News from the Nest — December 1, 2023
Posted December 1, 2023
Our Annual December Food Drive Starts Next Wednesday, 12/6!
McKinley-Thatcher is excited to hold our annual December Food Drive next week from Wednesday, December 6 to Friday, December 8. Our food drive donations will be handed out to school families on Wednesday, December 13!
We are looking for donations of the following items:
(Please check expiration dates on all donated food items!)
- Nutrient-rich canned and shelf-stable goods
- Dishwasher & laundry detergent
- Personal hygiene products
- $25 gift cards to Target & Walmart (preferred) or Safeway & King Soopers
Donations can be sent with your child or dropped off at the main office in your student’s grade donation box any day from December 6 to December 8! Gift card donations can be dropped off in our main office.
All items donated to our food drive will be sorted and packed into reusable grocery bags, then distributed to any McKinley family that would like to take food home for Winter Break! Food bags will be distributed on Wednesday, December 13 at 2:30pm on our playground.
We need volunteers to help sort, pack, and distribute donations! If you can help sort and pack on Monday, 12/11 or help distribute food bags on Wednesday, 12/13, sign up here!
The grade level that collects the most donations during the drive wins a special Wintertastic Popsicle Party from our PTA! (Our 4th and 5th grade classes will work together to raise donations for their combined grade levels.)
You’re Invited: December PTA Meeting Is Thursday, 12/7!
All McKinley families are invited to join our PTA for their December meeting next Thursday, December 7 at 7:30am in our library! Please enter through our main door and sign in as a visitor in the lobby. Coffee is provided – please bring your own cup!
Want to know what’s on the agenda, or can’t make it to the meeting? All PTA agendas and minutes are available through our website’s PTA page — scroll down to “Meetings & Minutes”!
Help Us Promote Racial Equity at McKinley with Our CSC!
Are you interested in weighing in on promoting racial equity at McKinley-Thatcher? Share your ideas at our next CSC meeting on Tuesday, December 12 from 5:00pm to 6:00pm, where we’ll be discussing ways to make McKinley an even more inclusive place! Join us on Google Meet at meet.google.com/cvi-rbys-wvk.
Other School News
- Save-the-Date for our 2024 school auction: Mark your calendars as McKinley-Thatcher’s Annual Auction returns to Moss Denver! Join us on Friday, March 1, 2024 for a night of drinks, desserts, and a live auction to raise funds for our school!
- During December, we’re teaching and learning about our fourth school value, lead by example!
- Please click here to see our December 2023 lunch menu in English.
- Mark your calendars: we have NO SCHOOL from Monday, 12/18 to Tuesday, 1/2 for our winter break. School resumes on Wednesday, 1/3!
- Save-the-Date: our 2024 School Science Fair will be held in February 2024. We’ll share more details in January!
- Winter weather reminders: as we start to have wintery weather, we’d like to share these reminders with our families!
- Delayed start due to winter weather: when DPS schools are on a “late start” due to winter weather, McKinley-Thatcher will operate on a two-hour delay, opening at 9:30am, with drop-off beginning at 9:15am.
- Recess: When it is 20 degrees or lower, we will have indoor recess in our gym. Otherwise, we’ll be outside! Please dress your child in warm winter gear (coats, gloves, hats and any other outdoor winter clothing you see fit).
- DPS weather closure information: if the decision is made to close or delay schools due to weather, the DPS Communications Office will notify local television and radio stations, which will broadcast regular announcements of school closures or delays. School closures will also be posted on the district’s homepage, Weather at dpsk12.org, and the district’s Facebook page.
Community News & Resources
Upcoming School Events
Click here to view the McKinley-Thatcher school calendar.
- Mon., 12/4 – Thurs., 12/7 – winter after-school enrichments BEGIN
- Weds., 12/6 – Fri., 12/8 – December Food Drive
- Thurs., 12/7 – December PTA Meeting, 7:30am in our library
- Mon., 12/11 – Food Drive Donation Packing Day – we need volunteers!
- Tues., 12/12 – December CSC Meeting, 5:00pm on Google Meet
- Weds., 12/13 – ECE In-School Field Trip: Children’s Museum of Denver
- Weds., 12/13 – FREE Food Distribution for Winter Break, 2:30pm on our playground
- Fri., 12/15 – Monthly School Value Assembly, 7:45am
- Mon., 12/18 – Tues., 1/2 – NO SCHOOL: Winter Break
- Weds., 1/3 – SCHOOL RESUMES!
Upcoming DPS & Community Events
