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News & Events

Press Releases

2009 Annual Celebration of Denver Public Schools Raises $900,000 for Student Achievement

DENVER, May 7, 2009 – The 2009 Annual Celebration of Denver Public Schools (DPS) attracted over 1,200 guests on Wednesday, April 22. The "Achieve” gala, organized by the DPS Foundation, raised $900,000 to support a wide range of programs to improve student achievement.

Key supporters of this year’s gala included presenting sponsor UMB Bank and event sponsors Comcast, Tiffany & Co., Denver Post Community, and the Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center, where the event was held. Valedictorian-level sponsors were Marcy & Bruce Benson, Morgridge Family Foundation, Martha Records & Rich Rainaldi, Kristin & Blair Richardson, Rockmont Capital Partners, Ltd., Salazar Family Foundation, and United Launch Alliance

Proceeds from the event help the DPS Foundation fund strategic programs that support student achievement, including:

• implementation of the district’s first standardized elementary school science curriculum
• after-school and summer tutoring and enrichment programs
• leadership development training for principals
• middle school sports
• grants to individual schools to fund field trips, classroom activities and enrichment materials

Rob Cohen, chairman and CEO of The IMA Financial Group, Inc. served as chair of this year’s event, with Governor Bill Ritter and Mayor John Hickenlooper serving as honorary co-chairs. The evening featured remarks from DPS Superintendent Tom Boasberg and North High School senior Isaac Solano, as well as a video greeting from U.S. Senator and former DPS Superintendent Michael Bennet.

Student volunteers from the DPS Student Board of Education, Cheltenham Elementary, Cory Elementary, Fairview Elementary, Rachel B. Noel Middle School, Teller Elementary and Valdez K-8 School greeted guests as they entered the Hyatt at Colorado Convention Center. The highlight of the evening was a variety of student performances including the Denver Citywide Marching Band, Traylor Academy “Roar of the Tiger” choir, the Green Valley Elementary Grizzlies Step Team, and the Denver School of the Arts Sinfonia. 

Watch the video aired at the event (provided by Comcast).

About the Denver Public Schools Foundation

The DPS Foundation raises funds in support of the district’s ambitious education reform plan to improve student achievement. The DPS Foundation supports programs such as principal leadership development, resources for teachers and classrooms, and after-school and summer enrichment programs. Our vision is a community dedicated to making DPS the leading big-city school district in the country, where all students receive a first-rate education and graduate with the knowledge, talent, and confidence to become future leaders. For more information, visit www.dpsfoundation.org.

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Contact: Natalie Wilkins
720-423-3877
nwilkins@dpsfoundation.org