Foundation Announces 2025 Quarter 1 ELEVATE! Grant Awards

We are proud to announce the first 2025 recipients of the new ELEVATE! grant program, a quarterly initiative created to better support educators and students. 

For the Quarter 1 cycle, the foundation approved nine ELEVATE! Grants, totalling nearly $14,000 to fund innovative classroom projects and learning opportunities across the district. 

​​​​• $3,400, sponsored by Huhtamaki, awarded to Early Childhood for the Together We Grow program, aiming to strengthen school–family partnerships and enhance early learning outcomes by offering hands-on opportunities and meaningful family connections. 

​​​​• $2,300, sponsored by Grata Development, awarded to Starside Elementary for the Scooting into New Adventures!!! program, with the focus of incorporating floor scooter boards into Elementary PE classes to enhance students' physical fitness, coordination, and teamwork. 

​​​​• $1,999, sponsored by First Student, awarded to Starside Elementary for the Character Strong Tier 2 Resources initiative, providing support for students who need extra help building skills like self-awareness and relationship-building. 

​​​​• $550 awarded to Early Childhood for the What if Puppets Experience, a show providing a mix of music, puppets, and storytelling for kids to laugh, sing, and imagine together while building language, listening, and social skills. 

​​​​• $709.04 awarded to Mill Valley High School for the Energy in Action program, providing students with hands-on and engaging learning on how energy and work are utilized in their daily life. 

​​​​• $258 awarded to Prairie Ridge Elementary for the Items for Sensory Room initiative, which seeks to provide a safe, calming, and engaging environment for students who may experience sensory processing challenges, anxiety, or difficulty with emotional regulation. 

​​​​• $978.50 awarded to Prairie Ridge Elementary for the TinkerTar – The One String Guitar! program, helping young learners explore melody and the fundamentals of string instruments to spark early musical curiosity and lay a strong foundation for future learning. 

​​​​• $750 awarded to Mize Elementary for a virtual visit by Rob Buyea, author of Because of Mr. Terupt. The author will work with fifth grade students and provide a writing lesson based around the book. 

​​​​• $2,800 awarded to De Soto High School for the Future Ready Day program, ensuring every junior has the chance to visit a college campus at no cost as they plan for and dream about post-secondary life. 

We’re grateful to the many donors and supporters that make it possible for our educators and staff to bring these innovative and creative approaches to our students across USD 232. With the launch of ELEVATE!, we’re excited to see even more ideas take flight in the quarters ahead.