• DPA Webstore
    VISIT THE DAWSON PARENT ASSOCIATION SPIRIT WEAR STORE!
DPA COMMUNITY INITIATIVES

These DPA driven and funded events are designed to create a deeper sense of community amongst the Dawson students, parents, faculty and staff. And in some cases, like Dawson Fest, the events are an opportunity to reach out to the community at large. The intention is to inspire fun, connection, gratitude and a generosity of spirit.
 
Funding for each of the DPA Initiatives comes directly from the proceeds of the DPA Grocery and Gift Card programs, the Dawson Concession Stand, and from Spirit Wear sales.

DPA Community Building Initiatives:

Fall Parent Parties
 
The DPA has a tradition of organizing back-to-school Parent Parties for each grade. These low-key gatherings are the perfect occasion to reconnect with each other and with parents of new students. 
Dawson Fest
This is the first All-School festive gathering of the year and kicks off our Dawson Homecoming weekend. The goal is to throw a fun, school-spirit-centered event for the whole Dawson community. The carnival includes a variety of games, attractions, and food. Cheer on the Dawson teams AND test your skills on an obstacle course!

Holiday Coffee and Market
 
A great way to kick off the holiday season. Enjoy espresso and homemade treats while catching up with friends, supporting Dawson and getting a bit of the holiday to-do-list checked off. You can find Grocery and Gift Cards, fun Spirit Wear items, an array of elegant greenery, art by the Dawson Gallery of fine artists and various handmade items offered by the Helping Hands Club (the MS community service group). To further get you in the holiday spirit, the MS and US jazz bands and the LS choir provide festive musical entertainment.

Faculty/Staff Appreciation Breakfast

Have we mentioned how much we LOVE our faculty and staff here at Dawson??!! Throughout the year we think up various creative ways to show our gratitude – a few faculty and staff favorites are Valentine’s chocolates, monthly staffroom yummies and Thanksgiving gift cards. This particular Breakfast event is a full faculty and staff gathering complete with nutritious breakfast treats, small gifts and numerous toasts of appreciation.
Dawson Cares
A new committee, providing Dawson families (parents and students) with volunteer opportunities throughout the year to help our community. All parents and all students grades K-12 will be able to participate in the events in different ways. Committee members are needed to help play monthly events, be a liaison between Dawson and select local charities, and encourage families at Dawson to volunteer together.

Sunshine Club
 
The DPA Sunshine Club acknowledges various events that occur in the lives of people in the Dawson community by sending an appropriate card or acknowledgement. If desired, we offer to organize meals or other means of support for our Dawson friends in need.
Mini & Mega Grant Program
Every third year, at the Dawson Spring Auction Event, the DPA raises funds to directly support our faculty’s “wish lists.” These “lists” are comprised of advanced teaching tools for curriculum enhancement which further enrich and deepen the students’ learning experience. The money raised is evenly distributed over three years to the faculty applicants with projects that are creative, innovative, educationally sound and that directly benefit Dawson students. A few examples of recently funded projects: Sphero Robots, Rocketbooks, Gaga Ball pits, and XP-Pen drawing tablets. Grant Applications are due by the last Monday in January and are awarded by no later than the last Monday in February.
 

2021 DPA Mini/Mega Grant Forms (click to download)

Comments / Suggestions?

COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS?
If you have questions, comments, or suggestions – or if you would like to become more involved in the Dawson Parent Association – we would love to hear from you.