{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Kalihi Waena Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":60.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5633850,"projectId":10103548,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our project, \"Supplies for an Engaging Classroom Setting.\" Your generosity has helped create a more welcoming and organized classroom for my kindergarten students.\r\n\r\nWhen the supplies arrived, the students were excited to see the new materials and eager to start using them. These resources are now part of our daily classroom routines and help students stay engaged and focused during lessons.\r\n\r\nHaving the right supplies available makes a big difference in helping my students feel confident and ready to learn. Your support is helping create a positive learning environment where they can grow and succeed.\r\n\r\nThank you for making a difference in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1772040314819,"projectUrl":"project/supplies-for-an-engaging-classroom-setti/10103548/","projectTitle":"Supplies for an Engaging Classroom Setting","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ramilla","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5633850_orig.jpg?crop=1124,1125,x0,y202&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1627545885153","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/wivinia-ramilla"},{"teacherId":7931620,"projectId":9772251,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations to our classroom. The new books have been a blessing for our class, and I am thrilled to share the impact they have had on my students. Because of you, our reading space has been transformed from a few worn-out titles into a vibrant, exciting \"critical thinking playground. Your donation has also allowed my students to have their own books and home and start to build their own library. Their passion to reading builds as they have more access to high quality texts.","fullyFundedDate":1759455045726,"projectUrl":"project/build-my-students-home-library/9772251/","projectTitle":"Build My Students' Home Library!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kaneshiro","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7931620"},{"teacherId":7575429,"projectId":9673673,"letterContent":"Mahalo - thank you - for generously supporting my second grade students and their love of learning by donating many useful supplies!\r\n\r\nStudents have already been hard at work with their online learning, and the earbuds and headphones have played such a big part in students being able to listen to their lessons online! We appreciate the two types of devices where students are able to choose what works for them - over ear or in ear.\r\n\r\nThe students have also enjoyed the colorful pocket envelopes where they store their school money (lion kala/lion dollars), which they earn from positive behavior and good academics. They love filling their colorful envelopes so they make sure to try their best in class always.\r\n\r\nWe love outdoor learning, and our lessons often have us working with local plants in our second grade garden box. Students were able to mix the vermicomposting product from their worm bin with the coco coir bricks. Everyone is looking forward to seeing the plants flourish and the new seeds sprouting in the future!\r\n\r\nThrough your generous donation, we are able to capture special moments of learning with our cameras and printers! Memories will love on for awhile! This is such a great asset to our class, and we canʻt thank you enough! \r\n\r\nIn addition, all students are loving the snacks! Students choose a day where everyone gets to choose a snack (chips, candies, etc.), and we also have times where students get a snack incentive for good behavior and/or good academic work. Lately, weʻve been having \"Snack Tuesday\" where everyone gets to choose a snack as they make their way to the playground for recess! Itʻs been awesome. \r\n\r\nThank you so much for bringing so much joy and positive experiences to our classroom through the many items you have donated to us. We appreciate you beyond measure. Mahalo again!","fullyFundedDate":1765414021734,"projectUrl":"project/creating-successes-through-hands-on-lear/9673673/","projectTitle":"Creating Successes Through Hands-On Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kuulei","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7575429_orig.jpg?crop=2177,2177,x537,y282&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1646982052679","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7575429"},{"teacherId":7997099,"projectId":10111421,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity. When the supplies for our \"Supplies for Successful Learners\" project arrived, the energy in the room shifted immediately. My students were so excited to see the new resources that will help them stay healthy and organized.\r\n\r\nIn a time when many families and schools are facing financial strain, your support provides more than just physical items—it provides a sense of security and equity. We know that socioeconomic challenges can create barriers to learning; by ensuring every student has what they need, you've helped us reclaim valuable instructional time. Instead of searching for misplaced materials, my students are now spending those extra minutes engaged in their lessons. These supplies will serve our classroom for years to come, and we are truly grateful to be the recipients of your kindness.","fullyFundedDate":1771781408829,"projectUrl":"project/supplies-for-successful-learners/10111421/","projectTitle":"Supplies for Successful Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Chang","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7997099"},{"teacherId":9531319,"projectId":9762263,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my deepest thanks for your incredibly generous donation to our classroom. Because of your support, our students now have the high-quality tools they need to stay focused, organized, and excited about learning.\r\n\r\nYour contributions provided us with:\r\n\r\nInteractive Learning Tools: The Scribbledo individual whiteboards and bulk dry-erase markers will allow for daily \"quick-checks,\" giving every student a voice during lessons.\r\n\r\nMath Mastery: The magnetic fraction tiles and circles are a game-changer for helping our visual learners grasp complex mathematical concepts.\r\n\r\nFocus & Organization: The privacy folders will create a distraction-free environment for independent work, while the 10-tier wall organizer will keep our classroom running smoothly.\r\n\r\nEssential Supplies: With 500 new pencils, stopwatch timers for activities, and printable sticker paper for creative projects, we are fully equipped for a successful year.\r\n\r\nIt is truly heartening to see our community invest in the education and well-being of these students. Your kindness doesn't just provide \"stuff\"—it provides opportunities for growth and a sense of belonging for every child who walks through my door.","fullyFundedDate":1759058112005,"projectUrl":"project/we-are-so-cool-for-school/9762263/","projectTitle":"We Are So Cool for School!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Williams","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9531319_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y1008&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1715041846375","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/akanewilliams"},{"teacherId":7929756,"projectId":9775364,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support! Our students face many challenges and deserve the best. The materials provided through my project will support promoting positive behaviors in our school by encouraging our students to develop successful practices that will make a difference in their lives. \r\n\r\nThe students were SO EXCITED to see the new incentives in our Lion Store. It encouraged students to earn and save their lion kala to be able to earn the new incentives. It may be something small, but I love when a students finds just the right item that brings them joy and pride!","fullyFundedDate":1759430997036,"projectUrl":"project/inspiring-a-brighter-future-for-our-lion/9775364/","projectTitle":"Inspiring a Brighter Future for Our Lions!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lau","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7929756"},{"teacherId":6540988,"projectId":9777394,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity! Because of you, our classroom has been transformed into a dynamic space where every student can find their \"perfect\" way to learn. When the boxes arrived, the energy in the room was electric. My students' eyes lit up as we unpacked the flexible foldable seats and lap desks, and there were cheers for the \"fun\" additions like the magnet toys and ball coordination catching cups. Even the essential supplies, like the whiteboard cleaning spray and hot glue gun refills, were celebrated because the students realized they finally had the professional tools needed to be true creators. One student even looked at the new setup and said, \"It feels like we're in a real office now where we can actually get things done.\"\r\n\r\nA specific moment that stands out happened during our small group instruction sessions this week. Instead of struggling to find a quiet space, students grabbed their foldable seats and lap desks to create a comfortable, focused circle on the rug. We used the desk dividers to help those working independently stay in the zone, while the group at the table used their dry erase boards to map out story structures. During our break, we took the ball coordination catching cups outdoors, which created a wonderful opportunity for my students to interact with peers from other classes. It was heartwarming to see students from different grade levels laughing and playing together as they shared the new equipment. We capped off the session by using the vocabulary sort cards to categorize new words we discovered, fueled by a well-deserved round of cookies and snacks.\r\n\r\nYour contribution provided a wonderful peek into our classroom, and we are now looking forward to using these resources to bridge into future fourth grade concepts. We are beginning to plan science and social studies lessons where students will use these supplies to explore complex ideas like animal adaptations, different types of energy, and the history of Hawaiian government and the land. By using our new materials to analyze historical texts and diagram scientific cycles, my students are already building the advanced thinking skills they will need next year. Thank you for believing in our classroom and giving my students the freedom to learn in ways that truly work for them.","fullyFundedDate":1759461282904,"projectUrl":"project/literacy-flexibility-and-focus-transf/9777394/","projectTitle":"Literacy, Flexibility, and Focus: Transforming the Classroom With Essential Resources","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ramos","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6540988"},{"teacherId":5633850,"projectId":9773390,"letterContent":"The influence of \"Ready to Learn\" was immediate and practical. When the boxes came, my Kindergarteners were overjoyed to see the National Geographic animal books and couldn't wait to \"read\" about their favorite animals. We're now using dry erase sleeves as simple writing stations, with students sliding in paper to practice tracing letters, writing animal words, and constructing their first sentences. Having their own pencil cases has also given students a strong sense of responsibility, as they organize their own markers and instruments. The next step is for each student to practice writing a whole sentence about an animal they've studied to share with the class.","fullyFundedDate":1759463238460,"projectUrl":"project/ready-to-learn-supplies-to-spark-engage/9773390/","projectTitle":"Ready to Learn: Supplies to Spark Engagement and Joy","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ramilla","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5633850_orig.jpg?crop=1124,1125,x0,y202&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1627545885153","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/wivinia-ramilla"},{"teacherId":5633850,"projectId":9438027,"letterContent":"My kindergarten students are naturally interested about the world, and there is nothing they enjoy more than animals! These nonfiction books transform \"learning to read\" into a wild adventure, enticing children to practice their skills with creatures such as sharks and lions. Rather than simply memorizing words, my students will become young scientists, exploring real-world facts and expanding their vocabulary one page at a time. Your help transforms our classroom into a discovery zone, where my youngest students are actually thrilled to pick up a book and explore the world around them!","fullyFundedDate":1752789084151,"projectUrl":"project/books-for-inspiring-readers/9438027/","projectTitle":"Books for inspiring readers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ramilla","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5633850_orig.jpg?crop=1124,1125,x0,y202&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1627545885153","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/wivinia-ramilla"},{"teacherId":8102167,"projectId":9897463,"letterContent":"Because of this generous support, our classroom has become an active STEM lab where students engage in hands-on, inquiry-driven learning across multiple projects throughout the year.\r\n\r\nFrom engineering challenges and material science explorations to design thinking, measurement, and problem-solving tasks, students are not simply completing activities — they are thinking like scientists and engineers. They plan, test, revise, analyze results, and improve their designs based on evidence. Whether experimenting with physical materials, constructing models, exploring reactions, or building prototypes, they are developing critical thinking skills that extend far beyond the classroom.\r\n\r\nThese projects strengthen collaboration, perseverance, and creativity. Students learn to embrace productive struggle, analyze mistakes as data, and communicate their reasoning using academic language. They practice measurement, ratios, observation, data collection, and cause-and-effect relationships in authentic contexts.\r\n\r\nFor many of our students, access to high-quality STEM materials and immersive learning experiences is limited outside of school. These donations help close opportunity gaps and ensure that every child — regardless of background — can participate in rigorous, engaging, future-ready learning.\r\n\r\nBecause of this support, our classroom is not just a place where students consume information. It is a space where they build, test, innovate, and discover. You have helped create an environment where curiosity is valued, confidence grows, and students begin to see themselves as capable problem-solvers and future innovators.","fullyFundedDate":1765906086537,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-discovery-transforms-learning-i/9897463/","projectTitle":"Hands-On Discovery Transforms Learning Into Joy, Wonder and Lifelong Curiosity","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Keunyoung","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8102167_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753114281787","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8102167"},{"teacherId":8102167,"projectId":9962475,"letterContent":"Because of one incredibly generous donor, our third-grade team received eight Meta Quest headsets—technology that would not have been accessible to our students without this donation. This contribution has transformed our grade level's instructional landscape and expanded what is possible in a public elementary classroom.\r\n\r\nWe implemented a structured after-school Meta Quest program serving 16 students, who participate two days per week. Through intentional rotation and collaboration, we have also integrated the headsets across the third-grade level, ensuring equitable access for multiple classrooms.\r\n\r\nStudents are developing foundational digital fluency by learning to navigate the Quest interface, manage virtual environments, and engage responsibly in shared digital spaces. Beyond technical skills, they are practicing collaboration, communication, and problem-solving as they join one another in virtual worlds—building classroom community in immersive environments.\r\n\r\nAcademically, students are viewing 360-degree educational experiences that deepen conceptual understanding through immersive, experiential learning. These virtual field experiences allow students to explore environments and phenomena that would otherwise remain abstract. Additionally, students are beginning to explore the engineering side of virtual map design—an introduction to spatial reasoning, systems thinking, and creative problem-solving.\r\n\r\nResearch supports immersive learning as a powerful tool for engagement and retention. We are witnessing that impact firsthand. Students who may struggle with traditional instruction are thriving in this interactive format. Confidence, curiosity, and collaboration are increasing across the board.\r\n\r\nThis initiative simply would not exist without this generous donation. What began as eight headsets has become a catalyst for innovation, equity, and inspiration within our third-grade community. We are profoundly grateful for the opportunity to expand our students' worlds—both virtually and academically.","fullyFundedDate":1768006390633,"projectUrl":"project/vr-voyages-from-classrooms-to-galaxies/9962475/","projectTitle":"VR Voyages: From Classrooms to Galaxies","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Keunyoung","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8102167_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753114281787","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8102167"},{"teacherId":5718806,"projectId":9773446,"letterContent":"I am overwhelmed with gratitude for your incredible generosity in bringing this project to life. In a community where families often face significant financial hurdles, your support provides more than just \"supplies\"—it provides equity, safety, and a sense of belonging. The Chromebook holders have completely transformed our physical space; by clearing the \"cord chaos\" and protecting our technology, you've helped create a professional, organized environment where my students can truly focus. Having dedicated headphones for state testing and daily lessons has also removed a huge layer of stress, ensuring every child can hear their instructions clearly and perform at their absolute best.\r\n\r\nBeyond the academic tools, your donation has touched the \"heart\" of our classroom. The SEL toys and indoor recess activities have become essential tools for emotional regulation and joy, especially on rainy days when we can't head to the playground. These items, along with the birthday treats, show my students that they are celebrated and seen. Seeing them wear their class shirts once a week has fostered a beautiful sense of ownership and pride—it's a visible reminder that they are part of a team that cares for them.\r\n\r\nYou haven't just funded a list of items; you've invested in the dignity and potential of some truly resilient children. By providing the tools their families may not be able to afford right now, you are proving to my students that their community believes in their bright futures. Thank you for making our classroom a safe, organized, and joyful place to grow!","fullyFundedDate":1759448974473,"projectUrl":"project/the-tools-for-tomorrow-supporting-learn/9773446/","projectTitle":"The Tools for Tomorrow: Supporting Learning, Focus, and Fun!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Chang","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp5718806_orig.jpg?crop=320,320,x0,y38&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724218817272","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/alohamrschang"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_50845","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":432,"numTeachers":35,"percentFrplEligible":68,"percentAsian":42,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":0,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":4,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"12.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":39.4,"schoolId":50845,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Kalihi Waena Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Kalihi Waena Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/honolulu-school-district/kalihi-waena-elementary-school/50845"}