The DGS Annual Fund
Our leadership has long strived to keep tuition low so that the unique and outstanding DGS experience may be available to a wide range of families. However, to do this, we must rely on the dedication, effort, and generosity of our small community to support and cultivate the school. Each family is asked to contribute to the DGS Annual Fund.
Why The Annual Fund?
While tuition is calculated to cover the “shoestring budget” to operate the school, this doesn’t leave anything extra to cover unexpected loss, unplanned expenses, and capital growth. Years ago, we contemplated requiring families to purchase Tuition Insurance like most other private schools. However, we decided we could do better!
We decided that if all families could contribute what they can beyond tuition, we would hold onto the money in a separate account for times of need; tuition loss and much more. We call this the Annual Fund. The funds contribute to three buckets...
The Buckets
01.
Unexpected Financial Loss
Because we are so small, if a family defaults on tuition, it could significantly impact our operations. The Annual Funds fills this bucket first to ensure the regular operating budget is fully funded and critical line items can be funded such as utilities, materials and teacher salaries.
02.
Unplanned Expenses
Life happens when you least expect it! The Annual Fund can help us pay for unexpected large expenses that do not have a line item in the regular operating budget, such as roof repair, replacing the furnace, or removing dangerous trees. The Annual Fund contributes to this fund second to ensure we are not financially wiped out by a crazy unplanned expense.
03.
Capital Growth
Once all other buckets are full, we can then think about the fun stuff! By saving our pennies and being super frugal, we have been able to fund capital growth. The biggest project was our addition to the building, which took years to save up for. We have also used some of the Annual Fund to build the amphitheater, the geodesic dome, improve the Woodland Cottage, and renovate the Cabin (now used as the Sustainability and Science Cabin).
This Year's
Bucket "List"
This year, our goal is to be able to use our Annual Fund's 3rd bucket to give our MakerSpace a major overhaul!
MakerSpace Re-Imagined!
After a hugely successful annual fund last year, and the resultant creation of our Forest Playground, we are turning our sights on improving something indoors––our MakerSpace!
MakerSpace is quintessential DGS in that it promotes creativity, problem solving, engineering, and the joy of learning with a hands on approach.
It's been a great and treasured space for our students, but it's time to take it to the next level!
Dreaming of a New...
MakerSpace
Dreaming up our new Makerspace has just begun, but so many great ideas have already come about. Here's a quick look at what some of our brainstorming has envisioned.
Exploration!
Explore and Learn with materials and tools that remain in Makerspace like SnapCircuits, Legos, Magnetic Tiles, and Wood Blocks
Stations, Accessibility, Organization, Easy Set-Up and Clean-Up.
Creativity sparks, and learning expands as the environment supports this.
Sustainable
With clearer material guidelines, we hope to also reduce waste
Imagination Unlimited
As before, students can use Makerspace to freely create what they imagine.
Engineering Problems
Models for Projects
Gifts for Friends
Abstract Masterpieces
Reverse Engineer
Clothes and Costumes
and so many new creations yet to be imagined.
New Tech!
We want our students to have access to the latest technology to explore and learn from.
Ideas Include:
3D Printer
Arduino Kits
Robotics
Cricut
New Tools
