Supporting our students together
Our school was created around the idea of fostering community, and that spirit continues today in everything we do at DDES.
Are you ready to get involved? There are multiple ways to give your time, services, expertise and funding to support the great things happening at DDES.
Volunteer
Getting Started
We have a variety of volunteer opportunities throughout the year. In order to serve our community, and for the safety of both you as the volunteer and for the safety of our students, DDES requires all volunteers/chaperones to complete the DDES Chaperone form. This form requires:
- Completion of a CBI background check completed each school year, with results shared with the school.
- Uploaded copy of vehicle insurance and driver’s license, if you plan to drive any students besides your own.
Schoolwide Opportunities
Fieldwork and Adventure Chaperones: Crew leaders will share information about opportunities. In the meantime, make sure to complete your background check as noted above.
Scholastic Book Fairs: Because of you, our teachers get $2,500 in books each year! Contact frontoffice@ddeschool.org to see how you can get involved.
DDES Family Council Fundraising Committee: Help with our annual event, restaurant nights, grocery programs, and more! Contact ddesfundraising@gmail.com.
Donate Goods and Services:
- Equity Book Drop: The equity group joins the Human Rights Campaign and the mission of Diverse Books in their commitment to “promote or amplify diversification efforts and increase visibility for diverse books and authors, with a goal of empowering a wide range of readers in the process.” If you would like to donate books that feature protagonists in fiction and nonfiction who exhibit gender, racial, ethnic, cultural, and ability diversity, please donate to the front desk.
- Adventure Gear: Our oldest kids are getting big! If you have adult gently used outdoor gear in sizes XS or small – including rain pants, snow pants, fleece jackets, winter boots, winter jackets – please drop them off at the front office or contact Curtis.Huey@ddeschool.org.
Blue Bear Buddies to Read with Our Students: Our volunteer reading program is designed to engage members of the Denver community with DDES students and foster a lifelong love of reading. We pair an adult with one or two students for 30-45 minutes each week for read-alouds. If you are new to the program, please click on the link to complete the volunteer information form: Blue Bear Buddies.
Family Council
The DDES Family Council is a parent-led effort to support our students, our school, and our families. We started this organization in 2013 during the first year of DDES, and a parent survey identified four main areas of focus: fundraising, enrichment, organizing, and communications.
Join us! The leadership committee meets every month, and sub-committees meet as needed. See the calendar of upcoming events.
We’re always open to new ideas! If you’d like to share an idea, join a committee, or otherwise, reach out to us by emailing DDESFamilyCouncil@gmail.com and we’ll get you connected to the right person.
Annual Auction
Each year, DDES hosts a unique gala event for families and the community. Funds raised during the event support the school’s art, Adventure, Crew Club, movement and music programs. Learn more about the 2025 auction and how you can get involved!
Donate
Each year, DDES hosts a unique gala event for families and the community. Funds raised during the event support the school’s art, Adventure, Crew Club, movement and music programs.
It takes a city to build a school, and we appreciate and welcome gifts from the community.
Colorado Gives is a year-round, online giving website featuring more than 1,800 Colorado nonprofit organizations. Made possible by Community First Foundation, ColoradoGives.org encourages charitable giving by providing comprehensive, objective and up-to-date information about Colorado nonprofits and an easy way to support them online. (Community First Foundation’s tax ID is 51-0157964.) All of the charities on ColoradoGives.org are recognized by the Internal Revenue Service and the Secretary of State and are in good standing. Donations are tax deductible as charitable contributions to the full extent permitted by law.
Please consider making a donation to DDES through Colorado Gives today!