{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Kapolei Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":35.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9468858,"projectId":9778260,"letterContent":"Aloha e nā kākoʻo,\r\n\r\nSince receiving the LEGO Education sets, our middle-school students at Ke Kula Kaiapuni ʻo Kapolei have been using them to explore hands-on learning across science, math, and Hawaiian language. The LEGOs have quickly become one of the most engaging tools in our classroom. Each week, we design small-group challenges that blend STEM skills with ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, such as building simple machines, modeling geometric shapes, or creating scenes that represent concepts from traditional moʻolelo. Students explain their designs in Hawaiian, using new vocabulary to describe structure, function, and measurement. The connection between building and language has opened up new ways for them to communicate and problem-solve together.\r\n\r\nOne of the most memorable moments was when a group of students constructed a model of a Hawaiian sailing canoe. They worked collaboratively to design the hull, mast, and sail, and then labeled each part using Hawaiian terminology. During their presentation, they explained how the balance of the canoe related to mathematical symmetry and stability. Watching them move fluidly between English and Hawaiian while explaining their engineering choices reminded me why culturally grounded, bilingual learning tools are so powerful. For many of my students, this was the first time they saw a clear connection between their cultural heritage and modern STEM design.\r\n\r\nWhen the LEGO boxes first arrived, the students' excitement filled the room. Some immediately began sorting pieces by color and size, while others sketched ideas on whiteboards before they started building. Several students who are usually quiet or hesitant to speak became leaders in their groups—giving directions, testing ideas, and offering encouragement. One student said, \"This doesn't feel like work—it feels like we're building our stories.\" That comment perfectly captured how these materials are transforming our class from a traditional setting into a dynamic learning lab grounded in Hawaiian values of collaboration (laulima), creativity (ʻike hānai), and care for one another (aloha kekahi i kekahi).\r\n\r\nCurrently, our class is working on a project titled \"Kālaianiau: Building the Future.\" Students are using the LEGO sets to model ecosystems found in Hawaiʻi—rainforests, coral reefs, and volcano systems—integrating environmental science concepts with local vocabulary and measurement skills. Each model is paired with a short bilingual presentation that explains the science behind the design and its connection to Hawaiian place names and sustainability practices. The next step for our students will be to record short videos explaining their creations in both Hawaiian and English to share with families and the wider community. This will help strengthen both oral communication and cultural pride.\r\n\r\nMahalo nui loa to everyone who helped make this project possible. Your generosity has provided more than just supplies—it has sparked curiosity, strengthened bilingual confidence, and encouraged deeper connection between STEM education and Hawaiian identity. Every day, my students look forward to using these LEGOs not only to build objects, but to build understanding, teamwork, and self-belief. From our classroom to yours, mahalo for believing in our haumāna and for giving them the tools to imagine and create a brighter, more connected future.\r\n\r\nMe ke aloha,\r\nHemakana Yam-Lum\r\nHawaiian Immersion Teacher\r\nKe Kula Kaiapuni ʻo Kapolei","fullyFundedDate":1760544256006,"projectUrl":"project/star-wars-and-beyond/9778260/","projectTitle":"Star Wars and Beyond","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Hema Yam-Lum","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9468858_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1759221441735","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9468858"},{"teacherId":8368406,"projectId":9163623,"letterContent":"I wanted to extend my heartfelt thanks for your generous support and contribution of supplies to my classroom. The sound bar, miter saw blades, countersink drill bits, new safety glasses, and bandsaw blade made a noticeable difference in our learning environment.\r\nThe sound bar improved the clarity and volume of our Engineering DVDs, allowing all students to hear the dialog and engage more fully in discussions. The new miter saw blades and bandsaw blade provided cleaner, safer, and more precise cuts, which was especially important as students worked on building their folding stools. The table saw blade allowed me to prepare the material for their folding stools more efficiently and safely. The wheels and gears helped students to create their solar cars and allowed them to compete in the Solar Sprint Race, and the new safety glasses ensured that every student could work safely while having a clear line of sight, which boosted both their confidence and focus.\r\nThese tools not only enhanced the quality of student work but also made the classroom a safer, more engaging place for hands-on learning. Thank you again for your generosity and for supporting our students' growth and success","fullyFundedDate":1742062391022,"projectUrl":"project/project-classroom-makeover/9163623/","projectTitle":"Project Classroom Makeover","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kuroda","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8368406"},{"teacherId":7938203,"projectId":9161327,"letterContent":"The students and I extend our sincere gratitude for your generous donation. The school supplies you provided have been instrumental in equipping our students with the necessary tools for artistic expression and the successful completion of their daily schoolwork. Furthermore, the motivational incentives have significantly boosted student engagement and their desire to excel in their assignments. The students were truly delighted to see their peers recognized and rewarded for meeting and often exceeding expectations. Thank you once again for your invaluable support.","fullyFundedDate":1742060523932,"projectUrl":"project/incentives-for-being-great/9161327/","projectTitle":"Incentives for Being Great","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Robins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7938203"},{"teacherId":8822827,"projectId":8877545,"letterContent":"I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your generous donation of tennis balls for our classroom desks and chairs. Your contribution has made such a difference in our space, and I'm excited to share how it's been positively impacting our students.\r\n\r\nThe moment my students saw the tennis balls attached to their desks and chairs, their eyes lit up. They immediately noticed the difference in the sound of the room, which is now quieter and more peaceful when students move around. This small but thoughtful addition has created a calmer environment, which has helped my students stay focused and engaged during lessons.\r\n\r\nOne specific classroom moment I'd love to share is during our recent group project. My students were working together on a computer science assignment, and the tennis balls made it so much easier to rearrange our desks without the distracting noise of scraping. We were able to quickly transform the classroom to suit our needs, and the students were able to focus more on their teamwork and the assignment itself.\r\n\r\nYour donation not only helped create a more comfortable and productive classroom but also reinforced the importance of community support in education. \r\n\r\nThank you again for being such an important part of our learning journey at Kapolei Middle.","fullyFundedDate":1728946159386,"projectUrl":"project/noise-freescratch-free-classroom/8877545/","projectTitle":"Noise Free/Scratch Free Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kawakami","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8822827"},{"teacherId":7938203,"projectId":8877435,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generosity. The students appreciate coming to a classroom and don't have to worry about having a pencil or glue. They are enjoying working with the different manipulatives that help them learn. They enjoy using the erasable number lines and whiteboards to practice comparing numbers and calculating different problems. It helps them to remember borrowing and regrouping. They like referring to the visual aid of equivalent fractions, decimals, and percents to see the relationship. The sand timers help students to be mindful of staying on task and how long they take a break.","fullyFundedDate":1728937028674,"projectUrl":"project/providing-an-experiential-learning-envir/8877435/","projectTitle":"Providing an Experiential Learning Environment.","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Robins","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7938203"},{"teacherId":9807695,"projectId":8888254,"letterContent":"On behalf of our students and faculty, I would like to extend our deepest gratitude for your generous donation of supplies to support our hydroponic growing project. Your contribution has had an immediate and profound impact on our students and their learning experience. Through this project, students have had the opportunity to engage in hands-on activities that teach them how to plant, nurture, and harvest crops using hydroponic systems. By growing their own food in nutrient-rich water instead of soil, they've gained a unique understanding of sustainable agriculture practices, particularly relevant to Hawaii, where land and soil quality can vary. Your support has made it possible for students to explore how innovative techniques like hydroponics can help mitigate challenges such as reliance on imported food and the need for local, sustainable food systems.\r\n The impact of your donation extends beyond the classroom. Students are not only learning about the science behind hydroponics but also engaging in critical conversations about environmental stewardship, water conservation, and reducing the use of harmful chemicals. They are discovering how these practices contribute to sustainable food production and the long-term health of our environment. Your support has helped them realize the importance of reducing food waste and supporting local food systems—a lesson that will stay with them for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1729396598658,"projectUrl":"project/food-security-for-hawaii-through-aina-ba/8888254/","projectTitle":"Food Security for Hawaii Through Aina Based Lessons","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Fuerst","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-8_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9807695"},{"teacherId":8368406,"projectId":8878904,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support! The students are thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to engage with their peers through play. All the games have been made available to them, but Jenga and Corn Hole have quickly become the favorites. It's wonderful to see students strengthening their friendships and collaborating to follow the rules while having fun.\r\n\r\nThe computer mice have also been an excellent addition to the classroom. They've allowed students to navigate their computer design programs with ease, enabling them to focus on mastering the software rather than struggling with keyboard commands to pan, zoom, or rotate.\r\n\r\nWe truly appreciate your generosity and the positive impact it has made in our classroom. Thank you again!","fullyFundedDate":1729049508014,"projectUrl":"project/fun-fridays/8878904/","projectTitle":"Fun Fridays!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kuroda","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8368406"},{"teacherId":7940929,"projectId":8895048,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of cooperative games to our classroom through Donors Choose! Your contribution has already made a meaningful impact on our students and our learning environment.\r\nThe cooperative games you've provided are not only fun but also invaluable tools for building teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills among my students. Watching them collaborate, strategize, and celebrate their successes together has been incredibly rewarding. These games have created opportunities for every child to feel included, valued, and empowered, regardless of their individual strengths or challenges.\r\nInspired by the games you donated, my students are now working together to create their very own cooperative game! This project has sparked their creativity, deepened their understanding of collaboration, and further strengthened their sense of community. Seeing their excitement and determination as they develop their ideas has been a highlight of our classroom experience.\r\nWe appreciate your generosity and continued support of our schools. Your kindness reminds us that there are people in the world who truly care about making a difference in education. On behalf of my students and myself, thank you for your support and for helping us grow and learn together.","fullyFundedDate":1729571669079,"projectUrl":"project/cooperative-play-for-social-emotional-le/8895048/","projectTitle":"Cooperative Play for Social Emotional Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. R","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7940929"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_68375","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":727,"numTeachers":92,"percentFrplEligible":42,"percentAsian":21,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":5,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":20,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"7.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":64.8,"schoolId":68375,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Kapolei Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Kapolei Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/leeward-oahu-school-district/kapolei-middle-school/68375"}