{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Highlands Intermediate School","outOfStateSupporters":18.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9471248,"projectId":10109030,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation. With the new supplies we could implement activities that allow the students to use the same tools as the professional in the field. When our intermediate students join the work force they will have an \"extra edge\" because they have been practicing drawing straight lines with the framing squares you have provided.\r\n\r\nAlso, thank you so much for the model car kits. As we move forward with this construction program. I'm always looking for new ideas that will engage the intermediate school students. Model car building could provide an outlet for many different aspects of measuring, building, and designing.\r\n\r\nPlease accept my heartfelt thanks.","fullyFundedDate":1771715091914,"projectUrl":"project/use-a-square-to-draw-and-cut-straight-li/10109030/","projectTitle":"Use a Square to Draw and Cut Straight Lines","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Ching","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9471248_orig.jpg?crop=726,726,x0,y16&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1708119140250","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9471248"},{"teacherId":8825363,"projectId":10103062,"letterContent":"The biggest shift since this gear arrived isn't just the better video quality; it's the way my students carry themselves. Before, they were \"just kids\" messing around on tablets, but now, when they clip on a mic or adjust the lighting, they act like professionals. It's been incredible to see them realize that the gap between a middle schooler and a real-world content creator is actually pretty small once you have the right tools. They've stopped saying \"I don't know how\" and started saying \"Let me show you,\" which is exactly the kind of ownership I was hoping to see.\r\n\r\nThe microphones were a huge hit, especially because our classroom can get pretty noisy. Being able to record a crisp voiceover gave them a massive boost of confidence—especially for my quieter students. One student in particular, who rarely speaks up in class, became our go-to expert for audio levels; he found his \"voice\" by helping everyone else find theirs. You didn't just give us \"stuff\"; you gave these students the validation that their work is worth seeing and hearing. They are finally building portfolios they are proud of, and they're doing it with a level of independence that is awesome to watch.","fullyFundedDate":1771442625677,"projectUrl":"project/1-on-1-learning/10103062/","projectTitle":"1 on 1 Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Torres","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8825363"},{"teacherId":10438674,"projectId":10109851,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation. With the new supplies we could plan different activities for my students. These projects built upon each other. One lesson often laid the foundation for the next lesson. \r\n\r\n\r\nNew supplies boost our students' educational process. When working with new materials, students feel like they matter. They feel important. They do not feel like they are receiving hand-me-downs. They feel happy that somebody is investing in their learning.\r\n\r\n\r\nThe keychain and paracord bracelet projects allow extra practice for students to develop greater eye-hand coordination. Some other lessons learned are following instructions, weaving a pattern, and managing time. Color matching and painting techniques are also covered. Life skills learned from these lessons include team work, respect for self and others, and good decision making.\r\n\r\n\r\nAgain, thank you for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1771784792708,"projectUrl":"project/weaving-a-sense-of-community/10109851/","projectTitle":"Weaving a Sense of Community","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Abuel","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10438674"},{"teacherId":8978962,"projectId":10105783,"letterContent":"The addition of the CHAUVET DJ EZLink Par Q4BT wireless uplights has completely transformed our performance space from a standard multipurpose room into a professional-grade theater. Many of our donors use mobile technology daily, but seeing it applied in an educational theater setting is truly transformative. By utilizing these battery-powered units, our students are learning the technical \"math\" of stage design—calculating beam angles and mastering color-mixing theory to create specific emotional moods for each act. This technology gives them hands-on experience with the exact equipment used in the professional entertainment industry, bridging the gap between a school hobby and a potential career path in technical theater.\r\n\r\nThe most exciting aspect for the students has been the wireless control and instant feedback. In previous years, we were limited by the location of power outlets and the trip hazards of long cables. Now, students have the freedom to experiment. They were thrilled to discover they could change the entire atmosphere of the room with a few taps on a controller, giving them a sense of agency over their environment that sparked a new level of creative problem-solving. Furthermore, the heavyweight cardstock served as the perfect tactile medium for our student-led design team. They used the vibrant sheets to create high-quality, archival-grade programs and custom stage decor that felt substantial and professional, ensuring the \"visual brand\" of the show matched the quality of the performances.\r\n\r\nYour generosity has done more than just provide gear; it has provided a platform for these Highlands Intermediate students to take pride in their work and truly feel like they are \"Livin' the Dream!\" Thank you for investing in their creativity and their future.","fullyFundedDate":1771606778063,"projectUrl":"project/talent-showcase-2026-livin-the-dream/10105783/","projectTitle":"Talent Showcase 2026 \"Livin' the Dream!\"","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. White","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8978962_orig.jpg?crop=1005,1005,x359,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1678168364894","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/highlandscolts"},{"teacherId":8359470,"projectId":10103432,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity in encouraging our students to be positive contributors, productive scholars, and responsible students. Your donation allows our growing teens to visit our redemption center and redeem their points for their favorite prizes such as Takis, popcorn, and chips!\r\n\r\nThe snacks at our redemption center are so popular that what we had initially bought only lasted us one month! We were worried how we would be able to purchase more snacks to last us until at least the end of the school year. We are forever grateful for your donation. Middle school students are always hungry, and 95% of the time they choose food over a toy/gadget/school supplies!","fullyFundedDate":1771439067010,"projectUrl":"project/teenagers-practicing-positive-behaviors/10103432/","projectTitle":"Teenagers Practicing Positive Behaviors","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Higa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8359470"},{"teacherId":7928008,"projectId":9772749,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our fashion program. Your donation of nail kits has made a meaningful impact on my students, giving them the opportunity to explore creative, hands-on learning in ways that many would not otherwise have access to. My students are curious and eager to express themselves, and your contribution allowed them to bring their ideas to life while building confidence and pride in their work.\r\n\r\nThrough these materials, students learned techniques for painting, shaping, and designing nails while connecting nail art to broader fashion and beauty trends. They developed important skills like patience, attention to detail, and collaboration, and many discovered new ways to express their individuality. Some even began to see new possibilities for future interests in cosmetology and fashion-related careers.\r\n\r\nThe highlight of this experience will be seeing their work featured in our end-of-year fashion show, where students will proudly show their nail designs alongside outfits they created and styled. Thank you for putting creativity at their fingertips and helping our students truly shine.","fullyFundedDate":1759225383999,"projectUrl":"project/creativity-at-our-fingertips-nail-kits/9772749/","projectTitle":"Creativity at Our Fingertips! Nail Kits for Fashion Class!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Cunningham","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7928008"},{"teacherId":9789978,"projectId":9901287,"letterContent":"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your incredible generosity. While many of us use technology at home for entertainment or chores, your gift is showing my students how technology acts as the \"invisible engine\" of a professional production.\r\n\r\nYour donations made such a meaningful impact on my classroom and brought so much joy to my students. They were incredibly excited to use the items that were purchased, and your contributions truly helped create lasting memories and support their learning.\r\n\r\nThe drama club students were especially thrilled to receive the new items as they could put it to good use for the upcoming play \"Willy Wonka Jr.\" My students were especially grateful for the snacks as it continued to motivate them to do their best in class.\r\n\r\nAs we head into the ending of the school year, these resources will continue to support my students' learning and help them start next school year on the right foot. Thank you again for helping to make these experiences possible—it truly means the world to both me and my students!","fullyFundedDate":1764702657873,"projectUrl":"project/fueling-confidence-in-the-classroom-and/9901287/","projectTitle":"Fueling Confidence in the Classroom and on Stage","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Y","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9789978_orig.jpg?crop=1080,1080,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1728360700247","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9789978"},{"teacherId":10339335,"projectId":9869928,"letterContent":"First and foremost, apologies for the late thank you letter. I am deeply appreciative of your patience as well as your donations. As a first-year teacher, it has been a whirlwind trying to keep track of it all. \r\n\r\nThe whiteboard space, as one might be able to imagine, is very limited in my classroom. While pen and pencil can certainly be an alternative (especially in a world as saturated with technology as ours tends to be these days), when simply doing example problems, that can be an issue of wasted paper. Plus, if the students realize their mistake prior to me pointing it out to them, erasing can quickly become a hassle.\r\n\r\nHaving whiteboards have removed such issues. It gives them the ability to follow along on their own WITHOUT having to get up and walk all the way to the board, OR to work on example problems individually for several moments before coming back together and sharing as a group. I also think there is a benefit in letting the students make their own mistakes and completely finish a math problem even if the eventual answer is wrong. The whiteboards kind of force some of the students to write bigger because the expo pens are typically fatter. It makes it easier to see their thoughts and quickly point out their points of confusion, not to mention the value in them seeing the simple mistakes they're making and then learning from them. It's quite rewarding to see them sit down for the test, make a mistake similar to the one they had on the whiteboard, and RECOGNIZING SAID MISTAKE and correcting it because they remember the tiny bit of embarrassment that comes with making those errors.\r\n\r\nTo be clear, of course they still have worksheets to complete. It is a math class after all, but I typically like to follow the pattern of \"I do, We do, You do,\" the \"You do\" part being the worksheets on their own either toward the end of class or as homework. The \"We do\" section typically involves the whiteboards in an effort to build their confidence to do the problem WITHOUT me having the loom over them. Students these days seem to lack the resilience to try the problems if they are unsure of the slightest step forward. \r\n\r\nNext step is to help them REMEMBER they have homework in the first place! But that's an ongoing problem, and at this point, something I can focus on fixing next year with the next group of kids to the best of my ability. Back to the whiteboards, though, they are yet another tool to improve the... mathematical success of my students, and I am forever thankful.","fullyFundedDate":1762691832462,"projectUrl":"project/more-math-tools-to-tackle-a-challenging/9869928/","projectTitle":"More Math Tools to Tackle a Challenging Core Subject","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Kanemura","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10339335_orig.jpg?crop=907,907,x1401,y987&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1762462469512","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10339335"},{"teacherId":3641210,"projectId":9780656,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your very generous donations of 10 rainbow parachutes and 6 rubber balls for my middle school team. The items listed have been used for team bonding activities as well as extra play time. Building and maintaining friendships are very vital for middle school students as they grow into their identities and discover their interests and passions. Incorporating games and team activities help students build understanding of how their identities and experiences impact others. In addition, we got to have fun! As much as we want to teach students social emotional learning, we should always remember to have fun and loosen up. \r\n\r\nThe students really enjoyed using the rubber balls to play games, but we will plan on using the parachutes in a more organized manner next year. Again, I truly appreciate your help and support with these items.","fullyFundedDate":1759590853231,"projectUrl":"project/lets-get-team-bonding/9780656/","projectTitle":"Let's Get (team) Bonding!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Yco","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3641210_orig.jpg?crop=387,387,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1700248105543","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3641210"},{"teacherId":3251860,"projectId":9782697,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation to my classroom project: \"Nourishing Minds: Snacks for English Learners Success.\" Your contribution has made a tremendous difference in the lives of my English learner students. Thanks to your support, I was able to stock our classroom with nutritious snacks that will sustain our students through the end of Quarter 3.\r\n\r\nThe Impact You've Made:\r\n\r\nOver the past weeks, I have witnessed remarkable changes in my students' engagement and focus during tutoring sessions. With access to healthy snacks, my English learners are:\r\n\r\n- Staying focused longer during intensive tutoring and small-group instruction\r\n- Participating more actively in lessons and discussions\r\n- Building confidence as they prepare for yearly assessments\r\n- Creating a more inclusive classroom community where all students feel valued and cared for\r\n\r\nIt's remarkable how something as simple as a snack can remove barriers to learning. When students' basic needs are met, they're able to concentrate on mastering English language skills, comprehension strategies, and assessment preparation.\r\n\r\nYour investment in my students goes far beyond snacks—it communicates to them that their education matters, that their success is valued, and that there are people in the community who believe in their potential.\r\n\r\nI am deeply grateful for your compassion, generosity, and commitment to educational equity.","fullyFundedDate":1759607547235,"projectUrl":"project/help-give-english-learners-snacks/9782697/","projectTitle":"Help Give English Learners Snacks","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dingal","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/t2channel"},{"teacherId":10349359,"projectId":9893259,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support of my classroom. Because of you, my students now have access to whiteboards, Expo markers, composition books, and a printer among many other resources that are already making a meaningful difference in how we learn every day.\r\n\r\nWe have been using the whiteboards and markers for quick checks for understanding, vocabulary games, and review activities where every student can actively participate at the same time. One standout moment was during a recent vocabulary review when students excitedly held up their boards to share their drawings and answers, sparking discussion, laughter, and lots of learning. The composition books have become student learning journals, giving them a dedicated space to organize their thoughts, reflect on lessons, and practice writing skills. \r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our next steps include expanding our interactive lessons and project-based learning. Students will continue using their composition books to track progress on current units, while whiteboards will support collaborative problem-solving and review activities. These tools are helping create a classroom environment where students feel engaged, confident, and excited to learn.","fullyFundedDate":1763105491952,"projectUrl":"project/we-move-into-the-future-by-looking-to-th/9893259/","projectTitle":"We Move into the Future by Looking to the Past","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Condello","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10349359"},{"teacherId":9672297,"projectId":9893365,"letterContent":"My students and I were able to use our brand new digital scales that have transformed our lab atmosphere from being \"close enough\" to true scientific inquiry. When students first saw the new equipment, they were excited and treated the lab space with more respect and professional curiosity. One specific moment that stands out was during a recent thermal energy lab. Students were measuring 2.0 grams of calcium chloride and 2.0 grams of baking soda, and their faces showed pure focus as they tried to measure the exact amount of each. They were practicing the meticulous habits of real-world chemists.\r\n\r\nOur next steps are to use more of the materials provided from the donation. We have an upcoming lab where students will explore cell transport using the dialysis tubes and paper cups to hold liquids. We will be filling the dialysis tubes with a starch and glucose liquid to see which food molecules can move through a semi-permeable membrane. These kinds of labs that require these materials help students visualize microscopic concepts using hands-on learning.","fullyFundedDate":1763001186144,"projectUrl":"project/science-in-action/9893365/","projectTitle":"Science in Action","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Nguyen","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9672297"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_50792","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":824,"numTeachers":58,"percentFrplEligible":31,"percentAsian":37,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":3,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":18,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"7 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"14.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":82.0,"schoolId":50792,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Highlands Intermediate School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Highlands Intermediate School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/leeward-oahu-school-district/highlands-intermediate-school/50792"}