Supporting Big Ideas in Every Classroom

At the Flagstaff Unified School District Foundation, we believe that great ideas deserve great support. This page showcases real projects dreamed up by FUSD teachers—and brought to life with help from our community. From classroom enhancements to creative programs, these projects reflect the passion and innovation of our educators. Thanks to microgrants, special funds, and generous donations, we’ve been able to say “yes” to initiatives that inspire, engage, and empower our students every day.

Explore the stories below to see the impact of your support in action.

String Bass Accessories

  • Year: 2024-25

  • Teacher: Tammy Rauschenbach

  • Grades Impacted: 6-8

  • Funded By: Debbi Grogan Memorial Fund

The DGM Fund awarded a grant for the purchase of a string bass and three cases as well as bows and bow holders. These additions to the MEMS music program will benefit students in years to come.

African Djembe Drums

  • Year: 2024-25

  • Teacher: Linda Stamer

  • Grades Impacted: K-5

  • Funded By: Debbi Grogan Memorial Fund

The DGM Fund awarded a grant for the purchase of kid-sized African djembe drums for use by younger elementary students at Marshall Elementary. More than 350 students per year will have a chance to use drums sized just for them!

Tubano Drums and Electric Piano

  • Year: 2024-25

  • Teacher: Mallorie Welts

  • Grades Impacted: K-5

  • Funded By: Debbi Grogan Memorial Fund

The DGM Fund awarded a grant for the purchase of an electric piano and a classroom set of Tubano drums at DeMiguel Elementary. Now all students in each music class can play drums together. 

Instruments for All Students

  • Year: 2023-24

  • Teacher: Joe Rauschenbach

  • Grades Impacted: K-5

  • Funded By: Debbi Grogan Memorial Fund

The DGM Fund provided $5000 to Puente de Hozho to purchase needed instruments for use by all students.

Acoustic Panels

  • Year: 2023-24

  • Teacher: Jenny Jordan

  • Grades Impacted: Pre K-5

  • Funded By: Debbi Grogan Memorial Fund

The DGM Fund awarded $4600 to Thomas Elementary for acoustic panels for the music room to help minimize sound reverberation when many instruments are played at once.

Interactive Books

  • Year: 2024-25

  • Teacher: Heidi Huggard

  • Grades Impacted: Pre K-K

  • Funded By: Micro Grant

The Micro Grant Program funded the purchase of interactive storybooks at Kinsey Elementary. Interactive story books are amazing tools for providing speech language therapy to young learners in an engaging way!

Sensory Support for Specialized Programs

  • Year: 2024-25

  • Teacher: Alisha Mahoda

  • Grades Impacted: All Grades

  • Funded By: Micro Grant

The Micro Grant Program funded the purchase of supplies such as weighted blankets and animals, a crash pad and fluorescent light cover. These items help support students across FUSD with sensory processing needs to be more successful in the classroom.

Code Talkers

  • Year: 2024-25

  • Teacher: Valerie Angello

  • Grades Impacted: 10th

  • Funded By: Micro Grant

The Micro Grant Program provided funds to purchase copies of the book Code Talker for Coconino High School. The book highlights the important contributions of WWII Navajo Code Talkers to the war effort and are incorporated into a final classroom project.

Nutrition and Kitchen Update

  • Year: 2024-25

  • Teacher:Pam Lowie

  • Grades Impacted: 9-12

  • Funded By: Micro Grant

The Micro Grant Program funded supplies for the kitchen at Summit High School. The supplies are used to provide updated and culturally relevant tools for teaching students about nutrition and culinary arts.

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