2014-2015 Annual Report

DOUGLAS COUNTY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION 2014-2015 Annual Report Supporting Our Schools. – Douglas County Educational Foundation Message from the Board Leadership How Schools and Departments Benefited 2014-15 Board of Trustees As the Douglas County Educational Foundation (DCEF) enters its 25th year of serving the Apple Awards Amy Sherman community, it was somewhat fitting to be recognized this past year as one of the Twenty- An estimated 900+ guests honored teachers and District staff during the tenth annual Apple Five Best K-12 Foundations in the U.S. (Dewey & Associates, “Stepping Up: The Top Board Chair Awards, an event created to recognize excellent and innovative employees. More than 180 K-12 Education Foundations in the Nation” 09/24/2014) amazing Douglas County teachers, support staff and administrators, representing every school, Douglas County Board of Education How does an organization become one of the top of its kind were celebrated. in the country? In a word: Impact. It’s seen in the eyes of Douglas H. Benevento the 750+ families who no longer have to worry whether or Career Connect - High School not their children will have the necessary school supplies This hands-on program gives DCSD students the opportunity to talk with professionals in Dr. Elizabeth Celania-Fagen on their first day back. It’s in the spirited expressions of the various career fields, learn about their industry and discover the educational preparation Douglas County School District, 5,000+ students who get to meet and interact with 68 area required to succeed in those careers. In the 2014 - 2015 school year, approximately 250 DCSD employers at our 8th Grade Career Expo. Superintendent students and 33 employers participated. Impact is found in the 6000+ AmeriTowne and Young Members at Large Americans’ Bank, gaining valuable insight into financial Career Connect 8th Grade Expo literacy. It’s also with some of our most valuable community This event was designed to expose students to a variety of career options and give them Nancy Bunte resources -- the 110 participants in our Senior Employee an opportunity to ask employers questions. Douglas County municipalities and businesses John Carson Program -- who share their time and talent for the benefit of financially sponsored the event and 68 employers from Douglas County and Metro-Denver our students and our schools. It’s in the determined pride participated, hosting over 5,000 8th grade students from 18 Douglas County schools. Mike Cummins of the 108 female student athletes recognized at the Girls & Women in Sports Luncheon. It’s also in the honor of being Community Nights Wes King recognized for excellence, innovation, and a spirit of service District families were provided opportunities to enjoy professional sporting events with the among our Apple Award nominees, finalists, and winners. Janet Lowe Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Mammoth and the Colorado Rapids. Children, Patrick Mooney One last area of impact is the support DCEF provides to the parents and District staff also enjoyed watching the Colorado Rockies and had fun at Elitch more than 100 chapters and booster clubs who raised over $5 million last year to benefit Gardens Theme Park and the National Western Stock Show, all at a substantially reduced Linda Watson individual schools, athletic teams, and programming. DCEF Chapters are afforded the cost. More that 13,000 people, from every school in the District, participated in the many ability to operate under our 501(c)(3) status and receive professional services such as recreational events throughout the year and raised over $37,000 for DC Schools. David Weaver bookkeeping, tax preparation, liability insurance, and technical support. Jim Yates This is our tradition. Last year the DCEF Board of Trustees hired a permanent, full-time Douglas County School Supply Drive director whom we expect to build on these traditions through new partnerships and The 2014 Douglas County School Supply Donation and Distribution Drive supported more increased financial resources. than 700 students and 278 teacher and classroom requests. The Foundation, joined by our community partners, distributed from than 400 backpacks and other supplies to students It’s been my privilege and honor to serve as Chair of the Foundation’s Board over the last through out Douglas County School District. More thank 72 organizations and individuals two years. I invite you to join us in supporting Douglas County Schools! donated cash and school supplies; and 87 volunteers worked more than 400 hours to pick up, Sincerely, inventory, pack and distribute school supplies. Amy Sherman Employee Appreciation BBQ Chair, DCEF Board of Trustees DCEF values the contribution made by District employees and supports a variety of employee 2013-2015 appreciation events including the summer bar-b-que. 2 DOUGLAS COUNTY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION 2014-2015 Annual Report 3 How Schools and Departments Benefited Schools and Departments Who Benefited in 2014-2015 Academy Charter School Early Childhood Education Pioneer Elementary Thank you for providing Acres Green Elementary eDCSD: Colorado Cyber School Platte River Academy Girls and Women in Sports an opportunity for This event, which is held in conjunction with the National Girls and Women in Sports Day, honors female our young people American Academy - Castle Pines Eldorado Elementary Pine Lane Elementary student-athletes from throughout DCSD. The event acknowledges the past and recognizes current sports that will spark their American Academy - Parker Flagstone Elementary Plum Creek Academy achievements, the positive influence of sports participation and the continuing effort for equality and access understanding of how Arrowwood Elementary Fox Creek Elementary Ponderosa High School for women in sports. School administrators and coaches nominate outstanding middle and high school important it is now to Aspen View Academy Franktown Elementary Prairie Crossing Elementary athletes for their positive influence on others, excellence in academics and in their sport(s). “ begin to consider their future careers. Bear Canyon Elementary Frontier Valley Elementary Purchasing Department Golf for Education Ben Franklin Academy Gold Rush Elementary Ranch View Middle School ~ Jim Fish, Director of On July 28, 2014, the DCEF raised nearly $55,000 at the Golf for Education X tournament. These monies Buffalo Ridge Elementary Heritage Elementary Redstone Elementary are designated to the Fill the Gap initiative. Grant and scholarship funds can cover everything from Middle Schools comprehensive interventions for help with below-level reading to matching funds for a classroom Smart Cantril Pre-School Highlands Ranch High School Renaissance Elementary Board. Castle Rock Elementary HOPE Online Charter School Magnet School Castle Rock Middle School Human Resource Department RMSEL Love Our Schools Luncheon The DCEF consistently does a phenomenal job Castle View High School Information Technology Dept Rock Canyon High School The Second Annual Love Our Schools event was held on December 12, 2014 in conjunction with of hosting the Apple Center for Professional Development Iron Horse Elementary Rock Ridge Elementary Colorado Give Week. Nearly 200 community leaders in both the private and public sector gathered to Awards. It is a wonderful Challenge to Excellence hear about how DCEF supports Douglas County Schools. Chairman of the DCSD Board of Education, celebration honoring Larkspur Elementary Rocky Heights Middle School Kevin Larsen, thanked the Foundation for partnering with the District in its efforts to deliver a 21st our DCSD teachers, Chaparral High School Legacy Point Elementary Roxborough Pri/Int Century Education to its students. DCSD’s Director of Nutrition Services, Brent Craig, spoke about administrators and staff. Cherokee Trail Elementary Legend High School Saddle Ranch Elementary receiving starter funds to create the Nutrition Breaks program which provides nutritious mid-morning PHOTO snacks for students on free & reduced lunch. Apple Award-winning teacher, Mary Blevins Harper, ~ Dorinda Hedin Cherry Valley Elementary Lone Tree Elementary Sage Canyon Elementary gave guests a virtual tour inside her classroom which received an innovation-overhaul abandoning the Choice Department Mammoth Heights Elementary Sagewood Middle School traditional desks-in-a-row model for a more free-flowing classroom that engages its students. Lastly, Cimarron Middle School Meadow View Elementary Sand Creek Elementary keynote speaker and Douglas County Commissioner, Jill Repella, praised DCEF and DCSD for the critical role schools play in the growth and economic strength of Douglas County. THANK YOU for the gift of Clear Sky Elementary Mesa Middle School Sedalia Elementary our three cute backpacks Cloverleaf Home Education Mountain Ridge Middle School Sierra Middle School Retirement Celebration full of amazing school Copper Mesa Elementary Mountain View Elementary SkyView Academy supplies!We are just so Each year, DCSD honors retiring employees for their years of service and commitment to DCSD. DCEF touched by the care and Cougar Run Elementary Mountain Vista High School Soaring Hawk Elementary assists with the celebration annually. thoughtfulness with which Coyote Creek Elementary Northeast Elementary South Ridge Elementary Wacky W Cycling Event they were collected and Cresthill Middle School Northridge Elementary Special Education assembled. My kids love On September 14, 2014 hundreds of community members participated in

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