{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Makaha Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":77.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":11950,"projectId":9634747,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our classroom through DonorsChoose! Your generosity is helping our kindergarten through second-grade students explore creativity, craftsmanship, and real-world problem-solving through hands-on art projects.\r\n\r\nThis year, our students have already enjoyed creating their own Christmas ornaments, learning to express themselves while developing fine motor skills, attention to detail, and design thinking. Soon, they will be moving on to an exciting new project: creating bobblehead animals using the pinch pot method. With your support, they will have access to essential materials like air-dry clay, paint, rollers, stamps, pens, sequins, and other decorative tools—everything they need to add detail, personalization, and creativity to their clay creations.\r\n\r\nThrough these activities, students are not only learning important art skills but also discovering how craftsmanship connects to real-world careers in industrial design, ceramics, product development, and architecture. They are practicing design thinking, following multi-step processes, and developing the precision and creativity that professionals in these fields value.\r\n\r\nYour contribution is making it possible for our students to create projects they can be proud of while building skills that extend far beyond the classroom. Thanks to your support, our young artists are gaining confidence, learning to problem-solve, and exploring pathways that could inspire their future careers.\r\n\r\nWe are incredibly grateful for your generosity and for helping us bring the joy of hands-on learning and creativity to our students!","fullyFundedDate":1755974009094,"projectUrl":"project/creative-hands-bright-minds-pottery-pr/9634747/","projectTitle":"Creative Hands, Bright Minds: Pottery Projects for Young Artists","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dennis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp11950_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1524112795646","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/sarah-dennis"},{"teacherId":10205267,"projectId":9634286,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for all these health and safety items for our class. Being in preschool it is very important that we maintain a healthy classroom as young keiki are being exposed to new germs and building their immune systems. All of these items have helped to keep my class functioning, for instance all the paper towels and soap have allowed keiki to learn proper hand washing procedures. As an educator, I am so grateful for all the help I can get to give my keiki the best educational experience possible.","fullyFundedDate":1756174873369,"projectUrl":"project/basic-health-and-safety-preschool/9634286/","projectTitle":"Basic Health and Safety Preschool","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Chloe","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10205267_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y7&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755731313673","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10205267"},{"teacherId":6709949,"projectId":9646414,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support. Your contribution means more than you know. By providing paper towels and QuietSet tower fans, you are helping create a cleaner, healthier, and more comfortable classroom for my students.\r\n\r\nIn a Title I school, even basic supplies can be hard to come by. Your kindness ensures that our students have what they need to stay healthy, focused, and ready to learn. The fans will bring much-needed relief on hot days, and the paper towels will help us keep our space clean and safe.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and giving them a learning environment where they can truly thrive.","fullyFundedDate":1756192672381,"projectUrl":"project/help-our-classroom-stay-clean-and-cool/9646414/","projectTitle":"Help Our Classroom Stay Clean and Cool!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Secretario-Klein","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6709949_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689035569937","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6709949"},{"teacherId":6709949,"projectId":9518472,"letterContent":"Here's a polished, heartfelt thank-you impact letter you can use:\r\n\r\n⸻\r\n\r\nDear Supporters,\r\n\r\nThank you so much for your generous contribution to our classroom. Because of you, my 5th graders walk into a learning environment that feels more comfortable, more engaging, and more inspiring every single day.\r\n\r\nThe new wobble stools are already making a noticeable difference. Many of my students learn best when they can move, shift, or wiggle, and these stools give them the freedom to do that while still staying focused on their work. You've helped create a space where active learners can thrive rather than struggle.\r\n\r\nThe round floor cushions have quickly become a favorite addition. Whether students are participating in small-group discussions, joining a reading circle, or taking a quiet moment to reset, these cushions offer them choice and comfort. It's incredible how something as simple as flexible seating can empower students to take ownership of how they learn best.\r\n\r\nAnd the erasable gel pens—a huge hit! Writing suddenly feels less scary when mistakes can be fixed with a quick erase. These pens are boosting students' confidence, encouraging creativity, and making writing projects something they look forward to. The excitement on their faces as they use them says it all.","fullyFundedDate":1755765463361,"projectUrl":"project/a-more-engaging-classroom/9518472/","projectTitle":"A More Engaging Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Secretario-Klein","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6709949_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1689035569937","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6709949"},{"teacherId":10050134,"projectId":9728139,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our classroom is feeling warmer, brighter, and more connected than ever. Because of your support, our students now have the resources they need to make our celebrations truly special and to transform our classroom into a welcoming community space.\r\n\r\nHow we're using the new resources\r\nThe holiday-themed supplies and classroom essentials you provided have already made a meaningful difference. During our first celebration with the new materials, students gathered on our refreshed carpet area to listen to a story and work on small crafts together. The decorations, supplies, and little surprises created an atmosphere filled with joy, belonging, and excitement.\r\n\r\nTheir first reaction\r\nWhen the items arrived, the students were absolutely thrilled. They pointed out colorful decorations, explored the new craft materials, and rushed to sit together in our updated carpet space. Their eyes lit up as they realized these special items were just for our class celebrations. For many of them, these little touches—treats, themed activities, and festive supplies—make school feel magical.\r\n\r\nWhat's next for us\r\nAs we continue moving through the school year, these materials will help us celebrate each holiday and milestone in ways that bring our class closer together. Our next project involves preparing for our upcoming seasonal celebration, where students will use the new supplies to create crafts, decorate our community space, and share special moments as a class family. These experiences support social-emotional learning, boost confidence, and give students the sense of being seen and valued.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping us create memories, joy, and a true sense of community in our classroom. Your generosity adds magic to our celebrations—and it means the world to my students and me.","fullyFundedDate":1759233656500,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-cheer-holiday-supplies-and-s/9728139/","projectTitle":"Classroom Cheer: Holiday Supplies and Surprises","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. V","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10050134_orig.jpg?crop=1758,1758,x60,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1749090252836","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10050134"},{"teacherId":10050134,"projectId":9397193,"letterContent":"Thanks to your incredible generosity, our Kindergarten classroom has started the year feeling truly supported, cared for, and ready to learn. As a first-year teacher, having these resources has made an enormous difference—not just for me, but for every child who walks through our door.\r\n\r\nHow we're using the new materials\r\nThe back-to-school basics you provided have already become part of our daily routines. Students use the hands-on learning materials during centers and small-group activities, and they're especially excited during our early literacy and math lessons. One of my favorite moments so far happened during a sorting activity: a group of students gathered around a bin of manipulatives, eagerly comparing colors and shapes, proudly announcing their discoveries to one another. It was a perfect snapshot of curiosity and teamwork—exactly the kind of learning I hoped to create.\r\n\r\nTheir first reaction\r\nWhen the supplies arrived, my students were thrilled. Many of them immediately gasped and started pointing out items they recognized. They were so excited to use the new things and using them in class. Their joy was so pure, and it reminded me how something as simple as having fresh materials can make them feel valued and excited for school.\r\n\r\nWhat's next for us\r\nNow that our classroom is stocked with the essentials, we've been working on learning the beginnings of math and literacy through hands-on lessons using our manipulatives. The snacks and hygiene supplies are helping us maintain a nurturing, healthy environment so students can focus on learning instead of hunger or discomfort. Knowing we have these basics covered allows me to plan more engaging activities that help students grow academically, socially, and emotionally.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping us build the foundation of our Kindergarten home. Your kindness has already brought so much joy and stability into our classroom, and we are deeply grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1753035732260,"projectUrl":"project/building-bright-beginnings/9397193/","projectTitle":"Building Bright Beginnings","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. V","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10050134_orig.jpg?crop=1758,1758,x60,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1749090252836","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10050134"},{"teacherId":8168493,"projectId":9772043,"letterContent":"Our classroom has been transformed from a crowded storage space into a structured, professional performance environment—and my students are ecstatic! When the On-Stage Ukulele Rack arrived, they gasped, seeing their instruments displayed neatly and securely instead of just laying on a table. They instantly understood the value of organization, and it has already fostered a greater sense of kuleana (responsibility) in caring for our school property.\r\n\r\nThe most exciting moment, however, was introducing the Squier Mini Precision Bass Guitar. They had never seen an instrument like it! Watching the students who took on the role of the bassist—providing the low, steady heartbeat of the music—was amazing. It instantly turned our group of ukulele players into a true ensemble, teaching them to listen to each other in a completely new way.","fullyFundedDate":1759445918071,"projectUrl":"project/tuned-and-ready-organizing-our-ukuleles/9772043/","projectTitle":"Tuned and Ready: Organizing Our Ukuleles and Adding Bass","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Manoa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8168493_orig.jpg?crop=1080,1080,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1636061851301","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-manoa"},{"teacherId":2091703,"projectId":9705214,"letterContent":"Thank you for supplying me with the materials for my team to make their team shirts. This year we wanted to upgrade to a multicolor design, so we chose to sublimate our shirts.\r\n\r\nI was able to print our designs for our students. They placed, taped down the prints, and heat pressed them. They were so proud to wear them at our first tournament of the year. \r\n\r\nWe have four more tournaments this season. I know our team is going to look great because our shirts look better than they've ever looked in all the seasons we've ever had. Thanks so much!","fullyFundedDate":1757765086145,"projectUrl":"project/team-representation/9705214/","projectTitle":"Team Representation","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Mishima-Donahue","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2091703_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1458188707987","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-mishimadonahue"},{"teacherId":2091703,"projectId":9693653,"letterContent":"I am so excited for this Flashforge in my classroom! We finally got it set up last week after sitting for over a month. So far we've only been able to print the stock prints that came with the printer, but the students love them no the less.\r\n\r\nMy students are currently helping me learn how to convert their .stl files to the correct print files for our new printer while others are working in Tinkercad designing new items to print.\r\n\r\nThe test print items we've been making have been great incentives for good behavior. So many students have asked how they can earn the prints they see getting printed daily!","fullyFundedDate":1757559917185,"projectUrl":"project/monochrome-to-multicolor-3d-creations/9693653/","projectTitle":"Monochrome to Multicolor 3D Creations","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Mishima-Donahue","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2091703_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1458188707987","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-mishimadonahue"},{"teacherId":2091703,"projectId":9526850,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting my students. The different sized gift bags were perfect for my STEAM students to showcase their multimedia skills by creating the gifts made for our Career Day. They also created the prizes for the students who \r\nTook really good notes. \r\n\r\nWe slowly learning how to use the hat press. Haven't mastered it yet, but we're trying our best practicing which materials and heat settings work best with our different materials.\r\n\r\nI showed my students the license plates and they're so excited to start planning their designs for them. They're going to be their end of the year culminating design activity.","fullyFundedDate":1757529240179,"projectUrl":"project/turning-stem-into-steam/9526850/","projectTitle":"Turning STEM Into STEAM!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Mishima-Donahue","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2091703_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1458188707987","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-mishimadonahue"},{"teacherId":2091703,"projectId":9314329,"letterContent":"Thank you for our game elements and building materials. My teams were successfully able to use the shafts to aid in building their robots for the tournament we hosted. \r\n\r\nThe game elements were an integral part in helping us practice and prepare for our first tournament. They were also used during the tournament on the two main tournament fields. This meant I only needed to borrow four sets of fields rather than 6. These fields are used to not only help us prepare for tournaments, but to bring the robotics community together as well. Thank you for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1753035731665,"projectUrl":"project/field-elements-for-vex-iq-season/9314329/","projectTitle":"Field Elements for VEX IQ Season","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Mishima-Donahue","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2091703_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1458188707987","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-mishimadonahue"},{"teacherId":4272828,"projectId":9781104,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support of our classroom project! Because of your kindness, my students now have new tools that help encourage positive behaviors and celebrate their growth. The items you helped provide are already making a meaningful difference in our daily routine.\r\n\r\nPositive reinforcement is a powerful way to help students feel seen, valued, and motivated. With the new resources, I am able to acknowledge their efforts more consistently and in ways that truly resonate with them. Already, I'm seeing smiles, increased confidence, and students cheering one another on. Moments like these are helping create the caring, supportive classroom environment that every child deserves.\r\n\r\nYour contribution has done more than provide supplies—it has helped foster a sense of community, responsibility, and pride within our classroom. We are all deeply grateful that you chose to invest in our students' success.\r\n\r\nThank you again for believing in our work and for making a lasting impact on our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1759585976345,"projectUrl":"project/growing-kind-hearts-in-1st-grade/9781104/","projectTitle":"Growing Kind Hearts in 1st Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Gumm","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4272828_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1523420981163","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/makahap11"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_50800","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":409,"numTeachers":46,"percentFrplEligible":83,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":3,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":40,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"8.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":23.0,"schoolId":50800,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Makaha Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Makaha Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/leeward-oahu-school-district/makaha-elementary-school/50800"}