{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Waimea Canyon Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":48.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9706722,"projectId":10453641,"letterContent":"The adjustable flip standing desk, desktop speakers, and portable hard drive have added new possibilities to our science classroom. The standing desk gives me flexibility to move around the classroom, organize materials, and support students during hands-on activities. It also makes it easier to display and manage technology during lessons.\r\n\r\nThe desktop speakers have been especially helpful when students watch instructional videos, listen to demonstrations, or participate in multimedia science activities. Clear audio helps students hear directions and explanations, making it easier for everyone to follow along and stay engaged.\r\n\r\nThe portable hard drive allows me to safely store and organize important instructional resources, including videos, presentations, student materials, and science activities. Having these resources readily available helps lessons run more smoothly and allows me to prepare materials for different learning activities.\r\n\r\nMy students are most excited when technology is incorporated into hands-on and interactive lessons. They enjoy being able to see and hear science concepts through videos, simulations, and demonstrations rather than relying only on traditional instruction. Students who are especially engaged by visual and multimedia learning have responded positively to these resources.\r\n\r\nThese materials have helped me create a more flexible, engaging, and technology-supported classroom where students can learn through different formats. I am grateful to our donors for helping make these learning experiences possible for my students.","fullyFundedDate":1789163280262,"projectUrl":"project/teaching-smarter-with-classroom-technolo/10453641/","projectTitle":"Teaching Smarter with Classroom Technology","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tano","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9706722_orig.jpg?crop=450,450,x491,y962&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724629428143","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9706722"},{"teacherId":9706722,"projectId":10453555,"letterContent":"The new lamps, clock, dry-erase erasers, and plastic bags have been very helpful in creating a more organized and comfortable learning environment for my students. The lamps provide additional lighting during classroom activities, while the clock helps students manage their time and stay on schedule. The dry-erase erasers are used daily during our interactive whiteboard activities, and the plastic bags help us organize and store small classroom materials.\r\n\r\nMy students were excited to see the new supplies and enjoyed having materials that made our classroom activities easier and more organized. These may seem like simple items, but they make a big difference in helping our classroom run smoothly.\r\n\r\nWith these resources, I am able to spend more time focusing on instruction and student learning rather than worrying about basic classroom needs. Students are able to participate more comfortably and efficiently in activities, especially during hands-on science lessons.\r\n\r\nOur next steps are to continue using these resources throughout our current science unit. Students will participate in hands-on investigations, record their observations, work collaboratively, and use classroom materials responsibly. Thank you to our donors for helping create a classroom environment where students can learn, participate, and succeed!","fullyFundedDate":1789163278313,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-essentials-for-everyday-succes/10453555/","projectTitle":"Classroom Essentials for Everyday Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tano","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9706722_orig.jpg?crop=450,450,x491,y962&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724629428143","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9706722"},{"teacherId":9706722,"projectId":10445345,"letterContent":"These paddle boards, whiteboards, and dry-erase pens have made a wonderful difference in my science classroom. My students use them regularly to show their thinking, answer questions, make predictions, solve problems, and share their ideas during lessons. Instead of simply listening, students are actively involved and have more opportunities to participate.\r\n\r\nOne of the most exciting changes has been seeing students become more willing to share their answers. During whole-class activities, every student can write an answer on their paddle board and hold it up at the same time. This allows me to quickly check everyone's understanding and gives students a chance to learn from one another. My students especially enjoy the interactive nature of these activities and are eager to participate.\r\n\r\nWhen they first saw the new materials, students were excited to use them. The whiteboards and colorful dry-erase pens made classroom activities feel more hands-on and engaging. Even students who are sometimes hesitant to speak in front of the class can participate by writing and displaying their answers.\r\n\r\nOur next steps are to continue using these resources during our current science lessons on collisions, forces, and motion. Students will use the boards to make observations, respond to questions, create models, discuss evidence, and explain their scientific thinking. These resources are helping create a classroom where every student has a voice and an opportunity to actively participate in learning.","fullyFundedDate":1789163278701,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-every-response/10445345/","projectTitle":"Empowering Every Response","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tano","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9706722_orig.jpg?crop=450,450,x491,y962&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724629428143","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9706722"},{"teacherId":9706722,"projectId":10445313,"letterContent":"These pencils and composition notebooks have become an important part of our everyday science learning. My students use them to record observations, write explanations, complete science reflections, draw models, and show their thinking during hands-on activities and labs. Having their own notebooks gives them a place to organize their learning and look back at how their understanding has grown.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first received the new supplies, they were excited to have materials that were theirs to use throughout the school year. Something as simple as a new notebook and pencil helped them feel more prepared and ready to participate in class.\r\n\r\nOur next step is to continue using our notebooks as science learning journals. Students are currently learning about collisions and forces. They will record their observations from videos and labs, analyze their results, create models, and use evidence to explain why some objects break or do not break during a collision.\r\n\r\nThank you for supporting our classroom and helping provide the basic tools my students need to learn, participate, and show what they know!","fullyFundedDate":1789163280669,"projectUrl":"project/pages-and-pencils-for-learning/10445313/","projectTitle":"Pages and Pencils for Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tano","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9706722_orig.jpg?crop=450,450,x491,y962&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724629428143","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9706722"},{"teacherId":9342162,"projectId":9709292,"letterContent":"Whisks & Wisdom: Cooking Up Confidence has been a wonderful success in our Culinary Arts program. The students were excited to receive the new baking equipment, and it has quickly become an important part of our hands-on cooking labs.\r\n\r\nStudents are using the equipment every time they are in the cooking lab, giving them more opportunities to practice measuring, mixing, baking, teamwork, and kitchen safety. Having the proper tools has helped students become more independent and confident in the kitchen. It is exciting to see them take pride in their work and build skills they can use both in school and at home.\r\n\r\nThank you for supporting our Culinary Arts students and helping us provide meaningful, hands-on learning experiences!","fullyFundedDate":1759772805961,"projectUrl":"project/whisks-wisdom-cooking-up-confidence/9709292/","projectTitle":"Whisks & Wisdom: Cooking Up Confidence","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pfandler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9342162_orig.jpg?crop=309,309,x6,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1789594347448","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9342162"},{"teacherId":9706722,"projectId":10112784,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our \"Hands-On Science: Building a Better Learning Environment\" project! These materials have already helped make our science classroom more hands-on, engaging, and organized.\r\n\r\nStudents have used the plastic sifters during hands-on investigations and the DNA model to build and explore the structure of DNA. They were excited to work with materials they could physically manipulate and see, rather than learning only from pictures or textbooks. The cleaning supplies have also helped us maintain a clean and safe environment before and after our laboratory activities.\r\n\r\nThese resources have allowed me to provide students with meaningful opportunities to investigate, build models, make observations, and work collaboratively. The materials will continue to be used by other students throughout the school year, giving more classes the opportunity to learn through hands-on experiences.\r\n\r\nOur next steps are to continue using these resources in science investigations and biology activities. Students will build on what they have learned by creating models, analyzing evidence, and connecting hands-on experiences to important science concepts. Thank you for helping make these learning experiences possible!","fullyFundedDate":1778296320902,"projectUrl":"project/modeling-life-understanding-dna-through/10112784/","projectTitle":"Modeling Life: Understanding DNA Through Art and Science","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tano","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9706722_orig.jpg?crop=450,450,x491,y962&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724629428143","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9706722"},{"teacherId":9706722,"projectId":9776916,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our \"Hands-On Science: Building a Better Learning Environment\" project! The digital microscopes and prepared slides have already given my students exciting opportunities to explore the microscopic world through hands-on science.\r\n\r\nStudents have used the microscopes to examine prepared samples of animals, insects, plants, and flowers. They were excited to see details that they could not see with their eyes alone. They made observations, discussed what they noticed, and connected their discoveries to our science lessons.\r\n\r\nThese materials have made learning more interactive and engaging, and they will continue to be used by other students throughout the school year. Future classes will have the same opportunity to explore specimens, collect observations, compare samples, and develop scientific explanations based on evidence.\r\n\r\nYour support has provided resources that will continue making a difference for many students as they learn, explore, and discover science!","fullyFundedDate":1759449673243,"projectUrl":"project/future-scientists-need-a-closer-look/9776916/","projectTitle":"Future Scientists Need a Closer Look","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tano","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9706722_orig.jpg?crop=450,450,x491,y962&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724629428143","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9706722"},{"teacherId":9706722,"projectId":9756053,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our \"Hands-On Science: Building a Better Learning Environment\" project! The drone and micro SD cards have already made our science learning more engaging and hands-on.\r\n\r\nMy students used the drone to capture aerial images and videos during outdoor science activities. They were excited to see science from a different perspective and enjoyed using technology to make observations and collect visual evidence. The micro SD cards allowed us to store and organize the photos and videos from these activities.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the drone, they were immediately curious and excited to learn how it could be used for science. It created opportunities for students to connect classroom learning with real-world technology.\r\n\r\nWe are continuing to use these resources in science investigations and projects. Students will continue collecting observations, analyzing evidence, and using technology to support their scientific thinking. Your generous support has helped make these experiences possible!","fullyFundedDate":1758833496264,"projectUrl":"project/eyes-in-the-sky-student-drone-explorati/9756053/","projectTitle":"Eyes in the Sky: Student Drone Exploration Project","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tano","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9706722_orig.jpg?crop=450,450,x491,y962&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724629428143","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9706722"},{"teacherId":9706722,"projectId":8908005,"letterContent":"Thank you for supporting our \"Hands-On Science: Building a Better Learning Environment\" project! These new resources are helping create a safer, more organized, and more hands-on science classroom for my students.\r\n\r\nStudents now have laboratory aprons, disposable aprons, and bouffant caps to use during labs and hands-on investigations. The turn-in trays also help us keep student work organized and make it easier to collect and return assignments efficiently. The voice amplifier helps students hear directions and discussions clearly, especially during demonstrations and group activities.\r\n\r\nMy students were excited to see the new science materials because they made our classroom feel more like a real laboratory. They are learning that safety, organization, and teamwork are important parts of doing science.\r\n\r\nOur next steps include continuing hands-on investigations involving collisions, motion, forces, and materials. Students will use the resources as they collect data, make observations, work with partners, and build and test scientific ideas. Thank you for helping make science more engaging and accessible for my students!","fullyFundedDate":1740266132136,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-science-building-a-better-lear/8908005/","projectTitle":"Hands-On Science: Building a Better Learning Environment","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tano","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9706722_orig.jpg?crop=450,450,x491,y962&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724629428143","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9706722"},{"teacherId":8615155,"projectId":10104112,"letterContent":"The new resources in the WCMS Counseling Center are helping transform our space into a true refuge for emotional regulation. Students utilize the \"calm corner\" throughout the school day when they feel overwhelmed, anxious, or emotionally dysregulated. The comfortable seating provides an inviting place to sit back, take deep breaths, and decompress before returning to class. The sensory fidget tools allow students to ground themselves physically while working through strong emotions, while the visual emotion-regulation banner acts as a self-guided map, helping them identify what they are feeling and choose an effective coping tool.\r\n\r\n\r\nWhen our students first saw the newly equipped safe space, their eyes lit up with excitement. Many commented on how cozy and intentional the space felt, pointing out the vibrant emotion-regulation banner and trying out the various tactile fidget tools right away. Knowing that generous donors cared enough to provide these resources gave them a strong sense of validation, showing them that their emotional well-being is valued and supported by a wider community.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, our next step is integrating these resources into small-group social-emotional learning (SEL) lessons centered on building long-term self-awareness and emotional resilience. Students will be using the visual emotion-regulation banner as a baseline tool to create their own personalized \"calming kits.\" Through structured guidance, each student will identify which sensory fidgets and self-regulation techniques work best for them individually. By practice-testing these strategies in the counseling center, students will learn to apply these self-regulation habits inside their regular classrooms, ensuring they stay engaged, supported, and ready to learn every day. Mahalo for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1778788480619,"projectUrl":"project/social-emotional-safe-space-at-the-couns/10104112/","projectTitle":"Social Emotional Safe Space at the Counseling Center","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Vazquez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8615155_orig.png?crop=272,272,x0,y59&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1684963705623","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8615155"},{"teacherId":9371815,"projectId":10102034,"letterContent":"The new resources have completely transformed our learning space into a functional \"Scientific Sanctuary.\" We recently utilized the trifold display boards and vibrant acrylic markers for an interactive classroom project where students designed and mapped out their own sound concept maps. To bring our biology units to life and soften the industrial feel of the lab, we used the fake roses and botanical garlands to frame our main science bulletin boards. This blend of structured academic tools and natural elements has created an environment where students can tackle rigorous STEM concepts with focus and clarity.\r\nWhen the students walked in and saw the classroom transformation, their faces completely lit up! They were incredibly excited to see a space that felt intentionally designed just for them. One student mentioned that the botanical roses on the bulletin boards made the room feel calm and peaceful, like a university lab rather than just a standard middle school classroom. They immediately felt a sense of ownership over the new, high-quality trifold boards and couldn't wait to start sketching out their scientific ideas.","fullyFundedDate":1771702851328,"projectUrl":"project/bloom-into-biology-immersive-modeling-a/10102034/","projectTitle":"Bloom into Biology: Immersive Modeling and Scientific Design","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cacao","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9371815_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1725838041034","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9371815"},{"teacherId":9371815,"projectId":9769258,"letterContent":"With the acrylic markers and trifold boards you funded, my students have been diving deep into abstract scientific concepts by building tangible, three-dimensional project displays.\r\n\r\nRecently, we used these materials for a comprehensive project on sound concepts. Instead of just looking at flat diagrams in a textbook, students used the vibrant acrylic markers to design and color-code intricate sound concept maps on large trifold boards. They visually mapped out the relationships between frequency, amplitude, wavelengths, and how sound travels through different mediums.\r\n\r\nA standout moment was watching a student who usually struggles with traditional reading assignments suddenly take the lead in their group. Stepping up to the trifold, organizing the flowcharts, and physically painting the design and connections with the markers allowed the concepts to finally \"click.\" They proudly explained the entire sound concept map to their peers with absolute confidence—a breakthrough moment that wouldn't have happened without these tactile, highly visual resources.","fullyFundedDate":1771362291668,"projectUrl":"project/interactive-stem-modeling-workshop/9769258/","projectTitle":"Interactive STEM Modeling Workshop","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cacao","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9371815_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1725838041034","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9371815"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_50966","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":469,"numTeachers":30,"percentFrplEligible":54,"percentAsian":25,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":3,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":20,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":25,"percentMultiracialImputed":24,"gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"15.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"TOWN_REMOTE"},"inStateSupporters":51.7,"schoolId":50966,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Waimea Canyon Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Waimea Canyon Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/kapaa-kauai-waimea-school-district/waimea-canyon-middle-school/50966"}