Inside: A note from Jun, Passport House party pictures, DCIS Foundation earns Platinum status, CO GIVES, new board members, 2026 Gala date final, and lots of great photos! | | A note to you from Jun in Kyoto, Japan | Jun from South High School (pictured here, second from the left) was one of three recipients of our Individual Travel Scholarships awarded during this year’s Gala to support her trip. Jun’s future is bright. Thanks donors! | | |
“Hi! I’m Jun!
I’m currently studying abroad in Kyoto, Japan, where I’m attending a local high school for one semester to learn about Japanese culture and language. I’m doing my best to make the most of it!
So far, my friends and I have explored Osaka, Kyoto, and nearby towns and temples. I’ve made amazing friends and even started taking Korean classes! Japan is so different from the U.S.—kids here are incredibly independent, and it’s common to see elementary students traveling around on their own. This has been one of the biggest adventures of my life, and I hope it inspires more students to study abroad and experience the world around them.
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We earned it.
Guess what local small-but-mighty nonprofit went from GOLD status to PLATINUM status in 2025? We did! We’re proud to share our PLATINUM SEAL from Candid for nonprofit transparency, administrative efficiency, mission, and student results. It’s about trust — and you can trust we work hard each day to advocate and fund student travel in DPS.
| | | We know — everyone is asking for a donation these days. Local giving gets more competitive every year, and small nonprofits like ours can be easy to overlook. But you already understand the value of our mission and the impact these student travel experiences have. If you’re able, please consider supporting the DCIS Foundation on Colorado Gives Day, Tuesday, December 9, 2025. | | Our inaugural Passport House Party on Oct 19 was a wonderful success! This intimate evening of travel enthusiasts gathered at a board member’s home for great food, drinks, and inspiring conversations about global adventures—all while supporting our mission. A special shout-out to Sheridan Samano, our speaker and wildlife travel expert, for sharing her incredible stories. A special thanks to everyone who joined us. Thanks Erin for hosting! See more pictures below. | |
❤️Please donate today:
1) MAIL A CHECK
Anyime before the end fo the year:
PO Box 9044 Denver, CO 80209
(no bank fees)
2) COLORADO GIVES DAY
On or before Tues, Dec 9, 2025
(reduced bank fees and a chance for us to get incentive funds)
https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/Dcis-Foundation
3) GIVE ONLINE
Anyime before the end fo the year:
https://www.dcisfoundation.org/donate
4) PLANNED GIVING
Anytime: Gift annuities, stock, bequests, mandatory retirement distributions, Donor-Advised-Funds, etc. We’ll help you set up a private meeting with our partner The Denver Foundation to make it secure and easy. For more info: dcisfoundation@gmail.com/contactus
| |  | GROUP SCHOLARSHIP FINALISTS | |
Group scholarship applications were accepted all through the month of October and we had fantastic submissions from all over DPS. Three schools were chosen to be finalists. Each of these schools will recieve a group scholarship after their students do a presentation to our board members in mid-December.
Applications were evaluated and scored in four areas: 1) Preparartion and Planning, 2) Active Learning, 3) Deep Immersion, and 4) Cost Effectiveness. CLICK HERE to learn more about our process.
Join me in congratulating these fine DPS schools and their lead teachers.
❤️Japan Exchange Trip from Thomas Jefferson High (plus a West High School student (Lead teacher: Kyler Jackson)
❤️Germany Exchange Educational Trip from East High School (Lead Teacher: Marshall King
❤️Japan Study Abroad Trip and Exchange from DCIS Middle School (Lead Teacher: Erina Sudo)
| | | WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBERS TIFFANY AND LISA! | | To learn more about our board members, advisors, student advisors, and volunteers. CLICK HERE. | | MORE PASSPORT HOUSE PARTY PHOTOS | |
SAVE THE DATE: GALA 2026, SAT., APRIL 25
| | Our Gala is special. We know how to eat and drink with friends, keep the program short and meaningful, award remarkable students and community members, raise real money for a great cause, and still have a lot of fun. Take a peek at these photos from Gala 2025. | | Katie, 2025 attendee: "By far the best Gala I have ever attended—and I have been to a lot. I was especially glad to hear they are now working across all of DPS. Young people need to travel and explore our world, and I want to help make that a reality for more students". | | |
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The DCIS Foundation's mission is to advocate for and financially support immersive educational student travel in DPS - whether local, national, or international.
CLICK HERE to learn more about us.
CLICK HERE to read a few previous e-newsletters.
CLICK HERE to view our past events and photos.
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Board of Directors:
Dave Smith, President
Erin Sorce, VP/Secretary
Robert Bresnahan, Treasurer
Matt Harrison, Past President
Brandon Bohn
Tiffany Briseno
Brady Efting
Shea Kauffman
Joy Miller Oliver
Lisa LaBriola
Julia Spratt
Matt Weimer
Stacy Yauk
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
In Memory & Honor - Board Member:
Dennis Gallagher
Executive Director | CEO:
Theresa Meier Conley, Ph.D.
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