August 27th marks the first day of school for many students attending a school within the Denver Public School system.

This may be a day of joy for many parents waiting for the school year to begin not only to keep their children both active and learning, but also to alleviate the family’s expenses associated with childcare and/or participation in summer activities.

Yet some parents may still find themselves facing economic hardship when trying to sign up their child in school related activities like sports and clubs or when trying to provide academic resources so that their student can maintain their grades.

Below you will find some resources that may be of interest to your family.

Are you a parent who needs to find child care? Denver Public School’s Kaleidoscope Corner provides licensed child care at certain schools. Kaleidoscope Corner offers your child a fun and safe learning environment with different activities catered to a child’s age and needs. Contact the registration line at 720-424-8291 for more information. Families can also contact Mile High United Way Child Care Referral Line at no charge for child care referral at 303-561-2244, dial 2-1-1 or email 211.childcareoptions@unitedwaydenver.org. Do you live outside the Denver metro area? Contact 1-877-338-CARE (2273).

It’s not uncommon for some parents to find themselves like a deer caught in the headlights when their son or daughter brings home schoolwork asking for their assistance. Whether it’s a mathematical equation, explaining the significance of a scientific term or discussing grammatical errors — parents oftentimes might find themselves stumped.

For those parents that are willing to admit to their child that they are “not all knowing” or just plain want to figure out the answer to the question, check out Homework Hotline4. The homework hotline is coordinated through Denver Public Schools with certified teachers on the other side of the call answering your and your child’s questions. Call 303-322-PASS (7877). You can reach the line during the regular school year from 4 - 8:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Live outside the Denver metro area? Call 800-825-PASS (7877).

Were you one of those people who was read to as a child as you were being tucked into bed? Perhaps you would like to continue that tradition with your own child — albeit with a modern twist. The Denver Public Library and the Mayor’s Office for Education and Children offer the Phone-a-story program where a librarian reads to a child through an automated telephone system. Children from 3-5, 5-8, 8-11 and 11 and older, can dial 720-865-8500 to enjoy all that a good book has got to offer! Books are also read in Spanish.

Denver Public Library branches offer you and your family the opportunity to access knowledge in the form of a wide variety of books and other forms of literature. For families who may not have internet access at home or even a computer, sign up for a library card to use your local library’s computers. Find out more about the services offered by the Denver Public Library at www.denverlibrary.org or call 720-865-1111.

With school underway you might find that while your child has already finished his homework and chores, he is sitting at home with nothing else to do. Visit your local recreation center to find out about the program activities they offer this fall. Denver Parks and Recreation offers the My Place program for students of Denver Public Schools. Ask about the program; your child may be eligible to receive benefits such as free annual membership. Visit www.denvergov.org/recreation.