The '21/'22 Stedman Elementary PTA fundraising campaign can be found here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/invest-in-stedman-elementary-2021-2022
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The '20/'21 campaign is here:
***UPDATE*** We are thrilled to have crossed our initial $20,000 fundraising goal. Because of your enthusiasm for this campaign and the increased needs of our growing school, we're increasing our goal to $27,500 to enable us to resource our library and the two new classrooms we're adding to Stedman next year.
At Stedman Elementary, we build community. We would like to invite you to join us in those efforts.
Stedman Elementary (a Denver Public School) is a thriving and diverse neighborhood school in North Park Hill in Denver, Colorado. Founded in 1924, Stedman has a rich history of representing many ethnicities, languages, faiths, and socioeconomic backgrounds with great pride. We are committed to excellence in our instruction and community-building to make sure that all students achieve personal and academic success. Our school enjoys the tremendous benefits that come with having a diverse student population. It is one of our most prized qualities as a school community!
Like many communities around us, the global pandemic impacted us, even more so than some larger schools in the area. Our annual online (and largest) fundraiser last year abruptly ended with schools being shut down in March 2020, and we were unable to hit our ambitious goal. Our fundraising capabilities have also been hurt by not being able to host our normal in-person events that bring our families together for both the community and the chance to give.
Due to the pandemic and health regulations, we have implemented protocols that take a toll on our school’s budget. We invested in our children’s learning and safety and are determined to make the best for them in this situation. This means we have also invested in the necessary technologies in all our classrooms for our teachers and each of our students. We provided the proper PPE to maintain all CDC and Denver Public Schools regulations, including protective tabletop shields, extra masks and face shields, increased volume of soap and hand sanitizer, as well as increased cleaning supplies. In addition, we have supported families hit hardest by this pandemic and by other tragedies that too many of them have had to face.
With the majority of our students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch (indicating the number of families with fewer financial resources),
Stedman has an increased need for support. Colorado is ranked 40th in school funding, and smaller schools, like ours, feel these realities most acutely. As our school has continued to grow, we still have a gap in our funding from the district and our actual community needs.
“If we’ve learned anything this year, it is that it takes a village as we continue to navigate a global pandemic, virtual learning, in-person learning, and all of the additional hills and valleys," said principal, Mike Atkins . "We have been able to embrace the community we created before and during the pandemic. I look forward with great anticipation to the continual growth of this community and the understanding that schools or parents don’t raise our young in isolation, but together as a community.”
As the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), we believe in Stedman’s promise and celebrate the ways donors can make such a meaningful difference in our community. Donations in the past have been able to give students experiences they would otherwise not be able to have. These efforts include things like field trips for every grade level, bringing art and science days to the school and staff, and a variety of after-school clubs like yoga, geography, choir, and improv!
This year looked a little different on how we were able to support our children, but we were able to adapt and give, thanks to our past fundraising efforts. We provided the school with emergency budget relief, provided the teachers with increased classroom needs, and, most of all, supported our families with support like emergency groceries, health, and medicinal necessities.
We serve amid a global pandemic.
With your support, we will continue to navigate our new normal and find creative ways to give our students educational experiences in and out of the classroom! How can you lend a hand? The money raised this year will help to fund:
- $25: Art supplies for one student
- $50: Field Trip Fees for 10 students
- $500: New Lenovo Chromebook to support our students in the classroom and at home
- $2,000: One month’s salary for a paraprofessional to support our students
Please consider making a donation in honor of our amazing students. Like you, we believe children are worthy of every opportunity and resource that we can provide.
Stedman PTA is a 501(c)3. All donations are tax-deductible and will be applied to the greatest needs outlined by our PTA. If you would prefer to give by check or cash, you can still do so by giving to the Stedman PTA. Make checks out to Stedman PTA and mail to Stedman Elementary PTA, 2940 Dexter Street, Denver, CO 80207.
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