Courageous, talented, promising Samantha Lobato

A sold-out crowd of 1,200 supporters attended Achieve Gala 2012, and nearly $900,000 was raised to support DPS students and schools. We raised $83,000 through individual gifts made on the night of the event – a new record for the DPS Foundation! The entire program was a tribute to the power and potential of the 81,000 students in Denver Public Schools, and  Samantha Lobato is a shining example of how community support is helping DPS graduate our next generation of leaders.

Thank you, Samantha, for sharing your journey with 1,200 people and be the inspiration you are for students, teachers, supporters and the whole community of Denver Public Schools.

Please learn how you too can be a breakthrough for many students at Denver Public Schools.

Science experiments for Stedman’s students – A to Z Fund stories, Part II

Do you remember when you were a kid how fascinating electricity, airplanes, water rockets, chemistry and weights and measurements seemed to be? Students at Stedman Elementary learned about these things in a  hands-on way last semester thanks to a grant from the DPS Foundation’s A to Z Fund. The after-school class at Stedman was taught by Colorado Experiential Learning Lab’s (C.E.E.L.) science educator, Lauren Wilson, whose approach allows students to conduct exciting science experiments and share their learning experience – all while leaving room for fun! Wilson, in his one-on-one instruction, guides students’ explorations from dissecting eyes to building terraria. The day we visited, students were learning about aerodynamics through the building (and flying!) of paper airplanes!

TeleTech celebrates the spirit of the season at McGlone Elementary

TeleTech, a generous DPS community partner, hosted the seventh annual “Spirit of the Season” holiday party at McGlone Elementary School in the Denver’s Montbello community last Monday. More than 1,500 McGlone students and family members were invited to the event, where they enjoyed a special holiday dinner, gifts and a visit from Santa all courtesy of TeleTech.

“McGlone was selected largely because of its vision for 21st century learning and dedication to student success despite the language and economical challenges,” said Emily Eikelberner, executive director of the TeleTech Community Foundation.  “We believe McGlone has created a model for successful educational reform for schools across the country and we are proud to support their tremendous efforts.”

Hundreds of TeleTech employees and their families volunteered more than 2,000 hours to make the event a success.  With 98% of McGlone families living in poverty, the special event was a welcome celebration of the season.

In addition to the party, the TeleTech Community Foundation donated nine Promethean boards, commonly known as interactive white boards, to promote newest learning strategies in McGlone classrooms encouraging interactive learning environment. Thank you, TeleTech Community Foundation. Way to go, McGlone Elementary. Happy Holidays!

Thank you for your support on Colorado Gives Day

The DPS Foundation is pleased to announce that we raised more than $25,000 from the generous community on Colorado Gives Day! We are so grateful to the committed supporters who invested in the children of our community and helped break the Colorado Gives Day record by generating more than $12 million for non-profit organizations statewide.

Thank you very much for your support and participation, which continues to enrich the lives of our students. Your gift will translate into tangible, lasting resources and opportunities for Denver’s students.

While Colorado Gives Day was a tremendous success, the need in Denver Public Schools is still great. Please consider a tax-deductible contribution to the Denver Public Schools Foundation before December 31st. Make a secure, online donation now, or read about other giving vehicles.

Five Ben Carson Reading Rooms Open in Denver Public Schools

Thousands of DPS students now have access to dedicated reading spaces in their schools, thanks to a generous gift from the Richard Lumsden Foundation and the Carson Scholars Fund.

Students enjoying the Ben Carson Reading Room at Samuels Elementary School.

This gift allowed for the construction of Ben Carson Reading Rooms at five local Denver Public Schools: Amesse, Colfax Munroe, Samuels and Swansea. Carson Scholars Fund Co-Founder Mrs. Candy Carson, family members and guests of the Richard Lumsden Foundation, and DPS and community representatives gathered at Samuels Elementary School on October 18th to celebrate the additions.