Pajama Day at DMIS

DMIS students, faculty and staff rolled out of bed and into school in their pajamas on Thurs., Jan. 28 to raise awareness about homelessness in Denver. Students donated $1, and adults gave $5 to wear their jammies to class.

All proceeds went to Denver’s Road Home, the nonprofit organization implementing Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper’s initiative to end homelessness in our city. The Rocky Mountain region’s oldest international school raised nearly $500 for this important cause.

Dr. Jamie Van Leeuwen, executive director of Denver’s Road Home, visited DMIS on Pajama Day. He read to students in our Mandarin Chinese kindergarten and French pre-kindergarten classes a story about different types of homes all over the world, and he discussed the importance of having a supportive community and the critical role education plays in eradicating homelessness. Dr. Van Leeuwen also fielded plenty of questions about his silk pajamas.

Joining Dr. Van Leeuwen was Lisa Betchey from the Mile High United Way.

We were pleased to have “Dr. Jamie” and “Miss Lisa” with us last week.  They helped our students learn about a very serious issue in a most memorable — and yes, fun — way.

The preKindergarten Spanish students were very excited to wear their pajamas all day!
Dr. Jamie Van Leeuwen poses with the Mandarin Chinese Kindergarten class.	Dr. Van Leeuwen from Denver's Road Home asks the Mandarin Chinese Kindergarten class "How many of you have a home?"