GLOBAL SCHOLARS CELEBRATION

During our Year-End Fundraising Campaign, we raised $24,680. Last week we donated $25,000 to DCIS schools.

If you donated recently (including Colorado Gives Day), thank you.

Please take a bow and read on to see the real impact you are making.

The DCIS Foundation Board of Directors held their GLOBAL SCHOLARS CELEBRATION on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at DCIS Baker. What a day. Each GLOBAL SCHOLAR got a certificate, pin, and luggage tag to honor them individually and wish them well on their upcoming educational trips.

This group of GLOBAL SCHOLARS will go to China on June 5, 2024. We donated $13,000 to help make this trip happen.

Itinerary includes -

Beijing, Hangzhou, and Shanghai:

Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City visit, Jingshan Mountain, Summer Palace,

National Stadium (Bird's Nest), National Aquatic Center (Water Cube), jade/pearl factory visit, local tea house visit, Kung Fu show, Great Wall, Ming Tombs, Sacred Road, Temple of Heaven Bullet Train, Lingering Garden, Tiger Hill, West Lake Cruise, Gondola Ride, Local Shopkeepers, farmers, and Chinese students and cultural food.

Mandarin Chinese language skills will be practiced along this remarkable international journey.

This group of GLOBAL SCHOLARS will go to Costa Rica on June 10, 2024. We donated $8,000 to help make this trip happen.

Itinerary includes -

San Jose, Arenal, and Monteverde:

Arenal Volcano National Park, Hanging Bridges, Kayaking and horseback riding nature tour, Hot Springs, zip canopy zip line, Santa Elena Biological Reserve, "plant your own tree", beach excursion, Coastal Puntarenas, crocodile safari, Manuel Antonio National Park, Sarchi craft village, and a folklore event.

Spanish language skills will be practiced along this memorable educational trip.

These professionals took time out of their busy schedules to honor students going to China and Costa Rica. From left to right: DCIS Alumni (2011) Tyler Quintana, Treasurer Bob Bresnahan, President Matt Harrison, Board Members Matt Weimer, Julia Spratt, and Lisa Tadiri. There are no better board members anywhere - dedicated, sincere, and kind.

DCIS Fairmont gets a donation check to help ensure equity and continued cultural education.

The DCIS Foundation also took a giant $4,000 check over to DCIS Fairmont. This check is $1000 more than last year's donation. Why? Because this school deserves it and needs it. Brady Efting, long-time board member and past DCIS Baker educator, took time out of his growing real estate business to give Assistant Principal Meg Zimmerman and this 2nd-grade class a surprise visit and this check. P.S. It was pajama day. So fun!

Without these added funds, not all DCIS Fairmont students would be able to attend the cultural and educational trips that are vital to their international curriculum. Fun Fact: DCIS Fairmont has one of the most successful dual-language immersion programs in Denver Public Schools. This year's 5th grade class has been in Spanish immersion since kindergarten. Many are now fluent in Spanish. Learning about other cultures and speaking another language is so important to our future. Sadly, only 1 in 5 students in the U.S. take a foreign language.

Did you or someone you know benefit from DCIS Foundation funding or a scholarship in the past? Did you miss your chance to donate during our year-end fundraising campaign? We've worked hard for over 26 years to raise money for DCIS students. We are a trusted local nonprofit. Please consider a donation today.

Shout out to DCIS Baker Principal Marisa Vasquez (seated) and Assistant Principal Kevin Adams (far left) for helping us coordinate the GLOBAL SCHOLAR celebration. You are great partners! We love working together to give students opportunities.

SAVE THE DATE | Gala 2024 | Saturday, April 27, 2024 | 6 pm

This signature event sold out last year, so you'll want to plan accordingly. Tickets go on sale March 1. The program, award ceremony, food, beverages, auction, and entertainment will be better than ever. Join us for a great night.

Program Note: The photos above are a snapshot of how much fun we had at the Gala last April. This year, due to feedback, we are having a manual silent auction (paper) that will take place at the same time as the digital silent auction. This will allow everyone to jump in and participate. Let the games begin!

To learn more about our annual fundraising GALA including photos, videos, sponsor levels, and benefits, CLICK HERE. To volunteer, send us an email at dcisfoundation@gmail.com.

Upcoming exchanges to Japan and Italy are underway as well as a middle school travel club trip to Los Angeles. The American Exchange Project (AEP) group at DCIS will do another U.S. exchange this summer.

There was a special guest appearance at the GLOBAL SCHOLAR celebration. Who is that familiar face? Sally Bishop!

The DENVER CENTER for INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FOUNDATION's mission is to raise money for student travel scholarships and associated programs that augment the DCIS curriculum. This includes exchanges (local, national, and international), educational excursions (zoos, museums, and nature centers), cultural immersion, and multi-lingual language education. Helping create global citizens since 1997.

Board of Directors:

Matt Harrison, President

Gianina Horton, VP/Secretary

Robert Bresnahan, Treasurer

Brady Efting

Dana Novara

Erin Sorce

Dave Smith

Julia Spratt

Lisa Tadiri

Matt Weimer

Stacy Yauk

Council of Advisors:

Sally Bishop

Christine Ekman

Claudia Morlan

Mario Romero

Alumni Leadership Council:

Piper Backburn

Isabella Berggren

Alba-Leea Campos-Castro

Eduardo Chavez

Mackenzie Christman

Ca’la Connors

Eliza Cummings

Emily Frazer-Abel

Malia Josephine

Davina James

Rebecca Lipman

Justice Miles

Brooke Porter

Freya Quist

Balfe Reynoso

Jack Virnich

Sam Wands

Ex-Officio Board (Active):

Dan Lutz, Ph.D., Founder, and Sr. Advisor

Melanie Grant, Founder, and Sr. Advisor

Cara Goman, Past Board President/Advisor

Nina McGibney, Advisor

In Memory & Honor - Board Member:

Dennis Gallagher

Executive Director/CEO:

Theresa Meier Conley, Ph.D.

Please connect with us and share our content with friends and family.