{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Waianae High School","outOfStateSupporters":51.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9568078,"projectId":9719139,"letterContent":"Getting my project fully funded on DonorsChoose has truly transformed not only my physical space, but also the overall environment and energy of my school community. When I first submitted the project, I had a vision for creating a space that felt welcoming, calming, and intentionally designed for students. Now that it is fully funded and the materials are in place, that vision has become a reality in ways that exceed what I imagined.\r\n\r\nThis space feels so much lighter and safe with all these donations. The atmosphere has shifted completely. Before, it was just another room students passed through. Now, it feels like a place they can settle into. The lighting, seating, organization, and thoughtful touches have created an environment that feels different from the moment you walk in. Students have commented on how comfortable it feels. Some have even said it is their favorite room on campus. That feedback alone reminds me why this project mattered so much.\r\n\r\nIt helps me feel that when students enter, they get to have a different experience from other rooms. School can sometimes feel rigid or overwhelming, especially for students who are already navigating challenges outside of campus. When they walk into a space that feels calm, organized, and intentional, it sends a message that they are valued. It tells them that someone cared enough to create something just for them. That matters more than people realize.\r\n\r\nWe have received plenty of compliments from students and staff about how well the room is put together. Colleagues have noticed the difference and often ask how I was able to design the space so thoughtfully. The answer is simple: community support made it possible. It reminds our staff and students that there are people beyond our campus who care about education and want to invest in it.\r\n\r\nBy getting my project funded, I feel ecstatic about coming to work. There is a renewed sense of pride and excitement each morning. Instead of feeling limited by resources, I feel empowered by possibility. I take pride in maintaining the space, adjusting it as needed, and continuing to build on what has been created. That pride translates into my work with students. When I feel motivated and supported, I show up better for them.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, this project has strengthened relationships. Students linger a little longer. They open up more easily. They treat the space with respect because they can see the effort that went into it. It has become more than just a room. It is a safe and welcoming environment where students feel seen and heard.\r\n\r\nGetting fully funded on DonorsChoose did more than provide materials. It elevated the entire experience of our school community and reinforced the belief that when we invest in spaces for students, we invest in their growth, confidence, and success.","fullyFundedDate":1758236255988,"projectUrl":"project/help-give-my-students-the-support-they-d/9719139/","projectTitle":"Help Give My Students the Support They Deserve","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kumu Griff","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9568078_orig.jpg?crop=1170,1170,x0,y546&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718222721454","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9568078"},{"teacherId":9600345,"projectId":9719996,"letterContent":"The arrival of our snacks, drinks, and supplies felt like a holiday in our classroom! When the students first saw the vibrant stacks of paper and the new supplies, there was an immediate buzz of excitement. \r\n\r\nIn regards to the supplies, we recently used these resources for a \"Mind Mapping\" project. Using the colored paper as a base, students used highlighters to categorize \"Main Ideas\" versus \"Supporting Details\" in a complex text. It was incredible to see a student who usually struggles with focus sit quietly for thirty minutes, completely absorbed in color-coding his thoughts while enjoying a quick snack. That small boost of nutrition and the right tactile tools made all the difference in his stamina.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, we are using the colored paper to build a \"Science Vocabulary Wall.\" Each student is responsible for a \"Word of the Week,\" using the markers to create visual definitions that will stay posted for the entire unit. These resources have turned a standard lesson into a vivid, multi-sensory experience.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving my students the fuel and the tools to see their own potential in full color!","fullyFundedDate":1759198431378,"projectUrl":"project/fund-our-classroom-reading-corner/9719996/","projectTitle":"Fund Our Classroom Reading Corner!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Tudor","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9600345_orig.jpg?crop=3023,3024,x0,y70&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1721431390855","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9600345"},{"teacherId":9680124,"projectId":9889412,"letterContent":"Thank you for offering my students multiple chances to learn, develop academic skills, and grow as leaders with nutritious snacks. The students remained focused and energetic in their studies, and the snack provided the energy needed to sustain them through the day. On-task behavior improved, and distractions decreased. \r\n\r\nThe oil diffuser helped create a calm learning environment, enabling students to work longer and keep their workstations organized. This supported their ability to practice their overall learning outcomes.","fullyFundedDate":1763634717316,"projectUrl":"project/growing-leaders/9889412/","projectTitle":"Growing Leaders","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Natalia Kalama","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9680124_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1748503656200","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-kalama"},{"teacherId":9783211,"projectId":9905871,"letterContent":"Mahalo nui loa for your generous support and for believing in my students. Because of your kindness, our classroom will now have the snacks and encouragement my learners need to stay focused, feel cared for, and keep pushing through their day. Your donation truly makes a difference for their 'ōpū and their minds, and we are deeply grateful for your aloha.\r\n Since receiving the new snacks, my students have been using them as quiet support throughout the school day, especially during longer Algebra 2 lessons and whole-group instruction. One moment that stood out to me was during a lesson on solving polynomial equations by factoring. A student became visibly frustrated and disengaged, and asked me if I had food. After grabbing a snack, she settled back into her seat, rejoined her group, and completed the guided notes and independent practice problems with minimal support. That moment smalll reminded me how much meeting basic needs can change a student's ability to persist and believe in themselves.","fullyFundedDate":1763551182613,"projectUrl":"project/nourish-da-p-empower-da-mind-suppor/9905871/","projectTitle":"Nourish da ‘Ōpū, Empower da Mind: Supporting ALL Wai‘anae Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Kaleiopu","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9783211_orig.jpg?crop=749,749,x0,y59&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727487796971","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9783211"},{"teacherId":7938291,"projectId":9777329,"letterContent":"My students were positively impacted by these amazing supplies. There is a new rule at our school where the students need to keep their phone in their bag. However some of my students work best independently with music so getting them brand new headphones that they can connect to the computers was amazing. They love using them to listen to music and specific videos. \r\n\r\nIn addition, a lot of snacks were delivered and I was able to give hundreds of students snacks when they needed it. Most of my students are title 1 so they don't always have access to snacks at home. I feel like providing this essential element helps the learn better in my classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1759600236071,"projectUrl":"project/school-supplies-are-essential-for-an-sel/9777329/","projectTitle":"School Supplies Are Essential for an SEL Health Classroom","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Horrell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7938291_orig.jpg?crop=2478,2478,x0,y875&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1627980256096","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7938291"},{"teacherId":7941266,"projectId":9775567,"letterContent":"Innovation Stations – Start-Up Business transformed our classroom into a hands-on incubator where students explored multiple small business concepts using real production materials. With tools like the Liene photo printer, sublimation hats, soap-making supplies, sewing kits, popcorn packaging, and raffle materials, students rotated through stations focused on different start-up ideas—custom merchandise, event promotions, personal care products, and handcrafted goods. This allowed students to test creativity, analyze costs, practice production workflows, and understand how different products appeal to different target customers.\r\n\r\nBecause of these materials, I was able to teach entrepreneurship in a truly experiential way. Students didn't just brainstorm ideas—they produced samples, packaged products, discussed pricing, and evaluated which concepts were most viable for a start-up business. The variety of supplies helped students discover their strengths: some gravitated toward design and branding, others toward production, organization, or customer experience. Innovation Stations gave students the confidence to take risks, collaborate, and think like entrepreneurs, reinforcing that innovation starts with access to tools, curiosity, and the opportunity to create.","fullyFundedDate":1759446790782,"projectUrl":"project/innovation-station-student-run-start-up/9775567/","projectTitle":"Innovation Station: Student-Run Start-Ups","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Keri","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7941266_orig.jpg?crop=628,628,x94,y102&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1707959404008","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7941266"},{"teacherId":7941266,"projectId":9202963,"letterContent":"Empowering Young Entrepreneurs: Tools for Success has had a powerful, hands-on impact on my students thanks to the sublimation printer and hats you helped provide. This equipment showed students how professional tools are used in real business settings. Students didn't just \"make a product\"—they learned how technology drives entrepreneurship. They used the sublimation printer to design, test, and produce branded merchandise, applying cost analysis, branding decisions, standard operating procedures, and quality control just like a real retail business. This technology turned abstract business concepts into real-world learning, helping students see how ideas move from concept to consumer.\r\n\r\nThe most exciting part for students was seeing their designs become market-ready products. Producing and selling branded hats for the DECA Store and Community Showcase made the experience authentic and motivating. Students finalized products, priced them consistently, packaged them professionally, tracked inventory, and merchandised them using proper retail display principles. Knowing they had to produce several units, meet deadlines, and present products on shelves with signage pushed them to a higher level of accountability and pride. Watching customers stop, browse, ask questions, and make purchases was a moment of validation—students realized their work had real value beyond the classroom.\r\n\r\nSeveral students, especially those who don't always shine in traditional academic settings, truly thrived with this technology. Creative students took leadership in design and branding, detail-oriented students excelled in inventory tracking and pricing accuracy, and others grew confident through customer service and sales interactions. The post-sales evaluation—analyzing revenue, profit margins, best-selling times, and customer feedback—helped students reflect like true entrepreneurs. Because of your support, students didn't just learn about business—they became business owners for the day, gaining skills, confidence, and a vision for what their future could hold.","fullyFundedDate":1753035730759,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-young-entrepreneurs-tools-fo/9202963/","projectTitle":"Empowering Young Entrepreneurs: Tools for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Keri","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7941266_orig.jpg?crop=628,628,x94,y102&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1707959404008","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7941266"},{"teacherId":9343133,"projectId":9774809,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation to our classroom! We have already been able to use these resources at our local holiday parades. Being able to fill the streets with quality music from our musicians, specifically our drummers, has been a wonderful feeling for the band, the school, and the community. \r\nThe high quality equipment has already contributed to increased development and abilities. The automatic tuner has made keeping the drums in working order much more effective and efficient. We are already looking forward to next year, where we will get more musicians within our ranks who will benefit from this equipment for years to come. Thank you donors, again, for contributing to the revival of the music program in this small, island town.","fullyFundedDate":1759418391462,"projectUrl":"project/a-drum-line-care-package/9774809/","projectTitle":"A Drum Line Care Package","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Hammond","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9343133_orig.png?crop=1929,1929,x0,y159&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1771439830779","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrjhammond"},{"teacherId":9727213,"projectId":9772540,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting my class! My students who have different learning abilities are able to feel seen and supported in my classroom. Already this past semester, I had a female student share she wanted to go to the health room because she wanted a heating pad to use! To her surprise, I had one in my classroom! She was so happy that she could still do her work in my classroom and find some releife from her cramps using a heating pad. Also, student who have a hard time sitting enjoyed being able to stand when they needed to better help them focus! Thank you!","fullyFundedDate":1759194499087,"projectUrl":"project/all-learners-need-support/9772540/","projectTitle":"All Learners Need Support","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Palafox","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9727213_orig.jpg?crop=2553,2553,x672,y282&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1767588077058","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9727213"},{"teacherId":9680129,"projectId":9709722,"letterContent":"The excitement in the room was twofold when the boxes arrived. First, there were cheers of \"Whoa!\" when they saw the awesome kit of over 3,000 arts and crafts supplies and the vibrant new Crayola markers. But there was also a quieter, palpable sense of relief when I unpacked the \"Care Closet\" items—the deodorant, hairbrushes, and water bottles. Seeing their reaction confirmed that this project was about more than just supplies; it was about dignity and comfort.\r\n\r\nWe are using these resources to address the \"whole student.\" The hygiene items and water bottles are already in heavy rotation, allowing students to freshen up in case they forgot to do so at home, and come to class feeling confident and ready to focus. Meanwhile, the Orbit gum has been a fantastic sensory tool to help students concentrate during writing assignments and tests. Just yesterday, a student who was having a rough morning used the new puzzles and art supplies to take a \"brain break,\" reset their emotions, and rejoin the lesson with a clear head.\r\n\r\nNow that our basic needs are met and our classroom is sparkling (thanks to the new mop!), we are diving into creativity. Our next step is a \"Self-Identity Collage\" project. Students will use the markers, rubber cement, and the mountain of craft supplies to create visual representations of their future goals. Thank you for helping my students feel clean, cared for, and creative!","fullyFundedDate":1759505395290,"projectUrl":"project/the-workplace-readiness-kit/9709722/","projectTitle":"The Workplace Readiness Kit","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Matsumoto","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9680129_orig.png?crop=512,512,x0,y146&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724549475619","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9680129"},{"teacherId":7931736,"projectId":9776482,"letterContent":"I want to first start off by saying, thank you very much for your thoughtfulness in choosing to donate to donorchoose.org and help support schools across the U.S., especially in Hawaii. Your donation has helped my DECA club with after school snacks to keep their stomachs settled so their minds can thrive. \r\n\r\nI have been using the snacks to help out with Wai'anae DECA chapter with our membership meetings that meet once a week and DECA Mock Competitions. Students who attend meetings are able to enjoy a snack, learn about business, entrepreneurship, hospitality and role-play scenarios in a business setting. These students don't go home until 5pm, which leaves a big gap of time from when they eat lunch at 11:19 - 11:49am to 5pm. So when we have our meetings at 2:30p, this allows time for them to fellowship with their friends by enjoying snack while we run our business meetings. \r\n\r\nWe appreciate if you could continually support donorchoose.org with other projects that help with supporting the education of our students. Thank you once again for your generous donations!","fullyFundedDate":1759446717050,"projectUrl":"project/to-go-snacks/9776482/","projectTitle":"To-Go Snacks","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. H. Tom","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7931736_orig.jpg?crop=1344,1344,x0,y17&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1728943545406","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7931736"},{"teacherId":9680129,"projectId":9609989,"letterContent":"We are writing to express our sincere gratitude for your generous donation, which has already made a significant, positive impact on our classroom, specifically for our students with learning disabilities.\r\n\r\nThe materials you provided have been integrated immediately into our daily activities, directly addressing diverse learning needs:\r\n\r\nInspiration Stickers: These small rewards are a powerful tool for positive reinforcement, celebrating effort and progress. They provide immediate, visual feedback that motivates students to persist through challenging tasks and build self-confidence.\r\n\r\nBulky Calculators: The large keys and clear displays on the bulky calculators reduce visual stress and fine motor challenges, allowing students to focus on understanding mathematical concepts rather than struggling with input. This has made math far more accessible.\r\n\r\nArts and Crafts Activities: These hands-on, multi-sensory activities provide a crucial outlet for learning concepts through kinesthetic and creative exploration. They help solidify abstract ideas and make learning engaging for students who benefit from tactile engagement.\r\n\r\nTargeted Reading Material: The new reading material is carefully selected to be accessible yet engaging, helping students build foundational literacy skills at their own pace without feeling overwhelmed. We are seeing increased confidence and willingness to read aloud.\r\n\r\nBecause of your kindness, our students are experiencing less frustration, greater engagement, and more successful learning moments every day. Thank you for investing in their potential and helping us create a more inclusive and effective learning environment.","fullyFundedDate":1756782704510,"projectUrl":"project/calculate-and-celebrate/9609989/","projectTitle":"Calculate and Celebrate","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Matsumoto","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9680129_orig.png?crop=512,512,x0,y146&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1724549475619","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9680129"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_50813","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":1551,"numTeachers":124,"percentFrplEligible":64,"percentAsian":7,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":3,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":25,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"12.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":48.4,"schoolId":50813,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Waianae High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Waianae High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/leeward-oahu-school-district/waianae-high-school/50813"}