{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Waiau Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":22.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8825302,"projectId":10104315,"letterContent":"Mahalo nui for your folks' generous donations of multi-colored folders, markers, glitter glue/pens, and construction paper for our classroom. Your generous contribution has provided students with resources we excitedly unboxed. Your support means the world to our students. Having these supplies readily available ensures that every child is prepared to learn and engage in our daily lessons. Because of your kindness, my students now have the opportunity to engage in daily classroom activities in all area contents such as Mathematics, Reading, Writing, Language Arts, and Science.\r\n\r\nThe impact of your contribution cannot be overstated. With your support, our classroom is equipped with the tools necessary to create an inspiring and inclusive learning environment. It has helped keep the flow of our routines running smoothly by staying organized. Our classroom is a better, more functional space and has made an impact on each student by keeping them engaged and intrigued.","fullyFundedDate":1771631023408,"projectUrl":"project/aloha-keikahi-i-kekahi/10104315/","projectTitle":"Aloha Keikahi i Kekahi","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kumu Kawaimaka","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8825302"},{"teacherId":7588425,"projectId":10080067,"letterContent":"Mahalo nui loa no ke kōkua a kākoʻo ʻana i kaʻu mau haumāna! Thank you so much for your help and support for my students. Your generosity and encouragement have made a meaningful impact on our classroom, allowing us to provide hands on learning experiences that helped students connect deeply with their culture, their environment, and one another.\r\n\r\nOne of the projects we used the clay for was a reflection activity following a field trip where we learned about traditional Hawaiian fishponds. During this experience, students explored the importance of fishponds in Hawaiian culture and learned how Native Hawaiians practiced sustainability long before modern concepts of conservation existed. They discovered how fishponds were carefully designed and maintained to provide a reliable food source for entire communities. Through this project, students reflected on the knowledge, innovation, and stewardship demonstrated by Hawaiians who understood the importance of living in balance with the land and sea. Using the clay allowed students to creatively express what they learned and helped bring these lessons to life in a memorable and engaging way.\r\n\r\nWe also used the soil you helped provide to plant vegetables in our classroom and garden. This project became much more than simply growing plants. Throughout the year, students observed the growth process firsthand, learning what plants need to survive and thrive. As they watered, cared for, and monitored their vegetables, they also reflected on their own growth throughout the school year. Just as plants require sunlight, water, nutrients, and care, students learned that people also need support, kindness, patience, and encouragement to become their best selves.\r\n\r\nCaring for their plants taught valuable lessons about responsibility, perseverance, and compassion. Students learned that growth takes time and effort and that success often comes from consistent care and attention. These experiences helped them understand the importance of taking care of themselves and looking out for one another. They saw firsthand that when we nurture something with care, it becomes stronger and healthier over time.\r\n\r\nAlong with these lessons, students also learned an old Hawaiian saying: \"E ʻai i kekahi, e kāpī kekahi,\" which translates to \"eat some, salt some.\" While the literal meaning refers to eating some food now and preserving some for later, the deeper lesson teaches us to take only what we need and save enough for others and for the future. This proverb encouraged students to think about gratitude, sharing, and sustainability. They learned the value of being mindful of resources and considering the needs of others within their community.\r\n\r\nWe truly enjoyed these projects, along with many other enriching activities made possible through your support. The opportunities you helped provide allowed students to engage in meaningful, hands on learning that connected academic concepts with real world experiences and cultural values. Thank you again for investing in our students and helping create experiences that will stay with them long after this school year ends. Your support has made a lasting difference, and we are incredibly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1771234822647,"projectUrl":"project/class-experiences-through-design-and-cre/10080067/","projectTitle":"Class Experiences Through Design and Creativity","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kumu Henohea","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7588425_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y640&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1771050886791","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7588425"},{"teacherId":2653432,"projectId":10104337,"letterContent":"I was elated that my school project got funded so quickly, and I received the materials in lightning speed! As mentioned in my proposal, our library was in need of a refresh! After years of being underutilized due to COVID protocols and no funding for a librarian, we focused on once again making our library an exciting place for reading and learning. Your generous donation beautified our library, and now students see it as a beautiful and exciting HUB! \r\n\r\nIn addition to the library beautification, the students were very excited to see more of the very popular Dog Man series on the shelves! These books have been borrowed non-stop! Students have been in awe with our two reading corners - one with a magical forest theme and the other with the bright colorful sun rug! Parents, teachers and staff have made endless comments on how inviting our library has become.\r\n\r\nAt Waiau Elementary School, we love our very diverse student population and continue to nurture the love of literacy! Iʻm so happy with our library refresh, seeing students joyful faces as they want to hang out and read in our two \"corners\". The rugs have added vibrant color accents and created an inviting, warm vibe! Our librarian will continue storytime opportunities, and classes will gather in our reading corners to enjoy stories bringing their imaginations to life!\r\n\r\nMahalo again for your very generous gift that countless students can enjoy over the years. Your gift has ignited the love for our library and has made the library a place that students are excited about visiting!","fullyFundedDate":1771632503381,"projectUrl":"project/making-our-library-an-exciting-hub/10104337/","projectTitle":"Making Our Library an Exciting Hub","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Yamamoto","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2653432"},{"teacherId":8826703,"projectId":10105675,"letterContent":"The books you bought for our elementary school has helped bring our library back to life. After the COVID 19 pandemic shut our library down for a couple years we had a goal this school year to bring our library back to life so it could become a place of joy where our curious students could nurture their love of learning through reading. We started with purchasing new bookshelves and furniture but needed help buying high interest books for our students.\r\n The popular books you purchased for us has brought students back to the library! It's a joy to see kids looking through the new books, getting excited by the books they haven't read yet. Thank you so much foe helping bring our library back to life!","fullyFundedDate":1771640438126,"projectUrl":"project/high-interest-library-books/10105675/","projectTitle":"High Interest Library Books","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8826703"},{"teacherId":7930388,"projectId":10112141,"letterContent":"These new resources have completely shifted the energy around math in the classroom! There is nothing better than watching students realize that math isn't just about worksheets—it's something they can actually explore, touch, and enjoy. Turning \"boring\" into \"accessible and fun\" is a massive win for everyone.\r\n\r\nThank you so much to everyone who contributed to our project! Because of your incredible generosity, our classroom has been completely transformed, and I am so excited to share how your support is making a difference every single day.","fullyFundedDate":1771789250093,"projectUrl":"project/math-manipulatives/10112141/","projectTitle":"Math Manipulatives","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mahealani Barbieto","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7930388"},{"teacherId":8824446,"projectId":10106484,"letterContent":"Mahalo nui loa for your kind and generous donation! You, the Hawaii State Department of Education, have donated funds to add a 3D printer, many 3D filaments, embroidery threads, and stylus pens to our classrooms. Your support has helped open new doors for students to learn and use technology to express their cultural identity. Here is my reflection on how your generous donation is making a meaningful impact in our classroom:\r\n\r\nHow is technology helping your students learn? Technology brings the objects they have created only on paper to life in a 3D form. Yes, there has been a learning curve for all of us. But the struggles have taught us perseverance, the process of experimentation, to be mindful of exactly what we tell the programs to create, and most importantly, it bridged the gap of being in the shoes of our Mōʻī Kalākaua as he tried new technology and brought it back to Hawaiʻi in our everyday lives. Students have learned about graphic design instead of creating on paper. The stylus pens created an opportunity for more than one student to create at one time. Having a large class, extra supplies were needed to complete the project. It would not have been completed without your donation. \r\n\r\nWhat about the new products is most exciting to your students? The most exciting part for the students is making their imagination come to life. They were able to see their ideas become real, physical objects that they can hold, wear, and share. They are absolutely excited as they built the 3D printer themselves and watched the very first print start to finish. To this day, they all rush to the 3D printer when it chimes that the print is complete. The embroidery thread taught them another style of art. With the stylus pens, they drew out what they learned in the Hawaiian creation chant, and then we transformed it into an embroidered iron-on patch. Each student embroidered enough of their designs for the entire class. Then they placed the patches on baseball hats. Their new knowledge became wearable art that they can proudly keep for themselves or gift to someone else who would appreciate their work.\r\n \r\nAre there particular students who have especially warmed to this new technology, and how so? Before these resources arrived, the entire class had to share my only personal stylus pen. Since receiving the new stylus pens, several students who previously held back or felt intimidated by digital drawing have completely blossomed. Before the arrival of the 3D printer and its supplies, most of the class had never seen or learned about 3D printing. For their first 3D printing experience. Every one of the students was able to create and print something for themselves. Their 2nd print for someone special. They created a lei design for their motherʻs day gifts, turned that gift into a keychain, a notepad, and a bookmark for their mothers. These projects gave those who struggled on a daily basis with the major subjects an opportunity to learn, create, and be successful while being able to experience new technology. The opportunity also provided the confidence they needed to persevere in the designing, which also taught them to persevere in their state testing. \r\n\r\nYour donation has made an incredible impact on my 4th-grade students, and I know this is only the beginning of their journey in learning new technology. I hope to see many other creations from these young creators in the future! Thank you again! There are really no words that can express the gratitude for your generosity! \r\n\r\nMahalo nui loa,\r\nKumu Pualei and Papa 4 students","fullyFundedDate":1771641490654,"projectUrl":"project/4th-grade-cultural-creators/10106484/","projectTitle":"4th Grade Cultural Creators","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Pualei Jarrett","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8824446_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1667295291432","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kumupualei"},{"teacherId":8490241,"projectId":10047065,"letterContent":"Mahalo nui loa for supporting our project, \"A Little Classroom Store.\" Because of your generosity, we were able to create a small store in our classroom. The students were so excited when they first saw the items. They immediately started asking questions and talking about what they wanted to save their helu ʻai for.\r\n\r\nStudents earn helu ʻai during the day for things like hoʻolohe, being mākaukau, and working hard. They can use their helu ʻai at the classroom store to buy snacks or small items. This has helped students stay motivated and practice making good choices. It has been really nice to see them encourage each other and take pride in earning their helu ʻai.\r\n\r\nWe will continue using the classroom store as part of our lessons about responsibility and making good decisions. Mahalo again for helping make our classroom a fun and meaningful place to learn. Your support truly means so much to us.","fullyFundedDate":1769718432361,"projectUrl":"project/a-little-classroom-store/10047065/","projectTitle":"A Little Classroom Store","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. ʻIwalani","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8490241"},{"teacherId":8825302,"projectId":9778264,"letterContent":"My haumāna (students) have utilized these materials and learned the importance of having these resources. Our reading corner now has a warm, cozy, and inviting place for students to enjoy. I love how my haumāna choose to be in the reading corner rather than playing with toys at another center. Our leaf cusions has made students comfortable and our reading corner enjoyable!\r\nAs part of a weekly routine, my haumāna spend roughly half an hour a week going around our campus to upkeep and beautify our surroundings. We use the gloves to pick up rubbish and maintain our class garden. Haumāna enjoy raking up any debris that doesnʻt belong on our school lawn and walkways. This has definitely taught my haumāna to ALOHA ʻĀINA (care for the land, and the land will care for you). They are beginning to understand that keeping up with their duties is a shared responsibility.","fullyFundedDate":1759514150175,"projectUrl":"project/aloha-ina/9778264/","projectTitle":"Aloha ʻĀina","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kumu Kawaimaka","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8825302"},{"teacherId":10254693,"projectId":9706133,"letterContent":"The impact these resources had on my students was very positive. I used them as stations during small-group instruction. Each of these resources provided my students with engaging activities that positively impacted them in different ways. For example, some of my students needed help improving their fine motor skills, and with these resources, their skills have improved immensely.\r\n\r\nWhen we first received the resources from DonorsChoose, my students were very excited. Although they are used in an educational way, the students view them as toys. This brings a different kind of excitement to their education every day.\r\n\r\nSome of the resources I received from DonorsChoose were too advanced for my students at the beginning of the year. As I gradually introduce different centers, their excitement rises once again. I truly appreciate the variety of resources that have been provided to my classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1759690466801,"projectUrl":"project/kaunoo-no-n-keiki/9706133/","projectTitle":"Kaunoʻo No Nā Keiki","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Leila","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10254693"},{"teacherId":8826703,"projectId":9775784,"letterContent":"The calming corner for my counseling office has made such an impact on my students. My office, which used to look pretty sterile, now has an inviting cozy corner with a carpet, beanbag, fidget toys, books and other resources where students can calm down when they are experiencing big emotions. \r\n My office has always had a table where students would typically sit when referred to my office so now I give them a choice: calming corner or table? Students almost always opt for the calming corner. Recently a boy coming to see me because he was acting out in anger in class, walked in, sat down in the calming corner without any prompting and said, \"Can you turn the lights down? I just need a minute to do some deep breaths.\" He put his hand on his stomach and breathed in deep through his nose as he sat on the beanbag. I was so proud of him as this is something I normally have to walk him through. The environment in my office now is much more calming and communicates safety to the students who need to regulate their emotions. \r\n Thank you for giving me this resource that benefits so many students.","fullyFundedDate":1759449238492,"projectUrl":"project/calming-corner-for-school-counselors-of/9775784/","projectTitle":"Calming Corner for School Counselorʻs Office","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Dell","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8826703"},{"teacherId":8824446,"projectId":9773213,"letterContent":"Mahalo nui loa for your thoughtful and kindhearted donation in bringing this student project to life. Many educators use technology everyday, but it is always a struggle to bring its use into the classroom. With your donation, my students have been able to design and create Hawaiian arts and crafts alongside Hawaiian games. \r\n\r\nWe have not yet finished our projects, we are still in the stages of creating. But after the students have completed the arts and crafts and games, they have planned to share them with other students, both younger and older within the Hawaiian Language Immersion Program. The laser engraver, wood pieces, and rotary tools have opened a new world of digital design for my class. \r\n\r\nStudents are not just clicking buttons; they are learning how to create, edit, and refine digital files, then transform those files into physical objects. Editing the digital files has been the biggest learning curve for my students. But they are learning that it is ok to make mistakes, take time to fix their mistakes, and continue until they have reached their goal. This type of learning by blending cultural knowledge and modern-day STEM skills has helped them understand that technology can be a wonderful tool for storytelling, craftsmanship, and bringing to life their creations.\r\n\r\nMahalo again for believing in what our students can do. Your generosity has created an experience they will never forget. Mahalo nui loa!","fullyFundedDate":1759417817482,"projectUrl":"project/hana-noeau/9773213/","projectTitle":"Hana Noʻeau","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Pualei Jarrett","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8824446_orig.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1667295291432","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/kumupualei"},{"teacherId":8975020,"projectId":8216571,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for providing my class with the learning materials necessary to help them better conceptualize and learn about number sequencing and cardinality. The number charts and number line white boards you have gifted to my class have helped me immensely to work in small groups help them work on counting, adding and subtraction skills. The students have a boosted confidence and love for learning math. \r\n When they first saw the materials they were so excited to be pulled in small groups with me for math practice. They couldnʻt wait to use their own number line and write out all of the different equations they could show using one fact family. The students love being able to use different tools to support their learning. Mahalo nui for bringing joy to our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1708087384306,"projectUrl":"project/math-masters/8216571/","projectTitle":"Math Masters!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Gowan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8975020"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_50815","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":498,"numTeachers":35,"percentFrplEligible":49,"percentAsian":15,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":2,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":25,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":29,"percentMultiracialImputed":26,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"14.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":77.8,"schoolId":50815,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Waiau Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Waiau Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/leeward-oahu-school-district/waiau-elementary-school/50815"}