{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Lihikai Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":39.2,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9407536,"projectId":9777447,"letterContent":"The new board games and headphones have transformed our classroom into a more engaging, hands-on learning environment for both Mathematics and English Language Arts. The board games make abstract math concepts tangible—students practice strategic thinking, number sense, and problem-solving in low-stress, collaborative settings—while ELA games build vocabulary, grammar, and reading-comprehension through play and storytelling. Headphones allow small-group stations and independent practice without noise distraction, so students who need extra processing time or quiet focus can work at their own pace. Together these resources have increased participation, improved fluency with key skills, and made formative observation and targeted feedback much easier during differentiated activities.\r\nStudents are most excited by the social and playful elements of the new materials. The board games turn practice into a challenge they choose to revisit, bringing energy and friendly competition to skills that used to feel repetitive. They love tracking progress as a team, celebrating small wins, and inventing strategies—this intrinsic motivation translates into longer sustained practice and better retention. The headphones add a layer of independence and personalization: learners can listen to audio passages, guided prompts, or read-alouds at a comfortable level without interruption, which many students find empowering and calming.These items have fostered a more inclusive classroom by supporting diverse learning needs and cultural strengths. Students who are English learners, those with attention differences, and learners who struggle with traditional worksheets have all warmed to the games and audio-supported practice—one student with anxiety now volunteers to lead a math round because the small-team format feels safer, and an emergent reader has jumped two reading levels after repeated, confidence-building play with literacy games plus headphone-guided read-alouds. By providing choice, lowering barriers to participation, and enabling differentiated instruction, the donated materials have helped more students access grade-level standards with confidence and joy.","fullyFundedDate":1759457110375,"projectUrl":"project/all-abilities-one-game-learning-throu/9777447/","projectTitle":"\"All Abilities, One Game: Learning Through Inclusion\"","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Yanos","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9407536"},{"teacherId":9273211,"projectId":9773046,"letterContent":"The math and reading manipulatives have completely transformed our small-group instruction. Instead of just looking at worksheets, my students are now physically building word families with letter tiles and using base-ten blocks to visualize regrouping. These tools bridge the gap between abstract concepts and real-world understanding, making \"hard\" subjects feel like a game.\r\n\r\nIt felt like a holiday morning! When the students saw the colorful, high-quality materials, they felt valued and seen. They have taken such great care of the items because they are so grateful to have brand-new resources that belong specifically to our classroom.\r\n\r\nThank you for sharing your generosity to our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1759248012027,"projectUrl":"project/equipping-our-classroom-for-success/9773046/","projectTitle":"Equipping Our Classroom for Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gilbuena","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-6_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9273211"},{"teacherId":8437977,"projectId":9773189,"letterContent":"Thank you so much. Your generosity and support provided us with essential resources and materials students needed in our counseling room - tools for regulation and calming as well as supplies or items for social emotional learning. I know that these items will transform the experience that my students will have in our counseling space, hopefully allowing them to feel safe and comfortable as we work through challenges and learn skills.\r\n\r\nStudents who access the counseling room will now have a variety of regulation tools and creative materials to engage with, including fidgets and sensory toys for focusing and regulating. The organizational and office materials from this project have helped me to create a space that is neat, open, and full of options for the students. Students who frequently visit the counseling room seem to look forward to exploring the different calming tools every day. Students will also benefit from the variety of SEL books that will supplement our counseling lessons and group activities. Furthermore, I now have a variety of snacks to offer students who are dis-regulated or in need of an energy boost during the school day. These project items will be put to good use in our counseling space for a long time to come .... so thank you so much for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1759622678936,"projectUrl":"project/creating-a-safe-space-for-counseling/9773189/","projectTitle":"Creating a Safe Space for Counseling","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Bonilla","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8437977"},{"teacherId":9366204,"projectId":9773681,"letterContent":"Your support directly provided essential resources for both reading and math instruction, making a significant impact on our students' learning. We have been effectively using the new writing books and engaging matching games, which have boosted skill practice and student enthusiasm. Additionally, the file folders for phonics have been invaluable, offering crucial, individualized support to our students with disabilities. Thank you again for investing in our students' education and helping them reach their full potential.","fullyFundedDate":1759455163335,"projectUrl":"project/ela-and-math-materials/9773681/","projectTitle":"ELA and Math Materials","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Davis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9366204"},{"teacherId":9079834,"projectId":9118629,"letterContent":"Before the fan arrived, the classroom experience in the late spring heat was defined by a specific, suffocating kind of misery. Sunlight streaming through the tall windows turned the room into a slow oven, and the air hung heavy and still. Students would spend more time subtly fanning themselves with textbooks, wiping damp palms, and staring listlessly at the clock than they did focusing on the lesson. \r\n\r\nThe experience with the fan was immediately transformative, moving beyond just physical comfort into the realm of mental clarity. The low, steady hum of the motor became the new backdrop for lessons, replacing the distracting sound of sighs and shuffles. More importantly, the rotating head of the fan ensured that the cool air was not just concentrated on the front row, but swept across the entire room. The energy that had been spent enduring the heat was now redirected, proving that sometimes, the simplest intervention—a gift of moving air—can be the most effective catalyst for focus and a genuine enjoyment of the school day.","fullyFundedDate":1741048447295,"projectUrl":"project/getting-comfy-and-relax-in-my-reading-an/9118629/","projectTitle":"Getting Comfy and Relax in My Reading and Calming Corner","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Emelyn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9079834_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1732691484839","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9079834"},{"teacherId":8669345,"projectId":9603325,"letterContent":"My students, teachers and I want to send a huge mahalo to you for funding my Donors Choose project. The color printer and ink have provided so many resources for our school!\r\n\r\nFirst, I was able to print a colored print out of student assessment data for every teacher in our school. With this data report, teachers were able to place students with colored post-its into their \"data folders\" for tracking throughout the school year. This helps teachers create student groups for reading Targeted Learning Centers and our foundational Kahua Block. Teachers are able to see which kids are in red, yellow, green, and blue groups and can figure out next steps for their reading instruction. We have our mid-year reading assessment coming up next month and I am confident many students will improve in their foundational reading skills because of your help!\r\n\r\nSecondly, I was able to print and create a number of foundational reading games for the students I service in Reading RtI (Response to Intervention) groups. These games include alphabet matching, CVC word reading, and more! My younger kiddos who are still learning their alphabets enjoy playing the letter matching games. My older students enjoy playing the high frequency word memory game. They have shown big improvements as far as retaining their high frequency words and letter names and sounds. This could not be possible without your generous donations!","fullyFundedDate":1755721486546,"projectUrl":"project/reading-in-full-color/9603325/","projectTitle":"Reading in Full Color!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kauhane","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8669345_orig.png?crop=310,310,x9,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1677830497054","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8669345"},{"teacherId":8669382,"projectId":9773788,"letterContent":"My students and I are using the new resources in a few ways because there was a variety of stuff. Students helped me pump up the soccer balls and footballs. Students helped me put different math games into the zipper pouches, and more!\r\n\r\nFirst, my students reacted excited when they saw the custodians bringing in all the boxes to my classroom. It was a lot, so I had them help open the boxes and materials. They were so excited to open the boxes and when they looked inside they didn't know what it was until they unwrapped it.","fullyFundedDate":1759356512967,"projectUrl":"project/student-essentials/9773788/","projectTitle":"Student Essentials","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Isagawa","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8669382_orig.jpg?crop=750,750,x0,y155&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1693438673458","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrsrachelisagawa"},{"teacherId":10170381,"projectId":9593512,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation on my classroom project. Our new laminating film, pouches, and printer inks have created great and immediate impact on my students' daily learning experiences. Before this project was funded, most of our classroom materials relied on shared resources and fragile paper materials that struggled to survive even a week of instruction. Now, with access to durable, vibrant printed materials and the ability to laminate them for long term use, my students are engaging with lessons in ways that feel both personalized and permanent. They have colorful and crisp visual aids. The laminated materials have become tools my students treat with a sense of pride knowing these materials were made for them. Because of your support, our classroom has evolved from temporary paper worksheets to a dynamic, reusable, and student-centered learning environment.\r\n\r\nDuring the past weeks, I've witnessed numerous moments of authentic learning that would not have been possible without your generosity. During our Math small group, they use colorful fraction tiles which were laminated for long term use. Vocabulary maps were also printed to be used in ELA time. These moments, small they may seem, reflect meaningful steps toward greater independence, confidence, and joy in learning. Your gift did simply supply materials- it opened doors for students to express creativity, collaborate, and take ownership of their growth.\r\n\r\nThe impact of this project reaches far beyond the supplies themselves; it has transformed the way my students engage with one another. Your generosity has created a classroom environment where learning feels durable, purposeful, and full of possibilities. Your generosity will be felt for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1755797248130,"projectUrl":"project/ink-and-ideas-protecting-learning-mater/9593512/","projectTitle":"Ink and Ideas: Protecting Learning Materials for Years to Come","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Saez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-1_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10170381"},{"teacherId":8820876,"projectId":8879326,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your support. The donation(s) you provided helped me to provide effective training and source materials to these teachers so they have the tools and resources necessary for effective beginning reading skills instruction. The supplies/materials were utilized as follows:\r\n\r\n- Highlighters, sharpies, post-it notes, folders: general training supplies for the organization of training materials.\r\n\r\n- Plastic rings, index cards: to create flashcards and pinch cards for students to use while participating in reading routines\r\n\r\n- laminator, laminating pouches: to help make teaching materials more durable and long-lasting (i.e. laminating pinch cards for use all year and hopefully multiple years, creating dry-erase sheets for alphabetic principle routines, etc.)\r\n\r\n- plastic colored-counters: for use as a concrete reading manipulative, students can use the colored chips when saying sounds, counting sounds/parts, w/Elkonin boxes, etc.\r\n\r\nOur teachers noted a marked improvement in our students' reading and decoding skills, and are thankful for the extra supplies and support for students.","fullyFundedDate":1729091679211,"projectUrl":"project/help-students-become-effective-beginning/8879326/","projectTitle":"Help Students Become Effective Beginning Readers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Saito","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8820876"},{"teacherId":8519639,"projectId":8224085,"letterContent":"We want to express our deepest gratitude for your generous donations. Your contribution has been absolutely instrumental in helping my students and me transform our classroom into an amazing and exciting learning environment.\r\n\r\nThe impact has been profound. We've seen a noticeable shift in student engagement; the resources your gift provided have helped us boost the confidence and academic performance of many students. As a result, they are more enthusiastic about learning and truly enjoy being present at school each day.\r\n\r\nThroughout the year, students have been given the chance to explore so many different hands-on activities, materials, and learning resources. These opportunities have significantly enriched our curriculum and better equipped them with the diverse skills and knowledge they need to succeed. Thank you again for making such a positive difference in their educational journey.","fullyFundedDate":1708280514430,"projectUrl":"project/building-a-successful-learning-environme/8224085/","projectTitle":"Building a Successful Learning Environment","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ikeuchi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8519639"},{"teacherId":7930389,"projectId":8879747,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donation to my students. With your donation the students will have the materials they need when they enter my classroom. As a result of this they will be able to focus on their learning and working towards gaining proficiency in the English language. The students are able to work on developing their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills as a result of having the needed materials available to them.\r\n\r\nThank you for valuing the work that teachers are doing in the classroom. Through your support I am able to provide my students with the materials they need to be successful. Your donation is deeply appreciated.","fullyFundedDate":1729110958925,"projectUrl":"project/prepared-and-ready-for-success-in-el-cla/8879747/","projectTitle":"Prepared and Ready for Success in EL Class!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Yamashiro","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7930389"},{"teacherId":10162166,"projectId":9558475,"letterContent":"\"Make It Math\" has significantly improved my classroom by increasing student engagement through real-world, project-based learning that connects math to students' everyday experiences, making lessons more meaningful and motivating. It has deepened students' conceptual understanding by emphasizing reasoning and problem-solving over rote procedures, leading to stronger comprehension and retention. The program supports diverse learners through collaboration and differentiation, allowing all students to thrive. Classroom discourse has improved, with students now confidently explaining their thinking, asking questions, and working together on complex tasks. This has fostered greater independence, confidence, and resilience in tackling challenges. Additionally, \"Make It Math\" has contributed to my own professional growth, encouraging more student-centered practices and a deeper focus on core mathematical thinking.","fullyFundedDate":1756337766203,"projectUrl":"project/make-it-math/9558475/","projectTitle":"Make it Math!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. R. Sanchez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-4_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10162166"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_50984","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":632,"numTeachers":54,"percentFrplEligible":64,"percentAsian":42,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":2,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":16,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"11.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":60.8,"schoolId":50984,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Lihikai Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Lihikai Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/maui-school-district/lihikai-elementary-school/50984"}