#2: National Recognition for a Generous Community of Support

Thanks to supporters like you, the DPS Foundation has been named the #2 education foundation in the U.S., according to a national survey released by Tampa-based dewey & associates. Read the full story.

So what does this mean? We interpret it as a clear indicator of the community’s investment in and commitment to our students and schools. It means that Denver is a national leader in driving private support into public schools. It illustrates that while there is still much work to be done, the community is rallying around the progress in DPS. Thanks to your partnership, the DPS Foundation is helping provide the resources and support needed to see more progress, faster progress, and brighter futures for the children of Denver.

“We are honored and humbled to learn of this recognition,” said DPS Foundation President and CEO Kristin Heath Colon. “Our greatest hope is that an increasing number of folks will choose to join us in this important work, and that as a result, we can bolster and accelerate the great progress in our schools.”

“I am incredibly proud of the DPS Foundation for this much-deserved recognition,” said DPS Superintendent Tom Boasberg. “The Foundation’s tireless work and commitment to Denver’s children is the backbone of our community’s support. This support offers much-needed resources to help us offer students access to the programs that are helping to close the achievement gap.”

 

Read the full story here, and link to local news coverage of the announcement. Our deepest gratitude to the generous supporters who make this work possible. On behalf of the 81,000 DPS students who benefit from your commitment every day – thank you.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan at Denver School of Science and Technology

We are pleased to invite you to join U.S. Secretary of Education  Arne Duncan for a town hall meeting about education reform, highlighting success in the state of Colorado. The meeting will be held Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 9:15 am at the Denver School of Science and Technology-Evie Dennis Campus at Green Valley Ranch. This community conversation will include educators, parents, elected officials, business and community leaders and students. The Secretary will be joined by DPS Superintendent Tom Boasberg, Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia and Commissioner Robert Hammond.

It’s a great oppotunity to be a part of a dialogue and find out what direction Colorado schools are taking to provide a well-rounded education for every student.

DPS Foundation Aims to Grow and Strengthen the School Partners Program

The Denver Public Schools Foundation has announced plans to expand and strengthen the School Partners Program, an initiative that cultivates meaningful partnerships between DPS schools and the Denver community.

The program – which was established in 2006 – has long been a cornerstone of community engagement for DPS schools. Under the new strategic plan, the DPS Foundation hopes to see even more collaboration.

“Denver’s community has long shown an incredible propensity to support students and schools,” said DPS Foundation president and CEO Kristin Colon. “Our intention in reinvigorating this work is to be sure we’re fully harnessing the energy of the business community to benefit our kids and our classrooms.”

The DPS Foundation has named Nicole Capage-Brown as Manager of the School Partners Program. In this role, Capage-Brown will oversee the portfolio of existing partnerships and drive ambitious efforts to grow the program.

Capage-Brown joins the DPS Foundation with more than nine years of experience creating and managing dynamic school partnerships. Previously, Capage-Brown was the Community Relations Manager at Crescent Real Estate, where she oversaw a portfolio of more than 80 school partnerships in urban districts nationwide and helped direct more than $1.2 million of cash and in-kind support to public schools.

“Nicole offers nearly a decade of expertise in nurturing strong, dynamic school partnerships and ensuring the greatest benefit to all parties involved” said Kristin Colon, president and CEO of the Denver Public Schools Foundation. “The School Partners Program has become a deeply valued conduit through which the community can contribute to the success of DPS’ 81,000 students. We know that it will grow stronger and bring even greater value to DPS schools under Nicole’s leadership.” Read more about Capage-Brown’s appointment here.

The School Partners Program engages businesses and organizations to direct resources, time and expertise to help strengthen DPS schools. In turn, School Partners enjoy a positive connection to students and the community, a better understanding of the challenges facing the school system, and a sense of personal involvement in the schools. Learn more about the School Partners Program – including information on how to become a School Partner and a list of existing Partners - here. If you are a school looking for more information about the program, click here.

IKON Gives $30,000 to DPS Prep League, Sponsors DPS Foundation Gala

IKON Office Solutions has once again made an incredibly generous gift to DPS’ middle school sports program, Prep League. Pictured below are DPS Foundation President Kristin Colon (left) and DPS Superintendent Tom Boasberg (right) accepting the $30,000 check from IKON’s John Senkiw.

Kristin Colon, John Senkiw and DPS Superintendent Tom Boasberg

Thanks to IKON’s support, thousands of DPS middle school kids are on the field, court and track after school every day across Denver. Participation in team sports builds self-esteem, encourages a healthy lifestyle, improves school attendance and grades, and teaches invaluable principles of discipline and teamwork.

IKON is also a valued supporter of the DPS Foundation’s Achieve Gala. Make sure to join us on Tuesday, April 24th to celebrate the great progress in Denver Public Schools and the impact of supporters like IKON on our students and classrooms!

The Power of Your Support: DPS Foundation’s 2010-11 Report to the Community is Available Now!

The DPS Foundation is pleased to share our 2010-11 Report to the Community. In this important publication, we share the exponential impact of tremendous community support for our schools in the last school year. Hear about the programs you’ve made possible… the students whose lives you’ve helped improve… and the lasting and tangible changes your investment is making in classrooms across Denver.

Read the 2010-11 Report to the Community now!

Read the 2010-11 Report to the Community