{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Makawao Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":66.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":6460683,"projectId":10353061,"letterContent":"Thank you for your incredible generosity in supporting this project!\r\nIt is so important to make science and our environment relevant to young learners today.\r\nThese native Hawaiian legends often offer valuable insight into how we should care for the land, or the importance and significance of certain plants and animals in the Hawaiian culture. \r\nThe students will take the information they learned from these stories to create beautiful embossed etchings of native plants and animals found in their environment. Students must first love something to protect it, and art and storytelling are wonderful mediums in while to fall in love with the endemic flora and fauna of our island.","fullyFundedDate":1787075901354,"projectUrl":"project/metal-embossing-and-storytelling-native/10353061/","projectTitle":"Metal Embossing and Storytelling: Native Hawaiian Plants","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lee","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6460683_orig.jpg?crop=1689,1689,x350,y310&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1666168890014","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/holly-lee808"},{"teacherId":6460683,"projectId":10365668,"letterContent":"Thank you very much for your donation to this storytelling and art project!\r\nWe have begun using the stories to familiarize students in class with various shapes and to make them more relatable and memorable. \r\nIn a couple of months will will begin our math units that focus on shapes and geometry. As we being to lean the math curriculum, students will be able to refer back to our stories to reinforce new ideas. \r\nOur math and storytelling project will culminate with the construction of the kaleidoscopes in class! Students will be able to see their shapes come to life in a beautiful product that they can then take home and share with their families while discussing the attributes of shapes!","fullyFundedDate":1785329588931,"projectUrl":"project/learning-about-shapes-through-storytelli/10365668/","projectTitle":"Learning about Shapes Through Storytelling and Art","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lee","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6460683_orig.jpg?crop=1689,1689,x350,y310&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1666168890014","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/holly-lee808"},{"teacherId":9264419,"projectId":10487870,"letterContent":"When the boxes for our \"Art All Around\" project arrived, the excitement in our classroom was contagious! My students could barely contain their enthusiasm as we unpacked vibrant vibrant colored pencils, thick watercolor paper, Shrinky Dinks sheets, and even a ladder to help us display our work. For many of my students, seeing these high-quality, dedicated art materials made them feel valued and inspired to dive right into creating.\r\n\r\nWe immediately put these resources to work on a cross-curricular novel study project. Students used the colored pencils and Shrinky Dinks sheets to bring characters from our class novel to life, carefully designing and shrinking their artistic interpretations of key figures. They also explored watercolor techniques on the heavy watercolor paper to design rich setting backdrops. Using the ladder to safely reach high spots across our classroom walls, we were able to hang up their artwork, transforming our learning space into an immersive gallery that celebrates both reading comprehension and visual art.\r\n\r\nSeeing how engaged and focused my students were throughout this project has been incredible. Having these materials allowed them to connect deeply with the literature while expressing their unique creativity. As we move forward into our next units, we plan to continue utilizing these tools for future literacy and social studies visual projects. Thank you so much for your generosity and for bringing so much creativity into our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1789717426389,"projectUrl":"project/art-all-around/10487870/","projectTitle":"Art All Around","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Holtvedt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9264419"},{"teacherId":9264419,"projectId":10622080,"letterContent":"When the boxes containing our new classroom snacks and resources first arrived, my students were absolutely thrilled! Their eyes lit up, and they immediately wanted to know how we got them. Being able to explain that caring community members and supporters came together to provide these snacks for them made them feel incredibly valued, seen, and supported.\r\n\r\nHaving these nutritional resources accessible directly in our classroom has made an immediate, noticeable difference. Instead of struggling to focus through late-morning hunger pangs or worrying about having enough energy for our end-of-day activities, my students now have the fuel they need to stay engaged and eager to learn. A well-nourished child is a child who is ready to absorb new concepts, collaborate with peers, and participate fully in every lesson.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, these resources will continue to support us as we dive into our upcoming unit projects and daily learning goals. Knowing that our basic needs are cared for allows us to direct all our energy toward reading, problem-solving, and growing together. Thank you so much for your generosity and for investing in our classroom family!","fullyFundedDate":1789253605710,"projectUrl":"project/hungry-kiddos/10622080/","projectTitle":"Hungry Kiddos!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Holtvedt","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9264419"},{"teacherId":6460683,"projectId":10314560,"letterContent":"Oh my goodness! We just read Have You Filled a Bucket Today in class and the students were totally transfixed! They all wanted to share stories about how they had filled someoneʻs bucket and how other people fill their bucket. It is such a lovely story and really has a simple and easy to understand message about kindness. \r\nImagine how thrilled the students were when they realized that they all get to take home their own copy of the book! Sharing this story with their families will continue to spread the message of kindness throughout our community\r\nThis week we are going to dive into our art project related to the book and bucket filling. Students will decorate their own bucket and write ways they will demonstrate bucket filling in their day. They will use the fabulous art materials from this project to embellish their buckets!\r\nMahalo for your incredible support of this project!","fullyFundedDate":1783296559578,"projectUrl":"project/learning-about-kindness-through-storytel/10314560/","projectTitle":"Learning about Kindness Through Storytelling and Art","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lee","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6460683_orig.jpg?crop=1689,1689,x350,y310&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1666168890014","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/holly-lee808"},{"teacherId":6460683,"projectId":10305085,"letterContent":"Thank you for your incredibly kind and generous donation to our classroom! These books were a wonderful way to kick off our SEL curriculum for the year. We have several students who really need a lot of emotional support this year and this book opens the discussion about our feelings and what someone might be feeling on the inside might not always match what they are showing on the outside. The students were thrilled that they all got to take their own copy home after reading it in class together. \r\nMahalo for investing in the emotional intelligence of this classroom! Your donation will have ripple effects for many years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1782221162940,"projectUrl":"project/feeling-all-the-feels/10305085/","projectTitle":"Feeling All The Feels","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lee","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6460683_orig.jpg?crop=1689,1689,x350,y310&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1666168890014","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/holly-lee808"},{"teacherId":9264476,"projectId":10262672,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity! Because of your support, every single student in our school now has their very own personal sketchbook to draw, plan, and create in for the entire school year. \r\nOur student artists are just getting started on their sketchbook journeys. Over the coming weeks, they will continue using their sketchbooks as visual journals By the end of the year, these sketchbooks will serve as a complete timeline of each child's creative journey and academic growth—a tangible keepsake they can take home and treasure forever. Your gift provided more than just paper; you gave our students a safe space to express themselves, build confidence, and take creative risks.","fullyFundedDate":1778010182447,"projectUrl":"project/air-plant-holders/10262672/","projectTitle":"Air Plant Holders","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Valdez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9264476"},{"teacherId":9264469,"projectId":10225503,"letterContent":"From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for supporting our school through DonorsChoose! Your kindness has provided our students with incredible tools—including squishy sensory toys, air-dry clay, and our beloved weighted axolotl plush.\r\n\r\nOur weighted axolotl has quickly become a student favorite. Resting its soothing weight on a lap during times of dysregulation. She helps ease anxiety, lower stress, and keep students feeling grounded and safe right in their seats.\r\n\r\nThe squishy toys have provided a quiet, effective outlet for fidgeting and nervous energy. For students who used to struggle to sit still during lessons, having something tactile to squeeze allows them to direct their energy into listening and processing new concepts. These items have also been great as rewards for positive behavior.\r\n\r\nThe air-dry clay has opened up whole new worlds of hands-on expression. Whether sculpting 3D models for projects or bringing story characters to life, students are strengthening fine motor skills while exploring their creativity in therapeutic, screen-free ways. One student even created their very own axolotl.","fullyFundedDate":1778782705765,"projectUrl":"project/safe-spaces-for-social-emotional-success/10225503/","projectTitle":"Safe Spaces for Social-Emotional Success","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. J. Lee","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9264469_orig.png?crop=400,400,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1701145159107","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9264469"},{"teacherId":6460683,"projectId":10076411,"letterContent":"Thank you for the incredible generosity you have shown by donating to this project!\r\nHaving these high quality journals that make number sense fun is a wonderful way to engage kids in learning while keeping it new and exciting. Practicing their daily dot to dot journal will help them with counting, number sense and number recognition!\r\nThe growth mindset journals are also wonderful to have in class. Having a writing activity that reinforces our social emotional learning in class is a fantastic way to combines these essential skills. \r\nThe dot journals will be a great way to help my learners that need to practice their kindergarden skills before moving on to 1st grade standards.\r\nThank you very much for believing in this project and helping my students obtain excellent learning supplies.","fullyFundedDate":1781830522843,"projectUrl":"project/journals-to-enhance-learning/10076411/","projectTitle":"Journals to Enhance Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lee","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6460683_orig.jpg?crop=1689,1689,x350,y310&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1666168890014","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/holly-lee808"},{"teacherId":1116498,"projectId":10105705,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supplying my classroom with materials to enhance my kindergarten literacy centers.\r\nMy students were able to use the alphabet tubs to increase their phonemic awareness skills-specifically beginning sounds. The tubs had objects that were colorful and engaging. This activity center was the most popular during my literacy centers as it was new. It also helped create pretend play and social interaction. \r\nMy students get very excited when they see boxes get delivered to the classroom as they know we are getting new materials for our classroom to use. The large bins helped keep all literacy materials organized.","fullyFundedDate":1771699994607,"projectUrl":"project/bridging-the-gap-for-literacy-in-kinderg/10105705/","projectTitle":"Bridging the Gap for Literacy in Kindergarten","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Morella","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/1116498"},{"teacherId":8579993,"projectId":10107338,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, my students now have access to new classroom resources that have already begun to transform the way we learn, create, and collaborate. These materials are not just additions to our shelves—they have become active tools in daily instruction, helping students engage more deeply and confidently with the content.\r\n\r\nOne of the most impactful ways we are using the new resources is through hands-on, project-based learning. Recently, my students participated in a science and engineering challenge where they were asked to design and build prototypes that solve real-world problems in their community. With the new materials, students were able to sketch, test, revise, and rebuild their ideas in a way that felt authentic and meaningful. Instead of simply reading about concepts, they were able to apply them immediately, which strengthened both understanding and retention.\r\n\r\nThe moment the students first saw the new materials was unforgettable. There was a visible shift in the room—curiosity replaced routine, and excitement took over hesitation. Students who are typically reserved were the first to ask if they could explore the supplies, while others immediately began brainstorming possible uses. One student even said, \"This feels like real engineering,\" which perfectly captured the energy of that day. It wasn't just that they had new items in front of them; it was that they felt trusted as learners capable of doing real, meaningful work.\r\n\r\nSince then, the materials have become a regular part of our learning environment. Students now use them during collaborative stations, small-group challenges, and independent exploration time. They are learning how to communicate ideas more clearly, revise their thinking when something doesn't work, and support each other through problem-solving. These are skills that extend far beyond the classroom content.\r\n\r\nWe are currently moving into the next phase of our unit, where students will refine their initial prototypes based on testing and peer feedback. This stage is especially important because it teaches persistence and iteration—two essential skills in both academics and life. Students will be presenting their final designs to the class, explaining not only what they built, but also why they made specific changes along the way. This reflection piece helps them recognize growth in their thinking and builds confidence in their ability to improve through effort.","fullyFundedDate":1771776873939,"projectUrl":"project/science-math-and-more/10107338/","projectTitle":"Science, Math and More!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Corey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8579993_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y100&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1753118875017","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8579993"},{"teacherId":8402898,"projectId":10107145,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for providing my students with interesting and engaging books! My special needs students are at a critical developmental stage, where they are being molded into new readers, and need to have their interest in books fostered.\r\n\r\nWith your help, I was able to provide them with high-interest reading materials. I use the books as a reward after they complete small-group assignments. They are so curious about the content within the books, that they will do their best to read sentences and paragraphs within them. I am very proud of their new-found love of reading and books!","fullyFundedDate":1771686087926,"projectUrl":"project/getting-excited-about-reading/10107145/","projectTitle":"Getting Excited About Reading","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Kinny","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8402898_orig.png?crop=360,360,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1649214355582","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8402898"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_50985","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":484,"numTeachers":38,"percentFrplEligible":52,"percentAsian":4,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":20,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":26,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":23,"percentMultiracialImputed":24,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"12.7:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"TOWN_FRINGE"},"inStateSupporters":33.6,"schoolId":50985,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Makawao Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Makawao Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/hawaii/maui-school-district/makawao-elementary-school/50985"}