{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Hilo High School","outOfStateSupporters":45.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9369942,"projectId":9784814,"letterContent":"On behalf of the students and faculty involved in the Waikoloa Dryland Forest Restoration Project, I extend our deepest and most heartfelt mahalo nui loa (thank you very much). Your generous contribution, specifically providing nutritional snacks and refreshing Gatorade, did more than just fill hungry bellies and quench thirst—it fueled a day of invaluable scientific work and hands-on learning that the students will remember for a lifetime.\r\n\r\nWhen we embarked on this project, our goal was ambitious: to actively participate in the restoration of a critically endangered ecosystem. The Waikoloa Dryland Forest is a unique natural treasure, home to rare native Hawaiian plants like the wiliwili and koaiʻa. Restoring this land requires dedication, perseverance, and a lot of physical labor in a challenging, hot environment. This is where your gifts truly shone.\r\n\r\nThe moment the students saw the boxes of snacks and coolers of drinks, their energy lifted visibly. Before a long morning of removing invasive grasses and planting fragile native seedlings, the Gatorade was essential for keeping them hydrated and energized under the strong sun. A quick break for a protein bar or piece of fruit didn't just offer a moment of rest; it offered them the necessary sustained energy to keep digging, weeding, and caring for the young plants that are vital to the forest's future.\r\n\r\nThis project is far more than just planting trees. It is an exercise in applied science, conservation biology, and cultural preservation. By working the land, students are learning about:\r\n\r\nEcosystem Dynamics: Understanding the delicate balance between native and invasive species.\r\n\r\nAdaptation: Learning how native plants survive in drought conditions.\r\n\r\nData Collection: Tracking the survival rates of the seedlings they planted.\r\n\r\nAnd perhaps most importantly, they are learning the deep Hawaiian value of mālama ʻāina—to care for the land. They are now invested stakeholders in the future of the Waikoloa Dryland Forest.\r\n\r\nYour generosity allowed us to sustain this demanding, full-day fieldwork without compromising student safety or energy levels. It allowed the focus to remain purely on the scientific and conservation goals, rather than fatigue.\r\n\r\nAs we look ahead, the next steps for our students involve returning to the planting site to monitor the growth and survival rates of the 100 seedlings they planted. \r\nThank you again for recognizing the dedication required for this essential work. Your contribution made the difference between a challenging day and a successful, energizing, and highly productive day of conservation. We are deeply grateful for your investment in our students and in the future of our precious native forests.\r\n\r\nWith deepest gratitude,","fullyFundedDate":1759621806328,"projectUrl":"project/fuel-their-future/9784814/","projectTitle":"Fuel Their Future","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Amaral","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9369942"},{"teacherId":5668421,"projectId":9772566,"letterContent":"We are thrilled to report that your generous donations have been immediately integrated into our daily routine, profoundly enhancing our music and technology instruction. The new resources have allowed us to launch a major performance-based project: \"The Ensemble Evolution.\" Our trumpet and cello students are using the high-quality Bach mouthpieces and the D'Addario cello strings to practice their parts for an upcoming winter concert piece, focusing specifically on achieving the rich, consistent tone necessary for a cohesive ensemble sound. Meanwhile, the Apple Pencil is revolutionizing how we handle scores; I use it to annotate complex musical passages directly on our digital whiteboard, helping students visualize technical challenges and rhythmic patterns instantly. This combination of professional-grade instruments and digital precision is fostering a new level of musical excellence and engagement in the classroom.\r\n\r\nThe students' reaction when the materials arrived was one of genuine excitement and appreciation. The moment the double bass student saw the new Markbass Contra Series Strings, their face lit up—they knew immediately the impact those high-quality strings would have on their sound. The trumpet players were eager to try the professional-grade mouthpieces, recognizing the upgrade over our older, worn equipment. The arrival of the music-specific items, along with the universally useful Sharpie markers, signaled to them that their musical education is valued and supported by a generous community. This initial boost in morale has translated directly into more focused practice and enthusiasm for rehearsals.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, our next steps are centered on finalizing our \"Ensemble Evolution\" project. Having established a stronger foundation with the new strings and mouthpieces, our students are now transitioning from sectionals to full ensemble rehearsals. They are applying the immediate, positive feedback they receive from the Apple Pencil annotations to refine their dynamics and articulation. The ultimate goal is to present a performance in the coming weeks that truly showcases the improved tone and technique made possible by your donations. Your contributions have not only upgraded our supplies but have also raised the bar for what our students believe they can achieve.","fullyFundedDate":1759198571916,"projectUrl":"project/tools-to-tune-up-and-draw-on/9772566/","projectTitle":"Tools to Tune Up and Draw On","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Arceo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5668421_orig.jpg?crop=284,284,x46,y202&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1650913605522","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5668421"},{"teacherId":2096644,"projectId":9772405,"letterContent":"The students and I truly appreciate your generous donations toward our metal shop. Thanks to your support, I was able to purchase essential tools and supplies that have made a meaningful difference in my students' learning.\r\n\r\nMany of our donors use technology at home but may not be as familiar with how it is used in schools. In our metal shop, these tools have helped students build real-world technical skills that connect to careers in manufacturing, engineering, and design. They are learning through hands-on work, developing problem-solving abilities and gaining confidence as they complete their projects.\r\n\r\nWhat students find most exciting about the new equipment is the opportunity to turn their ideas into something tangible. Whether they are creating a functional toolbox or designing custom metal art, the tools you helped fund have allowed them to think more creatively and take greater ownership of their work.","fullyFundedDate":1759417720311,"projectUrl":"project/metals-2025-2026/9772405/","projectTitle":"Metals 2025-2026","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Aki","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2096644"},{"teacherId":693953,"projectId":9784602,"letterContent":"Your support has transformed our classroom, allowing us to celebrate the joy and individuality my students bring every day. The resources you funded—snacks, art supplies, and personalized notebooks—have directly met their needs, ensuring that nothing stands in the way of their learning. For instance, in our \"3D Geometric Cityscape\" math project, the new art supplies turned a challenging concept into a hands-on architectural triumph. Students, like Kekoa who usually struggles with abstract math, were able to intuitively master concepts like volume and surface area by designing and building complex structures. The ability to express their understanding creatively has validated their curiosity and deepened their learning experience across all subjects.\r\n\r\nThe personalized notebooks and readily available snacks have also built a strong foundation of security and pride. When the students received their personalized notebooks, the simple gesture fostered a profound sense of ownership over their work, motivating them to stay organized and engaged. We are now using these resources for our personal narratives and storytelling unit. Students are drafting their stories in their unique notebooks and using the art supplies to create illustrations, culminating in a \"Celebration of Stories\" event. Your generosity has provided essential tools that fuel their focus, affirm their value, and empower them to thrive academically and personally.","fullyFundedDate":1759621809273,"projectUrl":"project/ready-set-learn/9784602/","projectTitle":"Ready, Set, Learn!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Blair","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/693953"},{"teacherId":9341218,"projectId":9544718,"letterContent":"Thank you for your support in our classroom. These power outages we have been having, have not been fun. These fans have kept my students cool throughout the blackouts. These fans are also equipped with a portable light that is easily accessible for all students. \r\nOur classroom is an important space where my students not only gain knowledge but also build a love for learning. However, due to [specific challenges—such as outdated classroom facilities, inconsistent temperature control, or insufficient lighting], our classroom often faces issues that make it difficult for students to focus and stay engaged.","fullyFundedDate":1755705521402,"projectUrl":"project/staying-cool-all-year-round/9544718/","projectTitle":"Staying Cool All Year-Round","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hoota","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9341218"},{"teacherId":8363923,"projectId":9785457,"letterContent":"Thank you for your kind donation to our classroom. The plant propagation supplies - pots, sphagnum moss, and plant labels are an exciting addition to our room. My students will be benefiting from your support of their learning!\r\n\r\nThus far they have started to air layer plants in hopes that they will have brand, new trees to take home and grow in a few months! This is exciting in that it provides them with a live skill that provides food sustainability. \r\n\r\nDue to budget cuts and redirection of funds within my school, these activities would not have been possible without your financial assistance. Thank you again for giving my students the chance to interact with materials my school was not able to provide for them. \r\n\r\nWith the current push of \"high stakes testing,\" in which science education is being pushed out of schools so that reading and math test scores will rise, my students are falling in love with science. I make a point to provide my students with hands-on experiences in science, but your donation allows us to take science education further. In my classroom we don't just read about science, we engage in it! \r\n\r\nThese lab supplies have allowed me to vary my lessons and begin to offer each student a tailored opportunity as they learn. I am excited to figure out new and engaging ways to use this resource even more.\r\n\r\nThank you so much again for your support of my students and their success. Once again thank you for opening your heart. Your contribution is genuinely appreciated.","fullyFundedDate":1759630006901,"projectUrl":"project/food-sustainability/9785457/","projectTitle":"Food Sustainability","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Garet Uemura","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8363923"},{"teacherId":8558126,"projectId":9780583,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting this project. The flexible seating and calming fidgets have already made a real difference in my classroom. The Zenergy Ball Chairs were an instant hit. Students who usually have a hard time sitting still during reading or writing are able to focus longer now. The stress balls have also helped a lot. Students grab them during independent work or when they start feeling anxious, and it helps them settle down and get back into what we are doing.\r\n\r\nWhen everything arrived, the kids were super excited. They helped me open the boxes and asked right away if they could try the chairs. One student told me, \"This actually helps me think,\" and that meant a lot because focusing is something he struggles with. The room feels calmer and more comfortable, and students have choices that match the way they learn.","fullyFundedDate":1759548044576,"projectUrl":"project/stress-free-learning-tools/9780583/","projectTitle":"Stress-Free Learning Tools","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kalawe","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8558126"},{"teacherId":429909,"projectId":9533860,"letterContent":"Our students were so excited to begin our college awareness project, and the new materials gave them fantastic tools to work with. The energy was wonderful as they held engaging conversations with teachers all over campus, learning firsthand about their college journeys.\r\n\r\nThis project went beyond a simple report; it gave students a creative outlet to showcase their research. They produced amazing designs to honor the schools their teachers attended.\r\n\r\nMore importantly, this project has already opened up so many new conversations about college. Our hope is that these \"boxes,\" now proudly displayed by teachers, will continue to spark that same curiosity and dialogue between other students and their teachers.","fullyFundedDate":1759260212538,"projectUrl":"project/blowing-college-awareness-across-campu/9533860/","projectTitle":"\"Blowing\" College Awareness Across Campus","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Moore","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/429909"},{"teacherId":6262059,"projectId":9197138,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous funding for our in class hydroponics systems. We received them towards the end of last school year so have really just been able to start exploring how they work and setting up this first quarter of the new year. \r\n\r\nThe students were very excited to set them up and each of them got to plant a few selections of their own. Our experiments range from basil to cucumbers to catnip. We had previous germinated dragonfruit in soil from seeds we took from a fruit we ate in class to great success. The students are looking forward to compare how those same dragonfruit seeds do when grown hydroponically. \r\n\r\nOne goal was to show the students how everyone can minimally have a small kitchen garden towards sustainability. One of our next attempts will be to see what native crops we can grow, since we are focusing on the importance of native plants for the health of the overall ecosystem. \r\n\r\nLastly, I hope Allison is reading this as one of the main donors. The kids got such a kick out of hearing that your dad was my high school Biology teacher. I could see them trying so hard to do the math. I told them to not even bother. : )","fullyFundedDate":1742902656041,"projectUrl":"project/plant-it-forward/9197138/","projectTitle":"Plant it Forward","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Baum","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6262059_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1550456196497","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6262059"},{"teacherId":6262059,"projectId":9152482,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the donations to fund new microscopes. We received them towards last school year so did not get to explore much before school was out.\r\n\r\nThis year is different. I started the year with pulling out most of the tools for exploring science that I have and set up stations. It was surprising to me how much excitement was generated simply through hands on exploration. And also surprising how much practice was still needed with my 10th graders. Due to both the excitement and the need to practice the microscopes have set up permanent residency in our classroom and students access them at all times. They are seldom left unoccupied.\r\n\r\nThe students now want to prepare their own slides and look at things such as pond water, soil, and saliva. That will be our next adventure. Just know that your generosity has opened a (teeny tiny) world to us.","fullyFundedDate":1741638829278,"projectUrl":"project/focusing-in/9152482/","projectTitle":"Focusing In","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Baum","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6262059_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1550456196497","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6262059"},{"teacherId":5886073,"projectId":9179687,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity! We have our blocks and will make our patterns with them in the down time of making ceramic projects.\r\nThe blocks are great to exhibit high contrast and pattern. We can't be in clay all of the time, so this project is a great way to teach the elements of art and still be able to use these as stamps in our clay making slabs.\r\nI like to focus on the natural beauty of Hawaii. Flora and Fauna is a great way for my student to be aware of this special place that we live in.\r\nThank you so much for your donation.\r\naloha,","fullyFundedDate":1747095851750,"projectUrl":"project/hawaii-block-printing-flora-and-fauna/9179687/","projectTitle":"Hawaii Block Printing Flora and Fauna","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Mant","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5886073_orig.jpg?crop=1512,1512,x255,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726813635606","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-mant"},{"teacherId":5886073,"projectId":9179456,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for contributing to our ceramics program! We have a very humid environment so tools don't stay very sharp. That is why with your help, we were able to get really nice new wooden knife tools to help create our pumpkins this year.\r\n We made two pinch pots, and scored and slipped them together. Then they used our new tools to blend a cohesive inside. Then they carved out their faces and made Jack 'O Lanterns.\r\n The good news is that we made them early enough for them to be enjoyed the month of October. Thank you so much for supporting the ceramics program, the students and I really appreciate it!","fullyFundedDate":1746559164066,"projectUrl":"project/tools-for-terrific-talents/9179456/","projectTitle":"Tools for Terrific Talents!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Mant","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5886073_orig.jpg?crop=1512,1512,x255,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726813635606","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-mant"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_50760","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1170,"numTeachers":78,"percentFrplEligible":60,"percentAsian":14,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":7,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":21,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"15.0:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"TOWN_REMOTE"},"inStateSupporters":54.7,"schoolId":50760,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Hilo High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Hilo High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/hawaii-school-district/hilo-high-school/50760"}