Welcome Staff

President’s Corner

Welcome Staff to this special section just for you!

For some of you who have been part of the David Douglas School District family for several years, you will recognize this picture.  I was supposed to be a fairy princess with a magic wand and my opening line was “If Wishes Came True.” It is one of many, sometimes wild and crazy, costumes and personas that I created to get your attention.  You may not have remembered what I had to say, but you remembered the costume.

I am still saying much of the same words because I continue to feel they are important.  Thank all of you for caring about our students. Even though some days seem tough and you don’t always get that pat on the back, be assured that what you are doing is helping each student toward success and you are appreciated.

This section contains information about the Spring and Opportunity Grant programs, and provides access to applications for each.

Also available is information about the $5 Campaign, a payroll deduction plan that has been available since 2006.  Many of you have been contributing since then, even increasing your deduction amount over the years, and have made an invaluable impact on the assistance DDEF can provide for those kids in need or special requests from staff and school-sponsored ventures.

During the past years, we have extended funds for library and classroom books, supplemented Rocket Team expenses to compete at the National level of Team America Rocketry Competition, funded flexible seating options for students, new equipment for PE classes, student leadership conferences, and partial expenses for a Gold Place winner to join in the Scholastic Art & Writing National Celebration (among other requests).

Because of these extra requests, our Opportunity Grant fund is in need of your help.  For every $5 increment, it is divided between the Kids Fund and Opportunity Grants. If you have never participated, the payroll deduction plan is an easy way to help so many – maybe even your grant request someday!  If you can, please sign up for the Kids Fund Payroll Deduction Plan or increase your amount by $5 this year – it does make a difference.

So “If Wishes Came True”, I wish for an exciting and successful school year for all and hope you will seriously consider signing up for the $5 Campaign now - see the $5 Dollar Campaign section directly below. In addition, we encourage you to apply for an Opportunity or Spring grant when needed - Opportunity grants are open year-round; Spring grants are open during a specified period in the Spring (usually March or April).

Sincerely,

Beverly Fischer, DDEF President (still!! – and enjoying it all)

$5 Dollar Campaign

The David Douglas Educational Foundation’s $5 Campaign is a simple and painless payroll deduction where employees are asked to contribute as little as $5 per month to DDEF.

Many thanks to you that have signed up in the past and are still supporting the $5 Campaign, some since the inception in 1994-95!  Your payroll deductions have assisted in providing glasses, clothing, shoes and many other needs for some of our children (Kids Fund) and many Opportunity Grants. 

Please click the “Learn More” button below for more information and to download the $5 Campaign Application.

Free Ways to Give: If you shop at Fred Meyer and haven’t already done so, sign up and designate DDEF as a recipient of a percentage of sales.  This is a free service and helps fund DDEF goals and projects.  Check out Fred Meyer Rewards on our Ways to Give page. 

Sorry I missed the chance to meet and greet you during the Welcome Back picnic, plus you didn’t get to see my latest and craziest costume.  But I am planning on meeting with you and your school this year to reacquaint you with David Douglas Educational Foundation (DDEF), what we have to offer and what we have accomplished as an all-volunteer board since 1991.  You can also visit our website, www.ddefforkids.org to see what’s new.

 Please take time to look through this website to read about our Success Stories, Scholarship Recipients, and our roster of Board members and continuing Donors.  Did you find your name?

We are always looking for new members to join our board. It would be very helpful to have teacher representation.  Please consider, 4th Tuesday each month (excluding December and July), 7 – 9 pm through Zoom (you can even attend in your after-school wear if you want).

Have a great year – Looking forward to seeing you.  

Beverly Fischer, DDEF President

Foundation Offerings

Scholarships: Dates to apply for the 2024-2025 school year will be published in the late Fall.  If you have a chance, encourage your students to apply for some of the scholarships posted on our web site’s Scholarships page.

Grants: If you’re interested in seeing more detail on what the Opportunity and Spring Grants have provided, click Grants at this website’s top menu bar, ddefforkids.org/grants.  You’ll see a snapshot of a variety of grants provided in past years.

When you apply for a DDEF Spring or Opportunity Grant, please be sure to read all of the instructions. You will need to complete the School District’s grant proposal form (#GR-F-001) as well as the DDEF Opportunity Grant or DDEF Spring Grant.  Both the School District’s form and one of the DDEF Grant forms (Spring or Opportunity) are required. These DDEF grant application buttons are located at the bottom of this, our Staff Resources page.

Keep on scrolling to find the Spring and Opportunity Grant request forms below.

DDEF Spring Grant

The DDEF Spring Grant program supports staff requests to enhance and supplement district programs and to provide additional educational opportunities for David Douglas students. Spring Grant applications are accepted during a specified timeframe announced to staff (typically in February and March).

The Spring Grant application period is closed for Spring 2024. Come back here again to apply in February or March.

Looking for the Opportunity Grant application (which is available year-round? Just scroll a little further down this page to the “DDEF Opportunity Grant” section.

DDEF opportunity Grant

Do you need assistance funding a special project?  Opportunity Grant Applications may be submitted to DDEF at any time. They are those requests that would not be considered for a Spring Grant because either they do not meet Spring Grant requirements or they do not fit the Spring Grant application period. You may apply for an Opportunity Grant by downloading the application here and following the instructions that accompany the application.