On Saturday, Aug. 24, Denver Public Schools (DPS) and the Latin American Research and Service Agency (LARASA) will co-sponsor the third leg of the 10th Annual Community Walk®. Scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., Saturday's community walk will build on the momentum created by the first two walks, held on Aug. 3 and 17, and is expected to draw significantly more participants.

"Our walk was wonderful," said Rachel Bygrave, second grade teacher at Mitchell Elementary. "It was a good way to show our parents that we care, and we gained a better understanding of some of the things our kids are dealing with."

Neighborhoods surrounding seven DPS elementary schools have been targeted for this Saturday's event. At each location, teams of teachers, volunteers and school administrators will go door-to-door to meet parents and discuss expectations for the school year. In addition, volunteers will provide students with school supplies.

Neighborhoods targeted for this Saturday's event surround the following DPS schools:

• Castro Elementary Columbine Elementary
  845 S. Lowell 2540 E. 29th Ave.
  
• Ebert Elementary Gilpin Elementary
  410 Park Ave. West 2949 California
  
• Hallet Elementary Swansea Elementary
  2950 Jasmine 4650 Columbine
  
• Valverde Elementary
  2030 W. Alameda

Since 1992, the LARASA Community Walk® has been a way for parents to meet their child's teacher in a positive, familiar and safe environment. While the program was founded by LARASA, this year signals the beginning of a formal partnership with DPS, and 13 schools have been targeted. Organizers anticipate contacts with more than 6,000 students by the end of this year's effort.

The final leg of this year's event is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 7. Teachers and volunteers will target the neighborhoods surrounding Cowell and Barnum elementary schools.

LARASA is a nonprofit research and service organization created in 1964 to improve the health, education, and self-sufficiency of Colorado's Latino community.

For more information on the 10th Annual Community Walk®, contact Elena Dia at 303-722-5150 x112, or the DPS Public Information Office at 720-423-3414.