{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Hilo High School","outOfStateSupporters":45.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"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"},{"teacherId":8363923,"projectId":9354193,"letterContent":"Thank you for your kind donation to our classroom. The Magic Mill Food Dehydrator Machine, Spartan Industrial - Clear Reclosable Zip Plastic Poly Bags, and Food Grade Silica Gel Packs Desiccant Packs are an exciting addition to our room. My students have benefited from your support of their learning! They have been able to collect local fungi samples, dehydrate them and then use them to extract DNA samples to profile. \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\nThe students are being able to engage in real science thanks to the equipment that I received! Besides the lab that we just completed, I am excited to figure out new and engaging ways to use these resource even more.\r\n\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":1752805513628,"projectUrl":"project/exploring-dna-profiling-of-our-local-fun/9354193/","projectTitle":"Exploring DNA Profiling of our Local Fungi","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Garet Uemura","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8363923"},{"teacherId":8316925,"projectId":9283519,"letterContent":"You have our gratitude for your recent donation. Your generosity has made a tangible impact on our physics program, specifically through the purchase of three-prong folders for our students. These folders, now a staple in our classroom, have become a key tool for organization and success. They allow students to neatly store and categorize all of their materials—from daily notes and worksheets to lab reports and activities—by unit. This simple yet effective system ensures that every student has their resources readily available and in one place, which is crucial for reviewing concepts and preparing for exams.\r\n\r\nThe benefits of this organizational system extend far beyond just tidiness. Your contribution has directly supported a more effective and less stressful learning environment. Instead of fumbling for loose papers, students can now focus their energy on understanding complex physics principles. This small change has a ripple effect, reducing classroom chaos and increasing student confidence as they take control of their own learning materials. Knowing where to find everything empowers them to be more independent and proactive in their studies.\r\n\r\nOn behalf of the students and staff, thank you once again for your investment in our educational community. Your support is a powerful motivator for our students, showing them that their hard work is valued and that people believe in their potential. Your kindness not only provides us with the tools we need but also reinforces the importance of community and generosity. We are truly grateful for your partnership in making our physics program the best it can be.","fullyFundedDate":1749045357684,"projectUrl":"project/file-this-under-student-success/9283519/","projectTitle":"File This Under: Student Success!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Takata","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8316925"}],"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"}