{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Waipahu High School","outOfStateSupporters":47.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":4350176,"projectId":9775438,"letterContent":"Thank you for your contribution to my classroom. The students did an excellent job with the labs. They worked hard, were highly engaged and asked great questions. The lab experiences were valuable to their learning.\r\n\r\nThey enjoyed the lactose lab and I combined it with making alginate balls. The students learned about how enzyme functioning can be altered by temperature, pH and concentration. They were able to ask their own experimental questions, design the experiment with the supplies you provided and conduct their experiments. The students liked how the alginate formed a polymer ball in the calcium chloride and hypothesized new ways to use this such as medication administration or innovative food creations. \r\n\r\nThe p51 lab also worked with enzymes. These enzymes glow at different intensities depending on the environmental conditions. This helped students to understand how fluorescence can be used in laboratory settings to collect data and as an indicator for the presence of proteins or functioning of proteins. \r\n\r\nOverall, the materials provided led to great learning experiences and students benefitted from being able to conduct the labs.","fullyFundedDate":1759428202981,"projectUrl":"project/chemicals-to-inspire-diagnostics/9775438/","projectTitle":"Chemicals to Inspire Diagnostics","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Cobbin","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/4350176"},{"teacherId":9128292,"projectId":9772119,"letterContent":"We extend our deepest gratitude to the Hawaii State Department of Education for their generous donation of tie-dye materials, which have profoundly impacted our students' learning. This project has not only allowed them to creatively express themselves through the vibrant art of tie-dye, but it has also provided invaluable opportunities to develop essential life skills, such as following multi-step instructions, enhancing fine motor coordination, and fostering teamwork.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, we were able to seamlessly integrate hands-on, vocational learning into our Choose Love curriculum, creating a dynamic and engaging educational experience. The materials enabled us to transform abstract concepts into tangible, practical skills, resulting in increased student participation and a deeper understanding of the curriculum. The success of this project reinforces the importance of community support in empowering our students and enriching their educational journey.","fullyFundedDate":1759201167936,"projectUrl":"project/choose-love-with-ohana-of-excellence/9772119/","projectTitle":"Choose Love With Ohana of Excellence","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Hannah","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9128292_orig.jpg?crop=606,607,x0,y95&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1692908354124","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9128292"},{"teacherId":435591,"projectId":9509168,"letterContent":"When our new sifters arrived, my students were immediately curious and excited to put them to use! We've been studying the life cycle of mealworms to better understand metamorphosis, decomposition, and sustainable food systems. The sifters have made it much easier for students to separate mealworms from beetles and larvae, allowing them to observe each stage of the life cycle closely without disturbing the colony. What once took considerable time and patience can now be done efficiently, giving students more time to focus on collecting data, recording observations, and asking deeper questions about the organisms' development.\r\n\r\nOne of my favorite classroom moments was watching students crowd around the containers, noticing how the beetles laid eggs and how new larvae began to emerge within days. Many were surprised by how quickly the cycle continued and began discussing how mealworms could be used in composting or even as an alternative protein source. The hands-on nature of this project truly brought science to life, students weren't just learning about metamorphosis, they were witnessing it happen right before their eyes.\r\n\r\nNext, my students will be designing mini experiments to test how different environmental factors (like temperature, light, or moisture) affect the growth and development of mealworms. These sifters will continue to be a vital part of our work, helping us maintain healthy colonies and gather accurate data. This project has sparked so much curiosity and appreciation for the interconnectedness of living systems, and it wouldn't have been possible without the generosity of our donors.","fullyFundedDate":1753859773468,"projectUrl":"project/life-cycle-of-a-meal-worm/9509168/","projectTitle":"Life Cycle of a Meal Worm","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sherry Tenn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp435591_orig.jpg?crop=716,716,x24,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753746266873","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/435591"},{"teacherId":8483522,"projectId":9166298,"letterContent":"We are absolutely thrilled to share the incredible impact of your generosity on our students through \"Igniting a Passion for Spanish Through Music & Culture.\" Thanks to your contributions, our classroom has been transformed into a vibrant and interactive space where students are truly immersing themselves in the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures.\r\n\r\nOur new resources, especially the diverse musical instruments and authentic cultural artifacts, have become central to our daily lessons. For instance, we recently completed a project where students researched different Latin American countries and then presented their findings through a combination of traditional dances, folk songs using our new instruments, and even a \"taste-testing\" of typical dishes. The highlight was definitely when students, initially shy, broke out their maracas and güiros and confidently performed a merengue rhythm they'd learned. Their faces lit up when they first saw the materials—there was an audible gasp of excitement! They immediately started exploring the instruments and asking questions about the origins of the different textiles and artwork. It's been incredibly rewarding to see their curiosity ignited and their understanding deepen beyond just grammar and vocabulary.\r\n\r\nYour support has given our students a truly authentic and engaging learning experience. Our next steps involve diving deeper into the rich history of Spanish-speaking countries through a collaborative storytelling project. Students will be creating their own short stories inspired by traditional folktales, incorporating the vocabulary and cultural nuances they've learned. We also plan to host a \"cultural fair\" at the end of the semester, inviting other classes to experience the music, art, and traditions we've explored. Thank you again for helping us ignite a passion for Spanish that will undoubtedly stay with our students for years to come!","fullyFundedDate":1742102699028,"projectUrl":"project/igniting-a-passion-for-spanish-through-m/9166298/","projectTitle":"Igniting a Passion for Spanish Through Music & Culture","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. (Profe) Garcia","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8483522_orig.jpg?crop=514,514,x741,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1692053082667","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8483522"},{"teacherId":8822510,"projectId":9158892,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in funding our classroom project! The games, math manipulatives, and bookshelf you helped provide have made a difference for my English Learners.\r\n\r\nThese resources have transformed the classroom into a more engaging, supportive, and welcoming space. The students use the games not only to strengthen their math and language development but also as a way to relax and build confidence with peers who are also learning English as a second language. The bookshelf has been a perfect home for all these materials, helping us stay organized and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nOne resource that has been especially impactful is the phonics games. These have been incredibly helpful for students who are just beginning in their English language journey. In particular, one student who is learning to read in English has made wonderful progress using the phonics games as part of her daily routine.\r\n\r\nThank you again for believing in my students and supporting their growth in both math and language. Your generosity has truly made a lasting impact.","fullyFundedDate":1742171545297,"projectUrl":"project/shelf-full-of-knowledge-resources-for-m/9158892/","projectTitle":"Shelf Full of Knowledge: Resources for Multilingual Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Calvan","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8822510"},{"teacherId":9818126,"projectId":9161151,"letterContent":"Thank you so very much for investing in my students through this project. It has enhanced engagement even more than I initially envisioned! These supplies have elevated notetaking, conceptual understanding, and participation!\r\n\r\nNotetaking involved color-coding with highlighters to help with academic vocabulary and procedural acquisition. Students loved them! They were not willing to interact using colored pencils, but highlighters were a hit! Additionally, glue sticks, tape, and/or staplers were utilized to organize and reference our interactive math notebooks. \r\n\r\nCollaboration and practice involved small groups of 2-3 with various roles and tasks. The portable whiteboards, expos, magnetic erasers, and magnetic clips increased workstations in the classroom. Many students are afraid to make mistakes and it prevents them from getting started on problems. Working on whiteboards and using their favorite bullet point expos allow them to be open to mistakes with a quick swipe to erase and quickly get feedback. Students were much more likely to participate, willingly make and find errors, and communicate with peers. I was also able to reward students with fruit snacks for their growth! \r\n\r\nNext steps include exploring more real-world connections and cross-curricular integration in the classroom. I can't thank you enough!","fullyFundedDate":1741997779765,"projectUrl":"project/help-kickstart-a-new-math-classroom/9161151/","projectTitle":"Help Kickstart a \"New\" Math Classroom!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Takamori","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9818126"},{"teacherId":9656082,"projectId":9162715,"letterContent":"First off, I'd like to give a big mahalo to my donors again for helping me bring music into our classroom. My hope was to use music as a way to support language acquisition, help students feel more comfortable expressing their talents and skills, and ultimately build a stronger sense of classroom community.\r\n\r\nThe instruments arrived while I was out and a substitute was covering my class. I happened to be on campus and stopped by to grab something. When I walked in and saw the boxes, I decided to do a spontaneous unboxing in front of the students, who hadn't realized what had just been delivered. As I opened each box, the students started gathering around, moving their chairs closer to me. With each ʻukulele I pulled out, I handed it to a student, and right away they began tuning them and talking story about how the sound would settle in after a little playing. It was a great moment to remember.\r\n\r\nThe first project we used the ʻukulele for was learning a song that would be sung by all of my Hawaiian language classes at our End of Course Exam Lūʻau. During this event, students spend the entire day speaking and celebrating the Hawaiian language. In the middle of the day, we all gathered to sing \"ʻŌiwi Ē\" together. Students from different classes, voices joined by the music they helped bring to life.\r\n\r\nAnother incredible opportunity we had this year was partnering with Waipahū Elementary School for their May Day celebration. Eight of my students were excused from campus to attend the event during school hours. Three of them performed a song written years ago for our Hawaiian language classes and Hawaiian club. It is a song that honors Waipahū, our school, and our community. It was a full-circle moment.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead to next year, I plan to use these instruments from the very beginning. We'll introduce singing early on to help students feel comfortable and confident. When we cover the sounds of the Hawaiian alphabet, colors, numbers, and more. Music will be one of our key tools for learning and emotional growth. We requested three ʻukulele, and they've become something students naturally gravitate toward. I have students who come in during recess, lunch, or before class starts just to play. It brings them joy, and honestly, I love seeing it. Some even finish their work early just so they can play music and sing their favorite local and Hawaiian songs in the background.\r\n\r\nI'm so excited to welcome next year's students and see what new experiences these ʻukulele will continue to help create.","fullyFundedDate":1742015569385,"projectUrl":"project/keeping-hawaiian-language-aliveone-chor/9162715/","projectTitle":"Keeping Hawaiian Language Alive—One Chord at a Time","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Waiolama","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9656082"},{"teacherId":7937530,"projectId":9158475,"letterContent":"Mahalo for your generous donation, which has increased attendance at our after school tutoring sessions! The snacks purchased with this grant have allowed students to focus on learning, not their empty stomachs. The snacks were also shared during our student translator internship, fueling students as they worked on projects like multilingual campus tour videos and bilingual audio books. \r\n\r\nThe majority of my students qualify for free or reduced lunch, and these snacks supplement their nutritional needs during long school days.","fullyFundedDate":1741928034516,"projectUrl":"project/tutoring-and-internship-snacks/9158475/","projectTitle":"Tutoring and Internship Snacks","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Brown","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7937530_orig.jpg?crop=1499,1499,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1759254753119","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7937530"},{"teacherId":9967870,"projectId":9166160,"letterContent":"Thank you for your amazing donation!! I knew that the impact would be great on the students but it surpassed expectation. Originally I knew the students would use the inclusive snacks when working on projects and murals, but I was also able to step it up a notch and use them to manage classroom behavior. I had students do presentations on an abstract art piece where they chose a song and created artwork on it, and a lot of students were extremely nervous to present. I decided to pass out the snacks to all the students in the class before the presentations to make it more fun, but it also helped in a way I've never seen before. By simply giving the entire class snacks during the presentations, the entire student class as a whole was WAY more engaged during presentations. I didn't have to tell a student to quiet down or be respectful once, even during presentation intermissions. By simply having them enjoy snacks while watching their peers present completely changed the classroom dynamic in a way I never realized.\r\n\r\nThe snacks might seem like just snacks to some, but to me I've realized that they not only make an impact on student inclusivity, but also help manage classroom behavior. I am currently a teacher mentor for new teachers at the school and will be sharing this strategy in the future with new teachers. Thank you again!","fullyFundedDate":1742062965395,"projectUrl":"project/student-inclusivity-all-dietary-restric/9166160/","projectTitle":"Student Inclusivity- All Dietary Restrictions Welcomed!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Meggs","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9967870"},{"teacherId":6558152,"projectId":9171729,"letterContent":"I'm excited to report on the impact of the \"jitter bug\" soldering kits and additional soldering supplies on my high school engineering students. These materials provided a hands-on, engaging approach to understanding electrical circuits. Prior to this, our circuit studies were largely theoretical, relying on diagrams and simulations. The kits, however, allowed students to transition from abstract concepts to tangible creations. As they carefully assembled their jitter bugs, they directly applied their knowledge of polarity, conductivity, and current flow, seeing how each component contributed to a functioning system. This practical application significantly solidified their comprehension of fundamental circuit principles, transforming what could be an abstract topic into an exciting, real-world experience. Furthermore, the introduction of soldering as a core skill was a game-changer. The immediate feedback of successful (or unsuccessful) solder joints provided a clear learning curve, fostering perseverance and attention to detail. Learning this new skill will help them in their future endeavors if they want to become electrical engineers in the future. \r\n\r\nBeyond the technical learning, the project had impacts on student engagement and interest in engineering. I observed a increase in curiosity and enthusiasm across the classroom. Students who were typically on the shy side were sharing their discoveries and troubleshooting tips with their peers. The collaborative nature of the project also fostered a strong sense of community, as students readily helped each other overcome challenges. One of the shy students was so excites when the last step was to flip the switch and turn on the jitter bug.. they screamed out \"I can't believe it actually works!\" Another student, who often struggled with focus, demonstrated sustained concentration throughout the soldering process, meticulously perfecting each joint. Many students even asked to stay after-school for extra soldering practice and discussions about future electronics projects. These examples serve as clear evidence of a significant boost in student interest and an increased passion for the practical application of engineering principles.","fullyFundedDate":1742150303905,"projectUrl":"project/building-skills-building-robots-a-sold/9171729/","projectTitle":"Building Skills, Building Robots: a Soldering Project","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Burdick","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6558152"},{"teacherId":2452078,"projectId":9171715,"letterContent":"On behalf of the teachers, parents, and students of the Industrial and Engineering Academy and the National Technical Honor Society, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation to support our IET Awards Night and NTHS Induction ceremony held in May 2025. Your contribution helped us purchase the supplies needed to make beautiful leis, which added a special and meaningful touch to the celebration.\r\n\r\nThe leis symbolized more than just tradition—they were a way to honor and recognize the hard work, achievements, and spirit of our students. Thanks to your generosity, we were able to create a memorable and uplifting evening that made each student feel truly celebrated.\r\n\r\nYour support reminds us of the strength and kindness of our community. We're incredibly thankful for your partnership in making this event a success.","fullyFundedDate":1742147220355,"projectUrl":"project/celebrating-student-achievements/9171715/","projectTitle":"Celebrating Student Achievements","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Takara","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2452078"},{"teacherId":2101824,"projectId":9162485,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my profound gratitude for your generous donation of an Apple iPad to our high school Residential and Commercial Construction program. This device has made a significant and measurable impact on our students' learning experience and their understanding of modern construction practices, directly bridging the gap between traditional hands-on training and the digital demands of today's industry.\r\n\r\nThe iPad has been seamlessly integrated into our daily workflow as a critical tool for project documentation. Students now use it to capture high-quality photographic evidence of their work at various stages of completion, such as documenting internal structures of mock-up wall sections before drywall Hawaiian canoe paddles. They then electronically submit these photos, along with captions and brief descriptions, directly to our class management system. This process directly mirrors how construction managers and quality control inspectors operate in the real world, providing our students with invaluable, industry-relevant experience.\r\n\r\nThe benefits to our students have been immediate and far-reaching, enhancing their accountability, quality control, and communication skills. By using the iPad for digital documentation and electronic submission, our students are gaining hands-on experience with methods standard in both residential and commercial sectors, making them more competitive and job-ready. This iPad is not just a piece of technology; it's a window into the future of the construction industry, empowering our students with essential digital literacy and professional workflows. Thank you once again for investing in our students and providing them with such a valuable tool. Your support is truly building brighter futures, one project at a time.","fullyFundedDate":1742009458885,"projectUrl":"project/industry-standard-technology-upgrade/9162485/","projectTitle":"Industry Standard Technology Upgrade","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Jay","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2101824_orig.jpg?crop=2268,2268,x0,y453&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1707933540123","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2101824"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_50819","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":2538,"numTeachers":157,"percentFrplEligible":51,"percentAsian":62,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":1,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":8,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"16.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":52.4,"schoolId":50819,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Waipahu High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Waipahu High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/leeward-oahu-school-district/waipahu-high-school/50819"}