{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Waikoloa Elementary & Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":42.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9625248,"projectId":9930492,"letterContent":"The impact of this project on my second-grade classroom has been profound, transforming the way my students engage with complex ideas. In these early years, students are navigating the critical shift from \"learning to read\" to \"reading to learn,\" where text-heavy materials can often feel like an insurmountable barrier. The Teachers Pay Teachers gift card has allowed me to bypass these obstacles using high-quality visual aids that make the curriculum accessible to every child. What is most exciting to my students is the immediate sense of mastery these resources provide. There is a palpable energy in the room when I reveal a vibrant new digital anchor chart or a set of \"Vocabulary Bricks.\" For a seven-year-old, the most \"exciting\" part is the moment the \"fog\" lifts; they feel like experts because they finally have the visual tools to anchor their thinking and navigate concepts like \"erosion\" or \"place value\" with total confidence.\r\n\r\nBeyond simple engagement, these resources ensure equitable access for my diverse group of learners, including emerging readers and English Language Learners. In ELA, these visuals act as the \"glue\" for new vocabulary, helping students encode information much more effectively than through text alone. In science and social studies, visuals for concepts like \"photosynthesis\" or \"continent\" provide the critical context needed to make abstract lessons tangible and lasting. Your generosity has allowed me to hand-pick customizable worksheets and activities tailored specifically to my students' unique needs. You haven't just provided materials; you have provided the \"aha!\" moments that build a lifelong love of learning and ensure that every student has an equal opportunity to thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1765578440318,"projectUrl":"project/more-words/9930492/","projectTitle":"More Words!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wheeler-Semrad","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9625248"},{"teacherId":291640,"projectId":9782692,"letterContent":"Students enjoyed using the cards and materials at our STEAM event for the school. Now, students are enjoying using the new cards to practice their math fluency. I can utilize it with students in small groups and share knowledge and games with teachers school-wide. \r\n\r\nMy student M loved to play our addition and subtraction war battle game. Due to this project and donations, I was able to send home a set of cards with his family. The goal that he can practice his fluency at home as well. \r\n\r\nI will continue to use the materials in school-wide math events, supporting classrooms, and use them in my small group interventions. They will continue to make math fluency fun and help students practice their targeted fluency skills.","fullyFundedDate":1759607556101,"projectUrl":"project/playing-for-math-fluency/9782692/","projectTitle":"Playing for Math Fluency","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Souza","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp291640_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1759733561041","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mstaira"},{"teacherId":9657585,"projectId":9753441,"letterContent":"It has been such a joy watching my 2nd graders transform into \"junior electrical engineers\" thanks to your generosity! We've been using the Chompsaw (a child-safe cardboard cutting tool) and our new Electric Circuit kits to bridge the gap between imagination and physics. A standout moment was during our \"Cardboard City\" project: one student was determined to make a lighthouse, and for the first time, they had the tools to cut a perfect circular tower safely.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the classroom was buzzing with pure wonder. To a 7-year-old, a motor or a tiny light bulb feels like a magic trick. They were wide-eyed as they explored the \"teeth\" of the Chompsaw, realizing they could finally build sturdy structures without needing an adult to do the heavy cutting for them. The sense of independence was immediate; they weren't just following instructions—they were inventors.\r\n\r\nYour support has turned our science lessons from simple worksheets into a high-energy workshop where every student feels empowered to create.","fullyFundedDate":1759409973351,"projectUrl":"project/the-chompsaw-challenge-from-blueprint-t/9753441/","projectTitle":"The ChompSaw Challenge: From Blueprint to Build","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kerr","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9657585_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723697501189","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9657585"},{"teacherId":9657585,"projectId":9489282,"letterContent":"On behalf of my students and myself, I want to express our deepest gratitude for your generous donation to our classroom's hands-on learning project. Your contribution has profoundly impacted the daily lives and educational experiences of my students, providing them with exciting new resources that have brought learning to life in tangible ways. The joy and engagement these materials have sparked is truly wonderful to witness.\r\n\r\nThe children have especially embraced the opportunity to become young scientists! Thanks to your support, recess has transformed into an exciting field study where students eagerly grab their new magnifying glasses to explore the plants, insects, and dirt all around our campus. This simple yet powerful tool has fostered a natural curiosity about the world and has been a fantastic, low-pressure way to introduce foundational concepts related to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Inside the classroom, materials like play-doh have become invaluable learning and regulation tools. Students now look forward to using the play-doh during phonics lessons to creatively spell out their \"heart words,\" solidifying their literacy skills. Additionally, quick, two-minute play-doh brain breaks offer the perfect sensory outlet to help students reset and refocus for their next learning task.\r\n\r\nWe are also seeing incredible benefits from the new dominoes! Beyond being a fun activity, the students have been developing crucial critical thinking skills by discussing cause and effect as they set up intricate chains and watch them fall. Furthermore, the dominoes have encouraged collaboration and spatial reasoning as students work together to build impressive towers and structures. These new resources—the magnifying glasses, the play-doh, and the dominoes—have been a beneficial investment in our students' education, adding a layer of depth, discovery, and practical experience that simply wasn't possible before. Thank you again for investing in these hands-on opportunities and enriching our classroom experience.","fullyFundedDate":1757548385454,"projectUrl":"project/empower-our-classroom-hands-on-learning/9489282/","projectTitle":"Empower Our Classroom: Hands-On Learning for a Bright Start","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kerr","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9657585_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723697501189","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9657585"},{"teacherId":9377587,"projectId":9774229,"letterContent":"My students are thrilled with all of the classroom supplies and the updated chairs you provided through your donation. Every day is just a little bit easier because of your kind generosity.\r\n\r\nThe new reading corner chairs have already been used and adored. They are comfortable while still scholarly, and the kids enjoy reading while sitting in them. Also, my students love stickers that they can put on their water bottles. I have refreshed our collection thanks to you and the students are pleased.\r\n\r\nHaving the ability to order both necessary and fun supplies sets a positive tone for the whole year.","fullyFundedDate":1759388781402,"projectUrl":"project/an-inspiring-classroom/9774229/","projectTitle":"An Inspiring Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Shepherd","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9377587"},{"teacherId":3252004,"projectId":9774493,"letterContent":"Thank you very much for supporting our project for snacks and STEM materials. The students were very excited to have new and novel materials to build and create with. They have learned a lot about working together, sharing, communicating, waiting their turn, and kindness. Their favorite time of day is the unstructured choice time where they can let their creativity run wild!\r\n\r\nHaving a variety of snacks available for students that needed one was a great thing. The students who were distracted because of hunger were able to satisfy their hunger and focus. \r\n\r\nThank you very much for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1759416643144,"projectUrl":"project/healthy-and-snacks-and-stem-materials/9774493/","projectTitle":"Healthy and Snacks and STEM Materials","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Schulz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3252004"},{"teacherId":7199258,"projectId":9772052,"letterContent":"We are deeply grateful for your generous support of our Health & Wellness project. Your contributions—especially the high-protein snacks and essential sensory tools—have already made a meaningful and immediate difference in the lives of our special education students here in Waikoloa, HI.\r\n\r\nStudent Reactions and Immediate Impact\r\n\r\nThe students' faces lit up the moment they saw the new materials. For many of them, who struggle with attention, regulation, and transitions, these supplies were far more than snacks or gadgets—they were signals of care, consistency, and safety. They quickly recognized the sensory items as helpful tools for calming and refocusing, and the protein snacks were welcomed with excitement. They've already become an important part of our daily routine, providing reliable nourishment that helps keep their bodies steady and their minds ready.\r\n\r\nHow We're Using the Supplies\r\n\r\nThese resources are making a remarkable difference during our most challenging time of day—the mid-afternoon learning block. This is when we typically tackle demanding, multi-step math tasks such as proportional reasoning. In the past, students' focus would dip sharply around 1:00 PM, often leading to frustration and disengagement. Now, we've built a structured refueling break using the Premier Protein shakes and FITCRUNCH bars, giving students a much-needed boost of sustained energy. Just last week, a student who previously couldn't maintain focus beyond a few minutes was able to work through an entire 20-minute ratio table activity—a huge milestone that your support helped make possible.\r\n\r\nNext Steps for Student Growth\r\n\r\nWith improved stamina and regulation, students are now ready to dive deeper into their academic goals. We're currently working on the 6th-grade Ratios and Proportional Relationships (6.RP) standards, which require strong reasoning skills and focused attention. Our immediate target is solving two-step unit rate word problems. Thanks to the increased endurance your generosity provides, students are better able to stay engaged while we introduce helpful tools such as graphic organizers and tape diagrams. These resources are supporting not only academic growth but also confidence, independence, and perseverance.\r\n\r\nThank you once again for empowering our students and making meaningful learning—and meaningful breakthroughs—possible.","fullyFundedDate":1759378736892,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-that-make-sense/9772052/","projectTitle":"Snacks That Make Sense","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Blacksmith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7199258_orig.png?crop=423,423,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1649956412195","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7199258"},{"teacherId":9625248,"projectId":9782230,"letterContent":"Please accept this letter as a sincere expression of gratitude for the resources and support that made the recent comprehensive learning project for our 2nd-grade students possible. The integration of these diverse units has had a truly profound and transformative impact on how our students learn and engage with the world around them.\r\n\r\nThe project successfully moved abstract concepts out of textbooks and into hands-on, memorable experiences. The Body Model and Nutrition unit wasn't just about facts; it fostered crucial health literacy by allowing students to physically interact with anatomy, making healthy choices tangible. Similarly, the Water Cycle and Butterfly Habitats/Bugs lessons laid a strong foundational understanding of science and ecosystems, turning observation and inquiry into exciting daily activities. It is inspiring to see their eyes light up as they connect classroom lessons to the natural world.\r\n\r\nBeyond science, the exposure to Folktales/Tall Tales and the history of Ancient Greece/Greek Gods and Goddesses has dramatically enhanced their development. These rich narratives have not only improved literacy and reading comprehension but have also broadened their cultural awareness and sharpened their critical thinking skills as they analyze different societies and stories.\r\n\r\nFinally, the unit on the Age of Aviation has been a spectacular catalyst for inspiring STEM interest and nurturing an appreciation for innovation and engineering. It showed them that complex ideas are achievable and sparked their own future aspirations.\r\n\r\nThis comprehensive and multi-faceted approach ensures that our 2nd graders are developing more than just content knowledge. They are cultivating essential, lifelong skills—curiosity, keen observation, reading comprehension, and critical thinking—that are vital for their future academic success.\r\n\r\nThank you once again for your incredible contribution to their education. Your support has created a truly engaging and enriching learning environment that will benefit these young minds for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1759603120706,"projectUrl":"project/science-and-social-studies/9782230/","projectTitle":"Science and Social Studies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wheeler-Semrad","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9625248"},{"teacherId":9625248,"projectId":9610221,"letterContent":"We are thrilled to share the incredible impact your support has made on our students through the \"Shapes, Shapes and More Shapes\" project! Your generous contribution has directly fueled a hands-on, deeply engaging learning experience that is transforming abstract concepts into concrete, memorable lessons.\r\n\r\nInspiring Real-World Understanding\r\nThe core of this project is to harness the natural curiosity and enthusiasm our students have for learning. By providing them with 2D and 3D shapes, we've moved beyond rote memorization. Our students aren't just reciting definitions; they are actively building and designing, leading to a tangible understanding of geometry.\r\n\r\nSpatial Reasoning: Students are developing spatial reasoning—a critical skill for future success in math and engineering—by learning how shapes work together in the real world. They are beginning to think like problem-solvers and designers.\r\n\r\nA \"Shape of the Month\" Discovery: The \"Shape of the Month\" resource has been a huge success, taking geometry out of the textbook and into their daily lives. Seeing triangles in road signs and circles on clocks reinforces that math is a tool for understanding the world, making learning a continuous, exciting adventure.\r\n\r\nConquering Challenging Concepts\r\nOne of the most profound impacts has been in the area of fractions. This can be a very challenging concept, but your funded materials have made it visual and easy to grasp.\r\n\r\nVisualizing Fractions: Instead of just seeing numbers on a worksheet, students use shapes to literally see what fractions mean. They've experienced the \"Aha!\" moment by folding a square to see two equal parts or dividing a circle to understand quarters. This concrete approach makes fractions easier to grasp and remember, showing them that fractions are simply about sharing or dividing a whole.\r\n\r\nA Heartfelt Thank You\r\nWe want to extend our deepest gratitude for believing in our students and this project. Your support shows them that learning is valued. This initiative is a perfect way to show my students that math is more than just numbers; it's about discovery, creativity, and building something new.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping us turn their natural curiosity into joyful \"Aha!\" moments that will stick with them long after they leave the classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1760738133954,"projectUrl":"project/shapes-shapes-and-more-shapes/9610221/","projectTitle":"Shapes, Shapes, and More Shapes!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Wheeler-Semrad","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9625248"},{"teacherId":667332,"projectId":9775467,"letterContent":"Thanks to generous donations, my students had a deeply engaging and well-nourished quarter of learning. The new mini movable stools transformed our cultural projects unit, enabling dynamic group configurations for research and planning on the new whiteboards. Beyond flexible seating, a rewarding system was implemented where students could earn adorable, puzzle-piece erasers. The most significant impact, however, came from the snacks, which proved especially beneficial for my English Language Learner (EL) students who often arrived late and missed breakfast. As they researched their cultural posters—identifying flags, traditional foods, and attire—they could earn healthy meal replacements and other enjoyable snacks. The visible happiness this created was immeasurable, and students' excitement was clear as they eagerly anticipated our new \"snack stash,\" showing how the donations positively affected their brains, hearts, and stomachs.","fullyFundedDate":1759442906179,"projectUrl":"project/awaken-all-the-learning-senses/9775467/","projectTitle":"Awaken All the Learning Senses!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Iokepa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/667332"},{"teacherId":9167159,"projectId":9203784,"letterContent":"Our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to you for providing sensory supports to multiple students and classrooms at Waikoloa Elementary. The sensory support you provided in terms of \"hug me\" seat cushion, foot bands, hand fidgets assist students to self regulate, relieve stress, and engage better during instructional times in the classroom. \r\n In Ms. Haunani's preschool classroom, the student love the Hug me seat cushion as it gently compresses their body and helps them feel good so they can attend better to their classroom work. The Bouncy feet on the chairs provide \"bouncy movement\" so students that need to move while doing work can remain engage in their work.\r\n As an occupational therapist I also work individually with students with sensory differences and fine motor difficulties. Your support in fruit snacks, pencils, erasers have been utilized daily during participation in classroom activities and as sensory support. Kids love something to chew on Fruit Snacks (and are relatively healthy) to keep them going and engaged in activities.","fullyFundedDate":1754368494604,"projectUrl":"project/learning-with-sensory-support/9203784/","projectTitle":"Learning With Sensory Support","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Romana's sensory support for students","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9167159"},{"teacherId":9657585,"projectId":9364074,"letterContent":"The building bricks, magnetic tiles, pipe cleaners, pattern blocks, and Straw Constructor Toys for Engineering have been incredible donations that the students have absolutely loved, and they've transformed our classroom's learning environment. These resources are essential for cultivating key skills like creativity and critical thinking. Watching the students engage with these materials, designing everything from complex magnetic castles to pipe cleaner sculptures, showcases their impressive problem-solving abilities. Every design challenge they tackle requires them to think critically about structure, balance, and spatial relationships. These hands-on activities don't just occupy time; they actively develop the foundational cognitive skills crucial for future academic success and foster a genuine excitement for learning and building.\r\n\r\nSpecifically, these resources have significantly expanded our STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) curriculum. STEM is a vital area of early childhood brain development because it encourages inquiry, logical reasoning, and experimentation, teaching children to observe the world and ask \"how\" and \"why.\" I've intentionally integrated these materials into our dedicated science time. For example, we've used the Straw Constructor Toys to build bridges and test their load-bearing capacity, or the magnetic tiles to explore geometric shapes and principles of attraction. The difference in engagement is remarkable; students are inherently more engaged and focused when they can apply scientific concepts directly by building with their hands. These donations are an invaluable investment in our students' developing minds, providing the tools they need to become tomorrow's innovative thinkers and engineers.","fullyFundedDate":1753060061162,"projectUrl":"project/beyond-play-stem-toys-for-exploration/9364074/","projectTitle":"Beyond Play: STEM Toys for Exploration","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kerr","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9657585_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723697501189","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9657585"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_61322","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":732,"numTeachers":52,"percentFrplEligible":51,"percentAsian":9,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":16,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":24,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"14.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"TOWN_REMOTE"},"inStateSupporters":57.2,"schoolId":61322,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Waikoloa Elementary & Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Waikoloa Elementary & Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/hawaii-school-district/waikoloa-elementary-school/61322"}