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Denver Public Schools Foundation Awards $64,578 in Grants to
DPS Classrooms

DENVER, May 1, 2011 – The Denver Public Schools (DPS) Foundation recently awarded $64,578 in grants to 56 schools through the A to Z Fund spring cycle.

The A to Z Fund is a grant program for individual DPS schools which supports programs and activities that go beyond limited classroom 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. Since its inception in 2005, the A to Z fund has provided more than $703,000 in funding to 133 schools.

“The A to Z Fund puts resources and opportunities directly in the hands of our teachers, and has an immediate, tangible impact on our students,” 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. These opportunities are crucial to a well-rounded education for our students.”

Particularly in difficult economic times, A to Z Fund grants help ensure that all students have access to enriching learning opportunities despite tightening classroom budgets.

“Our A to Z Fund gives students from all backgrounds at all schools access to these materials and experiences – even if their school community does not have the ability to fundraise or directly pay for those expenses,” said Colon. “It also helps prevent teachers from paying out of pocket to help fund these opportunities for their students, which we know happens all too often in tight budget years.”

Spring 2011 A to Z grants will fund the following:

After-school art club for 3rd – 5th graders at Barney Ford Elementary, culminating in a fieldtrip to Denver Art Museum.
Montbello High School JROTC students to attend the Golden Bear Regional Drill Meet in Montebello, CA testing the team’s ability to react with precision, exercise problem solving and work together.
An opportunity for special needs students at Florida Pitt Waller to participate in the Special Olympics.
Visits to regional college campuses to encourage Harrington Elementary School 6th graders to focus on their higher education opportunities.
Travel costs for KIPP Sunshine Peak Academy 6th graders to visit Moab, Zion, and Bryce Canyon to expand earth science learning, leadership, teamwork, and critical thinking skills.
A trip to Los Angeles for Kunsmiller Creative Academy 8th graders to participate in Disney YES! Leadership program, visit area universities, and discuss careers in the arts with successful artists.

However, demand far outweighs the capacity of the A to Z Fund. Grant requests this cycle totaled nearly $100,000.

“Every year, we have a very intense grant review process, and ultimately, we cannot fully fund every request,” said Colon. “We depend on community support to keep the A to Z grants alive, and impacting as many of our classrooms as possible. Particularly in these times of very tight classroom budgets, the support of the community for initiatives like the A to Z Fund becomes even more imperative.”

Contributions to the DPS Foundation’s A to Z Fund can be made online 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

Sarah Dixon

Director of Marketing & Communications

sdixon@dpsfoundation.org

720-423-3877