|
|
Hey donors, can you feel the LOVE?
Who donates to the DCIS Foundation? Who volunteers at the Gala? Who contributes to the silent auction? The answer: People like you—individuals who believe in the power of student travel to change lives. WE ❤️ OUR DONORS!
In our Year-End Fundraising Campaign, we raised $23,611 (including the challenge match). While we came just shy of our goal, this support will still make a huge impact. Thank you for believing in our mission and our growth potential.
Want to see the people who made it happen? CLICK HERE to view our donor list.
| | |
|
Multi-age Intercultural trip to NYC
jump-starts the spring season.
| |
|
|
After completing interviews for their group travel application, this group of DPS students was joined by educators Caroline Kerswil and Charlie Tunnell, along with DCIS Foundation board members Brady Efting, Erin Sorce, and Brandon Bohn, Their action-packed educational trip includes visits to Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, the United Nations, MoMA, the National Museum of the American Indian, the 9/11 Memorial, backstage tours on Broadway, and much more. | | | |
Your Board of Directors: They are working hard and making changes to increase student impact. | |
|
CHANGES starting in Fall 2025 - Expanding our reach within DPS:
1) INDIVIDUAL SCHOLARSHIPS will be awarded yearly to a set number of DPS high school students.
2) GROUP SCHOLARSHIPS will be awarded yearly to a set number of DPS middle and high school groups.
3) TOOLKIT and coaching for schools to help develop immersive student group trips, reduce expenses, and support teachers.
| |  |
|
Pictured (left to right): Brady Efting, Joy Miller Oliver, Matt Weimer, Brandon Bohn, Dave Smith (President), Erin Sorce, Stacy Yauk (Secretary), and Julia Spratt. Not pictured: Bob Bresnahan (Treasurer), Matt Harrison, and Shea Kauffman.
Our small but mighty team has a volunteer board and expert advisors, no office space, and no full-time employees. We are laser-focused on raising money to help students travel nationally or internationally. Read more about our team. CLICK HERE.
| | |
|
Each year, we are thrilled to welcome back familiar faces to our fundraising Gala, and we're equally excited to engage new friends within the DPS community.
This year's theme, "Why We Travel," is a celebration of the magic and meaning behind every journey we take. Inspired by renowned travel educator Rick Steves, it captures the thrill of stepping into the unknown, the joy of uncovering hidden gems, and the wonder of history coming to life. It’s about those unexpected moments—the surprises, the food, the connections, and the shared humanity that make travel truly transformative. We invite you to join us.
Saturday, April 26, 5:30 to 8:30, Halcyon Hotel, Cherry Creek, Denver
Tickets go on sale on Monday, March 3, 2025, at noon, on our website. This event sells out yearly, so we encourage you to reserve your tickets when they go on sale.
Do you know a deserving ALUMNI who has traveled and is making a difference? Nominate them.
| |
|
TRIPS IN DEVELOPMENT: Guatemala for Morey Middle School Spanish Students, Summer 2025, several 2026 group trips from DPS high schools, and field trips at DCIS Fairmont.
TRIPS RECENTLY COMPLETED: Japan Immersive Exchange, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Italian Exchange Program, European Cultural Trip, Pacific Rim, and Science History in Paris.
Individual donors make it happen.❤️
| |
|
Our newest board member, Joy Miller Oliver, is already making a meaningful impact. Joy has years of executive experience with sustainability and corporate affairs for companies like FIS Global, Western Union, and the ICICI Foundation for Inclusive Growth.
Joy did a sabbatical in Guatemala, was a part of the US REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM in Ghana, attended the ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE INSTITUTE at Oxford, and had a FULBRIGHT SCHOLARSHIP in Peru. Joy understands the value of being a global citizen.
| |
|
LOVE + GRATITUDE
Interim Principal Rhonda Juett at DCIS Baker showed herself to be a caring and thoughtful professional during unprecedented changes. Thank you, Rhonda. ❤️
DCIS Baker CSC members dedicated countless hours to give feedback on budgets, curriculum, and hiring. Our school community is filled with dedicated people who care about students. We appreciate you, thank you. ❤️
DCIS Baker students protested, gave heartfelt testimonies, and fought for their school. It was humbling to listen and watch. Because of their efforts, the curriculum you love will continue to thrive in a new form and at new schools across DPS. We learned from you about commitment and what it means to rally for an important cause. We see you and are inspired by you. Thank you. ❤️
| Photo credit: Denver Gazette, used for educational purposes. | |
|
The DCIS Foundation's mission is to advocate for and financially support immersive student educational travel, whether local, national, or international. We provide funding for focused activities, including language learning, academic exchanges, peer-to-peer and community engagement, host family connections, and cultural learning experiences.
To date, we have donated over $650,000 to help DPS students travel. Join our mission and help us create global citizens. It is a great local cause with a measurable impact.
CLICK HERE to learn more.
| |
|
Board of Directors:
Dave Smith, President
Stacy Yauk, VP/Secretary
Robert Bresnahan, Treasurer
Matt Harrison, Past President
Brandon Bohn
Brady Efting
Shea Kauffman
Joy Miller Oliver
Dana Novara
Erin Sorce
Julia Spratt
Matt Weimer
Council of Advisors:
Sally Bishop
Christine Ekman
Claudia Morlan
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.
| | | | |
