{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Wai'alae Elementary Public Charter School","outOfStateSupporters":35.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9744365,"projectId":9781145,"letterContent":"I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your generous support of our classroom project, which has greatly enhanced our learning environment. Over the past few weeks, my students have been actively using the new resources, particularly the Rainbow Timer during transitions. This has helped them manage their time effectively and has made our classroom procedures much smoother. Additionally, the Headphones have created a distraction-free zone for students while they work on personalized tasks, allowing them to dive deeper into their learning.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the new materials, their reactions were filled with excitement and curiosity. They immediately gravitated towards the vibrant colors of the Mental Health Throw Pillow Cover and the Kaplan Nature Color Chunky Half Moon Table, eager to explore how these items could help them in their daily activities. This enthusiasm has not only sparked their interest in the resources but has also fostered a more collaborative atmosphere where they feel comfortable expressing their emotions and ideas.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we are planning to integrate these resources into our upcoming science project on ecosystems. Students will work in small groups at the half moon table, the heat pad will help us to maintain our lizard habitat. We aim to encourage collaboration and creativity as they explore and present their findings. Your support has been instrumental in creating a nurturing environment where my students can thrive academically and emotionally, and I am excited to see how these tools will continue to empower their learning journey!","fullyFundedDate":1759590554168,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-exploration-creating-a-supp/9781145/","projectTitle":"[Empowering Exploration] Creating a Supportive Classroom for Dynamic Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Michael","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9744365_orig.jpg?crop=4284,4284,x0,y1170&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754867005151","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9744365"},{"teacherId":9744365,"projectId":9702822,"letterContent":"It has been a couple of months since we introduced the cozy chair into our Calm Corner, and we are excited to share how it has positively impacted our classroom. The chair has quickly become a favorite spot for our students; in the weeks before winter break, several students took turns using it as a quiet space to gather their thoughts and emotions. One student mentioned that sitting there helped her feel more focused and ready to engage with her lessons, showcasing the meaningful impact of this thoughtful addition.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the comfy chair, their reactions were filled with joy and curiosity. They eagerly claimed it as their own special space for moments of reflection and relaxation. This enthusiasm has continued, with many students routinely visiting the Calm Corner to pause, manage their feelings, and regain their energy before returning to their lessons. It has truly become a cherished part of our classroom.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we plan to weave the Calm Corner into our upcoming project on emotional intelligence. Students will be encouraged to reflect on their feelings throughout our lessons and share their insights creatively through journaling and art. Your generous support has enabled us to create an environment where every student can flourish both emotionally and academically. Thank you once again for your invaluable contribution!","fullyFundedDate":1758636494698,"projectUrl":"project/calm-corner-nurturing-student-well-bein/9702822/","projectTitle":"Calm Corner: Nurturing Student Well-Being and Focus","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Michael","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9744365_orig.jpg?crop=4284,4284,x0,y1170&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754867005151","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9744365"},{"teacherId":9794085,"projectId":9496055,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support! Because of you, our classroom has truly transformed into a more comfortable, organized, and engaging space. The new rugs and whiteboard accessories have made a huge difference for my students—and their excitement has been incredible.\r\nWhen the rugs arrived, my students lit up! They couldn't believe they were really ours. The very first thing they did was take off their shoes before stepping on them. Ever since, they've either removed their shoes or carefully walked around the rugs to keep them clean. They are treating the rugs with so much respect, which really speaks to how much they value them. One student even said, \"It feels like home.\" Many have even said they want to sleep at school! LOL.","fullyFundedDate":1755756124645,"projectUrl":"project/rolling-out-the-rugs-for-learning/9496055/","projectTitle":"Rolling Out the Rugs for Learning!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sandino","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9794085"},{"teacherId":9838210,"projectId":8945151,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our speech therapy room is now full of excitement, curiosity, and meaningful communication! The resources you funded language games, articulation cards, interactive books, AAC supports and have truly transformed our sessions.\r\n\r\nThe moment the students walked into the room and saw the new materials, their faces lit up. One of my students, who usually needs prompting to engage, immediately pointed to the new games on the shelf and independently expressed that she wanted to play with one of the new games.\r\n\r\nThese tools don't just support learning—they spark confidence, independence, and a love of language. Our next steps include using these resources to support carryover into the classroom. I'm collaborating with teachers to align our therapy with classroom themes, and now I have the materials to do it effectively.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in the potential of every student, including those with communication challenges. You've made a lasting impact, and we're so grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1742231949908,"projectUrl":"project/speech-therapy-activities-games-for-an/8945151/","projectTitle":"Speech Therapy Activities & Games for an Elementary School SLP","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kakuda","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9838210"},{"teacherId":9838210,"projectId":9171618,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our speech therapy room is now full of excitement, curiosity, and meaningful communication! The resources you funded language games, articulation cards, interactive books, AAC supports and have truly transformed our sessions.\r\n\r\nThe moment the students walked into the room and saw the new materials, their faces lit up. One of my students, who usually needs prompting to engage, immediately pointed to the new games on the shelf and independently expressed that she wanted to play with one of the new games.\r\n\r\nThese tools don't just support learning—they spark confidence, independence, and a love of language. Our next steps include using these resources to support carryover into the classroom. I'm collaborating with teachers to align our therapy with classroom themes, and now I have the materials to do it effectively.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in the potential of every student, including those with communication challenges. You've made a lasting impact, and we're so grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1742146773079,"projectUrl":"project/speech-materials-supplies-for-an-schoo/9171618/","projectTitle":"Speech Materials & Supplies for an School-Based SLP","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kakuda","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9838210"},{"teacherId":9372454,"projectId":9173646,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for the donation of items that classroom at our school will use in the calm corner. The weighted animals have been most comforting to students when they are have strong emotional feelings and just need something to squeeze of feel close to. These added stuffed weighted friends have tremendously helped our students to self-regulate in the calm corner. The classes have named these animals. \r\n\r\nThe breathing pals and timers have taught our students to take deep breaths when feeling angry or sad and gives them the tools to do it independently. Having the breathing posters remind students how to do their breathing techniques. \r\n\r\nThe students and teachers were so excited to have more tools and techniques for the calm corner in the classrooms. The next steps for the calming corners is to be able to have students independently self-regulate and help their peers with all the tools and techniques that they have been provided.","fullyFundedDate":1742171007819,"projectUrl":"project/keep-calm-stay-calm/9173646/","projectTitle":"Keep Calm, Stay Calm","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ah Soon","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9372454"},{"teacherId":8821732,"projectId":9167236,"letterContent":"Mahalo nui loa for contributing to bringing our \"Empowering Young Minds: Fueling Innovation with STEAM Materials\" project to life! It has been a yearlong goal to work on laulima (collaboration), and the students were thrilled to be able to work with new materials. The keiki are able to engage in a variety of hands-on learning experiences that allow for student choice and voice, while developing problem-solving and communication skills.\r\n\r\nI've had the absolute pleasure of getting to observe the students choosing the materials that they want to explore during tinker stations, listening to how they communicate with one another to share ideas, encourage and help one another, and be creative problem solvers. In one example, I saw a group of kindergarten students using a tub of connecting blocks to build different creations. One student made a car and proceeded to teach the other students how to make their own. Then they all played together. After learning about a variety of native plants, the fourth graders used the uv resin to create keychains. Another group of fifth grade students were able to design on Procreate and then use them to print and sell stickers for Market Day. \r\n\r\nThese materials have brought so much joy to our STEAM class, and will continue to do so for many years to come!","fullyFundedDate":1742090911121,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-young-minds-fueling-innovati/9167236/","projectTitle":"Empowering Young Minds: Fueling Innovation with STEAM Materials","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dela Pena","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8821732"},{"teacherId":7933906,"projectId":9158811,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our teacher lending library! Your generosity helped us stock it with valuable resources like classroom tools, games, and materials that teachers can easily borrow and use to enhance their teaching. It's become a space where educators can find inspiration, grab what they need, and try out new strategies without spending out of pocket.\r\n\r\nThis project has helped build a stronger sense of collaboration and support among our staff. Teachers feel more empowered and equipped to meet the diverse needs of their students, and the sharing of resources has sparked new ideas and creativity across grade levels. Thanks to you, we've created a hub that strengthens teaching and learning schoolwide!","fullyFundedDate":1741966439247,"projectUrl":"project/game-on-supercharging-learning-with-fun/9158811/","projectTitle":"Game On: Supercharging Learning with Fun and Play","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dulog","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7933906_orig.jpg?crop=453,453,x61,y162&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660649317766","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7933906"},{"teacherId":7933906,"projectId":8229910,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our playful learning project! With your help, we've added exciting new games, hands-on materials, and interactive tools that make learning feel like play. Whether it's a board game that practices math facts or a hands-on challenge that builds problem-solving skills, our students are now learning through laughter, movement, and collaboration and they absolutely love it.\r\n\r\nThese new materials have transformed our classroom into a space where students are more engaged, motivated, and eager to participate. They're working together, thinking critically, and having fun while learning core skills. Your generosity helped create that spark, and we're so grateful. Thank you for believing in joyful, meaningful learning!","fullyFundedDate":1708329592423,"projectUrl":"project/ready-set-playful-learning/8229910/","projectTitle":"Ready, Set, Playful Learning!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dulog","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7933906_orig.jpg?crop=453,453,x61,y162&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660649317766","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7933906"},{"teacherId":7933906,"projectId":8041715,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our students now have access to hands-on, engaging materials that make learning to read a more joyful and meaningful experience. The phonics games, reading kits, and activity cards are helping bring reading to life in ways that spark curiosity and excitement especially for students who may have struggled to connect with books in the past. These tools are allowing us to meet students where they are, using movement, visuals, and tactile materials to build foundational literacy skills.\r\n\r\nMore importantly, your donation is helping to shift the way our students feel about reading. We're seeing more smiles, more confidence, and more students willing to take risks as they explore new words and sounds. Reading is becoming fun again and that's a huge win. Thank you for helping us create a classroom where every child can grow as a reader and feel successful on their journey.","fullyFundedDate":1700362214890,"projectUrl":"project/setting-a-fundation-for-reading/8041715/","projectTitle":"Setting a FUNdation for Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dulog","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7933906_orig.jpg?crop=453,453,x61,y162&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660649317766","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7933906"},{"teacherId":7933906,"projectId":9005894,"letterContent":"The DonorsChoose support gave us the reset we needed to help relaunch the Robotics Club at Waialae. After a long pause, we were able to rebuild our program from the ground up with new robotics kits and essential materials. These resources allowed us to create hands-on, engaging learning experiences for students in grades 3–5, where they could explore the basics of engineering, coding, and engineering design process.\r\n\r\nMore importantly, this reset brought new energy and excitement to our students. They're now collaborating, problem-solving, and thinking creatively—skills that extend far beyond robotics. Thanks to this support, we've been able to reimagine what STEM can look like on our campus and give students the opportunity to see themselves as builders, thinkers, and future innovators.","fullyFundedDate":1734409138296,"projectUrl":"project/robotics-club-building-robots-building/9005894/","projectTitle":"Robotics Club: Building Robots, Building Community","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dulog","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7933906_orig.jpg?crop=453,453,x61,y162&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660649317766","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7933906"},{"teacherId":9794085,"projectId":9166831,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support! The moment my students walked into the classroom and saw the flexible seating, their faces lit up with pure excitement. They immediately started exploring the different seating options and naturally gravitated toward spaces that helped them feel comfortable, focused, and ready to learn. Since adding the flexible seating, I've seen a huge shift in student engagement—there's more movement, more collaboration, and so much more joy in our learning environment. It's incredible how something as simple as choice in where to sit can spark curiosity and confidence.\r\n\r\nAnother highlight was when my students noticed the new clipboards hung on the wall for displaying their art and written work. They were so proud to see a space dedicated to their creativity and accomplishments. It's become a rotating gallery of student voices, and they love showing off their pieces to classmates and visitors. Your support has transformed our classroom into a space where students feel seen, valued, and inspired—and for that, I can't thank you enough.","fullyFundedDate":1742070166114,"projectUrl":"project/flexible-seating-for-diverse-learners/9166831/","projectTitle":"Flexible Seating for Diverse Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sandino","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9794085"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_50875","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":495,"numTeachers":44,"percentFrplEligible":10,"percentAsian":35,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":10,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":13,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"11.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":64.5,"schoolId":50875,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Wai'alae Elementary Public Charter School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Wai'alae Elementary Public Charter School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/honolulu-school-district/waialae-elementary-public-charter-school/50875"}