OpenWorld Learning collaborated with the University of Colorado Denver to generate interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by participating in the Stemapalooza Expo held at the Colorado Convention Center October 24th and 25th.

Perry Jowsey, Chief Development Officer, and Christi Kirchner, Media & Donor Relations Manager, presented at the Colorado Nonprofit Association Fall Conference, which hosted more than 800 attendees, included over 60 exhibitors, and featured 36 breakout sessions.

Chuck Ward, president of Qwest Communications for Colorado, and Lorrie Damian, president of SOMOS Colorado, presented a $2,500 contribution to OpenWorld Learning to support our free, advanced technology after-school programs.

Through the generous support of corporate and individual sponsors, OpenWorld Learning provided 110,000 program contact hours during the 2007-2008 school year. With your help, we aim to offer 45,000 additional program contact hours to help serve disadvantaged youth during the 2008-2009 school year.

Thank you to all who participated in OpenWorld Learning's fundraising gala on September 24, 2008. The event would not have been possible without the support of our VIP Reception Sponsor IHS and the following event sponsors: Bridge-Linguatec, KRG Capital Partners, Morgridge Family Foundation, University of Denver, Betty & David Arkell, Gretchen & J.P. Flaum, Susan & Steve Halstedt, Diane Mayer & Mike McNamara, Maggie & Mitch Morrissey, and Jodi & Bill Sorensen.

W.B. Yeats once said, "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." At OpenWorld Learning we want to continue to ignite a child's love of learning while teaching skills they will use for a lifetime.

Community and education leaders celebrated the expansion of OpenWorld Learning's programs at Trevista ECE -- 8 School with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 22.

"Lights On" Afterschool at Trevista ECE - 8 School due to Partnership with OpenWorld Learning

Monday, September 22, 2008: Community and education leaders celebrated the expansion of OpenWorld Learning's programs at Trevista ECE - 8 School with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Denver Public Schools, Superintendent Michael Bennet, Principal Veronica Benavidez and OpenWorld Learning CEO, Barb Youmans spoke about the impact of the recent school restructuring at Trevisa ECE - 8 School. The ribbon-cutting ceremony served as an official recognition of the financial support of donors who have remained committed to providing innovative afterschool programming to disadvantaged students in DPS, despite last year's school closings.

Denver's Leaders Collaborate to Address Governor Ritter's P-20 Initiative

Thursday, July 17, 2008: A focus group comprised of representatives from Denver Public Schools, College in Colorado, Colorado Community College, Regis University, University of Colorado -- Denver, OpenWorld Learning, Chávez Grupo, FirstData Corporation and Wells Fargo met to identify the core competencies, skills and personal attributes vital to students' success in secondary education and today's work place.

In late June, OpenWorld Learning received a generous grant of $25,000 from the Helen K. and Arthur E. Johnson Foundation which will enable OpenWorld Learning to offer our innovative program to more students during the 2008-2009 school year.

OpenWorld Learning's third annual fundraising gala will be held on September 24 at 6:00 pm. We are looking forward to celebrating OpenWorld Learning's expansion and program success during 2007. We are excited to have The Honorable Federico Peńa as our host this year.

OpenWorld Learning is excited to report the outstanding results from our evaluation of our programs during the 2007- 2008 school year. We've had success with student homework completion and classroom behavior in addition to positive indicators on CSAP scores and social-emotional measures.

OpenWorld Learning hosted three professionals from Polycom, Inc. for a career panel at Creekside Elementary School, OpenWorld Learning's Boulder Valley School District site. Through Polycom's Global Citizenship program, two engineers, Edie Apke and Keith Amann, and Director of Technical Business Development, Geri Mitchell-Brown, shared their educational and professional experiences with our students.

Larry joined OpenWorld Learning on April 1st. His role as Regional Director is to oversee operations for OpenWorld Learning's sites and to support and lead growth initiatives for the Denver area and beyond.

OpenWorld Learning and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science hosted 437 3rd-8th grade students and their families for an End of Session Celebration on Saturday, May 31 that recognized the semester long efforts of OpenWorld Learning's students.

OpenWorld Learning Celebrates Student Innovation and Technology

Saturday, May 31, 2008: OpenWorld Learning and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science hosted 437 3^rd-8^th grade students and their families from OpenWorld Learning's after-school program for an End of Session Celebration on Saturday, May 31 that recognized the semester long efforts of OpenWorld Learning's students. Students from 13 Denver Public Schools and 1 Boulder Valley School District Elementary School presented their MicroWorld projects

OpenWorld Learning teacher, Samuel Harrington, passed away on Friday, June 13.

A key success that distinguishes OpenWorld Learning from other after-school programs is our focus on and commitment to program design. As a part of our ongoing effort to ensure program quality and innovative learning, OpenWorld Learning partnered with MIT during a three-day workshop in late April that allowed our design team to engage with a special guest.

OpenWorld Learning hosted Denver area business and community leaders during a site event at Ellis Elementary on April 9, 2008. We were honored to have community and education leaders such as Sarah Bock, Clif Harald and Bill Waskowitz speak to the value of our mission.

Students at Kepner Middle School, OpenWorld Learning's first middle school site, are pioneering a new "Techno Track" for full-scale operation this fall.

Spring is here and with it brings so many reasons to celebrate our students. In the April 2007 newsletter, we introduced Burak to you and he has accomplished so much in one year.

Cassidy has excelled in the OpenWorld Learning program and was the first student to become a student leader at Kaiser Elementary this year.

Imani has natural abilities in leadership and the OpenWorld Learning program presents an environment for her to grow and thrive.

This is Brenda's first year in the OpenWorld Learning program. Brenda's mother Peggy said, "I'm thrilled with the progress Brenda has made in the 3rd grade with the assistance of OpenWorld Learning. Her reading skills and confidence have improved so much."

IHS is leading the way in corporate giving with a recent donation of $40,000. A formal check presentation was made by Jerre Stead, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, on National Corporate Philanthropy Day -- February 25, 2008.

George Hernandez, Site Leader of Archuleta Elementary, is well-respected by both staff and students. George was employed as an aerospace engineer with Raytheon/Hughes Aircraft Company from 1966-2000 and received a B.S. from the University of California.

Tom Clark, Executive Vice President Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation and the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce will be hosting our upcoming OpenWorld Learning Site Event at Ellis Elementary on April 9 from 4:00-5:00 pm. For further information, please contact Christi at ckirchner@openworldlearning.org or 303-633-4190.

We were thrilled to open our first site in Boulder at Creekside Elementary in September 2007. This would not have been possible without the sponsorship of Impact on Education, Gordon Gamm, Jared Polis Foundation, Catherine Merigold, Amy Batchelor and Brad Feld.

Leading the way in Corporate Giving: IHS Presents OpenWorld Learning with a $40,000 Sponsorship on National Corporate Philanthropy Day

Monday, February 25, 2008: IHS, a leading global source of critical information and insight for customers in a broad range of industries, presented OpenWorld Learning with a $40,000 donation to sponsor its after school program at the College View Elementary site (2675 S. Decatur St., Denver CO 80219). A formal check presentation was made by Jerre Stead, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman.

Perry Jowsey joined OpenWorld Learning in October 2007 as Chief Development Officer, and enters the upcoming year with exciting expectations for program and resource growth.

David is a prime example of a 4th grade student excelling in the Open World Learning program at Castro Elementary School.

With the success of the past three years, OpenWorld Learning has abundant reasons to be excited about the future. Our goal and passion has always been and continues to be serving children in at-risk communities by providing high quality educational opportunities during out-of-school times.

Munroe Elementary strives to meet the diverse academic, linguistic and social needs of its students, many of who face challenging circumstances. OpenWorld Learning is grateful to Centennial Ventures for making our program possible at Munroe Elementary.

We would like to thank Lynne Valencia, 9 News VP Community Relations, for giving a wonderful tour of the station to our students at Kepner Middle School.

Chris Myers founded OpenWorld Learning to create opportunities for all children, regardless of income, to use computers as powerful tools to invent, design, create, and collaborate.

2007 came to a close with a first in the history of OpenWorld Learning: End of Session Celebrations held at all 15 sites during December.

OpenWorld Learning is very grateful to Jenna and Walker Stapleton for their sponsorship of the program at Schenck Elementary. Jenna Stapleton said, "Walker and I are thrilled to sponsor Schenck Elementary through funds from the Fishback Foundation.