Oakland Elementary School students enjoyed new books thanks to the A to Z Fund.
Biology. Financial education. Field Trips. Instruments. Libraries. Software.
When it comes to giving Denver Public School students the education they deserve, the sky is the limit. That’s why the DPS Foundation started the A to Z Fund – to provide materials and opportunities that fall outside classroom budgets, but have a lasting impact on curious young learners. From aspiring Astronauts to Zoologists. And everything in between.
The A to Z Fund has granted more than $700,000 since 2006, providing new classroom technology, funding for field trips and competition travel, new musical instruments, books and much more. This school year alone, the A to Z Fund provided grants to 60 schools in DPS. As a result, thousands of students have had access to enriching programs and opportunities.
Particularly in the current climate of budget cuts and strain on our schools, providing these opportunities is more important than ever. And the demand far outweighs the capacity of the Fund – every year, dozens of grant requests are turned down because there aren’t sufficient funds to approve them all. Please consider supporting the A to Z Fund, knowing the difference it will make for thousands of students. Read about how the fall 2011 A to Z Fund grants are impacting DPS students this semester…
The DPS Foundation invites all DPS schools to apply for funding twice per year – in the fall and the spring. Here are a few highlights of A to Z projects that are now under way in DPS thanks to the fall funding cycle:
- Third through fifth grade students at Steele Elementary will participate in the Ameritowne program at Young Americans Bank.
- Sabin International will purchase non-fiction books to update its library collection.
- Harrington will award students who participate in after-school tutoring with an overnight adventure at the Denver Zoo.
- Oakland Elementary’s ECE students will visit the Butterfly Pavilion prior to their study unit on bugs. Teachers will also purchase caterpillars and ladybugs larvae to accompany the unit to enhance student learning.
- Students at Greenwood E-8 will serve as field biologist apprentices, study field ecology of birds of prey and publish their findings in a book.
Schools will apply again in the spring. Help us grow the fund and make even more opportunities reality! Donate to the A to Z Fund today.