PTO
Parent Teacher Organization
What is the PTO?
The mission of the Parent Teacher Organization is to strengthen our community spirit by fostering relationships between students, parents, and teachers.
The great thing about the PTO is that everyone is a member. So if you are a parent, a staff member, or a teacher at DLS, you are already a member! No dues and no paperwork required!
You can view the PTO Bylaws here.
Join the PTO Leadership Team!
The Denver Language School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is dedicated to improving the education provided to all DLS students by supporting our school and its activities. Through events, programs, and collaboration, the PTO builds connections between families, teachers, and staff that enrich our children’s educational experience.
Open Executive Board Positions
We are currently seeking volunteers for two important roles on the PTO Executive Board:
President – Provides overall leadership to the PTO, guides meetings, oversees initiatives, and works closely with school administration and families.
President-Elect – Partners with the President to plan and lead initiatives while preparing to step into the President role in the future.
Why Get Involved?
Make a direct impact on your child’s school experience.
Strengthen connections between families and the school community.
Bring creative ideas to life through events, parent education opportunities, and cultural celebrations.
Ready to Lead? If you’re passionate about supporting our students and building community, we’d love to hear from you. No prior PTO experience is required—just a commitment to helping Denver Language School thrive.
To learn more or volunteer, please contact Kelsey Brewer at secretary@dlspto.org. We’ll happily share details about the responsibilities, time expectations, and vision for both roles. Thank you for being an essential part of our DLS community. Together, we can continue to nurture a thriving, empowered, and engaged school for all our children.
Upcoming Volunteer Needs
PTO Committees: We'd love to have your help in our upcoming events and initiatives, please fill out this form and a Board Member will contact you shortly.
Room Parents: We are looking for parents/caregivers willing to help our classroom teachers for the year! Please email roomparents@dlspto.org
Questions? Email secretary@dlspto.org
For upcoming PTO events please check the school event calendar linked here.
25-26 PTO Executive Board
The PTO Executive Board invites all community members to attend their monthly meetings. The 2025-2026 meeting schedule will be posted here and on the DLS calendar.
Please email secretary@dlspto.org for the link to the meeting.
Kelsey Brewer — Secretary
Kelsey serves as PTO Secretary, applying her background in strategic tax and consulting services to streamline PTO operations and communications. A passionate community advocate, she reinforces the PTO’s mission to foster connections among families, students, and educators. She is a proud mother of two—her older child is enrolled in the 2nd Grade Mandarin program and her younger soon-to-be—making her attuned to school life and community needs. When she isn’t organizing minutes or general PTO support, Kelsey enjoys traveling, skiing, and quality family time with her husband Jon, her two sons, and their dog.
Gayland Paffe, Treasurer
Gayland serves as PTO Treasurer, bringing a wealth of experience in IT sales and a decade-and-a-half of strategic business insight to his role. As a dedicated volunteer, he supports Girl Scouts and local efforts to assist Denver’s unhoused community—reflecting DLS PTO’s emphasis on community and service. Proud father of a 7th grader in the Spanish program, and married to Leslie, Gayland is deeply invested in fostering a meaningful school experience for all DLS children. When he’s not helping manage PTO finances or community-building efforts, you’ll find him cycling, skiing, running, or vacationing with family.
Jen Wiard, At-Large - Gilpin Representative
Page updated September 10, 2025