November 2025
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Get Involved
Climate Champions applications due by Dec. 2
Thank you to all the schools who submitted their Intent to Apply in October. As you finalize your project proposals, remember to submit your application by Tuesday, Dec. 2.
Looking for additional support? Email the Sustainability Team at dept_sustainability@dpsk12.net.
Experiential learning project opportunities
Students and teachers interested in the Seal of Climate Literacy diploma endorsement can find great experiential learning project opportunities with community partners in this resource for students and teachers.
Some of these projects are paid, some are volunteer, and some are meant to be done as a class or as an individual. There’s something for everyone!
Show off your art skills to promote waste diversion
Denver is seeking student artwork for this year's Truck Art Contest, and winning artwork will be featured on Denver's trash trucks as part of a “rolling art gallery” for all of Denver to see. That is nearly 32 square feet of “canvas”!
DPS students are encouraged to create original art around the theme of “Keep Denver Beautiful!” and the importance of reducing waste.
Artwork must be submitted online by Friday, Dec. 19. We can’t wait to see the creative work that students come up with!
Resources
Coming this spring: Sustainability Project Based Learning PDU
The Sustainability Team will be offering a professional development unit (PDU) for middle and high school teachers on how to turn one of your instructional units into a sustainability project-based learning (PBL) opportunity for your students!
Look for the PDU in the spring semester PDU catalog when it’s published. The PDU will be a hybrid of virtual and in-person, meeting on certain Wednesdays after school during spring semester.
We will learn from and partner with various local organizations such as Denver Water, UCAR, and NREL to support your curriculum redesign.
This PDU will help your school meet the DPS Climate Action Plan goal of “100% of schools have at least 1 annual sustainability project-based learning opportunity”. Email Abigail_Harkey@dpsk12.net with questions.
Free curricular resource: ecoRise
EcoRise is a free source of pre-made lessons for grades K-12 about a variety of sustainability topics.
Available in both English and Spanish, these standards-aligned lessons include comprehensive lesson plans with step-by-step instructions and a range of additional resources, such as presentations with corresponding teacher’s notes, student worksheets, and assessment checklists and rubrics.
Check it out today to build environmental literacy and leadership in your classroom!
Take learning outdoors with Lincoln Hills Cares
Looking for a community partner to help your school meet the DPS Climate Action goal that “100% of schools incorporate an outdoor learning space in their academics”? Connect with Lincoln Hills Cares for outdoor learning experiences on your campus or on the Lincoln Hills mountain campus.
The Lincoln Hills Cares Outdoor Education Program provides diverse opportunities for youth to engage in experiential outdoor and environmental education programs. With a focus on cultural history, natural sciences, the environment, and outdoor recreation, Lincoln Hills offers dynamic and culturally responsive curriculum with elements that meet state academic standards.
Educators: get free books through DreamBooks
DreamBooks partners with DPS to make it easy for schools to recycle old books and curriculum at no cost. They collect books so they can be reused, repurposed, or recycled instead of ending up in the landfill. To schedule a book pickup, email dispatch@dreambooksco.com.
DPS staff can receive free books from DreamBooks’ bookstore, which is located in Denver’s Park Hill neighborhood and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mention the Free Books for Educators Program.
Happenings
Students call for continued climate action
Hear from the DPS Earth Rangers, the middle school extension of DPS Students for Climate Action, on why climate action matters now more than ever, why they want to keep climate action a priority in DPS, and how you can help.
Cultivating connection: 100 students gathered to celebrate DPS gardens
The Sustainability Team hosted the first-ever DPS Fall Garden Celebration in September, bringing together more than 100 students from five schools to honor the vibrant garden programs growing across our district.
Students shared food, stories, and inspiration — including powerful speeches from two student leaders in the South Herbalism Club. Students also gained hands-on experiences in sustainability, cooking, and ecology from workshops led by community partners like Denver Urban Gardens, Spirit of the Sun, People and Pollinators Action Network, and more.
Do you help care for a DPS garden? Join us next fall for another celebration of community and growth — or connect sooner at the Youth Unity Rising Summit on Thursday, Nov. 20.
Celebrating a new garden space for teen mothers
In September, Florence Crittenton High School came alive as more than 200 people gathered for the Garden Fiesta to support building a thriving garden space and orchard for teen moms.
The event not only raised money, awareness, and momentum for the garden project, but it was a joyful example of how community power, creativity, and collaboration can move grassroots projects forward, cultivating not only gardens but also shared health and wealth in the neighborhood.
Connect with SustainEd Farms to participate in future projects like this one.
Congrats to Green Flag schools
Last year, 9 DPS schools achieved "Green Flag" EcoSchools certification from the National Wildlife Federation – the highest level of EcoSchools certification there is!
Hear from Asbury Elementary students on what earning the prestigious Green Flag certification means to them.
If you're interested in exploring EcoSchools certification for your school, please reach out to kelly_moses@dpsk12.net or complete the interest form. We're here to help.
Staying Connected
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View the DPS Sustainability website, and share the Climate Action Plan that is driving this work.