Dollars4Schools: Recent Support for Local Schools

Supporting innovative programs to meet teacher and student needs

The Santa Fe Community Foundation is committed to contributing to school betterment and student well-being in northern New Mexico. One integral way we enhance outcomes for young learners is through our Dollars4Schools program, which focuses on meeting the needs of public school teachers, ensuring they have the resources necessary for their students and classrooms. Since its beginnings in 2010, Dollars4Schools has proudly funded nearly 1,000 classroom requests, averaging a total of $45,000-$55,000 in funding each year.

Recently, Dollars4Schools has been honored to support two initiatives that promote student success, health, and well-being: the Santa Fe Public Schools' Safe Routes to School program and protective Guardian Caps for high school football players.

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Safe Routes to School

Here are a few different Safe Routes to School efforts that were greatly enhanced through Dollars4Schools support.

Walk and Roll to School‍

The Walk and Roll to School program includes 10 schools, where on a weekly basis teachers meet students off-campus in the morning and either walk or pedal with them to school. This shows students how to identify safe options for walking or riding to school, teaches them how to do so safely, and gives them time to exercise and socialize before school, which has shown to have a positive effect on attendance, reduction of bullying, and academic success. Healthy food was provided to all 10 schools, ensuring students were fed each morning and had the fuel to fully participate in the weekly events

Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day‍

On November 14th and the days around it, Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day was celebrated, a national celebration recognizing young Ruby's bravery as the first Black student to attend a formerly segregated school in the South. The celebration happened in four schools with a StoryWalk (a series of posters set up along a walking route featuring her children's book I Am Ruby Bridges), discussion points around inclusion and community, and a group art project. Students were also supported with healthy food during these events.

Fleet Repair Days‍

Two schools were identified, Ortiz Middle School and Nina Otero Community School, that had bicycle fleets that were going unused due to their condition. In partnership with the Santa Fe Fat Tire Society volunteers were recruited to tune up the bikes and install flat protection to keep them operational, all of whom were fed. A total of $3,000-4,000 was saved in labor to get these bicycles available for students to use in P.E. classes.

Family Bike Fiesta

National Bike and Roll to School Day was celebrated during the Family Bike Fiesta. This included a Bike Parade, where families met at Frenchy's Field to decorate their bikes and helmets, then rode to Aspen Community School to play in our Bike Rodeo, make a smoothie with a blender bike, and were treated to a concert by local Eco-Hip-Hop artist All Aboard Earth. Participants were provided decorations for helmets and bikes, and free popsicles to cool the riders down when they arrived at the Fiesta.

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Guardian Caps

This football season, practice fields across Santa Fe have a new look. Student-athletes are now sporting Guardian Caps — a protective, padded cover worn over helmets — thanks to the support of Dollars4Schools.

The Guardian Caps, known for their lightweight design and ability to reduce the impact of head collisions, represent a proactive step toward improving student safety in contact sports. By lessening the risk of concussions and repetitive head trauma, the caps are helping ensure that players stay healthier both on and off the field.

Support from Dollars4Schools has provided Guardian caps for football players at Capital High School, St. Michael's High School, and the Santa Fe Indian School. 

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‍We invite you to learn more and support Dollars4Schools today!