News from the Nest — May 5, 2023
Posted May 5, 2023
Vol. 7, No. 33
K-5th Grade Learning Showcase is Wed., May 10!
Our kindergarten through 5th grade families are cordially invited to our Learning Showcase on Wednesday, May 10 from 4:00pm to 5:30pm!
- WHO: K-5th graders & their families.
- WHAT: K-5th Grade Learning Showcase with displays of student work from homerooms, STEM, art, and music.
- WHEN: Wednesday, May 10; 4:00pm-5:30pm (see below for schedule details!)
- WHERE: K-2nd Grade Music Performance: cafeteria; K-5th Open House Showcase: homeroom classrooms
- WHY: Let your kids share what they’ve been learning!
- HOW: no RSVP required; however, children cannot attend alone, so please plan to come!
3rd-5th Grade Learning Showcase Schedule
3rd, 4th, & 5th grade families may visit their child’s classroom at any time between 4:00pm and 5:30pm for an Open House showcase of student work.
K-2nd Grade Music Performance & Showcase Schedule
As part of our Learning Showcase, our kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade students will be performing a concert for you!
K-2nd Grade Performance Schedule
- 4:00: K-2nd grade families arrive in front lobby. Students go directly to their homeroom classrooms to line up for the performance. Families go directly to the cafeteria to find seats.
- 4:10: K-2nd grade teachers walk classes to stage spots.
- 4:15-4:45: K-2nd Grade Musical Performance
- 4:45: K-2nd grade teachers walk classes back to homerooms. Families follow to meet their students.
- 4:45-5:30: K-2nd grade Open House showcase in homerooms
- Performance attire: K-2nd grade students should wear bright colors (dressy attire if possible).
If you have any questions, please email our music teacher, Mrs. Jenny Morgenthaler, at j_morgenthaler@dpsk12.net.
Family Fitness & Fishing Day: Sat., May 13 @ Wash Park!
Please join the McKinley-Thatcher school community and our PE teacher, Mr. J, for fishing/bike/scooter activities at Wash Park on Saturday, May 13 from 11:00am to 1:00pm!
We will meet on the north side of Wash Park at Smith Lake. Students may bring their fishing pole, bike, scooter, football, skateboard, water bottles, healthy snack, etc. Denver Parks and Rec will have fishing poles for you to use.
Families are invited to bike ride/scooter/fish with their children. Bring all of your family members for some fun physical activity!
A Very Special Shout-Out to…
Freya S., one of our 3rd graders, who was one of three first place winners at the DPS District Science Fair and STEAM Expo last Saturday, April 29. Congratulations, Freya!
In Other News!
- Only 5 days until our DPS Town Hall! This coming Tuesday, May 9, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, DPS officials Evan Mellman and Katie Hechavarria will be coming to McKinley-Thatcher to talk to us about how the district decides our budget. There will also be a Q&A, so bring your questions – and free pizza, so bring your appetite! Make sure to register if you need childcare! This event is proudly sponsored by our Collaborative School Committee (CSC)!
- We are excited to partner with Sweet Cow (1882 S. Pearl St.) for a give-back fundraising event on Tuesday, May 9 from 11:00am to 9:00pm! Come enjoy some delicious ice cream and raise money for our school at the same time!
- REMINDER: we are working towards the goal of 95% attendance for all students during the month of May! There are 19 days of school left…ANY student who misses only 1 day of school (or 0 days) in May will participate in a DONUT PARTY on Wednesday, May 31. We can’t wait to see you at school every day this month!
- Please save-the-date for two of our most treasured annual May events: K-5th Grade Field Day and the K-5th Grade Talent Show!
- K-5th Grade Field Day – Friday, May 19; 8:00am-10:00am.
- We will need many family volunteers to help with Field Day! Please keep an eye on ClassDojo and the newsletter for our volunteer sign-up link.
- K-5th Grade Talent Show – Friday, May 26; 1:15pm-2:15pm.
- Mark your calendars!
- We have NO SCHOOL on Monday, May 29 in observance of Memorial Day.
- ECE ONLY: Last Day of School for ECE – Thursday, June 1 (half-day with dismissal after continuation)
- Last Day of School for K-5th Grade – Friday, June 2 (half-day with dismissal at 12:00pm)
- We have the following community resources to share with our families!
- Children ages 5 to 18 can sign up to receive their free MY Denver Cards before summer break! Youth with a MY Denver Card get free access to city rec centers, swimming pools and various cultural facilities, including the zoo and many Denver-area museums.
- Denver Public Library’s ideaLABs are makerspaces: free community spaces to make things. You can produce videos, create games, make music, learn about electronics, and more! The labs are free to anyone – no library card necessary!
Upcoming School Events
Click here to view the McKinley-Thatcher school calendar.
- Fri., 5/5 – Free Book Friday, 2:30pm
- Mon., 5/8 – 3rd & 4th Grade Field Trip: State Capitol
- Mon., 5/8 – Kindergarten Round-Up for incoming kindergarten families, 1:45pm-2:30pm
- Tues., 5/9 – Sweet Cow giveback event, 11:00am-9:00pm
- Tues., 5/9 – School Budget Town Hall, 5:00pm-7:00pm
- Weds., 5/10 – K-5th Grade Learning Showcase, 4:00pm-5:30pm
- Weds., 5/10 to Mon., 5/15 – Virtual Talent Show auditions
- Sat., 5/13 – Family Fitness & Fishing Day with Mr. J, 11:00am-1:00pm @ Wash Park
- Fri., 5/19 – K-5th Grade Field Day (more details coming next week!)
- Fri., 5/19 – ECE SPREE Field Trip: Johnson Habitat Park
Upcoming DPS & Community Events
