{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Waimea Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":46.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10254898,"projectId":9977921,"letterContent":"STEM kits transformed my 5th grade classroom into a hands-on, engaging learning environment where students actively explored science, technology, engineering, and math concepts. Instead of simply reading about ideas, students built, tested, and problem-solved using real materials, which helped them better understand and retain what they learned.\r\n\r\nThese kits strengthened critical thinking and problem-solving skills by encouraging students to ask questions, experiment, and design solutions. STEM activities promoted creativity and perseverance, allowing students to learn from mistakes and try new approaches—skills that supported both academic success and real-world challenges.\r\n\r\nIn addition, STEM kits fostered collaboration and communication. Students worked together in teams to complete challenges, share ideas, and explain their thinking. This not only built confidence but also supported social and emotional growth alongside academic development.","fullyFundedDate":1770432290482,"projectUrl":"project/science-kits/9977921/","projectTitle":"Science Kits","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Koenig","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10254898"},{"teacherId":9552222,"projectId":9874552,"letterContent":"Mahalo nui loa for making \"Joyful Learning for Every Learner\" a reality for my students. Because of your generosity, our classroom has been transformed into a more engaging, hands-on, and supportive learning environment where every child can succeed.\r\nMy students have already begun using the materials in meaningful ways. The dry-erase boards and math spinners have made small group instruction more interactive, allowing students to actively participate, take risks, and build confidence in their math and literacy skills. The building materials and hands-on tools have encouraged problem-solving, collaboration, and perseverance, which are skills that are especially important for my learners.\r\nThe digital timers have been a game-changer for helping students manage transitions, stay focused, and develop independence. Art supplies like paint, markers, and craft materials have allowed students to express their creativity during seasonal projects such as Valentine's Day, Earth Day, and Mother's Day. These projects not only strengthen fine motor and writing skills but also give students a sense of pride and accomplishment.\r\nIn our special education classroom, many students need additional support with attention, regulation, and confidence. Your donation has helped create a structured yet joyful environment where students feel safe to try, make mistakes, and grow. I have already seen increased engagement, improved participation, and more positive attitudes toward learning.\r\nMost importantly, your kindness has shown my students that there are people beyond our classroom who believe in them and care about their success. That message is powerful and lasting.\r\nThank you for making a difference in the lives of my students and for helping us bring joyful learning to every learner.","fullyFundedDate":1772135626969,"projectUrl":"project/joyful-learning-for-every-learner/9874552/","projectTitle":"Joyful Learning for Every Learner","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lani","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9552222_orig.jpg?crop=1977,1977,x0,y65&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1716159693855","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-laniormsby"},{"teacherId":9552222,"projectId":10103959,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our classroom has transformed into a space where students feel supported, engaged, and ready to learn each day. The materials you helped provide have made an immediate and meaningful impact on my students with special needs.\r\n\r\nThe snacks have helped students stay focused and regulated throughout the school day. Many of my students struggle with attention and emotional regulation, and having consistent access to snacks has reduced frustration and helped them remain engaged during lessons and small-group instruction.\r\n\r\nThe hands-on STEM materials have sparked curiosity and confidence. Students who often hesitate to participate academically are now excited to build, explore, and problem-solve together. These activities have strengthened collaboration, perseverance, and critical thinking skills while allowing students to learn through movement and exploration.\r\n\r\nGames for rainy days have become powerful tools for teaching social skills such as turn-taking, communication, and flexible thinking. Instead of unstructured downtime, students now practice cooperation and positive interactions in a supportive environment.\r\n\r\nThe organization's containers have also made a big difference by creating clear, accessible learning spaces. Students are developing independence as they learn to select, use, and return materials on their own, supporting executive functioning and smoother classroom routines.\r\n\r\nYour support has helped create a classroom where students' academic, social, and emotional needs are all valued. Because of you, my students experience learning as joyful, structured, and inclusive.\r\n\r\nMahalo for investing in our students and helping them grow with confidence every day.","fullyFundedDate":1771596943259,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-minds-hearts/10103959/","projectTitle":"Fueling Minds & Hearts","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lani","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9552222_orig.jpg?crop=1977,1977,x0,y65&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1716159693855","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-laniormsby"},{"teacherId":9469214,"projectId":10108208,"letterContent":"The items for the light table, the sand for the sand table, and the sea creatures for the water play have greatly enhanced the sensory experience my students are enjoying in the special needs preschool. We are so so grateful to you. Since my students do not yet write, we decided to instead paint and stamp some of our hand prints and paint them into sea creatures to THANK you for what you have done to bless our classroom. From the bottom of my heart I do thank you for your help with this project. These items will last for years and have helped my students be able to learn in a hands-on manner in school.","fullyFundedDate":1771686154150,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-ocean-for-early-learners/10108208/","projectTitle":"Sensory Ocean For Early Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. B","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9469214_orig.jpg?crop=2320,2320,x0,y139&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1707957744925","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9469214"},{"teacherId":3814946,"projectId":10103937,"letterContent":"The introduction of these tactile resources has allowed us to shift our focus from procedural fluency—simply following steps—to true conceptual depth. When the materials arrived, the students were curious, but the real impact became visible during our first guided lesson on multi-digit subtraction. There was a noticeable hush of concentration as students used the regrouping kits to physically decompose a ten. \r\n\r\nWe recently used the fraction comparison strips during a small-group rotation focused on equivalence. Rather than memorizing the rule of multiplying the numerator and denominator, students spent time overlaying different strips to see the physical relationship between 1/2, 2/4, and 4/8. This hands-on exploration led to a much more grounded classroom discussion about how the size of the fractional unit changes as the denominator increases. \r\n\r\nFurthermore, I have also been utilizing the professional texts to refine my questioning techniques, moving away from \"Is that the right answer?\" toward \"How does your model prove your thinking?\" Your contribution has provided the scaffolding necessary for them to move from concrete exploration to abstract mastery. Thank you for supporting my learners.","fullyFundedDate":1771507587064,"projectUrl":"project/building-conceptual-math-understanding/10103937/","projectTitle":"Building Conceptual Math Understanding","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Raz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3814946_orig.jpg?crop=328,328,x27,y69&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1646607267462","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/missraz"},{"teacherId":3257392,"projectId":10103471,"letterContent":"Mahalo nui loa in funding Motivational Magic for our students. Often times, students have difficulty with keeping focus on their work. Having a treasure chest full of an assortment of stickers, colorful pencils, and fun erasers has magically given students an incentive to complete their lessons. \r\nPhonemic awareness is an essential skill for students to master while learning to read. Phonic kits makes it easier to practice their skills by moving magnetic alphabet tiles to built words. Stress free recalling of phonics with their kits makes learning stress free and fun with their new learning tool. Happy faces and laughter while building words makes learning fun with their phonics kits! Having extra rechargable batteries for my Botley robots is life-saving. An operational Botley is the highlight in our Computer Science blocks! Colorful aprons while teaching is such a great visual to remind students that it's okay to have different opinions and choices in life. Thank you again for your support in our classrooms.","fullyFundedDate":1771641622237,"projectUrl":"project/motivational-magic/10103471/","projectTitle":"Motivational Magic","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lawson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3257392_orig.jpg?crop=410,410,x352,y75&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597003767576","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/g-lawson"},{"teacherId":9469214,"projectId":10022743,"letterContent":"My students were so excited when they saw the new materials. We put the ocean creatures in some blue bubble water with some of the measurement materials and they played for an hour. They were able to enjoy a relaxing experience with the sensation of the water. The experience led to opportunities to socialize and share with one another. I was really proud of how well they managed their emotions during this play session. The next day we played with the new sand which provided another relaxing sensory opportunity. We painted our hands and made them into sea creatures (see photo) to say THANK YOU to you. You are so appreciated!","fullyFundedDate":1770432290510,"projectUrl":"project/sensory-ocean-experience/10022743/","projectTitle":"Sensory Ocean Experience","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. B","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9469214_orig.jpg?crop=2320,2320,x0,y139&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1707957744925","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9469214"},{"teacherId":3257392,"projectId":9934423,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding our project to help transition our Computer Science \"push in\" classes into a fun Mobile Computer Lab. My students from Kindergarten, First, and Second grade are being introduced to coding through on-line computer lessons. On occasion, there are technical difficulties and they are unable to use their computer devices. Therefore, having \"unplugged\" activities as a back-up plan is truly helpful. Also, students are practicing coding skills but are unable to practice their skills in \"real life\". Having rechargable batteries to use our Botley Robots makes it so exciting as they wait their turns to practice their amazing skills. Students are so engaged and excited with HUGE smiles on their faces as they practice their in-person coding skills. The Osmo kit will be next when I'm able to get coding games for the starter kit. (Math game was not in stock.) Some of my reluctant learners are frustrated when they are learning their coding skills online. But when they see the Botley Robots in operation, they get so excited that they'll do their jobs quickly to get their turn to code with the Botely Robots. Thank you so very much for putting that sparkle onto all our students' faces and making it a wonderful hands-on learning experience.","fullyFundedDate":1766000326082,"projectUrl":"project/mobile-computer-lab-power/9934423/","projectTitle":"Mobile Computer Lab Power","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lawson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3257392_orig.jpg?crop=410,410,x352,y75&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1597003767576","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/g-lawson"},{"teacherId":8820701,"projectId":9513282,"letterContent":"Our keiki have been exploring our new learning equipment. The Kodak camera has been instrumental in teaching us responsible use of technology, and basic camera functions. \r\nWe've been learning about digital media and the different ways to edit and transfer our files and photos. \r\nThis school year, we will have the opportunity to display our photos in our schools art show. The equipment we received is helping to prepare us to display our very best work. As an introduction to journalism, these basic tools, camera equipment, display options, SD cards, all play a vital role in our success. Mahalo for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1757548215189,"projectUrl":"project/small-hands-small-lenses/9513282/","projectTitle":"Small Hands, Small Lenses","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Marvalee","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8820701_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1677871965323","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/weshistorians"},{"teacherId":7941549,"projectId":9709721,"letterContent":"Thank you for your aloha and generosity. Our students have been very busy using the space you have helped us to create to learn about feelings, emotional regulation, community, working together as well as other values relating to a sense of belonging. \r\n\r\nWhen our students see a donors choose package for them in our new class shed, the students jump for joy and excitement! \r\n\r\nCheers of gratitude can be heard from our new garden space. We have worked on our garden mural as a school. We still have some kiddos to put their handprint on the wall; but we are definitely getting really close to making sure every student and school staff member can contribute to our SEL mural depicting a \"sense of belonging.\" \r\n\r\nMahalo and thank you so so much for sharing aloha to our kiddos at Waimea Elementary School!","fullyFundedDate":1762831399424,"projectUrl":"project/paint-plant-prosper-growing-our-futur/9709721/","projectTitle":"Paint, Plant, Prosper: Growing Our Future!","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Kumu Mahea","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7941549_orig.png?crop=398,398,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1628049799144","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7941549"},{"teacherId":393541,"projectId":9885516,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our STEMas Holiday Challenge has truly transformed our classroom! We are used the materials during our holiday challenge with shoeboxes. Students designed their own float using a theme of their choice. Students were challenged to create things on their float using various materials.\r\nWhen students first saw the materials, their faces lit up with excitement. They were\r\nespecially excited to use the cardboard cutter. The cutter go students to brainstorm ideas for what they could create using the cardboard so that they could use it.\r\n Your contribution did more than provide materials — it created opportunities for collaboration, creativity, perseverance, and joy in learning. Our classroom is filled with excitement, teamwork, and meaningful problem-solving because of you. Thank you for investing in our students' growth and success!","fullyFundedDate":1762831401179,"projectUrl":"project/stemas-holiday-challenge/9885516/","projectTitle":"STEMas: Holiday Challenge!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Carvalho","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/393541"},{"teacherId":5607464,"projectId":9775362,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my students have a comfortable and beautiful reading area. They enjoy sitting in their little island oasis sharing books and doing their school work. We so appreciate everything you do for the students of Waimea Elementary, especially your support of our classroom. \r\n\r\nWithout supporters like you, our classroom would be uninspiring and stark. You've contributed to the atmosphere of our class, which has lifted students' spirits and made them feel like the classroom is a warm, inviting place to be.","fullyFundedDate":1759455309033,"projectUrl":"project/learning-in-style/9775362/","projectTitle":"Learning in Style","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sayegh","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5607464"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_50787","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":474,"numTeachers":34,"percentFrplEligible":60,"percentAsian":9,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":6,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":20,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"13.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"RURAL","ncesMetroType":"RURAL_DISTANT"},"inStateSupporters":53.7,"schoolId":50787,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Waimea Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Waimea Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/hawaii-school-district/waimea-elementary-school/50787"}