that shift in perception has been incredibly powerful.\r\n\r\nNext Steps for Our Students\r\nOur classroom is buzzing with new possibilities thanks to your support! We're currently planning a \"Design Our Dream Reading Nook\" project, where students will use the floor cushions and book bins to create cozy, inviting spaces for independent reading. They'll be designing their own layouts and decorating their chosen areas, fostering a sense of ownership over their learning environment.\r\n\r\nWe're also expanding our STEM center with the Gravity Maze, creating more complex challenges and encouraging students to document their design process and the scientific principles at play. With the new laminating sheets, we're preserving their designs and instructions to create a rotating library of STEM challenges for future use.\r\n\r\nYour support has truly ignited a new level of engagement and passion for learning in our classroom. We are so grateful for your belief in our students and our educational mission. Thank you for making these transformative experiences possible!","fullyFundedDate":1741636308157,"projectUrl":"project/tools-and-supplies/9152126/","projectTitle":"Tools and Supplies","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":9107287,"letterContent":"This project will have a significant positive impact by transforming the classroom into a space that supports students' physical and mental well-being, directly enhancing their learning experience. While many of our donors are familiar with using technology at home, this project shows how simple, innovative tools—like standing desks and rubber desk bands—can be powerful in a school setting. These tools integrate movement into the learning process, helping students stay focused, energized, and engaged. The standing desks allow students to switch between sitting and standing, improving posture and attention spans, while the desk bands offer a subtle way to release energy and maintain concentration.\r\n\r\nWhat excites my students most is the sense of choice and control these tools give them over their own learning environment. Many students have commented on how much more alert and comfortable they feel when using the standing desks, and the desk bands have quickly become a favorite, especially for those who tend to get restless during lessons. One student in particular, who often struggled with staying seated and focused, has shown remarkable improvement—he now eagerly participates and is noticeably more attentive during class.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generous donation, we are able to create a healthier, more adaptable classroom that meets the diverse needs of every student. Your support is making a real difference in their daily learning experience, and we are deeply grateful for your commitment to helping our students thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1739368034879,"projectUrl":"project/why-sit-when-you-can-stand/9107287/","projectTitle":"Why Sit When You Can Stand?!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. M-M","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7936826"},{"teacherId":9076510,"projectId":9157429,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the amazingly generous donation to my counseling office. I work with special education students and the materials and snacks that you folks funded were very much appreciated by myself and the students. \r\nWe are a Title 1 school in a neighborhood with a high level of food insecurity, so having snacks for my students is crucial to helping them learn. When we feel good and our basic needs are met, we are more likely to retain the information taught. \r\nThe incentives that your donations made possible have been a HUGE hit as well. My students love earning fidgets and rewards after our counseling sessions.","fullyFundedDate":1741893302243,"projectUrl":"project/support-social-emotional-learning/9157429/","projectTitle":"Support Social Emotional Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Amy","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9076510_orig.jpg?crop=1257,1257,x91,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1686860333496","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9076510"},{"teacherId":7936826,"projectId":9171296,"letterContent":"I can't thank you enough for your generous support in helping create a more comfortable and engaging learning environment for my students. Your kindness is making a real difference in their daily lives.\r\n\r\nMany of my students face unique challenges—from frequent moves to limited resources at home—and a traditional classroom setup often doesn't meet their needs. Thanks to you, we now have lap desks and comfy floor chairs that offer the flexibility and comfort they need to truly engage in their learning.\r\n\r\nThese new seating options are already having a positive impact. Students are excited to choose their own spots, settle in with their work, and stay focused longer. Whether they're reading, collaborating, or working independently, they're more comfortable, more confident, and more motivated.\r\n\r\nYou've helped create a classroom that feels welcoming and empowering—a space where every student can thrive. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for believing in my students and in the power of a supportive learning environment.","fullyFundedDate":1742140999363,"projectUrl":"project/flexible-seating-for-focus-and-comfort/9171296/","projectTitle":"Flexible Seating for Focus and Comfort","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. M-M","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7936826"},{"teacherId":9468664,"projectId":9176140,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generosity to our classroom. This project was created to support an earlier project that was funded. The items purchased were used to provide items in our classroom store. The store served as a positive behavior interventions and support system and the children were paid weekly for completing assignments and demonstrating expected behaviors. Yet my primary objective of the store is to teach financial literacy.\r\n\r\nOne particular item, the plush puppies, became a high demand item and resulted in the children learning about supply and demand. When the inventory of the puppies decreased, the price increased and initially the children struggled to understand why. They complained and expressed unfairness and it resulted in some discontinuing their pursuit of saving for a puppy. However those who didn't surrender expressed that there was now less competition and a greater chance of \"adopting\" (purchasing) the pup of their choice. These children indirectly taught their peers this economic concept, and I could not be more proud of my students! \r\n\r\nLastly the integration of the items with our Science Inheritance Traits Unit was remarkable. I'd overhear the children comment on the animal traits of the plush puppies, erasers, and even stickers. Some started to purchase items with a particular trait. This brought a smile on my face because they were applying concepts that were taught in Science.","fullyFundedDate":1742847054528,"projectUrl":"project/financial-literacy-for-young-consumers/9176140/","projectTitle":"Financial Literacy for Young Consumers","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"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_50888","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":417,"numTeachers":42,"percentFrplEligible":61,"percentAsian":30,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":7,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":20,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"9.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":65.6,"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"}