Wellness Initiatives

DPS GOAL:

Reduce natural resource consumption and waste year-over-year.

Map Highlight

Explore How We’ll Get There

Gardens

Gardens – Grow & Learn Together

5-Year Goal: 100 gardens are active and produce 100 pounds or more of harvest per year.

Greenhouses

Greenhouse Complex – A Bountiful Harvest

5-Year Goal: 50% reduction in tomatoes purchased commercially to be produced by the Glenbrook Greenhouse.

Nutrition Services

Share with a Locavore

5-Year Goal: Develop a comprehensive nutrition education plan that is used at 100% schools for all grade levels.

The map shows schools with gardens on site. These gardens provide fresh food and outdoor learning experiences for students. Click on one of the vegetable icons in the map below to display a link to the selected garden’s website and the contact information for the garden leader. Website and contact information are not available for some gardens.

Active DPS Wellness Initiatives

Gardens | Greenhouses | Nutrition Services

Gardens – Grow & Learn Together

5-Year Goal: 100 gardens are active and produce 100 pounds or more of harvest per year.

With a program managing nearly 100 active gardens, DPS leverages their unique focus on gardens to connect their community with nature and nutritious food. By introducing students to agricultural and local food systems, DPS hopes to equip their students with the nutritional, physical, and mental health tools for a healthy holistic adulthood.

Greenhouse Complex – A Bountiful Harvest

5-Year Goal: 50% reduction in tomatoes purchased commercially to be produced by the Glenbrook Greenhouse

The DPS Glenbrook greenhouse complex will expand capacity and increase tomato yields year-after-year. Yields will be tracked and improved based on the results. This tracking and improvement will be incorporated into curriculums such as math and science. All produce will be utilized by the DPS community.

Palmer Elementary

Nutrition Services – Share with a Locavore

5-Year Goal: Develop a comprehensive nutrition education plan that is used at 100% schools for all grade levels.

Combat climate change with multiple cafeteria and lunchroom improvements! Food waste can be reduced by identifying which items are commonly thrown away and go unused. Sourcing ingredients locally, including from school gardens, will reduce the overall carbon footprint of operations. Finally, creating share tables and refrigerators for unwanted or unused food and beverages will also reduce waste.

Samuels Elementary

Recent Wellness Headlines

Read the 2021-2022 Sustainability Annual Report

Nov 7, 2022 | Built Environment, Career & Curriculum, Environmental Justice, News, Resource Management, Transportation, Wellness

DPS Sustainability has been working hard to have an impact on our schools, community and beyond. Conserving resources, saving the district and...

Dwarf Goats Arrive in DPS

Aug 20, 2022 | Gardens, Wellness

by Matt Suprunowicz, SustainEd Farms Vega enjoys her new home at Denver Green School Northfield. SustainEd Farms, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit...

Bruce Randolph pilots Agricultural Career Pathway with new Hydroponic Farm

Apr 22, 2022 | Career & Curriculum, Gardens, Wellness

Earth Day 2022, On Earth Day, 2022, the new hydroponic farm at Bruce Randolph shared the first harvest of fresh produce. Cucumbers growing in the...

Sustainable Agriculture Challenge – Win up to $1,000

Nov 30, 2021 | Gardens, News, Wellness

Create a plant to address problems with our food systems and you could win up to $1,000! The Chipotle x Earth Force challenge is designed to help...

Cory Elementary Embraces the Whole Child, Whole Chicken and Whole Food!

Nov 12, 2021 | Environmental Justice, Gardens, Wellness

by Skeeter Buck For the past several years, Cory Elementary — its students, teachers, and parents have collaborated utilizing a school-based...

Fall 2021 Sustainability Newsletter

Nov 11, 2021 | Built Environment, Career & Curriculum, Environmental Justice, Gardens, News, Resource Management, Transportation, Wellness

Welcome to the return of the DPS Sustainability Newsletter! Our team manages utilities for the district, works to reduce our resource consumption by...

Read the 2020-2021 Sustainability Annual Report

Oct 28, 2021 | Built Environment, Career & Curriculum, Environmental Justice, Gardens, News, Resource Management, Transportation, Wellness

DPS Sustainability has been working hard to have an impact on our schools, community and beyond. Conserving resources, saving the district and...

Lincoln Hills Cares Interns Jumpstart DPS Gardens and Farms

Oct 21, 2021 | Career & Curriculum, Gardens, Wellness

Lincoln Hills Cares works to develop the next generation of youth leaders through outdoor education, recreation and improving our community. Lincoln...