{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Ewa Makai Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":36.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":10109874,"projectId":9530398,"letterContent":"Mahalo nui loa for bringing the Tiger Cub Café to life! Your generosity has transformed our reading workshop into the warm, welcoming space I envisioned—and my students are absolutely thriving. The moment those book boxes arrived, my reluctant readers became book browsers, carefully selecting titles that spoke to them. What makes this library so powerful is that it meets my 6th-8th graders exactly where they are. Many of my students read at 3rd-6th grade levels, and these high-interest, accessible texts allow them to build critical reading skills—fluency, comprehension strategies, vocabulary development, and stamina—without feeling overwhelmed. Series like Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Dork Diaries use format and humor to support struggling readers, while the graphic novels about underrepresented athletes teach inference skills through visual literacy. Harry Potter and The Wild Robot offer opportunities for deeper character analysis and thematic discussions that my students are genuinely excited to have.\r\n\r\nReading workshop in our classroom is all about choice, community, and comfort. Students settle into our cozy café corner, select books that match their interests and reading levels, and read independently while I confer with individuals or work with small groups on specific skills. We celebrate book recommendations, share our favorite passages, and build a culture where reading is something you want to do, not something you have to do. Several students who previously told me \"I hate reading\" are now checking out second and third books from the same series—one student has already finished the entire Wimpy Kid collection and is recommending it to classmates. Another student, who struggles significantly with decoding, discovered the sports graphic novels and told me, \"Ms. Dazzeo, I can actually see what's happening in my head now!\" That visualization is a breakthrough reading comprehension strategy, and it happened because he finally found a book that worked for him.\r\n\r\nYour support has given my students something precious: the chance to discover that reading can be joyful, that there are books for every reader, and that they belong in a community of readers. Thank you for investing in these keiki and their literacy journeys.","fullyFundedDate":1755712998160,"projectUrl":"project/books-to-borrow-dreams-to-follow-libra/9530398/","projectTitle":"Books to Borrow, Dreams to Follow: Library for Reluctant Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Dazzeo","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10109874_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1754245757797","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10109874"},{"teacherId":8974443,"projectId":9772069,"letterContent":"Thank you for suppling my classroom with board games, incentives, supplies, and more! It has helped my students find the joy in learning and interacting with their peers.\r\n\r\nMy sixth grade team is made up of about seven teachers and 110 students. Once a week, each teacher hosts an activity and the students get to sign-up for the activity of their choice. Recently, I've been hosting board game playtime. Donors choose has helped me to bring in more board games for my students to play. I have attached a few photos from their play time. \r\n\r\nIn my math class, I also like to use math games as warm-ups. The students like the game prizes I've added to my treasure box.","fullyFundedDate":1759433117342,"projectUrl":"project/learning-is-interactive-and-fun/9772069/","projectTitle":"Learning is Interactive and Fun!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Letreta","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8974443_orig.jpg?crop=834,834,x163,y506&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1690444150803","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/j-letreta"},{"teacherId":2953169,"projectId":9772220,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for all the material given to me for my project. My students in my culinary class were able to make so many different dishes. With the cost of expenses going up, everything is very expensive and our culinary budget is very low. With 120 students to get ingredients for, it can be a challenge to be able to cook every week with them. With you very generous contributions to my classroom, we were able to make many more meals as well as bake many yummy desserts. The students were so excited and are so grateful. Thank you once again!","fullyFundedDate":1759361536784,"projectUrl":"project/culinary-fun/9772220/","projectTitle":"Culinary Fun!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. G.","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2953169_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1450284176696","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2953169"},{"teacherId":9375202,"projectId":8877135,"letterContent":"This project helped students to get a better understanding of how history can impact their lives on a daily basis. With your generous contribution we were able to complete hands on projects and really make history come alive. \r\n\r\nStudents were very excited to have the materials so that we could stop taking notes and use our hands to create hand on experiences. They are able to build models of the Great Wall of China, making topographical maps that they can feel and pretend to be travelers along the Silk Road moving through different obstacles to visualize the experience. \r\n\r\nAt the middle school age it is important for students to begin to have a more global understanding, this knowledge is especially important here on the islands. Making this experience more hands on helps the students better engage in the material and understand the importance of what they are learning. \r\n\r\nThank you so much for your continued support in everything that teachers do in the classroom to support our future leaders of tomorrow! You help us to raise the next generation of critical thinkers and world changers.","fullyFundedDate":1729088571332,"projectUrl":"project/helping-hands-in-history/8877135/","projectTitle":"Helping Hands in History","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Duke","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9375202_orig.jpg?crop=2298,2298,x725,y1008&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1701221911707","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9375202"},{"teacherId":2503256,"projectId":9879471,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for these materials! Using drawing and highlighters in class truly helps students understand and remember what they learn. When students turn ideas into images, their brains process and store the information more deeply. Highlighters make key points stand out, helping students quickly spot important details when they review or study.\r\n\r\nThis kind of visual learning boosts creativity, keeps students engaged, and supports a variety of learning styles. By sketching diagrams, mapping concepts, and highlighting main ideas, students take a more active role in their learning. These tools help make lessons more meaningful, organized, and memorable for everyone in the classroom.\r\n\r\nThank you again for providing resources that make such a positive impact on our students' learning!","fullyFundedDate":1762807401527,"projectUrl":"project/drawing-materials-and-highlighters/9879471/","projectTitle":"Drawing Materials and Highlighters","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Compton","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2503256_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1472589458399","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/comptonenglish"},{"teacherId":2503256,"projectId":9758775,"letterContent":"Our classroom has been buzzing with excitement thanks to your generosity. The new art supplies, organization tools, and student supports have already made a noticeable difference in both learning and classroom culture. Students were especially thrilled when they saw the bulk candy and Takis—these have become highly motivating rewards during group work and writing challenges, and they help reinforce positive behavior in a fun and meaningful way.\r\n\r\nThe tempera paints, paintbrushes, paper plates, and origami paper are now part of our weekly creative expression and illustration activities, where students visually represent themes, character emotions, and symbols from the texts we are reading. One particular moment that stood out was when a student who rarely participates proudly held up a painting and said, \"This is the first time I've been good at something in school.\" Your donation helped make that moment possible.\r\n\r\nThe dry-erase pockets, handwriting supports, mesh organizing bags, and magnetic labels have transformed how we structure lessons and keep materials accessible. Students now grab what they need without waiting on the teacher, which has increased independence and confidence. The adaptive handwriting paper and pencil grips have especially helped students who struggle with dysgraphia and fine-motor challenges—giving them tools that allow them to participate fully and with dignity.\r\n\r\nThe PE jump ropes, mesh bags, and stepping mat have been wonderful additions to our movement and wellness breaks, which help students reset and return to learning focused and calm.\r\n\r\nNext, we are beginning a mixed-media art and poetry project where students will combine paint, collage, and personal writing to express identity and voice. Because of your support, we already have everything we need to begin. Your contribution didn't just supply materials—it created opportunities for creativity, connection, confidence, and joy in learning.\r\n\r\nWe are deeply grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1759284479084,"projectUrl":"project/pumped-up-class/9758775/","projectTitle":"Pumped Up Class!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Compton","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2503256_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1472589458399","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/comptonenglish"},{"teacherId":1952670,"projectId":9161169,"letterContent":"Thank you for the generous materials that were bought for my advanced art class. Each student received their own marker set to create artwork. We have finally finished several of our art contests for the quarter and the markers came in handy . \r\n My students are grateful for the markers that they have and wanted to showcase some of the artwork that they have created. Most of these contests are local contests in Hawaii but hopefully we will be able to branch out to some national contests. Thank you so much for your generous donation and we apologize for taking so long to complete this message.","fullyFundedDate":1741996925842,"projectUrl":"project/quality-products-create-quality-work/9161169/","projectTitle":"Quality Products Create Quality Work","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Mishina","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1952670"},{"teacherId":7939898,"projectId":9772888,"letterContent":"I am writing to express our heartfelt gratitude for your incredible support of our classroom project. Thanks to your generosity, my students now have access to a wonderful variety of materials that have truly transformed our learning environment. From sports equipment like flag football sets, pickleball gear, corn hole boards, and jump ropes, to creative supplies including painting canvases and paints, as well as puzzles, fidget toys, and games—each item has brought joy and new opportunities to our classroom. The moment these materials arrived, my students' faces lit up with excitement and curiosity. They immediately wanted to explore everything, and I could see their enthusiasm for trying new activities and working together in fresh ways.\r\n\r\nThese resources have become integral to our daily routine and have strengthened our classroom community in remarkable ways. During our SEL lessons, students use the fidget toys to help them focus during discussions about emotions and problem-solving strategies, while the games and puzzles have created natural opportunities for practicing patience, turn-taking, and collaboration. Our flag football and pickleball equipment has transformed our physical education time into energetic team-building experiences where students learn to communicate effectively, support one another, and celebrate both individual and group successes. The art supplies have given students a creative outlet to express themselves, which has been particularly valuable for those who find it challenging to verbalize their feelings. Watching students work together on corn hole games during breaks or painting side-by-side has shown me how these simple materials can break down social barriers and build genuine friendships.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we are excited to continue integrating these resources into our curriculum in even more meaningful ways. We're currently planning a collaborative mural project where students will use the canvases and paints to create artwork representing our Hawaiian culture. Additionally, we're organizing a \"Wellness Week\" where students will rotate through different stations featuring the sports equipment, giving everyone a chance to discover new activities they enjoy while learning about the importance of physical health and teamwork. Your contribution has given my students more than just materials—you've given them tools for connection, self-expression, and healthy development. Thank you for believing in our classroom and investing in these young people's growth and well-being.","fullyFundedDate":1759447073809,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-hearts-and-minds/9772888/","projectTitle":"Hands-On Hearts and Minds","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Skaltsas","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7939898_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1628266915426","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7939898"},{"teacherId":8006949,"projectId":9152896,"letterContent":"With your donation, it has allowed me to incorporate more Building Thinking Classroom Activities into my day to day lessons. My students use the expo pens and erasers at their vertical white boards to work collaboratively on thinking problems. They are constantly more exacted to use these materials and participate in thinking activities rather than the boring worksheets that are often a part of standard math classrooms. \r\n\r\nMy next steps as a teacher is to create more curricular tasks through the lens of building thinking classrooms. Thank you for your support in my Building Thinking Classroom activities.","fullyFundedDate":1741645125428,"projectUrl":"project/creating-a-thinking-classroom-supplies/9152896/","projectTitle":"Creating a Thinking Classroom: Supplies for Engaged Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Garcia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8006949_orig.jpg?crop=1693,1693,x100,y1088&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1637276361855","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8006949"},{"teacherId":2503256,"projectId":9756003,"letterContent":"Our classroom has been buzzing with excitement thanks to your generosity. The new art supplies, organization tools, and student supports have already made a noticeable difference in both learning and classroom culture. Students were especially thrilled when they saw the bulk candy and Takis—these have become highly motivating rewards during group work and writing challenges, and they help reinforce positive behavior in a fun and meaningful way.\r\n\r\nThe tempera paints, paintbrushes, paper plates, and origami paper are now part of our weekly creative expression and illustration activities, where students visually represent themes, character emotions, and symbols from the texts we are reading. One particular moment that stood out was when a student who rarely participates proudly held up a painting and said, \"This is the first time I've been good at something in school.\" Your donation helped make that moment possible.\r\n\r\nThe dry-erase pockets, handwriting supports, mesh organizing bags, and magnetic labels have transformed how we structure lessons and keep materials accessible. Students now grab what they need without waiting on the teacher, which has increased independence and confidence. The adaptive handwriting paper and pencil grips have especially helped students who struggle with dysgraphia and fine-motor challenges—giving them tools that allow them to participate fully and with dignity.\r\n\r\nThe PE jump ropes, mesh bags, and stepping mat have been wonderful additions to our movement and wellness breaks, which help students reset and return to learning focused and calm.\r\n\r\nNext, we are beginning a mixed-media art and poetry project where students will combine paint, collage, and personal writing to express identity and voice. Because of your support, we already have everything we need to begin. Your contribution didn't just supply materials—it created opportunities for creativity, connection, confidence, and joy in learning.\r\n\r\nWe are deeply grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1758768589464,"projectUrl":"project/connecting-with-kids/9756003/","projectTitle":"Connecting with Kids!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Compton","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2503256_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1472589458399","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/comptonenglish"},{"teacherId":9815123,"projectId":9606298,"letterContent":"Thanks to the contributions made to our classroom we have witnessed a significant and meaningful impact on our learners' development through play-based learning. Your support has enabled us to provide a rich, engaging, and nature-connected learning environment that nurtures curiosity, creativity, and confidence in every child.\r\n\r\nThrough cooperative play and shared problem-solving in the FSC space, children have built stronger peer relationships and developed essential skills like teamwork, communication, empathy, and resilience.\r\n\r\nYour contributions have directly enriched the learning experiences of our children by creating a vibrant, dynamic FSC classroom. Through play in nature, our learners are thriving—academically, socially, and emotionally. We are deeply grateful for your continued support in nurturing lifelong learners who are curious, confident, and connected to the world around them","fullyFundedDate":1755408261170,"projectUrl":"project/learn-thrive-grow-through-play/9606298/","projectTitle":"Learn, Thrive, Grow Through Play","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nani","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9815123_orig.jpg?crop=240,240,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1729840853615","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9815123"},{"teacherId":9163191,"projectId":9145182,"letterContent":"My students and I are grateful for your support in leveling up their learning experiences in the ELA classroom! Having their own dictionaries has allowed them to practice important dictionary skills and independently looking up words without the use of technology. In addition, the class novel's hardcover format ensures that the books will last for many more years to come.\r\n\r\nYour support is not just from providing the funding for these materials. Your support has allowed me to establish a good foundation for student learning in the classroom. Students have begun to see that reading is not just a requirement in school, but a requirement in life. This growth in their reading confidence and vocabulary is a direct result of your generosity.\r\n\r\nThank you for helping us equip our students with the tools they need to become life-long readers and learners. We truly appreciate your investment in their future!","fullyFundedDate":1741959220937,"projectUrl":"project/investing-in-high-quality-reading-voca/9145182/","projectTitle":"Investing in High Quality Reading & Vocabulary-Building Materials","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sadang","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/jasmine-sadang"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_99518","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1221,"numTeachers":50,"percentFrplEligible":33,"percentAsian":32,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":10,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":21,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"24.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":63.6,"schoolId":99518,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Ewa Makai Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Ewa Makai Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/leeward-oahu-school-district/ewa-makai-middle-school/99518"}