Christmas in December...Christmas in July
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Gratitude. Generosity. They sometimes go hand-in-hand.
It's by our generosity, recipients express gratitude. Often times it's our gratitude that motivates us to be more generous. 'Tis the season when our senses to these two states are heightened.
Here at the Douglas County Educational Foundation we experience generosity and gratitude year 'round. Last year, DCEF Chapters throughout the district raised $5.5 million for their respective schools. Students and teachers alike are afforded opportunities their budgets otherwise would not.
This past July, DCEF - with the support of various businesses, churches, and other non-profits - held its annual Lend-A-Hand School Supply Drive where we distributed nearly $60,000 worth of school supplies to over 700 students in need. It was an incredible display of generosity and was not without moving expressions of gratitude. A newly-single mother of three fought back tears as she picked up ready-to-go backpacks for her children. She had never been in this situation before and was doing her best to keep normal a family life disrupted.
Need certainly knows no season and we're grateful to be in a position to help. As you consider your charitable giving, I would ask you to consider the DCEF .
Wishing you and yours a most blessed holiday season, I am
Respectfully yours,
Jason D. Christensen
Executive Director
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John Ratzenberger Headlines "Love Our Schools" Gala - January 29
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Looking for a unique gift idea? How about a nice evening out that also benefits our students, teachers and schools? Then consider purchasing tickets for DCEF's 4th Annual Love Our Schools Gala!
Love Our Schools 2016 will feature accomplished actor, inventor and entrepreneur, John Ratzenberger. Perhaps best known as Cliff Clavin from the popular TV show "Cheers," Ratzenberger holds the distinction of being the only person to appear in every Pixar movie produced. Ratzenberger's passion, however, is promoting career and technical education in our nation's schools.
John will bring his presentation, "Made in America: Expanding Skill, Education, and Entrepreneurship for the 21st Century" to Douglas County on Friday, January 29, 2016. Cielo at Castle Pines will play host to this special evening benefitting DCEF's Innovation Fund, which provides monies for classroom equipment, technology needs, student enrichment activities, and professional development opportunities for our teachers.
 "We're excited to have John Ratzenberger here in Douglas County to support our schools and the Foundation. He has a great personal story, but more importantly he shares our District's vision which is to prepare our students for a 21st Century workforce," said Jason Christensen, Executive Director of DCEF. Tickets are on sale now. Discount pricing is available for Douglas County School District employees. To receive 20% off, call the DCEF office at 303.387.0505. To make a reservation, please click here. |
DCEF Success on Colorado Gives Day
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WE DID IT! Thanks to our generous donors, the DCEF surpassed our fundraising total from last year for Colorado Gives Day. For the second year in a row, we DOUBLED the number of contributions received to support our schools, classrooms and chapters. Thanks also to the DC Special Education Advisory Committee, STEM School, RCHS After Prom, and Cimarron MS for raising funds through their chapter "fundraising pages." The statewide total topped $28.4 million and the 46 Douglas County non-profits participating in Colorado Gives Day raised just over $500,000.
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Cimarron Middle School's PTO kicked off the holiday season with its' 2nd Annual Festival of Trees, December 5 in the school commons. Over 40 themed trees were on display and available to win, including a Star Wars tree, several trees for sports enthusiasts with tickets to see the Broncos, Nuggets and Avalanche play, and even one tree with over $1000 in gift cards! There was definitely something for everyone! Other festivities included an ugly sweater contest and breakfast served by Chick fil A.
The event was a great success with nearly 500 people attending and bringing in almost $12,500, which will help fund ever-growing technology needs and the unique needs of the counseling department. This year over 70 business and individuals donated trees or gifts making it a true community event! Legend High School donated a tree for the second year in a row and 15 trees came from students and teachers of Cimarron. CIMS alumni, Chase Matthews, showed up to serve as this years' Elf of Ceremonies, along with CIMS' 2016 Apple Award representative, Suzanne Rodgers. The PTO looks forward to this annual event that continues to grow each year.
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 The Process Unfolds |
5,775 nominations
2,100 nominees
177 representatives
33 finalists
3 winners
The process began in early September and this past week the winners of the 2016 Apple Awards were selected. Of course, we're not letting you know until the big night when we shine a light on ALL of our outstanding teachers, principals and school district staff! For a list of school representatives, click here.
The 11th Annual Apple Awards will be held Saturday, March 5, 2016 at the Sheraton Downtown Denver. For more information about the Awards, click here.
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Does your Chapter ever need to pay a District employee for services above and beyond their regular job, perhaps for coaching, for an after school enrichment class, or maybe for directing the school play or making costumes? These transactions are considered "extra pay" by the District and must be processed through Workday via the school (usually by the bookkeeper). Once those fees are processed the Chapter can reimburse the school for those costs via a transfer (or Intra District Charge form). Keep in mind that paychecks are issued on the 20th each month, so extra pay requests must be submitted to the school by the 1st of the month to be paid that same month. If the requests are submitted after the 1st, then payment will not be made until the following month.
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 Community Events Make Great Holiday Gifts for Family and Friends!
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January 9 - January 24
National Western Stock Show Community Days at the National Western Complex. Event flyer.
Sat., January 23, 7:30 p.m.
Denver Nuggets Community Night at the Pepsi Center. Event flyer.
Visit our website for more community event information.
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