{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Makaha Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":77.1,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8824063,"projectId":9720583,"letterContent":"Your generosity has made a big difference in our classroom. We use the dry erase markers daily for small group lessons, writing practice, and solving problems together. The snacks have also been incredibly helpful, especially for students who come to school hungry. Being able to offer a small snack helps them stay focused and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the treasure chest and incentive toys, they were so excited. It motivates them to follow expectations and celebrate their progress. These resources support positive behavior, engagement, and help make our classroom a place where students feel encouraged to learn and grow.","fullyFundedDate":1759195636074,"projectUrl":"project/much-needed/9720583/","projectTitle":"Much Needed","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Vega","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8824063_orig.png?crop=734,734,x0,y9&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723437840803","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8824063"},{"teacherId":8510124,"projectId":10083667,"letterContent":"Mahalo nui loa for supporting our DonorsChoose project! Because of your generosity, my kindergarten students were able to take part in a very special learning experience that taught them the power of kindness and helping others.\r\n\r\nWith the supplies you provided, our class was able to assemble snack bags to share with members of our local community. As we worked together to pack each bag, students talked about why helping others is important and how food helps our bodies grow strong and ready to learn. Even at such a young age, they began to understand that small acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone's day.\r\n\r\nThis project became more than just packing snacks—it became a meaningful service-learning experience. My students practiced empathy, responsibility, and teamwork while learning about caring for others in our community. We had thoughtful conversations about showing aloha and living with kuleana, and students reflected through drawings and class discussions about how it felt to help someone who might be in need.\r\n\r\nYour support helped create a powerful moment for these young learners. They were proud to know that their hands helped prepare something that could bring comfort and care to another person.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students and for helping us make a positive impact in our community.","fullyFundedDate":1770664065270,"projectUrl":"project/students-making-snack-bags-for-the-commu/10083667/","projectTitle":"Students Making Snack Bags For The Community","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kamaka-Ramos","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8510124_orig.jpg?crop=1440,1440,x0,y336&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1656475313442","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-kamakaramos"},{"teacherId":8168493,"projectId":9958002,"letterContent":"The impact of your generosity is reverberating—literally—through our classroom! When the boxes of percussion instruments arrived, the students were absolutely ecstatic. There is something about a real, tunable set of bongo drums that makes a student feel like a \"pro\" the moment they touch it. The room was a whirlwind of rhythmic energy as they tested out the crisp snap of the rhythm sticks and the bright texture of the egg shakers. For my students, seeing these tools arrive was a powerful validation that their hard work is recognized and supported by people who believe in their talent.\r\n\r\nWe've been using these resources to transform our sound from a group of individual players into a cohesive ensemble. While we use the instruments to keep the \"groove\" on popular songs, the most incredible moment happened during our original songwriting project. The students wrote a song about their community, and the percussion section provided the \"heartbeat.\" One student used the rhythm sticks to create a driving pulse, while others used the egg shakers to add a subtle, professional-sounding shimmer to the chorus. Having these instruments has taught them about dynamics and \"pocket\"—knowing how to play together so that the ukuleles and bass can really shine.\r\n\r\nOur next steps are incredibly exciting: we are preparing to record a video performance of our original song to share with our families and the wider community! We are currently in the \"fine-tuning\" phase, where the students are learning how to balance their sound and lead the rhythm section during live performances. These instruments have given my students a new level of creative agency and pride. They aren't just playing along anymore; they are conducting the rhythm and driving the music forward themselves. Thank you for giving our crew its beat!","fullyFundedDate":1765864589346,"projectUrl":"project/percussion-the-next-step-for-our-musici/9958002/","projectTitle":"Percussion: The Next Step for Our Musicians","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Manoa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8168493_orig.jpg?crop=1080,1080,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1636061851301","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-manoa"},{"teacherId":10332429,"projectId":9858642,"letterContent":"Thank you SO MUCH for your generous donation. Your kindness has encouraged a positive reading culture in my classroom. Since receiving your amazing donation, our students have read over 100 chapter books!! Your care for my students means so much to me, so thank you! \r\n\r\nYour kindness additionally helped cultivate an incredible classroom culture. We have better resources for art — a highlight for many students. We have learned about Keith Haring, Piet Mondrian, pop art, and so much more because of your help. We also have improved our motivation for test scores and behavior through the snacks, so thank you!\r\n\r\nAbove all, the library really helped build an incredible and academically-focused classroom. \r\n\r\nThank you so much!","fullyFundedDate":1762947744836,"projectUrl":"project/fantastic-fourth-grade-cultivating-clas/9858642/","projectTitle":"Fantastic Fourth Grade: Cultivating Classroom Culture","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Weinstein","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10332429_orig.jpg?crop=1294,1294,x2189,y1504&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1762234221646","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10332429"},{"teacherId":10332429,"projectId":9891485,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support! Your donation helped our students learn about jobs that helped the community while making a tangible impact. We used the thermometers to help make first-aid kits for a local shelter and families in our community. Without your help, our first-aid kits would have been incomplete.\r\n\r\nI am especially grateful as our students have also learned about the importance of their own health. Through these first-aid kits, they also learned how to take care of their bodies, through band-aids, disinfectant, and of course, checking their body temperatures with thermometers. Your donation has helped the local community, those in need, and our students.","fullyFundedDate":1762966575556,"projectUrl":"project/kits-of-kindness-building-first-aid-kit/9891485/","projectTitle":"Kits of Kindness: Building First Aid Kits for Local Shelters Part 2","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Weinstein","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10332429_orig.jpg?crop=1294,1294,x2189,y1504&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1762234221646","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10332429"},{"teacherId":8168493,"projectId":9729940,"letterContent":"The arrival of the recording booth and equipment felt like a holiday in our music room! When my students first saw the professional setup, their eyes lit up with disbelief that a \"real\" studio was now theirs to use. They didn't even wait for a formal lesson; their excitement was so high that students have been voluntarily coming in during their recess and free time just to record themselves singing and experimenting with the equipment. Seeing them take such initiative to practice their craft outside of class time has been one of the most rewarding parts of this project.\r\n\r\nWe have been using the resources to create high-quality music videos that celebrate our students' voices. Using the condenser microphone and GarageBand for crisp audio, we pair the recordings with video captured via the webcam, using the LED lights to create a professional-looking backdrop. These clips have been shared on our school's Instagram account, where they have become our highest-engagement posts to date. The community's enthusiastic response has created a massive wave of pride for our students—they are seeing firsthand that their voices and their music are valued far beyond the classroom walls.\r\n\r\nOur next steps are to move from recording covers to creating entirely original compositions. Now that the students are comfortable in the booth, we will begin using our new MIDI keyboards to help them compose their own unique backing tracks. With the help of our new mobile cart, we also plan to take our \"studio\" to different locations around campus and community events to record live performances. Your generosity has not only given them a place to sing but has given them the confidence to call themselves producers and artists.","fullyFundedDate":1765414790447,"projectUrl":"project/give-our-voices-a-studio-recording-boot/9729940/","projectTitle":"Give Our Voices a Studio: Recording Booth for Hawaiian Music","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Manoa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8168493_orig.jpg?crop=1080,1080,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1636061851301","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-manoa"},{"teacherId":6489788,"projectId":9856080,"letterContent":"My students were so excited to use your resources to build first aid kids for a community shelter. They went through an assembly line to make 30 first aid kits which included gauze, wound tape, bandaids, antibiotic ointment, alcohol wipes, hand sanitizing wipes, anti-itch cream, chapstick, tissues, and tweezers. They also took the time to write thoughtful notes to put inside each first aid kit. \r\n\r\nThe kids were excited to serve and got to experience that sense of doing something kind for people in need. The following week, they also did a community service project by picking up trash on the school campus. Thank you for being an important part of the journey for my students learning what it means to serve the community. You made a difference for my students and for the folks at the shelter receiving the kits.","fullyFundedDate":1761771066044,"projectUrl":"project/community-service-first-aid-kits/9856080/","projectTitle":"Community Service First Aid Kits","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sherick","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6489788_orig.jpg?crop=435,435,x171,y179&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1640841240331","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6489788"},{"teacherId":8824063,"projectId":9593509,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my students are experiencing learning in a new way. As a K–3 special education resource teacher, I work with children who often feel frustrated by reading, writing, or math. The Teachers Pay Teachers gift cards allow me to quickly access targeted, research-based resources that align directly with each student's IEP goals.\r\n\r\nTechnology in our classroom is not just convenience. It is access. It allows me to adjust instruction immediately and provide visual, structured supports that make learning feel possible instead of overwhelming. My students are especially excited when activities feel interactive and achievable. I have seen reluctant readers engage more confidently and students who once shut down during math begin to participate with pride.\r\n\r\nYour support is helping build confidence, independence, and belief in their abilities. That impact means more than you know.","fullyFundedDate":1755757977349,"projectUrl":"project/teacher-pay-teachers-gift-card-for-resou/9593509/","projectTitle":"Teacher Pay Teachers Gift Card for Resources","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Vega","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8824063_orig.png?crop=734,734,x0,y9&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1723437840803","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8824063"},{"teacherId":5798797,"projectId":9298437,"letterContent":"The students were so excited to paint their rocks and use them in their class garden. Some students painted rocks and gave them to friends and family; sharing the thought behind them, \"We never know how far the ripples of our choices spread, like throwing a rock in a pond...the ripples spread further then we can imagine.\" \r\n\r\nThank you for all your love and support.\r\n\r\nThe students in my class are making leaps and strides in building a strong foundation of Hope, Love, Peace, and Compassion. Projects like this one support this effort and lay the ground work for the betterment of our community as a whole.","fullyFundedDate":1747154697757,"projectUrl":"project/kindness-rocks/9298437/","projectTitle":"Kindness Rocks!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. KAAI","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5798797_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1535528271741","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kanoelaniart"},{"teacherId":5358203,"projectId":9679093,"letterContent":"I am so grateful for your support of our classroom! Because of your generosity, our new iPads are finally fully functional for my first graders.\r\n\r\nThe iPad adapters have been a total game-changer. They allow my students to listen to books read aloud and engage with educational math and literacy games without disrupting the students working around them. This creates a much more peaceful environment where everyone can focus on their own activities. \r\n\r\nOn top of that, the snacks have been a huge hit, keeping everyone energized and ready to learn. Thank you for providing the tools and the fuel our students need to succeed. We couldn't have done it without you!","fullyFundedDate":1758565618230,"projectUrl":"project/headset-adapters-for-first-graders/9679093/","projectTitle":"Headset Adapters for First Graders","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Iwanaka","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5358203_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1527584442057","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5358203"},{"teacherId":8828136,"projectId":7221780,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous contribution to our 5th grade classroom, your support brought an incredible wave of energy and excitement to our daily routines. Because of your kindness, I was able to provide my students with resources that truly transformed our learning environment from standard lessons into dynamics, hands on experiences. \r\n\r\nThe academic games and interactive activities you helped fund have been an absolute game changer. Instead of just compeleling traditional assignments, my 5th graders are now actively collaborating, problem solving and cheering each other on. Whether we are using the new games to master math facts or diving into interactive reading challenges, my students are engaged. They are having so much fun! \r\n\r\nYour donation did more than just fill our shelves wirh materials; it showed my students that there are people out there who care about their education and want them to succeed. Thank you so much for your support! We are incredibly grateful for your contribution!","fullyFundedDate":1687272461091,"projectUrl":"project/making-learning-fun-in-5th-grade/7221780/","projectTitle":"Making Learning Fun in 5th Grade!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. O","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8828136"},{"teacherId":5358203,"projectId":9313569,"letterContent":"Mahalo nui loa for your generous donation to our first-grade classroom at Mākaha Elementary! Your support provides us with the colorful sticker dots, labels, and stackable paper trays we need to create a more organized and independent learning environment. These tools do more than just tidy our space; they teach our keiki how to take ownership of their surroundings and develop essential life skills. By helping us stay organized, you are allowing us to spend more time on the hands-on, joyful learning that makes our classroom so special. We are truly grateful for your investment in our students' success!","fullyFundedDate":1746518120645,"projectUrl":"project/storage-solutions-for-a-successful-first/9313569/","projectTitle":"Storage Solutions for a Successful First Grade","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Iwanaka","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5358203_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1527584442057","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5358203"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_50800","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":409,"numTeachers":46,"percentFrplEligible":83,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":3,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":40,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"8.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":22.9,"schoolId":50800,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Makaha Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Makaha Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/leeward-oahu-school-district/makaha-elementary-school/50800"}