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Arizona Tax Credit - Stories of Success

Music magic

When kindergartners start the new year at Drachman Elementary Montessori Magnet School, teachers hand them cardboard violins, the first step toward playing the instruments. By December, they're playing real violins, and then they play in concerts twice a year, developing confidence in individual and group performances. They study music subjects, and by fourth-grade, they are learning to read notes. Their reading and listening skills strengthen as they match pitches, memorize words and play by ear. And, finally, they participate in the Drachman Fiddle Club held during the Extended Day Program, where they play toe-tapping fiddle tunes, perform in the community and learn from guest artists.

Artists abound

Budding artists at Dunham Elementary School reaped the benefits of attending the TUSD school with the largest increase--2,045 percent--in online tax credit donations in 2006. When the school spends its windfall, computers and photography and video equipment will share space with traditional paints and modeling supplies in the art room. Dabbling in art calms children as they express their creativity, said Jane Peterson, the art teacher. Principal John Bellisario is leading the effort to install whiteboards and a video production system that supports student-produced elementary school news. He encouraged online tax credit contributions. "It took me two seconds to do it," he said. "This is the way to go. It's quick, easy and painless."

Howenstine helps out

Howenstine High Magnet School reaches out with its tax credit contributions. As a service learning school, Howenstine participated in "Project Ignition," a seat belt project sponsored by State Farm Insurance. Tax credits helped the American Sign Language Club provide deaf awareness information to the community, the state and California from 2004-2007, as well as to a national Congressional committee at the U.S. Capitol in 2005-2006.

As a school that serves many Exceptional Education students, Howenstine put its tax credits to work by forming its first official basketball team in 2006-2007; the Howenstine Hawks played in a YMCA League during the spring semester. And, Howenstine's Social Club offers after-school outings for self-contained students who may not normally have fun, community-based activities to do outside of school, said Principal Jimmy Hart.