{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Ka Waihona 'o Ka Na'auao Public Charter School","outOfStateSupporters":47.5,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9076423,"projectId":10062270,"letterContent":"Because of this project, my students were able to take an active role in creating care bags for others, turning learning into meaningful action. Students worked together to plan, organize, and assemble each care bag, discussing why each item was important and who it would help. Watching students carefully pack items and double-check that every bag was complete showed their growing sense of responsibility and pride in helping others.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the materials, they were excited and deeply motivated. Many shared personal connections and asked thoughtful questions about how the care bags would support individuals in need. The project sparked meaningful conversations about kindness, community, and empathy, and students were eager to contribute ideas and help one another throughout the process. They felt empowered knowing their actions could make a real difference.\r\n\r\nThanks to this project, my students are learning that compassion and leadership go hand in hand. Moving forward, they will continue building social-emotional skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and civic responsibility. This experience helped them see that even small acts of care can have a powerful impact, and it has strengthened our classroom community in lasting ways.","fullyFundedDate":1770057210735,"projectUrl":"project/student-led-care-bags/10062270/","projectTitle":"Student-Led Care Bags","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pohai (Kumu Pōhai)","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9076423_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y37&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726296429378","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9076423"},{"teacherId":9076423,"projectId":9834766,"letterContent":"Because of your lokomaikaʻi (generosity), my students now have access to snack packs that provide comfort, nourishment, and a sense of care during the school day. These snacks are used daily to support students who arrive at school hungry, need a boost to stay focused, or require a quick snack to help regulate their energy and emotions. One moment that truly stood out was seeing a student who often struggles to stay engaged quietly grab a snack and then return to their work with renewed focus and confidence. These simple moments make a big difference in our classroom environment.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the snack packs, their reactions were filled with excitement and gratitude. Many shared how happy they felt knowing there would be food available when they needed it, and several students expressed relief knowing they wouldn't have to worry about being hungry during lessons. The snacks have also helped foster a sense of community and safety — students know that our classroom is a place where their basic needs matter, and that support is always available.\r\n\r\nMahalo to your kākoʻo (support), my haumna (students) are better prepared to focus on learning and building positive pilina (relationships)‹ in the classroom. Moving forward, these snack packs will continue to play an important role in helping students stay engaged, emotionally regulated, and ready to learn. Your kindness has had a direct and meaningful impact on my students' daily school experience, and I am deeply grateful for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1765912013907,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-packs-of-aloha/9834766/","projectTitle":"Snacks Packs of Aloha","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pohai (Kumu Pōhai)","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9076423_orig.jpg?crop=1242,1242,x0,y37&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1726296429378","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9076423"},{"teacherId":2175428,"projectId":9956629,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donations to our Protecting Your Brain project. These soft shell helmets are providing our girls a safe way to fully participate in flag football. Even though it is not a requirement, I feel that my girls need to wear headgear at all time during practices, games, and scrimmages in which physical contact would happen. This extra layer of safety gives our girls full confidence in performing at their highest level. Also, having these WEAH helmets allows us to show our support for Womenʻs Athletics in Hawaii. Mahalo.","fullyFundedDate":1766012083709,"projectUrl":"project/protecting-your-brain/9956629/","projectTitle":"Protecting Your Brain","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Ah Sui","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2175428"},{"teacherId":7887249,"projectId":9968322,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generosity in funding our project, Building Ideas in 3D. This was a brand new experience for all of us, especially for me as I learned alongside my students on how to use a 3D printer. While there were definitely some challenges along the way, my students dove right in with curiosity, creativity, and excitement.\r\n\r\nOne of the first projects we created was a kapala (stamp), a tool traditionally used by Native Hawaiians to create patterns on kapa. What I enjoyed most was seeing the strong connection between what my students are learning in the classroom and the hands-on projects they are creating in middle school. They have seen and used these tools authentically before, and being able to recreate them through 3D printing opened up a whole new avenue for learning.\r\n\r\nThis experience showed our students that while traditional tools and methods are deeply important, there are also many new ways to create, design, and problem-solve. It was truly a meaningful and empowering experience for them, and we are so excited to continue creating and learning with our new 3D printer. Mahalo again.","fullyFundedDate":1766460821489,"projectUrl":"project/building-ideas-in-3d/9968322/","projectTitle":"Building Ideas in 3D","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. AhSui (Kumu Dariess)","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7887249_orig.jpg?crop=433,433,x0,y21&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723794847519","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kumudariess"},{"teacherId":3284228,"projectId":9780411,"letterContent":"Thank you for your continued support of our efforts to promote the use of the Hawaiian language in our classroom, school, families, and wider community.\r\n\r\nThe students were extremely enthusiastic about completing one of their art projects on the computers and printing their work in color to display in the clear plastic sleeves. It was exciting to see their creativity and pride in their work.\r\n\r\nWith February being Hawaiian Language Month, we are eager to create and share a variety of worksheets and activities with students across our school. We can't wait to get started and are grateful for your continued encouragement!","fullyFundedDate":1760039494271,"projectUrl":"project/promoting-hawaiian-language-pt-2/9780411/","projectTitle":"Promoting Hawaiian Language Pt. 2","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Makana","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3284228"},{"teacherId":3520849,"projectId":9785079,"letterContent":"The arrival of our new cleanup supplies—especially the heavy-duty grabber reachers and the specialized sand sifting screens—was met with pure excitement from my students. When they first saw the materials laid out in the classroom, there was a collective sense of pride and professional purpose. One student mentioned that having \"real\" gear made them feel like a legitimate conservation team rather than just kids picking up trash. It was a powerful moment to see them realize that their passion for protecting our coastline was being supported by people who truly value their hard work and their community.\r\n\r\nWe have already put these resources to incredible use during our first student-led beach cleanup. Using the sand flea rakes and sifting screens, students were able to uncover hundreds of tiny microplastics that are often invisible to the naked eye but incredibly harmful to our marine life. A standout moment occurred when a group of students used the grabber reachers to safely clear a large area of debris that had been tangled in coastal brush, showing exactly how these tools allow us to be more thorough and safe in our stewardship efforts.\r\n\r\nThe next step for our classroom is to move from collection to data analysis and community advocacy. My students are currently using the data they gathered during our cleanup to track the most common types of single-use plastics found on our shores. They are preparing a presentation for their peers and families to raise awareness about local pollution and to propose sustainable alternatives. Your generous contribution has not only cleaned our beaches but has empowered these middle schoolers to lead the way as the next generation of environmental protectors.","fullyFundedDate":1760378458511,"projectUrl":"project/keeping-beaches-beautiful-a-student-led/9785079/","projectTitle":"Keeping Beaches Beautiful: A Student-Led Cleanup Project","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Watson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3520849_orig.png?crop=696,696,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1760642963730","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3520849"},{"teacherId":3520849,"projectId":9790365,"letterContent":"When the students first saw the boxes of resin kits, colorful mica powders, and intricate ocean-themed molds arrive, the excitement in the room was electric. They were particularly fascinated by the vacuum degassing chamber and the heat guns used to remove bubbles, which made the project feel like a high-tech science lab. For many of my 7th and 8th graders, seeing these professional-grade art and chemistry supplies made them realize that their efforts to clean our beaches were being taken seriously by people all across the country.\r\n\r\nWe have already begun putting these resources to work during our first \"collection and casting\" session. After returning from a local beach cleanup with bags of colorful microplastics, the students used the stainless steel sifting sets you provided to sort the tiny fragments by size and color. One particularly moving moment occurred when a student realized that the \"pretty\" blue flecks they were casting into a turtle-shaped mold were actually broken pieces of a discarded crate—turning a symbol of pollution into a beautiful piece of jewelry that tells a story of restoration.\r\n\r\nThe next step for our class is to move from individual experimentation to a curated community showcase. Students are currently writing \"artist statements\" that explain the science behind the microplastics they found and the chemical process of the resin they used. They are preparing to mount a student-led exhibit where they will display their keychains, pendants, and art pieces to inspire our wider community to take action against plastic waste. Your generosity has truly allowed them to see themselves as both scientists and changemakers.","fullyFundedDate":1765251460476,"projectUrl":"project/from-pollution-to-possibility-transform/9790365/","projectTitle":"From Pollution to Possibility: Transforming Microplastics Into Art","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Watson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3520849_orig.png?crop=696,696,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1760642963730","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3520849"},{"teacherId":3520849,"projectId":9774781,"letterContent":"This project has transformed the way my students learn about ecosystems by giving them the opportunity to observe living systems up close. We are using the freshwater and saltwater aquariums as ongoing classroom laboratories where students make daily observations, record changes, and discuss how plants, animals, and environmental conditions interact. One memorable moment was when students noticed how even small changes, like light exposure or feeding schedules, affected the balance of the tanks, leading to rich discussions about cause and effect in real ecosystems.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the aquariums, their excitement was immediate and genuine. Many gathered around asking questions, pointing out details, and making predictions about what would happen next. For some students, this was their first time seeing a classroom aquarium, and it sparked curiosity in students who are usually hesitant to participate. The materials instantly made science feel real, engaging, and accessible, and students took pride in helping care for the ecosystems.\r\n\r\nNext, students will use the aquariums to compare freshwater and saltwater ecosystems through structured investigations and mini research projects. They will analyze data from their observations, create ecosystem models, and connect what they see in the tanks to larger environmental issues like sustainability and conservation. Thanks to our donors, these resources will continue to support hands-on learning and inspire curiosity long after this unit ends.","fullyFundedDate":1759547340874,"projectUrl":"project/dive-into-science-exploring-ecosystems/9774781/","projectTitle":"Dive Into Science: Exploring Ecosystems with Aquariums","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Watson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3520849_orig.png?crop=696,696,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1760642963730","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3520849"},{"teacherId":6561423,"projectId":9774912,"letterContent":"We truly appreciate your generosity in allowing my students to express their way through creativity. \r\nThrough your generosity they were able to create our culture clothing of a pāʻu a Hawaiian dress and malo a Hawaiian loins cloth through sewing for our 'Aha aina project which is a culture gathering used to honor their ʻohana or family and place.\r\nAlso they were able to create canvas art pieces and various dioramas project depicting their expressions of how they plan to protect our future kai or ocean. \r\nYour generosity have provided joy, happiness, and a sense of creativity for every student. We plan to continue to use these resources to foster art, fashion, and hand-on learning.","fullyFundedDate":1759455355249,"projectUrl":"project/celebrating-mindfulness/9774912/","projectTitle":"Celebrating Mindfulness","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Leona Watson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6561423_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1564088009501","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6561423"},{"teacherId":4450633,"projectId":9781137,"letterContent":"Thank you doesn't begin to express how much these supplies have helped our classroom and brightened up my students energy.\r\nEven the simplest of things like our new pencil sharpener is a class favorite. They love to watch the pencil go down and come back up all on it's own.\r\n\r\nSome of the little things like the galaxy slime is. a big hit in our class treasure chest. The kids have been working extra hard to earn their stamps in order to choose a galaxy slime from the chest.\r\n\r\nMy students are always asking, \"when are we going to get to paint again\". Now that they get to wear an apron, like a \"real\" artist, they are always looking forward to painting.\r\n\r\nSo thank you, thank you so very much for putting an extra smile on my kids faces.","fullyFundedDate":1759592065944,"projectUrl":"project/giving-creativity-a-chance/9781137/","projectTitle":"Giving Creativity a Chance","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Vinta","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4450633_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1668470918261","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4450633"},{"teacherId":8974593,"projectId":9706501,"letterContent":"Our classroom has been brimming with excitement since we received the many donations to our classroom. The picture frames became the centerpiece of our Winter art project — each student designed a frame to hold a photo of themselves to be given as a makana to their ʻohana for the holiday season . The creativity was incredible; students used paint and pens to make each frame unique.\r\n\r\nWhen the hula hoops, jump ropes, and kick ball bases arrived, the energy in the room was contagious. The students' faces lit up as they realized they had new recess and P.E. equipment. One memorable moment was watching a group of students create a \"holiday relay\" using the hoops and ropes, cheering each other on with so much joy.\r\n\r\nAs we move into the new year, students will begin using our new Cricut for personalized classroom projects, combining technology with art and learning. It's a wonderful way to connect creativity, reflection, and motivation — all thanks to the generous support of our donors who helped make these experiences possible. Mahalo Nui Loa for your continued support!","fullyFundedDate":1759502485940,"projectUrl":"project/creative-minds-grow/9706501/","projectTitle":"Creative Minds Grow","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lehua","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8974593"},{"teacherId":10297480,"projectId":9784859,"letterContent":"Our classroom has been buzzing with creativity since receiving our new classroom supplies specifically our watercolor sets and paints. My students have been using these materials to explore painting a series of different art projects. One of our favorite activities so far has been drawing and painting our own winter penguins which will be laminated with our new laminator for a lasting keepsake. \r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new materials, their excitement was contagious. Many of them had never used watercolor paints before, and they couldn't wait to experiment. The laminator was especially fascinating to them—they loved watching their artwork transform into something that looked \"official\" and polished.\r\n\r\nThe colored card stock received has been extremely helpful in our learning as we used the material to create base ten manipulatives for our place value unit. Keiki enjoyed the bright colors and enjoyed the hands on learning. \r\n\r\nNext, we are planning to use the large poster boards in our next unit on family lineage. Keiki will create their own family trees. Students will research their family tree, color, and label their family tree. These materials have truly opened up new ways for my students to express their learning and creativity.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your generous donation to our classroom, you have no idea the impact that you have had on our classroom. Mahalo Nui Loa!","fullyFundedDate":1759623998716,"projectUrl":"project/art-supplies/9784859/","projectTitle":"Art Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Merri","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10297480"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_72576","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":707,"numTeachers":52,"percentFrplEligible":64,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":2,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":25,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"13.6:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":52.5,"schoolId":72576,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Ka Waihona 'o Ka Na'auao Public Charter School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Ka Waihona 'o Ka Na'auao Public Charter School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/leeward-oahu-school-district/ka-waihona-o-ka-na-auao-public-charter-school/72576"}