This article from Chalkbeat Colorado explains how funding disparities are growing as parent and community groups are filling gaps in school funding. In our education work, in schools where over 90% of the students receive free or reduced lunch because of family income challenges, funding school projects is hard. PTOs and PTAs are starting at our local elementary schools, but are still in their infancy. Many parents work during the day and don’t have time to volunteer for parent led organizations. It is almost impossible for Jefferson Junior/Senior High School to compete with the well established fundraising efforts at nearby Lakewood High School and Wheat Ridge High School.

We are realizing that there is a need for unified fundraising efforts for our local schools so that students can succeed and schools can thrive. Students who are involved in extracurricular activities and sports programs are more likely to attend school more regularly and do better academically.  After school programs take funding and funding is in short supply. Last year we assisted district staff in writing a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant to fund after school programs at Jefferson and Lumberg. We also helped bring Soccer for Success and their excellent after school soccer program to Lumberg and Edgewater.

Next week, we will be meeting with a group of coaches and parents from Jefferson Junior/Senior High to start the Jefferson Saints Booster Club. This Booster Club will promote all of the sports at Jefferson and hopes to rally the Edgewater community and alumni around the sports teams.

Edgewater Collective also is in communication with school administration and teachers about their needs in the classroom. Teachers do not need to be self-funding their projects so we help get the word out about projects to the surrounding community. Here are some of the projects that we are currently looking for partners to help fund.

The schools in our community do impact our area. Students in our local schools are members of our community. They work in our area retail stores and restaurants. They drive through our community. They represent Edgewater to the broader Denver area. These students are working hard every day to overcome some serious roadblocks to their current and future success. As an Edgewater community, we have an important role to play in making sure our local schools are places where every student has a chance to thrive.

Join us as we work to see thriving schools in Edgewater!

Give your time, talent or treasure to the next generation!