News from the Nest — February 3, 2023

Posted February 3, 2023

Vol. 7, No. 21

In Case You Missed It:
Updated Cell Phone & Smartwatch Policy

As we shared on ClassDojo earlier this week, we have an updated cell phone and smartwatch policy in our Student & Family Handbook.

Updated Cell Phone / Smartwatch Policy

Cell phones and smartwatches may be brought to school; however, students must follow these rules for use during school hours.

  • Cell phones and smartwatches may only be used before or after school outside of the classroom setting.
  • Cell phones must be powered off and kept in backpacks. Our rule is cell phones must be kept “Off and Away.”  
  • Smartwatches may be worn on the wrist, however only used as a watch. Calling, messaging, games, music, and other features may not be used during the school day.

If a student needs to contact a parent or guardian, they must ask their teacher or come to the office to use a school phone. If a student isn’t feeling well, they should come to the office to see the nurse. School staff will determine if a child needs to be sent home. If a student is using their cell phone or smartwatch on campus, consequences may include: verbal warning, phone call home, cell phone/smartwatch held in office for family to pick up, and/or loss of privileges.

Our PTA Needs Your Help:
Luxury & Experience Donations Needed for Our 2023 Auction!

Do you have a vacation home you’d be willing to loan out for a weekend or maybe even longer? Or perhaps you have access to a luxury experience you’d be willing to share (e.g., membership at a private golf or fishing club)? Our PTA is looking for distinctive and/or luxury experience donations for our 2023 Auction. These donations are our best and biggest sellers; they are what will really help us reach our fundraising goal! 

If you can help out, please email McTAuction@gmail.com to let PTA know how you can contribute. Thank you!

From Our School Nurse:
Strep Throat Update

Heads up, McKinley families! There have been a few cases of strep throat at our school. 

Symptoms of strep throat include:

  • Pain, discomfort or raw feeling of the throat.
  • Pain is made worse when swallowing.
  • Other symptoms include sore throat, fever, headache, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting.
  • Cough, hoarseness, red eyes, and runny nose are usually not seen with strep throat. These symptoms point more to a viral cause.

The School-Based Health Centers (SBHC) run by Denver Health have FREE strep tests for all DPS students. To schedule an appointment, call (303) 602-8958. The SBHC clinics are located in many DPS schools (including South High School, which is just a few minutes away from McKinley!). The clinics offer free medical care and advice. More information can be found on the Denver Health website.

In Other News!

  • During February, we will be teaching and learning about our second school value, work together!

  • Valentine’s Day classroom parties: we will be hosting our Valentine’s Day parties from 7:30am to 8:30am on Tuesday, February 14! Keep an eye out for more information from your child’s teachers, including lists of students’ first names to use for valentines. Please note that Valentine’s Day parties will be for students ONLY – thank you for your understanding!

    If you prefer that your child not participate in our Valentine’s Day celebration, please submit this form or call us at (720) 424-5600.

  • Save-the-Date: our February CSC meeting is Tuesday, February 14 from 5:00pm to 6:00pm on Google Meet!

  • Mark your calendars: we have NO SCHOOL on Monday, February 20 or Tuesday, February 21!

  • In case you missed it, here’s our February 2023 lunch menu! (Please note, this menu only goes through February 17. We’ll post an updated menu as soon as we receive it!)

  • Just a reminder: if your student is going into ECE, kindergarten, or 6th grade next school year, please complete a SchoolChoice application by 4:00pm on Tuesday, February 14!

  • K-5th grade families: there’s still time to sign up to participate in our School Science Fair! Check out our website for full details and register by Monday, February 6.

  • Our PTA held their biannual Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) book giveaway for McKinley students yesterday and today! Students got to choose a brand-new, FREE book to take home. Thank you, PTA!

  • We’ve heard of some upcoming community events that McKinley families might be interested in!
    • Home Depot is bringing back their FREE, in-person Kids Workshops on the first Saturday of every month. Check out their website for more information and be sure to set the store location to be the Home Depot closest to you!

    • Ruby Hill Neighborhood Association, along with Athmar Park, Baker, Lincoln Broadway Corridor, Overland, Rosedale, Platt Park, and West Wash Park Neighborhood associations, and the Broadway Merchants Association, are hosting a forum for City Council candidates running for office in City Council District 7. Join the forum on Wednesday, February 8 at 6:30pm virtually or at Godsman Elementary School to hear from your District 7 City Council candidates!

      For more information and to register, click here! The forum offers Spanish and Vietnamese interpretation for both virtual and in-person attendees, and free childcare!

    • The Colorado School of Mines and the Society of Women Engineers are excited to host the Girls Are SMART (Studious, Mighty, Amazing, Resilient, and Talented) Conference on Saturday, March 11 from 9:30am to 12:00pm on the School of Mines campus! At the conference, girls in grades 1st-5th will do science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activities and explore what it means to be an engineer and scientist! 

      The conference costs $10 per student and registration is open on a first come, first served basis until March 7! To sign up, visit the School of Mines website. 

Upcoming School Events

Click here to view the McKinley-Thatcher school calendar.

  • Fri., 2/3 – Free Book Friday @ 2:30pm on our playground
  • Mon., 2/6 – Science Fair Registration CLOSES!
  • Mon., 2/13 to Fri., 2/17 – Science Fair display boards for sale in main office
  • Tues., 2/14 – Valentine’s Day parties, 7:30am-8:30am (students ONLY, please!)
  • Tues., 2/14 – February CSC meeting, 5:00pm-6:00pm on Google Meet 
  • Thurs., 2/16 to Fri., 2/17 – 5th Grade OVERNIGHT Field Trip: Balarat

Upcoming DPS & Community Events