{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Kealakehe High School","outOfStateSupporters":49.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10359811,"projectId":9917252,"letterContent":"thank you for providing the paperback copies of the amazing novel \"Number the Stars\" by Lois Lowry. The story highlighted the importance of having courage to stand up for what is right, even in the face of possible undesirable consequences. Author Lois Lowry has stated that her goal is to help readers focus on the interdependence all humans share with each other and with their environment. These values align with the values of the community where our students live, so reading the book has been a great way to affirm our local values and also draw connections to the rest of the world. \r\n\r\nAnother great benefit of receiving your gift of a class set of paperback novels is that even though some novels like \"Number the Stars\" are available online in digital form, there will always be issues such as internet problems or situations where students arrive for class without their laptop. Thankfully, the class set of paperback books allows us to sidestep those issues.\r\n\r\nThank you again!","fullyFundedDate":1769177437284,"projectUrl":"project/real-life-heroes-inspire-tomorrows-lead/9917252/","projectTitle":"Real Life Heroes Inspire Tomorrow's Leaders!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Kerley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10359811"},{"teacherId":7518403,"projectId":9895818,"letterContent":"Students of the Kealakehe high have been using the materials to make beautiful multicolored prints. The resources really allowed students and to push the basic limits of printmaking and achieve things they did not know were. possible. The different hardnesses of linoleum created a variety of surfaces for students to print with. The print making knives made it possible for every student to have a working cutting tool in class at the same time. We are so incredibly gratefulwithout donors like you we could not make this possible. Mahalo","fullyFundedDate":1771544214920,"projectUrl":"project/help-our-students-bring-their-prints-to/9895818/","projectTitle":"Help Our Students Bring Their Prints to Life!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. A","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7518403_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753123552782","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7518403"},{"teacherId":10034843,"projectId":9957325,"letterContent":"Music has transformed the atmosphere and energy of our classroom in ways that are both immediate and lasting. Through the addition of drums, a guitar, and a ukulele, students were given access to instruments that many of them had never touched before. What began as a simple opportunity to explore music has grown into a meaningful source of connection, creativity, and joy for every student involved.\r\nFrom the very first day the instruments were introduced, there was a noticeable shift in engagement. Students who are typically reserved began to participate more openly, while others who often struggle to stay focused found a new outlet for their energy. The hands-on nature of learning through music has allowed students to express themselves in ways that traditional academic settings do not always make possible. Whether they are keeping a steady beat on the drums, experimenting with chords on the guitar, or learning simple melodies on the ukulele, each student has found a point of entry into the experience.\r\nBeyond skill-building, the emotional impact has been profound. Music has created moments of shared joy and accomplishment that strengthen our classroom community. Students encourage one another, celebrate small successes, and collaborate in ways that build confidence and trust. Laughter is more frequent, stress is reduced, and there is a growing sense of belonging among students. These instruments have not only added sound to our classroom—they have added heart.\r\nThe accessibility of these instruments has also been critical. Many of our students do not have opportunities outside of school to engage with music education or to explore instruments due to financial or logistical barriers. This project has helped bridge that gap, ensuring that all students—regardless of background—can experience the benefits of music. For some, this may be the first step toward a lifelong interest or talent; for others, it is simply a chance to discover something new and enjoyable.\r\nImportantly, music has also supported academic and social development. Students are practicing patience, perseverance, and listening skills. They are learning to follow patterns, recognize rhythm, and work collaboratively—skills that extend far beyond the music itself. The confidence they build while playing an instrument often carries over into other areas of learning.\r\nIn short, this project has brought more than instruments into our classroom—it has brought opportunity, expression, and joy. The positive impact on student engagement, emotional well-being, and classroom culture is clear every day. We are deeply grateful for the support that made this possible, as it continues to enrich the lives of our students in meaningful and lasting ways.","fullyFundedDate":1771003160151,"projectUrl":"project/strumming-toward-success-bringing-musi/9957325/","projectTitle":"“Strumming Toward Success: Bringing Music Into Our Classroom”","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Haddin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10034843"},{"teacherId":10256913,"projectId":9783658,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the supplies for Algebra 1 and Algebra 2. For about 60 Algebra 2 students, the Ethnomathematics component was integrated into a two-week Polynomial Photo Hunt project, culminating in an ʻOhe Kāpala–inspired art activity.\r\nStudents began by taking a meaningful photograph from their daily lives that could be modeled by a polynomial function. After importing their photo into Desmos, they created a polynomial equation using sliders for the coefficients a, b, c, d, and e. Students identified the local maxima and minima of their functions and reviewed these mathematical features.\r\nThese polynomial curves then became the design inspiration for a modern interpretation of traditional ʻOhe Kāpala stamp making. Students learned about the cultural background of ʻOhe Kāpala, including its historical significance and the geometric symmetries—such as reflections and rotations, embedded in traditional patterns. Using non-traditional materials, students traced their polynomial curves onto sticky tape, cut out the shapes, and adhered them to a pair of chopsticks to create functional stamps.\r\nStudents then used paint to print repeated patterns onto blank cardstock, creating personalized mahalo cards. The meaning of mahalo and the cultural importance of expressing gratitude were discussed with students. Each student completed their card and gifted it to someone in their life, reinforcing both mathematical creativity and cultural values.\r\n\r\nApproximately 75 Algebra 1 students participated in an activity called Linear Spears, which connected linear functions to Makahiki traditions. To introduce the lesson, students learned about Makahiki games and their cultural context. The class then moved outside, where students set up an x-y coordinate plane on the field.\r\nWorking in groups, students created three \"lines\" by tossing pool noodles, representing spears from the traditional Sliding Spears competition, so that each landed across the coordinate plane. After taking a photo of the three spear placements, students uploaded the image into Desmos. From there, they determined the slope and y-intercept of each \"spear line,\" then wrote the equations for all three lines. Students submitted a screenshot of their Desmos work through Google Classroom and completed analysis questions to deepen their understanding of linear relationships.\r\nImpact and Reflection\r\nAcross both courses, these Ethnomathematics lessons supported mathematical learning through culturally meaningful, hands-on experiences. Students demonstrated high engagement as they applied algebraic concepts in creative, physical, and culturally grounded contexts. The activities strengthened student understanding of polynomial and linear functions while fostering appreciation for Hawaiian culture, practices, and values. The donations made it possible to design, implement, and refine these lessons, ultimately enriching learning for over a hundred students at Kealakehe High School.","fullyFundedDate":1769177439277,"projectUrl":"project/active-algebra/9783658/","projectTitle":"Active Algebra","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. O'Connell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10256913"},{"teacherId":8822841,"projectId":10091373,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, my students were able to use these new materials during our recent student showcase, where families and community members were invited into our classroom to participate in real science. Students took on the role of scientists by testing food samples for macromolecules. They prepared the samples by blending them and then conducted four different chemical tests to identify sugars, starches, and proteins.\r\n\r\nMy students were incredibly excited to use real lab equipment and reagents. They took pride in explaining the science behind each test to visitors and guiding them through the process. It was powerful to see students who are sometimes hesitant in class step up with confidence when given the opportunity to lead and share their knowledge.\r\n\r\nThis experience helped reinforce key concepts while also building communication and collaboration skills. It made learning feel authentic and meaningful, not just another assignment.\r\n\r\nNext, students will continue using these materials in our upcoming labs on cell transport, genetics, and DNA. They are especially excited to build on what they've learned by conducting more investigations and making deeper connections across units. Because of your support, my students are not just learning about biology — they are actively doing biology.\r\n\r\nThank you for making these experiences possible.","fullyFundedDate":1771705685980,"projectUrl":"project/bringing-biology-to-life-through-hands-o/10091373/","projectTitle":"Bringing Biology to Life Through Hands-On Experiments","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pickett","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8822841"},{"teacherId":2044936,"projectId":10105209,"letterContent":"Many thanks for donating to our D&D club here at Kealakehe High! The source books have allowed the students to dive into new lore and mechanics, sparking some wild adventures that have kept their campaigns fresh and exciting. It's been awesome to see them huddle over a new manual, brainstorming their next big quest or a unique character build.\r\n\r\nThe miniatures are also a hit! Seeing a real dragon and other monsters towering over their characters on the map has transformed how they visualize encounters. It's so much easier for the players to strategize when they can actually see the battlefield layout, and it adds that extra spark of magic to every session.\r\n\r\nYou've truly leveled up our after-school experience. Thank you for supporting our creative journeys!","fullyFundedDate":1771667574347,"projectUrl":"project/big-adventures-with-miniatures/10105209/","projectTitle":"Big Adventures (with miniatures)!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Dahlke","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2044936_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1508441792478","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/hslibrarian"},{"teacherId":10085776,"projectId":9772645,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donations. The students absolutely love and are grateful for the new equipment that we received. They use the medicine balls all the time and incorporate them into their daily workouts! \r\n\r\nThe resistance bands are another favorite that has allowed more students the ability to start improving their back strength and start doing pull ups. Before, many students couldn't do a single pull up, but with the bands, they can start doing them and work towards their goals of doing them without the bands eventually.\r\n\r\nThe next steps are to continue to build up my weight room and update the old equipment and maintain the new!","fullyFundedDate":1759550242350,"projectUrl":"project/power-our-weight-room-to-help-empower-ou/9772645/","projectTitle":"Power Our Weight Room To Help Empower Our Students!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Besmer","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10085776_orig.jpg?crop=1080,1080,x0,y658&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754344018758","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10085776"},{"teacherId":9338752,"projectId":10016934,"letterContent":"Halfway through our first AP Precalculus year, your gift is a game-changer. While textbooks are static, these \"vetted\" resources provide the visual scaffolding students need to see how circles turn into waves.\r\n\r\nThe most exciting part? Students feel like \"pros\" because these tools mirror the actual AP exam rigor. I've seen students who once struggled with algebra find their \"grit\" through these visual transformations—one quiet student even began leading study groups! Thank you for giving them the specialized tools to master trigonometry and succeed this semester.","fullyFundedDate":1768959771422,"projectUrl":"project/materials-for-a-new-ap-precalculus-class/10016934/","projectTitle":"Materials for a New AP-Precalculus Class","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Court","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9338752_orig.jpg?crop=1529,1529,x371,y216&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752974861397","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9338752"},{"teacherId":8823611,"projectId":9715484,"letterContent":"We wanted to send a huge mahalo for the awesome graphing calculators! It has turned our math class into more of a lab where we can experiment and see exactly how changing one number moves the whole graph. It's way less \"math homework\" and way more \"problem-solving.\"\r\n\r\nHaving these calculators makes everyone feel like they can actually do this. For those students who used to get stressed out by long multiplication or messy fractions, these tools lets them focus on the big ideas without getting stuck on the small stuff. It's given a lot of them a huge boost in confidence. You have given them the technology they need to get ready for Calculus next year.","fullyFundedDate":1759199076871,"projectUrl":"project/unlocking-math-potential-with-graphing-c/9715484/","projectTitle":"Unlocking math potential with graphing calculators","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Moana Thompson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8823611"},{"teacherId":10034843,"projectId":9969600,"letterContent":"I really appreciate you sharing your personal story when you donated for this project. It's really nice to hear and they have your support. The kids are thriving in this project kids that were afraid to be. Teachers are now teachers and enjoy it and I've learned something about themselves. Kids have developed Student voice and have shown appreciation for our environment and some of the innovative solutions they've come up with are pretty amazing. Thank you for your donation. It's really appreciated.","fullyFundedDate":1766965796737,"projectUrl":"project/from-invasive-species-to-informed-voices/9969600/","projectTitle":"From Invasive Species to Informed Voices","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Haddin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10034843"},{"teacherId":9789669,"projectId":9623140,"letterContent":"I'm really sorry about getting these pictures to you late as I forgot that it was something I needed to do. The students have been doing an amazing job with this project. We connected it to Shakespeare poetry as well so there's a literacy element to it. Thanks so much for your generous donation. The kids had a really good time putting all the materials into their bags and we were able to really talk about the community in the impact that this project is going to have on the community. We're still in the reflection process but the initial giving of the gifts has been done.","fullyFundedDate":1756347924398,"projectUrl":"project/community-compassion/9623140/","projectTitle":"Community Compassion","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Haddin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9789669_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1756663720473","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9789669"},{"teacherId":10174749,"projectId":9587080,"letterContent":"Mahalo nui loa for your generous contribution to our classroom. Bringing these Hawaiian Language dictionaries into our learning space is more than just providing a resource; it is a direct investment in the revitalization of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi here in Kailua-Kona. After nearly a century of restricted use, having these tools readily available to our youth is truly a special opportunity, and your support makes it possible.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, reading and studying look like active exploration and cultural reconnection. These dictionaries are vital tools used daily to strengthen vocabulary, facilitate deeper cultural exploration, and nourish the natural curiosity of our students. Instead of relying solely on digital tools, students are learning to physically navigate the language, understanding the nuances of word meanings and roots in a tangible way. Through these texts, we are introducing skills that allow students to bridge the gap between ancestral knowledge and modern application, empowering them to become confident speakers and stewards of the language.\r\n\r\nIt has been heartwarming to see the reaction of our students. One student in particular, who was hesitant at the beginning of the semester, now spends their lunch breaks looking up words related to local flora and fauna to use in their poetry. Seeing their faces light up when they successfully translate a complex phrase is the ultimate reward. Because of your support, ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi is truly flourishing within our school community.","fullyFundedDate":1762737881016,"projectUrl":"project/revitalizing-the-hawaiian-language/9587080/","projectTitle":"Revitalizing the Hawaiian Language","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Kumu ʻŌhiʻa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10174749_orig.jpg?crop=4000,4000,x0,y2000&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1770776745145","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kealakehehawaiianlanguage"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_66435","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1401,"numTeachers":74,"percentFrplEligible":60,"percentAsian":15,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":16,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":17,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"18.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"TOWN_REMOTE"},"inStateSupporters":50.4,"schoolId":66435,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Kealakehe High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Kealakehe High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/hawaii-school-district/kealakehe-high-school/66435"}