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Denver Public Schools Foundation Awards Over $50,000 in Grants to Schools

DENVER, Oct. 12, 2009 – The Denver Public Schools Foundation recently awarded $51,941 in grants to 42 schools in the district through the DPS Foundation’s “A to Z Fund.”

The A to Z Fund is a grant program for individual DPS schools that supports programs and activities that go beyond the schools’ limited budgets. The fund ensures that DPS students have equal opportunity to participate in enriching learning experiences. The DPS Foundation distributes A to Z grants ranging in value from $250 to $2,000 twice per school year – in the fall and spring.

“The A to Z Fund gives DPS classrooms resources to provide their students with enriching activities and learning opportunities,” said Kristin Heath Colon, president and CEO of the DPS Foundation. “Without these grants, many students could not take field trips or enter academic competitions and teachers could not purchase supplemental educational materials – like literacy software and science fair materials. Our A to Z Fund helps ensure that all students from all backgrounds at all schools have access to these educational opportunities – even if their school community does not have the ability to fundraise or directly pay for those expenses.”

Some of the grants awarded will fund the following:

Stand-out Math Camp for 3rd-5th grade students at Beach Court Elementary
Software licenses for the “Reading A to Z” program for 33 classes at Cowell Elementary
Fieldtrips to the Denver Art Museum and Colorado Symphony for students at Doull Elementary
Books for after-school book clubs at Edison Elementary and Montclair Elementary
Expenses to send students at George Washington High School to attend the Journalism Education Association National Convention in Washington DC
Supplies for the school garden at Bradley International School
A fieldtrip to take 10th and 11th grade students at Manual High School to see Shakespeare's Othello at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Set and costume materials for theater students at Thomas Jefferson High School
Poetry workshops for students in 5th-8th grade at Cole Arts and Sciences Academy

The A to Z Fund is made possible through generous support in our community. Additional funding is needed to respond to spring grant requests. Donations can be made to the A to Z Fund at www.dpsfoundation.org or by calling 720-423-3553.

About the Denver Public Schools Foundation
The DPS Foundation raises and manages funds in support of various programs that drive student achievement, including principal leadership development, resources for teachers and classrooms, and after-school tutoring and enrichment programs. Through strategic program investments and community leadership, we support Denver Public Schools in creating a district where outstanding educational achievements are the norm and all children have hope of a great future. For more information, visit www.dpsfoundation.org.

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Contact:

Denver Public Schools Foundation

Natalie Wilkins

Communications Director

nwilkins@dpsfoundation.org

720-423-3877