{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Makawao Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":66.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9570682,"projectId":9138468,"letterContent":"The impact of this project on my students' social-emotional learning has been profound. By providing professional-grade metallic pom poms, glitter cheer bows, and inflatable thunder sticks, you have helped us create a space where every student feels like a valued member of the team. These materials have transformed our school spirit activities from simple gatherings into high-energy, memorable events. My students aren't just learning \"cheers\"; they are learning about rhythm, coordination, and the vital importance of supporting one another. Seeing them stand tall with their sequin bows and spirit sticks has given them a newfound confidence that carries over into their academic work and peer interactions.\r\n\r\nBecause of the materials provided, I was able to achieve a major goal: providing every student with their own \"spirit kit\" using the Topspeeder drawstring backpacks. In the past, some students felt left out if they didn't have the right gear, but now, every child has a uniform look and a dedicated place to keep their equipment. This has fostered an environment of total inclusivity where no one is sidelined. The reaction when they first saw the cheerleading stickers and the vibrant yellow and blue bows was pure joy—they immediately began personalizing their gear, which gave them a sense of ownership and pride in our group.\r\n\r\nWe would like to extend a huge thank you to the DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation for making this possible. Your support has allowed me to teach the values of sportsmanship and school pride in a way that is tangible and exciting for my students. Our next steps are to use these resources for our upcoming school-wide rally and community parade. We are currently practicing a new routine that incorporates the thunder sticks for a \"percussion\" effect, and the students are working in small groups to lead their own cheers. Thank you for investing in our team and helping my students find their voices!","fullyFundedDate":1744723974426,"projectUrl":"project/ignite-the-spirit-gear-up-our-cheer-cha/9138468/","projectTitle":"Ignite the Spirit: Gear Up Our Cheer Champions!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sylva","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9570682_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y308&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718948925118","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/hawaii-teach"},{"teacherId":9570682,"projectId":8886043,"letterContent":"I cannot thank you enough for providing the \"spark\" our classroom needed! This project has provided us with a mix of high-tech tools and creative supplies that have completely changed our daily rhythm. One of our favorite new moments is during our \"Morning Trivia\" sessions. Instead of just raising hands, my students now use the recordable answer buzzers to chime in. It has turned a standard review lesson into a high-energy game show environment where every student is eager to participate. Even my most soft-spoken students are finding their voices through these interactive buttons!\r\n\r\nThe reaction from the students when they saw the \"purple typewriter\" wireless keyboard and the telescopic finger pointers was pure joy. They were immediately drawn to the bright colors and the \"clicky\" sounds of the keys, which has made our writing center the most popular spot in the room. Beyond the fun, the magnetic anchor chart holders and desktop organizers have allowed me to create a much more structured and predictable environment. My students now have a clear place to find their scented markers and phonics flash cards, which fosters a sense of independence and pride in our shared space.\r\n\r\nOur next steps are to use the HP photo paper and rainbow ink pads to create a \"Student Success Gallery.\" We will be taking photos of the students' best work and using our new self-inking stamps and construction paper to decorate and display them prominently in the hallway. We are also using the magnetic tape to turn our whiteboard into an interactive \"Data Wall\" where students can track their own progress in reading and math. Your support didn't just buy supplies; it built a vibrant, organized, and joyful world where my students feel truly inspired to learn every day.","fullyFundedDate":1729478410398,"projectUrl":"project/empower-interactive-learning-tools-for/8886043/","projectTitle":"Empower Interactive Learning: Tools for Engagement and Creativity","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sylva","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9570682_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y308&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718948925118","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/hawaii-teach"},{"teacherId":9570682,"projectId":8870301,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity! These resources have transformed our classroom into a bustling hub of financial discovery. We've kicked off a \"Classroom Economy\" project where students earn \"Lakeshore Cash\" for showing kindness and completing their classroom jobs. The highlight of our week is \"Bank Friday,\" when I bring out the Jssmst Locking Metal Cash Box. You should see their eyes light up when they hear the click of the key! They take it so seriously, lining up with their Evan-Moor workbooks to log their earnings and decide whether to spend their money on small rewards or save it in their clear piggy banks.\r\n\r\nWhen the boxes first arrived, the excitement was palpable. My students were especially fascinated by how \"real\" the paper money looked and felt. One student shouted, \"I'm a real banker now!\" as they helped organize the bills by denomination. We immediately sat down to read I Am Money, which sparked a wonderful conversation about how money isn't just for buying things—it's a tool we can use to help our community and plan for the future. Seeing them hold the physical piggy banks made the abstract concept of \"savings\" suddenly feel very tangible and exciting.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, our next step is to dive deeper into the literature you provided, like Lunch Money and The Berenstain Bears' Trouble with Money, to discuss the difference between \"wants\" and \"needs.\" We are also preparing for our first \"Classroom Market Day,\" where students will have to use their math skills to price items, make change, and stay within a budget. Because of your support, my students aren't just learning math; they are gaining life skills that will serve them long after they leave the second grade. Thank you for investing in their futures!\r\n\r\nWith gratitude,","fullyFundedDate":1729385366436,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-futures-financial-literacy-f/8870301/","projectTitle":"Empowering Futures: Financial Literacy for Our Students","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Sylva","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9570682_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y308&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718948925118","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/hawaii-teach"},{"teacherId":8538788,"projectId":10107382,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support and for providing my students with resources that have truly made a difference in our classroom. Your kindness has helped create a more positive, engaging, and supportive learning environment for my special education students.\r\n\r\nWe are using the new materials every single day. One specific moment that stands out is during carpet time, when students are expected to sit and attend to instruction. One of my students has been using the wiggle seat daily, and it has been a game changer. It helps him keep his body in place, stay focused, and participate appropriately during group lessons. Because of this simple support, he is able to be more successful and feel included with his peers.\r\n\r\nWhen my students first saw the materials, they were so excited. They immediately wanted to explore everything and were especially interested in the fidgets and sensory tools. They were smiling, asking questions, and could not wait to try them out. It was such a joyful moment to see how motivated they were just by having tools that were made for them.\r\n\r\nThanks to your donations, I have been able to incorporate more hands-on learning activities using our academic tools like reading kits and blocks. These resources help my students practice important skills in a way that feels fun and accessible, while also building their confidence and independence.\r\n\r\nThe next steps for my students are continuing to strengthen their reading and academic foundations through structured small group lessons and daily practice. With these new resources, students will be working on building sight word recognition, improving reading fluency, and using manipulatives to support math learning. The incentives and sensory tools will also continue to support positive behavior and help students stay regulated and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nYour support has given my students the tools they need to succeed, and it means so much to all of us. Thank you for giving our classroom a peek of your generosity and helping make learning possible in such a meaningful way.","fullyFundedDate":1771641660429,"projectUrl":"project/bright-minds-and-busy-hands/10107382/","projectTitle":"Bright Minds and Busy Hands","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kinores","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8538788_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1658392017495","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8538788"},{"teacherId":6460683,"projectId":10076413,"letterContent":"Thank you for your incredible support of this community project! The entire first grade at our school has received materials to design and decorate reusable canvas bags which can be gifted to our local community members during our Earth week celebrations. It is so important for students to see how small acts can make a big difference and how they can be instrumental in making those changes. Thank you for supporting this reusable science project which benefits our local town and island. Mahalo!","fullyFundedDate":1770658121537,"projectUrl":"project/helping-the-environment-one-canvas-bag/10076413/","projectTitle":"Helping the Environment, One Canvas Bag At A Time","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":9827576,"letterContent":"Thank you for your incredible support of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. The students have a fun new book titled How the Grinch Lost Christmas, which is a sequel to How the Grinch Stole Christmas. \r\nIt is so important to have physical books that are fun, engaging and developmentally appropriate in the hands of these emerging readers. You have given the gift of literacy with a book that children can read and share with their families for years to come. You have also supported the celebration of the season with additional classroom story time books and crafts. \r\nMahalo for your generous donation to this literacy project!","fullyFundedDate":1766099435941,"projectUrl":"project/the-grinch-who-stole-christmas/9827576/","projectTitle":"The Grinch Who Stole Christmas!","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":10106804,"letterContent":"In our classroom, reading is no longer a silent, isolated activity. It is vibrant and collaborative. We have transitioned into Leveled Book Clubs, where students are matched with texts that offer the \"just-right\" amount of challenge. On a typical day, you'll see:\r\n\r\nSmall Groups: Students huddled together, debating a character's motives.\r\n\r\nActive Discussion: Groups using \"talk moves\" to build on each other's ideas.\r\n\r\nCollaboration: Students co-creating \"story maps\" or digital posters to summarize their weekly reading goals.\r\n\r\nThe most exciting shift has been among my emergent readers and English Language Learners. In the past, these students often felt overwhelmed by a \"one-size-fits-all\" curriculum. Now, because we have high-interest books at their specific reading levels, they are leading the discussions.\r\n\r\nOne student, who previously struggled to finish a single chapter, recently stayed after class just to tell me he \"finally found a book where the main character thinks like I do.\" That moment of connection—and the confidence it builds—is the direct result of your support.\r\n\r\nThe kids love trading each other books after hearing about the excitement of the previous story!","fullyFundedDate":1771631228937,"projectUrl":"project/bookworm-central/10106804/","projectTitle":"Bookworm Central!","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":10105326,"letterContent":"Thank you for your support of this project! We immediately opened the boxes in class and used the air dry clay and paintbrushes right away. Students were learning about insects in class, writing about them and singing songs about the characteristics of insects. They then constructed their own insect out of clay and painted them with the new brushes! I took pictures and this will be one of the projects they include in their end of the year portfolios. \r\nThank you for making this project and display of work a reality! Small investments can make a huge difference in a child's educational journey! Mahalo :)","fullyFundedDate":1771642357774,"projectUrl":"project/see-what-ive-learned/10105326/","projectTitle":"See What I've Learned!","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":8362290,"projectId":10103928,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, my preschool students now have access to technology that is helping them find their voices. The children in my classroom are still developing speech and language skills, and they all rely on assistive communication tools to express their thoughts, needs, and ideas. These tools, including communication devices and a microphone and speaker used during speech therapy, allow my students to select symbols, hear words modeled aloud, and practice language during real moments throughout the day. For my students, this means being able to ask for help, request a favorite activity, or participate during circle time in ways that were not always possible before.\r\n\r\nOne of the most powerful moments happened when a student used the device to request \"more\" during a favorite classroom activity. Instead of becoming frustrated when the activity ended, he was able to clearly communicate what he wanted. When the device spoke the word aloud, his face lit up with excitement, and the other students immediately responded. During speech therapy sessions, the microphone and speaker help amplify sounds and words so students can hear and practice language more clearly. Moments like this may seem small, but for a child learning to communicate, it is a huge step toward confidence and connection.\r\n\r\nYour support is helping create a classroom where every child has a voice. My students are beginning to participate more, interact with their peers, and share their ideas in ways that build independence and joy in learning. Thank you for believing in them and for helping provide tools that make communication possible. Your generosity is truly changing what our students are able to say and share with the world.","fullyFundedDate":1771526553190,"projectUrl":"project/helping-little-voices-speak-big-words/10103928/","projectTitle":"Helping Little Voices Speak Big Words","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Ashley","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8362290_orig.jpg?crop=1815,1816,x0,y78&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1728978687957","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8362290"},{"teacherId":6460683,"projectId":9642916,"letterContent":"Thank you very much for your support of Renewable Energy! Your generosity will enable my students to build small solar ovens and to change variables such as the colors of the door, testing different reflective materials, and changing the angle of the lid relative to the sun's position. Students will be able to make smores, and to melt crayons using the sun. \r\nStudents will also be able to harness solar energy to power a small car, and to use wind energy to drive a turbine. These experiments provide a critical foundation and understanding of broad scientific concepts. By providing these concrete and memorable experiments, students will be able to draw on this learning to make sense of future science lessons. \r\nMahalo for providing amazing resources for these young scientists!","fullyFundedDate":1765413101188,"projectUrl":"project/renewable-energy/9642916/","projectTitle":"Renewable Energy","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":6184026,"projectId":10106326,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support of our second grade classroom on Maui. Because of you, my students are reading a class novel together, building confidence and stronger comprehension skills. The snacks help them stay focused and ready to learn each day. The pencil top erasers and grading pens encourage revision, responsibility, and pride in their work. Our new clip-on name tags have improved organization and strengthened classroom community. Most importantly, your kindness shows my students that people believe in them and value their education. We are truly grateful for your support.","fullyFundedDate":1771631753208,"projectUrl":"project/supplies-for-education/10106326/","projectTitle":"Supplies for Education","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Akinaka","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6184026_orig.jpg?crop=960,960,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1600611654188","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6184026"},{"teacherId":9471957,"projectId":9784843,"letterContent":"The resources that you helped provide have been well used and well received by my students. Every time they see a new item or new activity that these resources helped create, they are so excited. Many materials have been very useful to their SEL learning and will continue to be. \r\nOne example is the books, which I have read along with my students. They love the characters and enjoy learning the skills I have to teach them through it. Another example is the Social Skills for Kids workbook. I have used many activities listed in this book to teach my students SEL skills. Lots of them gained some good insights through these activities. \r\nYour contributions were very helpful and will continue to be helpful in my classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1759623459455,"projectUrl":"project/super-stars-in-social-emotional-learning/9784843/","projectTitle":"Super Stars In Social Emotional Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Carolyn","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-9_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9471957"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_50985","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":463,"numTeachers":38,"percentFrplEligible":54,"percentAsian":3,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":21,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":26,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"12.2:1","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"}